As we pick up at Acts chapter 7, verse 35, we see GOD’s people initially rejected Moses as their ruler and judge. GOD’s people refused to see and comprehend what GOD was doing for HIS people and who HE was doing through, which was Moses. Once again, GOD’s people were rejecting GOD because they were rejecting the one GOD had chosen, appointed, and anointed for their benefit, to save and deliver HIS people. Despite the flaw and prideful arrogance on the part of GOD’s people. GOD did not change HIS plans. GOD knew what was and who is best to complete HIS tasks and who would explicitly follow the instructions HE supplied. (Compare to Proverbs 14:12; Hebrews 13:17; Acts 5:29). And that man was Moses. Therefore, GOD was going to use Moses for the purpose to rescue, save, and deliver HIS people from the clitch of Pharoah's hands. So, here was the people's dilemma. Either they were going to submit and get behind what GOD was doing and who HE was doing it through. Or they were going to refuse to follow GOD’s direction and reject the one GOD has raised up to deliver them. Their plight, if they choose to do the latter, was that they positioned themselves to be in opposition with GOD – refusing to follow GOD’s ways, HIS direction, HIS guidance, and the one HE appointed to be ruler over them. (Compare to Acts 5:39). This was and is so dangerous that they pinned themselves in a position to be removed from the assembly of GOD because they refused to obey. GOD cannot and will not allow the disobedience of a selected few individuals to stop the forward progress of HIS plans to free HIS people. HE needed Moses’ focus to be on doing everything GOD called him to do. And if GOD needed to remove a few men and or women out of Moses' way for Moses to fulfill GOD’s WORD. Then removal GOD will do. Remember, Korah’s rebellion against Moses at Numbers chapter 16. a rebellious peoplE In this discussion, we need to explore the hearts, the mindset, and the condition (state) of GOD’s people. How they naturally respond to GOD’s selection – chosen vessel. We need to investigate why their reaction or lack thereof is so dangerous for the assembly of GOD, for people in general, for our communities at large, and even for this world today. We need to understand that we live in a heightened world where anything goes and corruption is the norm – even in our political leadership. This is dangerous. Therefore, it is critical for GOD’s people to know and understand, and see WHO IS GOD USING TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE TODAY. People, this means our life or subsequential premature death, if we continue to choose to be blinded by the characteristics of people GOD chooses. That is, the color of their skin, age, gender, experiences, knowledge, influence, how many followers they have on social media or lack thereof. Their likeability, popularity, financial status, etc. GOD knows WHAT HE IS DOING WHEN HE RAISES UP A DELIVER TO SAVE AND DELIVER HIS PEOPLE. But when GOD’s people choose to rebel against the Prophet whom HE has sent, to rebel against GOD, it delays the works of GOD on behalf of HIS people. Things become chaotic and long and drawn out for not only GOD’s people (a delayed answer to your prayers). But also for GOD’s man, the one HE has chosen, which in this case was Moses. Okay, let’s see what takes place in the next verses and determine what we can learn from it.
Why are the points made thus far applicable? Remember what 1 Corinthians chapter 10, verse 11 says? It reads
I want to expand this discussion on this point but this is not GOD's point of view this afternoon. So, let me move on. a great exodus they almost forfeited |
Thought Provoking: Noticed – no man was a part or involved in this selection process. Compare to 1 Corinthians 12:11, 18, 24 -25, 28. |
Look at the complete arrogance and rebellious spirit of GOD’s people who are asking for GOD’s help.
“’ This is that Moses who said to the children of Israel, ‘the LORD your GOD will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren….’” (Acts 7:37) |
Instead, note what Acts chapter 7, verses 38 and 39 said concerning GOD’s people. They mocked Moses’ efforts to help deliver them by saying. “This is he who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the Angel who spoke to him on Mount Sinai, and with our fathers….”
Did you see that? They are actually saying. Is this not JUST Moses?A man like us? He is no different or better than us is he not? Because he supposedly had an encounter with GOD on Mount Sinai, we now to receive him as our leader and judge? They actually were spitting on the one GOD had anointed as their Prophet because they were blinded by their own self-righteous way of thinking and basing things on how things should be from their perspective. We can expand this point but let’s move on because we need to see and understand their spiritual condition and mindset that affected and spread like gangrene throughout GOD’s entire congregation.
Verse 38 goes on and says, “… the one who received the living oracles to give to us….”
Now, let’s stop right there for a minute. Here, the message or their understanding should be clear but it is not. Again, it says, ‘the one who received the living oracles to give to us.’ What is this ‘living oracle’? If we cross reference this verse and go to Hebrew chapter 5, verse 12. It reads
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. |
The double-mindedness of GOD’s people. GOD’s people were so conflicted. So confused by what GOD was doing and who HE was doing it through that verse 39 states. Not only did they reject Moses. But … ‘their hearts turned back to Egypt….’
Is this not what we the people are doing today? All over the world, GOD has positioned HIS Prophets to guide HIS people through this tremendous time. To avoid the traps, deception, and lies of this current political administration. GOD has and is exposing their crooked and corrupted ways. And yet, today, we see too many of GOD’s people still choosing to turn their hearts back to the abase leadership we see in our current presidential administration.
So, how did the Israelites – turn their hearts back to Egypt? As Moses was away, sitting before the face of GOD to receive a word from GOD to speak to GOD’s people. The people rebelled and convinced Aaron. The man GOD appointed as Moses’ assistant. To make them another god they could worship and offer sacrifices. That they could celebrate (Acts 7:40-41). Compare to Exodus 20:3.
They, the people of GOD almost forfeited their GREAT EXODUS from Egypt because of their personal ideology. Because they refused to see and understand what GOD was doing? Their ignorance to understand and see why GOD had chosen Moses? They failed to accept GOD’s answer to their prayers because their delivery was not packaged the way they expected.
don’t miss the next move of god
Wake up GOD’s people locally as well as nationally. Or you will miss it. The move of GOD.
god delivers the israelites from egypt
Now I know that I know, I am going to mess up some of y’all psyche, belief systems, rituals, and mindsets. But let’s think about this. There is nowhere in the Bible where a single person was ever healed instantaneously. It always, always involved a process.
The Nation of israel deliverance process
Did you notice the steps? Now, if we go back a chapter in Exodus, we learn in time that Joseph and all his brothers died (verse 6). Sometimes afterward a new king was inaugurated into power in Egypt (verse 8). He soon noticed the growth, influence, and power they had gained. So, this king decides to enslave the Israelites and appointed brutal slave drivers over them (verse 11). They worked the Israelites ‘without mercy’ and then implemented a plan to eliminate the Israelites by murdering every male Hebrew boy within a certain demographic (verses 15 through 22).
Many years passed and the Hebrews desire relief from their harsh predicament. They pleaded with GOD for many years before GOD finally decided they had repentant and were ready for the second phase of their deliverance process. So, yes, the first step of any deliverance process is the mental prepping of an individual or a group or nation for what will come, what they will have to endure and go through to obtain their full deliverance.
So, now that they have sincerely repented and GOD is now ready ‘to act’ on HIS people’s behalf (verse 25).
SIDEBAR: Verse 25 of Exodus chapter 2 says, GOD looked down on HIS people “… and knew it was time to act.” To act is stating that GOD acknowledged HIS obligation to help HIS people. |
Then the elders (leaders) among the Israelites had to go through their process to receive and try to understand what it was GOD was doing in and through Moses and his brother Aaron to set them all free from the hands of Pharoah. (See Exodus chapter 4 verses 29 through 30). In these two steps
1. GOD had to convince Moses to accept his divine calling and purpose to set GOD’s people free, aka deliver them. 2. Then GOD’s leadership among the nation had to be receptive to not only what GOD was doing but also who GOD selected to do it through. NOTE: If the leadership of Israel would have rejected the one GOD had selected to help set them free. Then it would either delay their deliverance process or they would have forfeited their right to be freed altogether and forever remain under the grip of a tyrant kingdom. |
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Just taking into considering these first two steps, it is obvious to see that there is no way anyone can achieve instantaneous deliverance. It just does not happen. With these two steps along, it can take years. For some people and environments – decades. This is not rocket science. And we as the Body of Christ really need to stop putting this kind of unnecessary pressure and expectation on people. It is unrealistic, unloving, not justified, and not right nor fair to cripple people with impractical goals and personal religious ambition. And it sets them up for failure.
This moves us into step 3 of the deliverance process.
Once a person or group or nation (1) realizes they need a deliverer to deliver them. (2) Genuinely want deliverance. (3) Sincerely repents and seeks GOD for their deliverance. (4) THEN GOD turns HIS attention to the person, group, or nation that needs deliverance and decides to act on their behalf. (5) THEN GOD puts people and things into place to achieve that deliverance. (6) THEN, IF the individual or the people the deliverance involves, agree to and follow ALL the provisions GOD puts in place. There are two more steps in the deliverance process. (NOTE: There is a fifth element – maintaining that deliverance or freedom, but we won’t cover that here today).
Step 3 of the deliverance process is THE PROCESS itself. What a person, group, or nation must undergo, experience, have to endure, or encounter. The transformation they must receive to obtain the prize or the results they want. Next to the mental process of deliverance, this is the most tedious, difficult, demanding, and complex part of this 5-step deliverance process.
For example, many of yall know my background with homosexuality. That journey for me, once I decided I needed GOD and I could not obtain the freedom I desperately wanted without HIM. That began for me a 5-year journey from undoing mindsets I had learned. To relearning my Bible and about GOD and HIS ways and HIS expectations. To gain mastery over certain sexual behaviors I had become accustomed to and enjoyed to a degree. I had to learn to change my environment, and the people I hung out and socialize with. I could no longer listen to certain types of music that I enjoyed. I had to change my career, who I did business with, and the partnerships that I had built. I had to learn to hear from GOD for myself and practice total obedience. Then I had to learn to grow up in Christ which meant rejecting the things, hopes, and dreams I may have had, especially those things that are attached to this world.
That five-year journey was tough. My flesh, Satan and his minions, family and friends, and my environment and surroundings did not make my journey easy at all. I gave up everything. And I mean everything. I hit rock bottom. Was left with nothing. At some point, I had to become totally dependent on GOD to provide for me through the goodness of others’ grace and mercy. HE, GOD broke me. But TODAY, PRAISE JAH! I AM NOT THE SAME WOMAN I WAS WHEN I FIRST STARTED THAT PROCESS. I am not. And I am not easily tossed here and there by people’s opinions of me, people’s thoughts about my shaky past, or my successes today because I have endured GOD’s process.
The point is to get me completely delivered from the many strongholds I was dealing with at that time, it took GOD a total of 5 years. A friend of mine came out of that environment the same time I did and it took that person only one year and a few months before this individual experienced their total deliverance. Same issues with similar processes. Same results. But different duration. But in each situation, neither one of us was delivered instantaneously. Each one had to undergo.
Step 1 – a change in our mindsets, belief systems, habits, and complacency.
Step 2 – GOD had to relocate both of us from one state to another. And then initially appoint one person that spent that first year with us helping us to walk this thing out. And then later inserted the Body of Christ into our lives to help us further grow and mature.
SIDEBAR: Now, I got to say. This was the most dangerous and difficult part of my journey. Because most in the church, once my past became appropriate, were not willing to receive me and what GOD was doing in and through me. I became a target. Many refuse to believe that GOD can change you or I should say change a person who has lived a homosexual life; nor believe a person can maintain it. So, because leaders were making it difficult for me. You can imagine what members of the congregation did. (And I say leaders as a whole because if one is allowed to do it then they all are responsible in GOD’s eyes because they are one body). My second, third, and fourth years of my deliverance process were horrible. I really don’t know how I survived all that because of CHURCH people. Well, I know how but I am making a point. Here I want you to understand that season in my life was dangerous because GOD was setting things in place for my success. But the Church was doing the complete opposite and trying to tear me down in the process. What I went through by means of men and women in the Church should have forced me to quit. To turn away from the Church and even go back to what I was doing before. BUT GOD! If I have gained anything from that experience. It has helped me to not be bothered by people’s opinions, what they think about my past or me in general. And its helped me to not be easily tossed here or there by the church’s idiosyncrasy. |
No such thing as insTANtaneous deliverance
In this discussion, we are going to learn that Moses had the right idea of what GOD wanted to do. But displayed the wrong actions, at the improper time, in the incorrect season. This resulted in Moses’ plans and effects not working out as they should for Moses nor GOD’s people. So, let’s take a closer look at these events and how can we apply them to ourselves and our families' lives today.
disputes between brothers
Side Note: Unfortunately, disagreements or misunderstandings occur in Christian congregations all the time. (This same principle can be applied to any and EVERYTHING in our lives). Sadly, it is to be expected because we ALL are imperfect. (Compare to Romans 3:23). The underlined problem from GOD’s perspective (and should be from all leaders’ view) is that too many Christians fail to properly apply the principle stated at Matthew 18:15-17. Step 1: “If your brother sins against you” [it doesn’t matter if the other party is aware they have done so or not], go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. Step 2: But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. Step 3: If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. Step 4: And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. (Compare to Hebrews 12:5-11; 1 Corinthians 11:32; Revelation 3:19). [Yes, as much as church members and non-Christians hate this step. But sometimes disfellowshipping is necessary to protect the entire congregation]. NOTE: Steps 3 & 4 principles are not necessarily applicable to every situation. But Steps 1 & 2 should be applied no matter what the issue is. Alright, let’s not get bogged down here. Moving on. |
Moses certainly was taken aback by this brother’s response. After all, was he not helping his brothers the Israelites by his actions? Was he not attempting to take steps to help his brothers to be set free from the yoke of the Egyptians?
Today, we need to look at the actions and reactions of Moses’ efforts to help his people. We also need to consider why it is very dangerous to try to move ahead of GOD’s timing when it comes to HIS timing in delivering HIS people.
The ACtions and the reaction
Side Note: We have to remember that GOD is not an unjust god. HE truly loves each one of us. HE sees himself as a FATHER first, that acts as a righteous judge. GOD always chooses to lick our wounds so to speak and heal them before HE opts to discipline us as our JUDGE. (That is if we truly take responsibility for our actions and truly repent). Keep in mind, I am not saying GOD wants to discipline us for every little thing we do, especially after we sincerely repent. But remember, the Israelites find themselves in their current plight as slaves because of their own doings (sins). For instance, when King David acted poorly when he took another man’s wife – Beersheba, as well as murdered her husband to cover up their pregnancy. Although David later repented, GOD still allowed David to experience the full penalty for his bad decision-making. Is this not what a loving and righteous father does? Is this not what you do as a father whenever your children make bad decisions? You do not shield or prevent them from feeling the full efforts of their own poor decision-making? Okay, moving on. |
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Thought Provoking: GOD’s timing is so critical, especially when dealing with any form of deliverance. If done too soon, before the people involved are ready, the deliverance won’t stick. They will find themselves right back into the same mindset, habits, and sin. Recall while in the wilderness some had said to Moses, shortly after their deliverance. “As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’” How soon do they forget how really bad their circumstances were under the mighty hands of Pharoah? Did they forget that they were slaves? Initially, the Hebrews were not mentally ready for their freedom. They were not ready for anyone other than Pharoah a tyrant slave master to lead them. Within the Israelites’ hearts, they have not fully acknowledged their own sins against GOD and therefore, did not truly repent for their offenses. Plus, Moses was not ready to lead GOD’s people. This was obvious based on the fact that he moves ahead of GOD’s timing. And certainly, based on the type of sin he committed and his failure to address and repent from his own sin, reflected Moses’ maturity at the time. As well as his failure to inquire of the LORD before taking action on his own. Side Note: Alright before moving on, let’s consider this. We all know and can agree that nothing we can do, will do, or have done, surprises GOD. NOTHING. He knows our future and EVERY single thing we will do and say in any situation before we even do and say them. (Compare to Jeremiah 1:5). Now, that’s good. GOD being the GOD He is, gives us the room to make judgments and decisions for ourselves. But within that scope of freedom, HE provides us, HE always prompts us by throwing at us warning signs our way or sending to us HIS prophets or other servants to warn us not to go, or say, or do this or that. GOD will prefer us to always heed all of HIS warnings. But HE gives us the space to choose for ourselves. But if not, we too, like Moses, like King David, like King Solomon, like King Saul, or like Ananias and Sapphira will abuse and misuse that GOD giving freedom for our own personal gains or crooked pleasures (Compare to Acts 7:23-29; 1 Kings 11:4; 2 Samuel 12; Acts 5:1-11). Resulting in an appointed time when we will have to face the full consequences of our bad decisions in our present or future. Not because GOD wants to punish us. No certainly not. But because we refuse to benefit from GOD’s provisions of repentance and forgiveness. We refuse to be obedient. We refuse to abandon our ways, actions, habits, and speeches. We refuse to turn it around. We refuse to LET IT GO. Okay, let me not get bogged down here. Let’s move on. |
we must be ready
Side Note: Now, please do not get this twisted. GOD hates the shrewing of blood. |
But at the time of Moses’ untimely action, he nor the Israelites were ready. In fact, according to Acts chapter 7, verse 30, it would take Moses 40 years to be ready to carry the weight and responsibilities of delivering GOD’s people from Pharoah. And it was in Mount Sinai in the wilderness at the burning bush in which GOD spoke to Moses to call him into full-time service.
burning busH
Then, when he least expects it. As he is standing there, a powerful and mighty voice comes from out of the bush. Can you imagine the confusion and overwhelming emotions that must have poured out of Moses? And yet, again, Moses does take off, running out of fear. Moses leans into this unusual phenomenon.
Now, I don’t know what your background is or where you come from. But where I am from, the culture I was raised in. If anything like that would have occurred. We ain’t sticking around long enough to figure it out. NOPE!! But Moses continues to observe this bush as this powerful and overwhelming voice speaks to him.
As we know, that voice was the LORD’s who was introducing Himself to Moses.
I AM GOD of your fathers, the GOD of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob (Acts 7:32). |
Again, Moses did better than I probably would have. Or maybe it was because it was the Spirit of the LORD calling him forth at the right time, in the right season that made Moses stay and observe. From this burning bush, GOD gave Moses three simple instructions.
- For him to acknowledge he was in the presence of the LORD. Therefore, Moses was standing on holy grounds.
- This required Moses to remove his sandals (Acts 7:32).
- Then GOD proceeds to say to Moses that GOD sees and hears the plight of HIS people. Therefore, Moses had to carefully listen to everything GOD was about to say to him.
GOD’S TIMINg
Side Note: REVIVAL. Many church leaders and members have been talking about a revival. A revival that is so much needed in this day and age. But we have to be mindful that a true revival – a revival where GOD is in it and moving with great power and authority where lives are forever changed, hearts are mended, bodies are healed, families are restored, and the people are blessed. IT MUST AND WILL ONLY START WHEN THE PEOPLE – GOD’S PEOPLE do two things.
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moses was god’s man
MOSES WAS GOD’S MAN.
HIS choice. HIS selection. HIS anointed and appointed vessel. No other man or woman or person can do what Moses was assigned to do. Only Moses could have messed up on GOD’s plan for him and the nation of Israel by either forfeiting his right to do as GOD said. Or rejecting his divine assignment. Or by living an unholy and unrighteous lifestyle – i.e. immoral sex, acting in an abusive way – physically or emotionally, or practicing anything mentioned at Galatians 5:13-21 or 1 Corinthians 6:8-10.
Side Note: Please review these verses very carefully and work to root out these behaviors from out of your system. |
god is a planner – the master strateGist
The church and its leadership have GOTTEN SO FAR OFF AND AWAY FROM THIS MISSION OF GOD. Declaring things that are not so – like the gifts of the Spirit have ceased, no longer needed. Or my all-time favorite – you need nothing but the Word – the Bible. Okay, keep on just believing that. You have a right to do so. But in time, GOD will certainly reveal to you the error of your way and stinking thinking when you and your family lose your life just as Korah, a rebellious leader, lost his life and was the cause of his entire family losing theirs as well.
The church and too many leaders have made it powerless because they have gotten away from the key power tools of GOD. Let’s look at some of these and then end this post.
Every believer should read the entire chapter of the first Corinthian 12 over and over again and get it in them. And then live it out in their lives. Because here GOD states the following concerning every church, every leader, every man, woman, and child that are HIS.
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THERE IS NO MEMBER in the Body of Christ, whether small or great; young or old that should not be used in GOD’s house – when and only if a member of the BODY is operating within GOD’s timing and providence. Look at those verses closely when you get a chance. But for now, I will end it right there.
The word of the lord
When the LORD God imparts a word, it is meant to teach, reprove, correct, or train His servants—the Body of Christ—so that every member may be equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). The LORD has appointed apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers to equip the saints for service, mutual encouragement, and building up the Body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-12; 1 Thessalonians 5:11).
This page is dedicated to sharing words from the LORD delivered through Deaidre. Whether these words teach, reprove, correct, or train, their purpose is to edify the Body of Christ, making each member righteous, adequate, and prepared for every good work.
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