God Gives You What You Need
Today’s Passage – Exodus 30 – 32; Proverbs 30
(Second Milers also read Luke 14 – 15; memorize Psalm 119:11)
“See, I have called by name Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah: And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, … And I, behold, I have given with him Aholiab, the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan: and in the hearts of all that are wise hearted I have put wisdom, that they may make all that I have commanded thee;” – (Exodus 31:2-3, 6)
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” – (Philippians 4:19)
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:” – (Romans 12:4)
“But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him.” – (1 Corinthians 12:18)
I just want to give a quick thought from chapter 31 of the passage in Exodus that we are reading together today. I was tempted to write something from chapter 32, but I decided that this thought was more appropriate for the people of Jersey Shore. I am thankful because this message is a little more encouraging than what I would have said about chapter 32. I encourage you to read it and I think you will understand what I mean. Besides, I preached a message this morning that was might be considered hard by some, so here is my opportunity to balance the scales. This is pure encouragement.
In the preceding chapters God has been instructing Moses regarding the Tabernacle. God gave him a complete set of blueprints, with detailed instructions about how to go about building it. The problem was that Moses was not necessarily gifted in the area of construction. He was a great leader, but he certainly possess all of the skills necessary to do all that needed to be don; nor would he have the time to do it all himself. God understood this, so He raised up to men who were gifted in construction, at least the type of construction required for the Tabernacle and all of the furniture and coverings involved with it. They were going to oversee the building of the tabernacle so that Moses could do what he needed to do.
I remember when we were building our little addition to the church building. It was only a 900 square foot addition to the auditorium, but honestly I knew very little about what was needed to complete it. God raised up a man in our church to oversee the construction. The project was completed on time and under budget. Everybody congratulated me on what a wonderful job I did with the building, but truthfully, I had very little to do with it. And because I didn’t have to focus on the construction, I was able to fulfill without distraction my primary duties of ministry. Thank God for Don Price who was gifted and used of the Lord in a great way to fulfil this particular task.
God equips the local church with what it needs to do what God wants it to do. Part of my job as a pastor is to try to figure out what the gifts and talents are in the people, and put them to use. People who are not being used are unhappy people; and unhappy people will not stay long, and their talents will be wasted. God also equips each and every one of us with what we need so that we can fulfil His will. He will never ask us to do something and not provide the tools and materials that are necessary in order to get the job done.
Have you discovered what God has equipped you with? What gifts, talents, and abilities has God entrusted to your life? Are you allowing Him to use all of those things for His honor and glory? Why not find a place to serve in the local church where your talents can be used to the fullest? God wants to bear fruit in your life. Allow Him to use you.
Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Exodus by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Reading: Exodus 28-29, Luke 12-13, and Proverbs 29.
This Week’s Memory Verse: Psalm 119:11.
Proverbs 29:10 – A Change Of Heart.
Good morning. In Proverbs 29, and verse 10, the Bible tells us that, “The bloodthirsty hate the upright…” Do you have anyone who hates you? Maybe you get the feeling that somebody hates you when don’t. But God’s Word is true, and the bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul. At first glance, it appears that the bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just will seek the soul of the upright. But what if the upright and the just are one-in-the-same? Think about it: even though the bloodthirsty hates the upright/just, the upright/just will seek the soul of the bloodthirsty to get saved. It is a principle found in the Bible. What did Jesus say about it? Luke 6:27-36 says…
“But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. For if ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them. And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same. And if ye lend to them of whom ye hope to receive, what thank have ye? for sinners also lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”
Jesus also put His Words into action on the cross…
“And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.” (Luke 23:33-34).
Then there is also Acts chapter 7…
“Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers: Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it. When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God. Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one accord, And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Acts 7:51-60).
Stephen was demonstrating the same love and compassion that Jesus had on the bloodthirsty. How about you. We only have one enemy: the devil. Satan has blinded the eyes of the bloodthirsty to the truth. Can you think of someone who hates you? Is there someone that you hate? Jesus died for his sins just as He died for yours and mine. Maybe it’s time to forgive? A good place to start is praying for that person’s soul.
God can give the bloodthirsty a change of heart.
Peace. (1John 4:20)
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
Example As Well As Exhortation
Today’s Passage -Exodus 25-27; Proverbs 28
(Second Milers also read Luke 10-11; memorize Psalm 119:9)
In chapters 25 – 27, God is instructing Moses regarding the construction of the Tabernacle. He first tells him that he must take up an offering from the people, collecting all of the materials that would be needed in order to construct it. This was no small undertaking as the tabernacle with all of its curtains and coverings; and with all of its gold, silver, and brass; not to mention the wood that would be required; was a masterpiece of magnificent beauty and elaborate detail. Yet, it is interesting to note, as we will learn later in future passages, that Moses had to eventually stop the people from giving because they had given way too much. We don’t see that very often today do we. Can you imagine what could be done in our churches today if God’s people were this excited about the work of God?
God then shows Moses a pattern; a picture of what the tabernacle was to look like. He no doubt also showed him blueprints of each element of the tabernacle, including all of the pieces of furniture. Moses had a clear picture in his mind of what it all would look like when he was finished. Then God goes on for several chapters giving Moses detailed instructions outlining precisely how the tabernacle was to be built. So, in review, we see that God showed him an example; and then he gave him clear instructions, or exhortation.
I got to thinking how that this is how the ministry is supposed to work. God commands those of us who minister to His people to be a good example (or pattern) of what He expects in a finished product; and then He wants us to give clear instructions of how the people are to go about it. If the picture we are presenting is not consistent with the instructions we are giving, we will not be able to clearly help the people do and be what God expects of them. I know that none of us is perfect, but it is imperitive that we keep this thought in mind as we go about our business of serving the Lord. People will sometimes learn more from what they see, than from what we tell them. Both our example and our exhortation must be right, if we are going to effectively be used of God in building the lives of people for His glory.
By the way, this does not only apply to pastors and teachers. It applies to every believer. Your life (pattern, example) must back up what you are trying to instruct people. Parents, you need to be the right examlple to your children. They will not listen to your exhortation if your example is not what it should be. And to those of you that are concerned about winning people to Christ, which should be all of us; make sure your life backs up your profession. We have an awesome obligation to show people Christ with our lives as well as telling them with our words. Think about it? Have you given much thought to your example; your pattern? Is it sending the right message to the people around you? Do the things that you do and say point people to the Lord, or do they send a conflicting message?
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
Entering Canaan
Today’s Reading – Exodus 22 – 24; Proverbs 27
(Second Milers also read Luke 8 & 9 ; memorize Psalms 119:9)
“I will send my fear before thee, and will destroy all the people to whom thou shalt come, and I will make all thine enemies turn their backs unto thee.” – (Exodus 23:27)
In Exodus 23, we see the nation of Israel travelling in the wilderness on their way out of Egypt and into Canaan, the land of promise. The verse cited above is one of those promises that were associated with the land. A careful reading of the chapter will reveal that God promised his people prosperity, which included abundant provision, and divine protection if they were to obey Him. God promised that the inhabitants of the land would be driven out, and all of the enemies of Israel would flee from them. Again, these promises were contigent upon the nation’s obedience in wholly following the Lord.
In this passage we see a picture of the Christian life today. God has also delivered us out of Egypt when He saved us. He wants to bring us into the spiritual land of Canaan, which is the Spirit-filled, Christ-centered life. Canaan of the Old Testament is not a picture of Heaven. You will remember the people still had battles to fight there,and there will be no more battles to fight once we get to Heaven; but Canaan is a picture of spiritual victory. Entering Canaan today for the believer is also contigent upon our submission to the will of God. Too many believers today are content to wander in the wilderness of their own reasoning and understanding. They are doing their thing instead of God’s thing. What’s worse is that there are also many genuine believers who live with their backs turned from Canaan and their focus still on Egypt (the world).
It is my desire to live in Canaan. I want to have the victories that God promises those who are surrendered to Him. I am tired of wandering in the spiritual barreness of the wilderness. How about you? God has an abundant life prepared for you which also includes provision, protection, power, and a wonderful purpose; but you cannot do it your way. You must surrender your will to the perfect will of God. Let the Holy Spirit of God control you and guide you, and you will experience the wonderful blessing and abundant life that God desires for you.
Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Exodus by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
Come As You Are?
Today’s Reading – Exodus 19-21; Proverbs 26
(Second Milers also read Luke 6 & 7; memorize Psalm 119:9)
“And Moses went down from the mount unto the people, and sanctified the people; and they washed their clothes. And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. And it came to pass on the third day in the morning, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the mount, and the voice of the trumpet exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled. And Moses brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with God; and they stood at the nether part of the mount.” – (Exodus 19:14-17)
Notice in chapter 19 the reverence the people had when they were entering into the presence of God. They washed their clothes; they abstained from physical intimacy; and they trembled. I bet that there was not one person from the congregation that was not present. I bet the children were silent; being kept under very close watch of their parents. The people understood that they meeting with the omnipotent Creator of the universe. He is holy and He was not to be approached by the people of Israel in a flippant and carefree manner. They came with a reverent attitude of worship.
Fast forward now to today. Many people show up late, if they show up at all. They arrive wearing shorts and ripped tee shirts. The children are running all over the sanctuary while their parent are obliviously engaging in their own conversations about anything and everything except the worship of God. We have certainly come a long way down in our reverence to God. We sing half heartedly; talk during prayer and special music; and then sleep when the Word of God is being preached: all the while wondering how long is this going to take. We’ve got more important things like football to worry about today. Do I exaggerate, or is this an accurate description of the attitudes of many in our churches today? God help us!
Now, I wish to be very clear about this: I do not consider myself to be a legalist at all. I understand completely that salvation comes solely through a relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, beginning with faith in His shed blood at the cross of Calvary. I know that God is not impressed when we show up at the church with our white shirts and ties, or our long, modest dresses. I get that. I know that God dwelleth not in temples made with men’s hands; and that the believer’s heart is the temple of God. And I realize that God looks upon the heart; and if a man shows up at church in shorts and a ripped tee shirt because that is all he has, or perhaps because he doesn’t know better, I think God is pleased. I know I am. Believe me, I am thrilled that people just show up, and I am not the least bit concerned about the way they are dressed. I am, however, very concerned about the heart attitude of God’s people today when they come to worship the infinite, omniscient, omnipresent, and all-powerful God. It’s not a ball game. We are not gathering together simply to meet with friends, or to hear a man speak. We are corporately entering into the presence of God. We have become way to casual and careless. People give more thought when they are meeting with earthly dignitaries. God help us to remember that worship is a holy undertaking. Let’s give God our very best attention. I want people to come as they are, but I want them also to realize Who it is they are coming to worship, and I would like also to see the leave a little more conformed to His image. I think this “seeker sensitive” thing has gotten way out of hand. Should we not be a little more “Saviour sensitive”.
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with 3 comments.
Whatever Happened To Sunday?
Today’s Passage – Exodus 16 – 18; Proverbs 25
(Second Milers also read Luke 4 & 5; memorize Psalm 119:9)
“See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day. So the people rested on the seventh day.” – (Exodus 16:29-30)
I am 46 years old, and I remember that when I was a boy everything shut down on Sunday. The supermarkets were closed; the department stores were closed; the home improvement stores were closed: it seemed like everything was closed. I remember when the first supermarket in our area opened up on Sunday. It was big news. Soon, all of the other supermarkets started opening. At first, Sunday was the worst sales day of the week for the retailers. I remember the managers telling me that it was a waste of time to even open, because they didn’t do enough business to justify it. Now, it is the best sales day of the week. How did we get away from Sunday being a day when just about everyone had the day off and stayed home after church. I bet those businessmen that started it all thought that it would be a way for them to get a little ahead of their competitors. I wonder if they did? I wonder if they would look back on their decision and consider it a good thing? Come to think of it, the particular company that started it in our area is bankrupt today. What a shame.
In our passage today, God says in chapter 16 that He will supply the Israelites enough manna on the sixth day so that they would not have to gather it on the seventh. Now, before you fuss at me: I am well aware that the Sabbath for the nation Israel was Saturday, not Sunday. However, for Christians, the day that we set apart for worship and rest has traditionally been Sunday, the day of the resurrection. I think America was a much better place when she observed a day of rest on Sunday. Just about everybody went to church on Sunday, and very few people were forced to work.
The devil and the world have made it very difficult for Christians to be faithful to the Lord in setting aside Sunday as the Lord’s day. It has always been my conviction to keep Sunday as the day that our family worships the Lord. We have always made it a practice to attend both the morning and the evening services at our church. It is the Lord’s day, not just the Lord’s morning; and we are supposed to gather together “so much the more as we see the day approaching.” God has always been faithful. He has always met all of my family’s needs. We haven’t lost a thing by keeping Sunday as a day set apart from the rest of the week for the purpose of rest and worship.
Christian, if I can offer you one piece of advice from this passage it would be this: set aside Sunday as the Lord’s day. Do everything in your power to get the day off from work. It may take a while to arrange your affairs so that this can be done, but work toward it. Go to church and then spend time together as a family. Eat a meal together on Sunday afternoon. Take a nap, or maybe have some fellowship with some extended family and friends. Make Sunday a special day; a day that you look forward to all the week long. Don’t worry about how you will be able to meet all of your obligations because you have eliminated a day of earning income. Remember God is able to give you enough in six days to cover the seventh. “Seek ye first the kingdom of God” and He will take care of everything else.
I hope to see you this Sunday at church!
Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Exodus by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
How Quickly We Forget
Today’s Reading – Exodus 13 – 15; Proverbs 24
(Second Milers also read Luke 2 & 3; Memorize Psalm 119:9)
Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Exodus by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.
What Can Wash Away My Sin?
Today’s Passage – Exodus 10 – 12
“And the blood shall be to you for a token upon the houses where ye are: and when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not be upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Exodus 12:13)
“…For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:” (1 Corinthians 5:27)
Just a quick thought from the passage this morning. God told the children of Israel that they were to sacrifice a lamb, and then they were to take the blood and sprinkle it on the doorpost of the house. Then when the death angel passed by, he would see the blood and pass over that house. If a house was not covered by the blood, then the death angel would kill the first-born of that home. That would include the first-born of children, but it also included the first-born of livestock as well. What a horrible tragedy for this to happen in so many of the homes of the Egyptians. But it did not have to happen. They could have yielded to the will of God, and they would have been protected just as the Israelites were.
Today, God offers the same kind of covering for people. But it is not the blood of an earthly lamb; it is through the blood of Christ, the Lamb of God; the only one that is truly without spot or blemish. If you have been saved, then the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, not only covers you, but also cleanses you from all sin. What is the only thing that can wash away your sin and mine? Nothing, but the blood of Jesus!
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
The Saturday Morning Post by Pastor Ted Stahl
Today’s Reading: Exodus 7-9, Matthew 15-16, and Proverbs 22
Memorize: Psalm 119:9
Today’s Passage: Exodus 9:18-25 Best Regards
Good morning. In our Bible reading today we see God’s hand moving mightily to free His people, Israel, from their bondage in Egypt. God is about to send a “very grievous hail” upon the land of Egypt. The only safe haven that would be found is inside your house, and also the land of Goshen where Israel dwelt. No hail fell in Goshen; God was protecting His people. Safety for the Egyptians could also be gotten also – through the Word of God.
“He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field.” – Exodus 9:20-21.
Those who obeyed God’s Word brought in their servants and animals into houses. Those who did not obey God’s Word left them in the field. And God’s Word tells us that those who were left in the field died from the hail. Belief or un-belief? How do you regard the Word of God? Do you believe it, or not? It cracks me up when I hear stories like the Southern Baptist Convention voting before their meetings as to whether or not the King James Bible is still the Word of God. Why would it change? Then there is that new argument as to whether the King James Bible is inspired. It’s agreed by both sides that the Originals are inspired. I have no problem with that. If I want to see what the Originals said, then I can skip over the italicized words in my King James Bible. As for the italicized words, those who translated the Scriptures into the King James Bible were all men of God. I’m sure God had His hand on them, controlling how they translated His Word. Remember when Moses smote the rock for water instead of just speaking to the rock? That act destroyed Moses’ chance of entering the promised land, and ruined God’s picture of just asking Him to supply our needs.
I saw the following chart somewhere and copied it out…
Psalm 12:6 – The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
1382 – The Wyclif Bible
1525 – The Tyndal Bible (the first purification)
1535 – The Coverdale Bible (the second purification)
1537 – The Rogers Bible (the third purification)
1539 – The Great Bible (the forth purification)
1560 – The Geneva Bible (the fifth purification)
1568 – The Biship’s Bible (the sixth purification)
1611 – The King James Bible (the seventh purification)
How do you regard the Word of God?
Peace (Romans 14:19)
Posted in Devotions by Phil Erickson with no comments yet.
The Call of God
Today’s Passage – Exodus 1 – 3; Proverbs 20 (Second Milers also read – Mark 11 & 12; memorize Colossians 3:16)
“And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.” (Exodus 3:4)
Forgive me for reminiscing a little this morning, but when I read this passage of Scripture dealing with the call of God to Moses, I can’t help but remember the times that I heard clearly the voice of God as He was directing my life. The times that I will share with you happened after I had already trusted Christ as my Saviour, and after I was also already serving Him and growing in Him the best I knew how through my local church. Notice in the passage that Moses also had to get close to God in order for him to hear God’s call.
The first time in my life that I felt God call me was when I was attending a evening service back at Ocean County Baptist Church nearly 20 years ago. I was probably 25 years old at the time and had only been a Christian at that point for a short while. Anyway, we had a guest missionary speaker that night. I must confess that I do not remember the preacher’s name, or the place where he was a missionary. I don’t even remember his message title or text. What I do remember, however, was his invitation. It went something like this: “If God were to call you to do something, and He were to make it clear to you that it was His will, would you surrender?” To me, that was a no brainer. The man was not asking me to surrender to some specific place or ministry at that moment; he was merely posing the possibility of a call, and asking what my response would be. I went forward, and frankly I thought the entire congregation would have walked the aisle with me; but when I got up after praying, I was shocked to see that there was only two of us up at the front. At that time in my life, I had no idea what God might do with me; but I told Him that night that I was willing to go “if” He were to call me. I often think back on that moment as the beginning point of God directing me to where I am today.
The second time, I heard God’s call clearly was when He called me to go to Bible College. I had already been to college once, and I was perfectly content with just serving with my pastor at my home church while I learned what I needed to know there. I remember my pastor and I agreeing that I should take some correspondance classes so that I would not have to uproot my family and go off to school. God, however, had other plans. While I was attending a conference down in Longview, Texas, God revealed clearly to me that He wanted me to be trained at Texas Baptist College. I do not regret that move for one minute. God taught me much there; but the main thing that He taught me was how to trust Him.
The third time I heard the voice of God in my life was when God called me to be the pastor of Jersey Shore Baptist Church. I never candidated at any other church. I really didn’t even candidate here. God, through a very miraculous set of circumstances, placed me here. That was almost ten years ago now and one thing is for sure, knowing that I was genuinely “called of God” has been the thing that has kept me going for this past decade. There have been many blessings along the way; and there has also been some difficult days; but I know that I am exactly where God wants me. The certainty of God’s call is what helps keep me going.
Posted in Devotions, Thoughts from Exodus by Phil Erickson with 1 comment.