Exodus 11 ~ This is what the Lord says

Exodus 11

Now the Lord had said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. After that, he will let you go from here, and when he does, he will drive you out completely. 2 Tell the people that men and women alike are to ask their neighbors for articles of silver and gold.” 3 (The Lord made the Egyptians favorably disposed toward the people, and Moses himself was highly regarded in Egypt by Pharaoh’s officials and by the people.)

4 So Moses said, “This is what the Lord says: ‘About midnight I will go throughout Egypt. 5 Every firstborn son in Egypt will die, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sits on the throne, to the firstborn son of the female slave, who is at her hand mill, and all the firstborn of the cattle as well. 6 There will be loud wailing throughout Egypt—worse than there has ever been or ever will be again. 7 But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any person or animal.’ Then you will know that the Lord makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel. 8 All these officials of yours will come to me, bowing down before me and saying, ‘Go, you and all the people who follow you!’ After that I will leave.” Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.

9 The Lord had said to Moses, “Pharaoh will refuse to listen to you—so that my wonders may be multiplied in Egypt.” 10 Moses and Aaron performed all these wonders before Pharaoh, but the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let the Israelites go out of his country.


The Scriptures tell of people encountering the will of God and still acting like people. Did Moses have a general idea of the story?

Exodus 4:21-23
21 The Lord said to Moses, “When you return to Egypt, see that you perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then say to Pharaoh, ‘This is what the Lord says: Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I told you, “Let my son go, so he may worship me.” But you refused to let him go; so I will kill your firstborn son.’”

And still we see:
Then Moses, hot with anger, left Pharaoh.

Man has wanted to tell God what to do since Genesis 3. Doesn't really work well. Maybe we should pay attention to Him more.

How is God with anger directed towards Him?

Here is a good one... God has more wisdom, insight, older, more creative and He is Larger...

James 1:20
For the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

This is James, the brother of Jesus, son of Mary and Joseph - interesting to read the brother of Jesus speak of growing up across the dinner table from the Son of God.

9 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. 21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.

26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.


Evidently, Jesus traveled going to see people - for the benefit of God. Jesus was doer.

Looking into the perfect law? The Law of Liberty?

Matthew 5:17
“Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them."

James has witnessed Jesus for decades.

Jesus is quick to hear, slow to speak. Slow to become angry. Not perceiving Himself as Religious, but as pure and deliberate in the use of His Speech. Jesus is the Word with God. Never forgetting Who HE is. Blessing others in His Actions and pure Words.

Jesus is not boastful, using the Word of God as "It is Written" - not as "Religious Law" - using the Word of God to save the ones Jesus came to save - you and me.

Jesus saw Himself as a doer of God's plan - love in action. Loving Father God with all His Spirit.

Jesus' family did tease Jesus to go to the Festival and be boastful, but when Trouble came - they sought to bring Him home to them. Jesus is recorded as going home with His friends - disciples - to attend a wedding and see His Mother.

The Exodus is the reminder - God cares very much about the lives of His Children on earth. Our Father God made a huge and sweeping statement - God longs for His Children to have Liberty. And Advantages.

God Loves us. God seeks for each of us to know - He created us to be individuals. God loves us that much to write this Letter to you - His Child - to have power, together with all the Lord's holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

Father God, help us to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Jesus Christ to us personally. To fully know this love that surpasses knowledge.

Fill us the to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Today God calls us, the fullness of the earth and Heaven is His. He calls to us from Paradise - Today God's Begotten Son tells us He longs for our lives to be abundant. Today God would be a Father to us. Today we open our hearts to hear His Voice.

Today we come to share our confidence in Jesus Christ. Today, Father God, You are the same as yesterday and tomorrow in Your Love and Steadfast Promises to those who call upon You.

Today, as the Lord wills, we ask He guide us in the right thing to do.

Knowing Tomorrow, we still rely upon You Father God. And in expectation of Your Word - look for Your promises to us in Faith. God, You are Love. Let us lay down our hurts and have our hearts love. Love is of God. Thank You, Father God, for James recording his love for His Brother - Jesus. Amen.

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Ecclesiastes 3:1-18 ~ a time

Turn Turn Turn / To Everything There Is A Season Byrds.

Always the season to turn to God.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-18

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,
3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

9 What do workers gain from their toil? 10 I have seen the burden God has laid on the human race. 11 He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. 

12 I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live. 13 That each of them may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God. 

14 I know that everything God does will endure forever; nothing can be added to it and nothing taken from it. God does it so that people will fear him.

15 Whatever is has already been,
and what will be has been before;
and God will call the past to account.

16 And I saw something else under the sun:

In the place of judgment—wickedness was there,
in the place of justice—wickedness was there.

17 I said to myself,

“God will bring into judgment
both the righteous and the wicked,
for there will be a time for every activity,
a time to judge every deed.”

18 I also said to myself, “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals.

So many times the Psalms neatly sum up the aspects of God. Life tests us.

Psalm 11

For the director of music. Of David.

1 In the Lord I take refuge.
How then can you say to me:
“Flee like a bird to your mountain.
2 For look, the wicked bend their bows;
they set their arrows against the strings
to shoot from the shadows
at the upright in heart.
3 When the foundations are being destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”

4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord is on his heavenly throne.
He observes everyone on earth;
his eyes examine them.
5 The Lord examines the righteous,
but the wicked, those who love violence,
he hates with a passion.
6 On the wicked he will rain
fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.

7 For the Lord is righteous,
he loves justice;
the upright will see his face.

How does God feel about seasons? He is, of course, for them - His Word spoke the Seasons into creation.

It's when God creates a new thing - a repeat of an old thing - we have our attention caught. Taking a breathe with hope, faith and Love. A Renewal.

God took the seasons and placed a budding almond branch in the Ark of the Covenant. The Aramaic Book of Maccabees, Chapter 6, tells us of Jeremiah placing the Ark, sealed up by God, on Mount Nebo. With Moses. Faith in the Nicene Council, placed by God and surviving fierce storms, would say Believe. Hope tells us the Ark was not recorded in returning to the Second Temple with the other Temple Tools, created during the time of Moses, and is not recorded in the mosaic of the Arch of Titus in Rome. Love would tell us our Father God tells us the Truth.

Pope Pappa Visits Mount Nebo. Do you think He could feel the Joy of the Place and felt his heart stir?

The Book of Genesis tells us the Tree of Life is in His Garden of Eden. The Book of Revelation tells us the Tree of Life exists in His Kingdom.

The Ark is seen again in Scriptures -

Revelation 11:19
Then God’s temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.

If you and I are to wonder together - I'd have to say the almond branch is still budding.

With the wonder - Heaven has remembrance of the sounds of the Exodus and Good Friday. A Season God Does Not See as Past.

What does God tell us today? God is about pulling us past our brokenness, in our sincere apology to Him, and into His Light - still shining.

God is about the Exodus in this life. Leaving fear, doubt, complacency, dull thought. And tells us of the on going conversation He has for us- always - an Open Door Policy. Heaven records there are 12 gates of One pearl - always open. God tells us of the reward today.

John 15:7
If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.

Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.


Father God, as You recall the Exodus - You remember with a Father's sympathy about the hardships of Life.

By Your Word, you called us to Pray and Expect results in You.

On Your Throne, Good Friday reminds us of the hardships You have lived for us. In Expectation, Father God, let us pray for fathers to return to their vows. Knowing when we pray for Your Will to be done - we ask for the best blessing.

For Churches to be such an Encouraging Word - our younger generation thirsts for You and seeks nourishment every Sunday. Our Nation hopes in You and that encouragement makes life a time of peace again.

We open our hands to You and ask You make the path Yours. You are the Way, Truth and Life. 

In Jesus we pray! Amen!

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Matthew 13:31-32 ~ The Kingdom of Heaven is like

Cedars of Lebanon - used in The Temple in Jerusalem

Matthew 13:31-32

31 He put another parable before them, saying,

 “The kingdom of heaven is like a grain of mustard seed that a man took and sowed in his field. 32 It is the smallest of all seeds, but when it has grown it is larger than all the garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds of the air come and make nests in its branches.”

Cedars of Lebanon - the effort to replant was from Queen Victoria

What does the Kingdom of Heaven look like to you?

A Profound Question.

Jesus spoke to us, the Kingdom of Heaven was like a large tree. And surely Jesus knew something of this parable. Genesis begins with the Tree of Life in the Garden of Eden and Revelation continues to tell us of this tree in Heaven.

God greeted Abraham where he chose to dwell.

Genesis 18:1
And the LORD appeared to him by the oaks of Mamre, as he sat at the door of his tent in the heat of the day.

Genesis 21:33
Abraham planted a tamarisk tree in Beersheba and called there on the name of the Lord, the Everlasting God.

1 Kings 6
11 Now the word of the Lord came to Solomon, 12 “Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. 13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.”

14 So Solomon built the house and finished it. 15 He lined the walls of the house on the inside with boards of cedar. From the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood, and he covered the floor of the house with boards of cypress.

Several times we are told trees (an image of angels, flowers, and trees) were displayed.

32 He covered the two doors of olivewood with carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. He overlaid them with gold and spread gold on the cherubim and on the palm trees.

Jesus cares about the forest. And mentioned the birds gathered in the branches. Jesus refers to Himself as the branch.

Matthew 4:4
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"

Deuteronomy 22:6
“If you come across a bird's nest in any tree or on the ground, with young ones or eggs and the mother sitting on the young or on the eggs, you shall not take the mother with the young.

Matthew 23:37a
How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings

Matthew 10:29
Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.

Yet God's love doesn't stop with Jesus caring for only part of His Word made manifest.

Matthew 10:31
"So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."

Luke 12
22 And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

24 Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

25 And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? 26 If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?

27 Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

28 But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.

30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.

32 “Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.



Trees have seasons. Winter appears to be a time of sleep. The truth is, trees love to be fed during winter.


Psalm 131
O Lord, my heart is not lifted up;
my eyes are not raised too high;
I do not occupy myself with things
too great and too marvelous for me.
2 But I have calmed and quieted my soul,
like a weaned child with its mother;
like a weaned child is my soul within me.

3 O Israel, hope in the Lord
from this time forth and forevermore.

We all have seasons. There are several non-seasonal aspects of life.  He tells us gratitude,  prayer and Love.

Of course, God branches out from this non-seasonality to say how we are to seek Him first; And life is going to become abundant. Center Him, as Joshua did. Asking Him to forgive us when we don't stay upon the path that is blameless. We should walk with integrity of heart. Then we ask Him to help us not fall away. Then our heart is not perverse. This is when and how we seek God first. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Another non-seasonal - Jesus tells us, do not be anxious about our lives, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on. He says your Father knows that you need them.

It is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Put your treasure and heart with Jesus. One's life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths.

Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart. God's love pours into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, Jesus has been given the Holy Spirit to us.

Fear not. Jesus says. The Kingdom of Heaven is like -

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler.

Psalm 16:11
You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Revelation 7:9-10
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!”

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.

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Psalm 86 ~ All nations thou has made shall come & bow down before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name.

Psalm 86

Incline thy ear, O Lord, and answer me,
for I am poor and needy.
2 Preserve my life, for I am godly;
save thy servant who trusts in thee.
Thou art my God; 3 be gracious to me, O Lord,
for to thee do I cry all the day.
4 Gladden the soul of thy servant,
for to thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 For thou, O Lord, art good and forgiving,
abounding in steadfast love to all who call on thee.
6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;
hearken to my cry of supplication.
7 In the day of my trouble I call on thee,
for thou dost answer me.

8 There is none like thee among the gods, O Lord,
nor are there any works like thine.
9 All the nations thou hast made shall come
and bow down before thee, O Lord,
and shall glorify thy name.
10 For thou art great and doest wondrous things,
thou alone art God.
11 Teach me thy way, O Lord,
that I may walk in thy truth;
unite my heart to fear thy name.
12 I give thanks to thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,
and I will glorify thy name for ever.
13 For great is thy steadfast love toward me;
thou hast delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me;
a band of ruthless men seek my life,
and they do not set thee before them.
15 But thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious,
slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
16 Turn to me and take pity on me;
give thy strength to thy servant,
and save the son of thy handmaid.
17 Show me a sign of thy favor,
that those who hate me may see and be put to shame
because thou, Lord, hast helped me and comforted me.


The Church is a sign of God's favor.

To be so long standing, is amazing. Remember Christ's Bride, the Church, is only marginally older than this magnificent Church, David Osios Thessaloniki, Greece. Built in the 4th or 5th century - this is just like the house Church written of in the Book of Acts. With the inviting front porch that draws the Church Family together to do things like have a Birthday Party for a young boy.

Wonderful and inspiring to see this Church still standing and being so vital. 

Father God this is the 28th Wedding Anniversary for Edward and me. Bless the work of our hands for our family and the people of faith. Bless the people who who have been so kind to us and the blessing of healing still working in our extended family. For more healing and the blessing of Love in the Holy Spirit, we pray in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Psalm 50 ~ He calls to the heavens above and to the earth, that he may judge his people

Psalm 50

The Mighty One, God the Lord,
speaks and summons the earth
from the rising of the sun to its setting.

Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty,
God shines forth.

3 Our God comes; he does not keep silence;
before him is a devouring fire,
around him a mighty tempest.

4 He calls to the heavens above
and to the earth, that he may judge his people:
5 “Gather to me my faithful ones,
who made a covenant with me by sacrifice!”

6 The heavens declare his righteousness,
for God himself is judge! Selah

7 “Hear, O my people, and I will speak;
O Israel, I will testify against you.
I am God, your God.
8 Not for your sacrifices do I rebuke you;
your burnt offerings are continually before me.
9 I will not accept a bull from your house
or goats from your folds.
10 For every beast of the forest is mine,
the cattle on a thousand hills.
11 I know all the birds of the hills,
and all that moves in the field is mine.

12 “If I were hungry, I would not tell you,
for the world and its fullness are mine.

13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
or drink the blood of goats?

14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and perform your vows to the Most High,
15 and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

16 But to the wicked God says:
“What right have you to recite my statutes
or take my covenant on your lips?
17 For you hate discipline,
and you cast my words behind you.
18 If you see a thief, you are pleased with him,
and you keep company with adulterers.

19 “You give your mouth free rein for evil,
and your tongue frames deceit.
20 You sit and speak against your brother;
you slander your own mother's son.
21 These things you have done, and I have been silent;
you thought that I was one like yourself.
But now I rebuke you and lay the charge before you.

22 “Mark this, then, you who forget God,
lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver!

23 The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me;
to one who orders his way rightly
I will show the salvation of God!”

We let Him judge People.

Rick Warren had a wonderful message on this.

Honesty. Instead of giving Him bull. Not the apparent goodness of nicey. Who you are in the five pounds - of - who you are. You are a soul, wrapped by a body. People lose five inexplicable pounds from life to death.

• The Day of Blessing - the Day of Trouble - Come from our Father God.
• Start your prayers with the Lord's Prayer. Ask in the name of Jesus. That's His advice.
• You are asking - His Will Be Done.
•  Dig till you find out what your gratitude is. It's worth the effort
• Telling Him earnestly - there is a problem.
• Tell Him completely - this is what I want and why.
• Do His Word
• Tell Him you believe this day - IS Sufficient.
• Tell Him when your motives were not nice. Apologize. Tell Him when you fail. Apologize. Be Honest. Tell Him why. Ask for Help. Expect Help. Do not deliberately make messes for Him to clean up.
• Pray for the people who bless you. 
• Pray for the people you don't know, who bless you - Like the Sam's Clerk - Light of God filled her face and she spoke - "Believe HE Is Making This Day Sufficient!"
• Don't beat yourself up when your thoughts stray. Pull Him into your thoughts. He just might be having a conversation with you about your deepest heart needs. He says Come to me and I give you Rest. 
• Pray for the people who make you mad or hurt you. God says a man who loves the Lord eventually makes peace. Sometimes just for being polite enough to explain until common ground is made by God.
• Try not to harp on people. And be genuine.
• God said Be Light. Preach the Gospel, if you have to, use His Word. Jesus said it is written, He didn't pick up His Word and hammer.

Faith is that we Expect HIM to do what He tells us He will. Faith is diligent. Do not give up.

Having character. Having endurance. Being obedient to His Word.

• Jesus said be very patient and kind.
• When jealous or envious - tell Him. Ask for one similar. Be honest.
• Boastful or proud? Add salt. The Bible also suggests yeast - over the Top. Jesus used this humor.
• Haughty or selfish or rude. See the Lord's Prayer. Say that. Add your own conversation in.
• Love does not demand its own way. Reasonableness is - The Tree of Life puts out large branches, so  the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.
• It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong. And will realistically discuss to determine solid ground. Only God is Omniscient.
• Rejoices whenever Truth wins
• You will be loyal to him no matter what the cost.The Gospels provide for Love oneself. Peace. And Return of Loyalty.
• Always believe in him, always expect the best of him. (Psalm 100 - for the Lord. Expect Him too)
• Always stand your ground in defending him. 
• Love goes on forever. (Even the divorced ones who Love still do. Pray there.) 
• Now we know so little, clearly God sees into our hearts right now. 
• Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.
• There is One Who is Good.
• We love. Because He first Loved us.
• Jesus also said to us, we must always pray, and not give up.
• Three things that remain—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is Love.

Father God, be with us as we do these prayers. Help us do this prayer as the Body of Christ. We ask help for bring forth children to Grow in their relationship to You, express love in our family, provide comfort and encouragement, and bless our spouse.  In Jesus. Amen.

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