THE BURNING BUSH

The Burning Bush

 

“Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian.  And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God.  And the Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush.  So he looked and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed.” (Ex. 3:1-2 NKJV)

Moses had been raised in the splendor of Egypt, in the palace of the great Pharaoh,.  He was brought up to worship the Egyptian sun god, Ra, and Osiris, god of the dead.  Many times, he must have gazed in awe at the huge statues of the god, Horus, with the body of a man and head of a falcon.  How often did his eyes pass over the Great Pyramid of Giza and its guardian, the Great Sphinx, with its reclining body of a lion and head of a man?  He must have bathed in Nile River and rested on its shaded, grassy banks that were among the most fertile in the world. 

These were everyday sights to Moses, who took in all of these wonders as common place.  He knew of the God, Jehovah, for his Hebrew mother raised him until he was between three and five years of age.  He then became the adopted son of Pharaoh’s daughter and was raised as an Egyptian until he was forty years old. Although Moses was “learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words and deeds” (Acts7:22), he never forgot his heritage. In avenging one of his people, he was hunted by the Egyptians and mistrusted by the Hebrews.  Moses fled Eygpt and wandered through the desert to the land of Midian.

God had to actually remove him from the sights and sounds of Egypt in order to get his attention. So it was, Moses was tending flocks in the back side of the desert. The parched winds blew little whirlwinds across the sand.  No doubt Moses felt great relief from the relentless sun when he found shelter in the shadow of Mt. Horeb. 

There were few other signs of life as he wondered along with the flocks, occasionally calling to them in the Midian dialect.  Suddenly, in the distance, a desert bush burst into flames.  At first, Moses was probably not startled, as spontaneous combustion in the desert was a common occurrence.  However, as he watched, he noticed that the bush, although on fire, was not being consumed.  Out of curiosity, he went aside from the path to look at this strange phenomenon.   It was then the Lord called to him, “Moses, Moses!”  It must have been in fear and trembling that Moses answered the Lord.  So it was, God made himself known to Moses and thereby began their relationship.

How often does the God of Heaven appear to us in commonplace ways, while we are looking for him in the extraordinary?  More often than we know.  I am reminded of some incidents in my own walk and if you think about it, I’m sure you will also be reminded of some in your life.

One time, my burning bush was a dirty, orange plastic, ashtray.  I was a newly saved Christian, but a long time cigarette smoker.  My husband and I had invited a minister to our home to explain some things to us regarding the Bible.  Putting the finishing touches to my kitchen, before he arrived, I crushed my cigarette out in the dirty, orange ashtray.  I thought to myself, “I guess I better stick this under the sink, so I don’t offend the man of God.”  Immediately, a voice spoke inside, “But, you would offend Me?”  Startled, I dropped the ashtray and stood frozen in my tracks.  My husband walked into the kitchen and took a look at me.  “What’s wrong," he asked?  I began to cry, because I knew that the Lord was the one who had spoken to me.  He revealed to me, that I was more concerned about what people thought of me, than what he thought.  This happened many years ago, and although I quit smoking not long after, I have never forgotten it.

Another burning bush experience took place about six months after my husband and I became committed Christians.  Neither of us grew up in homes where tithing was practiced and although we heard it in church, it didn’t seem to apply to us.  One morning, on my drive to work, I heard a sermon on the car radio about tithing.  It was based on the scriptures in Malachi 3:8-11 and was about robbing God by not giving him ten per cent of your earnings.  The preacher went on to explain, when we are obedient in tithing, God will open the windows of heaven and pour out blessings.  He also said, if we were in a bad financial situation, giving would allow God to bless us. In fact, the Bible says that God challenges us to ‘try Him’, and see if it isn’t so.  As our life wasn’t very financially sound at the time, this really caught my attention. 

Later that day, I picked up a magazine that came in the mail and glancing through it, saw an article titled, “Are You Robbing God?”  Now, my curiosity was really piqued.  Reading it, I discovered it had the same message on tithing.

That evening, at the dinner table, my husband and I, had a discussion on tithing.  Strangely enough, he too, had come across several teachings on it. We had left the television on in the living room and during a lull in conversation, we heard to words, “Are you robbing God?”.  We got up from the table and went into the living room, eyes riveted on the television.  It was the same message as the radio program and magazine article and it was enough to convince us God was speaking to our hearts about tithing.

Financially, we were in a desert place when the Lord spoke to us to tithe.  Our lives were never to be the same, as we stepped out in faith to be obedient.  He has blessed us beyond anything we could imagine.  We did not become rich, but God prospered us and we have been blessed in numerous ways.  We are so very thankful for all He has done for us and our family. 

I could write a book about my burning bush experiences.  They are many and continue to take place almost daily.  At times the Lord has asked me to do things for him that I feel very unqualified to do.  I, like Moses and his  ‘stammering lips’, can find excuses for not being obedient, but generally end up doing what he asks.  When I put my faith in him, I know he will bring it to pass.  “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?”  (Jer. 32:27 KJV)

You may have heard the voice of God speaking to you through the words of a moving hymn.  He may speak through his Word, the Bible.  It may happen when you look into the face of an innocent child, or wander along the shore of a peaceful lake.  He may speak to you while you work in your kitchen, or yard.  It may be when walking down a woodland path.  It could be while you lay in a lonely hospital bed.  Wherever you are, he will speak to you at the very time you need to hear him.

Many years ago, I heard a little Catholic sister say, “If you do the ridiculous, God will do the miraculous.”  Moses no doubt thought what God was asking him to do was pretty ridiculous, but he did it and God did the miraculous. 

Has that happened to you?  I will never forget the time we sent our son off to Bible College - in faith.  We both knew there was not enough money coming in to begin to cover his expenses and we had no savings, but we also knew he was where he should be.  One day, while in prayer, the Lord spoke to my heart, that if we would financially help another young man going to Bible College, He would meet our need.  My husband and I prayed about it and decided to send the fifty dollars a month he needed.  Neither of us can explain how it worked, because our income did not increase, nor our bills decline.  Yet every month, there was enough to pay our son’s five-hundred dollar tuition as well as the other young man’s fifty.  We did what seemed to us ridiculous and God did the miraculous.  To us, it was like the miracle of the ‘loaves and fishes’. 

We don’t need to run around looking for an emotional high.  God comes to you right where you are.  Remember what Jesus said in Matt. 24: 23 & 24,  “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it.  For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect."  (NKJV)  Your burning bush will be a commonplace experience that becomes extraordinary when touched by God.

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAUGHT IN A STORM

Caught In A Storm

 

 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!”                 Matthew 14:27 (NLT)

“You have so little faith,” Jesus said.  “Why did you doubt?  When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.  Matthew 14:31-32 (NLT)

            Jesus went off by himself to pray and the disciples headed across the lake.  A storm came up and the waves were crashing over the boat; they feared they would drown.  Then unexpectedly Jesus came walking across the water and the storm calmed and they were saved.  There is much more to this story and you can read it in the Bible, but today let’s concentrate on the storm and the fear of drowning in it.

            Many I know, including myself, have been hit by a storm recently.  Suddenly you find the wind and waves coming at you; you try to get up and another wave hits you.  You wonder if you are going to go under because the waves keep coming and you can’t see the shore.  Then the fear sets in and it speaks to you.

            “You’re never going to get out of this storm; so why don’t you just give up and drown.” 

            At this point you are in real trouble because you are listening to the lies of the devil.  You have let fear enter your spirit.  It’s true!  2 Timothy 1:7 says:  “ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”   If fear is not from God, then it must be from the enemy of our soul.  You were not born with fear because God fashioned you in his image.  Fear is an emotion that inhibits our dependence on God and surely He would not give you that.

            In our younger years we can pick up certain things from the people around us.  Let me give you an example.  When I was about 3 years old (I can still remember every detail), I was playing in the dining room and my aunt and uncle were visiting along with their 10-year old son, Lyle.  All of a sudden my mother began screaming and climbed up on the dining room table.  I was so frightened and tried to get up on a chair.  I began crying hysterically as Mother kept screaming and yelling about a rat.    What really happened was that my cousin, Lyle, had a white rat for a pet and had let it loose. That incident traumatized me for the rest of my life and I am still terrified when I see a mouse; dead or alive.  Sadly, I have passed that on to some of my children.

            The truth is that almost everyone has something they fear and at those times, faith runs away.  In this scripture we see that Jesus admonished the disciples for their lack of faith and said to them, “You have so little faith.  Why did you doubt me?”  

            It doesn’t matter if you are in a boat, or going through a physical storm; don’t lose your faith to fear.  Jesus is walking on the waves to come to you.  He doesn’t hesitate to get into the boat with you and when he does, the storm calms right down.  “Don’t be afraid,” he says, “I will ride out this storm with you.”

            The Bible tells us that the rain falls on the just [believers] the same as the unjust [unbelievers] because we live in this world.  We don’t realize that we are aliens visiting planet earth; “For we are aliens and pilgrims before You, as were all our fathers.”  1 Chronicles 29:15 (NKJV)  Some versions say we are [sojourners], which means, (a temporary stay).

            The interesting thing about all of this is that God has given us a choice; to give up and drown, or to listen to Jesus who tells us to; “Take courage; I am here.”  Don’t give in to fear and hopelessness.  He is our Hope in all situations.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD.  For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, which spreads out its roots by the river, and will not fear when heat comes; but its leaf will be green, and will not be anxious in the year of drought, nor will cease from yielding fruit.”  Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NKJV)

 

 

WHEN I'M BESIDE MYSELF

When I’m Beside Myself

Judges 8:22-28

      Have you ever heard anyone say, “I’m so upset, I’m just beside myself?”  What they mean is that things are going the wrong way for them and they have become distraught.  There are three (3) areas we want to cover that may apply to your life.  1) What happened to Gideon, 2) What were the consequences and, 3) How can we prevent this from happening to us?  First, let’s see how Gideon was affected.

      “The Israelites said, "Rule over us, you and your son and your grandson. You have saved us from Midian's tyranny." Gideon said, "I most certainly will not rule over you, nor will my son. GOD will reign over you." Then Gideon said, "But I do have one request. Give me, each of you, an earring that you took as plunder." Ishmaelites wore gold earrings, and the men all had their pockets full of them. They said, "Of course. They're yours!" They spread out a blanket and each man threw his plundered earrings on it.  The gold earrings that Gideon had asked for weighed about forty-three pounds—and that didn't include the crescents and pendants, the purple robes worn by the Midianite kings, and the ornaments hung around the necks of their camels. Gideon made the gold into a sacred ephod and put it on display in his hometown, Ophrah. All Israel prostituted itself there. Gideon and his family, too, were seduced by it.”   [Judges 8:22-27 (MSG)]
     Gideon, the son of Joash was given the task of delivering the Israelites from the Midianites and Amalekites, desert nomads who repeatedly raided the country.  Gideon was not a willing volunteer.  Although he knew the will of God, twice he laid out the fleece in what seems an effort to avoid the will of God by imposing impossible conditions.  God met his conditions both times and then set out the strategy that would guarantee victory for Israel. 
      Gideon was victorious in his quest and the Midianite oppressions were brought to an end.  This hero of faith ended his life on a sad note.  Even though he refused to let the people crown him king and testified that only God was King, he ordered the people to give him their gold earrings which had been taken as spoil from the Ishmalites.  He made an ephod (some sort of idol covered with gold and perhaps jewels and set up as something to worship).  It became a worship symbol and led his people astray.
      What happened to Gideon? Gideon began in what I’m going to call the ‘God mode’.  He was on speaking and listening terms with God.  God’s direction is always the very best plan.  How do we get this plan?  There are (3) ways to get the plan.  1)  Prayer, 2) the Word, 3) Dreams or Visions.
     When we follow God’s direction, we are clearly on the right path.  However, when we get out of the ‘God mode’ and into the ‘Self mode’, we instantly set ourselves up for failure.  In other words, we are beside ourselves!  This is what happened to Gideon; he dropped his guard and decided to help God out.  His intentions were good, but his source was not God, it was his own.  He tried to get ahead of God and the next thing he knew, he was outside of the ‘God Mode’ and he was beside himself.
      If you feel God has called you to a ministry, you better be very sure the plan comes from God and not from your own desires.  Your own desires are generally worldly, or selfish.  Have you ever said to yourself, “Wow, this is such a great idea I thought of.  I think I’ll just go ahead and do it.”  If you are a creative person you will figure everything out the way you think it should be and put it into action.  Perhaps it appears to be a success, BUT, is it what God wanted you to do, or what you wanted to do?  When others build you up and tell you how wonderful you are; watch out! You may even develop a following, but it could be a hidden snare; a net by the wayside or even a trap.
      How can we prevent going from the God Mode to the Self Mode?  First of all there is a wonderful word in the Bible and it is TRUST!  Ps 91:2 “I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.   How do we trust God?  There are 5 ways to put your trust in the Almighty.

     Put your faith in Him, not in yourself.

     Don’t try to get ahead of Him.

     Pray for direction.

     Listen for the answer.

     Act on the direction he gives you, even if it isn’t what you want or expect.

Listen, it is no little thing to serve the Lord.  People that so easily speak for God should ‘take heed’.  When you say, “Thus says the Lord”, you better know you have heard from God and not from yourself. When you plan to do thus and thus in the line of God’s will, you better make sure its God’s plan and not your own and that you are not beside yourself.  There are consequences for not getting the right direction from God.

     When God calls you to a certain task or ministry, trust in Him; let Him lead you and you will never be beside yourself again.

 

 

 

 

 

Mothers Aren't Perfect

Mothers Aren’t Perfect

When Mother’s Day comes around every year, we see reminders of flowers, gifts or greeting cards.  Many have loving thoughts for their mother, but there are a great number who think of their mother with anger, bitterness and un-forgiveness.  I don’t believe there’s such a thing as a perfect mother, but there are uncounted loving mothers who devote their lives to their children.  I am one of those who had an amazing loving mother.

I was reading Proverbs 31:10-30, which most people speak of as the pattern for a ‘perfect wife’.  Yet, as I meditated over this, I could see it also covered what a ‘perfect mother’ would be like.  In verse 17-22, She is energetic and strong, a hard worker; she watches for bargains; her lights burn late into the night. And her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber; she extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.  She has no fear of winter for her household because all of them have warm clothes.  She quilts her own bedspreads. She dresses like royalty in gowns of finest cloth. 

This sounds so much like the things my mother did.  She was always busy taking care of her family; cooking, cleaning, preparing for each season.  She sewed most of our clothes and always shopped for bargains.  She visited the poor and the lonely by taking food to them and finding ways to help the needy.  We were always dressed very well and our hair was washed and cut or styled.

Verses 25-27 also fit her; “Strength and honor are her clothing; she shall rejoice in time to come.  She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.   Also in verse 28, “but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.”  These scriptures also continue to show my mother; she was strong and was honored by many people.  She was very kind and wise and she loved God and honored him in all she did.  She was certainly praised by many and honored by her children.

In spite of all these wonderful qualities, she was not perfect.  She had her problems, but turned to God in prayer about everything.  We all knew, no matter what happened in our life, our mother always loved us.  I was truly blessed with a wonderful mother who is now in heaven, and I miss her every day.

I have heard so many sad stories of those whose mothers were not kind or loving.  I have such compassion for them; for the one whose mother never loved him or one whose mother was very abusive and for those who have never even known their mothers.  The Bible tells us to honor our mothers but how can one do that after a terrible childhood?

Forgive her; this is a part of honoring.  Perhaps you have no contact with her, or maybe
you don’t even know who she is, it is still important to your soul to have forgiveness.

   Don’t treat your children like you were treated. Set a new example by showing them love,

            kindness, and respect; always be there for them, listening to them express their feelings.

Are you wondering how you can forgive her when you feel like she is the cause of all your un-happiness? God’s Word has all the answers.  Matthew 6:15  “But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.”  That isn’t a suggestion; it’s a statement, no question about it.  If you follow the Word of God, then you know what Romans 3:23 says: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Perhaps this will help you to understand why it is so important to forgive. 

If your mother has repented for earlier actions in your life and she is now a Christian, then God has forgiven her, so how can you not forgive? 

There are people who don’t want to forgive and they go over and over the past.  If you always live in the past, you will never enjoy the future.  Anyone who lives in the past will never be able to get rid of their anger and bitterness and enjoy happiness.

How about your relationship with your children?  Do you quickly lose you temper with them, or are you overindulgent?  Do you treat your children with love and kindness?  You are only kidding yourself if you think your children don’t pick up on that anger.  It doesn’t affect every child, but some children pick up on it and exhibit anger and temper tantrums.   If you are overindulgent with your children to overcompensate because of your own childhood, then you will have a spoiled child who will soon run the household.

I haven’t been a perfect mother, but I have always tried to be there for them.  They all know how much I love them.  I was married very young and when I began having children, I really didn’t know what to do with them.  I thank God my mother was there to advise me. 

Just remember this:  When you were born – you didn’t come with a manual!  Most mothers do the best they know how to do, and they are certainly not perfect, but neither are you.  The only perfect one is Jesus Christ who gave his life for you.  Give your heart to him and he will direct your footsteps to love and forgiveness.

For those mothers who have tried to do the best they could; God bless you and keep you in God’s care.  You can depend on His love; that’s why he told us to honor our mothers. 

 

I love you, Mother and miss you so much, but I will see you again someday.