Pages

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

That Which Is Right...

That's what God said today when I asked him some questions.

The first time this is used is in Exodus 15:26.

"After the Israelites left the Red Sea, Moses led them through the Shur Desert for three days, before finding water. They did find water at Marah, but it was bitter, which is how that place got its name. The people complained and said, "Moses, what are we going to drink?" Moses asked the LORD for help, and the LORD told him to throw a piece of wood into the water. Moses did so, and the water became fit to drink. At Marah the LORD tested his people and also gave them some laws and teachings. Then he said, "I am the LORD your God, and I cure your diseases. If you obey me by doing right and by following my laws and teachings, I won't punish you with the diseases I sent on the Egyptians." Later the Israelites came to Elim, where there were twelve springs and seventy palm trees. So they camped there. " - Exodus 15:22-27 CEV

There was a need: without water, you WILL die.
Water was provided, but it needed intervention.
They were tested, then they got laws and teaching.

It is not just WHO WE ARE, it is also WHAT WE DO.

You must diligently obey the commands of the LORD your God--all the laws and decrees He has given you. Do what is right and good in the LORD's sight, so all will go well with you. Then you will enter and occupy the good land that the LORD swore to give your ancestors. You will drive out all the enemies living in the land, just as the LORD said you would. "In the future your children will ask you, 'What is the meaning of these laws, decrees, and regulations that the LORD our God has commanded us to obey?' "Then you must tell them, 'We were Pharaoh's slaves in Egypt, but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with His strong hand. The LORD did miraculous signs and wonders before our eyes, dealing terrifying blows against Egypt and Pharaoh and all his people. He brought us out of Egypt so He could give us this land He had sworn to give our ancestors. And the LORD our God commanded us to obey all these decrees and to fear Him so He can continue to bless us and preserve our lives, as He has done to this day. For we will be counted as righteous when we obey all the commands the LORD our God has given us.'  - Deuteronomy 6:17-25

Be careful to obey all my commands, so that all will go well with you and your children after you, because you will be doing what is good and pleasing to the LORD your God. "When the LORD your God goes ahead of you and destroys the nations and you drive them out and live in their land, do not fall into the trap of following their customs and worshiping their gods. Do not inquire about their gods, saying, 'How do these nations worship their gods? I want to follow their example.' You must not worship the LORD your God the way the other nations worship their gods, for they perform for their gods every detestable act that the LORD hates. They even burn their sons and daughters as sacrifices to their gods. "So be careful to obey all the commands I give you. You must not add anything to them or subtract anything from them.  - Deuteronomy 12:28-32

 - -

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Luke 4:24-28 - Sent

 "But I tell you the truth, no prophet is accepted in His own hometown. Certainly there were many needy widows in Israel in Elijah's time, when the heavens were closed for three and a half years, and a severe famine devastated the land. Yet Elijah was not sent to any of them. He was sent instead to a foreigner--a widow of Zarephath in the land of Sidon. And there were many lepers in Israel in the time of the prophet Elisha, but the only one healed was Naaman, a Syrian." When they heard this, the people in the synagogue were furious. Luke 4:24-28 (NLT)



My buddy Rich has been trying to tell me this for months. Then Pastor Brown brought this as his text this morning.

All that power we have in Jesus' name, yet we are not always to use it. Sometimes the recipient is not willing to receive...

... and how sad that is!

but He passed right through the crowd and went on His way.  Luke 4:30 (NLT)


I have experienced this too! I didn't even realize it, but I walked right through the middle of them as I left. That scripture came alive for me that day!