"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
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