Hello My Friend/Guest,

Today is Friday January 23, 2009 and we are continuing out studies on the book of Exodus.

Today's Message: Tempting God
When we are faced with difficulties it is so easy toput the blame on others and tempt God with our attitude and pride. However, all situations are meant to bring us to God's Will andour will. When we take the time to put our faith in God and let Him provide for us we will see amuch better victory over our circumstances.

Today's Bible Reading: Exodus Chapters 17-19
You can read the chapters by clicking on the link above, if it does not work you can copy and paste this link into your browser: http:/www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Exodus%2017-19&version=9

As the Israelites continued their journey toward the promised land they faced another test of their dependence upon God. Israel had journeyed to Marah where they could not drink the water because it was bitter. Instead of trusting in God they began complaining and threating Moses."And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.Wherefore the people did chide (blame) with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the LORD?And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?And Moses cried unto the LORD, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the LORD, saying, Is the LORD among us, or not?" (Exodus 17:1-7). Just as the Israelites were quick to blame Moses for the problems that arise, we too are quick to blame others when difficulties arise.Each time wegripe, complain and blame otherswe are tempting God."Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God." (Matthew 4:7).

Godknew that there was no water there,He directed them to that very place in order for them to put their trust in Him that He would provide for them regardless of how bleak the situation looked.God desires to bring us toa place where we no longer rely upon material and human resources, but rely solely on Him to provide us with the things that we need. The wilderness journey exposed the Israelites' refusal to trust the Lord. God had demonstrated time and time again that He can do anything, but the children of Israel constantly questioned His power to supply their daily needs. This illustrates the fact that God always arranges circumstances in order to test and develop our faith in Him.

Those who are led by the Lord must expect to encounter many unexpected situations that will test their faith in the faithfulness of God. Job or emotional stress, discontent, fault finding, hate, jealousy are allevidence ofthe fleshdemanding its own way. But, more seriously, they are expressions of distrust in the wisdom and goodness of God. It's easy to praise the Lord when our needs are quickly met, but it gets harder whenwe are faced with problems. However, faith is not based on favorable circumstances, but on the Lord Jesus Christ. "For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it.Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren." (Romans 8:24-29). The cirumstances we face grow us and conform us into the image of Jesus. He alone gives us the hope and patience to get through the situation and see victory.

Jesus Christ is Revealed: As the Rock that Moses striked to get the water. (Exodus 17:6)
Jesus is the rock that quenches our thirst, "And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ." (I Corinthians 10:4).

Today's Psalm: 95:1
"O come, let us sing unto the LORD: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation."

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
We recognize that our endurance and persistence are attitudes derived from a faith-filled life with You. Our endurance is realized by continuing this race though others may drop out making us feel like we run alone.Our persistence is marked by our determination to finish the race though struggles weigh us down and doubts cloud our vision of the finish line.Thank You for marking the race out for us by showing us the great examples of those who cheer us on as we participate in this Christian race.They finished their race on earth through their enduring faith, though they experienced opposition from sinful men.We endure hardships and struggles as discipline from You, our loving Father, that we may share in Your holiness. We look forward to the harvest of righteousness and peace that comes as a result of our persistence in this spiritual marathon.Strengthen our feeble arms and weak knees as we repent of the sin that entangles us. We lay aside everything that drags us down or tempts us to give up and we seek Jesus who is the Rock of our Salvation. In Jesus' name..............Amen.

Enjoy the rest of your day/night and weekend and be blessed.
God bless you,
Christina

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