“He has dug a pit and hollowed it out and has fallen into the hole which he made.  His mischief will return upon his own head, and his violence will descend upon his own pate.” (Psalm 7:15-16)

The above verse is a description of the man who won’t repent.  We all sin, but the worst thing you can do when you sin is to continue.  If sin digs us a whole, repentance stops us before it gets too deep.  Yet, far too often pride or covetousness urge us to defend an indefensible position.

If you’ve sinned – own it.  The sooner the better.

Apologize, make restitution, confess, and change course.

Unchecked sin digs your own grave.  Put the shovel down.

“The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now He commands all people everywhere to repent…” (Acts 17:30)

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Exodus 7-14; Psalm 7; Proverbs 7 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent…” (Exodus 14:14)

Moses told the Israelites God was going to lead them out of slavery.

Jehovah would handle Pharaoh.
Jehovah would handle the Red Sea.
Jehovah would handle the needs for food and water.
Jehovah would handle the road to the Promised Land.
Jehovah would handle the snakes and the scorpions and the sandals that could wear out.

All they had to do was not complain about how He did it.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Exodus 7-14; Psalm 7; Proverbs 7 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today.” (Exodus 14:13)

         One of the hardest lessons in life is to stand by the promises of God instead of running around trying to fix the problem yourself.  Yes, God at times expects us to act, but often, He also expects us to simply wait for Him to reveal His grace and favor at the appointed time.  ‘Stand by’ means you wait and be ready.

         When we fly ‘standby’, there is nothing to do but wait for our number to be called.

         When an appliance is in ‘standby’ mode, it awaits the moment it is called upon to power up and be used.

         When a military unit is in ‘standby’, it awaits deployment for whatever rescue or mission it may be needed in.

         As Israel waited by the Red Sea, they were told to “stand by and see the salvation of the Lord.”  They had one job – wait for God to redeem them.  When the timing was right, He parted the seas and told them to move forward.

         Sometimes the answer is simply – stand by.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Exodus 7-14; Psalm 7; Proverbs 7 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“But, indeed, for this reason I have allowed you [Pharaoh] to remain, in order to show you My power and in order to proclaim My name through all the earth.” (Exodus 9:16)

         It can be difficult for us to understand how those who are in power are allowed by God to remain in power.  Government and corruption seem to be common partners in every nation throughout time.  How can God allow such evil and injustice to continue?

         The Pharaoh of Exodus gives us at least one answer.  God propped up Pharaoh, so He could make an example of him.  Pharaoh was an evil man allowed to remain in power, so God could strike him down at the right time.  In this dark world, God uses even the darkness to proclaim His name throughout the earth.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Exodus 7-14; Psalm 7; Proverbs 7 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Go, sacrifice to your God within the land.” (Exodus 8:25)

         Over the course of the ten plagues of Egypt, Pharaoh bargained with Moses.  Pharaoh offered for them to worship within the land. He also offered the compromise of letting the men go, but the women and children stay.

God unequivocally said, “Let my people go.”

Pharaoh offered compromises and bargaining.

         And the moral of the story is that God’s commands aren’t for sale.  His authority is not to be compromised by human desires.  We must fully seek to follow God’s will, not partially adhere to what we find most convenient.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Exodus 7-14; Psalm 7; Proverbs 7 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“This is My name forever, and this is My memorial name to all generations.” (Exodus 3:15)

         There are many names in the Bible for God.  He is given at least a dozen distinct titles throughout the text… easily twice that many depending upon how you count and categorize them.

         However, I AM WHO I AM (rendered LORD in all caps in most translations) is the name He gives as His memorial name – the one to never forget because it most embodies Him.

         Never forget that God is who He is.  His character is not for sale nor adjustment to culture.  His existence is real and eternal no matter how many debates are had over it.  His decisions are final, and His promises are everlasting.

         The thing we must never forget about God is that He is… and always will be.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 47-50; Exodus 1-6; Psalm 6; Proverbs 6 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“How long will you lie down, O sluggard?  When will you arise from your sleep?  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest…” (Proverbs 6:9-10)

Laziness starts with overusing the snooze button.  You ain’t never gonna get anything done until you get up.  Just because it is socially acceptable doesn’t make it less a sin.  Life’s too short to waste it.

Get up, get moving, and make a difference. 

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 47-50; Exodus 1-6; Psalm 6; Proverbs 6 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them.” (Exodus 2:25)

         What a beautiful verse!  As the Israelites toiled in the mud and groaned through their oppression and suffering – God noticed.  As they cried for help and sighed in weariness – God noticed.

         God observes the events of our lives, and He is attentive to our pains.  Your tears, your heartaches, and your sufferings do not go unnoticed.  God sees.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 47-50; Exodus 1-6; Psalm 6; Proverbs 6 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“Do not be afraid, for am I in God’s place?” (Genesis 50:19)

         If you want to understand how to let go of vengeance, study the life of Joseph.  Joseph had long ago let go of the bitterness, anger, and heartache of being betrayed by his brothers.  His brothers held onto the guilt longer than he held onto the need for justice.

         How?  How do you let it go when the people closest to you betray you or violate your trust?  What steps can be taken to shun resentment when everything about your situation seems unfair?  Joseph gives the answer, “Am I in God’s place?”

         When we give it to God, vengeance belongs to Him and not us.  We don’t have to fix it or find justice or get all the answers.  We’ve put those sorts of questions into the hands of the One who is equipped for such things.  Peace comes from letting go, and letting go means you can move on.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 47-50; Exodus 1-6; Psalm 6; Proverbs 6 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision

“He blessed them, every one with the blessing appropriate to him.” (Genesis 49:28)

         On his deathbed, Jacob blessed his twelve sons, signifying the character of the future tribes which would descend from each boy, and each blessing matched the character of the man.

         There is a lesson here.  God blesses His people, but He blesses us in a way that is appropriate to our character.  Reuben’s blessing was that his tribe would never have pre-eminence because Reuben had shown he struggled with power and self-control.  It might seem like a curse to be told you will never be the leader, but in Reuben’s case, it was a blessing.

         As for Gad, his tribe would face raids from nearby nations, but God blessed him with the strength to raid them in return.  They would be a tribe always at the edge of battle but prepared to fight back.

         Some blessings look like curses in the moment, but in the context of what we need and what we can handle, God provides.

Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites

This Week’s Reading: Genesis 47-50; Exodus 1-6; Psalm 6; Proverbs 6 This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament.  Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon.  If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision