Barefoot and trembling

The Bible tells the story of Moses in the book of Exodus 3:5. Where he first encountered the presence of God, at the burning bush. The story tells that when Moses approached this tree or bush that burned but was not consumed, God spoke to Moses saying "Take off your shoes, for the place you stand is holy ground." As the God of the universe spoke to this man who had fled from home out of fear. A man who seemingly had no country anymore. Had taken up with a sheep herder on the backside of the desert. Probably felt like God was a million miles from him. Might have thought himself had failed as to the prophecies he'd no doubt heard growing up. He probably at one time believed he would do great things for his people. But now he was forty years in this place and more than likely had given up on all those aspirations. But here he was after seeing this spectacle of this bush burning and hears this voice as the sound of many waters, a voice like thunder. Take off your shoes. Wow! So here is Moses prostrate before God, barefoot and trembling. In the Old Testament many things were symbolic as well as literal. Shoes speak of direction or purpose, our agenda. They also symbolize our authority, possession, ownership. When an agreement was made regarding the sale of land, cattle, or any type of property, the man selling the property would take off his shoe as a symbol of the sale, as if signing his signature. Now back to this picture of this shepherd, this ex son of Pharaoh, this would be deliverer, this Egyptian raised son of the tribe of Levi. Here is Moses on his face before the creator of all life. The Alpha and the Omega! The First and the Last. Jehovah, the mighty God. Here is Moses that had taken his shoes off, symbolic of his agenda , his authority and laying before this holy awesome God trembling. Oh, my Lord, This is what the church needs to see, a picture of truly surrendering all and falling prostrate trembling before the awesome, holy God of all things. Can we take off our shoes? Surrender complete rule of our lives to the one that gave us life? Can we tremble as Moses, or have a reverent awe of the greatness of our God? Jesus came to set us free. Jesus died that we could live. He is worthy of more than our half hearted worship. He is worthy of all our dedication. Friends, let's take our shoes off and tremble before the Lord, because he is worthy. Halleluiah!

Power

When Jesus spoke to his disciple's of his leaving, he added in Luke 24:49 "And, Behold, I send the promise of my father upon you: But tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high." This word "power" is what I would like to focus on. The Greek word used to translate to "power" was the word "doo'-nam-is"which means miraculous power. Jesus told his disciples to go and tarry or wait, until the promise of the father which was the spirit of Truth would come. The miraculous power would come and live in us. Isn't that exciting? God made a way for us to have that doo'-nam-is power if we pray and press and wait for it. Amazing! But what about our blunders, our mishap, our failures, our mistakes, even our unbelief? What about our bad judgments, our misinterpretations, our shortcomings? Well, I have an answer for you. Let's jump to II Cor. 12 Where Paul had been praying for some sort of ailment or maybe a conflict in his spirit. The bible doesn't tell what it is that troubled Paul, only that he referred to it as a thorn in his flesh. But looking at verse nine Jesus answers him like this. "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness." What a statement. Jesus is telling Paul and us today that in our weakness, our failures, our blunders, even our doubts his strength is made perfect. The significance of the word strength is that it is the same word used for power. God is telling us that through our weaknesses the miraculous power of the mighty spirit of God is made perfect or made complete. Isn't that awesome to know that our shortcomings won't thwart the hand of God. Rather we grow closer. Because in our afflictions we tend to lean more on his strength realizing more everyday that we have no real strength. The more we see this , the more we surrender to his will. What an awesome God we serve. So if your not the best speaker, not the best singer, or not the best anything, fret not because those lackings are the ingredients for the miraculous power of the living God to work in your life.

Believing or Knowing

The aspect of believing is not the same as knowing. When we believe something, we have a measure of faith in it, as "I believe I am a winner". But to know something is completely different. If I know, for instance my name, I don't believe I am Rob Spurlock, I know I am. What if we had that mentality towards the things of God. If we could stand and profess that we "know that Jesus lives" instead of "I believe he lives". There is a very big difference in the two aspects. So let's not just believe in the promises of God but rather let's draw so close to God that we have no room in our spirit for doubt. That we may profess with all confidence as Job did "I know my Redeemer lives".

Samson's secret

We have heard the story of the mighty Samson . How with a single jaw bone of an ass slew a thousand enemy soldiers, tore the gates of Gaza out of the ground and carried it to the top of the hill Hebron. How he fought a lion , a hundred foxes , and the tales go on of his might and bravery. But then there was his fall. While resting his head in the lap of Delilah and relaxing in the seat of passion, being pressed on every day he gives in to her words and tells his secret. Matthew 7:6 "Cast not your pearls before the swine". When Samson arose this time the hair that was symbolic of the covenant between him and God had been cut and the presence of God had left him. He rose up to shake himself as he had done before and the anointing was gone. The strength that he took so for granted was gone. The soldiers then bound Samson, put out his eyes and caused him to grind at a mill. Blind, bound, and going round and round. How did this mighty figure from biblical history fall and be in a place that he didn't know he had lost it. Because he didn't see giving away the secret as a matter of importance. Why was this of great importance? The story starts out about a couple that had no children because the woman was barren. An angel visits to tells them they would have a son and that they should not let a razor touch his head, he was not to drink wine and so on. He would be a Nazarite to God from birth. His hair would be the token of the anointing in his life. If we have a walk with God, the anointing in our lives we should guard the secret to that anointing. your secret would be your prayer life, your fasting , your intimate time with God. The enemy ( the devil) will watch your reaction to everything he throws your way to see what it wi;ll take to bring you out of that covenant with God. Jesus died for our sins. We have a new and better covenant. But the enemy still tries to get at what keeps you in tune with God. If we are not in tune. Then there is no relationship. We need a relationship with God to stand. We can't survive this Christian road without a relationship with Jesus. What is the secret to your relationship? You need to guard that! f you don't have a relationship with Jesus I encourage you to start to have one with him today. Jesus is always willing to except a truly repentant heart. When you find that place in the Lord guard that secret place that connects you to the Almighty. Samson was mighty, but he is the Almighty. Samson was anointed, God is the anointing. Samson fail in himself, Jesus will never fail us. In fact the bible says that he will never leave us nor forsake us. Guard your secret. Let the Lord reign in your life and be blessed!

Preparedness

I worked for a number of years as a construction superintendent. When a project whether building a house a commercial building or just doing a remodel there is always a preparation phase. The bible tell us in Luke 14: 28 that we should count the cost. There are blueprints to be drawn up. There are permits and fees. There are preparations that must be done to the site. A lot of thought and preparation goes in the project long before work actually begins. When a manufacturer starts to build a car. First it has to have a design, then tests and so on. In every area of our lives there is a preparation process whether building something, going somewhere, doing some type of business, or even writing something. The same is true for ministry. If we are born again we have a calling on our lives. Freely you have received freely give. Whether witnessing to our neighbor, pastoring a church, or whatever calling you feel upon you. We have to prepare. Jesus said Matt. 11:29 Take my yoke upon you and learn of me...Preparedness is so important. How can we preach the Word of God if we do not pray and know him, and we do not search the scriptures as though we were seeking hidden treasure? We can't. We have to prepare. Prepare our hearts, by trials and tests. Prepare our minds,"let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus". Prepare our surroundings by prayer and speaking the Word. Then when preparedness is full then we'll meet with opportunity. If opportunity comes and we've not prepared. What will be our answer before an holy and mighty God? We will have no answer. So if we feel in our heart a burden to minister in anyway. Then don't wait another minute. Start today to prepare.

Wild dogs

I heard this story from a very anointed man of God. I would like to use it to reveal a message. The story is that when this fellow saint was about sixteen years old he saw a pack of dogs crossing a road, when suddenly one of them was hit by a passing car. Instead of going back to help or just leaving him, surprisingly they turned and torn the wounded dog apart. When we think of how our brother or sister fails or makes a mistake and the church should help the fallen saint. But isn't it more often than not the fallen saint is ridiculed, despised, and rejected? The church looks at someone that has failed as something less than human. They backbite, argue, mistreat, and literally tear them apart. If a brother or sister falls and we tear them down further, odds are they won't get up. We are a body. When one part of the body suffers it all suffers. If we are all part of a body and one member fails then we go and tear them apart. It is destructive to the entire body. It has been said( I think my mother started this one :D) If you can't say anything good about someone , don't say anything at all. I know my mother didn't start that but she said it enough. The bible tells us while looking on someone that failed to consider yourself lest that same condition come on you. That is not how the bible says it but it has the same meaning. Why are we so quick to judge others when they make a small mishap and expect mercy for our huge blunders? It is unchristian and unethical to treat our fellowman with less dignity than we would expect for ourselves. Our churches have fallen asleep with the woos of the carnal man. We have to get back to where it is real. God is calling a people to be set apart from the world. To be merciful, loving, giving, kind, generous, holy, full of his Holy Word, and full of his Holy Spirit. Let's make it a point to pray for those around us. If a saint makes a mistake or is overcome by something, the church is so judgmental and condemning that people would be afraid to ask for prayer. There is a way that seems right unto man, ...but the end is death. When Cain was asked where his brother was he responded "Am I my brother's keeper?" The answer is yes. In fact we are all one another's keepers. We are a body. Let's start acting like a body, and walk in unity and love as though we needed each other, because we do. Let's stop tearing apart those that stumble and start helping them up considering our own selves lest a similar misfortune fall on us. Be blessed my friend.