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The Purpose Of The Ministry

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God’s purpose is to build up the body of Christ. It is not your agenda, your ideals or your doctrines. It is to build up the body of Christ by saving the saving of souls and renewing of weary hearts.

Ephesians 4:11-16

11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:

16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

V11 – God has a team assigned to the saints to Maturity

  • Apostles and prophets through their writings and words
  • Evangelists teach us the value of soul winning
  • Pastors and teachers keep believers strong in faith
  • They are called to “perfect” or “mature” the saints

V12 – Who is to do the work of the ministry? The saints!

Saints are to do the work of the ministry:

  • saints are those who have been born again
  • All believers are called to do the work of the ministry

We tend to reverse the divine plan by:

  • making pastors do the work of the ministry
  • people show up to listen and critique sermons
  • congregations seek to perfect the pastors to minister
  • we are becoming paid spectators

By doing this:

  • the church becomes as slow as s snail
  • Members miss the blessing of the ministry
  • When the body is not busy it creates busybodies

We must return to being the WHO behind the ministry

V12 – What is the work of the ministry? Anything that builds up the body of Christ!

The ministry is anything that builds up the body

  • to edify is to build up
  • What are you doing to edify? Fellowship? Support? Compassion? Praying?

The ministry is caring for the afflicted

  • Comforting the sick and sorrowful

1 Thessalonians 5:11-14

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;

13 And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves.

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

  • Visiting and care for the fatherless and widows

James 1:27

27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

  • Being a caregiver for the physical needs of believers

Romans 12:13

13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.

  • Helping the poor

Romans 15:25-26

25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints.

26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem.

  • Helping those overtaken by a fault

Galatians 6:1

6 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

  • Encouraging one another

Hebrews 10:25

25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

V13-16 – What happens when we do all the work of the ministry?

  • The church is unified
  • Believers become Christlike
  • Christians become solid in faith
  • The church is protected from false teaching
  • Love flows through all preaching and teaching
  • The church grows and is known for fellowship and love

– And out of this people can be saved, delivered and set free!

The Power Of Encouragement

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Romans 12:3-8

3 For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.

4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:

5 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;

7 Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching;

8 Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness.

– Encouragement is necessary to our walk of faith.

– Without encouragement a will with purpose fades unto a state of unrest and unsatisfaction

Hebrews 3:13

13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

– Without encouragement, life would soon feel pointless and burdensome. Without encouragement, we can be overwhelmed by the very real pains of our lives. Without encouragement, we feel unloved. Without encouragement, we begin to think that God is a liar or is unconcerned with our welfare. So, the Bible tells us to encourage one another, to remind each other of the truth that God loves us, that God equips us, that we are treasured, that our struggles are worth it.

– Encouragement makes it easier to live in a fallen world in a holy way.

– Encouragement makes it easier to love as Jesus loved (see John 13:34-35).

John 13:34-35

34 A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.

35 By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

– Encouragement gives hope (Romans 15:4).

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

– Encouragement helps us through times of discipline and testing (Hebrews 12:5).

Hebrews 12:5

5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him:

– Encouragement nurtures patience and kindness (see 1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,

5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;

6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;

7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

– Encouragement makes it easier to sacrifice our own desires for the advancement of God’s kingdom. In short, encouragement makes it easier to live the Christian life.

Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”

– God’s Word is full of encouragement. Pleasant words, indeed.

– And even though at times the words of others may fail us we can have hope in the fact that when our strength is little in tribulation that Jesus steps in for us to God by our faith


John 16:33

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

What You Face Is For You

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Ephesians 6:10-12

[10] Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
[11] Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
[12] For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

We should remember and be good to never forget that the forces of evil are arrayed against us, raging as a roaring lion to devour us.

We are not here just to:

  • Preach and teach
  • Raise Money
  • Build a building
  • Run a program

We are here to do battle against a very real and present enemy:

  • Eternal life is at stake
  • Souls hang in the balance
  • The standards of righteousness are being compromised
  • Foundations of decency are crumbling

The good news today is that we are equipped to win this battle through Christ!

Romans 1:16-21

[16] For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
[17] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
[18] For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness;
[19] Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
[20] For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
[21] Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

We possess the power of the gospel; it is the great message that can mend all hurt and repair the broken pieces of a persons’ life:

  • Forgiveness from our sin
  • Deliverance from our bondage
  • Lifting of the weights of the cares of life
  • All will sincerely believing in the love that was shown us by God through the sacrifice of God’s son, Jesus Christ (now that’s powerful!)

Ephesians 3:8-21

[8] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
[9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
[10] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
[11] Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
[12] That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
[13] But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
[14] For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
[15] Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
[16] And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
[17] And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
[18] For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
[19] Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
[20] And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
[21] In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:

We have the power of the Holy Spirit

You are given the spirit of God to have boldness, access and confidence by faith, to faint not at life’s tribulations:

  • To know we are his, to know we are named means everything
  • To strengthen our inner selves with might and spirit
  • Be rooted and grounded in love
  • To know the love of Christ
  • Be filled with the fullness of God

Ephesians 6:13

[13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

We have the armor of God

I Corinthians 15:57-58

[57] But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
[58] Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

Ultimate victory is certain for whom will believe

The Purpose of a Trial

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1 Peter 4:12-14

[12] Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
[13] But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
[14] If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified.

A Christian’s life begins with a spiritual birth (John 3:3-5)

[3] Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
[4] Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?
[5] Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

  • God’s plan is birth, growth and maturity
  • God uses the bible, the church and other believers to bring growth
  • God uses trials bring us into maturity (spiritual perfection)

So why do we as Christians have trials? (v. 12)

“Think it not strange”

  • Christians have trials because we live in a sinful world
  • We live in a world of turmoil and natural disasters
  • We live in a world of crime, sickness and death
  • We are a part of a straying generation (Romans 3:10-18)

[10] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:
[11] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God.
[12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
[13] Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:
[14] Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:
[15] Their feet are swift to shed blood:
[16] Destruction and misery are in their ways:
[17] And the way of peace have they not known:
[18] There is no fear of God before their eyes.

Christians have trials because of the power of Satan

  • Satan is our adversary
  • Consider his attack on Job
  • He is as a roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8)

[8] Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

Christians are on a collision course with the world

  • Jesus warned us of this conflict (John 15:18-20)

[18] If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
[19] If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
[20] Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

  • Many have suffered and died for Christ (Hebrews 11:36-40)

[36] And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
[37] They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
[38] (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.
[39] And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
[40] God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

What makes our trials different? Why would they be worth making it through? (v. 13)

  • We do not suffer alone (Hebrews 13:5-6)

[5] Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
[6] So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.

  • We become partakers of Christ’s sufferings (v. 13)
  • We can even find joy in jeopardy (Acts 16:25-32)

[25] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
[26] And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed.
[27] And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
[28] But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
[29] Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
[30] And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
[31] And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
[32] And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

  • There is a design in our difficulties (Romans 8:28-29)

[28] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
[29] For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren.

  • And after it is all said and done our trials will come to glory (Romans 8:17-18)

[17] And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.
[18] For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

Learning From Your Mistakes: Part One – Your Broken Pieces Can Be Used For Your Good

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broken-pottery

“And we know that all things work together for good, to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” ~ Romans 8:28 

There is no better of a way to learn how to be a stronger person than through the experiences of your life…particularly the ones we like to forget. The illustration above speaks to me greatly. You see, the keychain has a piece of a shard of pottery attached to it. This broken piece of pottery could have been easily thrown away since it has failed at its initial purpose of being a part of a vase, yet someone saw something beyond when it became broken. What was once an event that made the clay unusable has now been repurposed and is not contingent on its past nor what caused it to break.

I would love to be one of those people that has the perfect social media profile, having flawless pictures on instagram, writing tweets bragging of my exploits and trips to everywhere, using facebook to portray all the good angles of daily living. The fact of the matter is that no matter how much I want to think myself as having such a perfect life that I must admit that in essence I have been and will continue to be a broken piece of clay. There is not a wardrobe or makeup good enough that I would ever be able to cover every flaw of my body. There is no training for my brain that is good enough to help me to not forget memories. There are not enough public speaking classes I could take that could ever keep me from saying irrational words or speaking negative/doubtful thoughts. There is not enough therapy to keep me from having moments of weakness. Paul even spoke and said that at times we as mankind would sin and fall short of the glory of God. I have failed at many things and am not proud of a lot of parts of my life. In fact, when I use to look back into my past I would grow depressed and not see any value of my future. I was dictating my present state on my past  and having trouble realizing my future purpose. Feeling void and lost in my life caused me to lose my will and drive to succeed in life for myself and others I cared for. I praise my God in Heaven today for the amazing transformation of my mind and the newfound peace I received in my darkest hour!

Through all of these experiences God has led me to a great wisdom and knowledge in how to interpret the trials of my life and how to find my purpose. I am no longer defined by my lifestyle that was centered by drug and alcohol abuse; for I am redeemed by Jesus Christ and have purpose to reach out to those that are still bound and help them try to find a greater hope! I am not led to believe that I have to ever return to be that guy anymore. The person i am now has a new purpose for living! Peace and joy follow my footsteps AWAY from the things I was before. I have put all the things from my history behind me and am putting before my my hopes and dreams that by faith I will realize can come!

I had to realize that my failures and mistakes were not to define who I am but are used to help me being repurposed for what I was truly meant to do. The world we live in is a great big vase, trying to piece together all that is good yet not possessing the real glue that holds it all together. And every single time that you think everything is holding together you will find that it does not require very much to break it all to pieces again. Such is the life of a person without the wonderful relationship with God.

Today I reach out to those of you who are trying to refit your life into who or what you used to be. You do not have to be defined by the mistakes of who you were! You can be forgiven for all of your sins and learn from the person you used to be to discover a purpose greater than you could have ever known. We all must learn that through God we can be made perfect (mature) by the forgiveness of our past sins and the learning from our mistakes as we are quickened in these mortal bodies by the Holy Spirit!

 

Find Your Purpose

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1 Samuel 16:6-14

[6] And it came to pass, when they were come, that he looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD’s anointed is before him.
[7] But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.
[8] Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
[9] Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this.
[10] Again, Jesse made seven of his sons to pass before Samuel. And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these.
[11] And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest, and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither.
[12] And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.
[13] Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah.
[14] But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.

When God said he found a man after his own heart, it was in his design…not a perfect person, but a person after his own heart. Not Just a person who was a good praiser, but a person with some purpose! We have all seen praisers with no purpose, praising the Lord and worshipping and STILL possess ill purpose within. Praise finds its voice when you live for purpose with God. When praise is plugged into purpose it can change your life!

God shifted everything around to produce David: the right blood and the right lineage. David was the son of Jesse, a father out in the field. We can tell how people look but God can tell what they are; for God judges by the heart and not by the outward countenance. We as people miss other people’s purpose because we often judge outwardly. God values the faith, fear and love that are beyond our human discernment.

1 Samuel 17:17-20

[17] And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren;
[18] And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.
[19] Now Saul, and they, and all the men of Israel, were in the valley of Elah, fighting with the Philistines.
[20] And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeper, and took, and went, as Jesse had commanded him; and he came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight, and shouted for the battle.

David is being maneuvered in stages. He knew he would be king but it was not instant. We mostly discard great things because it does not happen in our time. If we get something too fast we will lose it. Timing is everything in our walk with God! There were battles that David had to fight before he ever wore the crown. With each battle brought an elevation that gave hope for the greater promise of God. Thank God for the times God trusted us to fight. Do not just praise him for worldly things: thank him for his love and mercy, giving you changes to grow and not to be stuck on one thing!

1 Samuel 17:34-37

[34] And David said unto Saul, Thy servant kept his father’s sheep, and there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of the flock:
[35] And I went out after him, and smote him, and delivered it out of his mouth: and when he arose against me, I caught him by his beard, and smote him, and slew him.
[36] Thy servant slew both the lion and the bear: and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be as one of them, seeing he hath defied the armies of the living God.
[37] David said moreover, The LORD that delivered me out of the paw of the lion, and out of the paw of the bear, he will deliver me out of the hand of this Philistine. And Saul said unto David, Go, and the LORD be with thee.

Through every battle began to realize that there was no armor that would do greater than what God can bring you through. When God has predestined your life you do not have to fight for the position but simply to learn to win in the trials of your fields. Only you know what the bears and lions of your life are. You must learn to be delivered from your right now problems through the power of the Holy Ghost!

Attention: Now Accepting Applications For Spiritual Leaders

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I first would like to clarify in a very silly way that this is in no way directed towards Heart of Grace Ministries actually taking applications. I am writing this today for what I feel God is leading me to give some direction on about spiritual leadership.

When it comes to the everyday hometown spiritual leaders, most of them have put in many wonderful years of service. The examples of people that I have had the privilege to meet and know has blessed me and helped me beyond words I could explain today. The part that alarms me is that how we are starting to not match up or miss with the word of God. All through the times you read in the scriptures the anointing and wisdom of the older generations was written and passed down, purposed for the up and coming seed that was growing to be the new leaders after them. There were multiple cases of this you can study to, and how the ministries and works only multiplied!

Today I am striving with all that is within me to be a spiritual leader and to use what had been passed down to me. I cannot say that when I received all of the wisdom that I saw myself as ‘ready’, but God sure did! Even at a younger age God has already given me a work and a purpose. If I were to waiver or give up on this purpose, I would not only be hindering the work God had intended for me but the works that were passed down to me!

So as God leads you each and every day, learn to take in each and every good work and wisdom from your elders. Give respect and honor and understand their purpose to better help you find yours! God is surely looking for those of us in the current generation to begin to rise as the new and next leaders of God! How do we apply? Prayer and continual seeking before Him! Finding your calling is the easy part (just like your dream job), but sticking with it with dedicated passion and purpose will prove you as a leader to others and a follower of Christ!

What God Puts In Purpose Will Succeed

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Exodus 1:6-14

[6] And Joseph died, and all his brethren, and all that generation.
[7] And the children of Israel were fruitful, and increased abundantly, and multiplied, and waxed exceeding mighty; and the land was filled with them.
[8] Now there arose up a new king over Egypt, which knew not Joseph.
[9] And he said unto his people, Behold, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we:
[10] Come on, let us deal wisely with them; lest they multiply, and it come to pass, that, when there falleth out any war, they join also unto our enemies, and fight against us, and so get them up out of the land.
[11] Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities, Pithom and Raamses.
[12] But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were grieved because of the children of Israel.
[13] And the Egyptians made the children of Israel to serve with rigour:
[14] And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage, in morter, and in brick, and in all manner of service in the field: all their service, wherein they made them serve, was with rigour.

Exodus 2:1

[1] And there went a man of the house of Levi, and took to wife a daughter of Levi.

Exodus 1:2

[2] Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah,

Exodus 2:2-10

[2] And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months.
[3] And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark of bulrushes, and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink.
[4] And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him.
[5] And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark among the flags, she sent her maid to fetch it.
[6] And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she had compassion on him, and said, This is one of the Hebrews’ children.
[7] Then said his sister to Pharaoh’s daughter, Shall I go and call to thee a nurse of the Hebrew women, that she may nurse the child for thee?
[8] And Pharaoh’s daughter said to her, Go. And the maid went and called the child’s mother.
[9] And Pharaoh’s daughter said unto her, Take this child away, and nurse it for me, and I will give thee thy wages. And the woman took the child, and nursed it.
[10] And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.

In the time when Joseph died, the new King of Egypt at that time foresaw the people that Joseph had ruled over and how they were in his eyes “better”. As we read this now we know that this was just the after-effects of the almighty favor and blessings of God! As this Pharaoh raised intentions in his heart to fight the almighty favor of God, God saw that Israel needed a new “Joseph”, or a new leader to keep them walking before God the way God had instructed all of the time before this. So what happened? The man that we now know as Moses was conceived and brought into the world! Despite all that tried to even destroy him from birth God proved that His will and power supersede all of our plans (or as we read it that His ways are above ours)! Moses was raised in that time to lead them out of the very captivity this Pharaoh had intended for their destruction!

My thought for you today is to remember that when you walk uprightly and obedient before God that you will always have His favor and direction no matter what opposition that would come (even if it were from a great King!).

1 John 3:1-24

[1] Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
[2] Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
[3] And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
[4] Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
[5] And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
[6] Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
[7] Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.
[8] He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
[9] Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
[10] In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
[11] For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
[12] Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.
[13] Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
[14] We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
[15] Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.
[16] Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
[17] But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
[18] My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
[19] And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.
[20] For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.
[21] Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God.
[22] And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight.
[23] And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
[24] And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.

When God foresaw the way sin was going to overcome the world and mankind, He sent Jesus into the world. Jesus Christ became the new atonement beyond the realm of Moses and his generations all the way to where we are. And now we have a leader that dwells within each and every one of us for all of the fiery trials we all go through. We have a way out of sin and have a leader through the presence of the spirit to guide us into living a life from sin. For that I celebrate not having to be as I was, but to be as I am through the one that spoke unto Moses, the “I am”.