This Mornings Baptisms

"We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life."

(Romans 6:4, ESV)

Baptisms pics

I have fell behind in my blogging through the Bible and I will do a quick one later this week to catch up. But to Praise the Lord we had 26 professions of faith 2 Sundays ago and I baptized 9 last Thursday (everyday is Sunday in the Army!) and even got a few leeches on me. We have 8 more waiting.

Numbers 1-8 God names names

• God spoke the names of these men Himself! What an awesome feeling to have God audubly call your name.
• God knew them personally: called their name
• God knew their family history: Who their forfather was
• God had a specific mission/job/ministry to accomplish: gave certain jobs to certain people
• God demanded the same from everyone: Numbers 7
• God had a specific place for them to dwell: position of tents

"And the very hairs on your head are all numbered." (Matthew 10:30, NLT)

Leviticus 15-27

A long list of rules and regulations that at first glance are boring and not very personable. But when you think about it this list of laws was a blessing from God. He gave His people an answer for every sin against Him. This is what TO DO if....... For every action that was/is displeasing to Him He warns of His judgement allows repentance or is swift to justice. But even to those who's punishment is severe they KNOW the consequences of their actions before they commit them. Grace , Mercy, and Love are in the Law. But I sure am glad I don't have to live by them! What a wonderful Savior!

"So then, the law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith." (Galatians 3:24, ESV)

Leviticus 1-14 Atonement is more than a Theological term

• The sacrifice for sin comes at a cost. The sacrifice is not pretty, it does not smell good, it is grisly, putrid, rotten and dirty, bloody death.


• Sin costs life, the life of the innocent and also of the guilty.


• Atonement is much more than a theological term. It is more than the pet word we put in front of it.

Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be purified with these [sacrifices], but the heavenly things themselves [to be purified] with better sacrifices than these. For the Messiah did not enter a sanctuary made with hands (only a model of the true one) but into heaven itself, that He might now appear in the presence of God for us. He did not do this to offer Himself many times, as the high priest enters the sanctuary yearly with the blood of another. Otherwise, He would have had to suffer many times since the foundation of the world. But now He has appeared one time, at the end of the ages, for the removal of sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And just as it is appointed for people to die once—and after this, judgment— so also the Messiah, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for Him.

Hebrews 9:23-28 (HCSB)

Exodus 29-40

God is very concerned about the details that go into His dwelling place. What does that say about how the details of our lives be looked at today?

God gifted men to be able to carry out His plans exactly how He wanted them to be carried out. Will He not do the same for us today?

Even though God is so much greater than the gods created by man. Mankind will always try to bring God down to there level.

People will always see in our countenance how much time we spend with God.

To complete the whole house of God it takes the whole community of God's people.

Exodus 16-28

God Provides:

Provisions for the Israelites

Victory over the Amalekites

Wise Advice for Moses

Laws for living as God's chosen people

Blueprints for His tabernacle

Gifts for the people

Exodus 1-15

The foundation for the exodus was very interesting to me this time around. Beginning with the Hebrew midwives:
But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt had commanded them, but let the boys live. Exodus 1:17 (NASB95)
and God's reaction:
So God was good to the midwives, and the people multiplied, and became very mighty. Because the midwives feared God, He established households for them. Exodus 1:20-21 (NASB95)
The fear of God was stronger than the fear of the powerful human ruler, thought to be god on earth. Sometimes I underestimate how strong the people of the Old Testament were. And it is eye opening to remember that the move to "let God's people go" was kicked off not by a big named prophet in a big event but by mid-wives fearing God.

Another interesting few passages are found in chapter 2:
Now it came about in the course of those many days that the king of Egypt died. And the sons of Israel sighed because of the bondage, and they cried out; and their cry for help because of their bondage rose up to God. So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them. Exodus 2:23-25 (NASB95)
The heart cry of God's people seems to show their utter desperation, but also their firm belief that only God could bring them salvation. Once again God's promises can be counted on, He will not forget His word.

Also a thought; Moses was a great man of God and at the same time so unwilling. Is this humility on the part of Moses. Did he see God in a way that we as ministers don't today. Is being a "spokesman" for God something that should put fear into our hearts?

Genesis 41-50

JACOB BLESSES JOSEPH

Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, "It is not in me; God will give Pharaoh a favorable answer." Genesis 41:16 (NASB95)

Now Joseph said to Pharaoh, "Pharaoh's dreams are one and the same; God has told to Pharaoh what He is about to do. Genesis 41:25 (NASB95)

"It is as I have spoken to Pharaoh: God has shown to Pharaoh what He is about to do. Genesis 41:28 (NASB95)

"Now as for the repeating of the dream to Pharaoh twice, it means that the matter is determined by God, and God will quickly bring it about. Genesis 41:32 (NASB95)

But Joseph said to them, "Do not be afraid, for am I in God's place?"As for you, you meant evil against me, {but} God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive."So therefore, do not be afraid; I will provide for you and your little ones." So he comforted them and spoke kindly to them. Genesis 50:19-21 (NASB95)

Genesis 29-40

The traits of the parents show in the children
Beauty is only skin deep and it shows with Rachel and Leah
Rachel was a piece of work, Benjamin surly thanked dad for the name change
Dont mess with Jacob's daughter or Laban's for that matter.
If only Joseph knew the rest of the story, LIKE WE DO.

But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer. Genesis 39:21 (NASB95)