tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-37163453508428742422023-11-16T02:52:12.047-05:00Busy Moms Can CookLove Jesus, Trust Jesus. Live for Jesus.Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.comBlogger886125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-31074649371051273592022-04-29T10:22:00.001-04:002022-04-29T10:22:00.229-04:00 Coffee? A Love Language?<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTJAOBUrfHrawDea5uP2UHOFJA6zVErGmI9ku9OHYl9KIGyfLVcxfbwP1mbADZI73BR1_pLdwThtOolYaUgopWDihbMCTkenm6SPZ2bKpgsx1A0jA821u_vI874z23bltjfk4514Me_GjQ8UKLtGyarlcXFvgHt-cI-ejheV_Ws1HeaAuYaPA_w/s2316/IMG_2971.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="2316" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGTJAOBUrfHrawDea5uP2UHOFJA6zVErGmI9ku9OHYl9KIGyfLVcxfbwP1mbADZI73BR1_pLdwThtOolYaUgopWDihbMCTkenm6SPZ2bKpgsx1A0jA821u_vI874z23bltjfk4514Me_GjQ8UKLtGyarlcXFvgHt-cI-ejheV_Ws1HeaAuYaPA_w/s320/IMG_2971.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Coffee? A Love Language**?</span></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-eb682b6f-7fff-2a0c-aa90-2b9f7356747a"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Have you ever wondered why that weekly cup of coffee you see on Instagram or Facebook is so important to me? Other than the apparent reasons…let me tell you a story.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It has been said:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A yawn is a silent scream for coffee.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I don’t need an inspirational quote; I need coffee.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Depresso: the feeling you get when you realize you’re out of coffee.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A bad day with coffee is better than a good day without it.”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“A day without coffee is like…just kidding, I have no idea.”</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When Rodney was diagnosed, there were so many unknowns. His cancer/tumors diagnosis literally came out of nowhere. Blindsided is a great way to think about it. Lots of questions plagued me. </span></p><br /><ul style="margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 0; padding-inline-start: 48px;"><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would he recover?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would he recover but be disabled?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would he ever preach again? </span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Is our ministry going to end right here?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Would I be a widow at 49/50?</span></p></li><li aria-level="1" dir="ltr" style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; list-style-type: disc; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><p dir="ltr" role="presentation" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How will we explain all of this to Allison and Reilly? (the balance between what to tell them and what to leave out)</span></p></li></ul><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The emotions. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The feelings. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The tears. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Time suddenly screeching to a halt. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The shedding of the things that don’t </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">truly </span><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">matter. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Asking why? Why us? Why not someone on death row who’s going to die soon anyway?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Begging God to let our family shine through our circumstances. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Rodney, sensing my fear, made every attempt to make me (and the kids) feel as *normal* as possible. That Thursday coffee you see each week started as a simple act of comfort, but it has grown through the past few years to mean so much more. When he brings me coffee every week, it is a small reminder of what he means to me. Even at his weakest, he never stopped reminding me, with this small act of kindness, that everything will be ok and God will take care of us. Psalm 18:30 says, “As for God, his way is perfect…” Do I understand? No. Will I ever? Probably not this side of heaven. I just know and accept that HIS way is perfect, whether I understand or not. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So when you see my weekly silly coffee posts, you can understand a little more about “why” #wechoosetofight, and continue to #prayforRandA. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Andrea</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">**Many apologies to Gary Chapman for the snatching of the terminology. I *know* coffee is technically not a love language, but it does make a cool hashtag!</span></p><div><span style="color: #0e101a; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-77145753725888324602022-04-27T10:18:00.005-04:002022-04-28T10:21:49.257-04:00An ending. And a beginning.<p><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruXiPY2vwI6Kild45M-3hdLA1UBuNKKxsa3ZagfKmSNnYfRkNWCvvPmmJn0j8nsM9LjA4oiX5Klzvs6ir_uz_J82bYbD1K5PySK0VeUH4Bw9o2YXFgYJ62LHcWMIyKxdUaLdL20hgMET1VRkD7zyE4lUQONauj0IrPG6Bo2QHly37kDmyyWnSlQ/s4032/IMG_2904.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhruXiPY2vwI6Kild45M-3hdLA1UBuNKKxsa3ZagfKmSNnYfRkNWCvvPmmJn0j8nsM9LjA4oiX5Klzvs6ir_uz_J82bYbD1K5PySK0VeUH4Bw9o2YXFgYJ62LHcWMIyKxdUaLdL20hgMET1VRkD7zyE4lUQONauj0IrPG6Bo2QHly37kDmyyWnSlQ/w400-h300/IMG_2904.HEIC" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br />Dear Peace Lutheran Church Family,</span><p></p><span id="docs-internal-guid-30d2b025-7fff-e817-c5cb-bbd7e37edc6a"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">On October 27, 2014, I walked into Peace Lutheran Church for the first time. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I knew nothing of Lutherans or liturgy.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We were new to the area, having moved from North Carolina in August of that year. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Pastor Ralph and Pastor Ingrid welcomed me with open arms and began the process of teaching me “Lutheran.” </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We’ve transitioned together through leadership changes. We’ve sorrowed together as we have lost some friends to Heaven. We survived COVID together! :) You walked with me through our kids graduating from high school and Allison graduating from college and moving away to begin her life as an elementary teacher. You walked with me through the dark days of Rodney’s cancer diagnosis and treatment. You have treated me, your little “Baptist girl,” like family. And I do consider you as family. My second church home. Friends working together in the Gospel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Starting Monday, May 2, I will transition to a new adventure at Pellissippi State Community College. The position opened up, and through a series of events that I can only describe as “God” moments, I was hired as the Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Student Affairs. This decision has not been made lightly. It has been covered in prayer and Godly counsel. As I told Pr. Stephen, I thought I would retire from Peace at the ripe old age of 103! </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There are no words to adequately express the gratitude and love that I have for the people of this church. Please know that you will continue to be in my prayers as you move into the future, with God using you to reach the world with the Gospel. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The plan is for our family to be at Peace during the service this Sunday, May 1. If you can be there, I would love to shake your hand or hug your neck. My only request is that you continue to pray for our family, as you have done so faithfully during our almost seven years together.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God bless you all,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Andrea</span></p><div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div></span>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-9435247356483987572022-02-10T07:49:00.001-05:002022-02-10T07:49:31.237-05:00 Remembering the Past for Present Strength<p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sjmGicnx5-F1mSEXCbC79yo2FKeTiNJ2" width="300" height="300" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"></p><p>“Remembrance can be a form of meditation as we reflect on God’s works both in Scripture in our personal lives.”</p><p><br></p><p>~Kelly Minter, <i>Encountering God </i></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-67806945162067331982022-02-02T08:07:00.001-05:002022-02-02T08:07:02.879-05:00 The Spiritual Discipline of Thankfulness <p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1CsAVsB4MLh_aguEhyjVGHiKAfBZCiQ6O" width="300" height="300" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"></p><p>“Each prayer of gratitude blossoms into a fragrant reminder that God’s past goodness will surely prove faithful in my present hour of need.” ~Kelly Minter #grateful #thankful #encounteringGod #Psalm107<br></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-46835006176551441252022-01-29T07:59:00.001-05:002022-01-29T07:59:40.006-05:00The Story of Redemption- Day 29<p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1S_ftwSlqTA_nphj0rTph5g71OpZnF9q6" width="300" height="300" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"></p><p>Exodus 37-40</p><p>The book of Exodus concludes with the final construction of the Tabernacle. We see that each piece points to Jesus.</p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">“As the Lord has commanded” is mentioned 19 times in chapters 36-40 describing the building of the tabernacle. Moses uses 10 chapters of the 40 written in exodus, to describe the tabernacle. God is so holy and so magnificent that things were to be created to his exact specifications.</span><br></p><p>The intricacies of the Tabernacle as God’s dwelling place show us that when 1Corinthians 6:19- 20 refers to us as the temple of God there’s a direct correlation between our bodies that are so complex and the Tabernacle. </p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">In the brevity of the Scriptures, Moses uses nine words to describe God… “and the glory of the Lord filled the temple.“ He chose to display his glory/presence in the form of something familiar, a cloud. It was a miraculous manifestation. The tabernacle was “officially“ God‘s dwelling place. Not everyone, even Moses (the person who had actually seen God a few chapters before) could</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"> just walk in. They were to keep a proper distance to honor his presence.</span><br></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">“<i>Isaiah 7:14 shows us the Son Who would one day come to be our ‘God with us.’ Emmanuel! </i></span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><i>Once a slave, oppressed under the weight of sin, rescued by a gracious God who carries us to glory! If we are trusting in him, our actions will reflect His character to the world around us.”</i></span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"><br></span></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-32005303433946229872022-01-29T07:12:00.001-05:002022-01-29T07:40:39.827-05:00The Story of Redemption- Day 28<p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1xpBd1B2jYoezodJNAw2tr8BO_N8EKWsO" width="300" height="300" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"></p><p>Exodus 34-36</p><p>He did not ignore sin: he paid for it.</p><p><br></p><p><i>He paid for our sin, which cannot be ignored, it was placed on Jesus Who absorbed the wrath of God in our place.</i></p><p><br></p><p>In Exodus 34:4-7 God proclaims his character to Moses. He declares that He is merciful, gracious, slow to anger, abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, forgiving, steadfast, and He will not put up with sin. God is holy and just, but He gives us ample time to repent and experience his mercy.</p><p><br></p><p>Exodus 34:28 we see that God alone is enough for us. It makes me think of this song by Meredith Andrews, “Christ is Enough for Me” <a href="https://youtu.be/Su1R5Ya2-P0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;">https://youtu.be/Su1R5Ya2-P0</a></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-42152473455971788242022-01-28T08:43:00.001-05:002022-01-28T08:43:43.409-05:00The Story of Redemption- Day 27<p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1rVRksVAXukBc7AvEUyyWg2pWrjRq1R0z" width="300" height="300" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"></p><p>Exodus 31-33</p><p><i>“The rest God promised his people is rest that can only be fully found in Jesus.”</i></p><p><i><br></i></p><p>It’s easy to be disturbed, frustrated, and even flabbergasted by the Israelites actions, until we realize we’re just like them. Trying to serve gods of our own making<i>.</i></p><p><i><br></i></p><p>The sabbath rest is a symbol of the people yielding to His law and trusting in His provision,</p><p><br></p><p>God’s anger grew hot but Moses reminded Him of the covenant He’d made with Abraham. As Moses came down the mountain, he saw the debauchery and smashed the tablets that God has written with His own hand. He ground the calf into powder and made thw people drink it. 3,000 leaders of the rebellion died at the hand of the Levites. God promised He would protect them as they went into the promised land but His presence would no longer be with them. They mourned. </p><p>Moses met God as a friend and reminded Him of covenant, forgiveness, etc. God honored Moses and his persistent faith and returned His presence to the people. Israel was saved by Moses’ is bold faith. Just as Jesus stands before the Father to intercede for us. When God feels far away, remember the character of God and worship in the waiting. </p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-2004721149941764922022-01-28T08:27:00.001-05:002022-01-28T08:27:52.281-05:00The Story of Redemption- Day 26<p><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1_F5AJAwdviy82d-Pc58r04X0hLoX4cNK" width="0" height="0" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; width: 404px; height: 404px;" data-x="0" data-y="0"></p><p>Exodus 28-30</p><p>“<i>He has washed us and made us new so that we can praise him forever.”</i></p><p><br></p><p>The 12 stones on the priest’s breast plate represented the 12 names of Israel sons. That, along with everything else, points to Jesus and his redemptive work on the cross. Chapter 29 talks about consecration. God is very specific with His instructions. We are to strive for holiness, strive to be like Him. The consecration of the priests point us to the ultimate high priest, Jesus!</p><p><br></p><p>“<i>The priests offered sacrifices continually, but Jesus would be the once for all sacrifice for the sins of His people. Each element points to Jesus and reminds us of the beauty of who He is.”</i></p><p><i><br></i></p><p>Hebrews 1:14-16; Revelation 1</p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-306735764576779732022-01-25T15:28:00.006-05:002022-01-25T15:28:46.577-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 25<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkMPIXXEBZZ3hC2SRJkxkWloRG-po1M6bCZhOQ604APdcIcPK22yPWyFpA62pwJk8BwW02Fw8uorZr7VCbuUMdbU2QCrBVa6H_lYmbRZzF44YQpPCp_IBmhvsEaCWtfp3vrvDXmolT4lNDHi1rAtRH5ubYJEjTHf7BYp7SPClI-WoBXLMsg4M1DA=s969" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><i><img border="0" data-original-height="446" data-original-width="969" height="294" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkMPIXXEBZZ3hC2SRJkxkWloRG-po1M6bCZhOQ604APdcIcPK22yPWyFpA62pwJk8BwW02Fw8uorZr7VCbuUMdbU2QCrBVa6H_lYmbRZzF44YQpPCp_IBmhvsEaCWtfp3vrvDXmolT4lNDHi1rAtRH5ubYJEjTHf7BYp7SPClI-WoBXLMsg4M1DA=w640-h294" width="640" /></i></a></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Exodus 25-27</span></div><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Jesus has done what we could never do. </i><br /> </span><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Moses spent 40 days on Mt. Sinai and when he returned, God had given him plans to the Tabernacle. God didn't command the people to give toward the Tabernacle, but to give what they were willing to give. <i>God cares about our generosity as an overflow of our devotion to Him.</i></span></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">We fix our eyes on Jesus. Every part of the Tabernacle points to Him. </span></i></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;">Pray about the things that seem small to you. He cares and wants you to come to Him. </span><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;">The Story of Redemption</i><span style="font-family: Times;">, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</span></p><p>Tabernacle Schematic from: <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2014/07/experience-the-tabernacle-an-interview-with-jeanne-whittaker/">https://www.biblegateway.com/blog/2014/07/experience-the-tabernacle-an-interview-with-jeanne-whittaker/</a></p></div>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-21490177843935357992022-01-24T15:11:00.001-05:002022-01-29T07:13:46.205-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 24<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBauDRMc-wKUt82I9_0tOofGu99WjwnEAZJQmk-ZCcVN5Agq-ovdYbzDuzeHIb5XHwD38yu1NV2OVs_QDjZ3nhrq8OsWJKgZ2mQQlg3Es0qXHVPQqmCSgt0sqalzS2A5qfhLY3b0Rlzd-j-AVf4K6yQi1KZuHx0qQK6LooxleknWmnBIkTfzoMDw=s700" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="700" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBauDRMc-wKUt82I9_0tOofGu99WjwnEAZJQmk-ZCcVN5Agq-ovdYbzDuzeHIb5XHwD38yu1NV2OVs_QDjZ3nhrq8OsWJKgZ2mQQlg3Es0qXHVPQqmCSgt0sqalzS2A5qfhLY3b0Rlzd-j-AVf4K6yQi1KZuHx0qQK6LooxleknWmnBIkTfzoMDw=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Exodus 22-24</span><div><i><span style="font-size: medium;">These chapters continue with God going more laws to establish the nation and bring order to the people. <br /></span></i><p><span style="font-size: medium;">It is obvious from today's reading that God wanted the people to take care of the poor, widows, the marginalized, etc. He is a God of justice and these laws show what is good and true. The people joined with Moses, saying "we will do everything that the Lord has commanded," a promise that they were unable to keep on their own. </span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><span><span style="font-family: Times;">God's passover was a foreshadowing </span></span></span><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">that Jesus would come to redeem and save us.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">We are never alone. We are never without access to the Father and to His mighty power. Jesus came to keep the law perfectly and to die in our place. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-family: Times;">The Story of Redemption</i><span style="font-family: Times;">, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</span></span></p></div>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-59842877453689796842022-01-23T15:02:00.001-05:002022-01-25T15:10:50.858-05:00 The Story of Redemption - Day 23<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://res.cloudinary.com/vop/image/fetch/w_800,c_lfill,g_center,f_auto//https://bibleinfo.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/commandments/10-commandments-icon-smaller.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="266" src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vop/image/fetch/w_800,c_lfill,g_center,f_auto//https://bibleinfo.s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/images/commandments/10-commandments-icon-smaller.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Exodus 19-21</span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><i style="font-family: Times;">We cannot earn </i><span style="font-family: Times;"><i>our</i></span><i style="font-family: Times;"> redemption. We can only rest in His </i><span style="font-family: Times;"><i>saving grace. </i></span></span></span></p><p><span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: Times;"><i>The Law was given:</i></span></span></span></p><p></p><ol style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><i>for us to have a close relationship with God. Like guardrails, to keep us safe and steady</i></span></li><li><span style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>to keep them living in peace with family and neighbors</i></span></span></li><li><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>to reflect the character of God to the world</i></span></li></ol><p></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Every day I must look at my life through he lens of the 10 Commandments. They are not obsolete. We reflect Him to the world when we observe the 10 Commandments.</span></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;">The Story of Redemption</i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">Image is from <a href="https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/ten-commandments-list">https://www.bibleinfo.com/en/topics/ten-commandments-list</a></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-53657248017517384892022-01-22T15:01:00.000-05:002022-01-25T15:02:04.533-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 22<p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtBaJBoE-dogy3gTT47mTQcp7uk_g6mOF32kXXRO_hkRr7fMePhP_OhmJQU0sFX-Se4BnSVOOapPYUEH9luup3a8U1Qks6dsPltTlancwbyqwufONalqYA3FBA1Zq7l47ttq4AyREKsGzfxa6_-8CnohgL-NXyhrM3noGdRWfcenWDS_Oc-lzLBA=s728" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="360" data-original-width="728" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtBaJBoE-dogy3gTT47mTQcp7uk_g6mOF32kXXRO_hkRr7fMePhP_OhmJQU0sFX-Se4BnSVOOapPYUEH9luup3a8U1Qks6dsPltTlancwbyqwufONalqYA3FBA1Zq7l47ttq4AyREKsGzfxa6_-8CnohgL-NXyhrM3noGdRWfcenWDS_Oc-lzLBA=s320" width="320" /></a></p><p>Exodus 16-18</p><p>The people saw the powerful deliverance of God. And they still grumbled.</p><p>They people were hungry, so God rained down food (manna) so they would be nourished. Moses struck a rock so they would have something to drink. The rock is a picture of the Bible, our Living Word.</p><p>There is a battle with the Amalakites. The army won as long as Moses' arms were raised, so Aaron & Hur jumped in to help. Israel won that battle.</p><p>Moses' father-in-law comes for a visit and instructs Moses that he's going to burn out if he keeps running everything by himself. </p><p>When we are overwhelmed by daily circumstances, it's easy to forget God's goodness and provision. It's important to keep a record of the blessings, so when hard times come (and they will) we will be prepared to remember. </p><p> <i style="font-family: Times;">The Story of Redemption</i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</span></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-48391197631346064482022-01-21T14:49:00.000-05:002022-01-25T15:01:53.617-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 21<p> <span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6V9LCYnALlJkViaU4JKtwrBVw3kTOZHNAaDhWrZ23_Z8XSfDX1pJhCDPpuaORXX3lzLgbBBKmAJorFPnIEKK6hswtFxktnE4R2qCvFIPeQtLaf0aSMgOb7f0pt1DvEj5WDt4yYTNrPcUAoZbeVLI0sJf-VzmOxfbAblueTwt65SEvdCHgOBYgbQ=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1200" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6V9LCYnALlJkViaU4JKtwrBVw3kTOZHNAaDhWrZ23_Z8XSfDX1pJhCDPpuaORXX3lzLgbBBKmAJorFPnIEKK6hswtFxktnE4R2qCvFIPeQtLaf0aSMgOb7f0pt1DvEj5WDt4yYTNrPcUAoZbeVLI0sJf-VzmOxfbAblueTwt65SEvdCHgOBYgbQ=w320-h285" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i><p></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;">Exodus 13-15</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;"><i>Life after Egypt would be different and in so many ways, it would require them to trust like never before.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;">Their worship faded to weariness as the people got farther and farther from Egypt. Slavery was all that most had ever known. They no longer had guaranteed food and shelter. They literally had to trust God for the water that they consumed. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;">He showed Himself faithful again and again. The cloud by day and the fire by night was a constant, 24/7 reminder that He would protect them and that He was their Provider. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;">God is just as close to us today as He was to them. <i>He made a way for us to be justified when our sin separated us from God.</i></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Times;"> </span></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;"><br /></i></p><p><i style="font-family: Times;">The Story of Redemption</i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium;">, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</span></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-39785029200439568782022-01-20T14:38:00.000-05:002022-01-25T15:01:43.049-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 20<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUrdPes3nB7tCaEVEurbhcl6XZ-wWgooU04B8SYKX2wSnJsF4ehlF61USf8RnD562pml1zZRzoh-PF9PGabUrRTfGqfFQxlyhmvKE3HYrGI_FWNnkbus4OnwimH2yUI7fHm0X7G2fptGLZ6Ega__E5hhOVY2yXGJO44kDgIjqdUZXWrZXp_8e1zA=s1000" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhUrdPes3nB7tCaEVEurbhcl6XZ-wWgooU04B8SYKX2wSnJsF4ehlF61USf8RnD562pml1zZRzoh-PF9PGabUrRTfGqfFQxlyhmvKE3HYrGI_FWNnkbus4OnwimH2yUI7fHm0X7G2fptGLZ6Ega__E5hhOVY2yXGJO44kDgIjqdUZXWrZXp_8e1zA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /> <p></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Exodus 10-12</p><p><i>Jesus is our door and deliverer. He is the Lamb.</i></p><p>The last three plagues. Locust. Darkness. Death.</p><p>Locusts destroyed anything that was left.</p><p>The darkness was "felt" for three days. Was this like the darkness that fell when Jesus was on the cross?(Matthew 15:33)</p><p>600K + people were ready to leave on a moment's notice. God had set them apart.</p><p>An animal had to be sacrificed. By this blood, they were saved. This is a direct foreshadowing fo Jesus' coming.</p><p>We should celebrate God's and His glory and meditate daily on His goodness to us. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5957f3cb-7fff-71a8-4e20-ea78b40f22df"><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">The Story of Redemption</i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</span></span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-711303f8-7fff-f1af-8a60-3ddfdeb9d696"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This list was based on "</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ten Plagues of Egypt: Things You Might Not Know</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" by Margaret Minnicks; November 2, 2020. <a href="HTTPS://BIT.LY/3AEBSKF">HTTPS://BIT.LY/3AEBSKF</a></span></span></span></div><div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><span><br /></span></span></div></span></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-55727461275424085612022-01-19T11:13:00.022-05:002022-01-19T11:27:04.206-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 19<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis1B7nYQqIWS56GvSTX6LDP2AWd6PfHvpUpuCVxDAgodtx_rGa-QhXCZ2Q0dYFQT3XM-fTMjNd4KwrGDpzeAo3dv0CnWpoX4C5uqMfHtM0OynObWTocEfdWL2hrxrk669pn6yBFd9UCGV4a_Ibp0j7ijx8TKNAmvtkzHcJCHwiQiLn09B1Lu014w=s1000" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="665" data-original-width="1000" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEis1B7nYQqIWS56GvSTX6LDP2AWd6PfHvpUpuCVxDAgodtx_rGa-QhXCZ2Q0dYFQT3XM-fTMjNd4KwrGDpzeAo3dv0CnWpoX4C5uqMfHtM0OynObWTocEfdWL2hrxrk669pn6yBFd9UCGV4a_Ibp0j7ijx8TKNAmvtkzHcJCHwiQiLn09B1Lu014w=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Exodus 7-9</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>God is our hope.</i></div><p></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>First Plague: Nile River Turned to Blood<br /></b></span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aaron touched the Nile with his staff. The water immediately turned to blood. All the fish died, and the water began to stink. The Egyptians were deprived of water and fish that were a major part of their diet. Pharaoh's heart became hardened.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5957f3cb-7fff-71a8-4e20-ea78b40f22df"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Second Plague: Frogs</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aaron stretched out his staff over Egypt and frogs came up from the river and covered the entire land. They got in people's food, in clothing, etc. No one in Egypt escaped the frogs. Pharaoh agreed to let the people go if the frogs were taken away, but later “he hardened his heart” (Exodus 8:8–15).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Third Plague: Lice or Gnats</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Aaron stretched out his rod and touched the ground. Then the dust became lice throughout all the land on people and animals. Pharaoh's heart was hardened.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Fourth Plague: Flies</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Only the Egyptians were affected by the flies. This was the first plague that involved destruction as well as discomfort. Pharaoh gave the Hebrews permission to leave, but he told them they couldn't go very far. Pharaoh changed his mind and did not let them go at all.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Fifth Plague: Death of Cattle and Livestock</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Egyptians were given a chance to repent, but they didn't. Disease attacked the cattle and livestock and they died. The death of cattle and livestock had severe consequences, causing an economic disaster that affected the food supply, transportation, military supplies, farming, and everything else. Pharaoh's heart remained hard.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Sixth Plague: Boils and Sores</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Moses threw dust into the air. The dust caused painful boils and sores all over everyone, including Pharaoh. Even his personal physician could not cure him. God hardened Pharaoh's heart this time.</span></p><b style="font-family: times;"><br /></b><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b>Seventh Plague: Hail</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Large hail fell from the sky and turned to fire when it hit the ground. Some of the Egyptians' food supply was destroyed. The hail was so big and heavy that it struck down all the crops in the fields and shattered every tree.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="font-family: times; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 14pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;"> </span><i style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">The Story of Redemption</i><span style="font-family: Times; font-size: medium; white-space: normal;">, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</span></span></p><div style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span><span id="docs-internal-guid-711303f8-7fff-f1af-8a60-3ddfdeb9d696"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This list was based on "</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ten Plagues of Egypt: Things You Might Not Know</span><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">" by Margaret Minnicks; November 2, 2020. <a href="HTTPS://BIT.LY/3AEBSKF">HTTPS://BIT.LY/3AEBSKF</a></span></span></span></div></span></div><p style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /> </span></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-62459763869281632302022-01-18T10:38:00.003-05:002022-01-19T11:00:56.653-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 18<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZOyrTZBcH42c5NASppd6Kz5kmNNPw0buoz8FvUsh7C1-s48eJ0jjt6_O6O5gATpTJrmfQ8nVTwVPeR-Ghq1JCcyCFF74-11MwlZA7yQwI69sXJ2Rt4ILGid1uqVHW0797lrCm7ad6hytBOfGyGu1DKQYWyfywlHBCSOhXUt9W3STp6Rv4SEgoVA=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZOyrTZBcH42c5NASppd6Kz5kmNNPw0buoz8FvUsh7C1-s48eJ0jjt6_O6O5gATpTJrmfQ8nVTwVPeR-Ghq1JCcyCFF74-11MwlZA7yQwI69sXJ2Rt4ILGid1uqVHW0797lrCm7ad6hytBOfGyGu1DKQYWyfywlHBCSOhXUt9W3STp6Rv4SEgoVA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Exodus 4-6</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>We can always trust the Lord because of Who He is.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Moses, in the desert, hid from certain punishment in Egypt for murdering someone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The story today begins not with the bold leader we know and love, but with a scared, tongue-tied Moses. He's hiding so far in the desert that the Lord gets his attention with a burning, non-consuming bush. God told him that he was the one who would lead His people from the oppression of Egypt, but Moses had nothing but excuses, explaining why he was not the man for the job. Fear blinded Moses to the plan God had perfectly laid out for him. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"<i>God is not looking for s to have it all together. He is looking for obedience and surrender. That is how God uses us to build His kingdom."</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Reluctantly, Moses (along with his brother Aaron as his and His mouthpiece), headed back to Egypt and let the people know that he was the leader God wanted to lead them from their slavery. The people believed and worshipped. God had heard their cries and sent a deliverer.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>"It is interesting to note that this worship precedes their deliverance. They did not worship because they had gotten what they wanted; they worshiped God for who He was and trusted that He could do what He had promised to do." </i>Acts of worship do not depend on our circumstances but on God's goodness. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Pharoah and his leaders were NOT in favor of their slave workforce leaving, so the next few chapters reveal that the people were even more oppressed and SO READY to be delivered. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">We don't have to be paralyzed with fear. We can rest in the Gospel, His strength, and not our own. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /> <i>The Story of Redemption</i>, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co<p></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-15359276849140877992022-01-18T07:19:00.002-05:002022-01-19T11:01:33.062-05:00Encountering God - Bible Study<p><i></i><img src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1F3P0-nKZoi7hfHchW7p9aW2kYk_fBQj3" width="300" height="300" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%;"></p><p><i>“Our knowledge and understanding of the Word counts for little if it doesn’t express itself through corresponding action. Filling up on knowledge may give us a sense of righteousness, but it hasn’t done its job if it doesn’t bloom into immediate action.”</i></p><p><i><br></i></p><p><i>~Kelly Minter, Encountering God - Cultivating Habits of Faith Through the Spiritual Disciplines, p.29</i></p><p><i><br></i></p><p><a href="https://onlinestudy.lifeway.com/v/encounteringgodobs">https://onlinestudy.lifeway.com/v/encounteringgodobs</a><i><br></i></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-30739606055409638482022-01-17T10:23:00.002-05:002022-01-19T10:35:47.568-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 17<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjREX4YsUsLwSoI7BBhnB6lhEPbjQJo68YYLi_i1hXvKcYJtWzPay3tfmnaP7ESUWxyaUwz7f24lnqeZPfFQhhyRfZSyPqDLXoHL6Te-SkPG9PHJ7k4SJNOMZfRoShExbrAD3_i059WpP53gFUj92ajHRoLsbVZ0fk0pA876zbOVRPn8EozG7ed0A=s676" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="676" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjREX4YsUsLwSoI7BBhnB6lhEPbjQJo68YYLi_i1hXvKcYJtWzPay3tfmnaP7ESUWxyaUwz7f24lnqeZPfFQhhyRfZSyPqDLXoHL6Te-SkPG9PHJ7k4SJNOMZfRoShExbrAD3_i059WpP53gFUj92ajHRoLsbVZ0fk0pA876zbOVRPn8EozG7ed0A=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Genre:</b> Law, Historical Narrative</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Author / Date Written: </b>Moses - c. 1440-1400 BC</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Themes:</b> Deliverance from Slavery, Rebellion Against God, Covenant Faithfulness</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Key Words:</b> Covenant, Faithfulness, Provision</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Key Verse: </b>Exodus 20:2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Genesis 1-3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The book opens with the story of the jealousy/fear of the Egyptians and Pharoah allowing baby boys to be slaughtered. But as we know, there is no plan that man can concoct that can keep God's will from being accomplished. The midwives feared God and would not allow the baby boys to be killed. A miraculous escape plan was hatched to protect the infant son of two members of the tribe of Levi. She hid her baby boy for as long as she could. The Scriptures tell the rest of the story better than I could.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 2.4rem; min-width: 0px; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe; font-family: times;"><span class="text Exod-2-3" id="en-KJV-1558"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">3 </span>And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river's brink.<br /></span><span class="text Exod-2-4" id="en-KJV-1559"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">4 </span>And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.<br /></span><span class="text Exod-2-5" id="en-KJV-1560"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">5 </span>And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river's side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.<br /></span><span class="text Exod-2-6" id="en-KJV-1561"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">6 </span>And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews' children.<br /></span><span class="text Exod-2-7" id="en-KJV-1562"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">7 </span>Then said his sister to Pharaoh's daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?<br /></span><span class="text Exod-2-8" id="en-KJV-1563"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">8 </span>And Pharaoh's daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child's mother.<br /></span><span class="text Exod-2-9" id="en-KJV-1564"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">9 </span>And Pharaoh's daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the women took the child, and nursed it.<br /></span><span class="text Exod-2-10" id="en-KJV-1565"><span class="versenum" style="display: inline; font-weight: 700; line-height: normal; position: relative; top: auto; vertical-align: text-top;">10 </span>And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh's daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.</span></span></div></div></blockquote></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Only God could direct these extraordinary events to happen. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>The Story of Redemption</i>, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</div><br /><p></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-10017708505831426622022-01-16T10:12:00.004-05:002022-01-19T10:36:03.173-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 16<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF8SIHu2tt5Fz8MyYYP4be19OJQWVhL2uJmXKgJyIToxgY22GszJUEdK4r2GD-HVCJZT2pWYNMCX2qsxY4L-XjIKZMNahrloAEmyTMGnzR7j4y_-0xD_BvkrnsQLGqzpGzKUqs3cOnabqYWMRH6LOXDEeHc7S75URvx6VGbYzJH3c51ijwUF3NMw=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjF8SIHu2tt5Fz8MyYYP4be19OJQWVhL2uJmXKgJyIToxgY22GszJUEdK4r2GD-HVCJZT2pWYNMCX2qsxY4L-XjIKZMNahrloAEmyTMGnzR7j4y_-0xD_BvkrnsQLGqzpGzKUqs3cOnabqYWMRH6LOXDEeHc7S75URvx6VGbYzJH3c51ijwUF3NMw=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Genesis 47-50</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Through all of the disasters, God had a great plan from the beginning.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Jacob's family (70+ people) relocated to Goshen. It was the best part of the Egyptian land. The family was fruitful and multiplied. Jacob lived there for 17 years. Before his death, he asked Joseph to bury him in the land of his fathers. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Jacob adopted Joseph's sons Ephraim & Manasseh, replacing Reuben as his firstborn, likely because of his previous sin with Bilhah. He blessed them, giving his younger son the first blessing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">"<i>We cannot help but be amazed at how God had chosen this ordinary and dysfunctional family to be His people." </i> Realizing this, we understand that God can use us to accomplish his purposes. '<i>God's plan will always prevail. His plan is good. He is waiting and ready to redeem." </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><br /> <i>The Story of Redemption</i>, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.<p></p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-34909976978692154362022-01-15T10:11:00.001-05:002022-01-15T10:16:39.672-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 15<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwhwmswGGvgm6CdSKoy3CJRmq91lQuYCSFIqV72QUEdbMDhoXIgtCFQ2TbrRM-UR9WU1t6SfWGLI4OASxQAkwpd613Fya5U_WjvAt65qUdZG3gJWWZaHenYR2-wbcw-vKm5jLdQHGRQxrT3DDAlDoXF6OMnr65tWQlrXFluOwhWps9gNQVZBv9yQ=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiwhwmswGGvgm6CdSKoy3CJRmq91lQuYCSFIqV72QUEdbMDhoXIgtCFQ2TbrRM-UR9WU1t6SfWGLI4OASxQAkwpd613Fya5U_WjvAt65qUdZG3gJWWZaHenYR2-wbcw-vKm5jLdQHGRQxrT3DDAlDoXF6OMnr65tWQlrXFluOwhWps9gNQVZBv9yQ=s320" width="240" /></a></div>Genesis 43-46<p></p><p></p><p>Simeon is left in prison in Egypt and the brothers must return with Benjamin to get more provisions. Jacob is hesitant, but Reuben promised that Benjamin would be safe. Jacob sent double payment (Joseph had put their money back in their bags when they left) and sent them on their way, reluctantly. Simeon has been in prison in Egypt this whole time. (I wonder if he thought they weren't coming back for him?)</p><p>"Joseph's brothers returned to Egypt, and the plot deepens as Joseph (after several "tests" of his brothers**) reveals his identity to his unsuspecting brothers. Joseph wept as he told his brothers who he was. Yet right in the midst of confessing his identity, he declares that through his brothers sold him into slavery, God had a plan all along."</p><p>The brothers leave with lots of supplies, return home, get Jacob, and the entire family (70 people) relocates to Egypt (Goshen). One thing to remember, God doesn't concoct a plan when things go wrong. He is not reactive. His plans and purposes will be accomplished. </p><p><br /></p><p>**my addition to the quote</p><p><br /></p><p><i>The Story of Redemption</i>, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-21411997234090536802022-01-14T09:44:00.003-05:002022-01-15T10:16:30.169-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 14<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9MYjF14BE6jJp0DpZB9pT5YIPyaLhP-gbm9NqLl-ET-vB3WzgZ7uOgKHucQtqM-9Ksb5Iuj6Nw7GzJNeEgAugOG57BFwuyYeqzoy9VQMZqEqMz4gBce-C5Caum-9aWgCZSurihuun07UkPauYwCnC4z3xffrV_-kygtO_IW_9zxhFEPvjiUvCtg=s300" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="300" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh9MYjF14BE6jJp0DpZB9pT5YIPyaLhP-gbm9NqLl-ET-vB3WzgZ7uOgKHucQtqM-9Ksb5Iuj6Nw7GzJNeEgAugOG57BFwuyYeqzoy9VQMZqEqMz4gBce-C5Caum-9aWgCZSurihuun07UkPauYwCnC4z3xffrV_-kygtO_IW_9zxhFEPvjiUvCtg" width="300" /></a></div>Genesis 40-42<p></p><p><i>God will work every part of our lives and every chapter of our stories for our good and His glory.</i></p><p>We see Joseph still in prison, interpreting the dreams of the butler (cupbearer) and the baker. Joseph asked the butler to remember him and try to help him get out of prison. It wasn't until Pharoah had some strange dreams about skinny/fat cows and skinny/fat ears of corn, two years later, that the butler remembered his promise to Joseph.</p><p>Joseph was very careful in Fenesis 40:8 and 41:16 to let everyone know that God was the One who gave him the interpretation of the dreams. </p><p>"Joseph endured unjust suffering and trials throughout his life, but his suffering points us to the One who has suffered in our place. For our good and His glory. </p><p>Joseph was made the second most powerful man in the land of Egypt. From prisoner to vice president in one day. </p><p>When the famine finally strikes, Joseph's brothers come to Egypt to get food. They didn't recognize him, but he knew who they were immediately. Simeon is kept in prison until they return with Benjamin. The brothers argue that this is punishment for what they did to Joseph all those years ago. </p><p>"Joseph's story reminds us that our Faithful God will not forsake us and that we can trust His plan, even when it does not make sense in our finite minds."</p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>The Story of Redemption</i>, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-28299794840452243662022-01-13T09:34:00.004-05:002022-01-15T10:16:19.590-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFatKqLlgf-7_92gHcgpPvXcz0hTu7XVvrW4ugf-SZDm--CFTmV6uqsu6UR-RPtKht8hOR1KlEtqd8lqMzoddn2_4GhOClHBWgkuP1Svo8gHSvjZw06sB5CAguLsPWp0jAdC9qiy8T_pAWq-u9873VdsQtQzD2TslaL-phpUgW9FMSh-w1bqJmuQ=s583" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="583" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgFatKqLlgf-7_92gHcgpPvXcz0hTu7XVvrW4ugf-SZDm--CFTmV6uqsu6UR-RPtKht8hOR1KlEtqd8lqMzoddn2_4GhOClHBWgkuP1Svo8gHSvjZw06sB5CAguLsPWp0jAdC9qiy8T_pAWq-u9873VdsQtQzD2TslaL-phpUgW9FMSh-w1bqJmuQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p> Genesis 37-39</p><p><i>This section of Scripture introduces us to Jacob's beloved son Joseph and the rest of the book of Genesis is about the story of his life.</i></p><p>Jacob plays favorites and presents Joseph with his Coat of Many Colors. His older brothers are understandably jealous. "This account provides additional evidence that the brokenness of this family abounds."</p><p>The story of Judah and Tamar is tucked into chapter 38 - BUT GRACE!</p><p>Jospeh and Potiphar's wife - Joseph's character would not allow him to betray his master's trust. He ran. She screamed. Potiphar was angry, but was it with Josephy? He was put in the king's prison but should have been put to death. </p><p>God's steadfast love is His covenant faithfulness, mercy, and kindness. It never fails and never ends. (Romans 8:28)</p><p>"Through all of Joseph's life, through all of Tamar's life, and yes, through all of our lives -- God is with us. Even in hardship, or undeserved suffering, we can trust that the Lord will never leave us. He will never fail His own."</p><p><br /></p><p><i>The Story of Redemption</i>, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-12758469355187306322022-01-12T09:56:00.001-05:002022-01-15T10:16:10.972-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 12<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiVYVTTwXOlZ7deHDb9Mdcepv4yf7d52_cHYxswMneom6jKTSE153sWjaVWs7kGOp6rqFtG9W4Tdabodpy6X1cnXNzNpPP1rwxchhEcfMMSh-hp-Idqf33oxOyj-6o_Q8n5-dbsNxa98qDSwlCwiDKyS_Jzuhg2qMLipdV-JlbhCkFwIO2IX6vcA=s3780" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3780" data-original-width="3024" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgiVYVTTwXOlZ7deHDb9Mdcepv4yf7d52_cHYxswMneom6jKTSE153sWjaVWs7kGOp6rqFtG9W4Tdabodpy6X1cnXNzNpPP1rwxchhEcfMMSh-hp-Idqf33oxOyj-6o_Q8n5-dbsNxa98qDSwlCwiDKyS_Jzuhg2qMLipdV-JlbhCkFwIO2IX6vcA=w346-h383" width="346" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Genesis 34-36</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The One was coming who would heal brokenness and break the power of sin.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This passage begins with the tragic account of Dinah. People are capable of so much sin. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>Dinah was assaulted and Jacob + the brothers plan revenge. Moses gives a rare editorial comment in 34:7, <i>"which thing ought not to be done."</i><div><i><br /></i></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #2b00fe;"><i>"<span style="font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 10pt;">The tragic account reminds us that our God is the only one who can bring
true comfort to the hurting and the oppressed. Dinah's father and brothers
failed to protect her or ease her suffering in any meaningful way. However,
we have hope in our suffering, Jesus is the one who has suffered in our place
to give us peace with God. Not only does He know what it means to suffer,
but He has suffered on earth."</span></i></span></div></div></blockquote><div><div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">The brothers took justice into their own hands, and Jacob responded in verse 30 - <span style="font-weight: normal;">"<span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Ye have troubled me to </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">make me to stink among the inhabitants of the land, among the Canaanites and</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"> the Perizzites: and being few in number they </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">shall gather themselves together against me, and slay me; and I shall be destroyed</span><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">, | and my house." He was only concerned with how their retribution would affect his reputation. </span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">God is mentioned 11 times in chapter 35. How differently would Jacob have acted throughout his life if he had realized that God was with him everywhere he went (v. 3) Jacob builds an altar and the Abrahamic covenant is renewed. His name is changed to Israel.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Verse 16 begins a joyful + sad part of Jacob's story, as a son is born, but Rachel dies in childbirth. She named the child Ben-oni: the son of my sorrow, but Jacob changed his name to Benjamin: the son of my right hand. Rachel was buried in Ephrath (Bethlehem), further pointing to Christ. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Reuben slept with his father's concubine (Bilhah) and Bible scholars believe he was trying to usurp his father's headship of the family.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">The death of Isaac is mentioned at the close of chapter 35. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Esau's descendants are mentioned in chapter 36. Esau = Edom (Edomites) </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;">Our sin has disqualified us from God's blessing, but Jesus qualifies us. When we trust in His finished work on the cross, we are given His righteousness. In spite of all of our sin and disobedience, God intervenes, He redirects, He transforms. </span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica;"><br /></span></div>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-52164891162082409782022-01-11T08:01:00.003-05:002022-01-15T10:16:02.398-05:00The Story of Redemption - Day 11<p><img height="300" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=12kE9cf6DHsrWGoVMX-rzESi-24LJFoTI" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: 100%; text-size-adjust: 100%;" width="300" /></p><p>Genesis 31-33</p><p>Throughout the life of Jacob, we repeatedly see struggle.</p><p><br /></p><p>“Through the life of Jacob we are reminded that living a life of blessing does not mean living a life free of sorrow or struggle. Jacob was clearly chosen to receive a special blessing but he also experienced intense struggle.” Some of it was brought on by his own actions and some was not his fault in anyway.</p><p>After an intense conversation with Laban, Jacob finally was able to head home. Realizing that he was going to encounter Esau, who he had cheated repeatedly, Jacob would be fearful. God came to him in a dream. He wrestled with the Lord all night long and begs God for a blessing. This signals a change of heart in Jacob. Before, he had been more concerned about his own benefit, but now he is begging God for a blessing. At the end of this night of wrestling, God changes his name to Israel. Jacob realized that he had seen God when he named the place Peniel, which means I have seen the face of God in my life is saved. </p><p><br /></p><p>Jacob now prepares to see Esau. Much to his surprise, Esau ran to meet him, hugged him, and wept. Both of these men had a supernatural change of heart. Only the Lord could make this happen.</p><p><br /></p><p>“Jacob‘s life of struggle is one part of the story that would culminate in the Messiah, and though Jacob was far from perfect, God showered him in grace and brought the Messiah through his line. Not only that, but Jesus uniquely appeared to Jacob. God had not forgotten his promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Every moment of the journey was worked together by God.“</p><p><br /></p><p><i>The Story of Redemption</i>, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3716345350842874242.post-4768070112612008182022-01-10T08:26:00.003-05:002022-01-15T10:15:51.379-05:00The Story of Redemption- Day 10<p><img height="300" src="https://drive.google.com/uc?id=1sH6GluupSVVhO-2l-6NQ2yU2P0oKYkZw" width="300" /><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>Genesis 28-30</p><p>Jacob’s life was full of struggle, and though he was raised in a family who knew the Lord, it was not until he had a dream that he truly met the Lord for himself. Even when we do not understand, his ways are good. </p><p><br /></p><p>On his way to his mother’s family to find a wife, Jacob has a dream. God reminds him of the Abrahamic covenant. Jacob responds with and if/then statement. He has conditional terms for the God of the universe. No relational Debs. He was more interested in the benefits in a relationship with the Lord. He name of the place Bethel.</p><p><br /></p><p>He finds his family and serves 14 years plus for two wives. Lea and Rachel. Lots of jealousy, lots of resentment, and right in the middle of all of it we see Judah’s birth. There was a shift in Leah’s attitude. Instead of “maybe this child will make my husband love me” to I will praise the Lord…</p><p><br /></p><p>There is a strange exchange between Jacob and Laban. In Bible times, the herdsman believed that whatever the animals saw while they were mating affected the offspring… Spotted, speckled, ringstraked, etc. That’s why Jacob put the sticks at the watering hole. He was hoping to weigh the balance in his favor.</p><p><br /></p><p>In all of this story, we see God at work. Here’s yet another dysfunctional family that the Lord is using to bring the promised Savior into the world. God uses us right where we are.</p><p><br /></p><p><i>The Story of Redemption</i>, Volume 1 | Genesis - 2 Samuel by The Daily Grace Co.</p>Andrea Hollomanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17563085259758969587noreply@blogger.com0