Missionary Broadcasting.com

“And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?” While I understand the tone of this question, in that it displays a lack of trust in God, I can’t help but identify with Moses’ sense of amazement. Who are we to minister for an almighty God? The answer would be no one at all, if it weren’t for our Lord’s propensity for turning nothing into something for His own glory. It seems these sentiments have both a hint of humility and reluctance. Humility in that all Christians feel inadequate to represent Christ, reluctance in that Moses seems less than prepared to obey. As the instructions get more specific in the following verses we see a transition into almost argument with God. It seems Moses let his understanding of human limitations become a justification for faithlessness. This is a common tendency, and it would be wise for us to make ourselves aware of it as we are continually called to greater service for our Savior. We are not naturally inclined to do everything God may ask of us; if fact doing what is easy is usually not part of His plan. Still, we should remind ourselves of His faithfulness and power to equip us for every good work.

“And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt. And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.” It is interesting to note that Moses has a conversation (of sorts) with himself about what he is going to do. Whether he was actually speaking out loud is not the relevant point. One way or the other it is clear he makes a conscious decision to turn toward the bush. Another important observation is that God waits for Moses to turn before He speaks. I wonder how often I have noticed a sign sent by God, choosing to press forward instead of adjusting course for a closer look? It is not insignificant that Moses made a choice to leave his “typical” path to hear from God. He displays an effort which results in the reception of God’s calling; just as we must seek – make an effort, with purpose – God’s will in our own lives through diligent Bible study and prayer. Those who make their “own way” in life, oblivious to circumstances and situations God may use to guide us into service for Him make a grave mistake. Our burning bush may not be nearly so obvious, but it will certainly catch our attention. Be preparing yourself to “turn aside, and see this great sight” each and every day.

“And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.” Many a Mother’s Day sermon has been drafted based upon this text. The faith displayed in these actions is both admirable and worthy of imitation. Jochebed chose to give up her son, trusting God to intervene in His life and use him for His own purposes. While this “giving up” of children is displayed for us so many times in scripture, especially in the Old Testament, it is often reluctantly embraced by the modern parent. I’ll never forget a speech one Bible college President gave several years ago. He spoke with great sadness about the dozens (hundreds perhaps) of students that expressed a desire to enter missions or the pastorate, only to be persuaded by their parents to choose a more “lucrative” field. Some even threatened to stop financing their education if they studied for vocational service. He was convinced pressure from parents was the number one reason his students chose not to follow Christ into the ministry. Does this passage specifically address the problem? Maybe not; but it does bring us face to face with a woman that was willing to release her son in total dependence upon God. Five verses later God rewarded her obedience by giving Moses back (for a season).

“But the midwives feared God, and did not as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the men children alive.” Much of our struggle in the world is linked to fear of men rather than God. This is especially true when we are called upon to sacrifice our standing in society or even our lives to do what is right. These women understood what they were doing. They had been commanded by the highest authorities to kill children. The order was disgusting enough to cause anyone to rebel, even in the face of danger and death. Still, these women did not act based upon a general sense of decency or natural instinct; they made their choice because they feared God. We sometimes choose to do something other than God’s will for fear of earthly difficulties. If these acts were discovered, terrible consequences were guaranteed. Obedience also offers guarantees; in this case it was the deliverance of Israel from grievous bondage. What wonderful plans does our Lord have in mind for our obedience? We may never know if we choose to fear men.

We have stretched out our series of “daily” devotions in Romans for several months. The first was written on January 1st, in what was intended to be about a month long journey. A lot of things have happened in life since we started, including the birth of our third child Stephen. Since he came along, these devotions have not exactly been “daily”, as you may have observed.

One way or the other, we came through the book learning a lot, and reviewing some important passages. The entire Romans series can be downloaded in PDF format from our Catalog. We have now made our way through sixteen books, and will be headed back to the Old Testament for a study in Exodus next week.

“For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.” We should pray that the things which were true of the Roman church are true of us. While Paul recognizes and commends their obedience, he also calls them to a higher level. Those of great Christian character don’t mature past simple obedience, they rather do just as the Apostle suggests; increasing their understanding of good, while further separating themselves from evil. The most Godly people develop an experiential ignorance of continual sin, and (at the same time) a keen, objective understanding of its lure, its affects, and its dangers. They do not forget the sins of their past or ignore the sins of present, but instead become more determined to rely upon Christ to overcome them. Their simplicity in matters of evil is not simplicity of understanding, it is simplicity of ongoing experience. I hope this passage will inspire all of us to greater obedience, allowing any discussion of the most Godly disciples to include us. My prayer is that we would have a vast knowledge of goodness, and profound hatred of sin.

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.” Believers always love their brothers and sisters in Christ. We fellowship with one another, encourage, and diligently pray for one another. When one of us needs help, we think nothing of asking the other, and provide the same assistance in return. We give money to church family in need and those that labor in missions or other vocational Christian service. We even sacrifice hours of our time discipling and caring for one another spiritually. What about laying down our “own necks”? Are we ready to hazard our lives to protect a brother or sister? True, those of us that live in the United States have little opportunity to do so, thanks to the wonderful blessing of freedom and liberty, but the key to the question is willingness. How far does our commitment to Christ go; does it lead us to the point of counting our own physical lives less than another’s? I don’t know that we can ever provide a preemptive answer. After all, Peter felt he would follow Christ even to death just hours before denying Him. This is a question that is considered deeply, and only answered at the moment of opportunity. Begin your considerations today.

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” There are some big and wonderful words in this passage of scripture. It seems that each phrase is selected to reveal the sufficiency and wonder of God. All joy and all peace are found in Him, and every ounce of hope given to man is “His hope”. These, the greatest gifts in the world, come not as a result of our efforts to obtain them, but rather through the realization we cannot obtain them without Christ! Simple faith in the only one that could make them accessible (by belief in His death, burial and resurrection), provides freedom from a joy-less, peace-less and help-less life. By Jesus Christ, we are brought near to God and given the Holy Ghost, who indwells us, and endues us with abundant and heavenly comfort. The world provides cheap substitutes that are momentary and vain. Only Christ can provide the fulfillment spoken about in this passage, but it comes about because of the two main words: “in believing”. Do you believe (put your faith and trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ?

“Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” No two believers hold identical views on every matter of conscience. Experience, upbringing, personality and a variety of cultural factors contribute to our individual thinking on personal standards. One man may feel an issue is open for discussion, while another has settled the answer in his mind; both may have a tendency to believe the other is wrong. This passage commands that we leave the ultimate judgment to God. With that being said, we must be clear on the type of issues this passage is speaking about. These matters seem to be explicitly personal and generally observed to be debatable among men of righteous character. The concern doesn’t seem to be over the application of specific scriptural text, but instead comes about as a byproduct of endeavors to maintain holiness within a difficult, contemporary context. Let’s not decide to stretch the term “personal standard” too far within its Biblical context, but let us also be careful not to assume everyone must agree with us! If we are “fully persuaded” our actions (or lack thereof) please God; He alone can be the final judge.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” The first two verses of the chapter are regularly connected in sermons and other teaching, but these are rarely quoted together. I am always surprised by that, as I see such a vital link between them. The imperative in verse two is renewal of the mind; instructions on the subject of that renewal come in verse three. While we often believe our thinking patterns regarding the world are the main issue, it seems the way we think about ourselves is key. Affection for, and subsequent conformity to the world have their root in the selfish desires of the flesh. When we place ourselves at the pinnacle of importance, we obey our own desires, live in a pattern of sinfulness, thinking and behaving in a worldly manner. The person we consider above all others in life should be our Savior. A person living in total devotion to Him will think soberly and live righteously, separating themselves from worldly influence.