When pain is at its worse, I may not comprehend good words that are spoken but if they are put to music, I’m all ears so to speak (listening more importantly with my heart and soul).

El Shaddai can mean God of the mountains, of the wilderness or simply the God who provides, His grace being sufficient. (See Wiki link below)

When the people of Israel (aka Jacob) were promised through Moses that they would be brought into a land of their own, they did not listen.

The “promised land” had gone beyond their ability to hope. Their taskmasters demanded things of them that they could no longer perform. (Make bricks from straw and now find the straw first but keep making the same quota of bricks).

God appeared to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and established His covenant with them. He, however, did not make himself known to them as He did with Moses.

The children of Israel had become so numerous yet so enslaved, they no longer had the capacity to hope in God’s promises for them.

Moses was unique in that he was qualified to lead millions of people in a giant exodus out of slavery (brought up in Pharaohs house as the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter).

Moses was also unique in that his biological parents were part of the priestly Levites with extreme faith in YHWH (the covenant God of the Hebrews).

What a tremendous undertaking that Moses agreed to (albeit not without resistance), acting as God’s deliverer for the children of Israel.

This unique deliverer was recognized as special by his mother even at birth when she kept him hidden, believing against all odds that he would not be slain with the other newborn boys.

As God made himself known to Moses and the people of Israel, they escaped servitude, witnessed miracles, endured wilderness wanderings and were provided God’s law (code of conduct) at Mount Sinai.

I watched the old, yet first of “The Fast and The Furious” movies last night. We were amused at the insertion of “saying grace” between murders and violence. Even the priest appeared to be bought by the criminal, but in the end allowed for his removal.

The best line of the movie, however, was when the FBI agent admits his respect for Dom because he had a “code” to live by.

In essence, the Ten Commandments that were given through Moses to the people coming out of slavery provided a code of ethics that not only saved their lives but helped them to re-establish in the Promised Land successfully. (Now comes the music and dancing that brings God’s promises home).

Listen to this fabulous song, “Promised Land” by Toby Mac and Sheryl Crow. I heard it this week and was captivated by how much God wants us to hear His hope for us and provision that He alone can bring to our souls. Promised Land -Teresa

Exodus 6:2-28 (ESV)

² God spoke to Moses and said to him, “I am the Lord. ³ I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, as God Almighty,^[a] but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them. ⁴ I also established my covenant with them to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as sojourners. ⁵ Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the people of Israel whom the Egyptians hold as slaves, and I have remembered my covenant. ⁶ Say therefore to the people of Israel, ‘I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. ⁷ I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God, and you shall know that I am the Lord your God, who has brought you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. ⁸ I will bring you into the land that I swore to give to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob. I will give it to you for a possession. I am the Lord.’”⁹ Moses spoke thus to the people of Israel, but they did not listen to Moses, because of their broken spirit and harsh slavery.

¹⁰ So the Lord said to Moses, ¹¹ “Go in, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the people of Israel go out of his land.” ¹² But Moses said to the Lord, “Behold, the people of Israel have not listened to me. How then shall Pharaoh listen to me, for I am of uncircumcised lips?” ¹³ But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron and gave them a charge about the people of Israel and about Pharaoh king of Egypt: to bring the people of Israel out of the land of Egypt.

The Genealogy of Moses and Aaron

¹⁴ These are the heads of their fathers’ houses: the sons of Reuben, the firstborn of Israel: Hanoch, Pallu, Hezron, and Carmi; these are the clans of Reuben. ¹⁵ The sons of Simeon: Jemuel, Jamin, Ohad, Jachin, Zohar, and Shaul, the son of a Canaanite woman; these are the clans of Simeon.¹⁶ These are the names of the sons of Levi according to their generations: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari, the years of the life of Levi being 137 years. ¹⁷ The sons of Gershon: Libni and Shimei, by their clans. ¹⁸ The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel, the years of the life of Kohath being 133 years. ¹⁹ The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. These are the clans of the Levites according to their generations. ²⁰ Amram took as his wife Jochebed his father’s sister, and she bore him Aaron and Moses, the years of the life of Amram being 137 years. ²¹ The sons of Izhar: Korah, Nepheg, and Zichri. ²² The sons of Uzziel: Mishael, Elzaphan, and Sithri. ²³ Aaron took as his wife Elisheba, the daughter of Amminadab and the sister of Nahshon, and she bore him Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. ²⁴ The sons of Korah: Assir, Elkanah, and Abiasaph; these are the clans of the Korahites. ²⁵ Eleazar, Aaron’s son, took as his wife one of the daughters of Putiel, and she bore him Phinehas. These are the heads of the fathers’ houses of the Levites by their clans.

²⁶ These are the Aaron and Moses to whom the Lord said: “Bring out the people of Israel from the land of Egypt by their hosts.” ²⁷ It was they who spoke to Pharaoh king of Egypt about bringing out the people of Israel from Egypt, this Moses and this Aaron.

²⁸ On the day when the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, ²⁹ the Lord said to Moses, “I am the Lord; tell Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.” ³⁰ But Moses said to the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips. How will Pharaoh listen to me?”

Footnotes

1. Exodus 6:3 Hebrew El Shaddai (a)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Shaddai

A few years back, I heard a podcast about not taking offense at others. At the time, I was working on providing positive feedback when earned and not only complaining when service was poor.

Both take time, which seems to be one of our most valuable resources. After a few years of doing this (matching one for one), I transitioned to providing mostly positive reviews.

Since then, I have retired from my career as a registered nurse and started my part-time “gig”. Due to swiftly changing technical interfaces (for which I’m grateful), the learning curve can be steep when trying to obtain warp speed navigational skills. This applies to all levels of training in the workplace.

I spoke about my situation with several “millennial” friends (who are in the thick of the work force). I asked what to do with customers who “takes offense” at having to wait for a “newbie”. There is some great wisdom out there: don’t take it personal, don’t put yourself out there for others to trample on, get stronger, yell back at them, match their energy, say what you think they want to hear, let it go since you can’t change people who know better and still want to act childish or cruel. These friends all made me feel encouraged and empowered to be patient with myself as I navigate a learning curve.

In this passage, both Jesus and John the Baptist offended others. People in Jesus’ hometown of Nazareth were offended at His claim to be the Messiah. King Herod’s “wife” was offended at John the Baptist. She was angered enough to have him beheaded.

Jesus and John the Baptist continued to speak the truth that God the Father had given them. They did not change who they were or what they were called to do based on offended people.

We may not know the reason or the outcome of our fiery trials. But we can rest assured that our God and Creator uses clay pots and many times “cracked” vessels so that His glory will shine through. Trust Him.- Teresa #takenooffense #takingoffense=lackoffaith

Like 7:18-30 (NET)

18 John’s disciples informed him about all these things. John called two of his disciples 19 and sent them to Jesus to ask, “Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?” 20 When the men came to Jesus, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to you to ask, ‘Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another?’” 21 At that very time Jesus cured many people of diseases, sicknesses, and evil spirits, and granted sight to many who were blind. 22 So he answered them, “Go tell John what you have seen and heard: The blind see, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have good news proclaimed to them. 23 Blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” 24
When John’s messengers had gone, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?25 What did you go out to see? A man dressed in fancy clothes? Look, those who wear fancy clothes and live in luxury are in kings’ courts! 26 What did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 27 This is the one about whom it is written, ‘Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you,who will prepare your way before you.’ 28 I tell you, among those born of women no one is greater than John. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he is.” 29 (Now all the people who heard this, even the tax collectors, acknowledged God’s justice, because they had been baptized with John’s baptism. 30 However, the Pharisees and the experts in religious law rejected God’s purpose for themselves, because they had not been baptized by John.)

Matthew 13:53-14:12 (ESV)

Jesus Rejected at Nazareth

⁵³ And when Jesus had finished these parables, he went away from there, ⁵⁴ and coming to his hometown he taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, “Where did this man get this wisdom and these mighty works?⁵⁵ Is not this the carpenter’s son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? ⁵⁶ And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all these things?” ⁵⁷ And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household.”⁵⁸ And he did not do many mighty works there, because of their unbelief.

The Death of John the Baptist

14 At that time Herod the tetrarch heard about the fame of Jesus, ² and he said to his servants, “This is John the Baptist. He has been raised from the dead; that is why these miraculous powers are at work in him.” ³ For Herod had seized John and bound him and put him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife,^{[a] 4} because John had been saying to him, “It is not lawful for you to have her.” ⁵ And though he wanted to put him to death, he feared the people, because they held him to be a prophet. ⁶ But when Herod’s birthday came, the daughter of Herodias danced before the company and pleased Herod, ⁷ so that he promised with an oath to give her whatever she might ask. ⁸ Prompted by her mother, she said, “Give me the head of John the Baptist here on a platter.” ⁹ And the king was sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he commanded it to be given. ¹⁰ He sent and had John beheaded in the prison, ¹¹ and his head was brought on a platter and given to the girl, and she brought it to her mother.¹² And his disciples came and took the body and buried it, and they went and told Jesus.

Footnotes

1. Matthew 14:3 Some manuscripts his brother’s wife

As life-saving as silver is from dangerous microbes and as useful as it is for creating electronics in cars, it is also full of symbolism-including purity. (see references below)

The passage in Psalm 12 speaks of silver refined in a furnace as being purified, 7 times. The number seven in Hebrew represents an oath*, something unshakeable. God’s word does not change, it is steadfast. When He keeps His word, His kingdom comes and His will is done.

There is nothing mixed in to change His meaning. It is authentic and true. When Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?”, he was verbalizing the question of human culture and society in general. Many things appear one way but come to find out, they were just the opposite of what was said. This is called reading between the lines or as my freshman college professors taught us, “situational ethics”.

The vileness exalted among children in our current age will not be unnoticed by God. He has set a standard that is unpolluted by fame or popularity. He will respond at the right time to take care of unjust gain derived from vile deeds, robbing the poor or needy. (Children are poor and needy as they rely on adults to care for them properly)

Who’s word is unchanging? Trust His timing.- Teresa #purified #likesilver

Who is the One who protects and keeps us? (January challenge: memorize Psalm 121)

It is the Lord, maker of heaven and earth!!!

A song of ascents. (Psalm 121, NET)
I look up toward the hills.
From where does my help come?2
My help comes from the Lord,
the Creator of heaven and earth!3
May he not allow your foot to slip!
May your protector not sleep!4
Look! Israel’s protector
does not sleep or slumber!5
The Lord is your protector;
the Lord is the shade at your right hand.6
The sun will not harm you by day,
or the moon by night.7
The Lord will protect you from all harm;
he will protect your life.8
The Lord will protect you in all you do,
now and forevermore.

Psalm 12:5-8 (ESV)

^‘5 “Because the poor are plundered, because the needy groan,
I will now arise,” says the Lord;
“I will place him in the safety for which he longs.”
⁶ The words of the Lord are pure words,
like silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times.

⁷ You, O Lord, will keep them;
you will guard us^[b] from this generation forever.
⁸ On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among the children of man.’

John 18:33-38a (NET)

‘Pilate Questions Jesus
So Pilate went back into the governor’s residence, summoned Jesus, and asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” 34 Jesus replied, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or have others told you about me?”35 Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own people and your chief priests handed you over to me. What have you done?” 36
Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 37 Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world – to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 38 Pilate asked, “What is truth?” ‘

* Dr. David Eckman, Hebrew professor, Western Seminary, 1999-2000

Additional web- based references below…

According to John Rothins @USmoneyreserve.com, (July 1, 2019)

Silver might not always get the glory and attention that gold does, but it remains one of the most useful precious metals in the world. Solar technology, electronics, soldering and brazing, engine bearings, medicine, cars, water purification, jewelry, tableware, and your precious metals portfolio—silver can be found practically everywhere.

And from Mining.com (April 30,2021), a post from Rob Tyson states:

As a metal, silver is extremely pliable, elastic, heat resistant, conductive, non-corrosive, non-toxic in low doses, has low contact resistant, doesn’t readily oxidise and has proven antimicrobial and biocide properties. That means it can lend itself to a huge range of applications, some of them literally life-saving.

Of particular note are silver nanoparticles (silver NPs), which are tiny particles of silver. Studies have found they have excellent antimicrobial properties and are very effective against most types of bacteria. However, they’ve also proven to be a very handy tool in the fight against some viruses, notably HIV, hepatitis B, herpes simplex, mpox (abbreviation added) and RSV (respiratory syncytial virus).

It takes a good question to find the narrow way leading to eternal life. Have I asked to be given what I need?

It takes a bit of pondering to seek a worthy treasure. Have I settled for mediocrity or given up on excellence?

Energy expended in knocking at the right door of opportunity will not lead to destruction. Am I part of the few who persevere to find it opening?

I heard a young man describe a friend of his who followed Christ wholeheartedly as a quality person. He would surely consider her for a wife!

I found it refreshing to hear that it was not because she was someone who was easily seduced that put her in the “quality” category, but someone who reflected Christ.

Religion is different than relationship. One is “about” God and the other is “with” God. Taking care of orphans and widows in their distress is done “with” the love of God, only then considered “pure” religion that involves a true relationship (James 1:27).

I read a tweet from @CSLewis daily saying, “Of all the bad men, religious bad men are the worst.” – C.S. Lewis

I would say that is because a religious bad person is caught up with finding correct answers but not changing their humanly deceptive heart through the power of God. Correct answers only lead to knowledge which puffs up but as Paul the apostle states, love builds up! (I Corinthians 8:1)

If our right actions stem from a need to only be correct, then the power of love has not yet transformed our hearts.

Asking the difficult question (aka…I need something/asked with humility) is necessary in order to be given the rewarding answer.

Seeking the worthy treasure begins with discerning true quality.

Knocking at the door of God’s heart allows us to gain entrance into His fellowship, through His Son, Jesus Christ the Lord.

In so doing, we will begin to lose our insecurities caused by sin’s curse. Only then, will we be able to treat others as we would love to be treated.

I have struggled with feelings of being left out, over-giving to gain acceptance and jealousy/anger of those who attempt to take what I feel is rightfully mine. Reading this passage reminds me that it’s not other people’s job to make me feel included, I must ask the right question of the Lord for myself. Over-giving leads to being “used” by others or not valued as the quality person God has made me. Trying to “hold on” to what is mine only leads to achy hands. By opening my fingers, I can be released of bad feelings, knowing God will truly give every opportunity that is mine.

Have you asked, are you seeking, will you knock? Each season of life requires a different way of addressing these three questions. None is more rewarding than the present realization that He is waiting for our fellowship (questions). -Teresa

Matthew 6:7-13 (ESV)

Ask, and It Will Be Given

⁷ “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ⁸ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ⁹ Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? ¹⁰ Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? ¹¹ If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

The Golden Rule

¹² “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

¹³ “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy^[b] that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. ¹⁴ For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.