Let us pray. And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire, out of the midst of a bush. And he looked, and behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed. Exodus 3:2. Dear God, like Moses, open my eyes to see that I am a savior. Open my eyes to see that I am called, even when my calling is questioned by those who don't believe. Give me God moments that will illuminate my mind and heart like the burning bush in Genesis. I declare that I will no longer try to convince others that I have a purpose, but instead, when questioned, I will tell them that God cosigned my life and purpose. When I feel unworthy, strengthen me and affirm me, Lord. Anoint my speech so that it will flow like oil out of heaven. Let my words be sweet to the ears, like honey is to the taste. I declare that I will no longer look down on myself nor on my capabilities, because You have equipped me with the ability to move in signs and wonders. Therefore, I am not alone. I declare that I am not helpless because the God of the universe has called me and validated my life.

Look out, future, because I am on the move, and I am ready to grab all that God has for me. I am the one. I am chosen. In Jesus' name, Amen. Thanks for making prayer a priority in your life. To hear the Bible come to life, stay tuned for the Bible in a Year, brought to you by BibleInAyear. Com.

Tesco Club Card gives you the power to lower prices. Hunt out great deals with medium Easter eggs like Cadbury's giant buttons egg and Cadbury mini Easter eggs were €2, now €1 each. Clean up at the checkout with selected parcel 32 washpods was €12, now €6, and wake up to savings with selected Nestlé cereals, now €3. Lower the cost of your shop with your Tesco Club card or app. The power to lower prices, Tesco. Every little helps. Products subject to availability, prices vary in express stores.

Every year, Lent helps us remove distractions and focus on the Lord. This year for Lent, give up tossing and turning in your sleep by listening to Sleep Psalms with Bishop TD Jakes.

He is going to lay you down in green you pastor's and restore your soul. Join me and let the Lord be your shepherd tonight. Listen to Sleep Psalms with Bishop TD Jakes on our hard radio app or wherever you Get your podcast.

A conversation with fire. In our last story, we learned about how the Israelites expanded in numbers, and Pharaoh feared that they would overtake him. His darkened heart led him to enslave them. When slavery didn't work, he ordered all the newborn boys to be thrown the Nile River. The river ran red with the blood of children, yet one was able to survive, Moses. He was saved by his mother and found by the princess of Egypt. In this story, we will learn how Moses grew up a part of both worlds and became concerned about his people being treated poorly by the Egyptians. Despite his flaws, God calls Moses to lead his people, as inspired by the Book of Exodus.

Hello, I'm Jack Graham with today's episode of the Bible in a Year podcast. In yesterday's episode, we learned the new Pharaoh enslaved and brutalized the people of Israel, and he even murdered babies to keep the Hebrew from growing in number and power and influence. Then we met Moses, the adoptive son of the Pharaoh's own daughter, raised by his biological mother in the Hebrew community. And today, we're going to see that he makes a rash and angry decision to help a Hebrew slave. The Prince of Egypt will then have a price on his head. In fear, he will flee to a land far away to seek safety. Then we will see how God intervenes and calls Moses to a very special role. As you listen to this exchange, this conversation between God, the great I am, and this man, Moses, think about the things that God has called you to do, his will for your own life. And then ask yourself, Will I respond and do what God tells me to do? Let's listen now to today's story.

Moses could hear screaming in the distance. He ran towards the cries to find a Hebrew slave being brutalized by an Egyptian taskmaster. Whips, fist, and fury were being unleashed on the back of the Israelite. Blood, sweat, and tears fell from the man's face. His eyes caught Moses as he was being tortured in front of him. Moses watched in horror. The Egyptian in him was used to this image, yet the Hebrew in him teemed with anger. Moses looked away and saw that nobody else was present. In a moment of unbridled rage, Moses attacked the Egyptian. Tumbling in the sand, the two fought, exchanging blows and screams. Moses prevailed against the taskmaster and took his life. The slave had fled, so Moses buried the body in the sand. The next morning, sore from his encounter the day before, Moses was walking amongst the Hebrews once again. When he saw that there were two Hebrew men fighting, he stopped them. Why would you fight your friend? He asked to the man who had started the fight. The man pointed at Moses, angry. He said, Who appointed you, Judge over me, Prince of Egypt? Are you going to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?

Fear overcame Moses. For if the slave had known, It was only a matter of time before Pharaoh found out as well. Sure enough, Pharaoh did find out and put a warrant out for Moses' arrest so he might kill him. Moses fled the mighty nation of Egypt, the place he had called home for his entire life. He stripped himself of all signs of royalty and ran with the son behind him. He ran to the countryside to the people of Midian. There he settled, met his wife, Zipporah, and lived a life of simplicity. Forty years had passed, and the Pharaoh had passed, and a new one was in power. Moses became a shepherd, intended to his father-in-law's sheep in tranquility. Moses felt at home and at peace. Yet hundreds of miles away, his people wailed in pain under the whip of their oppressors. Moses could not hear them, but God could. One day, Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethre. He led the sheep far into the wilderness and came to a mountain called Sinai, the Mountain of God. The mountain covered the sun and the sheep grazed in the shade. Moses saw a faint light flickering in the distance.

He approached it and found a blazing fire engulfing a bush. The fire raged, yet the bush did not burn nor wither. The fire reflected off Moses' eyes. He stared in amazement. Why isn't it burning? He whisper to himself. He took a step closer to the flame. Then a sound like a thousand rushing waters emanated from the flame. A voice so beautiful, yet so powerful filled the air around him. Moses, the voice said. Moses, it said again. Here I am, Moses replied, still in awe. Do not come any closer, the voice said. Take off your sandals for you are standing on holy ground. Moses did as he commanded, now standing in amazement before the flame. I am the God of your Father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. When Moses heard this, he covered his face and fell to the floor. He now fully understood he was in the presence of the most high God, Elohim, the creator of the heavens and earth. The Lord spoke again, saying, I have seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. Their 'Their eyes have reached my ears, and their suffering is before my eyes.

' Moses listened intently. The Lord continued, I have come to rescue my people from the power of the Egyptians. I will lead them out to a new land, a land flowing with milk and honey. I shall wipe away their tears and deliver them from those that abuse them. Now I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must be the one to lead Israel out of Egypt. Moses' amazement turned into protest. Who am I to go before Pharaoh? Who am I to lead the people out of Egypt? For Moses knew that he was once a part of the people that oppressed him. A sense of unworthiness welled up in Moses. God answered him and said, I will be with you. Moses continued to protest. If I go to them, who shall I say sent me? The flames grew larger and more glorious before Moses. His voice illuminated from the flames as boldly as the light itself. I am that I am, he said with power. When the people ask, who has sent you? Say it is, I am Yahwe, the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.

That is my name forever, and I will be remembered throughout all generations. The Lord then instructed Moses to go and take his message to Pharaoh so that his people might be set free. Yet God knew that Pharaoh would not listen. He said, I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless he is compelled. So my mighty hand will be stretched out to strike Egypt with wonder, and I will give my people favor. After hearing these things, Moses grew less less confident in himself. So God instructed him, 'Take your staff in your hand and throw it on the ground. ' Moses obeyed, and the staff began to move, crawl, and then slither as a snake. Moses ran from it, terrified. God instructed him to pick it up by the tail. He did, and it was immediately turned back into a staff. God then instructed him to put his hand in his cloak. Once he did, his hand became lepros. Rotting flesh plagued Moses' hand, and it was clearly on the brink of total decay. He put it back in his cloak, and his hand was restored. These would be signs God would allow Moses to use as proof he was sent by God.

Yet Moses was still riddled with doubt, for he stuttered in his speech and struggled with a deep anger inside him. Moses felt unworthy. Moses begged God, 'Oh Lord, I am not eloquent. I have always been slow of speech and tongue. You must have the wrong person. Immediately the flames raged and the voice of God burned greater than the fire. Who made man's mouth? He shouted. Who makes him mute, deaf, seeing or blind? Is it not I? Now go. Moses trembled before the burning bush and the voice of God continued, now more comforting and silent. Moses, I will be your mouth and teach you what to say. Moses had tears streaming down his face. He was afraid. Please send someone else. He weeped silently. God grew angry with Moses, for he could not see what was clearly in front of him. The sovereignty of God would be what accomplished great things. I will send your brother Aaron, the Levite. He can speak well, and he will come out to meet you. The flame dissipated into the ether. Night had fallen, and Moses stood there in shock. Yet in that instant, an empowering spirit overwhelmed him. He took his staff and ventured forth to Egypt.

When we meet Moses today, he's no longer a baby in a basket, but he's a grown man, a Hebrew-born Prince of Egypt, a very powerful man. He is enjoying freedom and luxury and power that his fellow Israelis could only think of or dream of. But he is not blind to the pain, the suffering of his people. So when he sees an Egyptian overseer beating a Hebrew slave, Moses impulsively intervenes, killing the Egyptian. Now Moses is a murderer. Afterwards, Pharaoh learns that Moses has killed an Egyptian, and he wants him dead. Prince or not, Moses is not above the law. Terrified, Moses flees to a place named Midian, far from the swords of the Egyptians and the helpless cries of the Hebrews. He meets and marries a woman there named Zipporah and adopts the simple life of a sheepherder. For 40 years, his past was a distant dark memory. He's no longer a prince, but he's a shepherd in the desert. He surely thought his life as he had known it has come to an end, just living out his days in the desert with his family. Then one day, God appears to him in a supernatural way through a burning bush.

And this amazing sight warrants investigation. So Moses approaches and out of this bush, the living God speaks. He tells Moses he is the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the great I am. The stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob would have been passed down through the Israelites from generation to generation. So Moses, because he was trained not only in Pharaoh's court, but in his mother's house, knew full well of the story of the Hebrews. Like the midwives in yesterday's reading, Moses feared the most high God, and he hid his face. God then tells Moses he's heard the cries of his people. God does not forget his own. The cries that Moses could no longer hear have reached God's ears. So God tells Moses he's come to rescue them. And Moses is to return to Egypt, speak with the Pharaoh, and ultimately lead the people out of Egypt and into the promised land. It is a life-changing, life-altering call. Moses' first response is, I can't do it. That's often our first response as well, isn't it? We say, I can't. We don't feel equipped or we make excuses. We don't feel worthy. But it's not about us, is it?

It's all about what God can do through us. It's about God working through us so that he will always equip us and prepare us to do what he calls us to do. So that's God's answer to Moses. He promises, I will be with you. But that's not enough for Moses, apparently. His questions continue, who do I tell them sent me? So God uses the name that will be his name forever and ever, the great I am. It is those same two words, I am, that Christ would one day use to describe himself and his own deity. Moses continues to protest rest. Even after God shows Moses wondrous signs, he's afraid, insecure, and just doesn't want to do it. If we're honest, sometimes we can relate to what Moses is going through. We just don't want to do what God wants us to do, especially when it's hard. But God still chooses to raise up Moses as a powerful deliverer and send Moses' brother Aaron as a helper. That's where we'll pick up the story the next time. Dear God, the great I am. So Often we feel unable and unworthy to fulfill your calling upon our lives.

Please help us to remember that it's not our power or our strength or our ability that accomplishes great things for you, but your power working through us, the power of your Holy spirit. Thank you for reminding us today that you can use us when we make ourselves available to you. In Jesus name, Amen. Thank you for listening to today's Bible in a Year podcast. I'm Pastor Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. Download the pray. Com app and make prayer a priority in your life. If you enjoyed this podcast, share it with someone you love. By sharing this podcast, you can make a difference in someone's life. If you want more resources on how to tap into God's power for successful Christian living, be sure to visit jackgraham. Org. God bless.

Every year, Lent helps us remove distractions and focus on the Lord. This year for Lent, give up tossing and turning in your sleep by listening to Sleep Psalms with Bishop TD Jakes.

He is going to lay you down in green pastures and restore your soul. Join me and let the Lord be your shepherd tonight. Listen to Sleep Psalms with Bishop TD Jakes on the iHeardRadio app or wherever you get your podcast.