FEARLESS: MOSES

Fearless: Moses
Moses became fearless because he built three habits in his life

Habit #1: He listened to God
(burning bush Exodus 3:1-9 tent of meeting Exodus 33:7-11 all the times he listened to God to accomplish the plagues in Egypt)
Lydia my two year old daughter knows ABC's but sometimes she doesn't listen and gets it confused like when Lydia was potty training she confused counting and ABC's. Simone my wife thought to help her she would count to ten to get her to go potty and on the count of ten she would go, but after she counted to ten Lydia said "no more ABC's Mommy".  Lydia had it wrong because she didn't listen.  We also need to listen and especially to build habits of listening to God.
Building habits of listening to God
a. Taking time for silence
b. Taking time for worship
c. Taking time to Chew on the word (cows chew the cud to receive the nutrients so should we chew on the word to receive all that God has for us.  Meditating on a verse that speak to you is helpful)

Habit #2: He sought encounters with God
(burning bush Exodus 3:1-9; tent of meeting Exodus 33:7-11; Mt Sanai Exodus 19:2-9)
a. Taking retreats: One time I took a weekend retreat as a part of a prayer class.  At first it was awkward, but I warmed up easily in the silence, and by the end of the weekend I did not want to go home I wanted more of God. Retreats and silence before God will always grow a hunger for him.  Simone (my wife) also experienced a weekend retreat where she was ready for lightening to strike and God to speak clearly and loudly, she only felt His gentle presence in the steady crash of the waves on the beach, and through that He showed her His faithfulness.  We need these experiences like Moses did in seeking encounters with God.  How and when do you seek encounters with God (post some creative ideas in the comment section)?

Habit #3: He grew in humility before God
"Moses was the most humble man on the face of the earth" Numbers 12:3.  It sounds like a pretty high standard to live up to.  It's kind of like me saying, "I'm the most humble person I know". "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6-10 and 1 Peter 5:5-6) How does humility make you fearless? if God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble then you can become fearless because you know God is on your side and does not oppose you. But if on the other hand you are proud, God will oppose you that should make you very very afraid!
Practical ways to build humility in your life
1. Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought to (Philippians 2:1-4)
2. Look at others as better than yourself
3. Avoid things that grow pride in your life (or make you feel better or more accomplished than others)
So maybe I will stop blogging...? Or, Lord help me see this a a blessing for readers to grow in their faith.  Until Next Time...

Fearless: Joseph

We just started a series at GENERATION 24/7 on Sundays called FEARLESS

about the fearless characters in the Bible. I am posting my simple notes for Joseph. I hope they encourage you.

Fearless: Joseph
Joseph was fearless in the face of God's favor (which didn't look like favor it looked like trial) in three different situations

Situation #1: Being sold into Slavery
Genesis 37:28 20 He was sold for twenty shekels of silver about $3500-$4,000 current value which would have split ten ways between ten brothers into about $400 per brother! Pretty sketchy of brothers to sell your little brother for $400. I know sometimes you might want to get rid of a sibling but aren't they maybe worth more to you than your XBOX 360? Wait don't answer that.
When you think of slavery what do you think of? I think of Amistad and the horror that slaves went through. This must have not been very fun for Joseph, but He endured through and God turned it into favor

Situation #2: Becoming slave to Potiphar
Genesis 37:36 Sold to Potiphar
Genesis 39:2 The Lord was with Joseph, so he became a successful man (still a slave). And he was in the house of his master, the Egyptian

Genesis 39:4 So Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal servant; and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he owned he put in his charge.

As you see, Joseph became very successful, but notice how this came about. It wasn't because Joseph was "Ridiculously gooooood loooooking" (shameless Zoolander line dropping) but because "The Lord was with Joseph". As Romans 8:28 says God was turning this for Joseph's good and God's glory.

Situation #3: Being thrown into prison
Genesis 39:21-23 "But the Lord was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailor...and whatever he did, the Lord made to prosper"
He was thrown into prison so that he could become second in command in Egypt and save Gods people
Genesis 45:1-9 Joseph says to his brothers "you meant this for evil, but God meant it for good". God turned the life of Joseph around for good

What are the areas where God is giving you favor, but it might not look like favor at the moment. In fact it might look like a trial, difficulty, or temptation. Know that God is "turning all things for your good and His glory to all who are called according to His purposes". Trust him through the trial until he gives you victory like he gave Joseph.