UPCOMING PROGRAMS:
2013 Best of A New Beginning
HOPE FOR HURTING MARRIAGES, PART 1
Matthew 19: Teaching about Divorce
1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he cured them there.
3 Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” 8 He said to them, “It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery.”[a]
10 His disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.”
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
The Rich Young Man
16 Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “I have kept all these;[b] what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money[c] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
27 Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold,[d] and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 19:9 Other ancient authorities read except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; others add at the end of the verse and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery
b. Matthew 19:20 Other ancient authorities add from my youth
c. Matthew 19:21 Gk lacks the money
d. Matthew 19:29 Other ancient authorities read manifold
When it comes to marriage, we need to think and act biblically, not emotionally. We need a biblical worldview because marriages come under attack. Marriages face pressure and hardship. What are you building your foundation on? The solid ground of God’s Word? Or the shifting sands of this world? Is your marriage on the rocks or on the Rock?
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. Every marriage is going to go through changes and is going to be tested. If you think your marriage is exempt, you’re mistaken. We want to build our marriages on the solid foundation of Christ, or it is only a matter of time before it collapses.
2. If a marriage is miserable, the fault lies with the participants, not the institution. God designed marriage to be a place of security, growth, and enjoyment. To say, “Marriage just doesn’t work for us” is an excuse. The truth is better stated, “We aren’t working at marriage.”
3. Wedlock should be a padlock. God hates divorce. I believe most divorces can be averted if we would just start with the operative principles of leaving and cleaving.
4. We must leave and cleave. Leaving means giving all other relationships a lesser degree of importance. Cleaving means clinging to one another, being aligned together, and welded as one.
RELEVANT REMINDERS
• Constant communication is a major key to a good marriage.
• Your spouse should be your best friend.
• Husbands should be the ones to initiate love and should be the spiritual leaders in their homes. In most cases, the wife will respond appropriately. It has been said, “Treat your wife like a thoroughbred and she will never become a nag.”
APPLICABLE ACTIONS
Ruth Graham said, “A good marriage consists of two good forgivers.” If you have a hurting marriage today, start with forgiveness. Then put into practice the biblical principles of leaving and cleaving. Communicate with one another and put the needs of your mate above your own. You will see dramatic changes take place.
MONDAY, 27 January 2014
Hope for Hurting Marriages, Part 1 — III
Matthew 19: Teaching about Divorce
1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he cured them there.
3 Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” 8 He said to them, “It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery.”[a]
10 His disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.”
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
The Rich Young Man
16 Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “I have kept all these;[b] what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money[c] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
27 Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold,[d] and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Footnotes:
a.Matthew 19:9 Other ancient authorities read except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; others add at the end of the verse and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery
b. Matthew 19:20 Other ancient authorities add from my youth
c. Matthew 19:21 Gk lacks the money
d. Matthew 19:29 Other ancient authorities read manifold
Somewhere along the line it seems "'til death do us part" has come to mean "until we decide we're done." Pastor Greg Laurie brings God's point of view for the marriage relationship. Listen for insights on the permanence of marriage, and how to make love thrive.
2013 Best of A New Beginning
HOPE FOR HURTING MARRIAGES, PART 2
Ephesians 5: 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us[a] and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Renounce Pagan Ways
3 But fornication and impurity of any kind, or greed, must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Entirely out of place is obscene, silly, and vulgar talk; but instead, let there be thanksgiving. 5 Be sure of this, that no fornicator or impure person, or one who is greedy (that is, an idolater), has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be associated with them. 8 For once you were darkness, but now in the Lord you are light. Live as children of light— 9 for the fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true. 10 Try to find out what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what such people do secretly; 13 but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says,
“Sleeper, awake!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.”
15 Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, 16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil. 17 So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Christian Household
21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.
22 Wives, be subject to your husbands as you are to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife just as Christ is the head of the church, the body of which he is the Savior. 24 Just as the church is subject to Christ, so also wives ought to be, in everything, to their husbands.
25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, 26 in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, 27 so as to present the church to himself in splendor, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind—yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. 28 In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hates his own body, but he nourishes and tenderly cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, 30 because we are members of his body.[b] 31 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, and I am applying it to Christ and the church. 33 Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.
Footnotes:
a. Ephesians 5:2 Other ancient authorities read you
b. Ephesians 5:30 Other ancient authorities add of his flesh and of his bones
There are no more opposite people than Greg and Cathe. We see everything differently. Cathe is very neat. And I am fairly messy. She likes Indian and Thai food. I like hamburgers and burritos. She is usually late. I am usually early. I am always in a rush. She is pretty laid back. We are different. You see, when you put two people together, they are going to have differences. But wasn’t it those very differences that initially attracted you to your spouse? I believe that you can get through the problems you are facing in your marriage today.
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. Men should love their wives as Christ loves the church. Four times in eight verses, we are told to love our wives. 1 Corinthians 13 tells us how:
a. Be patient with her. Wait for God’s timing and cut her some slack.
b. Show kindness and tenderness to her. Sometimes we show more kindness to strangers that to our own wives.
c. Treat her with respect. Don’t be rude. Don’t tear her down. Praise her.
d. Just love her without boasting about it. Don’t parade your loving acts and draw attention to yourself.
e. Don’t be harsh with her. Love is not provoked or aroused to anger.
f. Believe the best, and not the worst, about her. Don’t keep records of past disagreements. Realize her intentions toward you are not evil.
2. Wives should submit to their husbands. Some people choke on the word “submit.” Submission does not speak of inferiority. Submission is something we all do every day to the authorities above us. Jesus Christ Himself is under the submission of the Father. He is not different in essence or nature, but in function. The same principle applies to wives.
RELEVANT REMINDERS
• Love is not something abstract or passive. It is active. It is functioning. Love doesn’t just feel patient. It practices patience. It doesn’t just have kind feelings. It does kind things. Love is only love when it acts.
• It doesn’t do any good to look for something, if you are looking in the wrong place. If you are looking for answers in your marriage, the right place to look is the Word of God.
• Wives should submit to their husbands only “as is fit in the Lord.” If your husband is asking you to do something unbiblical, you are not required to submit.
APPLICABLE ACTIONS
God has already given you everything you need to turn your marriage around. He has given you the power. He has given you the resources. And He has given you the direction. The question is, are you going to start doing it? Don’t wait for some surge of emotional love to come over you. Just start doing what is right. Start loving. Start doing the practical things. Start showing kindness. Even if you don’t feel like it, just start doing it. You watch how God can change your hurting marriage.
TUESDAY, 28 January 2014
Hope for Hurting Marriages, Part 2 — I
Matthew 19: Teaching about Divorce
1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he cured them there.
3 Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” 8 He said to them, “It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery.”[a]
10 His disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.”
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
The Rich Young Man
16 Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “I have kept all these;[b] what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money[c] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
27 Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold,[d] and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 19:9 Other ancient authorities read except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; others add at the end of the verse and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery
b. Matthew 19:20 Other ancient authorities add from my youth
c. Matthew 19:21 Gk lacks the money
d. Matthew 19:29 Other ancient authorities read manifold
They say opposites attract. That may be the case, but sometimes opposites create friction in a long-term marriage. Pastor Greg Laurie points out how to renew the harmony in our homes. It's a look at God's design for healthy marriages.
WEDNESDAY, 29 January 2014
Hope for Hurting Marriages, Part 2 — II
Matthew 19: Teaching about Divorce
1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he cured them there.
3 Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, “Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?” 4 He answered, “Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning ‘made them male and female,’ 5 and said, ‘For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh’? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” 7 They said to him, “Why then did Moses command us to give a certificate of dismissal and to divorce her?” 8 He said to them, “It was because you were so hard-hearted that Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. 9 And I say to you, whoever divorces his wife, except for unchastity, and marries another commits adultery.”[a]
10 His disciples said to him, “If such is the case of a man with his wife, it is better not to marry.” 11 But he said to them, “Not everyone can accept this teaching, but only those to whom it is given. 12 For there are eunuchs who have been so from birth, and there are eunuchs who have been made eunuchs by others, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. Let anyone accept this who can.”
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 Then little children were being brought to him in order that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples spoke sternly to those who brought them; 14 but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs.” 15 And he laid his hands on them and went on his way.
The Rich Young Man
16 Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “I have kept all these;[b] what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money[c] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
27 Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” 28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold,[d] and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.
Footnotes:
a/ Matthew 19:9 Other ancient authorities read except on the ground of unchastity, causes her to commit adultery; others add at the end of the verse and he who marries a divorced woman commits adultery
b. Matthew 19:20 Other ancient authorities add from my youth
c. Matthew 19:21 Gk lacks the money
d. Matthew 19:29 Other ancient authorities read manifold
Pastor Greg Laurie says, even in today's culture, divorce isn't inevitable . . . in fact, it isn't even likely if we follow the Lord's plan. Listen in for a practical discussion to keep our marriages healthy and in proper alignment with God's blueprint.
The Greatest Stories Ever Told
GOD’S ANSWERS TO MAN’S EXCUSES
Exodus 2: Birth and Youth of Moses
1 Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. 3 When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. 4 His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him.
5 The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. 6 When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. “This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,” she said. 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. 10 When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses,[a] “because,” she said, “I drew him out[b] of the water.”
Moses Flees to Midian
11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and saw their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his kinsfolk. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, he saw two Hebrews fighting; and he said to the one who was in the wrong, “Why do you strike your fellow Hebrew?” 14 He answered, “Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses.
But Moses fled from Pharaoh. He settled in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well. 16 The priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 But some shepherds came and drove them away. Moses got up and came to their defense and watered their flock. 18 When they returned to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come back so soon today?” 19 They said, “An Egyptian helped us against the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock.” 20 He said to his daughters, “Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to break bread.” 21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah in marriage. 22 She bore a son, and he named him Gershom; for he said, “I have been an alien[c] residing in a foreign land.”
23 After a long time the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned under their slavery, and cried out. Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God. 24 God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them.
Footnotes:
a. Exodus 2:10 Heb Mosheh
b. Exodus 2:10 Heb mashah
c. Exodus 2:22 Heb ger
Many people carry this image of Moses as a bold, larger-than-life character, much like Hollywood’s depiction of him in The Ten Commandments. And ultimately, Moses did lead the people of Israel out of Egypt to the verge of the Promised Land. But before all that, he was a man who made excuse after excuse when God called him to guide His people out of bondage. In front of the burning bush, God answered every excuse Moses gave, and used him to do great things.
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. I don’t have all the answers (Exodus 3:13). Moses was essentially saying, “I don’t know what to say. Who do I tell them sent me?” Many Christians don’t share the gospel because they don’t feel adequate, like they don’t have all the answers. God’s response is simple: “I AM WHO I AM”—“I am sufficient for whatever the need is.”
2. The people won’t believe me (Exodus 4:1-5). Moses’ next fear was that no one would believe his words or that he was sent by God. The Lord gave him the ability to perform two miracles, but the point was that God was more powerful than the rulers and the opposition Moses would face. We too are God’s ambassador, His representative to this world, and He is greater than anything we will face.
3. I am not a good speaker (Exodus 4:10-12). Moses, like many people, had no confidence in his speaking ability. But even then, you can have confidence in God and the message He has given you to send. Your words don’t have to be complicated. In fact, the simpler, the better. And God will always provide the words to speak.
4. I’m not qualified (Exodus 4:13-17). Finally, Moses said, “Send someone else.” Even though God relented and provided Aaron, it had ramifications later on (the golden calf incident). Telling God “no” is a sin of omission: not doing what you’re supposed to. You’re always better off following and trusting God’s plan and purpose.
RELEVANT REMINDERS
One of Scripture’s continuing themes how God uses seemingly unusable people to do His work. Jacob was a con man. Rahab was a prostitute. Jonah flat out disobeyed God. Simon Peter denied Christ three times. And Moses was a murderer who tried to talk his way out of God’s direction. God was able to use all of them and more, and He can use you too.
APPLICABLE ACTIONS
God has a plan, a purpose, and a destiny for you to fulfill. If you are willing to do what He calls you to do, He will open up doors of opportunity for you. And you will see that one of the greatest things in the Christian life is to be used by God.
THURSDAY, 30 January 2014
God's Answers to Man's Excuses — I
Exodus 2: Birth and Youth of Moses
1 Now a man from the house of Levi went and married a Levite woman. 2 The woman conceived and bore a son; and when she saw that he was a fine baby, she hid him three months. 3 When she could hide him no longer she got a papyrus basket for him, and plastered it with bitumen and pitch; she put the child in it and placed it among the reeds on the bank of the river. 4 His sister stood at a distance, to see what would happen to him.
5 The daughter of Pharaoh came down to bathe at the river, while her attendants walked beside the river. She saw the basket among the reeds and sent her maid to bring it. 6 When she opened it, she saw the child. He was crying, and she took pity on him. “This must be one of the Hebrews’ children,” she said. 7 Then his sister said to Pharaoh’s daughter, “Shall I go and get you a nurse from the Hebrew women to nurse the child for you?” 8 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Yes.” So the girl went and called the child’s mother. 9 Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, “Take this child and nurse it for me, and I will give you your wages.” So the woman took the child and nursed it. 10 When the child grew up, she brought him to Pharaoh’s daughter, and she took him as her son. She named him Moses,[a] “because,” she said, “I drew him out[b] of the water.”
Moses Flees to Midian
11 One day, after Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and saw their forced labor. He saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his kinsfolk. 12 He looked this way and that, and seeing no one he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. 13 When he went out the next day, he saw two Hebrews fighting; and he said to the one who was in the wrong, “Why do you strike your fellow Hebrew?” 14 He answered, “Who made you a ruler and judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” 15 When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses.
But Moses fled from Pharaoh. He settled in the land of Midian, and sat down by a well. 16 The priest of Midian had seven daughters. They came to draw water, and filled the troughs to water their father’s flock. 17 But some shepherds came and drove them away. Moses got up and came to their defense and watered their flock. 18 When they returned to their father Reuel, he said, “How is it that you have come back so soon today?” 19 They said, “An Egyptian helped us against the shepherds; he even drew water for us and watered the flock.” 20 He said to his daughters, “Where is he? Why did you leave the man? Invite him to break bread.” 21 Moses agreed to stay with the man, and he gave Moses his daughter Zipporah in marriage. 22 She bore a son, and he named him Gershom; for he said, “I have been an alien[c] residing in a foreign land.”
23 After a long time the king of Egypt died. The Israelites groaned under their slavery, and cried out. Out of the slavery their cry for help rose up to God. 24 God heard their groaning, and God remembered his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 25 God looked upon the Israelites, and God took notice of them.
Footnotes:
a. Exodus 2:10 Heb Mosheh
b. Exodus 2:10 Heb mashah
c. Exodus 2:22 Heb ger
When God calls us, there are many ways to respond. Pastor Greg Laurie says the only correct way is, "Yes, Lord." We'll see Moses responded to his call with excuses, but we'll learn to make the better choice.
The Greatest Stories Ever Told
THE DANGER OF THE COMPROMISED LIFE
Exodus 5: Bricks without Straw
1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, so that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.’” 2 But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.” 3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has revealed himself to us; let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the Lord our God, or he will fall upon us with pestilence or sword.” 4 But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Get to your labors!” 5 Pharaoh continued, “Now they are more numerous than the people of the land[a] and yet you want them to stop working!” 6 That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, as well as their supervisors, 7 “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as before; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 But you shall require of them the same quantity of bricks as they have made previously; do not diminish it, for they are lazy; that is why they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ 9 Let heavier work be laid on them; then they will labor at it and pay no attention to deceptive words.”
10 So the taskmasters and the supervisors of the people went out and said to the people, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I will not give you straw. 11 Go and get straw yourselves, wherever you can find it; but your work will not be lessened in the least.’” 12 So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt, to gather stubble for straw. 13 The taskmasters were urgent, saying, “Complete your work, the same daily assignment as when you were given straw.” 14 And the supervisors of the Israelites, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, “Why did you not finish the required quantity of bricks yesterday and today, as you did before?”
15 Then the Israelite supervisors came to Pharaoh and cried, “Why do you treat your servants like this? 16 No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ Look how your servants are beaten! You are unjust to your own people.”[b] 17 He said, “You are lazy, lazy; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ 18 Go now, and work; for no straw shall be given you, but you shall still deliver the same number of bricks.” 19 The Israelite supervisors saw that they were in trouble when they were told, “You shall not lessen your daily number of bricks.” 20 As they left Pharaoh, they came upon Moses and Aaron who were waiting to meet them. 21 They said to them, “The Lord look upon you and judge! You have brought us into bad odor with Pharaoh and his officials, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
22 Then Moses turned again to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me? 23 Since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has mistreated this people, and you have done nothing at all to deliver your people.”
Footnotes:
a. Exodus 5:5 Sam: Heb The people of the land are now many
b. Exodus 5:16 Gk Compare Syr Vg: Heb beaten, and the sin of your people
In the spiritual battle, there are two sides. On one side is a God who loves you and wants the best for you. On the other side is a devil who hates you and wants to destroy you. Satan knows that the only way he can defeat you is to draw you out of God’s protection through compromise. Pharaoh’s confrontations with Moses and Aaron are a picture of Satan’s strategies, and the importance of staying strong.
PRACTICAL PRINCIPLES
1. Satan will put obstacles in your path (Exodus 5). Instead of agreement, Moses found opposition in the form of an increased workload for the Israelites. It also led to complaints and opposition from the Israelites. When you are serving God, you will run into opposition, even criticism from your own.
2. Satan will try to get you to stay close (Exodus 8:25). Pharaoh wanted to keep the Israelites close to him. Satan wants you to think it’s ok to live in both worlds, serving God but doing your old things too. Scripture tells us not to give sin a foothold in our lives (Ephesians 4:27), and that you can’t live in both worlds (1 Corinthians 10:21).
3. Satan will try to get you unequally yoked (Exodus 8:28). Pharaoh tried to curry favor by asking Moses to pray for him. Being unequally yoked isn’t just about male-female relationships, but any relationship where the non-believer is dragging you down morally. We need to have relationships with non-Christians, but we need to be salt and light, not getting pulled back to our old sinful ways.
4. Satan will try to get you to leave something behind (Exodus 10:8-11, 24). Pharaoh’s last two offers involved leaving behind the women and children, or the flocks and herds. But either offer would have left ties to Egypt, something Moses rejected (Exodus 10:26). There is no room for any concession to the world’s ways.
RELEVANT REMINDERS
When God said He would harden Pharaoh’s heart (Exodus 7:1-5), He wasn’t making Pharaoh do something he didn’t want to do, just reconfirmed what he had already decided in his heart. As the plagues showed that Egypt’s gods were no match for the living God, Pharaoh just hardened his heart further. The more people resist God’s truth, the tougher it is to reach them, and the more responsible they are for not responding to the truth.
APPLICABLE ACTIONS
There’s a difference between the occasional slip-up and a pattern of sin. Satan wants you to think you can never shake your old ways, so he can keep you close. Don’t let him have control of your life. Give Jesus the steering wheel. Turn your back on Satan for good.
FRIDAY, 31 January 2014
The Danger of the Compromised Life — I
Exodus 5: Bricks without Straw
1 Afterward Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and said, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘Let my people go, so that they may celebrate a festival to me in the wilderness.’” 2 But Pharaoh said, “Who is the Lord, that I should heed him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord, and I will not let Israel go.” 3 Then they said, “The God of the Hebrews has revealed himself to us; let us go a three days’ journey into the wilderness to sacrifice to the Lord our God, or he will fall upon us with pestilence or sword.” 4 But the king of Egypt said to them, “Moses and Aaron, why are you taking the people away from their work? Get to your labors!” 5 Pharaoh continued, “Now they are more numerous than the people of the land[a] and yet you want them to stop working!” 6 That same day Pharaoh commanded the taskmasters of the people, as well as their supervisors, 7 “You shall no longer give the people straw to make bricks, as before; let them go and gather straw for themselves. 8 But you shall require of them the same quantity of bricks as they have made previously; do not diminish it, for they are lazy; that is why they cry, ‘Let us go and offer sacrifice to our God.’ 9 Let heavier work be laid on them; then they will labor at it and pay no attention to deceptive words.”
10 So the taskmasters and the supervisors of the people went out and said to the people, “Thus says Pharaoh, ‘I will not give you straw. 11 Go and get straw yourselves, wherever you can find it; but your work will not be lessened in the least.’” 12 So the people scattered throughout the land of Egypt, to gather stubble for straw. 13 The taskmasters were urgent, saying, “Complete your work, the same daily assignment as when you were given straw.” 14 And the supervisors of the Israelites, whom Pharaoh’s taskmasters had set over them, were beaten, and were asked, “Why did you not finish the required quantity of bricks yesterday and today, as you did before?”
15 Then the Israelite supervisors came to Pharaoh and cried, “Why do you treat your servants like this? 16 No straw is given to your servants, yet they say to us, ‘Make bricks!’ Look how your servants are beaten! You are unjust to your own people.”[b] 17 He said, “You are lazy, lazy; that is why you say, ‘Let us go and sacrifice to the Lord.’ 18 Go now, and work; for no straw shall be given you, but you shall still deliver the same number of bricks.” 19 The Israelite supervisors saw that they were in trouble when they were told, “You shall not lessen your daily number of bricks.” 20 As they left Pharaoh, they came upon Moses and Aaron who were waiting to meet them. 21 They said to them, “The Lord look upon you and judge! You have brought us into bad odor with Pharaoh and his officials, and have put a sword in their hand to kill us.”
22 Then Moses turned again to the Lord and said, “O Lord, why have you mistreated this people? Why did you ever send me? 23 Since I first came to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has mistreated this people, and you have done nothing at all to deliver your people.”
Footnotes:
a. Exodus 5:5 Sam: Heb The people of the land are now many
b. Exodus 5:16 Gk Compare Syr Vg: Heb beaten, and the sin of your people
The world is largely under Satan's control, so how can we resist his influence? Pastor Greg Laurie addresses that question. We'll see that growing closer to Christ is the only way to put distance between us and our adversary.
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Harvest Ministries with Greg Laurie
P.O. Box 4000, Riverside, CA 92514-4000
Phone: 1(800)821-3300
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