Category: Spiritual Gifts/Callings

Moses’ Questions: Who, What, When, Where, and How?

Happy New Year! Mine came in with a blast! No, I wasn’t at a celebratory event with a group of family or friends, nor was I having a quiet romantic evening with a significant other or out watching the Times Square ball drop or beautiful flaring fireworks. I ended 2023 alone at home on my laptop in a virtual church service. And I received an unexpected, much-needed, powerful message to take me into 2024 and one I should carry throughout the rest of the year.

The scripture: Exodus 33:12-23. The bible character: Moses. The situation: He’s questioning God. Key words: The Lord’s presence. The overall gist: Stay in God’s presence, in communication for a more peaceful, restful year. The key verse: My presence shall go with thee, and I will give you rest. This is the Lord’s answer to Moses’ question. The words instantly resonated with me. I knew it was what I would need for 2024.

If you read Moses’ story in the Bible, you’ll learn how from God’s initial call to him to lead the Israelite community out of Egyptian bondage and throughout Moses’ performing the task, he stayed in contact with God and asked Him a lot of questions. Moses had doubts and was apprehensive and insecure. We are too. He recognized the monumental task and the skills one would need to fulfill it—leadership ability, people skills, public speaking and organization skills, physical strength and stamina, and confidence. Moses had none of these. He needed assurance, and God did oblige him.

In Exodus 3:11, Moses doubts his ability to perform the task. The Lord replies in verse 12 saying, “Surely I will be with you.” Moses presents his concerns to God about the people believing he was sent or paying attention to him (Exodus 3:13 and 4:1). God responds in verse 14, “I AM that I AM…You must say this to the Israelites, ‘I AM has sent me to you,” and in Exodus 4:3-9, The Lord gives Moses a sign. Next, Moses laments his speaking ability (Exodus 4:10). The Lord assures him in 4:11-12, “The Lord said to him, ‘…So now go, and I will be with your mouth and will teach you what you must say.’” Finally, Moses requests the Lord to send someone else (Exodus 4:13). In verses 4:14-16, the Lord does get a bit perturbed with Moses but does oblige him. He says, “… What about your brother Aaron the Levite? I know that he can speak very well.” 

Now, in this text my brother shared at our New Year’s service, Moses is well into fulfilling his calling. He has led the Israelites to a certain point but not yet into the land of promise. There is more journeying to do, yet Moses is still in contact with the Lord. What’s happening? What prompts Moses’ question this time? He’s wondering, how will he know, who will go with him, and whether he will have the Lord’s favor. You see, so much had happened. The Israelites angered God and broke the bond they had with Him. As a result, the Lord shifted. He did not detract from His promise but had to reprimand them. Moses recognizes this yet maintains his personal, intimate communion with God. He needs to know God’s redirected plan in getting the Israelites to their ultimate destination—the promised land. Moses dares not leave God out, take matters into his own hands, or think he could manage the rest of the mission on his own. He stays focused, remains humble, and stays close to God for what to do next; this was the Lord’s people and promise to them.

We too should never get to a place of complacency or overconfidence during our Christian journey. It’s easy for us, at times, to begin to rely on our abilities, and/or our skills or strength, and think, “I got this!” This is a caution for me because the Lord has given me a good degree of smarts; I can make things happen. However, we can’t afford this level of confidence when it comes to God’s kingdom life because it does not rely upon or operate as the world. Whether simply living day by day to become a more fruitful Christian or fulfilling a specific calling, we always need to hear from the Lord. The Church can not afford to sideline the Holy Spirit on Church affairs.  Perhaps we have left out the Holy Spirit in how we now function, you think?

Like Moses, we need not fear to ask God questions, to hear His voice, to know his word, and to receive his direction and encouragement for us. We should always keep our communication with God open to receive His assurance we’re going the right way and that His presence is with us.

Be blessed until next time! 🙂

 

Gratitude During the Holiday Season

My Thanksgiving holiday turned out well.  I’m grateful my family and I made it through another year to experience another holiday season, which was different for me but nice. I wasn’t much for cooking anything this year, and the current mood this multiple sclerosis has placed me in is one where solitude, isolation, and few group gatherings appeal to me. So, my sister, brother, his wife, and I went out to eat at a seafood restaurant (one of my favs). They served the traditional Thanksgiving turkey and other trimmings. I was grateful to eat regularly again because my appetite had changed to only one meal a day. Overall, it was a nice outing for me, and I enjoyed our time together.

The quick ride back to my home was also something I was grateful for.  I immediately curled up under my blanket, watched movies, and slept all weekend. I was very tired and needed to do this. I’ve been tutoring quite a bit—college students with essay college writing and 3rd/4th-grade children in ELA and math. I even took on a few substitute sessions with a 7th/8th grade group and 1st/2nd graders. I enjoy tutoring! I’m still grateful for how the Lord opened this opportunity for me to work from home. It aligns perfectly with the limitations I have due to multiple sclerosis.

I recognized an opportunity by tutoring these kids. They are always in my heart, and I’m troubled by the things they are experiencing so young. I have a chance to show them Jesus Christ’s love. It’s not always about preaching to them. Besides, I can’t mention God or Christ to kids in the public school system anyway; it’s prohibited. Nonetheless, through my smile, warmth, inclusiveness, and conversations with them, I’m able to make them feel wanted, accepted, and capable of learning. I inspire them by telling them, “You can learn English and math.”  I encourage them despite the struggles I see many of them have. I shared the struggles I had in reading at their age and let them know they too could overcome their challenges. This is very much a part of witnessing, I think–demonstrating God’s love. It’s exciting too, discovering the differences in how I was taught and how they are being taught. They’re showing me something new and I adapt.  I, in turn, show them some of the old-school tricks I used as a youngster, and they’re amazed. It’s a great exchange between the generations.

So, I have a lot I’m grateful for this holiday season—small, everyday things. I’m also grateful my newest granddaughter was born healthy and without any problems. Ayla Grace was born on November 13th to my son and his new wife. It amazes me how alert the babies are today. I remember a time we would sit watching a newborn, prodding him or her to open their eyes. Not so with Ayla; she’s wide awake and alert! Lol

Finally, my book is nearing completion, and I’m grateful for the progress. I’m looking forward to having it published by early next year. Please click this link to add your email to my author’s list, so I can notify you when it goes to print and receive suggestions of other terrific books to read.

That’s all for this month. I simply wanted to chat. I hope all of you enjoyed your holiday as well and have found things to truly be grateful for. Please, comment, join the conversation, and share how your Thanksgiving was. I’d love to hear.

All the best, and stay blessed until next time… 🙂

“In every situation [no matter what the circumstances] be thankful and continually give thanks to God; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (AMP)

In It, But Not of It: Huh? Part 2

Last month, we looked at Jesus’ words to the disciples in John 15:18-21, where He said,

“If you belonged to the world, the world would love you as its own. However, because you do not belong to the world, but I chose you out of the world, for this reason the world hates you. Remember what I told you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they obeyed my word, they will obey yours too. But they will do all these things to you on account of my name because they do not know the one who sent me.”

We concluded how:

  • Sometimes Jesus’ statements are hard to grasp or accept.
  • Jesus equates those who have accepted Him with Himself.
  • Jesus suggests a mind shift to now seeing ourselves as not a part of this world, although we live here.
  • This “spirit of the world” opposes the Spirit of God. It does not know God or accept Jesus Christ’s ways, teachings, or message. It hates God and His Son, Jesus.
  • We too will experience hatred and opposition as His disciples. We should expect this and not seek any comradery with or acceptance by the world.

In continuing this discourse about “not being of the world,” in John 17, we find Jesus this time talking to His Father, God about it. He prays in verses 13-19, 

“But now I am coming to you, and I am saying these things in the world, so they may experience my joy completed in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but that you keep them safe from the evil one. They do not belong to the world just as I do not belong to the world. Set them apart in the truth; your word is truth. Just as you sent me into the world, so I sent them into the world. And I set myself apart on their behalf, so that they too may be truly set apart.”

Jesus knows He is about to physically leave them. He confirms with God how the disciples: (1) now belong to Him because they accepted His truthful words; (2) were sent out to proclaim His word, and they went; and (3) they no longer belong with the world but are now with and for Him and God. On this basis then, Jesus asks the Father: not to take them out of the world; to set them apart from the world (or distinguish them) by the truth; and to protect and keep them from the evil one or evil spirit that runs the world. Again, Jesus equates the disciples with Himself, “[Father] they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world.”  God sent Jesus; Jesus sends us. The preservation Jesus asks for is about a distinction Christians should have and a work for which they were chosen–to proclaim God’s kingdom and Jesus’ message of being Savior of the world.  They needed divine power, protection, and sanctifying grace for this.

So, Jesus commits them to the custody and care of God. But it’s not just for them. He continues in vss. 20-23,

“I am not praying only on their behalf, but also on behalf of those who believe in me through their testimony, that they will all be one, just as you, Father, are in me and I am in you. I pray that they will be in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me. The glory you gave to me I have given to them, that they may be one just as we are one–I in them and you in me–that they may be completely one, so that the world will know that you sent me, and you have loved them just as you have loved me.”

That’s us, folks! 😊 One day, we heard or read the disciples’ testimony about Jesus Christ in the Bible, or someone told us; we believed and accepted it. So, we too, are called out of the world and sent into it with a specific message to share. We unite with other believers to testify of God’s love and show forth Jesus’ oneness with God. Others will also believe and glorify God as we proclaim Jesus’ message in the world.  For such, we’re in it, but not of it.

Author and Pastor Ray Stedman agrees about not being a part of the world. He writes on his Ray Stedman Daily Devotion website a devotion titled, “The Way of Health” at https://www.raystedman.org/daily-devotions/nehemiah/the-way-of-health, “We must never forget that we are in the world but not of it. We are never to settle down here for good. I love the way C. S. Lewis has put it: ‘Our kind heavenly Father has provided many wonderful inns for us along our journey, but he takes special care to see that we never mistake any of them for home.’ We are pilgrims and strangers, passing through this world. We are involved in it, deeply sometimes, but we are never to see ourselves as a part of it.”

May we receive the grace to understand and accept this truth from Jesus while still here. May we unite as never before as the early church did–sharing the message of the Gospel of Christ, keeping the unity of the faith, and staying close together.

Blessings until next time! 😊 

GOD is good–all the time!

“God is good all the time, and all the time God is good.” How true this saying is. It’s God’s very nature to only be and show His goodness. As such, goodness is what Jesus demonstrated to others when He was here. Let’s follow Him!

A cliché, “God is good all the time, and all the time God is good” is one I hear many people saying quite frequently as I go about my day—even by people I never met. I know among my race, a lot of the women many times jovially, loudly, and joyously greet one another with this saying. Whoever was the first to proclaim it and begin its circulation started a good thing, because it is true. It’s one thing to say it, however, and another to really experience it. But everyone can know God’s goodness without measure because He lavishes in goodness and mercy.

Surely, the Bible, especially the Psalms, proclaims God as being good. It’s His nature. It’s not surprising then to hear in Acts 10:38 from Peter —a disciple who frequently traveled with Jesus–say, “With respect to Jesus from Nazareth, that God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power. He went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil because God was with him.” So, you see, while here, Jesus wasn’t walking around living “high on the hog,” with his chest out and head lifted arrogantly high bragging about being God’s son. No! Jesus was living among people doing good for them.

Can you imagine always being and doing good and never having an evil or bad day? I wish, but we can’t, not here on Earth. Nonetheless, this is who God the Father is, and what Jesus Christ did for all people, all the time. Jesus relied on the Holy Spirit’s anointing and power to be this way. Wow!

It’s God’s goodness that chased you down and offered you His Son, Jesus Christ, whom you have accepted, or if not yet, you CAN receive right now if you believe the testimony about Him. Let’s follow Jesus and avail ourselves of this anointing and power from God’s Holy Spirit to be and do good to others. Surely, evil situations are escalating in our world so much so, the need is great for good people to emerge and apply a healing voice or touch to the situation.

I do not own any rights to this music.

CeCe Winans, also, in her “Believe for It” album sings about this Goodness of God. Listen! Thank Him! Spread it–God’s kind of goodness, that is! 🙂

Be blessed until next time.

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A Mother’s Treasured Heart

Luke 2:19 (NIV) tells the story of how Jesus’ mother, Mary, treasured up and pondered in her heart words the Shepherds spoke about Jesus Christ. After the angel revealed to them who Christ was, they went to find this child. They found Mary and Joseph with the child and proclaimed to them and those nearby everything the angels had said about Jesus.  Verse 17 says, “When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child…and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ” The scripture goes on to say about his mother, “But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Surely, Mary was just as amazed as the others by what the shepherds said. She did not fully understand what these words meant about the child she had just given birth to.

However, she “treasured” and “pondered” on them, the text says. These words reflect more than just simply thinking about something. These words are used as verbs here, which denote an action Mary took. Meriam Webster defines treasure as, “to hold or keep as precious; or “to collect and store up (something of value) for future use.” Ponder means, “to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply.” Mary heard the shepherds’ words, wondered what they meant and thought deeply about them, considered them of excellent value, and quietly stored them deep inside her heart. The scripture does not tell us another angel appeared to explain all this to her. Nor does it say how Mary discussed it with her husband, Joseph, or ran to tell her friends. She didn’t even dance around the room in glee at this announcement.

On the contrary, Mary was struck by the idea she was responsible for raising an incredibly special child. The announcement was extraordinary. In her bewilderment, she made a mature decision. Quietly and wisely, Mary stored the words from the shepherds deep within her heart. Somehow, I belive Mary understood–at that moment–those words would be the arsenal she would need to draw from as Jesus, the Christ, would grow “… in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man” (Luke 2:52). Now, things are becoming clearer for Mary.

May we follow Mary’s example with the children we’ve been gifted to love, care for, and guide. Surely, being a mother has its quirks and foibles. From our first look at our children, we don’t immediately know what will follow. Sometimes we want to know everything about our kids, or we try to craft them into what we want them to be. Instead, let’s do as Mary did and treasure the special moments we share with them and ponder in our hearts those special conversations when they are revealing themselves to us. As God did for Mary, in time, He will reveal to us our kids’ unique characteristics or abilities. Because, like Jesus, every child has a purpose when they are conceived.

Be blessed until next time…!

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