Growing Weary

"When Moses' hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up--one on one side, one on the other--so that his hands remained steady till sunset"- Exodus 17:12 (NIV).

The battle was in favor of Israel's army as long as Moses held his hands high. But his hands grew tired after awhile. It was fellow believers, Aaron and Hur, who stood by his side keeping his hands steady until the victory was theirs (v.12-13). Battles continue, some ongoing and some new, but you grow weary at times. Christian friends are placed in our lives to strengthen our feeble hands, reminding us to remain strong, God will come with vengeance and divine retribution to save us (Isaiah 35:3-4). Rejoice in all of this, though you suffer. These trials prove the genuineness of your faith, more valuable than gold, and will result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus is revealed (1 Peter 6-7). Give thanks to the Father for Christian friends and the opportunity to offer your support when they grow weary.

Gentle and Quiet

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still"- Exodus 14:14 (NIV).

Being still goes beyond hands and feet. We also need to keep our mouths in check: quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger (James 1;19). Like the rupture of a dam or the eruption of a volcano, only a fool allows his mouth full vent, when we should remain quiet (Proverbs 29:11). Be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). You will never "know" if you cannot be "still." God works our quietness to the good when we quietly wait for His salvation (Lamentations 3:26). He will fight for you. Our hearts should melt to know, God sees a gentle and quiet spirit as precious and imperishably beautiful (1 Peter 3:4).  

True Riches

"I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings"- Luke 16:9 (NIV).

The moral of this Scripture: Use worldly resources wisely, benefiting others. This followed the parable of the untrustworthy steward who was confronted for not managing his master's wealth honestly (probably increasing the debt and skimming off the top). The dishonest manager needed to make friends and quickly, so that one might take him into their home once he had lost his own dwelling. He reduced their debt loads, cutting them almost in half, so that they could pay. His master commended him for his actions. If you are not trustworthy in managing worldly wealth, or your Master's property, you cannot be trusted with true riches. Either you are devoted to your Master or to worldly riches. You cannot serve both (vs. 11-13). True riches await in your eternal home.  

Tick Tock

"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up"- Deuteronomy 11:19 (NIV).

Scripture is God-breathed. It is to be used for teaching, rebuking, training and correcting. Only then can God's children be thoroughly equipped for the work God intends for their lives (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The devil is the master of distractions when it comes to keeping you from God's Word and the further removed you are, the less probability you will incorporate Scripture into your daily lives and conversations...the less probability you will fulfill your purpose. Meanwhile, that master clock's hands, ticking off the hours leading up to Jesus' return, keep moving forward. Check yourself: Do the people God has placed around you hear God's word spoken through you? Oh, what a glorious way to be found, doing so, the very hour you meet Jesus! 

Mutual Edificiation

"Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification"- Romans 14:19 (NIV).

Paul, in Romans 14, is asking Kingdom workers to refrain from judging others and to stop throwing stumbling blocks into the paths of fellow believers (v. 13). Some people eat certain foods, while others eat anything. Paul said neither should treat the other with contempt (vs.2-3), but instead, to examine ourselves to see if our choices, our ways, are done to honor the Lord (v. 6-8). The Kingdom is not about what we eat or drink...but about righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (v.17). Everything we do, whether in word or deed, should all be done in the name of Jesus, giving thanks to God through Him (Colossians 3:17).