Enlightenment for Today

I recently was in a discussion with my dear friend about the application of the Bible in today's world.  It is very easy at first glance, especially as you delve into the Old Testament to think that "there's NO WAY that this applies to me.  I am not going to build a big stone altar and sacrifice anything, no matter what!"  Don't get me wrong, I am 100% with you on that one... I will not be sacrificing any animals either!  But as I encouraged my friend I also encourage you.  Look past the rituals and the Law of the Old Testament to the principles and values which lie within.

I am currently reading through the Bible using an app on my iPhone, which I love.  I can read in different translations, as well as follow different reading plans.  The reading plan I am currently following is called the "Essential 100" and it covers 50 Old Testament verses and 50 New Testament verses.  Why a reading plan?  For myself I find that it is so easy for me to get distracted when it comes to quiet time and reading Scripture.  Without a plan I'll just flip through and read randomly.  This isn't always a bad thing because ALL of God's truths are applicable, but this way I stay focused and continue reading until I check off today's verses.  I am somewhat slightly addicted to checklists too, which this particular app has, so that may have something to do with it as well :)

So, today's scripture verses were talking about when Moses, with Aaron's help, was trying to convince Pharaoh to free the Israelites (Hebrews) so they could leave Egypt and enter the Promise Land God had prepared for them.  At first I was tempted to speed read these passages because this is part of the Word that I have heard many time before.  But something about The Word is that it is so timeless.  Yes these events happened over 2000 years ago, but as I was telling my friend, there is so much they have to say to you that applies to TODAY.  Let me share what I learned this morning...

The passages can basically be summed up like this:  [starting in Exodus 6] God tells Moses that he is to go to Pharaoh and tell him that God says to let all the Israelites leave Egypt including all the women, children and livestock. Forever. At first Moses says he cannot do it because his speech is impeded (maybe he stuttered).  God says don't worry about it! Your brother Aaron will help you.  My first insight is that despite our imperfections and flaws God can still work through us so that in our weakness we rely on Him and his glory can shine through us for others to see.

God knows Pharaohs heart will be hard and he will not listen to Moses. So God shows many signs and wonders and brings many plagues upon Egypt. At first Pharaoh doesn't even acknowledge the signs and ignores Moses and God.  Slowly the plagues get worse and worse.  Do you ever notice that in your own life? When God is trying to catch our attention and we just don't see or hear Him? Do things get worse or better?  Sometimes I think that I can be just like Pharaoh.

Thankfully God slowly wears Pharaoh down.  Eventually in Exodus 8 Pharaoh says "OK, you can go to the wilderness to sacrifice to your God, but not very far".  Even though this is not what God had commanded of Pharaoh, it was still a step in the right direction.  But, each time God stops the plague and Pharaoh changes him mind and does not free the Hebrews.  Again, I have been just like Pharaoh.  I pray God will change my circumstance or move in my favor, and when he does, what do I do? Continue on the same path as before?

Then in Exodus 10 Pharaoh tell Moses that the men may leave the land for good, but not the women and children, and not the livestock. By this time, the trend was obvious. Pharaoh was appeasing Moses just enough to make the plagues stop, but still not doing what the Lord had commanded.  Sadly I do this in my own life too.  I am a "good enough" Christian so that people know I believe in God, but I am not living the full, supernatural life that God has intended for me, so that signs and wonders are seen in my life and the lives of those around me.

The strongest lesson that I have drawn from these scriptures is that when the Word of God tells me that I am promised something, a blessing, or an inheritance from the Lord that I should persist until I see it manifest in my life. 

Gods word is full of the blessings we are to seize, but so many Christians, myself included, don't know about the full inheritance that should be ours because we do not read The Word!!  We are missing out on so much!  Like Moses, we should persist until ALL that God has promised comes through.  We are not to settle.  Taking just the men, or men and women out of Egypt wasn't good enough.  So why should mediocre or compromise be good enough for me?  I have let it be that way in the past. In the end, Moses leads the Israelites out, men, women, children and all their livestock, and they also collect all the silver and gold from the Egyptians before they leave!! I praise God for the revelation today, and may I no longer settle for just good enough!

My prayer today is that you will dive into Gods Word and his Truth for yourself. May He give you eyes to see what you have been promised and what you have been missing out on for so long.  May His spirit rise up in you, fill you will BOLDNESS to seize your inheritance today and every day. May you live out the rest of your days in the fullness and Glory of our Heavenly Father.

If this is the first time you have heard that there is more to life than the ordinary, I would love for you to contact me.  I also highly encourage you to listen to the teachings of Pastor Richard Humphries online.  Pastor Richard is a very anointed teacher and definitely lives a supernatural life! He is from the church we attended in Abilene, Texas.  The people of this church, especially Pastors Richard and Peggy, have changed my life forever! I know their insights in the The Word of God will change your life too!  You can listen to teachings from Champions Church both online and on their podcasts on iTunes.

Be blessed today!!

xoxoxo,
Momma J