Leviticus 6:8 – 10:20

February 18, 2010

The fellowship offering—an offering of praise. The Israelites were to do this individually as their gift to God, to show their thanks. The priests did not do this for them. Leviticus 7:30 - "He must carry that part of the gift in his own hands* as an offering made by fire to the LORD." God is the God of Salvation and He wants our praise. God inhabits our praises. No one else can do that for us.

Moses continues to do "just as the LORD commanded" him when he appointed Aaron and his sons to be the priests. Moses tells Aaron and his sons the consequences for disobedience. Leviticus 8:35 - "If you don't obey the LORD's commands, you will die." After the people did everything as the Lord God commanded them, Moses tells them in Leviticus 9:6 - "You have done what the LORD commanded, so you will see the Lord's glory." And the glory of the LORD was shown to all the people. Leviticus 9:24 - "When the people saw this they shouted for joy and bowed face down on the ground." 

We have to get the order right. Obedience first—then the glory of the LORD is revealed. Two of Aaron's sons decided to light the incense (which doesn't sound like a big deal, after all, incense is meant to be burnt) but the problem was—they decided how to do it. They did not follow God's plan and they were destroyed by the very same thing as their act of disobedience. Fire. Moses tells Aaron that this is what God meant when He said in Leviticus 10:3 - "I must be respected...I must be given honor." It all goes back to Exodus 20:3 - "You must not have any other god's except me."

The number one other god?Ourselves.  We decide what we want to do when we want to do it. God demands our respect. There will be consequences when we refuse to follow God's commands.

*All the other offerings were brought to the priests for their interceding. Christ accomplished and replaced that when He died for our sins "once and for all." His death did not accomplish (do away with) the fellowship/praise offering. It is because of His death and resurrection that we have a reason to praise HIS name. We can only accomplish the praise offering with our own hands, hearts, and lives. We must give Christ the praise due Him.

Addendum:  9/30/13 ~ Quote from Dr. A.W.Tozer - "A true and safe leader is likely to be one who has no desire to lead, but is forced into a position of leadership by the inward pressure of the Holy Spirit and the press of the external situation .... This means, then, that God makes it His responsibility to prepare, nurture, train, and promote certain people to places of leadership. That's His business, not ours." From Life Lesson ~  Growing Strong in the Season of Life by Charles Swindoll


Next Entry: Leviticus 11:1 – 15:33

Leviticus 1:1 – 6:7

February 17, 2010

God first spoke to the Israelites from the mountain. Now He is living among them and He speaks to them from the Meeting Tent. He instructs them and tells them how to have their sins forgiven and how to live. He gives them clear and specific directions on what to do and how to do it. In between the Mount and the Meeting Tent the people did "just as the LORD commanded."

We need to do the same. To move from a God that is outside of our lives to a God that lives among us (and in us), we too need to do "just what the LORD commanded." Jesus Christ was the offering for our sin. A perfect, blameless offering. Just as God instructed the Israelites that what was being offered for sacrifices was to have "nothing wrong with it, the Lamb of God was pure and without blemish. Jesus Christ—the sacrificial Lamb God gave for us—once and for all time. John 3:16 - His only Son.

God promised the Israelites (eight times between Leviticus 4:21 – 6:7) that when they followed His directions for the burnt offerings their sins would be removed and they "will belong to the Lord, and the LORD will forgive them." When we ask forgiveness for our sins from Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, we "belong to the LORD and the Lord will forgive us."

Belong to the LORD! What a statement. Seeking His forgiveness is key. When we seek His forgiveness and follow His commands, we belong to Him. Wow! What a thought. What a sobering thought. I want to be worthy of the Lamb of God who is worthy for us.


Next Entry: Leviticus 6:6 – 10:20

Exodus 39:1 – 40:38

February 16, 2010

Eighteen times. In these two chapters it says that the Israelites completed the work God told them to do "just as the Lord commanded," eighteen different times.

The work on the Holy Meeting Tent was completed "just as the Lord commanded" and the glory of the Lord came down and filled the tent. His presence was with them night and day. When the cloud moved—they moved. When the cloud stayed—they stayed. They waited. They waited on the glory of the LORD to lead them. They submitted. They submitted to the glory of the Lord's leading.

The lesson is simple: Do what the Lord says; and then—wait. Wait for Him to lead. This is how we deliberately live our lives now.

1)  Do what the Lord says. To do what He says you have to know what He is saying. You have to be in the Word; you have to be praying; you have to be listening. And then you need to act on what He is saying. Knowing what He says means nothing if your aren't doing what He says. 

2)  After you have listened to what God says, and done what God says—then you wait. You wait for Him to lead, guide, and direct you. He will do that! Once God has our submission and obedience THEN He can and will lead. 


Next Entry: Leviticus 1:1 – 6:7

Exodus 35:1 – 38:31

February 15, 2010

By my count, Chapters 35 & 36 make at least seven references to "being willing to give." God gave them clear directions on how to build the Holy Tent, but it was built using the things the people were "willing to give." Not only did He use the things people were "willing to give," He used the special skills that He gave some of the people to accomplish it.

Exodus 35:31 - "...the Spirit of God has given him the skill, ability, and knowledge to do all kinds of work.
Exodus 35:34 - "The Lord has given... the ability to teach others."
Exodus 35:35 - "The Lord has given them the skill to do all kinds of work."
Exodus 36:1 - "He gave them the wisdom and understanding to do all the skilled work..."

By God's plan—He needs us. Not because of anything He lacks, but because it was and is His plan. He needs us to be "willing." Willing to give, willing to serve, willing to do anything He asks of us. And He, by His own power and might will give us the skills to complete whatever it is that He asks us to do. Like I've said before, God wants our availability not our ability. Once He has our availability He will give us the ability to accomplish His plan. 

Just like the detailed plans God had for the Israelites, God has a detailed plan for our lives. What He wants from us is our "willingness" to do whatever He asks.  He will provide the rest. 

Next Entry: Exodus 39:1 – 40:38

Exodus 32:1 – 34:35 (Continued)

February 12, 2010

After Moses asked God to show him His glory, he goes up the mountain for the fourth time. What a picture the LORD paints when He describes to Moses how He will place him in the crack of the rock, and cover him with His hand while He passes by.

What a safe place. Could there be a safer place? The words of the old hymn are running through my mind.  Rock of ages, cleft for me; let me hide myself in thee." What a reassuring moment for Moses. Think about all the events of Moses life up to this point: hidden in the bushes; raised in a palace; killed the Egyptian; fled his homeland; encountered God; felt inadequate; led the confrontation with Pharaoh; crossed the Red Sea; led the Israelites 30 days into the desert; goes up the mountain for 40 days receiving God's written instructions; comes down to realize they have "ruined themselves"; handles their disobedience; and then gets ready to go to the Promised Land and begs the LORD to go with them and for the opportunity to see His glory before he faces the road ahead. And—God shows up. He puts Moses in a safe and secure place; shades him with His hand; and lets Moses see His glory.

Exodus 34:5 - "Then the LORD came down in the cloud and stood there with Moses, and the LORD called out his name: THE LORD." Then the LORD reveals Himself again to Moses and told him who He is.

Exodus 34:6,7 - "I am the Lord. The LORD is a God who shows mercy, who is kind, who doesn't become angry quickly, who has great love and faithfulness and is kind to thousands of people. The LORD forgives people for evil, for sin, and for turning against him, but he does not forget to punish guilty people."

We look at the patriarchs of the Bible—Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David—to just name a few, and we think WOW! look how God spoke to them. And then in the New Testament we have the words of Jesus THE Christ himself. We collectively have the words of God in the Old Testament and the literal words of Christ in the New Testament and how many times did I leave them unopened?!? I had all of that available to me, God's words, GOD'S WORDS and I did not take the time to daily open the Bible up to read what He said. I am ashamed at my laziness and sad for all the times I left His words closed and did not prioritize my time to intentionally be in His word every day. Thankfully my actions are forgiven and it is different now.

When you read God's word—HE shows up! We are put in the cleft of the rock! He covers us with His hand! We do get to see His glory! He does instruct us! He does guide us! He is full of mercy, kindness and forgiveness. He is faithful! And our words are like Moses' in Exodus 34:9 - "Lord please go with us ... forgive us our sins.  Take us as your own."

God's glory is amazing. The more you see—the more you want to know Him. The more you know Him—the more in awe you are of the "maker of heaven and earth." The more you realize who He is—the more you understand there will never be enough human words to express your gratitude or praise. He is THE LORD!!

As amazing as God's love is, perhaps even more humbling and disturbing is God's words found in Exodus 35:7 - "...he does not forget to punish guilty people. He will punish not only the guilty people, but also their children, their grandchildren, their great-grandchildren, and their great-great-grandchildren. 

Wow! Those verses should bring each of us to our knees. Our actions do not just affect us. Our actions impact the generations to come! This is so much easier to understand once your own children are grown and you have grandchildren. When raising your own children you are so busy that it isn't until time has passed that you truly start to get this. I want our lives and actions to be such that we are passing a godly heritage to our children and future generations. That is the key. Whether we realize it or not, we pass down to future generations the propensity to live and act the same way as we have. Living a godly live doesn't "save" future generations, but it does give them a foundation to build upon. Conversely, future generations are not held accountable for the sins of their forefathers. But, the way we live (either godly or sinful) is taught and passed down through generations.

Oh Lord, may our lives be pleasing to you. May our love for you and our desire to serve you be passed down through the generations.

Exodus 34:10 - "I, the LORD, will do wonderful things for you." How does that happen? God tells us. "Obey the things I command you." Sounds simple. But it doesn't just happen. We need to daily, and intentionally, submit our lives to him. Everything!  Our hopes, wishes, desires, aspirations, our fears, our disappointments. We need to be willing to open our hands and surrender ALL to Him. We need to understand that without Him we are nothing and to desire nothing but Him. It is not about who we are and what we want. It is only about HIM.

The only way to do what God wants—to obey Him—is to know what God wants. The only way to know what God wants is to be reading His words. Once you know what He has to say, then you can choose to listen and follow Him. Only then. Only then can you, "obey the things I command you."


Next Entry: Exodus 35:1 – 38:31

Exodus 32:1 – 4:35 (Continued)

 February 11, 2010

"All you need, you already have it..."

Those are the only words I could remember from a song I heard several days ago. The words were playing over and over in my mind throughout the night. So true. ALL we need, we already have it. When we accept Christ as our Savior we are given all of God at that very moment. As we progress in our walk with Christ we begin to understand more about who He is. The more you see, the more you understand about His holiness, and the more you understand, the more you comprehend that you know very little and have seen only a glimpse of who HE is. All of God has been there the whole time, but our human minds cannot comprehend the fullness of who He is.  

We need to seek Him. When we seek Him we will find Him.  (Jeremiah 29:10-14)

In Chapter 33 God once again tells Moses to, "go to the land that I promised" and "I will give..."; "I will send an angel to lead you"; and "I will force out..." Moses would go to the Meeting Tent to seek God's direction. We must seek God's direction too. The pillar of cloud would descend to the tent. When we seek the LORD we will find Him. Moses asked the LORD to "show me your plans"; teach me your ways God; let me see what you want us to do. And God responded, "I myself will go with you, and I will give you victory."

Exodus 33:15–17 - Moses recognizes that if the LORD doesn't go with them that all would be for naught. Psalm 124 - "What if the LORD had not been on our side?" God responded that He would do what Moses asked because, "I know you very well, and I am pleased with you." He knows us. He knows our every thought. He sees each tear that falls and He hears us when we call.  He knows our name.  (He Knows My Name)


Next Entry: Exodus 32:1 – 34:35 (Continued)

Exodus 32:1 –` 34:35 (Continued)

February 10, 2010

Exodus 32:26 - "Let anyone who wants to follow the LORD come to me."

The Levites who responded yes to that command were asked to go throughout the camp and kill family, friends, and neighbors—to get rid of those who were doing evil. Moses told them they would be blessed because of their willingness to do what God asked. It wasn't that they were willing to kill.* The key is they were willing to serve; willing to do whatever the LORD asked; willing to follow the LORD. And, they were blessed because of it.

God wants our willing obedience. Every step taken on the path of disobedience takes you farther away from God and every step taken on the path of disobedience makes it harder to turn back. You have to turn away from before you can turn to.  God's blessings are waiting if you turn. God's punishment is waiting if you do not.

Exodus 32:33 - "I will erase from my book the names of the people who sin against me."

Exodus 32:34 - "When the time comes to punish, I will punish them for their sin."

Addendum:  9/27/13 ~ The Old Testament contains graphic details of a very different time. We don't live in those times. God will never ask any of us to hurt another human being. Never. The New Testament contains Jesus' words of love, peace, and forgiveness. We are to follow Jesus' example. Willing to follow Jesus and breaking God's commands don't go together. It is oil and water. It is not up to us to avenge, seek revenge, or harm another human being. God is the only one who has the right and authority to avenge. Jesus paid the debt for all of mankind. It is not our place to put another person in bondage when Jesus gave his life to set them free. 


Next Entry: Exodus 32:1 – 34:35 (Continued)   

Exodus 32:1 – 34:35 (Continued)

February 9, 2010

Moses is on the mountain ... totally unaware of what the people are doing. But God knows, and He tells Moses to go down because the people "have ruined themselves" and quickly turned away from God. (Exodus 32:7) They were doing exactly what they had just promised God they would not do. God was angry and ready to destroy them and to make Moses and his descendants a great nation instead. But Moses begged and pleaded with the LORD not to destroy them. He could have seized the opportunity to have HIS descendants become a great nation. Moses' heart proved pure and humble. Instead he had mercy and begged the LORD not to destroy them.

When Moses came down and saw what God already knew, he was angry and threw down and broke the tablets. Moses took the calf, melted it down, ground it into powder, threw it in the water and made them drink it. There will be consequences for the sins we commit; we don't get to choose what those consequences are. But, throughout scripture there is a recurring theme: the evil you do and the evil you try to do to others is the very thing that ends up happening to you. The Israelites were forced to drink the water with the powder from the calf in it. Psalm 140:9–11 - "Let the heads of those who surround me be covered with the trouble their lips have caused. Let burning coals fall on them; may they be thrown into the fire, into the miry pits never to rise. Let the slanderers not be established in the land and may disaster hunt down men of violence."

Moses asked Aaron, "What did these people do to you? Why did you cause them to do such a terrible sin?" (Exodus 32:21) What happened to you? Why? Why?

That is our question as well. Why? What happened to you? When did it become okay to lie, steal, and cheat? When did it become okay to falsely accuse? When did the need for power and the pursuit of money take over your lives? Why did you decide to go against God's word and bring "the storm"? Why? What happened to you???


Next Entry: Exodus 32:1 – 34:35 (Continued) 

Exodus 32:1 – 34:35

February 8, 2010

There is so much in these chapters. I may be writing a week. 

Moses was still on Mt. Sinai receiving instructions and the details of God's plan. The people "saw a long time had passed" and said, "we don't know what has happened to Moses." They began to worry and they lost sight of Truth. As a result, they began to make their own plans and their own decisions.   

When you are going through storms or trials you have to hang on. Don't give up! Don't ever give up! The waiting period may seem long BUT we aren't always aware of the plans—the detailed plans—God is designing behind the scenes OR that the waiting may soon be over IF we just hold on. The Israelites took their eyes off of WHO delivered them from Egypt and instead put their faith in the instrument God used (Moses). When you take your eyes off of God and start looking towards man, FEAR will set in.

Exodus 20:23 - "You must not use gold or silver to make idols for yourselves; do not worship these gods in addition to me." God spoke these words directly to the Israelite people. Exodus 24:3;7 - The Israelites respond that, "We will do everything that the LORD has said; we will obey." And here they are, less than 40 days later, taking their gold and giving it to Aaron to form a golden calf saying, "These are your gods who brought you out...." That was the problem. The calf was "your god," not THE God. Then Aaron says that tomorrow there would be a feast to "honor the LORD"—trying to honor the LORD in addition to their golden calf. You either serve God—or you don't. You either trust God—or you don't. You either have faith in God—or you don't.

We choose to serve, trust, and put our faith—in God. 


Next Entry: Exodus 32:1 – 34:35 (Continued)

Exodus 31:1–18

February 5, 2010

God finishes up His detailed instructions to Moses and lets him know that He has provided a way for the work to be done. He gave special skills to two leaders and the other craftsman. Verse 6 - "They will be able."

When God calls—God provides. "If God calls you to it, He will provide a way through it."

When the LORD finished speaking to Moses He gave him the two stone tablets with the Agreement (or Testimony) on them written by the finger of God. I somehow never realized the order of these events. I always thought that when Moses brought the tablets down the mountain that was when the Israelites were given the Ten Commandments. No!! These tablets, the Testimony or Agreements, were literally that. The testimony of what the Lord had already commanded and the people had already agreed to.

God gave the Ten Commandments to the Israelites by His own voice.

Exodus 20:1 - "Then God spoke all these words:...."
Exodus 20:18–19 - The people were frightened by the presence and voice of God and asked Moses to talk to them instead.
Exodus 20:22 - "You yourselves have seen that I talked with you from heaven."
Exodus 24: 3,7 - The Israelites response: "We will do everything that the Lord has said; we will obey."
Exodus 24:4 - Then Moses wrote down all God said.

There was already an agreement between God and the Israelites when Moses went up the mountain for the third time. God gave him specific and detailed directions on how to complete everything. (Can you imagine all the careful notes Moses had to take in order to write it all down correctly?) And then, God put His agreement with Israel in writing. God told Moses in Exodus 24:12–13 - "Come up the mountain to me. Wait there, and I will give you two stone tables. On these are the teachings and the commands I have written to instruct the people." Exodus 31:18 - "When the LORD finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two stone tablets with the Agreement written on them, written by the finger of God."

This was the agreement—the testimony—of what was already decided in Chapters 20–24. The Israelites had already agreed. God gave clear directions on how to complete the details. God provided the skills and means to do it. God was personally involved. With His own finger He memorialized what was agreed upon. And yet, in Chapter 32, we will discover that the Israelites began to fear, their trust waned, and they decided to take control of their own destiny. 

God has promised us His protection. He has given us clear direction. He gave us His own words through the lips of Jane (Her Name was Jane) to speak to us. Psalm 150; Psalm 140; Isaiah 30; Psalm 1; and Jeremiah 33. We will continue to WAIT ON THE LORD.


Next Entry: Exodus 32:1 – 34:35

Exodus 30:1–38

February 4, 2010

God gave clear directions to Moses on how to worship Him. God is laying out the plan for Aaron as priest while Aaron is helping the Israelites build a golden calf. God obviously knew what Aaron was doing—yet He had a plan for his life. God loves each one of us the same. Exodus 30:11-16 - Every one was to pay the same for their life. The rich were not to pay more and the poor were not to pay less. 

God loves us the same and died for us while we were sinners. He was planning all the details for Moses while the Israelites were sinning. He does the same for us. II Chronicles 7:14 - "IF my people who are called by my name, humble themselves and pray, and seek my face and turn from their evil ways, THEN I will hear from heaven and I will heal their land."

There is only one way. Exodus 30:32–33; 37–38 - makes it clear that we are not to mimic or imitate our ways as God's. There is only one way—total submission to God's authority. Humble yourself → pray → seek → turn. We cannot do it ourselves. There is only one answer. Humble yourself → pray → seek → turn—THEN!


Next Entry: Exodus 31:1–18

Exodus 28:1 – 29:46

February 3, 2010

The details found in Chapter 25 through today's reading and beyond are incredible. They are almost too mind boggling to read. 

Moses was on the mountain (third time) for 40 days. During that time God was giving him detailed instructions on how the Israelites were to proceed. Four different times in these chapters (Exodus 25:9; 25:40; 27:8; and 29:35) God tells Moses to "be very careful" to follow the plan He had given him. God's plans were extremely detailed, yet it was the people who were to fulfill them. They were to bring the items to make them and they were to be the craftsmen as well. God promised to meet the Israelites at the entrance of the meeting tent. Exodus 29:46 - "They will know that I am the Lord their God who led them out of Egypt so that I could live with them. I am the LORD their God."

Our God is a God of details. No matter what the circumstances we may face, HE is in total control. He has a plan. It will be fulfilled exactly when He ordains. Exodus 12:41 - "On the very day..."; Exodus 19:1 - "Exactly three months after..."

God is in control. We are to do what He has shown us to do. As we wait on Him we can be confident that He will fulfill his promises. We know He is the LORD our God. 


Next Entry: Exodus 30:1–38

Exodus 25:1 – 27:21

February 2, 2010

This is the third time Moses went up the mountain to meet with God. The first time is in Exodus 19:3-9 - God told him to tell the people that everyone of them had seen what God had done in bringing them out of Egypt and that IF they obey and keep his commands he would be with them. The Israelites responded by saying, "We will do everything he has said."

The second time Moses went up the mountain was in Exodus 19:20 - God tells Moses to go back down and bring Aaron up with him. While Moses is down God speaks to all the people, "I am the LORD your God." He gives them the ten commandments and laws for living. He again told them (Exodus 20:22) "You yourselves have seen"; He again tells them to obey only Him (Exodus 20:23 - do not worship gods in addition to me); and He again says He will bless them. The Israelites say they will listen. (Exodus 20:19) God continues on and gives them laws for living, about injuries, property laws, relationships, fairness, about the Sabbath, and feasts. Then God tells them He will lead them, bless them, and protect them IF they obey. They respond two more times (Exodus 24:3;7) "We will do everything that the Lord has said; we will obey." 

Moses goes up the mountain the third time. He is there for six days, covered by the glory of God. On the seventh day the LORD called to Moses. Moses had to wait. He was being obedient to God, and he was in God's presence, but he had to wait. Then God started to reveal the plans in today's reading to him.


Next Entry: Exodus 28:1 – 29:46

Exodus 23:1 – 24:18 (Continued)

February 1, 2010

God promised to not only send an angel to lead the Israelites but that He himself would lead them, bless them, and give them victory.

The Israelites had to face and go through the battles. God did not just wipe the way clear. There were battles to be fought. Exodus 23:30 - "I will force those people out slowly." It was not a quick battle and victory. It was long and slow.

"The storm" we are caught in has been going on for years. Yet, God has fulfilled every one of His promises. He has led us and He has protected us. We will continue to wait and trust God for His leading, blessing, and victory.

The Israelites promised God several times that they would listen and obey. Yet scripture tells us otherwise. Many of the choices they made went directly against God's will for their lives, and they suffered the consequences for it.

We choose to believe. We choose to listen. We choose to obey.


Next Entry: Exodus 25:1 – 27:21

Her Name Was Jane! (Continued)

February 2, 2010

Jane was literally all alone. I strongly felt I was supposed to go and see Jane again, and that I was supposed to do it regularly. But to be honest, I was reluctant. The conversation between myself and God went something like this. "But God, how am I going to fit driving to the nursing home to see Jane into my schedule? How long would I be making a commitment for? What if she lives a long time? This is what you want me to do? You sure about this God? I know—maybe I could go that way on Wednesday nights when I go to choir practice. Maybe I could fit it into my schedule that way." It was like God clearly stopped me in my tracks and admonished me with a holy thump to the head. "If I am asking you to do something I want you to do it. I don't want you to try to figure out a way to "fit it" into your schedule. I just want you to obey me and do it." Okay, God. I'll do it. I will go visit Jane every Monday morning.

There were several more difficult meetings over the weekend, but the protective barrier of God's love continued to surround me.   

Monday morning came and I headed to the nursing home. As I drove and thought back over my first visit with Jane, the miraculous nature of the encounter and her amazing prayer of God's blessing over my life, the realization that it was a God-ordained meeting began to sink in more and more. As I was driving I was praising God for His many blessings.

The drive to the nursing home felt like it took forever. My reluctance to add weekly visits with some random elderly lady in a nursing home to my already full schedule, was quickly replaced with eager anticipation. What would I find when I got there? All the circumstances surrounding my first meeting with Jane seemed so remarkable ... was there really a woman in the nursing home named Jane? I don't think it would have shocked me to have walked into the room only to discover that no Jane had ever lived there and that I had encountered an angel. Our first meeting was that incredibly amazing.

I walked down the hallway to Jane's room. Jane did exist, but that was just about all she was capable of doing. I never again saw Jane sitting in her lazy boy chair. I never again had a long (or any) mutual conversation with her. It wasn't until Jane died a year and half later that I learned she had not been able to have a conversation like we had during our first meeting—for years! Years before our first meeting! The "real" Jane did not even remotely resemble the woman I'd met (three days before) and with whom I'd spent an hour or so of time enjoying a friendly and engaging conversation.

The "real" Jane had Parkinson's disease and advanced dementia. Jane thought her mother was alive, but her mother had died when Jane was in her early 20's. Jane couldn't walk, couldn't dress herself, or perform any activities of daily living—none. Jane struggled to speak even a few words. She seldom tried, but when she did try, it was painful to watch as she struggled to form a word and try to vocalize it. Jane spent her days either lying in bed or sitting in a wheel chair. Her body was rigid. If she started to lean to the side while sitting in her wheelchair, she could not straighten herself back up. I would try to help her back into an upright position but she had no control over her body and could not hold herself upright. Jane never again knew my name or anything about me. 

I went to see Jane every Monday for a year and a half. It was never something I had to "fit" into my schedule. It was pure joy. It was impossible to have a bad week when you started it out by visiting Jane. Our "visits" consisted of me reading to Jane from one of her Bible's or singing to her. Most of the time I couldn't tell if she could hear me or not, but knowing that hearing is the last of the senses to go, I read to her any ways hoping she could still hear. Occasionally she would respond by repeating something I had read. I remember reading her Psalm 8 and when I finished she said, "What is man..." with her voice trailing off.

Shortly after I met Jane she was put under the care of Hospice—she was dying. It wasn't until I met Jane's Power Of Attorney for the first time, over a year later, that I learned the whole story. Jane developed a bladder infection while she was in Hospice. Because Hospice typically does not treat illnesses, Jane's POA decided to remove her from Hospice so the infection could be treated. She told me that at the time she didn't know why, but she just knew she had to remove Jane and have the treatments begin. It would have been so much easier for her just to have let Jane die. Jane was 87, with advanced dementia, Parkinson's, and just barely existing. Jane's POA wasn't family, she was just a former co-worker Jane asked to take on the job because she didn't have anyone else to ask. It was a huge responsibility and time commitment. She shared with me that she sometimes felt resentment towards Jane's PA family and often wondered why someone didn't take Jane back to PA? Why did they leave her in Indiana with just acquaintances to care for her?

It would have been so easy for Jane's POA to have let Hospice continue and leave the bladder infection untreated. Not only easy, but perfectly rational, legitimate, and arguably a wise decision to let nature take it's course. But she couldn't. Oh, thank God she couldn't. Because just months after the decision was made to begin treatment and extend Jane's life, Jane spoke the words that forever changed our lives and has impacted hundreds of people around this country. It is the basis for why we must tell HIS Story about HIS faithfulness and HIS love. Her Name Was Jane! Jane was loved by God, and she accepted that love and loved him back with all her heart. Jane's life's desire was to serve God, and she did. Until her dying day—and beyond—her life has been used to bring glory to God.

Five years.

For five years God had been preparing us for this very moment—the year 2007. He prepared my husband and me by having us go to a specific nursing home every Christmas morning. God knew that five years down the road HE was going to speak to us through a godly woman named Jane who lived there. Of all the years we went to that nursing home we never went down the hall where Jane lived.  We always went the opposite direction so we didn't even know Jane existed.

Five years.

We were alone on Christmas mornings. Our daughter lived in another state and our Christmas celebration with our son's family was on Christmas Eve. We decided that since we were free on Christmas mornings we ought to give of ourselves to those less fortunate, and we decided to go to a nursing home. We chose a specific nursing home because at that time it wasn't the most popular one in the area. We figured that some of the other local nursing homes probably had more people visiting during the Christmas season. Besides, my husband's Grandma had spent a few months there many years prior. So, off we went. For the first years we took a basket with fruit and Little Debbie snacks and would go room to room visiting with the residents. In later years we would spend time with the residents playing Bingo and helping them open their gifts. What stories we have. The gentleman that tried to con my husband out of his watch (he had a whole drawer full); the lady who was trying to remember "what do you call the stuff that you put on cereal in the morning" (sugar) and then she said, "I know... it is the United States of America"; the young man who had walked away from church as a teenager that we could now encourage and pray for. All those years of going—no Jane.

What If:

• We had not decided to start going to the nursing home five years ago? When the unexpected storm caught us off guard in early 2007, I knew exactly where I was supposed to go.
• I was too ashamed to be seen in public after that first upsetting meeting and sleepless night?
• I had refused to listen to the Holy Spirit's prompting to go do something for someone else?
• I had not been asked to wait for the Activity Director that morning? I would have never went down Jane's hallway.
• I had never met Jane?
• I did not listen to the Holy Spirit prompting me to go back and see Jane every week?
• Jane was not treated for her bladder infection? 
• Jane wasn't willing and ready to be used by God even in her 80's and while stuck in a nursing home alone?
• We had not received God's words through Jane?
• Jane had not told us to read Psalm 150 and Psalm 140 just days after our world was turned upside down?
• We had not understood the importance of Psalm 150? Praising God first and foremost.
• Jane had not told us to read Isaiah 30, just days before a critical meeting? What if she had not said, read the part about "wait on the Lord" again.
• Jane had not told me to memorize Psalm 1 in early 2008?
• Jane had not told me to read Jeremiah 33 just days before she died? One year to the day later God miraculously protected us and released us from a large financial obligation.    

For sixteen months God used Jane to succinctly speak His messages of Purpose, Praise, Promise, Provision, Path, and Protection. Messages sent directly to us from God Himself through the lips of Jane E. Wolfe. Every single word Jane spoke directed me to the Word of God. 

What if? 
What if we weren't already grounded followers of God?
What if God would not have blessed our lives with Jane?
What if God had not guided us or walked with us on this journey?

We most certainly would have failed.

No mere words will ever be enough to thank the God of heaven for reaching down and impacting our lives with His Words. All we can do is thank Him by living our lives in a way that honors Him. We have to tell HIS Story.

Praise God—ALL Glory and Honor belong to HIM. 

Addendum:  9/25/13 ~ To read more of how God impacted our lives through Jane go to: Walking By Faith: A True Story of God's Faithfulness. 


Next Entry: Exodus 23:1 – 24:18 (Continued)

Her Name Was Jane!

January 30, 2010

(Continued from Exodus 23:1 – 24:18)

We walked into the room. Jane was sitting in a lazy boy chair with the footrest up. The Activity Director told her I was here to visit with people—would she like to visit? Jane said, "Yes."  I pulled a chair up by her chair and we started to visit. The Activity Director left the room. I have no idea how long I was there, but I am sure it was well over an hour.

Jane and I talked and talked. I asked Jane where she was from and she said Pennsylvania. She said she was a former school teacher. I asked her what she taught—English. I told her my English grades weren't the best when I was in school and that I've always kind of thought I should take an English course now... maybe she could help me. She smiled. I asked her about her family. She had never married. I asked her if she knew anything about the Appalachian Trail when she lived in PA. She replied that some of the best times of her life were spent on the A.T. We talked about the A.T. blazes and how they let you know you're not lost and how the double blazes warn you if you're coming to a confusing area where you could lose your way and get off course. I said, "Don't you wish our lives were like that Jane? Wouldn't it be great if our lives had blazes which would clearly show us if we were following the right path and warn us if we were about to get off on the wrong trail?" Jane replied that we do have that. We have the Bible and Jesus and they can clearly guide us if we allow them. I said, "You're right Jane." Then Jane asked me my name. I told her. Then she asked, "How do you spell it?" I spelled it for her, and then she repeated it and said, "That is a beautiful name." ("He knows my name, He knows my every thought, He sees each tear that falls, and hears me when I call.") I said, "Thank-you Jane." 

We had such a sweet time of conversation. I asked Jane if I could pray with her. I held her hand and prayed. I heard the Activity Director walk in and sit on the edge of the bed, just in time to witness and hear what happened next. Jane took my hand, raised it in the air, and prayed the most incredible prayer of God's blessings on my life that I have ever received!! Amazing! I left the nursing home a completely different person than the person who walked in. I went in crushed in spirit and hoping to be a blessing to someone else, and walked out with the load that was on my heart and shoulders GONE and feeling so incredibly blessed. "Amazing love – How can it be that you my King should die for me? Amazing love – I know it's true it is my joy to honor you in all I do...." Listen to "Amazing Love" here.

From that moment on.....

What a life changing moment. I left the nursing home with joy in my heart. I called my husband to share with him all that had just happened. The winds were still swirling around me, but it was like I was protected within the eye of the storm. "The storm" no longer felt personal. It was like God put a cushion—a barrier—between what was swirling around me, and myself. God's word says He doesn't give you more than you can handle, and I was witnessing that happen. 

Jeremiah 29:11-13 - "I know the plans I have for you said the Lord. They are good plans, not plans to harm you but to give you hope and a good future. Then you will call to me, and I will hear you. You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart you will find me. I will let you find me...."

Addendum:  5/13/2016 ~ I am feeling overcome with gratitude this morning. As I read and re-live this amazing Blessed Event I am just so grateful and humbled by our Father's love. Amazing love! How can it be?

Father,
I'm sorry. I'm sorry for being frustrated at how long it is taking me to read, review, and edit these entries. I somehow thought that these few days I had at our daughter's would allow me to make it through most of my journals. This is the third day, and I haven't even finished 50 entries. Thank you for reminding me that this is YOUR story and that my plans and agenda really don't have anything to do with it. Thank you for putting my perspective back in order. I don't want to rush and miss out on what you may want to show me. Thank you for reminding me this morning about your amazing love. I'm in this for the long haul Father. How ever long it takes Lord, however long it takes. I surrender all.

This song by Hillsong really spoke to me this morning. Listen to At the Cross. There is no greater love! 


Next Entry: Her Name Was Jane! (Continued)

Exodus 23:1 – 24:18 (Her Name Was Jane!)

January 29, 2010

Exodus 23:20 - "I will send an angel ahead of you." God promised to protect them, lead them, fight for them, and to give them victory. Their job (and ours) is to listen carefully and obey.

Jane! How else can you describe Jane but as an angel?

Her Name Was Jane!

On a windy and rainy January evening, and into the early morning hours of the next day, my safe and comfortable world as I knew it came crashing down around me. I was shaken to the very core of my being. Everything I knew to be truth vanished before my very eyes.

When the long sleepless night finally ended, and the dawn of a new day came, I knew I had to GO and DO something for someone else. I knew I had to get my mind off of the upsetting events of the night before. But where would I go and what would I do? I decided to go visit with the residents at the nursing home my husband and I went to on Christmas mornings.  

I looked a mess. My eyes were swollen from crying and my sleepless night. I felt battered and bruised from the sudden storm which took my husband and I by surprise. I wanted to crawl in a hole and never come out, but I knew I had to GO and DO. So I got in the shower to get ready. My tears mixed with the water and freely flowed down my face. Through my sobs and tears I realized a song was running through my mind, but I couldn't place the song or the words. I stopped what I was doing and stood still so I could listen to the melody of the song playing so clearly in my mind. And then—the words of the song became clear. I literally heard it. "He knows your name, He knows your every thought. He knows each tear that falls and hears you when you call." Listen to it here. I had just been stripped of everything I knew to be truth, and I felt very vulnerable and alone. God was letting me know that HE knows my name; HE knows my every thought; HE knows each tear that falls; and HE hears me when I call. At that moment I knew—I am not alone. HE is with me. 

More tears flowed. This time they were tears of gratitude for my Savior's love.  

I got dressed and drove to the nursing home. It was a Friday morning. I'd never been there during a normal work week before. I was just going to walk in but the woman at the front desk stopped me and asked me if she could help me. I told her that I was just there to spend some time with the residents. She asked me to wait so I could speak with the Activity Director. I thought to myself—why can't I just walk the halls and rooms and visit with the people myself? I've been coming here for years!! I stood there and waited ... irritated that I wasn't being allowed to walk the halls.

The Activity Director finally came. She introduced herself and we sat down at a table in the far corner of the cafeteria. She asked me why I was there. The tears began to flow again. I told her that I knew I looked a mess, but that I had just come through a very traumatic time, and I felt I needed to get out and do something for someone else. Our personalities instantly connected and we freely talked together about life, faith, and God. After time passed she said, "Let's see where the Holy Spirit leads us."  

God was putting HIS plan in place. Unbeknownst to me, the Activity Director was going to be an integral part in accomplishing HIS plan ... and I was irritated at having to wait. Forgive me Lord. I am so grateful you made me wait. Thank you for being patient with me while I learn what it means to follow your footpath.

We began to walk the halls together. We went down a hallway in a wing that in all the years my husband and I had been going to the nursing home, we had never went down. We went into one room and chatted with the lady for awhile, but she was very grumpy and didn't want visitors. The Activity Director led me out of that patient's room and we walked on down the hallway a little farther. She stopped and said, "Now here is a godly woman, her name is Jane. She doesn't have any family in the area."

Next Entry: Her Name Was Jane!

Exodus 21:1 – 22:31

January 28, 2010

God gives the Israelites clear direction on how to live.

The way we live our lives matters. People are watching. If your actions match your words it creates respect from non-believers. But to say one thing and live another causes so much harm to believers and non-believers alike.

"A peaceful life leads non-believers to respect believers. What if John [the Baptist's] life had not matched his words? What if he'd preached repentance and lived in immorality? What if he'd called for holiness and yet had a reputation for dishonesty? If John's life had not matched his words, his message would have fallen on deaf ears.

So will ours.

People are watching the way we act more than they are listening to what we say." ~ From A Gentle Thunder by Max Lucado

So true. Why would someone want anything to do with the Gospel of Christ when people who claim to be His "followers" lie, cheat, and steal? People are watching. Are we pointing them to God or away from Him? It is one or the other. The Bible clearly states what a believer's life should look like. It also clearly defines what the Lord calls evil. It is up to us to make sure our walk matches our talk.

When you face storms in your life hang on to God's promises. Exodus 21:9 - God's judges will decide. Both here on earth and in heaven. Our faith is in HIM. We trust HIM. HE is the One who has protected us and guided us. All praise, honor, and glory belong to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Psalm 62:1–2; 5–6  - "I find rest in God; only he can save me. He is my rock and my salvation. He is my defender; I will not be defeated. I find rest in God; only he gives me hope. He is my rock and my salvation. He is my defender; I will not be defeated." Praise God!!


Next Entry: Exodus 23:1 – 24:18

Exodus 20:1–26

January 27, 2010

The Ten Commandments: "I am the LORD your God."

1)  You must not have other gods. PERIOD! Nothing. This commandment appears to be the easiest. After all, we don't believe in Buddha, etc. However, it is the foundation for all the others and it is the hardest to obey. If you get this one right then all the rest fall into place. Get this one wrong? All the rest will be a problem as well. Anything that replaces God as the supreme authority in our lives is having another god. The biggest obstacle to obeying the first commandment? Ourselves. Thinking we can handle things ourselves. The problem of "I." Pride. There is a big difference in believing and understanding we are wonderfully and powerfully made by God to be who we are; and thinking that who we are is of our own doing. Nothing before God! Not pride, money, the need to be in control, this world, family, job—nothing.

2)  You must not worship or serve any idols. This goes hand-in-hand with #1. We again think we can skim right over this one because it doesn't apply. But anything we are putting as more important than God, anything that is getting more of our devotion than God—is an idol. Pride, possessions, people, etc. God demands to be God of all our lives, NOT a god among other gods in our life. He wants total surrender to who HE is. I AM THE LORD. When He has that? He shows blessings and kindness. When He doesn't? There are consequences not only for yourself but for generations to come.

3)  You must not use the name of the LORD your God thoughtlessly. The misuse of God's name literally shows that He is not LORD of your life. To understand who God is, to fully understand that He is the LORD (Yawheh—too holy of a word to even write), then you understand, even in our small human way, the majesty of God and you cannot take that lightly or use His name in vain. It says the LORD will punish anyone who misuses His name. That doesn't mean He will punish you because you said "a" word. It means that if you can misuse His name then you don't truly know Him and then you cannot be following #1 or #2 either. It means you have not fully surrendered to HIS authority and there will be consequences because of it.

4)  Keep the Sabbath holy. We need to have a day set apart to remember Him. This isn't about legalism. It's about understanding the importance of surrender and worshiping God for who He is. It's about making Sabbath a priority in our lives. Not obeying #4 leads to problems with #1 and #2. The opposite is true as well. If #1 and #2 aren't obeyed, then not obeying this commandment will follow. Our hearts are sinful by nature. We must constantly be in God's word and communicate with Him through prayer if we are to stay surrendered. Fellowship with other like-minded people encourages, blesses, and uplifts us.

5)  Honor your mother and father. Honor is the key word. Parents are human and not always the best examples in our lives, but we are to honor them. That means we respect them. God ordained when we were born and who we were born to. To not honor them is denying that God knew what He was doing. The reverse can be true as well. We are not to have our parents be a god in our lives. We are to honor them, not worship them. When we get this right the scripture says it will go well with you. Why? Because you have acknowledged God as LORD. #1 and #2 are being followed.

6)  You must not murder.
7)  You must not be guilty of adultery.
8)  You must not steal.
9)  You must not lie.
10)  You must not want what others have.

Commandments 6-10 - What is the one thing in common with all of these? Self. To murder, cheat, steal, lie, or want other peoples things is the sin of selfishness and pride. What I want; what I deserve; what I want to have; and what is best for me. Selfish pride. It's all about me and what I want. Therefore, you are your own god and God is not the God in your life. #1 and #2 are broken. God is either God of all or He isn't God at all. It truly is that black and white. He is God of all—or He isn't God at all.    

Exodus 20:23 says we cannot have gods in addition to Him. We either acknowledge that He is THE LORD and surrender our lives, wants, dreams, desires, to Him, OR we remain god in our own lives. Which is it? God—OR—Me? I choose God.

Addendum:  9/25/13 ~ I love how God takes His words and peels back the layers and continues to reveal HIS truth to us as we go to HIM to learn from HIM and are willing to listen to HIM. We often breeze right past God's commandment #3 and think it doesn't apply to us since we are not using His name in "vain" as we typically think about it. Could it be using His name in vain isn't just referring to swearing or thoughtless use? Could it be that we also misuse God's name when: we keep silent about who HE is; we "say" we are a follower of HIS but our actions don't line up with our words; we don't obey HIS teachings; we don't even bother to take the time to read HIS words; we go to Him with our laundry list of what we want HIM to do for us; and we don't obey #1 and #2. That is just a short list. We have it all wrong. We somehow think life is about us—and it is not.  It is only about HIM.


Next Entry: Exodus 21:1 – 22:31 

Exodus 19:1–25

January 26, 2010

Another thought about yesterday's journal entry. Jethro gave Moses great advice. Everyone was coming to Moses with their problems. Jethro said to Moses, "Listen to me... I want God to be with you..." Not only was there a danger of exhaustion if Moses continued to be the only one to judge the people, there was also the danger of Moses and the people to start relying solely on Moses and not God. The line could have become blurred and crossed into look at Moses instead of look at God.

Exodus 19:4 - "Everyone of the Israelites saw what God did to the Egyptians, how God did miraculous things when bringing them out and how God sustained them." God gave them a simple command, "Obey me and keep my agreements." The people answered together, "We will do everything he has said." Yet we know what happens later.

We can have the best intentions, but if we don't stay in the Word daily then we will become like the Israelites and lose our way. 

God wants to do great things for us. We need to get out of the way. When we quit trying to run our own lives, THEN—we are able to witness the power and glory of God.  

Addendum:  9/25/13 ~ From my margin notes: God carried the Israelites out of Egypt "as if on eagle's wings." God promises us the same.  Isaiah 40:31 - "But the people who trust the LORD will become strong again.  They will rise up as an eagle in the sky; they will run and not need rest; they will walk and not become tired."


Next Entry: Exodus 20:1–26

Exodus 17:8 – 18:27

January 25, 2010

The Amalekites (Esau's descendants) come out to fight the Israelites. The Israelites are told to go and fight. Moses goes to the top of the hill holding the walking stick of the LORD. As long as the rod is held in the air (acknowledging the need for God) the Israelites were successful. If they tried to fight in their own power they started losing. Aaron and Hur came along side of Moses to help him hold the rod in the air.

To go into any battle alone, without God's instructions or the recognition that the battle belongs to the LORD, brings disaster. It is only through Christ that we can stand strong when the storm winds batter. We are so thankful for friends and family that God brought along side us to hold our arms up when we became weak or tired. The Lord has been faithful. He is our banner. Moses was careful to always make it clear that it was the LORD who saved them. We want to do the same. It is God alone who has sustained us and led us in the midst of "the storm." And, it is God alone who will deliver us as He has promised. To God be the glory for the things HE has done. 

When we receive Christ as our Savior we receive all of Him immediately. But it isn't until we grow, study His word, and do His will that we begin to be able to experience God more and in His fullness. The more you get a glimpse of who God is, the more over-whelming your gratefulness to Him becomes. The words—HOLY, HOLY, HOLY—just aren't enough. There are no human words adequate enough to describe Him or to give Him enough glory. It won't be until we see Him face to face that we will be able to understand all of Him. The song "I Can Only Imagine" comes to mind. "Will I dance or in awe of Him be still? Will I sing Hallelujah or be able to speak at all?" 

Scripture gives us different names to describe different attributes of God.

LORD - The I AM
Yawheh - too holy of a name to speak. If the word was written the pen would need to be thrown away. 
Jehovah-jireh - Our provider
Jehovah-nissi - The Lord is my banner
Jehovah-rophe - The Lord who heals you
Jehovah-raah - Our caring shepherd
Jehovan-shalom - The Lord is peace
I AM - He is what He is.  He never changes. 

Father. Judge. Emanuel. Counselor. Prince of Peace. King. Friend. Creator. Savior. Christ.


Next Entry: Exodus 19:1–25

Exodus 15:22 – 17:7

January 23, 2010

The trials we face are many times for our education—not punishment. (A note in Jane's Bible.)

After victoriously crossing the Red Sea, the Lord led them to Marah, where the water was bitter. They were on the exact path God put them on. He wasn't trying to punish them, He was trying to teach them to trust Him. Exodus 15:26 - "You must obey the Lord your God...I am the LORD who heals you."

After the teachable moment at Marah, God took them to Elim where there were 12 springs and 70 palm trees. An oasis—peace after the battle. Later, the people again grumbled about their circumstances. God provided for them manna in the morning, quail in the evening, and water from a rock.

Even in the desert times of our lives God provides what we need. Just what we need, when we need it. Our job? Trust and obey. Exodus 15:26 - "You must obey the LORD..."


Next Entry: Exodus 17:8 – 18:27

Exodus 13:1 – 15:21 (Continued)

January 22, 2010

Exodus 14:31 - When the Israelites saw the great power the LORD used, they feared the LORD and they trusted Him.

Without their long exodus to freedom the Israelites would have missed out on seeing God's great power. Without our situation continuing for three plus years, we would have missed out on witnessing the Hand of God at work in our lives. That is why we now say, "Thank goodness it didn't end quickly like we originally prayed."

Lord, we would have missed so much. This faith journey we have been on has been simply amazing. We would have missed the full blessing of Jane (Her Name was Jane) and the special times of closeness my husband and I shared as we walked together hand-in-hand while praying—for years. We would have missed experiencing YOUR presence during those walks. The time the sun hit our backs and cast such elongated shadows, we knew at that moment YOUR presence was with us. The time we were walking in the dense fog and our way seemed so obscure. I remember the fervency in my husband's voice as he was praying and pleading our case before you asking you to please show us your presence and direction. We had just rounded a corner and were walking up a slight rise when the skies opened, the thick fog parted, and YOUR sun's rays shone brightly through a small grove of trees which was just ahead of us. YOUR sun shone clear and bright for a few seconds and then the skies closed and we were once again enveloped in the thick fog. We learned an important lesson that day. We may be enveloped in fog and our way may seem obscure, but you are there!! We treasure that moment. There are so many other things we would have missed. The "story" of Jane that we have shared with so many people—missed. Our desire to be in your word daily—missed. The growth in ourselves, our children and the impact on generations—MISSED!   

All we can do is PRAISE YOUR NAME!
 
And, that is what the Israelites did. They praised the LORD. Psalm 150. That is our response as well. God has given us a song in our heart and praises on our lips even though we are still in the midst of "the storm." We trust Him. Period. It isn't when the "problem" in your life is over that joy and peace comes. It is in walking "through the valley" that you can see, touch, feel, hear, and experience God in a way that you can't get any other way but than to go "through." When you can do nothing about your situation, you discover (in our small human way) the God who can do everything! Psalm 150:2 - "Praise God for his surpassing greatness." Not just adequate or barely enough to eke out a victory—surpassing—MORE than enough.

The song lyrics from, "How Can I Keep From Singing"  your name, how can I ever say enough, how amazing is your love ... for I have been loved by the King and it makes my heart want to sing" is going through my mind. Listen to it here. When you begin to get a glimpse of who God is, even the words of Isaiah—HOLY, HOLY, HOLY—seems woefully inadequate. 

Moses and the Israelites broke out into song, praising the LORD for all He had done. Exodus 15:1-2 - "I will sing to the LORD, because he is worthy of great honor ... The LORD gives me strength and makes me sing ... He is our God and we will praise him.  He is the God of our fathers and we will honor him." Exodus 15:9 - "The enemy bragged, 'I'll chase them and catch them. I'll take all their riches; I'll take all I want. I'll pull out my sword, and my hand will destroy them.' " The problem of "I"—it almost always leads to wanting power, control, revenge, and greed.

Exodus 15:11 - "You are wonderfully holy, amazingly powerful, a worker of miracles."

God has put us on this path. No matter where the path leads—we will trust Him.  No matter the outcome—we will praise Him. We are thankful our lives were built upon the Rock when the winds of "the storm" hit. We are thankful for "the storm." We are thankful for how the LORD has revealed Himself to us in new and deeper ways. The Lord is "wonderfully holy, amazingly powerful, and a worker of miracles." Blessed be the name of the LORD.


Next Entry: Exodus 15:22 – 17:7

Exodus 13:1 – 15:21 (Continued)

January 21, 2010

Our responsibility is this:

• Do what God has revealed to us to do
• Don't be afraid
• Stand still
• Wait on the Lord
• Remain calm. 

(Exodus 14:13–14) You have to trust the path God puts you on. When the Israelites were leaving Egypt it would have been logical for them to go the short way—across dry land—to escape the king.  

Instead, God took them the long way, through the desert and towards the Red Sea.

This could not have made any sense to the Israelites. They could have walked across dry land! The farther they went into the desert the wider the Red Sea became. Yet God knew exactly what He was doing. If they went the short way they might have been tempted to turn back and surrender to captivity. By taking them the long way and to the Red Sea, it meant (as our Pastor says) either God shows up, or they were going to fail. This way God received the glory AND the foundation for their future life was laid.  

Why three years, Lord? Why has "the storm" lasted three years?  When the lawsuit first began we prayed for "the storm" to pass quickly. We were willing to do whatever God wanted us to do, but we wanted IT over quickly—the short route. Instead it has been three years and the lawsuit still isn't over and "the storm" is still raging. But, you know what?  Now we are grateful for all the time that has passed. God has used this time to grow us, protect us, but most importantly—God has used this time for Him to receive all the glory and honor for what HE has done.

The Israelites were leaving victoriously. Exodus 13:21 - "The Lord showed them the way..." God went before them during the day with a pillar of cloud and during the night with a pillar of fire. The Egyptians, even though they had suffered horrible consequences, began to regret their decision to let the Israelites go. Exodus 14:5 - "What have we done? We have lost our slaves." The king, even after losing his firstborn and the firstborn of all the Egyptians and animals in his kingdom, still could not bring himself to truly let the Israelites go.

So, Pharaoh took 600 of his best chariots, plus all his other chariots, each with an officer, and they started out to take the Israelites captive again. The Israelites, seeing the Egyptians coming towards them, began to panic. They had no place to go. The Egyptians are coming from behind them and the Red Sea was in front of them. There was NOTHING they could do to save themselves. They were wishing they would have just tolerated being slaves and stayed under Pharaoh's authority in Egypt.

It looked like they were in an absolutely impossible situation.

Twice in Chapter 14 it says that God will receive glory THROUGH the king. Ezekiel 14:4 - "I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord."(NIV) Ezekiel 14:17 - "I will gain glory through Pharaoh and all his army ... The Egyptians will know that I am the LORD ..." (NIV) It wasn't just the Israelites who would understand that God is the LORD, but the Egyptians would as well. The Israelites were being blessed, and the Egyptians were being destroyed, but both the Israelites and the Egyptians were going to understand—"I am the LORD."

God specializes in impossible situations.

Moses gives the Israelites instructions. Exodus 14:13–14 - "Don't be afraid!  Stand still and you will see the LORD save you today. You will never see the Egyptians again. You only need to remain calm; the LORD with fight for you." The battle belongs to the Lord!! The Lord, who normally traveled in front of them, moved behind them and put a barrier between the Egyptians and the Israelites. It was darkness for the Egyptians and light for the Israelites. The Lord had the Israelites backs covered. 

I remember when we first began to understand this concept. When "the storm" clouds first began to build in the distance, my husband and I vowed that we would walk together every day to pray and seek God's will and direction for our lives. One morning as we were walking, the sun was just beginning to crest on the horizon. The rays from the sun warmed our backs and cast elongated shadows out in front of us. We stopped, and I said, "Look!  Look at our shadows!" We turned to each other and said, "God has our backs covered." God has literally covered our backs many, many times. As we continued to walk and pray our hearts were filled with praise as we began to recount the many instances where His protecting hand covered us, even before we realized we were in danger and needing His protection.

Exodus 14:21–22 - Moses held his hand over the sea and the water parted. The Israelites walked through on dry land. I always had this pictured entirely wrong. I had in my mind the pictures from my youth. A body of water like an average sized river. NO! From what I can tell it was at least ten to twenty miles wide. This was no small body of water. It was wide!! It could ONLY be God that saved them. It took courage to walk across even if the bottom was dry. It would have been easy to be distracted by (and fearful of) the walls of water on either side.

God parts the water; the Israelites are walking across—and STILL Pharaoh pursues them.

Pharaoh just didn't get it. He would have small moments of the "fear" of God, but he just couldn't bring himself to acknowledge The LORD! It was always your God and never my God. His confidence was in himself, his power, and his army. I don't think it bothered Pharaoh that the LORD put the cloud between him and the Israelites or that he was in the dark. He was just focused on his "we got them now" attitude. Their backs are against the sea. "We've got them" right where we want them. This cloud will lift and then "we've got them."

The Egyptians try to follow the Israelites across the sea but the wheels of their chariots wouldn't turn. God was making the way difficult for them. There were walls of water surrounding them on either side and FINALLY they realize that THE LORD is fighting for the Israelites. THE LORD!! Exodus 14:25 - "Let's get away from the Israelites. The LORD is fighting for them and against Egypt." Not their God is fighting for them, THE LORD is fighting for them.

Twelve times from Chapter 6 until now God says, "I AM THE LORD" and finally Pharaoh knows it. Pharaoh went from saying, "Who is the Lord? Why should I obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go" in Exodus 5:2, to saying, "Let's get away from the Israelites! The LORD is fighting for them..." Finally—he finally gets it and he turns to retreat. The Egyptians finally decide to quit pursuing the Israelites. This is the first time they (the Egyptians) turned and quit being the aggressor. They sent the Israelites away before, but this is the first time they made a choice to stop, acknowledge it was the LORD who was fighting for the Israelites, and to turn away from their pursuit. Unfortunately, it was too late. The water rushed back and the Egyptians tried to run from it, but the Lord swept them away. Before they died they understood. They finally understood—God is THE LORD.

Imagine the impact this had on all the Egyptians that were left in Egypt. The promise in Exodus 14:18 - "WHEN I defeat the king, his chariot drivers and chariots, the Egyptians, will know that I am the LORD," was fulfilled.

All praise, honor, and glory belong to our LORD and Savior. 


Next Entry: Exodus 13:1 – 15:21 (Continued)

Exodus 13:1 – 15:21

January 20, 2010

Exodus 13:3 - "Remember this day... the LORD with his great power brought you out of it." 
Exodus 10:2 - "Tell your children and your grandchildren... Tell them about the miracles I did among them so that all of you will know that I am the LORD." 

One year after "the storm" hit, I wrote the following in the margins of my Bible:

"We must pass on to our children and grandchildren the FAITHFULNESS of God. We need to remember! "Not by power, nor by might but by my spirit saith the Lord." It was not by our power or our might we were saved from the storm that surrounded us. It was ONLY by His great power. Praise the LORD! We will remember."  

Now it is one and a half years later ... and this is still our belief and witness. We will remember. We will gather our family together every year as a reminder to us, our children, and our grandchildren what God has done.

Exodus 13:11 - "When the Lord takes you into the land...."
Exodus 13:19 - "When God saves you..."
Exodus 14:18 - "When I defeat the king..."

It is not "if" it is WHEN!! God will do what He has promised. See: (Her Name Was Jane).

Exodus 13:14 - "With his great power..."
Exodus 13:21 - "The Lord showed them the way..."

God led, directed, and protected them the entire way. He will do the same for us. Their (and our) responsibility was to do "just as they were told."

2020 Update: "The storm" raged on for almost thirteen years, but God was faithful every step of the way. We were saved by His great power. We will remember.

See: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow


Next Entry: Exodus 13:1 – 15:21 (Continued)

Exodus 11:1 – 12:50

January 19, 2010

God told Moses what the end punishment for Pharaoh was going to be.  Exodus 4:23 - "I told you to let my son go so he may worship me. But you refused to let Israel go, so I will kill your firstborn son." Now here Moses is—after the water turned to blood, the frogs, the gnats, the flies, the disease on the farm animals, the boils, the hail, the locusts, the darkness—telling the King that all the firstborn sons would be killed. Then Exodus 11:8 says, "Moses very angrily left the king." Why was Moses angry? The Israelites had been spared all the plagues from the gnats on. I think he was angry because the King just refused to "get it," and now the first born sons were to be killed. This horrible, horrible punishment could have been prevented. If only Pharaoh (and all of us) could only truly understand the importance of the life choices we make.

Pharaoh tried to get the Israelites to compromise. 

Exodus 10:11 - his first solution was to only allow the men to go
Exodus 10:24 - he said the people could go but their flocks and herds must remain

You cannot compromise with evil as a means to protect yourself. You have to stand strong and wait on the Lord. You have to trust the process and the Lord God Almighty. You have to believe God's promises. Stand strong. Wait. Trust. Believe.

 Exodus 12:13 - "I am the LORD...nothing terrible will hurt you when I punish the land of Egypt." Not if punishment happens, but when punishment happens. Our responsibility is to: stand strong; wait; trust; and believe. Exodus 12:25-28 - "They did just as the Lord commanded."

Finally the king said they could go. On the very day it was supposed to happen (verse 41) it happened. Exodus 12:42 - "That night the Lord kept watch..."

There will come a day when "the storm" is over and we hear the words—"You are free to go." We will wait patiently for that day.

Addendum: See: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow


Next Entry: Exodus 13:1 – 15:21

Exodus 9:1 – 10:29

January 18, 2010

The Israelites had to endure the first set of plagues God inflicted upon the Egyptians, but from then on God treated the Israelites (including their animals) and the Egyptians differently.

Jane's (Her Name was Jane) Scofield Bible calls it the "contest" with Pharaoh. All the Israelites wanted was to be let go, but Pharaoh repeatedly refused and just could not bring himself to the place where he was willing to release them. If Pharaoh would have just let the Israelites go he and the other Egyptians would not have suffered through the many disasters and eventual defeat. Pride and stubbornness consumed Pharaoh. He was intent on doing what he wanted when he wanted. He was determined to be his own god and refused to surrender to THE God.

Interesting how the issues during Bible times are the same issues which cause conflict today.

Key Verse: Exodus 9:16 - "But I have let you live for this reason: to show you my power so that my name will be talked about in all the earth."  

God uses "the storm" times in our lives to:

1. Grow us
2. Encourage other people
3. Show HIS faithfulness 
4. Bring honor and glory to HIS name
5. Grow others
6. Strengthen others 
7. Show others who HE is
8. Save those who are lost  

It's comforting to know God can use the messes in our lives to bring Honor and Glory to HIS name. God blesses through and in the storm. It makes everything worthwhile to know God can take something ugly and make it beautiful.


Next Entry: Exodus 11:1 – 12:50

Exodus 6:28 – 8:32

January 16, 2010

Exodus 6:28 - "I am the Lord."
Exodus 7:4-5 - "...I will lead... I will punish... I will bring (them out). Then they will know I AM THE LORD. See I Kings 18:36

The response? Exodus 7:6 - Moses and Aaron did just as the Lord had commanded them.

Moses begins by having Aaron throw down the rod which turned into a snake. The Egyptian magicians could do the same. But, the rod of Christ swallowed the other snakes. God always has the power to triumph over evil. Then there was water to blood and frogs throughout the land. The magicians performed these miracles as well. But then we come to the 4th miracle—the gnats. The magicians could not do this and told Pharaoh (Exodus 8:19) that this was done by the power of God.  The NIV and KJV says "the finger of God."

Let my people go! The king was told this over and over. The first three miracles his men could duplicate. But now Pharaoh is told that this is God at work and he still refuses to let the people go. From that point on God says (Exodus 8:23) that He will treat His people differently, and they will not be subjected to the coming plagues. Note: Moses still had to do his part! He prayed to the Lord and God did what he asked.

Following each miracle/plague is the following statement: "Just as the LORD had said." God's will WILL be done. His promise is a promise.

Addendum:  9/7/13 ~ I love how the Lord led Moses each step of the way. His observations and instructions are very specific. "Moses, when the king asks you to do a miracle, tell Aaron to throw his walking stick down in front of the king, and it will be come a snake." And another time, "In the morning the king will go out to the Nile River. Go meet him by edge of the river, and take with you the walking stick that became a snake. Tell him ... let my people go..." The hand of God working in those who seek the mind of God. And we as humans have the audacity to think we are in control and what we do in private is only known to us.

Interesting to note that the king's magicians could create a counterfeit to the first plagues but had no power to stop the plagues. The king asked Moses to pray to the Lord to reverse the plagues. He did not go to his own men. His men had no power, ability, or authority to stop the plagues. Satan is a master at trying to counterfeit God but he absolutely does not have the power, ability, or the authority of God. 


Next Entry: Exodus 9:1 – 10:29

Exodus 5:1 – 6:27

January 15, 2010

It was God's will for the Israelites to be in Egypt. Yet here they are—years later—slaves in the very place God provided to save them from the drought. God sends Moses to lead them out of Egypt. The people are full of joy and they bowed down to worship God. (Exodus 4:31) But what happened then? Did things get better? No, they got worse, much worse. The people were discouraged and blamed Moses and Aaron. Moses sought out God and God answered. "Now you will see what I can do ... I will use my great power ... he will let my people go. Because of my power ... I am the Lord ... the LORD..."

Wow! Then the promises begin.

Exodus 6:2-8 - God says five times, "I am the LORD." Yawheh, a word too holy to even speak.
Exodus 6:6-8 - "I have heard...I remember..." And then God says seven times, "I will..."

     I will save you...
     I will make you free...
     I will free you by my power...
     I will make you my own...
     I will be your God...
     I will lead you...
     I will give you...

Seven "I will" promises. When God says "I will" it is the same as past tense. When we say "I will" maybe we will and maybe we won't. Maybe we intended to and failed or maybe we forgot. God cannot fail and He does not forget. When He says "I will" it is a promise. It is written in stone. You can take it to the bank. It is the truth. 

In addition to the seven "I will" promises to the Israelites, there is one "I will" promise to the Egyptians. Exodus 6:6 - "I will punish the Egyptians terribly." That is a promise written in stone as well.

Three times in these same three verses God says "I am the LORD"; "I am the LORD"; "I am the LORD." The Israelites' battle was not theirs—it was the Lord's. 

Exodus 5:2 - "Who is the Lord ... why should I obey him ... I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go." Pharaoh just refused to stop.

"The storm" battle we are facing is not ours—it is the Lord's.  There is true freedom when you let go—and let God.

I am the LORD ... I AM THE LORD ... I AM THE LORD!  Lord, we claim your "I will" promises.  We chose to believe—no matter how difficult, and no matter how long. 

Addendum: 9/7/13 ~ "Now you will see..."   

This is where I get excited!! Things had to get to a point where everyone understood that it could ONLY be God who saved them. As long as it was something man could do, man would get the glory.  Things got so much worse for the Israelites. They were discouraged and life was hard, but none of that changes this fact: God had a plan. We are so grateful that God did not answer our early prayers of "get us out of here, Lord." We know now what we could not have known then. Our situation ("the storm") had to get worse, much worse, so that it would be clear to everyone that HE IS LORD, and that our salvation came from His Hand and not by the work of any man. HE ALONE will be given the glory.   

"Now you will see...."

Addendum #2: 5/12/2016 ~ This still excites me. We still believe HE ALONE should and WILL get the glory for the complete fulfillment of Jeremiah 33 and our release from my sister and brother-in-law's vicious lawsuit. What does that look like? I have no idea. BUT!!! "Now you will see..." That is what I believe. 

January 2020 Update: Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow


Next Entry: Exodus 6:28 – 8:32