Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Thursday January 28, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Exodus, chapters 32-34. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-january-28
Title: Change God's Mind
We have all gotten ourselves into a mess or two over our lifetime, whether it be as a child or an adult, often the consequences of them far out way what we had done in the first place. In fact, much of the impact goes beyond just you facing the consequences, but others as well. I remember when I was in the third grade, this was when it was allowed to spank a student, if one student got out of line the entire class had to be punished and would have to one by one stand over the teachers desk with their hands over the desk while she wacked them with a ruler. I will tell you what, it was bad enough getting into trouble let alone having the entire class mad at you for getting punished for something they had not done. So, we feared doing something that was going to get us not only in trouble with the teacher, but our classmates as well. This is why God, in a sense, punishes us at times, if we get punished or chastised those around us do also, so we fear the punishment and think twice about doing something that is going to get us into trouble with God and those around us. God's punishment can seem pretty severe sometimes, but you know what? We can change God's mind. Yes, that is right, we can change God's mind. Moses got God to change His mind about destroying all the Israelite's. While Moses was up on mount getting instructions from God, the Israelite's got impatient and decided to create their own god. “And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. And Aaron said unto them, Break off the golden earrings, which are in the ears of your wives, of your sons, and of your daughters, and bring them unto me. And all the people brake off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them unto Aaron. And he received them at their hand, and fashioned it with a graving tool, after he had made it a molten calf: and they said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” - Exodus 32:1-4. Okay, it was bad enough that they created this calf, which was one of God's first commands not to do, but to call it a god, worship it, and say that it set them free from the Egyptians is really going to get them in some trouble. The worse thing was that they knew that there was only One God and that He was the one that set them free, yet they were quick to turn their back on Him because they had to wait. You know, I do not care what age we are in, taking things in our own hands always gets us in trouble and pretty much hurts those around us as well.
I am sure not all of them participated in this treachery, but God did not care, He was so angry at what was going on that He literally was about to destroy all of the Israelite's. “And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee a great nation. And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against thy people, which thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? Wherefore should the Egyptians speak, and say, For mischief did he bring them out, to slay them in the mountains, and to consume them from the face of the earth? Turn from thy fierce wrath, and repent of this evil against thy people. Remember Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, thy servants, to whom thou swarest by thine own self, and saidst unto them, I will multiply your seed as the stars of heaven, and all this land that I have spoken of will I give unto your seed, and they shall inherit it for ever. And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.” - Exodus 32:9-14. Moses reminded God of the promise that He made and what He had done for His people thus far. After God had some time to think about it, His anger subsided and He repented and changed His mind. Can you imagine God repenting? Repenting means to feel sorrow or reflect about what we have done or were about to do. God was sorrowful about what He was about to do. You know, we can too can destroy someone out of anger, that is why it is important that we calm down and think about things before we do them. Moses gave God time to think about things and it enabled Him to change His mind.
We all have the power to change God's mind, it is just a matter of whether or not we are willing to accept the responsibility of our actions. God did change His mind about destroying all the Israelite's, but He was not going to let those who caused the rest of them to sin to get away with it. God despises those who cause others to sin more than us sinning ourselves. However, God is a merciful and forgiving God and is willing to forgive even the most detestable sins if we come to Him. “But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” - Ephesians 2:4-10. The only way we can change God's mind is through Christ, He is the Moses of today that goes before God and reminds Him of the promises that He made to His people, we of who are His people. Want to change God's mind? Talk to Jesus and He will help you change His mind.
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
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Thursday, January 28, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Need A Cleansing?
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Wednesday January 27, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Exodus chapters 29-31. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-january-27
Title: Bible Study: Need A Cleansing?
There are so many blessings in life that we truly have no idea how blessed we are, just by the little things we do every day. For instance, after a hard day of work or play nothing feels better than taking a hot shower, it not only cleanses you, it refreshes you and gives you a boost too. Now, it is not just the water that cleanses us, but the soap and cloth is also needed or the water will not be as effective. As Christian's we are blessed with another way in which we are cleansed a cleansing that only comes from the blood of Christ. The second we accept Jesus as our Savior we are cleansed by His blood, of all our sins, it is as if this entire weight of filth just washes instantly off of your body, you feel refreshed and vibrant, ready to take on any situation you are faced with. Now, that is a cleansing! Praise God!
Think about just how blessed we are to have Jesus here today! You know, it seems too good to be true that all we have to do to be washed clean of our sins is to call on Jesus. I guess the simple things are the hardest to believe, but there is more merit in the simple things than there is in the complicated. For instance, God instructed Moses on what the priests (Aaron and his sons) were to do in order to be cleansed to even be able to communicate with God. In order for the Israelite's to communicate and reconcile their relationship with God, they needed to go before a priest with their sacrifices and offerings, but in order for the priest to be able to minister to them and accept the sacrifice for God they too had to be cleansed from all their sins. Now, keep in mind that these things had to be done daily, “And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish, And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them. And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams. And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod: And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre. Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.” - Exodus 29:1-7. They needed to sacrifice, not one, but three animals in order to hallow (sanctify or cleanse) themselves. The anointed oil represents the Holy Spirit, when the priest poured the oil on his head the Spirit of God came upon him and allowed them to be able to communicate with God, which also reminds us that the Holy Spirit is a separate person, yet one with God.
Now, being cleansed to minister to the people was just the beginning, every morning and evening a lamb was to be offered upon the altar in order to keep continual communication with God. “Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even: And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering. And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD. This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.” - Exodus 29:38-42. The only way that God will communicate with us is by offering a continual sacrifice to Him. When we accept Jesus Christ into our lives, God accepts Him as the sacrifice, which in turn cleanses us from our sins and allows us to be able to communicate with Him.
Although we get a good cleansing from the blood of Jesus, it is important to realize that we need to do more for it to be effective. If we truly want God in our lives and have a relationship with Him we still need to offer a daily sacrifice to Him. That sacrifice is ourselves, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” - Romans 12:1,2. We are to offer ourselves as a living spiritual sacrifice, daily, not just once in a while, but every day. Otherwise we will never grow in our relationship with God. We do this by having a relationship with Jesus, learning God's Word, praying, and learning His Will for your life. So, maybe you have done some things that you shouldn't have done and gotten away from God, I am sure you feel ashamed and filthy, but it is time to get good cleansing. Just call on Jesus and He will cleanse you. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” - I John 1:7. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Missed A Lesson?
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Today is Wednesday January 27, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Exodus chapters 29-31. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-january-27
Title: Bible Study: Need A Cleansing?
There are so many blessings in life that we truly have no idea how blessed we are, just by the little things we do every day. For instance, after a hard day of work or play nothing feels better than taking a hot shower, it not only cleanses you, it refreshes you and gives you a boost too. Now, it is not just the water that cleanses us, but the soap and cloth is also needed or the water will not be as effective. As Christian's we are blessed with another way in which we are cleansed a cleansing that only comes from the blood of Christ. The second we accept Jesus as our Savior we are cleansed by His blood, of all our sins, it is as if this entire weight of filth just washes instantly off of your body, you feel refreshed and vibrant, ready to take on any situation you are faced with. Now, that is a cleansing! Praise God!
Think about just how blessed we are to have Jesus here today! You know, it seems too good to be true that all we have to do to be washed clean of our sins is to call on Jesus. I guess the simple things are the hardest to believe, but there is more merit in the simple things than there is in the complicated. For instance, God instructed Moses on what the priests (Aaron and his sons) were to do in order to be cleansed to even be able to communicate with God. In order for the Israelite's to communicate and reconcile their relationship with God, they needed to go before a priest with their sacrifices and offerings, but in order for the priest to be able to minister to them and accept the sacrifice for God they too had to be cleansed from all their sins. Now, keep in mind that these things had to be done daily, “And this is the thing that thou shalt do unto them to hallow them, to minister unto me in the priest's office: Take one young bullock, and two rams without blemish, And unleavened bread, and cakes unleavened tempered with oil, and wafers unleavened anointed with oil: of wheaten flour shalt thou make them. And thou shalt put them into one basket, and bring them in the basket, with the bullock and the two rams. And Aaron and his sons thou shalt bring unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shalt wash them with water. And thou shalt take the garments, and put upon Aaron the coat, and the robe of the ephod, and the ephod, and the breastplate, and gird him with the curious girdle of the ephod: And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre. Then shalt thou take the anointing oil, and pour it upon his head, and anoint him.” - Exodus 29:1-7. They needed to sacrifice, not one, but three animals in order to hallow (sanctify or cleanse) themselves. The anointed oil represents the Holy Spirit, when the priest poured the oil on his head the Spirit of God came upon him and allowed them to be able to communicate with God, which also reminds us that the Holy Spirit is a separate person, yet one with God.
Now, being cleansed to minister to the people was just the beginning, every morning and evening a lamb was to be offered upon the altar in order to keep continual communication with God. “Now this is that which thou shalt offer upon the altar; two lambs of the first year day by day continually. The one lamb thou shalt offer in the morning; and the other lamb thou shalt offer at even: And with the one lamb a tenth deal of flour mingled with the fourth part of an hin of beaten oil; and the fourth part of an hin of wine for a drink offering. And the other lamb thou shalt offer at even, and shalt do thereto according to the meat offering of the morning, and according to the drink offering thereof, for a sweet savour, an offering made by fire unto the LORD. This shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the LORD: where I will meet you, to speak there unto thee.” - Exodus 29:38-42. The only way that God will communicate with us is by offering a continual sacrifice to Him. When we accept Jesus Christ into our lives, God accepts Him as the sacrifice, which in turn cleanses us from our sins and allows us to be able to communicate with Him.
Although we get a good cleansing from the blood of Jesus, it is important to realize that we need to do more for it to be effective. If we truly want God in our lives and have a relationship with Him we still need to offer a daily sacrifice to Him. That sacrifice is ourselves, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” - Romans 12:1,2. We are to offer ourselves as a living spiritual sacrifice, daily, not just once in a while, but every day. Otherwise we will never grow in our relationship with God. We do this by having a relationship with Jesus, learning God's Word, praying, and learning His Will for your life. So, maybe you have done some things that you shouldn't have done and gotten away from God, I am sure you feel ashamed and filthy, but it is time to get good cleansing. Just call on Jesus and He will cleanse you. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” - I John 1:7. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Missed A Lesson?
Go to: Daily Bible Study
http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study
Learn About Salvation Only Made Through Jesus Christ
Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved
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Tuesday, January 26, 2010
The Middle Man
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Tuesday January 26, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Exodus, chapters 26-28. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-january-26
Title: The Middle Man
It is amazing to look up in the sky and see that huge ball of fire suspended up in space, it warms us up, gives us light, and even gives us energy to get up and go. You would have to be a fool to think that the sun just appeared by chance and that there is no such thing as God. While science wants to give a worldly explanation to this phenomenon, the truth is there is only One explanation and One Creator and He is God. Do you think He would create all these amazing things and not let us know that He does exist and is still alive today? Of course not, that is why He used godly men to write His Word. He needed someone who believed in Him to explain to the world who He was. Moses was the first man to begin writing the Word of God, He was God's voice, so he was a mediator, or the middle man between God and the people in order to create peace between God and His people. As we read about how the Tabernacle was to be built, it can be easy to get a little less appealing to read allof God's Word, but regardless of how boring it seems to us, every word has a meaning to it. “All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass. And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.”- Exodus 27:19-21. Brass is a symbol of the judgment of God upon sin, when a sacrifice was made upon the altar God would receive the sacrifice as payment for sin, it's fire was kindled by an act of God and was never to be allowed to go out.
God chose Aaron and His descendants to be the mediators who were to intercede in worship on behalf of the people, becoming priests. Since they too were sinners, they had to be cleansed from sin as well before they were to accept sacrifices from the people. “And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office...........And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not. And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.” - Exodus 28:1-3,35-38. The inscription on the high priest's holy garments and his forehead, HOLINESS TO THE LORD, reminded the people that their Creator was a Holy God who loved them and through Aaron, provided a way for them to communicate with Him.
The Tabernacle symbolized Jesus Christ in every detail. Think about it, the Tabernacle was where God would dwell, it only had one door, so that means there was only one way to reach Him, it was used to offer sacrifices to God for redemption. Not anyone could go up and offer a sacrifice, someone had to intercede and take the offering to God for that person. Today, Jesus is the mediator between God and us, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” - I Timothy 2:3-6. Since there is no longer a need for animal sacrifices, God used the Romans to destroy Herod's Temple with its Brasen Altar, Laver of Brass, Candlestick of pure gold, Table of Showbread, and Altar of Incense. The Ark of the Lord's Covenant, with its Mercy Seat, had been missing since the Babylonian captivity. All of these symbolized Christ, who fulfilled their functions and now is no longer needed. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Missed A Lesson?
Go to: Daily Bible Study
http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study
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http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
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Today is Tuesday January 26, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Exodus, chapters 26-28. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-january-26
Title: The Middle Man
It is amazing to look up in the sky and see that huge ball of fire suspended up in space, it warms us up, gives us light, and even gives us energy to get up and go. You would have to be a fool to think that the sun just appeared by chance and that there is no such thing as God. While science wants to give a worldly explanation to this phenomenon, the truth is there is only One explanation and One Creator and He is God. Do you think He would create all these amazing things and not let us know that He does exist and is still alive today? Of course not, that is why He used godly men to write His Word. He needed someone who believed in Him to explain to the world who He was. Moses was the first man to begin writing the Word of God, He was God's voice, so he was a mediator, or the middle man between God and the people in order to create peace between God and His people. As we read about how the Tabernacle was to be built, it can be easy to get a little less appealing to read allof God's Word, but regardless of how boring it seems to us, every word has a meaning to it. “All the vessels of the tabernacle in all the service thereof, and all the pins thereof, and all the pins of the court, shall be of brass. And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always. In the tabernacle of the congregation without the vail, which is before the testimony, Aaron and his sons shall order it from evening to morning before the LORD: it shall be a statute for ever unto their generations on the behalf of the children of Israel.”- Exodus 27:19-21. Brass is a symbol of the judgment of God upon sin, when a sacrifice was made upon the altar God would receive the sacrifice as payment for sin, it's fire was kindled by an act of God and was never to be allowed to go out.
God chose Aaron and His descendants to be the mediators who were to intercede in worship on behalf of the people, becoming priests. Since they too were sinners, they had to be cleansed from sin as well before they were to accept sacrifices from the people. “And take thou unto thee Aaron thy brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office, even Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, Aaron's sons. And thou shalt make holy garments for Aaron thy brother for glory and for beauty. And thou shalt speak unto all that are wise hearted, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron's garments to consecrate him, that he may minister unto me in the priest's office...........And it shall be upon Aaron to minister: and his sound shall be heard when he goeth in unto the holy place before the LORD, and when he cometh out, that he die not. And thou shalt make a plate of pure gold, and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, HOLINESS TO THE LORD. And thou shalt put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forefront of the mitre it shall be. And it shall be upon Aaron's forehead, that Aaron may bear the iniquity of the holy things, which the children of Israel shall hallow in all their holy gifts; and it shall be always upon his forehead, that they may be accepted before the LORD.” - Exodus 28:1-3,35-38. The inscription on the high priest's holy garments and his forehead, HOLINESS TO THE LORD, reminded the people that their Creator was a Holy God who loved them and through Aaron, provided a way for them to communicate with Him.
The Tabernacle symbolized Jesus Christ in every detail. Think about it, the Tabernacle was where God would dwell, it only had one door, so that means there was only one way to reach Him, it was used to offer sacrifices to God for redemption. Not anyone could go up and offer a sacrifice, someone had to intercede and take the offering to God for that person. Today, Jesus is the mediator between God and us, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” - I Timothy 2:3-6. Since there is no longer a need for animal sacrifices, God used the Romans to destroy Herod's Temple with its Brasen Altar, Laver of Brass, Candlestick of pure gold, Table of Showbread, and Altar of Incense. The Ark of the Lord's Covenant, with its Mercy Seat, had been missing since the Babylonian captivity. All of these symbolized Christ, who fulfilled their functions and now is no longer needed. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Missed A Lesson?
Go to: Daily Bible Study
http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study
Learn About Salvation Only Made Through Jesus Christ
Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
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Watch Your Tongue
Hello My Friend/Guest,
Today is Monday January 25, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Exodus, chapters 23-25. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-january-25
Title: Watch Your Tongue
When God gave the Ten Commandments, He did not just stop at ten, He knew just how corrupt the world as well as the flesh was so He was not going to just stop at the worldly things. Why would He give us so many commands to follow? Because He wants us to live the best life we can live, only do it in a morally, uncorrupted way, acknowledging Him along the way. When we follow His commands we keep ourselves from unnecessary suffering, but the truth is many people do suffer and they are clueless as to why. The culprit, the tongue. That's right, that powerful tongue of ours can get us into more trouble than we can imagine, in fact, God lists sins of the tongue as one of the most vilest sins one can make. “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.......... Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause. Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.” - Exodus 23:1-3,6-8. What God is saying here is that we are not to talk about others, tell lies about others, we are not to gossip or slander others, or cause someone else to judge a person by our gossip or lies about them, we are not even to be around those who are talking about someone. Now, let's face it, we all have conversations about people, but there is a big difference between talking about someone and talking about someone in a way that causes false judgment upon them and this is what God is talking about here. You know the old saying, “if you can't say something nice about someone, don't say nothing at all?” Well, that can not be more truer. I had a friend that I had not seen for a while and she came to visit, the first thing she did was start talking about what this and that person was doing. I knew the only reason why she talked about them was to get me to think of them in a negative way and talk about them as well. I simply said, this is why they are over there and I am over here and I do not want to know all about what they are doing. It is not healthy for anyone to constantly hear negative things about someone, but even more so for a Christian, and if we are not careful we can seriously hurt someone or worse ourselves. As Christian's we need to seriously pay attention to what we are saying about others, are we concerned about them, are we angry with them, or are we just trying to cover up our own sins? Truthfully, we all have a past, and a person who is truly a friend will not be so quick to air out that past to others or tell others. “Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.” - Proverbs 24:28,29.
You know, the great thing about God is that even if we slipped and unknowingly sinned with the tongue, He will show us our mistake and forgive us for it. “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries........And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” - Exodus 23:20-22,25. This Angel today, is none other than the Lord, Jesus Christ. While, God does give us firm commands, He assures us of the blessings that we will receive if we come to Him, repent, and obey Him. Remember in yesterday's message, we talked about God becoming our authority and responsibility when we chose to follow Christ? Well, this is what God is saying here, you chose to follow me, if you want to be blessed and not suffer needlessly than listen to me, obey my commands, and just trust me and I will take care of you. Praise God!
God alone determines what worship of Him is acceptable, so He gave Moses detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle after the pattern of the one in Heaven. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering........And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” - Exodus 25:1,2,8,9. The parts of the Tabernacle and its furnishings all foreshadowed the coming Messiah and each and every part used is symbolic of Christ and the blood He would shed to become the ultimate sacrifice to save God's people from their sins and death. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” - Romans 8:1-4. Today, we no longer have to walk for miles to find the place where God dwells, all we have to do to find Him is call on Jesus. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Missed A Lesson?
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Today is Monday January 25, 2010 and we are reading through the Bible in a year. Today's message comes from the reading of the Book of Exodus, chapters 23-25. If you would like to read the chapters along with us here online you can Click Here to read them or copy & paste this URL onto your browser: http://www.readytofollow.com/bible-january-25
Title: Watch Your Tongue
When God gave the Ten Commandments, He did not just stop at ten, He knew just how corrupt the world as well as the flesh was so He was not going to just stop at the worldly things. Why would He give us so many commands to follow? Because He wants us to live the best life we can live, only do it in a morally, uncorrupted way, acknowledging Him along the way. When we follow His commands we keep ourselves from unnecessary suffering, but the truth is many people do suffer and they are clueless as to why. The culprit, the tongue. That's right, that powerful tongue of ours can get us into more trouble than we can imagine, in fact, God lists sins of the tongue as one of the most vilest sins one can make. “Thou shalt not raise a false report: put not thine hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment: Neither shalt thou countenance a poor man in his cause.......... Thou shalt not wrest the judgment of thy poor in his cause. Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked. And thou shalt take no gift: for the gift blindeth the wise, and perverteth the words of the righteous.” - Exodus 23:1-3,6-8. What God is saying here is that we are not to talk about others, tell lies about others, we are not to gossip or slander others, or cause someone else to judge a person by our gossip or lies about them, we are not even to be around those who are talking about someone. Now, let's face it, we all have conversations about people, but there is a big difference between talking about someone and talking about someone in a way that causes false judgment upon them and this is what God is talking about here. You know the old saying, “if you can't say something nice about someone, don't say nothing at all?” Well, that can not be more truer. I had a friend that I had not seen for a while and she came to visit, the first thing she did was start talking about what this and that person was doing. I knew the only reason why she talked about them was to get me to think of them in a negative way and talk about them as well. I simply said, this is why they are over there and I am over here and I do not want to know all about what they are doing. It is not healthy for anyone to constantly hear negative things about someone, but even more so for a Christian, and if we are not careful we can seriously hurt someone or worse ourselves. As Christian's we need to seriously pay attention to what we are saying about others, are we concerned about them, are we angry with them, or are we just trying to cover up our own sins? Truthfully, we all have a past, and a person who is truly a friend will not be so quick to air out that past to others or tell others. “Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips. Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.” - Proverbs 24:28,29.
You know, the great thing about God is that even if we slipped and unknowingly sinned with the tongue, He will show us our mistake and forgive us for it. “Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries........And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee.” - Exodus 23:20-22,25. This Angel today, is none other than the Lord, Jesus Christ. While, God does give us firm commands, He assures us of the blessings that we will receive if we come to Him, repent, and obey Him. Remember in yesterday's message, we talked about God becoming our authority and responsibility when we chose to follow Christ? Well, this is what God is saying here, you chose to follow me, if you want to be blessed and not suffer needlessly than listen to me, obey my commands, and just trust me and I will take care of you. Praise God!
God alone determines what worship of Him is acceptable, so He gave Moses detailed instructions for building the Tabernacle after the pattern of the one in Heaven. “And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, that they bring me an offering: of every man that giveth it willingly with his heart ye shall take my offering........And let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I shew thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.” - Exodus 25:1,2,8,9. The parts of the Tabernacle and its furnishings all foreshadowed the coming Messiah and each and every part used is symbolic of Christ and the blood He would shed to become the ultimate sacrifice to save God's people from their sins and death. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” - Romans 8:1-4. Today, we no longer have to walk for miles to find the place where God dwells, all we have to do to find Him is call on Jesus. Praise God!
Enjoy the rest of your day/night and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina
Visit: I'm Following Jesus!
http://www.readytofollow.com
Missed A Lesson?
Go to: Daily Bible Study
http://www.readytofollow.com/daily-bible-study
Learn About Salvation Only Made Through Jesus Christ
Go to: I'm Ready to Get Saved
http://www.readytofollow.com/salvation
Want To Receive These Devotions in Your Email?
Send me a blank email with the word Subscribe in the Title to:
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