Exodus 4:2-4
Then the Lord said to him,'' what is in your hand?'' ''A staff,'' he replied. The Lord said, '' throw it on the ground.'' Moses threw it on the ground and it became a snake, and he ran from it.
Then the Lord said to him, ''reach out your hand and take it by
the tail.'' So Moses reached out and took hold of the snake and
it turned back into a staff in his hand.
A wooden staff, used by shepherds, for walking, guiding his sheep
and killing snakes etc. But God was able to use this shepherd's
wooden staff of Moses as a sign to teach him an important lesson.
We often forget that God has power to use ordinary every day things for extraordinary purposes. He can use our voices, hammers, pens, musical instruments and many more ordinary
things for his purpose, and to teach us to trust in God's power.
Mose had been frightened at the thought of facing the Pharoah
of Egypt. He was panicking at the thought of this, but we must always remember that God will not send or ask us to do something where he has not provided help for us.
It is so easy for us to try and do things on our own merit, but if we
ask God he will give us the power, courage and strength to carry out his work. Little did Moses imagine the power of his shepherds
crook would have when it became the staff off God.
I cry my Lord, for I
feel so low.
No-one will see my
tears.
No-one will know the
worries that are in my
mind,
except you dear Lord,
you know why I feel
so low.
I will be brave, and say
everything is well,
and smile.
But you dear Lord, we
cannot fool.
We cannot pretend to you.
How could I have ever done
without you,
that I will never know.
But Lord, I need you now,
always and forever more.
It is in loving-
not in being loved-
The heart is being blessed;
It is in giving- not in seeking
gifts-
We find our quest.
You can teach more with your life than with your lips.
The good we do is never
lost.
Each kindly act takes
root;
and every bit of love
we sow
In time will bear it's fruit.
Christian hospitality is the bridge between an open heart and an
open home.
Psalm 81:1-2
Sing praises to God, our strength. Sing to the God of Jacob. Sing! Beat the tamborine. Play the sweet lyre and harp.
I Love You Lord,
and I lift my voice
to worship You, O my
soul rejoice!
Take joy my King in
what You hear,
may it be a sweet, sweet
sound in Your ear.
I can almost see the smile on God's face when we lift our hearts
and voices to him in song. I can imagine the joy that it brings him when we praise his Holy name. Telling everyone of the things he has done for us. I can almost hear the heavenly angels singing along with us. Yes, let us sing praises to him. Yes, let us
worship his Holy name. Yes, let us bring joy to our Heavenly Father.
Can you almost see the smile on his face?
Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all: 'If anyone would come after me, he must
deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Why do we find it difficult to give our whole selves to God? Now let us be honest here. Have you given your whole self to God? Not just an arm or leg or maybe a foot, I mean every part of your body, mind and spirit. Or have you tried to keep hold on to some things from the time before you asked Jesus in to your life?
It can be hard for us humans to let things go, but we must if we want to have a pure walk with God. I admit that I find it hard, my
heart and mind is not always pure. I say and do things that must
hurt my Lord and Saviour. Yes, I do go before him and admit my
failures, and he forgives me, but I should not have said or done these wrong things in the first place.
When we asked Jesus in to our lives, and asked him to forgive us for all the wrong things in which we have said and done, we should also be prepared to give our whole selves to him, and I mean every
living part. Also remember that when he disciplines us for doing
something wrong we should accept this gracefully and not rebel
against it, after all he is doing this because he loves us and wants to show us the true path to take. I thank my Lord that he is patiently guiding me, and he knows that I desire to give my whole self to him. As I've said so many times he understands us, and knows we will trip up now and again; but that is no excuse for us to continue in our wrong doing. We must strive really hard to live the life that God wants us to live, and trust him to guide us.
C.S. Lewis says in- '' Beyond Personality''- Christ says, ' Give me all. I don't want so much of your money and so much of your work- I want you. I have not come to torment your natural self, but to kill it. No half measures are any good. I don't want to cut off a branch there, I want to have the whole tree down. I don't want to drill a tooth, or crown it, or stop it, but to have it out.
Hand over the whole natural self, all the desires which you think
innocent, as well as the ones you think wicked- the whole outfit. I will give you a new self instead. In fact I will give you myself, my
own will shall become your.'
Colossians3:3
'' For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.''
Give your whole self to God, not just part.
This is my Father's world!
He shows in all that's
fare;
In rustling grass I hear
Him pass-
He speaks to me everywhere.
Daily blessings are daily reminders of God.
When a crisis looms before
you,
don't face it on your
own;
seek advice from godly
counsel;
and take it to God's throne.
If you seek wise counsel you multiply your chances for sound
decisions.
A caring heart, a listening
ear,
a thoughtful word, a
gentle tear;
will help to lift the heavy
load
of weary souls along life's
road.
To ease another's burden, help carry it.
Your hand is in mine,
Lord,
each step of the way.
Your hand is in mine
Lord,
as along the road
we stray.
You walk along beside me,
and cover me with your
love,
Your hand is in mine
Lord,
each step of the way.
I need not fear, when you
are near,
when I walk along with
you,
I know that you will guide
me,
each and every day.
Why don't you answer
when I call your
name?
Are you a stone wall
that has no ears
to hear? No.
Have you closed your ears
to my calling,
and refuse to listen
to me?
You are my God,
You are my Lord.
You are my Saviour.
O Lord, answer me when
I call your name.
Help me in my time of need.
Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face,
and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light
of his glory and grace.
Come let us all draw:-
Closer to You, Lord, and closer still,
' till I am wholly in Your will.
Closer to hear Your beating heart,
and understand what You impart.
O breath of life come purify this
heart of mine, and satisfy;
my deep desire to worship You-
Lord of my life, come closer still.
You are Worthy,you are
worthy to be praised.
You lift us out of the
deapest pit,
you are worthy to be
praised.
You guide us with your
loving hand,
you are worthy to be
praised.
You comfort us in
times of sadness,
you are worthy to be
praised.
Your loving arms are
forever around us,
you are worthy to be
praised.
Jesus came our debt
to pay.
Saved our soul in grace
one day.
So in love we all should
live.
Ready always to forgive.
Revenge imprisons us; forgiveness sets us free.
Lord, help me be the kind of friend,
that makes my friend secure.
So he can find new strength and hope
his trials to endure.
A true friend is like support to a leaning wall.
