Mixed Signals

And they said, "May the Lord look upon you and judge you! You have made us a stench to Pharoah and his officials and have put a sword in their hand to kill us."

Exodus 5:21

Many times when we set out to serve God and obey Him things get worse before they get better. God had told Moses to tell Pharaoh to let His people go. Instead of listening to Moses and honoring God's command Pharaoh made it more difficult for the Israelites and increased their work load. 

It is the same in our lives. When we obey God with all our heart, many times things will get worse before they get better and we might wonder if it was worth it. Was it worth coming to Christ, is it worth following Him. The answer is, yes, if we continue to be faithful, the victory will come. Pharaoh eventually did release the Israelites. Yet, even after they were released they still had trials and difficulties, but God was always faithful, and those who persevered made it to the promised land.

The apostle Paul told Timothy that all who desire to live Godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2Timothy 3:12). In the midst of these difficulties God is working in us, He is perfecting our faith, and eliminating the things that are not pleasing to Him. He is conforming us into the image of His Son and if we stay faithful to Him the end result will be much greater than the present sorrows.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.
2Corinthians 4:17


prayer:
Father, we thank you that you are at work in our lives, you know the end from the beginning and you know that our desire is to live and serve you faithfully. Give us the grace when the trials are great and let us know that this present difficulty is working a more exceeding weight of glory in our eternal future. We thank you and love you.
In Jesus name. Amen.

Something to Ponder

What is your greatest joy in life? Is it getting a new car a promotion at your job or maybe it was when you found that special person to whom you are now married. Maybe it is when you bought your first house or landed that dream job.

These are all wonderful things that bring joy to our lives and rightfully so, but could there be something greater, something more valuable than all these, more valuable than all the accolades and accomplishments of life?

Yes, I believe so; the winning of a lost soul. Jesus made it very clear that all of heaven rejoices when one lost sinner repents, "I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth..." (Luke 15:7).

What is your greatest joy and passion? Is it to make heaven rejoice? Is it to make your Heavenly Father rejoice?

May we fix our gaze upon making our Heavenly Father rejoice when we win the lost. The immense value of a lost soul.



In His service,

Philip

Resting in High Places

 

He who dwells in the shelter of he Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress my God, in whom I trust."
Psalm 91:1-2


There can be no other verse that brings such peace and confidence to the soul to know that God is a refuge and fortress. There is rest for the weary soul in God, there is no fear in knowing that God is a refuge and a fortress. There is protection and guidance in life's most difficult circumstances. 

We have often heard the term of "refugee camp". A place where displaced souls come to find protection, shelter, and safety. Where they can be nurtured and assisted.

With God His "refugee camp" is much higher, for He is the refuge and the fortress and He Himself mans it. He gives His angels assignments and they do their task, verse 11. He protects and provides safety He, Himself is the Chief of staff, the King.

The question bears to mind, "How do I make the Most High my refuge and my fortress?"
First, it takes trust. Trust that is not just thought about but compels one to act. The Palmist says, "I will say of the Lord, He is." He spoke it with his vocal chords, others could hear him, he trusted in God. So we must confess with our mouth our trust in Him.
Then we must, call upon the Lord. Verse 15, our life must be a life of speaking to the Lord, of prayer, we cannot neglect the times of sweet fellowship and communion with the One who desires them the most.

May our lives be filled with trust in our God, who promises to be a refuge and fortress to all that love Him. May He be found strong in your life today. May you find the rest you so desire, for it is only found in Christ alone. In the name of Jesus, Amen.