Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Cliff Catching

Has the Lord ever asked you to step out into a new venture with Him. Perhaps all you could see in front of you was a cliff. Moses felt the same way when God called him to deliver his people from the bondage of Egypt. Rather than simply tell the Lord he wouldn't go, he came up with an excuse. Someone said an excuse "Is the skin of reason stuffed with a lie." Moses said to the Lord, 'O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue" (Exodus 4:10). Moses disagreed with the Lord, indicating, he knew himself better than the Lord did. Moses refused the calling the Lord placed on him. Moses got into a "I know best" argument with God. I remember visiting with a good man many year ago. He started crying as he related to me that as a young man he was called to preach, and he sort of ignored the call. Actually he didn't so much ignore the call as he put it off for a more convenient time. Many years later he was still lamenting his disobedience and lost opportunities. The Lord reasoned with Moses, demonstrating His gracious patience. "The LORD said to him, 'Who gave man his mouth? Who makes him deaf or mute? Who gives him sight or makes him blind? Is it not I, the LORD? Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.' But Moses said, 'O Lord, please send someone else to do it.'" God actually relented in the argument. Can you imagine that? But He's not happy about it. "Then the Lord's anger burned against Moses and he said, 'What about your brother, Aaron the Levite?'" God had to use Aaron as Moses' mouthpiece. Have you ever waited to take a step with the Lord until everything lined up to your satisfaction? I started a church years ago, a godly woman and her children began attending services. I invited her husband to join her in worship, he said he would, as soon at he got his business up and running. To my knowledge he never did come to church, and his business didn't fair all that well either. When God calls a person, He uses the talents and abilities He has given that person. The filling of the Holy Spirit makes us competent to do whatever the Lord leads us to do. Perhaps the Lord is leading you into His work. You and others see His calling on your life, and you are mindful that He is directing you toward a new ministry. God's supply always accompanies His will. This is why you need not fear moving into an unfamiliar area if He calls you there. What is God waiting for you to do? It may be your time to step out. He specializes in "cliff-catching." Dr. Ken Copley is available for counseling, conferences, and local church meetings.

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