October 30: a great Sunday to bring a friend!

Moses birth – age 40: Egyptian royalty age 40 – 80: a shepherd in Midian age 80-120: wandering in the wilderness 1 3 2

When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, “If they face war, they might change their minds and return to Egypt.” So God led the people around by the desert road toward the Red Sea. Exodus 13: 17-18

God is more concerned about who you are becoming and than where you are going.

I have cut through a gas station to avoid a red light.

I have cut through a gas station to avoid a red light. I’ve already looked at my watch this morning wondering how much longer this service will be.

I have cut through a gas station to avoid a red light. I’ve already looked at my watch this morning wondering how much longer this service will be. People who talk slowly irritate me.

I have cut through a gas station to avoid a red light. I’ve already looked at my watch this morning wondering how much longer this service will be. People who talk slowly irritate me. I become annoyed when the person at the check-out counter chooses to pay by check.

God is more concerned about who you are becoming and than where you are going.

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost – also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!” Numbers 11:4-6 (2nd paragraph, p. 72, The Story)

The LORD heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat The LORD heard you when you wailed, “If only we had meat to eat! We were better off in Egypt!” Now the LORD will give you meat, and you will eat it. You will not eat it for just on e day, or two days or fie, ten or twenty days, but a whole month – until it comes out of your nostrils and you loathe it – because you have rejected the LORD, who is among you, and have wailed before Him, saying, “Why did we ever leave Egypt?” Numbers 11:18-20 (bottom of p. 72, The Story)

That night all the members of the community raised their voices and wept aloud. All the Israelites grumbled against Moses…. “If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn’t it be better for us to go back to Egypt? We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt.” Number 14:1-4 P. 76, The Story

God is more concerned about who you are becoming than where you are going. He does His best work in the wilderness. Stop whining and complaining! “It could always be worse.” “God’s goodness always outweighs life’s badness.”