LivethruJesus

The Better Way

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 00:23:00 GMT

This chapter reads a little more like Proverbs than the previous ones. So, even though there is some logic to its structure, Solomon hits many different topics for us to examine – life and death, pain and pleasure, feeling and avoiding, listening and ignoring, patience and impulsivity, humility and pride, past and present, wisdom and wealth, protection and preservation, control and trust, righteousness and wickedness, humanity and holiness.

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Soul Satisfaction

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 28 Feb 2026 04:56:00 GMT

Solomon continues his search for meaning by examining worship, power, and wealth, showing that both careless worship and unchecked greed ultimately leave the soul dissatisfied.

You can receive this teaching as a written lesson by email at LivethruJesus.Substack.com for $6/month or $60/year. With your subscription, you will also receive access to all previous lessons which include the Ten Commandments, Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, Ruth, Samuel, Saul, David, Solomon.

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Relationships: Valuable but Limited

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 21 Feb 2026 01:38:00 GMT

Solomon continues his reflections about life, but shifts his focus from time and eternity to relationships. As he examined all types of societal and relational situations, he concluded that life is best when it is shared with others. In the good times and the bad, we need each other. But he also recognized that even the strongest and best relationships can be fragile and incomplete. No one can fill all of our needs all of the time.

God is the only One who can provide perfect stability, help, support, strength, peace, and rest. We should look to Him as our ultimate Comforter, Partner, Companion, and Protector, because only in Him will we find true meaning and purpose.

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Eternity in the Hearts of Men

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 14 Feb 2026 23:15:55 GMT

He puts the desire for understanding in our hearts, yet keeps full comprehension just out of reach so that we will continue searching. Since this world ultimately cannot satisfy, we must look up. Because we are limited, we must rely on the One who is infinite. He has placed a longing for the eternal within each one of us, knowing that it will not be fulfilled here on earth.

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The Seasons of Life

Courtney Gilmore — Mon, 09 Feb 2026 01:50:40 GMT

God created everything with order and purpose. Life has its appointed seasons so that no one thing, whether good or bad, lasts forever. Seasons that we may find troubling or even wrong have their purpose in God, so we just need to trust Him knowing that nothing lasts forever and ask Him to give us discernment to know the proper time for things.

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The Meaning of Life

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:21:57 GMT

Where do we find purpose and meaning? Do you find meaning in your job, or by gaining knowledge and wisdom. Do you see value in money and possessions or maybe in entertainment and pleasurable experiences?

Solomon was the wisest man on earth and he ultimately concluded that all these things were meaningless. Not because he didn’t find satisfaction in a job well done, enjoy fun experiences, or see the benefit of wisdom, but because they all have their limits. He couldn’t take any of his possessions with him when he died. The more knowledge he gained, the more evil he was aware of, which only brought him heartache. There was no way to be happy all the time so if that the purpose of life, it was a disappointment.

In the end, the only thing that matters is the things that will last forever, which are the things of God. If we live for Him on this earth, then He will give us abundant and eternal life.

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Inheritance and Legacy of Faith

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 31 Dec 2022 19:31:37 GMT

As we enter a new year and you are thinking about your new years resolutions, think about your inheritance from the Lord and the legacy you want to leave. Make changes that will matter in the long run, things that will impact those around you for years to come. Adopt values and practices that you want your loved ones to inherit and work to leave a legacy that matters.

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Do You Belong to God or the World

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 28 Dec 2022 22:23:49 GMT

There is no spiritual neutrality. We are either with God or we are against Him. He has no use for someone that is lukewarm. We are of no use to anyone when we are straddling the fence. We all have to make a choice. If we play both sides, then no one knows where we stand.

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Following God in Unity

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 16 Dec 2022 21:15:44 GMT

Anything that pulls us away from God, weakens us. But when we partner with other believers, we are stronger. They can help us carry the burdens of life and when we are closely tied to that person, they keep us on the straight path. Also, if you are both being guided by God, then you will be going in the right direction. So, unite yourselves to other believers and let God guide you. Move in unison to accomplish the work God has for His people.

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What Are Your Intentions?

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 08 Dec 2022 16:07:09 GMT

Can you be doing the right thing and it still be wrong? In this episode we talk about a man who did exactly what God told him to do, but God stood against him because he was doing it for the wrong reasons. He was trying to compromise with God. It was all for his own gain. God cares about our intentions otherwise He would have made us robots. He gave us hearts for a reason.

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Victory in the Battle

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 06 Dec 2022 18:02:30 GMT

God reveals and proves Himself so we can be at peace when things are hard, so we will have the courage to keep going, and so we will place our faith in Him as we do. The more He reveals His ability and willingness to intervene on our behalf the better we can trust Him in the next battle we face.

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Thanksgiving, Faith, and Salvation

Courtney Gilmore — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 20:39:42 GMT

Have you ever wondered why Jesus had to die? Why did God set it up that way when He could have just kept us from sinning at all or forgiven our sins without confession and death? Then we all would have eventually been in heaven with Him one day and there would be no worry that some would be separated from Him for eternity.

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To God Be the Glory

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 17 Nov 2022 00:33:02 GMT

Pride comes before the fall. Satan was prideful and wanted to be like God. That's what caused his fall from heaven to earth. Then he tempted Adam and Eve to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil by telling them they would be like God if they ate it. So, their pride caused the fall of all mankind into sin. We cannot be like God. No one is like God! Drawing attention away from God and placing it on ourselves is a dangerous game.

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The Sweet Intervention of a Savior

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 12 Nov 2022 16:14:59 GMT

Have you ever had someone intervene on your behalf? How does it feel when you know that there is at least someone that has your back no matter what? No matter how much trouble you get yourself into, no matter what you’ve done, you know that if you call this person they will be on your side. If you have someone like this in your life, you are blessed. If you do not, know that you have that in your Christian life. Jesus is the One that stands up for you. He is constantly interceding on your behalf, no matter what you have done, He is on your side.

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Being Part of the Family of God

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 13:31:12 GMT

In the family, everyone has a part to play. If one person's missing, the family's incomplete. It's the same in the family of God. We all play a special part. But in our families and in the family of God sometimes we are discontent with our role or we covet the role of another. But God created us with unique personalities and gifts and we have a purpose that is important and exclusive to us. We cannot do the job of another as well as they can and they cannot do our job as well as we can. God created us to individually play our roles to the benefit of the whole working together to accomplish His will.

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The Best Place to Be Is Where God Is

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 14:56:44 GMT

The very best place to be, is wherever God wants you! No matter how scary the place seems that He is taking you, it will never be as bad as the place where He is not. It is better to be with Him than to travel this life alone. As long as He is with you, then you will make it through whatever life throws at you.

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A Spirit of Fear or Faith

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 13 Oct 2022 16:04:12 GMT

Courage is not being absent of fear. Courage is moving forward in spite of the fear we feel. We all are fearful sometimes. The question is: Do we act on our fear or our faith? We face very different outcomes depending on which one we choose. This episode will inspire you to rise above your feelings, trust God, and obey Him.

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Reflecting God to the World

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 18:07:17 GMT

As Christians we are known by God's name. That is why it is so important that we represent Him well. Do others see Him in you? Do they know the Lord better because they know you or do they have a distorted view of who He is because of how you depict Him? In studying Moses's prayer and searching the scriptures, we can be inspired to know and reflect Him better.

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Paradise Lost - Hopes Dashed

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 30 Sep 2022 19:23:25 GMT

How do you react when your dreams don't come true? Do you trust God with your future or do you give up? Are you able to focus on Him instead of yourself or the things of this world? Where do you place your hope?

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God's Power to Answer Prayer

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 18:44:58 GMT

God hears our prayers. He sees what we are going through and understands the burdens we carry. Most importantly, the Lord has the power to strengthen us and to bring us out on the other side of whatever we are dealing with.

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Heavy Burdens

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 16 Sep 2022 19:03:58 GMT

Why does God give His children such hard lives? Why do bad things still happen to good people? Have you ever felt like you are being asked to do things you have no ability to do? Or have you felt the weight of a constant, seemingly never ending, all-consuming responsibility? How can we handle the weight of our burdens?

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Complaining and Being Discontent

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 10 Sep 2022 16:28:53 GMT

Is Christianity boring, limited, and restrictive? Do we let the world convince us that they have something better to offer? Do they? How do we keep ourselves from complaining when we aren't happy with our circumstances. How can we be objective about our life without God and hopeful about our future?

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God's Beloved

Courtney Gilmore — Sun, 28 Aug 2022 21:35:49 GMT

God is always with us.
God wants to have a relationship with every person on earth.
How He treats His beloved servants and those who go against them.
Belonging to God, Jealousy, Judgment, & Being Self-Righteous

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Belonging to God

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 00:55:41 GMT

God blessed the nation of Israel, not because of anything they had done but because they belonged to Him. The Bible says that anyone that has the faith of Abraham (the father of the nation of Israel) is also given the right to be called His children. So when we accept the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf, we are adopted into the family of God. As His children, we house His Holy Spirit. God says that He freed the Israelites from the slavery of the Egyptians so that He could live with them. He frees us from the slavery of our sin also so that He can come live with us. He put His name on the Israelites, and as His children, we too bear His name and we should desire to bring honor to that name. We want to walk worthy of the price that Jesus paid for us.

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Redemption

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 19:00:19 GMT

The Israelites learn about redemption when God takes the Levites in place of their firstborn sons. He is pointing them to the future redemption that will be offered through Jesus for all mankind. Through the Israelites, we learn what redemption looks like which gives us a fuller appreciation of the price that Jesus paid for our lives.
The Israelites also take their first census, & since they are about to begin their journey to the Promised Land, they get their camping and travel arrangements. The Levites are also given their specific duties regarding the Tabernacle. We too have been redeemed for His service. Because of His redemption, we have a desire to live for Him.

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Holy to the Lord

Courtney Gilmore — Sun, 06 Jun 2021 21:20:07 GMT

Nationality, assimilation, on the job training, retirement, full or part time ministry, and dedicating ourselves to God. A year after the Exodus, the Israelites celebrated the second Passover to remind themselves of how the Lord spared their firstborn sons. God told them to dedicate their firstborn to Him from that moment on. But after the building of the Tabernacle, God took the Levites as His in place of their firstborn. So the Levites were set aside to the Lord for service to in the Tabernacle in a cleansing ceremony. God then gave the guidelines for their service and further instructions for the Passover. Along with the mandatory dedication of the Priests and Levites, God also gave rules for common people if they wanted to set themselves apart for Him. These people were called Nazarites. We too can set ourselves apart for the Lord.

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Pure, Holy, & Honorable

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 22 May 2021 23:16:49 GMT

God gave Israel the sacrifices and the priests as a picture of Him and Jesus. The sacrifices had to look perfect because they represented our Perfect Savior. The priests also had to look perfect, honorable, & pure because they represented God to the people. That is why there were strict rules for the sacrifices and the priests. The high priests met with God and continuously served Him, so they had even stricter guidelines than the other priests. The pure couldn't associate or be joined with the impure, the holy with unholy, the honorable with the dishonorable, the perfect with the imperfect. When we accept Jesus as our pure and perfect sacrifice, we become God's representatives to the world so we also have to look pure, perfect, and honorable. As sinful humans we cannot do that by ourselves. But when the Holy Spirit dwells in us, then He produces God's character in us as we spend time with Him and feed ourselves with His Word.

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Entering His Presence

Courtney Gilmore — Sun, 16 May 2021 23:55:24 GMT

A king has the right to dictate who, when, & how to enter his presence. Before Jesus, only the high priest could approach God once a year & only then with a sacrifice. But our High Priest entered the Presence of God, offering Himself as the perfect sacrifice for all our sins. This torn down the wall of separation allowing us all to follow Jesus into God's Presence. Now we can approach God in prayer & see glimpses of Him on this earth. All of us who approach God with the blood of Jesus as the offering for our sins, can also follow Him into the Throne Room of Heaven for eternity.

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A Serious Job

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 07 May 2021 17:20:54 GMT

God is a Holy God & He expects to be treated as such. Two of the priests disregarded God's instructions, did things their own way, & were killed because of it. Serving God is an important job & should be taken seriously. We are servants today in God's kingdom & like the priests, it is our job to know God's Word and His Character and teach others. Our minds need to be clear and we need to be diligent as workers in God's Kingdom.

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Peace & Restitution

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 04 May 2021 18:10:07 GMT

Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we have been reconciled to God. Our sin separated us from God & deserves death. But Jesus suffered that death for us in order to bring peace between us & God. Now we can fellowship with God on earth & even more fully in eternity. The Israelites offered peace & grain offerings along with daily & restitution offerings. The grain offerings could not have yeast or honey because it represented how sin makes things bigger than they should be. Instead all grain offerings were seasoned with salt representing the purification from sin, the healing of the relationship with God, & the preservation of the covenant. Restitution for sin in relationships was made by not only paying a consequence & restoring what was taken but by going above & beyond to make things right in that relationship.

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What Will You Sacrifice

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 24 Apr 2021 00:20:13 GMT

God asked the people to make sacrifices to Him. Sometimes they were offerings out of their abundance other times they were sacrifices for sin. Everything they gave had to be from their best. God wants our best too. He is worthy of the most valuable things in our lives. He is also entitled to all that He has freely given to us so He expected more out of those that had more. He also expected a greater sacrifice for sin from those that were had greater religious responsibility. The sins of a leader required greater sacrifice because their sin cost the nation more. Leaders are held to higher standards. When the people brought a sin offering, they had to kill the animal themselves, taking full responsibility for the price of their sin. The fire on the altar burned continuously to show that God was always ready to accept the people's sacrifices. We too must confess & take full responsibility when we sin. God is always ready to accept the offering made for us, our perfect Sacrifice, Jesus.

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God's Anointed

Courtney Gilmore — Sun, 18 Apr 2021 19:15:55 GMT

Moses anointed Aaron as high priest, the one that would offer sacrifices for the atonement of Israel's sins. God anointed Jesus as the Messiah that offered Himself as the Sacrifice for us, once for all. The Levitical priesthood pointed to Jesus. Because He lives forever, His intercession for His people never ends. Since His Sacrifice was perfect, there was no need for animal sacrifices anymore. On the cross Jesus said "it is finished" because as the Anointed Son of God, He finished what the High Priests started. He accomplished completely what they could only accomplish temporarily. Jesus is the Anointed High Priest, Messiah, & Ultimate Sacrifice.

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Filled with Glory

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 09 Apr 2021 20:30:52 GMT

The building of God's House is complete & He fills it with His Glory! Then with His Glory Cloud He leads His people. This is His visible Presence with His people. At night, there is fire in the cloud, reassuring the Israelites of His Presence. What a comfort to know that God is always with His people. In Jesus, His Presence dwelt with the people. Christians are Christ followers. But how do we follow Jesus when we can't see Him? After Jesus's death, God again sent His Spirit to dwell with His people, not in a house but within each of us. We house His Spirit & He leads us & shows us the Lord's will.

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Dress the Part

Courtney Gilmore — Sun, 04 Apr 2021 03:55:48 GMT

When people look at you, do they know that you are a child of God? Do you look any different than the rest of the world? Can others look at you & say “Holy to the Lord”? When God appointed the priests, He made sure that not only their actions but also their appearance set them apart for Him. When Israel looked at the high priest, they saw an honorable man that carried them on his shoulders & they knew that they were always on his heart when he entered the Presence of the Lord. It was his life’s-work to speak to God & minister on their behalf. What a comfort to know that someone is ministering on your behalf continuously! Thankfully, don't need anyone to minister on our behalf because we have that in Jesus! He is sitting at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens ministering in the sanctuary built by God and not man. We also have the Holy Spirit to give us “perfect revelation” from God so, we don't have to go to any man for that either. The priestly ministry pointed us to Jesus & his clothes remind us that we need to look like His followers.

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Closer & Closer to God

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 31 Mar 2021 00:35:17 GMT

Because of Jesus, we can be intimately close to God. Unlike the Israelites who could only go into the courtyard, or even the priests that ministered in the Holy Place but could not go behind the veil into the Most Holy Place where God's Spirit dwelt, we can enter His Presence without fear. As a matter of fact, He welcomes us at any time. The High Priest, who was the only one that could go behind the veil, only entered once a year & only then to ask forgiveness for the sins the people committed in the past year. We can ask God to forgive us the moment we realize our sin and we can go to Him to talk about anything else that we want to. We no longer need a priest to speak to God on our behalf. When we ask for forgiveness, God accepts the sacrifice that Jesus made on our behalf and grants us mercy. Through the Holy Spirit, because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we can have a relationship with the Holy God.

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Beautiful & Costly

Courtney Gilmore — Mon, 22 Mar 2021 23:40:18 GMT

The house that God told Moses to build for Him was BEAUTIFUL! It was a portable building, but this was no ordinary tent. Its frame was overlaid in gold. Its entrance had golden pillars with bronze bases & a beautifully embroidered curtain. Inside, the walls were made of linen curtains with angels woven into them & so was the roof. When in the Holy Place, you would feel as if you were surrounded by angels. The room was lit with 22 candles on a golden lampstand. Their light bounced off the other 2 golden pieces of furniture in the room. The golden table held the bread that reminded them of God's provision & the altar of incense burned the sweetest perfume. The lights never went out & the incense burned continuously. In the back was the Most Holy Place, separated by 4 golden pillars, with silver bases, & a veil with angels woven into it. Behind this curtain sat the ark of the covenant, the golden chest which held the 10 commandments. There the Lord met with the High Priest between the 2 cherubim of hammered gold that were attached to its seat. God's house was beautiful & costly because God is beautiful & valuable beyond measure.

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Where God's Spirit Dwells

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 13 Mar 2021 21:40:18 GMT

God wants His Spirit to dwell in the midst of His people, so He commands Moses to build a tabernacle. While the people are traveling to the Promised Land, God meets with them in this portable tent made specifically for Him. Later, Solomon built the Temple & God's Spirit dwelt with them there. When Jesus came, He was called Immanuel, God with us. Those that worshipped in the Temple rejected Jesus, so now His Spirit dwells within each one of us. We are His Temple! Also in this episode, tithing, the donations are abundant & God equips His people to serve Him. How generous are you with your possessions & gifts? Trust God to equip you to serve Him.

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Our Walk with God

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 09 Mar 2021 02:35:06 GMT

We can learn a lot about the Christian walk by looking at the journey of the Israelites after they escaped Egypt & became their own sovereign nation. So before we move on from Mount Sanai, we summarize their journey and look for similarities in our own Christian walk. We also look at Paul's description of his walk with the Lord and how we can relate. We ultimately will see that the victory is in Jesus and not in our own power. God's desire for us is to grow closer to Him & stronger in our faith.

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God Reveals Himself

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 26 Feb 2021 01:30:35 GMT

Moses asked God to show him His glory & God revealed more of who He is to Moses. But still he only sees God in part because here on earth, we can only see Him in part. Thankfully God shows us the part of Him that we need to see at the time. So ask Him to reveal Himself to you. He wants His children to know Him more. When Moses left the Presence of the Lord, His face reflected God's glory. When we spend time with God, we become more like Him, & we exhibit that to the world. So turn to the Lord & allow Him to transform you more and more so that you can reveal Him to the world.

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God's Love & Favor

Courtney Gilmore — Sun, 14 Feb 2021 01:55:37 GMT

Moses told the Lord that He could not move forward if He was not with him. Moses knew what Jesus told his disciples, that we can do nothing without Him. Sometimes we just need a little reassurance. Sometimes, we just can't get our feeling to line up with the truth we know. That is when we talk to God. Pray according to His Word. Let Him know that you trust Him but you just need encouragement, hope, & direction. Just as it was with the Israelites, the only thing that separates us from the rest of the world, is the Lord's Presence in our lives.

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Lawbreakers

Courtney Gilmore — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 17:40:06 GMT

Only a month after agreeing to obey the Lord, the Israelites broke their covenant. Moses had to intercede for mercy but they did not fully escape the consequences. He tried to illustrate what breaking only a few laws really meant and also showed them the usefulness of their visible god. The Levites paid a huge price by publicly proclaiming their allegiance and service to God but were blessed abundantly. Then Moses tried to atone for their sins only to be told he was not worthy or able. From the Israelites we learn that the law can only condemn. We all break God's law and we all need His mercy. We must all choose whether we are willing to serve Him or not. No one but Jesus can bring forgiveness, mercy, and salvation and we are alone are responsible for our faith or lack there of. We all must choose what price we are willing to pay for the One that paid it all for us?

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The Golden Calf

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 29 Jan 2021 22:45:48 GMT

Even though we cannot see and hear God, we can see the evidence of His Power. The people wanted a visible god. Aaron led them in their sin instead of encouraging them to have faith and obey the Lord. He built them a golden calf and as they worshipped it, they thought they were worshipping the Lord. They had been influenced by other religions and began mixing their practices with the worship of God and did not even realize it. Do we do this today? Have we mixed the practices of the world around us into the church & formed a perverted gospel without realizing it? Are we pulling in the things of the world and calling it Christianity?

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Covered in the Blood

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 18:10:38 GMT

Upon hearing the Word of God, the people confessed Him as their Lord & accepted the sacrifice made on their behalf. Then they were covered in its blood, reconciling them to God. By entering into this covenant relationship with God, they were brought into fellowship with the Holy, Almighty God. The process is the same for us today. When we hear the Word of God spoken to us & confess Him as our Lord, accepting the sacrifice of Jesus that was made on behalf of all people, then we are reconciled to the Lord & brought into fellowship with Him.

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God With Us

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 15 Jan 2021 18:00:00 GMT

God does not send His people into the unknown future alone. His angel will go with them into the Promised Land. He has prepared it for them and goes with them. What is unknown to us is not unknown to our Father in Heaven. His Holy Spirit is our Helper, Truth Teller, Teacher, Reminder, & Peace-giver. His plan may not come quickly but His will for our lives will be fulfilled. Little by little He destroys the obstacles as we gain possession of what He has prepared for us. Our job is to trust and obey as we wait for His plans to be fulfilled. Do not allow yourself to be compromised or led astray by the ways or things of the world. Do not look to the world for answers or deliverance. Our God is sufficient for us. He is all we need. Wait, keep His way, hope in Him.

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Meeting with God

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 20:20:30 GMT

Because of Jesus, we can be close to God. The Israelites could only approach His Presence but believers today can go all the way to the Throne of Grace. We will live in His Presence eternally because of our Mediator, Jesus. How should we prepare to meet with God now & for the future. In response to God's salvation, He calls us to obey just as He did the Israelites on Mount Sanai. Do not refuse the Powerful Voice of the Lord. Draw near to Him today.

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Leader & Judge

Courtney Gilmore — Mon, 09 Nov 2020 13:57:14 GMT

Have you ever been so overwhelmed that you are just going through the motions of the day with no real plan or purpose? Then you can relate to Moses. Listen to the advise of his father-in-law and learn how to step back, look at the big picture, & delegate. Order your day with purpose & do the job well that the Lord has for you specifically. Also, fighting the battle but relying on God's power for the victory. Then how did God set up the judicial system of his new nation & what is true justice.

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Depend on God

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 31 Oct 2020 14:20:39 GMT

Sometimes God brings us to a place of need so that we will learn to depend on Him. After their deliverance from Egypt, the Israelites found themselves in the wilderness, depending on God every single day to feed them and give them water. He was teaching them to depend on him daily. His provision for their physical growth and health points us to His provision for us in Jesus for our spiritual growth and health. He feeds us with His word and we must consume it in order to grow in our faith.

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The Way to Freedom

Courtney Gilmore — Sun, 25 Oct 2020 14:12:50 GMT

Do you know what it's like to break free only to run straight into another obstacle? You stand there trapped not wanting to go back to the old life but seeing no way forward. Have you ever cried out to God in fear & desperation only to return your focus to your overwhelming circumstances the second you say amen? That is how Israel felt when they left Egypt. With an angry army on one side and the Red Sea on the other, they were trapped and afraid. But God removed their obstacle and defeated their enemy without them having to fight at all. He can do the same for us today. Focus on Him and not your situation.

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God Leads Us

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 16 Oct 2020 22:08:50 GMT

God leads His people out of Egypt with payment for their labor & at the urging of their oppressors. Only a Mighty God can arrange such a blessed deliverance! But He does not just set them free & leave them to fend for themselves. He continues to lead them with His visible Presence. Although we do not have a cloud or Jesus here physically here to lead us, we have more. His Holy Spirit leads us all individually and His complete Word guides us.

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Redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 08 Oct 2020 18:08:31 GMT

Today, Jesus is our Passover sacrifice. When God killed Egypt's firstborn, He passed over the Israelite's houses because He saw the blood of a lamb on their door posts. Death had already come to that house, the sacrifice had already been made. When we acknowledge our sin and accept Jesus as our sacrifice, then we are covered in His blood. When God looks at us, He sees that Someone has died for our sin and it enables Him to spare our lives eternally.

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Why Do You Refuse to Humble Yourself?

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 24 Sep 2020 19:43:38 GMT

Why is it so hard to admit we are wrong even if we know we are? Why is it so hard to submit our lives to God even though we know He is more capable with them than we are? Why do we hold things back from Him or have to control certain situations? Pharaoh never would fully submit to God. He had to be forced every time and once the punishment passed, he would go right back to his own ways. Even in submission, he was always trying to keep some semblance of control or hold something back. How do we break free from those tendencies and give over all of ourselves to the Lord?

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The Lord

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 22:54:04 GMT

Exalting oneself, God is not exclusive, and true repentance. Do you acknowledge God as the Lord of your life? Do you recognize His Lordship over the earth? As Christians, do we reveal God to others? When the seventh plague came, God gave all the Egyptians the opportunity to believe in His power and place their faith in Him. Those that believed, were safe from the plague as were the Israelites. Those that didn't, suffered greatly. Pharaoh acted repentant, but when relief came, he again hardened his heart. He knew God's power but was not willing to make Him Lord. God sent His Son as our sacrifice, making Him fully worthy of our submission and following.

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I'll Do It My Way

Courtney Gilmore — Mon, 07 Sep 2020 16:33:20 GMT

We make a mistake when we try to fit God's will into ours instead of trying to fit our will into His. We cannot do what He wants us to do in our own way or we will get the results of our own actions. During the 4th plague, Pharaoh tried to appease God by giving Him what He wanted but by doing it his own way. His stubborn will led him and his people into devastation. At one point he may have been ready to relent just to avoid punishment, but it was too late. By the 6th plague, God hardened Pharaoh's heart Himself. He never had intention of worshipping or submitting himself to the Lord. So God used him to reveal Himself in a mighty way and rescue His people.

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In Good Times and Bad

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 22:33:03 GMT

When you go through difficult times, do you run to God? What about when relief comes? Do you stay close to Him or forget the commitment you made when everything was bad? What about when God imposes consequences? Do you change your ways or find away around them? God began sending plagues on Egypt, continuously commanding Pharaoh to let the people go. Pharaoh's heart was indifferent and he just found away around the first plague. When they were overrun with frogs, Pharaoh promised if God would get rid of them, he would let the people go. But as soon as the crisis was over, he went back on his word. What does God have to do to get our attention?

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Why Did You Send Me?

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 20:45:17 GMT

Have you ever felt like God was telling you to do something but then began to question it when you hit a road block? How do you respond when your first attempt fails or everything seems to just get worse? Have you ever known God was in it, but still wonder if you have the strength to make it to the other side? Do you want to quit when everything is hard even though you know there is a reward waiting for you if you make it through? Is it worth the bad to get to the good? God sent Moses to Pharaoh with a promise that he would deliver the people from Egypt. But when everything got worse instead of better, Moses questioned God. Why did you send me if it was only going to bring trouble on the people? Everything is worse than before and You have not delivered Your people as you said. God fulfills His promises. His time & ways are different but they are right. He can strengthen and equip us to make it through. There is great reward on the other side of our struggles. Be encouraged to persevere!

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Who Do You Serve?

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 05 Aug 2020 21:32:53 GMT

Moses & Aaron go to Pharaoh & tell him to let God's people go. He places himself in direct opposition to God as the Lord of their lives. Who would you want to serve? Do we serve God above other masters.

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The Children of God

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 04:06:56 GMT

God is for His children & against anyone that opposes Him & His children. If we reject His son then we put ourselves in opposition to Him. In this passage, God tells Moses that He will show Himself Mighty for His Children & against Pharaoh. We will talk about God hardening Pharaoh's heart & how we reconcile that with His Word. Also how important it is to be one of His children & witness to others. We are called to preach the gospel, tell others all God has done for us, growing our faith & theirs.

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Who God Created You to Be

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 24 Jul 2020 19:43:45 GMT

When God called Moses to deliver the people from Egypt, He made several excuses. He felt inadequate in many ways. God was patient, reassuring, and encouraging and Moses finally followed the call. How do we react when the Lord calls us? God told Moses that He created him, knew all his strengths and weaknesses, and would equip him to do what He called him to. God tells us the same reassuring and encouraging words today. He is detailed and purposeful in creating each one of us. It is not by accident or chance that we are the way we are. He will never ask us to do something that we aren't capable of doing with His help. So answer when the Lord calls! Look at the blessing that Moses received.

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Who is God? What is His Name?

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 17 Jul 2020 22:37:14 GMT

Moses is 80 years old when God calls him back to Egypt to finally deliver the people from their oppression. When asked who he should tell the people that God is, the Lord says, "I am who I am. Tell them, I am has sent you." So we discuss who the Israelites would know God to be up to this point in the earth's history & why He is a glorious and holy God. Listen to hear many of God's names & characteristics.

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Seek Justice

Courtney Gilmore — Mon, 13 Jul 2020 00:01:41 GMT

The oppression of the Egyptians has gone too far and it is time for God to begin executing His plan for deliverance, so Moses is born. Moses is a man that cannot stand quietly, idly by and watch injustice being done to others. Three times he stands up for the powerless. Who do we know that is oppressed? How do we stand up for them?

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Civil Disobedience

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 07 Jul 2020 21:48:12 GMT

Jacob & his sons have all passed away by this time and the children of Israel had multiplied greatly. The new Pharaoh was afraid of this large group of people and he sought to suppress them. He first submitted them to hard labor but they continued to grow into a large nation just as the Lord promised to Abraham hundreds of years before. When that did not work, he told the midwives to kill all the baby boys at birth. But the midwives feared the Lord and they did not do it. When confronted by Pharaoh they lied to him. The Lord rewarded the midwives for their faith by giving them a family of their own. We then go to the scriptures to find out how the Lord feels about civil disobedience.

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Forgiveness

Courtney Gilmore — Sun, 28 Jun 2020 03:49:32 GMT

Jacob dies and is buried in Hebron. Joseph's brothers begin to worry that he will punish them for selling him into slavery, so they beg for his forgiveness. Are they truly sorry or just afraid? Does it matter? Does God want us to forgive even if the other person isn't repentant? Can we trust God with that person's intentions and move forward?

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Jacob's Last Remarks

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 19:41:00 GMT

Joseph continues as governor over Egypt. The people begin paying a 20% tax. Jacob is about to die so he gathers his sons & some of his grandsons, telling each of them what will happen in the coming years. Joseph gets double the inheritance & his younger son will be greater than his older. This a very informative episode about the Israelite nation.

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The Family Reunion

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 17 Jun 2020 20:35:38 GMT

Joseph and Jacob are finally reunited. Joseph settles his family in Goshen. This is how God keeps them one nation under Him while also allowing them to grow. Jacob describes his life as short but evil. We contrast his life with that of his fathers and of Joseph. Then we reflect on our own lives and how we can be thankful for the life that the Lord has given us.

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God Knows the Big Picture

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 27 May 2020 22:03:52 GMT

Joseph finally tells his brothers who he is. He then explains that their part in sending him there was wrong but that God had a plan. The Lord worked everything together for the good of their family and the surrounding country. We spend the rest of our time talking about the Providence of God. He is in control. He has a plan & a purpose. He is perfect & powerful. We look at several verses revealing His character, explaining how He works within our difficult times, how He is with us, how He comforts us, gives us hope, and is worthy of our trust because He know the big picture that we do not.

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Sacrificial Love

Courtney Gilmore — Mon, 18 May 2020 18:34:10 GMT

Joseph's brothers continue to prove their loyalty & devotion to Benjamin. They do all they can to keep their promise to their father proving their love & unselfishness towards him. Judah presents himself before Joseph as Benjamin's substitute. This reminds us of Jesus who is our substitutionary sacrifice. We also are asked to give our lives to Him in return and love others with a sacrificial love.

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Helpless but not Hopeless

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 09 May 2020 22:11:18 GMT

I can't but He can. Simeon has been put in prison until they bring Benjamin back to Egypt. But Jacob is afraid and will not let him go. It isn't until he has no other choice that he finally gives in. When he is helpless and powerless, he gives up control, and trusts God with his family. Sometimes God has to bring us to a place of helplessness so that we will turn to Him for help. Sometimes He has to show us that we do not have the power to fix the situation so that we will turn to the One with all the Power. He is our ever present help in times of trouble! He is Almighty God!

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Guilty Conscience

Courtney Gilmore — Mon, 04 May 2020 21:06:56 GMT

Joseph's brothers go to Egypt to get food & they don't recognize him. So he tests them to see their character 20 years after they sold him. We talk about being decisive & proactive, not allowing ourselves to be too overwhelmed or fearful to make good decisions. Also we talk a little about jealousy but the main focus is on the guilty conscience of his brothers. How do we handle it when we have seemingly gotten away with something wrong? What is God's way for us to truly be set free from our guilt?

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Trusting God within Hardship

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 22 Apr 2020 18:32:15 GMT

Joseph and Pharaoh. This one is a little long because it is a combination of two lessons but it is so good. After 13 years of suffering, 13 years of ups and downs, Joseph gets out of prison and begins to see God's plan for his future. We look back at his life and see that God had his hand in Joseph's life the whole time. He was preparing him for what was to come. How do we deal with times of suffering or difficult times? We look at several scriptures to help us trust Him all the way through and come out stronger and better than when we went in.

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Dreamers

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 11 Apr 2020 05:11:21 GMT

When life gets Better. Joseph interprets 2 prisoners dreams. One of them is supposed to help him get out of prison after he is set free himself, but he doesn't. Was he too ashamed to mention his imprisonment? Did he just get busy with his life? Was he trying to put the bad times out of his mind? When you get to the other side of your struggles, do you forget the people that helped you? Do you try to put it all out of your mind & forget everything you learned when times were hard? Do you forget all God did for you? Do you get prideful and think you alone pulled yourself out? Also, how easily do you talk about God in your everyday conversation?

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She Cries Rape

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 17 Mar 2020 04:57:31 GMT

Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers. He must have felt so betrayed and afraid. But he was bought by an important man and God gave him favor towards Joseph. He was soon put in charge of his master's entire household. But his wife also had favor towards Joseph and since Joseph continued to turn her down, she decided to get rid of him. She made up false rape accusations and Joseph was thrown into prison. But God was with him and he was favored by the prison keeper too and made the second in charge there also. So God was with him, but still allowed him to suffer when he had done no wrong? Why? How do we react in times of suffering? Do we trust Him? Do we question Him?

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You Hypocrite

Courtney Gilmore — Mon, 09 Mar 2020 23:11:40 GMT

Judah and Tamar. Judah's two oldest sons were wicked and God killed them both before they were able to have any children. Then Judah puts his daughter in law in a bad position and ends up with a situation he never bargained for. His hypocrisy is quickly revealed but he does take responsibility and God redeems him. How hypocritical are we at times? Do you put things off that you should be doing or make excuses that aren't completely truthful? What do we do when we are confronted with our sin? Is redemption available for us too?

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Favortism & Hatred

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 05 Mar 2020 19:20:43 GMT

Joseph Sold by Brothers. Jacob didn't hide that Joseph was his favorite son. This made the rest of his sons very jealous. Then Joseph had 2 dreams that insinuated that he would one day rule over them all. That was more than his brothers could take! So when given the opportunity, they conspired to get rid of him. Jacob, Joseph, & the brothers all respond badly to their feelings. When we allow our feelings to rule, then they can grow & cause us to do horrible things.

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The Unconditional Promise

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 25 Feb 2020 01:49:32 GMT

As Jacob and his family travel from Shechem, God protects them. Even though his sons have done wrong, God keeps His promises and reassures Jacob of that. Rachel dies in childbirth and Jacob has another son. God divinely moves Esau out and Jacob in to the promised land. We wrap up the lives of Isaac, Rebekah, Rachel, Leah, and Esau.

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Revenge:The Dinah Incident

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 19 Feb 2020 14:35:57 GMT

When a man in the new land defiles their sister, the brothers conspire against him. Their reaction is one of deceit, vengeance, & injustice. How do we react when others do us harm? It is hard to do what is right and leave the rest to God but it is the right way. We are called to truth, fairness, & peace.

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Wrestling with God

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 05 Feb 2020 16:57:45 GMT

Meeting Esau. As Jacob prepares to meet his bother Esau he is very afraid. We examine 2 encounters he has with God before his meeting & how they are a model for us in our prayer lives. Just a few things we hit on: Going to God first, reminding ourselves of who He is, what He says, & what He's already done, being authentic, wrestling with God, allowing Him to make us new.

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God is Witness

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 25 Jan 2020 22:17:49 GMT

Jacob & Laban. Jacob had served Laban 14 years for his wives & had 11 sons & he was ready to go home. But it was not in God's timing, so he made a deal with Laban to stay with him in exchange for a flock of his own. Jacob trusted God to bless his flock & He made him very prosperous. After 6 years, the Lord told him it was time to leave. But instead of telling Laban, he just left because he assumed Laban would not want him to go. Laban felt blindsided & went after him. Jacob's second assumption could have been worse than his first but the Lord took care of him & they made peace. Do you trust God with your livelihood? Do you trust His timing? Are you confident enough to just be upfront & open with others, trusting God with their response?

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God is Enough! Rachel and Leah

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 08 Jan 2020 20:48:58 GMT

For Jacob, it is love at first sight with Rachel. He works for 7 years so that she can be his wife. But deception comes for him this time, and he is given her sister Leah instead Rachel also becomes his wife a week later when he agrees to work 7 more years. So he has two wives one that he wanted and another that he didn't. God evens the playing field for Leah and allows her to have his children, while Rachel is unable. The sisters rival, each one lacking in some way. What do we do when our needs aren't met, when we feel unloved, unwanted, unneeded, unable? Is God enough for us?

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King of Heaven and Earth

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 20 Dec 2019 00:05:53 GMT

Esau was devastated when he found out that Jacob had taken his blessing. But his priorities were not where they should have been from the beginning. When we say something is important to us but we do not place it in a position of importance, we are at risk of losing it. Esau was so angry that he wanted to kill Jacob so his mother sent him away. On his journey, God found him and extended the Abrahamic blessing to him. His dream gave Jacob a visual of just how involved God was in his life. Do you believe that God is involved in your every day life? We owe Him everything!

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Extent of a Lie

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 06 Dec 2019 17:19:56 GMT

Jacob steals Esau's Blessing. Jacob and Rebekah go to great lengths to deceive Isaac and cheat Esau out of the blessing. Is Isaac wrong to try to give the blessing to Esau in the first place? Why does Rebekah take it into her own hands to bring about God's plan? Has Esau already forfeited his right? Is Jacob's only concern getting caught? Despite the whole family looking after their own interests, God's plan will prevail. Ends do not justify the means. Two wrongs do not make a right. Negative consequences should not be our only deterrent. Have some integrity. Do what is right.

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Fear or Trust

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 26 Nov 2019 15:24:02 GMT

Isaac lies. God sent Isaac to another city and just like his father, out of fear, he lied saying that Rebekah was his sister. Even after God told him that He would be with him, he was still afraid. Are we ever afraid, even when we know we are in God's will? Do we Trust him enough to obey fully? Do we follow Him or base our actions off of our perceived circumstances? Assumptions and fear can be dangerous. Acting on our feelings or reasoned thoughts instead of trusting God can lead us to do things that we shouldn't. Sometimes God uses opened and closed doors to lead us. Pray and pay attention to His leading.

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Favortism, Coveting, and Jealousy

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 20 Nov 2019 20:17:47 GMT

Esau and Jacob. Waiting for an answer from the Lord can be difficult. What can we conclude from His silence. With the answered prayer comes many struggles. These two brothers couldn't be more different. The parents play favorites putting further dissention between them. Jacob covets what he does not have and Esau is not jealous enough to protect it. Is jealousy wrong? How important is status & position?

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Summary of Abraham

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 14 Nov 2019 03:05:00 GMT

The Father of Faith. After Sarah died, Abraham had children with his concubine. He died at the age of 175 and was buried in Hebron with Sarah. Today Hebron is in the West Bank and the area is a large source of contention for the 3 major religions, Jews, Christians, & Muslims, who all claim Abraham as their descendant. We talk about modern day Israel some & then summarize Abraham's life & the lessons we should learn from him.

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Prayer for God's Will

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 23:46:30 GMT

A Wife for Isaac. Sarah dies when she's 127. Abraham send his servant to get a wife for Isaac from his homeland. Abraham tells him that God will send His angel before him to prepare the way & the servant prays a very specific prayer for guidance. This prayer is a great example to us as to how to pray when we are tying to discern the will of God. God quickly gives him a definitive answer. The response is that of praise and willing obedience. If it is God's will then who are we to fight against that

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Sacrificing Isaac

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 02 Nov 2019 18:58:35 GMT

Jesus as our Sacrifice. God tests His people at times. Abraham has incredible faith in the Lord and it continues to grow. When we exhibit our faith to those around us, as Abraham did for Isaac, it grows their faith too. There are many parallels between Abraham and God, and Isaac and Jesus.

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The law and Victimization

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 30 Oct 2019 18:31:22 GMT

Ishmael and Isaac. After Isaac is born, Sarah no longer wants Ishmael around. God reassures Abraham that He will care for Ishmael, but he does need to be sent away. We look at the symbolism behind Ishmael and Isaac. One son being born of the plans of Abraham and Sarah to a slave woman, forever symbolizing slavery to the law that must be cast away to make way for the promised son born in freedom forever symbolizing the inheritance found through freeing grace. Also, the difference between our feelings and actions when we are in control of our circumstances and when they are forced upon us and how we should react so that we do not become permanent victims. With God's help, we can persevere!

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Do What's Right

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 23 Oct 2019 16:13:36 GMT

Trust God. Lot's Daughters and Abraham both take matters into their own hands, but God still redeems their situations. Sometimes our emotions cloud our thoughts and actions. Our job is just to do what is right and trust God with the outcome. Do not take matters into our own hands. He is able to protect us and provide for us. Also if we hurt someone purposefully or even accidentally or unintentionally, it is still our responsibility to reconcile the situation.

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Don't Look Back

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 09 Oct 2019 02:09:13 GMT

Leave the Sinful Life. When the angels go to Sodom in search of righteous men, they find extreme wickedness, except for Lot and his family. They tell him to leave the city before they destroy it, and when he takes too long, they take them all by the hand and pull them out. Lot's wife looks back at the city and God turns her into a pillar of salt because of her disobedience. Sometimes, we too need God to pull us away from our sinful lives. When He does, we need to go willingly, not looking back at what we are losing but focusing on Him to lead us to a better place.

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Sodom and Gomorrah

Courtney Gilmore — Sat, 05 Oct 2019 03:44:36 GMT

Wrath, Patience, Mercy, Justice. Is the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah an example of God's extreme wrath or does His conversation with Abraham before-hand show His patience and mercy? Abraham pleads for the lives of the righteous and God has compassion on them. We too are asked to have compassion for others and speak up for those that have no voice of their own.

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All is Possible with God

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 02 Oct 2019 21:04:47 GMT

Sarah has Isaac. God changes Sarah's name to the plural form because she will be princess to many now that she is having her own child. When Sarah finds out that she will have her own son, she laughs because she is almost 90 years old. But nothing is impossible for God and she does get pregnant and have a son. Meanwhile, Abraham is concerned for Ishmael because he thought the promises would all be fulfilled through him. God eases his concern by telling him that Ishmael also will become a great nation. The promise will just not come through him.

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Uncover Your Heart

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 26 Sep 2019 22:29:19 GMT

Setting His People Apart. God changes Abram's name to Abraham. God is detailed and always thinking of what's best for us. He gives them the covenant of circumcision. This sets them apart from the rest of the nations but is also an outward profession of an inward openness to God. How open is your heart to God today?

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Taking matters into their own hands

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 25 Sep 2019 00:15:12 GMT

Hagar and Ishmael. When Abram and Sarai still don't have any children of their own, Sarai comes up with a plan that makes matters worse. We also discuss how children are always from the Lord and how He alone is responsible for conception. Also, taking responsibility for our actions and what to do when we grow impatient. How to discern God's call to action & when to wait and trust His plan. Hagar finds out that God sees, hears, and is Living.

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Faith, Works, & our Eternal Promise

Courtney Gilmore — Sun, 22 Sep 2019 00:59:43 GMT

Abram's Own Son. God promises Abram that he will have a son of his very own. God says he's righteous just for his faith. We also are righteous because of our faith and not our works. God tells Abram the rest of the story concerning him and his family. We too know the rest of our story, if we have faith like Abraham. God gives us an eternal inheritance with Him.

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Priest/King

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 17 Sep 2019 15:25:38 GMT

Jesus and Melchizedek. Abram rescues his nephew Lot from captivity. But more importantly, he meets with Melchizedek, who is the priest and king of Salem/Jerusalem. We will talk about the symbolism of Melchizedek and the foreshadowing of our Priest and King, Jesus Christ. We compare and contrast the Levites, Melchizedek, and Jesus. By studying different passages throughout the Bible, we get the whole picture of the law and grace, offerings and sacrifices.

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Abraham and Lot Separate

Courtney Gilmore — Sun, 15 Sep 2019 00:32:58 GMT

Think of Others. After leaving Egypt, Abram is proactive and in order to ensure peace between him and his nephew, they separate. Abram gives Lot the choice and he chooses the best looking land, but there is something that he has overlooked. Then God tells Abram a little more about His promises. We discuss topics like: getting back on track, giving preference to others, and how our surroundings can affect us.

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Abram Called by God

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 12 Sep 2019 21:03:23 GMT

Blind Faith. Abram steps out in blind faith at the age of 75 and God makes him many promises. But a while in to his journey, he gets afraid and lies, placing him and his wife in a bad situation. But God stays true to His promise of blessing, intervening in His mercy.

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Tower of Babel

Courtney Gilmore — Wed, 11 Sep 2019 00:24:05 GMT

Pride & Glory. The people want to make a name for themselves. Honor and Glory belong only to God. Pride comes before the fall (or the scattering). What can God see from heaven? Languages, races, cultures, people groups, and where did each one settle in our world today.

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Discretion & Justice

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 20:57:35 GMT

Noah Gets Drunk. When Noah gets drunk, Ham makes fun of him and tells his brothers. They honor their father and cover him. God values discretion. When Noah finds out, he curses Ham's son. Is this fair? Is God fair?

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Peace after the Storm

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 03:47:35 GMT

The Rainbow. The rains have stopped. Noah finds peace on the earth again. We too can find peace from God and with others. Noah praises God. The people can now eat meat. Life is precious to the Lord. The Rainbow of Promise. God always keeps His promises.

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The Ark and Flood

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 10 Sep 2019 00:20:44 GMT

Be Ready. How big was the ark? How did all the animals fit? How were all the species preserved? How were they all fed? Were they hibernating? What did they drink? Fossils and the new earth. How is the flood like the second coming of Jesus? Will you be found righteous, when the end comes?

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Good & Evil Men

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 23:14:02 GMT

Before the Flood. The men that are born from Adam to Noah are listed along with the age they were when they died. Enoch is so pleasing to God that he doesn't die and Noah pleases Him enough to be saved in the world wide flood. Methuselah is the oldest recorded living man. The sons of God have children with the daughters of men and the thoughts of the people are only evil continually. God tells Noah that He is sad because the people are so bad and He is going to destroy the whole earth and begin again with just Noah and his family. Noah believes God and demonstrates his faith.

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Sin Desires to Have You

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 18:25:43 GMT

Cain and Abel. What is experiential knowing? What can happen when we allow ourselves to dwell on feelings of jealousy, anger, discouragement or victimization. Why it is important to listen to criticism and warnings. Focusing more on ourselves than others & having a conscience. Lastly, who are all the people on the earth during this time? Where did they all come from?

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Consequences & Salvation

Courtney Gilmore — Fri, 16 Aug 2019 01:33:16 GMT

God's Response to Sin. Being Content. Lasting consequences are imposed on the man, woman, & serpent. But, also, a permanent way to reconciliation. God provided a way from the very beginning for His people not to be separated from Him. Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice and the Holy Spirit is given to us all who believe.

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Satan's Tactics & Our Defense

Courtney Gilmore — Thu, 15 Aug 2019 01:45:54 GMT

The Fall. It is very important to know how Satan works, so that we know how to respond. This passage is a wonderful example & in this lesson we break down his tactics & how we should respond to each. We talk about topics like doubt, temptation, sin, the company we keep & blaming others. What is the difference between deception & a lie? What is the difference between shame & godly sorrow.

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Why are we here?

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 23:05:30 GMT

The Trinity, Our Purpose, & Marriage. How we are created in the image of God, the Father, the Son, & the Holy Spirit. Then, why did God create us? What is our purpose & what are our roles as men & women. Work was created by God by working together we feel fulfilled, useful, & important. God created the marriage relationship & set its foundation during the creation week.

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In the Beginning

Courtney Gilmore — Tue, 13 Aug 2019 19:11:14 GMT

The creation week. What did God create each day? When was the first rain? So much more was created than what we see. The entire foundation for everything was established in this one week. The laws of earth were set in motion with its seasons, days, & years. Our food & growth system was established along with relationships, work, & rest. Also, what does the Bible say about dinosaurs & how much does the world influence our beliefs?

This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit livethrujesus.substack.com/subscribe