What do you think of when you hear EGYPT? Well, from a Scriptural stand-point. Egypt is a picture of captivity and bondage. It's also a picture of God's deliverance. We can look back at the story of Moses and how he plead with Pharaoh for the release of his people. And when they were finally freed and on the journey to the promised land...the people began to complain. They desired to be back in Egypt. How quickly they had forgotten of their bondage! Let that never be the case for us. Let us always remember the FREEDOM we have in Messiah.

In the book of Matthew we read: Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. You see, when we look forward to the kingdom of God. When we set our sights on the things that are lasting and eternal, HE will take care of us. Our Father will see to it that we have all that we need. It's a promise of His. We'll also discuss the millennial kingdom to come. One that comes down from Heaven, not fashioned by human hands...where we will rule and reign with our Father.

As believers, we're all on a journey. We're on the path of righteousness. We're walking the walk of faith. But we can't stop. We can't find a comfortable place to sit and set up camp. We have to press on. You see, there's never a time when we're through with seeking. There's never a time when the path is impassable. As long as we're following the leading of the Spirit...we will successfully push through to the end of our journey. And on that day, when we go home to be with our Heavenly Father forever. And what a glorious day that will be, when our race is finally won.

Do you read the Word of God? Do you take the time to study the Scriptures? Do prayerfully seek the Father and wait on HIS revelation? Well as believers, this is so very important to do. You see, if we claim to love and follow Jesus, then we must realize that He IS the Word made flesh. Who He is and what He stands for IS the Word. And so if we want to know Him better...if we want to GROW in our relationship with Him, then wouldn't it make sense to study the very Scriptures in which He personifies?

As we're reading through our Scripture readings today, we'll see a lot of judgment on nations...as a whole. But don't forget that our Father also looks at individuals. He looks at the heart. So what's the condition of YOUR heart? Are you soft, pliable, and humble..ready to be molded by the Creator? Or are you hard and dried up...resistant to change. You see as believers, we need to be ready and WILLING to confess and repent. We need to be open to the life-altering grace of our Heavenly Father. If you're not...what does that say about you?

Life on this earth isn't always easy. We constantly battle the flesh, the enemy, and the influences of this world. Temptation is ALL around us. But don't lose heart, believer. Remember that our Messiah understands. You see, Jesus came to this earth and lived among us. He was tempted in every way...but did NOT sin, the Scriptures teach us. You see, while Jesus IS God...He can still relate to us as humans. He's there as our help in time of need. By His Spirit, we can resist the enemy and NOT fulfill the lust of the flesh!

We've all heard it before. 'God loves you and has a plan for your life.' And it's true! Our Heavenly Father wants to do great and mighty things through each and every one of us. But first, we must be willing. We have to be humble and flexible. We must allow Him to mold us into USEFUL vessels for HIS glory. Of course that requires us to surrender our OWN will so that we can follow HIS. But are we ready for that? Are we ready to lay down our own plans so that we can be used to accomplish our Heavenly Father's?

When we take the time to think about the universe...the planets...the stars...and then consider our own existence...we seem pretty tiny and insignificant...don't we? But is that how our Heavenly Father sees us? Certainly not. We are His creation. He knit us together in our mother's womb. The Scriptures teach us that we were fearfully and wonderfully made. And so in knowing THAT, we MUST believe that God has a great plan for us...and that we're NOT insignificant, but we have been given a purpose. And as we commit to walking in HIS ways...He will direct our path.

In our lesson today, we'll hear the phrase: 'Happily Ever After.' Now this is something we often hear when we speak of fairy tales. But can a TRUE Happily Ever After happen TODAY? Well yes it can. As believers, we may have to endure some trials and persecution on this earth. We might always be the most popular individual and the message we preach may not always be well-received. But we're to be diligent in the ministry of our Father...knowing that in the end...we'll spend eternity with Him. And THAT is OUR Happily Ever After.

Our Heavenly Father is mighty and powerful. He is righteousness and just. He sees all, hears all, and knows all. Yahweh created the Heavens and the Earth. He created mankind. He gives us the air we breath. He is the beginning and the end. He is omni-present. He is ALWAYS in control. And when you take a moment to really GRASP WHO our God is...and what He has done...praise should spill from your lips. Our knees would bow. And we would worship...just as we'll see in our the text we'll be reading today.