Community Devotions

Good Opposition

Exodus 5:22-23

22 Moses returned to the Lord and said, “Why, Lord, why have you brought trouble on this people? Is this why you sent me? 23 Ever since I went to Pharaoh to speak in your name, he has brought trouble on this people, and you have not rescued your people at all.” 

OBSERVATION

God’s plan is never meant to be as easy as a piece of cake.  I believe that God never promised that.  He did promise that He will never leave me and watch over me.  My responsibility is to trust in God who will work out all things for the good.  There are always someone who will oppose what God wills me to do.  I cannot say, “I need to quit and not continue because the difficulty of my situation means that it’s not God’s will”.  On the contrary, adversity is part of the God’s plan for me – to grow me, to humble me, to lean on Him and be courageous.

APPLICATION 

Expect adversity because it is a part of God’s great plan to bless me.

PRAYER 

Thank you Father God for all the forces around me.  You mean it to grow my faith in you and continue to learn to trust you even more tenaciously.  I lift up Michael, Joshua and Daniel for your blessings and protection.  May their hearts be drawn to your voice, Jesus.  I love you, Father.  In Jesus name.  Amen.

Distracted with much Serving

39And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching. 40But Martha was distracted with much serving. (Luke 10:39-40a)

 Serving can be a distraction. No matter how noble or how well intentioned it can be it can distract us from “the one thing that is necessary”. Often times due to time constraints or priorities on has to choose between serving or worship, ministry or prayer. Mary chose the good portion (The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup – Ps. 16:5).

I have been so busy lately that I have to admit that I have been distracted with much. I have been choosing to serve instead of sitting at the Lord’s feet. Serving & worship are not necessarily in dichotomy. With proper time management and discipline we can have both. But when push comes to shove, the Lord is my portion. I choose to sit at his feet.

Heavenly Father,

Thank you for speaking to me this morning to ratchet back to you especially at the start of this new year. Lord, remind me not to take on too much so that I am distracted with much serving. May I always choose to sit at your feet and worship you. Forgive my lack of commitment to prayer and solitude. I love you. I need you. Maranatha. Amen.