He Will Fight For You

February 7, 2018 He Will Fight For You JEFFERSON BETHKE

“The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.” Exodus 14:14(ESV)

I was 19 at the time. I’d been following Jesus for a few months, and I remember starting to get angry. At God.

I gave my life to You … why is it still falling apart?

I thought You were supposed to make my life easier.

Why does some part of me still want to do the things I don’t want to do anymore?

I never would’ve said it publicly, but I held some serious resentment and disillusionment toward God.

Sadly, it wasn’t because of anything He’d done or said. In fact, it was a lot of religious baggage and ideas I had picked up along the way that were the reason for the resentment.

Growing up and going to church here and there, I always thought the people who went on stage during testimony services had it all together. Or at least, they did once they started following Jesus! They’d say things like, “I was an alcoholic for 40 years. Then, I gave my life to Jesus and have never wanted a drink since.”

I’d sink lower in my chair because what about me? In some ways life actually got harder after I started following Jesus. I now felt conflicted. I felt woken up to a battle of sorts. Was there something wrong with me?

I remember being in this season and reading the Exodus story in a fresh new way. I’d heard it tons growing up, but sometimes that’s a good reason to miss the true heart of a passage. Yet, at that time, one verse particularly stuck out.

It was right after the Israelites were freed for the final time and began to leave Egypt and Pharaoh’s rule.

That’s when they got to the Red Sea. And they started to feel the impossible ahead of them. To make matters worse, they turned around and saw Pharaoh chasing them. He had changed his mind about letting them go.

A sea in front of them, and an army behind them. They were trapped. And they began to curse and hurl harsh words at Moses: Did you bring us out here to die?! We could’ve stayed in Egypt to do that! (Exodus 14:11)

That’s when my favorite verse shows up. Moses responds:“The LORD will fight for you, and you have only to be silent” (Exodus 14:14).

I really try to feel Israel’s plight, but I can’t imagine how it felt. The terror. The fear. Completely shut in and stuck. Moses tells Israel they do have to do something. They do have a job. To get through this they need to obey. And the command they need to obey? Be quiet and watch God work. Have true faith in the One who brought them out of slavery.

I don’t know what you’re facing today, but what would it look like to stop and trust in your Creator? He didn’t get you this far to leave you out to dry. God goes before you and after you. He will fight for you.

My favorite part about this story is that after God opens up the Red Sea, Israel is commanded to walk. Sometimes being silent and trusting God looks like putting one foot in front of the other while towers of water are on your left and your right. But He is good, and He can be trusted.

Lord, I pray for the situation today of each person reading this. I pray You would give them the same hope and strength and reminder of Your promises as You did to your people next to the Red Sea. That You would calm their heart and still their soul with Your truth and with Your voice. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

The Fire Of His Glory

From: Christian Broadcasting Network

I believe we have entered a new day and time. The world is being shaken as never before. This goes far beyond the economic morass of this present time. Yet in the midst of coming tribulation, Father God is preparing His body, His church for that last end time move of His Spirit. All over the world, hungry hearts are lifting their hands and hearts heavenward.

Their hearts are driven by an inner knowledge and hunger to seek the face of God in this hour.

I believe Father is calling out to His church to prepare both for the judgments foretold in His word that shall come, but also the glory he is about to reveal in His church. God has given us a marvelous example in His word of what is beginning to happen in the body of Christ today. God delivered His chosen people from Egyptian bondage and slavery. He established His covenant with them, and through His servant, Moses, the people were instructed to construct a Tabernacle where His divine glory and eternal presence would reside.

Over this holy abode, a pillar of fire by night and a pillar or cloud of glory by day could be seen by one and all. There is a message in this to the church of our day and believers everywhere. Today the fire and glory of His eternal presence are beginning to move like never before. Most Christians, like God’s people of that day, are content to gaze out of the tent flaps of their hearts and gaze in wonder at the glory cloud of God being released in this day in our midst.

Our churches are filled with people who are content to warm themselves by the fire of His glory. They will dance before Him in His presence. Yet grand and glorious though this revelation may be there is a higher revelation. We have all been called into the priesthood of our Lord and our God. Most believers are content to see the glory cloud but there are others who hunger for more.

These are those who by faith in the divine sacrifice of the Son will move past the cloud of glory and enter into the Holy Place of God. Such individuals long to walk in an awareness or revelation of the life and nature of God himself. They willingly lay down their lives that they might receive that greatest of revelations that can only be seen by the dedicated and consecrated.

It is one thing to stand with the crowd outside of the Tabernacle in awe of the glory cloud and pillar of fire. It is another thing altogether to allow the Holy Spirit such access to your life that he will prepare your heart for a holy quest that you may know Him. Father is going to share His heart with this generation of the body Christ. Such awareness will cause the heart to tremble in His presence. Yet it shall produce a revelation that will shake the world as never before.

In this hour and at this time, Father is calling a holy remnant unto himself. His heart shall be unveiled in the fire of His glory. Evil shall be judged in this day, but those sons and daughters who will now begin to humble themselves before God, shall walk in a renewal of power and kingdom authority. Theirs shall be a voice of love and consolation. They shall be driven by a divine revelation of the heart of God. Their inspiration shall come from the kingdom of glory that is even now being birthed in the world.

Father is preparing us one and all for that wondrous transformation that he is bringing. One by one he is calling out to the consecrated to enter into the fire of His glory. The lusts and diverse sins of this world will one day be no more. Father, I believe, is calling out to every believer to so dedicate ourselves in His service to the kingdom of God that His coming will come alive in our hearts. Let us in the body of Christ wait on Him daily for that internal transformation of fire and glory that living in His presence brings.

Are You Ready To Be Poured Out As an Offering? (1)

By Oswald Chambers

 

If I am being poured out as a drink offering on the sacrifice and service of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. —Philippians 2:17

Are you willing to sacrifice yourself for the work of another believer—to pour out your life sacrificially for the ministry and faith of others? Or do you say, “I am not willing to be poured out right now, and I don’t want God to tell me how to serve Him. I want to choose the place of my own sacrifice. And I want to have certain people watching me and saying, ‘Well done.’ ”

It is one thing to follow God’s way of service if you are regarded as a hero, but quite another thing if the road marked out for you by God requires becoming a “doormat” under other people’s feet. God’s purpose may be to teach you to say, “I know how to be abased…” (Philippians 4:12). Are you ready to be sacrificed like that? Are you ready to be less than a mere drop in the bucket— to be so totally insignificant that no one remembers you even if they think of those you served? Are you willing to give and be poured out until you are used up and exhausted— not seeking to be ministered to, but to minister? Some saints cannot do menial work while maintaining a saintly attitude, because they feel such service is beneath their dignity.

God Does Great Things With People

I will cause thee to ride upon the high places of the earth (Isaiah 58:14).

Those who fly through the air in airships tell us that one of the first rules they learn is to turn their ship toward the wind, and fly against it. The wind lifts the ship up to higher heights. Where did they learn that? They learned it from the birds. If a bird is flying for pleasure, it goes with the wind. But if the bird meets danger, it turns right around and faces the wind, in order that it may rise higher; and it flies away towards the very sun.

Sufferings are God’s winds, His contrary winds, sometimes His strong winds. They are God’s hurricanes, but, they take human life and lift it to higher levels and toward God’s heavens.

You have seen in the summer time a day when the atmosphere was so oppressive that you could hardly breathe? But a cloud appeared on the western horizon and that cloud grew larger and threw out rich blessing for the world. The storm rose, lightning flashed and thunder pealed. The storm covered the world, and the atmosphere was cleansed; new life was in the air, and the world was changed.

Human life is worked out according to exactly the same principle. When the storm breaks the atmosphere is changed, clarified, filled with new life; and a part of heaven is brought down to earth.
—Selected

Obstacles ought to set us singing. The wind finds voice, not when rushing across the open sea, but when hindered by the outstretched arms of the pine trees, or broken by the fine strings of an Aeolian harp. Then it has songs of power and beauty. Set your freed soul sweeping across the obstacles of life, through grim forests of pain, against even the tiny hindrances and frets that love uses, and it, too, will find its singing voice.
—Selected

Be like a bird that, halting in its flight,
Rests on a bough too slight.
And feeling it give way beneath him sings,
Knowing he hath wings.

Save One

Save One

From: Our Daily Journey

  Feb 3, 2018  

Read:

Isaiah 42:21-25; 43:1-3
I have called you by name; you are mine (Isaiah 43:1).

The bundle of hyperactivity known as Liam was making a day of terrorizing his older (and much calmer) brother. Finally, Mom had enough of it, and Liam earned the mother of all timeouts. Well, at least for the rest of the morning.

Just before lunch, the boys’ mom spied a note on the cookie jar with its dwindling contents. In the distinctive handwriting of the aggrieved older brother it read: “Save one for Liam.” Ah, the sweet aroma of compassion.

Compassion is a key aspect of God’s nature. But it’s a common misperception that the God of the Old Testament is full of wrath while the God of the New Testament is the compassionate one. He’s the same God, and we see both aspects of Him throughout Scripture.

In Isaiah 42, God had disciplined His people for their disobedience. “His own people have been robbed and plundered, enslaved, imprisoned, and trapped,” said the prophet. “They are fair game for anyone and have no one to protect them, no one to take them back home” (Isaiah 42:22). “Who allowed Israel to be robbed and hurt? It was the Lord, against whom we sinned” (Isaiah 42:24).

Thankfully, the passage goes on. “But now, O Jacob, listen to the Lord who created you. O Israel, the one who formed you says, ‘Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you’ ” (Isaiah 43:1).

Israel needed God’s compassionate correction. And Liam needed his timeout, or he would have persisted in self-centered behavior. He also needed his family’s love and grace.

Any glimpse we see of that kind of grace in this world reflects the loving nature of God. He corrects us when we sin because He loves us. But He never abandons us. He says, “I have called you by name; you are mine” (Isaiah 43:1).

Knowing and Understanding

From: Our Daily Journey

  Feb 2, 2018  

Read:

2 Timothy 3:1-17
God uses [Scripture] to prepare and equip his people to do every good work (2 Timothy 3:17).

My son and I had the opportunity to take a tour of the impressive Museum of the Bible (MOTB) in Washington, DC, before its official opening. A guide led us through the 430,000-square-foot, eight-floor edifice and gave us a glimpse of the extraordinary structure that will house research labs and libraries, exhibitions, classrooms, lecture halls, gathering rooms, and biblical gardens.

While knowing more about the Bible doesn’t equate to truly understanding it, I’m looking forward to visiting the MOTB again soon to gain deeper insights into the Scriptures. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 3:15-17 that they are able to bring “wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus,” “inspired by God,” “useful to teach what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives,” able to “[correct] us when we are wrong and [teach] us to do what is right,” and used by God “to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.”

When the apostle Paul penned this passage to Timothy—his “true son in the faith” (1 Timothy 1:2)—he did so with a warning that “in the last days there will be very difficult times” and difficult people (2 Timothy 3:1-9). Paul understood that as Timothy governed the church at Ephesus and was increasingly entrusted with missions of great importance, he needed to remain “faithful to the things that he had been taught . . . from childhood” (2 Timothy 3:14-15).

Like Timothy, as we cling to the truths of the Bible, we receive wisdom from God to be able to discern truth. And as we yield to the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and minds, He can change and transform us to be used even more effectively in the building of Christ’s kingdom (2 Timothy 3:15-17).

God Has A Good Plan For You

From: Streams In The Desert

DISAPPOINTMENTS

This is my doing. (1 Kings 12:24)

The disappointments of life are simply the hidden appointments of love.
–C.A. Fox

My child, I have a message for you today. Let me whisper it in your ear so any storm clouds that may arise will shine with glory, and the rough places you may have to walk will be made smooth. It is only four words, but let them sink into your inner being, and use them as a pillow to rest your weary head. “This is my doing.”

Have you ever realized that whatever concerns you concerns Me too? “For whoever touches you touches the apple of [my] eye” (Zech. 2:8). “You are precious and honored in my sight” (Isa. 43:4). Therefore it is My special delight to teach you.

I want you to learn when temptations attack you, and the enemy comes in “like a pent up flood” (Isa. 59:19)., that “this is my doing” and that your weakness needs My strength, and your safety lies in letting Me fight for you.

Are you in difficult circumstances, surrounded by people who do not understand you, never ask your opinion, and always push you aside? “This is my doing.” I am the God of circumstances. You did not come to this place by accident — you are exactly where I meant for you to be.

Have you not asked Me to make you humble? Then see that I have placed you in the perfect school where this lesson is taught. Your circumstances and the people around you are only being used to accomplish My will.

Are you having problems with money, finding it hard to make ends meet? “This is my doing,” for I am the One who keeps your finances, and I want you to learn to depend upon Me. My supply is limitless and I “will meet your needs” (Phil. 4:19). I want you to prove My promises so no one may say, “You did not trust in the Lord your God” (Deut. 1:32).

Are you experiencing a time of sorrow? “This is my doing.” I am “a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering” (Isa. 53:3). I have allowed your earthly comforters to fail you, so that by turning to Me you may receive “eternal encouragement and good hope” (2 Thess. 2:16). Have you longed to do some great work for Me but instead have been set aside on a bed of sickness and pain? “This is my doing.” You were so busy I could not get your attention, and I wanted to teach you some of My deepest truths. “They also serve who only stand and wait.” In fact, some of My greatest workers are those physically unable to serve, but who have learned to wield the powerful weapon of prayer.

Today I place a cup of holy oil in your hands. Use it freely, My child. Anoint with it every new circumstance, every word that hurts you, every interruption that makes you impatient, and every weakness you have. The pain will leave as you learn to see Me in all things.
–Laura A. Barter Snow

“This is from Me,” the Savior said,
As bending low He kissed my brow,
“For One who loves you thus has led.
Just rest in Me, be patient now,
Your Father knows you have need of this,
Though, why perhaps you cannot see–
Grieve not for things you’ve seemed to miss.
The thing I send is best for thee.”
Then, looking through my tears, I plead,
“Dear Lord, forgive, I did not know,
It will not be hard since You do tread,
Each path before me here below.”
And for my good this thing must be,
His grace sufficient for each test.
So still I’ll sing, “Whatever be
God’s way for me is always best.”