When do you feel that the world is spinning out of control? What do you need from God in those times?

Let me take you back to your playground days. On any given Saturday morning while you grew up, streets and playgrounds were no doubt packed with kids hungry for adventure and big game aspirations. All would be fine until that one kid, you know which one, he would get mad because things weren’t going his way. He would then say the worst imaginable thing, “I am not playing this game, and I am taking my ball and going home!”

The game isn’t being played by rules that favor him is what it comes down to and the result is a pouty exit that leaves everyone bored and looking for another outlet for their new frustrations and innate desire to play. Pharaoh and little kids throughout the world unite in this seemingly simple but childish expression. We all want life to be done how we think is best. When God threatens that bubble of selfishness, and He will, we react adversely to His involvement. The reaction is telling… we rise up in anger, frustration, rebellion, or pride, etc and run away and pout. The unique thing about this scene is that our friend always ends up in the playground the next weekend (sometimes later that day). The game always seems to win. We can’t resist the pull of play and competition…so we go back and slink our way back into the good graces of our friends. God is no different, He wins, and in grace we can come back. It is a terrible cycle, but reality nonetheless.

We have the benefit of looking at a historical book like Exodus to tell us the futility of resisting God. But somehow we find ourselves engaged in a recurring battle in our lives, not too dissimilar to Pharaoh’s. Pharaoh opposed God, with devastating consequences. God will also challenge your right to do as you please. This lesson shows that it’s futile to resist.

Read Exodus 7-10

Questions for greater study:

• What was the sign of God’s supremacy (7:8-13)?
• How did Pharaoh react to these “mighty acts of judgment,” as God called them (7:4; 8:8, 25-32)?
• What was the basic issue between God and Pharaoh (7:5, 17; 8:10, 22)?
• What new disclosure does God make to Pharaoh about his power (8:22-23)?
• Some of the Egyptians responded positively to this outbreak of judgments (9:20). How do people interpret natural disasters today?
• What pattern of behavior has by this time become well established in Pharaoh (8:15, 30-32; 9:34-35)?

Responding in Prayer

Give thanks to your loving, gracious Father, who “has raised you up for this very purpose”—to demonstrate his power and proclaim his name in all the earth.

The financial failures and turbulent tides of big computer business were determined to be a place for only the seasoned and veteran executives. So, the Apple board fired Steve Jobs and hired CEO John Sculley, who was brought in from Pepsi. The products launched under Sculley were popular at first, particularly the Powerbook, one of the earliest portable PCs. To capitalize on the new growth and excitement, Sculley decided to launch several new lines of products all at once and this proved to be a devastating blow. Apple’s sales dropped so sharply in the early 1990s that Apple went through a series of large layoffs and two CEOs.

In 1997, Apple’s board, now desperate, turned back to Steve Jobs in hopes of a turnaround. Jobs understood that Apple’s success could not be based on the niche market for the Mac. So, under Jobs lead Apple launched the iMac in 1998 and began to dig itself out of a hole. But, it was going to take more than one computer to change the future of Apple. The big risk came in 2000 when Jobs decided to use the Apple brand to launch the iPod. Apple had never produced a product even remotely like it. Jobs decision paid off. The iPod became one of the best-selling consumer electronics products in history, and has been the primary springboard for Apple’s success.

I can’t imagine the feelings that surrounded people that worked at Apple during the worst days. They had pinned their hopes on so many new products and ideas that never panned out. Instead, it led them to the brink of disaster. How about Jobs, being terminated by a company you cofound only to be asked to return later to rescue it from impending doom. I think that Jobs understood that struggles are a part of any great success. We have to see strife for what it is and not let it define us. No doubt Moses felt the same way, except the stakes were higher. In this study, Moses and Aaron are soundly dismissed (even mocked) by Pharoah, though they resolved to pursue God’s will with obedient courage, the success they would encounter would only come through great strife.

What struggles have you faced today? Tell God about them, and let him show you through Scripture how he deals with evil.

Read Exodus 5:1-7:7

Questions for greater study:

• What were the major outcomes of the first encounter between Moses and Aaron and Pharaoh (Ex 5)?

At your next home group think about and describe Moses’ feelings and the logic of his cry to God (5:22-23).

• The statement “I am the LORD” is repeated four times in 6:1-8. Why do you think God did this?
• What does God emphasize about himself in response to Moses’ complaint (6:1-5)?
• What does the Lord’s message to Israel emphasize about his plans for them (6:6-8)?
• Moses is concerned that Pharaoh won’t listen to him (6:30). Yet how will Pharaoh’s stubbornness help to fulfill God’s plans for Egypt (7:3-5)?
• In spite of defeat and discouragement (5:2; 6:9, 12, 30), Moses “did just as the LORD commanded” (7:6). What do you think brought him to this decisive obedience?

As your are reading or during your next Home Group, give an example from your life of when discouragement blurred the clarity of God’s power and promises.

Write down and share with at least one person this week some of the definitive spiritual decisions you have made during your life as a Christian?

Time to Pray:

Thank God for the people and circumstances he used to influence your walk with Christ.

“Terrorists just flew a plane into the World Trade Center,” he said.  “Turn on the news.”
So I went downstairs and followed the crowd.  A TV had been located in a conference room that was quickly – and silently – filling up.  Just in time to see the second plane slam into the second tower.

What were you doing?  I bet you remember, because that morning changed most of us forever.  We watched in horror as people were forced to choose between the flames and a 100-floor drop to the ground.  We saw unspeakable bravery as firemen loaded with gear charged into the burning buildings – and then we watched in horror as the buildings collapsed on top of them.  More than 3,000 people died that morning, most of them normal people like you and me, who were just going to work.

And it didn’t take long for people to begin asking the question, “where was God?”  The silence seemed deafening.

In Exodus 1, we see a similar situation.  Joseph had brought his family to Egypt and settled them in the most prosperous part of Egypt, in Goshen.  God blessed them, and they multiplied.  But over the centuries, political realities changed.  A new dynasty had begun, and Egypt was growing more powerful.  And as the new Pharaoh consolidated his reign, he began to worry about the descendants of Jacob – so with a wave of his hand, he condemned an entire race to slavery.

Imagine what that must have been like: you’re a shepherd, and your family is doing well.  You’ve got great hopes for the future – and smile as you think of your children’s future.  In a flash, all that is gone.  What was it like when the decree was read to the Israelites?

It got worse.  As the new dynasty continued to grow, it seemed to come directly at the expense of the Israelites – each decree more shockingly oppressive than the last.  Finally, a desperate Pharaoh – afraid of these resilient foreigners – decreed a policy of genocide.

These were the people of God – where was He?

Whether it’s 9/11 or the Israelites in Egypt – or, maybe closer to home: getting downsized, divorced – or hearing of another kid’s suicide – we’ve probably all asked this question.  Why does God seem so silent, so absent, when He could have stopped it?  Why does God – if He is sovereign, and if He is loving – why does He let these things happen?

Like you (and Job, for that matter), I want an answer.  I want to know what in the world could justify allowing unspeakable tragedies to take place.  And my questions in such instances are almost always met with silence.  But does that mean there is no answer?  No – it just means God is not going to explain it to us.  He simply promises that – in the words of Sam Gamgee, in the Lord of the Rings – that “everything sad will come untrue.”  That justice will be done, wrongs will be righted.  He doesn’t explain – He simply asks us to “trust and obey.”

This is the message of Exodus 1.  For 400 years, the Israelites suffered as the Egyptians reached the high water mark of their power.  God did not explain his purpose – but He clearly had one.

Look back at Genesis 15:13-14.

13Then the LORD said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. 14But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions.

The Pharaohs did not catch God by surprise any more than the 9/11 hijackers did.  And just as He had a plan to deliver the nation of Israel, He has a reason for allowing injustice and tragedy.  He will make all things right – but it may not happen in our lifetime, or in the way we would like.

Exodus is the story of God’s deliverance of Israel, but it’s even more.  It’s the story of God’s faithfulness to a promise He made to Abraham centuries earlier – a promise He kept in spite of the unfaithfulness of those who were to receive the promise.

Remember this in the midst of tragedy.  God sees your tears.  They matter to Him, and they are not wasted.  No matter how big the injustice, in the end, God has promised to make it right.

Do you believe Him?  Do you believe that – as we sang Sunday – that “Our God is Able?”  When He appears silent, distant or absent, will you “trust and obey?”

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.
- Hebrews 10:23

Our new service time is at 10:00 AM. Feel free to join us early for coffee and donuts every week. We are looking forward to celebrating this grand move on July 10, 2011 with a time of worship and then the Battle of the Grills! Bar-b-que goodness for all who attend. I hope you will join us for this exciting moment in the history of our church and what we feel will be an exciting moment for our ministry in Anna (and surrounding communities).

If you would like to contribute something to this celebration, we ask that you bring a card for Clay with encouraging words of how you’ve seen God use him while in service at Pin Oaks.

Also, make sure you subscribe to receive our Sermon Series Devotionals and have a quick start to the day emailed to you each day. You can subscribe by following THIS LINK.

Hunting with the Masses

We helped host an easter egg hunt at our local YMCA Adventure Camp (along with one other church… a note on partnerships will come later). We did some advertising, stuffed some eggs, and prayed the rain would hold off for just a couple hours (we needed the rain, that’s why it was only a request for a delay). The turn out was much more than we anticipated. Originally I thought it would be nice to have a couple hundred people enjoy the camp and the festivities. Well over 600 people joined us for this great day. Overall, we learned that 9000 eggs isn’t nearly enough. We dropped over 1200 eggs at one hunt and the field was picked over in 20 seconds! The coolest thing was to see kids sharing with other kids throughout the event. It happened more than once… in fact I lost track of how many times I saw one child give another child something that they had found. My immediate thought wandered to an idyllic life were adults did the same thing. What happens when we grow up that makes us so greedy?

Making A Big Move

Volunteers are a critical part of POCF. Almost everything we do has a wonderful group of sacrificing people behind the scenes that make it happen. From 6 – 8 PM on the day of the Egg Hunt we had a church full of people show up to help load, unload, and set-up our local middle school for Easter services. While a storm was threatening there was a flurry of activity taking place. The group worked together, everyone did what they were assigned, and the end result was a much less hectic Easter morning. Thank you to each and every volunteer that showed up to help us move, set-up, tear-down, and move again over the weekend. The massive ministry that took place the next morning would have never been possible without you.

Sunday’s Coming

“Not a typical Easter morning,” was what I expected to hear people say as they left our service on Sunday. However, there was so much to be learned and the message could not have rung truer in the hearts of those who joined us. Jesus dies on the cross so sin would be defeated, and while we may be carrying some massive sin luggage…God forgives and restores! The life of Peter provided the backdrop for this truth. The result was transformation. Eternity was changed on this Easter and we ALL got to be part of that miracle. From cleaning crews, children’s workers, movers, musicians, techies, refreshments, and greeters… everyone played a part and shared in the joy of this new birth.

I think one of the most impressive things was the way God answered both our prayers for people and transformation. We could have NEVER handled everyone who showed up to worship in our other space. Looking back (and looking forward) the move to Anna Middle School was the right thing to do. The “church” was FULL. No joke, it was packed out. Humbled by God and His ability to draw the hearts of men, we left Sunday tired…but ALIVE! What a joy to be able to share in this great work of making the Gospel known in Anna. Helping people meet Jesus and grow in that relationship is at the heart of all we will do in the months and years ahead. I hope you will join us for this great journey.

I read this on a blog I follow and thought it was a fitting way to wrap up this great weekend:

Hallelujah, Christ is risen
You who are the gardener of the new creation,
Cultivate the new seeds that have sprung into life,
Bring growth, bring blossom, bring fruit,
May your new creation flourish
in us, through us, around us,
So that all the world may say
Christ is risen indeed Hallelujah.