Category: Exodus

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Incomparable & Absolutely Amazing

Once again, my heart is overwhelmed as I sit here this morning thinking about the unconditional, everlasting, unfailing love of God!

There are no words to adequately express what causes my heart to swell and my eyes to tear as I sit in the quiet knowing I am surrounded by His matchless love.

So, I will let God’s word speak for me.

“…I am the Lord God. I am merciful and very patient with my people. I show great love, and I can be trusted.” Exodus 34:6 CEV

“Lord God of heaven, you are great and fearsome. And you faithfully keep your promises to everyone who loves you and obeys your commands.” Nehemiah 1:5 CEV

“But I will sing about your strength, my God, and I will celebrate because of your love. You are my fortress, my place of protection in times of trouble.” Psalm 59:16 CEV

“Praise the God of all gods. God‘s love never fails.” Psalm 136:2 CeV

“The Lord your God wins victory after victory and is always with you. He celebrates and sings because of you, and he will refresh your life with his love.” Zephaniah 3:17 CEV

“God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.” John 3:16 CEV

” …God loves you and has chosen you to be his very own people. I pray that God our Father and our Lord Jesus Christ will be kind to you and will bless you with peace!” Romans 1:7 CEV

“I have died, but Christ lives in me. And I now live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave his life for me.” Galatians 2:20 CEV

“But God was merciful! We were dead because of our sins, but God loved us so much he made us alive with Christ, and God‘s gift of undeserved grace is what saves you.” Ephesians 2:4-5 CEV

“I am sure that nothing can separate us from God’s love—not life or death, not angels or spirits, not the present or the future, 39 and not powers above or powers below. Nothing in all creation can separate us from God’s love for us in Christ Jesus our Lord!” Romans 8:38-39 CEV

There is a praise song I sometimes sing and it is bubbling in my heart right now, “Reckless Love of God”. The chorus goes something like this:

“Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights ’til I’m found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn’t earn it, I don’t deserve it, still You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God”

Don’t let circumstances, worry, fear or doubt steal the peace that God gives. We are wrapped in His arms, held there by His never-ending, unconditional, everlasting love!

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I AM I Said

Today is a day of victory!

There’s a verse in the psalms that really touches me. It says that God has honored His word above His name. Do you see why we need to be reading His word, meditating on it and making it the final authority in our lives? His word contains the greatness of His name!

We have the written word, and we have been given the living word, Jesus, to change our lives. The name of the Lord represents all of God, who is the I AM, and this verse says He considers His word of greater than His reputation.

“I give you thanks with all my heart. Not to idols, but to you I sing praise. 2 I bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your grace and truth; for you have made your word [even] greater than the whole of your reputation.3 When I called, you answered me, you made me bold and strong.” Psalm 138 CJB (Complete Jewish Bible)

When God spoke to Moses from the burning bush and told him to lead His people out of Egypt Moses asked who he should tell the people he was called by. This is what the Lord God said.

” Moses answered, ‘I will tell the people of Israel that the God their ancestors worshiped has sent me to them. But what should I say, if they ask me your name?’

14-15  God said to Moses: I am the eternal God. So tell them that the Lord, whose name is “I Am,” has sent you. This is my name forever, and it is the name that people must use from now on.” Exodus 3:13-15 CEV

I AM, period. Nothing more needs to be said.

I AM God.

Whoever you think you need – I AM. Wherever you go – I AM the Way. If you are hungry – I AM the bread of life. Are you distressed? I AM peace. If you are sick – I AM the healer and the great physician. If you need answers – I AM truth. Need to know what happens after death – I AM the resurrection and the life.

For whatever situation or challenge that the Israelites were going to face God said, “I AM!” He excluded nothing – I AM.

Now, do you see the importance of Jesus making all those proclamations to the disciples and the multitudes who followed Him? I am the way, the truth, the life; I am the bread of life and the living water; I am the Good Shepherd and the door. I am the resurrection and the life; I am the light of the world.

God has not changed. God’s word has not changed.

In and through His name we have all that we need, we need nothing more because we belong to I AM.

These are some of the final words that Jesus’ disciples heard from Him before He was taken to be crucified.

“ And I will do [I Myself will grant] whatever you ask in My Name [as presenting all that I Am], so that the Father may be glorified and extolled in (through) the Son. 14 [Yes] I will grant [I Myself will do for you] whatever you shall ask in My Name [as presenting all that I Am].” John 14:13-14 AMP

Jesus told them to pray using His name because it represented all that I AM. They had seen the miracles, witnessed the healings, personally experienced deliverance from the storms. Jesus said ask, using my name and all that I AM.

Our God and heavenly Father is the same. His word is the same. Jesus is the same. This is His name forever and He has given us the right to ask in His name also.

I AM, He said!

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Needed Support

There’s an interesting story about Moses that has been going through my mind for the past several days. It’s the story of a battle, persistence and helpful companions.

“When the Israelites were at Rephidim, they were attacked by the Amalekites. 9 So Moses told Joshua, “Have some men ready to attack the Amalekites tomorrow. I will stand on a hilltop, holding this walking stick that has the power of God.”

10 Joshua led the attack as Moses had commanded, while Moses, Aaron, and Hur stood on the hilltop. 11 The Israelites out-fought the Amalekites as long as Moses held up his arms, but they started losing whenever he lowered them. 12 After a while, his arms were so tired that Aaron and Hur got a rock for him to sit on. Then they stood beside him and supported his arms in the same position until sunset. 13 That’s how Joshua defeated the Amalekites” Exodus 17:8-13 CEV

As the Israelites were going through the wilderness on their way to the land of promise they faced enemies and had battles to fight. From the beginning of this journey God promised to lead them and fight for them. Moses had a shepherd’s rod or walking stick when God first spoke to him. He was to be God’s voice to the pharaoh and His deliverer for the people.

“Moses asked the Lord, ‘Suppose everyone refuses to listen to my message, and no one believes that you really appeared to me?’ 2 The Lord answered, ‘What’s that in your hand?’

‘A walking stick,’ Moses replied… 5 the Lord said, “and the Israelites will believe that you have seen me, the God who was worshiped by their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” Exodus 4:1-5 CEV

Moses’ walking stick became a sign of God’s power and that’s what he took to the battle against the Amalekites that day. As long as Moses held the rod in the air, Joshua was victorious in battle. But when his arms grew tired and he lowered the rod circumstances changed.

Moses’ two companions, Aaron and Hur, got Moses a rock to sit on. The battle worn on, Moses’ arms got tired, so Aaron and Hur held up his arms and the battle was won.

I prayed “Lord, make me a friend that will hold up weary arms in a battle”.

This morning the Lord put together a few more Scriptures for me.

“Our Lord, you keep your word and do everything you say. 14 When someone stumbles or falls, you give a helping hand.” Psalm 145:13-14 CEV

“Make the weak arms strong again. Strengthen the weak knees. 4 People are afraid and confused. Say to them, “Be strong! Don’t be afraid!” Look, your God will come and punish your enemies. He will come and give you your reward. He will save you.” Isaiah 35:3-4 ERV

“ But thanks be to God, who always leads us in victory through Christ. God uses us to spread his knowledge everywhere like a sweet-smelling perfume.” II Corinthians 2:14 ERV

The rock that Moses sat on was a physical boulder but the rock we stand upon is God’s indestructible word.

“Whoever hears these teachings of mine and obeys them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. 25 It rained hard, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house. But it did not fall because it was built on rock.” Matthew 7:24-25 ERV

If you are in a battle and you feel weary, I pray that you have friends who have you sit on God’s word and help lift your arms to heaven. Don’t be too proud to ask for help. Lift your hands to Him.

“ So put away all pride from yourselves. You are standing under the powerful hand of God. At the right time He will lift you up. 7 Give all your worries to Him because He cares for you.” I Peter 5:6-7 NLV

Just know that each morning when I complete this blog, I pray for each and every one who will read it. I pray that God will make His word, this word, real in your lives.

Lift up your hands. Let God’s word be your firm foundation and find your victory in Him.

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In Times of Trouble

I want to take you back to the words that Jesus, our Good Shepherd, spoke in the book of John.

“ The robber comes only to steal and to kill and to destroy. I came so they might have life, a great full life.” John 10:10 NLV

We see destruction and death on a daily basis. What do we do, how do we replace fear with trust in times of trouble?

“ God is our safe place and our strength. He is always our help when we are in trouble. 2 So we will not be afraid, even if the earth is shaken and the mountains fall into the center of the sea, 3 and even if its waters go wild with storm and the mountains shake with its action.” Psalm 46:1-3 NLV

I think of the Israelites when they were escaping Egypt. They were so excited to be leaving a land of bondage and heading toward the land God had promised them. But in short order, fear set in. There was the Red Sea in front of them and the Egyptian army was closing in from behind.

“10 When Pharaoh came near, the people of Israel looked and saw the Egyptians coming after them. And they were filled with fear and cried out to the Lord…13 But Moses said to the people, ‘Do not be afraid! Be strong, and see how the Lord will save you today. For the Egyptians you have seen today, you will never see again. 14 The Lord will fight for you. All you have to do is keep still.’” Exodus 14:10-14 NLV

The recurring theme throughout all the Bible is fear not, be not afraid. Why? How? The Lord will save you! In times of trouble we are never alone; God’s presence is always with us.

“I will give You thanks with all my heart. I will sing praises to You in front of the gods. 2 I will bow down toward Your holy house. And I will give thanks to Your name for Your loving-kindness and Your truth. For You have honored Your Word because of what Your name is. 3 You answered me on the day I called. You gave me strength in my soul.

4 O Lord, all the kings of the earth will give thanks to You when they have heard the words of Your mouth. 5 And they will sing of the ways of the Lord. For the shining beauty of the Lord is great. 6 For even if the Lord is honored, He thinks about those who have no pride. But He knows the proud from far away. 7 Even if I walk into trouble, You will keep my life safe. You will put out Your hand against the anger of those who hate me. And Your right hand will save me. 8 The Lord will finish the work He started for me. O Lord, Your loving-kindness lasts forever. Do not turn away from the works of Your hands.” Psalm 138 NLV

Focusing on God’s goodness, giving thanks, trusting His word builds trust and quiets fear.

The words in verse 7 are very similar to the words in Psalm 23 verse 4.

“Yes, even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will not be afraid of anything, because You are with me. You have a walking stick with which to guide and one with which to help. These comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 NLV

“ I would have been without hope if I had not believed that I would see the loving-kindness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord. Be strong. Let your heart be strong. Yes, wait for the Lord.” Psalm 27:13-14 NLV

Keeping our hearts strong and free from fear comes when we have hope and know that the Lord is with us, even in the valley of the shadow of death.

In times of trouble, we put our hope and trust in the Lord.

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Nothing Is Impossible

I want to tell you this morning that this may not be what you would consider a “Christmas” teaching, but it is exactly the message that Christ came to deliver. I know it will be an encouragement to many who need an answer from the Lord today.

Can you imagine what it was like to be Jesus? People live under the impression that since He was God in flesh that everything went well for Him. He was perfect, right? Yes, that’s true; He experienced everything that we do and He did it all without sin.

“Like a young plant or a root that sprouts in dry ground, the servant grew up obeying the LORD. He wasn’t some handsome king. Nothing about the way he looked made him attractive to us. 3 He was hated and rejected; his life was filled with sorrow and terrible suffering. No one wanted to look at him. We despised him and said, ‘He is a nobody!’” Isaiah 53:2-3 CEV

Isaiah prophesied that He was common looking, unattractive and nothing special as far as physical traits. He wasn’t Charles Atlas; he wouldn’t have been the captain of the football team or even voted most likely to succeed. His own family and disciples didn’t understand Him.

One time He was holding a meeting and his mother and brothers were outside and sent a message to him.

“ Someone told Jesus, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside and want to talk with you.” 48 answered, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” Matthew 12:47-48 CEV

If they had truly believed Jesus was God’s Son, the Messiah, would they have interrupted his teaching? Or how about the disciples when they became upset with Jesus because the ship they were in was taking on water and about to sink?

“Jesus was in the back of the boat with his head on a pillow, and he was asleep. His disciples woke him and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re about to drown?” 39 Jesus got up and ordered the wind and the waves to be quiet. The wind stopped, and everything was calm.” Mark 4:38-39 CEV

If their faith had really been in Jesus as the Son of God, they should have approached it this way. “Hey, let’s wake Jesus up because He’ll have the answer to our problem. This storm isn’t a surprise to Him. He’ll know what to do.”

I find it encouraging that those who were closest to Jesus had to grow in faith to accept Him for who He said He was, who they knew Him to be. Just like us – when we cry out “Lord, don’t you care I’m about to go under; cancer is about to sink me, the waves of debt are flooding my boat, the storm of rebellious children or a typhoon with my mate is about to capsize me in this ocean? Don’t you care?”

Even when we come to Him in that kind of desperation and fear, He will speak to our storm and say “Peace, be still!” Then He takes time to teach us again – Come boldly to my throne and find help in your time of need.

But then He expects us to accept, by faith, that help is on the way!

In the old Westerns you could always hear the Cavalry bugle before you saw the soldiers. The invitation to come boldly or “to call on me and I will answer you and show you great and mighty things” (Jeremiah 33:3) is the sound of the bugle. It’s then our responsibility to “Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you to day” (Exodus 14:13)

Let God be God in your life today. Don’t limit Him by what you see. As the angel told Mary, “with God nothing is impossible”!

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Followers, Friends, Family

I wish you could sit with me in the mornings and hear the words that the Lord drops into my heart. Although they can’t be heard audibly, they thunder in my soul.

“‘Wash yourselves clean! I hate your filthy deeds. Stop doing wrong 17 and learn to live right.
See that justice is done. Defend widows and orphans and help the oppressed.’

An Invitation from the Lord

18 I, the Lord, invite you to come and talk it over. Your sins are scarlet red, but they will be whiter than snow or wool. 19 If you willingly obey me, the best crops in the land will be yours.” Isaiah 1:16-19 CEV

When the Israelites were delivered from Egypt they had God’s promise, “I will be your God and you will be my people”. (Exodus 6:7, Leviticus 26:12)

But they forgot to serve God and went their own way and served other gods and also their own selfish ambitions. However, God did not forget them. He invited them to come, sit with Him, talk things over and He would forgive their sins and make them clean again. They were followers.

Jesus also had a group of people who were faithful followers and before He died Jesus elevated their relationship to one of friendship.

“14 And you are my friends, if you obey me. 15 Servants don’t know what their master is doing, and so I don’t speak to you as my servants. I speak to you as my friends, and I have told you everything my Father has told me.

16 You did not choose me. I chose you and sent you out to produce fruit, the kind of fruit that will last. Then my Father will give you whatever you ask for in my name. 17 So I command you to love each other.” John 15:14-17 CEV

For three years they had followed Jesus. They had their up’s and down’s; Jesus taught them how to honor the Father. They had seen many miracles. Their time on earth together was coming to an end. Jesus reminded them that they had been chosen, we too have been chosen. He also reminded them that the Father would be attentive to their prayers.

Followers become friends. Friends become family.

“Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children. 15  God’s Spirit doesn’t make us slaves who are afraid of him. Instead, we become his children and call him our Father. 16 God’s Spirit makes us sure that we are his children. 17 His Spirit lets us know that together with Christ we will be given what God has promised. We will also share in the glory of Christ, because we have suffered with him.” Romans 8:14-17 CEV

Family.

We have been invited to become family. Our heavenly Father is just, kind, and good. He is faithful, all-knowing, all-powerful, unconditionally loving. Nothing can separate us from His love. (Romans 8:35)

Christ suffered persecution and rejection. His words were misunderstood, and He was ridiculed for saying that God was His Father. We will experience some of the same because we are His family.

Since we will share some of the same challenges and hardships, we have His promise of help.

“ Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved grace, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

We are family and God, our Father, is always there for us.

Followers, friends, family. I was a follower who became a friend but then I was adopted and now I’m family. Family is the best!

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Who Is God?

I’ve enjoyed having the last couple of mornings to sleep in and days to do nothing but relax and soak in the beauty around me. But I’ve missed sharing with each of you.

We all have times when we need to pull aside and let our heavenly Father speak in His reassuring words, reminding us who He is and what He desires to do for us and in us.

I found you a peaceful place to sit and listen to His voice. Join me at the creek side and hear the Lord speak.

To Abraham: Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward. Genesis 15:1

“I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.” Genesis 17:1

To Moses: “And God said unto Moses, I Am That I Am: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you.” Exodus 3:14

To Israel in the wilderness: “for I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26

“I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Exodus 20:2

To David: “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” Psalm 46:10

To those who followed Him, Jesus said: “I am that bread of life.” John 6:48

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

“I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, ” John 10:9

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.” John 10:11

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:” John 11:25

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

“I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5

To the church: “I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8

God the Father isn’t the I was; He is the great I AM!

We can spend time looking at the problems in our world, our society, our lives but I encourage you to look at the answer and not the problem. Look to the Father, He is the answer; He knows the way to go!

“Great blessings belong to those who don’t listen to evil advice, who don’t live like sinners, and who don’t join those who make fun of God. 2 Instead, they love the Lord’s teachings and think about them day and night. 3 So they grow strong, like a tree planted by a stream—
a tree that produces fruit when it should and has leaves that never fall. Everything they do is successful.” Psalm 1:1-3 ERV

Who is God? He’s our loving Father and He is all we need!

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Ready to Lead?

When we follow the Lord there will be a time and place that He calls on us to lead. It may be a Sunday School class, a study group, a section leader, an administrator, a city, a nation or a family.

God is always looking for faithful people who have a heart for Him. He had Noah “lead” all the animals on to the ark. Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt. A shepherd boy named David was God’s chosen leader of the nation of Israel. The apostles were sent by Jesus to lead the world to salvation.

Each one of us has a purpose, designed by God to lead in some particular way.

This morning, I want to focus on Moses. He was a reluctant leader. He had all sorts of excuses when God first called him from the burning bush. However, he was obedient and led them out of the bondage they experienced to the Promised Land.

The Israelites weren’t always willing followers. They were often times rebellious trying Moses’ patience and God’s. The whole time that Moses was leading the people he was also following God.

Good leaders are good followers!

“God replied, “I will be with you. And you will know that I am the one who sent you, when you worship me on this mountain after you have led my people out of Egypt.” Exodus 3:12 CEV

Moses led the people by following God’s cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.

“Because of your great mercy, you never abandoned them in the desert. And you always guided them with a cloud by day and a fire at night.” Nehemiah 9:19 CEV

Moses was faithful in seeking God’s direction.

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘I know that you have told me to lead these people to the land you promised them. But you have not said who will go along to help me. You have said that you are my friend and that you are pleased with me. 13 If this is true, let me know what your plans are, then I can obey and continue to please you. And don’t forget that you have chosen this nation to be your own.’

14 The Lord said, ‘I will go with you and give you peace.’

15 Then Moses replied, ‘If you aren’t going with us, please don’t make us leave this place. 16 But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth.'” Exodus 33:12-16 CEV

When God puts us in a place of leadership, we need to have the same mindset that Moses had. “If You don’t go with us, then I’m not going”. When the Lord goes with us, we will have His peace. We can trust His leading.

The Apostle Paul started out as a persecutor of Christians but when God turned his life around he became the leader of churches worldwide.

“ But since I was worse than anyone else, God had mercy on me and let me be an example of the endless patience of Christ Jesus. He did this so that others would put their faith in Christ and have eternal life. 17 I pray that honor and glory will always be given to the only God, who lives forever and is the invisible and eternal King! Amen.” I Timothy1:16-17 CEV

We serve and follow the same eternal, invisible, Almighty God. He will direct our steps. When He asks we need to be ready to lead.

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Name Above All Names

Sometimes in the quiet of the morning I just sit here and whisper the names of the Lord.

Heavenly Father, Jesus, Holy Spirit, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace, Comforter, God Almighty, Messiah, Advocate, Emmanuel – God with us…and the list could go on and on.

Why so many names for our God and Father, Savior and Lord, Advocate and Counsellor?

“Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth! You let your glory be seen in the heavens above. 2 With praises from children and from tiny infants, you have built a fortress. It makes your enemies silent, and all who turn against you are left speechless. 3 I often think of the heavens your hands have made, and of the moon and stars you put in place. 4 Then I ask, “Why do you care about us humans? Why are you concerned for us weaklings?” 5 You made us a little lower than you yourself, and you have crowned us with glory and honor.

6 You let us rule everything your hands have made. And you put all of it under our power—
7 the sheep and the cattle, and every wild animal, 8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea, and all ocean creatures. 9 Our Lord and Ruler, your name is wonderful everywhere on earth!” Psalm 8 CEV

To the lost He said I am the Way; to the sick He is the Great Physician; for those in need He is El Shaddai (the provider); to the hungry He is the Bread of Life; to those living in darkness He is the Light of the World. For the soldier He is their defense and high tower; to those who are afraid He is the Prince of Peace.

When He asked the disciples who they thought He was they said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God”!

To those who need forgiveness He is Savior; to everyone who needs deliverance He is Messiah; to the lonely He is the friend that sticks closer than a brother.

“Then God gave Christ the highest place and honored his name above all others. 10 So at the name of Jesus everyone will bow down, those in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.
11 And to the glory of God the Father everyone will openly agree, ‘Jesus Christ is Lord!’” Philippians 2:9-11 CEV

To all of creation He is the Great I Am, Lord God Almighty, Lord of Hosts and Mighty God. God told Moses that He should be known as “I AM”. God is ever present and He is everything we need. He is I AM.

“…But what should I say, if they ask me your name?”14-15  God said to Moses: I am the eternal God. So tell them that the Lord, whose name is “I Am,” has sent you. This is my name forever, and it is the name that people must use from now on.” Exodus 3:13-15 CEV

“I am,” means “I am the one who is” or “I will be what I will be” or “I am the one who brings into being.”

Jesus said when He left this earth the Heavenly Father would send us the Holy Spirit who remains with us forever.

“16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever—” John 14:16 AMPC

If Jesus asked us today “who do you say I am”, what answer would we give? For me, I would say Savior, Lord and Friend.

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Follow the Cloud

When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt they were headed for the “Promised Land”. The questions were where and how. No GPS, no Garmin, no Atlas or road map.

God was asking them to follow, and He had a plan.

“Because of your great mercy, you never abandoned them in the desert. And you always guided them with a cloud by day and a fire at night. 20 Your gentle Spirit instructed them, and you gave them manna to eat and water to drink.” Nehemiah 9:17-18 CEV

God provided His own instructional mapping service. He was leading them to the land that He promised Abraham hundreds of years before. God had not forgotten His promise.

“ As soon as the sacred tent was set up a thick cloud appeared and covered it. The cloud was there each day, and during the night, a fire could be seen in it. 17-19 The Lord used this cloud to tell the Israelites when to move their camp and where to set it up again. As long as the cloud covered the tent, the Israelites did not break camp. But when the cloud moved, they followed it, and wherever it stopped, they camped and stayed there,” Numbers 9:15-19 CEV

That cloud was a constant reminder of God’s presence. He had promised to be their God and their provider.

“Moses said to the Lord, ‘I know that you have told me to lead these people to the land you promised them. But you have not said who will go along to help me. You have said that you are my friend and that you are pleased with me. 13 If this is true, let me know what your plans are, then I can obey and continue to please you. And don’t forget that you have chosen this nation to be your own.’ 14 The Lord said, ‘I will go with you and give you peace.’ 15 Then Moses replied, ‘If you aren’t going with us, please don’t make us leave this place. 16 But if you do go with us, everyone will know that you are pleased with your people and with me. That way, we will be different from the rest of the people on earth.’ 17 So the Lord told him, ‘I will do what you have asked, because I am your friend and I am pleased with you.'” Exodus 33:12-17 CEV

What an amazing promise but that was then, what about us in the here and now? The Israelites were on the road leading to the cross; we walk the road following the cross.

“Keep your lives free from the love of money. And be satisfied with what you have. God has said, ‘I will never leave you; I will never run away from you.” Hebrews 13:5 ERV

“ I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper to be with you forever. 17 The Helper is the Spirit of truth. The people of the world cannot accept him, because they don’t see him or know him. But you know him. He lives with you, and he will be in you…I have told you all these things while I am with you. 26 But the Helper will teach you everything and cause you to remember all that I told you. This Helper is the Holy Spirit that the Father will send in my name. 27 I leave you peace. It is my own peace I give you. I give you peace in a different way than the world does. So don’t be troubled. Don’t be afraid.” John 14:16-27 ERV

God promised the Israelites His presence and His peace. Those are the same promises He has made us.

As we seek His presence and follow His peace, we find that our way also leads to the cross.

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