Bible in One Year:
Sunday, October 4, 2009
(Josh 22 - Josh 24)

Memorise: "For our God is a consuming fire" (Heb 12:29)

Read: Exodus 12:5-10
5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year: ye shall take it out from the sheep, or from the goats:
6 And ye shall keep it up until the fourteenth day of the same month: and the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill it in the evening.
7 And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it.
8 And they shall eat the flesh in that night, roast with fire, and unleavened bread; and with bitter herbs they shall eat it.
9 Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.
10 And ye shall let nothing of it remain until the morning; and that which remaineth of it until the morning ye shall burn with fire.

Today's reading talks about the Passover. The Passover is significant because it was the last meal the children of Israel ate before they left Egypt. It is also interesting to note that the Communion bread and wine was the last meal the Lord Jesus took before embarking on His most delicate assignment - the journey to the cross (Mk 14:22-26). After that meal, the Lord went to the Garden of Gethsemane and from there, He was arrested. This tells us of the power of the communion. When you have to face a most difficult assignment, taking the Holy Communion in faith can release the required strength. No wonder after the Lord prayed and was exhausted in the garden, angels came and strengthened Him. There is divine strength available for you at the Communion table. As you approach the Lord's table in the next Holy Communion service, go in faith and tie that meal to that tough examination, project or enormous task and you will receive victory. For the Israelites, this meal ended the era of servitude and began an era of freedom, joy, progress and peace. This season as you partake of the Holy Communion, an end will come to pain, suffering, bondage and fruitless attempts in your life. 

However, one thing you will notice in today's reading is the emphasis on fire. The Passover lamb was to be roasted with fire. The remains must be burnt. This tells us that there is a link between the Holy Communion and the fire of the Holy Spirit. Also, fire is one of the most powerful weapons God uses. Fire clearly demonstrates God's supremacy over the enemy just as it devours everything on its path. When God sends His fire, He leaves no one in doubt that He is the Consuming Fire (Heb 12:29). Whenever fire burns, it cannot be ignored. Ignoring a burning fire could lead to irreparable losses. When you have this fire, no one will be able to ignore you. With the fire of the Holy Spirit burning in your life, no enemy will dare come close because they don't want to be burnt. Anyone who takes you as an enemy is automatically at a disadvantage. Is that fire burning in your life? Ask for the fire of the Holy Spirit to fall afresh upon you. 

ACTION POINT:
What character traits can hinder you from making it to Heaven? Ask God to uproot them today.