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Exodus 3:2
And the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.

For the first 40 years of Moses’ life he’d lived in the luxury of the Pharaoh’s palace,he’d been educated by the Egyptian people in the finest of methods; the second 40 years of his life were spent in hiding, in the obscurity of the shepherds fields, far from luxury he’d been accustomed to and still not where he belonged. And then a burning bush appears in the middle of no where, with the means of no kindle, and a method of no approach. We serve an unexplainable God.

Why does He allow bad things to happen to good people? Moses in a means for protection was removed from his family and raised as an Egyptian to prevent him for being killed with the other Israeli infants being slaughtered to prevent the nations growth. He was preparing the chosen. Moses was trained in leadership by some of the finest. How handy to have the enemy’s play book.

Why does He allow barren times in our life when it seems that nothing is being accomplished of any greatness for the Kingdom of God? He was protecting the chosen. Once the enemy had discovered Moses’ heart was for the Hebrew they wanted him gone. So Moses fled to the Midianites where he became a shepherd. The leader of an unruly, stubborn and stupid lot. Sometimes the most trivial of tasks prepare us for the twists and turns of leadership. I would venture a guess that herding sheep had a great many resemblances of herding the millions of Israelites through the wilderness.

And last but not least why does He not allow absolute understanding of circumstances? That burning bush caught Moses’ eye and stirred his curiosity and yet when he went to approach it, God said “Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5 That is His Preeminence to the Chosen. Although the elect of God receive grace and favor, the holiness of God does not always permit full understanding of why things are what they are, that is why they call it faith. But the difference between the favored and the ordinary man is His Provision to the Chosen. The last 40 years of Moses’ life were spent leading the Nation of Israel into the promised land.

If you are a child of God, He has you covered…

FRIENDSHIPS ARE RISKY!

2 Timothy 4:10-11 ~ For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry

It was somewhere between 17 and 100 years ago that I started down the pathway of salvation, having heard the gospel of Christ from a man who preached loud and long and his words pierced my soul as none I’d ever heard before. Sound melodramatic? Call it what you like, but it was a life changing event that abruptly changed my direction in life and the people in it. In one day I had acquired a new group of friends that put into question what I had believed friendship to be my entire life, although that revelation did not occur for months, if not years down the road. It’s not that my past friendships were void or unimportant, not so at all! I wanted every friend in my life on this new journey, because I knew that this journey had a promise.

I did not know as a newly converted Christian that this journey not only had promise it had problems, and how I, and my new found friends dealt with the problems of life would be entirely different. That’s why 2 Timothy 4:10-11 caught my eye this morning. Paul writes to Timothy; and you almost hear his plea for encouragement as he tells him in verse 9 “Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:” He needs him to come quickly because his friends in the faith that he’d depended upon had gone. Paul’s friends of the faith were no longer on the journey with him for entirely different reasons, and with each one Paul had lost a source of strength.

He begins with Demas, who had the previous year been a fellow laborer in Christ but had now forsaken Paul for the present world. Possibly the most painful friendships I’ve lost have been those who walked away from the body of Christ as if it had never meant anything to them. Each time it happened (yes, I’ve lost more than one friend this way) it was a realization that I too am one misguided notion away from leaving the best thing in my life, and that I need to strive to keep my eyes not on man, but on Christ who saved me.

Crescens and Titus had both been steadfast friends of the faith but were now called into their own ministries and away from Paul. Although it is certainly not a hurt like that of a friend who has returned to the world, it is still painful when friends move out of our lives, even for the godliest of reasons. When my own sister and her family became missionaries to Canada, she took a piece of my heart with her. Praise God for technology that allows us daily contact if we so desire, but Paul did not have that. At best an occasional letter would be it. He missed them. So do I…

Then Paul mentions Luke and Mark. Luke had stayed with him and he was grateful, but he needed Mark who would be profitable, although Paul had not always thought so (Acts 15:36-41). Mark had at one time refused to work in the ministry, though it is not told why, whether he were lazy or fearful; either way Paul and Barnabas had a serious disagreement over it. But there is no mention of it now; Mark is now profitable. We all let each other down in the ministry. I know for a fact I’ve let people down. Praise God! for forgiveness and restoration. Whoever coined the phrase “No pain, no gain,” knew what they were talking about. Friendships are a risk. They don’t always end well, but they are always worth it!!!!

Isaiah 18:5 ~ For afore the harvest, when the bud is perfect, and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, he shall both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks, and take away and cut down the branches.

In Chapter 18 God warns the arrogant Assyrian army who are plotting against Israel, that their party is about to end and destruction draweth nigh.  I don’t hear God shouting in this verse, nor do I see Him pacing back and forth in Heaven  saying “let Me at’em, let Me at’em!” I see God’s calm, all knowing demeanor, standing quietly looking out the window of Heaven as He sees His children suffering, partly because of their own rebellion; but He says in finality, ”I allowed you to serve my purpose in instruction, but now, I’m gonna cut you down where you grow.”

I’m so glad that God is Omniscient; all knowing. Because if I were standing at the window of Heaven when I seen friends and family hurting or suffering at the hands of someone else, my godliness would likely go out the window.  Sour grapes are good for nothing, on either side of an argument, somebody got to keep their attitude in check. There are people in our lives that, deed, they look like sour grapes are all they feast on! Do you have any in your life? They get on your last nerve… (draw this out for effect) with their constant tearing down of your emotional state, or negativity and lack of vision for you.

I speak in generality, nothing specific in my own life, but I see so many Christians being beat down by the circumstances of the world and allowing it to stop their own spiritual growth. Oppression is a part of our society; it’s how some climb the ladder of success, it’s how other’s keep their family in control or it’s a means of keeping everything quid pro quo, in a non changing state because change bother’s people.

We cannot move forward in our lives with dying branches on the vine. It stops our growth. God said He would cut down the branches of sour grapes, because sour grapes can do nothing but set your teeth on edge. If something or someone in our lives is keeping us from having victory it’s time to get out the pruning hooks. That doesn’t necessarily mean that they can no longer be a part of your life; it means you prune away parts of it.

• Govern the conversation by keeping things on a positive note, talk about gumdrops and bubblegum flavors if you have too but stay away from conflict – snip!
• Encourage them in something they’re working on. You’d be amazed how far a little sugar can go – snip!
• Don’t spend time in their presence if all they want to do is discourage your dream, sometimes you have to walk away – snip!

God said “before the harvest.” Don’t let negative things take root in your life and bear fruit. – snip, snip!

I hope today finds you enjoying a bountiful harvest of the goodness of God! Got any sour grapes you need to get rid of?

Just as the members of the church of God work together (or should) to complete the work of Christ, so do the members of my own body work for the good of the Lord. Today a few of them wanted to say “Thank You Jesus!”

I hope that you enjoy this that I have written for you. It comes from a place of love. I had to work extra hard for it because I’m a little sick right now and it’s taking its time to go away. Not that you readers should worry, I already went to the doctor and he said I have to buy oxycodone with pay pal and take it every so often. In a few days, a bit over a week he’ll see me again and we’ll take it from there. So everything should be fine, maybe I’m telling you because I’m feeling a bit down and like I need a few of those good vibes messages you know? Now onto the show!

The head said – thank You for giving me things to ponder.

Proverbs 4:26 ~ Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.

The eyes said – thank You, that as beautiful as it is here, in Heaven there is beauty I can’t  even imagine

Isaiah 64:4 ~ For since the beginning of the world men have not heard, nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.

The nose said – thank You, that the sweet aromas of life make me think of Your goodness

Philippians 4:18 ~ But I have all, and abound: I am full, having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.

The mouth said – thank You for allowing me to use Your words to encourage others and to praise You!

Hebrews 10:25 ~ Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

Psalm 109:30 ~ I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yea, I will praise him among the multitude.

The neck said – thank You for those have stuck their necks on the line for me

Romans 16:4 ~  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.

The heart said – thank You for filling me with comassion

1 Peter 3:8 ~ Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

The back said – thank You that You made by bone strong in Christian values

Ephesians 6:10 ~ Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

The arm said – thank You that I’ve been given the opportunity to use them in Praise

1 Peter 4:11

If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

The hand said – thank You that I’ve gotten to lend myself to another in need

Acts 20:34 ~ Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me

The fingers said – thank You that I may play a song that soothes my soul

1 Samuel 16:23 ~ And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took an harp, and played with his hand: so Saul was refreshed, and was well, and the evil spirit departed from him.

The stomach said – thank You, for giving me perception when things were not right

1 Corinthians 2:14 ~ But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The legs said – thank You that I may walk with You.

3 John 1:4 ~ I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.

The feet said – thank You, that I may carry the gospel and experience the sweetness

Ephesians 6:15  ~ And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;

All I have and all I am comes for the Lord…

Genesis 13:14-15

And the Lord said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward and westward: for all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

Paradise seen to promises as far as the eye can see.

Lot, the atypical carnal man, nephew of the “Friend to God” Abraham, had just received the graciousness of his uncle being given half of Abraham’s inheritance. Not, was it just half, but the half he chose was paradise; well watered ground likely green and plush as far as he could see. Lot dealt with life in the flesh; he would fit in well with our “if it feels good, do it” society of today. But then there’s Abraham, who was not perfect by any stretch of the imagination but he loved God and all along the journey you see him building altars to God, taking time and the effort to praise the Lord and acknowledge what God was doing in his life. Lot’s journey took him where the flesh lead and into a heap of trouble.

As I read this text this morning it stirred my soul when I read “after that Lot was separated from him.” Not until Abraham had separated himself from the worldliness of Lot did God begin to show Abraham what the future held. How often in life are people held back because they refuse to separate themselves from others in their lives whose carnal focus continually keeps them from receiving the blessing of God. Lot had no concern over Abraham’s success but rather his own lusts when he looked at the land that was before him and chose the best. Abraham’s concern was not only that his nephew was cared for, but that their relationship was unharmed: “for we be brethren.” (13:8)

What Lot did not know was that just beyond that beautiful land he chose was heart ache and sorrow. He would be surrounded by depravity and immoral attitudes that would turn his wife away from God ending in her destruction and corrupt his children. But the land that Abraham received, though it did not appear to be the greater acreage, had an unseen beauty. It had the blessing of God in every direction; north, south, east and west… after that Lot was separated from him.

Abraham had a tender heart for his nephew and likely would not have “separated himself” from him. I fully believe that there are times in our lives when God moves people out of our lives so that he can bless us, and for our own good we need to move forward without looking back. A lesson Lot’s wife learned too little, too late(19:26). I’m not saying that we cannot be friends with the unsaved (how else will they see God unless it’s through us); but when turmoil and strife continually abound in our lives because of the people we’re around it may be time to separate ourselves and move into God’s promises. It’s time to move on in faith that God has something wonderful in our future!

Hebrews 11:1
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.