Today's daily bible reading comes from the book Exodus chapters 21 & 22 followed by 2nd Thessalonians chapter 1.  

Can you imagine having your whole nation grow up over 400 years, but without your own government, laws, or religion? Well, that's exactly what the children of Israel are now realizing. God has rescued them from Egyptian slavery and is now going to be giving them both secular and spiritual laws to live by. How to deal with your fellow man, what crimes and what punishments to be dealt out, etc.   

2nd Thessalonians was begun today and I am finding it to be an extremely uplifting letter. I really wish I knew more about the brethren that were from there. According to Paul, they overcame a lot of persecution and trials but maintained and grew their faith. What amazing examples for us today.

Today's daily bible reading comes from Exodus chapters 19 & 20 followed by the last chapter, chapter 5, of 1st Thessalonians.  

Thunder, lightning, fire, smoke, long & loud trumpet blasts... God descends onto Mt. Sinai. He then calls Moses up to the top of the mountain and gives him what we have come to call "The Ten Commandments". This official recording of God's Law is setting a foundation for the people of Israel who will receive both Secular and Religious laws as God leads the people.   

The final chapter of 1st Thessalonians is extraordinarily encouraging. Paul leaves the brethren with a long but heart-warming list of things to both remember and do to be the most effective servants of God that we can be.  

If we can dedicate some time to re-read this slowly and meditate on it, it will certainly be uplifting for us all.

Today's daily bible reading comes from Exodus chapters 15-17 and 1st Thessalonians chapter 4.  

In Exodus, we see how God both cares for and tests the people of Israel by sending them quail in the evening and manna in the morning. He tests them by giving them some guidelines/rules to follow concerning the gathering of it. Moses' father-in-law, Jethro arrives with Moses' wife and two sons and then proceeds to give Moses some much-needed advice on leadership!  

As a leader, it's important to learn to delegate responsibility. You can't do it all yourself!  

In 1st Thessalonians today, after some teaching on daily living, we are given some very encouraging thoughts regarding how our attitude should be when someone we love passes away. If they were a child of God, then they are receiving their reward and we are told  NOT to grieve as those who have no hope.

Today's daily bible reading comes from Exodus chapter 14 & 15 followed by 1st Thessalonians chapter 3.  

In today's reading in Exodus we find the epic story of "The Parting of the Red Sea". This is where God saves his people by causing the Red Sea to part and create a highway through the sea where the people of Israel could walk on dry ground to the other side. Pharoah again changes his mind and angrily pursues the Israelites, but when his army follows them into the sea, God closes the sea around them and "The horse and his rider, are thrown into the sea", and "He has triumphed gloriously"

As promised, here is the link to a recording of Handel's "Israel in Egypt"    • Händel: Israel in...   I encourage any comments, questions about the reading etc. Please leave them below.

Today's daily bible reading comes from Exodus chapters 12 & 13 followed by 1st Thessalonians chapter 2.  

In Exodus today we read about the final "plague" sent to Egypt, the killing of the firstborn. It is sad that the Egyptians had to suffer so much for the stubbornness of their king. But, God did warn them that they needed to let His people go.   

The 2nd chapter of 1st Thessalonians is very encouraging, especially from the perspective of a preacher/minister. Paul describes the great efforts they went through to be working day and night and not be a burden on anyone. They knew that by being amazing examples to these brethren, that they would be made strong and their faith would grow.

Today's daily bible reading comes from the book of Exodus chapters 9, 10, & 11 followed by the start of a new book, 1 Thessalonians chapter 1.  

In Exodus 9-11 we get almost all of the plagues described to us in detail. There is just one left that we will get to tomorrow. Can you imagine being a servant of Pharoah, witnessing the conversations he was having with Moses? It must have been difficult to have a leader that was so stubborn that he would rather his whole nation and all of his people suffer rather than give into the demands of Jehovah and Moses.   

1st Thes. 1 is the introduction of the letter. We see that it begins with Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, and is addressed to the church of the Thessalonians. As is typical with a lot of the letters Paul wrote, we see a greeting, and a compliment about their faith, and that Paul is continually praying for them.   

He then jumps into reminding them of their faith and praised them for becoming imitators of the Apostles and the Lord.

Today's daily bible reading comes from the book of Exodus chapters 7 & 8, followed by the concluding chapter of Mark, chapter 16.  

In Exodus 7 & 8, we see the beginning of what is referred to as "The Ten Plagues". Because Pharoah had hardened his own heart, God doubles down on that and sends Moses and Aaron to try to convince him to "Let my people go" so they could serve Him. Pharoah continues to refuse, so God begins the plagues starting with changing the water to blood throughout the land.   

We finish the book of Mark today where Mark tells a very brief story of what took place after Jesus was buried. He rose from the dead and began visiting people to give them their final instructions. Jesus took his rightful place seated at the right hand of God in heaven.

Today's daily bible reading is from the book of Exodus chapters 4, 5, & 6.  

In these chapters, we continue with the story of Moses whom God has chosen to return to Egypt to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses had been living for 40 years in Midian as a shepherd. Should we expect someone to be fully mature in their faith immediately when called? I think sometimes we give Moses a bad rap for the questions he asks God. He overcame his doubts though and always showed his faith through obedience.   

Can we learn this lesson from Moses?

New Book!

Today's daily bible reading we begin a new book! The book of Exodus chapters 1, 2, & 3.  

The word "exodus" means "a mass departure of people". That certainly describes the overall story of this book as we will see the people of Israel departing Egypt and heading towards the "Promise Land" aka the Land of Canaan.   

In today's reading, we were introduced to Moses, who will be the next major character in the timeline of God's people after Joseph.  

Tune in each day as this story is revealed. It will change your life for the better.

In today's daily bible reading, we finish the book of Isaiah with chapters 65 & 66, followed by the second-to-last chapter of Mark, chapter 15.  

In the ending chapters of Isaiah, we see that God is promising to make a "new heavens and a new earth". While we don't fully understand this, it should at the bare minimum fill us with hope and fear. Fear because at the same time, He is also promising Judgment for those that aren't called by His name.  

In Mark 15, we experience the final moments of Jesus as he is put on trial, brutally tortured, and then crucified. He didn't have to do this. But His LOVE for you and me won out. It was always the plan of God to redeem humankind. Unfortunately, only a perfect sacrifice would suffice. Jesus had to die. Stay tuned though... His story is not over