Man, so second month up here at New Tribes. I'm loving it here, continually being in thankful for how the Lord has blessed me to be here at such a time as this. To be able to spend 2 years studying the Word of God is not opportunity many people have and so I'm constantly being amazed at how the Lord has lavished blessings on me, and how he is using this time to prepare me for a life of ministry wherever he may lead me. God is so good.
God is so faithful to challenge, to correct, and to transform as well. Paul states in Philippians 2:6, "And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." And how true this is. I am being challenged continually here, by friends, teachers, deans, and by the Word. In my personal devotions I'm just finishing up Exodus and that book has challenged me, my thinking, and my attitude immensely. I was reminded that before I criticize the Israelites in their sin, I needed to realize how similar I was to them. When they are out in the wilderness, they are in a constant state of grumbling. They had just been enslaved in Egypt for 400 years and as soon as they are without food, they begin to grumble against Moses and cry that it was better back in Egypt. As soon as their circumstances take a turn for the worse, they cry out against God, wishing they had stayed in slavery. The Israelites attitude has challenged me incredibly, as well as Paul's exhortation in Philippians 2:14, to "do all things without grumbling or disputing..." I was convicted with my attitude when my circumstances or situations aren't what I desire them to be. I had a tendency to complain about being tired, or a lack of finances, etc. Also, I recently got hired at the hospital next door, Praise the Lord, and I worked 32 hours worth of training last week which has been grueling. I was indeed tired towards the end of my shift, which was 8 hours, 3:15-11:45pm. But every time I thought to complain, I thought about the Israelites attitudes in the desert, when they were discontent with their circumstances. Paul's exhortation also came to mind as I thought about the entire passage and the results of following Paul's exhortation, "Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you may be blameless and innocent children of God in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world." Just remembering that I am a light in the crooked generation in which I live and need to conduct myself as the light that I am. One practical application of that is to do all things without grumbling and shine amongst my co-workers.
One more thing I've learned from Exodus is again through the Israelite disobedience. In chapter 19 God promises to be an enemy to the enemies of Israel and he promises the land, but they are told to obey his voice. The people respond saying that "all that the Lord has spoken we will do." Moses then heads up Mount Sinai where God gives Moses the 10 commandments and laws regarding slaves, restitution, the tabernacle, etc, the terms of the Mosaic Covenant. Moses descends the mountain and repeats everything to the people and with one voice they respond "All the words that the LORD has spoken we will do." Later on in 24:7 they reply "all that the LORD has spoken we will do, we will be obedient." In the rest of the Old Testament Israel is characterized by disobedience beginning in Exodus 32 where they build a golden calf and declare that the calf brought them out of Egypt, not God. God revealed my heart and the times when he communicates to me, I don't want to be obedient and I ignore him. I know I've committed my life to the Lord and am willing to follow him wherever he takes me, trust him no matter what, and will do anything he asks, but I know that my stubborn, sinful hearts acts in opposition to God and needs to renewed and transformed by God daily. God has taught me to put off the attitude of pride and disobedience to the him and his Word and put on the attitude of submission to the him and his Word.
Prayer Requests
1. Focus on God as my 1st priority
2. Intentionality in relationships
3. For me to be a godly example to all and to be the leader I'm called to be
4. Humility in conduct and in regards to approaching God's Word
5. Ministry opportunities at my job
