Monday, March 26, 2012

GOD GUIDES US 24/7 - MOSES' STORY


GOD GUIDES US 24/7 - MOSES' STORY

God, by a pillar of cloud, guided Moses and the Israelites in the daytime and by a pillar of fire at night. The same God that guided them into the promised land is also guiding us today. God wants to direct our path each day because He loves us.

Exodus 13:21 "By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night".

There are so many decisions that we have to make each day – about our studies, career, marriage, family, children, finance, business, future, ministry etc. Sometimes, the pressure to make the right decisions quickly can be daunting. We don't want to make the wrong decision because we don't want to suffer the consequences. We fear making decisions because of making mistakes or ending up in failure. We are left paralysed, and end up not making any decision and letting opportunity slip through our fingers and begin to live in the land of regret.

The good news is that wherever we want to go, God is already there because God is eternal. God lives in the past, present and future at the same time. God created time. God knew us before we were born into this world. He has a clear direction for our lives and our future. We need to be like a sheep following the voice of the shepherd. In the Old Testament, God did not allow Moses and the three million Israelites to wander in the wilderness without any direction. God guided His people by the pillar of cloud during the day and the pillar of fire at night. God led the Israelites through the wilderness 24 hours a day. God did not leave the Israelites to grope around in the dark at night.

We can be assured today that the God who led the Israelites thousands of years ago is leading us today. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. We need ask God to guide us in our decision-making and help us to make the right choices in life. God knows the best for us so we can seek him for His direction every day. God is concerned about every part and matter of our lives. What causes concern to our hearts is a concern to God's heart. Don't be afraid or hesitant to seek God and ask Him to lead us every day. I have made it a lifestyle of asking God about the major decisions for my life and allowed God to lead me through His Spirit, His Word, people and circumstances.

Let us follow the direction of God as the Israelites followed God through the wilderness.


Monday, March 19, 2012

OVERCOMING OBSTACLES - MOSES' STORY


OVERCOMING OBSTACLES - MOSES' STORY

Mose faced some obstacles when Pharaoh did not want to release the Israelites and allow them to go to the promised land. When we do the will of God, we will face some obstacles but God is always there to help us to overcome it.

Exodus 6:1 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country.”

Life would be nice if everything would just fall into place without any trouble or problem. It would have been nice if Moses told the Israelites and Pharaoh the message from God, everyone believed, and the Israelites walked straight out of Egypt without raising a sweat. Unfortunately, life does not always run smoothly – it is filled with challenges and unpleasant surprises. The elders of Israelites believed in Moses after he showed them some signs and wonders but Pharaoh repeatedly refused to let the Israelites go free and travel to the Promised Land. Pharaoh wanted the Israelites to be his slave workers for his multiple building projects. Moses constantly faced opposition from Pharaoh. Moses had to perform ten plagues to convinced Pharaoh to eventually to let the Israelites go free. Even at the last moment, Pharaoh changed his mind and ordered his army to pursue the Israelites who were travelling toward the Red Sea.

Moses had an extraordinary determination to confront his obstacles. He always turned to God to help him overcome every obstacle that Pharaoh tried to put in his way. God was faithful to deliver Moses out of every difficult situation so that His purpose would be fulfilled on earth. Indeed, God is with us and He will help us overcome every obstacle like Moses as we seek to fulfil His plan on earth.

God is more than able to help us overcome our daily challenges so that His name may be glory on earth.


Monday, March 12, 2012

GOD USES WHAT WE HAVE - MOSES' STORY


GOD USES WHAT WE HAVE - MOSES' STORY

Mose had only a staff in his hand and it was enough for God to do miracles through him. God wants to use what we have to do miracles around us rather than what we don't have. Look to God today and He can use what we have in our hands.

Exodus 4:17 "But take this staff in your hand so you can perform the signs with it.”

Moses needed confirmation from God that he was called to set the Israelites free from slavery and Pharaoh. God told Moses to use the staff in his hands to perform signs and miracles so the Israelite and Pharaoh would believe. Moses threw the staff to the ground and it became a snake (Exodus 4:3). Moses raised his staff over the waters of Egypt and it turned to blood (Exodus 7:19). Moses raised his staff over the streams and canals and ponds and it was covered with frogs (Exodus 8:5), Moses raise his staff and the Red Sea parted (Exodus 14:15) and so on.

Sometime, we think we have nothing to give to God. However, we can use whatever God had given us for His glory. When we use whatever limited things we have, God can multiply it much more. We need to start serving God with all the talents and abilities He has given to us and God will cause it to grow even further. Moses only had a simple staff which he used to take care of sheep for 40 years in the wilderness which God used to performed many miracles.

God is able to use the simple things that we have to do extraordinary things for His glory.


Thursday, March 1, 2012

GOD'S CALLING - MOSES' STORY


GOD'S CALLING - MOSES' STORY

God chose Moses, an ex-prince and later shepherd, to lead the Israelites out of Egpyt. Moses has the worst job as a shepherd, but God chose him to do great things. God can use us wherever we are at. There is no limit to what God can do through us.

Exodus 3:1 Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.

God has a special calling upon every person on earth to fulfil His purpose. Sometime we don't feel qualified to serve God because we don't meet His criteria. However, when we look at the life of Moses, we can see that God desires to use everyone for His purpose. Moses was a prince of Egypt, who later became a shepherd in the wilderness because he had committed murder and fled for his life. God did not disqualify Moses because of his past sin but God gave Moses an opportunity to know Him and His plan. God spoke to Moses at the burning bush and called Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, the land of slavery, and into the Promised Land.

When we allow God to use us to fulfil His plan and bring blessings to others, God can use us despite our past and lack of ability.

God can transform us into an instrument that He can use for His glory.