January 30, 2010 Exodus 10:1-12:13, Matthew 20:1-28, Psalm 25:1-15, Proverbs 6:6-11

And so we begin! Too bad I wasn't more on the ball so we could have started at the very beginning on January 1, but I guess better late than never.  Let's open each session with words based on Psalm 19:14, shall we?

"May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be pleasing in thy site, Oh Lord, our Rock and our Redeemer."

Response to Exodus 10:1-12:13

I think it's important here to remember that God Almighty is following through on His covenant to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to bring them out of Egypt and return them to the promised land. He has referred to Himself as El Shaddai (God Almighty), and He certainly shows his power in the 10 plagues which devastate Egypt. The end result is that the world certainly takes notice and respects the power of God Almighty, both in that time and culture and yet today.

You have to have a bit of compassion on Pharoah though, don't you?  He seemed to know the deck he was being dealt, yet he remained powerless against the hand of God.  How many of us can relate to that - and yet, even the bad things that happen to us work out to the glory of God if we let God use our life stories to His ultimate glory.

Up to this point in our reading of the Bible, we have had quite the history lesson beginning in Genesis 1.  Although Moses had access to the greatest libraries of the era, he has spoken of a culture which ages before Egypt. Paddan Aram is referred to often as Northwest Mesopotamia. Check your history and find that this is considered by historians as the cradle of civilization. Moses has documented for us some of the most ancient writings available to man! This holy book outdates other holy books by thousands of years! Amazing.  Historians rank most older history as pre-history as there is no written record.

But, now we are into the present day for Moses, and the beginning of Judaism. See Exodus 12:2; "This is to be for you the first month..." and there begins our story for 2010.  This first of the Judeo-Christian religions begins with the Passover and the death of the lamb and the salvation of it's blood. Fitting.

Response to Matthew 20:1-28

I noticed as I read this scripture that it wasn't about when we were saved, but when we began working for the Kingdom.  I have wondered how many of us claim to have that relationship with God or with Jesus Christ.  What are you doing with it and why? Does it bother you that salvation for some can come at a much later date than others? Does it bother you that some people seem to have much more fun? If your greatest enemy found their way to Heaven, would that be the worst thing that could ever happen? Do you think it makes a difference whether you just believe or if you actually work at serving the master? Pick a question and respond. I can't wait to hear.

Do you have trouble comparing the humble Spirit of Jesus Christ with the awesome Power of God Almighty? We read so far of God's awesome power in the Egyptian plagues and then we finish today's New Testament reading with : "whoever wants to be first must be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. Interesting dichotomy, wouldn't you agree?

Response to Psalm 25:1-15

Today, we read a Psalm of David. Psalm 25:1-15; If you are not familiar with who this is, please ask.  We will read his stories and the history of David in May.

Two of my themes are found in this Psalm. My hope for all of us is found in Psalm 25:4-6a "Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.

David was a warrior and often had to fight for his life.  He had a common theme that God was His God, and prayed for deliverance from his enemies. He often called for the wrath of God - and that type of prayer has continued in God's people to this very day regardless of the Love of God they recognize through Jesus Christ.  Unfortunately for David, God would not let him build the temple as he was a man of war.  That priviledge was left to David's son who lived in more peaceful times.  We shall see over and over that through the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ, God offers his great mercy, love, and salvation to all men.  Most often, I believe the reason the world does not know Him is that He has been misrepresented in religious circles. However, I feel a Spirit of renewal coming and I hope we can wade into that flow through our sharing in this blog.

Response to Proverbs 6:6-11

Our final reading comes from Proverbs 6:6-11.  Again, we are called to work.  Not only in the Kingdom of God, but also in life here on earth.  We are not called to poverty, we must work for our living.  If our humbleness is based on our sorrow and misfortune, I think we need to read the scripture again, and so we shall. 

Please share your thoughts, God bless, and we'll see you again tomorrow.