This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. As we read, we’ll gain a broader understanding of the redemptive story of Scripture. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture.
The Book of Exodus: The book of Exodus details how God used Moses to bring the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, His provision in their wilderness wanderings, and His covenant with them at Mount Sinai, including the beginning of the law.
How Exodus Fits Into the Story: Exodus is the high point of redemptive history in the Old Testament. It is a story of salvation that begins with God bringing a captive people out of slavery in Egypt into a place of total dependence on Him. Many patterns and concepts from Exodus are revisited elsewhere in Scripture, especially in the past, present, and future work of Jesus. From deliverance and provision to God’s glory and presence, the themes of Exodus find their fulfillment in Christ.
Reflection Questions:
1. What purpose does Exodus 19:4–6 give for the law established in Exodus 20?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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66 thoughts on "Exodus"
Reflection Questions:
1. What purpose does Exodus 19:4–6 give for the law established in Exodus 20? I feel that this is really a proposal, “You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation”. You have seen what I did to your enemies (demonstration), how I carried you on eagles’ wings (speedy deliverance, the metaphor of eagles reminds me of Psalm 91, He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge) and brought you to Myself (at Mount Sinai). Conditional clause: now if you obey FULLY + keep my covenant= you will be my treasured possession (change of identity, becoming family). And then Exodus 20 is the marriage vow (the Ten Commandments). “You shall not commit adultery” really stood out to me, as in the church is the Bride and the Lamb of God is the bridegroom. The proposal comes first, the marriage and the commitment follows.
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2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption? How would God redeem His people now that they are His bride? This is the depth of His faithfulness when she fails. An old testament parable comes to mind where God told one of his prophets to demonstrate. God commands the prophet Hosea to marry a woman named Gomer, who repeatedly runs away to be with other men, ending up on a slave auction. Instead of divorcing her, Hosea is told by God to go to the slave market, buy her back (redeem her), and bring her home as his wife again. God’s redemption isn’t just for perfect believers, He steps out into the worst moments, pays the price to buy us back, and says, “I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion” (Hosea 2:19). So to answer to the Replacement Theory, the blind and misguided theory that thinks God has forgotten and discarded His bride. Absolutely not. “I say then, Has God cast away his people? God forbid… God has not cast away his people which He foreknew” (Romans 11:1-2). He finds them out and draws them back to Him. Humanity has repeatedly proved that we couldn’t keep the Ten Commandments perfectly on our own. So, Jesus stepped in, the Perfect Lamb who is our perfect exchange, and we become the righteousness of God through Jesus. He took the hand of the adulterous woman, and said “Go and sin no more”, just as a loving husband intervenes and restores his wife.
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Thank you so much for your prayers. I really appreciate you covering me in your intercessions. Be blessed dear sisters.
One thing that stood out to me is the fact that up till now, none of the Patriarchs had God’s law; this is the first time it is expressly given. Well, no wonder they screwed up so much. We have the full revelation of scripture, and we struggle to get it right, but they had so much less to work with. OF COURSE Abraham was saved by faith; that’s all he really had, even if God did reveal himself to Abraham. We are given so much more revelation, and yet we complain that we don’t know God’s will. Sounds kinda lame when you think about it, doesn’t it?
Prayer request: I think I mentioned that one of my daughters moved back home to stay a couple of weeks ago, and one came home from college. The one who is here to stay needs to find work, and she is sleeping at least 12 hours a day. She seems depressed, and she has been through a lot in the last year. She has also been away from the Lord for about a decade now. She just adopted newborn kittens last week, but I know she misses her old roommate’s cats, and living with mom and sis instead of a roommate who was rarely home has got to be a big adjustment, so please keep Becca in your prayers. (All my babies are on our prodigals list.) Thank you, sisters.
Prayers for Becca. That’s a hard place to be in. ❤️
Firstly, in verse four God reminds the Israelites of his power. He then reminds them of his protection. Through the law, He desires to make them His chosen, holy people – His representation on earth.
Keeping mindful that redemption has ALWAYS been the plan.
When the Lord reveals His plan in His timing, He gives us all the building blocks to see it and receive it and interact with it through transformative obedience and love because God first loved… These verses remind me of His power, love, patience, provision, and His faithfulness because His desire for a true relationship with His people. Christ’s sacrifice and redemption of His people makes it possible to approach God as His Holy people, counted as righteous. He sets the stage throughout history to reveal His character which compels His chosen to obey out of love. This highlights His first love – no man can boast.
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Q 1 – His love for the children of Israel, the special feelings He had towards them and His expectations. The declaration in Ex 19:4-6 – God says, you’ve seen My power and authority, you should know without a doubt that you were rescued from certain punishment, even to death, by Me. Why did I do that for you? You, your people, are chosen over all others by Me to be a holy nation, a kingdom of priests …. “if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant.”
The people all agreed, yes, we will do that and then God laid out the details.
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How many times have we turned our lives over to the Lord, and committed to following, obeying and having faith in Him?
And then I toss it away in a split second because of something someone says or does, a heartbreaking loss, a situation I can’t control. This is when I need to lean on the never changing, always with me, Almighty God.
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Q 2 Redemption is ongoing because we will never be perfect this side of heaven. Try as we might, we will continue to sin and need forgiveness and redemption.
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CEE GEE ❤️ “God is still forming each of us”
ADRIENNE ❤️ praying for your mom, and for you as you sort through decisions and options
MERCY ❤️ praying, sister, for things to slow down and settle down for you, for amazing efficiency and prioritizing, for restorative sleep and relief from headaches ❤️ Great share on choices!
JENNIFER LAWRENCE church hurt is very painful, even more so when it is a church leader. So glad you’re here to reconnect!
SUSAN FELBINGER ❤️ “redemption is not just about God forgiving sin, though it absolutely includes that. It is also about God restoring what was lost. Through Christ, God is bringing humanity back to its original purpose: to know Him, reflect Him, live under His loving authority, and care for what He has entrusted to us.” Thank you.
So good! Amen to your prayers for Adrienne, Mercy, and Jennifer. Hard things for sure! ❤
Thank you sister. Your words are like soothing balm of healing.❤️ Joining you in prayers.
I think his intention was to keep everything in his order and prevent sin. All the questions are also in the study book with space to respond on the opposite page.
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After reading the scriptures and comments, I realized I have to run to an appointment!
All great comments and very helpful in understanding todays readings.
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Reflection Questions:
1. What purpose does Exodus 19:4–6 give for the law established in Exodus 20?
To remind the Israelites that the Lord saved them from the Egyptians and that if they keep His commands they be under His protection.
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption? That the Lord has always and will always be faithful to us if we continue to be faithful.
I think the law was a covenant between God and man. I may be too simplistic but God shows His love for the Israelites by providing for what they needed and they just need to be obedient and trust Him.
Jesus came because we needed a better way because we are all sinners. But Exodus points to God’s desire to redeem man!
Praying for all!
The stand-out verse for me today was Hosea 13:4 [NKJV]
Yet I am the Lord your God
Ever since the land of Egypt,
And you shall know no God but Me;
For there is no savior besides Me.
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Reflection focus:
God called them his treasured possession. He chose them above all other nations for this special relationship, but the people had to agree or not with God’s offer. He did not force them to follow Him. They CHOSE to do that. Free will. Again.
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WARREN WIERSBE NKJV STUDY BIBLE NOTE:
“He has chosen Israel to be His treasured possession (Deut. 7:6; 14:2; 26:18; Ps. 135:4; Mal. 3:17). This choice was not because of Israel’s merits, because they had none (Deut. 26:5–11), but because of God’s love and sovereign grace (Ex. 7:6–8).”
Further in his notes, Wiersbe states that later God calls the Israelites His holy people.
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WIERSBE goes on to say [re holy people]:
“God still uses the same terminology when speaking of His people today. Peter borrowed the imagery of Exodus 19:6 and wrote to the church:
‘You also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood. . . . you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light’
(1 Pet. 2:5, 9).
Like Israel of old, God’s people today must point people to the Lord and reveal by their words and deeds how wonderful He is. We are to be living advertisements of the grace and power of God.”
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1 Peter 2 NLT
5 And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests.[a] Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God.
9 But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
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Love, hugs, and prayers! ❤
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WELCOME TO ALL NEW SHES! ❤
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SONG SHARE [one we sing often at church]:
Passion, Kristian Stanfill – Glorious Day (Live/Lyrics And Chords)
“Living advertisements” ❤️
❤ When I taught youth Sunday School many years ago, I often incuded this phrase in our closing prayer: “may we represent You well in all we do.” Wiersbe’s words reminded me of that. ❤
We are His representatives!
So good Searching and Cee Gee! ❤️
I love that closing, good thing to remember.
“living stones” ❤️
We, just as the Israelites, were once in our own dessert wandering without a Savior, dead in our sins until someone, a friend, neighbor, stranger, relative made it known to us the gift of salvation therefore pointing us in the right direction towards salvation in JESUS (redemptive story). I’m forever thankful and grateful for my friend’s mom, back in junior high, who had a heart for young people as myself and started a youth group out of her garage. It was there that I started to hear the Good News of my Jesus and my walk with my Jesus began. Her name is Consuelo. I’m so thankful for her and her heart for youth. AND here I am because of her obedience to the call our JESUS had for her.
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Good morning ladies! I can’t remember the last time I’ve had a slow morning to sit down and read here with you all. My soul misses this community all the time. A good reminder that the Lord is my strength and defense in this season.
I recently ended a 9-month relationship with a man because I felt in my gut he was not the person God had intended for me. So hard and feeling sorry for myself being single again at 30 years old, but trusting God in the waiting.
My sweet roommate of the last 5 years is moving to another state, so can you please pray for God to reveal what my next steps for housing should be? I would love to stay in my current apartment and find another roommate, however I feel a bit pressed for timing as our lease ends at the end of July and we need to give our apartment complex 60-days notice of our plans. Praying for the Lord’s provision!
My boyfriend and I were supposed to be travelling this week, but with our relationship on the rocks we decided to not go anywhere. In my 5 years of working full-time, I’ve never had a “staycation.” I plan to use this time for some much needed relaxation and cleaning my apartment in prep to either move or welcome someone else.
It’s so good to “see” you all here. Much love <3
Praying for you!
SO good to see you, Taylor! Praying for your housing situation, that the solution will be clear and quick!
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I was in a similar place at your age, single and sad about it, jumped into a marriage with a Christian that wasn’t God’s plan and the marriage ended after a couple of years. My husband of now 30+ years showed up in my mid 30’s when neither of us was looking for a relationship.
All that to say, I’m thankful for your discernment in relationships. Praying for patience and your continued seeking of God’s plan and waiting on His person for you.
It’s good to see you again Taylor! I still pray for you! I understand your loneliness & concern of not finding the right one. But I encourage you to keep seeking God’s will and trust Him for the timing of everything. He sees & He knows your heart. I will continue to pray for you. ❤️
I missed being here these last two weeks. I have missed you, sweet sisters!
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Talked to Mom last night. I thought she sounded better. We’ll see what develops these next few days.
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I am always amazed that the Lord had done so much for the Israelites, yet they still acted so dumb! Why am I surprised, really… Don’t I act the same? Ugh!
I love Exodus 19:10 – “Prepare for the third day”. It makes me think of Yeshua’s victory on the 3rd day! And His future return! I need to keep preparing!
Oh I missed that- ty!
In Exodus 19:4-6, we are set apart and called to be a holy nation, evidenced through our fruit and how we conduct ourselves (as outlined in Ten Commandments). I found it impactful that God knew we are a forgetful people and intentionally came down in the form of a cloud to bolster the Israelites’ faith. So merciful!
Amen
This is so good for us as “Christians” to revisit these scriptures of such importance! Israel- God’s chosen people, to be his “treasured” people. No matter how they fail, and turn against him (like we all do), they will be redeemed and restored! And we are to bless them for that reason. They saw his amazing miracles at the Red Sea. “His breath” parted the raging seas for them to go through! Can you imagine!? And then seeing the whole army of Egypt get buried and washed away! Yet…they complained 3 or so days later. (Sound familiar?!)
Then we see the Law given. God’s commandments. Although we are not under the old law, we never can forget why it was given-to establish his Holy Nation, his boundaries for righteousness, and also importantly- expose humans sinfulness and NEED for a Savior. The ultimate sacrifice of blood to atone for our sins once and for all.
God was so powerful and overwhelming the people feared him…and that kept them from sin! A healthy fear keeps us in line! (not perfectly of course, but if we know bad consequences come…!) We see that in society with no laws chaos ensues. If we commit wrong, there is consequence (well, used to be!) When we let people break laws with no consequences then there is no fear to even heed anymore. We should see that so clearly. The concept was set by God’s own boundaries he gives us.
We live in the age of Grace. Yes, Jesus covers our past, present, and future sins. BUT..we should still want to live differently because of the Cross! Do we go on sinning- Heavens No Paul says! We should be “walking in the newness of life!” A NEW Identity! Living differently from the world! Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. That by testing what is the will of God, what is perfect, acceptable, and good!” We follow him…trusting and obeying! (Trust and obey…for there’s no other way).
Matthew 5 is so good and important! And the last verse we read today 5:20 “For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.” If we are practicing sin, blowing it off to our own reasoning and excuses..? There is a difference of falling into sin, we all will. But we shall be convicted by the Spirit. When we know the conviction but keep refusing because of our Self-governing rather than that of Jesus, there will be consequences. We should always be seeking what is pleasing, acceptable and good to God and repenting and changing our choices to align and abide in him. The luke-warm Christian will be spit out! A bad taste in his mouth. It is not condemnation, but rebuke. Our Father rebukes and prunes, he will hurt us (to help us in the long run), but will never harm us. He uses other brothers and sisters to help sharpen each other, that is good, have ears to hear sisters.
I pray Lord, that we live our lives to please you! You are everything- our life, our breath, our Savior and Lord! I was lost but now I am found Hallelujah! You laid down your life for me in a horrific and astounding way- bled and died. But then rose so I could live! You gave me freedom from chains, you gave me purpose! May your song forever be on my lips!! Dancing and joy! Thank you Jesus amen!
“healthy fear of the Lord” amen.
In Exodus 19:4-6, God is setting a standard for the Israelites. They have witnessed him deliver them from their enemies and now he is setting a standard by saying if you follow my Commandments, I will always protect you. The entire book of Exodus teaches me that while God will always protect us and redeem us even when we fall short it also reminds me that there is a standard that we must upkeep in order for the Lord to continue his protection.
Ah, the summary I was getting to, lol! I was never good at “test” style summation!
GM ladies. At first I didn’t know how to answer the question so when to your comments. Thank you! @Erica made me realize that we take an active part of God’s redemption story. It seems obvious as I write this but I had never thought of it in that way. We are a “royal priesthood”, and therefore are all tasked to point people to Christ by our words and actions. I often leave the “pastoring” to the pastors. But God is telling me here that I too have the same responsibility.
Oh yes, we are HIS to show a different and right way! We are all messengers and “ministers!” To share Christ not only how we live, but ACTIVELY stepping out in faith in ACTION! To tell! The harvest is everywhere and we should take the good news to work, to the store, and in our families! God gives us divine moments as well! I loved the study I just did with my small group “What Happens When Women Say Yes to God!” It should be exciting and amazing to live for God, but we don’t seek it or even WANT to say yes! Because of fear or busyness usually.
You said it well though Tami- We leave it to others!
Amen
I found myself convicted in reading Exodus this morning. Each time I re-read it, my first thought is how could these people forget God after He brought them out of slavery just a short time before. Then as I was pondering that, I realized how quickly I forget my answered prayers! It is so easy for me to forget just how faithful to His promise He has been in a world that is always forward thinking and focused on our desires. Help me to be more grateful Lord. I am nothing without You!
Yes it is, I say WE are stiff-necked, forgetting Israelites! That’s why I journal all the miracles and good God winks that happen! I am actively writing them down to remember and look back! I have journals full now! They are for me, and anyone that might read them one day! “My Story Your Glory” by Matthew West is a good purchase to help make this easy with prompts!
But we can also actively remember to share and that grows our faith and others!
God wanted Israel to be a kingdom of priests, to bring the nations around them to Himself. He wanted and desires to bring the entire world back to Himself, & Exodus shows us foreshadowing of the future full redemption through Jesus Christ our Savior! What glory is here & even greater to come! Our God is so good!!!
It makes me think of that Hillsong song, I’m drawing a blank on the name, but the lyrics say “for am yours and you are mine”.
Oceans:)
You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep my faith will stand
And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours, You are mine
Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You’ve never failed and You won’t start now
So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine, oh
And You are mine, oh
Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Saviour
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Amen
The fulfillment of the law, and the complete redemption of His people, is seen so clearly in the person and work of Jesus!
The law was given to proclaim God’s absolute authority over all the universe, and to teach obedience. The bottom line of our lives as believers, is to obey God in all we do and to recognize Him as sovereign over everything.
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The whole account of Israel’s years of slavery and then their rescue all points to the N.T. and the story of redemption. Jesus paid the price so that He could rescue us from the slavery of our sin and set us free. Hallelujah! Who the Son sets free, is free indeed!
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Song that comes to mind – Who You Say I Am by Hillsosng
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Happy Tuesday She’s, may we rejoice today in the freedom we have in Christ!
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Gotta run out the door, I’ll be back later to read all the comments…Praying for all your requests.
Amen❤️
Verses four through six establishes the ground or the reason they were accountable to keep the 10 Commandments. He delivered them from the Egyptians to make them into a kingdom of priest, his holy nation. They were to be his own possession out of all the peoples, although all the Earth belonged to him. Like how God looked at the Earth at creation and pronounced it to be very good, he wanted Israel to be pleasing, very good. The story of redemption begins here in Exodus not just in the New Testament with Jesus. His foreshadowing began here. See 1 Peter 2:9 a chosen race, a royal priest to a holy nation and a people for God‘s own possession so that you may proclaim God‘s excellencies
The law was established to train God’s people to reflect God’sgrace, mercy, and justice to the world.
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Exodus 20:21 “And the people remained standing at a distance as Moses approached the total darkness where God was.”
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This is a picture of our faith, is it not? Those who have yet to put their trust in God for salvation stand at a distance, afraid of God’s holiness. But we who have faith draw closer to God, even when He is surrounded by darkness, for He is “my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. This is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him” (Ex.15:2).
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SHARON JERSEY GIRL – praying that the memorial service for Isaac tomorrow is a celebration of his love for Jesus.
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WENDY B – continued prayers for peace as you await appointments with your medical team.
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MERCY – so sorry that you are in the midst of such a struggle. Praying you can release everything to the Lord and et Him carry the load.
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ADRIENNE – praying the Lord give you wisdom about how to speak with your mom and that she would be open to the idea of moving.
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CEE GEE – thanks for asking about my mom. She is very lonely and is still in the throws of the waves of grief crashing over her. My brother is local and tries to be there as often as he can, but she really does not have a friend network to support her. Continued prayers for her to turn to Jesus are appreciated
Praying for your mom Kelly. That is so tough. After my mom passed, my dad was so lost and did not have a friend group to support him. It was hard for us to watch. I gave him a copy of Jesus Calling and to my surprise, he read it cover to cover so I have to think he found some peace there.
Same with my dad. Men tend to find someone quick and remarry. Women need friends. Praying for your mom Kelly!
❤️ Thank you
Oh, Kelly, I will continue to pray for your mom! If your brother could check, there may be a widow’s ministry at a local church. The group at our church meets once a month. They oversee munistry to others ie. send out cards, gather items for homeless, etc. Just a thought. Praying the loneliness will lead her to Jesus! ❤
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I love how you expounded on “the picture of our faith. Right on! ❤
Thank you for your prayers, Kelly. Mom’s longtime boyfriend died last year, so I think her grief is playing a part in this too. Your mention of your mom’s continued grief spoke to me this morning. Prayers continue for your mom.
Praying over these requests!
Praying for your mom – it’s a hard place to be at any age but especially for older women and men. Praying for her salvation and a group of women to support her.
Any hobbies or interests she could be encouraged to pursue? I mostly hear No from my mom when I make suggestions but I keep trying.
Praying for your mom. It’s so hard to see someone we love in the depths of grief. I pray she can find a support group at a local church and find at least one other lady to become a good friend and they can support one another and go places and begin to enjoy life.
Thank you KELLY. Wonderful advice you have, let it go to GOD. Praying for your mom and for God to provide supporting network around her.❤️ praying along with you.
God gave the Israelites His covenant to keep so that they would become His kingdom of priests and a holy nation. He gave them the Law to help them keep His covenant.
God gave us Jesus who fulfilled the Law and showed us what it looks like to live as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.
Just like the Israelites we fail every day, but God made a way back to Him through the death and resurrection of His only Son. Thank You, Jesus for the blood applied.
Nice summary, Kathy!
That final plague, resulting in the Passover is one of the clearest pictures we have of redemption in the OT. The spotless lamb slain and the blood applied to the doorpost so that God passes over the home and does not kill the first born… Our perfect, spotless Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Thank You, Jesus!
God’s outstretched arm of redemption
So true Sandi. Those arms are FOREVER outstretched towards us, no matter what, where, how or who.. God is good, ALL the time.. He never changes in the way He loves and crimes for us!
Praying today is a good and God blessed day for you, Sandi.. sending hugs wrapped in love dear sister..❤️❤️❤️
thankyou, Tina
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