I AM so you don't have to be Lesson 12

I AM so you don’t have to be Lesson 12

I AM Study Lesson Twelve
A Face With The Name

Background Passages
Exodus 33
John 14

Focal Verses
Then Moses said to Him, ‘If Your Presence does not go with us, don not send us up from here. How will anyone know that You are pleased with me and with Your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people on earth?’ And the Lord said to Moses, ‘I will do the very thing you have asked, because I am pleased with you and I know you by name’. Then Moses said, ‘Now show me Your glory’.
Exodus 33:15-18

Phillip said, ‘Lord show us the Father and that will be enough for us’. Jesus answered, ‘Don’t you know me, Phillip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.’
John 14:8-9

‘I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me; for they are Yours. All I have is Yours, and all You have is Mine. And glory has come to me through them.’
John 17:10

Lisa writes:

The only kind of recognition we should ever seek for ourselves is the kind which will point directly back to our God. Anything less sets up the same type of idolatry the Israelites were so prone to practice.

Been here done this got the T-shirt, and it was pretty shredded when all was said and done. If I shine the light on anyone other than may Father, I am setting myself up for either a large fall or as Bethany at Beyond this Moment said “a trip to the time-out chair.”

Lisa writes:

I hope you have taken the opportunity to read the Background Passages. To gain context, remember Moses has just returned from Sinai with the first copy of the Tablets of Testimony to find the Israelites worshipping a golden calf fashioned from the plunder of Egypt. God threatened annihilation of the people and offered starting over with Moses as the father of a new nation of Israel. (Exodus 32:9)

I have to stick something in that I find very funny. In Exodus 32:7 God tells Moses to “go get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Egypt have corrupted themselves.” I can just see Moses getting all ramped up and stomping off the to take care of things..then to have God say “I’ll just kill them and start over with you” The expression on Moses’ face probably said “UH- NO!”, we’ll deal with what we got.’ Moses was a holy man of God, but was also very human. Moses was probably mad enough to “spit nails”, but when given the “easy” option of starting over, He chose the “holy” option of taking what is and letting God make it what it will be. This is all God is asking of me, to let Him take what is, and make it what it will be.

Lisa writes:

In Moses’ experience, the success of the Israelite nation in its deliverance would either be a credit to or slander against its God. Moses’ love for Jehovah caused him to take seriously the Third Commandment, “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His Name.” (Exodus 20:7). This reverence for God’s name spilled over into protection it at all cost against defamation.

How sad that we as a nation and a body have lost this reverence for the Name of God.

Lisa writes:

There is one thing God will always be, and that is the One who fills the Universe with marvelous light. God’s eternal, transcending glory is never compromised. However, in a divine mystery we can scarce comprehend, human agency has been allowed to have effect on God’s fame in the mortal realm.

Lisa states in regards to Jobs trials:

“Satan is not omniscient so he could not know that with every new ruin brought fresh resolve, every pang of suffering birthed supernatural strength, and each rebuke of a friend forged a relationship with God so strong that the gates of hell would not be able to prevail against it. God’s glory will not come unintentionally or without great determination.”

I say: satan is not omni anything. God has always got him on a leash whether we see it or not.

Lisa writes:

Moses has seen the Wonders- now he desired God’s glory. This is defined in the Expositor’s Bible Commentary as ‘his goodness, his entire character, and nature’. To say Moses’ request pleased God is an understatement. More than anything, God wants us to seek relationship over provision, intimacy over the miraculous, the intangible over the material. Would you like to know the amazing thing which happens when we do this? The former request is often coupled with the latter based on the concept of Matthew 6:33 which says ‘But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.’ God caused all His goodness to pass in front of Moses and covered him with His own hand and yet the sight of it was not as precious to Moses as the love of the Father who would arrange this display.


Burning Questions

1. We discussed how we are God’s fame and He is ours. Have you ever been in a situation where you are applauded for your ministry and had to fight back the idol of pride? Ever been tempted to believe your own press? It’s okay to admit it! Your testimony will help others in their resolve!
Yes I have, and sadly I have not fought back the idol of pride, and as a result stole God’s glory. I try to stay off that pedestal as much as possible.


2. Did it ever occur to you in the 3-way drama of God, Job, and Satan that Satan was the only one outside the loop as far as Job’s reactions would be? Does this encourage you in resolving to make a fool of him when he attempts to use you to defame the Name?
Yes, although I do forget at times that satan CAN NOT read my mind. He can only affect my surroundings. Yes, it again reminds me that satan is under God’s control at all times.

3. Are you in a situation now where you feel you are being overcome? Better yet, are you in a situation where you should have been overcome but are not?
Yes I feel like I am being overcome by my big god Money or the lack thereof. I feel like I have done the right thing in taking a part time job, but counsel from friends is leading me to doubt this. And now I am tired, unsure, and unhappy.

4. Have you ever failed in a Satan-designed trial? Can you recognize God intends for this failure to refine and resolve you for the next time? God is not out for your destruction but your perfection!
Yes, because I am human. Yes nothing is wasted with God

5. Can you describe yourself as a Wonders Junkie? Found yourself in spiritual highs and lows depending on whether you perceived God was doing wondrous things or not?
No, I am still surprised when God shows up and shows His Wonder.

6. Have you ever been like Phillip and had God right in your face and not recognized Him?
Yes, sadly several times, and He ended up tapping me on the end of the nose and asking if I was paying attention.

7. Journal a brief prayer asking God for His Glory. Let it be the thing we all desire above all else…
Father God, I can not at this point ask you to show me You Glory. Father I would ask that you move me closer to you. I do not want to be like the Hebrew child and be consumed by your anger.