Exodus 33:14“And he (God) said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he (Moses) said unto him (God) If they presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.” (Italics added for clarity) The Israelites have just gone through a difficult time of their own making. Moses had gone up the mountain to receive the law and the impatient people of God took matters into their own hands. (As we all can be tempted to do) Then God confronts their sin clearly and forcefully. Now it’s time to move on toward the promised land. To encourage and empower his people God gives them the promise of His presence. It is the promise each of God’s children desperately need to have and need to practically apply. Today, let all of us who have trusted Christ as our Savior rest in the fullness of our forgiveness and the resulting indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Then let us respond in obedience to the Spirit’s leading through God’s word and within God’s will. Let us live each day with an abiding consciousness and obedient response to God’s presence.

I Thessalonians 5:18 "In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you" Life is filled with the unexpected, unwanted and unimaginable - yet in the midst of it all we are to give thanks! The word "IN" indicates a position not a reason. That is within everything that God brings our way we are to give thanks because it is His will. We know that in every area and in all times God is working out everything in our life form His glory and our good. Yet we are called upon to live by faith not by sight. (or explanations) Today, let us give thanks to God because He is worthy and it is right!

Genesis 37:13 And Israel said unto Joseph, Do not thy brethren feed the flock in Shechem? come, and I will send thee unto them. And he said to him, Here am I. The impact of one choice is seen in this exchange between Joseph and his father. His father's choice to send his favorite son to check on the rest of his brothers, and Joseph's choice to obey. From this choice until the end of the book of Genesis Joseph’s life takes a number of unexpected and at times glorious twists and turns. All designed to accomplish God’s will. It all started with one choice. We need to understand that God uses all of our choices, each day, to accomplish His will. Do not let fear or apprehension control you. But seek to make each choice in a way that God would have you to. Then, leave the consequences to God. He is at work in and through your life, as He was in Joseph’s, to accomplish great things for His glory.

Genesis 18:14 “Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.” In Genesis 16-18 Abraham and Sarah have had a difficult time trusting in God’s ability and timing. The result was that they took matters into their own hands. Seeking to do God’s will their way. Always a mistake! God responded by first reminding them that nothing is too hard for God. Secondly, that God works through time to accomplish His eternal will. The seasons of life are not designed to hinder but in fact, to fulfill, God’s will. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-11). On this first Tuesday of 2015 let us rest confidently and completely in God’s power to accomplish God’s will. At the same time let us accept the season of life that we are in. Not with resentment or impatience but with joyous acceptance. God is working in each of our lives today, in our current stage of life. May each of us commit to making the most of every moment for the glory of our great God!