Saturday, Ordinary 16/Proper 11-- July 19
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Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/101/367078204_0412ed840e_o_d.jpg, Fixed: In sheep clothing; photo by Pierre Tourigny flickr CCL
Meditation
Saturday, Ordinary 16/Proper 11 reminded me of the ditty, “Things are seldom as they seem, Skim milk masquerades as cream.” The Psalmist wrote of God’s ability to see people wherever they are. There would be no place that anyone could hide from God—not high in the sky, not deep in the sea, not in darkness and not behind any door. God would always see.
People might have tried to ‘fool’ God, but God could not-cannot be fooled. As much as we might try to hide our sin, God sees it, just as he saw the Psalmist.
The Old Testament lesson in Exodus was one of the great stories of all time. A special people followed Moses out of the land where they had food and water, but existed as slaves. The Egyptian people soon felt the loss of their slave-help and complained to Pharaoh. He sent the chariots and soldiers to chase them down and bring them back.
The sight of the Egyptian armies bearing down on the Israelites caused fear to surface and they complained to Moses—“It would have been better if we had stayed as slaves than die in this wilderness.”
But what they saw as certain death became an opportunity for God to reveal the Divine power that defied expectations. The Egyptians expected to run the ‘slaves’ down and bring them back. “So that the Egyptians said, ‘Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.’”
The New Testament lesson in Matthew warned of wolves masquerading in sheep’s clothing. Leaders might pretend to be something good, but inside they would be dangerous and a threat. Jesus called upon believers to examine things—a bad tree would not produce good fruit. It would take a good tree to produce good fruit.
But things may not be as they seem. We must be diligent to follow the Word of God. Just as the Hebrews walked across on dry ground, we can discern the truth in the midst of false. They falsely thought the Egyptians offered a better life. They falsely feared the Egyptians as if they were more powerful. They discovered that God always had a plan, even when they couldn’t see it because they were fooled by the appearance of things.
We have the benefit of the Scriptures—the great stories of God’s provision. We have the gift of personal access to the throne of God. We can ask for wisdom, so we will not be confused. We have the Word of God at our fingertips, which can distinguish the wolves from the sheep. We can discern whether the evangelist is a Jim Jones offering poisoned Kool-Aid or a Billy Graham preaching God’s word. We must beware. Be wary. Study and examine that things are true. We can ask for wisdom and count on God’s presence in our lives to give us the correct answer.
Thanks be to God.¬¬
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Click on the Scriptures for links to biblegateway.com, where many translations of the same text enhance the understanding the readings, which come from the (RCL) Revised Common Lectionary – Daily Lectionary Readings. I add a Daily Prayer to bless you with God’s Favor.
Enjoy the Daily Encouragement and Bible Study and may you be inspired to be your best self for Ordinary 16/Proper 11 .
Ordinary 16/Proper 11
God’s Promises Are True – Music Majors Chorale, AUP
[embed]
http://youtu.be/Xoajcn6DB50 [/embed]
The Israelites
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4082/4900458247_f0f6120b00_z_d.jpg Boston - Back Bay: Boston Public Library McKim Building - Sargent Gallery - The Israelites Oppressed and Pagan Gods, Photo by Wally Gobetz, flickr CCL
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 16/Proper 11
Go Down, Moses – Paul Robeson
[embed]
http://youtu.be/w3OjHIhLCDs [/embed]
The Exodus Route of Egypt
http://www.bible.ca/archeology/maps-bible-archeology-exodus-route-overview.jpg The Exodus Route out of Egypt ©Steve Rudd bible.ca Used by permission
Ordinary 16/Proper 11
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24;Exodus 14:9-25;Matthew 7:15-20&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Saturday, Ordinary 16/Proper 11
Psalm 139:1-12
Psalm 139:23-24
Exodus 14:9-25
Matthew 7:15-20
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 139:23-24
King James Version (KJV)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Exodus 14:9-25
King James Version (KJV)
9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.
http://www.bible.ca/archeology/maps-bible-archeology-exodus-route-pi-hahiroth.jpg Pihahiroth-the Mouth of Water; ©Steve Rudd bible.ca used by permission.
10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7166588239_dbf73232c0_z_d.jpg Illuminated Manuscript, Bible (part), Moses in a pulpit preaching to the Israelites, Walters Manuscript W.805, fol. 102r Walters Art Museum
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7351798806_e23632b231_z_d.jpg Illuminated Manuscript, Bible (part), God appears to Moses and a group of Israelites, Walters Manuscript W.805, fol. 78v; Walters Art Museum; flickr CCL
15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6143/5918666946_f732f629cc_z_d.jpg Moses and Israelites at the Red Sea; Get Right With God; Attributed to Joseph Yvart Photo by Thomas Hawk, flickr CCL
17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6018/5953138703_d7769fccab_b_d.jpg Crossing the Red Sea This stained glass detail is from Henley parish church, Fr Lawrence Lew OP, flickr CCL
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, we cannot hide from you and we know that we can be fooled if we are not careful in examining all things that we don’t get taken in by wolves in sheep’s clothing. Help us to seek your wisdom. Give us clarity of mind. In Jesus name, Amen
Ordinary 16/Proper 11
Music
Wade in the Water – Eva Cassidy
[embed]
http://youtu.be/qK5XodeQ2tQ [/embed]
Ordinary 16/Proper 11 Humor
CSI-Egypt Examines the Exodus
http://thebackpew.com/images/c/csi_egypt.jpg ©Jeff Larson, Used by permission
Wade in the Water – Sweet Honey in the Rock (Toronto)
[embed]
http://youtu.be/RRpzEnq14Hs [/embed]
I hope you found a chance to encounter your Creator and experience the Love of God and the joy of Christ in Ordinary 16/Proper 11 .
Conclusion
Saturday, Ordinary 16/Proper 11 touched on the truth of life. The Psalmist recognized the ability of God to always see us. We cannot hide from God. The Hebrews misread the trials of the Exodus and missed the point of what God had in store for them.
Matthew in the New Testament related Jesus’ instructions to be wary of false prophets that ‘appear’ good on the outside, but are foul inside.
We must be diligent and faithful in our study, our trust and reliance on the Word of God.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. . God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/101/367078204_0412ed840e_o_d.jpg, Fixed: In sheep clothing; photo by Pierre Tourigny flickr CCL
Meditation
Saturday, Ordinary 16/Proper 11 reminded me of the ditty, “Things are seldom as they seem, Skim milk masquerades as cream.” The Psalmist wrote of God’s ability to see people wherever they are. There would be no place that anyone could hide from God—not high in the sky, not deep in the sea, not in darkness and not behind any door. God would always see.
People might have tried to ‘fool’ God, but God could not-cannot be fooled. As much as we might try to hide our sin, God sees it, just as he saw the Psalmist.
The Old Testament lesson in Exodus was one of the great stories of all time. A special people followed Moses out of the land where they had food and water, but existed as slaves. The Egyptian people soon felt the loss of their slave-help and complained to Pharaoh. He sent the chariots and soldiers to chase them down and bring them back.
The sight of the Egyptian armies bearing down on the Israelites caused fear to surface and they complained to Moses—“It would have been better if we had stayed as slaves than die in this wilderness.”
But what they saw as certain death became an opportunity for God to reveal the Divine power that defied expectations. The Egyptians expected to run the ‘slaves’ down and bring them back. “So that the Egyptians said, ‘Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the Lord fighteth for them against the Egyptians.’”
The New Testament lesson in Matthew warned of wolves masquerading in sheep’s clothing. Leaders might pretend to be something good, but inside they would be dangerous and a threat. Jesus called upon believers to examine things—a bad tree would not produce good fruit. It would take a good tree to produce good fruit.
But things may not be as they seem. We must be diligent to follow the Word of God. Just as the Hebrews walked across on dry ground, we can discern the truth in the midst of false. They falsely thought the Egyptians offered a better life. They falsely feared the Egyptians as if they were more powerful. They discovered that God always had a plan, even when they couldn’t see it because they were fooled by the appearance of things.
We have the benefit of the Scriptures—the great stories of God’s provision. We have the gift of personal access to the throne of God. We can ask for wisdom, so we will not be confused. We have the Word of God at our fingertips, which can distinguish the wolves from the sheep. We can discern whether the evangelist is a Jim Jones offering poisoned Kool-Aid or a Billy Graham preaching God’s word. We must beware. Be wary. Study and examine that things are true. We can ask for wisdom and count on God’s presence in our lives to give us the correct answer.
Thanks be to God.¬¬
All Scriptures printed below are in King James Version for copyright purposes. However, clicking on the verse locations will take you to Biblegateway.com where the text is linked to more contemporary versions.
Click on the Scriptures for links to biblegateway.com, where many translations of the same text enhance the understanding the readings, which come from the (RCL) Revised Common Lectionary – Daily Lectionary Readings. I add a Daily Prayer to bless you with God’s Favor.
Enjoy the Daily Encouragement and Bible Study and may you be inspired to be your best self for Ordinary 16/Proper 11 .
Ordinary 16/Proper 11
God’s Promises Are True – Music Majors Chorale, AUP
[embed]
http://youtu.be/Xoajcn6DB50 [/embed]The Israelites
https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4082/4900458247_f0f6120b00_z_d.jpg Boston - Back Bay: Boston Public Library McKim Building - Sargent Gallery - The Israelites Oppressed and Pagan Gods, Photo by Wally Gobetz, flickr CCL
Prayer: Almighty God, Open my eyes that I might see. Open my mind that I might understand. Open my heart that I might make your words a part of me. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in your sight. Amen
Ordinary 16/Proper 11
Go Down, Moses – Paul Robeson
[embed]
http://youtu.be/w3OjHIhLCDs [/embed]The Exodus Route of Egypt
http://www.bible.ca/archeology/maps-bible-archeology-exodus-route-overview.jpg The Exodus Route out of Egypt ©Steve Rudd bible.ca Used by permission
Ordinary 16/Proper 11
Bible Readings
http://legacy.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm 139:1-12, 23-24;Exodus 14:9-25;Matthew 7:15-20&version=KJV;ERV;GNT;NCV;CEV (multiple versions)
Saturday, Ordinary 16/Proper 11
Psalm 139:1-12
Psalm 139:23-24
Exodus 14:9-25
Matthew 7:15-20
Daily Bible Verses to Memorize for Meditating
Psalm 139:23-24
King James Version (KJV)
23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:
24 And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
Single Bible Study chapter to study
Exodus 14:9-25
King James Version (KJV)
9 But the Egyptians pursued after them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, and his horsemen, and his army, and overtook them encamping by the sea, beside Pihahiroth, before Baalzephon.
http://www.bible.ca/archeology/maps-bible-archeology-exodus-route-pi-hahiroth.jpg Pihahiroth-the Mouth of Water; ©Steve Rudd bible.ca used by permission.
10 And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the LORD.
11 And they said unto Moses, Because there were no graves in Egypt, hast thou taken us away to die in the wilderness? wherefore hast thou dealt thus with us, to carry us forth out of Egypt?
12 Is not this the word that we did tell thee in Egypt, saying, Let us alone, that we may serve the Egyptians? For it had been better for us to serve the Egyptians, than that we should die in the wilderness.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7092/7166588239_dbf73232c0_z_d.jpg Illuminated Manuscript, Bible (part), Moses in a pulpit preaching to the Israelites, Walters Manuscript W.805, fol. 102r Walters Art Museum
13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever.
14 The LORD shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.
https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/7351798806_e23632b231_z_d.jpg Illuminated Manuscript, Bible (part), God appears to Moses and a group of Israelites, Walters Manuscript W.805, fol. 78v; Walters Art Museum; flickr CCL
15 And the LORD said unto Moses, Wherefore criest thou unto me? speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward:
16 But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6143/5918666946_f732f629cc_z_d.jpg Moses and Israelites at the Red Sea; Get Right With God; Attributed to Joseph Yvart Photo by Thomas Hawk, flickr CCL
17 And I, behold, I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they shall follow them: and I will get me honour upon Pharaoh, and upon all his host, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
18 And the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I have gotten me honour upon Pharaoh, upon his chariots, and upon his horsemen.
19 And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face, and stood behind them:
20 And it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel; and it was a cloud and darkness to them, but it gave light by night to these: so that the one came not near the other all the night.
21 And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea; and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.
https://farm7.staticflickr.com/6018/5953138703_d7769fccab_b_d.jpg Crossing the Red Sea This stained glass detail is from Henley parish church, Fr Lawrence Lew OP, flickr CCL
22 And the children of Israel went into the midst of the sea upon the dry ground: and the waters were a wall unto them on their right hand, and on their left.
23 And the Egyptians pursued, and went in after them to the midst of the sea, even all Pharaoh's horses, his chariots, and his horsemen.
24 And it came to pass, that in the morning watch the LORD looked unto the host of the Egyptians through the pillar of fire and of the cloud, and troubled the host of the Egyptians,
25 And took off their chariot wheels, that they drave them heavily: so that the Egyptians said, Let us flee from the face of Israel; for the LORD fighteth for them against the Egyptians.
OBSERVE:
Take a moment and write three observations of the verses. What strikes you? An observation is an observable fact from the Word.
1.
2.
3.
INTERPRETATION:
What do you interpret these verses to mean for you today?
APPLY:
Today, I learned _____________________________________and apply it to my life.
Prayer of Encouragement
Almighty God, we cannot hide from you and we know that we can be fooled if we are not careful in examining all things that we don’t get taken in by wolves in sheep’s clothing. Help us to seek your wisdom. Give us clarity of mind. In Jesus name, Amen
Ordinary 16/Proper 11
Music
Wade in the Water – Eva Cassidy
[embed]
http://youtu.be/qK5XodeQ2tQ [/embed]Ordinary 16/Proper 11 Humor
CSI-Egypt Examines the Exodus
http://thebackpew.com/images/c/csi_egypt.jpg ©Jeff Larson, Used by permission
Wade in the Water – Sweet Honey in the Rock (Toronto)
[embed]
http://youtu.be/RRpzEnq14Hs [/embed]I hope you found a chance to encounter your Creator and experience the Love of God and the joy of Christ in Ordinary 16/Proper 11 .
Conclusion
Saturday, Ordinary 16/Proper 11 touched on the truth of life. The Psalmist recognized the ability of God to always see us. We cannot hide from God. The Hebrews misread the trials of the Exodus and missed the point of what God had in store for them.
Matthew in the New Testament related Jesus’ instructions to be wary of false prophets that ‘appear’ good on the outside, but are foul inside.
We must be diligent and faithful in our study, our trust and reliance on the Word of God.
Go out and be ready for God to do mighty things in your life—for the glory of God.*
Thank you for visiting ChapLynne’s Daily Encouragement and Bible Study. . God bless you.
*If you do not know the Lord as your personal Savior and you are seeking, please contact me. A genuine and simple prayer, asking God into your heart for the forgiveness of your sins will also do
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