Exodus 14:14, “The LORD will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace.” And the LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.”

Have you ever felt like you did not know where to go or what to do? A better question might be: “When was the last time you felt that way?” 

Beware of feelings. Feelings are not final reality. I have been on flights that were so smooth that it did not feel like we were moving. However, 12 inches from my window seat there was pandemonium going on outside at 37,000 feet, traveling at 550 miles per hour, with sub zero temperature air and very low oxygen. So, my feeling could not define the reality. 

I have been on merry-go-rounds where everything was moving and I was only going in a circle. One day, a guy saw me with my earphones and remarked that I must have enjoyed my music. That was how he felt. In fact, I was listening to the text of a scholarly article. 

Feelings and emotionalism are such a problem until people today can’t embrace reality because of feeling a certain way. I am glad that the most important people in my life operate on reality more than feelings: My attorney, my pilots on commercial flights, my doctors, my pastor, my close friends, and more. 

Forward defined: To cause to proceed or progress toward a goal. To cause to go or be taken from one place or condition to another. 

For you, there is a place called “Forward.” For Israel, their “Forward” was something called the “Promised Land.”  The people of Israel did not possess a map to the Promised Land.  This was more of a promise of something greater than their present condition in Egypt. 

Feeling “stuck” is not uncommon. We all have that feeling from time to time.  Israel certainly felt that way as they were staring at an impassable body of water in front of them, with an Egyptian army bearing down on them from behind. 

The good news is this: We serve a God who knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10). 

God told Moses to tell the people to “Go forward.” This didn’t make sense because of the Red Sea in front of them, but it was an opportunity to trust the Lord in a very special way. 

You don’t have to be concerned about things that don’t make sense to you. You only need to focus on His word, His promises, and the spiritual principles that govern you and your circumstances. 

Look for a pillar of fire in your life and circumstances.

Your “pillar of fire” is not a miraculous sign (we don’t look for signs - Matthew 16:4). Your pillar of fire is something you know God has done for you. Your pillar of fire is the blessing already present in your life, but may have been overshadowed by your present challenges. 

You might be enjoying extended years of life because of God’s healing power. You might have the blessing of people who love you and continue to support you every day of your life. That’s a pillar of fire for you. It is something that removes any doubt that God is with you and continues to keep the enemy from overtaking you. 

Today, God is still saying, “Go forward.” Forward is the only direction in which God is moving.

Forward is a place that stretches your faith and exercises your prayer life. Forward is the place and the direction your vision takes you. 

How is this? We can always go forward because “forward” is not a compass direction, it is a mindset, a sense of purpose, and a promise from God. 

Reflection Question: Based on your faith in God, describe what forward looks like to you.

1 John 3:17 But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? 18 My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 19 And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before Him.

As a child, I remember learning in school that a verb is an “action word.” We also learned that a noun is “a person, place, or thing,”  Love is the ultimate noun and verb! 

John defined the “Love of God,” as an action, not only a thing…something we should always keep in our heart and mind Love becomes life-giving when it is backed up with action. The true measure of love is not only words, but deeds. Our deeds transform love from a “thing” into “action.” Love is the master motivator and an empowering force!

In Verse 19, The Apostle John shared this powerful truth: True love, when lived through our actions, draws us closer to God, strengthens our character, and provides the firm foundation of assurance! 

Reflection Question: How has the love of God empowered you?

Matthew 9:16 “No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. 17 Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

New cloth (not yet shrunken by washing) and old cloth should not be sewn together. New wine (unfermented grape juice) should not be put into old, inflexible containers. 

Understanding conditions is important. Being flexible and willing to change and adapt throughout life is also important.  The cloths represented conditions and the new wine/wineskins represented change and flexibility or inflexibility. 

The science and logic behind what Jesus said is easy to understand. What is more difficult is to pay attention to the changing conditions and dynamics of our lives and activities. In context, Jesus talked about conditions in His day in which religious leaders, like the Pharisees resisted Christ and the emerging Kingdom of God. Like old stiff wineskin containers, their inflexibility to the expanding “new wine” of God’s purpose was unacceptable. 

Today, we must evaluate our conditions, and our hearts, to determine what things, if any, may prevent us from being containers of “new wine” –– in whatever ways this may be applicable to our lives. 

Reflection Question: Is there anything old and “stiff” that cannot accept the new thing God is doing in your life?

Great Grace began with redemption through Jesus and separation from self righteousness. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

Let’s consider the empowering qualities of God’s grace using each letter of the word.

Give: Share what God has given you to give. What I have I give to you. 

Reach: Go for more than business as usual. Move outside of yourself and into a life of challenge and adventure.

Accept: Embrace the new things God is doing in your life. Accept the difference that grace brings to your life. Live the lifestyle of people called by God to change their world. Matthew 28:18, “Go into all the world and make disciples.”

Clear: Remove the old behaviors to make room for God’s best ways. In order to learn and build something new, you have to clear out the old. In the past, we recorded and sold cassette and VHS tapes. When compact disc technology came along, we transitioned from tapes to CD’s. We had to clear out the tape duplicators and cassette poly boxes. Today, we use digital media and live streaming. The early church disciples cleared away the old powerless religious bonds. The religious leaders had gone so far away from God that they could not rejoice in the miracles Jesus performed. 

Elevate: Giving, Reaching, Accepting and Clearing lead to an Elevation or “Great Grace!”

Reflection Question: How is grace different and better than the Law?

Ephesians 6:10 (NLT), A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil...18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

1) Having or marked by great physical power, 2) Having moral or intellectual power, 3) Having great resources--as of wealth or talent, 4) Having a specified number, such as  “an army ten thousand strong, 5) Effective especially in a specified direction. 

The last definition best describes the kind of strength we need everyday. Rosa Parks was a small woman in stature and she did not possess great physical strength, but she was strong in a “specified direction.” Her strength in refusing to sit at the back of a bus, empowered others and helped transform our nation. Strength or weakness has everything to do with your direction and focus. God’s assignments on your life become your greatest source of strength. Weakness comes from only focusing on our own interests. 

Your direction determines your destiny. Your assignment determines your ascent. People usually cope with, excuse, or manage their weaknesses. When you embrace your weakness in God’s Word and Presence, you are ready to exchange it for strength. Grace is always a transforming power. The defining factor is not what you have (weakness), but what you are willing to give up for something better (strength). 

The Apostle learned this in his assignment: 2 Corinthians 12:9, And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me....For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Remember, being strong in the Lord is all about your direction and focus. Prayer, time in the Word, and keeping your God-given assignments provides a basis for gaining strength. 

Reflection Question: How does grace empower you with strength?

Psalm 86:10, For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. 11] Teach me Your way, O LORD;   I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.  12] I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. 

Exodus 20:3 You shall have no other gods before me.

We are living in a world where confusion reigns. Confusion leads to becoming lost. People are not lost because they are going to wind up in the wrong place. They wind up in the wrong place because they are lost. (Willard, Renovation)

Philippians 3:17 Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. 18 For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.

Belly means to be given up to the pleasures; the innermost part of a man, the soul, heart as the seat of thought, feeling, choice.

The person who is lost is obsessed with self and circumstances. They dismiss the Word while embracing their thoughts and feelings as divine direction. The “god” is their belly. (Phil. 3:19) The lost person does not want God to be God. He is insulted at the suggestion that he is lost, thinking “How dare you speak to me like that? God cannot be lost.”

It is the person who says, “I can do anything I want to do.”

There are three Gods:

1. There is the god made in the image of man. This is the god that people generally believe in—A god who has to serve them. This god does not exist. 

2. There is the god what occupies our thoughts, our minds, guides our decisions, spending, and planning.

3. Then, there is the God who people forget. The living God whom we all have to serve who has a son named Jesus Christ.  The God that exists and is the reason for our existence.

God being God offends human pride because He does not conform to the wishes of people. He doesn’t bow to our agenda. 

Romans 3:18 says, “There is no fear of God before their eyes” 

When the light of God is absent, the intellect become dysfunctional, trying to devise a truth that will be compatible with the basic falsehood that man is god. (Willard, The Spirit of the Disciplines)

Indicators of the True God:Is from everlasting to everlasting

1. Known to Adam, Abraham, Moses and the pagans of every generation
2. Has the power to create, destroy, heal and reform 
3. Passes final judgment
4. Knows the hearts of people
5. Knows the motivations of the heart
6. Has purpose that transcends the lifetime or sensual interests of people
7. Manifests His presence in the earth through the Holy Spirit
8. Has a son name Jesus Christ, who is God the Son

Keys to letting God be God in your life:

1.  Allow Him to intervene into your deadness. Dead represents things separated from the life and power of God.

2.  Understand the principle of separation from the world. This does not mean that we don’t engage with world, which we obviously and necessarily do. It means that we are controlled by the world, not even by the COVID, which can become a small “g” God.

3. Obey the Word of God quickly. Find a way to be a doer of the Word. God said don’t forsake assembling yourselves together. When we could meet physically, we met online. 

4. Live from the inside out “Work out your salvation.” Don’t live from the outside in.

He who observes the wind will not sow, And he who regards the clouds will not reap. (Ecclesiastes 11:4)

5. Don’t believe the lie that says, “You cannot change.” Phil. 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

6. Have no confidence in the philosophies of this world regarding the nature of man, evil and God.

7. Apply God’s word and lessons to your everyday life. 

Remember David’s words:

Psalm 86:10, For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God. 11] Teach me Your way, O LORD;   I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.  12] I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore. 

 

 

Isaiah 40:31, But those who hope in the Lord will renew [exchange] their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.  

From time to time, we all need renewal and refreshing. The normal activities and challenges of life take a toll. There are also special circumstances like the passing of loved ones or unexpected setbacks in life.

Whatever the situation, God has made a provision through His grace. Grace is everything God has that He makes available to us.  And of His fullness we have all received, and grace for grace. (John 1:16)

God’s method for renewal is something I call The Great Exchange. This is nothing new. It is a very old and biblical understanding of how God works in our lives. We cannot change ourselves using our own strength. We can make superficial adjustments, but deep and lasting change must come from our Creator. 

The Great Exchange began with Jesus giving His holy life for our sinful lives. He died in our place to take away our sins, and not only our sins but the sins of all people. (1 John 2:2)

As a photographer, I’ve become highly skilled at using my various cameras, but when my camera needs deep cleaning, calibration or repair, I have to send it to Nikon, Canon, Sony or Panasonic. I have to give up use of the camera and exchange my understanding for the manufacturer’s expertise.

Early in 2016, I experienced some pain in my lower leg after a workout. I “diagnosed” myself with a slight Achilles tendon strain (I had a rupture years ago and knew the difference). I put ice on it, rested it, and later began to slowly stretch it (as I “learned” from an almighty Google search!) The pain persisted off and on, so I went to the doctor months later. A specialist diagnosed it as a partially torn Achilles tendon. It was like strands of a rope that had been torn with remaining strands bearing the load. All my efforts only made it worse, especially stretching it.

My best help came from an exchange of my limited (and foolish) diagnosis for a doctor’s diagnosis and treatment. For this injury, surgery was not needed. I had to take pressure off the tendon by wearing a special boot at home and dress boots with a high heel when away from home. The high heel relieved tension on the tendon.

Is there any situation in your life that would benefit from the Great Exchange? Jesus is our Specialist! Don’t frustrate yourself or make matters worse by trying to sort things out all by yourself.

Reflection Question: Is there anything you need to exchange for something greater from God?

Psalm 33:16 No king is saved by the multitude of an army; A mighty man is not delivered by great strength...18 Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, On those who hope in His mercy.

Elisha’s servant learned a valuable lesson about man’s limited resources and God as the unlimited Source. 

There is a story in 2 Kings 6:8-20 that describes the Syrian army’s plans to attack Israel being intercepted by the Prophet Elisha, who warned the king of Israel on multiple occasions. Their plans failed on so many occasions that the king of Syria thought there was a spy within his ranks.

However, the king learned that it was the Prophet Elisha who heard his plans through God’s power and warned Israel. In a fit of anger the king of Syria sent his army to Dothan to capture Elisha. The army arrived that evening and encircled the location of Elisha. Notice the reaction of Elisha’s servant:

2 Kings 6:14 Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. 15 And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?”

The young man had a panic attack! He could see that he and Elisha were surrounded and out-numbered. In other words, the two of them did not appear to have the needed resources to defend against this enemy.

Notice Elisha’s calm response based upon his insight, “So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (v. 16)

We can imagine that the servant could have had a response like, “You’ve got to be kidding! I only see two of us and hundreds of them--with big weapons!”

Elisha’s response should be our response in any circumstance where we feel outnumbered and overmatched. The Bible says, “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (2 Cor. 5:7) 

And Elisha prayed, and said, “Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha”  

God as your Source is always more than the resources of your enemies of adverse circumstances. When your eyes are open, you see your Source more than your limited resources!

Reflection Question: When your eyes are open, what do you see?