FROM JOANNA: I’m thrilled to have guest blogger, Angela Craig with us today. Angela is an ordained minister and writer and loves the Word of God. You can find out more about her at the end of today’s post.
Have you ever been in a store that had a sign posted on the
wall that read: Unattended children will
be given an espresso and a free puppy?
When I read about the lives and behavior of the Israelites in Exodus
chapter 32-34, I was reminded of this sign.
Have you ever been in a store that had a sign posted on the
wall that read: Unattended children will
be given an espresso and a free puppy?
When I read about the lives and behavior of the Israelites in Exodus
chapter 32-34, I was reminded of this sign.
We witness the Israelites behaving like unruly, spoiled,
children that seem to have no disciplinarian in sight. They are acting down-right naughty!
children that seem to have no disciplinarian in sight. They are acting down-right naughty!
I know you have been witness to such children, or maybe like
me, you have found yourself acting like one of these children on occasion. Regardless of where you stand, God says, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I
might destroy you. Now take off your
ornaments and I will decide what to do with you’” (Exodus 33:5 NIV).
me, you have found yourself acting like one of these children on occasion. Regardless of where you stand, God says, “Tell the Israelites, ‘You are a stiff-necked people. If I were to go with you even for a moment, I
might destroy you. Now take off your
ornaments and I will decide what to do with you’” (Exodus 33:5 NIV).
What are the implications if God doesn’t go
with us, when we decide to act like selfish, immature children? Consequences of sin, lack of blessings and
favor, broken relationships…
with us, when we decide to act like selfish, immature children? Consequences of sin, lack of blessings and
favor, broken relationships…
But more important, if God does not go with
us, people will not see the radiant face of Jesus shine in and through our
lives.
When God went with Moses, people turned
from their idols and wicked ways and worshiped God (Exodus 33:7-10). That is a powerful story!
from their idols and wicked ways and worshiped God (Exodus 33:7-10). That is a powerful story!
My prayer for us today is the same that
Moses prayed as a friend of God:
Moses prayed as a friend of God:
Then Moses said to God, “If your Presence
does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased
with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people
from all the other people on the face of the earth” (Exodus 33:15-16 NIV)
does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased
with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people
from all the other people on the face of the earth” (Exodus 33:15-16 NIV)
As you go about your day today, know that
the Lord, your God will do the very thing you ask of Him because, He knows you,
is pleased with you, loves you, and walks beside you cheering you on (Exodus
33:17).
How does it change your perspective to know that God knows
you by name?
you by name?
Angela Craig is the Director of the Women’s Department at
the Northwest Ministry Network. She is
passionate about helping people discover God’s greatest potential for their
lives, not only in her role as director but as a Gallup Strengths Coach.
the Northwest Ministry Network. She is
passionate about helping people discover God’s greatest potential for their
lives, not only in her role as director but as a Gallup Strengths Coach.
Angela has a bachelor’s degree in Ministry Leadership from
Northwest University, is a current master’s student in Organizational
Leadership at Gonzaga University and is an Ordained Minister with AOG. Angela
lives in Fall City, WA with her husband, Mark and her two boys who keep her
world real and alive.
Northwest University, is a current master’s student in Organizational
Leadership at Gonzaga University and is an Ordained Minister with AOG. Angela
lives in Fall City, WA with her husband, Mark and her two boys who keep her
world real and alive.