Read Exodus 8

Highlights:

Plagues of frogs, lice, flies, death of cattle, boils, hail, locusts, and the utter darkness. If you think these eight plagues are bad, wait until you see what happens in tomorrow's reading.

Pharaoh gave permission for the men to go with Moses to sacrifice to God (Ex. 10:10-11), but the little ones, women, and the aged were to remain in bondage. Moses, as the servant of God, would not yield to Pharaoh's offer to compromise. Moses said (to Pharaoh), 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. . . . Not so: go now ye that are men, and serve the Lord; for that ye did desire. And they were driven out from Pharaoh's presence (10:9,11).The commands of God are nonnegotiable. We, too, have but one Authority.

We, too, must be delivered from Satan's power. When we are determined to make a complete break from the world, we will forsake our sins. By faith, we will trust the Risen Savior for overcoming cleansing power. Christ's death on the cross put an end to the power of Satan's grip on humanity. The power that raised Christ from the dead now enables the believer to live a new life with Christ. Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4; II Cor. 5:17).

There are some who desire to worship God on the Lord's day, but never forsake their sins throughout the week and conform to contemporary, questionable worldly activities.

If our worship and life are to please our Savior and Lord, there can be no compromise. If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me (Luke 9:23). The cross is a symbol of death to self-will and self-pleasing — of separation from the old life of sin to be a true disciple of Christ.The criminal in Roman times who was forced to pick up his cross and start down the road for crucifixion had already said goodbye to his friends. He was not coming back — there would be no return. Jesus said: He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after Me, is not worthy of Me (Matt. 10:38).

Thought for Today:

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life (James 1:12).

Christ Revealed:

As The Light of the world in contrast to a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt . . . but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings (Ex. 10:22-23). Jesus said: I am The Light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness (John 8:12).

Word Studies:

8:3 kneadingtroughs mixing vessels; 8:9 Glory over me: when shall I intreat for thee the honor is yours to tell me when I am to pray for you; 8:19 finger of God act of God; 8:22 sever wonderfully separate; 8:26 not meet not proper; 9:20 feared the Word of the Lord terrified by the threat of God; 9:28 Intreat pray fervently; 9:31 bolled ripening; 10:7 be a snare continue to be a menace.

Prayer Needs:

Pray for International Broadcasts in honor of Joshua Belisle salvation • Staff: Linda Kennon • Government Official: Rep. Shelley Berkley (NV) • Country: Sao Tome and Principe (155,000) two larger and several smaller islands in the Gulf of Guinea, 125 miles off the western coast of Africa • Major language: Portuguese • Religious freedom is fairly new • 83% Roman Catholic; 3% Protestant; 2% animist • Prayer Suggestion: Trust that God will provide your needs when you put His will first in your life (Matt. 6:31-33).

Optional Reading: Matthew 20

Memory Verse for the Week: Proverbs 28:9