BETWEEN THE ENEMY AND THE SEA

by Gloria Phifer

        On our journey today, we are going to visit the children of Israel. They have been in bondage for 430 years. The Lord has plagued Pharaoh and Egypt with ten plagues.   The Israelites were eating the Passover (A lamb for one household.) the blood o How does this apply to us today? Is the Blood of Jesus on the doorposts of our hearts? Are we full of the Lamb?f the lamb had been applied to the doorposts of their homes. The Israelites were covered when the plague of death entered Egypt and killed all the first born of Egypt.  When the Israelites left Egypt they were full of the lamb.

             When the enemy knew I had left "Egypt" the enemy's kingdom: the forces of evil came against me. It was like they chased me to the Red Sea. There was an onslaught of fear. The Lord gave me Acts1:8 "You shall receive power (dunimus) after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…" I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the following Sunday night, at the Assembly of God church.  My husband, mother, brother, grandmother, Carroll's family all thought I had gone overboard. As His new baby, In Christ, the Lord watched over me. Even at that tender age in the Lord, I knew it was an attack of the enemy. In my spirit I knew God would take care of all of it. And He did. That has been over 40 years ago. I was 22 yrs old.

        There is a scripture that means a lot to me. Isaiah 59:19. I have heard Kenneth Copeland say" the comma should not be where it is "and I agree with him…When you move the comma, the scripture takes on a whole different aspect. When people were translating the Bible they added punctuation. If you move the comma it is exciting…"When the enemy shall come in, like a flood the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him." The Lord gave me a visual one night about lying on the water. He said "When you rest, and don't strive, the water will bear you up." He also showed me, that as I rested, the water was so powerful it would move all things into place. I had a life visual, right after that, with the 1993 flood. We went to Saylorville.  The 100 yr flood had moved huge boulders and cut new grooves in the land. That is how powerful a flood is.

Think about the power of the Holy Spirit as a flood.

       Exodus 14:1-14. The Lord has led them to the Red Sea on purpose.

Have you had any Red Sea experiences lately, with the enemy coming at you?

Why does the Lord allow us to come to a Red Sea where it looks like it is impossible? 

       The Lord wants to be our Only Solution. He wants to show Himself Mighty on our behalf. 2 Chronicles 16:9."For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him."

       Remember when Moses said to Pharaoh "The Lord (Jehovah) says, "Let my people go!" Pharaoh answered, "I know not this Lord (Jehovah.) (Ex. 5:2.)

       Ex. 14: 4…The Egyptians will know that I AM the Lord!  (Jer. 9:23-24. We can glory in the Lord because we know Him. )

        The Pharaoh's called themselves gods. They were worshipped by their people.  They, themselves, were idol worshippers. After 10 plagues, even losing their first born, they still had not acknowledged that Jehovah is LORD.

       This is Israel's first test.  The Egyptians are coming from behind and the Red Sea is before them. They can't run forwards are backwards…they see no escape. In their fear they turn on Moses.

       I have been through tests and trials where I have said to the Lord…"Deliver me out of this!"  The answer has almost always been…"Go through."

       Had to go through lately?

       Isaiah 43:1-4.  When you go through, I will be with you. (He always promises "Going Through.")

       We are still looking at commands: "Be still…Rest…TRUST."

       The Lord will bring us through. He brings us to the preface… we are looking over the cliff….how will we ever get across? The chasm is wide…at these times we realize how helpless we are.  Our only hope is to Trust, Be Still and See the Salvation of the Lord. Vs.13. Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.  These enemies they will never see again.

Are there some enemies you never want to deal with again? Why does the Lord always command "Fear Not?"  Do we see that as a command?  Why does He command that we be still? Do we even realize these are commands?

 When humans come up against problems one of the things they want to do is flee. But what is the Lord saying to do?

                   Vs.14 "The Lord shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace."

How do we hold our peace? Ps. 55:18…delivered in peace. Ephesians 6:10-18. Having done all to stand…STAND THEREFORE. In the Armor of God.

       1 Samuel 17:45-47.  When a young shepherd boy came against the giant he proclaimed…"The battle is the Lord's."

Do we let the Lord fight the battle? When the enemy is bigger then we are, and we are no match for them, do we stand still…hold our peace and let the Lord fight the battle?

What do you do when your flesh is screaming…"what are you going to do?"

       Exodus 14:14…We must believe the Lord will fight for us.

Do we know the Lord is a Man of War? Ex. 15:3. Deut.1:30, Deut 3:22, Do we know the Lord of Hosts is The Lord of Heaven's armies? Malachi3:1...

Are we trusting and letting the Lord fight our battles?

       I had a dream one night. I saw the Lord. (in this dream he had short hair, but I knew He was the Lord.) He was sitting in a chair. He was dressed in fatigues. I knew He was in war because there were tanks behind Him. He looked straight at me. What came to me was "God of war". And then I woke up. I looked in my Bible and in the Topics I found "God of battles." The impression from my dream was, even though there was a war, He was seated…resting…The battle is won…it is Finished. He finished it at the cross. John 19:30. 

Are we standing in the finished work of the cross?  You may ask "what is my part in this battle?" The good fight of faith. 1 Tim. 6:12. Describe how faith can be a battle.

  2 Timothy 4:7-8 Paul says he has fought a good fight…he has kept the faith…now a crown of righteousness is in heaven waiting for him. What does it mean to keep the faith?  The Armor we have on is the finished work of the cross.

       Jesus is sitting at the Right Hand of God till his enemies are made a footstool. Heb 10:11-14.  (In vs. 11.Every earthly priest that ministered in the Tabernacle or Temple could not sit down…their work was never finished. Jesus work is finished and He, as our High Priest, is seated.)

       Ex. 14:15" Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward."  Forward?  Into the Red Sea?

       Ex.14 Vs.19-20 I love that the Pillar of the Cloud came between the Egyptians and the children of Israel…The Cloud was darkness to the enemy and light to Israel. They were hidden from their enemies.

       Have you ever thought that the presence of God is Light to us and darkness to our enemies?   What a wonderful thought.  Hid: Ps 31:20, Ps 32:7, Ps 119:114, Eph 5:13-14, Col. 3:3, Ps. 138:7. Do you think about being hidden from the enemy?

       Many of the analogies of the Lord are places to hide…Refuge, fortress, Stronghold, Rock.  Isaiah 32:1-2. As the pillar was a shield for the people of Israel, the Lord is a Shield for us.Ps.3:3.

Do you think that in their fear and panic, the children of Israel realized they were being protected and delivered? Do we, in our panic and fear, realize the Lord is protecting, delivering and working on our behalf?  "Here is the battle of faith."

       Ex.14:21 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night…

       He made the sea dry land.  I love in vs. 22 they walked across upon the dry ground and the waters were walls on each side of them. (Could they feel the moisture from the walls?)

How cool would that be to have walls of water on each side of you?

       Ex. 14:23-31.  When the people saw that great work the Lord had done...they feared and believed the lord.  Was it only after they saw that they believed?

       Is the Lord calling us to believe before we see? The Work of God that He wants from us always amazes me…John 6:28-29. John 20:24-29.  He wants belief before sight.  Genesis 15:6…Abraham believed in the Lord and He counted it to him for righteousness.

 Hebrews 11:10 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. To believe before we see.  Heb. 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that comes to God must believe that HE IS and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

       BELIEVE GOD EVEN WHEN YOU CAN NOT SEE! HAVE FAITH IN GOD!

STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.

Exodus 14:24-31. The Lord fought for them. In vs. 31. Israel saw the great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord and believed

The Lord and His servant Moses. (After they saw the great work, then they feared and believed…just like Thomas.) John 20:29….Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. Vs. 30-31…These things are written that you might Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His Name.

The work God calls us to is…Believing in Christ.

.   

                                                                             

OUR HIGH PRIEST

 Gloria Phifer

            He enters the sacred curtains of Heaven.  Before His God, He presents the perfect sacrifice for sin…Himself.  The sins of mankind have been washed away, cleansed by the Blood of the Lamb.

            Daily He intercedes for us before the Mercy Seat of God.  He stands pure and spotless, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world.  The corridors of Heaven are undefiled with sin.  Only He could pay the price so that we can enter in. 

When He names our names before the Father, we stand forgiven because of Christ’s sacrifice for us.  Our garments, which were scarlet with sin, have been made white as purest snow.  Our own garments of self-righteousness, as filthy rags, have been replaced by the righteousness of Christ. 

We can enter boldly into the Throne Room of God, as we come into His presence, with our High Priest and Savior Jesus Christ.  Using the authority of the Name of Jesus, our requests are made known and honored by God.  We are welcomed as beloveds and as sons.  We are no longer foreigners or outcasts, but the Son of God has made us sons of the most High God.  What privileges we now encounter as God stretches out His scepter to us, the Scepter of Jesus Christ.  He bids us approach Him to pour out our longings unto Him and to rest at His feet.

            The God of the Universe has become our Father.  The Almighty God has become our all-in-all.  He has taken an oath by His own Name to meet our needs in this life and an abundant entrance into the eternal life, which He has prepared for us.  What joys await us there!

Hebrews 6:19 and 7:24-25

BREAD AND WINE

                                                      by Gloria Phifer

   Gen. 14:18-20 Melchizedek…King of Salem (peace) brought bread and wine to Abram.

He was the priest of the Most High God (Elyone) Possessor of Heaven and Earth.

This was a type of communion.

   Let's look at our High Priest at Passover…the night before He gave His life on the cross.

   Luke 22:14-20.. Jesus gave His diciples the cup of wine and the bread. He made a New Covenant…a New Testament. Not under the law but by grace and truth.  John 1:16-18

1 Cor. 15:23-26.

   Genesis 14:20.  Abram was told ..."The Lord has delivered your enemies into your hands…"

When Jesus gave His life as the Pure Lamb of God…His enemies were delivered into His

Nail Pierced Hands.  Jesus is The Lord of Glory. 1 Cor. 2:7-8, Col. 2:14-15. 1 Peter 3:18.

  When Jesus served the last supper…communion…He was demonstrating giving His life for us. Bread represents His body.  Wine represents His blood.

   What is interesting to me is in Gen. 14. Melchizedek served Abram bread and wine. In the next chapter Genesis 15  The Lord Jehovah made the covenant with Abram.(Abram did nothing...he was in a trance on the ground.) Abram accepted what the Lord did for him. 1st the type of Communion and then the Covenant. 

   Jesus served the bread and the wine at the last supper. The next day, He made a New Covenant by giving His life; His body and His blood for us. We are saved by Jesus covenant with us…nothing that we do. Only accepting what He has done for us.

  Jesus is The King of Peace and He is our High Priest.  He made the New Covenant with us and paid the price of giving His own life to pay for the New Covenant.

When we receive Communion we remember the New Covenant that He has made for us.

                                                    

COMMUNION

THE RISEN SAVIOR

     Through the Hebrew in Isaiah 52 and 53 we have seen the profoundness of Christ's suffering.  He laid down His life for His sheep.  John 10:11, 15-18.

  He had the power to lay down His life and the power to take it again. Ps. 16:1-11.

We see Jesus talking to His Father, Oh God…preserve me in vs. 1. In vs. 5 He speaks of His inheritance.

   Beloved, what is His inheritance?  Hebrews 12:2……Who for the "joy" that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame. What are your thoughts when you

realize you are His inheritance…you are His joy?

   I was also thinking about inheritance. What if you were given a ring or watch of value as your inheritance, but someone sold it to a pawn shop? You would go and buy that inheritance back…you would redeem it. And that is what Jesus did for us He paid the price to buy us back, "His inheritance": back for Himself. He redeemed us. He is our Redeemer. 1 Peter 1: 18-22.

  Back to Ps. 16: 10-11. His body would not see corruption.  The Father God would show Him the Path of Life….Resurrection.

   PRAISE GOD HE IS RISEN!!!

  Think of the faith it took for Him to go through all His suffering. To lay His life down, believing He had the power to take it back. Believing His Father would preserve Him and show Him the Path of Life. Believing that it was worth it all so He could have you and me as His sheep…His children. (First of all, what faith it took for Him to become a seed in Mary's womb; live a human life; knowing He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the earth.)  The faith it took for Him to face the enemy in the wilderness: so He could be our faithful High Priest, who understands all our weaknesses and temptation…He showed us how to overcome. (We overcome by faith 1 John 5:4-5.)  What faith it took for Him to face the Garden of Gethsemane and to yield to the Father's will. What faith it took to set His face like a flint toward His sufferings.  What faith it took when He cried "It is finished." And when He said to His Father "Into Your Hands I commit my spirit." No wonder faith pleases Him…He is "Faith"! And He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2.

Have you ever thought that it took "Christ's faith" for our salvation?

Now I'm going to ask you a way, far out question…"Does this universe exist because God spoke it into existence "by faith?" Heb. 11:1-3… Rom. 4:17.

In Mark 11:22. Kenneth Copeland says the original interpretation of this is "Have the faith of God."

blown by the wind

resurrection flower

The Rock and Galaxy

                                                               THE ATONEMENT

   1 John 2:1-2 He is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

The whole world! What are your thoughts?

   God gave His Son because He so loved the "world."

    The Day of Atonement is one of the 7 "Feasts of the Lord." It was celebrated on the 10th day of the 7th month. On this day, the high priest took off his priestly garments, put on white linen and entered into the Holies of Holies with the blood of the sacrifice. He took the hot coals from the Bronze Altar (where the sacrifice was made…a type if the cross. Bronze always denotes "judgment." Just as Jesus bore our judgment on the cross.). He put the hot coals in his censor. (Censer "a container in which incense is burned.).  He entered into the Holy of Holies behind the heavy curtain (This was the veil that was tore apart, when Jesus died, opening the way into the Holy of Holies)

When he entered the Holy of Holies, he sprinkled incense on the hot coals in the censer ,and a cloud covered the Mercy Seat. He then sprinkled the blood of the sacrifice on the Mercy Seat and before the Mercy Seat. This made atonement for the children of Israel for their sins. Lev. 16.

    Hebrews 9 1-11 this speaks of the 1st Covenant and the duties of the priests and high priest in the Tabernacle in the wilderness. (Later in the temple)

  Thoughts?

   John 20 1-17.  Notice vs. 17 Jesus said unto Mary, "Touch Me not; for I Am not yet ascended to My Father: but go to My brethren and say unto them, I ascend unto My Father and your Father; and to My God and your God."

      Jesus had just risen from the dead.  He is ascending to His Father.

Why do you think He told Mary not to touch Him because He had not ascended to His Father yet?

   These are my thoughts. He had just been resurrected…the pure Lamb of God…He is going to the Holy of Holies, to present Himself and His sacrifice (His atonement), to His God and Father. Hebrews 9:22-25.

   Catch a cloud as we go into Heaven with Him. Hebrews 9:13-14 Jesus offered Himself without spot to God…the blood of Christ (The Anointed One) through the eternal Spirit (The Holy Spirit).  

   He entered the Holy of Holies in Heaven. He entered in, in His Own righteousness (white linen signifies righteousness). The Holy Spirit covered the Mercy Seat (He is the Shekinah Glory of God.). (Remember the censer of the high priest. The coals from the altar where the sacrifice was made…the incense applied to the coals made a cloud over the Mercy Seat.) Jesus, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sin of the world…through the Holy Spirit... brought His blood to the Father at the Mercy Seat and made an eternal atonement for you and me. 

Any thoughts?

   Hebrews 10:1-25. When Jesus died, the veil of the temple was torn in two; making a way into the Holy of Holies. In vs. 19-20 His flesh was torn so we can enter boldly into the Holiest. Only because of Jesus.

What are your thoughts and comments on being able to enter the Most Holy Place in Heaven? That you are told to come "boldly"?

Have you ever thought you have a Holy Place within you? 1 Cor. 3:16-17 1 Cor 6:19-20. In vs. 17 "he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.

   As a child of God the Holy Spirit lives in your spirit.  What an awesome privilege that the Holy Spirit dwells in us. Hug yourself tight, because He is in there…in your spirit.

   We are a royal priesthood. 1 Peter 2:5 and 9. Rev. 1:5-6. Jesus has made us kings and priests unto God and His Father…

What are your thoughts…emotions…about being made a king and a priest…being made royalty?  Are there any words?

WHAT IS TRUE PROSPERITY?

RETURN TO CANAAN…PROSPERED BY JEHOVAH

Gloria Phifer

Genesis 13:1-18. Abram has prospered. Is it God's will that we prosper?

Deut 29:9, Joshua 1:8, Ps 1. (In both of these last scriptures it speaks of meditating on the Word.)  What are your thoughts? When you meditate on the Word and obey it, your way will be prosperous and have good success. And you will be like a tree planted by the rivers of water. You will bring forth fruit "in his season" (sow-Time-harvest.) Whatever you do will prosper.

   I had a dream one night. I saw a beautiful, mature tree. It was covered with leaves. Hanging from the tree were thick, gold ovals. One of the gold ovals turned and a light shone on it.  Peace was written on the jewel. This scripture, Ps. 1, came to me and also Galatians 5:22…the fruit of the Spirit. Years later I painted a picture of what I had seen.

   As we stay in the Word it renews our mind, it prospers our thinking. Rom. 12:2, Eph. 4:23.-24. To meditate. Meditate in Hebrew is "hagah"(daw-gaw)".To murmur (in pleasure or anger.) To ponder, imagine, meditate, mutter, roar, speak, study, talk, utter. To roar, growl, groan. To utter, speak. To meditate, devise, muse, imagine. To mutter or utter..." (If you can worry…you can meditate.)

   As we've seen before: the Word also washes us. Eph 5:26.

    3 John 1:2 "Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospers." Greek for prosper "erodoo" (-yoo-od-o-o)."To help on the road. Succeed in reaching. Figuratively: to succeed in business affairs: - have a prosperous journey. Prosper in Hebrew "tsaclach(-tsaw-lakh)" To push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive): Break out, come (mightily) go over, be good, be meet, be profitable, (cause to, effect, make to, send) prosper (ity,-ous-ously.) To rush. To advance, prosper, make progress, succeed, and be profitable. To make prosperous, bring to successful issue, cause to prosper. To show or experience prosperity. Prosper.

    One of my favorite scriptures: Ps. 35:27. Let the Lord be magnified, which has pleasure in the prosperity of His servant.

   What are your thoughts on the Lord having pleasure in your prosperity? Are you surprised? The Israelites prayed for prosperity Ps. 118:25.

    (It was interesting…I was wondering why we were studying prospering? I turned on a video by Joseph Prince and he was speaking on God wanting to prosper us…the Tree planted by the water in Ps. 1. And meditating on God's word…so ladies looks like we're on the right track.)

    Gen. 13:5-11. Not only has Abram prospered but so has his nephew Lot.  There was strife between the herdsmen of Abram and Lot's herdsmen.

What was Abram's solution to this problem?

Abram did not want any strife between him and Lot. In your opinion what was his concern about strife?

   Joyce Meyer says that strife is dangerous. Why is strife dangerous?  How should we handle strife? Matt. 5:9 blessed are the peacekeepers. What do we do if the other person does not want peace? Romans 12:18.

  Why do you think Abram gave Lot the choice of land? Vs.8-13.

   Vs. 14:-18. Why did the Lord speak to Abram at this time and renew His promises?

   This land was given to Abram and his descendents…an Everlasting Covenant.

   He is to walk the length and breath of the land.  Ps. 37:23. (Put it under his feet as his possession from God.)  In Mamre' Abram made another altar. "Hebrew for Mamre =strength or fatness. An oak grove on Mamre's land in Palestine where Abraham dwelt. A place near Abraham's burial place apparently identified with Hebron."

    We don't know much about Lot. He is Abrams nephew. He has chosen the land toward Sodom and Gomorrah. He has pitched his tent toward Sodom.  Lot has chosen to go toward an evil place. In the next chapter we find that he has moved into Sodom. In the Old Testament we do not have a glimpse of his relationship with the Lord.

    We won't read all of chapter 14… but there was a big battle Chedorlaomer the King of Elam with four other kings came against the kings of Sodom and Gomorrah.

Chedorlaomer was a Persian king. Five kings had served Chedorlaomer for 12 years now they rebel and there is war.  Lot and his family were captured along with others that lived in Sodom and Gomorrah.

. Vs. 11-17. We see from vs. 12 that Lot had been living in Sodom. (Why didn't he stay in the plains of Jordan?) What happened to his herds and herdsmen? His prosperity that he had with Abram?  We find Lot again in 2 Peter 2:6-9. Here Lot is called a righteous man. He is a mystery to me. He and his family (except his wife who turned to salt when she looked back) were delivered when the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.

    In Gen 14 14-16…With Jehovah on his side, Abraham and 318 of his trained servants defeated the enemy and rescued Lot. Abraham was a warrior! With God on his side who could ever stand against him? Romans 8:31.With God on our side who can ever stand against us?

   Gen 14:17-24. King of Sodom wants to reward Abram. But Abram will take nothing from him. The King of Sodom's name was Bera…Hebrew for "son of evil." Birsha was King of Gomorrah; his name means "with iniquity."

    The King of Salem is a wonderful mystery. He arrives after Abram has had this victory.  His name is Melchizedek, King of Salem ( later known as Jerusalem). He is a type of Christ. He brings bread and wine to Abram (to me this is a type of communion.) He is also a Priest. (Later, under the law, it was unlawful to be a priest and a king. Only One holds both titles… The Messiah …Jesus King of Kings and our High Priest.) Under the Law: Levites were priests (the tribe of Levi) and Kings came from the tribe of Judah. Melchizedek was a priest of the Most High God before the law was ever given. He was high priest before there were any tribes of Israel. He had the position to bless…he blesses Abram of the Most High God (Elyone), Possessor of heaven and earth.

Abram gave a tithe to this priest. (I believe this was the first tithe given). 7:1-4. Melchisedec was a priest before the tribes of Levi became priests. Jesus is from the tribe of Judah  Heb.7 vs. 14-28. What are your thoughts about Jesus being a Priest forever after the order of Melchisedec?   I love the end of vs. 16…Who is made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of an endless life.  (Yea! Jesus lives forever as our High Priest.)

    Jesus is our High Priest Heb. 4:14-17. He is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. What thoughts and feelings do you have about Jesus being touched by our situations? I don't know about you, but I need to be more aware of how much He cares about my everyday life...my weeknesses...my cares...everything that concerns me. To me this is so huge! Lord, help me to grasp it and hold unto that truth.

Jesus is King of Kings and Lord of Lords and our High Priest.

What are your feelings about being able to come boldly to the Throne of Grace to obtain mercy and grace in a time of need?

Hebrews 5:1-10. No one takes this honor unto himself…He is called of God to be High Priest forever. How do you feel when you realize that Jesus Christ, The Anointed One, suffered to become our High Priest…The One Who paid the price for our redemption?

   There is no record of where Melchisedec originated. He was a priest before the priesthood of Levi. Jesus has established a New Covenant. His Priesthood is not under the law but He is the Mediator of the New Covenant. Heb. 9:11-15. Eternal inheritance. "What does this mean to you to know you Have this eternal inheritance?  Heb 7:19-27. Jesus is our Faithful High Priest. Hebrews 2:14-18

 Heb. 9:11-28. In the Tabernacle and the Temple, once a year, on the Day of Atonement; the High Priest entered the Holy of Holies (dressed only in white linen (representing righteousness) and presented the blood on the Mercy Seat. A cloud of incense from his censor (filled with coals from off the altar where the sacrifice had been made) covered the Mercy seat.)

    The blood of Jesus, through the Eternal Spirit (To me this would be the Shekinah Glory Cloud…The Holy Spirit) offered Himself, without spot (as the perfect Lamb of God) to God. From this offering of His blood, our conscience is washed, so we can serve the Living God.  He entered the Holy of Holies in Heaven and through the Eternal Spirit He presented His blood and Himself at the Mercy Seat of God for you and me. He is our Atonement. Romans 3:23-26 and 1 John 2:1-2.

    There is a big word for atonement in King James…It is propitiation…this happened on the Day of Atonement once a year.  Propitiation in Greek "especially the lid of the Ark (in the Tabernacle or Temple) Mercy Seat-propitiation. Relating to an appeasing-expiating - used of the cover of the Ark of the Covenant in the Holy of Holies which was sprinkled with the blood of the expiatory victim on the annual Day of Atonement. (This rite signifying that the life of the people-the loss, of which they had merited by their sins, was offered to God in the blood as the life of the victim and that God by this ceremony was appeased and their sins expiated.); hence the lid of expiation - the propitiatory."

 Hebrews 7:25…..He ever lives to make intercession for them.  (He is interceding for you and me.)  Hebrews 5:10-14…

     I think what we have been studying today is strong meat. A lot to chew on. Remember Jesus is interceding for you and me….our wonderful High Priest

Who has sprinkled His blood upon the Mercy Seat for you and me.

    We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony Rev. 12:11

   Rev. 7:17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.  (Even so…Come Lord Jesus.).

STAND STILL AND BELIEVE

'God's eye view': Artist uses Google Earth images to recreate parting of the Red Sea

BETWEEN THE ENEMY AND THE SEA
by Gloria Phifer

        We are going to visit the children of Israel. They have been in bondage for 430 years. The Lord had plagued Pharaoh and Egypt with ten plagues.   The Israelites were eating the Passover (A lamb for one household.) the blood of the lamb had been applied to the doorposts of their homes. The Israelites were covered when the plague of death entered Egypt and killed all the first born of Egypt.  When the Israelites left Egypt they were full of the lamb.

       How does this apply to us today? Is the Blood of Jesus on the doorposts of our hearts? Are we full of the Lamb?

       When the enemy knew I had left "Egypt" the enemy's kingdom: the forces of evil came against me. It was like they chased me to the Red Sea. There was an onslaught of fear. The Lord gave me Acts1:8 "You shall receive power (dunimus) after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you…" I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the following Sunday night, at the Assembly of God church.  My family thought I had gone over board.  As His new baby, In Christ, the Lord watched over me. Even at that tender age in the Lord, I knew it was an attack of the enemy. In my spirit I knew God would take care of all of it. And He did. That has been over 40 years ago. I was 22 yrs old.

        There is a scripture that means a lot to me. Isaiah 59:19. I have heard Kenneth Copeland say" the comma should not be where it is "and I agree with him…When you move the comma, the scripture takes on a whole different aspect. When people were translating the Bible they added punctuation. If you move the comma it is exciting…" When the enemy comes in, like a flood the Lord will raise up a standard against him."  The Lord raises up the flood against the enemy. The Lord gave me a visual one night about lying on the water. He said "When you rest, and don't strive, the water will bear you up." He also showed me, that as I rested, the water was so powerful it would move all things into place. I had a life visual, right after that, with the 1993 flood. We went to Saylorville.  The 100 yr flood had moved huge boulders and cut new grooves in the land. That is how powerful a flood is.

Think about the power of the Holy Spirit as a flood.

       Exodus 14:1-14. The Lord led the children of Israel to the Red Sea on purpose.

Have you had any Red Sea experiences lately, with the enemy coming at you?

Why does the Lord allow us to come to a Red Sea where it looks like it is impossible? 

       The Lord wants to be our Only Solution. He wants to show Himself Mighty on our behalf. 2 Chronicles 16:9."For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him."

       Remember when Moses said to Pharaoh "The Lord (Jehovah) says, "Let my people go!" Pharaoh answered, "I know not this Lord (Jehovah.) (Ex. 5:2.)

       Ex. 14: 4…The Egyptians will know that I AM the Lord!  (Jer. 9:23-24. We can glory in the Lord because we know Him. )

        The Pharaoh's called themselves gods. They were worshipped by their people.  They, themselves, were idol worshippers. After 10 plagues, even losing their first born, they still had not acknowledged that Jehovah is LORD.

       This is Israel's first test.  The Egyptians are coming from behind and the Red Sea is before them. They can't run forwards are backwards…they see no escape. In their fear they turn on Moses.

       I have been through tests and trials where I have said to the Lord…"Deliver me out of this!"  The answer has almost always been…"Go through."

       Had to go through lately?

       Isaiah 43:1-4.  When you go through, I will be with you. (He always promises "Going Through.")

       We are still looking at commands: "Be still…Rest…TRUST."

       The Lord will bring us through. He brings us to the preface… we are looking over the cliff….how will we ever get across? The chasm is wide…at these times we realize how helpless we are.  Our only hope is to Trust, Be Still and See the Salvation of the Lord. Vs.13. Fear not, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord.  These enemies they will never see again.

Are there some enemies you never want to deal with again? Why does the Lord always command "Fear Not?"  Do we see that as a command?  Why does He command that we be still? Do we even realize these are commands?

 When humans come up against problems one of the things they want to do is flee. But what is the Lord saying to do?

                   Vs.14 "The Lord shall fight for you and you shall hold your peace."

How do we hold our peace? Ps. 55:18…delivered in peace. Ephesians 6:10-18. Having done all to stand…STAND THEREFORE. In the Armor of God.

       1 Samuel 17:45-47.  When David, a young shepherd boy, came against the giant he proclaimed…"The battle is the Lord's."

Do we let the Lord fight the battle? When the enemy is bigger then we are, and we are no match for them, do we stand still…hold our peace and let the Lord fight the battle?

What do you do when your flesh is screaming…"what are you going to do?"

       Exodus 14:14…We must believe the Lord will fight for us. He is fighting on our behalf.

Do we know the Lord is a Man of War? Ex. 15:3. Deut.1:30, Deut 3:22, Do we know the Lord of Hosts is The Lord of Heaven's armies? Malachi3:1...

Are we trusting and letting the Lord fight our battles?

       I had a dream one night. I saw the Lord. (in this dream he had short hair, but I knew He was the Lord.) He was sitting in a chair. He was dressed in fatigues. I knew He was in war because there were tanks behind Him. He looked straight at me. What came to me was "God of war". And then I woke up. I looked in my Bible and in the Topics I found "God of battles." The impression from my dream was, even though there was a war, He was seated…resting…The battle is won…it is Finished. He finished it at the cross. John 19:30. 

Are we standing in the finished work of the cross?  You may ask "what is my part in this battle?" The good fight of faith. 1 Tim. 6:12. Describe how faith can be a battle.

  2 Timothy 4:7-8 Paul says he has fought a good fight…he has kept the faith…now a crown of righteousness is in heaven waiting for him. What does it mean to keep the faith?  The Armor we have on is the finished work of the cross.

       Jesus is sitting at the Right Hand of God till his enemies are made a footstool. Heb 10:11-14.  (In vs. 11.Every earthly priest that ministered in the Tabernacle or Temple could not sit down…their work was never finished. Jesus work is finished and He, as our High Priest, is seated.)

       Ex. 14:15" Speak unto the children of Israel that they go forward."  Forward?  Into the Red Sea?

       Ex.14 Vs.19-20 I love that the Pillar of the Cloud came between the Egyptians and the children of Israel…The Cloud was darkness to the enemy and light to Israel. They were hidden from their enemies.

       Have you ever thought that the presence of God is Light to us and darkness to our enemies?   What a wonderful thought.  Hid: Ps 31:20, Ps 32:7, Ps 119:114, Eph 5:13-14, Col. 3:3, Ps. 138:7. Do you think about being hidden from the enemy?

       Many of the analogies of the Lord are places to hide…Refuge, fortress, Stronghold, Rock.  Isaiah 32:1-2. As the pillar was a shield for the people of Israel, the Lord is a Shield for us.Ps.3:3.

Do you think that in their fear and panic, the children of Israel realized they were being protected and delivered? Do we, in our panic and fear, realize the Lord is protecting, delivering and working on our behalf?  "Here is the battle of faith."

       Ex.14:21 Moses stretched out his hand over the sea and the Lord caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night…

       He made the sea dry land.  I love in vs. 22 they walked across upon the dry ground and the waters were walls on each side of them. (Could they feel the moisture from the walls?)

How cool would that be to have walls of water on each side of you?

       Ex. 14:23-31.  When the people saw that great work the Lord had done...they feared and believed the lord.  Was it only after they saw that they believed?

       Is the Lord calling us to believe before we see? The Work of God that He wants from us always amazes me…John 6:28-29. John 20:24-29.  He wants belief before sight.  Genesis 15:6…Abraham believed in the Lord and He counted it to him for righteousness.

 Hebrews 11:10 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. To believe before we see.  Heb. 11:6 without faith it is impossible to please Him: for He that comes to God must believe that HE IS and that He is a Rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.

       BELIEVE GOD EVEN WHEN YOU CAN NOT SEE! HAVE FAITH IN GOD!

STAND STILL AND SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD.

Exodus 14:24-31. The Lord fought for them. In vs. 31. Israel saw the great work which the Lord did upon the Egyptians: and the people feared the Lord and believed

The Lord and His servant Moses. (After they saw the great work, then they feared and believed…just like Thomas.) John 20:29….Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. Vs. 30-31…These things are written that you might Believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you might have life through His Name.

The work God calls us to is…Believing in Christ.

.