Praying and sinning will never live together in the same heart. Prayer will consume sin, or sin will choke prayer.
– J. C. Ryle
Tag: Christianity
Reflections on Exodus 14-17
God leads the people of Israel into the wilderness, but Pharaoh and his army chase after them. Consider:
- God’s powerful deliverance – God creates a way through the sea for the people to walk through, but he crashes the waters down on their enemies. How has God powerfully brought you through a sea of troubles?
- Israel’s praise – After they are saved from the Egyptian army, the people of Israel begin to praise him for what he has done. Do you praise God when he answers your prayers and helps you in difficult times? Take some time now to praise God for his help in your life.
- Grumbling – After so many demonstrations of God’s power and help, you would think that the people would go forth trusting God in all things. Instead they grumble – indicating a lack of trust in God. They grumble about no food. They grumble about no water. Instead of looking to God, they grumble – as if God was impotent or uncaring! Grumbling is a terrible affront to God’s character. Do you see this tendency in your own life? How might you cut off this evil habit?
Classic Quote
Do your diligence therefore to meet together more frequently for thanksgiving to God and for His glory. For when ye meet together frequently, the powers of Satan are cast down; and his mischief cometh to naught in the concord of your faith.
– Ignatius to the Ephesians
Exodus 14-20: Responding to God’s Deliverance
(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?
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
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
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
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
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!”
