Celebrate 3

Exodus 18:10-12

Thanksgiving has always been one of those wonderful holiday memories I carry with me. The day is very special because it is such a celebration of the goodness of life. I remember all the years as a child and a teen-ager and now, even as an adult, the times we have gathered as family. On those holidays so many come together to fill the house and share in abundance.

It is more than just an opportunity to eat too much food. It is a time to re-connect with loved ones we haven’t seen in months and months. It is a time to meet new people who are now part of the lives of those we know.

After Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt they began their long journey through the wilderness. As they traveled Jethro, the father-in-law of Moses, heard of what the Israelites had gone through and so came to Moses bringing with him Moses’ wife.

What words of celebration does Jethro offer? What is his realization? What do Jethro, Moses and Aaron and all the others do together?

Although our holiday of Thanksgiving is meant to commemorate the pilgrims and their survival in the new world, this instance in Exodus reminds me very much of the holiday. Relatives on both sides of the family along with other important people in Moses’ life gather together for a celebration.

Praise is offered to God for all the goodness God has shown. Honor is given to God for His provision. Then God is celebrated with a special meal, and that gathering involves friends and family, and those related by marriage.

As we celebrate our holiday this year we must follow the pattern set by Moses. We should give our thanks to God for what He has done for us. We should celebrate the goodness we have in our lives. And that celebration should not be complete unless we have included not only those who are “insiders” in our life, but the outsider as well.

The gladness and joy we feel for how God has blessed us should overflow in abundance, not just for us, but in an abundance we can share with others.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you share your celebration of God’s goodness?

Take It By the Tail 4

Isaiah 45:1-3

First a history quiz. Who is Cyrus that is mentioned in verse 1?
a. A guy with an achy breaky heart?
b. Hannah Montana's true identity?
c. A great Jewish leader?
d. None of the above?

If he’s so highly esteemed in the Old Testament, he must be a great Jewish leader, right?

Wrong. Cyrus was actually a Persian king (today's Iran) who is considered as the world’s first defender of human rights. The picture at right is something called the Cyrus Cylinder. In the 2500 year old writing, Cyrus promotes religious tolerance and freedoms for all people in his kingdom, even those in conflict with his own religious beliefs. He even worked to restore the temples of foreigners, including the Jews. Therefore, he is revered throughout all history and honored by God.

It makes me think about how we don't get to pick who God is going to use or favor. Based on today's reading, we can see that Cyrus had God going out before him to make his road straight and smooth. God is opening doors and gates and showing Cyrus hidden treasures. We can see that even though he is an infidel in the eyes of the Jews, God has still chosen him for great things. God goes out before him, like a champion in battle.

Now consider for a moment the bush in the story of Moses. Exodus doesn’t mention what kind of bush it was--whether it was beautiful and had magnificent foliage or whether it was a dry, shriveled little thing out in the desert.

The only thing we know was that it was on fire for God. The most important thing was that regardless of whether you or I would have picked it for service, God worked through it. The bush was used to bring a message that started a story that continues today in Israel!

When we allow ourselves to be used by God, no matter how unlikely of a choice we might seem to be, we can do great things. God will be out in front of us breaking down the doors and giving us all the treasures of the earth.

Thankfully, you and I don't get to choose who is blessed. If we did, we'd get it wrong. We'd pick the prettiest bush whether it would burn or not. We might pick the right heritage or looks for a king, but perhaps not the person with the most open heart.

But God knows and sees and summons us by name.

DAILY CHALLENGE: What is God summoning you to do? Can you trust that He will go before you as your champion?

Take It by the Tail 2

Exodus 14:27-31

When I planned to challenge the church with a new outreach opportunity, a ministry we had never tried before, someone at the planning meeting told me I had better “really sell the idea” to the congregation. Aware that it was a big undertaking, I handed it over to God and He inspired me that Sunday morning to ask members to share the feelings they experienced when they had performed outreach in the past.

It wasn’t me who convinced the congregation. It was God’s inspiration and the heartfelt words of church members that brought about a huge commitment from the church. And the one who had suggested that I sell the idea told said, “Well, you did it.”

Today’s passage is the conclusion of the first stage of Moses’ story. He has taken the snake by the tail, trusted God, and moved forward with a daunting ministry. Suffering through nine plagues, Pharaoh decided to release the Hebrews so they might return to Canaan. But then he changed his mind and decided to pursue them.

What does Moses do to stop the pursuing Egyptians? What does God do? According to verse 30 who saved the Israelites? How do they respond?

When we are challenged to do work for God it is easy to be intimidated by what might be in store. When we serve the kingdom of God successfully it is also easy to think that our own abilities brought about the success.

I believe that the challenges are there so that we must trust in God, leaning on Him and not on our own understanding (see Proverbs 3:5-6). Then, when we have success, we need to acknowledge the true author of that success – God.

I believe God proves His power time and time again to us so that eventually we can grow confident in being daring for God. When we dare and we trust, then God will sustain us and make our work successful and good.

We need to open our eyes and see who it is that gives us ability. And we need to take confidence from this so that we might be willing to do more for God.

DAILY CHALLENGE: Share with someone about a success in ministry that came from God.

Transformed 4

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

More and more people who call our house are not certain if it is me answering the phone or one of our two sons. As they grow older their voices are sounding more and more like mine. As they grow older I see myself in their faces more and more, as well.

In today’s reading Paul talks about the growth and change that believers may experience. What is the Lord? What exists where the Spirit is? What do we reflect? What should be happening to us?

Just prior to this passage Paul is making reference to Moses (see 2 Corinthians 3:13). He is specifically talking about the times Moses stood in the presence of God. When he did that his face would begin to shine, so Moses would wear a veil to hide his gleaming face (see Exodus 34:29-35).

This was a physical veil to conceal his face, but Paul is talking about spiritual veils. When we are with the Lord, or the Spirit, when we live a life dedicated to God then we have freedom. We are free from sin and free from the fears and worries of life. God is with us. Why should we fear or worry?

And the joy and peace and love that comes from living with God in our hearts should be evident in who we are. But do we reflect this joy and peace to others? Or do we veil ourselves? Is our faith and is our new life in Christ something we share or something we keep to ourselves?

We are called to reflect the love of God. People should be able to see who Christ was by looking at the way we live. And the more we live out our Christian faith and the more we exhibit the fruit of the Spirit, the more we become Christ-like.

We are being transformed into more perfect people. We are growing in our faith, deepening in our faith. We do that by living our faith and living it openly for others to see.

DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you reflect the Lord’s glory today?