So how are you enjoying our readings in Exodus? If you're like me, you're wondering what the deal is with the Israelites?!? Of course, I must then grudgingly acknowledge that I am exactly like them--I have ups and downs in my relationship with God too. What a contrast to the Lord who is faithful and steadfast and whose Word endures forever. I am truly privileged to be His child.
There was a period in my life where I decided I could handle my life pretty well myself. Now I still wanted God around, but not too close and only if I really got in a bind. Clearly this was a low point in my Christian walk. But here's the thing, even though I pulled back on my end, God didn't change. He didn't stop loving me or pursuing me. As I write this today I have this to say--THANK YOU LORD!!!
So how about you? Can you identify some times that God was particularly faithful to you? How about a time when you didn't really deserve it? Give it some thought, and if you're comfortable sharing, send us a blog. Tami W.
I just heard about Powered by 4 today and I am excited to start in Exodus. I got saved in 1963, I was 18 but all these years I have had no guidance from a mother, teacher, pastor, mentor. I've had to wing my christian walk on my own.
Of course being in the Word is what kept me. I used to think Moses was going to be my role model because he was old when he was called.
Well 40 came and went. Now I'm 63 and have my great radio teachers to help me.
Yes, I am going to a church and we do have small groups. This is a new church for me for I have run away 22 times in my life time.
My last few months were horrible as I walked deeper into sin. It all started with an overmedication of anti depresents which just opened up the door for Satan.
Thank you for this study.
I'll look forward to it daily.
This is a good question Tami, and I have to say that the poignant time in my life where God showed He was faithful to me was when my husband and I went through an 8 month separation. It was about 3 years into our marriage and we were both struggling immensely and even though we were both in counseling together, and individually, and also in groups at church and had a couple who coached us once a week, it was really the Lord working out the things we both needed healing from.
See, between my husband's family and mine there were 12 divorces between our 4 original parents. There was also incest, abuse, alcoholism, homosexuality, adultery and other sin that often creates problems - needless to say, neither of us had a good biblical foundation from which to work, and yet the Lord called us both to Himself early in life and He led us to one another. So we knew that we had a an uphill climb, but my husband and I had one thing our parents didn't - we BELIEVED in Jesus and walked with Him.
God's faithfulness has been clear in our whole marriage, and next month - in about 2 weeks actually, my husband Randall and I will be married 16 years. For that, I am eternally grateful and I praise Him for showing me what faithfulness is because no human in my life, ever has.
Oh, and as for Exodus and those readings...ah....I haven't been doing them faithfully. But I shall begin again today.... :)
I agree with you, Tami. What was wrong with those Israelites? I mean, how many times did God have to deliver them before they got the picture? But, just as you said, how many times before I get the picture! I love the questions at the end of the PB4 devotional. I think I can feel God's presence in my life most clearly when I seek Him and that for me is through His Word. In respose to your question about a time when God was particularly faithful, I would have to say that it is now. My mother is terribly ill and nearing her homecoming with Jesus, but God is actually refining me in teaching me to persevere in these circumstances and to have a heart of compassion for her situation. I am humbled by how he is teaching me to be more like Him. He is definitely doing a mighty work in my life!
Sister,
I could write at least three books on how many times the LORD GOD has covered me and saved me from complete destruction... This past week was long, hot and busy...When I got home last night and into our home...It hit me like a ton of bricks... I am truly Blessed by the LORD GOD!!! Even though I am struggling and hurting and in sin... I know, that I know...GOD is SO very GOOD to me!!! Why? I ask HIM and HE just says," Because I LOVE you!!!"
We know that there is never a time that God is not faithful to us...there are just those times that we are tuned in to the Holy Spirit and realize His grace and providence. How wonderful this life on earth would be if we could just stay on that level of communion with Him! And we never, ever deserve it...He is just that loving and merciful.
I am a broken pot (verse 12). I am waiting on God to show me his unfailing love as I know He will. I take comfort in the fact that while I was the one to give Satan some power, THROUGH MY CHOICES--(because that's the only way he has power), I was doing something right before that, because literally all Hell broke loose when I began to witness to my co-workers. Please say a prayer right now as "a great cloud of witnesses" ( Hebrews 12) watches how I handle suffering. My prayer is for us to remember that no matter what we are going through individually, we all have the same enemy and to pray for each other.
Wow...those are some loaded questions!! I am responding, to what I would consider late, because I needed time to pray and think of how to respond; or should I say, share! Since becoming a Christian 30 years ago God has always been faithful, even before choosing Christ as my Savior. In saying that I must confess I have fallen to many times to count, have been angry at my Lord, not understood and at times didn't want to, thought my way was best, made bad choices (too many to count), and put my Lord last instead of first. Through all of my years He has been faithful, when I was not. I have never deserved His faithful, it is only through His grace and mercy that I can receive it.
I can only hope and thankful for any growth I may have in my journey with Christ!!!
Today is Sept 8 and of course as you can see I am way behind in my reading. July 30th is what I read today. Exodus 18. I am wondering if Jethro was a christian before he came to visit Moses. Verses 8-12 states: "Moses told his father in law all the Lord had done to Pharaoh and the Egyptians for Israel's sake and all the hardships that had come upon them by the way and how the Lord delivered them. Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness the Lord had done to Israel in that He had delivered them out of the hand of the Egyptians. Jethro said blessed be the Lord Who has delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians and out of the hand of Pharoah, Who has delivered the people from under the hand of the Egyptians. NOW I KNOW that the Lord is greater than all gods ....." Perhaps he was already a christian and was just rejoicing with Moses. I don't know. Then the next day he was perception and concerned for Moses and the load he was carrying. He gave Moses some very practical and also (I believe) God inspired advice. Is it possible for God to speak to a veteran christian via the mouth of a baby christian? or even a non christian? interesting food for thought ... I pray to God that He gives me the grace to ask for help when I need it. To remind me that I cannot do it alone and it is not His will for me to do it alone. Otherwise I will just end up again in burn out. Without His help I would surely remain independent, head strong and burned out! what a timely word for me.
Hi Melissa, thanks for submitting your question! We have a Biblical Communications department here at Back to the Bible that loves to answer Bible questions. You can read their response below. And to anyone else out there with Bible questions, keep them coming and we'll get back to you! Tami W.
Although the Bible focuses on the Israelites as God's chosen people, there appears to have been a few individuals outside of this select group who had a spiritual understanding that set them apart from the pagan worshipers around them (consider Job and Melchizedek). Jethro was also part of that group. In Exodus 2:18 he is called "Reuel" (Raguel, KJV) which means "friend of God." And this was before he even had met Moses. It could also be argued that Moses would not have married into a family that didn't have a belief in the one true God. Later (Ex. 3:1), Jethro is also called "the priest of Midian" (compare with Melchizedek in Gen. 14:18). All of this point to a personal faith in God before Moses arrived on the scene. Of course, in the 40 years that Moses lived in Jethro's home, I'm sure he added to his father-in-law’s understanding of God as well.
While technically a "Christian" is a "Christ-follower" (so it is limited to New Testament believers), these Old Testament believers worshipped and served God in the light that they had--a light that led them to "believe God" and be counted as righteous (Rom. 4:3).
Tami and Biblical Communications Dept.,
Thank you! What a great answer to my question about Jethro. Thank you. Now get ready because I have many more questions coming ....
This is so great! (finally having some answers to all my questions) This means so much to me.
Thank you
Melissa