Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Instructions from God” – Tuesday, 8 July 2014 - Scripture: Exodus 4:1-12

Kansas City, Missouri, United States - Reflecting God – Embrace Holy Living - “Instructions from God” – Tuesday, 8 July 2014 - Scripture: Exodus 4:1 Moses objected, “They won’t trust me. They won’t listen to a word I say. They’re going to say, ‘God? Appear to him? Hardly!’”
2 So God said, “What’s that in your hand?”
“A staff.”
3 “Throw it on the ground.” He threw it. It became a snake; Moses jumped back—fast!
4-5 God said to Moses, “Reach out and grab it by the tail.” He reached out and grabbed it—and he was holding his staff again. “That’s so they will trust that God appeared to you, the God of their fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
6 God then said, “Put your hand inside your shirt.” He slipped his hand under his shirt, then took it out. His hand had turned leprous, like snow.
7 He said, “Put your hand back under your shirt.” He did it, then took it back out—as healthy as before.
8-9 “So if they don’t trust you and aren’t convinced by the first sign, the second sign should do it. But if it doesn’t, if even after these two signs they don’t trust you and listen to your message, take some water out of the Nile and pour it out on the dry land; the Nile water that you pour out will turn to blood when it hits the ground.”
10 Moses raised another objection to God: “Master, please, I don’t talk well. I’ve never been good with words, neither before nor after you spoke to me. I stutter and stammer.”
11-12 God said, “And who do you think made the human mouth? And who makes some mute, some deaf, some sighted, some blind? Isn’t it I, God? So, get going. I’ll be right there with you—with your mouth! I’ll be right there to teach you what to say.”
“Instructions from God” by Wil Watson
God doesn’t communicate with me by dreams. Unlike Moses, I’ve never heard His audible voice. I wish I could! I wonder about my spiritual sensitivity, but He gives me guidance in less spectacular ways. Usually, it comes by a peace within—a quiet confidence that this is the right way. Sometimes He does it by simply nudging me in the right direction, as I go about my business of serving Him. Is that your experience? The following incident may encourage you.
One evening, I made a routine follow-up visit with a church visitor whose wife had recently died. He returned the next Sunday, soon made a spiritual commitment, and became an active part of the congregation. Later, he confided to me that he had made preparations to take his life the night of my visit. Was it coincidence that I came at just the right time?  I don’t think so. Unknown to me, God helped me remember the man that day rather than the next. I would have been too late! I was just a busy pastor doing his job. God nudged me at the right time. 

The lesson: God’s instruction methods are incidental. Our Spirit-led life is crucial!

Hymn for Today:

“He Brought Me Out” by Henry J. Zelley
1. My heart was distressed ’neath Jehovah’s dread frown,
And low in the pit where my sins dragged me down;
I cried to the Lord from the deep miry clay,
Who tenderly brought me out to golden day. 
Refrain:
He brought me out of the miry clay,
He set my feet on the Rock to stay;
He puts a song in my soul today,
A song of praise, hallelujah! 
2. He placed me upon the strong Rock by His side,
My steps were established and here I’ll abide;
No danger of falling while here I remain,
But stand by His grace until the crown I gain.
Refrain:
He brought me out of the miry clay,
He set my feet on the Rock to stay;
He puts a song in my soul today,
A song of praise, hallelujah! 
3. He gave me a song, ’twas a new song of praise;
By day and by night its sweet notes I will raise;
My heart’s overflowing, I’m happy and free;
I’ll praise my Redeemer, Who has rescued me.
Refrain:
He brought me out of the miry clay,
He set my feet on the Rock to stay;
He puts a song in my soul today,
A song of praise, hallelujah! 
4. I’ll sing of His wonderful mercy to me,
I’ll praise Him till all men His goodness shall see;
I’ll sing of salvation at home and abroad,
Till many shall hear the truth and trust in God.
Refrain:
He brought me out of the miry clay,
He set my feet on the Rock to stay;
He puts a song in my soul today,
A song of praise, hallelujah! 
Thought for Today:
“Ask yourself, ‘What have I done today that only a Spirit-filled Christian would do?’”
Prayer Needs:
Developing Christian leaders in Malawi!
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