by Wesley Blackburn
Have you ever had to step in and fill the shoes of a great leader?
I think that's one of the toughest things you can ask a person to do. As a pastor, part of my job means that almost always, I'll be stepping into a job that was done by someone else previously with the same people, same equipment, same resources, same budget, and all that good stuff. That can be a harrowing experience, because, quite frankly, people can be tough to lead. I remember taking over as the key leader in a leadership team at my high school, and the guy before me had left some huge shoes to fill. I can remember struggling with all the preconceived notions about what I was supposed to do, who I was supposed to be, and that sort of stuff. There was a lot of pressure, and it took me some time to really get used to it.
Maybe you've been in a similar situation before. But chances are that you (or I) weren't following Moses. Everyone had watched Moses be used by God to change the entire fate of a nation; once oppressed in Egypt, these men and women had seen their lives change from slavery to freedom, from feeling abandoned by God to seeing Him work for them in ways they never could have imagined. And now, Joshua has to step in and fill these seemingly impossible to fill shoes. So what's he going to do? God gives him two basic commands in this chapter: Joshua needs to be strong and courageous and obey the Law of Moses.
I find it interesting what God doesn't say. He doesn't give Joshua a particular leadership style. He doesn't tell Joshua he needs to act a certain way or become more this or less that. He says that if he will simply follow the Law God has given His people and if He will simply have courage, knowing that God is for him and on his side, then Joshua has nothing to worry about. Literally, God promises that "you may be successful wherever you go."
I think that what God told Joshua several thousand years ago still applies for us today. No matter what situation I'm in, if I continue to trust God and take the courageous (often difficult) step forward, then usually God is going to work in a cool way. If I continue to follow God's will for my life as revealed in Scripture, then I can know that I am arming myself for success, if not in this life, then definitely in the next.
Like most great things in life, it only has to be as hard as you make it. In Joshua's case (and I think in ours as well), the directions from God were simple: be courageous and do what I say. If we will follow this advice, God will surely use us to transform lives in a huge way.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
22. The Golden Calf (Exodus 32:1-34:35).
by Amy Mehrle
There are three points about today's passage that really stand out to me. The first is the role of Aaron. He is the brother of Moses and second in command when Moses is gone, and yet, he doesn't turn down the idea of the golden calf. He is, in fact, the one who gets the gold together to build the calf. It always makes me wonder why he didn't stand up to the people or for God. Beyond the miracles that he had seen with the people of Israel, he had also been in the palace seeing and helping to perform the miracles before Pharaoh. He should know better, but he acts like he doesn't. He builds the calf for the Israelites to worship their false god. This always makes me think that Aaron should be removed from the role as second in command, but he isn't. If we look to Exodus 34:30, we see that Aaron is still a leader. He has been forgiven for this HUGE mistake and is still allowed to lead. This leads me to my next point about God's forgiveness...
When God saw what was going on at the bottom of the mountain, he was ANGRY. Angry is a mild word for His emotion, actually. He was ready to wipe out the whole Israelite community. But Moses talks God out of destroying His people. He delays the wrath of the Lord. I am amazed that Moses, with all of his human imperfection was able to reason with God. He talks him out of delaying the promise to Abraham and saves the Israelites. The boldness of Moses, who had earlier been afraid to speak to Pharaoh leaves me challenged to pray for the people that I love, and even those I don't because after reading this passage there's no denying that talking to God makes a difference.
Finally, beginning with Exodus 34:29, this passage talks about the radiance of the face of Moses. On the mountain, Moses was in the presence of the Lord, and it has made his face radiant from speaking to Him. It was so radiant, in fact, that the Israelites were afraid to speak to Moses, who now had to wear a veil over his face. Moses had fully been in the presence of God, and it was so evident that even his appearance had changed. As Christ followers, we have the chance to go into the presence of the Lord with prayer and our various acts of worship. I wonder if others can tell because of the changes they see in us?
There are three points about today's passage that really stand out to me. The first is the role of Aaron. He is the brother of Moses and second in command when Moses is gone, and yet, he doesn't turn down the idea of the golden calf. He is, in fact, the one who gets the gold together to build the calf. It always makes me wonder why he didn't stand up to the people or for God. Beyond the miracles that he had seen with the people of Israel, he had also been in the palace seeing and helping to perform the miracles before Pharaoh. He should know better, but he acts like he doesn't. He builds the calf for the Israelites to worship their false god. This always makes me think that Aaron should be removed from the role as second in command, but he isn't. If we look to Exodus 34:30, we see that Aaron is still a leader. He has been forgiven for this HUGE mistake and is still allowed to lead. This leads me to my next point about God's forgiveness...
When God saw what was going on at the bottom of the mountain, he was ANGRY. Angry is a mild word for His emotion, actually. He was ready to wipe out the whole Israelite community. But Moses talks God out of destroying His people. He delays the wrath of the Lord. I am amazed that Moses, with all of his human imperfection was able to reason with God. He talks him out of delaying the promise to Abraham and saves the Israelites. The boldness of Moses, who had earlier been afraid to speak to Pharaoh leaves me challenged to pray for the people that I love, and even those I don't because after reading this passage there's no denying that talking to God makes a difference.
Finally, beginning with Exodus 34:29, this passage talks about the radiance of the face of Moses. On the mountain, Moses was in the presence of the Lord, and it has made his face radiant from speaking to Him. It was so radiant, in fact, that the Israelites were afraid to speak to Moses, who now had to wear a veil over his face. Moses had fully been in the presence of God, and it was so evident that even his appearance had changed. As Christ followers, we have the chance to go into the presence of the Lord with prayer and our various acts of worship. I wonder if others can tell because of the changes they see in us?
Friday, June 25, 2010
20. Crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 13:17-14:31).
by Mary Elizabeth Robertson
I've never been a person who reads the end of the book first. But the Bible is my exception. I know how it ends. I'm familiar with most of the stories. So, today, as I'm reading about the Israelite crossing of the Red Sea a few obvious things stand out to me, but I had to forget what I already knew about God in order to dig a little deeper and learn what this experience was beginning to teach the Israelites about our God.
At the point of Exodus 14:4, the Israelites have fled Egypt and God is giving Moses the next step of the plan. The verse says:
"And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord."
A few more times during today's passage it repeats that God's purpose through this is to be known as "the Lord," Yahweh, the One who redeems his people. A previous passage, Exodus 6:2-3, explains why this is such a big deal:
"God also said to Moses, 'I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them.'"
Prior to this experience, the Israelites had experienced God as El-Shaddai or "God Almighty," but here at the Red Sea, God wanted to introduce more of his character to his people. I love that wherever God is bringing me (and this text leaves no doubt that God is doing the leading), it is so that I can know him and experience him more than in the past. There is purpose to his plans for me. God is intentional in wanting me to know him.
I've never been a person who reads the end of the book first. But the Bible is my exception. I know how it ends. I'm familiar with most of the stories. So, today, as I'm reading about the Israelite crossing of the Red Sea a few obvious things stand out to me, but I had to forget what I already knew about God in order to dig a little deeper and learn what this experience was beginning to teach the Israelites about our God.
At the point of Exodus 14:4, the Israelites have fled Egypt and God is giving Moses the next step of the plan. The verse says:
"And I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will pursue them. But I will gain glory for myself through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord."
A few more times during today's passage it repeats that God's purpose through this is to be known as "the Lord," Yahweh, the One who redeems his people. A previous passage, Exodus 6:2-3, explains why this is such a big deal:
"God also said to Moses, 'I am the Lord. I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty, but by my name the Lord I did not make myself known to them.'"
Prior to this experience, the Israelites had experienced God as El-Shaddai or "God Almighty," but here at the Red Sea, God wanted to introduce more of his character to his people. I love that wherever God is bringing me (and this text leaves no doubt that God is doing the leading), it is so that I can know him and experience him more than in the past. There is purpose to his plans for me. God is intentional in wanting me to know him.
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Beyond Sunday: Unstoppable Hope
...by Bobby Jackson
Hope you had a great Father’s Day!
Andy shared a difficult and profound truth with us this week. Could it be that, good and bad, my story is worth telling? Should I keep the bad chapters of my life because GOd is able to be seen in those as well? That’s a tough thing to wrap my grey matter around. I want to forget pain in the past and not view it again, but Andy reminded us that there is a deeper hope that comes from seeing God at work in our entire story.
I was thankful for David’s testimony, weren’t you? To hear that things have not been great or turned out rosey felt like real life for so many people. BUT, the difference David noted between the despair of a friend and some true level of peace in his life was a relationship with Jesus. I, too, am thankful for how God can and does work through my story.
This verse rang through my mind all morning:
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Can you see God at work as you love Him and follow His purposes?
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
18. The Ten Plagues (Exodus 6:28-11:10).
by Wesley Blackburn
Wow.
That's all I can really say after reading this passage for today. Part of me wishes that I could have been in Egypt to see all that God did in the land, but a big part of me is glad that I wasn't... all the death and destruction happening in the land very well could have scared me to death!
The account of God's work in Egypt becomes even more amazing when you know the whole cultural milieu of the time as well. Each and every one of these miracles served as a direct insult to an Egyptian god. Seemingly, with each additional miracle, God was saying to the Egyptians, "Look how much bigger, stronger, and better I am than the stupid gods you worship."
No doubt, this is what part of what put Pharaoh so on edge in this story (in addition to the simple fact that he saw his kingdom crumbling all around him). I mean, imagine how angry you'd get with someone if they continually attacked your God, your way of living and worshipping. It's no wonder that Pharaoh continued to grow stubborn. That's not an excuse for Pharaoh, but simply one simple man's observation.
And the story of the Ten Plagues makes me think about my heart in respect to how it pertains to God. Is the work of God being done all around me and I don't even notice it? Or even worse, is the work of God being displayed all around me and I refuse to notice it? We all have a "God box;" a way that we view and see God. For some, this just means we don't believe in God at all. For others, it means that we believe in God, but only think He can work in pre-defined, particular ways. Pharaoh was being hit with something that was outside his "God box" (namely, that he was wrong about who God was/is); I wonder sometimes if I harden my heart and refuse to embrace the undeniable and unexplainable presence and power of God in my life.
One thing's for sure... things are set up for God to do some of His greatest acts yet. Stay tuned!
Wow.
That's all I can really say after reading this passage for today. Part of me wishes that I could have been in Egypt to see all that God did in the land, but a big part of me is glad that I wasn't... all the death and destruction happening in the land very well could have scared me to death!
The account of God's work in Egypt becomes even more amazing when you know the whole cultural milieu of the time as well. Each and every one of these miracles served as a direct insult to an Egyptian god. Seemingly, with each additional miracle, God was saying to the Egyptians, "Look how much bigger, stronger, and better I am than the stupid gods you worship."
No doubt, this is what part of what put Pharaoh so on edge in this story (in addition to the simple fact that he saw his kingdom crumbling all around him). I mean, imagine how angry you'd get with someone if they continually attacked your God, your way of living and worshipping. It's no wonder that Pharaoh continued to grow stubborn. That's not an excuse for Pharaoh, but simply one simple man's observation.
And the story of the Ten Plagues makes me think about my heart in respect to how it pertains to God. Is the work of God being done all around me and I don't even notice it? Or even worse, is the work of God being displayed all around me and I refuse to notice it? We all have a "God box;" a way that we view and see God. For some, this just means we don't believe in God at all. For others, it means that we believe in God, but only think He can work in pre-defined, particular ways. Pharaoh was being hit with something that was outside his "God box" (namely, that he was wrong about who God was/is); I wonder sometimes if I harden my heart and refuse to embrace the undeniable and unexplainable presence and power of God in my life.
One thing's for sure... things are set up for God to do some of His greatest acts yet. Stay tuned!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
17. The Burning Bush (Exodus 3:1-4:17).
by Jaci Sutter
Here it is, the day before my blog entry was due and I am finally sitting down to write it. I am very nervous, as this is a whole new journey for me. Not only have I never blogged before, reading the Bible is a whole new journey for me as well. I will give it a try though, so here it goes. I was happy that the story I got to read this week was a familiar one. I have seen this story every year in the "Ten Commandments" and also the award-winning Veggie Tales version "Moe and the Big Exit."
Exodus 3:1-4:17 is the story of when the Lord first appeared to Moses on the mountain in the form of a burning bush. He called to Moses, and told him how he was not happy with the way his people where being treated in Egypt. He asked Moses to go back to Egypt and ask the Pharaoh to free his people from slavery.
When I was reading these verses the first thing that stood out to me was Exodus 3:4. When the Lord appeared to Moses, it was not until Moses moved towards the Lord that the Lord called upon him. I think that the reason this spoke to me is because of how I live and have lived my life. I was always someone that believed in God. I was a "fan." I knew that God was there and I knew he listened to my prayers and forgave my sins. But it didn't go much further then that. It was not until I moved closer to God and my relationship with him that God started to work in my life.
I also liked how it seemed like Moses was thinking of reasons why he could not do what it was God was asking him to do. In Exodus 4:13, Moses just comes right out and asks the Lord to send someone else to do the task God has set before him. But God always came back with a answer to his question. It reminded me a lot of when we did the on the spot baptisms, remembering how Greg was stated all the reasons not to get baptized and then one by one, took all the excuses away.
What I am taking away from these verses is that the Lord has a plan and a journey for all of us. He will not leave us on this journey and he will always be there to help us when we need help!
Here it is, the day before my blog entry was due and I am finally sitting down to write it. I am very nervous, as this is a whole new journey for me. Not only have I never blogged before, reading the Bible is a whole new journey for me as well. I will give it a try though, so here it goes. I was happy that the story I got to read this week was a familiar one. I have seen this story every year in the "Ten Commandments" and also the award-winning Veggie Tales version "Moe and the Big Exit."
Exodus 3:1-4:17 is the story of when the Lord first appeared to Moses on the mountain in the form of a burning bush. He called to Moses, and told him how he was not happy with the way his people where being treated in Egypt. He asked Moses to go back to Egypt and ask the Pharaoh to free his people from slavery.
When I was reading these verses the first thing that stood out to me was Exodus 3:4. When the Lord appeared to Moses, it was not until Moses moved towards the Lord that the Lord called upon him. I think that the reason this spoke to me is because of how I live and have lived my life. I was always someone that believed in God. I was a "fan." I knew that God was there and I knew he listened to my prayers and forgave my sins. But it didn't go much further then that. It was not until I moved closer to God and my relationship with him that God started to work in my life.
I also liked how it seemed like Moses was thinking of reasons why he could not do what it was God was asking him to do. In Exodus 4:13, Moses just comes right out and asks the Lord to send someone else to do the task God has set before him. But God always came back with a answer to his question. It reminded me a lot of when we did the on the spot baptisms, remembering how Greg was stated all the reasons not to get baptized and then one by one, took all the excuses away.
What I am taking away from these verses is that the Lord has a plan and a journey for all of us. He will not leave us on this journey and he will always be there to help us when we need help!
Monday, June 21, 2010
16. The Birth of Moses (Exodus 1:1-2:25).
by Bobby Jackson
What a crazy scene and a crazy time! How could people behave like this? No wonder Warner Brothers made this into a movie; you couldn’t write as twisted a plot even from the very beginning of Moses’ life.
How heinous to kill babies by throwing them into the Nile River? How heinous to kill an Egyptian soldier and try to cover it up? Yet Moses was used by God. I think it is interesting that the Nile god became known as the god who destroys the Israelite babies. Maybe that is why it was striking enough to Pharaoh’s daughter that this baby was being saved by the Nile that she rescued him and allowed Moses to be her son.
The God who involved Himself in Egyptian history is the same God of today. His character is consistent. I think it is important to ask ourselves as we read especially these books of history, “What do we learn about God is all of this?” Two things come to mind for me:
1. When God makes a promise, He WILL keep it. “God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob” (Exodus 2:24).
2. God is often working upstream or in the background of our stories. God had a plan for Moses from the very beginning of his life. And that makes me wonder, what is God’s plan for my life? For your life?
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