Moreover He said, “I am the God of your father—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.” And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God. (Exodus 3:6 NKJV)
The natural order of things is for the creator to name his invention as he wills, sometimes giving it his own name. So the Ford company is named after its founder and the George Foreman grill after its popular inventor. However, it is not often seen for a creator to name himself after his creation.
That was why it was first a puzzle to me when I would read God’s introduction about Himself in our text today. The great God of the universe chose to permanently tag Himself with the names of fallen men, and wears the tag proudly, it reads," I am the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob."
It is like a great king appending his name with that of his subjects and using it proudly, or a father calling himself by his children's names. It is sure a sign of total identification and acceptance.
Then a little study of scripture also shows that not only did He take on their names, He also gave them His own name. So as He was the God of Abraham, Abraham was also Abraham of God Most high.
It is then obvious that this name was a demonstration of God's covenant keeping nature. Through the blood covenant, He had willingly bound Himself forever with Abraham and His descendants to be their God forever. God had stooped low to meet with fallen humanity at his level and offered a hand of loving commitment to lift humanity up to His level.
This brings to mind what Jesus did with us. He left the glories of heaven and came to sinful earth to live with us. He took on your nature so that you could have access to His righteousness. He felt what you feel and lived where you live. He took on the name of a man and has offered to you His own name and privileges. And it is written, He did it all without a hint of shame,
But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them. (Hebrews 11:16 NKJV)
Take this as a great encouragement for today. It is a message of your acceptance before Him. Despite your weaknesses and shortcomings, He doesn’t blush when He mentions your name. He has no intention of issuing a disclaimer about you. He is putting no distance between Himself and you. In fact, He wears your tag on His sleeve proudly. He fully identifies with you. He is like that father who displays the sticker proudly on his car, proclaiming to all that He is the father of an honor student at Riverdale High.
Yes, you sometimes fall short. Yes, you sometimes stumble, but think of this. If God can call Himself the God of a Swindler, which is what "Jacob" means, He surely can call Himself your God.
Decision of the Day
I praise God today and always because He is not ashamed of me. He fully identifies with my weaknesses and shortcomings and proudly accepts me as I am in His son. He calls me by His own name. He sees His righteousness in me. Forever by His blood He has bound Himself to me, never to leave me or forsake me.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
July 20: When God Whispers Your Name
So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, “Moses, Moses!” And he said, “Here I am.” (Exodus 3:4 NKJV)
Growing up, whenever my parents called my name more than once in succession, I knew something was in the offing. Either a word of praise or a time of correction, a new errand to run, or probably a dose of wisdom words. Something always followed the repeated calling of my name.
God called Moses' name in our text today, repeating it twice. He did the same some other times in Scriptures. It was the same voice that called Samuel as a little boy, repeating His name. The one that called Simon Peter, repeating his name, telling him to tend His flock. He called Saul's name on the road to Damascus, in the same tone, giving him a mission. When God whispers your name, you can be assured that something more would follow.
Moses needed to hear that something more. Over the years, his confidence had waned. The zeal that burned in him with passion in His youthful day had all but been extinguished by the monotony of life. In the first half of his life, he was one who was important, being raised in the palace, in the second half, he was a fugitive, but little did he know, that the third phase was about to begin where He would become the deliverer of a nation. And it would begin through that whisper of His name. He answered and his story changed.
God still knows the names of His creation. He is still calling people by name. He is still dealing with people on a first-name basis. He knows your name too and He is calling it today. If you will answer, there is more waiting for you.
Decision of the Day
I will answer Him today as I hear Him calling me.
Growing up, whenever my parents called my name more than once in succession, I knew something was in the offing. Either a word of praise or a time of correction, a new errand to run, or probably a dose of wisdom words. Something always followed the repeated calling of my name.
God called Moses' name in our text today, repeating it twice. He did the same some other times in Scriptures. It was the same voice that called Samuel as a little boy, repeating His name. The one that called Simon Peter, repeating his name, telling him to tend His flock. He called Saul's name on the road to Damascus, in the same tone, giving him a mission. When God whispers your name, you can be assured that something more would follow.
Moses needed to hear that something more. Over the years, his confidence had waned. The zeal that burned in him with passion in His youthful day had all but been extinguished by the monotony of life. In the first half of his life, he was one who was important, being raised in the palace, in the second half, he was a fugitive, but little did he know, that the third phase was about to begin where He would become the deliverer of a nation. And it would begin through that whisper of His name. He answered and his story changed.
God still knows the names of His creation. He is still calling people by name. He is still dealing with people on a first-name basis. He knows your name too and He is calling it today. If you will answer, there is more waiting for you.
Decision of the Day
I will answer Him today as I hear Him calling me.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
July 19: The Sacred and the Secular
"Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5 NKJV)
There are certain places you visit on earth where you are overwhelmed with a sense of awe and of God's presence. For example, many visitors to Israel who walk through the various places mentioned in scriptures testify of a sense of awe and sacredness that come with such places. Also church grounds, worship services and gathering of believers are seen as symbols of the sacred.
However, there are certain other places no one easily associates with sacredness. Few go to work and burst out in worship at the awesome holiness of God saturating their work facilities and offices. No one visits the penitentiary, the pubs or bars and ever think in terms of how holy such places are.
As a result of this, we have created neat labels of distinction. We call one the sacred and the other, secular. We see the sacred as the home of spirituality and the secular, the place of sensuality. We view the sacred as the abode of faith and the secular is the arena of facts; the sacred as the place of worship and the secular as the place of workmanship. The former is seen as the abode of religion and the latter, the topography of reason.
But these distinctions are man-made. Very often in Scriptures we see God blurring the line between the "sacred" and the "secular." Really to Him, there is no line. Every place on earth can become Holy Ground. That was His original intention before the fall. That is why He made appearances and visited men and women in many ordinary places such as in our text today. Moses received a visitation of God at work, in exile, in the wilderness.
In other places, God met people at the well, He inspired many portions of the Holy scriptures in prisons. He chose to be born in a manger, to be friends with sinners and crucified in a place no one identified with sacredness, Golgotha the place of skulls.
We should also stop the distinction and remove the dividing line. Because you are the temple of the Holy Spirit, everywhere you go and everything you do irrespective of their natures become sacred. As a living stone of spiritual worship, your presence should turn ordinary places into holy spots where God should be honored.
So as you go about doing your work today, no matter how unspiritual it may seem and as you visit certain places today in your line of duty, no matter how devoid of God they may feel, remember that, just as all it takes to make a thing wet is the presence of water, all it takes to make a spot sacred is the presence of God and that great God calls you His temple.
Decision of the Day
I understand that with God there is no division between the secular and the sacred. He wants to fill the whole earth with His presence. He wants everywhere to become Holy Spots and that is why He has granted me access to the places I frequent and do the things I do. I will remain aware of this today. I will put the touch of sacredness on everything I do and everyone I meet. As His temple, I will extend the perimeters of His holy presence wherever I find myself.
There are certain places you visit on earth where you are overwhelmed with a sense of awe and of God's presence. For example, many visitors to Israel who walk through the various places mentioned in scriptures testify of a sense of awe and sacredness that come with such places. Also church grounds, worship services and gathering of believers are seen as symbols of the sacred.
However, there are certain other places no one easily associates with sacredness. Few go to work and burst out in worship at the awesome holiness of God saturating their work facilities and offices. No one visits the penitentiary, the pubs or bars and ever think in terms of how holy such places are.
As a result of this, we have created neat labels of distinction. We call one the sacred and the other, secular. We see the sacred as the home of spirituality and the secular, the place of sensuality. We view the sacred as the abode of faith and the secular is the arena of facts; the sacred as the place of worship and the secular as the place of workmanship. The former is seen as the abode of religion and the latter, the topography of reason.
But these distinctions are man-made. Very often in Scriptures we see God blurring the line between the "sacred" and the "secular." Really to Him, there is no line. Every place on earth can become Holy Ground. That was His original intention before the fall. That is why He made appearances and visited men and women in many ordinary places such as in our text today. Moses received a visitation of God at work, in exile, in the wilderness.
In other places, God met people at the well, He inspired many portions of the Holy scriptures in prisons. He chose to be born in a manger, to be friends with sinners and crucified in a place no one identified with sacredness, Golgotha the place of skulls.
We should also stop the distinction and remove the dividing line. Because you are the temple of the Holy Spirit, everywhere you go and everything you do irrespective of their natures become sacred. As a living stone of spiritual worship, your presence should turn ordinary places into holy spots where God should be honored.
So as you go about doing your work today, no matter how unspiritual it may seem and as you visit certain places today in your line of duty, no matter how devoid of God they may feel, remember that, just as all it takes to make a thing wet is the presence of water, all it takes to make a spot sacred is the presence of God and that great God calls you His temple.
Decision of the Day
I understand that with God there is no division between the secular and the sacred. He wants to fill the whole earth with His presence. He wants everywhere to become Holy Spots and that is why He has granted me access to the places I frequent and do the things I do. I will remain aware of this today. I will put the touch of sacredness on everything I do and everyone I meet. As His temple, I will extend the perimeters of His holy presence wherever I find myself.
Monday, July 18, 2011
July 18: Protocols of His Presence
Then He said, “Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.” (Exodus 3:5 NKJV)
The word "protocol" is a combination of two Greek words: "Proto," meaning first, and "colon," meaning glued. The "glued" part of the word comes from Greek tradition, mandating diplomatic correspondences to have a summary of the message inside glued to the outside of their packages so that the receiver can quickly read that first.
Since those early days, the concept of protocols has become pervasive. Every important place has certain protocols that must be observed for entrance and passage. There are specific titles that must be used to address certain individuals and particular ways one must conduct oneself in their presence. For example, the following is a list of protocols when meeting with the queen of England according to about.com.
1. When spoken to or addressing her for the first time, use “Your Majesty' and afterwards use ma'am.
2. Women should curtsy and men should nod their heads.
3. If the Queen offers a hand, the handshake should be short and not hard.
4. Allow the Queen to leave the room first; backs should never be turned toward the Queen, unless it absolutely cannot be helped.
5. During meals, the Queen eats first and when she stops, the others at the table stop. Eat what is served and do not request anything more or less.
6. Do not go to the restroom during a meal unless it is an absolute, have-to-go situation. Discreetly ask where the lavatory or loo is located and make it fast. It is best to cross the legs and suffer through if possible.
7. An important to do when meeting royalty is to exchange gifts.
God's holy presence also demands certain protocols. God told Moses to take his sandals off. This was and still is a sign of humility and reverence in the East. The soles of shoes represent the dirt of the world. To insult someone in that culture, all you need to do is to show them the soles of your shoes.
You are not required to remove your shoes, but you are required to observe the protocol of reverence in God's presence. You are to show Him respect by separating yourself from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit( 2 Cor 7:1,2). You are to approach Him with humility, worship, thanksgiving and the offerings of your precious treasures. As you make this your practice, you will begin to enjoy the reward of abiding by protocols, which is favor and access to the deeper manifestations of God.
Decision of the Day
I understand that the Holy Presence of God has certain protocols. I choose to honor God by respecting these protocols. I will separate from myself every filth, practicing holiness in the fear of God.
The word "protocol" is a combination of two Greek words: "Proto," meaning first, and "colon," meaning glued. The "glued" part of the word comes from Greek tradition, mandating diplomatic correspondences to have a summary of the message inside glued to the outside of their packages so that the receiver can quickly read that first.
Since those early days, the concept of protocols has become pervasive. Every important place has certain protocols that must be observed for entrance and passage. There are specific titles that must be used to address certain individuals and particular ways one must conduct oneself in their presence. For example, the following is a list of protocols when meeting with the queen of England according to about.com.
1. When spoken to or addressing her for the first time, use “Your Majesty' and afterwards use ma'am.
2. Women should curtsy and men should nod their heads.
3. If the Queen offers a hand, the handshake should be short and not hard.
4. Allow the Queen to leave the room first; backs should never be turned toward the Queen, unless it absolutely cannot be helped.
5. During meals, the Queen eats first and when she stops, the others at the table stop. Eat what is served and do not request anything more or less.
6. Do not go to the restroom during a meal unless it is an absolute, have-to-go situation. Discreetly ask where the lavatory or loo is located and make it fast. It is best to cross the legs and suffer through if possible.
7. An important to do when meeting royalty is to exchange gifts.
God's holy presence also demands certain protocols. God told Moses to take his sandals off. This was and still is a sign of humility and reverence in the East. The soles of shoes represent the dirt of the world. To insult someone in that culture, all you need to do is to show them the soles of your shoes.
You are not required to remove your shoes, but you are required to observe the protocol of reverence in God's presence. You are to show Him respect by separating yourself from all filthiness of the flesh and of the spirit( 2 Cor 7:1,2). You are to approach Him with humility, worship, thanksgiving and the offerings of your precious treasures. As you make this your practice, you will begin to enjoy the reward of abiding by protocols, which is favor and access to the deeper manifestations of God.
Decision of the Day
I understand that the Holy Presence of God has certain protocols. I choose to honor God by respecting these protocols. I will separate from myself every filth, practicing holiness in the fear of God.
Friday, July 8, 2011
July 8: The Power of Curiosity
"So Moses thought, I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up." (Exodus 3:3 NIV)
Curiosity may have "killed a cat" but it has also changed the world and delivered the more developed world we live in right now to us. Can you imagine how the world will be if no one had been curious enough to explore the unknown world, tap into the secrets of electricity, study birds in flight to get men in the air, or study the anatomy of humans and the essence of diseases in order to promote health. Progress has always come riding on the bent back of the question mark. It is those who ask questions and listen who learn, not those who do all the talking.
Curiosity, though it sometimes gets some in trouble, is a divine gift God has put into the heart of His creations. One of the signs of healthy babies is the exercise of their curiosity. They are innocent investigators, pure inquirers and scientists without having gone through any prior training. They respond to an innate urge to know just for the sake of knowing.
In our text today, Moses' curiosity got the best of him and landed him at a holy spot where God was waiting and where his great ministry was born.
How about you? Are you asking questions or accepting your world as it is? Are you spiritually curious? Do you accept the situations in your life as fixtures or do you seek to find what the will of God is concerning them? If a bush was burning around you like Moses saw, would you ignore it? Would you denounce it as fanaticism or sensationalism or investigate to see if God is really behind it like Moses did? Do you denounce happenings in order churches or denominations that do not fit your mold or do you seek the truth out? Has it ever come to your mind that maybe that healing evangelist you so despise might have God in the background fueling the fire? Or that that church with the seeming emotionalism may be exhibiting God's combustive act?
Curiosity is a gift from God. It should be properly used. Develop the habit of investigating. Obey the injunction of scripture to "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." ( 1 Thess 5:21).
Become a man or woman on a quest. Look deeper into things. Think deeper about things. Ask questions. Challenge conventions and norms. Investigate claims. Open your mind wide. There is a whole lot you do not know yet that God wants to show you and sometimes it is what you feel you know already that becomes your greatest hindrance. God has created a lot in nature and put a lot in His word and other people that your whole life will not be enough to explore them. So remain like a little child. Not gullible but curious. Retain your fascination about the things God has done and is doing. Then just like Moses, you may just meet God and your calling at the end of the trail of one of your quests.
Decision of the Day
I understand that curiosity is a gift of God. It is inborn in me. It is how change and growth is born. I will not lose my curiosity. I will not be afraid of learning, exploring and investigating. I will not live with a closed mind. Just like Moses, I will turn around to see the why's behind the strange sights around me.
Curiosity may have "killed a cat" but it has also changed the world and delivered the more developed world we live in right now to us. Can you imagine how the world will be if no one had been curious enough to explore the unknown world, tap into the secrets of electricity, study birds in flight to get men in the air, or study the anatomy of humans and the essence of diseases in order to promote health. Progress has always come riding on the bent back of the question mark. It is those who ask questions and listen who learn, not those who do all the talking.
Curiosity, though it sometimes gets some in trouble, is a divine gift God has put into the heart of His creations. One of the signs of healthy babies is the exercise of their curiosity. They are innocent investigators, pure inquirers and scientists without having gone through any prior training. They respond to an innate urge to know just for the sake of knowing.
In our text today, Moses' curiosity got the best of him and landed him at a holy spot where God was waiting and where his great ministry was born.
How about you? Are you asking questions or accepting your world as it is? Are you spiritually curious? Do you accept the situations in your life as fixtures or do you seek to find what the will of God is concerning them? If a bush was burning around you like Moses saw, would you ignore it? Would you denounce it as fanaticism or sensationalism or investigate to see if God is really behind it like Moses did? Do you denounce happenings in order churches or denominations that do not fit your mold or do you seek the truth out? Has it ever come to your mind that maybe that healing evangelist you so despise might have God in the background fueling the fire? Or that that church with the seeming emotionalism may be exhibiting God's combustive act?
Curiosity is a gift from God. It should be properly used. Develop the habit of investigating. Obey the injunction of scripture to "Prove all things; hold fast that which is good." ( 1 Thess 5:21).
Become a man or woman on a quest. Look deeper into things. Think deeper about things. Ask questions. Challenge conventions and norms. Investigate claims. Open your mind wide. There is a whole lot you do not know yet that God wants to show you and sometimes it is what you feel you know already that becomes your greatest hindrance. God has created a lot in nature and put a lot in His word and other people that your whole life will not be enough to explore them. So remain like a little child. Not gullible but curious. Retain your fascination about the things God has done and is doing. Then just like Moses, you may just meet God and your calling at the end of the trail of one of your quests.
Decision of the Day
I understand that curiosity is a gift of God. It is inborn in me. It is how change and growth is born. I will not lose my curiosity. I will not be afraid of learning, exploring and investigating. I will not live with a closed mind. Just like Moses, I will turn around to see the why's behind the strange sights around me.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
July 6: Attention Grabbers
There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight—why the bush does not burn up." When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!" And Moses said, "Here I am." (Exodus 3:2-4 NIV)
Billboards and signs are designed to be attention getters. They use catchy words and slick images that cause passersby to turn and look, pointing them to patronize a product, service, person or entity. The inspire the willingness to try something new. They expose to things that otherwise might be beyond our radar.
God also has His attention getters. In many instances, in both the New and Old Testament and even in our days, He has used signs and wonders to cause people to turn. He grabs people's attention by the display of His supernatural power. In our text today, God broke Moses' forty year shepherd monotony by creating a sight that compelled him to turn around, look and investigate, thus bringing him to a place where he heard the voice and the call of God.
Jesus did the same things in His earthly days. He performed signs that moved people to seek some more. Nicodemus is an example of this,
"He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." (John 3:2 NIV)
The Samaritan woman at the well ran to her city proclaiming the sign she had seen Christ performed in telling her things about herself and won many to Him.
Phillip grabbed the attention of a whole city and compelled them to hear of Christ though the signs he performed.
"When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said." (Acts 8:6 NIV)
Signs work because God knows the nature of man. Man was born in the miraculous. His origin, God, is miraculous and he responds to the miraculous. This explains the constant fascination of the world with witchcraft, the paranormal and the supernatural. Some of the bestselling books and most watched movies are in this genre. The reason is because the supernatural speaks to the heart of man. It calls Him to where he originally belonged.
Since we are called to be witnesses in the world for Him, we need the attention of the world too. We need something that will break their fixation on the negative supernatural. We need to show that Moses' rod produces the stronger serpent that swallows the world's magicians'. We need to show the world that the supernatural gifts of the Spirit trump the psychic hotlines and new-age meditations.
We are already equipped with the authority to do this in His Mighty Name. Jesus said,
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation...And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:15-18 NIV)(
Expect signs today. Pray for the sick. Be bold like the early disciples. The power in not yours but His. It is in His name. It is part of your witnessing tool. He delegated the use of His name to you. It grabs the world's attention like no other thing can. Use it.
Decision of the Day
I know one of the purposes of the supernatural signs of God is to grab the world's attention. I also understand that faith in the Name of Jesus releases signs. I am a witness for Him. This is a tool in my arsenal of evangelism. I will not neglect or discount it. I will put it to use.
Billboards and signs are designed to be attention getters. They use catchy words and slick images that cause passersby to turn and look, pointing them to patronize a product, service, person or entity. The inspire the willingness to try something new. They expose to things that otherwise might be beyond our radar.
God also has His attention getters. In many instances, in both the New and Old Testament and even in our days, He has used signs and wonders to cause people to turn. He grabs people's attention by the display of His supernatural power. In our text today, God broke Moses' forty year shepherd monotony by creating a sight that compelled him to turn around, look and investigate, thus bringing him to a place where he heard the voice and the call of God.
Jesus did the same things in His earthly days. He performed signs that moved people to seek some more. Nicodemus is an example of this,
"He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him." (John 3:2 NIV)
The Samaritan woman at the well ran to her city proclaiming the sign she had seen Christ performed in telling her things about herself and won many to Him.
Phillip grabbed the attention of a whole city and compelled them to hear of Christ though the signs he performed.
"When the crowds heard Philip and saw the signs he performed, they all paid close attention to what he said." (Acts 8:6 NIV)
Signs work because God knows the nature of man. Man was born in the miraculous. His origin, God, is miraculous and he responds to the miraculous. This explains the constant fascination of the world with witchcraft, the paranormal and the supernatural. Some of the bestselling books and most watched movies are in this genre. The reason is because the supernatural speaks to the heart of man. It calls Him to where he originally belonged.
Since we are called to be witnesses in the world for Him, we need the attention of the world too. We need something that will break their fixation on the negative supernatural. We need to show that Moses' rod produces the stronger serpent that swallows the world's magicians'. We need to show the world that the supernatural gifts of the Spirit trump the psychic hotlines and new-age meditations.
We are already equipped with the authority to do this in His Mighty Name. Jesus said,
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation...And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." (Mark 16:15-18 NIV)(
Expect signs today. Pray for the sick. Be bold like the early disciples. The power in not yours but His. It is in His name. It is part of your witnessing tool. He delegated the use of His name to you. It grabs the world's attention like no other thing can. Use it.
Decision of the Day
I know one of the purposes of the supernatural signs of God is to grab the world's attention. I also understand that faith in the Name of Jesus releases signs. I am a witness for Him. This is a tool in my arsenal of evangelism. I will not neglect or discount it. I will put it to use.
Friday, July 1, 2011
July 1: God Calls Busy People
"Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. (Exodus 3:1,2 NIV)
It is fascinating to read stories of divine encounters of men in the Bible. From the Old to the New Testament, one thing threads through all the incidents, the people God appeared to in order to give an assignment or call for a unique purpose were all busy doing something before their calls. Let's look at a few of them.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers...Joseph had a dream (Genesis 37:2,5 NIV).
The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." (Judges 6:11,12 NIV)
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. (Joshua 1:1,2 NIV)
Now Jesse said to his son David, "Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. (1 Sam 17:17-23 NIV)
So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah...He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant. (1 kings 19:19-21 NIV)
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 418-:22 NIV)
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:27-28 NIV)
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest. and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (Acts 9:1-6 NIV)
Saul also met Samuel while looking for his father's donkey. All these passages including our text today about Moses encountering God as he tended his fathers flock, testify to the fact that God places value on diligence. He doesn't recruit lazy people for his special assignments. He calls those who have their hands full trying out something, working on some natural endeavor. This is pretty logical because anyone who is faithful in natural things will transfer that same attitude to spiritual things and anyone who is lazy and tardy regarding natural things will be the same when it comes to spiritual things.
The question for you then is. Is your attitude toward your job, care for your natural possessions, and seemingly little assignments delegated to you qualifying you or disqualifying you for God's call on your life? Remember, if you are faithful in little, you will be committed over much.
Decision of the Day
I understand that God uses diligent people. I renounce laziness and procrastination. I will get busy doing what is available. I will go to school, get a job or volunteer if need be. I will not run away from little assignments. I will take care of my private affairs, being orderly. I know God uses all these to decide on those He'll use for His assignments.
It is fascinating to read stories of divine encounters of men in the Bible. From the Old to the New Testament, one thing threads through all the incidents, the people God appeared to in order to give an assignment or call for a unique purpose were all busy doing something before their calls. Let's look at a few of them.
Joseph, a young man of seventeen, was tending the flocks with his brothers...Joseph had a dream (Genesis 37:2,5 NIV).
The angel of the Lord came and sat down under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite, where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites. When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, "The Lord is with you, mighty warrior." (Judges 6:11,12 NIV)
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide: "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. (Joshua 1:1,2 NIV)
Now Jesse said to his son David, "Take this ephah of roasted grain and these ten loaves of bread for your brothers and hurry to their camp. Early in the morning David left the flock in the care of a shepherd, loaded up and set out, as Jesse had directed. He reached the camp as the army was going out to its battle positions, shouting the war cry. As he was talking with them, Goliath, the Philistine champion from Gath, stepped out from his lines and shouted his usual defiance, and David heard it. (1 Sam 17:17-23 NIV)
So Elijah went from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah...He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his servant. (1 kings 19:19-21 NIV)
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people." At once they left their nets and followed him. Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. (Matthew 418-:22 NIV)
After this, Jesus went out and saw a tax collector by the name of Levi sitting at his tax booth. "Follow me," Jesus said to him, and Levi got up, left everything and followed him. (Luke 5:27-28 NIV)
Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest. and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" "Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked. "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." (Acts 9:1-6 NIV)
Saul also met Samuel while looking for his father's donkey. All these passages including our text today about Moses encountering God as he tended his fathers flock, testify to the fact that God places value on diligence. He doesn't recruit lazy people for his special assignments. He calls those who have their hands full trying out something, working on some natural endeavor. This is pretty logical because anyone who is faithful in natural things will transfer that same attitude to spiritual things and anyone who is lazy and tardy regarding natural things will be the same when it comes to spiritual things.
The question for you then is. Is your attitude toward your job, care for your natural possessions, and seemingly little assignments delegated to you qualifying you or disqualifying you for God's call on your life? Remember, if you are faithful in little, you will be committed over much.
Decision of the Day
I understand that God uses diligent people. I renounce laziness and procrastination. I will get busy doing what is available. I will go to school, get a job or volunteer if need be. I will not run away from little assignments. I will take care of my private affairs, being orderly. I know God uses all these to decide on those He'll use for His assignments.
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