“You shall have no other gods before me.” (NIV) Exodus 20:3
The first commandment is pretty easy to understand. There can only be one God, one true God the all knowing, all powerful, all present, creator of the earth. Doesn’t it seem ridiculous when we think we can actually be God? If the truth be told, many of us spend the better part of our lives trying to be God instead of just letting God be God. We manipulate, we question, we judge and we try to control people and events in an effort to make things happen our way…or at least making things happen the way we think it should.
When have you tried to manipulate a situation so that the outcome is what you desire? How do you try to control people or events so that the life goes the way you want it to go? How are you attempting to be the god of your life?
Say the first commandment as a prayer and let God be God.
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger
Posted in: Bible, Devotions.
Tagged: control · Creator · God's jealousy · golden calf · idol worship · judge · manipulate · only one God · ten commandments
Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. The waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. (NIV) Exodus 14:21-22
Over the years I’ve read the scientific accounts that if the Israelites crossed over at a shallow area. . . and if there was a moderate wind blowing . . . and if there was an abrupt change in the wind’s direction and it blew at just the right angle. . . and if the water level dropped 10 feet. . . then perhaps, there was a drying effect across the Red Sea from the wind.
Miraculously though, God parted the Red Sea with monstrous walls of water piled up on either side of the fleeing Israelites. I can imagine giant fish displayed within the walls like they were in a fish bowl! Only God! Scientists may not believe it, but there was no doubt about the miracle for those who experienced it (Exodus 14:31).
Where do you see God’s power displayed? in the birth of a child? through physical, emotional, spiritual healing? in a thunderstorm? on a mountain range? in a changed life? in a restored marriage? in a reconciled relationship? God wants us to know “His incomparably great power for us who believe” (Ephesians 1:19). The power God wants us to know is greater than “Red Sea parting power”. . . it is power “like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 1:19-20). And that power my friend is beyond what can be explained by science! Rejoice that you are a child of His! Nothing is impossible for God!
Posted in: Bible, Devotions, Faith, Knowing God, Prayer, Spiritual Growth.
Tagged: God's power · God's strength · miracles · Nothing is impossible for God
As Pharaoh approached, the Israelites looked up, and there were the Egyptians, marching after them. They were terrified and cried out to the LORD. (NIV) Exodus 14:10
The Israelites were released from Egypt. But, God led the Israelites along a circuitous route, into a geographic cul-de-sac. . .the most vulnerable position they could be in militarily. When Pharaoh heard of the Israelites route, he came to his senses – as in dollars and cents – he had lost his cheapest form of manual labor! Pharaoh prepared his army, 600 of Egypt’s best chariots and took off in hot pursuit. The Israelites looked up from their camp and on the horizon, saw the Egyptian army approaching. They saw the dust kicked up from the horses and they were terrified.
Who is your Egyptian army? Who is it that is on your back? your spouse? your boss? a child’s teacher? a neighbor? Maybe it’s not a person, but some “thing” that is on your back. . .a business that won’t consistently perform in the black? a job with constant demands? poor health? loneliness? shame? a fear? not being able to provide for your family? your past? an addiction? divorce? a dream long since gone? grief over a wasted life? a traumatic childhood?
Don’t get caught in the trap of looking back at what’s pursuing you. Instead, do as Moses did, look to God and you will see His mighty power and the world will see God working in and through you!
Posted in: Bible, Devotions, Prayer, Spiritual Growth.
Tagged: burden · Look to the Lord · pursuit
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (NIV) 1 Peter 1:18-19
God had told the Israelites: “At midnight I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn– both men and animals–and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood of the lamb you sacrificed will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”
This Passover is a foreshadowing of the hope of God’s true redemption. There had to be death, blood had to be shed (Hebrews 9:22) . . . if the lamb had not died, the oldest son would have. By the sacrifice, God taught that there must be death to atone for sin. . . the wages of sin is death. . . either the death of the offender or the death of the innocent substitute.
The next day he (John the Baptist) saw Jesus coming to him, and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NAS) For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (NIV 1 Peter 1:18-19) Christ our Passover also has been sacrificed. (NAS 1 Corinthians 5:7)
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger
Posted in: Bible, Devotions, Faith, Jesus.
Tagged: cleansing of sin · gold · Hope · Jesus death on the cross · judgement · Lamb of God · redemption · sacrifice · silver · The Passover
It is the Passover sacrifice to the LORD, who passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt and spared our homes when he struck down the Egyptians.(NIV) Exodus 12:27
The LORD said to Moses and Aaron: “Tell the whole community of Israel to take a lamb, one for each household and at twilight, slaughter the lambs. Then take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses. That same night you are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast. This is how you are to eat it: with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the LORD’s Passover.”
“On that same night I will pass through Egypt and strike down every firstborn– both men and animals– and I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt. I am the LORD. The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the blood, I will pass over you. No destructive plague will touch you when I strike Egypt.”
The Israelites did exactly what the LORD had said. At midnight the LORD did just what He had said He would do. During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the LORD as you have requested.” The LORD had made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people. (compiled from Exodus 12:1-36)
Written by Marji “Mike” Kruger
Posted in: Bible, Devotions, Faith.
Tagged: bitter herbs · bread · Exodus · Israelites · Jewish Holiday · lamb · Passover · Passover Celebration · sacrifice · The Passover
