GENESIS & EXODUS

Today, I got my reading done, but went to church early and have been busy ever since.  Now it is after lunch and I have a few moments to write down some things I noted as I read this morning.  Here they are: 1) SPICES, BUT NO BREAD- Genesis 43:11  "And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:"   Jacob said to his sons to take these gifts to Pharaoh as they went back to purchase grain.  Now they had spices and various other things.... but they had no grain for bread!  It reminds me that it is ok for Churches to have the thrills and the fluff, but when it all boils down to it, they need the bread!  They need the Word of God to survive.  Don't settle for spices, but no bread..... you will starve to death! 2) USE WHAT YOU HAVE- God asked Moses in Exodus 4:2 "And the LORD said unto him, What is that in thine hand?  And he said, a rod."  God wants to use what we have.  God used Moses' Rod to turn into a serpent; his hand to turn leprous;his water to turn to blood; and his brother Aaron, to turn into his tongue.  God wants to use what we have.  Just place it into His hand.  When Moses told God that he had a rod, God used that rod and it says that Moses then carried "the rod of God".  God took it, blessed it, and gave it back for Moses to use.  3) FREED TO SERVE-Exodus 9:1  "Then 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."   Moses tells Pharaoh that the children of Israel must be set free that they may serve!  We too as Christians have been freed from our lives of sin and bondage, to serve the LORD Jesus Christ!  We are Freed to Serve God.... not to do our own thing!  I am out of time again.  May God bless!   Pastor Mike Mutchler