Brutality of Slavery

Read the first few chapters of Exodus and you will recognize the enslavement and oppression that the people of God had to endure in Egypt. You will see the unfolding of God’s providential plan to rescue and redeem His people as He leads them to freedom. And you will read the words of encouragement and promise that God speaks to His chosen people as He reveals His plan.

“Therefore, say to the people of Israel: ‘I am the Lord. I will free you from your oppression and will rescue you from your slavery in Egypt. I will redeem you with a powerful arm and great acts of judgment. I will claim you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God who has freed you from your oppression in Egypt. I will bring you into the land I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. I will give it to you as your very own possession. I am the Lord!’” (Exodus‬ ‭6:6-8)

These are words of encouragement, words of hope, words of promise, and words of redemption. How will the people of God respond? 

So Moses told the people of Israel what the Lord had said, but they refused to listen anymore. They had become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery. (‭‭Exodus‬ ‭6:9‬)

I sometimes wonder if the people of God - today - often “refuse to listen anymore” and then God reveals His message and sends someone to proclaim it among us. 

I sometimes wonder if the people of God “refuse to listen anymore” because they have “become too discouraged by the brutality of their slavery”. 

We must...

...recognize the enslavement and oppression that exists in our world today and acknowledge the areas that we are personally enslaved.

...admit before The Lord the areas of discouragement that we deal with in life and confess to The Lord the brutality of the slavery that we are enduring.

...listen closely to the voice of The Lord and for the message from The Lord, ensuring that it lines up with Scriptural truth and the known character of God.

...walk in obedience with The Lord, faithfulness to The Lord, and confidence of The Lord every day; being encouraged by His Word and His Church around us.

Opposition Getting Dressed

It is a normal occurrence that I have the chance to dress our youngest, a twenty-two month old little girl. On the brink of turning two she is daily giving us more of a glimpse of her independence and personality. 

Just the other day she woke early and the first thing she wanted to do was get dressed. However, we ran into a bit of an issue when I put her shirt on her. As she attempted to slide her arm into the sleeve it did not work perfectly! As she met opposition she gave a bit of an attitude and quickly pulled her arm out of her shirt. 

We tried again, this time I helped her out by guiding her arm into the sleeve. Yet, when she attempted to put her other arm in, again she ran into opposition. This did not please her and she was done! She was done with the shirt, done getting dressed, done with me, and done with the day! 

It occurred to me how often in life I act in just this way. As soon as I encounter opposition, I tend to give a bit of an attitude and turn in the opposite direction. Often I forget that I have a Heavenly Father that wants to help guide and direct me in the path that I should go. And, even when things do not function perfectly He is there to lead into guide, even encouraging me along the way. 

And I doubt that I am alone in this. How often, when things don't go perfectly, do you get an attitude or turn to go in the opposite direction? How often do you forget you have a Heavenly Father that loves you and wants to guide you just the way He would have you go?

Let us remember, anytime we face opposition, He is there with us - and for us.

Searching For A Church Home

I was asked by a good friend tonight if I would pray for their family. They are currently in the midst of looking for a church home and are struggling to find a church that truly feels like "home".

I asked a few questions before giving the following advice. Visit a church and see what you think. Have fun with it and make sure you enjoy going to church. Make sure the Pastor and the people trip over themselves to welcome you and make you feel like family, that's how you'll know when you find the right church. You must find a church that blesses you and one that allows you to be a blessing to them. 

I pray that this advice leads them to a church home quickly, but I also pray that God speaks to them in the midst of their "search".

If you are looking for a church to call "home", the above advice is what I would send you out with as well. If you have a church home, take the necessary steps to ensure that the above can be said about you by every member and every guest that walks through the doors of your church this week. 

It is God's desire that we live in community with Him and with one another. The Church - created by Jesus and empowered by The Holy Spirit is God's means of encouraging and equipping His community. So, for the sake of Jesus, by the will of God, let's make it pleasant and easy for people to be a part of The Church.

Encouragement for Believers

Are you looking for some encouragement?

Read the Apostle Paul's exhortation to the church in 1st Corinthians 1:1-9. The following at truths for every follower of Jesus Christ, who holds Him as their Lord and Savior.

You are sanctified in Christ Jesus
You have been set apart by Jesus for a special purpose.
You have been marked by the blood of Jesus to accomplish His distinct purpose.

You are called to be holy
You have been invited - urged - to be the most holy thing. You have been called to be a saint.

You have been enriched in every way
You have been made rich - given spiritual riches

You do not lack any spiritual gift
You have been given every gift you need
You are lacking nothing that is required

Jesus will keep you strong to the end
Jesus will confirm you to the final days - bringing you confidence and assurance in your faith

You have been called by God
This call that you have been given is a personal invitation, given to you by God, your heavenly Father.

God, who has called you into fellowship with His Son Jesus Christ, our Lord, is faithful.

Encouraged To Do Ministry

This morning our men's ministry director shared with us on the topic of encouragement from Acts 9:26-30;

"When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he really was a disciple. But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. He told them how Saul on his journey had seen the Lord and that the Lord had spoken to him, and how in Damascus he had preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus. So Saul stayed with them and moved about freely in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord. He talked and debated with the Hellenistic Jews, but they tried to kill him. When the believers learned of this, they took him down to Caesarea and sent him off to Tarsus."

Many things come to mind as I read through this passage, but I'll only share a couple.

Paul had been called and equipped to do the work of The Lord, yet without the support of the disciples, he was unable to do this work. Barbaras did two things; he took Saul to the disciples, and he spoke encouraging words about him.

Because of Barnabas' words and deeds the other disciples welcomed him, listened to him, protected him, and enabled him to continue in The Lord's work.

We can learn from this. Following Barnabas' example we must bring those that have been called and equipped by The Lord and we must speak encouraging words about them to others. Following the disciples' actions we must welcome, listen, and protect those that have been called and equipped. And, in doing this we will enable others to further The Lord's ministry.