2020-10-27
Hebrews 11:27 NIV
Fourth: You must persevere when life gets difficult. You could sum up the life of Moses in these two words: “He persevered.”
It’s a fact of life that there’s no gain without pain, no advancement without adversity, and no progress without problems. Moses understood that difficulties come into every life, and he knew how to respond to them correctly and move on. And we must learn to do that too. As followers of Christ, we should never let problems defeat us; instead, we should let them draw us closer to God.
Someone has said that we should never let problems get us down – except down on our knees to pray! God allows specific situations in our lives to bring growth. And without perseverance we won’t get very far.
Notice the words “By faith…he persevered.” Faith in what? Faith in whom? Faith in God! We’re not talking here about some white-knuckled, flesh-based form of self-help. No, we’re talking about the fact that when God calls you to do a job, He equips and empowers you. He goes ahead of you and provides everything you need. When you say yes to His plan for your life, you can stand on this promise: “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 NIV).
So you must (a) know who you are; (b) take responsibility for your life; (c) determine your priorities; and (d) persevere when life gets difficult. If you abide by these four Bible truths, you will live a life that is truly blessed by God.
Soul food: 1 Tim 4-6; John 6:52-71; Ps 114; Prov 24:23-25
2020-10-26
Hebrews 11:26 NIV
Third: You must determine your priorities. “He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”
Much of the world’s wealth during that time was stored in Egypt. So Moses already had what most people spend their lives trying to get: popularity, pleasure, and possessions. Yet God asked him to do something that was more important – and he did it. It was a matter of priorities.
Moses could easily have rationalized, “The slave situation is bad, so I’ll stay in the system and work for reform.” Most of us want to be liked, but there’s one big problem with popularity: It never lasts. You can be the big shot on campus for a while, but when you return a few years after graduation, you’ll likely find that nobody thinks you’re special anymore.
Then there’s pleasure. Is pleasure wrong? It isn’t wrong unless it’s sinful.
Then there are possessions. And there’s nothing wrong with material success. Some of the greatest people in the Bible were extremely wealthy, including Abraham and Solomon. But Jesus said, “Life does not consist in an abundance of possessions” (Luke 12:15 NIV).
Ultimately wealth doesn’t bring happiness. Ask the people who have it, “How much money does it take to be happy?” Answer: “Just a little bit more!” Money is to be used – not loved! God wants us to use things and love people. But if we love things we’ll end up using people. Moses had his priorities right; he devalued material things because there was something more important in his life – namely, God’s will!
Soul food: 1 Tim 1-3; John 6:35-51; Ps 127; Prov 24:19-22
2020-10-25
Hebrews 11:25 NIV
Second: You must take responsibility for your life. “Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin” (vv. 24-25 NIV). First, Moses refused to be anyone but himself. Next, he chose to go God’s way.
The principle here is that you can always replace a negative with a positive. You don’t just stop doing something – you start doing something else. The Christian life isn’t a matter of negative rules and regulations. It’s a matter of relationships – with God, with other people, and with yourself.
Notice, Moses made his decision “when he had grown up.” It’s a mark of maturity when you can settle the issue of personal responsibility. When Moses was a baby, it was okay to postpone the decision about who he was. But when he became an adult he had to make a choice, assume responsibility for his own life, and move ahead. It’s always easy to blame others: “I’d go God’s way if my boyfriend or girlfriend, mother or father, husband or wife, would do it too.” Or, “I’d be a better person today if I had better parents.”
You can’t choose all the circumstances that come into your life, but you can choose whether those things will make you a bitter person or a better person. Ultimately no one can ruin your life except you! The Devil can’t, because he doesn’t have enough power – and God won’t, because He loves you. So choose to go God’s way!
Soul food: Matt 6:5-15; Jas 5:13-18; 1 Thes 5:16-18
2020-10-24
Hebrews 11:24 NIV
The life of Moses reveals four issues you must come to grips with in order to succeed in life.
First: You must know who you are. “Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.” Moses was born a Hebrew, but he was raised as an Egyptian by Pharaoh’s daughter. Even though he was being groomed to be second-in-command in Pharaoh’s kingdom, Moses knew God had called him to free his people and lead them out of Egypt. So, he had to make a choice: “What am I going to do with my life? I’m not who these people think I am.” Moses had every comfort he could wish for in the palace, and he could have stayed there.What would you have done? Moses made the right decision, but it meant spending the next eighty years of his life in the desert.
Every one of us must come to grips with our identity. We all have a deep need and desire to accept who we are. Trying to be who we’re not is a quick way to get an ulcer, because it puts us under so much pressure. Moses recognized this tension, and decided to quit pretending. It’s liberating when we stop trying to be somebody we’re not, and accept God’s plan for our life.
How would we remember Moses today if he had stayed in Pharaoh’s court? Maybe as an Egyptian mummy in some museum – or maybe not at all. But he made the hard decision, and in the light of eternity it was the best one. Learn from him!
Soul food: Hab 1-3; John 6:25-34; Ps 98; Prov 24:15-18
2020-10-23
Matthew 7:2 NIV
If you’re the one doing the judging, remember this timeless principle: What goes around comes around. Jesus said, “Do not judge…For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” (vv. 1-2 NIV). It’s called the law of reciprocity, and it guarantees you will get back what you give. It’s not a threat; it’s an immutable law, just like the law of gravity.
You say, “I’m honest; I just tell it like it is. Besides, that person’s sin needs to be exposed!” It’s not about your honesty or their sin, it’s about God’s Word that forbids judging. You may be right and they may be wrong, but judging puts you in violation of Scripture. Plus it sets you up to be judged.
Question: What if the other person has already repented, confessed their sin, and received God’s forgiveness? Think about it: The worst kind of judging is judging sins God has already forgiven and forgotten (See Isaiah 43:25). When we judge others, we’re looking in the wrong direction. We’re avoiding what we don’t want to see – our own shortcomings.
Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?” (Matthew 7:3 NIV). Whatever their “speck” is, it’s God’s business – not yours. Your “plank” is your business! Jesus also said, “They are blessed who show mercy to others, for God will show mercy to them” (Matthew 5:7 NCV). Instead of judging others, start investing in your own “mercy account.” You’ll need it soon enough.
Soul food: Nahum 1-3; John 6:1-24; Ps 85; Prov 24:11-14
2020-10-22
1 Corinthians 4:5 NIV
Judging others is like breathing – it comes naturally. And sometimes the worst critics are Christians who use Scripture as their weapon of choice. So if you’re the one being judged, try to remember these four things:
(1) Show humility. If you’re guilty, admit it to God, yourself, and the appropriate others. Confession brings honesty and spiritual growth (See 1 John 1:9).
(2) Know your Bible. Satan took Scriptures out of context to try to trap Jesus, but Jesus knew the context so He didn’t fall for it (See Luke 4:1-13). When the Bible is taken out of context, remember God isn’t aiming at you. And when you’re rightly judged by God’s Word, don’t despair; it doesn’t mean He’s mad at you. He loves you – just as you love your children even when they disobey, and use their actions as “teaching moments” to develop them. “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and…chastens everyone he accepts as his son” (Hebrews 12:6 NIV).
(3) Don’t be goaded into trying to defend yourself. Judgmental people aren’t interested in facts – they just want to feel good by making you feel bad. Pick your battles wisely, and don’t waste time on the unimportant. Here’s how Paul responded to his critics: “I care very little if I am judged by you or…any human court” (1 Corinthians 4:3 NIV).
(4) Don’t volunteer for the jury. If God doesn’t find you guilty, don’t judge yourself. Follow Paul’s example: “Indeed, I do not even judge myself” (v. 3 NIV). If you’re wrong, confess it, and by God’s grace correct it. Then make up your mind to live your life free from condemnation.
Soul food: 2 Pet 1-3; John 5:31-47; Ps 126; Prov 24:10
