This weekend I’m sharing an audio teaching from Exodus in the First 5 app. Click here to listen or read a transcript!
ShareThe Blood of the Covenant {First 5}
Today I have the privilege of sharing a teaching from Exodus 23-24 in the First 5 app. Here’s a preview:
Today’s Reading: Exodus 23:20-24:18
Exodus 24:8 (ESV) “And Moses took the blood and threw it on the people and said, ‘Behold the blood of the covenant that the Lord has made with you in accordance with all these words. ‘”
When I was a kid, the most serious best friends proved it by becoming “blood sisters.” We’d take a safety pin and jab our index fingers until the tiniest spots of blood appeared, then rub our fingers together to intermingle the blood and establish ourselves as sisters forever. While I don’t recommend this for obvious safety and health reasons, the act of shedding blood added weight to the promise in our eyes.
In today’s passage, God confirmed His covenant with the Israelites by having Moses throw the blood of oxen on the altar and on the Israelites. (Exodus 24:3-8) Throughout the Bible, God established His relationship with His people through covenants that involved promises and obligations. (Genesis 17:1-11; Jeremiah 31:31-32; Luke 22:20) This covenant with Moses and the Israelites demonstrated God’s faithfulness, mercy and glory.
You can read the rest of the teaching over at First 5 or join us for the rest of our study of Exodus by downloading the First 5 app!
ShareGod’s Provision for Every Battle {First 5}
Today I have the privilege of sharing about the armor of God in the First 5 app. Here’s a preview . . .
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 6:13-17
Ephesians 6:13 (ESV) “Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.”
As a mom, I spend much of my mental energy making sure everyone has what they need on their way out the door. I’m constantly thinking through every event on our calendar and what each person needs. In the early days, it meant having plenty of diapers, wipes and a couple of extra pacifiers. Now I’m double-checking that everyone has their homework, lunch and jacket as they leave for school.
In today’s passage, Paul told the Ephesians what they would need as they headed out into the world as God’s redeemed people. When the recipients of Paul’s letter were exhorted to stand firm in a battle against the spiritual forces of darkness, they may have felt overwhelmed. (Ephesians 6:12) Maybe you feel overwhelmed, too, as you look at the rampant wickedness and unending problems in our world. Maybe you’re burdened by the weight of personal temptation or past failures.
But as we keep reading in Ephesians 6, we find that God knows exactly what we will face each day and He has already supplied everything our battle requires. In Christ, God gives His children everything we need to stand firm against the devil.
You can read the entire teaching by clicking here or downloading the First 5 app. I’d love for you to join us as we finish our study of Ephesians!
ShareBut God {First 5}
Today I have the privilege of sharing a teaching for First 5 on one of my favorite passages of Scripture – Ephesians 2:1-7. Here’s a preview . . .
“Which do you want first, the good news or the bad news?”
I cringe when I hear this question – I don’t want any bad news! But if I have to choose, I’d rather get the bad news over with first. In Ephesians 2:1-7, Paul shares devastating news followed by the best news imaginable. He starts with the bad news that we were all hopelessly and helplessly dead in our sin.
Paul doesn’t hold back in describing our spiritual condition apart from Christ. We might prefer to say we’re broken, weak, straying or struggling, but Paul says we were walking in sin and spiritually dead. (Ephesians 2:1) We were following the devil and consumed by our own desires. Apart from Christ, we were sinners who deserved nothing from God but His wrath. (Ephesians 2:2-3)
Dead people can’t do anything to change their situation. They can’t make themselves better or even ask for help. Spiritually dead people have only one hope: a rescuer with the power to raise the dead and give them new life.
Now it’s time for the good news. In Ephesians 2:4, we find these two little words that change everything: “But God.”
I hope you’ll head over to First 5 to read the rest of the teaching, or download the app and join us as we study Ephesians together!
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