"But Moses told the people, 'Don't be afraid. Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The LORD himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.' ... When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the LORD had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the LORD and in his servant Moses." Exodus 14:13-14, 31 NLT
When the Israelites found themselves between the proverbial rock and a hard place with the pursuing Egyptian army on one side and the Red Sea on the other side it was by God's design (see 14:1-4). God led them into this "trap" so that He might once again display His glory and strengthen Israel's faith for the journey that lay ahead. With great power and wisdom God parted the waters to deliver the Israelites and He defeated the Egyptian army. As a result Israel "put their faith in the LORD and in his servant Moses [God's appointed leader]."
If we find our self between a rock and a hard place it might be that something more than rotten luck is at work [I don't believe in luck]. God may have in fact led us to this place so that He may show us His power and increase our faith. So when the picture looks bleak hear Moses' words, "Just stand still and watch the LORD rescue you today." "Stand still" does not mean do nothing. It means look to God in faith anticipating His faithful action on your behalf and move out in obedience as He leads. Our tight spots are God's moment to shine His glory into and through our lives.
Father, You have shown your faithfulness time and time again so I pray when trouble comes help me to remember to look to You in faith rather than panicking in fear. Shine the light of Your glory into the darkness of my difficulties.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Self-Serving Confessions
16 Pharaoh quickly summoned Moses and Aaron. “I have sinned against the Lord your God and against you,” he confessed. 17 “Forgive my sin, just this once, and plead with the Lord your God to take away this death from me.” - Exodus 10:16-17 (NLT)
After suffering the Lord's judgment in the plague of locusts Pharaoh pleaded with Moses and Aaron to ask God to make the plague stop. He admits his sin, and for a moment it seems as though his hard heart is softening. But Pharaoh is not truly repentant. His confession was motivated by his desire to escape the consequences of his sin. Pharaoh still had no interest in obeying God's command to let the Israelites free.
Our hearts often respond the same way. Once we've made a mess of our lives we ask for God to forgive our sins and remove the painful consequences of our decisions without any real intention of following him in full surrender. We would be better served to suffer the full consequences of our sins if they led us to true repentance. God forgives us of our sins so that our relationship with him can be restored. We insult him and make a mockery of his mercy when we seek forgiveness and then continue to live for ourselves, ignoring his will for our lives.
Father, I confess that I am guilty of seeking your forgiveness out of a selfish and unrepentant heart. Be patient with me and forgive me as I learn to trust you. Lead me to love you more fully today.
Seeking after Him,
Matt
After suffering the Lord's judgment in the plague of locusts Pharaoh pleaded with Moses and Aaron to ask God to make the plague stop. He admits his sin, and for a moment it seems as though his hard heart is softening. But Pharaoh is not truly repentant. His confession was motivated by his desire to escape the consequences of his sin. Pharaoh still had no interest in obeying God's command to let the Israelites free.
Our hearts often respond the same way. Once we've made a mess of our lives we ask for God to forgive our sins and remove the painful consequences of our decisions without any real intention of following him in full surrender. We would be better served to suffer the full consequences of our sins if they led us to true repentance. God forgives us of our sins so that our relationship with him can be restored. We insult him and make a mockery of his mercy when we seek forgiveness and then continue to live for ourselves, ignoring his will for our lives.
Father, I confess that I am guilty of seeking your forgiveness out of a selfish and unrepentant heart. Be patient with me and forgive me as I learn to trust you. Lead me to love you more fully today.
Seeking after Him,
Matt
Monday, February 22, 2010
The Glory of God
"Then the LORD said to Moses, 'Get up early in the morning. Go to Pharaoh and tell him, "The LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me. If you don't I will send a plague that will really speak to you and your officials and all the Egyptian people. I will prove to you that there is no other God like me in the earth." Exodus 9:13-14 NLT
The purpose of the plagues was to strengthen the faith of Israel and to reveal the God of Israel to the Egyptian people (see also Exodus 7:3-5). Israel needed to know the power of their God so they would trust and follow Him out of Egypt to the land of promise. Egypt needed to know the one true God and some of them did become believers. The plagues served above all to reveal the glory of God.
God is always out to reveal His glory so that His people will trust Him and that unbelievers will come to know Him. He reveals His glory in Creation (Psalm 19:1-2). He reveals His glory in His Son (John 1:14). He reveals His glory in the church (Ephesians 3:20-21). Will you offer your life and circumstances for Him to reveal His glory?
Father, You alone are God and there is no other. As you revealed Your glory through the plagues on Egypt and in many other ways I invite You to reveal Your glory through my life as Your servant today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
The purpose of the plagues was to strengthen the faith of Israel and to reveal the God of Israel to the Egyptian people (see also Exodus 7:3-5). Israel needed to know the power of their God so they would trust and follow Him out of Egypt to the land of promise. Egypt needed to know the one true God and some of them did become believers. The plagues served above all to reveal the glory of God.
God is always out to reveal His glory so that His people will trust Him and that unbelievers will come to know Him. He reveals His glory in Creation (Psalm 19:1-2). He reveals His glory in His Son (John 1:14). He reveals His glory in the church (Ephesians 3:20-21). Will you offer your life and circumstances for Him to reveal His glory?
Father, You alone are God and there is no other. As you revealed Your glory through the plagues on Egypt and in many other ways I invite You to reveal Your glory through my life as Your servant today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, February 18, 2010
The Need for Encouragement
Exodus 6:6-9 (NLT)
"Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the Lord, and I will free you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with mighty power and great acts of judgment. [7] I will make you my own special people, and I will be your God. And you will know that I am the Lord your God who has rescued you from your slavery in Egypt. [8] I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It will be your very own property. I am the Lord!' " [9] So Moses told the people what the Lord had said, but they wouldn't listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the increasing burden of their slavery.
In these two chapters we see Moses beginning to get discouraged. He had heard from God and had been given a task. Moses stepped out in faith trusting that God would see him through. Moses goes before Pharaoh and asks for the slaves to be set free for three days so they can go to the wilderness and worship God. Pharaoh responds by increasing the workload and limiting the supplies. The people get discouraged and a group of leaders plead their case before Pharaoh. Immediately Pharaoh turns the attention back to Moses. Now the people are angry at Moses. Moses goes back to God discouraged and frustrated. God reassures Moses of His mission and sends Moses back to the people. Moses again tells the people what God has planned for them but “they wouldn’t listen anymore; they had become too discouraged.”
If we are honest, there are times when in ministry we can become very discouraged. We have the greatest story in the world to tell yet people don’t respond. When times like this happen in my life, I have to remind myself that I belong to Christ. Christ alone provides hope for the future, Christ alone can sustain me when I am feeling discouraged, Christ alone can lift me up when I am down. These two chapters serve as a great reminder that we have the joy of encouragement because we have Christ in our life. Remember, the greatest source of encouragment comes from a daily dose of reading God's word.
Father, I admit that there are times in my life that I get discouraged. God, I am so thankful that you love me and I can find continual encouragement through your word. Help me to walk in step with you today.
Your Servant
Chris
"Therefore, say to the Israelites: 'I am the Lord, and I will free you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with mighty power and great acts of judgment. [7] I will make you my own special people, and I will be your God. And you will know that I am the Lord your God who has rescued you from your slavery in Egypt. [8] I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It will be your very own property. I am the Lord!' " [9] So Moses told the people what the Lord had said, but they wouldn't listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the increasing burden of their slavery.
In these two chapters we see Moses beginning to get discouraged. He had heard from God and had been given a task. Moses stepped out in faith trusting that God would see him through. Moses goes before Pharaoh and asks for the slaves to be set free for three days so they can go to the wilderness and worship God. Pharaoh responds by increasing the workload and limiting the supplies. The people get discouraged and a group of leaders plead their case before Pharaoh. Immediately Pharaoh turns the attention back to Moses. Now the people are angry at Moses. Moses goes back to God discouraged and frustrated. God reassures Moses of His mission and sends Moses back to the people. Moses again tells the people what God has planned for them but “they wouldn’t listen anymore; they had become too discouraged.”
If we are honest, there are times when in ministry we can become very discouraged. We have the greatest story in the world to tell yet people don’t respond. When times like this happen in my life, I have to remind myself that I belong to Christ. Christ alone provides hope for the future, Christ alone can sustain me when I am feeling discouraged, Christ alone can lift me up when I am down. These two chapters serve as a great reminder that we have the joy of encouragement because we have Christ in our life. Remember, the greatest source of encouragment comes from a daily dose of reading God's word.
Father, I admit that there are times in my life that I get discouraged. God, I am so thankful that you love me and I can find continual encouragement through your word. Help me to walk in step with you today.
Your Servant
Chris
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
God's Sufficiency Vs. Our Deficiency
"But Moses pleaded with the LORD, 'O Lord, I'm just not a good speaker. I never have been, and I'm not now, even after you have spoken to me. I'm clumsy with words.' 'Who makes mouths?' the LORD asked him. 'Who makes people so they can speak or not speak, hear or not hear, see or not see? Is it not I, the LORD? Now, go, and do as I have told you. I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say.'" Exodus 4:10-12 NLT
We probably thought all these excuses for not answering God's call were our own original creation but such excuses are as old as Moses. Moses was focused on his own deficiency and therefore he could make a clear case for why he was not the right man for the job. But God made an even better case for His own sufficiency and every one of Moses' deficiencies became irrelevant.
Success in the mission lies with God. Our job is simply to be available. In the light of His all-surpassing sufficiency our deficiencies become non-issues. He is more than able to do through us whatever He desires us to do. We must surrender our deficiencies to His sufficiency. Remember His words to Paul, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." And make Paul's response your own: "So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me" (2 Cor. 12:9 NLT).
Father, help me to lift my eyes from my own deficiencies to gaze in faith on Your all-sufficiency. I offer myself to You today to do Your will. Work in Your power through my weakness for Your glory.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
We probably thought all these excuses for not answering God's call were our own original creation but such excuses are as old as Moses. Moses was focused on his own deficiency and therefore he could make a clear case for why he was not the right man for the job. But God made an even better case for His own sufficiency and every one of Moses' deficiencies became irrelevant.
Success in the mission lies with God. Our job is simply to be available. In the light of His all-surpassing sufficiency our deficiencies become non-issues. He is more than able to do through us whatever He desires us to do. We must surrender our deficiencies to His sufficiency. Remember His words to Paul, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." And make Paul's response your own: "So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me" (2 Cor. 12:9 NLT).
Father, help me to lift my eyes from my own deficiencies to gaze in faith on Your all-sufficiency. I offer myself to You today to do Your will. Work in Your power through my weakness for Your glory.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
God Calls
"Then the LORD told him, 'You can be sure I have seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries for deliverance from their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. So I have come to rescue them from the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own good and spacious land....Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You will lead my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.'" Exodus 3:7-8, 10 NLT
When God has a mission to accomplish in this world He most often calls on His people to do it. When He wanted to deliver the Israelites from Egypt He called Moses to lead them out. But God didn't just hand the job over to Moses and take a vacation. When Moses protested God's call, God promised, "I will be with you" (Ex. 3:12). It was God all along who did the delivering and leading but He gave Moses the privilege of being His servant.
When God wants to meet a need, save a person, lead a group, or do any other kind of work in the world today, He still calls on His people to do it. Most tasks are not nearly as large as Moses' task but every call of God is important and with every call comes the same promise, "I will be with you." What is God calling You to join Him in doing? Say "Yes" and let the adventure begin.
Father, help me to learn from Moses' experience how You want to work in my life today. Give me ears to hear Your call and a heart to trust Your presence so that I may say "Yes."
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
When God has a mission to accomplish in this world He most often calls on His people to do it. When He wanted to deliver the Israelites from Egypt He called Moses to lead them out. But God didn't just hand the job over to Moses and take a vacation. When Moses protested God's call, God promised, "I will be with you" (Ex. 3:12). It was God all along who did the delivering and leading but He gave Moses the privilege of being His servant.
When God wants to meet a need, save a person, lead a group, or do any other kind of work in the world today, He still calls on His people to do it. Most tasks are not nearly as large as Moses' task but every call of God is important and with every call comes the same promise, "I will be with you." What is God calling You to join Him in doing? Say "Yes" and let the adventure begin.
Father, help me to learn from Moses' experience how You want to work in my life today. Give me ears to hear Your call and a heart to trust Your presence so that I may say "Yes."
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, February 15, 2010
Keeping the Faith
"Soon I will die," Joseph told his brothers, "but God will surely come for you, to lead you out of this land of Egypt. He will bring you back to the land he vowed to give to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob." Genesis 50:24 NLT
Like his father Jacob, Joseph died in Egypt believing God would take his descendants back to the land of Canaan and fulfill all His promises to them. Joseph was confident in God's faithfulness. He had experienced it through his own lifetime. He died exhorting others to anticipate God's faithful working out of His purpose through their lifetime.
We can go to sleep at night confident God is at His work anticipating His faithfulness the next day and the day after until the day we die. We can face the end of our life confident of God's faithfulness beyond our lifetime encouraging others to trust in Him. We can die confident that we will experience the fulfilment of God's final promise in the glory of heaven. How great is our God!
Father, Your faithfulness is great. Since the days of Abraham You have been faithfully keeping Your covenant promises. You are faithfully at Your work in my life. May my confidence and trust in You increase with each passing day.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Like his father Jacob, Joseph died in Egypt believing God would take his descendants back to the land of Canaan and fulfill all His promises to them. Joseph was confident in God's faithfulness. He had experienced it through his own lifetime. He died exhorting others to anticipate God's faithful working out of His purpose through their lifetime.
We can go to sleep at night confident God is at His work anticipating His faithfulness the next day and the day after until the day we die. We can face the end of our life confident of God's faithfulness beyond our lifetime encouraging others to trust in Him. We can die confident that we will experience the fulfilment of God's final promise in the glory of heaven. How great is our God!
Father, Your faithfulness is great. Since the days of Abraham You have been faithfully keeping Your covenant promises. You are faithfully at Your work in my life. May my confidence and trust in You increase with each passing day.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Checking in with God
"I am God," the voice said, "the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will see to it that you become a great nation there. I will go with you down to Egypt, and I will bring your descendants back again. But you will die in Egypt with Joseph at your side." Genesis 46:3-4 NLT
Upon learning that Joseph was still alive and leading Egypt, Jacob immediately set out to see his "long lost" son. However, on the way it seems that Jacob paused and had second thoughts about going to Egypt. After all God's purpose was to be fulfilled in Canaan and when Abraham had gone down to Egypt during a previous famine he had gotten into trouble (Genesis 12). Jacob sought God (see 46:1) and God appeared to him and assured him that God would be with him as he went and would bring his descendants back to the land of promise. With this assurance from God Jacob proceeded to Egypt.
It's a good idea to check in with God when we are making major moves in life. Our first impulse may be to move forward with something because it appeals to us. But we need to stop and ask is this what God wants me to do? Does it line up with what He has been doing in my life? Does it line up with the truth of Scripture? If upon checking in with God we are cleared to move ahead then we should go without further hesitation.
Father, You are a God of purpose and I want to keep in step with Your purpose for my life. Help me to remember to check in before charging off and guide me clearly as You did Jacob.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Upon learning that Joseph was still alive and leading Egypt, Jacob immediately set out to see his "long lost" son. However, on the way it seems that Jacob paused and had second thoughts about going to Egypt. After all God's purpose was to be fulfilled in Canaan and when Abraham had gone down to Egypt during a previous famine he had gotten into trouble (Genesis 12). Jacob sought God (see 46:1) and God appeared to him and assured him that God would be with him as he went and would bring his descendants back to the land of promise. With this assurance from God Jacob proceeded to Egypt.
It's a good idea to check in with God when we are making major moves in life. Our first impulse may be to move forward with something because it appeals to us. But we need to stop and ask is this what God wants me to do? Does it line up with what He has been doing in my life? Does it line up with the truth of Scripture? If upon checking in with God we are cleared to move ahead then we should go without further hesitation.
Father, You are a God of purpose and I want to keep in step with Your purpose for my life. Help me to remember to check in before charging off and guide me clearly as You did Jacob.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Sanctified Eyes
"'Come over here,' he said. So they came closer. And he said again, 'I am Joseph, your brother whom you sold into Egypt. But don't be angry with yourselves that you did this to me, for God did it. He sent me here ahead of you to preserve your lives.'" Genesis 45:4-5 NLT
Joseph learned to see God's hand at work in his circumstances, even in his trials. And he fully committed himself to God's hand trusting His leadership and purpose even when it didn't make sense from a human perspective. So Joseph gave God credit for leading him to Egypt and did not blame his brothers for their cruel act.
We need to learn to look at our lives with sanctified eyes. We need to see our circumstances from God's perspective always believing that He is at work carrying out His good purpose. When seen from God's perspective our trials become occasions for rejoicing because they present opportunities for growth and service (see James 1:2-5). Look at your circumstances with sanctified eyes always believing "that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28 NLT).
Father, sanctify my eyes that I may see my life from Your viewpoint. Strengthen my faith that I may trust Your hand even in my trials. Fill me with the joy that comes from walking with You through all circumstances.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Joseph learned to see God's hand at work in his circumstances, even in his trials. And he fully committed himself to God's hand trusting His leadership and purpose even when it didn't make sense from a human perspective. So Joseph gave God credit for leading him to Egypt and did not blame his brothers for their cruel act.
We need to learn to look at our lives with sanctified eyes. We need to see our circumstances from God's perspective always believing that He is at work carrying out His good purpose. When seen from God's perspective our trials become occasions for rejoicing because they present opportunities for growth and service (see James 1:2-5). Look at your circumstances with sanctified eyes always believing "that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28 NLT).
Father, sanctify my eyes that I may see my life from Your viewpoint. Strengthen my faith that I may trust Your hand even in my trials. Fill me with the joy that comes from walking with You through all circumstances.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Growing Forward
"So please, my lord [Joseph], let me [Judah] stay here as a slave instead of the boy [Benjamin], and let the boy return with his brothers. For how can I return to my father [Jacob] if the boy is not with me? I couldn't bear to see the anguish this would cause my father!" Genesis 44:33-34 NLT
It is interesting to mark the spiritual growth of Bible characters. Judah had been jealous and played a hand in selling Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37). He had been fleshly and deceitful with his daughter-in-law Tamar (Genesis 38). But now faced with the proposition to leave his youngest brother Benjamin in Egypt as a slave he offers his own self for slavery rather than leave his brother and break his father's heart one more time. Jesus said, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:13 NLT). Fleshly men can become noble men through time and the gracious work of God.
No matter what our past may hold we can become a noble, godly person through God's grace in Christ. We can be something more noble today than we were yesterday and something more noble tomorrow than we are today. "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18 NLT). Keep moving forward in His grace.
Father, I praise Your grace which turns ignoble people into noble. Continue Your work of grace in my life. Forgive my sins. Carry me forward toward Christ-likeness today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
It is interesting to mark the spiritual growth of Bible characters. Judah had been jealous and played a hand in selling Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37). He had been fleshly and deceitful with his daughter-in-law Tamar (Genesis 38). But now faced with the proposition to leave his youngest brother Benjamin in Egypt as a slave he offers his own self for slavery rather than leave his brother and break his father's heart one more time. Jesus said, "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends" (John 15:13 NLT). Fleshly men can become noble men through time and the gracious work of God.
No matter what our past may hold we can become a noble, godly person through God's grace in Christ. We can be something more noble today than we were yesterday and something more noble tomorrow than we are today. "Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" (2 Peter 3:18 NLT). Keep moving forward in His grace.
Father, I praise Your grace which turns ignoble people into noble. Continue Your work of grace in my life. Forgive my sins. Carry me forward toward Christ-likeness today.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, February 8, 2010
God in our Trials
"But the famine continued to ravage the land of Canaan." Genesis 43:1 NLT
Jacob and his sons were in Canaan because God had led their grandfather, Abraham, there and promised to bless him and his descendants in this land. They were in God's will and yet they faced the difficulty of a great famine. But still unknown to them at this point God had strategically placed their brother Joseph in Egypt to care for their needs.
To be in God's will does not mean to be out of trouble. Often it is in God's will that we encounter the greatest trials in our life. At that point we may question whether or not we are in fact in God's will or whether God has forgotten us. But God often uses trials to grow us and prepare us for His purposes. When trouble comes as we are doing what we understand to be the will of God we must trust that He is at work and that He has a plan in place to see us through even though we may not be aware of it yet. When trials come commit yourself to God's care and faithfulness. Walk by faith.
Father, You are wise, good, and faithful. When trials come and I cannot see the way out help me to trust in Your great faithfulness.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Jacob and his sons were in Canaan because God had led their grandfather, Abraham, there and promised to bless him and his descendants in this land. They were in God's will and yet they faced the difficulty of a great famine. But still unknown to them at this point God had strategically placed their brother Joseph in Egypt to care for their needs.
To be in God's will does not mean to be out of trouble. Often it is in God's will that we encounter the greatest trials in our life. At that point we may question whether or not we are in fact in God's will or whether God has forgotten us. But God often uses trials to grow us and prepare us for His purposes. When trouble comes as we are doing what we understand to be the will of God we must trust that He is at work and that He has a plan in place to see us through even though we may not be aware of it yet. When trials come commit yourself to God's care and faithfulness. Walk by faith.
Father, You are wise, good, and faithful. When trials come and I cannot see the way out help me to trust in Your great faithfulness.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Thursday, February 4, 2010
YOU BELONG TO GOD
“How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?” Genesis 39:9b
“Do not interpretations belong to God? Tell me your dreams.” Genesis 40:8b
These are the words of Joseph—parts of two conversations he had as a young man—and though the sentences are brief, they reveal a powerful truth.
Betrayed by his brothers, sold into slavery and packed off to Egypt, Joseph could have become bitter and been consumed with hatred. He could have blamed God for everything that had happened to him. Not the case here.
Joseph may have lost everything he had in life, but he did not lose God; he grew closer to God in this trial. Apparently, Joseph learned some great lessons from God, because Joseph lived life with God in mind. Whether things were relatively good (when he was Potiphar’s head servant) or relatively bad (when he was falsely accused and put in jail), Joseph lived as though he belonged to God.
Hmm. I belong to God . . .
Father, please develop in me the awareness that I belong to You—every moment. Help me to consistently live with You in mind.
Following, Jim
(Remember the 3G Prayer today.)
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
God Can Use Me
"About this time, Judah left home and moved to Adullam, where he stayed with a man named Hirah." Genesis 38:1 NLT
Genesis 38 tells the sordid tale of Judah, his sons and his daughter-in-law Tamar. Why is this chapter even in the Bible? I can think of at least two reasons. One is that it is from Judah David and eventually Christ descend. So while the story of Genesis primarily focuses on Judah's brother Joseph, this chapter keeps us informed about the line of Judah. In the genealogy of Jesus we read "Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar)..." (Matthew 1:3 NLT). The second reason for this chapter is to remind us that God even uses less than holy people to accomplish His holy purpose. Grace is amazing and God is unstoppable!
What is it about your life story that might make you think that God could never use you? No matter what may be in your past God can and will use you today if you will commit your life past, present, and future into His gracious hands. Don't let Judah's story become an excuse for your sin. Let it be a challenge to commit your imperfect life to the perfect, powerful, and gracious God.
Father, my life is less than what You or I would desire it to be but I thank You for using less than perfect people to accomplish Your perfect plan. Take my life. Transform it and use it by Your grace for Your glory.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Genesis 38 tells the sordid tale of Judah, his sons and his daughter-in-law Tamar. Why is this chapter even in the Bible? I can think of at least two reasons. One is that it is from Judah David and eventually Christ descend. So while the story of Genesis primarily focuses on Judah's brother Joseph, this chapter keeps us informed about the line of Judah. In the genealogy of Jesus we read "Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar)..." (Matthew 1:3 NLT). The second reason for this chapter is to remind us that God even uses less than holy people to accomplish His holy purpose. Grace is amazing and God is unstoppable!
What is it about your life story that might make you think that God could never use you? No matter what may be in your past God can and will use you today if you will commit your life past, present, and future into His gracious hands. Don't let Judah's story become an excuse for your sin. Let it be a challenge to commit your imperfect life to the perfect, powerful, and gracious God.
Father, my life is less than what You or I would desire it to be but I thank You for using less than perfect people to accomplish Your perfect plan. Take my life. Transform it and use it by Your grace for Your glory.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
God is in Control
Note: NLT stands for New Living Translation. I'm using this translation for my Bible reading in 2010.
"So when the traders came by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty pieces of silver, and the Ishmaelite traders took him along to Egypt."
Genesis 37:28 NLT
In Joseph's dreams God had revealed that he would rise to a position of leadership among his brothers. Only God knew it would be as the second most powerful man in the world after the Pharaoh of Egypt. How do you get the son of a sheepherder in Canaan to power in Egypt? God used the jealousy of Joseph's brothers and the timely passing of a caravan of slave traders to get the long journey started. What seems on the surface to be a long run of bad luck was actually God working to do what would have been impossible with men.
As it has been said, "God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform." We cannot always see in the present moment how God is working in our lives to accomplish His purpose. But if we have committed our self fully to Him we can trust that He is working and that even the difficulties we face will contribute to His purpose. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28 NLT).
Father, though I cannot always see Your hand at work in my life I will trust You. Thank you for working even in my difficulties to fulfill Your good purpose.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
"So when the traders came by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty pieces of silver, and the Ishmaelite traders took him along to Egypt."
Genesis 37:28 NLT
In Joseph's dreams God had revealed that he would rise to a position of leadership among his brothers. Only God knew it would be as the second most powerful man in the world after the Pharaoh of Egypt. How do you get the son of a sheepherder in Canaan to power in Egypt? God used the jealousy of Joseph's brothers and the timely passing of a caravan of slave traders to get the long journey started. What seems on the surface to be a long run of bad luck was actually God working to do what would have been impossible with men.
As it has been said, "God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform." We cannot always see in the present moment how God is working in our lives to accomplish His purpose. But if we have committed our self fully to Him we can trust that He is working and that even the difficulties we face will contribute to His purpose. "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them" (Romans 8:28 NLT).
Father, though I cannot always see Your hand at work in my life I will trust You. Thank you for working even in my difficulties to fulfill Your good purpose.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Monday, February 1, 2010
Remember God's Goodness
"We are now going to Bethel, where I will build an altar to the God who answered my prayers when I was in distress. He has stayed with me wherever I have gone." Genesis 35:3 NLT
Jacob had first encountered God at Bethel when he was fleeing from Esau (Gen. 28). Now that he had returned from "exile" to the land of Promise he realized that God had been faithful to him just as He had promised (see 28:15). In response to God's goodness Jacob worshiped Him and more deeply committed his life to Him. Jacob "the deceiver" grew up into a man of God in response to God's grace and faithfulness.
Like Jacob, we need to look back over our lives from time to time and remember the goodness of God. How has God shown his faithfulness to you? What promises has He kept? What undeserved blessings has He bestowed? Have you worshiped Him and deepened your commitment to Him in response to His grace?
Father, You have been so good to me. Help me to recall Your faithfulness and love today that I might worship You and grow more deeply committed to You.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
Jacob had first encountered God at Bethel when he was fleeing from Esau (Gen. 28). Now that he had returned from "exile" to the land of Promise he realized that God had been faithful to him just as He had promised (see 28:15). In response to God's goodness Jacob worshiped Him and more deeply committed his life to Him. Jacob "the deceiver" grew up into a man of God in response to God's grace and faithfulness.
Like Jacob, we need to look back over our lives from time to time and remember the goodness of God. How has God shown his faithfulness to you? What promises has He kept? What undeserved blessings has He bestowed? Have you worshiped Him and deepened your commitment to Him in response to His grace?
Father, You have been so good to me. Help me to recall Your faithfulness and love today that I might worship You and grow more deeply committed to You.
I'm praying for you.
Pastor Mark
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