Have you ever pondered the significance of your personal Egypt? For me, Egypt is a metaphorical representation of the challenges and hardships we encounter in life. It could be a period of darkness, despair, or bondage that we find ourselves trapped in. However, just like the Israelites in the biblical account, we have the opportunity to be delivered from our Egypt and experience the freedom and promise of a new land.

Speaking of music, I must confess my unwavering adoration for it. The power of music is ineffable; it has an extraordinary ability to touch the deepest recesses of my soul. No matter how dreadful my day may be, a simple melody or a heartfelt lyric has the remarkable ability to transform my mood and uplift my spirit. One song, in particular, recently struck a chord within me – “Egypt” by Cain. Its poignant lyrics resonated deeply, as they vividly described the transformative journey from bondage to liberation.

In those heartfelt verses, the singer poetically expresses the profound impact of a divine presence in their life. It portrays a personal encounter where the Almighty steps into their Egypt, extending a comforting hand and guiding them towards freedom. This imagery is reminiscent of the biblical story of the Exodus, where Moses led the Israelites out of the bondage of Egypt and into the Promised Land.

The lyrics beautifully convey the gratitude and devotion one feels after being liberated from their own Egypt. It becomes impossible to forget the Divine intervention that rescued them from the clutches of despair. Their newfound freedom is celebrated through joyful songs proclaiming the triumph over death itself through the overwhelming force of love.

To fully grasp the concept of Egypt, it is essential to explore the scriptural context. In the book of Exodus, we encounter the narrative of the Israelites’ journey through Egypt. Their initial arrival in Egypt was marked by the names of the sons of Israel who entered with their households, including Jacob’s descendants. The Israelites grew and multiplied, despite the hardships imposed upon them. Their population flourished, filling the land of Egypt with their presence.

In essence, this biblical passage sheds light on the historical foundation of Egypt as a physical place. However, its deeper significance lies in its metaphorical representation of personal struggles and challenges. Egypt symbolizes the various obstacles we face on our own life’s journey, be it emotional, spiritual, or circumstantial.

So, my friend, have you pondered your own Egypt? What are the struggles or challenges that have encompassed your life? Reflecting on the lyrics of “Egypt” and delving into the biblical account, we are invited to examine our personal journeys and recognize the divine presence that can guide us towards freedom, healing, and the fulfillment of our deepest aspirations.

“Egypt”

I won’t forget
The wonders of how You brought
Deliverance
The exodus of my heart

You found me
You freed me
Held back the waters for my release
Oh Yahweh

You’re the God who fights for me
Lord of every victory
Hallelujah, hallelujah
You have torn apart the sea
You have led me through the deep
Hallelujah, hallelujah

A cloud by day
Is a sign that You are with me
And the fire by night
Is a guiding light to my feet, woah

You found me
You freed me
Held back the waters for my release
Oh Yahweh

You’re the God who fights for me
Lord of every victory
Hallelujah, hallelujah
And You have torn apart the sea
You have led me through the deep
Hallelujah, hallelujah, oh

‘Cause You stepped into my Egypt
You took me by the hand
You marched me out in freedom
Into the promised land
Oh, and I will not forget You
I’ll sing of all You’ve done
Death is swallowed up forever
By the fury of Your love

You stepped into my Egypt
You took me by the hand
You marched me out in freedom
Into the promised land
Now I will not forget You God
I’ll sing of all You’ve done
Death is swallowed up forever
By the fury of Your love
Oh yeah

You’re the God who fights for me
Lord of every victory
Hallelujah, hallelujah
You have torn apart the sea
You have led me through the deep
Hallelujah, hallelujah, oh

You tore apart the sea
If only just for me
You stepped into my Egypt
You took me by the hand
You marched me out in freedom
Into the promised land

Introduction:

In our journey through life, we often find ourselves burdened by insecurities and the weight of past experiences that make us question our worth and ability to be loved. Whether it’s feeling unlovable, believing we’re not good enough, or carrying the scars of broken relationships, these struggles can deeply impact our sense of self. But amidst the storm, there is a refuge, a source of unwavering love and acceptance – Jesus Christ. Today, we delve into the depths of God’s Word to discover the truth about our value and the boundless love that awaits us.

Overcoming the Lies:

Have you ever felt that no one could ever want to be friends with you because people in your life have turned their backs on you? Perhaps you’ve carried the weight of feeling inadequate, whether it be your appearance, talents, or intelligence. These thoughts often stem from the lies that the enemy whispers in our ears, trying to convince us of our unworthiness. But let me assure you, these are nothing but falsehoods.

In Zephaniah 3:17, we find solace in God’s promise: “The LORD your God is with you; he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you; he will quiet you with his love; he will rejoice over you with singing.” These words remind us that our Heavenly Father sees our true worth and loves us unconditionally. Let us release the grip of past lies and allow God’s truth to resonate in our hearts.

The Depth of God’s Love:

Ephesians 3:18-19 urges us to grasp the vastness of God’s love, which surpasses all understanding. The love of Christ is immeasurable, and when we open ourselves to experiencing it fully, we become complete and empowered by His life-giving grace. Even when troubles surround us, we can find solace in Psalm 31:7: “I will be glad and rejoice in Your unfailing love, for You have seen my troubles, and You care about the anguish of my soul.” God sees our pain, and He cares deeply for us.

God’s Unwavering Presence:

When earthly relationships falter and disappoint, it’s easy to believe that we are destined to be alone. However, Deuteronomy 31:6-8 reassures us of God’s faithfulness: “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” God is always by our side, guiding us and providing the love and support we need. He is the friend who sticks closer than a brother, offering His unwavering presence through every step of our journey.

God’s Love Knows No Boundaries:

In our search for love and acceptance, we may have been hurt or let down by friends and family. But there is hope. When we give our hearts and lives to Jesus, we discover a love that transcends human failings. Jesus is for everyone; He doesn’t play favorites. He loves us individually and unconditionally. If we were the only sinner on Earth, He would still have given His life for us. Through Jesus, we can have eternal life and a profound relationship with Him, experiencing a love that surpasses any love we’ve ever known.

Embracing God’s Invitation:

My friend, I encourage you to run to Jesus and lay all your cares and worries at His feet. He is eager to hear from you, to offer you solace and guidance. Jesus longs to be the Father who loves you more than any earthly father ever could. Embrace His invitation, for in Him, you are truly found.

For those of you how don’t know, I’m the director of Preschool ministries at GFBC and I oversee all preschool activities for church on Sunday, Wednesday or any church event. I’ve worked with children and preschool for over 25 years.  One thing I see is how precious the faith of a child is.  They soak up everything you can tell them about Jesus and his friends in the Bible.  They love to sing and worship, and lately I’ve realized how much we as adults can learn from preschool songs.  Today I’d like to share with you what the Lord has been showing me through the song, “This Little Light of Mine.” 

“This little light of mine” – This phrase doesn’t say it has to be a big light, it speaks of a little light. Even if you are at a point in life where there’s only a sliver of light, if you let that light shine, it drowns out the darkness. It’s been said that if you are in a dark room and you open the door to a lighted hallway even just a crack, the darkness doesn’t enter the hallway, the light enters the dark room. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” (John 1:5)

“I’m gonna let it shine” – This phrase indicates that we have a choice. We can let it shine or we can choose not to. God gives us all the freedom to choose. Sometimes we choose to shine the light of hate, anger, resentment, judgment over showing others the light of Jesus in our lives.  What kind of witness are you being for the Lord? Will you choose to let your light shine today? “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

“Hide it under a bushel, NO” – This phrase indicates that that light can be hidden. I think at times our human flesh can be afraid to share this light with others. What will they say? We will lose a friend over sharing the gospel and asking tough questions? Will we be attacked for asking tough questions and having hard conversations with people about salvation? Will we be fired from our jobs because we simply shared the gospel? It can be difficult, but the Lord says: “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and the glory of the Father and the holy angels.” (Luke 9:26)

“Don’t let Satan blow it out” – This phrase indicates that we must be protective of this light. We must be careful not to let the sin of this life cause the light to be snuffed out. The enemy is constantly looking to see how he can tempt us and lead us away from the Lord. He doesn’t want our light to shine to lead others to Christ. “Control yourselves. Be on your guard. Your enemy, the devil, is like a roaring lion. He prowls around looking for someone to chew up and swallow.” (1 Peter 5:8)

“Let it shine till Jesus comes” – Life can be weary; we can get so caught up in the busyness of life that we pay more attention to what’s going on in our own lives instead of continuing to persevere and let the light of Jesus shine. The Word always warns us about this and encourages us with this: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 

So today, choose to let your light shine, don’t hide it, don’t let the enemy blow it out and shine bright until Jesus comes! 

“We didn’t know you’d come to save us Lord, to take our sins away.  Our eyes were blind, we could not see… we didn’t know who you were”

These lyrics from “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” made me think about how most of us in The South have heard about Jesus and know Him and who He is, but would we recognize Him if we saw Him today? Do others see Him in us?  

You know there’s a show called “Undercover Boss” where the CEO or manager of a company dresses as a rookie new employee to see how the company is doing and to check morale, etc. Sometimes people recognize the boss even if he’s in disguise but, most often when he’s revealed, it shocks everyone.  

Do people see Jesus living in us or when we say we are a Christian? Are they shocked because of the way we have disguised Him in our lives? 

Do we recognize Him in the things that happen in our lives? Do we give God the credit or do we count it as luck? Do we see Him in the smiles of others, in the voices of the children we see each and every week, or do we overlook Him because of the stress in our lives or because we have our focus elsewhere? 

John 13:35 says “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

Take some time to reflect and see if you have been showing the love of Jesus, and take some time to really see Him in the smiles of others, in the laughter, in the delay to work that kept you from being in an accident, in the blessing someone gave you that you had been praying for.  

Show Jesus and know Jesus this Christmas and in the coming year. 

We’ve all heard the saying, Stick and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Well, I think it’s safe to say, that’s not at all true. Words hurt deeply. We’ve all been there. Gotten heated and said something in haste we wish we could take back. Or in true social media fashion, we take to the keyboard and let out our frustrations and unleash them on the platform of our choice. Or on occasion we’ve even taken a passive-aggressive approach and said something in “jest” ever to be certain to throw in the, “I’m just kidding” phrase. Let’s all be honest and raise our hands here. Lately though, in true Psalm 139:23-24 fashion, God has had me searching my soul regarding my speech. God’s word has so much to say about this topic.

Psalm 19:14 says, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Man, that one truly convicts me. If I were standing in the presence of the King of my heart, would I still speak the same or would I take a moment and word it so as not to offend the King? If I would do that for Jesus, shouldn’t I do that for my friends and family or even a stranger?

Proverbs 12:18 – “There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.”  Our tongues have a lot of power, and that is confirmed in Proverbs 18:21, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” When I read these verses, I almost want to weep. When I reflect on my days as a young mom, I remember the times I lashed out at my babies because I was stressed and at my breaking point. I often apologized later and told them that Mommy said some mean things that she shouldn’t have said, but the words were out there. I prayed that God would speak truth to their hearts and help me to do the same. That he would be the healing balm to mend their spirits.  

Now when I mention all the above instances, I know the word tells us that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. So if you are someone who has struggled with the same things as me, don’t let yourself live in guilt over it. I think the Lord would have us confess it, forget it, and drive on. I know I try not to obsess about the past but instead give it to God and try to be better going forward. I also don’t want to make anyone feel as though they have messed up so much that it’s just hopeless. God can make all things new. Even relationships that could have been damaged because of our words. I would encourage you today though, if God brings someone to mind that you may have hurt or offended, go to them and make it right. God will bless your obedience in that. I do think that God desires all of us to examine ourselves and our speech and ask him to set burning coals on our tongues at times because we are a people of unclean lips. (Isaiah6:5)   

Sticks and Stones may break our bones and words can truly hurt others. Let’s start fresh today and let our words be like honey, not like a thrashing sword that wounds.  

2020 has become known as the year people hate. I’ve heard so many say they are just done with it and if I’m honest, I’ve said the same. This year has also become a year of division. So many choosing sides over one thing or another. It has brought with it much fear, anxiety, anger, and even hate. It’s so easy to get caught up in the emotions and the rhetoric that surrounds this year.

But for the last few months, I have been asking God what it is that he is trying to tell or show me. Knowing that nothing comes to me that isn’t first sifted through the Father’s hands makes me understand that he knew everything that was ahead. The question is, how have I responded to it? Have I been salt and light to this world or have I been a reason for others to turn away? Have I shown Jesus or I have just shown my flesh? A few scriptures the Lord has given me lately are:

Galatians 5:13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

Proverbs 18:1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

And the one that really gets me:

John 13:15  I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.

Have I followed the example Christ gave me? Have I served with humility? Have I been a witness by sharing the good news of Jesus or has my flesh been louder to the world than the love of God? The Lord has been telling me that they are watching, they are seeking. The field is ripe for the harvest, but am I destroying the crop by being rotten fruit?

I love a line in the song from Casting Crowns, “Jesus, Friend of Sinners.” It says, “they don’t know what we’re for, only what we’re against when we judge the wounded. Let’s put down our signs, cross over the lines and love like you did.”

To sum it all up, I pray as 2020 comes to a close and for the rest of my days, that people see Jesus when they look at me. I pray I show love and that I always point others to Christ. May the World know we are Christians by our love.

Life before Covid 19 is something I think we all took for granted.

Many of us griped about our jobs. We didn’t like some of the songs we sang in church. We didn’t like what that person wore or how someone looked at us. Our lives were so busy, we didn’t stop to even have dinner around the table with family. Ballparks, ballet/dance, gymnastics, softball, soccer, tennis, pageants, football, travel ball; we were convinced we could do it all and we did.

Now, we’ve been ordered to stay home for 14 days. That’s it, 14 days and it seems like a lifetime to us. I understand it could be longer, but we really don’t know what to do with ourselves. How do we handle all of this downtime?

I honestly think that in the midst of all of this chaos and uncertainty, God is calling us to intimacy with him. Yes, we have religion. We go to church, we read our bibles, we sing the songs (even if we don’t like them), but do we do it to check things off a list or is it because Lord is the absolute love of our lives?

Revelation 2:4 says, “Yet I hold this against you. You have left your first love.”

I pray we all get alone with God each day and ask him to search our hearts. Ask him to forgive us for not making him our first priority and letting other things get in the way. I pray we find our first love again. That we live our lives with enthusiasm, passion and purpose just as we did when we first came to know Christ.

We are getting closer and closer to the time when Christ returns and I pray we all are found spotless before Him. If you are one of those who have that intimate relationship with Christ, I pray that through FaceTime, Facebook, text messages or what have you, that you find someone to mentor and help them along the journey. I pray that once this is over (and it will be over one day), that we all understand what an honor and a privilege it is to get to attend church, to have a job, to be able to take our children to their activities and to have sister in Christ that encourages us and builds us up. I pray our children will see the fire we have for the Lord and they will want to know him and live for him. I pray we all come out of this stronger than we went in. Until Christ returns, may we all press toward the mark of the high calling of Christ Jesus. May we forget what is behind and Press on for that prize!! Philippians 3:12-14

Christmas has been a little rough for me for the past several years.

I’m not sure, but I think it started with the loss of my oldest sister. She loved Christmas, although she got anxious about gift giving. She made the most delicious fudge, and we spent days together making goodies.

Another reason it was rough is because my kids grew up and lost the “magic” of Christmas, so it became like routine to me. Just going through the motions of celebrating.

A few years ago, we lost my brother-in-law way too soon and again, Christmas changed. We always looked forward to being with him and all the sudden, he wasn’t there…

Christmas had become a time of grief. My heart ached each year, and I began to buy gifts because I had to. There was no joy in it.

This year has been much the same. Little money to buy gifts. The busyness of the season and always being gone. Never getting to spend quality time with family because each one is somewhere different.

I have a dear friend battling cancer and she is fighting for her life.

This year, we also have the added grief of divorce in our family and my grandchildren will have to leave on Christmas afternoon to spend time with their Dad. Again, I had lost the joy of it all.

This past Wednesday, I had the privilege of watching my oldest granddaughter and her friends perform various Christmas songs for us. Each song mentioned Jesus and the real reason for the season. As I watched her sing, watched her face light up as she recited scripture of the Christmas story, listened as she loudly and proudly sang, “Go Tell It on the Mountain” at the top of her lungs, hearing them sing away in a manger and resting their sweet heads on their hands,… my heart began to melt. The joy began to return.

Why? Not because of a 3-year-old, but because of the God who used that 3-year-old to proclaim his message to me once again. “Perhaps Christmas you see, doesn’t come from a store. Perhaps Christmas means so much more.”

Today, if you are searching for that Christmas Joy, just remember the savior born in Bethlehem and the Joy he brings to the world and to your heart.

(Photo by Roman Bintang on Unsplash)

Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, “Hurry and get out of this place, because the Lord is about to destroy the city!” But his sons-in-law thought he was joking. With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.” When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, “Flee for your lives! Don’t look back, and don’t stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then the Lord rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the Lord out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, destroying all those living in the cities—and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:14-17, 23-26

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about Lot’s wife. I’ve been trying to imagine myself in the midst of all the sin she was surrounded by and the feelings of anxiousness I might feel. I would want out, and fast. I would want my family protected from all of that.

God, with his amazing mercy, allowed them to leave the land before he destroyed it. This was it! This was her chance to flee, to take her family to a better place. What relief. She was given one command, “Don’t look back.”  Seems easy enough, right? I mean it was horrible there, I’m free to leave and rescue my family, so why in the world would I look back?

Yet, as she was leaving the land, human nature was more than she could bear. She turned and looked back.

Why? I have several assumptions… We can never really know, because she was turned into a pillar of salt, so no one can get her thoughts. There was no interview to be had because, well, she wasn’t able to speak. My mind could only imagine a few reasons why she may have looked back.

Maybe she was afraid of the unknown. What she was living in was horrible, yet she knew it. She knew what to expect, and she may have gotten comfortable with the sin around her.

Maybe she was afraid for the people left there.

Maybe she made relationships and she didn’t want harm to come to them.

Maybe she was hoping God would change his mind and give them one more chance.

Maybe Satan said to her, much as he did to Jesus, “Did God really say he would destroy them?”

Whatever the reason was, I’ve often thought about how many times in this life I’ve looked back.

There are times in my life when I’ve wondered if I made right decisions, questioned myself when I knew I had heard God, looked back and wondered why I took that new position or why I moved to a certain place. Was it me making those decisions? If God spoke to me and told me to do these things, would I have trials? Would it be this hard?

Friend, we have to make the decision today to stop looking back. He never said everything would be easy if we followed him. In fact, he said we would encounter trials along the way, but to consider that Joy because our faith would be stronger. Whatever you hear the Lord telling you to do today, do it. Don’t look back. Even when you are tempted to question, keep your eyes focused on Christ and the prize laid before you. Don’t be a pillar of salt, be salt and light to the world. Keep moving forward with Christ in the lead.

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” Luke 9:62