Do you ever wonder why it appears that the ungodly prosper and flourish and the saints appear to struggle? Why do bad things happen to good people and good things happen to bad people? We must all be honest that we have asked these questions often in our lives. We wonder if there is something that we are missing or failing to do that causes God to overlook our plight. If we are not careful we can become consumed with "looking over the fence" as "the grass always looks greener on the other side".
All through scripture Godly men such as David, Elijah, Habakkuk and Job questioned why "the wicked prospered". David encourages us to not stress out over those who act as though there are no restraints in life or governing laws. He reminds us that their present state of bliss is only temporary. Those that do not serve God are experiencing short lived success.
I have found that things are not always as they appear. Many times I have looked at others and thought "oh they look so happy" or "their life is picture perfect" only to find that the individuals had unseen issues and battles hidden beneath the frame of perfection. I have found that sometimes the best dressed is the most broken on the inside. The most prosperous is my times poor in spirit and lost.
David encourages us to not be fooled or focus on what we see. We must continue to "do the right thing" and trust that God WILL and MUST hold up his part of the bargain. There are key words in our reading that are action items for the believer today. The words are "do not fret", "trust", "dwell", "delight" and "commit" in the power and presence of God. If we do these things daily as we walk out our path as believers God will soon turn the tables and prepare a table before us in the presence of our enemies......our cup will run over.......goodness (all that is good) will chase us ALL the days of our lives!
Submitted by Pastor Danielle Murphy for the dReam Center church of Atlanta
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Offerings For The Tabernacle
In today's reading, Exodus 35:10 - 36:38, we learn that Moses assembled the whole Israelite community and told them the Lord commanded they give from their resources. He said that everyone who was willing was to bring to the Lord an offering of gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood, olive oil for the light; spices for the annointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. In addition, all who were skilled among them were to come and make everything the Lord had commanded for the Tabernacle, such as the tent and its covering, the clasps, frames, crossbars, post, bases, the ark with its poles, the atonement cover and curtain that shielded it, the table and lampstand with its accessories, etc. and even the woven garments for Aaron the priest and for his sons when they served as priests.
The whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses' presence, and "everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him" came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. ALL were invited to contribute materials, but only "from a willing heart".
Why is it important that offerings are given with a willing heart? God has made us promises as it pertains to "giving". Acts of giving bring rewards in this life and the one to come. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, it reads "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
Yes, God looks at the attitude of our heart when we present our offering in the Tabernacle. Therefore, we need to check ourselves to make sure that our gift to the Lord is a generous gift which is given cheerfully and not one which is grudgingly given. The generous giver will be given increasing means to give (God will increase our store of seed) and increasing fruit. Yes, God will supply the "generous giver" with enough to meet his own needs and enough to give for every good work.
Let's ask ourselves: Do I have the spirit of the Corinthians when giving, meaning Do I give with "enthusiasm"? Do I, as the priests did, lay my offering on the altar immediately upon entering the Tabernacle? What would happen if I was the first to jump to my feet to give when asked to sow a seed? When we give cheerfully, exhibiting great enthusiasm, it serves both as an example and an incentive to others to give also. God said in His word that He gives seed to the sower. Praise God! Submitted by Minister-elect Joanne Thomas, the dReam center church of Atlanta under the awesome leadership of william h. murphy, iii, Lead Pastor and Pastor danielle murphy.
The whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses' presence, and "everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him" came and brought an offering to the Lord for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. ALL were invited to contribute materials, but only "from a willing heart".
Why is it important that offerings are given with a willing heart? God has made us promises as it pertains to "giving". Acts of giving bring rewards in this life and the one to come. In 2 Corinthians 9:6-8, it reads "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work."
Yes, God looks at the attitude of our heart when we present our offering in the Tabernacle. Therefore, we need to check ourselves to make sure that our gift to the Lord is a generous gift which is given cheerfully and not one which is grudgingly given. The generous giver will be given increasing means to give (God will increase our store of seed) and increasing fruit. Yes, God will supply the "generous giver" with enough to meet his own needs and enough to give for every good work.
Let's ask ourselves: Do I have the spirit of the Corinthians when giving, meaning Do I give with "enthusiasm"? Do I, as the priests did, lay my offering on the altar immediately upon entering the Tabernacle? What would happen if I was the first to jump to my feet to give when asked to sow a seed? When we give cheerfully, exhibiting great enthusiasm, it serves both as an example and an incentive to others to give also. God said in His word that He gives seed to the sower. Praise God! Submitted by Minister-elect Joanne Thomas, the dReam center church of Atlanta under the awesome leadership of william h. murphy, iii, Lead Pastor and Pastor danielle murphy.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Why are you still running scared?
I consistently encounter individuals that have passions that they have not pursued due to fear. Many times it is fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of the unknown, and fear of leaving their comfort zones to enter into new territory. I love observing children on a day to day basis. As I watch my own children I realize how much fear has progressively creeped into our adult lives without our knowledge or permission. My children will ask for absolutely anything they THINK they desire. There is no fear of rejection, and even if the request is near impossible, they believe it can be fulfilled by the one who cares for them. Even as they play, they are not conscious of limitations or obstacles. There is a bold determination to reach their goal even if the task seems too difficult or risky. Sometimes children even fall short or hurt themselves in the process but they simply get up, dust themselves off and try again. Many of us (adults/christians) either do not attempt the task or we stop trying after obstacles present themselves. This is why trainers say that the best time to train our children in sports is when they are young because they are FEARLESS! Broken limbs dont stop them! Scraped knees are a breeze! Black eyes are badges of honor! We call it child-like faith.
In our reading on February 2 of the 27th Psalm, David declares "the Lord is my light and my salvation- so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? David was in a place where danger was all around him but he reminded himself of God's continual protection. David did not allow the obstacles in life to paralyze him with fear. He acknowledged that God was his light (illumination) and salvation (safety)and questioned even the presence of fear in his life. We will all agree that most of us have not had half of the reasons that David had to be fearful. He encountered and fought wild animals while tending sheep, had a king and his army seeking to kill him, faced Goliath the giant, was threatened to be stoned by his peers at Ziglag and was overcome by temptation. David like my children got up, dusted himself off and tried again.
I recently was talking to a friend that I had not seen in a while. We were both at a mutual friends event- one in which she was operating in child-like faith and pursuing her passion. We were discussing how proud we both were our sister when she said, "I want to do these relationship seminars but I am afraid that no one will come". I looked at her and said, "If you do not do it, then you are guaranteed that no one will come".
What are you delaying because of fear? Is it your passion and purpose in the earth. Do you realize that your fear does not just effect your dreams and destiny but that of those who were to be touched by your pursuit of them. We should be confident that God has our back in times of uncertainty, danger and obstacles. He is our very present help in times of trouble. David said "even if I am attacked, I will remain confident". The psalmist further encourages all who will listen that God covers us, hides us and places us out of reach of the enemy. We can then shout with joy and be confident (without fear)that God is in control!
In our reading on February 2 of the 27th Psalm, David declares "the Lord is my light and my salvation- so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? David was in a place where danger was all around him but he reminded himself of God's continual protection. David did not allow the obstacles in life to paralyze him with fear. He acknowledged that God was his light (illumination) and salvation (safety)and questioned even the presence of fear in his life. We will all agree that most of us have not had half of the reasons that David had to be fearful. He encountered and fought wild animals while tending sheep, had a king and his army seeking to kill him, faced Goliath the giant, was threatened to be stoned by his peers at Ziglag and was overcome by temptation. David like my children got up, dusted himself off and tried again.
I recently was talking to a friend that I had not seen in a while. We were both at a mutual friends event- one in which she was operating in child-like faith and pursuing her passion. We were discussing how proud we both were our sister when she said, "I want to do these relationship seminars but I am afraid that no one will come". I looked at her and said, "If you do not do it, then you are guaranteed that no one will come".
What are you delaying because of fear? Is it your passion and purpose in the earth. Do you realize that your fear does not just effect your dreams and destiny but that of those who were to be touched by your pursuit of them. We should be confident that God has our back in times of uncertainty, danger and obstacles. He is our very present help in times of trouble. David said "even if I am attacked, I will remain confident". The psalmist further encourages all who will listen that God covers us, hides us and places us out of reach of the enemy. We can then shout with joy and be confident (without fear)that God is in control!
God Has Made A Way Out!
In our study today, Exodus 23:14 - 25:40, we see that there were both promises from God as well as requirements and laws set by Him. God promised His people that the harvest of the sixth year would be sufficient to carry them over to the eighth year. Thus, during the seventh year, they were to let the land lie unplowed and unused. God instructed, "Six days do your work, but on the seventh day do not work." God admonished, "Be careful to do everything I have said to you. Do not invoke the names of other gods; do not let them be heard on your lips." Why was (is) it important that we do "everything" that God says to us? Well, we may have a blueprint for our family, our children and ourselves, but God has the Master Plan. There is order in His Kingdom and we upset that order when we do not listen to God, do not seek Him in our decision making and/or fail to obey His instructions. What is in our minds at these times? We say that we love God, yet we fail to consult him as we make future plans. Do we actually expect to succeed without God?
As we read on in Exodus, we learn that God set laws concerning the Sabbaths and feasts. "Three times" a year you are to celebrate a feast to me, God said. Attendance at the Tabernacle was required of all men for three festivals each year:
The Feast of Unleavened Bread began on the evening of Passover and lasted for seven days. On the first day, homes were to be completely cleared of yeast (leaven, a symbol of corruption and evil.) The Lord said for the Israelites to celebrate it as a lasting ordinance for generations to come because it was on that very day that He brought their divisions out of Egypt. No one was to appear before The Lord empty-handed.
The Feast of Harvest (or Pentecost) was to be celebrated with the firstfruits of the crops they had sown in their field.
The Feast of Ingathering (or Tabernacle) was to be celebrated at the end of the year when they gathered their crops from the field.
Exodus 23:19 reads, "Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God."
The Exodus ("way out") is the principal theme of the Book of Exodus. The revelation that I received while studying these scriptures was how God has made "a way out" for us. The way out is "obedience"! All we have to do is "follow His instructions". Father God does so much for us and He wants to do it. Do we do what he requires of us? Do we want to do it? When Father God speaks to the partners of the dReam center church through our Prophet, Pastor William Murphy, iii, do we take heed? Are we in attendance at services, meetings and gatherings when we are required to be there? Do we pay our tithes, offerings and bless the set man over the house "freely". Do we commit fully when asked to participste in "firstfruit offerings" and other special offerings. God is telling us today that we are required to be present in The Tabernacle, we are not to come empty-handed and we are to bring the best of our firstfruits. Since April 5 is the Sunday that we will bring our "firstfruits offering", we have an opportunity to give God the "BEST" of our firstfruits. Will we give God (who freely gives all blessings to us) what is right or what is left (after we have done all we want to do)? Let us not have leaven (evil and corruption) in our homes causing our families to live in lack in 2009 due to our disobedience. To God Be The Glory!
Submitted by Sis. Joanne Thomas, Intercessory Team, under the lesdership of Pastors william h. murphy, iii and danielle murphy (God's Best), the dReam center church of atlanta.
As we read on in Exodus, we learn that God set laws concerning the Sabbaths and feasts. "Three times" a year you are to celebrate a feast to me, God said. Attendance at the Tabernacle was required of all men for three festivals each year:
The Feast of Unleavened Bread began on the evening of Passover and lasted for seven days. On the first day, homes were to be completely cleared of yeast (leaven, a symbol of corruption and evil.) The Lord said for the Israelites to celebrate it as a lasting ordinance for generations to come because it was on that very day that He brought their divisions out of Egypt. No one was to appear before The Lord empty-handed.
The Feast of Harvest (or Pentecost) was to be celebrated with the firstfruits of the crops they had sown in their field.
The Feast of Ingathering (or Tabernacle) was to be celebrated at the end of the year when they gathered their crops from the field.
Exodus 23:19 reads, "Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the Lord your God."
The Exodus ("way out") is the principal theme of the Book of Exodus. The revelation that I received while studying these scriptures was how God has made "a way out" for us. The way out is "obedience"! All we have to do is "follow His instructions". Father God does so much for us and He wants to do it. Do we do what he requires of us? Do we want to do it? When Father God speaks to the partners of the dReam center church through our Prophet, Pastor William Murphy, iii, do we take heed? Are we in attendance at services, meetings and gatherings when we are required to be there? Do we pay our tithes, offerings and bless the set man over the house "freely". Do we commit fully when asked to participste in "firstfruit offerings" and other special offerings. God is telling us today that we are required to be present in The Tabernacle, we are not to come empty-handed and we are to bring the best of our firstfruits. Since April 5 is the Sunday that we will bring our "firstfruits offering", we have an opportunity to give God the "BEST" of our firstfruits. Will we give God (who freely gives all blessings to us) what is right or what is left (after we have done all we want to do)? Let us not have leaven (evil and corruption) in our homes causing our families to live in lack in 2009 due to our disobedience. To God Be The Glory!
Submitted by Sis. Joanne Thomas, Intercessory Team, under the lesdership of Pastors william h. murphy, iii and danielle murphy (God's Best), the dReam center church of atlanta.
Have you become DISTRACTED or COMPLACENT.......not the year for that!!!!
My Pastor William Murphy iii told us that this was the year of birthing!!!! Well as a mom myself I understand the process of preparing for delivery, the preparation is something that a womans body goes through on its own, she doesnt have much say in the matter but the woman does have the responsibility to govern herself, her behavior and her mindset accordingly. Well thats where we are in the Body, God wants us to SEE IT this year, but He is giving us some responsibilities and as I read on January 30th
Proverbs 6:6-11 NLT (Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from thier ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber)
I was reminded that even the ants are at times wiser than some of us as it relates to preparation and taking responsibility, the Word tells us to learn from the ways of the ants. They have no one to rule over them and remind them to prepare or to just do right. We have Pastors, mentors, teachers, parents, friends, clergy leadership, spiritual mothers and fathers...etc But when do we stop just hearing them and really listen and make the change a real change and then become consistent until WE SEE THE MANIFESTATION. We have been fasting and reading but we must take the responsibility to be diligent. Pastor and no other entity is over our shoulder to make sure we are reading or fasting for that matter, it is a personal responsibility that is birthed through a commitment we have made to God. So I encourage you to stop and review the past 33 days and look what changes you have made but maybe slacked off because things got worse instead of better, or you just became complacent or distracted, what have you heard and not acted on? Lets all get back on track and fight against complacency and distractions so WE CAN REALLY SEE IT!!! Lets pick up that new realm of responsibility that God has for us. No its not comfortable and no it doesnt feel good all the time, but the Fight is fixed this year so you are assured the VICTORY!
Proverbs 6:6-11 NLT (Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from thier ways and become wise! Though they have no prince or governor or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest-then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber)
I was reminded that even the ants are at times wiser than some of us as it relates to preparation and taking responsibility, the Word tells us to learn from the ways of the ants. They have no one to rule over them and remind them to prepare or to just do right. We have Pastors, mentors, teachers, parents, friends, clergy leadership, spiritual mothers and fathers...etc But when do we stop just hearing them and really listen and make the change a real change and then become consistent until WE SEE THE MANIFESTATION. We have been fasting and reading but we must take the responsibility to be diligent. Pastor and no other entity is over our shoulder to make sure we are reading or fasting for that matter, it is a personal responsibility that is birthed through a commitment we have made to God. So I encourage you to stop and review the past 33 days and look what changes you have made but maybe slacked off because things got worse instead of better, or you just became complacent or distracted, what have you heard and not acted on? Lets all get back on track and fight against complacency and distractions so WE CAN REALLY SEE IT!!! Lets pick up that new realm of responsibility that God has for us. No its not comfortable and no it doesnt feel good all the time, but the Fight is fixed this year so you are assured the VICTORY!
Monday, February 2, 2009
Are you sleeping with the enemy?
Proverbs 7
Are you sleeping with the enemy?
Wow... for a minute I was faded by just reading this trash. It is clear that lust is a formable opponent.
I know for me there are few entrances to my camp that the enemy would dare take without clearly knowing that there will be hell to pay upon entry. But there has always been a weak spot in the gate the enemy would try to use to get at me, and that was through lust. I would be lying if I said that in the past his plan did not work, but now as a grown man I have come to realize just what type of tactic the enemy attempts to use against me. So now I watch closely who I let into my camp and deter those attacks before they even get a chance to come to light.
But if you look at the text you will see that the woman was known for being filthy. So hence the man had clear indication that the person he was dealing with was not going to be good for him. Isn’t that us? Don’t we sometimes fool with folks who we know will be no good for us and has no good intentions for us. But still we go along with the death trap, and give the enemy a key to our camp. We have got to begin to see it for what it is. Lust is a death trap. We must take the steps necessary to stay alive and free from the foolishness.
You can’t be like this dude, and just happen to be strolling down “steward avenue” or perusing through the “seek adds” on craigslist for flower girls, and not expect to be overthrown.
Get at your boy....pastor sonny,
youth pastor for the dReam Center Church of Atlanta,under the tutelage, and leadership of none other than general overseer, pastor, and friend, Pastor william h. Murphy, iii
Are you sleeping with the enemy?
Wow... for a minute I was faded by just reading this trash. It is clear that lust is a formable opponent.
I know for me there are few entrances to my camp that the enemy would dare take without clearly knowing that there will be hell to pay upon entry. But there has always been a weak spot in the gate the enemy would try to use to get at me, and that was through lust. I would be lying if I said that in the past his plan did not work, but now as a grown man I have come to realize just what type of tactic the enemy attempts to use against me. So now I watch closely who I let into my camp and deter those attacks before they even get a chance to come to light.
But if you look at the text you will see that the woman was known for being filthy. So hence the man had clear indication that the person he was dealing with was not going to be good for him. Isn’t that us? Don’t we sometimes fool with folks who we know will be no good for us and has no good intentions for us. But still we go along with the death trap, and give the enemy a key to our camp. We have got to begin to see it for what it is. Lust is a death trap. We must take the steps necessary to stay alive and free from the foolishness.
You can’t be like this dude, and just happen to be strolling down “steward avenue” or perusing through the “seek adds” on craigslist for flower girls, and not expect to be overthrown.
Get at your boy....pastor sonny,
youth pastor for the dReam Center Church of Atlanta,under the tutelage, and leadership of none other than general overseer, pastor, and friend, Pastor william h. Murphy, iii
Friday, January 30, 2009
The Offering of Compromises to God Brings Death
Let us ponder in our hearts today whether we truly are obedient to God or do we try to offer Him a compromise when He gives us instructions? God already knows how our heart is gong to react. We can fool man, saying we will do it and either have no intentions to do it or later just not follow through, but we certainly cannot deceive the all-wise, all-knowing God! We are either in obedience or not; 99 1/2 won't do!
In today's reading,Exodus 10:1 through 12:13, The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart and sent the 8th plague, "locusts", the 9th plague, "darkness" and the 10th plague, "death". Why did God harden Pharaoh's heart?
- So that He could perform miraculous signs
- So that Moses could tell his children and grandchildren
how the Lord dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how
He performed His signs among them and
- that Moses may know that He is The Lord
Pharaoh did not listen to what the Lord said through Moses and Aaron, ("Let my people go!") Instead, he offered Moses a compromise: he would let only the men go, not the women and children. This caused the 8th plague, "locusts" settling in every area of Egypt. Locusts are one of the most destructive of creatures. A swarm may have an average density of 130,000,000 locusts per square mile. They can denude hundreds of square miles quickly, bringing horror, despair and terrible economic consequences to the inhabitants. (Joel 2:1-11), Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron to pray the Lord take the deadly plague away from him. After Moses interceded on Pharaoh's behalf, the Lord sovereignly changed the direction of the wind, carrying the locusts away. Pharaoh still would not let the Israelites go because God hardened his heart. The Lord sent the 9th plague, "darkness that can be felt", a supernatural darkness. No man was able to see anyone else! This was an especially significant judgment on Egypt, for the sun god, Ra was one of her chief deities. Pharaoh offered a fourth compromise to Moses: women and children could go, but flocks and herds could not. The Lord brought one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. The Lord told Moses around Midnight, Moses would go through Egypt and every first born son in Egypt, from the first born son of Pharaoh to the first born of the slave girl and the first born of the cattle would die. Though loud wailing would be heard throughout Egypt, the Lord said, "among the Israelites, not a dog would bark at any man or animal", meaning no one would offer the least resistance when Israel left Egypt. Thus, they knew the Lord had msde a distinction between Egypt and Israel. Pharaoh's heart being hardened by the Lord still would not let the Israelites go out of the country.
The Lord's Passover: The Lord told Moses and Aaron in Egypt, that month was to be the first month of their year. He told them to tell the whole community of Israel that on the 10th day, each man was to take a lamb (without defect like the Lamb of God) for his family, one for each household and to care for the lamb until the 14th day of the month when all of the community of Israel must slaughter them at Midnight and take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the houses' doorframes and that night eat the meat roasted over the fire along with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast. Thus, "The Lord's Passover" was instituted. "Bitter herbs" (like endive and chicory) was to remind the people of their past sins and/or their oppression in Egyjpt. "Without yeast" symbolized their haste in leaving Egypt. "The Lord's Passover" serves as a beautiful illustration of the redemption Christ accomplished at Calvary. The offering was to be without blemish, the Lamb had to be killed and the blood had to be applied.
Submitted by Sis. Joanne Thomas, Member of the Intercessory Team at the dream center church of Atlanta under the tutorage of Pastor william h. murphy, iii (lead Pastor) and Pastor danielle murphy.
In today's reading,Exodus 10:1 through 12:13, The Lord hardened Pharaoh's heart and sent the 8th plague, "locusts", the 9th plague, "darkness" and the 10th plague, "death". Why did God harden Pharaoh's heart?
- So that He could perform miraculous signs
- So that Moses could tell his children and grandchildren
how the Lord dealt harshly with the Egyptians and how
He performed His signs among them and
- that Moses may know that He is The Lord
Pharaoh did not listen to what the Lord said through Moses and Aaron, ("Let my people go!") Instead, he offered Moses a compromise: he would let only the men go, not the women and children. This caused the 8th plague, "locusts" settling in every area of Egypt. Locusts are one of the most destructive of creatures. A swarm may have an average density of 130,000,000 locusts per square mile. They can denude hundreds of square miles quickly, bringing horror, despair and terrible economic consequences to the inhabitants. (Joel 2:1-11), Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron to pray the Lord take the deadly plague away from him. After Moses interceded on Pharaoh's behalf, the Lord sovereignly changed the direction of the wind, carrying the locusts away. Pharaoh still would not let the Israelites go because God hardened his heart. The Lord sent the 9th plague, "darkness that can be felt", a supernatural darkness. No man was able to see anyone else! This was an especially significant judgment on Egypt, for the sun god, Ra was one of her chief deities. Pharaoh offered a fourth compromise to Moses: women and children could go, but flocks and herds could not. The Lord brought one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt. The Lord told Moses around Midnight, Moses would go through Egypt and every first born son in Egypt, from the first born son of Pharaoh to the first born of the slave girl and the first born of the cattle would die. Though loud wailing would be heard throughout Egypt, the Lord said, "among the Israelites, not a dog would bark at any man or animal", meaning no one would offer the least resistance when Israel left Egypt. Thus, they knew the Lord had msde a distinction between Egypt and Israel. Pharaoh's heart being hardened by the Lord still would not let the Israelites go out of the country.
The Lord's Passover: The Lord told Moses and Aaron in Egypt, that month was to be the first month of their year. He told them to tell the whole community of Israel that on the 10th day, each man was to take a lamb (without defect like the Lamb of God) for his family, one for each household and to care for the lamb until the 14th day of the month when all of the community of Israel must slaughter them at Midnight and take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the houses' doorframes and that night eat the meat roasted over the fire along with bitter herbs and bread made without yeast. Thus, "The Lord's Passover" was instituted. "Bitter herbs" (like endive and chicory) was to remind the people of their past sins and/or their oppression in Egyjpt. "Without yeast" symbolized their haste in leaving Egypt. "The Lord's Passover" serves as a beautiful illustration of the redemption Christ accomplished at Calvary. The offering was to be without blemish, the Lamb had to be killed and the blood had to be applied.
Submitted by Sis. Joanne Thomas, Member of the Intercessory Team at the dream center church of Atlanta under the tutorage of Pastor william h. murphy, iii (lead Pastor) and Pastor danielle murphy.
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