The Passover Meal

(Exodus 13:3–10)

The spiritual truths that God wants us to remember are often memorialized in a ceremony.

It frequently involves a meal.

The Passover meal and the Festival of Unleavened Bread are filled with symbolism.

It is designed to commemorate the deliverance of the Israelites out of Egypt.

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God never wanted the people of Israel to forget what He had done for them.

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The New Testament counterpart is the Lord’s Supper.

Here, believers eat a ceremonial meal to commemorate the deliverance of God’s people from sin.

It is also filled with Passover symbolism.

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When we observe communion, we celebrate a meal that has been observed in unbroken succession for two thousand years.

We are celebrating the Passover.

We are celebrating Communion with the Triune God and His people.

God Prepares His People

Genesis 50:15–23

God’s will is often fulfilled in strange ways.

Joseph’s dreams as a teenager indicated that he would rule over his brothers.

Little could he have imagined that the road to his destiny would include their trying to kill him and then selling him into slavery, his spending time in prison, and eventually his rule in the nation of Egypt.

Those experiences built into Joseph the character qualities and the wisdom he needed for his calling.

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God works the same way, preparing us for our calling.

He uses our circumstances and experiences to shape us into the person He wants us to be.

Oh Yes, God Has A Great Plan For His People!

Fighting Materialism

Jesus looked at him and said,
"How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
(Luke 18:24)

Here are some suggestions to fight against materialism:

• Be ready to face up with our feelings about money: our fear, insecurity, guilt, pride or envy.
  
  
• Stop denying our wealth; we are well blessed.
  
  
  
• Confess our fears and temptations to one another.
  
  
  
• Apply God promises to our financial situation.
  
  
  
• Help one another to face the money problems.
  
  

• Consider to help the poor and the needy.
  
  

• Give with glad and generous hearts. Letting go of money destroys the sin of greed.

Let us commit ourselves to living a simple lifestyle and not give in to materialism.

Oh Lord, I want to follow You all the way. And I want to be obedient as You direct and instruct.

Women Who Fear God

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
(Proverbs 31:30-31)

Evangelism is an important function of the church.

It is important that we share our faith with others.

Godly women play an important role in teaching others what they have learned.

They can teach others how to study the Bible better, how to know God better, and how to be a true disciple of Jesus.

They can reach out to others and tell them all the good news they have in their hearts, and the good hope that is in them.

Throughout the centuries God has equipped many women to help fulfill the function of evangelism.

Let us honor women who fear God and who share their faith with others in need of help.

Let us pray for more women to be able to effectively share their faith and train others too.

Don't defy the armies of the living God!

1 Samuel 17: 1-58

Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, defied the armies of Israel.

King Saul and all the Israelites were dismayed and terrified; they fled from him in great fear.

For 40 days, Goliath came forward every morning and evening and took his stand.

David heard it. He was unhappy. He wanted to kill Goliath. He wanted to remove this disgrace from Israel; Goliath had defied the armies of the living God.

David had defended his father’s sheep. He had killed both the lion and the bear. He was convinced that Goliath would be like them.

Goliath came closer to David and saw that he was just a boy. He despised him.

Goliath moved closer to attack David. Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, David slung it and struck Goliath on the forehead. The stone sank into Goliath’s forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.

David triumphed over Goliath with a sling and a stone. Without a sword in his hand he struck down Goliath and killed him.

Lesson: Don't defy the armies of the living God!

God's Grace, Mercy, and Peace

When we walk with the Lord God,
in Truth and in love,
God's abundant grace, mercy, and peace
will be given to us (2 John 1: 3).
May God help us in our trials and temptations;
May we have victories over the evil ones,
as we seek to serve God all the days of our lives.
Amen.

Live And Love In The Truth

God's Truth lives in us.
Let us live and love in God's Truth.

- 2 John 1:1-2 -

God Is Trustworthy

God is true to His word.
God can be trusted.
God promised that He would never destroy the earth with a flood again.
He set a rainbow in the sky as a sign of His promise.
For thousands of years, God has been true to His word.

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Sometimes we get discouraged during the tough times in our lives.
Let us recall the promises of God.
Let us remember the rainbow.
God is trustworthy.
He is always true to what He has said.

Remember The Rainbow

Live In Peace And Holiness

Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy;

without holiness no one will see the Lord.
(Hebrews 12:14)

The Parable Of The Wicked Vine-Dressers

Matthew 21:33-46

Passage

This parable was about the Jewish nation who had enjoyed the special care and goodness of God for centuries.

God had given them good laws. God had favored them above other nations. But they still rejected Him.

God had sent the Old Testament prophets and John the Baptist to them. But they tortured and killed them.

God then sent His Son to them. But they did not respect His Son! They murdered the sinless Savior!

God finally rejected the Jewish nation. The Kingdom is given to other nations! It was given to the Church!

Response

Let us respect the Son of God by obeying Him, and by giving Him first place in our lives.

Prayer

Oh God, help me submit to Your Son, and serve Him only! Amen.