Moved for a Reason

Moved for a Reason

Genesis 47: ¹⁸ When that year had ended, they came to him the next year and said to him, “We will not hide from my lord that our money is gone; my lord also has our herds of livestock. There is nothing left in the sight of my lord but our bodies and our lands. ¹⁹ Why should we die before your eyes, both we and our land? Buy us and our land for bread, and we and our land will be servants of Pharaoh; give us seed, that we may live and not die, that the land may not be desolate.”

 

²⁰ Then Joseph bought all the land of Egypt for Pharaoh; for every man of the Egyptians sold his field, because the famine was severe upon them. So the land became Pharaoh’s. ²¹ And as for the people, he moved them into the cities, from one end of the borders of Egypt to the other end. ²² Only the land of the priests he did not buy; for the priests had rations allotted to them by Pharaoh, and they ate their rations which Pharaoh gave them; therefore they did not sell their lands.

 

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Another year passed and the famine was still in full effect. The people had given Egypt all of their money and now they were willing to give up their land. Joseph bought their land in exchange for some bread.

 

My Observations:

• GOD used the famine to move people around who would otherwise never move.
• GOD had a long-term reason for moving the Egyptians to specific locations.
• GOD seemed to be guiding people with the famine to do things they would not have ordinarily have done,

 

Giving up the land that their ancestors lived for centuries was huge. The Egyptians may have had people who fully believed in the polytheistic ways and some did not. There may have been people who simply wanted to live life quietly while tending their land.

 

BUT GOD made a famine so severe that people had to give up their lifestyles and move to places built for them. Joseph must have created a massive building plan to move people into the cities of Egypt. GOD put the Israelites and the Egyptians in close proximity to each other for HIS incredible plan.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the request of the people of Egypt?
• Have you ever wondered why GOD has taken options away from you?
• Can you praise GOD for moving you to where HE wants you, so you can witness HIS deliverance firsthand?

Go Out

Go Out

Genesis 8: ¹⁵ Then God spoke to Noah, saying, ¹⁶ “Go out of the ark, you and your wife, and your sons and your sons’ wives with you. ¹⁷ Bring out with you every living thing of all flesh that is with you: birds and cattle and every creeping thing that creeps on the earth, so that they may abound on the earth, and be fruitful and multiply on the earth.” ¹⁸ So Noah went out, and his sons and his wife and his sons’ wives with him. ¹⁹ Every animal, every creeping thing, every bird, and whatever creeps on the earth, according to their families, went out of the ark.

 

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“It worked! The ark GOD had me build actually worked!” should have been the thought that crossed Noah’s mind. But it didn’t seem like this was the case. Noah had never seen rain before. He and his family were closed up in an ark for a large portion of a year. He had never seen GOD’s wrath, only heard about it.  He saw the Garden of Eden and knew he could not enter it. He had many conversations with the LORD and understood HIM well.

 

My Observations:

• Every human Noah tried to convince was now gone.
• Noah followed instructions well and was probably nervous to make a mistake.
• GOD had to tell Noah to leave the ark even though he knew the ground was dry.

 

Waiting on the LORD for the next step was a quality that Noah demonstrated well. “I’m not going out there” was shown in his hesitancy and cautious approach. BUT GOD had another stage of life for Noah and his family. “Be fruitful and multiply” were the same instructions given to his ancestors Adam and Eve.

 

These words were a blessing instead of a curse. GOD bestowed confidence in humans to create life, just as HE intended. The ordeal was over. But Noah had become comfortable in the ark and was used to the security of the small space. BUT GOD had a different agenda. HE wanted the earth populated with humans, animals and bugs. Noah had to leave his adopted comfort zone to do what GOD saved him for.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this conversation with Noah?
• Has GOD ever rescued you and you have become comfortable with something that HE meant to be temporary?
• Have you asked GOD for the faith to “go out” of your comfort zone to do the next step of HIS plan for you?

Cautious Perspective

Cautious Perspective

Genesis 8: ⁶ So it came to pass, at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made. ⁷ Then he sent out a raven, which kept going to and fro until the waters had dried up from the earth. ⁸ He also sent out from himself a dove, to see if the waters had receded from the face of the ground. ⁹ But the dove found no resting place for the sole of her foot, and she returned into the ark to him, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth. So he put out his hand and took her, and drew her into the ark to himself. ¹⁰ And he waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark. ¹¹ Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth. ¹² So he waited yet another seven days and sent out the dove, which did not return again to him anymore.

 

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Salvation came with a price. While Noah and his family were saved, everyone else had died. The ark came to a sudden stop. No more rocking in the waves. Noah was probably nervous that the judgment of GOD was not finished. He may have noticed the predators were getting restless for the first time since the journey began. He chose a raven as his scout to see if he could unlock the door of the ark, knowing he only had one chance to open the door correctly.

 

My Observations:

• GOD shut the door and made it flood.
• Noah only had one chance to open the door and if he did it too soon, all would be lost.
• The ark may have landed in a way that no one could clearly see what was going on with the water and they had to rely on birds to bring back evidence that things were alright.

 

From walking daily with the LORD to being shut into an ark with a scared family, predators and prey; Noah was probably nervous. He had not heard anything from the LORD and the animals were probably showing him that the time was near to set everything free.

 

This mountain top experience was very scary and carried a huge responsibility. “What if I mess up?” may have been a question on Noah’s mind. But he kept his wits and cautiously got a perspective. It was time to leave the ark.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Noah’s cautious approach?
• Have you ever experienced deliverance from a huge problem that made you scared or nervous to take the next step?
• Can you take a deep breath and move forward with GOD, one step at a time?

Not Shaken

 

Not Shaken

Hebrews 12: ²⁵ Be careful, then, and do not refuse to hear him who speaks. Those who refused to hear the one who gave the divine message on earth did not escape. How much less shall we escape, then, if we turn away from the one who speaks from heaven! ²⁶ His voice shook the earth at that time, but now he has promised, “I will once more shake not only the earth but heaven as well.” ²⁷ The words “once more” plainly show that the created things will be shaken and removed, so that the things that cannot be shaken will remain.

 

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Over the course of years, I had amassed a a great selection of music. I had “taped” music from the “radio” and other places. It brought me joy to play my music loudly driving down the street. One day I walked out and noticed my window was broken out. All my tapes were stolen!

 

• I felt shaken.
• I felt a tremendous loss because each song was calculated in a specific order.
• I felt my car had lost its value because of a broken window.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, warns people to listen to promises of GOD. He compares the message from heaven as being greater than the message of humans. One promise mentioned is that GOD will shake all of creation and human made things will be removed.

 

My Observations:

• I may lose my stuff, BUT GOD promises to always be with me.
• I may have stuff broken into BUT GOD has a place where no thief can reside.
• I may wear out my clothes own things that rust and live in a place that contracts mold, BUT GOD’s love will always remain in my heart.

 

GOD cannot be stolen. I mean, some people have tried to make GOD in his or her image to get people to bow down to them so they can get more stuff. GOD sees this and tears down every kingdom that is not HIS. HE then fortifies HIS kingdom to protect it from anything that can harm it.

 

His primary message is to love HIS SON JESUS with all our hearts and minds. HE then says love one another. This love cannot be stolen or shaken when tough times arise. I am grateful GOD holds onto me even when I feel like letting go.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer talking about when mentioning “things that cannot be shaken?”
• Have you ever experienced a loss of something material but you came out of it alive?
• Will you focus on growing GOD’s kingdom and listen to HIS words of urgency regarding the return of JESUS?

Scared Straight

Scared Straight

Acts 19: ¹⁷ When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. ¹⁸ Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. ¹⁹ A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. ²⁰ In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

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“Jackpot, I found a checkbook” a friend of mine said. Broke and hungry we thought of ways we could use this to our advantage, although I felt something say “this is wrong.” We didn’t want to “steal” so we simply went to the grocery store and bought goods that would last us a month. On the way home my car broke down. The cost to repair was almost exactly half of what we spent.

• There were times when I knew I was doing something wrong but did it anyway.
• There were times when I lied to myself, trying to justify what I knew was wrong.
• There were times when I thought I could get away with something only to find myself in a worse spot.

Some people who wanted notoriety, tried to cast out demons in the name of JESUS who Paul preached about. A demon responded to them through the possessed man and stripped them naked, beating them bloody in the process. The news of this scared many. They believed in JESUS, confessed what they had done and turned from their deep sin.

• GOD wants me to come to HIM when I am not scared.
• GOD wants me to believe in JESUS when things are going well.
• GOD wants me to accept HIS gift of love when I am not worried, afraid or hurt.

Love is shown by GOD all the time. Unfortunately, I ignore it until something goes wrong. Sometimes something major has to go wrong for me to turn my eyes to GOD. Fortunately for me, GOD is gentle, kind, peaceful and full of love.

Not only does HE allow me to choose a path of calamity, HE does not rub it in my face when I return to HIM, begging HIM for forgiveness. Instead, HE welcomes me back with open loving arms. I am glad GOD’s grace is sufficient.

• Are you hiding something?
• Do you think you are getting away with the thing you did?
• How long do you want to remain a prisoner to your hidden sin?
• Will you confess publicly what you have done and turn away from your sins by believing JESUS is your Savior today?

Expect It

Expect It

John 15: ²⁰ Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. ²¹ But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.

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When I ran a large department of the company, I noticed my peers acting different. The people who rose up with me were fighting against me. I asked a mentor what was going on. “Of course they are fighting” they said. “There is only so much budget to hand out and you are going to have to fight for it, so get ready to grow up!”

• Sometimes hearing I have to grow up makes me upset.
• Sometimes hearing I need to take on huge challenges makes me feel unsettled.
• Sometimes hearing I should be strong makes me want to be weak.

JESUS spoke to HIS followers and said the world would persecute them. These words could be unsettling, but they were meant in comfort. How in the world could news about persecution be comforting?

• GOD wants me to be aware that an enemy will try to stop me from spreading the gospel.
• GOD wants me to be prepared so I will not get discouraged when I face issue after issue.
• GOD wants me to be ready to ask HIM for strength rather than relying on my own.

Readiness is what GOD is teaching when HE tells me that life would bring problems. HE wants me to be prepared to face the world so I can ask HIM for protection. Suffering produces perseverance; perseverance produces character; and character produces hope. This is a tough message but necessary. I am glad GOD teaches me what to expect so I can grow.

• Are you going through problems?
• Have you been going through problems for a long time?
• Will you allow GOD to grow you instead of giving up?

Strange Timing

Mark 10: ³² Now they were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, and Jesus was going before them; and they were amazed. And as they followed they were afraid. Then He took the twelve aside again and began to tell them the things that would happen to Him: ³³ “Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and to the scribes; and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him to the Gentiles; ³⁴ and they will mock Him, and scourge Him, and spit on Him, and kill Him. And the third day He will rise again.”

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News of a reorganization spread rampantly throughout the company. Fear set in and not many people were working. I had not been through this before so I was ambivalent. One mentor approached me and said to me “I have been let go, I need you to take over the daily inspirational message.” “What!? You have been let go?” was the only thing I heard.

• Some messages have been given to me when I was shocked.
• Some messages have been delivered to me when I was not prepared.
• Some messages have been said to me when I was not mature enough to handle it.

Blah, blah, blah, Death, blah, blah was probably what the disciples heard. I mean they were stunned at the latest news that JESUS was not trying to become a worldly kind of king. They were afraid and all kinds of thoughts were running through their minds. They were probably thinking “What have I got myself into?” BUT JESUS had a purpose.

• JESUS wants me to know HIS death was because of my sin.
• JESUS wants me to know HIS resurrection took care of all my sins, even the ones I will commit five minutes from now.
• JESUS wants me to know HE now has all authority placed under HIM so I can mention HIS name with boldness.

When news about sickness, hurt, and sorrow come at the time when I at my lowest, I sometimes ask GOD, “What!” BUT GOD has a message of comfort HE is trying to get through to me. The disciple probably missed “And the third day HE will rise again” which is the good news!  HE wants me to hear the good when the news is difficult.

• Did you just get some difficult news?
• Did the tough news come when you already feeling low?
• Can you hear GOD’s message of deliverance even though it looks bleak right now?

Talking Scared

Mark 9: ² Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John, and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them. ³ His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them. ⁴ And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus. ⁵ Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”— ⁶ because he did not know what to say, for they were greatly afraid.

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“What were you all doing?” said one of the pledge leaders in the fraternity. Scared out of my wits, I blurted out the truth. “We got delayed looking for our line brothers” I said. “Wait a minute, they said they were with you.”

• There have been times when I was in trouble.
• There have been times when I thought I had to say something.
• There have been times when I needed to keep my mouth shut long enough to understand the situation.

I was actually not trying to get anyone in trouble, just save our hides. Peter had no clue what he was saying. He did not question the fact that Elijah and Moses were right there in front of them after being written about hundreds if not thousands of years prior. He was so scared that he blurted what was top of mind.

• GOD wants me to recognize HIS amazing power.
• GOD wants me to be prepared when HE shows me HIS face.
• GOD wants me to seek out HIS amazement on a daily basis.

JESUS will return soon someday and I need to be ready for an amazing appearance. I don’t know how prepared I can be, but I do know I would prefer HIM to catch me in the act of doing something HE wants me to do.

• When you get frightened do you blurt out the first words that come to mind?
• Before you speak, can you ask GOD “Is this what you want me to say?”
• Will you slow down when you are frightened and let GOD give you the right words?”

It’s Not the Storm

Matthew 8: ²³ Then he got into the boat and his disciples followed him. ²⁴ Suddenly a furious storm came up on the lake, so that the waves swept over the boat. But Jesus was sleeping. ²⁵ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Lord, save us! We’re going to drown!”

²⁶ He replied, “You of little faith, why are you so afraid?” Then he got up and rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm.

²⁷ The men were amazed and asked, “What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the waves obey him!”

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Paralyzed with fear, I did not know what to say. I was in front of a big crowd for the first time and had to say some very bad news regarding money. Every word that came out of my mouth was salted with trembling tones. I was scared!

• There are moments I have been filled with fear.
• There are times when I have been afraid.
• There are situations that seem so frightening that I just want out!

Being filled with fear makes me want to run home and cry. When the storm of life turns into a torrent, I cry out to GOD “Don’t YOU hear me?” BUT GOD handles me gently.

• GOD asks me “Why are you afraid?
• GOD says to me “Focus on ME, not the storm.”
• GOD tells me “I AM going to strengthen you so other storms will not break you.”

Each stormy gale I face makes me stronger for the next. GOD sees my meager faith and wants it to grow. HE allows situations to happen and little by little I turn to HIM instead of relying on me.

Saying “We’re going to drown!” is not showing GOD faith. I know that sounds harsh and by no means do I take drowning lightly. GOD wants me to have faith enough to know HE will take me through storms in order to serve HIS purpose. I can also have the faith to know that when I finish serving HIS purpose, HE will take me home to say “well done.”

• Are you nervous about something?
• Do you feel afraid?
• Can you stop thinking about your situation for a moment to ask GOD for your purpose?
• Will you seek what GOD will have you do today?

Fear of Failure

Psalm 16: ⁵ Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup;
    you make my lot secure.
⁶ The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.
⁷ I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;
    even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸ I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

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As I made my next move I decided to vet my idea to a few people. One person said I should “go left” another said “go right” another said “wait” and another said “charge.” When it was all said and done I was confused and went nowhere. Shortly after, another person who overheard the idea took it and ran with it, receiving accolades. I was indecisive.

• Unknown trails are scary to me.
• Fear of failing causes me to stay put.
• Impatience causes me to have knee-jerk reactions rather than calculated moves.

One definition of fear is wanting and desiring success or peace, but not taking any steps to get there. Whether it’s under or overthinking, fear cascades through my mind, thinking the worst could happen. Fear gets larger the more responsibility I take on. BUT GOD has some good advice for me.

• GOD says to me “Fear not, for I AM with you.”
• GOD says to me “MY grace is sufficient.”
• GOD says to me “I will wipe away your tears.”

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places and I can see the delightful inheritance of GOD. HE is the only one who can bring peace in the middle of the storm. HE whispers, so I need to quiet down to hear HIM and HIM alone, especially when others around me are confused or panicked. GOD wants me to hear HIM so I will not be shaken.

• Are you shaken?
• Do you have fear?
• Can you put your fear in GOD rather than on the thing you want so badly?
• Will you seek GOD’s comfort by telling HIM, out loud, what is bothering you?
• Can you prepare yourself for GOD to say “No” or “Wait” or “Yes” in HIS time?