February Day 2

Exodus 4-6 - God asks Moses what is in his hand. God uses what you have. So often, we don't feel we have what it takes to do what God is asking us to do, but he gives us everything we need. Moses did not feel he was the right person and continued to argue with God. God was patient with him and even gave him someone to go with him to help him.  I am grateful that God is patient with our doubts.  Also, in verse 20, Moses' staff is now called the staff of God.  Moses gave God what he had and God anointed the ordinary for the extraordinary.  
In Genesis 4:24 - this part was very confusing at first.  As I looked into it, it seemed as if God was going to kill Moses because he had not circumcised his sons as God had commanded the Israelites to do.  Many scholars believe that it was because his wife Zipporah was not on board, which is why God caused Moses to be so ill that he could not perform the circumcision.  In this passage, I believe God shows us that it was essential for Zipporah to recognize God's calling on Moses and their family.  To be used by God, they needed to get on the same page spiritually.  

Psalm 25 - Those who trust in God won't be disgraced, but those who are deceptive will be disgraced.  God is a God of integrity.  Deception is a form of lying - it is leading people to believe something in a dishonest way.  God says this kind of living will lead to disgrace. Following God's lead requires humility, but those who fear him and follow him will experience friendship with him.  

Matthew 11:1-19 - Jesus points out that John was the fulfillment of the prophecy made hundreds of years before this in Malachi 3.  This would provide proof that Jesus was the promised Messiah. This statement always stands out to me in this passage - Wisdom is shown to be right by its results.  Many people try to act as if they are wise.  Sometimes it is from academic pride that has caused them to believe that their knowledge makes them wise, however knowledge and understanding/wisdom are not the same.  Mankind has had a tendency to think we are smarter and wiser than God and this has led to destruction in the world (see Romans 1).  Wisdom is seen in the results.  If someone claims to be wise, it should be evident in their life.  And for that matter, those who are wise typically aren't claiming to be wise, but are those who are seen by others as wise because of the evidence in their lives. 

Acts. 16:1-15 - Paul and Silas allowed the Holy Spirit to change their plans.  We must learn to listen to the leading of the Holy Spirit if we are going to allow Him to guide our lives.