This analysis examines three interconnected motifs depicted through symbols in Passover, the fourth point a call to action, but first the reading. 

Instruction: Exodus 12:21-23 
Exodus 12: 21 Then Moses called all the elders of Israel together and said to them, “Go, pick out a lamb or young goat for each of your families, and slaughter the Passover animal. 22 Drain the blood into a basin. Then take a bundle of hyssop branches and dip it into the blood. Brush the hyssop across the top and sides of the doorframes of your houses. And no one may go out through the door until morning. 23 For the Lord will pass through the land to strike down the Egyptians. But when he sees the blood on the top and sides of the doorframe, the Lord will pass over your home. He will not permit his death angel to enter your house and strike you down. 

Event: Exodus 12:29-30
29 And that night at midnight, the Lord struck down all the firstborn sons in the land of Egypt, from the firstborn son of Pharaoh, who sat on his throne, to the firstborn son of the prisoner in the dungeon. Even the firstborn of their livestock were killed. 30 Pharaoh and all his officials and all the people of Egypt woke up during the night, and loud wailing was heard throughout the land of Egypt. There was not a single house where someone had not died. 

1.   The Lamb representing “The Lamb of God”, the ultimate sacrifice —1 Cor5:7  

Exodus 12:3 Announce to the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each family must choose a lamb or a young goat for a sacrifice… 5 The animal you select must be a one-year-old male, either a sheep or a goat, with no defects. 

In the 10th plague, the sacrifice of a lamb is the substitute, a life given for the salvation of the community of Israelites 

The lamb foreshadows Jesus the perfect “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)

The lamb represents the efficacy of the sacrifice of Christ for forgiveness and help in all our struggles  

Jesus wasn’t just a victim of Roman execution He was the sacrificial lamb to enable us “to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires” (2 Peter 1:4)

 Paul sums this up in his lament about the powerlessness of the law and struggles with human nature, with a powerful resolution in the end, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ the Lamb of God]—our Lord

2.  Blood represents the ultimate protection/cover—"under the blood”

The blood applied on the doorposts created a boundary that death could not cross.“But the blood on your doorposts will serve as a sign, marking the houses where you are staying. When I see the blood, I will pass over you. This plague of death will not touch you when I strike the land of Egypt." — Exodus 12:13.

The "Blood of the Lamb" is our spiritual protection. 

  3.  The saving of the firstborn son representing our Redemption

Exodus 12: 29 And that night at midnight,

Reading 

Colossians 1:13 (AMPC) [The Father] has delivered and drawn us to Himself out of the control and the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love,

Matthew 6:10 (KJV) Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.

In Colossians Paul uses the word “transfer” (from the Greek methistēmi) which implies more than just a change of heart; it describes a complete change of jurisdiction, identity, and citizenship. That is what happened when you and I believed.  Through salvation, we have been transferred from the dominion and tyranny of the dark world of evil to citizenship of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is a settled spiritual reality. This verse uses the imagery where a conqueror won a war and physically moved an entire population to a new territory to give them a new life under a new king (e.g. the exile from Israel to Babylon). The word for “power” in “power of darkness” is exousia, which means that the power from which we are translated is delegated as opposed to the “Kingdom” (basileia) of Light which speaks of a rightful sovereignty.

In Mathew 6, the Lord provides a model for prayer for Kingdom citizens, that’s who we are. In the specific verse, He presents prayer as an appeal for a specific action to take place, an act of “calling down” the reality of the Kingdom of Light into the physical realm. Prayer is not asking God to change His mind but rather asking for His “jurisdiction” to be manifested. Thus, prayer is not just a mechanism for just asking or begging but a powerful declaration and proclamation by which a persons transferred or to the Kingdom of Light, steward and direct the power and authority for the “will” of that Kingdom to displace the “power of darkness” in their immediate environment. Let us remember that at the helm of that Kingdom is Our Father in heaven, the sovereign ruler of heaven and earth!

Lord, grant me the revelation and knowledge of the power of prayer; teach me to pray more effectively each day. 

Melphon Mayaka 

POWER OF PRAYER 

Prayer is powerful. The “earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16, NLT). Individuals’ lives have been transformed; families and communities have been changed; destinies of nations have been influenced through prayer. John Knox, an influential, “fiery leader of the Scottish Reformation in the 16th century, was known for his uncompromising stance and his legendary clashes with Mary, Queen of Scots”— famously quoted as saying: “I fear the prayers of John Knox more than all the assembled armies of Europe”. Knox is said to have spent nights in agonizing prayer” and to have been heard crying out: “Give me Scotland, or I die!”  Today’s message shows how, through prayer, individuals can powerfully influence affairs in the spiritual realm, which is accessible to both the angels of God and spiritual powers of darkness or evil (various hierarchies of evil creatures and spirits—Ephesians 6:12).

Reading Daniel 10:1-6, 10-14, NLT)

In the third year of the reign of King Cyrus of Persia, Daniel (also known as Belteshazzar) had another vision. He understood that the vision concerned events certain to happen in the future—times of war and great hardship. 2 When this vision came to me, I, Daniel, had been in mourning for three whole weeks. 3 All that time I had eaten no rich food. No meat or wine crossed my lips, and I used no fragrant lotions until those three weeks had passed.

4 On April 23, as I was standing on the bank of the great Tigris River, 5 I looked up and saw a man dressed in linen clothing, with a belt of pure gold around his waist. 6 His body looked like a precious gem. His face flashed like lightning, and his eyes flamed like torches. His arms and feet shone like polished bronze, and his voice roared like a vast multitude of people…

10 Just then a hand touched me and lifted me, still trembling, to my hands and knees. 11 And the man said to me, “Daniel, you are very precious to God, so listen carefully to what I have to say to you. Stand up, for I have been sent to you.” When he said this to me, I stood up, still trembling.12 Then he said, “Don’t be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day you began to pray for understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your request has been heard in heaven. I have come in answer to your prayer. 13 But for twenty-one days the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia blocked my way. Then Michael, one of the archangels, came to help me, and I left him there with the spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia. 14 Now I am here to explain what will happen to your people in the future, for this vision concerns a time yet to come.”

The Prophet Daniel is on a 21-day prayer and fast. An angel appears to him in the portion read above and explains how he was dispatched on the day Daniel began to pray but was blocked by a spiritual evil force described as the “spirit prince of the kingdom of Persia” from delivering a heavenly message. However, “Michael, one of the archangels” comes to help and enables the other angel, the messenger to deliver the message to Daniel.

       i.          Life is spiritual—the physical realm is influenced by what happens in the spiritual or heavenly realms 

      ii.          Prayer mobilises heavenly activity 

    iii.          Answers from heaven can and will be resisted by evil powers in the heavenly realms. This is the essence of spiritual warfare—I learnt long ago that the world of darkness fights for domination of human souls and territory.

    iv.          Though this is not directly mentioned in the text, observation shows that continuity and persistence in prayer activates heavenly angelic

 Today I want to talk about understanding times and seasons. Understand times and seasons is vital in your journey of fruitfulness and productivity, as God develops your and internal virtues and character to glorify Him eternally and be a blessing to others. Time in Greek encapsulates two related concepts Chronos and Kairos. While Chronos tracks the relentless, linear passing of seconds and hours, Kairos captures that singular, opportune moment where timing meets opportunity to create a life-changing turning point. 

Reading

Luke 19:41-44 (NKJV) Now as He drew near, He saw the city and wept over it, 42 saying, “If you had known, even you, especially in this your day, the things that make for your peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 For days will come upon you when your enemies will build an embankment around you, surround you and close you in on every side, 44 and level you, and your children within you, to the ground; and they will not leave in you one stone upon another, because you did not know the time of your visitation.”

Jeremiah 28: 1-3 And it happened in the same year, at the beginning of the reign of Zedekiah king of Judah, in the fourth year and in the fifth month, that Hananiah the son of Azur the prophet, who was from Gibeon, spoke to me in the house of the Lord in the presence of the priests and of all the people, saying, 2 “Thus speaks the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, saying: ‘I have broken the yoke of the king of Babylon. 3 Within two full years I will bring back to this place all the vessels of the Lord’s house, that Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon took away from this place and carried to Babylon.

 Jeremiah 29:10-11 This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. 11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

 i.          WHY YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE TIMES

·       God has a plan and purpose; He works with us through times and seasons—through divine providence and the choices we make— Esther 4:14 

Luke 19:41-44 

o   Jesus wept over Jerusalem because they did not know times = WARNING

o   Destroyed 40 years later by Romans 

 Jeremiah 28: 1-3 Jeremiah 29:10-11 

o   False prophecy Hananiah the son of Azur—only in 2 years!

o   Voice of God through Jeremiah—70 years  

·       Time is in His hands, meaning we need wisdom and understanding of times  

Ecclesiastes 3:11

·       Missing God’s timing can harm you and bring disaster in your life; we make mistakes when we operate out of our times and seasons because there is time for everything—Ishmael type mistakes—Genesis 16; Immature end or termination— Sauls’s reign in1 Samuel 13, 1 Samuel 15:22

ii.          IDENTIFYING THE SIGNS SHIFTING SEASONS

·       Sudden changes in environment, relationships—people live-king Uzziah died, Moses left, Elijah is leaving, attitudes change— Jacob in Gen 31:5 “I have noticed that your father’s attitude toward me has changed”

·       Confusion and restlessness, dissatisfaction—wildernesses  

·       Call to sacrifice—relocate, material and time—Abraham in Genesis Chapters 12-22  

·       Discernment—Sons of Issachar in 1 Chronicles 12:32:

iii.          WHAT TO DO IN YOUR SEASONS OF WAITING 

·       Watch and pray, seek God—Jer 29:12,13 

The Gospel is good news. One of the most powerful assurances of the believer is the guarantee of victory although we may not always know what that looks like (Matthew 16:19; Luke 10:19; Roman 8:37; 2 Corinthians 2:14). Our faith challenge is that we do not always believe that God who helped us and gave us victory in the past, however recent, will do it again in a new battle and so are often gripped by fear in the face of an impending fresh battle. In our reading today, God’s people have just defeated King Sihon of the Amorites, but they are now facing a new enemy, King Og of Bashan. Ordinarily, new challenges would cause them to fear and grumble as we have seen throughout the journey from Egypt to the promised land. The Lord assures Moses of yet another victory in this new challenge and it is here we get the lesson on God’s assurance of victory no matter what battle we are facing.  

Reading Numbers 21:31-35 (NLT) 

31 So the people of Israel occupied the territory of the Amorites. 32 After Moses sent men to explore the Jazer area, they captured all the towns in the region and drove out the Amorites who lived there. 33 Then they turned and marched up the road to Bashan, but King Og of Bashan and all his people attacked them at Edrei. 34 The Lord said to Moses, “Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you, along with all his people and his land. Do the same to him as you did to King Sihon of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon.” 35 And Israel killed King Og, his sons, and all his subjects; not a single survivor remained. Then Israel occupied their land.

What are the lessons?

        i.            God assures you and I victory even before the battle begins—“Do not be afraid of him, for I have handed him over to you” 

      ii.            Know that God’s intent and plan is to give you victory, moreover your battle is His—

“for I have handed him over to you” 

    iii.            Do not be afraid, instead believe God—Philippians 4:6 

     iv.            Trust God to give you victory as he did before— “for I have handed him over to you… Do the same to him as you did to King Sihon of the Amorites, who ruled in Heshbon”

      v.            Take the steps He shows you—1 Samuel 30:8; Psalms 37:23

You will be victorious again.

Lord, I thank you. You are forever faithful. You will show me your grace this one more time and I will be victorious again. 

Melphon Mayaka 

Today I want to pick an important subject out of the journey from Egypt to Israel. We learn how ingratitude is not only inhibiting but also dangerous in our journey, it can in fact be fatal and terminate the journey to our promise or promised land; or even worse to eternity as it can lead to sin. 

In our reading, Moses sends out spies from Kadesh in the wilderness to scout the promised land. You will know from Moses’s account in his epilogue that this was originally not God’s idea but the people initiative (Deuteronomy 1:22). The scout come back with a mixed report. While all bring a great report of a land truly flowing with “milk and honey”, (with the evidence of fruits it produces which they carry along), the majority or 10 also report of the terror of the people living in the land, among them giants (Anakim). It is this negative report that brings fear and great distress to the people. The people  complain, weeping and crying, wishing they had remained and died in slavery in Egypt or that they could die right there in the desert. Note that in the people’s complaint, they are also unhappy with the current leadership (mainly Moses from previous accounts), which is not unusual. Joshua and Caleb take a contrary stand encouraging, Israel to move forward and take the land, for the Lord is with them. The majority view carries the day and this angers God causing all people, the age of twenty and above to perish in the desert, except Caleb and Joshua. The events and the aftermath have great lessons on how God sees ingratitude and the dangers thereof.  

Reading Numbers 14:1-12 (NLT)

Then the whole community began weeping aloud, and they cried all night. 2 Their voices rose in a great chorus of protest against Moses and Aaron. “If only we had died in Egypt, or even here in the wilderness!” they complained. 3 “Why is the Lord taking us to this country only to have us die in battle? Our wives and our little ones will be carried off as plunder! Wouldn’t it be better for us to return to Egypt?” 4 Then they plotted among themselves, “Let’s choose a new leader and go back to Egypt!”5 Then Moses and Aaron fell face down on the ground before the whole community of Israel. 6 Two of the men who had explored the land, Joshua son of Nun and Caleb son of Jephunneh, tore their clothing. 7 They said to all the people of Israel, “The land we traveled through and explored is a wonderful land! 8 And if the Lord is pleased with us, he will bring us safely into that land and give it to us. It is a rich land flowing with milk and honey. 9 Do not rebel against the Lord, and don’t be afraid of the people of the land. They are only helpless prey to us! They have no protection, but the Lord is with us! Don’t be afraid of them!”10 But the whole community began to talk about stoning Joshua and Caleb. Then the glorious presence of the Lord appeared to all the Israelites at the Tabernacle.[a] 11 And the Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me with contempt? Will they never believe me, even after all the miraculous signs I have done among them? 12 I will disown them and destroy them with a plague. Then I will make you into a nation greater and mightier than they are!”

What are the lessons?

        i.            A lack of gratitude and complaint treats God with contempt Romans 1:21; Psalm 106:13, 21)

      ii.            Ingratitude fails to recognise the great things God has done—salvation, above anything else! (Romans 1:21)

    iii.            Ingratitude is a show of discontent and dissatisfaction, both of which are contra to faith and God’s love for us (Philippians 4:11–12; 1 Timothy 6:6–8; Hebrews 13:5; Proverbs 30:8–9)

     iv.            Gratitude is a

 As a child of God you are where you are, family, work, church, institution or location on purpose.  God has a purpose and work for you wherever He places you because He orders the steps of the righteous (Psalms 37:23). It is important, therefore, to prayerfully desire to and discover your assignment. The question, “why am I here?” is an important one as we seek God from time to time because divine assignments may be apparent but not obvious. Today we focus on the book of Esther to learn about our assignments.  

It is called Purim, a celebration which for most of Israel begins at sunset March 2 and ends at nightfall March 3. Purim commemorates the rescue of the children of Israel from impending annihilation by decree of the Medo-Persian King Xerxes during the Babylonian exile. A man name Haman described as “most powerful official in the empire” had made the King issue this decree to kill all Jews occasioned by the fact that Mordecai, a Jewish palace official had, unlike all other officials, refused to bow to this powerful figure in the empire. Haman obtained this decree and, “ Dispatches were sent by swift messengers into all the provinces of the empire, giving the order that all Jews—young and old, including women and children—must be killed, slaughtered, and annihilated on a single day. This was scheduled to happen on March 7 of the next year. The property of the Jews would be given to those who killed them” (Esther 3:13, NLT). 

Upon learning about the decree, Mordecai decided to act to save himself and his people by requesting his cousin and adopted daughter, Esther, now queen to act. 

“Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape when all other Jews are killed. 14 If you keep quiet at a time like this, deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place, but you and your relatives will die. Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?” (Esther 4:13, 14, NLT).  

Note that in this message Mordecai points out to Esther the dangers of not acting, both to herself and her people. Though she doesn’t mention God here, Mordecai indicates that sovereignly there will be deliverance of God’s people even if she doesn’t act. However, he also notifies her that this could be a moment of destiny, maybe it is for this assignment that she became the queen. We know that in the end Esther acts and rescues the people of God! What lessons do we learn from the story?                                       

        i.            There is God’s plan and purpose, the reason you are where you are 

      ii.            There’s time you must act, God, heaven is counting on you—"who knows, may be you were made…for a time such as this?”

    iii.            God has chosen you, but He can use others—" deliverance and relief for the Jews will arise from some other place”

     iv.            His plans are not about saving helping others but for your good—" Don’t think for a moment that because you’re in the palace you will escape”

      v.            We see the centrality of prayer in the fulfillment of our assignment—both Esther and Mordecai fasted, Esther asked the people to fast for 3 days. 

     vi.            It is important to seek God to direct your choices of movement and relocation 

Lord, help me to discover my assignment and to be faithful to act when I must!

Melphon Mayaka 

Today I woke up to one of those moments, no specific leading, nothing spectacular as I got to pray. I have learnt not to be anxious in such times but to go before the Lord with an empty vessel: “speak now Lord for thy servant listens”. After a while it was impressed upon me to speak about what is happening now in the world, events that would appear to be a part of what Paul described as “last days” and “very difficult times” (2 Timothy 3:1). 

For those who may not be aware of what is happening in the world, here is summary. Over the last three days, the Middle East has entered a state of unprecedented escalation following a massive, coordinated military strike by the United States and Israel that eliminated Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and several high-ranking officials, triggering a wave of retaliatory missile strikes across the region and the effective closure of the world’s most vital energy corridors. Many travelling through the Gulf Region have had to halt plans due to closure of the airspaces of several states.       In context, let’s not forget the words of the Lord himself concerning last days, “you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place…” (Matthew 24:6-). What ought to be our posture, how should we behave as believers in such times? 

Reading 1Timothy 2:1-7)

 I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. 2 Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 5 For, There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and humanity—the man Christ Jesus. 6 He gave his life to purchase freedom for everyone. This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. 7 And I have been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.

·       Paul emphasises prayer and intercession for all peoples, for rulers 

·       God wants everyone to get saved 

·       He points to the Gospel as kingdom priority 

While this not a comprehensive list, here are suggested elements to incorporate in our lives in these difficult times. 

        i.            Prioritise God, His Kingdom  

33 Seek the Kingdom of God[e] above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need (Matthew 6:33)

·       Seek God’s will, His purpose

·       Pray for His will and purpose in all things (Matthew 6:10)  

·       Seek fellowship and intimacy with God through prayer and study of His word more than ever before—those who Know God will be strong and overcome very form of attack or temptation and continue do be productive in His kingdom no matter what (Daniel 11:32) 

      ii.            Pray and intercede for others (1Timothy 2:1-7)

·       Remember others are caught right in the middle of war, it is war and lives be lost and people will be maimed and affected.

·       Pray for the less fortunate 

·        Pray for leaders and rulers and all decision they must make in these difficult times 

    iii.            Look after yourself

·       Be informed but don’t let media feed you too much

·        Let

YOUR PRIESTLY ROLE 

Today I want to remind you about your priestly role. Did you know that whatever your role in society, in ministry, work, family or business capacity or status, God’s design for you and I is that we serve bless others.  Moreover, it is through service to others that we earn a living. God chose Abraham (12:2,3) and later the nation of Israel (Exodus 19:5,6) so that through the individual (Abraham) and through the nation (Israel) other families and peoples would be blessed. I focus on the priestly role of the individual, you and I and how God intends to touch and minister to our families, friends, workmates and followers. We learn from the nature of the priestly clothing in Exodus. These have profound meaning about the priestly role, not only of leaders of the church but every Christian as a disciple of Jesus Christ our High Priest (Hebrew 7:26; 9:11). 

Reading 1 Exodus 28:11,12 (NLT)

11 Engrave these names on the two stones in the same way a jeweler engraves a seal. Then mount the stones in settings of gold filigree. 12 Fasten the two stones on the shoulder-pieces of the ephod as a reminder that Aaron represents the people of Israel. Aaron will carry these names on his shoulders as a constant reminder whenever he goes before the Lord. 

Reading 2 Exodus 28:29,30(NLT)

29 “In this way, Aaron will carry the names of the tribes of Israel on the sacred chestpiece over his heart when he goes into the Holy Place. This will be a continual reminder that he represents the people when he comes before the Lord. 30 Insert the Urim and Thummim into the sacred chestpiece so they will be carried over Aaron’s heart when he goes into the Lord’s presence. In this way, Aaron will always carry over his heart the objects used to determine the Lord’s will for his people whenever he goes in before the Lord.

God gave instructions to Moses about worship, sacrifices and in these scriptures, about the priests, their ministry to the people with very specific and detailed instructions on how they were to dress and why. Each piece of tunic or material had meaning and implications for the priestly role. I explain three points and remind you, as a Christian, that you are part of the royal priesthood and have a priestly role regardless of your position or standing in the church (1 Peter 2:9).  

          i.            Burden carrier— priest carries the burden, the weight of the people upon his shoulder before God v8

        ii.            Carer of hearts—to have a Heart of care, affection, stewardship and gratitude—as he carries the people in is heart before God v29

      iii.            Be holy before a holy God –v36, 42—whether it is the symbolism of the gold medallion, covering on the head or the undergarments, Aaron and the priests had to consecrate themselves to come before a holy God.

Thanks be to God that Christ the High priest laid down His life so that we can boldly approach the throne of God in the Holy Place with confidence. Friend, you are a royal priest, chosen of God to represent Him and present others before Him in His service.

Lord, I thank you for the completed work at the cross. Help me to serve you as apart of the royal priesthood before you the Most High God.

Melphon Mayaka 

Today you maybe at a turning point, a moment in life when you are facing an insurmountable challenge. Did you now that a change from the familiar to the unfamiliar realm can be daunting?  Again, we draw on Israel’s Red Sea experience.  The Israelites had experienced liberation from slavery in Egypt. They had heard stories of God’s dealing with their ancestors before, that was their present reality. However, the Sea and pursuit of the Egyptian army was a whole new challenge—they had never faced this before—these are the facts as they were on the ground as they say.  However unbeknown to them, they were about see the hand of God in new way, they were about to walk through the sea on dry land marking the dawning of a new reality. God would usher them into a new identity of a covenantal relationship as a nation in which they will be His “own treasure”. Their victories from now own are going to rest on this identity of purely relying on God’s power. Soon He would reveal himself in their first battle (for that is what our experiences prepare us for) as Jehovah Nissi. Apostle Paul later explains the Red Sea experience as a baptism (Corinthians 10:2).  Are you facing a Red Sea like situation?

i.            Know your identity in God

You are a child of God and so there are a plan and destiny ahead no matter what you face—He has plans e.g. Joseph in prison. God explains His intent and design—the destiny for the children of Israel, their new reality and identity, as “his own treasure”, a “kingdom of priests” (although they would veer off from this many times). 

“Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. 6 And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation” (Exodus 19:5,6, NLT).

Friend, know you not that in Christ, “…you are a chosen [person]…a royal [priest] a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light” (1 Peter 2:9, NLT)

That’s your new identity in Christ—plans are coming to pass whether you are in prison or in Potiphar’s house.  

ii.            Put your faith in Jesus who has saved and rescued you in times past pray— this is God’s will for you 

This is the very reason for Red Sea type challenges—for God to show His glory.

29 But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. 30 That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. 31 When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses (Exodus 14:29-31; NLT)

When you come to the end of our limits, pray, look up to see God’s salvation. This is what He told Jeremiah in Prison in Jer 33.  

iii.            Remember Jehovah is your Nissi—offer worship to Him from this vantage point  

In battle against Amalek Israel had a revelation of God as Jehovah Nissi, which means “Jehovah is my banner” Exodus 17:15). The Banner was the “symbol of the cause for which an army fought, or the cognizance of the king or commander whom it followed”. Nissi is thus not just a title but a recognition and powerful declaration of identity. As one commentator observes, Nissi is a bout whose you are, whose cause you fight; whose command you follow; and by whose power you will conquer and overcome. 

“ After the victory, the Lord instructed Moses, “Write t

How amazing it is to see eternal God's plan slowly come into focus as you read through the Word. Starting back in Genesis and now moving through Exodus, I’m seeing so clearly how the Israelites’ journey out of Egypt is an analogy for the Christian life. Their path to the Promised Land is exactly like our own journey of faith. For the last two days I have stopped at this portion of scripture:

Exodus 19:3-6. Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: 4 ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. 5 Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. 6 And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”

After breaking camp at Rephidim, the children of Israel entered the wilderness of Sinai and made their dwelling at the foot of the mountain. There, Moses ascended the mountain to meet with God. This was not merely a historical moment, but a sacred encounter—one that marked a turning point in the story of God’s people and in His redemptive work among humanity. Soon, God would reveal His holy law through the Ten Commandments, expressing His heart and His will for those He had redeemed. In this moment, we begin to see God’s eternal plan of salvation unfolding. As we read this passage alongside 1 Peter 2:9–10, we are gently reminded that the same God who called Israel to Himself continues to call us today—to belong to Him, to live as His holy people, and to walk in the purpose He has lovingly prepared for us. It is a call:

        i.            To obedience, to responds to His call and obey His law

      ii.            To be His people, a kingdom of priests

    iii.            To rule the earth with Him because the earth and the fullness belong to Him 

     iv.            To be consecrated, a holy nation to Him and to worship Him eternally 

This excerpt from a Bible commentary aptly captures the plan, “God had a reason for rescuing the Israelites from slavery…Israel was to become a kingdom of priests and holy nation where anyone could approach God freely. It didn’t take long, however for the people to corrupt God’s plan…But with the coming of Jesus Christ, God has once again extended His plan to all believers to become holy, a royal priesthood (1 Pete 2:9). The death and resurrection of Christ has allowed each of us to approach God freely”. WOW!

Lord, I thank you for your plan of salvation, I accept and receive it wholly. I have failed you, forgive me and accept me in the beloved. Help me to live for you and worship you eternally. 

Melphon Mayaka

PART 3 LESSONS FROM THE RED SEA: BURDEN BEARERS AND DESTINY HELPERS   

I though I was done, it was meant to be a two-part series, but not quite! Today I focus of two groups of people that will be helpful in your Journey to Destiny: burden bearers and destiny helpers. 

First Reading: Exodus 17:8-15 (NLT)

·       Here Amalekites, who are descendants of Esau, attack Israelites at Rephidim

·       Moses asks Joshua to lead people to go and fight against them while Moses, Aaron, and Hur climb to the top of a nearby hill

·       When Moses holds up the staff in his hand, the Israelite have battle advantage and vice versa but 

·       When Moses’ hands get tired, Aaron and Hur find a stone for him to sit on as they stand on each side of Moses holding up his hands

·       Amalek is defeated and it is here an altar is raised for the Lord, Yahweh-Nissi—meaning we get our victory because we lift up his banner 

Second Reading Exodus 18:17-26 (NLT)

·       Moses had sent back his children and wife to his father-in-law in Median

·        Sometime later Jethro visits Moses not only to return his family but also to see for himself the good things God is doing through Moses and for Israel

·       Moses goes to meet his father-n-law and the inquire about each other’s welfare

·       Moses tells him about “all the hardships they had experienced along the way and how the Lord had rescued his people from all their troubles” 

·       Jethro is “delighted” when he hears “about all the good things the Lord had done for Israel” as he rescued them from the hand of the Egyptians.

·       Aaron and all the elders of Israel came out and join him in a sacrificial meal in God’s presence—for Jethro had brought sacrifices and offering for the Lord 

From these two portions of scripture, we find two important Biblical concepts that are helpful in the Destiny Journey.

        i.            Burden Bearer

Burden Bearer exemplified by Aaron and Hur. These people who are not self-centred but will help you lift the heavy weights on your journey. They render necessary help for you to accomplish purpose often unsolicited. They will get the necessary resources needed at their own costs and they will be there until your battles are worn. They are tireless individuals.

      ii.            Destiny helpers 

Moses’ father-in-law is an excellent example of a Destiny Helper. As Moses’ Destiny Helper Jethro not only loves Moses but the God of Moses—destiny helpers love you and your ministry.  Like Jethro they are interested in the welfare of the people of God and the ministry of the servant of God. As typical Destiny Helper, Jethro offers necessary advice to Moses on how he can run the ministry better, his suggestions work. Destiny Helpers show you ways to make your work easier and better. Often, they offer skill and counsel to do God’s work more effectively without taking credit. They sharpen your skills and ability to accomplish purpose.  

God, help me find my burden bearers and destiny helpers and help me identify and seize the opportunities to be someone’s burned bearer or destiny helper. 

This is a sequel to the first part of the message on the Journey to Destiny. As I continue to meditate, I realise how significant the Red Sea passage of the children of Israel is. Today we take lessons on how to navigate the journey; we uncover something about God’s modus operandi in our relationship with Him. 

Reading: Exodus 14:5-29 (NLT)

God punishes Egypt with the final of the ten plagues, the death of the first born. Pharaoh sends for Moses and Aaron and orders the Israelites to leave Egypt but then pursues them after they have left. The Egyptians catch up with the Israelites by Red Sea. Caught between the Egyptians and the Red Sea, the people panic as Pharaoh approached and regret leaving Egypt were slaves! At the Red Sea the Lord rescues and delivers them from Egyptians by parting the sea. Here are the lessons in this second part. 

i.            You will face seemingly insurmountable challenges 

They have seen God’s mighty hand of deliverance from bondage but have never been in a situation they find themselves in. There is no thinkable way of overcoming what is before them. The temptation to go back to where they have been great. 

11 and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? 12 Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!”

God who delivered you before is able, He will deliver you once more!

ii.            Hearing God’s voice and that of His servants   vs 15, 16

Exodus 14:15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! 16 Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground.

Moses is told to tell the people to keep moving. The servant of God must hear and know what God has said concerning the matter but has also got to communicate to the people and herein lie an important principle in the Journey to Destiny. Hearing God’s voice of God is paramount, “voice speaks to destiny”. Hearing the voice of the Shepherd is the secret to a fruitful relationship and abundant life in Christ as Christ clearly states in John 10:27

This an important principle in following God—1 Samuel 3:1-11; Isaiah 30:21; Psalms 139:24; John 10:27. That’s why he reveals things to His servants the prophets (Amos 3:7). Hearing the voice creates sons generationally—Psalms 78:4; 1 Corinthians 4:15. Paul decries the fact that there are many instructors but few fathers—fathers pass on generational wisdom to sons who listen. Hearing in not just audio, it is about capturing the heart of the father to do what He is doing (John 5:19). Hearing the voice is the sure way to avoid deception especially in these last days—God places you under a shepherd. Whose voice are you listening to in your journey? 

iii.            Obedience is the key to success/progress and fruitfulness

Exodus 14: 21 Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. 22 So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! 

Moses and people did as they were told, God acted!What has God been telling you do in your journey—trust and obey. 

iv.            Actio

PART 1 JOURNEY TO DESTINY: LESSONS FROM THE RED SEA 

I began my Bible reading for the year from Genesis to Revelations. As I do this I am conscious of and sensitive to the leading and ministry of the Holy Spirit, particularly when I’m stopped to pay attention to specific messages within the texts He want to impart in me or through me. Since yesterday I have been meditating on Exodus 14 and have lingered on to focus on a two-part series message on the Journey to Destiny.  This message fits well with the overarching theme of growth and productivity as a believer (2 Peter 1:8). By destiny here I mean one’s calling, legacy or God’s predestined design and purpose for an individual (Ephesians 2:10). 

Reading: Exodus 14:5-29

God punished Egypt with the plague the death of the first born. Pharaoh sent for Moses and Aaron ordered Israelites to leave Egypt but then pursued them after they had left. The Egyptians caught up with the Israelites by Red Sea. Caught between the Egyptians and the Red Sea, the people panicked as Pharaoh approached and regretted leaving Egypt were slaves! At the Red Sea the Lord rescues and delivers them from Egyptians by parting the sea. What are the lessons? It is from here we pick the first message in this two-part series. 

        i.            You will face vicious enemy attacks because of God’s of destiny and God’s call  vs 6-9

      ii.            God will fight your battles vs 13, 14

13 But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. 14 The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

    iii.            God will glorify himself through your battles v4

Exodus 14: 4 And once again I will harden Pharaoh’s heart, and he will chase after you. I have planned this in order to display my glory through Pharaoh and his whole army. After this the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord!” So the Israelites camped there as they were told.

Lord, thank you for your grace and promises.  My battles belong to you and I will win all of them in Jesus Name. Amen!

Late last year—specifically in October—I received a word from the Lord regarding the direction for our church this year. This is the second time I’ve received the word for the year in October. The word for this year is “be productive,” and the main scripture is:

2 Peter 1:8 (NLT)
 8 The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

For proper context, one should read the entire passage from verse 1 to verse 11.

So, what does it mean to be productive? Productivity is an overarching command throughout the Bible, from Genesis to the New Testament; it is a kingdom mandate for every believer. Other words associated with this concept include fruitfulness, multiplication, increase, progress, prosperity, abundance, or abundant life.

In the beginning, when God created Adam and Eve, He “blessed them and said, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.’” (1:28, NLT). The earth was unpopulated, untilled, and “empty,” and God wanted Adam and Eve to fill the earth and govern or rule it (have dominion) on His behalf. However, humanity failed and sinned, leading God to destroy the earth through the flood during Noah’s time. Nevertheless, He preserved Noah, a righteous man, along with his family and other creatures. When the floods were over, God recommissioned Noah with the same original plan and purpose: “Then God blessed Noah and his sons and told them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth’” (Genesis 9:1, NLT).

Years later, humanity again got into trouble with God, this time by seeking to achieve and excel without Him—what it means to be secular in absolute terms—by building the Tower of Babel, a monument to worldly ambition and achievement without God. This act displeased God, and He confused human beings by confounding their language (Genesis 11:7). Amid this sinful and godless environment, there were still people who feared God. It was in this context that He found a righteous man willing to follow Him: Abram. God blessed Abram because he obeyed, saying, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-3). Abram, later Abraham, found favor with God and bore a son in his old age, through whom the lineage of generational blessing would be passed on. In Abraham, God introduced a new concept: obeying and following God—a righteousness through faith. Through failures and testing, Abraham was found faithful and was justified through faith.

The promise to Abram would not be fulfilled in his lifetime but would be realized generations later. Once again, God reiterated the productivity promise, indicating how it would ultimately be fulfilled through a nation of God’s people, not just a family. God showed Jacob, later Israel, how the blessing and command to “be fruitful and multiply” would be fulfilled through a Saviour and connector of heaven and earth (Genesis 28:12, John 1:51), to accomplish God’s kingdom will and purpose on earth as it is in heaven. To Jacob, God said, “I am El-Shaddai—‘God Almighty.’ Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants! 12 And I will give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants after you.” (Genesis 35:11, 12).

The spiritual nature of the command “be fruitful and multiply,” and therefore the relevance of productivity in the Christian walk, is ultimately explained

1.I SHALL EXPERIENCE GOD’S FAVOUR—30 

2.I SHALL BE PRODUCTIVE/AGAIN—31 

3.I SHALL REIGN WITH CHRIST AND HAVE DOMINION—32

4.IT SHALL BE BY THE POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT—35

5.I WILL NO LONGER BE  CALLED BARREN—36

6.GOD IS MAKING ME AN ETERNAL EXCELLENCE—Isaiah 60:15

7.HE WILL INCREASE MY GREATNESS,AND COMFORT ME ON EVERY SIDE—PSALM 71:21

BECAUSE WITH GOD NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE—37