~~~~~Lesson: Exodus: Chapter 34 (reading after lesson)
Again and again in Exodus, we see the love and fidelity that the Lord has for us. When the Israelites fear the Egyptians will overtake them, God delivers them. When the Israelites want food, he delivers manna. When they want meat, he delivers quail. When they want water & wish they were back in Egypt, he provides water from a rock. When they lose faith, make a golden calf, and worship it, He forgives them & renews the commandments and covenant with them. We can use this lesson in our own lives as well. Jesus has forgiven our sins. They are as far as the east is from the west. Being human, we will lapse into sin again if we are not vigilant at all times. There are times we will be tired, or hungry, or angry (a sin in itself)...and snap at someone or harbor mean thoughts. And not love them completely and wholeheartedly. We may suffer from depression or grief and try to pray and feel like we a talking into an empty phone. And lose faith for a little while. The most important thing to remember that God is always faithful, even when we are not. All we must do is ask for forgiveness and join in his wonderful grace again. Yes, we might feel a slight stain for awhile on our souls...being forgiven doesn't mean that the sorrow of sin will disappear instantly. But we can feel God's grace and healing in our hearts. Questions: When are you most likely to fall into sin (aka- when you're tired, or depressed, or angry....or at family reunions (ha-ha)? Is there a way you've found to combat those feelings? Do you ever feel like God isn't listening? How do you get through those times? Another point is the physical and spiritual radiance that Moses exhibited. I'm sure you've met those people who are so in love with the Lord that you can practically see the joy in their footsteps. I'm sure you've also met those people who are smug about their "relationship" with God...and you kind of want to shake them and tell them they kind of have the idea of loving others messed up. Are there times you feel "radiant" with God's love? Are those moments preceded by something special (aka- a good sermon...a good prayer session...reading something)? ~Reading: Exodus 34: 4-6, 27-35 (4-6) Moses then cut two stone tablets like the former, and early the next morning he went up to Mount Sinai as the Lord had commanded him, taking along the two stone tablets. Having come down in a cloud, the Lord stood with him there and proclaimed his name, "Lord." Thus the Lord passed before him and cried out, "The Lord, the Lord, a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger and rich in kindness and fidelity." (27-35) Then the Lord said to Moses, "Write down these words, for in accordance with them I have made a covenant with you and with Israel." So Moses stayed there with the Lord for forty days and forty nights, without eating any food or drinking any water, and he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the ten commandments. As Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the commandments in his hands, he did not know that the skin of his face had become radiant while he conversed with the Lord. When Aaron, then, and the other Israelites saw Moses and noticed how radiant the skin of his face had become, they were afraid to come near him. Only after Moses called to them did Aaron and all the rulers of the community come back to him. Moses then spoke to them. Later on, all the Israelites came up to him, and he enjoined on them all that the Lord had told him on Mount Sinai. When he finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses entered the presence of the Lord to converse with him, he removed the veil until he came out again. On come out, he would tell the Israelites all that had been commanded. Then the Israelites would see that the skin of Moses' face was radiant; so he would again put the veil over his face until he went in to converse with the Lord.
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Jennifer Becker Landsberger
Who am I? Freelance writer (magazines, websites, & copywriting), Catholic, military wife, and Mensan. Double Bachelor's in History & Psychology. Witnessing by charity and love are above all. Studying the Bible and beyond helps me on this quest. Feel free to join my walk into the Bible.
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If you found the information helpful, even a small donation would be wonderful! Thank you & God bless you. ~~~Prayer before Writing-
Oh creator of the universe, who has set the stars in the heavens and causes the sun to rise and set, shed the light of your wisdom into the darkness of my mind. Fill my thoughts with a loving knowledge of you, that I may bring you like to others. Just as you can make even babies speak your truth, instruct my tongue and guide my pen to convey the wonderful glory of the Gospel. Make my intellect sharp, my memory clear, and my words eloquent, so that I may faithfully interpret the mysteries what you have revealed. Categories
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To my readers & fellow writers,
I promise: 1. I will pray that God's grace helps illuminate all of our interactions- both those of simple reading and more active conversations. 2. I will communicate with you respectfully and civilly. These are (rightly) issues which we feel passionate about. But even in disagreements, I will respect you fellow "seekers of truth." 3. I will not fall into negative behavior or words, such as insinuations, exaggerations, blames, or personal attacks. I respectfully ask you to do the same. 4. I will pray we will all find the truth and strive to fulfill the two greatest commandments: "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these." (Mark 12:30-31) This site will occasionally feature paid posts! I always 100% verify everything I endorse. You will not see posts for products or sites I would not use myself.
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