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OceanSide church of Christ
Read devotionals for March 2015
April 1, 2015
Exodus 17:6 - 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.
Thought: God’s instructions to Moses were for him to “smite” the rock. Moses obeyed God and water came out for the people. When we get into the twentieth chapter of Numbers we see this same situation again except this time God instructs Moses to speak to the rock instead of striking it. However, Moses struck the rock instead. Some might argue that God commanded previously to hit the rock and therefore it should have been acceptable here. Many make an equivalent argument with instruments of music under the Old Testament. Here God does not accept Moses’ action and tells him he may never enter the Promised Land. Clearly we must obey God’s Law today and not justify our actions based upon the commands of old.
Numbers 20:8
April 2, 2015
Exodus 17:6 - 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.
Thought: We can learn another lesson from this passage today. A rock appears multiple times during the wandering in the wilderness. This rock is described as following them and is very symbolic. In fact, Paul tells us that the rock in the wilderness represented Jesus Christ. As Moses strikes this particular rock it reminds us of our Lord who was smitten for our transgressions. Just as the water flowed from the rock so the water of life flowed through the blood He shed on that cross. Truly Christ is our rock today and only through Him can we drink of the water that will quench our thirst eternally.
1 Corinthians 10:4
April 3, 2015
Exodus 17:11 - And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.
Thought: As Israel fought with Amalek the tide of battle was directly connected to the position of Moses’ rod. If he held it high they would prevail, but if he allowed it to drop by his side they would begin to lose. This seems to be very symbolic upon their reliance on God. The staff pointed toward Heaven represented their dependence upon God for victory. We can apply this to our prayer life. If we offer up prayers to God and cast our battles on Him, He will see us through it. However, if we take matters into our own hands we will never be victorious. Remember to cast your cares upon Him today because He cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7
April 4, 2015
Exodus 17:12 - But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.
Thought: Holding your hands above your head for an extended length of time begins to be difficult. Imagine having to do so for hours with a rod in your hands. How wonderful it must have been for Moses to have Aaron and Hur on either side helping him hold his hands in position. Sometimes we can become tired as we labor for the Lord. What a blessing it is to be able to lean upon our brethren in Christ. How often do you allow your church family to help you in times of weakness? On the other hand, how often do you lift others up during their hardships? Be there for your brethren and lean upon them when you are in need this week.
1 Peter 3:8
April 5, 2015
Exodus 17:14 - And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
Thought: This is the first time we see God request a recording to be written in a book. The book was to be given to Joshua to serve as a reminder of this victory over Amalek. Joshua would soon be the new leader of Israel and he could remember this story and share it with his people as he led them into Canaan’s Land. As we journey on our way to Heaven we need to remember how powerful a God we serve. We need to study the Bible and see God’s flawless record against foes. As we remember the power of our God we are motivated to serve Him and reverence Him daily. Let this passage be a reminder of the great God you serve today.
Psalm 147:5
April 6, 2015
Exodus 18:3 - And her two sons; of which the name of the one was Gershom; for he said, I have been an alien in a strange land:
Thought: Moses and Zipporah had two sons together. The first one mentioned here, and probably the first born, was Gershom. Moses tells us that his name represented the fact the Midian was not his true home. Although he was a native of Midian his true home was the land of Canaan. Today we as Christians have something in common with Gershom. Though we are native to this world it is not our home. We are strangers and pilgrims passing through the world as we journey to Heaven. Yet, far too often we find ourselves investing our time and money in this world instead of Heaven. Live your life today recognizing you are just visiting this world for a short time.
Hebrews 11:13
April 7, 2015
Exodus 18:7 - And Moses went out to meet his father in law, and did obeisance, and kissed him; and they asked each other of their welfare; and they came into the tent.
Thought: Moses gave obeisance and kissed Jethro when he met with him. Obeisance meant to bow down toward as a sign of respect. A kiss, on the other hand, was a sign of friendship. Moses did not just greet Jethro in this manner because he was his father-in-law but because he was a visitor and friend. In the Lord’s church we are blessed nearly every week to have visitors step through our doors. How we greet them is critical to their return and salvation ultimately. Each person we meet should be treated with respect and as a friend. Far too many times people come in and may receive a respectful greeting but then they are left to fend for themselves. A friend would invite them to sit with him/her and get to know them better. If we want to bring souls to Christ we need to treat them the way Christ would.
1 Corinthians 16:20
April 8, 2015
Exodus 18:9 - And Jethro rejoiced for all the goodness which the LORD had done to Israel, whom he had delivered out of the hand of the Egyptians.
Thought: When Moses told Jethro of all the good God had done for him, Jethro rejoiced. The Bible teaches us to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Far too often brethren become very jealous of their brethren’s joy. Instead of rejoicing with them they get upset and try to bring them down. When our brothers and sisters are rejoicing we ought to rejoice with them and for them. After all, how do we want others to react when we share our joy with them?
Romans 12:15
April 9, 2015
Exodus 18:11 - Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods: for in the thing wherein they dealt proudly he was above them.
Thought: It is easy for us to make a statement like Jethro. Of course, he meant what he said and lived it. However, we can easily say God is greater than all gods and yet we find ourselves prioritizing things of this world over Him. Idolatry was the worship of a supposed god in the form of an image during Moses’ time. Today, idolatry is in the form of devoting our time and priorities to things of this world. For example, choosing to watch the super bowl on a Sunday evening instead of attending services makes that game greater than God in your heart. Examine yourself today and consider who or what the real priority in your life has become. If it is anything but God then your life does not suggest He is the greatest of all.
Psalm 97:9
April 10, 2015
Exodus 18:13 - And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
Thought: At this point in time the people of Israel had no written law. The first five books of the Old Testament had not yet been penned. Therefore, they had to go to Moses to solve all their problems, questions, and situations that arose. Can you imagine how long the line was and how many things were brought to his attention? Interestingly, we have the entirety of the will of God and we too sometimes line up on the elders doorstep with questions and complaints. While certainly there are times we must approach them we must also remember how many other people need them as well. Three elders are having to shepherd a large flock of individuals and need to be able to use their time efficiently. We must remember they are husbands, fathers, and grandfathers as well who have other responsibilities they also cannot neglect.
1 Tim 5:17
April 11, 2015
Exodus 18:17 - And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.
Thought: When Jethro heard how Moses was taking on all the responsibility by himself he told him it was not good. Moses decided to choose some able men to help him do the work. Laziness is an attitude that plagues our society. Because so many neglect the work, others end up overloading themselves to make up for it. Becoming overwhelmed with duties can cause stress and a lack of motivation to continue the work. Sometimes we just have to delegate part of the load to those who have time to bear it. Never mistake delegating with laziness. Each person has limits and we must be careful not to overextend and end up falling away from the work altogether.
2 Thessalonians 3:13
April 12, 2015
Exodus 18:19 - Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:
Thought: Moses listened to the advice of Jethro and the outcome was wonderful. Moses selected able men to help him with the work and lighten his load. Sometimes we younger men and ladies think we have it all figured out. We feel we know all the answers and whenever we do something it is always the best way possible. Like Moses we must realize there are older wiser men and women in this world with much more experience. If we humble ourselves and listen to what they have to say we might just learn something and be better for it. God designed teaching for all ages but especially the older to the younger.
Titus 2:2-5
April 13, 2015
Exodus 18:22 - And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
Thought: Jethro told Moses that some matters were small and could be handled without his guidance. We need to remember that every matter that arises is not a big matter. In fact, most matters are small. Yet, far too often a big stink is made over these small matters. Remember to cast your cares and troubles upon God in prayer. Remember to lean upon your brethren whenever you can. Bringing ever small matter that comes up to the elders is not beneficial to anyone and may hinder them in their work. Of course, some matters are big matters and must be brought to their attention.
1 Peter 5:7
April 14, 2015
Exodus 19:6 - And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.
Thought: Certainly Israel had the Levitical priesthood and were known as a priestly kingdom. Likewise the church today is a priestly kingdom as well. We, as Christians, are servants of Christ as priests devoting our lives to His kingdom. Just as the priests of Israel relied on God to be their inheritance so we do as well. If you are a Christian then you are a priest today in His kingdom. However, if you have never obeyed the gospel you are not in His kingdom and certainly not a priest. Choose to become a priest in the kingdom of our Lord today by being washed in water for the purifying of your sins. Just as the priests of old had to wash in the laver to enter the tabernacle so we must wash in the waters of baptism to enter the church.
1 Peter 2:9
April 15, 2015
Exodus 19:8 - All the people answered together and said, "All that the LORD has spoken we will do." And Moses reported the words of the people to the LORD.
Thought: When Moses described the commands of the Lord to the people their response was total compliance. What a blessing that our God does not give us commands we cannot follow. Nothing He requests of us is too difficult. Certainly some things are harder than others for each individual. However, nothing is so hard that we cannot obey His will. We must also remember that His commands for our benefit and not just to practice control. He created us and only the Creator can properly give an instruction manual. Be sure to listen to of all God’s will today and not just pick and choose what suits you best.
1 John 5:3
April 16, 2015
Exodus 19:11 - and be ready for the third day. For on the third day the LORD will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people.
Thought: When it came time for God to come down and speak to the people from atop Mt. Sinai, He had them prepare themselves over a three day period. Numbers in the Bible have great significance. God uses numbers commonly as symbols of His will and power. The number three is one of the numbers of perfection, or completion. In fact, it is the number of divine perfection. This is a number that represents God. For example, the Godhead consists of three beings, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Here God uses the number three as He will be coming down to speak with the people. In addition, how many days was it that Christ would be buried in the Earth? Just some food for thought today.
Matt 12:40
April 17, 2015
Exodus 19:18 - Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly.
Thought: When the Lord descended upon Sinai it was quite a scene. There was smoke everywhere from the fire of the Lord and the whole mountain trembled at His presence. Could you imagine standing at the foot of the mountain? Two verses earlier told us all the people were trembling. What an awesome God we serve! How often are you proud to be called a child of God? We might be proud of our Earthly parents and respect them for their accomplishments, but what about our Heavenly Father? When you think of God today be proud to call Him Father and be thankful to be able to wear His holy name.
Psalm 33:8
April 18, 2015
Exodus 20:2 - "I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.
Thought: Before the Lord began the Ten Commandments He opened with a simple statement. He reminded the people that He had brought them out of Egypt, the “house of slavery”. When we think about God’s commands not only should we remember that they are good for us, or even that they are doable, but also who they are coming from. These commands are given from a God who has delivered us out of the slavery of sin. In doing so, He allowed sinful men to humiliate, scourge, and crucify His only Son. When I remember how good God has been to me, and how much He is daily, it makes me want to serve Him with all of my heart.
Romans 2:4
April 19, 2015
Exodus 20:3 - Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
Thought: The first commandment was to have no other gods. In other words, avoid idolatry which is connected to the second commandment as well. Today we may not bow down to images, but we do sometimes “serve” idols. That is, we devote our priorities to the world by spending more time on worldly things than spiritual. Sometimes things become an idol to us in that we place them before God. Some examples of today’s idols might be television, games, sports, jobs, education, and many others. Don’t allow anything to come before God today otherwise we are not better than an idolater.
Matthew 6:33
April 20, 2015
Exodus 20:7 - Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain; for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
Thought: We do not realize how easy it is to violate this command today. While we are not under the Ten Commandments we still are taught under Christ’s Law that the Lord’s name is holy. So often we hear religious exclamations like “Oh my …” and “Good …” and yet we do not even realize we are hearing His name used in vain. I am often discouraged as I hear Christians commonly making said exclamations without a second thought. Be careful how you express your emotion and excitement. Always remember to treat the Lord’s name as holy in word and deed
Luke 1:49
April 21, 2015
Exodus 20:8 - Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Thought: This fourth commandment is a bit unique in that our Lord does not give a similar command in the New Law. In fact, He makes it clear that this particular command was not reinstated and has no bearing today. Yet, many Christians believe this to still be binding. It was the apostle Paul who told the church at Colossae that no one could judge you with regards to keeping the Sabbath holy today. Plus, the Sabbath was the seventh day of the week, Saturday, not the first. The first day of the week is the Lord’s Day and certainly it is not sinful to get some yard work done on the first day of the week. However, the same is true for every day, including Saturday.
Colossians 2:16
April 22, 2015
Exodus 20:12 - Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee.
Thought: This principle of honoring parents, which is also taught in the New Law, has been scant at best in our society. God recognized the wisdom parents have to protect and provide for their children. If children listen their chances of living a long life are greatly increased. Sadly children disregard and disrespect their parents daily without repercussion. Discipline teaches respect and honor and therein lays the problem. That is, proper discipline is lacking severely. This doesn’t mean we need abuse but it does mean we need to instill a respect for authority in children. The truth of the matter is that children talk back to their parents and don’t listen even at a very young age. As they grow older they disrespect their teachers, the law, and worst of all God. Let’s go back to the old ways of the Word and raise a generation of children who respect authority.
Proverbs 23:14
April 23, 2015
Exodus 20:26 - Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon.
Thought: God has always been concerned with revealing our “nakedness”. It is interesting to note he is referencing the dress-like garments the priest wore. It was not acceptable to go up these steps to an elevated location because someone might see the upward areas of the leg. Notice God isn’t worried about the “major” areas being seen as those were certainly covered by their undergarments. We have become too lax in our definition of nakedness. God is consistently concerned with more than the areas we seem to be. In the Garden of Eden he covered Adam and Eve from shoulders to knees with tunics. They covered their “major” areas with leaves and it wasn’t enough. Apparently someone has put it in our minds that when water is around the rules of modesty do not apply. Decide today to care more about keeping your body covered for your God and for your spouse.
Exodus 28:42
April 24, 2015
Exodus 21:13 - And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
Thought: God provided the children of Israel a place of safety should someone accidentally take a life. This location would not benefit those who purposefully took a life of course. God has always drawn a line separating willful and unwillful sin. Sin that is committed without recognition or understanding is continually cleansed for a Christian. However, sin that is committed purposefully is what separates us from Christ. We need to have the attitude of David who prayed to God to forgive him from secret sin but to keep him away from willful sin.
Psalm 19:12-13
April 25, 2015
Exodus 21:22 - If men strive, and hurt a woman with child, so that her fruit depart from her, and yet no mischief follow: he shall be surely punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him; and he shall pay as the judges determine.
Thought: If a man hurt a woman in a way that caused her to miscarry her child there was great consequence. This is not much different than today’s law. If someone murders a pregnant woman he is charged with double homicide. However, if a woman wants to abort her child then all of a sudden the baby is just a fetus and nothing more. Where is this rationale coming from? That fact is, over 57 million babies have been aborted since Roe vs Wade in 1973. This is an absolute tragedy. We need to be speaking out against abortion and calling it by its real name, murder. Our Lord would describe it as an abomination as He hates hands that take an innocent life.
Proverbs 6:17
April 26, 2015
Exodus 21:24 - Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot,
Thought: While this concept of vengeance was the Israelite way, it is certainly not the Christian way. Christ makes it clear that today we must turn the other cheek. In other words, we must walk away from those who hurt us and not return the favor. This is much easier said than done. However, we must let go of hate and anger and give it to God. Trusting in Him to deal out the proper judgment will make it easier. I know I would much rather God give the vengeance than my emotional self. Don’t forget, a soft response will turn away another’s wrath.
Proverbs 15:1
April 27, 2015
Exodus 22:1 - If a man shall steal an ox, or a sheep, and kill it, or sell it; he shall restore five oxen for an ox, and four sheep for a sheep.
Thought: Notice that when someone purposefully steals or kills another’s animal he must restore it with 400 or 500 percent interest. God never has nor ever will put up with willful sin to another. Think about the loss and devastation of finding out your brother sinned against you on purpose. Simply returning the item is not justice enough in God’s eyes under the Old Law. They had to return or replace the animal and give much more to make up for their sin. When we sin against God and others we are doing more damage than we even realize. As you go about your day today remember how selfish sin is and that it’s never worth it.
1 Cor 8:12
April 28, 2015
Exodus 22:16 - And if a man entice a maid that is not betrothed, and lie with her, he shall surely endow her to be his wife.
Thought: The physical aspect of a marriage is a blessing from God. It is certainly disheartening as we consider how abused this privilege has become through time. God’s command to Israel was for a man to marry a maid if he slept with her. However, I want you to notice that the act itself did not constitute marriage. In fact, the next verse says the father may choose for them not to become wed. There are some in the brotherhood who believe that marriage happens when two share the bed together. Not only is that not true today, it wasn’t under the Law of Moses either. To do so is certainly sinful, but to suggest it means one is married is opening a load of issues.
Exodus 22:17
April 29, 2015
Exodus 22:21 - Thou shalt neither vex a stranger, nor oppress him: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt.
Thought: We see God using the principle of the golden rule in this statute. Because Israel had experienced being a stranger in a foreign land, they were expecting to remember that when others were strangers in their land. We might call it, “putting yourself in their shoes”. As Christians we understand the need to be compassionate to others. However, we sometimes lack compassion for things we have not suffered or understand. Always remember to put yourself in another’s shoes before acting in a way you might regret. After all, God will judge us with the same mercy we use to judge others.
James 2:13
April 30, 2015
Exodus 22:25 - If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as an usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury.
Thought: We live in a world where people enjoy taking advantage of others. A world that is full of selfishness while lacking true care for others. It is one thing to give to the poor. However, it’s another thing to give for the purpose of being repaid in some way. Consider why you help others from time to time. Is it because you love them and simply want to help? Or is it because you know you might get something in return for helping that individual? God knows our heart and all our intentions. Give to others without desiring return and allow God to be the one to bless you.
Luke 14:13-14
Read devotionals for May 2015