THE RED SEA RULES STUDY :: WRAP-UP

Today’s column is being released on Christmas day 2020. I pray God’s richest blessings on you and your family!

AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED FRIDAY OF THE MONTH. TODAY’S COLUMN IS THE LAST IN THIS SERIES.

In 2020 we’ve been going through a wonderful book: THE RED SEA RULES. Today we’ll wrap up our series by reviewing what we’ve learned from Robert J. Morgan’s 10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times. Below you’ll find snippets from each month with links to that specific column.

 

January: INTRODUCTION

In 2019, a dear friend introduced me to Robert J. Morgan’s lovely little book The Red Sea Rules. Upon reading it, I did a book review in November of that year. Shortly thereafter, when planning my column topics for 2020, I decided that this wonderful book would be perfect to write a study series on. Below you will find snippets from each of the monthly column studies we have gone through this year.

February: RULE 1: GOD MEANS FOR YOU TO BE WHERE YOU ARE

It’s easy to get bogged down in worry and wonder why we are in the situation we are in today. In times like these it’s important to realize that God has everything under control. He has either put us here and will get us out, or if we have put ourselves here, God will still get us out and good will come from it.

March: RULE 2: BE MORE CONCERNED FOR GOD’S GLORY THAN FOR YOUR RELIEF

If we can see our difficulties as an opportunity for God’s grace to shine on our behalf we will maintain a more balanced perspective and give God more glory in the middle of our struggles. Today instead of asking God to get me out of the mess I’m in, I’ll ask God how can I bring glory to His name in the middle of my mess.

April: RULE 3: ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR ENEMY BUT KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE LORD

We can’t foolishly live as easy prey for Satan. We must be always on our  guard. To prevent ourselves from succumbing to the enemy’s attacks we must humbly submit and draw near to God. As we humble ourselves before God He will lift us up. Even in times of confusion, when we feel blocked by a seemly dead end, God will protect us. He provide an escape just in time!

May: RULE 4: PRAY

Don’t waste a moment. In times of crisis we must call upon the Lord immediately.  When you pray be honest with God about your needs. After all He knows them already. Then trust that God has heard your prayer and will answer in His perfect way and time.

June: RULE 5: STAY CALM AND CONFIDENT, AND GIVE GOD TIME TO WORK

Cornered by the Egyptian army at the edge of the Red Sea, the Israelites faced impossible odds. We must remember God doesn’t show favoritism. Meaning that I am just as important to God as the Israelites were. My impossible situation is just as important to God. Just like the Red Sea opened up for the Israelites, my impossible situation can be solved by God. It’s up to me to stay calm, confident in whom I trust, and wait for God to work the solution out in HIS timing.

July: RULE 6: WHEN UNSURE, JUST TAKE THE NEXT LOGICAL STEP BY FAITH

Whether it’s good things coming or bad, God protects us from knowing too much in our future. If we knew bad things were coming tomorrow, we might give up on God altogether and go down in a tailspin of anxiety and depression. If we knew good things were coming tomorrow we would become prideful and might decide we don’t need God’s help at all. God wants us to faithfully depend on Him every minute of every day. Looking for His perfect Light to shine on our path for guidance and listening for His gentle whisper for direction.

August: RULE 7: ENVISION GOD’S ENVELOPING PRESENCE

The pillar of fire and cloud that followed the Israelites through the wilderness was later seen as a cloud of glory in Solomon’s temple and again in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost. This same Presence resides every moment within all Christians. It’s important to remind ourselves the Lord’s Presence is with us. We can practice the Presence of God daily by: affirming God’s nearness in our hearts; visualizing God’s Presence in our mind; accessing God’s nearness through prayer and finally reflecting God’s Presence in our behavior.

September: RULE 8: TRUST GOD TO DELIVER IN HIS OWN UNIQUE WAY

Just like we need to see all of life from God’s perspective, we must try to see our deliverance from His perspective. God designs each deliverance to each individual trial or trouble. Whether God delivers us in a miraculous way or not, every intervention He makes in our lives will make us better to serve in His kingdom now or for eternity. Today we need to trust His plan for us and know it’s going to be for our good and for His glory!

October: RULE 9: VIEW YOUR CURRENT CRISIS AS A FAITH BUILDER FOR THE FUTURE

The unknowability of the future can be a fearful thing. However, it’s important that  we remember God allows everything we experience to grow and build our faith as we trust in Him. As we surrender our life, God will soften our heart and shape our future to be the best that He has designed for us. Let God take over your life and your soul. With Him in control everything will work in your favor when it’s all said and done.

November: RULE 10: DON’T FORGET TO PRAISE HIM

After a long dark night the nation of liberated slaves had miraculously been saved from Pharaoh’s mighty army. Their faith in God had been vindicated. God was not just a historical memory from their fathers. He was now their personal savior. God often allows us to go through challenging situations. Maybe He is hoping they will give us an opportunity to praise Him.  Let’s not wait to delivered from a crisis before we praise God.

As we wrap up this series today, let’s each reflect on our own Red Sea journey with God. I encourage you to take a few minutes and listen to this sweet song by Ellie Holcomb: Red Sea Road and soak in her hope-filled lyrics:

“When we can’t see the way, He’ll part the way.

And we’ll never walk alone down a red sea road.” 

THE RED SEA RULES STUDY :: DON’T FORGET TO PRAISE HIM

AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.

In THE RED SEA RULES series we’re using the wonderful book by Robert J. Morgan as our guideline for a deep study of Exodus 14. Join me on the fourth Friday of each month in 2020 as we apply Morgan’s “10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times” to our lives today.

RED SEA RULE 10: Don’t forget to praise Him. 

Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the Lord, and spoke, saying: “I will sing to the LORD, for He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The LORD is my strength and song, and He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.” ~ Exodus 15: 1-2

This glorious song of rescue, considered by many to be the oldest example of the Hebrew language, is an important part of Israel’s faith even today. In this triumphant moment, with a recurring first-person narrative, the children of Israel lift their voice as one in praise to God. It’s no accident that it is the first recorded song in Scripture!

 

You are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel. ~ Psalm 22:3

After a long dark night the nation of liberated slaves had miraculously been saved from the Pharaoh’s mighty army. Their faith in God had been vindicated. God was not just a historical memory from their fathers. He was now their personal savior.

What can we learn about praising God from this song today?

      • Praise God for who He is.

The Lord is my strength and song.

He is my God, and I will praise Him.

My father’s God, and I will exalt Him.

      • Praise God for what He does.

He has triumphed gloriously.

The horse and rider are thrown into the sea.

He has become my salvation.

“…praise and worship are the sand and cement that hold the bricks in place along life’s daily pathway.” ~ Robert J. Morgan

God often allows us to go through challenging situations. Maybe He is hoping they will give us an opportunity to praise Him? Let’s not wait to delivered from a crisis before we praise God.

With Matt Redman let’s list the 10,000 Reasons why we should be praising God in the middle of our Red Sea journey.

THE RED SEA RULES STUDY :: VIEW YOUR CURRENT CRISIS AS A FAITH BUILDER FOR THE FUTURE

AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.

In THE RED SEA RULES series we’re using the wonderful book by Robert J. Morgan as our guideline for a deep study of Exodus 14. Join me on the fourth Friday of each month in 2020 as we apply Morgan’s “10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times” to our lives today.

RED SEA RULE 9: View your current crisis as a faith builder for the future. 

The LORD saved Israel that day out of the hand of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians dead on the seashore. Thus Israel saw the great work which the LORD had done in Egypt; so the people feared the LORD, and believed the LORD and His servant Moses.   ~ Exodus 14:30-31

The children of Israel benefited greatly from their experiences at the Red Sea. It strengthened their faith in God which would help them in the challenges ahead.

The unknowability of the future can be a fearful thing. However, it’s important that  we remember God allows everything we experience to grow and build our faith as we trust in Him.

Faith is much like a muscle. It grows in layers as we go through various trials and struggles.  When we want to strengthen our physical muscles we must push them to a limit with some form of exercise. Our faith grows much the same way. It must be tested by the exercises of life challenges.

Faith is simply finding and claiming the promises of God in every situation, and based on those promises, making logical assumptions, being fully persuaded that God has the power to do what He has promised. ~ Robert J. Morgan

As we surrender our life, God will soften our heart and shape our future to be the best that He has designed for us. Let God take over your life and your soul. With Him in control everything will work in your favor when it’s all said and done.

I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future. ~ Jeremiah 29:11

Build your faith with these words. You can trust God. He is good and His love for you is great!

Take a few minutes to build your faith with this Elevation Worship video.

THE RED SEA RULES STUDY :: ENVISION GOD’S ENVELOPING PRESENCE

AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.

In THE RED SEA RULES series we’re using the wonderful book by Robert J. Morgan as our guideline for a deep study of Exodus 14. Join me on the fourth Friday of each month in 2020 as we apply Morgan’s “10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times” to our lives today.

RED SEA RULE 7: Envision God’s enveloping presence. 

The Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. ~ Exodus 14:19-20

This phenomenon of God’s Presence is a mystery we will likely not understand this side of Heaven. What’s most amazing to me is God’s Presence is shown throughout Scripture and has been experienced by many in different ways even today.

The pillar of fire and cloud that followed the Israelites through the wilderness was later seen as a cloud of glory in Solomon’s temple and again in the Upper Room on the day of Pentecost. This same Presence resides every moment in and with all Christians.

It’s important to remind ourselves the Lord’s Presence is with us. We can practice the Presence of God daily by:

    • Affirming God’s nearness in our hearts

I will never leave you nor forsake you. ~ Hebrews 13:5

    • Visualize God’s Presence in our mind

The Lord stood with me and strengthened me. ~ 2 Timothy 4:17

    • Access God’s nearness through prayer

Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. ~ James 4:8

    • Reflect God’s Presence in our behavior

Walk humbly in the company of your God. ~ Micah 6:8

If we knew Jesus was literally standing beside us today, how would we feel about our current Red Sea situation?

With this beautiful worship song by Jenn Johnson take a few minutes and contemplate the enveloping Presence of Jesus being with you right now.

THE RED SEA RULES STUDY :: WHEN UNSURE, JUST TAKE THE NEXT LOGICAL STEP BY FAITH

AT RHW WE PUBLISH A NEW COLUMN EACH FRIDAY. WE’RE GOING THROUGH FOUR SPECIFIC STUDIES WITH EACH SERIES BEING PUBLISHED ON A DESIGNATED FRIDAY OF THE MONTH.

In THE RED SEA RULES series we’re using the wonderful book by Robert J. Morgan as our guideline for a deep study of Exodus 14. Join me on the fourth Friday of each month in 2020 as we apply Morgan’s “10 God-Given Strategies for Difficult Times” to our lives today.

RED SEA RULE 6: When unsure, just take the next logical step by faith. 

The Lord said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” ~ Exodus 14:15

It’s not for us to know what lies ahead. Whether it’s good things coming or bad, God protects us from knowing too much in our future.

If we knew bad things were coming tomorrow, we might give up on God altogether and go down in a tailspin of anxiety and depression,

If we knew good things were coming tomorrow we would become prideful and we might decide we don’t even need God’s help at all.

“So don’t be anxious about tomorrow. God will take care of your tomorrow too. Live one day at a time.”  ~ Matthew 6:34

God wants us to faithfully depend on Him every minute of every day. Looking for His perfect Light to shine on our path for guidance. Listening for His gentle whisper for direction.

“When you don’t know what to do next, cast out fear and seek light for the next step. Trust God for guidance in small increments; and if you can’t see what lies dimly in the distance, do what lies clearly at hand.” ~  Robert J. Morgan

Contemplate your walk of faith with this beautiful song by Jeremy Camp.