Monday, February 17, 2014

It's a Choice

When I think of my choices and my uncertainty when I don't know what to do, I think of Moses seeing 3-4 millions Egyptians coming towards him and his people, and 2.5 million Israelites looking at him like "What have you gotten us into?" 

Did he doubt? Did he think perhaps he wasn't listening and didn't hear from God completely? Was he reviewing all his past actions and thinking what he should have done differently?

We are not given any reason to believe he doubted. In fact, it seems like when the people came complaining to him saying Moses should have left them alone in Egypt, that they would have been better off serving the Egyptians, and now they would surely die in the wilderness, Moses received an immediate word from God regarding Pharaoh and his army. "Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:13

We have such a contrast between the faith of Moses and that of his followers. They saw the same miracles Moses saw, so that couldn't be it. What makes the difference. Why do some stand in faith and others right next to them fall into doubt and unbelief?

I think I know the answer.

Doubt and unbelief are sin. They are no different than any other sins. Doubt and unbelief are a choice. Moses chose to believe God.

"Choose this day whom you will serve." Joshua 24:15

"You cannot serve two masters." Matthew 6:24 

Exodus 33:13 gives us a glimpse of Moses humanity. Moses asked God to show him His plan; he wanted to avoid the uncertainty, the unknown. But God said no. He said "My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest."

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Our Love is Increasing

I believe God would use more people to bring healing and nurturing to a hurting damaged world if He could just find them. But so often we harden our hearts and go our own ways with little regard to God's commandments. It was after all, His design that the world would recognize Christians by their love. Yet it seems hard for those in the body of Christ to find loving and nurturing people even in the "church." We may go on Sundays but do we pick and choose who we will love? Do we love one another? Do we forgive others their wrongs against us?

2 Thessalonians 1:3 says " We must always thank God for you, brothers and sisters this is only right, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love that everyone of you has for each other is increasing."

I am repenting of my lack of love. I know that true Love comes only from God...for God is Love. I cannot judge others for their lack of love because I also stand condemned. But now I repent. And though it seems impossible that God could even use me as a vessel of Love, I know that He has called me to be that vessel. He has called us all to be that vessel. God does not command us to do something that we cannot do. We may not be capable of being a vessel of Love. But with Christ IN us, as surrendered vessels, we will be vessels who do His good will. Because it is God who completes the good work He began. It is Him doing it, not us. He is faithful; He will do it. Let us surrender ourselves to Him today, completely. Let us not quench  the Holy Spirit.