But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Exodus 4:10-13 NLT
We know Moses as a friend of God. The great leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt. The man who spoke face to face with God and lived... but he was a coward to start with. He didn't say, "Send someone else." Moses said, "Send ANYONE else." When we pick up his story in our text for today, he's already spent the last 20 verses trying to get out of God's assignment for his life.
Moses had authority issues - coming and going. Can you relate to any of that? I know I can.
It's a complex issue, stemming from two things, that really boil down to one: how well do you know your authority? God tells you what He wants you to do, then all of a sudden, YOU are the complete authority on every bad thing you've ever done in your life, or even thought about doing. You are flamingly aware of every weakness in your character, every flaw of any kind, and suddenly your chronic lack of focus becomes zeroed in and these failings are all that you can see. That's what Moses was doing. "No, God, I can't do what You just said. Oh, I can herd sheep, but not people. Sheep don't care if I stutter or mess up my words and besides, I'm out here on the back side of the mountain; nobody can hear me or see me. But go to Pharaoh? The wealthiest man in the country - the most powerful man? The one who wants to kill me? You want me to go talk to him?"
How many excuses do you think were on Moses' list of why he couldn't do what God told him to do? (I wonder how it compares to mine... or perhaps - yours?)
The other side of that is this: At the beginning, Moses did not know his authority (God) well enough. If he had understood God for who God really is - would Moses have argued or would he have immediately told Jethro, "I have to go. I have to lead God's people out of Egypt"? If he knew God well enough to know that God is indeed trustworthy and able to do whatever He says He will do, would Moses have recognized that he had the whole authority of Heaven and marched right out of that valley?
We must recognize and understand that OUR own limitations in NO WAY limit or prevent God's ability. He is well able to fulfill His purpose for our lives, if we'll take time to know Him and by faith, believe His Word. If we don't know God as our Authority, and know Him well enough to know that His words are trustworthy and true, then we will never know or recognize the authority given to us by His Word.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT tells us, "We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." That's the authority we have to walk in to be able to accomplish what He has assigned to us.
Prayer:
Father:
Help us to recognize the absolute power of You and to walk in the power of Your might, so that we will fulfill Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Showing posts with label Authority. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Authority. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 15, 2025
Monday, February 5, 2024
Not a Suggestion
Do not speak evil of God, and do not curse a leader of your people.
Exodus 22:28 GNT
While we may never dream of speaking evil of God, I don't know anyone who has not said bad things about some political leader. Sadly, myself included.
In this - an election year - this verse is very clear... and scary. It strikes me to the heart with conviction. It doesn't say 'you shouldn't' as though you can choose either way (although the choice is yours); to the child of God, it says, 'Do NOT'...
Prayer:
Father,
Forgive us our sin of cursing our leaders when in 1st Timothy 2:2 You clearly call us to pray for all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. Forgive us, O God. Put a guard over our mouths. Change our hearts to follow You purely, according to Your Word. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Through the Bible in a Year
Reading for February 5
Exodus 21:22-23:13
Matthew 24:1-28
Psalm 29:1-11
Proverbs 7:6-23
Through the Bible in a Year
Reading for February 5
Exodus 21:22-23:13
Matthew 24:1-28
Psalm 29:1-11
Proverbs 7:6-23
Tuesday, June 28, 2022
Authority Issues
But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Exodus 4:10-13 NLT
We know Moses as a friend of God. The great leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt. The man who spoke face to face with God and lived... but he was a coward to start with. He didn't say, "Send someone else." Moses said, "Send ANYONE else." When we pick up his story in our text for today, he's already spent the last 20 verses trying to get out of God's assignment for his life.
Moses had authority issues - coming and going. Can you relate to any of that? I know I can.
It's a complex issue, stemming from two things that really boil down to one: how well do you know your authority? God tells you what He wants you to do, then all of a sudden, YOU are the complete authority on every bad thing you've ever done in your life, or even thought about doing. You are flamingly aware of every weakness in your character, every flaw of any kind, and suddenly your chronic lack of focus becomes zeroed in and these failings are all that you can see. That's what Moses was doing. "No, God, I can't do what You just said. Oh, I can herd sheep, but not people. Sheep don't care if I stutter or mess up my words and besides, I'm out here on the back side of the mountain, nobody can hear me or see me. But go to Pharaoh? The wealthiest man in the country - the most powerful man? The one that wants to kill me? You want me to go talk to him?"
How many excuses do you think were on Moses' list of why he couldn't do what God told him to do? (I wonder how it compares to my list of excuses... or perhaps, yours?)
The other side of that is this - At the beginning, Moses did not know his authority (God) well enough. If he had understood God for who God really is - would Moses have argued or would he have immediately told Jethro, "I have to go. I have to lead God's people out of Egypt"? If he knew God well enough to know that God is indeed trustworthy and able to do whatever He says He will do, would Moses have recognized that he had the whole authority of Heaven and marched right out of that valley?
We must recognize and understand that OUR own limitations in NO WAY limit or prevent God's ability. He is well able to fulfill His purpose for our lives, if we'll take time to know Him and by faith, believe His Word. If we don't know God as our Authority, and know Him well enough to know that His words are trustworthy and true, then we will never know or recognize the authority given to us by His Word.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT tells us, We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. [emphasis mine] That's the authority we have to walk in to accomplish what He has assigned to us.
Prayer:
Father:
Help us to recognize the absolute power of You and to walk in the power of Your might, so that we will fulfill Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Exodus 4:10-13 NLT
We know Moses as a friend of God. The great leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt. The man who spoke face to face with God and lived... but he was a coward to start with. He didn't say, "Send someone else." Moses said, "Send ANYONE else." When we pick up his story in our text for today, he's already spent the last 20 verses trying to get out of God's assignment for his life.
Moses had authority issues - coming and going. Can you relate to any of that? I know I can.
It's a complex issue, stemming from two things that really boil down to one: how well do you know your authority? God tells you what He wants you to do, then all of a sudden, YOU are the complete authority on every bad thing you've ever done in your life, or even thought about doing. You are flamingly aware of every weakness in your character, every flaw of any kind, and suddenly your chronic lack of focus becomes zeroed in and these failings are all that you can see. That's what Moses was doing. "No, God, I can't do what You just said. Oh, I can herd sheep, but not people. Sheep don't care if I stutter or mess up my words and besides, I'm out here on the back side of the mountain, nobody can hear me or see me. But go to Pharaoh? The wealthiest man in the country - the most powerful man? The one that wants to kill me? You want me to go talk to him?"
How many excuses do you think were on Moses' list of why he couldn't do what God told him to do? (I wonder how it compares to my list of excuses... or perhaps, yours?)
The other side of that is this - At the beginning, Moses did not know his authority (God) well enough. If he had understood God for who God really is - would Moses have argued or would he have immediately told Jethro, "I have to go. I have to lead God's people out of Egypt"? If he knew God well enough to know that God is indeed trustworthy and able to do whatever He says He will do, would Moses have recognized that he had the whole authority of Heaven and marched right out of that valley?
We must recognize and understand that OUR own limitations in NO WAY limit or prevent God's ability. He is well able to fulfill His purpose for our lives, if we'll take time to know Him and by faith, believe His Word. If we don't know God as our Authority, and know Him well enough to know that His words are trustworthy and true, then we will never know or recognize the authority given to us by His Word.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT tells us, We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. [emphasis mine] That's the authority we have to walk in to accomplish what He has assigned to us.
Prayer:
Father:
Help us to recognize the absolute power of You and to walk in the power of Your might, so that we will fulfill Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Wednesday, May 25, 2022
Something Different for May - Day 25 - Respect for Authority
Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.
Romans 13:1-7 NLT
Prayer - Day 25
Holy God,
Holy God,
Politics are such a pain—help me remember no authority is put over me except what You’ve established. Please give me the grace to submit appropriately to those who govern me, and to give to everyone what I owe, especially love, respect and honor. Amen.
Praying Through Romans - www.crosswalk.com
Wednesday, February 5, 2020
Understanding the Purpose
His parents didn’t know what to think. “Son,” his mother said to him, “why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.”
“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant.
Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
Luke 2:48-52 NLT
At 12, He understood His purpose. He was to be about His Father's business, but His earthly parents did not understand. This is the last story we read about Jesus' childhood. For the next EIGHTEEN YEARS, there isn't one other record of Him. However, we know that the Saviour of the world lived in submission to His earthly parents. Jesus knew that all authority is placed by God the Father, and if He was to be a man of authority, He had to submit to authority - to God's authority and the authority God placed in Jesus' life. What is the main point? Obedience.
And because He did, He grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. Jesus understood the purpose of submission. He understood the great power of obedience and He walked it out in His life. How do we know that? Romans 5:19 assures us, For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. And also because 18 years later - when Jesus re-emerged onto the scene - He was fully equipped to complete His purpose... in obedience.
“But why did you need to search?” he asked. “Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?” But they didn’t understand what he meant.
Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.
Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.
Luke 2:48-52 NLT
At 12, He understood His purpose. He was to be about His Father's business, but His earthly parents did not understand. This is the last story we read about Jesus' childhood. For the next EIGHTEEN YEARS, there isn't one other record of Him. However, we know that the Saviour of the world lived in submission to His earthly parents. Jesus knew that all authority is placed by God the Father, and if He was to be a man of authority, He had to submit to authority - to God's authority and the authority God placed in Jesus' life. What is the main point? Obedience.
And because He did, He grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people. Jesus understood the purpose of submission. He understood the great power of obedience and He walked it out in His life. How do we know that? Romans 5:19 assures us, For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by one Man’s obedience many will be made righteous. And also because 18 years later - when Jesus re-emerged onto the scene - He was fully equipped to complete His purpose... in obedience.
And He did.
Prayer:
Father,
We understand so little about submission to authority and complete obedience from the heart. We want to know it more. Forgive us, O God! We want more of You and less of ourselves. Help us to humble ourselves under Your mighty hand that we may fulfill Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Prayer:
Father,
We understand so little about submission to authority and complete obedience from the heart. We want to know it more. Forgive us, O God! We want more of You and less of ourselves. Help us to humble ourselves under Your mighty hand that we may fulfill Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen
Monday, July 31, 2017
Whose Authority
But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Exodus 4:10-13 NLT
We know Moses as a friend of God. The great leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt. The man who spoke face to face with God and lived... but he was a coward to start with. He didn't say, "Send someone else." Moses said, "Send ANYONE else." When we pick up his story in our text for today, he's already spent the last 20 verses trying to get out of God's assignment for his life.
Moses had authority issues - coming and going. Can you relate to any of that? I know I can.
It's a complex issue, stemming from two things, that really boil down to one: how well do you know your authority? God tells you what He wants you to do, then all of a sudden, YOU are the complete authority on every bad thing you've ever done in your life, or even thought about doing. You are flamingly aware of every weakness in your character, every flaw of any kind, and suddenly your chronic lack of focus becomes zeroed in and these failings are all that you can see. That's what Moses was doing. "No, God, I can't do what You just said. Oh, I can herd sheep, but not people. Sheep don't care if I stutter or mess up my words and besides, I'm out here on the back side of the mountain, nobody can hear me or see me. But go to Pharaoh? The wealthiest man in the country - the most powerful man? The one that wants to kill me? You want me to go talk to him?"
How many excuses do you think were on Moses' list of why he couldn't do what God told him to do? (I wonder how it compares to mine... or perhaps, yours?)
The other side of that is this - At the beginning, Moses did not know his authority (God) well enough. If he had understood God for who God really is - would Moses have argued or would he have immediately told Jethro, "I have to go. I have to lead God's people out of Egypt"? If he knew God well enough to know that God is indeed trustworthy and able to do whatever He says He will do, would Moses have recognized that he had the whole authority of Heaven and marched right out of that valley?
We must recognize and understand that OUR own limitations in NO WAY limit or prevent God's ability. He is well able to fulfill His purpose for our lives, if we'll take time to know Him and by faith, believe His Word. If we don't know God as our Authority, and know Him well enough to know that His words are trustworthy and true, then we will never know or recognize the authority given to us by His Word.
Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
Exodus 4:10-13 NLT
We know Moses as a friend of God. The great leader who led the Israelites out of Egypt. The man who spoke face to face with God and lived... but he was a coward to start with. He didn't say, "Send someone else." Moses said, "Send ANYONE else." When we pick up his story in our text for today, he's already spent the last 20 verses trying to get out of God's assignment for his life.
Moses had authority issues - coming and going. Can you relate to any of that? I know I can.
It's a complex issue, stemming from two things, that really boil down to one: how well do you know your authority? God tells you what He wants you to do, then all of a sudden, YOU are the complete authority on every bad thing you've ever done in your life, or even thought about doing. You are flamingly aware of every weakness in your character, every flaw of any kind, and suddenly your chronic lack of focus becomes zeroed in and these failings are all that you can see. That's what Moses was doing. "No, God, I can't do what You just said. Oh, I can herd sheep, but not people. Sheep don't care if I stutter or mess up my words and besides, I'm out here on the back side of the mountain, nobody can hear me or see me. But go to Pharaoh? The wealthiest man in the country - the most powerful man? The one that wants to kill me? You want me to go talk to him?"
How many excuses do you think were on Moses' list of why he couldn't do what God told him to do? (I wonder how it compares to mine... or perhaps, yours?)
The other side of that is this - At the beginning, Moses did not know his authority (God) well enough. If he had understood God for who God really is - would Moses have argued or would he have immediately told Jethro, "I have to go. I have to lead God's people out of Egypt"? If he knew God well enough to know that God is indeed trustworthy and able to do whatever He says He will do, would Moses have recognized that he had the whole authority of Heaven and marched right out of that valley?
We must recognize and understand that OUR own limitations in NO WAY limit or prevent God's ability. He is well able to fulfill His purpose for our lives, if we'll take time to know Him and by faith, believe His Word. If we don't know God as our Authority, and know Him well enough to know that His words are trustworthy and true, then we will never know or recognize the authority given to us by His Word.
Ephesians 2:10 NLT tells us, We are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. [emphasis mine] That's the authority we have to walk in to accomplish what He has assigned to us.
Prayer:
Father:
Help us to recognize the absolute power of You and to walk in the power of Your might, so that we will fulfill Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
Prayer:
Father:
Help us to recognize the absolute power of You and to walk in the power of Your might, so that we will fulfill Your purpose for our lives. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.
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