Author: Brian

Follower of Jesus, Husband, Dad, Grandpa, and Pastor

Exodus 14-20: Responding to God’s Deliverance

On By BrianIn OT Studies

(14) God definitively defeated the Egyptians and delivered his people at the Red Sea.  What three things did the people do according to verse 31 (notice the three verbs), and how do these actions relate to each other (see also v10-13)?

(15-17) When faced with a lack of food to eat and water to drink, the people grumbled.  What does that tell you about their faith?

When are we tempted to grumble?  What does that tell us about our faith?

(17) What two things does Moses do when the Amalekites attack?  What does this tell you about the relationship between faith and action?

(19-20) God comes down to the people on Mt Sinai to give them the Ten Commandments.  What motivations are given for their obedience? (see especially 20:2 and 20:18-21).

How might these motivations help you to overcome sin and obey God?

(15) In response to God’s deliverance, the people are to trust God and obey God.  They also break forth in praise.  What do you learn about praising God from the song of Moses?

How might you use Moses’ song in your own life?  What verse or phrase is especially significant to you in your current circumstances?

This Week

On By BrianIn Uncategorized

Hope you had a wonderful Resurrection Sunday celebrating our risen Savior!

This week we are going back to our journey through the Bible, focusing on Exodus 14-20.

Also resuming this week after a long break is the Prayer Quote of the Week which for the next few months will come from J. C. Ryle’s little booklet A Call to Prayer.

Finally, our church is having a missions focus during April and May, and so there will be a missions quote each Thursday.

Hope you have a great week loving God and people in response to His love for us!

Passion Points

On By BrianIn PASSION Points

Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:

The Character of the Christian: Generous – Tim Challies
It is the Christian’s duty and delight to hold loosely to wealth and to give generously to the Lord’s work. Any problem with money is not the fault of the money itself but with the sneaky, sinful human heart.

What if you’re not as awesome as you think you are? – Denny Burk
There is often a gap between the reality that God sees and the illusions that I sustain in thinking about myself.

25 Quick Tips and Reminders to Help Your Prayer Life – David Qaoud (GR)
17. Meditate on Scripture before prayer as a bridge into prayer.

Nine Questions to Help You Steward All of Your Life for God’s Glory – Brad Hambrick (BCC)
The main thing is to begin to have a vision for life that involves being God’s servant and actively engaging that vision where you are currently equipped.

Hope you have a great Lord’s Day celebrating our Lord’s resurrection with your local church!

Passion Week Devos: Saturday

On By BrianIn Holidays

Saturday: Pain of Loss and Failure – Struggling Without Hope
Read Luke 22:31-34, 22:54-62, 23:50-56

Prayer: Father, I cannot imagine this day for Peter.  What was it like for him to lose Jesus and fail him all in one day?  To struggle without hope?  And Father, if Jesus had remained in the grave, I too would be without hope.  All would be lost.  Help me today to remember how hopeless life would be without the glorious news that tomorrow brings.  Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: What would your life be like if Jesus had stayed in the grave?

Praise: No singing today.  Wait with anticipation for tomorrow.

 

Passion Week Devos: Friday

On By BrianIn Holidays

Good Friday (in 3 parts)

Morning: Plot – The Plans of God and Men
Read Luke 22:1-6, 22:47-53, 22:63-23:16

Prayer: Father, how shamefully they treated your Son.  Judas plotted against him and betrayed his friend.  The religious leaders plotted against him and made a mockery of justice to have their own way.  And yet all their plots were part of your bigger plot to save me.  Thank you for my Savior.  Amen.

Noon: Pardon – In My Place
Read Luke 23:17-25

Prayer: Father, Barabbas should have died that day, but Jesus died in his place.  The cross should have been mine, but Jesus died in my place.  He died for my sins, for my rebellion.  He who was perfect paid the penalty for my sins that I might go free.  Jesus, thank you for taking my place.  Amen.

Evening: Passion – Remember the Cross
Read Luke 23:26-49

Prayer: Father, words are so cheap, but thank you for the cross.  Thank you for forgiveness.  Thank you for the hope of paradise.  Thank you for Jesus.  Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: How does reflecting on Christ’s passion fuel your love for him?

Praise: Spend some time singing songs about the cross.

 

Passion Week Devos: Thursday

On By BrianIn Holidays

Thursday (in 3 parts)

Morning: Passover – The New Covenant
Read Luke 22:7-23

Prayer: Father, thank you for the new covenant you have made with me through Jesus Christ.  Thank you that his body was broken and his blood poured out to pay for my sins that I might walk with you.  Thank you for the regular reminder given to us in the Lord’s Supper.  Amen.

Noon: Perfect Servant – Follow His Example
Read Luke 22:24-30

Prayer: Father, your Son came to serve, and too often I join the disciples seeking to be the greatest, seeking to exalt myself.  Help me to humbly serve as Jesus served.  Help me to be a servant to my family, to your church, wherever I go.  Amen.

Evening: Prayer – God’s Will, Not Mine
Read Luke 22:35-46

Prayer: Father, like the disciples I too am weak, and I need your help to overcome temptation.  Awaken me from my spiritual slumber that I might pray.  Let me join my Savior in seeking your will.  Too often my way is not your way.  Help me to submit to your way no matter what the cost.  Dear Father, not my will, but yours be done.  Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: In what current situations do you need to submit to his will?

Praise: Sing “Have Thine Own Way Lord”

 

Passion Week Devos: Wednesday

On By BrianIn Holidays

Wednesday: Prophecy – Be Alert
Read Luke 19:41-44, 21:5-38

Prayer: Father, your Son predicted the Fall of Jerusalem, and it happened.  Your Son predicted his return – help me to be ready.  Help me to be alert.  While I wait, help me to be ready and watchful for opportunities to bear witness for Christ.  Help me not to get so weighed down with the cares of this life that I fail to be alert to your opportunities and your return.  Even so, come Lord Jesus!  Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: What keeps us from being more alert to his coming?

Praise: Sing “Christ Returneth!”

Passion Week Devos: Tuesday

On By BrianIn Holidays

Tuesday: Predictions – Take Up Your Cross
Read Luke 9:18-27, 18:31-34

Prayer: Father, your Son knew what was coming, yet he willingly gave himself up for me.  He was rejected, mocked, shamefully treated, spit upon, flogged, and killed for my sins.  Let me give myself for him.  Help me deny myself – stop living for myself, and take up my cross – be willing to suffer for Christ, and follow him wherever he leads.  Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: What are some practical daily examples of what it might look like to deny yourself for Christ?

Praise: Sing “Am I A Soldier of the Cross”

Passion Week Devos: Monday

On By BrianIn Holidays

Monday: His Preaching – Give all to Him
Read Luke 19:45-21:4

Prayer: Father, they dragged buying and selling even into your house. How easy it is for me to get caught up in the buying and selling of our culture. Help me be like the widow who willingly gave all to you. All that I have is from you; it is yours – do with it as you please. Even my life is from you, and you made me in your likeness, so help me give myself to you – even as your Son gave himself for me. Amen.

Reflect/Discuss: What would it look like to live according to this prayer?

Praise: Sing “Take My Life”