Who is GOD?

From Exodus 20:1-2 "Then God spoke all these words, saying,"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery."  

Before giving the Ten Commandments to Moses for the people, God identified Himself clearly so there would be no mistaking the authority of who was telling them what to do or not to do.  And the question "Who is God?" or "What is the governing authority in my life?" is one every person answers in some fashion, both in word and in action.

When God said, "I am the Lord," He was identifying Himself as the One in charge.  He wasn't their servant, even though He had served them wonderfully in delivering them from bondage and oppression.  They should be clear on that point.

When God said, "I am ...your God," He identified Himself with the Israelites as the God to whom they should be looking.  And when He said, "I am ...who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery," He was pinpointing the proof of His claims of being "the Lord your God."

This question, "Who is God?" is the most important question for every person to answer and be clear about in their own mind and heart.  We will serve as our lord whatever or whomever we consider to be the authority or benefactor of our lives.  For some it's money.  For others it's comfort.  For some it's power or fame.  For some it's just the security of having friends.  But ultimately, we all serve some one or some thing.  And what or whom our "god" is will ultimately determine the direction and destiny of our lives.  It is not a question to trivialize or ignore.

Feeling Sick? It could be humility.

Humility is so much the essence of the Holy Spirit, yet so foreign to human nature, that when humility clothes an individual after an exceptional divine encounter or in response to experiencing a failure or shortcoming, our typical reaction is to soon perceive humility as a temporary sickness from which we must quickly recover, rallying our prideful reasonings and minimizing of our weaknesses to assist us in healing from the experience which felt so painful to our self-esteem. We would be so much advantaged in our lives if we could acquire a virulent, incurable case of the stuff!  Philippians 2

TO WHOM ARE YOU LISTENING?

The first few chapters of Genesis certainly raise some interesting questions and make some emphatic points.

Chapter 3, verse 17 makes it clear that God holds each of us accountable for our own decisions.  And listening to anybody--even a spouse or family member--who is contradicting what God has clearly said is no excuse for disobedience.

Then to Adam He said, "Because you have listened to the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree about which I commanded you, saying, 'You shall not eat from it'; cursed is the ground because of you; in toil you will eat of it all the days of your life.

The apostle Paul seems to have given a similar warning in his inspired first letter to the Corinthians (15:32-34)

 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.” Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame.

Following bad counsel has costly consequences.  The oft quoted Proverb in 3:5-8 deserves its frequent repetition and heeding.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

It will be healing to your body

And refreshment to your bones.