Right Wing Religious Wacko (RWRW)

Passage

Exodus 4:10-16 (NLT)

“10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”
11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord? 12 Now go! I will be with you as you speak, and I will instruct you in what to say.”
13 But Moses again pleaded, “Lord, please! Send anyone else.”
14 Then the Lord became angry with Moses. “All right,” he said. “What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you. 15 Talk to him, and put the words in his mouth. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will instruct you both in what to do. 16 Aaron will be your spokesman to the people. He will be your mouthpiece, and you will stand in the place of God for him, telling him what to say.”

Reflection

As I was reading the first 4 chapters of Exodus this morning, I was focused mostly on how Moses kept making excuses about his own inabilities. He was concerned he wouldn’t be taken seriously unless he was armed with the miracles that God provided him with. Then he makes excuses yet again and tells God that he cannot speak well, so he is concerned he would be unable to lead and persuasively speak. Although God is angry, he doesn’t let Moses wriggle free of this chance for leadership - he tells Moses to use his brother Aaron as his mouthpiece.

What strikes me about this is that God had plans for Moses and didn’t let Moses low self esteem get the better of him. He knew what Moses was capable of - but he had to convince Moses that he could do anything only because He (God) was on his side and would give him both the power and authority. How often do I shake off potential responsibility, leadership, or the use of my gifts because I poo-poo my abilities and fear failure? I have to remember that God is telling me I can do it, not because of my own ability or disability, but because God has enabled me.

Another thing that struck me is that God indicates that He knows what people’s weaknesses and disabilities are. He created us the way we are for a purpose. Even what we consider a weakness can be used to further His Kingdom and to grow us to be more like Christ.

Prayer

God, thank you for creating me - flaws and all. I know I tend to see the bad and not the good, but as the Jars of Clay lyric goes, “Change this something normal into something beautiful.” Thanks for letting me know that my weakness can be used for your strength. Amen.

Tags: [Bible, Scripture, quiet time, devotions, RWRW, Exodus, Old Testament, Moses, wisdom, Christianity]

Passage

1 Samuel 3:9 (NLT)

Reflection

Today’s My Utmost for His Highest has a different focus, but what I really latched on to is the idea that we should ask God to speak to us and we should find time to listen. A portion of Oswald Chamber’s passage really struck me:

“Without the sovereign hand of God Himself, nothing touches our lives. Do we discern His hand at work, or do we see things as mere occurrences?

Get into the habit of saying, “Speak, Lord,” and life will become a romance (1 Samuel 3:9). Every time circumstances press in on you, say, “Speak, Lord,” and make time to listen.”

How often do I miss how God has intervened, instead chalking up good fortune to circumstance? How often do I press forward, taking my own advice rather than listening for God’s counsel?

Prayer

God, I want to make you first in my life. I want to listen more. Please speak to me so I can hear you. Amen.

Tags: [Bible, Scripture, quiet time, devotions, RWRW, listen, Samuel, Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Christianity]

Passage

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?” (Matthew 6:25 [NLT])

Reflection

The thought from today’s passage comes from Oswald Chamber’s “My Utmost for His Highest” reflections. I’m not sure if this is right or not, but I take the commandment, “You must not have any other god but me” to mean that God must be number one - nothing should get more focus or priority. We shouldn’t care for our life because if we really trust God and give control to Him, then he will take care of our needs. Note that in the passage in Matthew, the focus is on God providing for things such as food and clothing. If we worry about such things and take control back - trusting that we can better provide for ourselves - then we are foolish. This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t think about such things, but we must realize that God will provide for us and our focus should be on Him alone.

Prayer

God, I want my focus to be on you. I want to constantly have you in control of my life. I do worry about how to get by - how to take care of myself and my family. However, I give that over to you. Please give me wisdom and discernment. Give me the desire to seek you and keep you number one. Amen.

Tags: [Bible, Scripture, quiet time, devotions, RWRW, control, New Testament, Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, Christianity]

Passage

Job 26-29 (NLT)

Reflection

When Job talks about the importance of wisdom and understanding, it reminds me of the passage where Solomon asks for wisdom over material possessions:

“9 Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?”
10 The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom.
11 So God replied, “Because you have asked for wisdom in governing my people with justice and have not asked for a long life or wealth or the death of your enemies—
12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have!
13 And I will also give you what you did not ask for—riches and fame! No other king in all the world will be compared to you for the rest of your life!” (1 Kings 3:9-13 [NLT])

I know God does not promise life to be easy. In fact, like with Job, sometimes he allows things to happen in order to test us, to make our character stronger. The trite message I’ve heard before is that the “wicked” can have their treasure on earth, while ours will be in heaven. Sometimes, however, it’s hard to hold onto that truth when seeing the fortune of others.

Prayer

God, help me to keep my eyes on you, even when life does not seem fair. I know it’s not supposed to be fair. I pray you first forgive my sins. Please give me wisdom and understanding. Please too bless me and my family. Amen.

Tags: [Bible, Scripture, quiet time, devotions, RWRW, suffering, Old Testament, Solomon, wisdom, Christianity]

Passage

Job 22-25 (NLT)

Reflection

The biggest thing thst struck me from this passage was how Job wondered why it seemed the innocent were punished and the wicked were not punished. This is simplified, of coure, but it seems to be a timeless theme that I know I’ve sometimes complained about. Why am I always struggling? Why does it seem I go through trials and tribulations as a faithful Christian, yet the “wicked” have it easy and seemed to be rewarded constantly?

I know God does not promise life to be easy. In fact, like with Job, sometimes he allows things to happen in order to test us, to make our character stronger. Also too, the “wicked” can have their treasure on earth, while ours will be in heaven. Sometimes, however, that seems trite when seeing the fortune of others.

Prayer

God, help me to keep my eyes on you, even when life does not seem fair. I know it’snot supposed to be fair. I pray you first forgive my sins. Please give me wisdom Please too bless me and my family. Amen.

Tags: [Bible, Scripture, quiet time, devotions, RWRW, suffering, Old Testament, Christianity]

Passage

Job 19-21 (NLT)

Reflection

Job was complaining to God - he was upset with God, not man. Certainly he was upset with his so-called friends because they would not listen. More importantly, however, we see that Job struggles with feelings towards God. He doesn’t pull any punches. This shows me that God can take our anger and complaints with Him. He just wants us to come to him. He can take it.

Prayer

God, thanks for letting me know that I can come to you in anger and frustration. Thanks for letting me know that I can question you. Give me the wisdom to know that the struggles I go through will sharpen me and make me a better person. Give me the willingness to be more like Christ. Amen.

Tags: [Bible, Scripture, quiet time, devotions, RWRW, suffering, Old Testament, Christianity]

Passage

Job 15-18 (NLT)

Reflection

These were Job’s friends? Very judgmental when what he wanted was comfort and understanding. I find that some of my friends aren’t necessarily judgmental, but they try to help by “fixing” - telling me what’s wrong, what I should do, etc. Yet what I want is a listening ear, someone that can share some of my pain (or share some of my joy). There is a time to rebuke a friend, but how do Job’s friends know God’s motives? They were attributed evil to Job when they likely could not find fault with him.

Prayer

God, I want to know your ways, I want to understand your motives, but I know sometimes I only learn such lessons in hindsight. Lord, please bring close friends into my life. Friends who want to share my joy and sorrow. Friends who are positive role models and can sharpen me. Amen.

Tags: [Bible, Scripture, quiet time, devotions, RWRW, suffering, Old Testament, Christianity]

Passage

Job 12-14 (NLT)

Reflection

I’m amazed that Job is authentic. God allows Job to experience such incredible pain and suffering and we see Job argue with his so-called friends and he cries out to God. He doesn’t pull any punches though. We see his doubt and his willingness to come to God without pretense.

Although Job was sinful, it wasn’t his sin that caused him to experience such suffering. God knew Job would remain faithful to Him. This passage lets me know that God isn’t the God of punishment when bad things happen. Sometimes He allows suffering so we can become better men and women in His image.

Prayer

God, please keep me close to you, both in times of joy and suffering. Keep me close to you. Thank you for your blessings. Thank you for what You’ve taught me during times of pain. Amen.

Tags: [Bible, Scripture, quiet time, devotions, RWRW, suffering, Old Testament, Christianity]