Lent: Monday, April 3, 2006

Old Testament Lesson

Exodus 4:10-31

There is a saying that I know to be very true. God doesn't always call the equipped, He equips the called. Today, Moses is called by God for this great task, and he says that there is no way that he can do it. He says that he is slow of speech. I love God's response. First he says, don't know you know that it is I that gives you the very ability to talk. Think about that. If He calls you to speak, and you think that you can't do it, remember, He is the one that gave you the very power to speak. He is the one that gave you the very breath in you lungs. If He has called you to something, He will give you the power to do it. He will equip you for the mission.

And then, He gives Moses someone to speak for him. Aaron, Moses' brother comes back on the scene. If God calls you to something, He will not send you out alone. He will provide brothers or sisters to go with you. Our task as a Christian requires that that we walk this road together. We need each other, and God knows that. Be mindful of those that He will send to you to help you with your calling.

New Testament Lesson

1 Corinthians 14:1-19

Today, Paul talks about the gift of tongues. If you read this passage, you see that while he is talking about the gift of tongues, he is also talking about the greater purpose of that gift, which is to edify and build up other believers. We are to use our gifts, whatever they may be, it give glory to God and to build up His body. The emphasis in this passage is on tongues, but this is true for all of the gifts that we have. We were not given our gifts and talents to merely look good on the shelf; we were given them to use for God's glory and for the good and purpose of the church. Today, are you using your gifts for that purpose? Remember, they were given to you for a reason.

Gospel Lesson

Mark 9:30-41

We see today in text, that Jesus does not value the great and the glorious. He says that if you want to become the greatest, you must serve. He says that we must become like a child. He says that even a cup of cold water in His name is of great importance. We all want greatest. We all want glory. What we should strive for is to be faithful. If we are faithful that is the true sign of greatness. If we are faithful, then we are doing what He has called us for. Even a cup of cold water in His name.

Today, are you faithful? You may say, I don't have much. I'm not Billy Graham. No, but you are you, and God is gifted and blessed you in amazing ways. Are you faithful with what He has given you? Are you faithful to Him in all that you are? Because, that is all that He really asks of us. If we are faithful, He will take care of the rest.