"Then Moses told his father-in-law all that Jehovah had done...And Jethro said...Now I know that Jehovah is greater than all gods..."
When was the last time you told an unbeliever all that Jehovah has done?
I will be honest. This was a convicting and difficult post for me to write. The Lord has been working on my heart about this very thing; and when I read this chapter, this account seemed to leap off the pages.
The children of Israel had just seen the power of God displayed over and over again. The plagues ravished Egypt, yet God protected them. The Red Sea parted before their very eyes, and they crossed on DRY land. The pillar and cloud guided them and shielded them. The walls of water swallowed the Egyptian army. Manna fell from heaven in abundance and sustained them. God Almighty had delivered them! So when Moses saw Jethro, the natural thing for him to do was to share all that God had done.
Now, pay close attention to Jethro's words in verse 11: "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods..." He heard what God had done, and he believed!
Let me ask my opening question again. When was the last time you told an unbeliever all that Jehovah has done? I'm not talking about the "easy" conversations, like the ones you have with your children or the ones you may have in your ministry at church. I am talking about intentional evangelism.
I will be the first to admit. It has been far too long for me. The Lord has been leading me to more, and I am asking Him for direction. Who does He want me to pursue? Is there someone on my street? Is there a mom of a child in my sons' classes? Is there a waitress or cashier, a mom of one of my piano students? Who can I intentionally develop a relationship with in order to show them Christ's love and have the opportunity to share His faithfulness with them? This prayer is on my heart, "Lord, send me. Show me. Direct me. Lead me to someone who needs you and is ready to hear of your goodness." Spring and summer are coming: I can crawl out of my hole and make a difference in the life of someone who needs Christ.
I've been noticing that within the body of believers, it's easy to bicker about all sorts of things, especially when it comes to church and preferences. But the Lord convicted me one night as I sat with many long-time believers discussing things that should or shouldn't be happening in church services. Statements were becoming dogmatic, voices were rising, and sides were being taken. Then I felt the Holy Spirit's prompting. It was as though He were speaking to me, Michelle, look at the energy and conviction being poured into these matters. Why did I leave you all here? Was it to argue about what church looks like? When was the last time any of you brought a lost person to me and in through those doors to grow in grace? When was the last time you spoke so vehemently about the absence of the lost or new believers in the pews? Who are you pursuing right now as aggressively as you are pursuing your agenda for church? Are you expecting others to bring them in? Are you hoping programs bring them in? Are you hoping the music or the buildings will bring them in? OR Are YOU bringing them in?
My responsibility is to share. God gives the increase. How can I not share? Shouldn't it be the natural thing? God has done so much for me; my heart should overflow!
When was the last time you told an unbeliever all that Jehovah has done?
I will be honest. This was a convicting and difficult post for me to write. The Lord has been working on my heart about this very thing; and when I read this chapter, this account seemed to leap off the pages.
The children of Israel had just seen the power of God displayed over and over again. The plagues ravished Egypt, yet God protected them. The Red Sea parted before their very eyes, and they crossed on DRY land. The pillar and cloud guided them and shielded them. The walls of water swallowed the Egyptian army. Manna fell from heaven in abundance and sustained them. God Almighty had delivered them! So when Moses saw Jethro, the natural thing for him to do was to share all that God had done.
Now, pay close attention to Jethro's words in verse 11: "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods..." He heard what God had done, and he believed!
Let me ask my opening question again. When was the last time you told an unbeliever all that Jehovah has done? I'm not talking about the "easy" conversations, like the ones you have with your children or the ones you may have in your ministry at church. I am talking about intentional evangelism.
I will be the first to admit. It has been far too long for me. The Lord has been leading me to more, and I am asking Him for direction. Who does He want me to pursue? Is there someone on my street? Is there a mom of a child in my sons' classes? Is there a waitress or cashier, a mom of one of my piano students? Who can I intentionally develop a relationship with in order to show them Christ's love and have the opportunity to share His faithfulness with them? This prayer is on my heart, "Lord, send me. Show me. Direct me. Lead me to someone who needs you and is ready to hear of your goodness." Spring and summer are coming: I can crawl out of my hole and make a difference in the life of someone who needs Christ.
I've been noticing that within the body of believers, it's easy to bicker about all sorts of things, especially when it comes to church and preferences. But the Lord convicted me one night as I sat with many long-time believers discussing things that should or shouldn't be happening in church services. Statements were becoming dogmatic, voices were rising, and sides were being taken. Then I felt the Holy Spirit's prompting. It was as though He were speaking to me, Michelle, look at the energy and conviction being poured into these matters. Why did I leave you all here? Was it to argue about what church looks like? When was the last time any of you brought a lost person to me and in through those doors to grow in grace? When was the last time you spoke so vehemently about the absence of the lost or new believers in the pews? Who are you pursuing right now as aggressively as you are pursuing your agenda for church? Are you expecting others to bring them in? Are you hoping programs bring them in? Are you hoping the music or the buildings will bring them in? OR Are YOU bringing them in?
My responsibility is to share. God gives the increase. How can I not share? Shouldn't it be the natural thing? God has done so much for me; my heart should overflow!
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