King James Daily Bible Study: Who Will You Serve?
Date: Thursday January 20, 2011
Chapters: Exodus 8-10
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://www.imfollowingjesus.com/bible-january-20
Details of Today's Reading: God sends plague upon plague throughout Egypt to get Pharaoh to release the Israelites to no prevail. While He afflicts the Egyptians, the Israelites remain unharmed.

Hello My Friend/Guest,
No matter how much God shows Himself to be the one and only God, who is in control of all things, there are some people bent on proving that they are more powerful than God or at least equal to Him. They have this mentality that they got where they are themselves and are not going to bow down to God for anything. The Bible says, “And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve;...but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” - Joshua 24:15. We have the choice of whether or not to serve God. The sad thing is that they will try to keep us from serving God as well. People live in fear trying to serve God because of what someone might do to them. Can I tell you that God is more powerful than any person or thing in heaven or on earth, even Satan has to get permission from God to afflict us. God takes care of His people and will stop at nothing to give freedom to those who choose to serve Him.

The Egyptians took pride in the fact that the Israelites were their slaves and had no intentions of letting them go free. God, on the other hand was determined to set them free, but before He did He was going to prove to the Egyptians, as well as the Israelites, that He was the one in control.

“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. And Aaron stretched out his hand over the waters of Egypt; and the frogs came up, and covered the land of Egypt. And the magicians did so with their enchantments, and brought up frogs upon the land of Egypt. Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD... But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said...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 5-8,15,19.

It is a very bad idea to go against God because not only are we individually effected by it, everyone around us is also. Can you just imagine frogs everywhere you go, coming up from under the floor, wall, and rooftops, and the noise so loud that you could not sleep? Strangely enough, God allowed magicians to do some things, but even the magicians soon realized that God was the One in control. The frogs were just the beginning, the Egyptians suffered through ten plagues, yet through it all not one Israelite was harmed. This is a reminder to all of God's people that no matter what we go through God will see us through it as long as we choose to serve Him. “And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” - Revelation 21:3,4.

Each plague caused Pharaoh to reject God even more, the more God afflicted the Egyptians, the more determination Pharaoh had to keep the Israelites in captivity.

“And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these my signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I am the LORD. And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me...And Pharaoh's servants said unto him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? let the men go, that they may serve the LORD their God: knowest thou not yet that Egypt is destroyed? And Moses and Aaron were brought again unto Pharaoh: and he said unto them, Go, serve the LORD your God: but who are they that shall go? And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.” - Exodus 10:1-3,7-9.

Pharaoh was the king and had authority over all of Egypt, he was determined not to give in to the authority of God. Of course, all the people suffered because of it, even they went before Pharaoh, begging him to let them go, but he refused or wanted them to serve God on his terms, not Gods. People have a hard time submitting to authority and this is what causes unnecessary suffering not only for them, but everyone else around them as well. I do not care who you are one day all will bow down to God. “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” - Romans 14:11,12.

I came across this article that was trying to convince people that serving God is not of our own free will. I did not even bother reading it because I knew it would be someone trying to discredit God. The Bible says, “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” - Revelation 22:17. God allows us to choose whether or not we want to serve Him freely. While He does not want to see anyone go to hell, He will not stop anyone one from doing what they want to do. In fact, He rather you not say you are going to serve Him than say you are and do not. “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.” - Revelation 3:15,16.

However, if you choose to serve God and someone messes with you you can be sure that He will do what ever it takes to let His people serve Him with no fear. The Bible says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation...For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” - Romans 10:9,10,13.

Jesus Christ Revealed: Today Jesus is revealed through the Light of the world, “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.” - Exodus 10:23. Jesus is the Light, who gives us light. “In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not” - John 1:4,5.

Thanks and God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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