We’re back, my children and I, from ‘Spring Break’ here at the DODEA Pacific West School, DMHS in Daegu, South Korea. We are definitely thankful for the break and for each person that works to provide care, support, services for themselves and others in their own areas. Thank you. I try and remember to be flexible, patient and offer grace to others as we are each trying to figure out how to survive and thrive in this new season that we all are in. Today’s message opened up with conversations talking about how things are here as we settle back into spending this time online as a part of their school day with you as we spend time with God. I pray that this time is encouraging to you to spend your own time with the Lord.
One quote I shared was from a mom friend who shares motivation online encouraging others as she takes care of herself from the side-effects of her previous cancer diagnosis, double-mastectomy and related medical issues. She has to make choices to physically (and mentally, spiritually, emotionally) take care of herself and her children to survive each day. “Every little bit adds up. You learn some things about yourself when the motivation doesn’t match the mindset. It was just a quick 20(ish) minute stretch. I really wanted to just skip it today. But it’s not about today’s feelings. It is about tomorrow’s success. You’re the only reason why things change… or they don’t.” – Dara.
My son shared about his personal time with the Lord. He says he goes to him every time before he sleeps. He doesn’t use all the time to go to God before he sleeps, “because I’m trying to sleep.” God says his prayers seem one-sided because God doesn’t talk back in an audible voice to him but yet he admitted that God talks to us through the Bible. You’ll have to watch the video to see how this conversation unfolds.
My desire is for my children to know God and to have a personal relationship and trust of and with Him. There is a difference between what you can know about God but there is a deep trust that can be developed and experienced when you spend time with Him.
Dara’s desire to have a healthier life requires her to do things too. She has to take an active part in her health. If you want a better relationship and spiritual life with God it takes effort on our part too. It doesn’t always have to look like this video series but it is about the intention, the time put towards this time together and with God will improve. We see this in my desire to improve watercolor, or in learning a new instrument…
God used a murderer in the Bible. And when we remember this, we know that God can use us too. God chose him to go back to the place where he was because He had a plan for His life for him to lead His people out of slavery. Moses was reluctant to be used by God in this way yet God worked with him by bringing along his brother Aaron to join him in this journey (Exodus 2-4). Moses still wasn’t thrilled but he did it. He went and did what God said and God worked mightily through Moses. Moses saw the power of God. Moses learned to trust God. It started with Moses deciding to go along with God – so Moses did his part – and then God did His part. Moses told the people what God said they needed to do in order to be saved: kill an unblemished lamb, put the blood on their doorpost and stay inside overnight. (Exodus 12) (Also you can watch/read our previous Episode 10.) God saved those that followed His Way. The people had to choose to do what Moses said, just knowing what to do wasn’t enough. What are you choosing during this time? Are you going to go along with what God is doing, what God has said? Following God is not always easy and, like Moses, maybe we are reluctant to be used by God in the way that He has decided. But God calls us out of hiding because He has a plan and a purpose for us and for others. As we choose to listen and obey the Lord we understand more about who He is and we learn how to trust in Him. I pray you are making the most of this opportunity of time that we have all been given today.
SONG:
‘Never Going Back‘ by United Pursuit
Bible Verses:
Exodus 2:11-15 Moses was a murder…that went into hiding.
‘One day, when Moses had grown up, he went out to his people and looked on their burdens, and he saw an Egyptian beating a Hebrew, one of his people. He looked this way and that, and seeing no one, he struck down the Egyptian and hid him in the sand. When he went out the next day, behold, two Hebrews were struggling together. And he said to the man in the wrong, “Why do you strike your companion?” He answered, “Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you mean to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?” Then Moses was afraid, and thought, “Surely the thing is known.” When Pharaoh heard of it, he sought to kill Moses. But Moses fled from Pharaoh and stayed in the land of Midian. And he sat down by a well. ‘ Exodus 2:11-15 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/EXO.2.11-15
Exodus 3:10-11 God chose Moses & called him out of hiding (Ex 2:15). god was going to work mightily through Moses.
‘Come, I will send you to Pharaoh that you may bring my people, the children of Israel, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?” ‘ Exodus 3:10-11 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/EXO.3.10-11
Exodus 4:10-14 Moses does not want to do this but God accommodates him. (Moses did end up going- he continued with God – and developed an impressive relationship of trust and service to God. He was not perfect, but He kept with the Lord all throughout his life’s journey as you read through Exodus – Deuteronomy.)
‘But Moses said to the Lord , “Oh, my Lord, I am not eloquent, either in the past or since you have spoken to your servant, but I am slow of speech and of tongue.” Then the Lord said to him, “Who has made man’s mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing, or blind? Is it not I, the Lord ? Now therefore go, and I will be with your mouth and teach you what you shall speak.” But he said, “Oh, my Lord, please send someone else.” Then the anger of the Lord was kindled against Moses and he said, “Is there not Aaron, your brother, the Levite? I know that he can speak well. Behold, he is coming out to meet you, and when he sees you, he will be glad in his heart. ‘ Exodus 4:10-14 https://my.bible.com/bible/59/EXO.4.10-14
Paul / Saul conversation
Was Paul also Saul the same person? There was mention in the video that he was ‘transformed.’ Indeed he was, as we all are, who are now followers of Christ, we are transformed from death to life by the saving blood of Jesus. (John 5:24-25, Romans 12:2, 2 Cor 3:18, 2 Cor 5:17…) However, if what my son meant was that God changed his name after his conversion to a Christian, that is a common thought that needs further study. As I said in the video, Paul and Saul were already his name, Jesus did not rename him. Check out these articles and the references and share your thoughts! https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/no-saul-the-persecutor-did-not-become-paul-the-apostle/ and/or https://www.gotquestions.org/Saul-Paul.html. I finally found where we talked about this before- it was in our final video before spring break (Episode 26) and now that we are back from spring break the confusion didn’t go away on it’s own! It’s time for me to share these further readings and thoughts with my children!
Thank you again for joining in and praying for us #togetherathome and others around the world. I pray this time encourages you to dig into your Bibles and to seek #truth and the understanding that comes from the Lord. Today is our first day back to school online after spring break here in #Daegu, South Korea. I am in prayer as I see the news of the spread of this virus and many deaths around the world. God is able and #Godisbiggerthanxyz (any situation we may be facing) even if it is scary. It is in Jesus that I continue to place my hope and trust. I pray this videos/blogs have been helpful to point you back to Him too. Feel free to share your thoughts with me as well if you like.
Sincerely,
Sejana
#homeworship #thankful #familyBiblestudy #Killthevirus #Godisbiggerthanxyz #onlineministry #discipleship #faithoverfear #bestrongdaegu #parenting #togetherathome #prayer #worship #encouragement #coronavirus #covid19
Looking for a Bible Study to watch and reflect on during this time? Try these: https://sejanashines.com/2020/03/07/bible-time-worship-every-episode-summary/
Sejana Shines 