Willing Servants

Today’s Passage – Exodus 33 – 35 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – Click here to view the passage from Blue Letter Bible)

(Second Milers also read – Luke 17 – 18; Proverbs 31; Psalms 1 – 5 (Jump start on February because it is a short month)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – 1 John 3:1

Read the “0131 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

Read previous post from today’s reading passage – “Stiffnecked,” “Ornaments,” and “Beaming.”

“And Moses spake unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, saying, This is the thing which the LORD commanded, saying, Take ye from among you an offering unto the LORD: whosoever is of a willing heart, let him bring it, an offering of the LORD; gold, and silver, and brass, … And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the LORD hath commanded; … And they came, every one whose heart stirred him up, and every one whom his spirit made willing, and they brought the LORD’S offering to the work of the tabernacle of the congregation, and for all his service, and for the holy garments. And they came, both men and women, as many as were willing hearted, and brought bracelets, and earrings, and rings, and tablets, all jewels of gold: and every man that offered offered an offering of gold unto the LORD. … The children of Israel brought a willing offering unto the LORD, every man and woman, whose heart made them willing to bring for all manner of work, which the LORD had commanded to be made by the hand of Moses.” – (Exodus 35:4-5, 10, 21-22, 29)

The Biblical Pattern in Exodus 35

Notice in Exodus 35, how many times the word “willing” is used. There is nothing sweeter than to see the people of God doing what God has called them to do with a willing heart. Preachers love it when the people all want to pitch in to do the work of the Lord. Unfortunately, there is often not always this type of spirit within the church, which tempts us to use “methods of persuation” in order to accomplish the work that needs to be done. I must admit that there have been times that I have tried to “guilt” people into serving, and I may have even been successful at getting them to do things. Guilt may be effective for a short while, but it doesn’t last. If people are going to continue in service, they will have to have a desire to do so. If God’s work is going to be done the way God wants it done, it will have to be done by willing servants who are excited about serving and who are absolutely convinced that they are doing what God wants them to do.

“Guilt works—for a moment. Willing hearts last a lifetime.”
What God Provided for the Task

Notice from this passage:

  • God gave the congregation a job to do – building the tabernacle
  • God gave them instructions as to how the tabernacle was to be built, and how they were to acquire the necessary materials for building.
  • God gave them leaders who would train them to do what was needed. He not only gave the vision to Moses, but also raised up Bezaleel and Aholiab and gave them the wisdom, understanding, knowledge, workmanship, and training skills (Exod 31:1-6;  35:30-35).
  • God equipped them – He gave specific people specific skills in order for the work to get done.
  • The people willingly offered to give. In fact, we will soon learn that they gave too much. Their willing hearts led to more than enough—imagine what could happen in our churches today if we served the same way.
  • The people willingly offered to work. They gave themselves to the task that God had given them.
Our Task Today: The Great Commission

Just as God had an important project for the Israelites to give themselves to, He also has a big job for us to do today. The task is different from what the Israelites had to do, but the process for completing the task is the same. God tells us what to do – fulfill His Great Commission:

“18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” (Matt 28:18–20)

“And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” (Luke 14:23)

God doesn’t just tell us what to do, He equips us to fulfill the task, giving each participant the gifts they need to do their part:

“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.” (Rom 12:5–8)

In fact, God promised that He will supply every need that we have as we are serving Him:

“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:19)

Willing servants don’t just serve individually—they strive together in unity. Notice what Paul taught the Church at Philippi:

“Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;” – (Philippians 1:27)

The Call to Willing Service

Now, it is up to us to willingly give ourselves to the task that God has given us. Let’s do it. Let’s get excited about serving God! This week, ask God to show you one area where He has gifted you to serve willingly—whether teaching, giving, showing mercy, or going. Then step out in excitement, trusting that He will supply.


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Living in Canaan: A Picture of the Spirit-Filled Christian Life

Listen to Today’s Passage – Exodus 22 – 24 

Follow along on Blue Letter Bible – Exodus 22

(Second Milers also read – Luke 8 – 9; Proverbs 27; Psalms 126 – 130)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture song – Isaiah 51:11

Read the “0127 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Spurgeon.

Read a previous post from this passage – “Following Through.“

“20 Behold, I send an Angel before thee, to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. 21 Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions: for my name is in him. 22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries. … 25 And ye shall serve the LORD your God, and he shall bless thy bread, and thy water; and I will take sickness away from the midst of thee. 26 There shall nothing cast their young, nor be barren, in thy land: the number of thy days I will fulfil. 27 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 23:20–22, 25–27)

God’s Promised Blessing of Protection and Provision in Canaan

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 verses cited above are some 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 obeyed 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 contingent upon the nation’s obedience in wholly following the Lord.

A Picture of the Spirit-Filled Life

In this passage we see a picture of the Christian life today. God has also delivered us spiritually out of Egypt and the power and penalty of sin when He saved us. He wants to bring us into the spiritual land of Canaan, which is the Spirit-filled, Christ-centered life; a life surrendered wholly to God’s will. Canaan in the Old Testament does not picture Heaven. There were still battles to fight there, which will not be the case when we get to Heaven. Canaan is, however, a picture of spiritual victory.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Rom 8:1)

“16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. … 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” (Gal 5:16, 25)

The Problem Hindering Believers Today from Entering Canaan

Unfortunately, as we will find out in future passages, Israel’s entrance into Canaan will be delayed by several decades because the congregation as a whole will allow their fears to rule, causing their faith in God to fail. They will choose to follow their own way instead of believing and wholly surrendering to God (see Numbers 13 – 14). 

Entering Canaan today for the believer is also contingent upon our yieldedness to the Spirit of God and submission to the will of God. Too many believers today are content to wander in the wilderness of their own reasoning and understanding – their flesh is in control. They are still 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).

“5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” (Prov 3:5–6)

The Solution – Surrender to God

It is my desire to live in Canaan. I want to have the victories that God promises for 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 also experience the wonderful blessing and abundant life that God desires for you in your spiritual Canaan.

  • Are you experiencing the “wilderness” or “Canaan” in your walk right now?

  • What area of your life needs more surrender to the Holy Spirit?


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A Friend’s Prayer for a Friend: The Power of Intercession

Today’s Passage – Listen to Genesis 17 – 19 (Audio link).

Read along at Blue Letter Bible – Genesis 17

(Second Milers also read – Matthew 11 – 12; Proverbs 6; Psalms 26 – 30)

Listen to today’s Scripture Song – Psalm 25

Read the “0106 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.“ (Jas 2:23)

“And said, My Lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:” (Gen 18:3)

In our text today, we read about Abraham, the friend of God, interceding on behalf of his own friend and nephew, Lot.

Sweet Fellowship with the Lord

Genesis 18 is a wonderful account which tells of the communion that Abraham had with his God. In the passage, three “men” appear at the tent of Abraham. We are not sure who all of these “men” are. Some have concluded that one of them was the Lord, and the other two were angels, which is certainly a good possibility because the very next chapter begins with two angels going to rescue Lot from the destruction of Sodom. Others believe, however, that these three men were physical manifestations of the three members of the Trinity. I tend to agree with the former opinion but it is interesting that though there were three men, Abraham always only addresses them in the singular form as one. Nevertheless, the Lord and Abraham enjoy a sweet time of fellowship during this time. You get the feeling from the passage that they were not rushing to conclude their time together. A meal was prepared while the Lord waited.

Speaking of Waiting – God Reaffirms His Promise to Abraham

During this time, God, no doubt, spoke to Abraham about many things; but one thing that he told Abraham was that he would, in fact, have a son that would be born to Sarah. The miraculous thing about all of this is that Sarah and Abraham both are well beyond the childbearing years. Abraham and Sarah waited 25 years from the time that God first promised them a child to the time when their son, Isaac, was finally born (see Gen 12:4 & 21:5). God is faithful to do all that He says that He will do in His time. During this afternoon of fellowship with Abraham, God reassures him again of the promise.

Abraham’s Concern for Lot

God reveals something else to Abraham during their time together. As Abraham was walking with the Lord as He was leaving, God shares with Abraham his planned destruction of the city of Sodom. God didn’t have to tell him, but He did. Of course, this got Abraham’s attention because he had a nephew in Sodom that he cared for. Abraham interceded for the city of Sodom, particularly for Lot and his family. He is begging God to spare the city, but his concern is really about Lot. The Bible tells us that Abraham was the friend of God, but here we see that he was also a good friend to Lot. God never promises to spare the city and interestingly, He never promises to spare Lot; but He did say that He would spare the city if He found ten righteous people there, which he did not find. However, God does spare Lot and the family members that were willing to listen to Lot’s warning of the coming destruction.

God Remembered Abraham

I want you to notice something very important, however:

“And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.” (Gen 19:29)

Did you catch it? It does not say that God spared Lot because he was righteous, though we know that the New Testament speaks of him as being “just” (justified – 2 Pe 2:7). It also does not say that God remembered Lot. It does say that God remembered Abraham. What did God remember about Abraham? He remembered Abraham’s intercession on behalf of his nephew, Lot. God spared Lot and his family because of the prayer of Abraham.

The Power of Intercessory Prayer

What a wonderful picture we have here of prayer. God communing in sweet fellowship with his child. God revealing something to that child that would be of concern to him. God giving that child an opportunity to intercede, to pray for that very concern. And then the best part: God answering the request of the child: not exactly the way he wanted it; but a wonderful answer none the less. Kind of causes you to want to spend a little time in prayer yourself, doesn’t it?

Questions for Reflection
  1. Have you ever experienced that kind of sweet, unhurried fellowship with God—like Abraham lingering with the Lord?
  2. What promises from God are you still waiting on, and how does Abraham’s 25-year journey encourage you today?
  3. Who in your life is a “Lot”—someone you care about who needs God’s mercy—and how is the Lord prompting you to intercede for them?
  4. When has God answered your prayers in a way you didn’t exactly expect, yet it was even better?
  5. If God “remembers” the prayers of His friends, what concern will you bring to Him in prayer right now?

Take a moment to pray for a friend today.

Read related previous posts from this passage – “Don’t Look Back,” “Abraham Did a Little Walking With God, Too,” “Walk Thou Before Me and Be Thou Perfect” and “God Knows You.”


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The Saviour of the World

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If you missed the Christmas Eve Candlelight service from last night, you can click here to watch it now.

Today’s Passage – 1 John 3 – 3 John 1 (Click on the references to listen to the audio – click here to view the text from the Blue Letter Bible website)

(Second Milers also read – Psalms 121 – 125; Proverbs 25)

Listen to this morning’s Scripture Song – Ephesians 4:32

Read the “1225 Evening and Morning“ devotion for today, by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon.

“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” (1 John 4:14)

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent us an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent us a scientist.
If our greatest need had been money, God would have sent us an economist.
If our greatest need had been pleasure, God would have sent us an entertainer.
But our greatest need was forgiveness, so God sent us a Savior.

I submit two thoughts for your consideration this morning from 1 John 4:14:

1  The Exclusiveness of Candidates for Saviour – Notice the definite article “the,” indicating that the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, is the only Saviour for the world. There are not many ways to be saved, only one.

“He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.” (1 John 5:12)

The disciples of John the Baptist came to Jesus once and asked Him if He was the one that they were waiting for, or “look we for another” (Luke 7:20). Jesus replied emphatically that He was the One who fulfilled all of the Biblical requirements for being the Messiah, and He also added that we should not be “offended” in Him. Jesus is “the” Saviour, and He is also “the” Lord.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6)

2  The Inclusiveness of Candidates for Salvation – Notice the word “world” – it is the same word that is used in John 3:16:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:16-17)

The word, “world” (κόσμος [kosmos]), does not mean just a select few; it means everybody. God wants everybody to receive the gift of the Saviour. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Pe 3:9). Unfortunately, not everybody will come to the Saviour for salvation because they reject “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6), choosing instead to be the god of their own lives. What a shame.

What a gift God gave us when Jesus came to this earth 2,000 years ago to redeem us!

“13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” (Tit 2:13-14)

Thank You, Father for sending us Your Son, the Saviour; and thank You, Jesus, for being willing to come.

 
Cindy and I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas!

 


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