Blessings TRUTHseekers, we are back in pursuit of more of God's Word! Last week we finished reading Exodus chapter 15 and we are moving on to chapter 16. We are leaving the wilderness of Shur and entering the wilderness of Sin (located between Elim and Sinai). In the wilderness you learn how to follow God's instructions. One thing we will learn in this chapter is that God knows just what you need in the season you are in! Israel is still trying to adjust in the wilderness which is God's school. The nomadic life is much different than the life of bondage they experienced in Egypt. Life in Egypt was predictable, safe and kept them complacent when it came to basic needs being met. Life in the wilderness is harsh, rough, barren, unpredictable and hinges on survival so that every new problem they encounter seems life threatening. Their first test was concerning "THIRST"... This next test will be about "HUNGER". Did they learn their lesson from the last test? Did God make a way through the Red Sea and turned bitter water into drinkable water? Well, I'm sorry to report that not only did they murmur but they rebelled against Moses & Aaron wishing and wanting to go back to Egypt... the place of bondage instead of following God into Freedom. What are you going to look at when things get hard and you face wilderness obstacles? Will you look at that which held you captive and bound to Egypt or God's wilderness miracles? Are you spiritually mature? God revealed in the previous chapter that He test His people to see if they are learning from past experience and growing in spiritual maturity. God once again makes provision by feeding them manna(bread) from heaven and quail for them to eat. Notice God did not rebuke them for their behavior because He knows it might take some time to change their slavery mindset. God is about to reveal His glory even in the midst of their unbelief but we must recognize that God took what they said personally even though they said it to Moses! In this manna/quail miracle, God is testing their obedience. Do you hunger and thirst after food to feed your flesh or Righteousness(being in right standing with God) to feed your spirit? Remember, the wilderness experience allows you to partner with the Lord to solidify your walk in obedience, belief and faith. Continue moving forward trusting God with all of your heart, soul and mind knowing that you will be victorious and strengthen in all things!!!

Scriptures:

*Exodus 16:1-21

*John 6:31-33

HOMEWORK:

1. What does the wilderness represent in the Bible?

*Testing

*Judgment

*Transformation

*Divine Provision

*Renewal

*Encounters with God

2. Pull up a map and look at the journey from Egypt to the Red Sea, to Wilderness of Shur, to Mara, to Elim, to the Wilderness of Sin. Does anything stand out to you?

3. Define Omer...

3. Why did God test the Israelites?

Let's Talk About It... Your truth... My truth... THE TRUTH!

Blessings TRUTHseekers, we are back discussing what one thing stuck out the most to us in Exodus chapter 14 to 15:21. We are looking at the question... What does the wilderness experience reveal about God and you? Is the wilderness experience necessary and if so, Why? Israel has made it through the first test of the Red Sea and on the other side of this test they begin to PRAISE God... but how long will their Praise last??? We need to examine if Praise is a posture or just a sound/noise? After the praise, they were led into their second test found in the Wilderness of Shur where they found no water. When they did find water in Marah it was bitter and undrinkable. They began to grumble and complain at Moses so he cried out to God for help and God answered and solved the problem. We learned that God will heal the bitter places if we obey ALL He has written in His Word!!! God revealed one of His names to us in Exodus 15:26... Jehovah Rapha/Ropheka meaning "The God who heals/The Lord our Healer". From Marah(a bitter place) they moved to Elim(a oasis place), a place they encountered 12 streams and 70 palm trees. Some people might be tempted to camp out in Elim longer than they should but if that happens, you cease to know more about the Lord and you get left behind. Remember, the wilderness experience allows you to partner with the Lord to solidify your walk in obedience, belief and faith. Continue moving forward trusting God with all of your heart, soul and mind knowing that you will be victorious and strengthen in all things!!!

Scriptures:

*Exodus 15:22-27

HOMEWORK:

1. What does the wilderness represent in the Bible?

*Testing

*Judgment

*Transformation

*Divine Provision

*Renewal

*Encounters with God

2. Find the biblical definition of the following words:

* Principle

*Standard

*Statue

*Ordinance

*Precepts

*Bitter

3. Research the significance of the palm tree in the Bible. Why do think God used the palm tree in this setting?

Let's Talk About It... Your truth... My truth... THE TRUTH!

Blessings TRUTHseekers, we are back ready to continue the journey through the book of Exodus. Israel is moving out of Egypt (a place of bondage) into the promise land of Canna (a place of freedom) by the hand of God. They will have to pass many test in this wilderness journey because God needs to see if they are learning from past experiences and growing in spiritual maturity. It is in the wilderness that a true stripping of ones self takes place... where ALL control and decision making is now in the hands of Almighty God. God will prove who He is and the power & authority He holds over ALL things!! The wilderness experience allows you to partner with the Lord to solidify your walk in obedience, belief and faith. Are you prepared for your wilderness experience...what TEST lies ahead for you? Continue moving forward trusting God with all of your heart, soul and mind knowing that you will be victorious and strengthen in all things!!!

Scriptures:

*Isaiah 40:3

*Exodus 14:13-31

*Genesis 16:7

*Exodus 15:1-21

HOMEWORK:

1. What does the wilderness represent in the Bible?

*Testing

*Judgment

*Transformation

*Divine Provision

*Renewal

*Encounters with God

2. Why did God test Israel? To see if they would...

* Obey Him/Humble them

*Believe in Him/ What was in their heart

*Have Faith in His Goodness/ Would they keep His Commandments

*Trust in Him/Reveal His ability to meet their needs

3. After the Red Sea miracle, how long did Israel's PRAISE last unto the Lord?

Remember to Love Well... Serve Well... Finish Well!!!

Let's Talk About It... Your truth... My truth... THE TRUTH!

Blessings TRUTHseekers, we are back with a brand new season of Truth... SEASON 2! As we embark on this journey together, prepare yourself for your EXODUS out of temporal living into Eternal living. Be ready to shift into higher heights and deeper depths when it comes to spiritual things. Pay close attention to the movements and voice of Father God, Jesus & the Holy Spirit... How they partner with one another in agreement for God's will to be done. We will learn the heart of God... the things He likes and dislikes and how much He is really a part of our daily lives.

Are you preparing the way for the return of the Lord? Are you prepared for your wilderness experience... what TEST lies ahead for you? As it was in the days of John the Baptist so it is today... There is a clarion call to prepare a path for the arrival of the Messiah making sure the hearts of the people are ready to receive Him by removing obstacles making a straight way for HIM!!! Who is ready to move forward and be used mightily for the Lord?

Scriptures:

*1 Corinthians 2:14-15

*Philippians 1:20

*2 Corinthians 2:14-15

*Isaiah 40:3

*Mark 1:1-8

HOMEWORK:

1. What does the wilderness represent in the Bible?

*Testing

*Judgment

*Transformation

*Divine Provision

*Renewal

*Encounters with God

2. Why did God test Israel? To see if they would...

* Obey Him/Humble them

*Believe in Him/ What was in their heart

*Have Faith in His Goodness/ Would they keep His Commandments

*Trust in Him/Reveal His ability to meet their needs

3. CHALLENGE: Wash in the Word by choosing one verse in the morning and one verse in the evening to meditate and journal what stood out to you.

4. Your charge in 2025: That Christ will be magnified in you whether it brings you to life or death...

Remember to Love Well... Serve Well... Finish Well!!!

Let's Talk About It... Your truth... My truth... THE TRUTH!