THE PLAGUES
Today’s Reading: Exodus 10-11
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion on the right-hand side).
The Great Lake at Karnak Temple is 2.5 km north of Luxor, Egypt
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where Reynold took the photo, Click HERE.
Key Verse: Exodus 11:5
And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the female servant who is behind the handmill, and all the firstborn of the animals.
Eighty years earlier, the grandfather of the Exodus Pharaoh ordered the death of all Israel’s boy babies. Moses is now threatened with death (Ex. 10:28-29). Some say that the decision for the final plague came from the mouth of Pharaoh himself. In verse eight it states that Moses was “hot with anger” when he left this last meeting with Pharaoh. According to Numbers 12:3, “Moses was very meek.” Meekness means “strength under control.” When all else fails, God brings severe judgment. We cannot trifle with God or view Him as a celestial Santa Claus. We are to love God and fear God at the same time. There is a tension here that brings balance. We embrace God, who cares for His people, but at the same time God, who will accomplish His purposes, has the right to pronounce and execute judgment.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Almighty and eternal God, Your judgment fell upon Your firstborn and only begotten Son, Jesus, our Saviour and our Lord. I thank You with all my heart that Your love and Your judgment came together at the Cross. You suffered greater pain than any of us can begin to comprehend. I love You and I fear You. I come boldly before You because Jesus took my place. In His Name I pray. Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
The Children of Israel were slaves. In slave-based economies, slaves represented the greatest wealth of the nation. I’ve watched several times the movie on the life of that great Christian, William Wilberforce, who brought about the deliverance of the slaves in Britain and throughout the Empire. If you’ve not seen this or read the book by Eric Metaxas (our 100 Huntley Street USA host) on which the movie was based, I urge you to avail yourself of his history of this modern Moses (find the book HERE or the movie HERE).
Bob Hogan was my age. He’s ageless now as he passed into the presence of his Lord and Saviour this past week. When Norma-Jean and I built our home on Dog Lake following my decision to quit hosting the daily 100 Huntley Street telecast, Bob and his wonderful family were a great help. We’ve sold that place because I did not want to leave Norma-Jean 200 miles away from our children after my death, which was predicted by the cancer specialist to have happened this past March. God had a different plan for me. Last week when I heard Bob was in hospital and may not live, I rode my motorcycle to Kingston to see him. As I knelt by his bed, I said, “Bob, the last time I visited you we did business with God. Right?” He nodded a definite Yes! (Bob prayed a most sincere prayer of faith for his eternal salvation during that last visit). Then I said, “Now we are going to pray for God’s healing by more years here or by entering into eternal life with Jesus in Heaven.” Again the oxygen mask he was wearing almost came off his face as he nodded vigorously. He eyes spoke volumes about his confidence in God. Below is a photograph Reynold took a few years back of Bob and a very special friend. I’ll see you soon my brother in faith.
Yours for freedom to do the will of God,
David
P.S. Thanks for all the birthday greetings for Norma-Jean and me. On her 75th birthday yesterday we drove to Cambridge and visited her parents’ grave. Her mother, Lillian Rutledge, was killed by a drunk driver when Norma-Jean was only 17. Her Mom was only 50. The photos below of the grave site were taken yesterday.
My friend Bob Hogan and his dog. Bob is now with his Lord.
Norma-Jean at her parents' grave site.
A close-up view of the gravestone.
It must have been so difficult for the Rutledge family with such a loss. A great way to spend a birthday – looking back & visiting your parents grave. They did a wonderful job in raising a large family. I’m off for neck surgery just now. (I do hope to be able to keep up the blog quickly). I am a diabetic of 30 yrs. Ss
healing can be slow. Prayers greatfully accepted!
Dear Lord thank you for healing Doreen and be the hands of the surgeon Lord and give her your peace in Jesus name Amen
Doreen, I pray surgery went well and now the healing begins.may you feel the presence of The Saviour at all times. Love in Jesus. Catherine
Dear sister Doreen ,
May The Hands of The Lord surround you and guide each and every step of the surgeons as they accomplish thier tasks and I pray for a smooth recovery and healing in the nme of The One And Only Jesus Christ, Amen.
XOXOXO Carole.
Heavenly Father, our Saviour Jesus Christ and to the sanctity of the Holy Spirit, we lift up our sister-in-Christ, Doreen to you, as she undergoes neck surgery. We know You are a mighty God and healer and trust her in the hands of the surgeon You have placed her with, Lord. Holy Spirit work through the hands of the neuro-surgeon to carefully and skillfully perform the necessary steps to repair Doreen’s neck. We are thankful Lord and give You all the praise and glory for Doreen’s protection and complete and speedy healing during and following the surgery. Angels be with you, Doreen! .
God bless you, David and Norma-Jean. Touching messages today. Thank you for sharing your photos with us which makes us feel like family; which we are; family in the Lord. So glad that your friend Bob made it into the family of God too. The Lord be with you, Doreen.
Norma-Jean, it was so thoughtful of you to visit your mothers gravesite with flowers. I too believe her spirit was with you, just as the lower caption declares, “ALIVE IN CHRIST.” David, your prayerful encouragement and company with Bob Hogan was a wonderful gesture of standing with him as he did with you in his final hours. WWJD. Praise God! Have a great day, blog friends.
Thank you David God bless your day as well Amen
my prayers are with you Doreen I know God heals and does miracles
Norma Jean that was very thoughtful to bring flowers to your mothers grave
she is Alive in Christ.
Very touching message today and moving prayers. Thank you for sharing with us, David. God bless you and Norma-Jean. Though it is not pleasant for us to go to the gravesite of our parents, I want to say that you look wonderful in the photo, Norma-Jean! Prayers to Bob Hogan’s family. So grateful he has returned home with our Lord and is no longer suffering.
Watching 100 Huntley Street, right now. Wishing Eric Mainse and Kara a joyous wedding tomorrow and blessings to the entire Mainse family as you celebrate this wonderful union of God! Amen!! 😀
Amen.
Thank you for the photos today, it powerfully links us together in this amazing journey we are all on, towards our eternal home with our Lord. It speaks volumes about your love for your parents, when you chose to visit their graves on your birthday, no wonder you have been so blessed. My mother was cremated far away in New Zealand where she spent her final days with my sister. l remember her by her favourite rose, which is planted in my garden “Crimson Glory” it was a great suggestion from my sister in N.Z. and l rejoice every year when it blooms,she was such a special lady!
Blessings and prayers to the Hogan family and to you and yours Pastor David in the passing of your dear friend, into the Living Arms of Jesus.
Lovely pictures of Norma-Jean at the gravesite of her parents. I too had to plant a remembrance of my mum as she was buried in Scotland. My hydrangea bush blooms every year since 2000 just the way she loved it.
Praise to our God for this blog each day, with thanks to you Pastor David et al.
Happy Birthday to you both & thank you for sharing the wisdom God has given you. May you continue to be blessed.
I joined with your powerful prayer this morning Rev. David!!
Praise God for His Great Love for us, who sent His Beloved Son to die for us and open the way to the Father; how awesome is that!!!
Thank your for sharing your pictures with us. Like Norma-Jean, I like to visit my family’s gravesite, especially Mother and Father’s graves, and remember them in the Lord.
Wow!! What do you mean Norma Jean is 75!! She surely does not look it!! Beautiful!!
Have a great day everyone!!
Nancy xoxoxo
Thank you for your kind words. Robert Hogan was a kind hearted man. I loved him dearly, I will miss him. Till we meet again.
I read John 3 vs: 16 etc…. over himas he slept two days before he passed. I pray he will be one of the dead in Christ to rise first and meet those of us who are alive in the air, God willing.
We love you Bob……, Marla and Gearald Hogan xxoo!