You and I have an enemy. We did not choose him. When we chose Jesus as our Lord and Savior, His enemy became our enemy. Your enemy wants to defeat you, destroy your testimony, steal your inheritance and take others down with you.

When you receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you are saved from the penalty of sin, being saved from the very power of sin and someday will be saved from the very presence of sin!

Remember the purpose of the armor He provides you is so you can withstand and stand- In a real sense most of the armor pieces are defensive. But Jesus Christ is building His church and He is using His church to advance His kingdom. You have a specific purpose. Jesus Christ wants you to advance in your purpose/ Ephesians 6:
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

The next piece of armor Jesus Christ provides you is the shield of faith. Ephesians 6:
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
This piece of armor is for action. You use it to quench those fiery darts of your enemy. That certainly involves protection for you but so much more. Jesus designed the shield of faith to enable you to quench those fiery darts, not just stop them from hurting and injuring you. With the shield of faith you can extinguish the fiery dart. You can overcome!

What is a fiery dart?
A dart is a pointed missile that is swiftly and suddenly propelled at the target
A fiery dart is intensely hot, passionate, fervent, spirited and burning

What does the fiery dart tell you about your enemy’s intent?

What does it mean to quench?
Quench is to subdue, extinguish, cool suddenly, quell, overcome

In discussions with others about the shield of faith, it seems those darts ca be fiery because of the content of the dart and because of the reaction the dart causes.

Remember there is nothing in the Bible that indicates your enemy knows your thoughts. But your enemy has had all of history to observe human behavior and he is hateful and cunning.

So what are your weak points- unresolved wounds from the past? -unfulfilled desires in your present?
Jesus cares! He loves you unconditionally. He has a good plan for your life. He will give you the victory and bring you home to Him safely.

What is faith?
Hebrews 11:
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
1 John 5:
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

• Evidence of things you do not see
• the weapon you use to obtain a good report and finish well
• Victory over the world and your circumstances

In what should you put your faith?
Psalms 91:
4 He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.
The truth of Jesus Christ is your shield. The truth of Who-He-is and the truth of who-you-are-in-Him

Remember Who-He-is and who-you-are-in-Him!
Jesus overcomes your enemy!- John 16:
33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
1 Corinthians 15:
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Remember, also, that Jesus as your High Priest stands before the Father and speaks against the enemy who accuses you continually!

1 John 2:1
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

Revelation 12:
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Hebrews 4:
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Faith is the Victory- John H. Yates, 1891
Encamped along the hills of light, Ye Christian soldiers, rise.
And press the battle ere the night Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below Let all our strength be hurled.
Faith is the victory, we know, That overcomes the world.

Refrain:
Faith is the victory! Faith is the victory!
O glorious victory, that overcomes the world.

His banner over us is love, Our sword the Word of God.
We tread the road the saints above With shouts of triumph trod.
By faith, they like a whirlwind’s breath, Swept on o’er every field.
The faith by which they conquered death Is still our shining shield.

On every hand the foe we find Drawn up in dread array.
Let tents of ease be left behind, And onward to the fray.
Salvation’s helmet on each head, With truth all girt about,
The earth shall tremble ‘neath our tread, And echo with our shout.

To him that overcomes the foe, White raiment shall be giv’n.
Before the angels he shall know His name confessed in Heav’n.
Then onward from the hill of light, Our hearts with love aflame,
We’ll vanquish all the hosts of night, In Jesus’ conqu’ring Name.

John Henry Yates, 1837-1900, born and died in Batavia, NY; worked at a number of jobs, including shoe salesman, newspaper editor, and hardware store manager. He became a Methodist minister in 1886, and later pastor of the West Bethany Free Will Baptist Church.

Questions for Reflection
1) Why do you think Paul thought taking the shield of faith was above all other pieces of the armor?

2) How important is faith in Jesus to you?

3) How important is faith in what Jesus does for you to you?

4) What makes the enemy’s dart fiery for you?

5) How can you use your faith in Jesus to quench that dart?

6) Which fiery dart is repeatedly thrown at you? Tell it to Jesus. He loves you unconditionally. He is able to give you the victory!

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unot Jesus,
Coach Patti

Jesus Christ gives you victory
1 Corinthians 15:
54 So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.
55 O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
56 The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Jesus Christ gives you water from which you will never thirst
John 4:
13 Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again:
14 But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.

Jesus Christ gives you the Holy Spirit
Romans 5:
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
1 Corinthians 2:
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
8 Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
9 But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
2 Corinthians 1:
21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God;
22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.
1 Thessalonians 4:
7For God hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness.
8 He therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit.

Jesus Christ gives you deliverance from the evil world
Galatians 1:
3 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus Christ gives you peace
John 14:
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Jesus Christ gives you eternal life
John 10:
27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Jesus Christ gives you rest
Matthew 11:
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Jesus Christ gives you grace
Ephesians 1:
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

Jesus Christ gives you grace and the gift of righteousness
Romans 5:
17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.)

Jesus Christ gives you light
Ephesians 5:
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light.
14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

Jesus Christ gives you everlasting consolation and good hope
2 Thessalonians 1:
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.
Jesus Christ gives you life and breath
Acts 17:
24 God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
25 Neither is worshipped with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things;
26 And hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation;
27 That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us:
28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring.

Jesus Christ gives you all things
Romans 8:
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?
32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?

Jesus Christ gives you all things to enjoy
1Timothy 6:
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;

Jesus Christ gives you ability
1 Peter 4:
11 If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus Christ gives you all things that pertain to life and godliness
2 Peter 1:
2 Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord,
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:

My Tribute- Andrae Crouch
How can I say thanks for the things You have done for me?
Things so undeserved yet you gave To prove your love for me
The voices of a million angels Could not express my gratitude
All that I am, and ever hope to be I owe it all to thee

To God be the glory, to God be the glory
To God be the glory for the things He has done
With His blood He has saved me-With His power He has raised me
To God be the glory for the things He has done

Just let me live my life and Let it be pleasing Lord to Thee
And if I gain any praise, let it go to Calvary
With His blood He has saved me-With His power He has raised me
To God be the glory for the things He has done

Questions for Reflection
1) Which gifts of Jesus Christ matter most to you today? Why?

2) Is there a gift on this list that is new information to you?

3) Why do you think you and I need these gifts?

4) Why do you think Jesus Christ gives these gifts to you and me?

5) What ability has Jesus Christ given you?

6) How can you use that ability to give glory to Him?

7) How would you describe a gift?

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Do you remember the story? The Israelites were slaves in Egypt for 4 centuries. But they were God’s chosen people and expected Him to deliver them. In God’s timing He put His plan into action. We see from the recorded story that His plan was more than just delivering His chosen people.

Jesus Christ identifies Himself as God of gods
Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward: 18 He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. 19 Love ye therefore the stranger: for ye were strangers in the land of Egypt. 20 Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God; him shalt thou serve, and to him shalt thou cleave, and swear by his name. 21 He is thy praise, and he is thy God, that hath done for thee these great and terrible things, which thine eyes have seen.
22 Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

Isaiah 42: 8 I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images.

The Egyptians had many gods. Jesus Christ showed Himself to be God of those gods in the specific plagues He sent.

Plague #1 – Water to blood
Three of the Egyptian gods to guard the Nile and the river’s source were:
Khnum – Guardian of river’s source.
Hapi – Spirit of the Nile.
Osiris – Nile was his bloodstream.
Exodus 7;20 And Moses and Aaron did so, as the LORD commanded; and he lifted up the rod, and smote the waters that were in the river, in the sight of Pharaoh, and in the sight of his servants; and all the waters that were in the river were turned to blood. 21 And the fish that was in the river died; and the river stank, and the Egyptians could not drink of the water of the river; and there was blood throughout all the land of Egypt. 22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, neither did he hearken unto them; as the LORD had said.

Plague #2-frogs
Hapi was the frog goddess to Egypt.

Exodus 8: 5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt. 6 And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. 7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.

Plague #3-lice
Seb was the earth god of Egypt
Exodus 8;16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt. 18 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.

Plague #4-flies
Uatchit was the fly god of Egypt.
Exodus 8:20 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 21 Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are. 22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth. 23 And I will put a division between my people and thy people: to morrow shall this sign be. 24 And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.

Plague #5-livestock
There were 4 gods of bulls and cows:Ptah • Mnevis • Hathor • Amon.
Exodus 9 1Then the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh, and tell him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 2 For if thou refuse to let them go, and wilt hold them still, 3 Behold, the hand of the LORD is upon thy cattle which is in the field, upon the horses, upon the asses, upon the camels, upon the oxen, and upon the sheep: there shall be a very grievous murrain. 4 And the LORD shall sever between the cattle of Israel and the cattle of Egypt: and there shall nothing die of all that is the children’s of Israel. 5 And the LORD appointed a set time, saying, To morrow the LORD shall do this thing in the land. 6 And the LORD did that thing on the morrow, and all the cattle of Egypt died: but of the cattle of the children of Israel died not one. 7 And Pharaoh sent, and, behold, there was not one of the cattle of the Israelites dead. And the heart of Pharaoh was hardened, and he did not let the people go.

Plague #6-boils
Sekhmet – Egyptian goddess of Epidemics
Serapis and Imhotep -Egyptian gods of healing
Exodus 9:8 And the LORD said unto Moses and unto Aaron, Take to you handfuls of ashes of the furnace, and let Moses sprinkle it toward the heaven in the sight of Pharaoh.
9 And it shall become small dust in all the land of Egypt, and shall be a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast, throughout all the land of Egypt. 10 And they took ashes of the furnace, and stood before Pharaoh; and Moses sprinkled it up toward heaven; and it became a boil breaking forth with blains upon man, and upon beast. 11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.

At this point Jesus Christ gives Pharaoh His reason recorded in Exodus 9:
13 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh, and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, Let my people go, that they may serve me. 14 For I will at this time send all my plagues upon thine heart, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people; that thou mayest know that there is none like me in all the earth. 15 For now I will stretch out my hand, that I may smite thee and thy people with pestilence; and thou shalt be cut off from the earth. 16 And in very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, for to shew in thee my power; and that my name may be declared throughout all the earth. 17 As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go?

But Jesus Christ also gives mercy recorded in Exodus 9:
8 Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now.
19 Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. 20 He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: 21 And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.

Plague #7-hail and fire
Nut – Egyptian sky goddess
Isis & Seth – Egyptian agriculture deities
Shu – Egyptian god of the atmosphere.
Exodus 9:22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. 23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. 24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. 25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. 26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. 27 And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. 28 Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. 29 And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD’S. 30 But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God. 31 And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax was bolled. 32 But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up.

Plague #8-locusts
Serapia – Egyptian deity protector from locusts
Exodus 10:13 And Moses stretched forth his rod over the land of Egypt, and the LORD brought an east wind upon the land all that day, and all that night; and when it was morning, the east wind brought the locusts. 14 And the locusts went up over all the land of Egypt, and rested in all the coasts of Egypt: very grievous were they; before them there were no such locusts as they, neither after them shall be such. 15 For they covered the face of the whole earth, so that the land was darkened; and they did eat every herb of the land, and all the fruit of the trees which the hail had left: and there remained not any green thing in the trees, or in the herbs of the field, through all the land of Egypt.
16 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron in haste; and he said, I have sinned against the LORD your God, and against you. 17 Now therefore forgive, I pray thee, my sin only this once, and intreat the LORD your God, that he may take away from me this death only. 18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD. 19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt. 20 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go.

Plague #9 – Darkness that can be felt
the sun gods were: Re, Amon-re, Aten, Atum, Horus
Thoth – Egyptian moon god.
Exodus 10:21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.
22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: 23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings. 24 And Pharaoh called unto Moses, and said, Go ye, serve the LORD; only let your flocks and your herds be stayed: let your little ones also go with you. 25 And Moses said, Thou must give us also sacrifices and burnt offerings, that we may sacrifice unto the LORD our God.
26 Our cattle also shall go with us; there shall not an hoof be left behind; for thereof must we take to serve the LORD our God; and we know not with what we must serve the LORD, until we come thither. 27 But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, and he would not let them go. 28 And Pharaoh said unto him, Get thee from me, take heed to thyself, see my face no more; for in that day thou seest my face thou shalt die.
29 And Moses said, Thou hast spoken well, I will see thy face again no more.

Plague #10-Death of first born
Exodus 12; 28 And the children of Israel went away, and did as the LORD had commanded Moses and Aaron, so did they. 29 And it came to pass, that at midnight the LORD smote all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captive that was in the dungeon; and all the firstborn of cattle. 30 And Pharaoh rose up in the night, he, and all his servants, and all the Egyptians; and there was a great cry in Egypt; for there was not a house where there was not one dead. 31 And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go, serve the LORD, as ye have said. 32 Also take your flocks and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me also. 33 And the Egyptians were urgent upon the people, that they might send them out of the land in haste; for they said, We be all dead men.
34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneading troughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders. 35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment: 36 And the LORD gave the people favour in the sight of the Egyptians, so that they lent unto them such things as they required. And they spoiled the Egyptians. 37 And the children of Israel journeyed from Rameses to Succoth, about six hundred thousand on foot that were men, beside children. 38 And a mixed multitude went up also with them; and flocks, and herds, even very much cattle.

What about the ability of those gods?
In some cases they did with their enchantments what Jesus Christ did.
Exodus 7:22 And the magicians of Egypt did so with their enchantments:
Exodus 8:7 And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt.

In some cases the gods could not do what Jesus Christ did
Exodus 8:
18 And the magicians did so with their enchantments to bring forth lice, but they could not: so there were lice upon man, and upon beast.
19 Then the magicians said unto Pharaoh, This is the finger of God: and Pharaoh’s heart was hardened, and he hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.
Exodus 9:11 And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.

In all cases the gods could not stop/prevent/undo what Jesus Christ did
Those gods were never able to turn anything around for good.
Exodus 9:
33 And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.
Exodus 10:
18 And he went out from Pharaoh, and entreated the LORD.
19 And the LORD turned a mighty strong west wind, which took away the locusts, and cast them into the Red sea; there remained not one locust in all the coasts of Egypt.

What about now? Sure, there are gods today and forces of evil. But Jesus Christ is still the God of gods –stronger than all of them and He alone is good, which other gods are not.
Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.

Paul gave this information to the Corinthians
2 Corinthians 4:
3But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Again, we see the gods have only the intent for evil, never for good.
1 Timothy 4: 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.

Questions for Reflection
1) Is there something or someone you put ahead of Jesus Christ?

2) Why?
3) What attracts you to that god that Jesus Christ doesn’t provide?

Jesus Christ loves you unconditionally and eternally. You can tell Him anything because He already knows everything. Paul said it this way in his letter to the Hebrews.
Hebrews 4: 13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

John said it this way in 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Our focus-Hebrews 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

You and I live in a fallen creation. Sin and death have entered the world. No man can see God face-to-face as Adam and Eve did. The “Prince of the Power of the Air” blinds hearts from the truth with his wiles and identity lies (Ephesians 2:2).

Paul met the risen Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus. He gives advice to Timothy, a young man and a young believer, perhaps 30 years old.
1Timothy 6:
12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

19 Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

What is eternal life?
John 17:
1 These words spake Jesus, and lifted up his eyes to heaven, and said, Father, the hour is come; glorify thy Son, that thy Son also may glorify thee:
2 As thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given him.
3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

How does one lay hold of eternal life?
1Timothy 6:
9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;
14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
15 Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.
17 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
20 O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen. (The first to Timothy was written from Laodicea, which is the chiefest city of Phrygia Pacatiana.)

1. Do not love money
2. Follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
3. Witness a good confession as Jesus Christ did
4. Trust in God not uncertain riches
5. Do good
6. Keep that which is entrusted to you
7. Avoid profanity, vain babblings and false science

What is entrusted to you?
A) Entrusted with the gospel-1 Thessalonians 2:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.

B) The Light of the world -Matthew 5:
14 Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

C) The salt of the earth -Matthew 5:
13 Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

D) Called to follow -1 Peter2:
21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:

E) Chosen and ordained -John 15:
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you

Questions for Reflection
1) Are you laying hold of eternal life?

2) Is there a change in your thinking or behavior you need to make?

3) What do you understand eternal life to be?

4) From Paul’s instructions to Timothy, what do you understand about evil?

5) What steps will you take to avoid the evil?

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

Every day you and I make many choices. From the simple (what shall I eat and what shall I wear) to the difficult. All choices have consequences.

Advice from Moses recorded in Hebrews 11:
24 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter;
25 Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
26 Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward.
27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.

Identify what you esteem-what matters to you
Choices are based on values. What are values?
Values are priorities with personal significance
Values act as a filter for processing information
Values guide and influence behavior.
Values are exhibited to others by your behavior

Do not fear
Moses is in the “Faith Chapter” not because of his choice but because he used faith to make the choice.
Hebrews 11:
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Hebrews 13:
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
1 John 4:
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.

Respect the recompence of reward
Romans 6:
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 9:
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Genesis 18:
23 And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked?
24 Peradventure there be fifty righteous within the city: wilt thou also destroy and not spare the place for the fifty righteous that are therein?
25 That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?

Ask Jesus Christ to help you make those choices
James 1:
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

Press On
When the valley is deep-When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary-When we stumble and fall

When the choices are hard-When we’re battered and scarred
When we’ve spent our resources-When we’ve given our all

Chorus:
In Jesus’ name, we press on-In Jesus’ name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize Clear before our eyes
We find the strength to press on

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

Man was originally created in the image of God, different from all other creatures.

Man was created in the image of God- Genesis 1:
26 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.
27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.

Man had responsibility-Genesis 2:
15 And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.
16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:
17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Man disobeyed God– Genesis 3:
1And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

Man’s disobedience caused all to be born with that rebellious, sin nature- Genesis 5:
3 And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, after his image; and called his name Seth:.

You and I live in a fallen creation. We each have a rebellious, sin nature. When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior we receive a new nature but still maintain the rebellious, sin nature. When we receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, His enemy becomes our enemy. So your enemy wants to steal away the inheritance Jesus Christ has bought for you.

The enemy’s weapons are lies. He seduced Eve to disobey God and with lies about your identity he wants to seduce you and steal your inheritance. Because your identity is connected to God’s identity, when you don’t see God clearly for Who He is, you cannot see yourself clearly for who you are in Him. You can use God’s Word, which is the Sword of the Spirit to refute the enemy’s lies.

Because of Who Jesus is

1) Advocate – 1 John 2:
1My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:

2) Alpha and Omega- Revelation 22:
13 I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last.

3) Brightness of His glory and The express image of His person-Hebrews 1:
1God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

4) Captain of the LORD’s army- Joshua 5:
13 And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted up his eyes and looked, and, behold, there stood a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand: and Joshua went unto him, and said unto him, Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?
14 And he said, Nay; but as captain of the host of the LORD am I now come. And Joshua fell on his face to the earth, and did worship, and said unto him, What saith my lord unto his servant?
15 And the captain of the LORD’S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

5) Chief Cornerstone-Ephesians 2:
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

6) Creator –Genesis 1:
1In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth

7) Faithful
1 Corinthians 10:
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
1 Thessalonians 5:
24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
2 Thessalonians 3:
3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
2 Timothy 2:
13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Hebrews 2:17
17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
1 Peter 4:
19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

8) Faithful and just
1 John 1:
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

9) First Fruits -1 Corinthians 15:
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

10) God –
Isaiah 45:
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
Isaiah 46:
9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me,
John 1:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

11) High Priest –Hebrews 4:
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

12) Holy-
Joshua 24:
19 And Joshua said unto the people, Ye cannot serve the LORD: for he is an holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.
20 If ye forsake the LORD, and serve strange gods, then he will turn and do you hurt, and consume you, after that he hath done you good.
Isaiah 6:
1In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.
2 Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings; with twain he covered his face, and with twain he covered his feet, and with twain he did fly.
3 And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the LORD of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory.
Psalm 22:
3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
Revelation 4:
8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within: and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.
Revelation 15:
4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.

13) the I Am- John 8:
58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.
I Am the Light of the world-John 8:
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
I am the Door-John 10:
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
I am the resurrection and the life-John 11:
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
I am the way, the truth, the life – John 14:
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
I am the bread of life-John 6:
35 And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
I am the Good Shepherd-John 10:
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
I am the vine-John 15:
5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

14) He is the image of the invisible God – Colossians 1:
15) He is the firstborn of creation- Colossians 1:
16) all things created by Him and for Him- Colossians 1:
17) He is before all things- Colossians 1:
18) By Him all things consist – Colossians 1:
19) He is the head of the body; the church- Colossians 1:
20) He is the beginning – Colossians 1:
21) He is the first born from the dead – Colossians 1:
22) He has pre-eminence in all things – Colossians 1:
23) All the fullness of the Father dwells in Him- Colossians 1:
24) He is the Reconciler of all things unto Himself- Colossians 1:
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:
16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
18 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.
19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
20 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

25) Immanuel – Matthew 1:
23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

26) Judge – John 5:
22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son:
25) Lamb of God-John 1:
29 The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
John 1:
36 And looking upon Jesus as he walked, he saith, Behold the Lamb of God!

27) LORD of Hosts – Isaiah 47:
4 As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.

28) Lord of Lords and King of Kings-Revelation 17:
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and faithful.

29) Prince of Life –Acts 3:
13 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go.
14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you;
15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses.

30) Propitiation for our sins- 1 John 2:
2And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
1 John 4:
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

31) Savior/Redeemer – Matthew 1:
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins

32) Wonderful, Counselor –Isaiah 9:
33) Mighty God–Isaiah 9:
34) Everlasting Father–Isaiah 9:
35) Prince of Peace –Isaiah 9:
6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

36) Your life – Colossians 3:
4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.

Circle the three that matter most to you today
What do you need today? Jesus is the solution.
Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

One of His Names is the LORD of Hosts – “Yahweh Sabaoth”. Isaiah 47:
4 As for our redeemer, the LORD of hosts is his name, the Holy One of Israel.

Jesus has many armies at His command.

1) frogs – Exodus 8:
5 And the LORD spake unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch forth thine hand with thy rod over the streams, over the rivers, and over the ponds, and cause frogs to come up upon the land of Egypt.
6 And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt.

2) lice Exodus 8:
16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Say unto Aaron, Stretch out thy rod, and smite the dust of the land, that it may become lice throughout all the land of Egypt.
17 And they did so; for Aaron stretched out his hand with his rod, and smote the dust of the earth, and it became lice in man, and in beast; all the dust of the land became lice throughout all the land of Egypt.

3) flies- Exodus 8,
20 And the LORD said unto Moses, Rise up early in the morning, and stand before Pharaoh; lo, he cometh forth to the water; and say unto him, Thus saith the LORD, Let my people go, that they may serve me.
21 Else, if thou wilt not let my people go, behold, I will send swarms of flies upon thee, and upon thy servants, and upon thy people, and into thy houses: and the houses of the Egyptians shall be full of swarms of flies, and also the ground whereon they are.
22 And I will sever in that day the land of Goshen, in which my people dwell, that no swarms of flies shall be there; to the end thou mayest know that I am the LORD in the midst of the earth.
23 And I will put a division between my people and thy people: tomorrow shall this sign be.
24 And the LORD did so; and there came a grievous swarm of flies into the house of Pharaoh, and into his servants’ houses, and into all the land of Egypt: the land was corrupted by reason of the swarm of flies.

4) hail & fire Exodus 9:
22 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt.
23 And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt.
24 So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation.
25 And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field.
26 Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail.

5) darkness that can be felt – Exodus 10:
21 And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.
22 And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days:
23 They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings

6) serpents – Numbers 21:
5 And the people spake against God, and against Moses, Wherefore have ye brought us up out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for there is no bread, neither is there any water; and our soul loatheth this light bread.
6 And the LORD sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died
Amos 9:
3 And though they hide themselves in the top of Carmel, I will search and take them out thence; and though they be hid from my sight in the bottom of the sea, thence will I command the serpent, and he shall bite them:

7) hailstones – Joshua 10:
10 And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Bethhoron, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah.
11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Bethhoron, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword

8) bears – 2 Kings 2:
23 And he went up from thence unto Bethel: and as he was going up by the way, there came forth little children out of the city, and mocked him, and said unto him, Go up, thou bald head; go up, thou bald head.
24 And he turned back, and looked on them, and cursed them in the name of the LORD. And there came forth two she bears out of the wood, and tare forty and two children of them.

9) ravens – 1 Kings 17:
2 And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
3 Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.
5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.
6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

10) horses and chariots of fire– 2 Kings 6:
17 And Elisha prayed, and said, LORD, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the LORD opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha.

11) Sword – Amos 9:
4 And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.

12) Angels – Genesis 3:
24 So he drove out the man; and he placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubims, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.

Genesis 32:
1 And Jacob went on his way, and the angels of God met him.
2 And when Jacob saw them, he said, This is God’s host: and he called the name of that place Mahanaim.

Numbers 22:
22 And God’s anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him.
23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way.
24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.
25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam’s foot against the wall: and he smote her again.
26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left.
27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam’s anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff.
28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.
30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay.
31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me:
33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive.
34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

Luke 2:
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

13) great fish –Jonah 1:
17 Now the LORD had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah 2:
10 And the LORD spake unto the fish, and it vomited out Jonah upon the dry land.

14) lions – 2 Kings 17:
25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD: therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.

15) widow – 1 Kings 17:
8And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,
9 Arise, get thee to Zarephath, which belongeth to Zidon, and dwell there: behold, I have commanded a widow woman there to sustain thee.

16) great wind – Jonah 1:
4 But the LORD sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken.

17) gourd –Jonah 4:
6 And the LORD God prepared a gourd, and made it to come up over Jonah, that it might be a shadow over his head, to deliver him from his grief. So Jonah was exceeding glad of the gourd.

18 -worm –Jonah 4:
7But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.

19) – vehement east wind –Jonah 4:
8 And it came to pass, when the sun did arise, that God prepared a vehement east wind; and the sun beat upon the head of Jonah, that he fainted, and wished in himself to die, and said, It is better for me to die than to live.

20) hornet – Joshua 24: (note hornets destroy no vegetation)
12 And I sent the hornet before you, which drave them out from before you, even the two kings of the Amorites; but not with thy sword, nor with thy bow.
13 And I have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat

Jesus is the strongest. Nothing and no one can stop Him.
Isaiah 14:
26 This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. 27 For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

Psalms 84:
12 O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

Zechariah 4:
6 Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.

His Hosts
1) frogs – Exodus 8:5-6
2) lice Exodus 8: 16-17
3) flies- Exodus 8, 20-24
4) hail & fire Exodus 9:22-26
5) darkness that can be felt – Exodus 10:21-23
6) serpents – Numbers 21:3-6/Amos 9:3
7) hailstones – Joshua 10:10-11
8) bears – 2 Kings 2:23-24
9) ravens – 1 Kings 17: 2-6
10) horses and chariots of fire– 2 Kings 6:17
11) Sword – Amos 9:4
12) Angels – Genesis 3:24; 32:1-2;Numbers 22;22-24; Luke 2:8-14
13) great fish – Jonah 1:17; 2:10
14) lions – 2 Kings 17:25
15) widow -1 Kings 17:8-9
16) a great wind -Jonah 1:4
17) gourd-Jonah 4:6
18) worm –Jonah 4:7
19) vehement east wind –Jonah 4:8
20) hornet –Joshua 24:12-13

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

You and I are in a race. It’s a marathon not a sprint. It began when you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior and will end when you cross the finish line into His physical presence. The race is in a fallen creation. Sin and death have entered the world. No man can see God face-to-face. You have an enemy who uses lies and wiles in an attempt to steal your testimony, destroy your witness, eliminate you from the race and take many others down with you.

What does Jesus Christ, our Master Life Coach say?

You are uniquely designed and created-Psalms 139:
14 I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.
17 How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!
18 If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand: when I awake, I am still with thee.

Jesus has a good plan for your life-Jeremiah 29:
11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

Jesus has a purpose for your life-Ephesians 2:10
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them

Jesus runs the race with you-Hebrews 13:5
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
6 So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

Jesus tends to your needs-Psalms 23
1 (A Psalm of David.) The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Jesus understands- Hebrews 4:
13 Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Jesus forgives your wrong choices-1 John 1:
9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Jesus can supply all your needs
2 Corinthians 9:
8 And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
Philippians 4:
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Paul’s advice

1 Corinthians 9:
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
27 But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

Hebrews 12:
12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees;
13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.
14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;

Press on-Dan Burgess

When the valley is deep-When the mountain is steep
When the body is weary- When we stumble and fall
When the choices are hard-When we’re battered and scarred
When we’ve spent our resources -When we’ve given our all

In Jesus’ name, we press on-In Jesus’ name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize clear before our eyes We find the strength to press on

In Jesus’ name, we press on-In Jesus’ name, we press on
Dear Lord, with the prize clear before our eyes We find the strength to press on
We find the strength to press on, to press on

Questions for Reflection
1) What word best describes your circumstance today?
2) Which is the strongest emotion you are feeling today?
3) How do your circumstances and your strongest emotion impact your race today?
Tell it to Jesus

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race he has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

Job lived sometime between the flood and Abraham. Targeted by the enemy and misjudged by his friends, Job longed for a daysman, who would place one hand on God and one hand on Job.
Job 9:
32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.

Serving as your Daysman, Jesus understands both God and you

According to 1 Timothy 2,Jesus is the answer to Job’s longing
5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.

According to 1 John 2, Jesus serves as your Advocate
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
advocate= to speak in favor of, to support;
propitiation – to reconcile

According to Revelation 12, Jesus responds to your accuser
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.

Questions for Reflection
1) What does your Daysman matter to you?

2) In a conversation with Job which benefits of your Daysman would you stress?

3) How does your Daysman affect your daily living?

Solomon lived in the 10th century B.C. King Solomon, the wisest man, desired a comforter, according to Ecclesiastes 4:
1 So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.

Jesus provides you a Comforter
John 14:
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
18 I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you

25These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you.
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 15:
26 But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.
8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;
10 Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;
11 Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

Questions for Reflection
1) What does your Comforter matter to you?

2) In a conversation with King Solomon which benefits of your Comforter would you stress?

3) How does your Comforter affect your daily living?

The Comforter Has Come – Frank Bottome, 1890
1. Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found,
Wherever human hearts and human woes abound;
Let every Christian tongue proclaim the joyful sound: The Comforter has come!
o Refrain:
The Comforter has come, the Comforter has come!
The Holy Ghost from Heav’n, the Father’s promise giv’n;
Oh, spread the tidings ’round, wherever man is found—The Comforter has come!
2. The long, long night is past, the morning breaks at last,
And hushed the dreadful wail and fury of the blast,
As o’er the golden hills the day advances fast! The Comforter has come!
3. Lo, the great King of kings, with healing in His wings,
To every captive soul a full deliv’rance brings;
And through the vacant cells the song of triumph rings; The Comforter has come!
4. O boundless love divine! How shall this tongue of mine
To wond’ring mortals tell the matchless grace divine—
That I, a child of hell, should in His image shine! The Comforter has come!
5. Sing till the echoes fly above the vaulted sky,
And all the saints above to all below reply,
In strains of endless love, the song that ne’er will die: The Comforter has come!

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti

Jesus Christ is the Solution for your difficult circumstances

Where are you today? How do you feel? Perplexed? Frightened? Discouraged?

You and I live in a fallen creation. Sin and death have entered the world. Everyone is born in Adam’s likeness, with a sinful, rebellious nature. We cannot see God face-to-face. When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, He creates you new with a nature that wants to please Him. But you still have the sin nature, which wants to rule you. The enemy of Jesus Christ becomes your enemy. Your enemy wants to steal your inheritance, destroy your witness and take others down with you. Jesus Christ knows about the danger around you. Your protection comes from remembering Who Jesus is, who you are in Him and that you are free in spite of circumstances.

Jesus Christ’s invitation in Song of Solomon 4:
8 Come with me from Lebanon, my spouse, with me from Lebanon: look from the top of Amana, from the top of Shenir and Hermon, from the lions’ dens, from the mountains of the leopards.

Notice the invitation is to His betrothed.
Jesus Christ told us that He is physically going away but promised He will return for us.
John 14:
1 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me.
2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.

Notice the invitation requires a response to come with Him.
When you receive Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you gain fellowship with Him. The invitation is to focus on your relationship with Him and actively fellowship with Him. You have a choice.

Amana is the mountain from which the Abana River flows. You remember Naaman referred to that river when Elisha told him to go and wash in the Jordan River. 2 Kings 5:
11 But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, Behold, I thought, He will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the LORD his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.
12 Are not Abana and Pharpar, rivers of Damascus, better than all the waters of Israel? may I not wash in them, and be clean? So he turned and went away in a rage.
The ever flowing steams from the mountain cause one to think of consistency like a covenant.
Remember the New Covenant?. Hebrews 8:
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.
7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, then should no place have been sought for the second.
8 For finding fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I regarded them not, saith the Lord.
10 For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people:
11 And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest.
12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.
13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.

Shenir was the Amorite name for Mount Herman, meaning “pointed”. This reminds us to focus.

Mt. Hermon is highest mountain reminding us of the highest goal –pleasing Jesus Christ, our Beloved Bridegroom.

Notice the invitation is to come from two predators and what they indicate about your enemy
First let’s look at the lion.
The lion’s roar can be heard for 5 miles. This reminds you the enemy can scare you with
hurtful things from the past, frighten you about your future.
The average male lion weighs 500 lb. This reminds you the enemy is bigger than you.
The lion can run 50 miles per hour. This reminds you he can attack fast, without warning.
The lion is social. This reminds you the enemy may use others in his attack and may frighten
you and about what others think of you.
The lion symbolizes your enemy’s ability to remind you of the past and to frighten you for the
future and about what others think of you.

Second, let’s look at the leopard
The leopard is built for hunting. This reminds you the enemy looks for circumstantial
opportunities.
The leopard can run up to 35 miles per hour. This reminds you he can attack fast, without
warning.
The leopard is an excellent climber, swimmer and can leap and jump long distances. This
reminds you natural obstacles are no problem for him.
The leopard often leaves prey up in the tree for days and return only when hungry! This
reminds you he can hurt you over and over. Please know I find no reference in the Bible
that your enemy can read your thoughts. But certainly, he has all of history to observe
human behavior and your personal history to learn about you.
The leopard is the most accomplished stalkers of the big cats. This reminds you he has the
ability to attack at the opportune time.
The leopard is a good agile climber and can descend from a tree headfirst. This reminds you of
his agility and his attack with teeth to bite.
The leopard symbolizes your enemy’s ability to spring at you speedily, to stalk you for
vulnerability times, and to torment and wound you over and over.

But Jesus invites you to come with Him, to focus on Him and to trust in Him. He cares and loves you unconditionally! He has power over your enemy!

Only Trust Him – John Stockton

1. Come, every soul by sin oppressed, there’s mercy with the Lord;
and He will surely give you rest, by trusting in His Word.

Refrain:
Only trust Him, only trust Him, only trust Him now.
He will save you, he will save you, He will save you now.

2. For Jesus shed His precious blood rich blessings to bestow;
plunge now into the crimson flood that washes bright as snow.
(Refrain)

3. Yes, Jesus is the truth the way that leads you into rest;
believe in Him without delay, and you are fully blest.
(Refrain)

4. Come then and join this holy band, and on to glory go,
to dwell in that celestial land where joys immortal flow.
(Refrain)

Questions for Reflection

1) What are you facing today? A lion or a leopard?

2) What are you feeling today?

3) How will looking at your circumstances through the lens of the New Covenant affect what you see?

4) How will looking at your circumstances through the lens of the New Covenant affect your focus?

5) What does your Beloved’s invitation mean to you?

6) What keeps you from responding to your Beloved’s invitation?

7) How much time did you spend today reading His Word?

8) What benefit do you see in responding to your Beloved’s invitation?

Hebrews 12:
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Let us run with patience the race He has set before us, looking unto Jesus,
Coach Patti