More Gleanings from Reading Through the Bible From Pastor Carey

From Exodus

• Are you suffering?  God sees and knows: “God saw the people of Israel— and God knew.” (2:25)
• Pharaoh models the essence of unbelief and rebellion, “ego”.  “But Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the LORD, that I should obey His voice and let Israel go?  I do not know the LORD...’” (5:2)
• Why did the LORD harden Pharaoh’s heart again and again?  For His glory!  “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Go in to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may show these signs of mine among them...that you may know that I am the LORD.’” (10:1-2)  “Then the LORD said to Moses, ‘Pharaoh will not listen to you, that my wonders may be multiplied in the land of Egypt.’” (11:9)  “And I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will pursue them, and I will get glory over Pharaoh and all his host, and the Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD.”
• Sometimes God tests us by providing for us.  (16:2-30)
• The LORD not only provided ready-to-eat meals for His people for 40 years, the food was tasty, too!  “Now the house of Israel called its name manna.  It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey.” (16:31)
• One reason why we encourage LIFE groups at Rocky... (18:13-26)
• Reasons why God tests us: That we may fear Him and not sin against Him. (20:20)
• The world and idolatry can be sneaky, like hidden snares.  (23:32-33)

From Psalms

• What does God’s voice sound like?  It is strong!  “The voice of the LORD...thunders...is powerful...is full of majesty...breaks cedars...flashes forth flames of fire...shakes the wilderness...makes the deer give birth...strips the forests bare.” (29)
• How shall we respond to His stunning voice?  “...In His temple all cry, ‘Glory!’” (29:9)

From Matthew

• Is Christ my brother?  “And stretching out His hand toward His disciples, He said, ‘Here are my mother and by brothers!  For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.’”  (12:49-50)  Why did Jesus not include “father” in verse 50?
• Praise God for eyes that see and ears that hear!  What gifts!  Lord, please grant them to more!  “But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear.”  (13:16)
• “And they took offense at Him (Jesus).”  May it not be!  (13:57)

From Acts

• Even evil spirits can recognize who Jesus is, and evil men can make a profit! (Acts 16:16-24)
• Midnight prison prayers and singing to the God of earthquakes, and a truly captive audience.  “About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them, and suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken.” (16:25-26)
• Why didn’t Paul and Silas bolt when the prison doors flew open?  The gospel is for hard places and suicidal jailers!  “Paul cried with a loud voice, ‘Do not harm yourself, for we are all here.’”  (16:26-31)
• Dear people of RBBC, let us be Berean!  (17:10-12)  “They received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily...”