Free Will Taken Seriously

Free Will Taken Seriously

Exodus 4: ¹³ But he said, “O my Lord, please send by the hand of whomever else You may send.”

 

¹⁴ So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses, and He said: “Is not Aaron the Levite your brother? I know that he can speak well. And look, he is also coming out to meet you. When he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. ¹⁵ Now you shall speak to him and put the words in his mouth. And I will be with your mouth and with his mouth, and I will teach you what you shall do. ¹⁶ So he shall be your spokesman to the people. And he himself shall be as a mouth for you, and you shall be to him as God. ¹⁷ And you shall take this rod in your hand, with which you shall do the signs.”

 

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Seeing the miracles of the rod becoming a serpent and his hand becoming leprous may have convinced Moses that he was talking to GOD. He even was talking to a bush on fire but it was not consumed. But Moses declined GOD’s calling.

 

My Observations:

• GOD tries to include humans in HIS plan to save people and has strong feelings when HE is rejected.
• GOD was still gentle with Moses and HE provided him with an alternative.
• When Moses left Egypt, he must have told Aaron and Miriam which direction he would go so he could be found.

 

Being called into GOD’s plan is not what we want as humans. Moses just wanted to live a content life. He did not want to be rich or famous or powerful. He was speaking to GOD and turned down HIS offer. BUT GOD wanted Moses.

 

GOD shows us something strange. HE did not force Moses to do what HE wanted. HE also showed us that HE will not step in to make us do anything. HE takes the free will HE gave us seriously. HE gave Moses an alternative to consider. Moses could have said “No” again but this time he didn’t. GOD asked Moses to help HIM rescue HIS people. I believe HE is doing the same for you and me.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS anger HE had in the response?
• Have you ever turned down GOD because HE asked you to do something difficult?
• Do you want GOD to do everything and not expect HIM to want you to do something for HIM?

I need “you”

1 Corinthians 12: ¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body.
^18 .But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be

¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be?

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Do it yourself shows are a favorite of mine because I can learn how things are made and pick up a few tricks. To save a few bucks I think I can do anything until I actually start the project and quickly realize I’m in trouble.

I wind up getting an expert who costs twice as much as my original estimate because they have to repair what I broke. I still wonder how I made it home when I tried to repair my own brakes!

• None of us is as good as “all of us.”
• I may think my talents are great until I try to do everything.
• I sometimes have to admit I need “that” person.

GOD made me incomplete.  Yes I am complete in my relationship with HIM but HE made me need other people. I must recognize their GOD given talents and experiences and welcome their help instead of complaining to GOD that I am not made a certain way.

• I should thank GOD for other people because HE made them just as they are.
• I should thank GOD for different opinions because GOD lovers variety.
• I should thank GOD for diverse thought because my thinking can be faulty.

The words “I need you” should pour out of my mouth on a regular basis because I can’t do it all. I must appreciate those who provide the help.

• Do you think other people are better than you because of their title?
• Can you examine yourself to see why you think a position in the church is greater than another?
• Won’t you put your trust in GOD who loves a wide variety of people?

Am I being called to “go?”

Matthew 9:  ³⁵ Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. ³⁶ When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

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As I sat and listened to the preacher request for volunteers to go on trip with him, something different went through my mind and heart that day. My mind began racing, thinking about the poor conditions I would face.

“What would I eat,” “How would I sleep” “what if something goes wrong?” were all the questions that plagued my decision. My heart had the answer that defied all logic, “Don’t worry GO!”

• Humans are not “evolving” rather they are “degrading.”
• Humans scoff at the return of our LORD and savior JESUS.
• Humans are too busy looking at their own situations to help others.

There are many reasons I can think of that would keep me from telling others about the greatness of JESUS. My coworkers would think I’m weird or the global company I work for won’t accept my views or everyone is going in the opposite direction and I don’t want to be singled out. BUT GOD feels different.

• There are so many people out there who need some “good news.”
• There are so many people out there who could use a little “hope.”
• There are so many people out there who want a “loving relationship with GOD.”

When I went on my first trip abroad, many people said “there are plenty of people here who need to hear the same message.” When I got “there” I saw the same need but more people who were willing to listen to the great message of CHRIST. They came in droves as we taught, prayed and cried with them over their plight.

The harvest is truly plentiful and I am glad I listened to my heart.

• Is GOD asking you to speak up about HIS SON?
• What is holding you back from doing more for GOD?
• Can you deliberately be an example or use your mouth to tell someone about GOD?
• Do you have compassion for GOD's humans?
• Isn’t there someone that comes to mind who you can tell about CHRIST?

GOD needs "you!"

Acts 9:1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2and 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. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"

5"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.

"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

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10In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"

"Yes, Lord," he answered.

11The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

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If GOD can use me, he definitely can use you! I don't consider myself a very bad person. I mean I don't rob, cheat or steal. In fact I try to do things the way GOD wants me to as much as I can.

When I compare myself to other humans I think I am pretty good. Comparing myself to others is "the problem." GOD has set a standard for perfection and I am supposed to compare myself to JESUS.

When I compare my life to JESUS, I get depressed. I mean HE is GOD! How can I follow that act? JESUS says "I use broken people, not whole people." GOD knows just who to use in certain circumstances. 

• JESUS looked at my heart when HE chose me.
• JESUS cared enough to choose me, now I want to do more for HIM.
• JESUS understands the wrong that I have done and helps me serve HIM.

GOD understands when someone is messin' with HIS church. When they mess with me they are messin' with HIM. HE chose the worst person for the job from a humans perspective. HE chose Saul who was self righteous, arrogant and the most churchy person you could run into.

He was a person who enjoyed telling other people what they are doing wrong, meanwhile never admitting what he was doing. He was a blamer and had no problems pointing his finger at the wrong others were doing.

GOD saw Saul's personality, zeal and determination and said "I can use that kind of person to draw mankind to ME." JESUS does the same for me.

But what about Ananias? Was he as bad as Saul? Not by comparison, but when Ananias compared his life to JESUS, he was just as bad as Saul. JESUS evens the playing field and looks at every sinner like a wonderful diamond. HE sees the best in me when humans see the worst in me. 

• Can you be used of GOD?
• Are you ashamed about something?
• How can you serve HIM today?
• Is HE telling you to do something "big" and you are scared of trying?
• How can you fail if GOD is telling you to do it?