:: To Worship Him ::

 

   “All these your servants will come down to me and bow themselves before me, saying, ‘Go out, you and all the people who follow you, and after that I will go out.’  And he went out from Pharaoh in hot anger.”  (Exodus 11:8)

 

   When God first called Moses, he trembled with fear at the thought of speaking to Pharaoh.  He was certainly intimidated by speaking to such an important man in the natural.  Who wouldn’t?  But Moses gradually warmed up to the idea, and became more confident and assertive because of God’s assurance that He would be with Moses.  Finally he became totally committed to his assignment that God had given him.  He began to speak firmly to Pharaoh.  In the above verse, we read about Moses leaving Pharaoh’s presence really upset.  The Hebrew word says that Moses was livid. 

 

   We see such a change in Moses from the beginning to his confronting the most powerful person in the world.  He did not cave in or let Pharaoh’s power or position draw him away from his mission.  We too can have that confidence.  We pass many people each day that we could share the Gospel with.  There are many times we could speak-up when we see things that are not right.  Unfortunately too often we draw back in fear of their reaction.  What would they think of me?   Me, me, me!  When we surrender ourselves to God, then we should trust in His ability through us.  When we are obedient and faithful, confidence in God can be mighty powerful for the Kingdom.  There is no limit what God can do in us and through us when we yield to Him and trust our lives to Him.  We can live a confident life, free from the fear of man.  We can stand boldly in the face of all adversities.  Not a bad place to be at all!

 

 

   Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”  (Acts 20:35)

 

   There was a story told by Patrick Odom that I thought was a winner on this Scripture.  A little boy, only eight years old, was tops in his class in sales for a school fun raiser.  The prize was $25.  Now $25 for him to spend however he pleased was a lot of money!  The little boy’s father asked him one evening later that week what the boy thought he would with the money.  There are a lot of Lego sets to be had, after all.  That kind of money would buy a lot of books or toys, or maybe even a computer game.  The little boy thought for a minute, ideas flickering like diamonds in his blue eyes.  He handled those ideas, holding them up to the light, judging their brilliance, then made his decision.  The expression on his face spoke as much as his words; they didn’t display the momentary excitement that flashes across an eight-year-old face when he received one more toy, but shown with a quieter, more satisfied joy - the joy of knowing he’d made a good choice.  “I want to take you to a football game,” he told his dad.

 

  Yes, isn’t it more blessed to give than receive?  Too often our thoughts are how we can personally be blessed.  Every time I make the choice to give and share my wealth, I am the happier.  “Lord, help me always to remember that!”

 

 

   “When Jesus finished praying, He left with His followers.  They went across the Kidron Valley.  On the other side there was a garden of olive trees.  Jesus and His followers went there.  Judas knew where this place was, because Jesus met there often with His followers.  Judas was the one that turned against Jesus.  So Judas led a group of soldiers to the garden.  Judas also brought some guards from the leading priests and the Pharisees.  They were carrying torches, lanterns, and weapons.”  (John 18:1-3)

 

   Jesus had taken His disciples to the Garden many times to pray.  Judas knew that, so it wasn’t surprising when he knew the place were Jesus would be.  One sad thing about this is that satan used someone close to wound and betray someone.  Jesus loved Judas, but apparently the love was one-sided.  When we are wounded and deceived by a loved one, it makes the wound more painful.  I am not entirely positive, but I believe the evil one is almost always the force behind pain and deception.  If Jesus was betrayed by one close to Him, we should not expect things to be all that different for us.  People will be people.  There are those that bring harm and hurt to others without a thought of remorse.  Too often we are hearing of  sex predators kidnapping children.  Children are so innocent and it is a shame for their lives to be so betrayed.  Satan uses evil to discourage us, to draw us away from our faith, prayer and fellowship with the Lord.  When we are drawn away, we are easy prey for him. 

 

   When we are betrayed by others, let us not use that hurt to be a wedge between us and the Lord.  In our brokenness we need strength, encouragement and support.  In the arms of Jesus we will receive every answer that is needed. 

 

 

   Everyone has heard this story but it’s worth repeating again.  ‘A devout Christian heard an urgent news report on his radio that a flash flood was within minutes of entering the peaceful valley where he lived.  Immediately he went to his knees and prayed for safety.  The words were still on his lips when he became aware that water was gushing under his door.  He retreated to the second floor and finally onto the roof of his house.

   While he sat on the roof, a helicopter flew by and the pilot asked over the loudspeaker if they could lift him off.  “It’s not necessary since I have the Lord’s protection,” he replied.

   Moments later the house began to break up and he found himself clinging to a tree.  A police boat, braving the waters, approached him for rescue, but he assured them that the Lord would save him.  Finally, the tree gave way and the man went to his death.

   Standing before the Lord, he asked, “Lord, I’m glad to be here, but why didn’t You answer my prayer for safety?”

   The Lord responded, “Son. I told you over the radio to get out of there.  Then I sent you a helicopter and  then a motor boat!”‘

 

   This man was very much like the people that run around with their cars near empty of gasoline.  When tragedy such as hurricanes hit, they are stuck because they are not prepared with enough gas to get out of town.  The Lord tells us that “He will never desert us, or ever forsake us.”  (Hebrews 13:5)  That is a wonderful promise to always rely upon, but God does require us to walk not only by faith but sight as well.  He gives us intelligence, and all things necessary to walk this earth.  When we join our assets with the hand of the Lord, then we are living a fulfilled and prosperous life.  Instead of looking for signs, we need to trust God’s Word and live daily by His promises.

  

 

  

 

   One man said to his friend: “Say, you look depressed.  What are you thinking about?”  “My future,” was the quick answer.  “What makes it look so hopeless?”  “My past.”

 

   Men who live in the past remind me of a toy I’m sure all of you have seen.  The toy is a small wooden bird called the “Floogie Bird.”  Around the Floogie Bird’s neck is a label reading, “I fly backwards, I don’t care where I’m going.  I just want to see where I’ve been.”

 

   Do not say, “Why were the former days better than these?”  You do not move ahead by constantly looking in a rear view mirror.  The past is a rudder to guide you, not an anchor to drag you.  We must learn from the past but not live in the past.

 

   Psalm 78:2 says, “I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old.”

 

   Life is a story.  Someone said that it is a parable that we live through day by day.  Parables have hidden meanings, so do events in our daily lives.  Our present and our pasts are important components of who we are.  My mother was such a source for past history.  Not that she was one to dwell on the past, but rather she remembered details about the history she lived.  She was interesting to talk with because she had such a vivid memory.  She could remember sayings that certain people said, and interesting things about people’s character.  Some say she was a treasure chest of days gone by.  I miss her and wish that I had listened more closely to her wisdom and history. 

 

   If our past and our future are such important parts of who we are, and we are living each day obeying the direction of the Holy Spirit, then the outcome of our story will be not only readable but interesting.  A Christian’s life should be lived on the cutting edge.  Always exciting, doing innovative things, trying new ways, discoveries, and of course, never dull or boring.  We can be confident at to where we will spend eternity, and with whom,  but until the final page of our history on this earth is written, some of the blanks are yet to be filled in.  In the meantime, we must share our history and our faith with our children and pass on OUR STORY.