"But lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand over the sea, and divide it: and the children of Israel shall go on dry ground through the midst of the sea." Exodus 14:16
Have you ever come to a place where you can't seem to go forward and are at a stand still? I reach that place many mornings when I sit down to write these devotionals. I pray and seek the Lord for a word to share with you and it doesn't come as easily at times as it does at other times. But it's in those times that I am reminded that if God calls us to do something He won't leave us "hanging".
God called Moses to lead His people out of Egypt. Moses obeyed the call of God and then found himself facing a Red Sea. All he could do was stand there- he couldn't go forward, there was no going back, he couldn't make the next step happen on his own, all he could do was place his entire dependency on the One who had called him to this task. Moses knew that if God had called him to do this, then He would make a way for him to be able to accomplish it.
Beloved, it is not up to us to "make it happen". There are some things that we can NEVER make happen. All Moses could do was trust and obey. He was not the Deliverer- he was the instrument that was used by THE Deliverer. The bottom line is that if God calls you to do it, He will be responsible to make a way for you to do what He has called you to do. Continue to seek Him, continue to listen to His instructions, continue to obey Him, continue to trust Him. Always remember that it is He who is accomplishing it through you, therefore, He will provide all that is needed to enable you to do it.
Have a great day. When God calls you to do something, He will give you everything you need to accomplish the task, so just trust Him.
For further reading:
Exodus 14
Philippians 4:19
Matthew 10:19
Friday, January 8, 2010
Thursday, January 7, 2010
"The Final Word"
"The Lord gave the word..." Psalm 68:11a
Who gave the word? Who gave the command, the promise or the words of counsel? Words come from many places, many people and many sources. There is no lack of "words"- no lack of advice or instruction. People are always ready to "tell you what to do" and "how to do it".
Heeding the word of others above what God says can bring problems and even be detrimental. The young prophet heeded the words of the older prophet above the instructions that God had already given him and lost his life as a result. Saul heeded the words of the people above God's word and lost his kingdom. Abraham listened to the words of Sarah his wife instead of waiting on the Lord to fulfill His word and wound up with an Ishmael.
Don't misunderstand, I am not saying that we should not listen to anyone. The Bible tells us that there is safety in a multitude of counselors. God has sent prophets to proclaim His will to us. Concerning the sending of Ishmael and Hagar out of his house, Abraham was told by God to listen to his wife Sarah this time. Samuel was told by God to listen to the people and give them a king. Moses heeded the advice of his father in law and appointed judges over the people to help with the task of settling problems that arose among the people. Thank God for those that He places in our lives to help instruct us, to teach us, to counsel us and to advise us. But when it comes down to it, when you get to the "bottom line", it's what God says to you that matters. It is His instructions and commands that we are to obey and place above what everyone else says.
To each of the churches in the Book of Revelation He told them to hear what the Spirit was saying. When John baptised Jesus, the heavens opened and the Lord spoke, not only to John, but to all of us-- "And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him." (Mark 9:7) "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." (Hebrews 1:1,2)
Have a great day. There is nothing wrong with listening to good counsel from people, as long as God has the final word!
For further reading:
1 Kings 13:11-25
1 Samuel 15
Proverbs 11:14; 24:6
Genesis 21:9-12
Who gave the word? Who gave the command, the promise or the words of counsel? Words come from many places, many people and many sources. There is no lack of "words"- no lack of advice or instruction. People are always ready to "tell you what to do" and "how to do it".
Heeding the word of others above what God says can bring problems and even be detrimental. The young prophet heeded the words of the older prophet above the instructions that God had already given him and lost his life as a result. Saul heeded the words of the people above God's word and lost his kingdom. Abraham listened to the words of Sarah his wife instead of waiting on the Lord to fulfill His word and wound up with an Ishmael.
Don't misunderstand, I am not saying that we should not listen to anyone. The Bible tells us that there is safety in a multitude of counselors. God has sent prophets to proclaim His will to us. Concerning the sending of Ishmael and Hagar out of his house, Abraham was told by God to listen to his wife Sarah this time. Samuel was told by God to listen to the people and give them a king. Moses heeded the advice of his father in law and appointed judges over the people to help with the task of settling problems that arose among the people. Thank God for those that He places in our lives to help instruct us, to teach us, to counsel us and to advise us. But when it comes down to it, when you get to the "bottom line", it's what God says to you that matters. It is His instructions and commands that we are to obey and place above what everyone else says.
To each of the churches in the Book of Revelation He told them to hear what the Spirit was saying. When John baptised Jesus, the heavens opened and the Lord spoke, not only to John, but to all of us-- "And there was a cloud that overshadowed them: and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, This is my beloved Son: hear him." (Mark 9:7) "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds." (Hebrews 1:1,2)
Have a great day. There is nothing wrong with listening to good counsel from people, as long as God has the final word!
For further reading:
1 Kings 13:11-25
1 Samuel 15
Proverbs 11:14; 24:6
Genesis 21:9-12
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
"Grace Is Enough"
"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9
For the last couple of days I have had a chorus playing over and over in my thoughts. The words that I keep hearing are- "Your grace is enough; Your grace is enough for me". I am so glad for God's grace; it is enough for whatever we may be going through.
This morning, I don't know what you are facing- tragedy, problems in a relationship, unruly children, a demanding boss, financial stress or any one of a million other situations- but I want to remind you that "God's Grace is Enough"! That means that grace is all you need to make it through. It has been said that if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. He brings you through it by His grace. Grace is the vessel that will carry you through the most difficult trial. It will reach into the lowest valley. It will shine as the noonday sun in the darkest area. It will conqueror the strongest adversary. It will bring down the tallest giant. It is a bridge of hope for the hopeless, the light at the end of the tunnel, a shelter in the time of storm. It brings a peace that passes understanding. It gives strength to run through a troop and leap over a wall. It defeats the power and stronghold the enemy thought he had over you. It causes you to rejoice when you see nothing to rejoice about and gives you the ability to give thanks in all things.
Are you trying to find an answer this morning or a way of escape? Are you trying to find a solution? Are you trying to find a "way out"? Sometimes your answer and what you need is grace. Like the Lord said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient".
Have a great day. His grace is enough-- it's all we need, regardless of the situation.
For further reading:
Zechariah 4:7
John 1:15-17
Romans 3:23,24; 16:24
For the last couple of days I have had a chorus playing over and over in my thoughts. The words that I keep hearing are- "Your grace is enough; Your grace is enough for me". I am so glad for God's grace; it is enough for whatever we may be going through.
This morning, I don't know what you are facing- tragedy, problems in a relationship, unruly children, a demanding boss, financial stress or any one of a million other situations- but I want to remind you that "God's Grace is Enough"! That means that grace is all you need to make it through. It has been said that if God brings you to it, He will bring you through it. He brings you through it by His grace. Grace is the vessel that will carry you through the most difficult trial. It will reach into the lowest valley. It will shine as the noonday sun in the darkest area. It will conqueror the strongest adversary. It will bring down the tallest giant. It is a bridge of hope for the hopeless, the light at the end of the tunnel, a shelter in the time of storm. It brings a peace that passes understanding. It gives strength to run through a troop and leap over a wall. It defeats the power and stronghold the enemy thought he had over you. It causes you to rejoice when you see nothing to rejoice about and gives you the ability to give thanks in all things.
Are you trying to find an answer this morning or a way of escape? Are you trying to find a solution? Are you trying to find a "way out"? Sometimes your answer and what you need is grace. Like the Lord said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient".
Have a great day. His grace is enough-- it's all we need, regardless of the situation.
For further reading:
Zechariah 4:7
John 1:15-17
Romans 3:23,24; 16:24
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
"Hear The Truth"
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables." 2 Timothy 4:3,4
What is this "sound doctrine" that he is talking about? It's the "truth". Paul told Timothy that a time would come when people won't want to hear the truth. I think that time has come-- people don't want to hear the truth. They want to hear what they want to hear. People want to be told what they want to hear. They don't want to be told otherwise.
The thing about the "truth" is that it doesn't always tell you "good things",- it doesn't always tell you what you want to hear. Jesus often told people what they didn't want to hear. The rich young ruler didn't want to hear that he had to sell everything and follow Jesus. Peter didn't want to hear that he was speaking under the influence of the devil. The disciples didn't want to hear that they had "no faith". David didn't want to hear God's word through the prophet Nathan that he was the guilty party. The Israelites didn't want to hear that they would be in captivity for seventy years.
When we don't want to hear the truth- especially through God's word- we are choosing to live by lies and deception. We are choosing to live a life "off course". We are choosing darkness instead of light. We are choosing to live in a state of confusion and defeat. We are placing ourselves outside of safe boundaries.
The truth is not always easy to hear, especially when it points out our faults and mistakes, and tells us that we were wrong, and brings correction to us. The truth is often hard to swallow, but so are some medicines. But we "choke" them down because we know that they are good for us and will bring healing to our bodies. Hum... if we are willing to take a pill prescribed by a physician/man in order to get better, why do we have such a hard time wanting to take the "pill" of God's truth that will make us much more than just better?
Have a great day. Hearing the truth may not be pleasant, but it is so good for you.
For further reading:
John 8:32
2 Samuel 12
Matthew 16:23; 19:16-22
Mark 4:40
John 17:17; 12:46-48
What is this "sound doctrine" that he is talking about? It's the "truth". Paul told Timothy that a time would come when people won't want to hear the truth. I think that time has come-- people don't want to hear the truth. They want to hear what they want to hear. People want to be told what they want to hear. They don't want to be told otherwise.
The thing about the "truth" is that it doesn't always tell you "good things",- it doesn't always tell you what you want to hear. Jesus often told people what they didn't want to hear. The rich young ruler didn't want to hear that he had to sell everything and follow Jesus. Peter didn't want to hear that he was speaking under the influence of the devil. The disciples didn't want to hear that they had "no faith". David didn't want to hear God's word through the prophet Nathan that he was the guilty party. The Israelites didn't want to hear that they would be in captivity for seventy years.
When we don't want to hear the truth- especially through God's word- we are choosing to live by lies and deception. We are choosing to live a life "off course". We are choosing darkness instead of light. We are choosing to live in a state of confusion and defeat. We are placing ourselves outside of safe boundaries.
The truth is not always easy to hear, especially when it points out our faults and mistakes, and tells us that we were wrong, and brings correction to us. The truth is often hard to swallow, but so are some medicines. But we "choke" them down because we know that they are good for us and will bring healing to our bodies. Hum... if we are willing to take a pill prescribed by a physician/man in order to get better, why do we have such a hard time wanting to take the "pill" of God's truth that will make us much more than just better?
Have a great day. Hearing the truth may not be pleasant, but it is so good for you.
For further reading:
John 8:32
2 Samuel 12
Matthew 16:23; 19:16-22
Mark 4:40
John 17:17; 12:46-48
Monday, January 4, 2010
"Jesus Departed"
"Now when Jesus had heard that John was cast into prison, he departed into Galilee." Matthew 4:12
You might have thought that Jesus would have gone to John's rescue when he was thrown into prison, after all, John was arrested for preaching His gospel. You might have thought that Jesus would have gone to John in the prison, seeing as how they were related. Or perhaps He would have gone to John because John baptized Him so they had spiritual ties. You might have thought that Jesus would have gone to John, if for no other reason, because He was a "preacher". But Jesus didn't go to John, instead He departed into another city.
You know, we often feel like Jesus doesn't care and that He has abandoned us in our time of need. We come up with reason after reason as to why He should come to our rescue but, seemingly, to no avail. Why does He feel further away from us, instead of closer, when we are in trouble? Do you ever feel like that? Do you feel that if He really cared about you He would do something about your situation? Do you feel as though He has abandoned you?
If that's you, take heart this morning, He has not abandoned you, He has not left you, He has not forsaken you, He is well aware of you. Remember when John sent his disciples to Jesus needing a word from Him, Jesus gave them a word to take back to John- He had not left him.
Jesus' departure was part of a bigger plan that God had- even for John. "And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt. 4:13-17) Often what we perceive as God's lack of concern for us, is actually Him working a greater plan out in our lives. The Israelites felt the same way when they stood between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army, but God had not left them, He was "working" on a bigger miracle on their behalf.
So take heart, and remember, there is a bigger picture that God is working on that we don't often see, but we can trust that He has not "departed from us", He has not abandoned us and that He is working "all things" together for our good.
Have a great day. If it seems as though Jesus has departed, He has not--- He is working to bring about a greater plan in your life.
For further reading:
Romans 8:24
Luke 7:18-29
You might have thought that Jesus would have gone to John's rescue when he was thrown into prison, after all, John was arrested for preaching His gospel. You might have thought that Jesus would have gone to John in the prison, seeing as how they were related. Or perhaps He would have gone to John because John baptized Him so they had spiritual ties. You might have thought that Jesus would have gone to John, if for no other reason, because He was a "preacher". But Jesus didn't go to John, instead He departed into another city.
You know, we often feel like Jesus doesn't care and that He has abandoned us in our time of need. We come up with reason after reason as to why He should come to our rescue but, seemingly, to no avail. Why does He feel further away from us, instead of closer, when we are in trouble? Do you ever feel like that? Do you feel that if He really cared about you He would do something about your situation? Do you feel as though He has abandoned you?
If that's you, take heart this morning, He has not abandoned you, He has not left you, He has not forsaken you, He is well aware of you. Remember when John sent his disciples to Jesus needing a word from Him, Jesus gave them a word to take back to John- He had not left him.
Jesus' departure was part of a bigger plan that God had- even for John. "And leaving Nazareth, he came and dwelt in Capernaum, which is upon the sea coast, in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim, by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles; the people which sat in darkness saw great light; and to them which sat in the region and shadow of death light is sprung up. From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." (Mt. 4:13-17) Often what we perceive as God's lack of concern for us, is actually Him working a greater plan out in our lives. The Israelites felt the same way when they stood between the Red Sea and Pharaoh's army, but God had not left them, He was "working" on a bigger miracle on their behalf.
So take heart, and remember, there is a bigger picture that God is working on that we don't often see, but we can trust that He has not "departed from us", He has not abandoned us and that He is working "all things" together for our good.
Have a great day. If it seems as though Jesus has departed, He has not--- He is working to bring about a greater plan in your life.
For further reading:
Romans 8:24
Luke 7:18-29
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