Shine, Jesus Shine

Moses was weary; the people God called him to lead were stubborn and whiny. When Moses met with the Lord and delayed coming down the mountain, they built a golden calf to worship. They mourned hearing that God was angry and would no longer go before them lest He “consume them.” Moses met with God in the tabernacle with the cloudy pillar (His presence) in the doorway, asking God to show him His way to lead the people. “And the Lord said unto Moses: I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken; for thou hast found grace in My sight, and I know thee by name” (Exodus 33:17). After meeting with God, Moses had to veil his face because it shone so brightly.

Some Christians are satisfied with being passive members of God’s family, sporadically attending church, praying when needs arise—going through life the best they can. Others are more involved, attend church and pray regularly, use their resources to serve others, and seek God’s guidance. Then there are those like Moses, God’s faithful servant, who not only sought God but said he wasn’t going any further unless he knew His presence was with them. He met with God, and not only his outward appearance changed, but so did his outlook on the task God called him to carry out.

God said He would answer Moses’ request because He found favor with him and knew him by name. He knows you and me by name, too, and wants to show us the way to go. But is God pleased with the condition of our hearts? The key to finding His way and will is to be clean before Him and spend time with Him. Moses wanted to meet with God; he needed to hear from Him, and he did. He listened, received, and acted on God’s instructions; his face glowed when he left God’s presence because he wanted to “see” God—and did. We can do all the “churchy” things we think please God and impress others, but what are we like after being with God? Can we or others tell we were in His presence by our changed attitudes and actions? God’s glory shines, but are we letting Him shine through us? 

Will and If

A Pharisee asked Jesus which of the commandments was the greatest. Jesus answered him, saying, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind; this is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39).

Jesus seldom said “should” (King James Bible); the verb sounds passive, although some synonyms are must, ought to, and have to. We WILL obey God’s commandments if we love Him (John 14:15). We WILL love one another IF we are His disciples (John 13:35); Sheep follow their shepherd IF they recognize his voice—Jesus said His sheep know His voice and WILL follow Him (John 10:27). 

We WILL enter God’s kingdom only IF we are born again from above by God’s Spirit (John 3:5–8). Whether should, ought to, or have to move you to action, life’s “WILLs” and “IFs” are crucial to living now and where you WILL spend eternity—with Him IF you believe in, surrender to, and trust His Son, Jesus.

Transplanted

We spotted a beautiful, mature magnolia tree growing in the woods, but the pines surrounded its beauty. We also found two young ones growing just inside the edge of the woods and decided it was best to move them so they could fully develop, and we could enjoy their beauty. My husband dug them up and planted each in places where they could thrive. At first, we thought it was transplant shock when the leaves turned brown, but now, their leaves are on the ground—our best efforts to save them not only crippled but killed them.

We cannot save people we care about—take them from where they are spiritually and plant them where we think is best. Deciding it’s time for them to yield to God’s authority and our best efforts to shield or deliver them from situations God allows to draw them to a saving knowledge of Jesus is harmful, not helpful. Taking matters into our hands can be detrimental to where they will spend eternity. Jesus said: “No man can come to Me except the Father which hath sent Me draw him” (John 6:44a)—and God does want everyone to enjoy everlasting life with Him (vs. 40), but only He can make a sin-sick soul a new creation in Christ. We are to tell others salvation’s message but surrendering one’s life to Jesus is each person's decision. 

Not Just Sightseeing

“And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, ‘From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it’” (Job 1:7). What was Satan looking for; why all the walking? In this conversation with the Lord, it seems he was taking a census, looking for a target because he “jumped all over” God’s invitation for him to consider Job’s faithfulness. He accepted God’s offer, but Satan could not shake Job’s trust in God after his best efforts.

God created angels, even the fallen ones; they are answerable to their Creator as we are. Unlike God, Satan is not omniscient; he does not know all things and cannot understand our thoughts, but he and his followers learn much about people through our actions and speech. They watch for causes of our weariness, fears, doubts, frustrations, short tempers, anxieties, what angers us, always listening for what triggers us to say what we should keep to ourselves. But why did Satan want to cause Job such grief? He tried to prove Job would doubt God’s goodness, love, and provision but failed. Why does he target believers? Those without Christ in their lives are right where he wants them, separated from God. He directs his efforts toward convincing Christians in distress that God doesn’t care about their needs, to rethink their trust in Him, whispering lies that their Savior has forgotten them. He wants to destroy the testimony of weakened or fallen followers of Christ, making them think they are no longer adequate for God’s service.  

Peter warns believers to stay alert because the devil, our adversary, still prowls around, seeking to devour his targets. (1 Peter 5:8). We, who claim the saving power of God, have the Holy Spirit living within us, guiding us in wisdom and truth and strengthening us. Although God’s servant didn’t have the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence like we do or understand the reason for his life’s trials, he stood faithful, trusting God just as the LORD knew he would. When we depend on and look to the LORD God, we will faithfully weather life’s challenges like Job. 

Steppin' Up and Out

For good reasons, people wear different footwear: shoes for occupations, yardwork, dress wear, exercise, recreation, and leisure. Each style accommodates the task at hand. Wearing a pair of steel-toe boots to run a race makes as much sense as wanting to wear another person’s shoes you admire, longing to perform their appealing tasks not designed for you. God created, talented, and gifted His children for His purposes, and it’s vital to wear the correct shoes—your shoes—to carry out (“walk in”) those works He uniquely prepared for you to bring Him glory. Step up to and into the tasks God created you to perform wearing the shoes—gifts and talents—He perfectly fitted for your assignments. Serve Him wholeheartedly, carrying out your responsibilities for your Maker’s honor and the benefit of others.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, that He hath prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). 

Picture-Perfect Day Until

The sun is shining, no clouds in the sky, birds singing, all is well with you and the Lord and your family—life is good. But clouds move in, sprinkles fall, and rain pours. Sometimes, such is life; all is well one moment, and the next, darkness overshadows you. Sunshine and rain are gifts from God for creation’s good, but sometimes someone rains on your sunshiny day. Jesus taught His disciples to love, bless, and do good to those who mistreat them—AND pray for their abusers. The reason why? He said, “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sendeth rain on the just and the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

We show ourselves as children of God’s family when we imitate our heavenly Father, treating those who despitefully use us with love just as He loved us when we are at odds with Him. While we were yet sinners, God showed His love for the world by Jesus taking our place on the cross and dying, making atonement for the world’s sins (Romans 5:8–10). Jesus asked what reward was there in loving and being kind only to people who treat you well; even the heathen act kindly towards friendly people. God holds Christians to a higher standard, expecting His children to obey His command to love as He loves; to strive for perfection in grace and holiness—God-likeness—because He is holy (1 Peter 1:15–16; Leviticus 11:45). 

Numbered Days

Mothers lose babies by miscarriage; others are still-born. Some babies live seconds, minutes, hours; others days and years—God alone knows our lifespan. What we do with our time here is crucial and limited. Our heavenly Father is merciful and gracious, giving everyone who understands right from wrong the time and opportunity to confess and repent of their sins, yield their hearts to His authority, and follow the Holy Spirit’s guidance. His time measurement is unique: “But beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years and a thousand years as one day” (2 Peter 3:8). One day we will stand before God and give an account of our time (Revelation 20:12); one day, soon, Jesus will return: “Watch therefore, for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. . . Therefore be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh” (Matthew 24:42, 44). Our time on earth will end, and we will face Holy God. Are you and your loved ones ready?