Cornerstone Community Church

Exodus 16:1-7

Our memories do not accurately record our past experiences. And we are too easily seduced into rosy retrospection that makes us yearn for yesterday.

The believer must be vigilant to challenge nostalgic impulses that blind us to the great things God is doing Right Now. Otherwise we look back to the time before we knew Christ, and we prefer those days of bondage above our freedom in Christ.

Fading FaithExodus 15:21-27Who could have imagined that after witnessing the parting of the Red Sea, that Israel’s faith would wane so quickly? But just three days after witnessing the power of God, Israel is reverting to murmuring and complaining about their condition.

How does that happen? What can cause faith to be so easily deflated?

Ungratefulness. Bitterness. Pride.These are the three most common triggers of doubt.

God warns Israel that a new day has come. He will not entertain their murmurings. He will not respect their tantrums. If Israel will grow with their God, they will have to have a change of heart.

Exodus 14:26-29

At the Red Sea, God made His love for Israel profoundly clear. In an even more unprecedented manner, He has made known His love for us in sacrificing His only begotten Son.

There are intense moments in every believer’s walk, where it feels like we are losing the battle. Our options for relief are few, and we feel trapped.

Be encouraged to know that when you are confounded by your circumstances, God is still able and willing to make His thoughts toward you abundantly clear for you, as well as to your enemies.

When you are bombarded by the lie that you cannot make it through, I pray you will experience a moment of truth.

Exodus 14:13-18

God will surely deliver His people and make a way through the rough waters of our Red Seas. And what should we do while we wait on the Lord?

And our God will do all the rest!

Exodus 14:10-12

In times of great suffering, we are faced with only two choices. We can either stubbornly dig in to our faith commitment. Or we can give in to the pressure and deny our faith in God.

In our text Israel is choosing to give in to the pressure. They regret choosing freedom over tyranny. They confess that had they a chance to do it over again, they would have stayed in bondage.

Bondage is less complicated than freedom. It is always easier to allow someone else to guide us than take hold of the reigns of faith for ourselves.

Always prefer freedom over bondage. Even if it means losing everything. Always entrust the care of your soul to Jesus Christ. Even if it costs you every human comfort.

Better to be free and poor with Christ, than to be rich and bound by this world!

Exodus 13:17-22

I should be further along in my walk with Christ. I feel like I am just going around in circles. Nothing is changing. I must be failing God.

Have you ever felt like that? Many believers do. But if you inquire how they arrived at this conclusion, their answer will likely be based on feelings and assumptions.

The truth is that, if your heart is sincere, and you are striving to love God with all your heart mind, soul and strength, then wherever you are along the road of faith, is precisely where you need to be.

Unlike humans, God values Effectiveness (Doing the right things) above efficiency (doing things right). Each individual’s timeline toward conformity to Christ will vary, based on factors beyond our understanding or control.

The lessons we can glean from God’s strategic decision to send Israel in the opposite direction of their destination, is that God knows how much each of us can bear. He leads us in the way that affords us the best advantage to endure until the race has been won.

Be patient with yourself. Trust God’s direction and timing. Learn what you must learn in the lace God has assigned you today. He will draw you closer when the time is right!

Am I There Yet?

Exodus 13:17-22

I should be further along in my walk with Christ. I feel like I am just going around in circles. Nothing is changing. I must be failing God.

Have you ever felt like that? Many believers do. But if you inquire how they arrived at this conclusion, their answer will likely be based on feelings and assumptions.

The truth is that, if your heart is sincere, and you are striving to love God with all your heart mind, soul and strength, then wherever you are along the road of faith, is precisely where you need to be.

Unlike humans, God values Effectiveness (Doing the right things) above efficiency (doing things right). Each individual’s timeline toward conformity to Christ will vary, based on factors beyond our understanding or control.

The lessons we can glean from God’s strategic decision to send Israel in the opposite direction of their destination, is that God knows how much each of us can bear. He leads us in the way that affords us the best advantage to endure until the race has been won.

Be patient with yourself. Trust God’s direction and timing. Learn what you must learn in the lace God has assigned you today. He will draw you closer when the time is right!

Exodus 12:40-42

Remember who you were before Christ rescued you

Remember what God did for you

Remember the cost of your freedom

Never Forget!

Revelation 3:7-13

Jesus says to the church at Philadelphia that “He knows their deeds”, and their faithfulness and steadfastness is credited to them. In this new year, may we be found the same way–trustworthy to Jesus.

1 John 4:7-21

God is love. In this Christmas season, let us return to the root and core of why God sent Jesus to us: Love.