Scripture:
Exodus 14:15 “Then the Lord said to moses, ‘Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving!’”
Observation:
I can hardly bare to type the phrase that comes to mind given its horrible misuse against the poor, but, none-the-less, this scripture reminds me “God helps those who helps themselves.” In fact, ironically, I think I’d find it more accurate if it were “God helps those who cry out to him.” I guess you just can’t put God in a box.
Moses turned to God as the Egyptian army approached his people, and despite God questioning his inaction, he gave Moses the direction that, presumably, he didn’t have before.
Prayer:
Well Lord … kids were up early again this morning. I can’t do this with them up. Please help them sleep later.
Scripture:
Exodus 3:1-2 “One day Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, … and he went deep into the wilderness near Sinai, the mountain of God. Suddenly, the angel of the Lord appeared to him as a blazing fire in a bush.”
Observation:
Moses’ story is one of my favorites. He has an extraordinary encounter with God and receives a very clear calling that he tries to talk God out of multiple times. And God persists. I love it because so often the saying goes that God uses the willing, but Moses is a clear example of a very unwilling servant. This is not, however, why I chose this verse.
Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law. The man who would lead a nation of slavery, who would be God’s vehicle for countless miracles, who would record the ten commandments. Looking after sheep. I think this is when most people encounter God – tending flock. In the midst of the course of our life, we are called to God’s assignment for us. Some, for events which will alter the course of their lives, others, for events that will alter the course of others lives.
Application:
The theme of God’s vast timeline has recently arisen frequently in my life. It’s hard to separate our timeframe from the short span of our life to observe God’s overall plan. And it’s hard to feel like there should be a plan for MY life, when God’s plan is quite a bit grander, and yields important results for me as an individual. I think we can tend to put God in the position of a tour guide and if our “tour” isn’t what we hoped, we’re disappointed. Instead, we should view God as the attraction – the reason we’re here. There is nothing more valuable we can be doing than standing in awe in appreciation of His magnificence.
Prayer:
Alright Lord … kids are up – I can’t think anymore, but I love you, thank you for meeting me!
Scripture:
Matthew 14:28-29 “‘Then Peter called to Jesus, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you by walking on water.’ ‘All right, come,’ Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus.”
Observation:
Something about having Jesus right in front of you telling you to walk on water makes this step of faith seem easier; yet, “Blessed are those who have not seen, yet have believed.” I think God is still calling people from their boat, it’s just not easy to do so.
Application:
I think our “boat” can represent a lot of things – in the not-so-distant past, it represented Peter’s living. Whatever it is, it’s certainly always the status quo, safety, comfort. It’s not that I lack faith in God, but rather my ability to hear God’s voice.
Prayer:
Lord, give me clarity to see your direction.
Scripture:
1 Chronicles 4:10 “Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.” And God granted his request.”
Observation:
Today’s reading in Psalms reminded me of this verse which I read again yesterday in The Hole in Our Gospel.
Application:
I need my territory enlarged. My circle of influence and area of affect are too small. The opportunities I have to interact with pre-believers is rare and limited. My interaction with the poor is limited to smiling at the ones standing on street corners as I drive by. I don’t really know what to do, but also know that it needs to be something.
Prayer:
Lord, please enlarge my territory; help me see where you want me to be.
Scripture:
Acts 1:21-22 “So now we must choose another man to take Judas’ place. It must be someone who has been with us all the time that we were with the Lord Jesus – from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us into heaven. Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus’ resurrection.”
Observation:
This seems to be the first move toward “organized religion” as we know it today. I know (I guess I think) that God had criteria for the twelve men he chose to accompany Christ, but something feels different about the way Matthias was chosen. He was filtered. He was a likely choice. A wise choice. I know that doesn’t make him the wrong choice, it just seems so inconsistent with the way Christ identified the twelve.
Application:
Ultimately when choosing a direction or making a decision, I want to do only what the father tells me to do.
Prayer:
Lord, I want to make wise choices, I want to make scriptural choices, ones that follow your guidelines. Help me hear your voice when you’re guiding me and let your ways be my ways.
