ounted them but one thing I do know that while we have trouble identifying with those we read about, they were really just ordinary folks exactly like we are. Lately I've been thinking much about the people God chose to carry out His work as I have been preparing to present a verse by verse exp
osition of the Apostle Paul's letters to two of his main assistants, Titus and Timothy. One of the things that really blows me away is how God knows everything about everyone before, during, after, even our future failures, and yet He still loves us, chooses us, calls us, saves us, and enables us to serve Him.We t
hink of Moses and how he is revered as a great leader and a great man. But when we read the texts we find he grew up with extraordinary privilege as provided by God. According to Stephen's sermon in Acts 7, Moses had been fully educated in all the schooling available in Egypt. Stephen informed us that he was a man of mighty speech and capability. However, at age 40 he was driven out of his posh surroundings and for the next 40 years he led the life of a nomad shepherd on the back side of a desert. God was not unaware of Moses' situation. In fact, God was aware of every detail of the life of Moses from before Moses was conceived. At age 80, God called Moses to become His chosen leader to bring the nation of Israel out of bondage. Forty years had changed Moses. As God called him, he made all kinds of excuses as to why he would not be able to do this great task including the fact that he was now a stuttering speaker. What a contrast and what a wonderful example of how God prepares those He trains. As pe
ople today think about leadership models and I was involved directly in this as part of my profession at one time, they typically see something quite different than what God looks for. We know this from a statement made about Moses found in Numbers chapter 12. Here we are told that Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth. The old preachers used to say that Moses filled himself up with Egypt for forty years and it took God forty years to empty out of Moses the things He didn't want in his life.
hink of Moses and how he is revered as a great leader and a great man. But when we read the texts we find he grew up with extraordinary privilege as provided by God. According to Stephen's sermon in Acts 7, Moses had been fully educated in all the schooling available in Egypt. Stephen informed us that he was a man of mighty speech and capability. However, at age 40 he was driven out of his posh surroundings and for the next 40 years he led the life of a nomad shepherd on the back side of a desert. God was not unaware of Moses' situation. In fact, God was aware of every detail of the life of Moses from before Moses was conceived. At age 80, God called Moses to become His chosen leader to bring the nation of Israel out of bondage. Forty years had changed Moses. As God called him, he made all kinds of excuses as to why he would not be able to do this great task including the fact that he was now a stuttering speaker. What a contrast and what a wonderful example of how God prepares those He trains. As pe
ople today think about leadership models and I was involved directly in this as part of my profession at one time, they typically see something quite different than what God looks for. We know this from a statement made about Moses found in Numbers chapter 12. Here we are told that Moses was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth. The old preachers used to say that Moses filled himself up with Egypt for forty years and it took God forty years to empty out of Moses the things He didn't want in his life.I read the other day from the letter James, the Senior Pastor at Jerusalem
, wrote to build up and encourage his scattered flock. In the closing paragraphs of that short letter he instructed them to pray to God and to be reminded of Elijah's great prayer results. James told them Elijah was a man, a human being, just like they were, yet he prayed and God caused a great drought to come on the land for three and one half years. He prayed again and God caused it to rain. Now if you go back and read the life of Elijah you will find some remarkable things God accomplished through this Prophet. However, you will also find a man who had his own set of is
sues, problems, faults, and failures. Elijah allowed his fear for his life to cause him to flee from Jezebel the Queen. He became depressed and despondent and even suicidal. God continued to love and care for Elijah and He brought him back to recovery and Elijah was able to return to the ministry God had given to him.
, wrote to build up and encourage his scattered flock. In the closing paragraphs of that short letter he instructed them to pray to God and to be reminded of Elijah's great prayer results. James told them Elijah was a man, a human being, just like they were, yet he prayed and God caused a great drought to come on the land for three and one half years. He prayed again and God caused it to rain. Now if you go back and read the life of Elijah you will find some remarkable things God accomplished through this Prophet. However, you will also find a man who had his own set of is
sues, problems, faults, and failures. Elijah allowed his fear for his life to cause him to flee from Jezebel the Queen. He became depressed and despondent and even suicidal. God continued to love and care for Elijah and He brought him back to recovery and Elijah was able to return to the ministry God had given to him.You and I today may rule ourselves out of being usable in God's service. For some, that's an easy way out and an excuse. But far too many have believed the lies of the enemy in thinking their failings have ruined any and all opportunities to serve and be in ministry. God is very much into working with vessels that need repair and He is the Master Potter. We may not be able to do what we once did but we can, with His help, do what He provides for us to do, now! And, if we are His child and we are still breathing air, then our race is not over. It will not b
e over until we hear the heavy set angel singing. (I had to throw that in.) But until then, you and I need to find ourselves busy about our Father's business as the first priority in our life. This encourages me and I do hope and pray it encourages you as well. What a privilege to be used by God in His Kingdom's work, in any capacity at all! May God bless and have a great Wednesday. .....More later.
e over until we hear the heavy set angel singing. (I had to throw that in.) But until then, you and I need to find ourselves busy about our Father's business as the first priority in our life. This encourages me and I do hope and pray it encourages you as well. What a privilege to be used by God in His Kingdom's work, in any capacity at all! May God bless and have a great Wednesday. .....More later.
1 comment:
I guess the hardest part is finding out what that "service" is, and where you are supposed to help. Im tempted to just find something and dive in...
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