How to stay in relationship with God.

8/4/2019

Psalm 106: 32-33, ESV
They angered him at the waters of Meribah, and it went ill with Moses on their account, for they made his spirit bitter,[c]and he spoke rashly with his lips.

This passage is a reflection of two narratives: Exodus 17:1-7 and Numbers 20: 1-13. A reader may also consider Deuteronomy 32: 48-52.

Well, it has been some time since I had written a blog post. I have been in a "reflective, anxious, zone" as I am preparing for an academic challenge in the next few weeks. I have started reading some of the textbooks, more specifically the APA Manual. Meanwhile, my wife and I are slowly integrating into Tennessee. We have found a new community of faith, a local church. We live in a friendly community, apartment living. However, we have not sold our home in Texas. We need someone to purchase the house. Please agree with us that the house will sell soon.

I can't help to think that our journey is minor compared to that of Moses. In the scripture noted above, Moses is leading his people in the desert, and they begin to argue with him because they felt forgotten by God. They wanted water, and they wanted water now! Around the same time, Moses is grieving the loss of his sister. The people were anxious, and Moses was grieving his loss. The combination of anxiety, grief, and anger can cause us to lose focus on God and what he has done for us.

What can we learn from Moses? First, Moses went to God in prayer after hearing the problems of the people. Second, Moses allowed his anger to get to him, and he referred to himself and Aaron as to whom was going to meet the needs of the people, "must we bring you water out of this rock?"

It is this event, in particular, that led God to tell Moses that he wasn't going to go into the promises land. Why, because Moses broke faith with God. Moses did not attribute the miracle of the water to God but to himself (and Aaron).

I encourage you to focus on your relationship with God as you struggle with real-life issues of grief, anxiety, or anger. As you focus on God, it is ok to tell God the feelings that you are experiencing. Spend time with God. Worship and listen for the voice of God or the move of God in your heart. Through prayer and worship, we may keep from acting out in our grief, anxiety, or anger.

May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace, Numbers: 6:24-26.

© Daniel M. Kinjorski, August 2019

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Author

Dan is in a second career, that of Counselor, but he is a pastor at heart. He desires to present the Word of God in its context and then challenge the reader in its application to our lives. It is the Word of God that brings revival to our souls. The psalmist writes, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.

Dan and Maribel Kinjorski

Dan and Maribel are Bible Teachers. They love to expound on the Word of God. Maribel has been involved in Church since an early age. A graduate of the University of San German, Puerto Rico, in Business Administration and Economy. Dan is a graduate of East Coast Bible College (now shuttered) and the Pentecostal Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity (1999) , Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (2019), and now working on a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Counseling Education and Supervision.
Maribel Pastored Lilly of the Valley, Church of God, a Hispanic Community in Medford, Oregon. Dan Pastored, at the same time, Family Life Church, Medford, Oregon. They both were each other's assistant in their perspective communities. Dan and Maribel were able to bring together an English speaking, Spanish speaking, and a Deaf (non-hearing) community as "one" in community.
While serving in the military, Dan spent his last 13 years as an Army Chaplain, previously enlisted for seven years as a Communication Specialist. As an Army Chaplain, Dan often pastored Chapel Services ranging from the Gospel Service, General Protestant Service, to an Assembly of God Samoan Chapel Service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Meanwhile, Maribel supported her husband and often found herself assisting in the Family Readiness Groups when Dan deployed to Iraq or the Middle East (Kuwait) and also working with the Protestant Women of the Chapel. Dan and Maribel are proud parents of David (and Megan) with Olive (2nd grand); Michelle (and Street Wise Hercules) with Lilly (1st grand) and soon to be MJ, (3rd grand).