Moments With God

Yoked to the Lord

General — Posted by sharaug @ March 01, 2006 04:59
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Matthew 11:25-30

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

The world today speaks of freedom and of "doing your own thing." The truth of the matter is that we are all servants of someone or something. We are a servant of what or whom is most important to us in our lives. Being a servant to anyone or anything other than the Lord is a heavy burden to bear. Chasing after the things of the world is exhausting and lacking in fulfillment. Those who love the Lord have learned the secret of freedom in the Lord. They have learned that true freedom comes from being "yoked" to the Lord! They have learned that true freedom comes from being a servant of the Lord! They have also learned that true wisdom is found only in the Lord. Verse twenty-five of Matthew eleven tells us that the Lord has chosen to hide His wisdom from those of the world who reject Him. Such people may be "wise" according to the world's standards, but they do not have God's wisdom. God chooses to reveal His wisdom to us, if we approach Him in humility as little children. We can know the Father and be His child only through Jesus Christ's sacrifice on the cross. It is all of His grace!

Only a child of God is invited to come to the Lord with all his or her burdens. The Lord says to His children, however; "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28) We can come to Him with our burdens of sin, and He will forgive us. He gives us rest from the guilt and penalty of our sins. The Lord also gives us rest from the worries and concerns of our lives. He wants us to give those worries and concerns to Him and leave them with Him. The Lord wants us to rest in Him. Jesus goes on to say in Matthew 11:29, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls." Just as oxen in Biblical times were often yoked together to plow the fields so we need to be yoked with the Lord. Jesus is saying to us that He wants us to come to Him and be united in a personal relationship with Him. We need to be yoked to the Lord. The Lord then will be right beside us, and He will walk the field of life with us. Being yoked with the Lord involves becoming His child and servant and not doing our own thing. It involves being submissive to the Lord's will. This is the secret, however, to joy and peace. Our Lord is "gentle and humble in heart," and He will provide for all our needs even when it seems that our world is falling apart. This is true even when we can not understand the Lord's working in our lives at the moment. The Lord wants to deliver us from the unrest of self-will and self-effort. He wants us to find rest and peace for our souls by being yoked to Him.

Jesus says, "For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30) There is total commitment and servanthood involved in being a child of God, but the Lord's yoke on us is easy and light. This is because even though our lives are filled with service for the Lord, this service involves lives of restful activity. He is carrying the heavy end of our load. The Lord is carrying us through this life. He is directing and guiding us every step of the way. He carries our burdens. He teaches us what we need to know about living for Him. In spite of problems in our lives we need to keep our eyes focused on the Lord and stay yoked to Him. He is in control! Praise His name!

Matthew 11:28-30

The Lord Is My All

General — Posted by sharaug @ February 22, 2006 15:08
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Psalm 16

"You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing."

There is nothing that this world has to offer that can begin to compare to the joy of knowing the Lord Jesus as our Savior and Lord. The Lord is our place of safety and refuge. The Lord is our security. The Lord is our joy and peace. The Lord is our all. The Lord is our one and only good thing. There is nothing meaningful outside of the Lord.

In Psalm 16:2 David said to the Lord God, "You are my Lord; apart from You I have no good thing." In Psalm 73:25 the Psalmist, Asaph, said to God, "Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You." Paul expressed a similar sentiment in Philippians 3:8-9a, "I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him." There is absolutely nothing in this world that can compare to the joy of our love relationship with the Lord.

Those who seek joy, peace, and security outside of the Lord run into sorrow, frustration, and dead-ends. Psalm 16:4a tells us that "The sorrows of those will increase who run after other gods." If we put anything or anyone ahead of the Lord in our lives, that person or thing becomes our god. If we put anything or anyone ahead of the Lord in our lives; we will lose our joy, peace, and security. Our lives will then consist of nothing but sorrow and frustration. True joy can only be found in the Lord!

The Lord, however, has assigned His children a wonderful inheritance or portion in Him! David said in Psalm 16:5-6, "Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure. The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance." The Lord alone is our "delightful inheritance" and "portion." Those who do not know the Lord are running around madly looking for joy and security in the useless things of this world. Joy, peace, and security are only the rightful inheritance and portion of those who are in a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord God is all we need, and He must ultimately become all we desire. The Lord alone fulfills, delights, and satisfies.

The Lord is also our help and counselor in the dark and difficult times of life. David said in Psalm 16:7, "I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me." The Lord is our help, and He instructs us especially during the difficult times of life. There is joy and peace in Him even during those challenging and dark times of life. Therefore, we can say with David, "I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken." (Psalm 16:8) Because we know the Lord is always beside us as our protector and sustainer, we need never be "shaken." Our security and sense of well-being need never be unsettled or disturbed, because we belong to the Lord!

As a child of God our hearts can be glad and full of joy. Our tongues can sing the Lord's praises, and our very beings can be at peace and resting securely in the Lord. Further, we have an eternal future with our Lord! There is no security or joy like this found anywhere else but in the Lord. Only in the presence of the Lord and in a relationship with the Lord can we find this kind of joy, peace, and security. May our prayer to God be, "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand." (Psalm 16:11) Living in the Lord's will and presence is the secret to joy, peace, and "eternal pleasures!"

Psalm 16:2b

Trust Not Worry

General — Posted by sharaug @ February 17, 2006 07:57
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Matthew 6:25-34

"Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin."

Outside of my kitchen window I have a bird feeder. It is a joy to watch the birds come and feed at the feeder. They seem to be very busy and industrious but free and unencumbered by fear or worry. The Lord commands us in Matthew six to be more like the birds that He has created. In verse twenty-five the Lord tells us not to worry about our lives. We are told not to worry about the day to day necessities and needs of our lives. The Lord tells us to look at the birds. The birds do not do all the anxious things that we do to protect our security. The birds work diligently, but they are not anxious and worrying in the midst of their activity. In spite of this fact, the Lord takes care of even the birds of the air! He says to us, "Are you not much more valuable than they?" (Matthew 6:26b) If God takes care of the birds, we can be assured He will take care of our needs also.

We can not always see the end from the beginning in the circumstances and events of our lives, but the Lord has our entire lives planned out from beginning to end. What is there to worry about when He is in control? We simply have to trust His goodness and leading. The Lord goes on to say, "Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" (Matthew 6:27) Worrying accomplishes nothing. It does not add a single minute to our lives. In fact, anxiety and worry may subtract from our lives. Worry is not good for us physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Worry is also sin. If we are worrying we are making something else more important in our lives than the Lord. What we are worrying about has become our idol and more important than God in our lives. When we worry it is sin, because we are not trusting God’s promises to always be with us.

In this Scripture passage the Lord goes on to tell us to look at the flowers of the field. In past summer seasons I have been struck by the beauty of the wildflowers in the fields. Those flowers are not worried or anxious, but "not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these." (Matthew 6:29b) If God takes care of all these things in His creation, will He not much more take care of our needs? We are commanded not to worry about our daily needs. The world is anxious about these things. We, however, have a Heavenly Father who cares for our needs. The Lord know what we need better than what we do ourselves! The Lord’s command to us is "seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:33-34) We need to trust our Heavenly Father, as a child trusts his or her earthly father. We need to cling in trust to our Heavenly Father. His grace and strength for us will never run dry. We need not worry about tomorrow, for the Lord has today and tomorrow in His control! We need to throw all our worries on the Lord, and we need to leave them there. There is great freedom and joy in serving the Lord, if we are not engaging in needless worry. We can trust the Lord even if our lives are going through a time of upheaval. He is leading us and has the master plan for our lives. We serve a awesome God! Praise His name!

Matthew 6:26-28

Giants In Our Lives

General — Posted by sharaug @ February 11, 2006 11:28
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Numbers 13 and 14

"We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes." Numbers 13:33b "The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them. Numbers 14:9b

If we put our trust in the Lord and follow His leading for our lives, we need to fear nothing. He will protect us, and He will be with us at all times. The Lord has a perfect plan for our lives, and we can rest unafraid and at peace in our Lord.

In Numbers 13 and 14 God's Old Testament people, the Israelites, were at the border of the land of Canaan. It was God's will for His Old Testament people that Canaan would become their new homeland. Before they were to go in and possess the land, however; God said, "Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders." (Numbers 13:2) Because of God's command twelve spies were sent out to search out the land of Canaan.

The spies found the land of Canaan to be a very fruitful land. In fact, at one point in their explorations of the land "they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs." (Numbers 13:23) The size of this grape cluster alone should have indicated to the spies the goodness and trustworthiness of their Lord who had promised to give them this new land. What an exciting and encouraging report about God's provision and goodness these spies could have brought back to God's people. Sadly, this is not what happened, however. Two of the spies did bring back an encouraging report, but ten of the spies returned defeated and fearful. These spies said, "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large." (Numbers 13:27-28) Caleb, one of the good spies, tried to encourage the people; but the ten spies continued to insist that God's people could not go in and possess the land. They said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." (Numbers 13:31) The ten spies then went on to say, "All the people we saw there are of great size.---We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them." (Numbers 13:32b-33)

The two faithful spies continued to try to encourage the people and said, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the Lord is pleased with us, He will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us---The Lord is with us. Do not be afraid of them." (Numbers 14:7b-9) The people chose to heed the words of the ten spies and to ignore the words of the two spies, however. Hence, because they lacked faith in the Lord's provision; God's people had to wander around in the wilderness for forty years. It was not until that generation died and their children were grown that God's people were able to enter and possess the land of Canaan.

Are you and I looking at the giants in our lives, or are we looking at our Lord who can overcome the giants in our lives? Ten of the Old Testament spies looked at the giants of the land and were overcome with fear. Two of the Old Testament spies saw the same giants of that land, but they looked to their God in faith. They knew the giants of the land were large, but they also knew they served a God who was far greater than any giant. They also knew they served a God who was faithful to His promises to always be with His people. Relying on our own resources causes us to see the giants in our lives. If we are looking to the Lord in faith and resting in Him, however; we have certain victory over the giants of our lives. Our God is faithful!


The Lord's Guidance

General — Posted by sharaug @ February 06, 2006 10:58
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Numbers 9:15-23

God was leading His Old Testament people to a new land which He was providing for them. In order to reach this new land they had to go through the wilderness. While God's people were in the wilderness the way was unknown to them, and the Lord had to guide and direct their steps. God had promised His people that He would always be with them, and God kept that promise. God gave them daily food from the sky in the form of a kind of bread called manna. God also directed them and guided their every movement. God directed them with a cloud by day and a pillar of light at night. This cloud was always above their tabernacle, and it was a symbol of the Lord's presence. The tabernacle was their tent church which could be picked up and moved when they were directed by the Lord to move. "Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. At the Lord's command the Israelites set out, and at His command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in the camp. When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord's order and did not set out. (Numbers 9:17-19) God's people had to depend on the Lord day by day and moment by moment for His direction and guidance.

We too as God's people today are walking through the wilderness of this life. We are headed for our eternal home! The Lord knows and has planned every detail of our lives, and He is directing and guiding our every step along the way. We can be absolutely certain of His guidance each and every day of our lives. He says to us in Hebrews 13:5b, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." The Lord also promises us in Psalm 32:8, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you." It is important that we follow and wait for the Lord's guidance in our lives. We must not run ahead of the Lord's direction, and we must not seek to solve a problem situation in our lives in our own way. We also must not lag behind the Lord, and we must not delay to act when He has made His will clear to us. We will have a greater sense of the Lord's guidance, as we spiritually grow in Him. Hence, we need to spend time in prayer and reading His Holy Word.

There are times in the wilderness of life when we will be asked to wait. The Israelites must have become impatient at times when God made them just wait. Numbers 9:22 tells us that "whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out." The wilderness was obviously a less than desirable place for the Israelites to be, but in spite of their impatience they needed to wait for the Lord's direction to move on. Sometimes we are kept waiting by the Lord also. We may be in the midst of a very difficult situation or trial in our life. Perhaps with every fiber of our being we desire that difficult situation to be resolved. We must not run ahead of the Lord, however, and seek to resolve the situation with our own resources. We must wait in submission on the Lord. Sometimes this waiting on the Lord is a short period of time. Sometimes it can even be years in duration. The Lord knows what He is doing by sometimes allowing certain difficult situations and circumstances in our lives. Through these difficult times we often grow the most spiritually. We must be submissive to the Lord's will and rest in Him. We also must move out in obedience when the Lord clearly directs us to do so. Sometimes this involves leaving our comfort zone for other areas of service. God's will is always best, however, and we must follow it.


Salt and Light

General — Posted by sharaug @ February 01, 2006 04:49
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Matthew 5:13-16

"You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men. You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven."

Salt was a precious and very valuable commodity in Jesus' day. Especially at that time in history salt was valuable as a preservative against decay. It was also valuable as an antiseptic or a healing agent. Even today salt is considered valuable as a seasoning. Salt adds flavoring and zest to our food.

Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth. Jesus says to us in Matthew 5:13a, "You are the salt of the earth." As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ we are a valuable preservative against evil in this world. We also need to be an agent of healing in this world. Our Christ-like influence should be making an impact for Jesus Christ on those who do not know the Lord. As salt adds flavoring and zest to food, our lives should radiate our joy and zest for serving the Lord and for bringing glory to His name. Yet another quality of salt is that it makes one thirsty. Are we making others thirsty for a personal relationship with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ? Finally, salt is often poured out of a container. We also need to pour out our lives in service to God and to others. If we lose our "saltiness" we will become worthless, however. Matthew 5:13b reminds us, "if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men." If we seek to blend in with the world and to become just like the world in our values, attitudes, and life styles; we lose our "saltiness" or influence for God in the world.

Jesus also says to us in Matthew 5:14a, "You are the light of the world." We must shine like bright lights for Jesus Christ in this dark world of sin. In fact, the darker the world becomes in sin the brighter the lights of our lives must be in comparison. There are many different kinds of lights used for many different purposes. We must shine for Jesus Christ wherever we have been placed in our small corner of the world. We must not seek to hide our lights. Jesus says to us in Matthew 5:16, "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." We must not seek to adopt the world's standards and values. You and I must let the joy, purpose, and light of our personal relationship with the Lord shine before others. Others must see Jesus Christ in us through our words, actions, and our character.

May it become our passion to be "the salt of the earth" and "the light of the world." May we never lose our "saltiness" or seek to hide our lights for Jesus Christ. May others truly see Jesus Christ in us!


Godly Attitudes

General — Posted by sharaug @ January 27, 2006 14:19
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Matthew 5:1-12

One of the most beautiful sermons that Jesus ever preached is called the Sermon on the Mount. This sermon is recorded for us in Matthew chapters five through seven. A particularly beautiful section of the Sermon on the Mount is called the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes all begin with the word blessed. Blessed means happy or joyful. The Beatitudes then portray a picture of the attitudes which need to be in the heart and life of a believer. These attitudes are also a source of joy which the world can not comprehend. The world thinks happiness comes from power, position, or material gain. The Beatitudes point out that true joy comes only from the Lord and from serving the Lord. The Beatitudes show us that true joy comes from showing Christ-like attitudes in our lives. These are attitudes which are also pleasing to the Lord.

Jesus said, "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:3) Joyful are those who know they are sinners and who know they need Jesus for their salvation and well-being. Those who are poor in spirit do not image themselves to be spiritually self-sufficient. They know they deserve nothing except hell, and they know they are hopeless and helpless without the Lord. Those who are poor in spirit have recognized their own insufficiency and have cast themselves on the Lord and His all-sufficiency. In Christ they have found everything they need for time and eternity. Hence, they are spiritually rich and "theirs is the kingdom of heaven."

Jesus said, "Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted." (Matthew 5:4) Joyful are those people who are deeply sorry and sad about their sins. Joyful are those people who turn from their sins and run to the Lord for forgiveness. To those people God will bring His forgiveness, comfort, and joy!

Jesus said, "Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth." (Matthew 5:5) Joyful are those who see how holy and righteous and worthy God is in His character. Hence, they are humble and meek before the Lord. Meek people are not proud. They are humble, because they know God is holy. They also know that they are sinful in themselves. Meek people do not want their own selfish way, but they desire to follow God's will for their lives. Meek people are willing to be taught and corrected by the Lord, so they can better live for God's glory. Meek people are also gentle and patient in their relationships with others. Meekness is not weakness. Meekness is being strong with God's help and under His control.

Jesus said, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matthew 5:6) Joyful are they who continually and fervently desire God's way in their lives. They fervently want and desire to become more and more like Jesus in their characters. They have a deep desire in their hearts to serve Jesus in all they do. Those who deeply desire righteousness in their lives "will be filled." God will wash away their sins. God will also help them to grow spiritually and to become more and more like Jesus every day. Those who "hunger and thirst for righteousness" will find their joy in pleasing the Lord and not in other things.

Joyful are those who recognize their sins and mourn over their sins. Such people when they run to the Lord in repentance for their sins will find His forgiveness, joy, and comfort. Joyful are those who forget about themselves and are filled with an earnest desire to serve and please the Lord. "They will be filled." (Matthew 5:6b) Such people will be filled with all God's joy and blessing!


Jesus In Me

General — Posted by sharaug @ January 27, 2006 14:04
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Matthew 5:1-12

The word blessed in the Bible means joyful. Blessed or joyful are those who are serving the Lord and walking in His paths. Blessed and joyful are those who are showing Christ-like attitudes in their characters.

Jesus says to us, "Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy." (Matthew 5:7) Joyful are those people who show kindness and concern to others. God will show His mercy back to them. Merciful people are unselfish and try to help others in every possible way. They are willing to give their time, money, and themselves to other people. They are also willing to forgive others. Mercy is shown in kind deeds and in humble and patient attitudes. Mercy is shown in concern for other people's physical and spiritual needs. Merciful people are able to be merciful to others, because God has shown mercy to them. God sent His own Son, Jesus, to redeem them from their sins. Hence, they have a desire to show mercy to others. In the measure that they show mercy to others, the Lord will show even more mercy to them!

Jesus says to us, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God." (Matthew 5:8) Joyful are those who are one hundred percent sold out for the Lord, "for they will see God." They will see and understand God's glory and His love. They will experience the joy of a deep fellowship with the Lord. Those who are "pure in heart" seek to be holy, and they deeply desire to serve God alone in their lives. They understand that the Lord has cleansed them from their sins by His grace, and they now want to live for Him. They want to serve the Lord with their whole heart, soul, and mind. Those who desire to be "pure in heart" know they are dependent on the Holy Spirit's help. They also seek to immerse themselves in God's Word and in prayer. Such people truly "see God" and experience the joys of belonging to the Lord!

Jesus says to us, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." (Matthew 5:9) Joyful are those who are living holy and righteous lives and who are telling others about Jesus. They will be called God's children in His forever kingdom! Peacemakers have themselves made peace with God. Their sins are forgiven, and the Holy Spirit helps them each day in their struggle against sin. Peacemakers also seek to lead others to make peace with God. They do this with their words and with their humble Christ-like attitudes in their lives. Finally, peacemakers seek to maintain peace with others; and they seek to help others make peace with their fellow human beings. Peacemakers understand that Jesus is the only source of peace. They understand that Jesus died to give us peace.

Jesus says to us, Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 5:10) Joyful are those people who are mistreated, ridiculed, criticized, rejected, or treated even worse; because they are living for God. They can be joyful in even these circumstances, because such people are part of God's forever kingdom! God says to those people who are willing to suffer for Him, "Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven." (Matthew 5:12a)

Joyful are those people who seek to live for the Lord's glory and reflect His character in their lives. Joy is not found in worldly possessions or fame. Joy is found only in a personal relationship with the Lord. Joy is found in becoming more and more like Jesus in our attitudes and characters. May this be our passion and our desire!


Excuses or Obedience

General — Posted by sharaug @ January 22, 2006 05:40
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Exodus 3

God had assigned Moses an important task. That task was to lead God's Old Testament people, the Israelites, out of Egypt. To be able to accomplish this Moses first needed to confront the great king or Pharaoh of Egypt. That would be a huge undertaking for Moses, and Moses was afraid. Moses begin to make excuses for not being able to do the job which God had given him to do. Have you or I ever found ourselves making excuses for not following the clear leading of the Lord in our lives? When the Lord gives us a clear command or assignment, we must obey.

The first question that Moses asked God when God gave him his new assignment was "Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt." (Exodus 3:11) One can understand Moses' hesitancy to undertake this assignment which God had assigned him. Pharaoh was a cruel, heartless, and dangerous man. The task of confronting the great Pharaoh of Egypt must have been a frightening thought. Also the thought of leading the huge nation of Israel out of Egypt must have seemed like an overwhelmingly daunting task to Moses. But Moses was asking the Lord the wrong question. Moses should not have asked, "Who am I?" The real question should have been "Who is God?" Earlier in the chapter in Exodus 3 God had already demonstrated His holiness and power to Moses. God had already told Moses, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob." (Exodus 3:6a) Moses should not have been focusing on his own inadequacies, but he should have been focusing on the holy power of the Lord to help him. Moses should have been focusing on the faithfulness of the great God who had been faithful to His people in the past and who had promised to be with them in the future. When Moses said to God, "Who am I?" the Lord God replied, "I will be with you." (Exodus 3:12a) When the Lord calls us to a certain job, He promises us the ability to do the job. The Lord also promises us His presence. The presence of the Lord with us each step of the way, throughout this life, is a very sure reality!

But Moses continued to resist God's call. Moses said to God, "Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'the God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is His name?' Then what shall I tell them?" (Exodus 3:13) He was really asking God, "What kind of God are you?" God's answer to Moses' question was, "I AM WHO I AM." (Exodus 3:14a) "I AM WHO I AM" is and was a name for the Lord God. This name demonstrated the Lord's character as a faithful and dependable God. It was a name that revealed the Lord God's desire for His people's complete trust in Him to always be with them and strengthen them. God is not just a God of glory and power. He is a faithful God who completely gives Himself to His people. The Lord is an unchangeable God in His faithfulness and sovereignty. As He was with His people in the past, He will continue to be with them in the future.

Moses did become the leader of God's people. Moses learned that his strength had nothing to do with himself. Moses learned that his strength was wholly dependent on the Lord and His faithfulness. He learned the secret of bringing his burdens to the Lord and leaving them there. Moses learned the secret of the Lord's equipping power for anything the Lord asked him to do. Today God says to us also, "I will be with you." (Exodus 3:12a) He will be with us wherever He asks us to go and in whatever He asks us to do. Are we willing to follow the Lord's leading in obedience and trust?


Our Majestic God

General — Posted by sharaug @ January 17, 2006 06:49
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Psalm 8

"O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!"

What a great and awesome God we serve! David said in Psalm 8:1, "O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth!" We see God's glory and majesty in His provision of salvation for us. We also see God's glory in the awesomeness of His creation all around us. We see God's glory in the vastness of outer space and in the perfect alignment of all the planets. We see God's glory in the multitude of galaxies in the universe and in the multitude and glory of the stars. When we think of the majesty and awesomeness of our God, we should want to burst out in song and praise to Him. Psalm 8:2 says that God has "ordained praise" even "from the lips of children and infants." God does this "to silence the foe and the avenger." Because of God's glory shown in His creation, the Lord evokes the praise of even little children. Hence, Satan's powers are silenced!

The psalmist, David, goes on to say in Psalm 8:3-4, "When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have set in place, what is man that You are mindful of Him, the son of man that You care for Him?" Meditate on the wonder of God's love for us. The great God of this awesome universe is "mindful" of us, His children! We are but a speck in the vastness of God's creation. In spite of this, the Lord is "mindful" of us! Being mindful of us doesn't just entail the Lord being aware of our existence. Rather, the Lord loves us with an eternal love and cares about all of our needs. He loves us so much, that He even knows us each individually by name! John 10:3b says, "He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out." God, the Father, loves us more than anything else in all of His creation; and He proved that love by coming to this earth in the person of His Son, Jesus. He loved us so much that He was willing to give His very Son as a sacrifice for our sins, so we might have eternal life!

What is even more astonishing is that the great God of the universe has crowned us, His children, with glory and honor and dominion over everything else in His creation! We were created to rule over God's creation and to bring glory and honor to the Lord in the process. Nothing else in all of God's creation was created to consciously bring glory and praise to God. Only humans were created in God's image. Only humans were placed on this earth to reflect the Lord in our character, attitudes, and actions. Sin temporarily spoiled our ability to do this. However, because of Christ's sacrifice on the cross for our sins and the Holy Spirit living in us, we can once again begin to live holy lives for the Lord's glory! We alone of all God's creation have eternal souls which can and must be lived for the Lord's glory. This is our purpose and reason for being on this earth. "So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (I Corinthians 10:31)

Psalm 8:1 & 9

Repentance

General — Posted by sharaug @ January 09, 2006 16:00
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Matthew 3:1-12

"Produce fruit in keeping with repentance."

In our world today which emphasizes a "You're okay and I'm okay mentality" sin and repentance is not a popular topic. God's Holy Word is the final source of truth, however, and it tells us that we are desperate sinners in need of God's grace. It also tells us that we need to turn from our sins to repentance.

In our Scripture passage today John the Baptist was preaching in the desert. It was John the Baptist's job to prepare the way for the soon coming Messiah, Jesus Christ. John's message was "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." (Matthew 3:2) Many people came out to John the Baptist in the desert. These people came to John confessing their sins, and they came with a repentant heart.

There were two groups of people who came out to John the Baptist in the desert, however, who did not have a repentant heart. These two groups of people were called the Pharisees and the Sadducees. The Pharisees were legalistic and religious leaders who thought they could earn their own way into God's favor. They also felt that they had a good standing with God, because they were a part of the established religious order of the day. The Sadducees were a more politically minded and worldly group. Both groups were smug and content in their own self-will, self-efforts, and self-importance. Neither group saw their own sins, and the need for repentance from their sins. John the Baptist perceived that the Pharisees and Sadducees had unrepentant hearts. John said to them, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." (Matthew 3:7b-8) In effect John was saying, "Turn from you sins, and show by your lives that you are truly repentant!"

We also must show repentance from sin in our lives. Repentance from our sins involves turning from sin and going in the opposite direction in our lives. True repentance involves a change in our hearts which in turn results in changed lives. Repentance involves deep sorrow for our sins. True repentance also involves turning our lives around and following God's paths and will for our lives. We must show in our lives that we belong to the Lord. Our life styles must match our professions. We must truly show the fruit of God's Holy Spirit in our lives. Our lives must exhibit "fruit in keeping with repentance." (Matthew 3:8)

John the Baptist warned the Pharisees and Sadducees in Matthew 3:9-10 about the need for repentance. Their status as religious leaders and descendants of the Old Testament saint, Abraham, did not automatically entitle them to God's favor. The only basis for salvation is the atoning sacrifice of Christ on the cross. The only basis for our salvation is our throwing ourselves at the feet of the Lord and relying on His grace. We need to turn from our sins in repentance and turn to the Lord. Church membership and the fact that our parents were Christians will not bring us favor with God. Our own perceived "good works" certainly will not win us favor with God. Only if we see the depths and depravity of our sins and sorrowfully run to the Lord in repentance can we experience favor with the Lord. Only when we turn our lives around and go down the Lord's paths can we experience the Lord's eternal favor and blessings. This life is not about portraying an image like the Pharisees and Sadducees tried to do. It is about daily turning from our sins in repentance and living a life that is consistent with the will of God. Is our lives producing "fruit in keeping with repentance?" (Matthew 3:8) May this be our passion and desire!

Matthew 3:8

Wise Men Seek Jesus

General — Posted by sharaug @ December 23, 2005 12:02
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Matthew 2:1-12

"They bowed down and worshipped Him."

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Magi or wise men came from the east seeking the Christ child. When they arrived in Jerusalem they asked, "Where is the One who has been born king of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him." (Matthew 2:2) The Magi were not part of the religious order of God's people of that day by any stretch of the imagination. In fact, God's people at that time would have considered the Magi to be pagans. Notice, however, the Magi were coming from a long distance to worship and bow down before Jesus Christ, the Son of God! The Magi recognized Jesus Christ as worthy of their worship. Meanwhile, the religious people of that day were basically ignoring the birth of our Lord.

Where is Jesus Christ in our lives? Are we daily seeking a deeper relationship with Him? Do we have the zeal and the desire of the Magi to bow down and worship Him? "Where is the One who has been born king of the Jews?" (Matthew 2:2a) What would be the answer to that question in our lives? Is Jesus both the Savior and Lord of all areas of our lives? Is He Lord and King over our careers, families and our daily pursuits and habits? Has He made a difference in our characters and attitudes? Is Jesus Christ and our desire to live for Him our consuming passion?

When the Magi came to Jerusalem asking about the Lord Jesus, King Herod and all the people of Jerusalem were upset and in an uproar. Herod and the people did not want their prized security disturbed. They prized the security of their daily routines and pleasures above the Lord Jesus. They were seeking and not finding peace in this world. Peace, however, is found only in the Lord Jesus Christ! We must be on guard against making the world's pleasures and securities more important to us than our relationship with the Lord. We must be daily seeking to grow in our love relationship with the Lord through the reading and obeying of His Holy Word. We must also daily seek the Lord in prayer.

The Magi came to worship the Lord Jesus. This caused them a great deal of effort, time, and sacrifice on their part. Apparently, however, the Magi felt it was essential to come and worship the Lord Jesus. We also must daily take the time to worship at the Lord's feet. We must daily take time to commune with Him and be occupied with the Lord. We may and must go to Him with our needs. We must also thank Him for our blessings. We, however, must also take time to be occupied with the worship of the Lord Jesus. Our entire lives must be a daily sacrifice of praise, thanks, and worship. Notice the Magi brought no gifts to the reigning King Herod. They brought their gifts to the Lord Jesus. More importantly, they brought their worship and their lives as a sacrifice of praise to the Lord. It must be our passion also that our lives will be a sacrifice of praise to the Lord. "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship." (Romans 12:1)

Matthew 2:11b


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