Faith in God!

For Friday, January 17, 2025:

Exodus 4:31 NLT: “The Israelites were convinced that the Lord had sent Moses and Aaron. When they heard that the Lord was concerned about them and had seen their misery, they bowed down and worshiped.”

The Lord had designated Moses as the point person in the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. But the Israelites needed proof. God had given Moses a shepherd’s staff that could turn into a snake, and a skin disease cured by simply putting his hand into his cloak. Seeing is believing, and the people of Israel worshiped God for remembering their plight as they accepted Moses and Aaron to lead the liberation effort.

The Israelites weren’t free yet, but Moses had reassured everyone that God was still on their side. To the best of everyone’s knowledge, freedom was only in the planning stages. But still, they worshiped! They worshiped out of faith in a God they could not see.

Today, our faith in a God we cannot see is still what saves us. God’s desire is that none would be lost, and Jesus has prepared a place for believers in the hereafter.

God always makes good on his promises, and we are the beneficiaries of his mercy. Knowing that, we worship! That’s why we praise himßå!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Goal!

For Thursday, January 16, 2025:

Exodus 4:20 NLT: “Moses took his wife and sons, put them on a donkey, and headed back to the land of Egypt. In his hand he carried the staff of God.”

Moses was a believer, a man of God. Setting his personal fears aside, obedience rose to the top. God had commanded, “Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.”

And so off they went, the whole Moses entourage. His wife and sons on a donkey – (Wouldn’t you hate to have been that donkey!) – his brother Aaron and all their helpers and servants.

God allowed Moses to perform a series of miracles, intended to convince Pharaoh to let the Hebrew people leave Egypt. But he also warned Moses that Pharaoh’s heart would be hardened and that this initial confrontation would fail. But don’t worry, Moses. Don’t be discouraged. God is in this 100%!

We shouldn’t ever think that God failed or that God has no power. He’s just not finished yet. When our God sets a goal, he always achieves it!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship

God's Call!

For Wednesday, January 15, 2025:

Exodus 3:4b NLT: “God called to him from the middle of the bush, ‘Moses! Moses!’ ‘Here I am!’ Moses replied.”

Few of us will ever be called by the Lord in such a direct manner, but Isaiah is a close second. When God asked him, “Whom should I send?”, Isaiah volunteered, “Here am I. Send me!” Isaiah’s response was obedience. Moses’ response was fear, trepidation and hesitation.

Moses turns his anxiety into questions: Who am I to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt?

God: I will be with you.

Moses: The people will ask, ‘Who sent you?’

God: Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I am has sent me to you.’

Moses: O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.

God: What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he speaks well. And look! He is on his way to meet you now. He will be delighted to see you.

Eventually, Moses ran out of excuses. It was time to put God’s call in motion. Turning down God’s call never works out anyway!

So what has the Lord called you to do? Are you listening for his voice? About a year ago I resolved to say yes more often. There’s a saying in the military: Never volunteer for anything, but I think our Christian attitude should be the opposite of that. If help is needed at church, at a youth program, at a hospital or treatment facility – anywhere our help would benefit our brothers and sisters – it’s time to say yes. That’s what Jesus would have us do.

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship