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Then Moses answered, “But behold, they will not believe me or listen to my voice, for they will say, ‘The Lord did not appear to you.’”

The thing that most often holds us back from telling other people about Jesus is ourselves. We talk ourselves out of telling the good news. “They don’t want to hear that…” “They’ll think I’m weird…” “They wouldn’t come to my church…” so? What does it hurt to give an invitation? Why not let your light shine? Isn’t that what Christians are supposed to do? Then, let’s do it. 

Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph.

Politics change as leaders come and go. Just because you had favor in the past isn’t a reason to give-up when you are opposed. In fact, we should expect to be opposed, that’s the norm. We get comfortable living in a place of religious freedom, and as a Southern Baptist, Religious Freedom is part of who I am, yet it’s not the end-all-be-all. We need to focus on how to effectively carry out God’s will in the midst of persecution, and not wait, hoping, one day, we will get a leader who will let us do what we want. God’s people have always gone back to their core in the midst of hardship… make sure when trials come, you run to the King, not just pray for a new leader.

Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.

Sometimes, God get’s tired of our pity party. That’s a scary thought. At some point, we’ve gotta get over ourselves and realize WE are not the center of the universe, HE is. Bad things happen in our lives, sure they do, and God cares… but that doesn’t negate your responsibility to make a difference for his kingdom. Get out there, get with it. “woe is me” doesn’t work with God. Life isn’t fair? News flash… it’s not intended to be. Trust the Lord and follow him.

Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf. I will get my knowledge from afar    and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

Guess who’s good? God. As a Preacher, I need to let you know something, it may take a little while to get it out, and I’m going to be an imperfect messenger, but God doesn’t make mistakes and he has your best as his goal. This is not my opinion, this is not simply my experiences, but it’s “knowledge from afar.” It’s the truth of the Scriptures. From beginning to end, God is the one to be worshiped. We aren’t worthy, yet he saves us, so act worthy…

He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God. He burned with anger also at Job’s three friends because they had found no answer, although they had declared Job to be in the wrong.

Spoiler alert… when something “goes wrong” God didn’t mess up. We have to live with the consequences of our own actions. Most of our problems have to do with bad choices we’ve made at some point in our lives. Even when it’s not, we always are treated far more than fairly by the Lord. We should never, and this is an important “never,” justify our sinful decisions before the Lord. “Well, I had to…” “you can’t expect me to…” “most people…” “God just wants me to be happy…” Uh… no. God is right, always. We mess up… own it. Don’t listen to your well-meaning friends who will help you justify yourself. Bless their pea-pickin’ hearts…