Dear Daily Message Readers,
I will be out of town from January 1 4, 2004. Regular devotions will start again on Monday, January 5, 2004. Thank you.
READ: Exodus 3
Exodus 3:11 (NIV) "But Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?"
I heard a story about a teenager named Bill. Bill had recently rededicated his life to Christ and felt a call to become a pastor. Through his high school years, he was a constant example faithfulness and dedication to the Lord. Even in college, Bill demonstrated a deep understanding of God's call for his life and appreciated the work the Lord was doing in and around him.
However, one day things changed. He met a girl, a girl that would one day become his wife. Instead of finishing his senior year of college, going to seminary to receive training to enter the ministry, and fulfilling God's call in life, he took on a job because he was about to get married and needed money for the wedding. It came to be that Bill had no need for college or seminary, for he was making enough money to start a family, and the company was offering him promotion after promotion.
What happened with Bill, you ask? He ignored God's call
Think about Moses. One day he stood before a burning bush and heard God say, "I am sending you to Pharaoh" (Exodus 3:10). After having all his doubts and objections answered, Moses obeyed God's call and returned to Egypt.
Yet I believe Bill stood before his own "burning bush" and heard the call of God. But he gradually turned his back on it as he allowed other things to take its place.
Have you had a burning bush experience? Have you sensed God calling you to serve Him in some specific way? Have you ignored that call? The beginning of this new year is a good time to confirm it or get back on the right path. Pastor Charles Stanley offers four suggestions to discern Gods will:
1. Make sure God initiated it. Don't force it.
2. Check the Bible to make sure it is morally right.
3. Keep praying about it--for months or years if necessary.
4. Get to work on it!
When God makes His specific will known to you, do it. Don't let anything keep you from obeying God's call in 2004! Faith Lesson: When you hear God's call, don't ignore it, just say yes.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
I will be out of town from January 1 4, 2004. Regular devotions will start again on Monday, January 5, 2004. Thank you.
READ: Exodus 3
Exodus 3:11 (NIV) "But Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the sons of Israel out of Egypt?"
I heard a story about a teenager named Bill. Bill had recently rededicated his life to Christ and felt a call to become a pastor. Through his high school years, he was a constant example faithfulness and dedication to the Lord. Even in college, Bill demonstrated a deep understanding of God's call for his life and appreciated the work the Lord was doing in and around him.
However, one day things changed. He met a girl, a girl that would one day become his wife. Instead of finishing his senior year of college, going to seminary to receive training to enter the ministry, and fulfilling God's call in life, he took on a job because he was about to get married and needed money for the wedding. It came to be that Bill had no need for college or seminary, for he was making enough money to start a family, and the company was offering him promotion after promotion.
What happened with Bill, you ask? He ignored God's call
Think about Moses. One day he stood before a burning bush and heard God say, "I am sending you to Pharaoh" (Exodus 3:10). After having all his doubts and objections answered, Moses obeyed God's call and returned to Egypt.
Yet I believe Bill stood before his own "burning bush" and heard the call of God. But he gradually turned his back on it as he allowed other things to take its place.
Have you had a burning bush experience? Have you sensed God calling you to serve Him in some specific way? Have you ignored that call? The beginning of this new year is a good time to confirm it or get back on the right path. Pastor Charles Stanley offers four suggestions to discern Gods will:
1. Make sure God initiated it. Don't force it.
2. Check the Bible to make sure it is morally right.
3. Keep praying about it--for months or years if necessary.
4. Get to work on it!
When God makes His specific will known to you, do it. Don't let anything keep you from obeying God's call in 2004! Faith Lesson: When you hear God's call, don't ignore it, just say yes.
In Christ,
Darin Smith
