Filed under: The Exodus Part 03
The Exodus, Part 3
Devotions by Caleb Huges
These two narratives were chosen to put on display a very ―bipolar‖ character portrayal of Peter. On one hand, we see Jesus encourage and entrust great things to Peter; on the other hand, Jesus is exclaiming, ―Get behind me, Satan!‖ in Peter’s direction. We can learn plenty from Peter. He is one of Christ’s diligent fol-lowers, but he often falls short and misunderstands Je-sus. Simply put, in this passage, Peter is seeking his own interests instead of God’s (v. 23). Was it wrong for Peter to not want Jesus to suffer? Often, we see the world through Peter’s eyes. We may say, ―My child isn’t sup-posed to run from God,‖ or ―God took that person home way too soon.‖ Like Peter, often we set our mind on our interests, not the Father’s. Are you on your agenda or your Father’s?
Filed under: The Exodus
The Exodus, Part 3 Devotions by Caleb Huges
This is one of my favorite small portions of Matthew’s account of the gospel. We are given a brief glimpse into the calling of the first Disciples: Peter, Andrew, James, and John, four fishermen who would be foun-dational in the advancement of the gospel after the death and resurrection of Christ. Sometimes when God calls us to a mission (whether it is big or small) we feel under-qualified or incapable. We feel as though may-be God chose the wrong person (yeah, right). Since we know that God does not make mistakes, we also have to believe that God has called you for a purpose. Do you think the fishermen felt under-qualified? Do you think Paul felt under-qualified on the road to Damas-cus? God does not necessarily always call the equipped; He equips the called.
The Exodus, Part 3
Devotions by Caleb Hughes
Yesterday, we saw that God’s mission for us is not al-ways predictable. Today, we must realize that God has a mission for all of us. I have spoken with several Chris-tians that have reached the point where spiritual com-placency has set in, and they are sitting and waiting for God to reveal the next step in their life’s mission. ―Father, reveal to me my next step.‖ This can be a dangerous place to be as a believer. The enemy wants you stationary! Instead of sitting and waiting for God to give you a burning bush, go to where He has already spoken! While prayer is a vital form of communication between the disciple and the Master, it’s our responsi-bility to be students of the Word, where He has spoken. Go there. Remain faithful. Trust him to honor your faith.
Filed under: The Book of Jonah Part 3
The Exodus, Part 3
Devotions by Caleb Huges
Read 2 Timothy 3:13-17
Yesterday, we saw that God’s mission for us is not al-ways predictable. Today, we must realize that God has a mission for all of us. I have spoken with several Chris-tians that have reached the point where spiritual com-placency has set in, and they are sitting and waiting for God to reveal the next step in their life’s mission. ―Father, reveal to me my next step.‖ This can be a dangerous place to be as a believer. The enemy wants you stationary! Instead of sitting and waiting for God to give you a burning bush, go to where He has already spoken! While prayer is a vital form of communication between the disciple and the Master, it’s our responsi-bility to be students of the Word, where He has spoken. Go there. Remain faithful. Trust him to honor your faith.
Filed under: The Exodus Part 03
The Exodus, Part 2
Devotions by Caleb Hughes
As the Lord takes us to different stages in life we always make a choice in how we respond to His leading. In some cases His providence will lead us to periods of happiness and prosperity. At other times He may lead us to challenging circumstances where happiness can be difficult to identify. Contentment is where we can honor God and it affirms He is providentially ruling whether dwelling in Pharaoh’s palace or simply surviving next to a well. Of equal importance is to know that regardless of where we are in life, the Lord can use us for some good purpose. Joseph’s life vividly put that on display. Perhaps you may feel that life has not turned out as you had expected or hoped. Know that God is ruling and can use you right where you are. The key is finding contentment in your circumstances and, like Joseph, living a life where it becomes evident that the Lord is with you. Are you presently experiencing contentment in your life?
Filed under: The Exodus Part 03
The Exodus, Part 3
Devotions by Caleb Hughes
It is no secret that the world is full of sin and corruption. If this is news to you, well, surprise! We live in “times of difficulty” (v. 1). Often, that seems to be the understatement of the century. We come to church surrounded by likeminded believers who seem to always be graced with smiles (which is a very good thing), but rest assured, all of those people glossed with smiles are dealing with their own personal sufferings, just like you. In this passage, Paul comfortably states an important biblical truth: we all will face persecution if we are being obedient to God’s word. For those of you that face any type of Bible-based persecution for godly living, not only is God aware of your struggle, He has told us that they are signs of our desire for godly living.
Filed under: The Exodus Part 02
The Exodus, Part 2
Devotions by Eddie Arraya
Read Exodus 2:22-25 & Philippians 3:20-21
There are a lot of solid, applicable and sound doctrinal issues that can be taken out from these short verses. Issues on the effectiveness of prayer, the love of God and the slavery we all face in sin without the Lord’s redemptive intervention. For today’s reading we will briefly focus on the role of a sojourner and citizenship. Moses declared that he was a sojourner in a foreign land. The point he is making is that he realized his stay in Pharaoh’s palace was a temporary visit. It was pit-stop onto a grander destination. Paul further affirms this truth in his letter to the Philippians in declaring, “But our citizenship is in heaven”. As believers in the risen Lord, do we always live in this truth? A possible reason we don’t can be found in the second part of this verse – “from it we await a Savior”. As blood purchased members of this citizenship our actions need to affirm this truth while we wait for the Lord’s second coming.
Filed under: The Exodus Part 02
The Exodus, Part 2
Devotions by Eddie Arraya
Read Exodus 2:15-21, Genesis 39, Philippians 4:11-13, & Hebrews 13:5-6
As the Lord takes us to different stages in life we always make a choice in how we respond to His leading. In some cases His providence will lead us to periods of happiness and prosperity. At other times He may lead us to challenging circumstances where happiness can be difficult to identify. Contentment is where we can honor God and it affirms He is providentially ruling whether dwelling in Pharaoh’s palace or simply surviving next to a well. Of equal importance is to know that regardless of where we are in life, the Lord can use us for some good purpose. Joseph’s life vividly put that on display. Perhaps you may feel that life has not turned out as you had expected or hoped. Know that God is ruling and can use you right where you are. The key is finding contentment in your circumstances and, like Joseph, living a life where it becomes evident that the Lord is with you. Are you presently experiencing contentment in your life?
Filed under: The Exodus Part 02
The Exodus, Part 2
To prepare for tomorrow’s sermon, read Exodus 2:1-25
