Attitude is what makes a person.

Attitude is what makes a person.

My make up and how I present myself is something that must be looked at and compared to that of Christ if I am going to find myself pleasing to God.

World way of thinking is that we are born a certain way and therefore must accept ourselves as who we are for what we are. 

They adapt and do not change.  The world believes that if my tendency is to be brutally straight forward with someone with out any kind of tact, then everyone else needs to get on board with it.  If my tendency is to not want to offend even if it means lying, then that is ok as well.

They make excuses for themselves saying that this is just the way they are and were born with this kind of personality….

God calls me to change who I am and become Christ like.

John 1: 12  But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

We are given the power to become one of Gods people, change who we are as sinful man and become a righteous man before God.

Heb 2: 6  But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou visitest him?

I am not all that I think that I am, my purpose is not be successful in this world and live life to the extreme, but it is to give God pleasure by my willingness in my service to him.

Rev. 4: 11  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

2 Cor. 5: 17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

My old way of thinking of whom and what I am about are washed away and now have become new in Christ and in his way of thinking and doing.

Able Men

Able Men

Exodus 18: 21 Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

This is what it takes to be an able person before God, those that fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.

This is what I must do in order to succeed in Christianity; everyone should want to become an able person that God can use to share his wisdom through. To succeed, I must have the drive it takes to be an able person of God and take these things seriously.

An able person is someone that is able to make judgements that are solid, and are confident that they are right.

Num. 13: 30 And Caleb stilled the people before Moses, and said, Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it.

31 But the men that went up with him said, we be not able to go up against the people; for they are stronger than we.

Caleb was an able man before the Lord, solid and confident in what he knew was right; he was able to be positive, because he knew God was on his side.

So long as I am converted and convicted in what I am about, doing Gods will and should be easy and a must, there is no option to be doing anything else.

We are able in that which we believe and give our attention to. If we give our heart mind and soul to the things of this life, then we will become very able worldly people, and if we give our life to those things of God, then we will become very able Godly people.

We need to become someone who knows where they stand with God, someone who is not a hypocrite or two faced.

James 1: 5 if any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

7 For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

I can not become an able person through my own ways and ideas of what an able person is, I must look into Gods word and find the steps of how I should be. When I find the way I must act upon it and do it.

I can’t ask God in my prayer to help me and to forgive me and just go about doing as I have always done. I must be single minded and give my life completely over to doing the will of God in everything I do.

Am I that someone who follows their conscience and is continually educating it through study and prayer?

2 Tim. 2: 15 Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Study to become someone who is able to rightly divide the word of truth, someone who is able to make judgments that are good and right. If I am not studying then I will always be second guessing my decisions and never able to know if what I am doing is right without asking about everything.

An able person is someone who fears God, is of truth and hating covetousness, and if you were to take one of these things out of the equation, you would then become disabled in the service to God.

It’s like someone who loses an arm or leg; they are no longer able to perform their normal functions as when they were whole. They become physically disabled and are not able to perform as they once did, because there is something missing that is necessary to the way they go about their daily life.

When I lose something that is necessary to the way I serve God, I also lose the ability to carry on and do that which I need to do to serve God in a way that he wants me to serve him.

Fearing God.

Prov. 1: 7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The first thing we must have before we can fear him who created us and has our very life in his hand is to believe that he exists. I can not just believe that God is real, and choose not to believe all there is to him.

Many people want to believe in God, but refuse to believe in his word. I can not take parts of the scriptures and dogmatically follow them, while leaving other parts of it undone.

Through study and truly believing in his words, I will find that I can not but fear this great and merciful God.

Once I begin to fear God and realize that in order to be successful in my Christianity I must fear God and do what I need to do in order to conform to his way, then when I go to him in prayer and ask for help or forgiveness it will be something that I will take to heart and want to change and please God.

Ecc. 12: 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.

There is nothing else that I need to do, as long as I am keeping this scripture then I will be a person who is able and righteous before God.

This is all God wants of me, is to be his disciple, someone who is willing to walk in his ways willingly.

Men of Truth

Truth and honesty is also required to be people an able person, someone who is not deceitful with nothing to hide.

An honest person who is right before God has a peace and freedom that is necessary in serving God. I have to know who I am and able to be honest with myself so that I can see myself as God sees me.

Acts 6: 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.

Seven men who were considered able in their Christianity because of their honesty and way of life. Men that could be counted on and trusted in dealing with the business of the Church, because they took care of their own business and soul first.

Romans 13: 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.

14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.

The honest man lives a life that he is not ashamed of or wants to hide. Walking honestly, living what I am preaching, if I say that I am living a Godly life, yet my thoughts and desires are that of lust and of the flesh, then my life is not an honest one.

Am I so quick to share with the world all their sins, yet am I either committing or thinking the same sinful thoughts. To walk honestly is to put on Christ and deny the flesh. To be able men who are honest, is to be someone who is living Christianity without hypocrisy.

Hating Covetousness

Coveting something that will give gratification to this flesh, and fulfill the lust of flesh is what covetousness is.

By putting these things up over God, they become an idol to me. Coveting riches, the opposite sex or it could just be "my free time", what ever it is for me I must hate the fact that it is something that is taking away from my service to God.

1 Kings 11: 2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

Covetousness will consume your heart and take it away from serving God as it did Solomon, which is why God is concerned about us taking to heart the things of this world, because it will consume us and take away our heart and ability to be able men before God.

Luke 12: 15 And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

Take heed and beware… A mans life is not what he owns, but whether he is an able man for the Lord this is what a man’s life consist of. In the end, who is going to receive the greater reward, the striving Christian, or Bill Gates? When I die am I going to covet all the wealth of this world, or is it going to be the seal of the holy ghost?

Eph 5: 5:1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children;

2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints;

Let these not be once named among you, but be followers of God. Be able men, not following after those that will make you disabled.

My Egypt

Our “Egypt’s”, putting off the old man.

This is what we are about as Christians, in pursuit of transforming this old man into someone that God will want with him in heaven when my time on this earth comes.

Eph. 4:20-24

20  But ye have not so learned Christ;

21  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

As we study and listen to the word of God this is what we are doing, learning Christ, because the truth is in him. 

Put off this old way of life, which is corrupt according to our lust.

Put on the new man and be renewed in spirit of your mind.

This is so contrary to the way our flesh works, we have to work to keep the old man away, and the new man intact.  If we work at it and get rid of the old man completely then he will not give us anymore problems, but the fact that we leave little pieces of him is what causes problems.

This is what happened to the children of Israel, they wanted to be free from the way of bondage, but kept parts of Egypt and that old way of life and it was that which corrupted and deceived them and eventually kept them out of the promise land.

Psalms 78: 12  Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

13  He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.

14  In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.

15  He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.

16  He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

Things are so good, God has given us salvation, answers to our marriages and raising kids, so we are able to rejoice in these things and see that God is working in our life and is good toward us. 

Until something comes along that is discouraging or troubling or my lust wants to be fulfilled, then I look at God as too hard not doing enough for me, so I begin to murmur against him.

17  And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.

18  And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.

19  Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

20  Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?

21  Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

22  Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:

When we turn to our lust and continue to do things our way, it’s because we don’t trust in God or in his salvation.

Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

This does not have to be a huge sin or grievous thing, it could be just being somewhere or looking at things I shouldn’t be, because of corrupt speech, or not following my conscience.

23  Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,

24  And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.

25  Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.

26  He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.

27  He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:

28  And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.

29  So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;

30  They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,

31  The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.

32  For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.

How long lasting is the fear of God stay with me?  Is it enough to get an immediate reaction and then the next day or so, I am back to being my old self.

33  Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

34  When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God.

35  And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

36  Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.

37  For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

Because their hearts were still in Egypt, what is my Egypt?  What we remember of our past is always better than what it really was.  (Not having so many responsibilities, having more money, more education, family, more time, not such a ridged schedule)

41  Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

42  They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

They remembered not God because all they were remembering was Egypt and how good they supposedly had there.

Ex 14:10  And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

11  And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

12  Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

13  And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

14  The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Fear of the unknown will cause us to look back, the flesh likes control and comfort, and I may be comfortable in my position, so I am afraid and won’t take the next step.  We have those that are there to help us see the “salvation of the lord”, and to show how the “Lord will fight for us”.

If Moses had let them try to go back to serve the Egyptians, more than likely they all would have been killed.  Going back to our Egypt is certain death.

Ex. 16: 2  And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

3  And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

4  Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

They make it sound like they had it so easy as if they were the ones who had the slaves who waited on them. 

When you look at what you had and dwell on what you think was something that was better, these “Egypt’s” become some warped kind of illusion.  They are something that is not real, but built up imaginations that come from your lust.

2 Cor. 10: 3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

This is what these thoughts of lust and desires of the old man are, imaginations that exalt itself above God.  Instead I need to bring all thoughts in control of the gospel and obedience of Christ.

Letting go of my Egypt’s will be the only way I can grow and move on in my pursuit of heaven.

Heb 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3  And this will we do, if God permit.

4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Let us go on to perfection, grow up unto God a people that have left the old man behind to take up the cross of Christ.

Not those that are being hindered by our Egypt’s, who are willing to give up the cross of Christ to crucify him afresh and put him to an open shame and at the same time condemning our own selves.

Our Salvation

Salvation






Matthew 1: 21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.






Jesus came to earth, born into flesh to become a human sacrifice, shed his blood so that we could be saved from our sins.


To be saved or rescued from a fate that we could not save ourselves from or deserve to be saved from.




Romans 6: 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.


Sin causes death, but we have a savior who has given us salvation so that we no longer have to keep those sins on our soul. 


We have salvation, which is simply being able to live righteously with God, and receive eternal life through Jesus Christ


Acts 2: 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.


Baptized and had our past sins washed away and am added to the Church, those that should be saved. Only the beginning, our salvation must continue and be worked on each and everyday.




Those that are baptized are not saved, they are only those that should be saved.


So if I am not “once saved always saved”, then what do I need to do to ensure that I receive salvation when my time on this earth is up?


Phil 2: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.




Belief in my salvation is most important, faith that what I am doing in the service of Christ and God is going to be pleasing to them. If I have faith and understanding of my salvation then the working it out will come so much easier for me.




Doing all things for the pleasure of God.


 Walking the Christian life, living each moment as a servant of God.




Rev 4: 8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
9 And when those beasts give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who liveth for ever and ever,
10 The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,
11 Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.




We are created to give God pleasure and it is what he expects to receive from us as his creation, so in order to receive salvation we must in turn give God what he wants from us.


Neither resting day nor night in our service to God and in our worship to him.


Cannot talk as though I want to be Christian and go through the motions, copying the actions of Christians and actually be living a life of someone who is not interested in Salvation, someone who may at times want salvation, but rather live a life that caters to the flesh.




Understanding and knowing the salvation of God and his will toward us his children.




1 Cor 2: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.


This salvation and forgiveness of sins are only a few things that we can see and understand of Gods kindness and mercy that he has shown towards us his people.




That which God is preparing for us is something that is even beyond our comprehension and understanding, something so great and wonderful, it makes you wonder how you can ever go against his salvation and want anything to do with this life or this flesh.


Exodus 14: 11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace




The will of God and the direction that he would have me go can be at times very fearful, but I must learn to trust and look to the salvation of God which he will show to us and will give us understanding if we are patient and willing to see it.


The Lord shall fight for you. Be willing to put your trust in God, trust that his salvation will come and that in the end it is something that will be worth my work and labor.




 2 Peter 3:10-18


11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,
14 Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless.


17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.




Give thought past today.. the Moment, understand that all these will be dissolved and what kind of person you ought to be.


Holiness, in Godliness, without spot, blameless. 




BEWARE!






Of being led away with the error of the wicked and fall… My thoughts and desires are going to be that “error of the wicked” the fact that my flesh cries and by me not stopping it and listening to it I will fall and will reject salvation




How many times can I fall, before God’s mercy is no longer there for me?




Heb. 2:1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.
2 For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward;
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him




Giving the most earnest heed to those things which we have heard, those things which we know to be good, and those things in which we have studied. If they are not given heed to, they will slip and they will be forgotten.




By letting these things slip and giving heed to the things of salvation we begin to neglect this great thing that has been given to us by God, and how shall we escape from hell if we do not treasure this gift that has been given to us?




Titus 2: 11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.






It is by the grace of God that salvation is available to all men.




The hope of salvation is going to make us aware of the importance of denying ungodliness (all corruption from this world), worldly lust, which is so apart of this world and what we see in our daily life.




Living soberly, righteously and godly in this present world… Not only while I am at Church or in the presence of my brethren.




How am I going to be a peculiar person if when I go out amongst the world I act as they do and when I am with the brethren I act as they do… Am I not only being someone who just fits in, there is nothing peculiar about a hypocrite.




Doesn’t salvation make you zealous of good works, those that are truly thankful of salvation is going to be someone who is zealous and excited about the works of God and the saving of their soul and others.




Ps 119: 155 Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.


166 LORD, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.




174 I have longed for thy salvation, O LORD; and thy law is my delight.




Salvation is far from the wicked, why? Because they seek not Gods law.




The reason he can hope in salvation is because he has done the commandments of God, and delighted in Gods word which is our user’s guide on how to be saved.




Understanding what Gods wants from me, what am suppose to be doing? Always keeping in mind that my actions and thoughts are pleasing to God. When I go out and am as one of the world and am not mindful of what a Christian ought to be doing at all times, then I am seeking salvation?




Rev. 12: 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.




Now is come salvation… With salvation is strength, kingdom of God and power of Christ.




They loved not their lives unto death. Because they knew that there was something much greater, the spiritual realm where there is no death, but where there is good and evil, and those that choose salvation will live in peace forever and those that refuse salvation will live forever in torments.




Matthew 10: 22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.

Our “Egypt’s”, putting off the old man.

This is what we are about as Christians, in pursuit of transforming this old man into someone that God will want with him in heaven when my time on this earth comes.

Eph. 4:20-24

20  But ye have not so learned Christ;

21  If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

22  That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

23  And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

24  And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

As we study and listen to the word of God this is what we are doing, learning Christ, because the truth is in him. 

Put off this old way of life, which is corrupt according to our lust.

Put on the new man and be renewed in spirit of your mind.

This is so contrary to the way our flesh works, we have to work to keep the old man away, and the new man intact.  If we work at it and get rid of the old man completely then he will not give us anymore problems, but the fact that we leave little pieces of him is what causes problems.

This is what happened to the children of Israel, they wanted to be free from the way of bondage, but kept parts of Egypt and that old way of life and it was that which corrupted and deceived them and eventually kept them out of the promise land.

Psalms 78: 12  Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.

13  He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.

14  In the daytime also he led them with a cloud, and all the night with a light of fire.

15  He clave the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.

16  He brought streams also out of the rock, and caused waters to run down like rivers.

Things are so good, God has given us salvation, answers to our marriages and raising kids, so we are able to rejoice in these things and see that God is working in our life and is good toward us. 

Until something comes along that is discouraging or troubling or my lust wants to be fulfilled, then I look at God as too hard not doing enough for me, so I begin to murmur against him.

17  And they sinned yet more against him by provoking the most High in the wilderness.

18  And they tempted God in their heart by asking meat for their lust.

19  Yea, they spake against God; they said, Can God furnish a table in the wilderness?

20  Behold, he smote the rock, that the waters gushed out, and the streams overflowed; can he give bread also? can he provide flesh for his people?

21  Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;

22  Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:

When we turn to our lust and continue to do things our way, it’s because we don’t trust in God or in his salvation.

Heb 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

27  But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.

This does not have to be a huge sin or grievous thing, it could be just being somewhere or looking at things I shouldn’t be, because of corrupt speech, or not following my conscience.

23  Though he had commanded the clouds from above, and opened the doors of heaven,

24  And had rained down manna upon them to eat, and had given them of the corn of heaven.

25  Man did eat angels' food: he sent them meat to the full.

26  He caused an east wind to blow in the heaven: and by his power he brought in the south wind.

27  He rained flesh also upon them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:

28  And he let it fall in the midst of their camp, round about their habitations.

29  So they did eat, and were well filled: for he gave them their own desire;

30  They were not estranged from their lust. But while their meat was yet in their mouths,

31  The wrath of God came upon them, and slew the fattest of them, and smote down the chosen men of Israel.

32  For all this they sinned still, and believed not for his wondrous works.

How long lasting is the fear of God stay with me?  Is it enough to get an immediate reaction and then the next day or so, I am back to being my old self.

33  Therefore their days did he consume in vanity, and their years in trouble.

34  When he slew them, then they sought him: and they returned and inquired early after God.

35  And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer.

36  Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues.

37  For their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant.

Because their hearts were still in Egypt, what is my Egypt?  What we remember of our past is always better than what it really was.  (Not having so many responsibilities, having more money, more education, family, more time, not such a ridged schedule)

41  Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.

42  They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.

They remembered not God because all they were remembering was Egypt and how good they supposedly had there.

Ex 14:10  And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.

11  And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?

12  Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.

13  And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will show to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.

14  The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Fear of the unknown will cause us to look back, the flesh likes control and comfort, and I may be comfortable in my position, so I am afraid and won’t take the next step.  We have those that are there to help us see the “salvation of the lord”, and to show how the “Lord will fight for us”.

If Moses had let them try to go back to serve the Egyptians, more than likely they all would have been killed.  Going back to our Egypt is certain death.

Ex. 16: 2  And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

3  And the children of Israel said unto them, Would to God we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the flesh pots, and when we did eat bread to the full; for ye have brought us forth into this wilderness, to kill this whole assembly with hunger.

4  Then said the LORD unto Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from heaven for you; and the people shall go out and gather a certain rate every day, that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.

They make it sound like they had it so easy as if they were the ones who had the slaves who waited on them. 

When you look at what you had and dwell on what you think was something that was better, these “Egypt’s” become some warped kind of illusion.  They are something that is not real, but built up imaginations that come from your lust.

2 Cor. 10: 3  For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

4  (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

5  Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

This is what these thoughts of lust and desires of the old man are, imaginations that exalt itself above God.  Instead I need to bring all thoughts in control of the gospel and obedience of Christ.

Letting go of my Egypt’s will be the only way I can grow and move on in my pursuit of heaven.

Heb 6:1  Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,

2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3  And this will we do, if God permit.

4  For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,

5  And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,

6  If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Let us go on to perfection, grow up unto God a people that have left the old man behind to take up the cross of Christ.

Not those that are being hindered by our Egypt’s, who are willing to give up the cross of Christ to crucify him afresh and put him to an open shame and at the same time condemning our own selves.