The Vineyard- September 11, 2016

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. – John 15:5

Pray for God to speak to you through the reading of His word. 

Read Exodus 3:1-22

Where

-          Moses encounters God in a place that could be classified as wilderness, while he is about the everyday business of shepherding sheep. 

-          How might we encounter God in unexpected places, while doing things that are simply part of our routine?

-          The place where Moses encounters God is called Horeb, or also Sinai.  It will become a holy place for Israel, as the place of not only Moses encounter, but also Israel’s encounter with God.  It will be the place where God gives the Law to Israel. 

-          Horeb, or Sinai, is called the mountain of God because of Moses and Israel’s experiences there.  What places are holy to you because of how you have experience God in that place?  Church?  Camp?  A tree stand?

Who

-          It is interesting to consider all the ways that God identifies himself to Moses. 

-          First, he identifies himself as the God of Moses’ father, and his ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 

-          Would God be able to speak to our children this way?  Would he be able to identify himself as the God that has already been a part of their family’s story?

-          Next, he identifies himself as the one who has seen or experienced the plight of his people.  God is not indifferent to their suffering. 

-          How has God experienced our suffering as human beings? 

-          Finally, he tells Moses to tell the people that his name is “I AM WHO I AM.”  God reveals himself as reality.  He exists, and thus we exist.  Without God, there is nothing.

-          How much is your life centered on the ultimate reality, God?

Why

-          God reveals his purpose as being twofold.

-          First, he intends to deliver them from something.  They have cried out because of the burden they are bearing as slaves in Egypt.  God will bring them up out of Egypt. 

-          What has God delivered you from?  What trials in this life?  What things of eternal consequence has he saved you from?

-          Second, God intends to deliver them to something.  God will not only save them from a land of slavery, he will deliver them to a land of milk and honey. 

-          God saves you from things, but he also saves you for things.  What purpose does God have for your life?  What place will God deliver you to?

Consider the normal places where you might encounter God. 

Praise God for being a God who has seen our plight, and who is the ultimate reality, the Great I AM!

Think not only of what God has saved you from, but what he is saving you for!