Exodus 15:22-end

Steve Gambill considers how we can lead well in times of uncertainty, opposition and through complacency

It was here at Marah that God revealed himself as Jehovah Raffa, which in English means, 'the Lord Who Heals You.' God is the God who heals today. He can heal emotionally and physically, but bitterness is going to require you to do something for yourself... to throw wood on your bitterness. That wood represents taking your bitterness to Jesus and forgiving others and forgiving yourself. Is there a need for any healing your life? Then cry out to the Lord and ask for it.

There is so much more I could say about 'The Lord Who Heals You', but I do not have time to write about here today, as we need to move on to the next battle, but healing miracles are happening today!

The final battle, in Exodus 15 is the 'Battle of Elim' and it's far more subtle then the first two. Here at Elim with 12 springs of fresh water and 70 palm trees there was a rest, shade and provision. Israel could have stayed camped here for a considerable period of time. There was enough provision to make camp here. Moses allowed them to camp, but then Israel pack up and get on with their journey.

Moses knew that Elim was never their final destination; it was just a resting point along the way. Be careful when you are in a place of rest that you aren't camped there. It's easy to keep moving in the desert, but once you have a little provision, a little rest, be careful.

Proverbs 6:10 says 'A Little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest and poverty will come on you like a thief.'

Our challenge in achieving a few things in life and for the Lord is that we can be tempted to settle. It is essential that we don't settle. At our Life Church home campus there are 10 million people within an hour or so drive from the building. Understanding how many people are yet to be reached spiritually is a great antidote to settling. Sure, we could stay comfortable in the four walls of our church building, but as a leadership team we have decided not to do that. Instead, we are seeking to continually keep reaching out and to keep growing.

Are you settled in a measure of comfort, or success, or are you stirred and motivated to keep moving forward for the rest of your life? With so much more to do for the Lord, to extend His love and purposes, we must not settle.

Whatever the stage of the journey that you're on, Red Sea Battle, Battle of Sure, or Battle of Elim, take some time to pray and reflect on what your next steps are. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you recognise that next step and pray for courage to take it today.

God has great things in store for you, so much more. He is for you and not against you. He has a plan and purpose for your life. Let us be those who remember past breakthroughs in difficult times, so that we may encourage ourselves to keep moving forward. In the challenging times in which we live, God needs His leaders to help others understand His great love, for each of us to be entirely sure that God is with us and to keep moving.

If you need prayer, or are in the area, we would love to see you and visit with you at one of our four campuses, Bradford, Belfast, Leeds, or Warsaw Poland. Or you can visit our online home at lifechurchhome.com.