Saved By The Blood

“Now the blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you are.”  Exodus 12:13

The last plague was coming . . .the death of all Egypt’s first born.  Moses instructed the people to kill the lamb they had chosen, dipping a branch of hysop in the blood and striking the lintel and the doorposts.  When the Lord saw the blood, those doors would be passed over and His children would be saved.

Lord, how grateful I am to You for placing Your blood over me.  It’s only by You that I am saved.  Here’s a simple poem . . .

Blood Led

It’s hard to think
of all the suffering
and the amount of blood
that’s been shed,
but there’s a Lamb
without spot or blemish
through whose blood
were saved and led.

Greatness Rising

“More over the man Moses was very great in the land of Egypt, in the sight of Pharaoh’s servants and in the sight of the people.”  Exodus 11:3

Not that long ago, Moses had fled Egypt after killing a man.  He dwelt in Midian, married Zipporah, had a son and tended the flocks.  When God spoke to him from the burning bush, Moses wasn’t that keen on going back.  Maybe he kind of liked his anonymous life.  Fast forward and now he’s clearly in the limelight as God’s spokesman!

Jesus, our past may be cluttered with bad choices.  Our present may be filled with the mundane.  But You are the holder of it all and our future.  In You, all lives are great!  Here’s today’s simple poem . . .

In His Eyes

We might think
it’s a matter of opinion
or maybe even
just personal taste,
but there is One
who sees endless value
and each person’s life
is precious and great.

Everything Goes

“Our livestock also shall go with us; not a hoof shall be left behind.  For we must take some of them to serve the Lord our God, and even we do not know with what we must serve the Lord until we arrive there.”  Exodus 10:26

After 3 days of intense darkness, Pharaoh agrees Moses and the people could go.  The only catch was they had to leave their flocks and herds behind.  Without them, what would the children of Israel offer to God?  Once again, Moses had to insist that everyone, and all they had, go to serve the Lord.

Jesus, we come to You with everything we have and lay it at your feet.  You are worthy of our all!  And here’s a simple poem . . .

All Of It

I bring to You
my everything
all I have
all I am
as a simple
offering
to You my King
my spotless Lamb.

Inside Israel

“Israel is My son, My firstborn.”  Exodus 4:22

Last Sunday, we took a look inside Israel today, through J of  Jerusalem’s eyes. J is a Jewish believer who made aliyah to Israel 15 years ago. Today I’ll continue to share from her e-mail about her hospital stay.

“I would also request prayer for Yigal and his wife, Dror (generally a man’s name) and their daughter Noga.  Dror has been in intensive care for 4 months and no one knows what is wrong, but she is dying.  They are from up north, in Kiryat Shmonah, the small city near the border with Lebanon that has suffered greatly from so many constant attacks over the years.  As Yigal shared with me, it is a story that could fill a book.  He said to me, “There is something about you.”  Then he met two of my friends and said to me, “What is it about all of you?  Your friends seem ‘light’, like you.”  I shared again, and although he ‘accepted’ me, he didn’t open a door to share further.  This family is deeply in need of The Comforter.  I have stayed in phone contact with him to  keep up on changes with Dror.  Perhaps God will put them on someone’s heart to carry . . .”

I received news today that Dror has passed away, but ask that those who feel led, to pray for Yigal and Noga, as they mourn their loss of a precious wife and mother.

Thank you so much for your prayers for Israel, for J and for those she shares with us!  God bless you and keep you always!

How Long To Humble?

“How long will you refuse to humble yourself before me?”  Exodus 10:3

The above question was asked of Pharaoh.  God surely knew the answer.  Pharaoh’s heart remained hardened and a plague of locusts invaded Egypt, eating everything in sight.

Oh Jesus, please help keep me humble today so I don’t let self-importance destroy my relationship with You.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Arrogance Remedy

Help me not think
too much about what I do
but concentrate instead
on giving praise and glory to You.

Storm Warnings

“But he who did not regard the word of the Lord left his servants and his livestock in the field.”  Exodus 9:21

We are blessed to have my nearly 80 year old mom living close by.  She calls and warns me of possible tornadoes and thunderstorms, knowing I may not be listening to the radio or television.

Thank You, Jesus, for issuing warnings and being our shelter from the storm.  Please help us call as many as we can on out of danger and into You as well.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

100% Chance of Hail With Scattered Fire

God in His mercy warned
what was coming next

those who heeded
sought shelter

those who did not
were struck and vexed.

Getting God Results

“. . .just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.”  Exodus 9:12

The section in Exodus about the plague of boils is brief.  God instructs Moses to take handfuls of ashes from a furnace and toss them out to the heavens before Pharaoh.  Moses obeyed.  And boils broke out on the Egyptians and their beasts.

Thank You, Lord, for showing me of an area that I have not been completely obedient in.  The results won’t be the same as when I am.  Please forgive me and help me follow through on all You say to do.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

Following Directions

As the Lord spoke
so Moses did
word for word
step by step,
with the results
the same as before -
Pharaoh’s heart hardened
so God could do more.

Being Different

“I will make a difference between My people and your people.”  Exodus 8:23

God made a difference between the children of Israel and the rest of Egypt. When He sent a swarm of flies, none were found where His children lived.  When a plague of pestilence destroyed all the Egyptian’s livestock, not a single animal of His children died.

Thank You, Lord, for making  all the difference in our lives today.  You bring us out of death to eternal life, out of darkness into Your incredible light.  And here’s a simple poem . . .

The Jesus Factor

What will make a difference
in my small world today?
Surely not what I clean or cook,
not what I wear or say.
But You being in all
these simple things I do
will let others see how much
You care and love them too.

When Compromise Won’t Work

“Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, ‘Go, sacrifice to your God in the land.’ And Moses said, ‘It is not right to do so. . .’”  Exodus 8:25-26

Flies have swarmed Egypt and Pharaoh’s had enough.  He tells Moses they can go worship God, in the land.  But wait . . .that’s not what God had asked them to do.  God said to go 3 days journey into the wilderness.  Moses doesn’t buy into the compromise.

Jesus, please help me listen and grasp the fullness of what You ask today and not just the parts I want to hear.  Here’s our simple poem . . .

Needing It All

Am I compromising You, Lord,
in some way today,
taking just a little bit
and running with it
instead of soaking in the full context
of who You are . . .
the One who never compromised me
even when it meant a cross.

Seen God Today?

“Then the magicians said to Pharaoh, ‘This IS the finger of God.’”  Exodus 8:19

My daughter looks at our cats and says Jesus did such a good job making them.  She sees a sunset and exclaims that God is a great painter.  She runs to get a plastic tube to capture a bug out of the house and sets it free outside.  She sees God in it too.

O Lord, give us eyes to see You today! And here’s a simple poem . . .

Heart Blindness

When God turns
dust to lice
throughout all the land,
Pharaoh’s magicians find
they can’t produce
anything quite so wondrous,
telling Pharaoh that indeed
this really is God.
Pharaoh’s hard heart
affects his eyes
and he only sees bugs.