"…not be a hoof shall be left behind…” Exodus 10:26
The devil seeks to compromise the full vision of God as revealed to his children. He’s good that way.
Here we have Pharaoh finally considering the possibility of releasing the Israelites to worship their God on the Sinai Peninsula. Their release from the land would pretty much destroy the slave workforce, tip the economy, halt the construction, and make life quite uneasy for the thriving culture.
All the same, Pharaoh was willing to release himself to God’s Promise.
We are often apprehensive about fully giving into the Promise, aren’t we? We think that if we give it all to God worlds will collide. And they will. Nothing is ever, ever the same.
That’s when the voice of comprise raises its slimy head. It says, “Why don’t you head in God’s general direction – nothing too radical, of course - and not throw your eggs into one basket. And then, just incase things don’t work out for you, you’ll still have a piece of your heart here (your ‘herds and cattle’). You can always come home, you know. We’ll leave the light on for ya…”
I call that Preventative Theology.
In the face of Pharaoh’s compromise, “Go, worship the Lord… only leave your flocks and herds behind…” (Gen. 10:24) the original Call of God came to the forefront of Moses’ mind. He knew that, when God calls, he demands everything. There is no spare tire – no room for “Preventative Theology” – in the call of the God.
No, he asserts. “Not a hoof shall be left behind.” Moses might as well be saying, “Here’s the deal, chump. You either release us into the full, uncompressing, unyielding, complete will of God or we’re going to be dealing with a few more plagues around here until you finally get a clue and give into what he wants to do in your life.”
Perhaps there is a similar conversation going on inside of your mind, and inside of mind. While we know it’s God’s best to completely get out of Egypt, our flesh – our lord over Egypt – in its fear and rebellion and hardness of hard cries out, seeking to keep something, anything – even a hoof, if need be – in the land of our past. And today, as it was with Moses, the call is all consuming. It demands everything. There can be no back-up plan for one who sets his eyes on the Mountain of God.
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Prophetic Points to Ponder V
Then the Lord said to Moses,” What is that in your hand?” “A staff,” he replied.” Exodus 4:2
Our “mundane” has the potential to become a tool of the miraculous, providing, of course, our "mundane" is operated in obedience to the call of God.
I often think of Jesus’ first miracle, a wedding in Cana. In that situation, water became a powerful tool where-with many became aware of the goodness of God. Even today, some 2000 years later, we are encouraged by this miracle and even yearn that the Lord would change our water to wine, our mundane to the miraculous.
Moses had a staff. It was a simple tool of his trade – shepherding. On its own, it was a stick. Yet, under the Moses’ obedience to the call of God in his life, it became the very instrument of redemption. It fulfilled the purposes of God in the life of Moses.
We often look for the perfect instrument of God’s call. Sometimes it’s a book, a class, an experience, or a new “something.” When that happens, we say, that’s when God will really take over and use me. But that wasn’t the case with Moses. He already had what it took to fulfill the promise of God in his life. He may have had it for years. It wasn’t a matter of getting the new book, guitar, buy a new car, attend a class, or even get an experience in God. For in the light of his Light, even our most mundane articles are transfigured into instruments of the miraculous.
Holy Father, forgive me for thinking you need something more than I have to do your work. As I present my heart before your call on my life, use me – and use all I currently own as instruments of the miraculous. May my water be transformed into the wine of your redemption, for all to see. In Christ I pray. Amen.
Our “mundane” has the potential to become a tool of the miraculous, providing, of course, our "mundane" is operated in obedience to the call of God.
I often think of Jesus’ first miracle, a wedding in Cana. In that situation, water became a powerful tool where-with many became aware of the goodness of God. Even today, some 2000 years later, we are encouraged by this miracle and even yearn that the Lord would change our water to wine, our mundane to the miraculous.
Moses had a staff. It was a simple tool of his trade – shepherding. On its own, it was a stick. Yet, under the Moses’ obedience to the call of God in his life, it became the very instrument of redemption. It fulfilled the purposes of God in the life of Moses.
We often look for the perfect instrument of God’s call. Sometimes it’s a book, a class, an experience, or a new “something.” When that happens, we say, that’s when God will really take over and use me. But that wasn’t the case with Moses. He already had what it took to fulfill the promise of God in his life. He may have had it for years. It wasn’t a matter of getting the new book, guitar, buy a new car, attend a class, or even get an experience in God. For in the light of his Light, even our most mundane articles are transfigured into instruments of the miraculous.
Holy Father, forgive me for thinking you need something more than I have to do your work. As I present my heart before your call on my life, use me – and use all I currently own as instruments of the miraculous. May my water be transformed into the wine of your redemption, for all to see. In Christ I pray. Amen.
Friday, September 25, 2009
Prophetic Points to Ponder IV
“… I have never been eloquent… I am slow of speech and tongue…” Exodus 4:10
When a person comes face to face with the Living God his soul is laid bare and all worldly status, skill, and social achievement is quite simply, stripped away. From infancy, Moses was raised in the most progressive civilization in the world – Pharaoh’s Egypt. He learned its arithmetic, its poetry, and its magic; even became a general in its military. He was a learned dignitary, “educated in the wisdom of the Egyptians and powerful in speech and action.” (Acts 7:22) So what he said wasn’t exactly true. He could talk, he had lead, he was a real player in the land of Egypt – educated and enmeshed in Egyptian high culture.
Yet, here, in the Presence of God on the mountain, he realizes who he thought he was couldn’t hold a candle to who the Shekinah Creator said he was.
It’s a funny thing, isn't it? When God reveals his call on our life, we instinctively tell him why it can’t work. The subject of the conversation changes from his call to our inadequacies. First it begins as an opportunity – something of a surprise, something he knows we’d love to do. Then, somewhere in the midst of the discussion (and the discussion may last for years, by the way) it turns to an argument. Not long after that we sense God’s rising anger in our lingering procrastination. One day we come to our senses and realize that – yes, he has called us – and, no, we cant do it in our own strength.
That’s when God calls, “Bingo.”
This is called the, Conversion to Calling. It happens to all of us at some time or another. It’s when we realize our best can never touch what is needed to carry out God’s call on our life’s. It is a spiritual nexus – a colliding of worlds of sorts – where we are both completely convinced of the call of ministry on our life AND, in the same instant, realize our complete inadequacies for the job he has called us to do. How can we possibly live into the revelation of his call knowing we fall so miserably short of the Glory of God?
One more time – let’s say it together with God, “Bingo!"
This is exactly where we need to be (and exactly where we need to stay). It has been God's destination for us all along. When we arrive here, humbled at the mountain of God's Almighty Throne, his work, in one sense, has been accomplished. All those years he’s worked to get us off our pride and into humility accumulate here, at this one point in time. All the lessons of his sufficiency in the midst of our insuffencies have been predesigned for this one moment.
In a moment's flash we realize it's impossible to do anything God calls us to on our own. It's when we realise he's calling us to do it on his own.
Holy Father, I stand at the ceiling of my being, knowing that all I offer is tasteless to food from above. Breath into my brokenness with your Almighty Grace and, in the power of your Living Word, create in me a disdain for my efforts and ordain me for yours. In the Name of the One who changes my water to wine, Jesus Christ. Amen.
When a person comes face to face with the Living God his soul is laid bare and all worldly status, skill, and social achievement is quite simply, stripped away. From infancy, Moses was raised in the most progressive civilization in the world – Pharaoh’s Egypt. He learned its arithmetic, its poetry, and its magic; even became a general in its military. He was a learned dignitary, “educated in the wisdom of the Egyptians and powerful in speech and action.” (Acts 7:22) So what he said wasn’t exactly true. He could talk, he had lead, he was a real player in the land of Egypt – educated and enmeshed in Egyptian high culture.
Yet, here, in the Presence of God on the mountain, he realizes who he thought he was couldn’t hold a candle to who the Shekinah Creator said he was.
It’s a funny thing, isn't it? When God reveals his call on our life, we instinctively tell him why it can’t work. The subject of the conversation changes from his call to our inadequacies. First it begins as an opportunity – something of a surprise, something he knows we’d love to do. Then, somewhere in the midst of the discussion (and the discussion may last for years, by the way) it turns to an argument. Not long after that we sense God’s rising anger in our lingering procrastination. One day we come to our senses and realize that – yes, he has called us – and, no, we cant do it in our own strength.
That’s when God calls, “Bingo.”
This is called the, Conversion to Calling. It happens to all of us at some time or another. It’s when we realize our best can never touch what is needed to carry out God’s call on our life’s. It is a spiritual nexus – a colliding of worlds of sorts – where we are both completely convinced of the call of ministry on our life AND, in the same instant, realize our complete inadequacies for the job he has called us to do. How can we possibly live into the revelation of his call knowing we fall so miserably short of the Glory of God?
One more time – let’s say it together with God, “Bingo!"
This is exactly where we need to be (and exactly where we need to stay). It has been God's destination for us all along. When we arrive here, humbled at the mountain of God's Almighty Throne, his work, in one sense, has been accomplished. All those years he’s worked to get us off our pride and into humility accumulate here, at this one point in time. All the lessons of his sufficiency in the midst of our insuffencies have been predesigned for this one moment.
In a moment's flash we realize it's impossible to do anything God calls us to on our own. It's when we realise he's calling us to do it on his own.
Holy Father, I stand at the ceiling of my being, knowing that all I offer is tasteless to food from above. Breath into my brokenness with your Almighty Grace and, in the power of your Living Word, create in me a disdain for my efforts and ordain me for yours. In the Name of the One who changes my water to wine, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Prophetic Points to Ponder III
“… she placed the child in the papyrus basket and put it among the reeds…” Exodus 2:3
Amram, Moses mother, loved her son to such an extent that she intentionally positioned him to be caught up in the house of her enemy. He was captured – drawn out of the waters – and was immediately baptized in the most progressive civilization in the world. He learned its arithmetic, its poetry, and its magic; even became a general in its military. He became a learned dignitary, “educated in the wisdom of the Egyptians and powerful in speech and action.” (Acts 7:22)
One would think Moses’ exposure to this hardened, poly-theistic culture would have ruined him. Yet it became the very springboard for his future call to ministry. Through his loving mother, God placed this infant prophet into the very heart of Egypt – the same Egypt from which he would one day return, rescue, and deliver His children and lead them to the Promised Land.
Herein lies a powerful foreshadowing of the ministry of Christ. Like Moses, Christ was intentionally released from Love’s Arms and positioned to be captured – drawn from the waters of Mary’s womb, if you will – to live, learn, and grow into the baptism of this fallen world, that he would one day rise and become its Everlasting Redeemer.
It is never God’s final intent to place us in Egypt, to lean its arithmetic, its poetry, and its magic, for Egypt’s sake alone. If that were the case the Church would evolve into a spineless amoeba of stealthy chameleons, sold out to a system governed by the prince of darkness. No, we have a much higher call – a call that, like the Presence of God on Sinai, transcends time and space and trumpets forth the Heart of Matter. We are only passing through. True, we live in the world, but we are not of the world. Like Moses (and like Jesus) we have been positioned from above to proclaim the testimony of the One with whom we’ve met on the mountain.
Holy Father, as Amram sent her son Moses into a foreign culture and as you sent Jesus into the world of your redemption, so too have you positioned us to live with the people you so dearly love. Give us such an awareness of your mission in the world that we would never loose site of the higher call, the call we heard at our Transfiguration, the call to evangelize the world with the Good News of Christ Jesus. It is in his Name we pray. Amen.
Amram, Moses mother, loved her son to such an extent that she intentionally positioned him to be caught up in the house of her enemy. He was captured – drawn out of the waters – and was immediately baptized in the most progressive civilization in the world. He learned its arithmetic, its poetry, and its magic; even became a general in its military. He became a learned dignitary, “educated in the wisdom of the Egyptians and powerful in speech and action.” (Acts 7:22)
One would think Moses’ exposure to this hardened, poly-theistic culture would have ruined him. Yet it became the very springboard for his future call to ministry. Through his loving mother, God placed this infant prophet into the very heart of Egypt – the same Egypt from which he would one day return, rescue, and deliver His children and lead them to the Promised Land.
Herein lies a powerful foreshadowing of the ministry of Christ. Like Moses, Christ was intentionally released from Love’s Arms and positioned to be captured – drawn from the waters of Mary’s womb, if you will – to live, learn, and grow into the baptism of this fallen world, that he would one day rise and become its Everlasting Redeemer.
It is never God’s final intent to place us in Egypt, to lean its arithmetic, its poetry, and its magic, for Egypt’s sake alone. If that were the case the Church would evolve into a spineless amoeba of stealthy chameleons, sold out to a system governed by the prince of darkness. No, we have a much higher call – a call that, like the Presence of God on Sinai, transcends time and space and trumpets forth the Heart of Matter. We are only passing through. True, we live in the world, but we are not of the world. Like Moses (and like Jesus) we have been positioned from above to proclaim the testimony of the One with whom we’ve met on the mountain.
Holy Father, as Amram sent her son Moses into a foreign culture and as you sent Jesus into the world of your redemption, so too have you positioned us to live with the people you so dearly love. Give us such an awareness of your mission in the world that we would never loose site of the higher call, the call we heard at our Transfiguration, the call to evangelize the world with the Good News of Christ Jesus. It is in his Name we pray. Amen.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Prophetic Points to Ponder II
“…Moses reported this to the Israelites but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage...” Exodus 6:9
The words of Moses were words of hope and promise. Through the stuttering lips of the timid prophet, God was seeking to communicate that he had heard the cries of his children. He was assuring them he would deliver them from the yoke of Egyptian slavery and lead them, with a mighty hand, into the land of Promise. (Exodus 6:6-8)
But they wouldn't hear a word of it. Perhaps, better said, they couldn’t hear a word of it.
Once, sometime in the past, they had been filled with faith, gratitude, and enthusiasm for the things of God – the Land of Goshen. But now their hearts had become strangely similar to the bricks they were mindlessly manufacturing for Pharaoh; hardened and impenetrable by any moisture from above.
If not monitored, the desert elements of discouragement and cruel bondage will form a toxic combination which handicaps ones ability to hear (and believe) the Promises of God. The Bible calls this condition “a hardened heart.” It’s a natural outcome of life in the desert and can breed a cynical, bitter, and even disbelieving demeanor in the heart of the disciple.
Ezekiel prophesied God would one day remove the heart of stone and exchange it with a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19) A heart of flesh is a beautiful thing. A person with a heart of flesh dares to listen. She is sensitive, discerning, and open. She is willing to believe. Her being is intentionally softened through the streams of the Holy Spirit. She is postured in certain, living vulnerability, which enables her to flow within and embrace the mysterious wonder of God’s promise.
Even in the midst of immense pain and disappointment, a person with a heart of flesh can recognize and even be encouraged by God’s Promise, regardless of how preposterous it seems.
Heavenly Father, create in me a contrite heart. Lift me from all discouragement and cruel bondage. Wash me in the water of your Word and rain onto my rocky soil, that I might know you and believe you as your Word is revealed in my heart. Amen.
The words of Moses were words of hope and promise. Through the stuttering lips of the timid prophet, God was seeking to communicate that he had heard the cries of his children. He was assuring them he would deliver them from the yoke of Egyptian slavery and lead them, with a mighty hand, into the land of Promise. (Exodus 6:6-8)
But they wouldn't hear a word of it. Perhaps, better said, they couldn’t hear a word of it.
Once, sometime in the past, they had been filled with faith, gratitude, and enthusiasm for the things of God – the Land of Goshen. But now their hearts had become strangely similar to the bricks they were mindlessly manufacturing for Pharaoh; hardened and impenetrable by any moisture from above.
If not monitored, the desert elements of discouragement and cruel bondage will form a toxic combination which handicaps ones ability to hear (and believe) the Promises of God. The Bible calls this condition “a hardened heart.” It’s a natural outcome of life in the desert and can breed a cynical, bitter, and even disbelieving demeanor in the heart of the disciple.
Ezekiel prophesied God would one day remove the heart of stone and exchange it with a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19) A heart of flesh is a beautiful thing. A person with a heart of flesh dares to listen. She is sensitive, discerning, and open. She is willing to believe. Her being is intentionally softened through the streams of the Holy Spirit. She is postured in certain, living vulnerability, which enables her to flow within and embrace the mysterious wonder of God’s promise.
Even in the midst of immense pain and disappointment, a person with a heart of flesh can recognize and even be encouraged by God’s Promise, regardless of how preposterous it seems.
Heavenly Father, create in me a contrite heart. Lift me from all discouragement and cruel bondage. Wash me in the water of your Word and rain onto my rocky soil, that I might know you and believe you as your Word is revealed in my heart. Amen.
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Prophetic Points to Ponder 2
“…Moses reported this to the Israelites but they did not listen to him because of their discouragement and cruel bondage...” Exodus 6:9
The words Moses reported to the Israelites were words of hope, words of promise. They were a sorely-needed reminder that God had not forsaken them but had heard their cry. Through the stuttering lips of the Prophet Moses, God swore to his children that he would rescue them from the yoke of the Egyptians, free them from their slavery, and bring them into the land of Promise Land with a mighty hand. (Exodus 6:6-8)
But they couldn't hear a word of it.
Their hearts – having once been filled with faith, gratitude, and enthusiasm for the forgotten Land of Goshen – had become strangely similar to the bricks they were now manufacturing for Pharaoh; hardened, impenetrable by any moisture from above.
Ezekiel prophesied that God would one day remove the heart of stone and exchange it with a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19) A person with a heart of flesh dares to listen. She is willing to believe. She is sensitive, discerning, and open. Her mind is intentionally softened through the Spirit – postured in certain, living vulnerability – which enables her to flow within the mysterious ways of the Covenanted One.
"Discouragement and cruel bondage" form a toxic combination which handicaps the ability to hear the Promise of God. It silences to Voice of salvation and hope - which is the essence of who we are in Christ.
When the weight of our attention falls solely upon the choking cares of this world, we are certain to turn cynical, bitter, and unbelieving. But as we set our minds on the things above, even in the midst of our pain and disappointment, we will recognize and even be encouraged by the steadfast Word of the Lord – regardless how preposterous it may seem.
Heavenly Father, remove my pride, my bitterness, my life patterns of worry and adherence to the myth of fairness. Breathe your rain onto my rocky soil and set me free from the noise that would seek to distort and deafen your holy words to and through me. In Christ’s Name I pray, Amen.
The words Moses reported to the Israelites were words of hope, words of promise. They were a sorely-needed reminder that God had not forsaken them but had heard their cry. Through the stuttering lips of the Prophet Moses, God swore to his children that he would rescue them from the yoke of the Egyptians, free them from their slavery, and bring them into the land of Promise Land with a mighty hand. (Exodus 6:6-8)
But they couldn't hear a word of it.
Their hearts – having once been filled with faith, gratitude, and enthusiasm for the forgotten Land of Goshen – had become strangely similar to the bricks they were now manufacturing for Pharaoh; hardened, impenetrable by any moisture from above.
Ezekiel prophesied that God would one day remove the heart of stone and exchange it with a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 11:19) A person with a heart of flesh dares to listen. She is willing to believe. She is sensitive, discerning, and open. Her mind is intentionally softened through the Spirit – postured in certain, living vulnerability – which enables her to flow within the mysterious ways of the Covenanted One.
"Discouragement and cruel bondage" form a toxic combination which handicaps the ability to hear the Promise of God. It silences to Voice of salvation and hope - which is the essence of who we are in Christ.
When the weight of our attention falls solely upon the choking cares of this world, we are certain to turn cynical, bitter, and unbelieving. But as we set our minds on the things above, even in the midst of our pain and disappointment, we will recognize and even be encouraged by the steadfast Word of the Lord – regardless how preposterous it may seem.
Heavenly Father, remove my pride, my bitterness, my life patterns of worry and adherence to the myth of fairness. Breathe your rain onto my rocky soil and set me free from the noise that would seek to distort and deafen your holy words to and through me. In Christ’s Name I pray, Amen.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Prophetic Points to Ponder I
“… and Moses led the flock to the back of the desert… and the Angel of the Lord appeared to him…” Exodus 3:1,2
God’s presence – which includes revelation, calling, and empowerment – happens as we faithfully embrace the present day, moment by moment, reality of the work given us to do.
We tend to want to meet God everywhere – anywhere – except for where we happen to be at any given time. We think present circumstances have little to do with the real deal. Thus, like fidgety prairie dogs, with our heads darting to and fro, scanning the horizon for any signs of Life, we quickly forget that the Voice of I AM happens right here, right where we are; right here in the back of the desert.
Moses encountered God as he was faithful and diligent in his work. One could speculate that if Moses had been irresponsible in the shepherding of the little flock, he would have missed the greater call to shepherd Israel. Being a shepherd wasn’t the most prestigious occupation in the world (it meant life or death to the sheep, though). Yet, it was there, there in the daily decision to faithfully embrace the work given him, when God spoke. There, in the all hallowed Present, God revealed, called, and empowered his servant Moses.
Father, guide my eyes, my heart, my entire being to the present thing you’ve given. Grant me diligence to thankfully be about your present-day business so that, through your holy fire, your revelation and calling would shine forth in my life. For the glory of your Name. Amen.
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