Category: #God
Jethro’s Wise Counsel to Moses
How often are we running around, trying to do everything ourselves, whether in our ministry, business, or our job. We were not meant to build something, that God had called to, without the help of others. Take a breath, seek God’s wisdom(James 1), look for people you can trust, and will give you wise counsel, to accomplish the goals set before you. Listen to the counsel from Mose’s father-in-law from Exodus 18 and a verse from Ecclesiastics.
Ecclesiastics 4:9-10
9 Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their labor:
10 If either of them falls down,
one can help the other up.
But pity anyone who falls
and has no one to help them up.
Exodus 18: 13-26
“The next day, Moses took his seat to hear the people’s disputes against each other. They waited before him from morning till evening. When Moses’ father-in-law saw all that Moses was doing for the people, he asked, “What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?” Moses replied, “Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God. When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.” “This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed. “You’re going to wear yourself out—and the people, too. This job is too heavy a burden for you to handle all by yourself. Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people’s representative before God, bringing their disputes to him. Teach them God’s decrees, and give them his instructions. Show them how to conduct their lives. But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. They should always be available to solve the people’s common disputes, but have them bring the major cases to you. Let the leaders decide the smaller matters themselves. They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you. If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace.” Moses listened to his father-in-law’s advice and followed his suggestions. He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves. Soon after this, Moses said good-bye to his father-in-law, who returned to his own land.”
Exodus 18:13-27 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/exo.18.13-27.NLT
A prayer of David, in spite of his unworthiness, God still called, a man after his own heart.
There is a battle that rages inside of us, but it is not our battle to fight! Remember, the battle belongs to the Lord! See the rest of verse, by clicking on the picture.
“But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good. So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want. But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. I find then the principle that evil is present in me, the one who wants to do good. For I joyfully concur with the law of God in the inner man, but I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin.”
Romans 7:16-25 NASB1995
Father, every day is a choice, to walk down the path, that you chosen for us, and lead us by example. Help us and give us strength, as we encounter various obstacles, that try and hinder our steps. Give us patience and a strengthened Faith, to keep moving forward as we follow you. Surround us with brothers and sisters in Christ, that we may encourage one another, and tell of your faithfulness. Amen!
You are never alone, in your tests and trials. Find hope in Jesus, and the people in the church he established, to love and care for one another.
Thought for the day
Sometimes……..I wonder if we really believe this verse from our actions. Our own selfish pride and/or doubts take over and in essence, we are saying……. I’ll try and do it on my own. Father, help us to wait patiently on you, rather than give in to our own impulsiveness to want what we want, NOW! May your Spirit guide us and fill us to do what is right in your eyes, and to walk humbly before you.
The Free offer of Mercy (See Isaiah 55 below)
““Ho! Every one who thirsts, come to the waters; And you who have no money come, buy and eat.
Come, buy wine and milk Without money and without cost. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, And your wages for what does not satisfy?
Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, And delight yourself in abundance. Incline your ear and come to Me.
Listen, that you may live; And I will make an everlasting covenant with you, According to the faithful mercies shown to David.
Behold, I have made him a witness to the peoples, A leader and commander for the peoples.
Behold, you will call a nation you do not know, And a nation which knows you not will run to you, Because of the Lord your God, even the Holy One of Israel; For He has glorified you.”
Seek the Lord while He may be found;
Call upon Him while He is near.
Let the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him return to the Lord, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For He will abundantly pardon.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
For you will go out with joy And be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their hands.
Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, And instead of the nettle the myrtle will come up, And it will be a memorial to the Lord, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off.””
Isaiah 55:1-13 (NASB1995 YouVersion Bible App)
Oh California…….May you turn to the Lord, in this time of trouble. May he guide you in your time of distress. May Jesus, be the one, who gives you “Living Water”, in the time of your despair. He is, “Waymaker, Promise keeper, Light in the Darkness”. He never stops working, He never stops working.
Living Waters 