Freed From Complacency

 Freed From Complacency

Exodus 12: ⁴⁰ Now the sojourn of the children of Israel who lived in Egypt was four hundred and thirty years. ⁴¹ And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years—on that very same day—it came to pass that all the armies of the Lord went out from the land of Egypt. ⁴² It is a night of solemn observance to the Lord for bringing them out of the land of Egypt. This is that night of the Lord, a solemn observance for all the children of Israel throughout their generations.

 

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Joseph wanted to see his family do well, even though they plotted evil against him. Joseph was placed over all of Egypt during the severe famine caused by GOD. Joseph gave his father Israel, and his brothers, the land of Goshen. Thing seem to go well while Joseph was alive. But joseph died and new Pharaoh’s rose up. The children of Israel were treated worse than ever before. They cried out to GOD and HE tore down the mindsets of the Egyptians. They left on the same day they moved into Egypt.

 

My Observations:

• GOD used the same day the Israelites moved into Egypt to move them out.
• GOD watched the complacency of the Israelites and forced them out of a place that was harmful to them.
• GOD was watching over the people, but was keeping HIS promise to protect humans so JESUS could be born to save the world.

 

We all want heaven on earth. This means no conflict, no problems and a peaceful existence until we die. BUT GOD knew there would be people who wanted to rob, steal and kill others of their peace.

 

The Israelites just wanted peace, but it came with a price. Joseph believed in following GOD with all his heart. But his brothers would follow the easiest route to worldly success. This mindset was passed down for generations. Eventually, the children of Israel were complacent in being slaves. They even complained when Moses upset their slave processes by confronting Pharaoh. When they lost their straw to make bricks, they turned on Moses.

 

But some time later, GOD destroyed Egypt one plague at a time. HE set them free. The children of Israel stayed in captivity for four hundred thirty years. They say a frog will sit in a pot of water if you turn the heat up slowly. It won’t move and get boiled to death. The children of Israel gave a lesson for you and me. GOD does not want us to become complacent with where we are.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the time and day of the Exodus of the children of Israel?
• Have you become complacent by seeking a meager peaceful existence when GOD wants you to exit to serve HIM in the wilderness?
• Has complacency blinded you to the once powerful view you used to have in GOD?

Staying Too Long

Staying Too Long

Acts 12: ²⁵ And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem when they had fulfilled their ministry, and they also took with them John whose surname was Mark.

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Wanting to see the senior executives and the news people, I stayed around after the meeting was over. I did not know this was a huge mistake as this was a closed meeting that included specific announcements of the future of the company. I just wanted to see and hear things for myself. I was told to leave. This was an undesired result of staying too long.

• There were times when I wanted to see the inception of an idea go to a finished product.
• There were times when I did not understand what was going on so I was more curious than cautions.
• There were times when I overstepped my role and wanted to be in the room when my request went up for discussion.

Barnabas and Saul returned home when they had fulfilled their ministry. There was a finite time for them to be there, serving the people. Perhaps if they served longer, the people would not have grown up. They did not overstay their welcome.

• GOD wants me to have faith when I serve people.
• GOD wants me to plant a seed in people and trust someone else to come along and water it.
• GOD wants me to serve some people for a short time and others for a long time.

Listening to GOD is important because I could overstay my welcome at the place HE originally sent me. After a while I may start discussing comfortable topics rather than highly needed discussions. My fears of keeping the crowd appeased could be placed over speaking what GOD wants me to say.

GOD wants me to listen to HIM and stay in a place only as long as HE desires. HE then will move me to serve another person or group. Heaven is my comfort I look forward to. I am grateful HE protects me here on earth.

• Are you holding onto the same ministry?
• Is GOD trying to move your gifts and talents somewhere else, but you have become comfortable where you are?
• Will you stop seeking retirement comfort and seek GOD’s kingdom no matter how old you are?

Looking for Satisfaction

Hosea 13: ⁴ “But I have been the Lord your God
    ever since you came out of Egypt.
You shall acknowledge no God but me,
    no Savior except me.
⁵ I cared for you in the wilderness,
    in the land of burning heat.
⁶ When I fed them, they were satisfied;
    when they were satisfied, they became proud;
    then they forgot me.

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Struggling to pay bills I cringed when the phone rang knowing it was a credit collector calling. “LORD please help me!” I finally cried out as I began my journey back to following HIM. Eventually I made enough to pay off all my debt and soon I had a decent amount in the bank and investments. “Will you help serve the poor?” was the question posed to me at church. “Not this time, I have to prepare for work, I don’t have time.”

• Once I struggled and cried out to GOD.
• Once I asked GOD if HE even cared.
• Once I begged HIM to take me out of a miserable situation only to be satisfied and forget HIM.

Satisfaction is a problem with me. I mean when I get comfortable in a situation it seems like my prayer goes out the window. In fact complaints crept in where there was once praise. “You mean I have to hear the elevator next to my king suite in this five star hotel?” My mindset had forgotten my MAKER. What should I do?

• GOD says to me “Acknowledge no GOD but ME.”
• GOD says to me “Acknowledge no savior except ME.”
• GOD says to me “Remember ME as long as you live.”

Thankfulness and gratitude should pour from my lips constantly. I should thank GOD for every moment HE allows me to breathe on this planet. Each day HE gives me an opportunity to serve HIM, some days I do and some days I don’t. HE forgives me and I should offer HIM praise instead of complaints. GOD is my satisfaction!

• Are you searching for comfort?
• Do you want satisfaction?
• Can you keep praise on your lips instead of complaints?
• Will you add thankfulness and gratitude to your heart for where GOD has you right now?