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Holding Up the Hands of Moses and the Members of Christ’s Body Exodus 17

Perpetual or intermittent victory? What shall it be for thee?

May Christ’s body abandon our own things and hasten to the edification of the members of His beloved body. We are lifting up the brothers and sisters of our Savior today (Hebrews 6:10). Upholding Christ by holding up our relentless worship, our praise to Him, seeking His face continually, assures eternal glory with Him, His victory over sin, Satan, hell, and the grave!

Holding up the hands of leaders, of others, is an ancient practice and represents true worship. When Moses’ hands were upward (represents true worship) God’s people prospered in fighting the good fight of faith. When Moses’ hands were allowed to fall down (represents backsliding, lukewarm, apostasy) the people of God were losing the war. Selah beloved of God.

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3:1-4 

Only those who worship Him now will have the privilege of worshipping the KING forever!

Moses and the people of God had just been refreshed by the LORD, via the waters that flowed from the smitten rock in the desert (Exodus 17:1-7). Now they faced their attacking enemy, Amalek. Amalek represents the relentlessly attacking enemy of the flesh which dwells in us after we’ve received “washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost” and which must be crucified (Titus 3:5-7; Galatians 5:16-25). After Jesus saves us, at the point of initial salvation, from that point forward, we are confronted by the bent, the iniquities, the deeds of the flesh, and accountable to put them away, to crucify them (Romans 6-7, etc.).

A wise man has observed that:

“Either you will crucify the flesh or the flesh will crucify Christ out of your life.”

“When planting a tree, the longer it has support stakes around it, the less it can sway to the left or right; and the deeper the roots will take hold. Discipling the new converts is exactly like that. 🙏🔥” Michael Neff

Israel Defeats Amalek (Amalek represents the flesh)

“Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek (represents the flesh): to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand. 10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword. 14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven. 15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah nissi: 16 For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.” Exodus 17:8-16

“Rephidim” means “a place in the desert.” Does this not remind us of Jesus being tempted of Satan in the wilderness, the desert? (Matthew 4; Luke 4)

“War with Amalek from generation to generation” represents the ongoing need to put down, to crucify the flesh till we’re in Heaven. As long as the life of the born again saint is heavenward, is seeking the face of the LORD, setting the heart affections on things above, not on things on the earth, the power of Heaven will be present to keep the flesh crucified, being raised up by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:12-14; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Colossians 3:1-10, etc.).

The flesh, Amalek, cannot be cast out. No, it must be crucified “daily” till we are with the LORD in Heaven (Luke 9:23-24; 1 Corinthians 9:27; 15:31).

Amalek represents the flesh which can only be defeated via the crucified Savior and cross life He instructed us to participate with Him in daily (Luke 9:23-24; 2 Corinthians 4:10-12; Galatians 2:20; 5:24; Colossians 3:3, etc.).

Holding up my hands and heart in worship to the LORD, putting Him first and not myself, is essential to victory in my personal life and in helping others of His saints.

“We got all those little demons, picking at us, wearing us down, then just one brother or sister comes rolling up, then it’s over.” Phil Butler

If Christ is not my “first love,” I am committing spiritual adultery on the LORD (Revelation 2:4-5).

Joshua is a type of Christ here who conquered all sin, death, hell, and the grave. As children of God, as we keep our hands and hearts upward in worship-filled obedience to the LORD, we will defeat, discomfit the flesh and the evil one! (Romans 6-8; James 4:6-10, etc.).

“And he (King Uzziah) sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.” 2 Chronicles 26:5

“Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.” 1 Chronicles 16:11

“I will cause him to draw near, and he shall approach unto me: for who is this that engaged his heart to approach unto me? saith the LORD.” Jeremiah 30:21

Of this chapter, Exodus 17, F.B. Meyer notes:

“From the smitten rock flowed the water for the thirsty hosts. So the Rock of Ages was smitten, and from His riven side has flowed out blood and water, for the sin and thirst of the world. He that eateth His flesh and drinketh His blood, spiritually, hath eternal life. Such refreshment is in preparation for warfare. Then came Amalek! When our physical needs are satisfied, there is always the fear of Amalek, who, in the typology of Scripture, stands for the flesh. Between this wilderness tribe and Israel the conflict was long and bitter. The old Adam, said Luther, is too strong for the young Melanchthon. But let the Lord fight for you! Lift up your hands with opened palms to Him; He will not fail. See R.V. margin and Mat. 1:21. But guard the rear, and ask that Jesus shall beset you behind as well as before. See Deu. 25:17-18.”

Concerning Exodus 17:11 Donald Stamps writes:

“MOSES HELD UP HIS HAND. By holding up his hands to the LORD Moses reveals His dependence on God and His faith in Him. (1) Israel’s strength and victory lay only in a continuous drawing near to God in prayer, faith, and obedience. When the prayer of Moses ceased, the flow of divine power to His people ceased. (2) This divine principle continues to operate under the New Covenant. If we fail to call upon God daily in prayer, then the divine life, protection, blessing, and grace will begin to cease flowing toward us. Our only hope of victory lies in continually drawing near to the throne of grace through Christ, that we might receive the power and grace of God to help us in times of need (Heb. 4:16; 7:25).” Donald Stamps, Life in the Spirit Study Bible, p. 119

Exodus 17 – Moses stood at the river, and on the rock, and on the hill.

“Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb (means desolation); and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.” Exodus 17:6

Moses stood “upon the rock in Horeb” which means desolation. After the fall of man into sin, man being now alienated from the life of God, desolation reigned (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 1-3; Ephesians 2:1; 4:18). When Jesus our Rock was smitten, cleansing and refreshing (His blood and the Holy Ghost) flowed forth from God’s throne of grace.

Aaron and Hur upheld Moses. They did not seek to replace him in order to elevate themselves. This meant that there were at least 3 of God’s people in agreement and the victory was won! (Matthew 18:19-20) Satan uses false leaders to turn the affections of people’s hearts away from Christ. Study Colossians 2:18-19 closely saints. We see this with David and his son Absalom where his son sought to replace David with himself. “Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel” (2 Samuel 15:6). David was a type of Christ and Absalom is a type of false teachers and the antichrist. Anti means in place of. Absalom sought to put himself in place of his father David – to replace him in order to be esteemed, popular, worshipped, to be rich in this world (Colossians 2:18-19).

“Rephidim (Chap. 17)
17:1-7 At Rephidim the people contended with Moses because of a shortage of water. The Lord instructed Moses to proceed to the general area known as Horeb (meaning the desolate place) and to strike the rock with his rod. When he did, water flowed from the rock—a picture of the Holy Spirit, who was given on the day of Pentecost as the fruit of Christ’s being struck on Calvary.” William MacDonald, Believer’s Bible Commentary

Perpetual Prayer Communion is Essential to Eternal Glory – to Preventing Falling Away

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41 
The simplest definition of prayer is that it is communing with God. And, those who do not “pray without ceasing” will “fall away”, they will not be full of Heaven’s fuel to “endure to the end.” (Matthew 10:22; 24:10-13; 25:1-13; Luke 8:13; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; 1 Timothy 4:1-2, etc.).
Beloved, the LORD is calling you today to realize that you are personally in a war for your own soul, for the souls of others, and that you must lay down your life in this fleeting world, to “fight the good faith of faith” or you will faint in the way (1 Timothy 6:12).
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 1 Peter 5:8-9
The lifting up of the hands toward Heaven, God’s throne, is the sign of surrender, of worship to our God.
 
“Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I LIFT UP MY HANDS toward thy holy oracle.” Psalms 28:2
 
“Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will LIFT UP MY HANDS in thy name.” Psalms 63:4
 
“MY HANDS ALSO WILL I LIFT UP unto thy commandments, which I have loved; and I will meditate in thy statutes.” Psalms 119:48

Raising the arms of Moses teaches us that we must have God’s presence, power, and people to walk in His victory.

The difference between the 5 wise and the 5 foolish virgins in Jesus’ teaching, was that the 5 wise virgins stayed before the Bridegroom, and kept the affections of their hearts on Him and no other! Read Matthew 25:1-13.

As we seek the LORD, He is going to uphold us.

“Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10

The wayfaring saint must keep his heart with all diligence and the way to do that is to keep that heart full of God’s Word:

“My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings. 21 Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. 22 For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” Proverbs 4:20-23

“Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:19-20 

Mark 2

“And again he entered into Capernaum after some days; and it was noised that he was in the house. 
2  And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them. 
3  And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. 
4  And when they could not come nigh unto him for the press, they uncovered the roof where he was: and when they had broken it up, they let down the bed wherein the sick of the palsy lay. 
5  When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy, Son, thy sins be forgiven thee. …
9  Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? 
10  But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 
11  I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house. 
12  And immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went forth before them all; insomuch that they were all amazed, and glorified God, saying, We never saw it on this fashion.” 

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Abiding

Chosen, Ordained, Joyfully Fruitful [podcast]


“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you,

and ordained you, that ye should go and bring

forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that

whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name,

he may give it you.” John 15:16

  • “Ye have not chosen me”
  • “I have chosen you”
  • “and ordained you”
  • “that ye should go and bring forth fruit”
  • “and that your fruit should remain”

Of this truth, the Believer’s Bible Commentary notes the following:

“15:16 Lest there be any tendency for them to become discouraged and give up, Jesus reminded them that He was the One who chose them. This may mean that He chose them to eternal salvation, to discipleship, or to fruitfulness. He had appointed the disciples to the work which lay before them. We should go and bear fruit. Fruit may mean the graces of the Christian life, such as love, joy, peace, etc. Or it may mean souls won for the Lord Jesus Christ. There is a close link between the two. It is only as we are manifesting the first kind of fruit that we will ever be able to bring forth the second.

The expression “that your fruit should remain” leads us to think that fruit here means the salvation of souls. The Lord chose the disciples to go and bring forth lasting fruit. He was not interested in mere professions of faith in Himself, but in genuine cases of salvation. L. S. Chafer notes that in this chapter we have prayer effectual (v. 7), joy celestial (v. 11), and fruit perpetual (v. 16). “That whatever you ask … .” The secret of effective service is prayer. The disciples were sent forth with the guarantee that the Father would grant them whatever they asked in Christ’s name.”

Adam Clarke writes;

“The first ministers of the Gospel were the choice of Jesus Christ; no wonder, then, that they were so successful. Those whom men have since sent, without the appointment of God, have done no good. The choice should still continue with God, who, knowing the heart, knows best who is most proper for the Gospel ministry.

To be a genuine preacher of the Gospel, a man must –

1. Be chosen of God to the work.
2. He must be placed in the true vine – united to Christ by faith.
3. He must not think to lead an idle life, but labor.
4. He must not wait till work be brought to him, but he must go and seek it.
5. He must labor so as to bring forth fruit, i.e. to get souls converted to the Lord.
6. He must refer all his fruit to God, who gave him the power to labor, and blessed him in his work.
7. He must take care to water what he has planted, that his fruit may remain – that the souls whom he has gathered in be not scattered from the flock.
8. He must continue instant in prayer, that his labors may be accompanied with the presence and blessing of God – Whatsoever ye shall Ask.
9. He must consider Jesus Christ as the great Mediator between God and man, proclaim his salvation, and pray in his name. – Whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, etc. See Quesnel.”

God alone ordains His people to His work and brings them

through many purging seasons to cause His fruitfulness in

them, preparing them to bear more of His fruit.

God chose us and blessed us with the ability to repent and

receive Christ. As His people, He’s also ordained us to “go

and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain.”

As we read this discourse from our LORD (John 15 and 17),

we discover that He is speaking of that abiding fellowship we

have with Him, and how out of it is borne the good fruit of

His ministry in and through our life.

Being rooted in that oneness, the abiding relationship with

Christ, is all-important to our relationship with Him and the

Father. As his student, His disciple, may the reader be

encouraged to pour prayerfully over these truths captured,

and given to us in John, chapters 15 and 17.

Isaiah 43

“But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 2  When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. 3  For I am the LORD thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: I gave Egypt for thy ransom, Ethiopia and Seba for thee. 4  Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. 5  Fear not: for I am with thee … “

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the name of Jesus, please make me one with You. Please deeply root and establish my life in an abiding fellowship with You dear LORD.

Moments with Our Master [book] 365 Day Devotional book available at STORE and amazon. English and Spanish.


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Articles

The One Essential to Victory [podcast]


Victory is at hand!! This message is at the heart of the original Gospel message Christ and that His apostles gave. Yet, this is seldom if ever heard today. Victory awaits you!!!!! God desires to give it to you!!!! You be careful though saint. Be not deceived. Get this truth in your heart and life and God will raise you upward to the victory that brings Him glory and where you belong. Paul said that there are many “enemies of the cross of Christ.” (Phil. 3:18-19) Discover who they are and what is divinely required for you to be blessed with victory in this life and in eternity with Christ!

Raised Up | I Die Daily


The Victory is in Jesus [podcast]


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Abiding

Kiss Jesus Or be Crushed as His Enemy! [podcast]


Satan’s Pitiful Petty Perverted Pawns have an Expiration Date!

“Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, cruel both with wrath and fierce anger, to lay the land desolate: and he shall destroy the sinners thereof out of it.” Isaiah 13:9 

Psalm 2 is Prophetic of Christ and of His Return to Take back Possession of His Planet, Earth

The Reign of the Lord’s Anointed

1  Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 
2  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, 
3  Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. 
4  He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. 
5  Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. 
6  Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. 
7  I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. 
8  Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. 
9  Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. 
10  Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth. 
11  Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 
12  Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him. 

GOD told us He’s laughing at these luciferians and all their “elaborate plans” to control humanity. Read Psalms 2. Jesus is coming. His enemies will be crushed under His holy, Almighty feet (Romans 16:20).

“And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.” Romans 16:20

The future belongs exclusively to Jesus Christ and His followers. Read the book of Revelation!

“And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.” Matthew 21:44

Jesus is coming back “In flaming fire taking vengeance.”

“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.” 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10

The Coming of the Son of Man

“And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; 26 Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. 27 And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.” Luke 21:25-28 

Just as Aaron’s rod swallowed up the rods of the sorcerers of Egypt (the world), so shall Christ’s kingdom swallow up the kingdoms of this world! (Exodus 7:12; Daniel 2:44; 7:14) Will you be a part of Christ’s eternal kingdom?  

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.” Revelation 11:15

Bow now or burn forever.

All who refuse to repent, bowing down to “kiss the Son” of God will perish in their own corruption and be violently vanquished into the bowels of eternal damnation, the prison of fire, which will then be “cast into the lake of fire.”

“And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15  And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14-15

“EVERY Knee”

“Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10  That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11  And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11

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