"THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL!"

Exodus 1:8-14                                            (ESV)
"8 Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.
9 And he said to his people, "Behold, the people of Israel are too many and too mighty for us.
10 Come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and, if war breaks out, they join our enemies and fight against us and escape from the land."
11 Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with heavy burdens. They built for Pharaoh store cities, Pithom and Raamses.
12 But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and the more they spread abroad. And the Egyptians were in dread of "THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL".
13 So they ruthlessly made "THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL" work as slaves
14 and made their lives bitter with hard service, in mortar and brick, and in all kinds of work in the field. In all their work they ruthlessly made them work as slaves."


It wasn't that "THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL" were a better people than the rest of Creation, rather they were GOD's chosen people, the ones set aside to be used to Glorify HIMSELF!  Israel (formerly known as Jacob) was a grandson to Abraham, whom GOD chose because of his FAITH that GOD was WHO HE said HE was.  Lest we forget, the nation of Israel was, in reality, descendants of Abraham, whose FAITH brought favor from GOD ALMIGHTY!

So why did GOD's Chosen people, "THE  PEOPLE OF ISRAEL", find themselves "enslaved" to the Egyptians?  Were they rebellious and sinful?  Yes, but the reason the Israelites were in Egypt to begin with was there was a severe famine in the homeland they where they came and GOD orchestrated Joseph (Israel's favorite son Genesis 37:3) being second only to Pharaoh in all the land.  Israel (Jacob) and his descendants came to Egypt to survive the famine and became slaves in the 400-plus years following.

However, GOD had a Plan!  In Exodus 14:4 the Bible says "And I (GOD) will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them (Israelites), AND I (GOD) WILL GET GLORY OVER PHARAOH AND ALL HIS HOST, AND THE EGYPTIANS SHALL KNOW THAT I AM THE LORD." And they did so."  Pharaoh's heart was so "mad" that he didn't consider that the parted Red Sea might not be held back for him and his host.   Of course we know what happened, Pharaoh and all his hosts, "not one of them remained" (Exodus 14:28)!

Don't let 430 years of captivity, or the Red Sea, or Pharaoh's army disgruntle you in your walk for HIM.  GOD may be using ALL of your troubles for HIS Glory?  "THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL" found out that being chosen by GOD ALMIGHTY doesn't mean that you will experience a smooth life, but rather a peaceful life.

"YOU MEANT!" "GOD MEANT!"

Genesis 50:20                                      (ESV)
"As for you, "YOU MEANT" evil against me, but "GOD MEANT" it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today."



Being a vindictive person can be extremely frustrating when everything is said and done.  Regrettably, there was a time in my life when I was very obsessed with "getting even", making sure me and mine were treated fairly.   Making sure that those I loved weren't done wrong was something that I was sure to defend, sometimes to a fault!

In the scripture above, Joseph had been treated VERY BADLY by his brothers.  They had thrown him into a pit and told his father he was killed by wild animal.  Then they sold him into slavery.  Joseph eventually wound up being second in command to one of the most powerful rulers in the world, because of GOD's Favor on his life.  When famine struck the house of Israel, the same brothers who sold him into slavery after telling his father he had been devoured by a wild animal had to go to Egypt for food.  And who did they have to see????? Nobody but their brother........Joseph!!!

Of course, Joseph could SEE that he was being used by GOD ALMIGHTY to perform a task far greater than his brothers could even imagine.   Seeing the bottom of the pit he was thrown into, or the slavery he had to endure, or any of the other difficulties in his life could have blinded him with anger.   But what "YOU MEANT" to be a detriment in his life, "GOD MEANT" to be used for HIS Glory!  We need to be able to SEE as Joseph could, that things may happen to us that "YOU MEANT" for evil, but "GOD MEANT" to be used to glorify HIM!!!!

"THE SAINTS!"

Ephesians 4:11-14               (ESV)
"10 He WHO descended is the ONE WHO also ascended far above all the heavens, that HE might fill all things.)
11 And HE gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers,
12 to equip "THE SAINTS" for the WORK of MINISTRY, for building up the body of CHRIST,
13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the SON of GOD, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of CHRIST,
14 so that WE MAY NO LONGER BE CHILDREN, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes."


Everyone of us is assigned by GOD ALMIGHTY a life to live., either for HIM, or for ourselves and the enemy. Some followers of CHRIST are called to be teachers, some shepherds, some evangelists, others prophets and other apostles.  GOD determines what a calling is, not your mother or grandmother, your father or grandfather!  Until GOD calls you and you respond favorably, you won't have HIS blessing on your life!  You can be a successful leader (as far as the world is concerned), but you'll never be able to lead HIS sheep, which is what ALL offices mentioned above are charged to do!

You may ask, what is my calling if I'm not called to be one of the aforementioned "leaders"?  It may be to be one of "THE SAINTS" mentioned in verse 12.   Being a follower is critical to being a Christian.  We ALL are called to follow CHRIST.   Don't attempt to elevate yourself in your mind because you have a "position" or an "office" that is spoken about, for being a prayer warrior is written about FAR MORE than any other calling.   A faithful prayer warrior is cherished by any pastor worth his calling, for he knows that unless he has the divine protection of the prayers of "THE SAINTS", he is battling with one arm tied behind his back.  

So many "leaders" aren't GOD called and wind up tickling ears and saying what will get the biggest offering on Sunday.  The don't plow too deep because they aren't interested in seeing Spiritual growth by their listeners, rather how many attendees they have from Sunday to Sunday.  Finding out what your Spiritual gift is vital, not only for your Spiritual growth, but to fit into "the family" you are a part of.  Unless you have people who are called to be in support roles, there won't be growth in your Spiritual family.  Too many chiefs and not enough warriors leads to imminent defeat!

It can't be emphasized enough that "THE SAINTS" must be striving for "mature manhood" (v13) so that they will be NO LONGER CHILDREN in the army for CHRIST!  To become "THE SAINTS", the WORD must be followed, and not just the part that makes us happy, but the part that draws us closer to HIM!  That is being part of "THE SAINTS"!!!

"THE LORD!"

Proverbs 16:9                                     (ESV)
"The heart of man plans his way, but "THE LORD" establishes his steps."



Today many different people I know are experiencing a variety of different trials, emotions and challenges in their lives.  One friend is at the hospital witnessing the birth of a baby.  One friend is battling a life-threatening disease.  Another friend is flying back home from a vacation.  And one friend is in Heaven while his family goes to a Memorial service in his honor!

We all have issues in life that we must face.  Overcoming difficulties can be monumental for some.  It seems that those who don't perform well under terrible circumstances often wind up experiencing even more trauma.  When we LEARN to TRUST the LORD, no matter what comes our way, HE can get Glory from the very difficulties that the enemy had grief and turmoil planned (Genesis 50:20).

Our ultimate goal should be to Glorify GOD in all we do.  Scripture says in Isaiah 43:7 that "everyone who is called by my name, WHOM I CREATED FOR MY GLORY, whom I formed and made."  We are not put on this earth to create our own dynasty, or see HOW MUCH WEALTH WE CAN ACCUMULATE, or how many awards or notoriety we can muster.  We are created FOR HIS GLORY!

When my baby sister succumbed to Stomach Cancer many years ago, I was left wondering how GOD could be glorified by her terrible exit from this life?  Not to understand is a terrible feeling, but FAITH that GOD is faithful and loved her far more than I could made it possible for me to make it through it.  GOD guides us where we can Glorify HIS Name, not where we can make the most money!

JESUS was dealt the most horrible scourging and death ever known to mankind.  HE suffered this as payment for our (MY) sins and to Glorify GOD (John 17:1).  JESUS wasn't "taken" by the guards early that fateful morning outside of Jerusalem.  GOD ALMIGHTY had a Plan for HIS life to pay for the sins of ALL mankind!  Don't get upset when things don't go as YOU THINK they should.  "THE LORD" has a Plan and you may just be fulfilling that Plan!

"OPEN BOOK EXAM!"

2 Corinthians 13:5                     (ESV)
"EXAMINE YOURSELVES", to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that JESUS CHRIST is in you?-unless indeed you fail to meet the test!"



             OPEN BOOK EXAMS

1. In an "open book exam". you are evaluated on understanding rather than recall and memorization.
2. Do not underestimate the preparation needed for an "open book exam": ...
3. Organize your reference materials, your "open book:" ...



The above is copied/pasted from an internet search engine on "OPEN
BOOK EXAM".  In my humble estimation, mankind is involved with a lifelong "OPEN BOOK EXAM".  We have trials and questions throughout our lives, some of us with more difficult questions than others, and how well we perform on our test is determined by how well we are prepared by studying for the "OPEN BOOK EXAM".

President Ronald Reagan once said "Within the covers of the BIBLE are the answers for all the problems men face", and we FAIL our exam if we refuse to search scripture enough to find those answers.  Man can offer reasonings and opinions, but 1 Corinthians 3:19 says "For the wisdom of this world is folly with GOD. For it is written, "HE catches the wise in their craftiness,".  Boy, does that statement ever ring loud and clear?!?

If it is true that the Bible the answers for all of life's problems, why do we prefer to go it alone when facing difficulties in our lives?  It must be easier to continue trying to be a success when you haven't experienced a TOTAL and COMPLETE dependence on the LORD literally for your next breath?  When you've been where I was in 2007, you understand what my former pastor used to say, "You're are only guaranteed the breath you have.  The next one belongs to GOD"!!!

To know that our CREATOR has given us the material for an "OPEN BOOK EXAM" is one of the greatest gifts we can experience.  Why would anyone not study for the "OPEN BOOK EXAM"?  Perhaps you are in the group mentioned in the last part of the verse above, "you fail to meet the test!"  If that is the case, my prayer is your eyes will be opened and you will begin studying for the "OPEN BOOK EXAM"!!!

"THE WORD WAS GOD!"

John 1:1-5                 (ESV)
"1 In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and "THE WORD WAS GOD".
2 HE was in the beginning with GOD.
3 All things were made through HIM, and without HIM was not any thing made that was made.
4 In HIM was LIFE, and the LIFE was the LIGHT of men.
5 The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."


A lot of people are talking about some music awards show they were viewing on television recently.  They are suggesting that as time progresses we are becoming less and less authentic with our appreciation of how things used to be done.  My memories of how things used to be are mainly focused on pop music, but some of the older country music stars will never be reproduced because they were iconic!!

Do you ever suppose that ALMIGHTY GOD  possibly thinks something similar to the modern day church?  Most people either have access to a Bible or know how to find that access, therefore THE WORD is available for all.  My beliefs are that the modern day church has become so infatuated with modern culture and conveniences that "THE WORD WAS GOD" has totally been overshadowed in our minds.  Of course, unbelievers have allowed "the enemy" to blind them (2 Corinthians 4:4) and the church hasn't allowed the LIGHT to shine through its life to overcome the darkness?

2 Timothy 4:3-4 says "For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the TRUTH and wander off into myths."  Have we "progressed" to where we would rather "fit into" this world than to be used by the FATHER to draw people to the HIMSELF?

"THE WORD WAS GOD" is THE CURE for what ails mankind, but we won't slow our lives down to hear HIM?  The ORIGINAL is the ONLY solution!  We seemed convinced that we can't go against the model set up for us by "this world" to be successful, so we do what we can to appease the world and may be, JUST MAYBE satisfy GOD, THE CREATOR?!?  We (mainly I) must break free from the chains the enemy uses to bind me with and TOTALLY sell out to the leadership of "THE WORD WAS GOD"!!!

"THAT YOU MAY NOT SIN!"

Exodus 20:18-21                      (ESV)
"18 Now when all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off
19 and said to Moses, "You speak to us, and we will listen; BUT DO NOT LET GOD SPEAK TO US, lest we die."
20 Moses said to the people, "Do not fear, for GOD has come to test you, THAT THE FEAR OF HIM MAY BE BEFORE YOU, "THAT YOU MAY NOT SIN"."
21 The people stood far off, while Moses drew near to the thick darkness where GOD was."




Last night we went to a wedding for a dear friend of mine.  She went to high school and college with my oldest son.  We were pretty close during her high school years, but as it usually happens, had drifted over the years to being not so close.  She is very beautiful and was stunningly dressed in her wedding gown.  My prayer is that she and her new husband will experience a lot of joy in the future, and the trials that inevitably come will only draw them closer to each other and to the LORD.

We were very delighted to see her, but I tried very hard to not be emotional as we were visiting.  But then...........we were getting ready to leave and we went to tell her goodbye, she and I both began to get emotional.   Finally I had to just walk away as I didn't want her makeup to be all messed up during the biggest moment of her life.  

In the passage of scripture above, the children of Israel were getting ready to set forth on a journey where they where they were going, nor how they were going to get there, nor how long the journey would take them?  I'm sure they didn't expect it to be a quick journey, but to last forty years wasn't something that they expected either.  GOD had led them out of captivity and The Promised Land was their destination, but getting to that destination wasn't going to be a bed of roses!

When we experience trials and tribulations we usually think we have done something wrong and are being punished for our wrong doings.  Don't forget that GOD loves us more than we can EVER realize and that HE has many blessings that we can't see sometimes.  Our journey may lead us into a wilderness where our Promised Land seems to be far from our realization.  Sometimes GOD has come to test you, THAT THE FEAR OF HIM MAY BE BEFORE YOU, "THAT YOU MAY NOT SIN"."  There is no better advice that can be given.  Stay in HIS WORD and allow HIM to guide and direct your life!!!