Greetings again my Brethren. Next month BHG and all who have financially supported, physically gone in ministry, and those who have prayed (just as important) for BHG will celebrate our 14th year of ministry to the world for the glory of God. It is true time does fly and as I look back in the rear view mirror of our lives my heart’s desire is for the LORD to be pleased with what we have done with what He has given us. This month we will continue to look at Moses (look at the glory he beheld) when God first called him to deliver His people. You know it is the time between being called and us answering the call that will mean success or failure in our lives. When God speaks to us we think all that has happened in our lives has enabled us to be at the right place and the right time for God, well . . . maybe to a certain degree. I can see in my life how things happened or I should say how God arranged things. In my early years I should have been killed many times, but God had a plan and then when I joined the US Navy how God moved us around to meet specific Godly people to put spiritual things into us and the many churches we helped start, even my education was God’s purpose to land us in Germany. I marvel at the “way” God planned for our lives. Moses was no different. Did you know Moses’ life can be divided into three 40 year periods. The first 40 years Moses was raised and became a ruler in Egypt, the second 40 year period we find Moses on the backside of the desert (watching Jethro’s his father in law’s sheep) learning how to forget what he learned his first 40 years so God could use him. And the third 40 year period God using him to lead His people out of Egyptian bondage to the edge (Moses never made it because of disobedience) of the promsied land. Wow 80 years of training for 40 years of service. You know too much of the world’s knowledge will prevent you from hearing from God. Either we will listen to the world and allow the world’s thinking to sway our life or it will be God’s education and His knowledge that will guide our footsteps. In the end Moses choose right. In the Book of Acts we read, “And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and in deeds. 23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was oppressed, and smote the Egyptian:” (Acts 7:22-24) Moses one day would have been the Pharaoh of Egypt (the world at that time), but he chose right he chose God’s plan instead of his plan. The plan of God was made known to him and now he had to act. Moses knew (not sure how God did not tell him until later) he was to deliver his people, but he chose to use his self strength and means instead of God’s, “And it came to pass in those days, when Moses was grown, that he went out unto his brethren, and looked on their burdens a: and he spied n Egyptian smiting an Hebrew, one of his brethren. 12 And he looked this way and that way, and when he saw that there was no man, he slew the Egyptian, and hid him in the sand. 13 And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow? 14 And he said, Who made thee a prince and a judge over us? intendest thou to kill me, as thou killedst the Egyptian? And Moses feared, and said, Surely this thing is known.” (Exodus 2:11-14) God has His ways of uncovering our failures. All of the wisdom of Egypt was not enough to equip Moses for the work of God. All of Moses’ self-sufficiency was not enough to be used of God. So too in our lives. If we desire to be used by God when He calls our self sufficiency must be stripped away by God. We cannot do it God must be the one that deals with our selfishness, our arrogance, our pride, our ambitions. When I worked in the operating room I remember how doctors talked about removing cancer, “always take more tissue than what you think is enough and never think about you having to close the wound, no sacrifice of tissue is too big.” There must come a time in our lives when God can take us to the desert (what I call the wilderness) to kill our self life. If not we will never be able to do that which God has called us to do. We will never be able to lead people out of darkness and into the glorious light of God. As we will see in Moses’ life it was very painful (and will be also in our lives) he went through many dealings and judgments about himself before God was able to use Him. We think our smarts and talents will make us the leader God wants, well my friend not so in God. God makes His leaders in the crucible of judgments, soul searching, His dealings about our character and honesty, and as we are dipped in the fire of God’s refinery the dross and impurities in our lives are burnt away and we are left with only God’s verdict about us ready for the Masters use. Moses’ first attempt to deliver God’s people was carried out in the impetuosity of the flesh and not in God. Funny how people are unaware of God’s purging process in our lives. I am afraid this part of Christianity is not discussed when people are encouraged to walk the aisle because if they knew they may think twice about accepting Jesus as their personal savior. But I think God would like for the people to be able to see the entire deck of cards before they play that way they will be able to make a real informed decision and know what they are getting themselves into.
Next month we will continue to look at Moses now in the desert (the wilderness) to be drained of all of his self sufficiency. Do you hear Him call now.
