Bible Chapter: Exodus 15

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    A song of victory.  A song of praise to God for His awesome triumph over the powerful army of Egypt.  The Red Sea stood before them in their escape and Pharaoh thought he had them trapped.  It was no problem for God to part the waters and give them dry land to cross.  Moses sang a song of triumph, God was highly exalted.  The Lord is my strength and song and salvation.  This was one of the most amazing victories in history.  They held a major celebration giving God all the praise.  When people experience the supernatural intervention of God, they must remember what He did and be encouraged for a long time.  Unfortunately, this remembrance and celebration doesn't always happen.
    After this great victory, it only took a few days for the people to begin complaining again.  They were not finding water and they complained.  Then when they found water it was bitter and they couldn't drink it. They so quickly forgot that God was leading them and taking care of them.  God made the water drinkable.  Then he made a promise to be with them and keep them healthy.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    There is a promise from God at the end of the chapter that is very practical.  God told Israel that if they would listen carefully to His voice and do what is right in HIS eyes, then he will protect them and none of the diseases He brought on the Egyptians would come on them.  God has all power and no illness is a challenge to Him.  There is nothing that impacts us that God can't handle.  This is very encouraging to be able to trust God.  Reminder to self:  God is the One Who sets the standards for right and wrong, not me.
    The majority of this chapter is a song of praise and worship to God.  Giving God the praise is a privilege we have.  It brings us into God's presence.  Being with God is the best place to be.  Lesson to learn:  praise God often.

3.  How can I help someone?
    God will come through in His timing and in His way for all the situations we face in life.  Nothing is too hard for Him.  Trust Him and obey His commands and watch Him show His mighty power.  We will see that God is never perplexed as to how to help.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 14

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The display of the great power of the Lord!!  When people see it they are convinced that God is above all and nothing is too hard for Him.  When it seemed like the world was caving in on them, Moses brought Israel through the Red Sea under God’s direction and mighty power.  Then they saw His judgement against sin and this chapter ends with the statement that they feared the Lord and put their trust in Him.  God directed Israel to move around the desert so that Pharaoh would think they were lost and confused.  Then he went after them with his army.  This was God’s plan to bring them to a place of judgement.  All the army was drowned in the sea.
    Moses had a very challenging job in leading the people out of Egypt and through the desert.  We see that quickly as they were complaining when they saw the army coming after them.  They claimed they wanted to stay in Egypt, but somehow Moses had convinced them all, against their wills, to leave.  How quickly they forgot the horror of slavery.  But, God delivered them any way.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    When the enemy had them trapped, Moses gave some encouraging words.  He told them to not be afraid, but stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord would bring them that day.  Then an amazing truth: the Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.  It was like a big friend who comes by when the bully is about to destroy you.  And, the big friend steps in and quickly takes care of the aggressor.  All they had to do was wait for God to show His overwhelming power.  It was no problem for God to make a path through the sea so a million people could pass through.  It was no problem for Him to pull the wheels off the chariots and make the water cave in on the army.  God had it all planned and it worked flawlessly.
    I can trust God to show Himself.  Like Israel hemmed in by the sea and the army, it is easy to not see the big picture and wonder if things will work out. But, I must be still and see God come through.  God will still fight for His purpose.  God is just as powerful as ever.  The Bible says that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people see that they can trust God.  Obedience is necessary.  We can trust God and see Him provide and deliver.  That is so hard to remember, but it is true.  God really does know what He is doing.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 13

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Tell the next generation.  If we are not reminded of things, if we don’t learn history, we lose so much.  I have forgotten many things.  I go back to a place where I used to live and try to remember people and events.  I can’t remember them all.  We need memorials so we will remember.  We need memorials to teach future generations.  The Bible is filled memorials.  The Passover was so that in future years children will learn of the deliverance God gave them through His mighty hand.  Every generation needs a strong connection with God.  Every generation needs to learn that God hates sin and there is a good reason why they are told to stay far away from it.  There was to be nothing with yeast in it as part of the Passover celebration.  It represented corruption and evil.  The Passover was given to help them remember what God did and stay pure before Him.
    The firstborn were to be consecrated to God.  There are many pictures that could be taken from this.  The first always belongs to God.  God spared the firstborn of Israel.  They were to be consecrated to God.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    This chapter ends with a clear demonstration of God’s guidance for them.  God put a pillar of cloud for the day and a pillar of fire for the night.  This went ahead of them in their journey towards the promised land.  When it moved, they moved.  When it stopped, they stopped.  That sounds like a great idea.  It would be awesome to have that today.  When people doubt what they should do, just look up and see where God is leading.  God still leads today, it is just not as obvious.  God wants me to continue to trust His leading.  He does show us what to do when we ask.

3.  How can I help someone?
    This story of the Passover is repeated several times.  God is driving home a point: obey, get close to God and far from sin.  Salvation comes through God. It is an excellent plan that really works.  Try it.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 12

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God knows what He is doing.  And, when He promises something, He will come through.  His timing is what He has determined.  Reading the story of Joseph in Genesis and how the family ended up in Egypt is the first part of this story.  Now, 430 years later, a family of about 70 people is over a million and God is delivering them to a land that was promised.  Yes, we see here that life really is a journey.  The thought that I can and must trust God jumps out to me.  I can have confidence in HIM.  Here we see the story of the Passover.  It is a beautiful picture looking forward to the Messiah, the gift of life that we can receive through Jesus.
    The strong emphasis of ridding their homes of yeast during the Passover is a clear picture of God’s attitude towards sin.  Get rid of it.  Get far from it.  All worldly corruption must be removed.  God’s people are set apart for Him and sin destroys it.
    The Egyptians finally had endured enough and literally drove the Israelites out of the land.  They gave them all the gold and silver they asked for.  God’s plan worked just as He designed.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I want things to happen now.  I want all things to work out the way I want them to be.  Probably, most people are like that.  God wants us all to learn to trust Him and let Him do what is right.  If Jacob had known that his descendants would be in Egypt for 430 years, he might not have been willing to go.  The promises made to Abraham took several centuries to come into being.  It has been 2,000 years since Jesus was here on the earth.  God wants us all to learn to trust Him and allow Him to work things out.  Lessons in faith jump out to me as I read this story.

3.  How can I help someone?
    God won’t fail you.  We don’t always understand what and why.  We can learn to trust.  Most people will say, “Yes, I can trust God”.  The challenge is to actually do it. I want to help people trust Him.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 11

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    God told Moses what would be happening.  It would be the final plague that would cause the deliverance of Israel from slavery.  Moses told Pharaoh what would be happening, the death and judgement that would come on the land.  This must have been an intense time as the Bible says Moses left Pharaoh and was hot with anger.  Moses said God would go through the land and the firstborn males would die.  Then the Egyptian officials would beg them to leave.
    The Egyptian culture gave a high position to the firstborn male.  The fact that God focused on them for His judgement was an awful blow to them.  They put their hope for the future through the firstborn.  The Egyptians had sown much evil in making the Israelites their slaves and killing off the male children born to the slaves.  They were reaping the evil they had planted.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The principle of planting and harvesting is seen in this chapter.  The Egyptians, from the Pharaoh on down had considered themselves better than the Israelites.  Many evil things were done, including killing the baby boys.  If a person plants a garden, and they plant corn, they won’t harvest strawberries.  In life, when people plant sin and destruction, they will not harvest good and blessings.  A strong lesson:  be careful what I plant through my life and actions.  God will see to it that I harvest what I plant.
    Another important lesson to remember is that Jesus said the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.  We see that Satan loves to destroy life, he loves the death of people.  In Egypt he had the babies killed.  Down through history this story is repeated many times.  Today millions of babies are being killed and the world is reaping the harvest of this murder and destruction.

3.  How can I help someone?
    People need to see that God is a righteous Judge.  He will honestly look at their lives and give them the right reward for the life they live.  The amazing news is that, through the death of Jesus on the cross, anyone can receive the gift of God’s grace and forgiveness.  We must be faithful to God and plant the good things He tells us about in His Word.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 10

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The plagues continued, but we see some changes and progress towards the end.  Moses asked Pharaoh how long he would refuse to humble himself to God.  The government officials pleaded with Pharaoh to let the people go so they would no longer be a snare to them.  At this point Pharaoh brought Moses to him and tried to negotiate.  It appears that this “divine” leader was wearing down.  People who are getting caught up in the bondage of sin often try to negotiate with God.  Pharaoh said just the men could go.  Moses said no.  All would go, including all their livestock.  Neither Moses or Pharaoh would budge.  God sent two more plagues.  Locusts invaded and ate every living plant and tree.  Then darkness covered the land for three days.  All this did was make Pharaoh angry and hard again and refuse to let the people go.
    We also see God’s plan to show His power to future generations. Their children and grandchildren were to be told of all God did.  They needed to learn to rely on God.  Every generation must pass on the great truths of God to the next.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Keep on pursuing what God says to do.  This whole story of the plagues is taking up several chapters in Exodus.  Moses had to go before Pharaoh several times.  He had to continue to tell him that God was going to win.  Moses had to keep on risking his life before a desperate dictator who thought he was the highest authority there was.  It was difficult and wearing, but Moses didn’t quit.  This is good advice, don’t quit doing what is right.  Let God show His power and deliverance in HIS timing.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Never give up.  There is a classic cartoon that shows a bird swallowing a frog.  The frog is halfway in the bird’s beak and has his front “hands” around the throat of the bird.  The caption is “never give up”.  This is good advice when it seems like the end is near.  Always trust God.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 9

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    The plagues continued.  Horrible experiences for all the people.  Great suffering.  I can’t imagine living through all of this, the suffering and the loss.  I wonder what the thoughts and attitudes of the people were towards the Pharaoh.  In spite of these losses the hard heart of the Pharaoh continued to rise up against God. In the middle of the descriptions of the plagues there is an important phrase.  God said He was doing these things so Pharaoh would know there was “no one like me”.  God wants us to understand that there is NO ONE like Him.  There is no person or power that even comes close.  God is fully worthy of all our submission and worship.  Obedience to God is the best thing we can do.  Pharaoh thought he was above God.  It took him a long time and unbelievable suffering to finally realize who was in control.
    The fact that the plagues were not touching the Israelites is evidence of God’s superiority.  He had made a promise to them as a nation and He was keeping it.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Listen and do what you are told.  This theme was repeated over and over again in my youth.  My parents were not afraid to let me and my brothers know that life would be much better when we obeyed.  This principle applies to listening and obeying God, as well.  We see an illustration of that in this chapter.
Exodus 9:20-21 NKJV
20 He who feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his livestock flee to the houses. 21 But he who did not regard the word of the LORD left his servants and his livestock in the field.
Exodus 9:24-25 NKJV
24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, so very heavy that there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 And the hail struck throughout the whole land of Egypt, all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail struck every herb of the field and broke every tree of the field.
    Those who believed and obeyed were spared the terror of the hail.  Again, it works to obey.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people see and obey Jesus.  I know I say this often, but it is so important.  It is so necessary for life.  It is essential for eternity.  Nothing is more critical.  We see so many illustrations of the importance of obedience and the consequences of a hard heart.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 8

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    A very interesting phrase comes from this story of the plagues.  The phrase is a hard heart.  It means a person who is stubborn and resistant to what God says and does.  The person with a hard heart is so obstinate that they don’t care what kind of problems or consequences come from their actions, they refuse to give in to God.  This is a good description of the Pharaoh in the story.  As I read this I can’t imagine the horrible situations that came upon the whole land.  Yet, this unregenerate leader insisted on doing things his way.  The plague of frogs is amazing.  Once the plague stopped the dead frogs were still there.  They cleaned them up into piles and the whole land reeked with dead frogs.  That didn’t keep the pharaoh from refusing to let the people go.
    We do see the magicians finally acknowledged the fact that God was greater than they were.  They recognized that God has more power.  That still wasn’t enough for the release of the slaves.  Pride is a destructive thing.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    A good lesson to learn is the pride of a person going against God.  People get something in their minds and they get so hardheaded that no obvious evidence makes any impact.  They still insist on doing things their way.  I see this more and more in the modern world.  The culture is setting itself up for doom and failure.  It is setting up the world for God’s judgement.  When people point out the fact that many things commonly accepted today are against God’s law, they are mocked and ridiculed.  I want to stick with God’s way, it always works better.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people see the short and long term impact of obedience to God.  Doing things His way works.  This chapter deals with the destruction of pride.  I want to help people have a proper understanding of pride and how to best apply it in life.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 7

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    There are people who have a heart that is hard and rebellious against God.  They are so stubborn that, no matter what they face, they refuse to submit to Him.  I am amazed when I see that.  Life is so hard for those who live for themselves and reject the love of God.  To me it is obvious that there is real hope and deliverance in Jesus, and yet the majority don’t see it or refuse to let God change them.  Pharaoh was a very hard and proud person.  He thought he was the highest power and no one could touch him.  So, even though there were plagues coming against him, he continued to reject what God was doing to get his attention.
    This chapter shows us that evil forces have power beyond human abilities.  It also shows us that God’s power is greater then the evil forces.  God can do anything He decides to do.  It was no problem to turn the Nile River into blood.  The Creator God can easily do more than all the powers of evil.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    I live in a time when amazing things happen.  Technology is advancing faster than any one person can follow.  Things that were impossible when I was a boy are now commonplace.  I can talk to almost any place in the world and see the person I am talking with.  Medical advances are saving thousands of lives.  Transportation is such that in eight hours I can be in Europe.  Nothing seems to hold us back.  And yet, with all these advances, I must be reminded that many things cannot be accomplished by our own wisdom and creativity.  I must continually trust God.  I must rely on His supernatural power for daily life.  We cannot make it without HIM.

3.  How can I help someone?
    People today rely on our technology and think we are so smart.  Many believe that we are smarter than any previous generation, so we can handle things.  We are no smarter than any era, we just have the accumulated knowledge and are building on that foundation.  We are just as dependant on God as any generation.  I want to help people see that we must rely on God.  This live is not all there is.  There is eternity, and only by coming to God His way will we have the hope of a wonderful eternal life.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 6

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Verse 9 jumped out to me as I read this chapter.  The people wouldn’t listen to Moses because of their discouragement and cruel bondage.  Because things had been going to poorly, they didn’t want to hear the message of deliverance and hope that had come from God.  The didn’t listen to Moses, the one who would deliver them.  We all have lots of trials and problems.  It is easy to let them cause me to become discouraged and then not even want to try.  I don’t like the problems that come, I don’t like the oppression I face, and these can cause discouragement.  I need to be willing to listen to God, to listen to anyone He sends along with the words I need to hear.  Discouragement can be over whelming.  It can cause me to look for some kind of an escape.  But, I must continually learn to listen to and trust God.
    I need to live another lesson in this chapter.  It is the promise of God to bring us out from the yoke of bondage and redeem us with His outstretched arm.  While it seems interminable while I am going through something difficult, there is always the promise that at some time God will bring deliverance.  We also have the promise of eternal deliverance.  Continually trust God, this is a good lesson.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    God has revealed Himself through the Bible.  I can study it and learn more and more about Him.  I can enter in to a growing relationship with Him.  I am reminded of an old song written by Edna R. Worrell over one hundred years ago.
It is just like Jesus to roll the clouds away,
It’s just like Jesus to keep me day by day,
It’s just like Jesus all along the way,
It’s just like His great love.
    People who know Jesus can echo these words.  The hope, help and promises of God are here to carry us through.  This is a gift of God we can apply in life when the hard times show up.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people hear what God is really saying.  Confusion reigns about what the message is that God wants us to know.  Like the people who wouldn’t listen to Moses, people today don’t listen to God.  Life is so much better when we hear from God and apply what He says.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 5

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    I am reminded of a line from an old gospel song: it’s a battlefield brother, not a recreation room, it’s a fight and not a game.  This is a good description of the life we live serving Jesus.  It is a good description of what is developing in the book of Exodus.  When Moses went to the pharaoh and said they needed to leave and go to the desert to make a sacrifice to God, it started an amazing battle.  Pharaoh was not about to let go of a million people he had enslaved.  He thought he was a god and he was in control.  He thought no one could do anything about what he demanded.
    Moses was extremely disappointed.  He thought that, after hearing from God, all he would need to do was go before the king and demand release, and they all would go happily into the desert.  It didn’t work that way.  Again, this is an intense spiritual battle and the enemy was not going to roll over and play dead.  He will only go down fighting.  Evil powers go down hard. Yes, God had promised victory.  He had not told them how hard it would be.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The spiritual battle is just as difficult today as it ever has been.  The enemy is just as mean, deceitful and despicable as ever.  Jesus said that the thief comes to steal, kill and destroy.  We see that happening in many situations in our world today.  The fact that the spiritual battle takes time and intense effort is still true.  We can look at lessons from human history to see how difficult it is to unseat an evil person in power.  The wars are hard and costly.  But, for those who enjoy freedoms, someone had to pay.  For anyone to enjoy spiritual freedom, for anyone to know the joy of having Jesus in their heart and being free from the bondage of sin, someone had to pay.  This is one of the powerful practical lessons of this chapter.  I have the privileges of knowing Jesus and living in His freedom.  Someone paid the price and passed this on to me.  I must do the same so others can know the same peace of being delivered from the power of sin and have the hope of eternity with Jesus.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want people to know that Jesus really IS the way to hope and peace.  He really is the way to having a reason to live each day.  There is nothing that compares to the joy of being free from sin.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 4

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    It is easy to read the well known Bible stories and think that everything was easy and wonderful.  And, to think that the people in the stories were all strong in their faith and never doubted or hesitated to do great and mighty things for God.  The truth is that God used (and still uses) ordinary people who had to learn to trust Him.  It was often a challenge to get going and keep moving in the direction God planned.  God was speaking to Moses in a supernatural way and yet Moses hesitated to follow.  He kept asking for assurance and a sign from God.  He asked so much that God finally was angry with him and agreed to give Moses some backup.
    God has no problem using supernatural signs to prove His point. He gave Moses some miraculous signs to use to prove he had been sent by God.  God still uses the supernatural to show He is real and accomplish His purpose.  Even unbelievers will be drawn in when they see the power of God manifested in real life.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    God expects obedience.  A very unusual situation arose in this chapter due to Moses’ disobedience.  Even when he finally obeyed and started to do what God commanded, because there was still some disobedience in Moses, God judged him for it.  This is another illustration of God’s holiness and His expectation of obedience from those who follow Him.
    I am also reminded that from the beginning of the Bible, we see the supernatural power of God revealed and used to accomplish His purposes.  That is true up to this present age.  I find it too easy to see all the modern conveniences and methods and be tempted to do God’s work through them.  Since God’s work is about eternity and the spiritual battle is beyond human power and abilities, I must work for God using His methods and weapons.  This includes trusting God for the miraculous.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I think of a song I have heard, “I’ve Just Seen Jesus”.  It expresses the change that happens when a person experiences a real relationship with Him.  Life changes and hope springs up.  I want to help people see Jesus and learn to apply His promises in their lives.  I want to encourage people to obey what God commands.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 3

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    What a major change, from the highest life to tending sheep in the desert.  Moses spent the first forty years of his life living in the palace.  Then he spent the next forty years out in the desert.  We don’t know all the details, but we know that God taught Moses many things during that time.  We also see that he needed to learn more.  In particular, he needed to learn to really trust God.  We see his fear as God begins to lay out His plans for Moses.
    God also taught Moses about His holiness.  God is pure, perfect and complete.  God is totally separated from evil.  There is no sin in Him.  This is a lesson those who follow Jesus must learn.  His holiness is our example and we must strive to live a holy life.  Living a holy life sometimes brings attacks and sarcasm (often from those who don’t live a holy life and don’t want to live as God directs).  Being holy is not something to lord over others, but it is critically important to living a life that pleases God.  Holiness makes life better.  Just as it is better and more satisfying to live in cleanliness and not filth, it is more productive and blessed to live a holy life, above the stench and destruction of sin.
    God also revealed Himself as the I Am.  He is self-existent and is accountable to no one.  He is present and active.  This means that He will always be with His people.  One of the names given to Jesus at His birth is Immanuel, which means God with us.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    God told Moses that He heard the cries of the people bound in slavery.  He had a plan to release them.  God was going to use Moses to lead that plan.  God hears our cries.  He will come through for us when we don’t think it is possible.  And, He will use us in ways we would never think possible.  God has provided opportunities for me to be used by Him that are more than I thought possible.  This gives me more dreams of ways God wants to use me.  Moses was quick to point out some of the roadblocks to God’s plan.  God was quick to show Moses that He had a plan and things would work out.  This whole story is a good illustration of learning to trust God and stepping out in faith.  I’m sure that in this process Moses had challenges and times when he wondered how things would work out.  But, the more he trusted God, the more the plan advanced.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people see they can trust God.  We usually don’t see the end results at the beginning of the journey.  We don’t see the bumps and curves in the road.  But, we can know that God will hear us, He will be with us and some day we will see the whole picture. Yes, we really can trust God.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 2

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Here we see the birth of Moses.  The children of Israel were in a horrible situation.  They had been made slaves.  Pharaoh had ordered all of the boys who were born to be killed.  There was one boy whose parents hid him and that was Moses.  God directed the daughter of Pharaoh to find him along the river, and she had compassion on him.  Moses was raised as her son.
    Even people who have God’s hand on their lives can make a mess of things.  Moses let his tempter get in the way and he had to flee for his life.  He ended up gong to the land of the Midianites.  They were descendants of Abraham and his second wife, Keturah.  He married Zipporah and stayed there forty years.  Throughout all these years God’s pan was coming together for Moses.  The Israelites were crying out to God for deliverance.  God was preparing the one who would led them to freedom.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    When everything looks bad, don’t give up on God.  He has His plans.  He can work in the hearts of even the most stubborn person.  This chapter ends with the thought that God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  He began the process of deliverance.  God has promised to never abandon His children.  It seems a strange thing to do, to place a baby in a small boat and float him in the river.  But, Moses’ mother was directed by God.  Learning to hear from God is an important step to fulfill God’s plan.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Where do people turn for help?  It appears that many of the Israelites had been serving the gods of Egypt.  It was when they turned from that and sought the true God that they received deliverance.  I want to help people see and seek the Creator God, the One who made everything.  When they do that they will find God’s help and direction in life.

Bible Chapter: Exodus 1

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Having read the story of the beginning of the nation of Israel in Genesis, from Abraham to Joseph, there is now a gap of over two hundred years to the beginning of Exodus.  It starts out with the statement that the family that moved to the land of Goshen multiplied greatly.  This was just as God had promised.  We then hear that there was a king in Egypt who didn’t know anything about Joseph.  He feared this strange people and was afraid they would turn on him. So, he did what evil, insecure and self-centered people do, he took brutal control of them.  He made them slaves.  He oppressed them.  When that wasn’t working, he tried to kill all the baby boys.  When the midwives wouldn’t go along with this evil scheme, God blessed them.
    One thought that jumps out to me in reading this chapter is that the enemy of God is all about death.  Jesus said that the enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy.  He is quick to find ways to kill people.  He is quick to find ways to kill children.  His greatest goal is to make people miserable.  Nothing has changed, for we see the same things today.  Millions of children are being killed or enslaved or abused.  We see the heart of Jesus when He encouraged the children to come to Him.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    What is valuable to God?  I see a battle raging in this chapter.  It is a battle to make God a liar and destroy His plans.  It is a battle to kill people.  God’s highest creation is people.  The people He blessed are very valuable to God.  All people are valuable to God.  The way that the evil pharaoh of Egypt treated the children of Israel shows that he was God’s enemy.  I want to seek God’s ways, I want to seek God’s plans and follow them.  The enemy is a bully who runs roughshod over those who live by God’s ways.  He lives a life of intimidation to make followers of God’s way feel ashamed for their narrow way of thinking.  He pushes for compromise to make the way of evil the accepted way.  Nothing has changed, as we see the same things today.  I want to apply God’s ways in my life and recognize the deception that is destroying our modern civilization.  I don’t have to be ashamed for living God’s ways.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I get frustrated by the deception prevalent in our world today as it is ruining people’s lives.  I see people following like blind sheep the popular thoughts.  They don’t see how destructive these ways are.  They are always blaming the wrong reasons why there are so many problems.  I want to help people see that God’s way is the best way.

Bible Chapter: Genesis 50

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    When Jacob died, Joseph wept and grieved this loss.  Joseph fulfilled his father’s wishes by taking him back to the homeland to bury him.  It was a very large caravan of family and government officials who traveled to the final resting place for Jacob.  All of the sons followed the command of their father and brought him back to the land of Canaan.  Even though they were not yet seeing the fulfillment of God’s assurance to take them to the Promised Land, Jacob wanted to be laid to rest there.  We also see this faith in Joseph when he died.  He told them to carry his bones back there.  They knew God would fulfill His word to them.
    We see one more time in the telling of this story when the impact of the selfish acts of the brothers in selling Joseph comes to haunt them.  This is also a good illustration that one sin leads to another.  When Jacob was dead, they began to fear that finally Joseph would get his revenge.  So, they lied and  said that their father had left a message that Joseph should forgive them all.  They even came to Joseph and threw themselves down before him saying they would be his slaves.  We see Joseph’s attitude when he quickly assured them that they were safe and he would continue to provide for them.  This is a good illustration of the power of forgiving.  When we are willing to forgive, God sets us free from the desire for revenge.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    Throughout this whole story, we see the negative impacts of treating people in an evil way.  Joseph’s brothers spent their entire lives wondering about the consequences of their actions.  They lived in fear of a negative outcome.  This is an effective lesson on the importance of obedience to God’s way of life.  It shows the necessity of treating others in the same way I want to be treated. It shows the benefits of rejecting jealousy and being happy for the good fortune of others.
    Another thought: both Jacob and Joseph held on to the promise of God to make them a mighty nation and provide a land for them.  Even when they wouldn’t see it in person, they knew the future was in a better place.  That is also a good picture for us today.  When we trust in Jesus we know that we are only in a temporary place of residence.  There is a better place, a place of hope in Jesus that says we will spend eternity with HIM.  Someone wrote in a song: This world is not my home, I’m just a passing through.

3.  How can I help someone?
    People need to see the promises of God and know they are true.  Often people only see the negative side of things regarding God.  They think He is some mean judge.  No, He had give us great and precious promises that fill us with hope.  How close can we get to Jesus?  That is an awesome goal.

Bible Chapter: Genesis 49

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    Possibly one of the most ignored truths in life is that the choices we make will influence not only our own lives but the lives of future generations.  In this chapter Jacob brought his sons together to speak blessings on them.  Sadly, for some of them, instead of blessings, they heard curses that would impact the future.  For example, because Reuben was the firstborn, he should have received the greatest blessing.  But, because of his sexual sin he lost out.  He probably thought that event was fun.  Sadly, it cost him a great deal.
    A person’s actions are important.  Our modern culture is more and more saying that a person can do anything they want and there are no consequences.  Freedom is defined as having no restrictions at all.  There used to be a popular expression that says, “if it feels good, do it”.  While I have not heard anyone say that in a long time, our world is living that thought.  People are becoming adamant that they have the right to do anything they want.  Governments are passing laws protecting these “rights” to do sinful things.  Anyone who interferes with that “right” becomes the enemy and must be restricted or eliminated.  But the truth is that blessings and curses come based on obedience to God’s Word, not the laws passed by a legislature.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    God has ruled and reigned forever.  He will always reign and those who think they can ignore God are in for a sad surprise.  Doing what is right will always bring the best results in the long run.  In the mean time, the battle can get intense.  Do I quit because the battle is hard?  No, I keep pressing on.  Jacob spoke into the lives of his sons.  The blessings and curses came from Godly principles based on their lives and actions.  God speaks into the lives of His children.  The results will come from our submission to Him.  The Bible says God requires His stewards, his servants to be faithful.  Faithful obedience is one of the highest goals to achieve.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people see what is going on in our world.  The deception is overwhelming.  People are believing lies that give them permission to pursue any entertainment or action they think is fun.  They are not seeing the spiritual bondage and destruction that will result.  People need to see God’s truth.  They need to see this truth sets them free.

Bible Chapter: Genesis 48

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    As Jacob was getting older, he reached a point where it was obvious that he would soon die.  Word was sent to Joseph and he came with his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim.  Jacob reviewed for Joseph the history of God’s promises to bless him and his children.  It was an amazing journey filled with both blessings and sorrows.  He rejoiced in the fact that he not only was able to see Joseph again, but Joseph’s children as well.  God had given him more than he could have imagined.  He blessed his grandsons.
    An important principle jumps out in verses 15 & 16.  Jacob talked of how God had shepherded him throughout all his life.  He had the same thoughts as the Psalmist - the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.  God was his guide through a long and challenging pilgrimage.  Yes, they were a rich family.  Yes, Joseph had been promoted in the government and was a man of great power and wealth.  But, the emphasis that Jacob gave was that God was their Shepherd, God was guiding them, God was their source.  He prayed that God would continue to guide the family to future generations.  His desire what that the family that was becoming a great nation would always stay close to God.  The greatest legacy and heritage anyone can have is to know and serve God.  I have seen and experienced that.  I have observed people who have no hope in a personal relationship with Jesus.  When the hard times come, they have nothing to carry them through.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    When Joseph brought his sons to Jacob to receive his blessing, Jacob put his right hand on Ephraim’s head.  This displeased Joseph, for Manasseh was the oldest and the tradition said he would receive the greater blessing.  Jacob did this on purpose.  Their custom was that the oldest would get the first and greatest blessing and inheritance.  Yet, in the Bible we find that this did not always happen.  What this says to me is that human tradition is not always the way God does things.  We sometimes limit ourselves and prevent God from doing all He desires to do.  We need to be open to God and hear from Him.

3.  How can I help someone?
    God will help us and work things out, even when we think that the picture is very grim.  We must learn to trust Him in everything.  We must be in full submission to Him and allow God to do what He knows is best.  These are good words of encouragement.

Bible Chapter: Genesis 47

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    After their long journey to settle in Egypt, the time came for Joseph to introduce his family to Pharaoh.  He was pleased to meet them.  Pharaoh told Joseph that if any of his brothers had special skills in caring for livestock to be put in charge of what he had.  Then Joseph introduced his father.  Jacob described his life as a pilgrimage.
    Life is a journey.  For most people it has many years and includes both rewards and challenges.  A long trip, that is a good description of living on this earth.  We are traveling somewhere.  Jacob realized that he was on a journey to a land promised to him by God.  There was a physical land promised to his descendants.  Jacob never saw it. But, he was also on a journey to eternity, to a place where God would provide eternal life.  We are all on this same journey.  The important question to ask is are we traveling the right road?  Are we going in the right direction?  Jacob was looking for that heavenly city.
    This chapter also shows the results of the planning during the times of bumper crops.  All the food stored became the lifeline that kept people alive during the famine.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The trip of life really goes by quickly.  It is hard for me to believe where I am in this path.  I am reminded of the importance of being faithful to God and working to accomplish things that have value. As Jacob said, the years of his journey were difficult.  While we say that a person who is one hundred years old is very old, that is nothing in the light of eternity.  That is only the blink of an eye.  So, I must walk my pilgrimage of life pleasing to the Lord.  I must do what He says so I can take my eternal journey with Him in the home He prepares.
    All of the effort we put in to live and survive on this earth is important.  But, it is only preparation for eternity.  Yes, it is nice to have all the creature comforts.  It is also not what makes life worth living or gives it real value.  The old saying “Only what’s done for Christ will last” is very true.

3.  How can I help someone?
    Life has great value.  God made us.  He did a good job.  The enemy of our eternal souls does all he can to mess up life and bring problems.  That is often when people want to quit.  We all must see that we have value and apply God’s truths to our individual lives.  Then life is worth living.  We will rejoice when we see Jesus.

Bible Chapter: Genesis 46

Because the Bible is practical, here are some statements to get you thinking.

1.  Write one or two key thoughts that come from today’s reading.
    It was finally time for the caravan of Jacob’s family to head to Egypt.  Joseph had sent all they needed to travel.  They had carts to haul everything and give a ride to those who needed it.  They got to their destination and Judah was sent to Joseph to let him know they had arrived.  The text says that Joseph went to his father, fell on his neck and wept a good long while.  I can imagine the emotion of that scene.  I imagine that neither of them wanted to let go.  This impossible reunion had happened.  Jacob said the he could die in peace, having be reunited with Joseph.
    God again promised Jacob that He would be with them, that His promises would be kept.  It seemed to be taking a while, this is now the third generation since God’s promises to Abraham.  But, Jacob was reassured that it would happen and they would become a great nation.  Everything was coming together and this family could begin to see hope for the future.  They were reunited.

2.  What can I apply in my life from the reading?
    The Bible is filled with many important principles for life.  One of them is found in this chapter.  When the family arrived in Egypt, Joseph planned for them to live in the Land of Goshen.  Joseph instructed them to say they were shepherds, knowing that the Egyptians despised shepherds.  This allowed them to live in Goshen and maintain a separation from the Egyptians.  Spiritual separation from the world is vital for those who follow God.  It is easy to allow sin and sinful attitudes to taint our spiritual life.  This does not mean that we hide in a cave somewhere.  It does mean that we stay separate from the activities of sin.  By living in Goshen, Israel was able to develop as a nation and worship God as He directed.
    This principle is important.  How close can I get to Jesus?  While this is not a contest or a matter of spiritual pride, it is an important issue to strive to be as close to God as I can and mature in my spiritual life.

3.  How can I help someone?
    I want to help people see the difference between serving God and serving self.  I want to help people live a life pleasing to God.  I am observing a blending of Godly life and the influence of the culture.  There is pressure to make the Christian life as close to the world as possible.  This is a confusion that must be understood and changed.  No spiritual compromise.