Yes, we’re working our way through the Alphabet Of Christianity – so much truth in so few letters.
Let’s focus on enjoy as demonstrated by Moses’ life and times, as told in Hebrews 11:24ff: “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharoah’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasure of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”
This Bible account makes us raise our eyebrows doesn’t it? Let’s eyeball it closely – make our eyes big – to see the truths. We’re connected with Moses because we, as he did, want to enjoy our life. I’ll highlight some principles you can cogitate on every day this week:
#1: Like Moses, we must take a giant, progressive step mentally and spiritually with the Lord to grasp what produces real enjoyment. How about you? How have your ideas of real enjoyment changed?
#2: To enjoy you have to refuse some things. Moses refused Egypt’s pleasures to receive God’s treasures. Jesus said you can’t serve two masters. Have you developed your ability to refuse in order to receive?
#3: Moses made choices among the voices. For him it was the people of Egypt or the people of God. He chose God’s people – even though mistreated. Whose voices are you following? Have you found your voice of truth, faith and action?
#4. He knew he could enjoy sin. But he chose not to. Why? He knew he could have the “kicks” of sin – for a short time – but then sin’s “kickbacks” would beat him up for a long time. He figured it out; there’s more joy with the Lord!
#5. He lived in the present and looked to the future – a wise man. He saw the God of rewards and the rewards of God and went after both! His future was his friend. Here’s good news: With God and Christ and the Holy Spirit, our past can be forgiven, our present magnified and our future guaranteed to be even better.
#6. He persevered and won because he VALUED the “INVISIBLE GOD”. He got a new vision, new values and a new life. With eyes of faith he saw what he’d never seen. No longer a victim of the physically visible, now he was a victor of the eternally invisible. And he was fearless – He overcame the fear of man with faith in God. And God rewarded his faith. Ever read Hebrews 11:1, 6? Check it out.
Moses changed, enjoying life with the joy of the Lord – and we can too. Satan wants to stick you in a body bag tagged “no joy”. Christ says to you, “Enter into the joy of the Lord.” What do you say?