PRIME- Day 12

"Do not join a crowd that intends to do evil. When you are on the witness stand, do not be swayed in your testimony by the opinion of the majority." -Exodus 23:2

Read Exodus 23 & 24

What about them?!
As we begin looking in Exodus 23, we see The Lord giving instructions on how to live your life. Simple instructions but many times they can be so difficult to follow. At the beginning of the chapter he instructs the people not to gossip or join others who are doing things that aren't pleasing to him. How many times have we all found ourselves talking about something or someone that we know we shouldn't? It's easy to do and the devil knows that. He would rather us worry about others and all their failures than work on our own problems. However, that is why The Lord gave us instructions. He knew that it would be difficult in all our lives. If we will focus on fixing ourselves then we won't have time to worry about others. I am so thankful that God gave us guidelines so we didn't have to face these difficulties without help. Remember that whatever you are facing, God already has a set of instructions for you to follow.


Obey
How many of us have a hard time obeying? I remember when I lived at home and I hated obeying what my parents told me to do. I thought they didn't know what they were talking about and they were being ridiculous. However, as I've gotten older, I've realized that my parents were pretty much right most of the time. You see at first, the people questioned God. They didn't really buy in to what he was telling Moses. In Chapter 24 we see a change of heart in the people. They weren't questioning him nor Moses anymore. They were all on board. They has seen what he had done and quickly realized he was the man with the plan. For most of us, we know what we need to do but we just choose not to obey. Don't go through life doing your own thing and ignoring what God is trying to get you to do. Obey him today. Maybe he wants you to step up in our Youth Group, start a bible study, spend more time with him or involve yourself with different surroundings. Whatever it is for you I pray you will obey God today and follow his plans for your life. Don't go through self-inflicted hard times because you chose not to obey.

Pray
Ask God to show you what areas in your life you need to work on. When he shows you, and he will, follow his plan. It might not be what you thought it would be or the easiest thing to do but just remember he knows best. When we obey him and follow his plans for our lives everything seems to fall into place. So thankful he knows what we need before we even know we need it!


                                                                                                                                  - Trey

PRIME - Day 10

Read Exodus 19 & 20.

In chapter 19 the Israelites settle at the base of Mt. Sinai. Moses climbs the mountain to hear from the Lord about what he should do next. God instructs Moses to tell the Israelites in verses 4-5 "you have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I brought you to myself and carried you on eagle's wings. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me."

The Israelites response to God in verse 8 is how any of us would respond: "They all responded together, "We will certainly do everything the Lord asks of us." So Moses brought the people's answer back to the Lord."

When the Israelites were having to travel and trust that Moses was appointed by God to help them they often complained about what they were having to do, yet time and time again God provided for them. Now that they are being offered rewards for obedience of course they answer with a "certainly we will do everything the Lord asks of us." As Christians, I feel like many times it's easy for us to obey God when we know there is an obvious blessing or reward in return.

But what about when God asks us to obey Him when there isn't an obvious blessing or reward in return? Do we easily choose to be obedient or do we often try to bargain with God as if his commands are up for negotiation?

In chapter 20 God instructs the people in how to live in obedience to Him. These are what we know as the Ten Commandments (verses 2-17). The Israelites were in awe and fear as God spoke directly to them. In verse 20 Moses says, "Don't be afraid, for God has come in this way to show you his awesome power. From now on, let your fear of him keep you from sinning!" Could you imagine being one of the crowd members trying to take it all in? Surely the Israelites would straighten up and stop sinning, especially after such an encounter with God.

Let's dig together into the next chapters to find out how the Israelites respond...

-Amy

PRIME - Day 9

Read Exodus 17 & 18.

In chapter 17, we again read of God's faithfulness to the grumbling Israelites. It's as if their current problem has caused temporary amnesia to the times when God has provided for them before. Not just in small ways, but in miraculous ways! The Israelites are blinded by their current problem, (no water and they are pretty thirsty), and all they can seem to do is complain about it to Moses. God commands Moses to strike a rock and water comes gushing out for the Israelites to drink...yet another miracle proving God's power and love for his people.

I thought it was pretty interesting that Moses was commanded to perform this miracle with the very same shepherd's staff that he used when he turned the Nile into blood. And after this miracle, he uses the same staff to help Joshua and his troops beat the Amalek army (verses 11-13). This made me think...

God has already given us the tools we need to carry out His will in our lives.

In chapter 18, we read about Jethro (Moses' father-in-law) visiting Moses and encouraging him. Verse 9 says, "Jethro was delighted when he heard about all that the Lord had done for Israel as he brought them out of Egypt." Jethro was no doubt swelling with pride as he heard of how Moses was being used by God. Not only was Jethro there to encourage Moses, he also found out what all Moses was having to do by himself and wisely told Moses in verse 18 "You're going to wear yourself out - and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself".

How often have you felt worn out with a heavy burden or responsibility?

Jethro tells Moses to appoint judges over groups of men to help carry the load and make the task easier for him. Sometimes we need people to lovingly put their arm around us and say, "you are doing too much, breathe and ask for help." If you are trying to do too much on your own remember that the burden was not meant for you to carry alone. Matthew 11:29-30 says, "Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” 


-Amy

PRIME - Day 8

PRIME - Day 8

Read Exodus 15 & 16

These two chapters follow the Israelites journey through the wilderness after God totally delivered them from the Egyptians by drowning Pharaoh and his army in the Red Sea.  Chapter 15 is mostly comprised of the song that Moses and Miriam (Aaron's sister) chanted as they celebrated the great deliverance God had given them.  It's a song that declares God's strength and faithfulness to defend His people, and for a while the Israelites were riding high with emotions because of what God did for them right before their very eyes.

In typical fashion though, we see the Israelites getting back to their old ways of griping and complaining.  Near the end of the chapter, we see the Israelites upset after wandering in the desert for 3 days without finding any water. When they finally came across water, they couldn't drink it because it was bitter.  I guess parting and entire Red Sea wasn't enough for them to trust that God knows what He's doing when it comes to water.  Once again, God shows His faithfulness in spite of their faithlessness.  After Moses prayed, God instructed him to throw a stick into the water and as soon as he did the water became sweet and fit to drink.

As aggravating as these Israelites seem to be it's as if these events took place in order to cry out to every generation, "God hasn't brought you this far to leave you for dead!"

That's exactly what we see throughout chapter 16.  Once again we see the Israelites in need and beginning to grumble.  This time they want food.  It's obvious they weren't too optimistic about finding any in the middle of the desert.  Instead of praying and trusting God to provide as He already had, they began to complain again.  This time God had a plan to provide for them and teach them to trust Him everyday.  He instructed Moses on what He would do and what He expected the people to do as well.  He said he would provide two things for food:

1.  Meat in the evening

2.  Bread in the morning.

He told Moses that the people were to only gather what they needed for each day (about 3lbs of bread).  No leftovers!  He wanted them to learn to look to Him everyday for what they needed.

As promised the birds flew in that evening and the people were able to eat their meat.  The next morning there was thin flaky bread covering the ground that tasted like sweet honey.  God was faithful to His Word.  Still the Israelites didn't follow directions and tried to store up the food only to find it rotten by the next day.

This is how life is designed to work.  Looking to God everyday for his provision and listening carefully to his instructions.  His Word paints a clear picture to us that He has not brought us this far to leave us all alone.  He is prepared and willing to provide for us the things we need  and rain down His blessings when we follow Him closely.


                                                                                                             
-Brian

PRIME- DAY 7

Prime Day 7

Exodus 14:14
¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”


Read Exodus 13 & 14

The Hebrews were unique people, and they were about to embark on a unique journey. Instead of guiding the Israelites along the direct route from Egypt to the Promised Land, he took them by a longer route so they could avoid fighting with the Philistines. From their point of view, the journey seemed much longer and unnecessary but to God it was all part of his plan...

Marked. 

In Chapter 13 we read about The Festival of Unleavened Bread. This marked the Hebrews as unique people. Just as this festival marked the Hebrews, think about what marks you as a follower of Jesus. Think about how you act at school, in your community, treat your family, etc. I remember when I was in High School. I played on the tennis team and our motto was: "Leave a mark." At that time, I thought it was talking just about tennis but I have realized over the years that this statement carries over in our lives as well. You see, each day we have an opportunity to leave a mark on someone that we come in contact with. It is our choice on what type of mark we will leave. Make sure that each day we keep this on the forefront of our minds. Remember: people see our actions long before they hear our words. 

Wait, Wait, Wait.....

As Moses was leading the Israelites, I'm sure he was scared and unsure of himself. So, like most of us would do, he began praying to God for help and guidance. God told Moses to stop praying and get moving! You see, prayer deserves a very important place in our lives. Prayer is our connection with God and without it we can often times feel lost. However, we do spend our time in prayer and God gives us what we should do but we are afraid, or don't know if we can do it. We would rather postpone doing it than rather trusting God and failing. I hear of people all the time that are out of a job and are in desperate need of work. I ask them: "You found a job yet?" There response is always the same: "Just waiting on God to show me something." Yes, I totally believe that we need to go to God in prayer and ask him what he wants for our lives but sometimes God might be saying to you: "I've already told you what to do now go out and do it!" You will never get a job if you sit on your couch waiting on someone to call you. You've got to go get it and it's the same with God. Maybe you know what God wants you to do concerning a certain situation but you are afraid. Don't just sit on the sideline. Get moving and take action toward what God wants you to do today! 

Prayer

Take time today and thank God for leading you and walking right beside you. Remember that he promises never to leave you or forsake you. So when you feel all alone, he is right there. Also, ask God to help you know when to get up and make a move. Whether it's leading a class or speaking to someone new, ask God to give you the courage each day not just to wait but move when he gives you your answer! 

                                                                                                                            - Trey 

PRIME - Day 6

"When I see the blood, I will pass over you." - Exodus 12:13

READ EXODUS 11 & 12

This is one of the most sobering sections in all of the Bible.  But it is also one of the most hopeful.  In Exodus 11 and 12, we read about the final escape from Egypt by Moses and the Israelites, and this is no ordinary escape from captivity...

God tried to get his attention.
You've already read the previous chapters, and you already know about the plagues God used in an attempt to get Pharaoh's attention.  Even after the frogs, and the gnats, and the bloody water, Pharaoh's heart was still hard toward the Lord.  It would take something drastic to get his attention - something we could never imagine.  I pray that you and I never have an attitude of defiance toward God, because he will do whatever it takes to get our attention.  God wants our whole heart - not because he's mean or cruel, but because he wants what's best for us.  A person who is completely committed to God will always have joy.  

The firstborn had to die.
In order for God to get Pharaoh's attention, and in order for salvation to come to the people of Israel, the firstborn had to die.  This is a direct foreshadowing of God's first born son - Jesus Christ - dying for you and me.  Nothing else had brought freedom for the people.  Nothing had gotten Pharaoh's attention.  There was only one thing that could buy freedom for all of the people that God loved so dearly.  I'm so thankful that God sent his perfect, sinless son to die for me.  I am nowhere near perfect, but God's son is all that I could never be!

The blood brought freedom.
In chapter 12, we see God lay out the instructions for the Passover.  He tells the people to sacrifice a lamb, and place the blood on their doorposts.  When God sees the blood on their doorposts, he will pass over them, bringing their salvation.  When you and I accept Jesus into our hearts, his blood that he shed on the cross covers all of our sins.  His blood is symbolically placed on our "doorposts," and our lives are spared.  Because of him, we are promised eternity in heaven and not in hell.  

Today, stop and thank God for sending his only Son to die for you.  Remember that it is only through him that you have freedom.  Without Jesus, you would still be a slave to sin.  But whoever the Son sets free is FREE INDEED! (John 8:36)

-Taylor

PRIME - Day 5

PRIME Day 5

Read Exodus 9 & 10

In Exodus 9 and 10 we find Pharaoh continuing to be consumed with stubbornness and pride. I'm sure everyone who reads these chapter says, "I would never be like Pharaoh" or "I would have listened by the second time." I find myself thinking and saying the very same things while reading. However, I find myself in Pharaoh's situation sometimes. Does The Lord send locusts and boils into my life? No. But he does allow other unwanted situations to occur.
 I finally stopped judging the Pharaoh for his actions, and really thought about what I could learn from his situations. He decided to get a really strong grip and endure the roller coaster ride he was on instead of trusting God and believing in Him. He thought he could just hold on tight until the ride was over and then go right back to his regular routine. How many times have you done this? I know I have several times. I think to myself, "oh I've got this. I can make it through this one little rough patch on my own."

The problem with this thought process is that you are not seeking God. No matter how big or small the situation, God wants us to call on Him and seek Him. If we begin going through situations alone, we may end up like the Pharaoh with our situations getting worse and worse. All the time God will be wanting us to just believe He can handle any of our situations.
 I encourage you to take every situation to God. Don't simply say, "oh it's just blood, or frogs, or gnats; this isn't so bad. I can do this one on my own." You never want to get farther from God. Chances are you have a really good friend that you talk to about things in your life, no matter how big or small. The same thing needs to happen in your relationship with God. Never try to make it through on your own. Call on God and you will encounter strength in your situation that you never could've had on your own.
Remember Psalms 121:1-3 says our help comes from the Lord!! Take comfort in knowing we never have to do it on our own!

- Brittany