Exodus 4 ~ the LORD had visited the people

Exodus 4

1 Then Moses answered, "But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, 'The LORD did not appear to you.'"

 2 The LORD said to him, "What is that in your hand?" He said, "A staff." 3 And he said, "Throw it on the ground." So he threw it on the ground, and it became a serpent, and Moses ran from it. 4 But the LORD said to Moses, "Put out your hand and catch it by the tail"--so he put out his hand and caught it, and it became a staff in his hand-- 5 "that they may believe that the LORD, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has appeared to you." 

6 Again, the LORD said to him, "Put your hand inside your cloak." And he put his hand inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous like snow. 7 Then God said, "Put your hand back inside your cloak." So he put his hand back inside his cloak, and when he took it out, behold, it was restored like the rest of his flesh. 8 "If they will not believe you," God said, "or listen to the first sign, they may believe the latter sign. 

9 If they will not believe even these two signs or listen to your voice, you shall take some water from the Nile and pour it on the dry ground, and the water that you shall take from the Nile will become blood on the dry ground." 10 But Moses said to the LORD, "Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue."

 11 Then the LORD said to him, "Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the LORD? 12 Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak." 

13 But he said, "Oh, my Lord, please send someone else." 14 Then the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses and he said, "Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. 15 You shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth, and I will be with your mouth and with his mouth and will teach you both what to do. 16 He shall speak for you to the people, and he shall be your mouth, and you shall be as God to him. 17 And take in your hand this staff, with which you shall do the signs."

18 Moses went back to Jethro his father-in-law and said to him, "Please let me go back to my brothers in Egypt to see whether they are still alive." And Jethro said to Moses, "Go in peace." 19 And the LORD said to Moses in Midian, "Go back to Egypt, for all the men who were seeking your life are dead." 20 So Moses took his wife and his sons and had them ride on a donkey, and went back to the land of Egypt. 

And Moses took the staff of God in his hand.

 21 And the LORD said to Moses, "When you go back to Egypt, see that you do before Pharaoh all the miracles that I have put in your power. But I will harden his heart, so that he will not let the people go. 22 Then you shall say to Pharaoh, 'Thus says the LORD, Israel is my firstborn son, 23 and I say to you, "Let my son go that he may serve me." If you refuse to let him go, behold, I will kill your firstborn son.'" 

24 At a lodging place on the way the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. 25 Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and touched Moses' feet with it and said, "Surely you are a bridegroom of blood to me!" 26 So he let him alone. It was then that she said, "A bridegroom of blood," because of the circumcision. 

27 The LORD said to Aaron, "Go into the wilderness to meet Moses." So he went and met him at the mountain of God and kissed him. 28 And Moses told Aaron all the words of the LORD with which he had sent him to speak, and all the signs that he had commanded him to do. 

29 Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the people of Israel. 

30 Aaron spoke all the words that the LORD had spoken to Moses and did the signs in the sight of the people. 

31 And the people believed; and when they heard that the LORD had visited the people of Israel and that he had seen their affliction, they bowed their heads and worshiped.

The most basic part of Moses talking to God starts with the Road to Emmaus.

Are we touched by God here in Exodus 4?

We do believe this is God. We do believe, "Yes, I've had conversations with God."

Then we add in, He doesn't speak to my hearing ear, but I do believe this really sounds like God.

And then the next reaction is - I'd like to talk to God more and hear Him more.

After we read the Chapter a second time or look for the Living verses speaking to us, we wonder about God being upset with a mortal. God says we are all flawed and sin. Was Jesus  very forthright ?To the point of being Authoritatively in Command - to be seen as angry?



You bet. Jesus spoke up.




John 3

1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.

2 This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."

3 Jesus answered him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God." 4

Nicodemus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?" 5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

7 Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear its sound, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

9 Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"

10 Jesus answered him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand these things?

11 Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know, and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony.

12 If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things?



Grumpy. Direct. Authoritative. Challenging. Opinionated. And, of course, GOD.


And how did Nicodemus take this Authority? We know, like Moses, like Nicodemus, God is going to be Right. Be Honest. Be Authoritative. Be in Command. And God is going to be correct. And God is filled with such tender mercy - Nicodemus was going to be excluded in important moments in the Sanhedrin. Continue on to care for the dead body of Jesus to the Prefect - To Rome Itself.

Israel Exploration Journal, an archaeological review in Israel, published this week a a 2,000-year-old copper alloy ring bearing the name of Pontius Pilate.

This has been studied for it's authenticity since finding it in the 1961. The ring was discovered in the late 1960s, one of thousands of artifacts, found in the excavation of Herodium, an ancient fortress and palace south of Bethlehem, in the West Bank. Recently researchers have methods to start analyzing those objects with advanced photography, were able to decipher the ring’s inscription.

It reads “of Pilates,” in Greek letters set around a picture of a wine vessel known as a krater, and is said by archaeologists to be only the second artifact from his time ever found with his name. Kraters - wine containers - are a common image in artifacts of that time and place.

Why would this be near Herod's Tomb? Crates of Wine? No. The ring was found in a room filled with bits of glass, shards of pottery, arrowheads, coins and other items. The language of the ring’s inscription is Greek, which Roman officials used to communicate with the peoples of the eastern Mediterranean. It could have been used for official correspondence by Pilate himself and his officials who had to sign his name.

Probably, Pilate had authorized Herod to use the ring and Herod had found this worthy to be saved for eternity as an honor showing Power and Rome. Pilate's inscription on the Title of the Cross was written in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. Greek was commonly used through the whole Mediterranean as the language of trade.

It is a Historical marker for conversations held between Herod and Pilate in Archaeology.

Mount Nebo is where Moses body was placed. Many people go to Mount Nebo to see the Land of Milk and Honey Jesus was to choose as His Hometown. Very few people hope to have conversation with Pilate or Herod. Many people hope to meet Moses in Heaven and to speak more with Jesus and Father God.


To see how the events unfold is to see the Very Wisdom of Father God.
And be able to say:

Abba, Holy Father,

We earnestly ask You today for Your tender-hearted, willing Blessings.

We'd like to have Your Heart, Your counsel, Your encouragement, Your answers, Your Hope, Your wisdom, Your Love, Your direction, Your humor, Your ways and Your Mercy. Blessing You knowing our plan and path is best when we are on Your Plan and Your Path.

We are bold to give thanks for the Children of God asking for more Heaven on earth. All our cares, held tenderly to Your Love. You care for us.

All Your Love for the people we Love.

For our Nation trusting in You.

For the nations of the world believing in You, trusting You to be our Light.

In the Name of Jesus, we thank You for bold access to Your Home as we Pray.

Blessings of Jesus in this Christmas Season,

Amen Amen Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Isaiah 45:8-10 ~ Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit

Sometimes when praying, I visualize a Teton mountain as a beautiful waterfall. And God in His Spirit, in the Glory of Holiness, in His Power of His Word is far more able to do than we can ask or imagine. Jesus, a gift from God to us, is our righteousness. Christmas remembering Jesus our Christ.

Isaiah 45:8-10

Let the earth open up and salvation bear fruit,

And righteousness spring up with it. I, the LORD, have created it.

God does not vary, He is the same Steadfast Love yesterday, today and tomorrow.


And in the Celebration God has in Creation - God said, "Let there be Light!"

When the Harvest is Celebrated, God gave the idea beaming brightly in His Word. The Festival of Booths is inspired by God and is useful to teach us truth and making us realize correctable parts in our lives. We are put, in tender mercy, to do what is right.

The paths of God are filled with internal Love, Joy, Peace and Hope.

This hope lifts us from the Second Law of Thermodynamics. Events of every day irritation and dismay.

Isaiah 51:6

Lift up your eyes to the heavens,
and look at the earth beneath;

for the heavens vanish
like smoke, the earth will wear out like a garment,
and they who dwell in it will die in like manner

However My salvation will be forever,
and My righteousness will never be dismayed.



God lifts up Ecclesiastes House to the Gospels of Love and Encouragement in Jesus Christ.

Ecclesiastes 1:9
What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, 
and there is nothing new under the sun.


After World War II, the Cathedrals of Europe began to become empty. And God is bringing new life. The Celebration of Genesis when God gave Light to the world. Light to dwell in mankind. The Allies are celebrating with Europe.


The Return of a type of Festival of Booths.

As Happy as the Craft Events in the USA. As Welcome as the Church Pumpkin Patch.


Colossians 3:17
   And whatsoever ye do in word or deed,
            do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
               giving thanks to God and the Father by him.




What will we call the opportunity to Celebrate Life During the time of Christ's Mass?

Cathedrals were built and in the Blessing of the Dedication - people like Charlemagne are mentioned. Consider how many prayers have been given for almost a thousand years for the lives inside and outside of Cathedrals.

Now Apply this Scripture to the reawakening of Christmas in Booths. Prayers answered are the joy of God our Father. So many prayers said for Churches, Steeples and all the People. So many hearts for the Lord Jesus born in the mess of life to an unwed mother in harsh travels in a barn. With the promise of Love and family.  And Jesus gave them Acts 1 and Acts 2 - praying together daily and sharing.


Luke 1


13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.

14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.”


18 And Zechariah said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” 19 And the angel answered him, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I was sent to speak to you and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things take place, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time.” 21 And the people were waiting for Zechariah, and they were wondering at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he was unable to speak to them, and they realized that he had seen a vision in the temple. And he kept making signs to them and remained mute. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home.

24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived

Kansas City


John 8:12

Again Jesus spoke to them, saying,

“I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”



Abba, Holy Father,

O Come all ye Faithful
Joyful
and Triumphant

and we will will sing Hymns.
Asking as Jesus taught us,
More Heaven on earth.

Lifting up Blessings,
Bringing Joy of the Jesus Season.

Asking Your Willing Blessings,
and giving Thanks for Your Love for our Loved Ones.

You do more for them than we can ask or even imagine.

Blessing You for this Nation trusting in You.
Blessing Jesus for the Beloved of God praying more Heaven on earth
encompassing all of creation and all of the nations.

In Jesus Christ we say Alleluia. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †

Psalm 106:1-5 ~ His Steadfast Love endures forever

Psalm 106:1-5

Praise the Lord!

Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,

for his steadfast love endures forever!

2 Who can utter the mighty deeds of the Lord,

or declare all his praise?

3 Blessed are they who observe justice,

who do righteousness at all times!

4 Remember me, O Lord, when you show favor to your people;

help me when you save them,

5 that I may look upon the prosperity of your chosen ones,

that I may rejoice in the gladness of your nation,

that I may glory with your inheritance.

Yesterday we looked at:

2 Million People attend High Holy Days in the Ancient Jerusalem Temple of God.
24 choral groups with 288 musicians which took part in 21 weekly services.

And I suggested that Benny Goodman and European Drum line might sound like the Temple music.

Why?
Instruments included: The tambourine or timbrel (a frame skin-taut drum) is mainly a popular instrument. Miriam and women celebrate the crossing of the Red Sea; Tomić Psalter, 1360/63 Among the percussion instruments were bells, cymbals, sistrum, tabret, hand drums, and tambourines. Percussion instruments are those producing tones by being struck in various ways and have been used by bands and orchestras throughout history.[

The tabret, or timbrel, was a small hand-drum used for festive occasions and was considered ... a woman's instrument.

According to Jewish historian Josephus Flavius - horn, pipe, lyre, trigon, harp, even bagpipe, and every kind of music.



Jewish musicologist Abraham Idelsohn says, "As many references in the Bible to the music performed in secular life testify, Israel enjoyed life through music both vocal and instrumental, and associated music with dance and wine in which men and women participated"




A Biblical Theology of Music Applied to the Contemporary Music Styles Debate
[an earlier version of this paper was delivered at the 50th annual meeting of the Evangelical Theological Society in Orlando, November 1998]
Gregg Strawbridge, Ph.D. Presbyterian Pastor

A study of the Psalms alone yield an impressive role for music in the life of Biblical people. The extolling of Yahweh through music is spoken of as congregational (149:1), individual (42:8) and for every situation (74:21).. Music is used to praise God joyfully, loudly (47:1), melodically (98:5), and with a variety of instruments (150:3-5), from chordophones (lyres, harps, kinnors), to membranophones (timbrels), to aerophones (flutes, shofars, pipes), to metalophones (cymbals).
(2)

Such praise is associated with bodily movement and common expressions of joy and gladness, such as dancing (30:11, 149:3, 150:4). The psalmists command praise with skill (47:7, 33:3), to "make His praise glorious" (66:2). They frequently call the nations to make the sounds of praise (67:4, 22:27, 117:1, 108:3). A fitting close to the Psalter is the call for all that has breath to hymn the worth of their Maker (150:6)

God says in Proverbs, man sharpens man.

The bold colors of the Ancient Greek Empire are found in Mount Vernon walls.

Elvis sings what Slaves brought from Africa when we were only colonies,  and before this - the songs are over 500 years old.

The Bible and Mitochondrial DNA place our Beginning with One Father - God of All.

God is indeed - Light of Mankind.

Now does this mean you have to accept a European Fantastic Drum Competition and Benny Goodman as your idea of Worship in the Temple of Jerusalem?

Absolutely not.

The Idea of the Music is to encompass Jesus Christ as God's Son 

Jesus as the Light of the world. 

Light of mankind. 

Light to the Nations.

Isaiah 49:6

He says, "You will do more than restore the people of Israel to me. 

I will make you a light to the Gentiles,

and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth."

a

Now Combine the Old Church Choir in our Souls
As Jesus Keeps Putting His Love in All the Unexpected Places

Reckless Love
Cory Asbury

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me

Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me

You have been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God

Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine

I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah
When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me

You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me

And oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine

A Long, Long Time Ago...

The Children of Jacob knew they were the Children of Israel,
and yet, they had no Scripture and did not know the name of their God.

As Moses appeared they were so triumphant, a yet the Plagues were making sure they wanted the Journey God was Giving.

The Nation of Israel was going to walk, not be flown, to the Journey of Nation and Community.

Moses would use a Bronze Serpent, with the Power of God's Holy Spirit. An odd choice, rather Egyptian and still - it was Jesus being a Shepherd to His Beloved.

To become Israel.
It was a Fight.
Fighting the Good Fight...

Conflict... Jesus Himself, Light of the world, told us trouble was in the world.
Jesus said - Days May Come.

To have the path - there was war with God stepping in to save them from Pharaoh's Army.
Moses held up his hands with his brothers God gave him to make the path.
Days made - came - Jericho.

The Tabernacle Tent was created.
The Plan God gave was the traveling Pharaoh Tent.
Father God was giving His Children comfort of the familiar.

Even as David arrived and the City of David
the City of Peace
Jerusalem saw the Good Fight.

Walls were built. For good cause.

David knew to build his home outside the Wall.
God is God of All.
His Word upholds the Universe.
God is the God of all. Jesus is the Light of mankind.

The Temple was built. Who built the Light of the World's Temple?

The finest craftsmen of Israel built the Holy of Holies. Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

And the Trees came from Lebanon.

Gold covered the Inner Sanctum to please God.

The Gold Mines at the time were from Ethiopia. God is our Bright Morning Star.


Architecture was being Chosen.
David remembered Phoenicia and his time there.
God is Shepherd of our Souls.

The Temple Curtain was being woven.

Laborers came from Tyre to build the Temple of the Alpha and Omega.

More supplies were needed

The Ships of Tarshish would carry the supplies for God's Temple. Jesus is Shepherd and Bishop of our souls.


And at the completion of the Temple of God, The Presence of God filled the Temple. A cloud never seen before.

The Light of the World.

And mankind put up a sign outside the Temple.
The Good Fight had created a history.

Foreigners should stop.

And yet still the music played.



A Child was Born, A Son was Given.
Men came from Far Away. Men came from the East

And the family moved to Egypt to be safe.

Days Will Come

And the Master of All Feasts Went Forth

John 2

A Wedding in Galilee, at Cana

7 Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” And they filled them up to the brim. 8 And he said to them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the feast.” So they took it. 9 When the master of the feast tasted the water now become wine.

Abba, Holy Father,

All of History is Your Story.

The Water of the Nile became Blood Red.

The Temple cried out for Your Love and Mercy to Your Good Creation.

Jesus turned the water, not to blood, but to the wine for a wedding blessing Creation.
And God sees Life is Good.


By Your Blessing, each day we are renewed.

Your Grace, Your Mercy combines Your Good creation into a brief breath of mankind
needing You as the Shepherd of our Souls
placing Your Love and Grace to be our Strength and Courage
to let the Good Fight
cover all Your People.

We will look to Your Goodness
and Praise You in High Tide
and find Your Blessing in the ebb of tides.
Keep our heart open to Love.
Remembering Your Kingdom Choice is to have 12 Open Gates.

We Live in Jesus Christ.
Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves! †