Why Do You Worship? - Exodus 25:8-9,17-22; 29:38-46

The Faith Builders Bible Class has been made up of the older men in First Baptist Church of Heber Springs for many years. During the past twenty or more years there have been very few [if any] that were physically able to work at a steady job, especially one of hard labor. However, there is no single group in the church that is more involved in contributions to the church.

There are so many ways that active members can contribute that there is no reason for anyone to feel left out of church activates. Even the home bound have found avenues of service through an established call-service that is extended to other home bound, and or those in the hospital, nursing homes, and retirement homes.

Members of our class that are active and able organized a construction group called the Nail Benders many years ago. They bought a covered trailer and equipped it with a well organized set of tools. They have a complete set of the needed equipment to build a small church, Sunday school rooms, or a parsonage. These men have their own portable homes that they move to the building site to live in while they construct for God. They have built churches all over Arkansas, and several in other states. This has formed one of the mission arms of the church.

Others in this class have made it known that they were available to furnish transportation to members of the church that have a need to visit a doctor, hospital, or see a dentist. Then there are always two or three that enjoy visitation to the homes of those that have missed church, or have a crisis in their home. There is and has always been a cry for help among God’s people. The background for this study today was in Egypt and the senior adult that was called to help was 80 years old at the time.

We have all heard of the Israelite descendants of Jacob who were enslaved in Egypt for over 400 years, when they cried out for deliverance and god sent the 80 year old fugitive named Moses to bargain for their release. Pharaoh finally released God’s people from bondage and they were allowed to take with them great amounts of silver, gold, and fine linens as they made their way toward the Promised Land. After years of wandering in the wilderness and maintaining a rebellious state of mind toward God, at the foot of Mt. Sinai, God delivered his law for their guidance and also his demand that they build a tabernacle to be used to worship him.

The explicit plans were given to Moses regarding the size of all the rooms and the furnishings of the tabernacle, including the materials with which they were to be built. It was made clear that the people would be responsible for the building of the worship center. All of the workers were to contribute to the building according to their skill and ability. Even the women and children got involved as they were called on to donate their jewelry they had brought with them out of Egypt.

All of the structure of the tabernacle was to be formed from Acacia wood. The reason was that the Acacia timber was abundant and could be used for construction as well as for wood for heat and cooking. All members of each family could be involved in the production of the building materials and the needed fuel. There was a place for everyone to be involved in God’s plan to build a tent for His worship.

When the tabernacle was finished and made ready for the people to use in worship, God demanded that Aaron and his sons be brought in and washed or anointed as priest to serve the people as their priest. When one looks back just a few months ago and remembers that Aaron was involved in the making of an idol bull calf to be worshipped as the god that brought them out of Egypt—it is hard to understand why he was chosen to be the new priest of all the people. Just remember that God has chosen me and you to do a work for him and we may not understand why—but no one else can take our place. We are totally responsible and therefore must be totally committed and willing to contribute what ever we are ask, or directed.

Last Sunday our pastor, Brother J. R., preached a wonderful sermon from the book of Acts indicating that the people had a problem; a new need arose in the church and they selected seven new members of the church to fill that need. They contributed to the solution of a problem in the church. He then related this to a new need that has arisen in the Children’s Department of our church. The church should not have to beg for help. There is someone out there that has the ability and they should step forward and contribute to the work that needs to be done for our little ones. This is not a unique problem. I feel sure that the same kind of need exists wherever you attend church and the opportunity is there for you to give of your time and talent as your contribution to God’s work.

Just remember that there is no time or place for retirement from God’s work. Moses was 80 when he started this humongous task of leading God’s people out of bondage. The Faith Builders Class will probably average seventy-five or more and every one with health that permits, in constantly contributing to some work of the church. Work for the night is coming when man’s work is done. If a great work is completed, you will feel better if you did your part.

Tested Devotion

Very few Christian people realize the importance of testing throughout our lives. In fact the term “testing” usually issues a connotation of fear or at least discomfort. History students usually enjoy the stories that complete our knowledge of how our nation grew and prospered. The discussions open avenues of learning by giving us the opportunity to tell others about our experiences that have created special knowledge and understanding. Even more important, the discussions provide us opportunities to listen to others who are more knowledgeable and learn from their experiences that we have never had. The history class moves forward through the entire semester; from about August 25 until about December, 20 as a wonderful learning experience with no glitches and then the teacher announces that FINAL TEST will be tomorrow. For some reason the announcement of a test that will determine our semester grade sets off an emotional fear that we may have not learned well. A condition exist that will determine my success or failure. For some reason, I am not to blame; someone else placed this burden on me. Why should I have to take a final exam?

Many of us have experienced having skin cancer. We have gone through a period that included diagnosis, treatment or even surgical removal of a tumor that was either positive or negative. This experience can end with a happy announcement that the cancer is no longer present. The final disclosure depends on the results of a scientific test that proves that we are free from any continuing cancerous conditions. I did not want to take the test because it may prove that I have a serious problem.

Abiding faith in God and our devotion to Him starts when we accept Jesus as our Savior. It also will finally be proven by the final test we use to prove that we depend upon God. Some of us will trust in God’s providence and humbly look to the Lord for help and strength in our time of need. It is sad, but some of us grow bitter in our circumstances and even give up when we are asked to take the final test. The proven response is for us to grow in our devotion to the Lord even when life grows more difficult.


The successful completion of a semester study of history depends on the results of an important test. Whether we still have cancer or not depends on the results of a final lab test that proves the treatment was successful. Finally, I have shown you that your devotion to Almighty God will be shown or proven through the final test that indicates your true devotion to The One and Only God.

Our lesson today is taken from the story of how God worked through Moses and his people as the escaped from the horrors of the Red Sea incident. Chapter 15 contains the song of Moses and Miriam as thy sing their praises of God’s deliverance from the Egyptians. Their test came to an end at the time when they looked back and saw their enemies swallowed up in the rushing waters of the Red Sea. The salvation of God’s people momentarily succeeded in their deliverance from the charging army of the Egyptians.

We are examining the TESTED DEVOTION of God’s people, and find to our sorrow that the minds and hearts of Christian people have always been fickle and wavering even though God has never wavered from his promise to stand firm in support of all who will continue to trust and believe.

In verse 21, Miriam sang to them: ‘Sing to the Lord, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea.” They were free. And Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. Look at this picture. Only three days passed, they were out of water and that is all the time required, for a perfect test score to turn into a failing score. Their tested devotion turned to distrust…God led them to Elem where there were twelve springs of pure water and green palm trees to rest under.

The 16th chapter reveals that there was a lack of food on the fifteenth day of the second month of freedom. The Jews grumbled that Moses had led them out of the land of plenty [Egypt] and now they are starving. God furnished food in the form of Manna and Quail. It has never taken God many days to test the devotion of his people and he has always found marvelous ways to prove his power and willingness to feed his people. I am not sure of the taste of the Manna…but I doubt seriously that he could have found a more marvelous and lush dish than that of the Quail. Most of us have eaten Quail and would highly recommend it as a Sunday Special.

The life of Moses as he spent it attempting to lead a rebellious people has always intrigued me as one of the most devoted of all men. I wonder how he managed to keep a right mind. Think of this quote from Abe Lincoln and remember him as an American that must have trusted God far beyond what politicians today want to give him credit. He said: “Trusting in Him who can go with me and remain with you, and be everywhere for good, let us confidently hope that all will be well.” I have far more faith in our forefathers and their leadership than any of the recent presidents.

Leading the people of Israel was no easy matter. They had water problems, meat and bread problems all of which are fond in these three chapters of Exodus. But Moses remained faithful to God, and to the people he led. Even though the people blamed him for their problems, Moses became an intercessor for the people who must fight wars all the way to the land of promise. They should remember that their deliverance was never promised as a children’s hay ride.

When times are rough, we must remember that God has never promised that the way was easy. He tells us that we do not live by bread alone—and we must remember that God even provides the bread. We surely learn from this lesson that grumbling and complaining will get you no where with God. He is much more concerned that we have prayed and sought His wisdom and will for the trials and troubles we are facing. These people were successful when they obeyed and should have soon learned that God’s demand that his laws be obeyed was a necessity. We are to trust and obey for there is no other way!

Let me challenge you to answer a couple of questions. The first question is—have you ever stood with a Moses on the banks of a Red Sea? I do not even know who is reading this, but the answer to this question is YES. Just think of the times when you owed a debt and your local bank had sent their last warning. You or your wife or child was ill, and the insurance plan had expired. You were working at a job that barely paid the bills, and you got a notice that the plant was closing.

The second question is: did you blame the bank? Whose fault was it that you were in debt? Was the government to blame for your hospital bill not being paid when you needed health care? Why was your employer paying you a low wage? Di you actually think he waned to close his plant?

Will we ever reach the time and place in life that where I am is my choosing and in most cases my fault. Will I eve admit that I must be responsible for my predicament and trust totally in God to lead me to freedom?

Resurrection Hope

It is absolutely amazing to me how as I grow older and slow way down—the calendar and the clock seem to speed ahead so fast that it places unreasonable necessity on our decision making process. When I was twenty-five, it seemed that there was an entire life-time available to use in making important decisions about life, work and my family. Now I have only a few hours to prepare for the end of life, find someone that will do a little work for me, and allow me a little time to enjoy two aging daughters, five grand children and two great-grand sons.

The winter came and went so soon; the wild madness of basketball and track blew by during the windy month of March and now baseball is in season and already the preparation for another foot-ball season is under way. It seems we are watching the final four in the play-offs about every three months. It is the same for those who use the Easter season to remember and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord; it is so, especially for those of us who attempt to teach others about this blessed event. It has happened over fifty times since I started teaching the bible. Try to imagine how difficult it is to find fifty different ways to present the one and only truth about the resurrection. It is impossible since it happened only one time in all history; and it happened only in one way and the greatest story on earth is simply that our Lord and Savior is not dead in a grave somewhere here on earth, BUT HE IS ALIVE AND ABIDES IN HEAVEN WAITING THERE TO WELCOME US TO OUR ETERNAL HOME.

The history of the birth of Christ is only recorded in the gospels and then it is repeated or explained in a few other places in the New Testament. It does not take long to read all that has been inspirationally written about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Dr. Luke was the best qualified to record this history and his account is probably used more than any other writer by those that enjoy renewing their mind and heart about this most important event in the lives of Christian people. Why do I say it was the most important event in the Christian story? Please allow me to explain my thinking regarding this matter.

I believe that Christ is the Son of God; was, is and will always be. He was there when the world and all other things were created—including you and me. That is most important. I believe that man sinned and needed a savior and that Christ gave up his place in Glory and came to earth as deity, and became man through the virgin birth to “seek and save lost people.” That was most important.

For the most of my Christian life I never dreamed that the time would ever come when it would be absolutely necessary for me to emphasize the fact that Christ was born to Mary, his mother, WHO HAD NEVER KNOWN A MAN—that is she was a virgin and had never had intercourse. She conceived our Lord with the help of the Holy Spirit who is man’s helper here on earth. He became man through his mother [a person; a human being] and he remained deity through the work of the Holy Spirit who is the third person in the God Head. And the bible plainly teaches, without any doubt, that the God Head is THREE PERSONS IN ONE…GOD THE FATHER, GOD THE SON, AND GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT. Any teaching that denies this fact is a lie from the devil himself, delivered to readers by a man demon-possessed. The bible warns us not to believe any one that will “add to or take away one jot or tidal from God’s word

He lived for about thirty-three years, was rejected by his own people and murdered on the cross, on Golgotha’s Hill. He suffered as no other man ever has, and died to pay for the sins of all who will believe in Him. That is most important. He was buried in a borrowed grave, and arose on the third day, and later ascended back into heaven to establish a way, a road, a way for man to follow, marking or establishing the way for us to be united with the God-head in heaven after our death on earth.

Prior to his resurrection, there was no way, there was no road for us to travel to our final destination—HEAVEN. That is most important. Without the resurrection morning, and the empty grave, his birth, life and death would have been meaningless to man kind. He arose! He is our risen Lord. He is alive in Heaven now and intercedes for each one of us each moment of the day and night. NO OTHER PERSON WHO CLAIMED TO BE A GOD, OR WHO IS WORSHIPPED AS A GOD CAN MAKE THIS CLAIM. NONE!

The doubter may say it is impossible—maybe it is impossible for man—but CHRIST AROSE. How, and why? BECAUSE HE IS THE ONE AND ONIY TRUE GOD OF THIS UNIVESE. “It was very early in the morning and it was on the first day of the week that the women went to his tomb” to complete the customary preparation of His body for entombment. [The press for time at the end of his death had denied a proper procedure to be completed—and they were there to complete the preparation.] Maybe it could be compared to our placing flowers on a grave today—or marking the grave with a head stone.

Three women were named and possibly there were others who arrived and went into the tomb, a small room of solid rock with only the one outside door and they attested to the world that Christ was not there. He had arisen. The women were astounded and worried; and were shedding tears when at least two men approached them and assured them that he had risen. John’s gospel tells us that they were angles, but we know that angles often appear to us as people. My wife was recently in critical care for eighteen days, she knew nothing then, and now remembers nothing that happened while dozens of God’s angles looked in on her and ministered to her. Without the hand of God she would never have walked away from the hospital. Those angles [men] and the women attest that Christ was no longer in that tomb.

Abe Lincoln was president. He was shot to death. He was no longer present in government functions because he was placed in a tomb. Do you believe that? You were not there. You did not see it happen. You read about it either in old reports or in a history book both of which were written and attested to by men only, and their word was not inspired by god; that is, God did not tell them what to write. And you believe them—so why will anyone disbelieve the report of these women, these angles, and several thousand who saw him, touched him, and even ate with him afterwards. Luke and the other apostles were among the witnesses.

It may seem redundant to you but I must reemphasize the fact that as a young man growing up in Raft Creek Bottoms in Arkansas, I never [never] had the thought that any true blooded American would doubt God’s word—because His word is Truth. It literally breaks my heart when I find that some people who have grown up in this “God blessed America” will refuse to believe God’s word to his people—The Holy Bible is God’s truth revealed to man.

Jesus Christ rose from the dead in fulfillment of the Hebrew Scriptures, He mad personal appearances to his followers after his resurrection, and promised to send his Holy Spirit back to them as their counselor and then ascended to the Father in Heaven. My dear friends, the gospel stands or falls on the reality that Christ arose from the dead according to the Scriptures. This statement simply means that if Christ is still in the tomb—we cannot believe anything else recorded in the bible. The truth is that a great number of qualified witnesses told the resurrection story with mixed initial reactions.

One specific example is recorded. In the interpreting of Scripture and the breaking of bread, Jesus revealed himself as the resurrected one to two disciples who were walking to Emmaus. One other example is recorded saying that the resurrected Jesus revealed himself as on with the physical ability to eat and as the one whose life, death, and resurrection fulfilled scripture. Finally, Jesus revealed himself as he ascended to heaven and the members of the early church worshipped and obeyed him.

· Jesus Christ is the risen Lord of the church.
· Resurrection faith differentiates followers of Jesus from all others.
· The life, death, resurrection and mission of Jesus Christ come directly from the expectations and teachings of the Hebrew Scriptures.
· Resurrection faith developed only after doubting disciples experienced the risen Lord, heard witnesses of the risen Christ, and were led by God to personally recognize the risen Christ.
· The church [all saved people compose the church] worship the risen Lord with joy and praise.
· It is difficult for me to understand how rabbits and died eggs have anything to do with the resurrection of Jesus.
· I can visualize a vase of blooming flowers [a dozen red roses] as symbols of the resurrection, because in the winter they are dead, and in the spring they are resurrected to new life and bloom beautifully.

Exodus 13:17 - 15:21

My wife and I have had our share of health problems. When we were younger and ill, we would bounce back in no time and think of the illness as just a bump in the road. Juanita was a Christian when we married and I was saved soon after I returned from WWII. We are just sinners—saved by grace and have never been perfect for one day, but we have never lost our faith in Jesus Christ. Recently, when she was very ill, she ask me why God would not just take her on to Glory. I was torn with sorrow, and only knew to tell her that He was not through with her yet. I truly believe that one of the reasons she is feeling well today, and almost back to normal is so that I can use our experiences as an example of what PERSEVERING FAITH really is. One might reason that more problems would only lead to a loss of faith. However, the truth is, each of our recoveries has been so miraculous that it has strengthened our faith in God.

At Griffithville, back in 1939 we pledged to tithe our income, and we have tried to keep that promise made to God. At times, when times were tough, it was difficult for us to pay a tithe when the remainder of our income would not pay our bills, but somehow things always worked out and we have never gone bankrupt. Our faith grew during those many years, but admittedly never reached the point that prevented some doubts from creeping in.

Then just recently when she is 84 and I am 85 and she is gaining consensuses after 18 days in intensive care, we held hands and knew in our hearts that God could and would still use us if we would simply let our FAITH PERSEVER. Dear Christian friends, after over two months of worry, and neglect of my promise to you and Him to teach the bible through one more time, I had a good excuse! I could have given up and said that this is it. I am through. I want you to know that I have PERSEVERING FAITH that believes that these lessons will reach some soul that will be saved. If it is just one…just one…do you realize what that will mean when I meet YOU in Heaven?

True faith is a deep belief that good things will occur when all visible
evidence of their happening is completely missing. Believers are never completely immune from doubts, and I would be untruthful if said that I had never doubted. Doubt and faith are two opposites and cannot abide in the same heart at the same time. In order to prevent the doubt from winning, one must believe God’s word, and study it often, hiding in our heart God’s promises to be with us always. When the problems arise, it is necessary for you to know God’s promises by heart, and be able to look and see how satisfactory solutions can overcome your adversary. By grace we are saved, spiritually and physically and only by faith can salvation and preservation be ours to claim.

The Background study being used here for this lesson can be found in the Adult Commentary, “Explore The Bible”, by Lifeway. It is used here by permission for teaching purposes only.

The Israelites lived in Goshen, located in the eastern region of the Nile Delta. Goshen is in the northeastern part of Egypt. Should there be problems with Mesopotamia or the area that is now modern Turkey, their armies would have to pass through Goshen in order to reach the more populated areas of Egypt and for this reason the territory surrounding Goshen was of strategic importance in their national defense.

Pharaoh had mixed opinions about the large population of Israelites that inhabited this area. His greatest fear was that, in case of an attack the Israelites might unite with the enemies and give them a stronghold in the northern area. On the other hand they provided an unlimited slave labor force that could construct strong defensive fortifications along this frontier. They were being used to make the mud brick and build the housing and fortifications that gave Egypt a stronghold of defense.

Pharaoh’s greatest mistake was that he believed that he was a god, and that it was his responsibility to maintain balance in the world. This responsibility included maintaining the people’s right to worship the many deities of Egypt, the greatest of which was Pharaoh. Since he was the greatest of all deities he was tolerant toward the Israelites who worshipped their God, which to him was just another deity.

The brick mills and construction work was so important to Pharaoh that he became overly impressive and God’s people had reached a point where life was unbearable any longer—so they in faith cried out to God for help.

Moses was born in Egypt. His life was saved by hiding him in a floating basket in the Nile. He was rescued and became Pharaoh’s daughter’s child to raise. When he was forty years old he murdered an Egyptian and fled the country. It is now forty years later and he returned to Egypt as a deliverer sent by God. At first he was not successful, and as a result the Pharaoh became more sever in his punishment of the Jewish slaves. God sent a series of plagues on the Egyptians but they refused to recant until finally God issued his sentence of death to all Egyptian baby boys. With the tenth and final plague, death struck down the firstborn child of every home that did not follow the Lord’s instructions to apply blood from a lamb on the door frame of the house. The Passover was established to protect the Jewish children, and Pharaoh finally acknowledged God’s awesome power and he relented, allowing freedom to God’s people. The emancipated Israelites left Goshen and marched toward the rising sun of the Promised Land.

Their problems were not over, because the Promised Land was hundreds of miles north and east and the completion of the journey would require persevering faith. You may have wondered why God chose to send his people the longer route around by the Red Sea. You will find the answer in the 17th and 18th verses of chapter 13. “God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country though that was shorter. For God said, ‘if they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. They went up out of Egypt armed for battle.” The Philistines had always been the enemies of the Jewish people, and thy still are today.

Even today, God does not always work in the way that seems best to us. Instead of guiding Moses along the direct route from Egypt to the Promised Land, he took him and his people the longer route to avoid war with the Philistines. If our Lord does not lead us along the shortest path to our goal, we should never complain, loose confidence, or let our faith fade—but instead we should follow Him willingly and trust him to lead us safely through obstacles that we do not see. He alone can see the end from the beginning and He knows the safest and best route.

In order to surprise the Egyptians—for God knew they would change their mind and pursue His people—God directed Moses to first go south toward Mt. Sinai, before turning back north and east. When Pharaoh saw where they were headed, he directed his army to follow them knowing that he could overtake them and hem them in against the mountains on one side and the Red Sea ahead of them, because he thought there was no way they could cross the sea. He sent six hundred war chariots and twelve hundred armored men to overtake the Israelites. This would be comparable to six hundred light tanks in today’s wars. Ask yourself why God would allow Pharaoh to have this advantage. You can find the answer in 14: 17-18. “I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians so they will go after them. And I will gain glory through Pharaoh and his army, through his chariots and his horsemen. The Egyptians will know that I am the Lord….”

Sometimes in our darkest hours we will look up and see that God’s hand is on the wheel and he is guiding us the way we must go. It takes times like these for us to be able to grow stronger in our little faith. It surely happened to the Israelites when God parted the Sea for their safe crossing. Verse 31 says, “And when the Israelites saw the great power of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their TRUST [FAITH] in him and Moses his servant.”

Allow me to ask you a personal question. Have you ever—or do you now face obstacles in your life that seem impossible for you to bear? Is your experience greater than the one faced by the Israelites at the Red Sea? If God save them, why can you not trust Him to protect you? It is simply a matter of FAITH. Do you have a PERSEVERING FAITH? If you do, brighter days are just ahead!

Amazing Deliverance - Exodus 11:1 - 13:16

Have you ever been lost in a wilderness of any kind, like a vast expanse of bottom land that was unlevel and back water cut you off from any direction you chose to go? Three friends and I have. It was in the Raft Creek Bottoms north of Des Arc, which is a huge area of creeks, slews, and ridges with no direct way out. I had been in Gum Pond duck hunting most of the day and did not realize that the route into the area was being cut off by rising water. I had been there many times before and thought I knew the way out: but the rising water cut me off from my known directions and as the sun went down, darkness destroyed my sense of direction. Being lost is a miserable feeling. Friends came with a boat and lights and we enjoyed an AMAZING DELIVERANCE.

Can you imagine what it was like when the Israelite people realized they were in a strange land where the government changed to new rule under a depressive kingship? They had lived there four hundred years under friendly rule. They had grown into a huge nation of their own; they had prospered and were happy people and suddenly the new Pharaoh placed them in bondage. This political flood blocked every passage they knew that would lead to freedom. Conditions were so horrible that God had to intervene. God’s deliverance from this unbearable condition is what we are studying today. The results are nothing less than an AMAZING DELIVERANCE.

I wonder how many of you that will read this lesson today are in some kind of bondage. Have you foolishly overspent and now find that you are unable to recover from your debits? Are you trapped in a job that you hate but feel compelled to continue because of the restricted job market today? Do not despair because God will not forsake you. Trust him for deliverance, and I promise you that you will experience AMACING DELIVERANCE.

Chapters 12 and 13 represent a significant change in the book of Exodus. God through Moses has presented nine different plagues to Pharaoh which he has refused to submit to. Pharaoh continues to break his promise of freedom to God’s people. One more plague is promised. It is the death of all of the firstborn among the Egyptians; however through the providence and love of God, the Passover was initiated. The Passover became a picture of the salvation that God offered to all mankind, regardless of race or creed. Any family that would place their home under the blood that covered their doors would not suffer the loss of their children. Even today, any person that places his life under the blood of Christ will be spared. Pharaoh refused this last chance to save his people and the rest of the story is well known to all who have studied the bible. The Jews followed Moses’ instructions; the Egyptians did not and as a result all of their first born children were destroyed. If they had no children, the first born of their livestock was destroyed so that no family escaped the penalty God had set.

While the Egyptians buried their dead, the Hebrew slaves organized the exodus from that land; they were free at last. The Pharaoh urged Moses and Aaron to take their people and leave and go worship the Lord as they had requested. The Egyptians surrendered and gave their silver and gold and other wealth to the Israelites who departed the land under the leadership of Moses and Aaron after 430 years in slavery. THIS WAS THE MOST AMAZING DELIVERANCE.

Satin has never given up easily and in this case he soon convinced the Pharaoh that he had made a mistake, and led him to peruse the children of God whom he overtook at the Red Sea. This incident was planned by God in order to teach us the lesson of complete surrender and dependence on God for our deliverance. Many, maybe all the Israelites let their faith fail them and accused Moses of making a mistake; but Moses never faltered, and believe God and the next AMAZING DELIVERANCE came when the sea parted allowing the children of God to cross safely, only to close in on the enemies and bring their total destruction.

The people involved, both the Israelites and Egyptians were amazed at the final results of this AMAZING DELIVERANCE. You may be amazed at the results of this story, but according to God’s Word, it did happen just as recorded in Exodus. There were two reasons. First, God rescued his people who were in slavery because he heard their prayers regarding their persecutions, and he has promised to always hear the sincere prayers of his people. Secondly, he acted on behalf of his people in this incident to give us an example of just how far he will go to protect us from harms way.

Is there any chance that the Christians of America will ever face circumstances that are similar or equal to those faced by Moses and the people he was chosen to lead? If so, there is only one way for us to realize an AMAZING DELIVERANCE, and that is for us to humble ourselves, seek the face of God, repent of our sins and pray for God to DELIVER US.

Our God is the same yesterday, today and forever and will never forsake us or leave us regardless of the circumstances we are in. It makes no difference whether it is just you, one individual, or this nation of several million, He will hear and answer all sincere prayers. We must remember that this entire and very incredible story started when God’s people were in trouble; but only when they prayed for deliverance. He heard their prayers. He will hear our prayers when they come from a contrite spirit and a broken heart.

In these days of troubled times we talk about the need for bipartisan agreement in Washington, and I suppose there would be some relief if this could be accomplished. However, my thinking is that we would realize a greater accomplishment if we could experience a bipartisan return to the teachings that are so prevalent in God’s word; some of which are so basic and emphatic. Thou shalt not lie. Thou shalt not steal. Treat your neighbor as yourself. Do not commit adultery. Take sin out of a life and you have a Christian—one like Christ. Take sin out of our government and you will have peace, prosperity, and happy people.

Our God is not interested in personal, selfish motives and has instructed us to do unto others as we would have them do to us. In the elections ahead, we should not be interested in the positions candidates hold, the degrees he has acquired, and the church he attends, the positions he has held, but only that he is an honest God fearing person. We need to search and find a modern day Moses or Aaron to lead our nation and then expect to reach the Promised Land that God has promised.

In all of God’s teachings you will not find any emphasis on whether or not a man is concretive or liberal, a Democrat, Republican, or Independent but the emphasis is always on whether he is a despot like Pharaoh or a leader like Moses.

It will never be too late to choose God’s plan for an AMAZING DELIVERANCE. Trust and obey, for there is no other way!

When Life Is Unfair - Mark 15:15-20,29-32,37-39; 16:5-7

I learned as a young boy that life is sometimes unfair to the best of people. Some of my best friends had gated saddle horses and a good saddle to ride on errands and for fun. I rode a brown mule named Old John, bare backed with two bushels of shelled corn in front of me to the Turnage grist mill where I traded one bag for the grinding of the other; no fun, but better than walking.

I wanted to be an athlete and to be accepted. Base ball and basketball were my favorite sports but I weighed about 120 pounds, was slow and had two left feet and was always the last one to be chosen to play on a team.

At eighteen and subject to the draft, I volunteered for the air force because I had a desire to be a pilot. I had owned three old cars and overhauled the motors, transmissions and installed mechanical brakes. I was mechanically minded and knew I would enjoy flying a plane. With my mechanical experience and a high school education I had no problems with the aptitude test for the Corps and past the entire test with flying colors. Then I failed the physical test because of a doctor’s error in his diagnosis. Six months later I was drafted into the Infantry and walked everywhere I went, and slept in fox holes instead of air force barracks. By the time I was twenty and serving in the 5th Army in Italy, I was convinced that life is unfair.

My father was in poor health when I left home to enter the service. He soon became unable to work, and died at the early age of sixty in 1948. I had returned to the states and got to be with him only a few months before he died far two early in age. He was denied the good years he could have enjoyed with us; especially his two grand children. I loved my dad dearly and dealt with a great deal of anger toward God, and what I saw as life’s cruelest demonstration of unfairness. That was not the last experience I had with unfairness, but I have learned that unfairness is a work of the devil and evil people and does not come from the hand of God. It has sometimes been hard to admit, but God may allow strife in the life of one of his children; but if He does it is only as a test of our faith. Mine has always been a mustard seed faith, growing, but oh so slowly. I continually pray for greater faith.

No one desires to be treated unfairly but if you are a mature adult you know by now that it happens in a wicked world of imperfection. There are times when you will know the perpetrator and you feel that others are to blame but that does not remove the pain or displeasure and the misdeed can not be undone. Revenge never pays dividends; in fact it only tends to make things worse. Placing blame on others or blaming ones self, giving up on life and people and failing to cope with the situation will never solve the problem.

You have an alternative. In Romans 8: 28 we learn that we should blame no one and turn to God in faith believing that all things work for good to you in your problems if you are one of his called—and you are living in his will for your life. Ask yourself…am I the only one that is or has been mistreated? The answer definitely is NO. You have the best example known to man, right here in verse 15 of this lesson. “Then, willing to gratify the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. And after having Jesus flogged, he handed Him over to be crucified.” WAS THIS UNFAIR?

Listen, dear friend, all was well and there was no unfairness in this beautiful, wonderful, and perfect world until God, in his honesty and fairness, gave Adam and Eve the privilege of choice. The first individual choice to please one’s self instead of God was made by Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Please study carefully all the vivid descriptions of UNFAIR treatment that was dealt to the Son of God. He carried his own cross until total weakness caused him to fall. He was beaten until his body was bloody from the blows; nailed by hands and feet to the cruel cross; spit upon and offered only bitter liquids instead of a drink of water. He knew beyond any doubt that all of this mistreatment was underserved and was coming from bitter enemies—but he never became angry, and in the end made the astounding request of his Heavenly Father—“Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.

This entire horrid picture simply explains what had to be done to save mankind from total destruction. It was necessary. It had to be. It was God’s only plan. If this is true in the case of Jesus Christ, is it not possible that our unfair treatment is possibly a necessary part of our Christian life? Bear it and pray that your heavenly Father will forgive your enemies.

How to Develop Your Faith- Mark 8:11-13,16-21,27-33

Listen friend, you must realize that by faith you are saved. And without faith you can do nothing. You please God through your faith. With faith the size of a grain of mustard seed, you can remove mountains. And faith without works is dead. It is easy to conclude that there is no real encounter with Jesus Christ except through faith. I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God in the same way that I believe that I am the son of William T. Vandiver. All evidence indicates this to be true. Then the bible teaches me that if I have a true life changing experience where I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior, then I become His son. I am heir and joint heir with the Lord Jesus Christ and all others who truly believe in Him.

Why do I believe this? How did I develop this faith? The bible teaches it as truth. I believe the word of God to be truth. Therefore my faith is developed through the study of the word and its application to every day life. The Jews had developed a mind set that caused them to be more concerned with the keeping of the law than keeping the faith. It is at this time and place that the critics accused Jesus of breaking religious tradition because he allowed his disciples to eat food with unclean hands. One of the most important teachings comes out of this incident. Jesus tells his critics that it is not the unclean that enters man that is his problem…but it is what comes out of him that matters 7: 14. Nothing that is outside of man can make him unclean by going into him. Rather it is what comes out of man that makes him unclean.

Verse 20…he went on to say. What comes out of man is what makes him unclean. For from within and out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, greed, malice, and deceit. We are what we think, say and do. Our outward expressions and manifested feelings and desires indicate what we really believe our responsibilities are toward others.

The bible defines faith as the substance of things we hope for when the evidence is unseen or unknown. Things may be unseen or unknown to us but we believe because we believe the word of the Lord which has assured us that through the grace of Jesus Christ and our true belief that all things are possible when we are in Christ. No promise has ever been broken and none will ever be. Our only responsibility is to truly believe that Christ is and will always be the savior of man kind. It is a matter of faith, we simply must believe. It is a simple but very complicated truth that must have permeated your total being. In the beginning was God and nothing else. Do you believe that? From nothing, God created all things that are. Do you believe that? God and his son Jesus Christ [one and the same] are in total charge of this world and all that takes place therein. Do you believe that?

These truths and many others are recorded in God’s word for us to use to use as proving grounds for our faith. There is no way one can grow their faith other than to read the bible and learn of the ways that God deals with man, always consistent and in complete fairness. When you know this to be truth, you can truly say “my faith is sufficient.”