Uncut and unpolished stones

God has been putting a lot of good things in my life lately. More opportunities in his kingdom, the kingdom is like a tiny mustard seed that grows into this huge tree that has many branches. A chance to meet more godly people, help me grow and continue to help further God's kingdom. I think to help me in these opportunities or many roads I was given a verse from the Lord to help me keep focused on him. A few months ago I was reading in my daily reading in Exodus 20 and when I read this verse it really spoke to me. It has been one of those that he continues to keep in front of me, so I know he is trying to tell me or show me something. Since then, it has been in other studies, devotionals, conversations and it’s been interesting to hear from other people and what they think. Exodus 20:23-25 ‘Remember, you must not make any idols of silver or gold to rival me. Build for me an altar made of earth, and offer your sacrifices to me--your burnt offerings and peace offerings, your sheep and goats, and your cattle. Build my altar wherever I cause my name to be remembered, and I will come to you and bless you. If you use stones to build my altar, use only natural, uncut stones. Do not shape the stones with a tool, for that would make the altar unfit for holy use.’ God freed his people from slavery in Egypt and he is leading them to this land, the promise land he has prepared for them. This story is in Exodus through Joshua. Through this whole time and through out the bible God tells his people, not to have any other god's. Nothing that will compete with my relationship with you, ‘I am a jealous God’, Exodus 34:14. Then he tells them to build an altar to offer sacrifices, this is not a permanent altar because they are on the move. But here is what popped off the page to me that day continues staying in front of me still to today, Exodus 20:25. God instructed his people to use natural, uncut stones and do not shape with a tool because it would make it unfit for holy use, others translations says defile it or pollute it. This is what spoke to me that day. God wanted this done in a certain way, not their way. He says build this altar, but build it the way I'm telling you and use what I provide and give you. Don't fancy it up with your own ideas, knowledge or skills and put your own spin on it. There are times where God wants us to use our skills and knowledge to do something for him.  Later, God instructs them to build the temple, to shape and polish it using craftsman, but in either case it was still done the way God wanted it done. I think sometimes God wants to do something in our lives or gives us opportunities and we want to do it our way or control it. Maybe there is pressure or it is not his timing yet so we manipulate and try to do it our way. In Acts 2:42-47 all I see is the apostles along with a group of believers and they came together and shared and loved on each other.  They shared meals and all they had, worshiped, prayer, and shared the Lords supper. They were kicked out of the temple so they didn't have a building or church, but what they did have was the apostle’s teachings, you know the guys who knew Jesus and spent time with him. The main thing of course was God, the power of the Holy Spirit. Maybe God is doing this new thing and the Holy Spirit is working in a situation and we think we could do it better and we structure it, plan it, control it, we quench the Holy Spirit. Like in Exodus 20:25, God wants to use an uncut stone and we want to shape and polish it and we pollute it. God's ways is way different then our ways and the way he sees things is way different then the way we see them Isaiah 55:8 "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”  Let me go a little further, I was sitting in church last Sunday during worship and God lead me to look at this verse again Exodus 20:25. Then during the next hour and a half he showed something else that didn't really come to me until later that day. It really tied into the last blogs that I have written, I see all these people in the body of Christ getting a chance to tell what God is doing in their life that are filled with the love of God have a chance to tell what ministry they are serving in or leading in to help the church, the body of Christ. Then it came to me why he had me read this verse, God wants to use all these people like the unpolished or uncut stones. When God picked Moses to lead his people to the promise land, you know the guy in Exodus 4:10-11 that says he couldn't talk good, he picked King David a young shepherd boy, what about Gideon in Judges 6. Would we pick any of these guys, no! The bible is full of pages and stories of people God used. So why would people who think they are polished or equipped have a problem with this. Could it be a lack of faith or trying to control?  I like the 12 disciples that God picked to follow JESUS and start the church which we are a part of today. These guys were unpolished and uncut like the stones. God picked the 12 and he wanted, men he could do something new through, he shaped and molded them the way he wanted, he taught them to follow and become like Jesus. Think about it, who would have picked those 12?  We all would have picked the more polished guys, the guys who knew more, well like or dressed nicer. When we read God's word and in our relationship with the Lord what is awesome is we get to understand the heart of God and his ways. I think it is clear that God's church, the body of Christ, is very special to him and he has a plan for every believer. We have to keep in mind how important people are to God and that he is the vine dresser. I’m in a ministry where people mentor each other one on one. I’m very careful how I speak into a mans life. God has a plan for this person and I just want to help him grow and come closer to the Lord. 2 Corinthians 2:9 ‘But, as it is written, “What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him”. Our entire walk is about faith and trust in God and how he wants to work in our lives for his glory. It takes a lot of faith from a leader or pastor who will use uncut or unpolished people. But in the long run their faith will be rewarded and the church, the body of Christ will grow. Sometimes you suite up with who God gives you, not who you get to choose. Hebrews 11:6 ‘And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. JESUS came to set us free Isaiah 61:1 ‘The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon me, for the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.’ So we can all play a part and help God's kingdom grow and do the great commission. Matthew 28:18-20 ‘Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age."  When we become part of this family or church or kingdom it is not about I, we, or me.  It is about God and helping his church the body of Christ.  How does this apply to me or my life?  When I am called or get a chance to help play my part in the kingdom. I need to understand God's word and his heart in the situation. I need to make sure I'm doing it the way God wants it done. I need to align my heart and desires with his and not manipulate or control the situation. I need to humble myself and do the best I can to glorify God and help others do the same. It’s not a competition, Its about helping the kingdom grow and the church be healthy. I need to see things through God's eyes and understand his ways.