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I Have Seen, Heard, Watched Over, Promised

I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering … I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. And I have promised to bring you up out of Egypt into the land of … a land flowing with milk and honey (Exodus 3:7, 16b, 17 NIV).

God watches over you. Though the misery seems long and no one seems to care, He is watching over you. In your hardships and troubles, He is watching over you. This is what God says to you today.

There is not one moment when you have been out of His sight or mind. Though He may not have intervened when you wanted Him to do so, He has heard your cries. And He says that He is concerned about your suffering.

This reveals the heart of God. Even though many times you have thought that God does not care, this passage of Scripture tells you that He is concerned about your suffering.

It means that He is not a God who stands away and aloof from you when you suffer. He is very much affected by your sufferings. He is definitely not just a spectator, but one who draws alongside you to help.

And when God is concerned about you, He takes steps to bring you out of it. He reminds you of promises already made to you in the past from His Word. When He reminds them, He in effect says, I do what I promised.

And why does He remind you of His promise to you? It is to make you look ahead and forward to what He has planned for you. Who knows? The misery that you are enduring now is intended to stir your heart to take strong hold of His promises. That is the first step to deliverance.

Therefore believe and accept the fact that God has seen your misery and heard your cries. Know that He is concerned about your suffering. He has watched over you and wants you to take hold of His promise to you.
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The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob

God also said to Moses, “Say to the Israelites, `The LORD, the God of your fathers–the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob–has sent me to you.’ This is my name forever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation” (Exodus 3:15 NIV).

The name YHWH has been used 6,823 times in the Old Testament. This name of God is a personal name. And He revealed it in relation to His relationship with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

So this name of God also helps us to draw near to Him. This is because He revealed this name in a context of His relationship with His people.

So whenever you say, “My God,” you can think of YHWH, who reveals Himself in a relationship with His people.

Such a thought of relationship with His people means that there is a particular intimacy for us in this name of God. Whenever we think of this name, it brings to mind a sense of close communion with God. No wonder, for example, David said, “The LORD [YHWH] is my Shepherd.”

Here, other names of God is not used, but this intimate, personal name of God. So there is an intimacy in this name from which you can draw comfort and strength and joy. It should also be noted that this great revelation of His personal name came in the context of God’s response to the suffering of His children.

Finally, when God says that this is His name forever and it is by this name that He would like generations to remember Him, we can understand the supreme importance of this name. That means that God would like us to think of Him in terms of this name.

It is a celebration of His relationship with you. It is a celebration of His intimacy with you. More than all this, this name helps you to think of God as a personal, living Being, who relates to you in a loving and lasting relationship.
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I AM WHO I AM

God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: `I AM has sent me to you’ ” (Exodus 3:14 NIV).

This name of God is a personal name. It is like Peter, James or John. It is written in English like YHWH and is pronounced Yahweh (In many English Bibles, YHWH has been rendered in capitals as LORD).

This name has been held in such high honor by the Jewish people that whenever they say it, they say Adonai (meaning Lord, another name used for God). They don’t say Yahweh fearing the violation of the third commandment which commands people not to misuse the name of God.

This name of God tells us some great truths about God.

First of all, it takes about the eternal God. He is always present. He is I AM. He always was, always is, and always will be. To Him there is no past nor future.

Everything happens in the present. In other words God sees and knows everything that has happened and is happening and is yet to happen; all at the same time. Therefore honor this awesome yet personal name of God.

Secondly, this name tells us about His unchanging nature. This is so important because of the changes that we witness in our present world. Man is so pressurized and confused and shaken up by the fast changes that is happening in society.

This creates problems because he does not have a constant reference point in life. Everything is changing for good or for bad. In such a chaotic world we can think of the great God, I AM, and be comforted and strengthened by the fact whatever happens, He changes not.

To conclude these thoughts let us reflect on the truth that this revelation of His personal and holy name is one of the greatest of all revelations given to mankind. So meditate much on this name.
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God Called from Within the Bush, “Moses! Moses!”

When the Lord saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, “Moses! Moses! And Moses said, “Here I am” (Exodus 3:4 NIV).

God called out to Moses only after He had seen that Moses had gone over to look at the burning bush. What would have happened if Moses had not gone over to look? God might not have called out to him. See, the lesson is quite obvious.

Only when you respond to God’s attention-grabbers, will He call out to you. Aren’t God’s attention-grabbers all around you? Have you gone over to look? Yes, God is only interested in people who respond to His attention-grabbers.

The second thing is that God called to him from within the bush. For God was in the flames as the angel of the Lord. There is a need for you to understand that God speaks to you from within the attention-grabbers itself.

His Presence is there already. And when God calls like that, know that the call is very important. There is an urgency about the call too. Giving attention to that call cannot be ignored nor should it be postponed.

But you need not look up to heaven and wait for God’s voice to be heard. Instead, if you listen, you’ll hear God speak to you from within whatever God has used to grab your attention.

And anything from the cry of a needy child to the devastating sight of the aftermath of an earthquake can be God’s attention-grabber. Are you listening?

Moses not only listened but responded to God’s call, saying “Here I am.” In other words he was available to God. What matters first is your availability; obedience comes later. It is an attitude which says, “I am here and ready. Now speak, Lord.”
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Angel of the Lord, Flames of Fire Within a Bush

There the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire from within a bush. Moses saw that though the bush was on fire it did not burn up. So Moses thought, “I will go over and see this strange sight–why the bush does not burn up” (Exodus 3:2 NIV).

This was God’s attention-grabber!

Here was a man, Moses, who for forty years was satisfied to be a shepherd in the desert. He had run away from the scene of action, or more truthfully, he had no other option.

Though he may not have realized it then, God was using these years of desert experiences to mold him into the leader he was to become. These years in the shadows were his preparation ground. There was a task ahead.

But Moses was content to lead a quiet life with his family. And there needed to be some spectacular thing to get this man’s attention; especially considering the fact that he had seen the glorious wonders of Egypt before.

Therefore the angel of the Lord appeared to him in flames of fire within a bush. And it achieved its purpose. Moses was interested immediately. What would you have done if your were in Moses’ situation? It is quite possible that you would have been interested and gone to look.

But you are living in the 21st century. There are many colorful gadgets competing for your attention. Will you be able to distinguish God’s attention-grabber from among them? This is a very important question. For God is always trying to get your attention.

But you have been satisfied to be where you are; not at all concerned about the task ahead. So look around. Are you seeing any strange sight? It could be God’s attention-grabber!
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He Killed the Egyptian and Hid Him in the Sand

Glancing this way and that and seeing no one, he killed the Egyptian and hid him in the sand (Exodus 2:12 NIV).

This lesson from Moses’ life is of great importance to Christians today. It teaches us vital truths.

First of all, Moses did not inquire of God as to what to do. He acted on his own. So killing the Egyptian was Moses’ idea and not God’s plan.

Again, it was a plan that was thought up as a reaction to what he saw. Such reactionary plans cannot bring about the salvation of God.

Secondly, Moses pushed himself into leadership. The Hebrew people had not elected him as their leader nor had asked him to be their leader. Moses thought that he can become a leader by his own choice.

Possibly he might have thought that his own people would accept his leadership unquestioningly as he was brought up in the palace as Pharaoh’s daughter. But Moses had to learn that unless God calls someone to leadership he cannot wield any authority over people. So, leadership is a calling by God.

Thirdly, Moses’ plan was too small. Killing an Egyptian would never have solved the problem. He tried to empty the waters of the ocean using a small jug. He misread and miscalculated the entire situation.

The bigness of the problem was entirely overlooked by Moses. And he had no idea of God’s purposes in the situation.

Finally, when you make a mistake of this sort, your plans will also be buried in the sand. You’ll also have to move to hiding. This is usually called a desert experience.

It is a time when God moves you into obscurity, teaches you humility, prepares you for the work ahead, gives you His plans and calls you as a leader. So that by His grace He might bring you back to bring deliverance to His people!
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The Midwives Feared God

The midwives, however, feared God and did not do what the king of Egypt had told them to do; they let the boys live. … So God was kind to the midwives … And because the midwives feared God, he gave them families of their own (Exodus 1:17, 20a, 21 NIV).

Who is to be feared? Man or God? A choice is to be made. The choice is yours.

Men in authority above you can compel you to do some things against your conscience. It can be something that God does not approve of. In such situations a choice has to be made. And such choices are not easy.

For the Hebrew midwives a choice to fear God meant stirring up the wrath of the king. And in those days it meant certain death.

But still they chose to fear God above their fear of the king. And it was a brave choice. Maybe it could be one reason why God has honored their names, Shiphrah and Puah, by recording it in His Word.

Again, they not only made such a choice but also used God-given wisdom to answer the king. They gave a very tactful answer to the king. They told the king that Hebrew women give birth to children before the midwives arrive.

It was a deliberate statement that they made to save the Hebrew children. They were putting their lives at risk a second time by giving such a reply.

Definitely, a choice to fear God above those in authority, has its risks. But it can be reduced to a great extent if handled with tact, and with God-given insight and wisdom.

The Bible says that because they feared him and acted in this manner, thus saving the lives of His people, God showed kindness to the midwives and gave them families of their own. Yes, our God is One who rewards His children for the godly choice of fearing Him above kings.
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God Will Surely Come to Your Aid

And Joseph made the sons of Israel swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones from this place” (Genesis 50:25 NIV).

What a blessed thing is to leave this world by giving others a forward vision. Not only was this a positive vision, but it also included God and His plans for them. And it was no wish of fancy. Those were words of absolute certainty.

Definitely, Joseph’s faith at this point of time was fired by God’s promise to Jacob that He will bring them up from Egypt in later days. When God has promised, you can always look forward to its fulfillment.

It might be that the time is not ripe now for its fulfillment. But that is reason enough to look forward to the day He will bring it to pass.

Again, Joseph’s faith at this point was fired by God’s faithfulness in his life so far. He reflected upon the fact that God was with him so far. He also had understood that God had worked through his life eternal purposes.

And he knew that God will not leave midway something that He was working out. Even though his time had come, God would continue the good work He had begun. This gave Joseph confidence to speak about the future.

Finally, Joseph by giving directions about his bones was giving the Israelites a constant reminder. His bones would allow the Israelites to think hopefully about the future. It would be an outward sign to them that God would come to their aid one day. It will make them look forward.

The best lesson from Joseph’s final moments is that he made it a proclamation of faith. He made sure that others understood that God would continue to do His work among them and act when the right time would come.

Also, Joseph was able to give a positive vision that looked forward. What a legacy to leave behind!
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Do Not Be Afraid, I Will Go Down to Egypt with You

“I am God, the God of your father,” he said. “Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down to Egypt with you” (Genesis 46:3,4a NIV).

God confirms His intentions through various means. Sometimes He uses progressive revelation to reveal to His servants what course of action they are to take.

It is of great encouragement and comfort to note that God does speak at crucial moments of our life.

Jacob, for example, had thought that he lost Joseph, then Simeon, and then Benjamin. Then he said that everything was against him. But now here comes word that Joseph is still alive. He sees Simeon and Benjamin along with his other sons.

But the news is too much for him. He is stunned. Such unexpected good news is stunning indeed. And he found it hard to believe. That was the first stage.

But then there were the carts that Joseph had sent to carry him to Egypt. He was told all the things that Joseph had directed them to tell him. Then he began to believe.

He was seeing evidence right before his eyes of what he heard. He could do nothing but believe. The carts provided the evidence.

When you have difficulty believing good news, look out to see whether there are “carts” waiting outside; the evidence of what was heard. This is stage two.

Now Jacob decides to move to Egypt to see Joseph. But he also remembers his God. While on the way, when he reached Beersheba, he offered sacrifices to God (In fact, in his younger days, it was from this place that he had set out to seek a wife.).

That night God spoke to him in a vision. He was told not to be afraid. The best thing was, he now had God’s word to strengthen him; for he now knew that God was going to Egypt along with him.

The stages are now complete. First it was the good news. Then it was the solid evidence. And finally, it was God Himself speaking a word of encouragement.
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But God sent Me Ahead of You to Preserve for You

But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So, it was not you who sent me here, but God (Genesis 45:7,8a NIV).

The best thing to note about the outworking of circumstances in your life is that God works it out. And human beings are just instruments to bring God’s best into your life.

Sometimes they act in very bad ways to you. Sometimes they wish to do you evil. But as a child of God, you need to know, that all of them are acting to bring God’s purposes to pass in your life.

You also need to know that God acts ahead of your thinking. He sometimes causes people to push you out. That sometimes creates much difficulties for you.

Then God causes you to grow and build, away from their influence. He thus keeps you a step ahead of whatever is happening around you. In other words, He causes circumstances to serve you and your cause.

Another thing to note is that there would come times when God reveals his purposes. In Joseph’s case, he now understood that God had sent him ahead to save lives by a great deliverance.

To do so, God had to take Joseph through some rough times, through prison and through times of being forgotten by people whom he thought would help. But now he saw the purpose of it all.

And Joseph now gets renewed strength to carry out God’s purpose. He starts to act quickly. It would not be exaggeration to say that Joseph might never had dreamed that God had such a great purpose in making him governor of the land till that moment.

But that moment brought it to light. Such moments are to come in your life too. Then you’ll fully realize the meaning of, “But God sent me ahead!”
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Then They Forgot Me

I cared for you in the desert, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me (Hosea 13:5,6 NIV).
Moving farther away from God is a process. Ironically, it begins at the time you experience God’s care. That means, a backsliding in Christian life does not begin with sin.

But sin, when it occurs, is an indicator that you have already moved far away from God. Therefore it is most important to note the process of backsliding and take needed steps and safeguards to prevent it.

A Christian needs to be on guard when he experiences God’s care and provision. These are times when you rejoice in God and in His abundant supply in your life. Such times of refreshing from God can be dangerous because it leads to satisfaction.

But satisfaction can lower your spiritual life. Your longing for God slowly wanes and then disappears altogether. But you’ll not be aware of this because God has given you plenty and you are satisfied.

Satisfaction naturally leads to the next dangerous level. That is pride. When the sun shines and there are smiles all around, the Christian tends to think that it is because he is righteous that God has done all these things for him. He thinks that it is his smartness or holiness or good deeds that God has rewarded by giving good times in his life.

Thus prides slowly leads him to think of himself independently of God. That means that he thinks, in his pride, that he is sufficient for all things.

That leads to the last step. If he alone is sufficient, there is no need for God. So, without the Christian even realizing it, he forgets God. But beware, a day will come when God will call this to account. Be careful therefore or you may be destroyed.
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In the Womb, He Grasped His Brother’s Heel

In the womb he grasped his brother’s heel; as a man he struggled with God. He struggled with the angel and overcame him; he wept and begged for his favor (Hosea 12:3,4 NIV).

Many people give excuses for their bad character traits. They say that they were born that way.

As we look at Jacob’s life, we can say that he was born that way. He came out of his mother’s womb grasping his brother’s heel. But Jacob, which means grasping the heel, also means deceiver. And that was exactly what he was. He deceived his brother twice and was later deceived many times by his father-in-law.

Many Christians too say this; that they were born that way. This is an excuse. Even though there are certain circumstances and heredity factors which a child cannot control when he is born, that cannot be an excuse for wrong attitudes and behavior later in life. This is because God gives opportunities to His children to change.

Jacob had such an opportunity at Bethel. There the angel of God met him. And he struggled with the angel and overcame him. That means that Jacob was able to get the angel agree to his prayer.

Truly, Jacob wept and begged the angel for his favor. The Bible records that he struggled with God. And Jacob was blessed by God.

As a child he had grasped his brother’s heel. And he lived all his life trying to manipulate circumstances so that he will have blessings in his life. Now he came to a point where he understood that he cannot manipulate blessings.

He understood that he needed a change in himself. And he knew that he could not do it by his own strength. Therefore he wept and begged God for His favor and got it.

Jacob was a changed man. You too can change! With God’s help, of course!
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Record of Sins, Forgiveness

If you, O Lord, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared (Psalm 130:3, 4 NIV).

Forgiveness of sins is the bridge that God builds. It opens the way for you to get near God. There is no other way. So look to God. Cry out for His mercy. For you cannot earn His forgiveness. But, it is given to you.

If God did not forgive sins, no one could stand in His presence. For He is a Holy God. And He cannot tolerate sin. And everyone of us is sinful. Even from birth. So, God Himself is providing forgiveness. Without that no one can survive.

Have you not experienced the forgiveness of God? If you cannot remember, think of how many times you have sinned against God. Have you tried to forget it? Have you tried to cover it up? Have you tried to wish it away?

Yet, there will come a time when God will cause it to come back to memory. Therefore, seek God’s forgiveness now. It is available when you cry out for His mercy.

When God forgives, remember, that it costs Him much to forgive you. Forgiveness is not cheap. It comes at a huge price. The only difference is that God is paying so that you enjoy forgiveness freely.

When forgiveness comes, many people forget the fact that it cost God much to forgive. Therefore they treat forgiveness in a light-hearted manner. That attitude is wrong.

Instead of such an attitude, forgiveness should inspire you to fear God. You need to think on His mercy. You need to know that He is wiping away the records of sins against you. He is enabling you to stand before Him without fear. Therefor fear Him.
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Here Comes That Dreamer!

“Here comes that dreamer!” they said to each other. “Come now, let’s kill him … Then we’ll see what comes of his dreams” (Genesis 37:19,20 NIV).

Are you a dreamer? Better still, are you a dreamer for God? Do you expect to do something big for God? Then they’ll call you a dreamer. And you’ll be hated for your dreams.

See, people like everybody else to be like them. And when you are different, especially because of your dreams about God’s work, they won’t like it at all. And when these dreams are coupled with greatness in the future, they would hate you all the more.

So, don’t strive to be a dreamer if God has not given you a dream. Even if the dream is not of God, people will hate you anyway. But when the dream is from God there is help available. The strength to trust in the God who gave you the dream will pull you through all difficult times when the dream is of God.

The attitude of people towards a dreamer is a destructive attitude. They think that the dream can be killed if the dreamer is killed. They think that if that happens the dreams will die.

But dreams from God never die. Nor does God allow His dreamers to die before they fulfill the dreams that He has given them. See, God is investing His best in a life when He gives a person a dream. And God watches over the dreamer.

Of course, God does not prevent people from really testing the man and his dreams. But God has a plan and a purpose. He allows these testings from people to mold the man for the greatness which his dreams shall ultimately make him reach.

The irony of it is that these people by trying to kill the dream and the dreamer is actually fulfilling the dream!
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The Sun Rose, He Was Limping

The sun rose above him as he passed Peniel, and he was limping because of his hip (Genesis 32:31 NIV).

The man who wrestled with God touched the socket of Jacob’s hip so that his hip was wrenched. Therefore, after the encounter with God Jacob was limping. Yet that limp was an outward sign that God had touched his inward self.

God’s blessing does come after a struggle. It comes to those who have held on to God and did not let Him go. They held on even though the wrestling with God drew out the last ounce of strength left in them.

And some kind of sign accompanies such people, a “limp” that reminds them of the night of struggling with God.

The “limp” reminds the person that he can no more rely on his natural strength. But the “limp” is not a sign of weakness. Instead it is the reminder to him that he can now always draw on God’s inexhaustible strength.

The man without the “limp” is alone without God; but the man with the “limp” is alone; with God backing him up.

Finally, the “limp” bears the touch of God. What a privilege to have a “limp!” The pride that you wore like a necklace around your neck is now broken and the beads have rolled away.

The “limp” teaches you to walk with humility. It reminds you of the power of the touch of God.

So, do not complaint of the “limp” that God has given you:

Is it not a sign that God has singled you out to meet with you and bless you?
Is it not a constant reminder that God has blessed you?
Is it not the surety that God is with you as you walk forward?

See, the sun rises above you as the night passes. The “limp” remains. But the sun shines!
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What Is Your Name?

The man asked him, “What is your name?” “Jacob,” he answered. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and men and have overcome” (Genesis 32:27, 28 NIV).

In Biblical times, a man’s name indicated his character. So the question, “What is your name?” is also a reminder about that person’s character. Jacob meant deceiver. His name after his encounter with God became Israel meaning one who struggles with God.

Today, when you have an encounter with God, He does not try to change your name. But His work occurs in your heart. There He strives to put a new character within you.

But this is not an automatic process. There is a struggle involved in it. And all throughout the struggle, the question remains: “What is your name?”

Don’t let that question surprise you. It is a reminder that you are now a child of God; a child of the Light. You have to remind yourself of this fact constantly. And struggle to maintain that character always.

God wishes that others will know you by your character–A character which bears the name and imprint of God. He wishes that people will ask your name not out of eagerness to know what it is; but out of eagerness to know the name which has such a godly character.

Finally, through the question, “What is your name?” God would like to suggest to you that the past is gone. A new name He has given you. You now belong to the Light.

He wants you to live with the newness of the new name always vibrant in your inner being. It is this conscious recognition that you carry a new name that shall help you walk with God!

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I Will Not Let You Go Unless You Bless Me

But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Genesis 32:26b NIV).

How many people wrestle with God to have Him bless them? Very few. But here Jacob said: “I will not let you go unless . . . .” Holding on to God is very important if you would like to be blessed by Him.

There are no easy steps. There are no secret formulas. The only principle that can get you blessing from God is, “Hold on to God!”

Persist in following after God. Persevere in following after God in spite of all discouragement. Jacob did that in spite of the fact that his hip was wrenched when he wrestled with God.

But today the Christian world is filled with messages of easy blessings from God. Those messages are sadly mistaken. There is a price to be paid.

You need to be determined in a persistent effort to seek after God. The secret is “not let Him go!” That means holding on to God. Instead people focus on blessings. They get it wrong there. It is God who alone can bless.

And Jacob got it right because he held on to God. Because He knew that it was God who alone could bless Him. His focus was therefore on God and not on blessings.

Finally, Jacob did not ask for any specific blessing. Why? He knew that God’s blessing is comprehensive. It takes every aspect of his life into the scope of God’s blessing.

In other words Jacob did not have a compartmentalized view of life. He saw all aspects of life as a whole. He did not divide life into financial, marital, material, and spiritual compartments.

He did not seek blessings on these areas separately. Because He knew that God’s blessing need not be compartmentalized. His blessing means fullness in all.
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Left Alone, A Man Wrestled Till Daybreak

So Jacob was left alone, and a man wrestled with him till daybreak (Genesis 32:24 NIV).

There are God-impact moments in the life of His children. These can happen anywhere, anytime; since God is not limited by circumstances. But if you desire to have a God-impact moment in your life, better get alone with God.

Many Christians of today get comfort from fellowships and meetings and from friends. These things are good and have their value in Christian life. But let not these become a substitute for meeting with God alone.

Jacob’s mind that night was filled with fear and distress for he was about to meet his brother Esau whom he had cheated twice. And he had prayed about it.

And as his mind was filled with thoughts about meeting Esau the next day, he met with God. In fact, his mind was now filled with this encounter with God. Instead of his fear, his mind was now filled with thoughts of God.

Maybe this is how God answers prayer when you are in fear and distress with thoughts of meeting men. Before the sun shall rise He shall meet with you and fill you with Himself!

But for this to happen you have to get alone with God. Everybody else have to be sent away from your presence.

God’s best moments with you come when you are alone. That is the time that God loves to have an encounter with you.

During those times your mind will be free from distractions. You will be fully focused on God.

Was Jacob’s encounter with God an answer to his earlier prayer, we don’t know. But if it was, definitely, God wanted him alone to have a life-changing encounter with him.
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In That Day You Will Call Me, “My Husband”

In that day, declares the Lord, you will call me `my husband’ ; you will no longer call me `my master’ (Hosea 2:16 NIV).

When God restores, He does it in a magnificent fashion. He surpasses all expectations when He brings back His people to Himself.

He forgives their wanderings and sinful backsliding. He brings them out of trouble and gives them hope. And the best part is that He initiates a new relationship with them.

Instead of a Master-servant relationship, God now prefers a Husband-wife relationship with His people who return to Him. Here, God celebrates renewed love between Him and His people.

There is intimacy. There is that sense of belonging. Instead of fear, now there is love. Yes, God celebrates His reunion with His restored people.

On the part of His people, they have an obligation now. They were forgiven, brought back and restored to a loving relationship. It is now their duty not to stray after idols of their heart.

When they learn to call God, “my husband,” they also need to remember that they need to honor their marriage covenant with God. They need to remember that they are now in a restored relationship with God.

It should not be broken by thoughtless or sinful deeds; for this relationship is an everlasting one.

It is indeed a great marvel that God is prepared to allow His sinful people an opportunity to come back to Him again! And when they come back He is giving them the privilege of a restored relationship; the comfort of security in Him,and the joy of intimacy with Him.

Blessed are those whom God has called back to such a relationship. May they ever adore Him, the ever-faithful Husband!
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The Angel of the Lord Called a Second Time

The angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven a second time (Genesis 22:15 NIV).

The first call was to show Abraham God’s provision of a ram. It was sacrificed instead of his son Isaac. And Abraham acknowledged that by naming that place The Lord Will Provide.

Then came the second call. This time it was the Lord’s turn to acknowledge the remarkable obedience of Abraham. The angel of the Lord commended Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son. Therefore God promised to bless him.

It was told Abraham that through his offspring all nations on the earth will be blessed. The reason for all this was Abraham’s obedience.

The point here is that God called to Abraham a second time to acknowledge Abraham’s obedience. This is truly encouraging. Not only does God provide when you obey, but He also acknowledges your obedience with greater blessings.

Possibly, most people try to obey God with a sense of great burden. That is not a right attitude. Instead it is more acceptable to obey God with hope.

For He is a God who delights in the obedience of His children. He rewards them with blessings when they obey.

Have you heard God call to you a second time? If not, check your paths of obedience. In what manner have you obeyed?

Was it with eager willingness or was it with great reluctance? If it was with reluctance, probably you had difficulty trusting in the God who provides.

You can obey God with eagerness only when you trust in Him as the providing God. And when you obey, He definitely will acknowledge your obedience with greater blessings.
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The Lord Will Provide

The Lord Will Provide (Genesis 22:14 NIV).

This ultimately refers to God’s providing of Jesus, the Lamb of God, for us. But it can be applied to all life situations provided you have accepted God’s provision of the Lamb.

The context of this verse is the testing of Abraham. God asked him to sacrifice Isaac. He proceeded to obey immediately. He asked no questions. He did not wait for further explanations.

That teaches an important lesson. When God commands, obey. And obey immediately even though it may not make sense especially when God asks from you what is dearest to you.

Having said that, it is good to ask, what gave Abraham the courage to obey this command from God. The answer is that he trusted in the God who provides.

He knew that Isaac was God’s provision in his life. And he might have reasoned that if God was taking him away, He could also restore him somehow.

The way Abraham talked to his servants reflects this conviction. He said to them: “We [Himself and Isaac] will worship and and then we will come back to you.” Those words reflect his faith that God would give Isaac back to him.

It is interesting to note that Abraham was already convinced about God who provides. In fact, he did not learn it after his obedience.

But he was willing to obey because he knew that the Lord will provide even in that seemingly hopeless and impossible situation; however improbable the chance of a miracle seemed!

It is also interesting to note that God waited till the last and very last moment before intervening. He waited till Abraham took the knife.

Possibly, if you want to know God’s provision in your life, go ahead with preparations. Move ahead in obedience to God’s command. His provision will become visible at just the right time. Take heart, the Lord will definitely provide!
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Better a Patient Man Than

Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32 NIV).

Losing temper is not so uncommon today.

Caught in a traffic jam and moving at snail’s pace, walking into your office or workplace to find yesterday’s work pending, or even naughty children at home can all cause anger to flare in a flash. In today’s fast-paced world, patience is hard to find.

But the Bible celebrates patience. God is patient. He had been patient with His erring children in the past. He still is patient with you today. And God loves to see patience in His children too.

The wisdom in having patience is immense. It allows you to have control over circumstances. On the other hand when you lose your temper, you allow circumstances and others to control you. It shows that you are really weak.

More than any other lesson, God wants you to learn that controlling your temper is important in His eyes. Many times it is lack of trust in God and in His ability to care for you that causes you to lose your temper.

When you look at it that way, you will know that losing your temper is not the problem. But it is only a manifestation of unrest and turmoil deep in your heart.

It is when anxiety is much within you that it is most likely for you to lose your temper. So learn to trust God.

It is here that patience plays a big role. Trusting God often involves patient waiting. And trusting God involves putting up with people with tough temperaments.

Shouting at them is not the right way. That only proves how weak you are. So, be patient and with much dependence on God control your temper.
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Do Not Withhold Good

Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back later, I’ll give it tomorrow”–when you now have it with you(Proverbs 3:27,28 NIV).

The power to act is a blessing indeed. And God would like you to consider using that power wisely and in a timely manner.

There are situations when you are supposed to act immediately. There could be a need that has to be met now. And delay would mean loss of that opportunity to meet the need.

But God does not want you to act without using the wisdom that He has given you. He says that you need to do good to those who “deserve” it. Those who deserve your help can you include your neighbor, friend, relative or even a stranger.

If you prayerfully ask God for wisdom in discerning whether the person or persons are deserving help at that moment in time, He will surely give you guidance.

To such deserving people, God asks you not to withhold good. For you are God’s channel of supply. Who knows whether your doing good would cause those people to turn to God?

Withholding good or even delaying good when it is in your power to act is sinful.

For it is always possible that you might lose your power to act in the days to come. You may not have anything with you to give some days from now. Life is full of such twists and turns that you might find yourself in need tomorrow.

Therefore it is wise to think that it is God who has given you power to act today. Before you lose that power to act use it wisely to do good. When you do so not only will others thank you, but their hearts will overflow with thanks to God.
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One like a Son of Man, Coming with the Clouds

In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence (Daniel 7:13 NIV).

Time is ticking to its end. Here, in one glorious unveiling, the manner of Jesus’ Second Coming is disclosed. This is a rare moment in the Old Testament. Here the focus zooms in to see Jesus in His glory.

Centuries have been bypassed to show us this moment in the future. When Jesus comes with the clouds of heaven, it would be a great moment for all those who have hoped in Him. And Jesus will be led into the presence of God the Father referred to in this passage as the Ancient of Days.

Jesus will be given authority, glory and sovereign power. This is important. For today man kills and destroys to enjoy power. But someday soon, these people who are drunk mad with power will bow to the sovereign power of Jesus Christ. That day is fast approaching.

And then all people will worship Him. All other worship will cease. For when He comes in glory, all doubts will be dispelled. All other men and false gods and things and ideologies competing for and claiming worship will be crushed. The world will unite in worship with one voice and one thought-Jesus!

Finally, His rule is never-ending. It will not pass away. It will never be destroyed. Is this is your hope? All history is moving to this moment. Heaven holds its breath in anticipation of these moments of crowning glory.

And may the reading of this glimpse into the future ignite hope and longing in your heart. Even now worship Him. He is Lord!
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Daniel, Just As He Had Done Before

Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before (Daniel 6:10b NIV).

Cultivating the habit of prayer is very important. Many people do not understand its importance until very late in life. The reasons for this are many.

So many think that prayer is asking God for their needs. Others think that prayer is some kind of emergency number. But most people forget that prayer is an expression of a relationship with God.

In simple words, when two people love each other, they try to spend time together and talk with each other. And they enjoy each other’s company.

People do not make prayer a habit because nobody tells them that prayer is like two lovers talking. And lovers do not talk the same way everyday. In fact as years pass by even the moments of silence are filled with loving communication.

The more the heart is filled with love for each other, the less words they speak. During those times, just being in each other’s loving presence is more than enough. But it takes years of intimacy to reach such a stage.

The most important thing to remember is that such relationships and such intense levels of intimacy are achieved through putting an effort to make relationships work. Both partners took time to be with each other, talk with each other, and listen to each other.

And in a relationship with God, it is prayer that makes this possible. And intimacy comes through learning to pray. The relationship grows one day at a time.

Learn to spend time with God. Do not wait for a crisis to come to call upon God. Instead, spend some time everyday thanking God for His love for you. Make prayer a habit.
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Where the River Flows Everything Will Live

So where the river flows everything will live (Ezekiel 47:9z NIV).

The water flows from the temple. The Bible speaks of your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit. And Jesus talked about streams of living water flowing out from within the one who believes in Him. He said that this would be fulfilled because the Scriptures say so.

Now it might be easy for you to see the connection between the temple and you, the Holy Spirit and the river that flows. Even though there would be a literal temple and a river in the days to come, these truths do have a greater spiritual meaning.

The first thing to note is that the river flows. It is not stagnant. There is movement. And it is a progressive forward movement. In earlier verses you will see that it is also a river that deepens as it flows.

Such is the mighty work of the Spirit of God. It begins small but continues to grow.

Secondly, you will find that the flow of the river brings along with it, life. Quickening of life within the heart of a believer is definitely the work of the Spirit of God. No amount of striving and straining after God brings life in abundance to the believer.

It is the work of the Spirit of God who flows like a river that brings life. So a believer needs to welcome the work of the Spirit of God in his or her life.

Finally, a river that flows brings a positive change. Think of the river teeming with life as it flows. Think of the people who will inhabit its banks. Think of how much their lives will be centered around the river.

These are lessons of life to remind us to seek after God in earnest. When you do that He will send the Spirit of God to spring up within you and flow out like a river; and wherever it flows it brings life.
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Instead Of Carrying Out Your Duty, You Put Others

Instead of carrying out your duty in regard to my holy things, you put others in charge of my sanctuary (Ezekiel 44:8 NIV).

Evasion of responsibility is not good. It becomes doubly sinful when you evade a God-given responsibility. Added to that when you put others who have no relation to God in charge of those things, it becomes absolutely sinful. And God is not pleased at all with this kind of action on your part.

In the modern context the verse above challenges us in two areas. First of all it is a call to return to God-given responsibility. Every Christian does have a responsibility that God has assigned to him or her. The kingdom of God would suffer if he or she does not play that role well.

Many do not play their role well because they consider their role insignificant. Others do not value the work for which God has called them. Both these attitudes are wrong and sinful. There is no one insignificant in God’s kingdom.

Even the least is greater than John the Baptist. Also it is sad that many go about their duties forgetting the high calling of God on their work. It is time that they realize the value that God has placed on the work they do and do it faithfully with all diligence possible.

The second thing to remember about the verse above in the modern context is that God is not pleased with transfer of responsibility. Look around the world today. At one time in the history of the world, it was Christian love and service that dominated works of compassion. T

oday the Church is fast loosing its saltiness. Instead of serving others it has started to serve itself. Instead of giving it has now an attitude of getting. And others do a far greater work while the Church loses great opportunities to be channels of Christ’s love and compassion to a lost and dying world!
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Just As Gehazi Was Telling the King

Just as Gehazi was telling the king how Elisha had restored the dead to life, the woman whose son Elisha had brought back to life came to beg the king for her house and land (2 Kings 8:5a NIV).

It is all about divine timing! When people of the world strain and strive to make things happen, God makes it happen for His children in a very special way.

When God does it for them, it often happens effortlessly. And one important element that is at play is timing–God’s timing!

But on man’s part, it is obedience to God’s word that can make diving timing work for him. In this case the woman was told by Elisha that a famine had been decreed in the land for seven years by the Lord. Therefore she was asked to go and stay wherever she could with her family till the famine would pass.

She obeyed without questioning. After having lived in the land of the Philistines, she was now coming back to meet the king to beg him for her house and land. Exactly seven years had passed. And she had obeyed what she was told to do.

And then God rewards her obedience with favor in the eyes of the king. This favor is shown her because divine timing was in operation. “Just as” the story of her life was being told, she walks in to the court.

Imagine the gripping drama of the moment as Gehazi points his finger at the woman and tells the king: “This is the woman!” Because of this divine timing she was shown favor. Immediate action was taken on her request.

What a privilege it is to have God arrange everything for you! What a joy to see divine timing in operation in your life–having the right people at the right place at the right time! Such a life of favor is yours as you obey God. Then others will see the divine appointments in your life!
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Even If, Could This Happen?

Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen? (2 Kings 7:2b NIV).

Here is an example of a man who can’t believe good news. Such people are so much influenced by the negative circumstances that they can’t believe that God is bringing good out of it even when it is told them prophetically by a prophet of God.

As far as this man was concerned, he too was experiencing the famine that was caused in the land because of the siege laid by their enemies. And this was the eve of a dramatic change. God was going to act the next day.

It was told, “This is what the Lord says!” And it was announced that the next day flour and barley will be sold for cheap prices at the gates of the city. Yet his response was one of disbelief.

But God would be true to His word. He would cause food, which was sold at very high prices, to be sold for cheap prices the next day. Even though it was humanly impossible to think of it to happen, the officer of the king should have believed God’s word spoken about that situation.

Instead of thinking “how” it would become a reality, he should have trusted in God who spoke.

This is a choice you too can make. If God has spoken a word of change in your situation, believe it. Do not get overawed by the impossibility of the situation.

Working around impossibilities is God’s business, not yours. Do not be too much negative minded by living long under the siege of the enemy.

Though things are very difficult at this very moment, though you have become absolutely desperate, you might be at the eve of the great day in which God would lift the siege by the enemy.

You will enjoy plenty tomorrow. God will be true to His word. Do not lose the happiness of sharing in the miracle through disbelief.
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Can God Spread a Table in the Desert?

They spoke against God saying, “Can God spread a table in the desert?” (Psalm 78:19 NIV).

Can God? This is a question that many ask even today. When such a question is asked man tries to think in terms of his own limitation. And not in terms of God’s limitless possibilities and infinite wisdom and marvelous creativity.

It is good to remember that our God delights to spread a table in the desert! Not only has He done so in the past, He does it today and He can and will in the future too!

But the question is what is limiting God from doing so? Is it the desert? Or is it the disbelief of His children? Definitely it is disbelief. When one becomes a Christian God gives him a new heart since he is a new creation.

And from that moment on he therefore should think in terms of possibilities which God will fulfill at a time of His choosing . But the possibilities has to be birthed in prayer and belief. Disbelief on the other hand cuts at the very root of fulfillment of needs that a believer has.

More than that disbelief is speaking against God. We entertain disbelief in our hearts simply because we have never been aware of its serious nature in God’s eyes. If we understand that disbelief is speaking against God, we might think twice before entertaining disbelief in our hearts.

Therefore from this moment on think in terms of possibilities. Think of its fulfillment in the most unlikely circumstances. This gives room for God to work and bring it to pass. No one else can do it for you.

The desert can yield to the manifestation of God’s glory, power and creativity. And the good news is that you can be part of that miracle by thinking in terms of divine possibilities!
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