Wednesday, March 30, 2011

How to make love to your neighbors

2 John 1: 5 And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. 6 And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.

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Love has always been a very confusing topic to me. The term has been used for sex, political stances and minimal pleasures. “Let’s make love” was the sex talk way back when, “Make love not war” were on signs held up in protest of the nation going to war and “I love this movie or candy bar” is an example of indulgence.

  • Lust can never fill the hole that’s in my heart.
  • Politics can never satisfy my craving of being wanted and needed.
  • Food, hobbies, sports and entertainment is only temporary and too much of a good thing becomes boring.

Let’s face it, people are difficult to “love” the way GOD defines love because they are so different. They have different opinions than I do; they look, smell and act differently. They have different amounts of money and were raised differently. Their problems are different than mine and they would never understand what I’m going through.
  • GOD wants me to “Love” people as an act not a feeling.
  • GOD wants me to “plan” my love for people who are difficult for me to love.
  • GOD wants me to “sacrifice” getting my way some of the time in order to show love.
I guess it’s all in how I view people.  When I look at people from a selfish perspective then they are always wrong and I am always right, but when I look at people through GOD’s eyes, I can only see a need for compassion.

GOD sees how pitiful I am, yet HE died for me and now that HE has been raised by the FATHER, I can share in HIS eternal love. This one act of unconditional love helps me drop my guard in loving others. To serve is to love and to love is to serve.

  • Do you feel loved?
  • Can you show someone what GOD’s love looks like?
  • Will you serve someone who does not deserve to be served today?

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

You mean all I had to do was “ask?”

1 John 5: This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him.

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Ring, ring went the telephone in the distance. “Next” the person behind the desk softly stated to me. She gave me my room key and tried to explain where everything was but kept getting interrupted by the phone or some other emergency. It was clear they were shorthanded on my first day on campus.

I asked “do you need some help?” “Are you on work study?” she asked. “Yes” I exclaimed. Within two hours of being on campus, I had my first job. Wow, this “asking for stuff” is nice.
  • Usually when I ask GOD for stuff I am asking from a selfish perspective.
  • Usually when I ask GOD for stuff I want to control HIM or my situation.
  • Usually when I ask GOD for stuff I never ask HIM what HE wants for me.
I actually feel sorry for GOD sometimes. I mean everyone on the planet selfishly asking for stuff and not turning to the way HE wants to be worshipped seems to be lonely. I theologically know HE can exist just fine without me, but it seems like a difficult position to be in.
  • GOD loves when I voluntarily ask for things HE wants instead of putting myself first.
  • GOD gets excited when I pray for immaterial things like love, faith, mercy and grace.
  • GOD loves when I ask for HIS help in making plans and when I consult HIM on all matters, large or small.
GOD knows what I need before I ask HIM. The problem is that sometimes I want things that can distract me from a quality relationship with HIM and have nothing to do with eternity. “Please LORD give me money, or the gadget I was lusting over.” While these things are not harmful, my attitude of elevating them to a “need” is.

GOD wants me to understand HIS attitude of compassion, grace and love for all humans and to pray for the resources necessary in drawing them to HIS kingdom. HE has never failed in taking care of me so why should I stop believing HE will? In other words, GOD will ALWAYS come through for me, I just need to ask.
  • What do you desire?
  • Are you the slightest bit selfish in your desires?
  • How does the thing you want fit with expanding GOD’s kingdom?
  • Can you focus your prayers on things GOD wants you to have?

Monday, March 28, 2011

Have victory today!

1 John 5: This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 3 In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4 for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.

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Do you ever feel like fighting “that” person?  I mean they are wrong, dead wrong and you have all the ammunition to take them down. I know I have in many instances, BUT GOD says “drop your weapons” to me. Each time I do this I’m pleasing HIM.

Do you ever want to fulfill that lust or do something that GOD wouldn’t approve of? I mean the pressure has built up and you just need a release so a little sin won’t hurt right? BUT GOD says “drop your lusts” to me. Each time I do this I’m pleasing HIM.

Do you ever want power and control over people and GOD? I mean if everyone would just do things the way you want them and when you want them then everything would be fine. BUT GOD says “Let go!” Each time I let go of trying to control people and GOD I receive the victory.

GOD has overcome the world through the death burial and resurrection of HIS SON. HE enabled me to have eternal life and by following HIS commands I show HIM a tiny bit of the love HE gave me.

  • Do you want victory today?
  • Do you want to overcome your fears, worries and doubts?
  • Can you give all of these issues to GOD and let HIM do the work?

Friday, March 25, 2011

GOD loves me, that’s all that matters.

1 John 4: 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.

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Anticipation built up because this was my first evaluation on my new job. I had worked hard and got along with everyone, well, almost everyone. My boss was a blowhard and wanted everyone to fear him but that’s not my style. We sat and went through the year’s performance and I received a “moderately good” performance which was just above needing to improve.

“You’ve got to be kidding” I exclaimed! Rage filled my heart and everyone who ran into me that day knew not to cross me. On the way home I began to plot.  “How am I going to get around this jerk?” I thought to myself.  Right then a police pulled me over for speeding. “This is not my day!”
  • If I’m not careful then circumstances can make me lose focus on loving people.
  • If I’m not careful then the seed of hatred can blossom into anger, rage and fury.
  • If I’m not careful then I can only see negative and miss the fact that GOD is in control.
We are placed on this earth for GOD’s pleasure not our own. “GOD is love” and HE wants me to share HIS love as much as I can during my short life. The problem is I run into “problems.” These problems, troubles and trials seem to frustrate me into fear, worry, doubt, anger, rage and other wild emotions. GOD wants me to control my emotions and focus on HIM.
  • Loving people is a choice not a feeling.
  • Loving people takes practice so I can begin by reducing my complaints.
  • Loving people means I actually value the person’s existence just like GOD does.
  • Loving people isn’t always easy so I ask GOD and HE widens my heart abundantly.
Only GOD can help me love the unlovable. There are mean, nasty, poisonous people who GOD adores and the tiniest act of love from me towards them makes HIM excited. GOD showed HIS love towards me in the middle of my sin, now I can do the same for others.
  • Are you so focused on your circumstances that you haven’t shown “love” to others?
  • Can you stop focusing on yourself for a minute and pray for others?
  • Can you see “that” person the way GOD sees them, with forgiveness and mercy?
  • If your heart is not filled with love right now, can you ask GOD to clear it and fill it with HIM?

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Horoscopes, science or GOD, which do I believe in?

1 John 4: 1 Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that acknowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God

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“Where is the newspaper” I asked. This question probably confused my parents since I had not demonstrated any interest in it before. I had just discovered “my sign” and I wanted to check the horoscopes to see if the prediction would come true. I should have had some suspicion with a name like “horoscope” which sounds like some microscope that looks at horror!

“Their prediction was absolutely right” I thought to myself. I think it said something like “you are warm and loving but beware of people who are not.” “How could they know?” my gullibility asked.
  • There are many conflicting stories that take GOD out of the picture.
  • Scientists try hard to prove GOD does not exist.
  • Psychics, palm readers and fortune tellers desire to make money at the expense of being contrary to GOD.
There are many stories of people being shunned for telling the truth about GOD. This has caused some to desire to be quiet about their faith and blend into the crowd. GOD wants me to be bold with my faith, telling all about HIS SON no matter what the worldly consequences are.
  • GOD gets excited when I speak about JESUS.
  • GOD loves when I tell people HE took my sentence of death by dying in my place.
  • GOD is thrilled when I ignore the attempts to explain HIS work through what a human feels or can see.
I went through a stage where I questioned GOD’s existence because of all the terrible things that were happening in my life. BUT GOD has been faithful to me throughout the years and I have been blessed to see HIS marvelous works in many lives. GOD wants me to remain focused on the truth and that truth is JESUS.
  • What do you believe in?
  • Do you believe in science more than GOD?
  • Are you seeking your future in fortune cookies, horoscopes or other general predictions?
  • Can you believe that GOD loved you so much that HE would do anything for you, even die for you?
  • Will you believe that JESUS is now alive and has been placed over everything?

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Don’t just say it, do it!

1 John 3: 16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. 17 If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.

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“Wow, I look pretty good” I thought to myself as I strutted down the street in my new suit headed to work. “I bet everyone in the office will notice since they are very fashion conscience.” Then a homeless person approached me. I looked at him, smelled the wine extruding from his pores and thought “No Way!”

I quickly bypassed the guy only to run into a homeless woman. My wallet was all the way in my briefcase and I only carried twenties so I quickly passed her as well because I have to eat lunch later. Would you believe I saw four or five more homeless people on the way to work that day. “What’s going on, a hobo convention?”
  • My heart on material possessions can quickly blind me to others needs.
  • My heart on material possessions makes me fight to keep them instead of thinking about serving people.
  • My heart on material possessions helps me justify getting in debt to get "what I want", "when I want it" thus never being in the position to share my wealth with the poor.
I used to see the donation commercial with the baby with flies crawling on its face as being a sad situation. “Aw, someone should do something about that” I would think to myself as I turned away to search for something better on my “cable TV.”  GOD wants much more out of me.
  • The love of GOD in my heart enables me to have compassion on the poor, helpless and homeless.
  • The love of GOD in my heart makes me notice people in need.
  • The love of GOD in my heart helps me do without that gadget, suit or even a meal or two so I can serve others.
  • The love of GOD in my heart “is” GOD helping HIS people and doing something about it through me but only if I am willing to serve.
It’s amazing what I can do without and it’s even more amazing how many people are in need right up under my nose. I never noticed people in need until I started serving them. If you think being homeless is bad, try seeing a homeless person in a country where there is NO FOOD or shelter for miles. GOD loves these people and wants me to serve them.
  • Have you thought about buying the next thing?
  • Are you scared of running out of money if you give to someone?
  • Can you buy that thing later and give to someone in need right now?
  • Do you know it’s alright to have material possessions as long as you have a heart of sharing?
  • Can you share your wealth, no matter how small, with someone in need today?

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

A change is required of “me.”

1 John 3: 9 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. 10 This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

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“Bend that branch” one of my friends said. I did it and this enabled me to jump from the tree and land on top of the factory. “Wow, this is cool” I thought to myself. After being up there a while, I quickly realized we had no way to get down. We thought about it a while and there was only one way.

We had to jump back into the tree face first and catch the limbs. Fortunately for us we walked away with a bunch of scratches a couple of bruises and torn clothes. I’m glad GOD allowed me to “grow up” now I should be able to make better decisions. Sin is immature.
  • I am immature in CHRIST if I think I can sin as much as I want without consequence.
  • I am immature in CHRIST if I keep expecting things from GOD without making any changes in my life.
  • I am immature in CHRIST if I see the world as something to be gained.
  • I am immature in CHRIST if I keep on sinning.
Belief is a very heavy subject that I cannot quite explain.  I believe JESUS died specifically for my sins and I deserved to be punished, not HIM. I also “believe” this is a saving “belief.” Unfortunately throughout the years I have been told otherwise.
  • There are some who believe they can be good enough to get into heaven but they never compare their goodness to JESUS.
  • There are some who believe in GOD but do not believe JESUS is GOD who died for their sins.
  • There are some who believe GOD will not send a human to Hell and say “how could a loving GOD do that?”
Wow! This can be quite confusing. How could there be only one way to heaven? How can I know if this is the right way? What do I need to be “saved” from and who can be saved?
  • GOD knew I would not choose HIM so HE died in my place.
  • GOD only wants to share HIS unending love with those who do not reject HIS ultimate act of love.
  • GOD knows I can never do enough good to cover any of my sins.
  • GOD gets excited when I willfully get rid of my sins in order to relate to HIM better.
My relationship is broken with GOD and the best way to repair it is to remove as much sin out of my life while being excited about what JESUS has already done for me.
  • Are you trying to make a change in your life?
  • Do you feel your prayers are not being heard?
  • Should you be maturing in CHRIST and making better decisions?

Monday, March 21, 2011

I was tempted… No it was just me!

1 John 2: 15 Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. 16 For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. 17 The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.

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Aw man! “Do I have to talk about lust today” I thought to myself. I mean I have a good excuse for my lusts so I’m quite justified in my actions right? Wrong! Yes as a child I stumbled onto pornography and in college women approached me and after college I made enough money to buy nice things and want more and when I was wrong I didn’t need to admit it because I’m always right! Whew!

It’s not my fault these things popped in front of me. You know who I blame, Satan. Yeah, he tempted me into looking at women and ogling over them. He was the one who put all these nice things in front of me so I would crave the best. He made me like power and control right? Uh, maybe it wasn’t him.

  • I was born with the lust of the flesh which is a visual sexual lust.
  • I was born with the lust of the eyes which is a material lust.
  • I was born with the pride of life which is a power and control lust.

My sin is “my sin.” I can try to blame Satan for tempting me, but believe it or not, I always have a choice. I can try to blame my parents and I can try to blame society, but when it comes down to it, I have the choice to follow GOD’s ways or “my” ways.

The “world” offers many sensual pleasures that go against GOD.

  • When I love what the world offers, I quickly forget GOD’s rules.
  • When I love what the world offers, I try to ignore learning about GOD.
  • When I love what the world offers, I don’t want to hear about consequences so I can continue in my lust.
  • When I love what the world offers, I try to justify my sin and blame it on someone or something else.

Lust is a nasty sticky gooey gross sin that seems to permeate my soul. I know John wrote this passage, but Paul said it best. “When I want to do good, I sin and do the things I don’t want to do.” Who can save me from this sin? JESUS!

JESUS saved me from my lusts and gave me a purpose and a focus. Yes my lusts flare up now and then because I’m selfish, but now I know a center I can always return to and be forgiven.
  • What are your lusts?
  • Are you prideful with your words, in other words do your conversations have “me” and “my” in them most of the time?
  • Do you desire the next gadget, better clothes, nicer car, bigger home or more money?
  • Are your thoughts sexually pure or are you ogling over a person or pornography?

Friday, March 18, 2011

Help me be a “real” man.

1 John 2: 12 I am writing to you, dear children,
   because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
13 I am writing to you, fathers,
   because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
   because you have overcome the evil one.

14 I write to you, dear children,
   because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
   because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
   because you are strong,
   and the word of God lives in you,
   and you have overcome the evil one.

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Slow motion running was my best imitation of one of my television hero’s, “The Six Million Dollar Man.” Humming the theme music while running in slow motion, I could picture myself lifting cars with one hand or jumping over large crevasses.

Then I would imagine myself in the middle of some adventure. The bad guys would be getting away and I would use my slow motion running to catch them just like “Steve Austin.” “This was a real man” I thought to myself.

  • GOD says real men know JESUS.
  • GOD says real men have their sins forgiven because JESUS died for my sins.
  • GOD says real me are earthly fathers who truly know GOD.
  • GOD says real men overcome Satan’s temptations.
  • GOD says real men are strong in the faith and HIS word lives in them.
Today’s man looks greedy, lustful, selfish, mean and nasty. In fact the more vile a “man” is the more of a “man” he is thought to be. GOD says HE wants men to be men the way HE made men. 
  • I am a real man by staying away from adulterous affairs.
  • I am a real man by following the leaders GOD puts in place.
  • I am a real man by keeping faith even when things seem dismal.
  • I am a real man by crying over my family’s pain and rejoicing when GOD brings us through.I am a real man because I love GOD!
  • Do you know any “real” men?
  • Single ladies, are you dating a real “Godly” man?
  • Men, can you act like a “real man” today?

Thursday, March 17, 2011

I just don’t like “that” person.

1 John 2:  9 Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. 10 Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11 But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

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Walking down the hallway after practice was a delight because it meant I could go home and get rest. Out of nowhere one of the football jocks appeared in front of me, balled up his fist and punched me in the chest.

You would think that wouldn’t cause much strife, but I was so skinny that I looked like the number “1.”  He actually knocked the wind out of me and I literally saw planets dance in my head has I gasped for air. You know… I really didn’t like that guy!
  • There are people in the world who want to harm me just for being me.
  • There are people in the world who don’t have my best interest in mind.
  • There are people in the world who have deep rooted issues that want to take it out on me.
Over the years the face of the bully has changed from the guy who wants to hit you to the power hungry control freak women or the politically savvy guy with the pretty face wielding a dagger behind his back. These are all bullies nonetheless. GOD wants me to treat them differently.
  • Now that I’m strong enough to fight bullies back I should be stronger and let GOD do the fighting.
  • Now that I’m strong enough to fight bullies back I should be wiser and use love as my weapon.
  • Now that I’m strong enough to fight bullies back I should be graceful because GOD is graceful to me.
It’s easy to love people who love me BUT GOD wants me to love those who actually don’t like me at all. Believe it or not, HE loves “that” person too.  I sometimes feel justified for my anger, mild dislike or hatred of enemies but GOD doesn’t look at them, HE looks at me. HE knows the people who will have no part in HIM but expects more out of me.

I can pretend to be part of GOD’s family, but if I carry around hatred for another one of HIS humans then my problem isn’t with them, it’s with GOD. Race, gender, age, class, sexual preference, or political affiliations seem to be hot beds of hatred and arguments for “easy” believe-ism. BUT GOD just wants me to show “love” so that HE can draw people to HIMSELF.
  • Do you have a problem with someone?
  • What is truly in your heart when you think of “that” person?
  • Can you focus your hear on serving that person instead of getting even?
  • Can you pray for GOD to bless “that” person and leave it at that?

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Church helped my lie look better.

1 John 1: 5 This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

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“What a strange place. Let me just get through this” I thought to myself. We were in church and it was on a Wednesday! There was plenty we could have been doing outside and maybe inside my young mind thought as I was trying to date.

I hadn’t been in church in a while, especially when I could be having “fun.” Okay, I’ll just go along with the program. The pastor asked me to stand, introduce myself and tell everyone about my relationship with CHRIST. “How dare this guy!” I thought to myself. I felt nervous and put on the spot! “How do I get out of here? I just wanted to impress this girl not be interrogated!”
  • My methods of serving GOD can sometimes be quite pitiful.
  • My thoughts of HIS people can sometimes be quite ugly.
  • My actions are sometimes misguided under the guise of serving GOD.
Going to church doesn’t make me holier at all. Many times I have gone to church after being up all night hanging out and causing a ruckus. Giving money doesn’t make me holier at all. Many times in my wealth I thought I had carte blanche to sin because of the amount I had given the church. The only thing that makes me holy is GOD.
  • GOD has no darkness in HIM “at all.”
  • GOD is pure love and cannot live with sin.
  • GOD’s SON died for me and my belief in HIM is the only thing that makes me holy.
Many times I have ignored GOD altogether. I went about my day not thanking HIM or thinking about HIM. When things went wrong or when I wanted something then I would serve or be nice until I got my way then I would drop GOD like a hot rock.
  • GOD wants a relationship with me that is lasting not temporary.
  • GOD wants me to serve with sincerity not with manipulation in mind.
  • GOD wants me to love HIM for HIM, not what I can get from HIM.
I can pretend to love GOD or I can love GOD. Only GOD can judge my sincerity.
  • Are you pretending to be good?
  • What is your motive for attending church?
  • Are you making any change in your life?
  • Can others see GOD through your words and actions or do they see only “you?”

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

I wonder if my house is indestructible.

2 Peter 3:  11 Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12 as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13 But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.

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Drip, drip, drip was the noise, but I couldn’t tell where it was coming from. The sink was over there, but the sound came from somewhere else in the house. It was a sunny day which meant no rain so the mystery grew in my mind. I finally went into the basement and when I got there the ceiling fell down because it was soaked with water.

I had installed a faulty water filter on the refrigerator and all day, possibly all weekend long a small leak turned into a disaster. We had only been in our brand new, built from the ground, house two weeks.
  • One day the LORD will destroy Earth and the planets.
  • One day the LORD will get rid of everything HE cursed.
  • One day the LORD will take my cars, my house, my clothes, my money and my gadgets and burn them up.
I worked so hard to save up for that house and in one minute a small disaster happened. Last night my wife showed me a six minute video of the recent tsunami which displayed a street with no water turned into a rushing torrent. First small debris washed away, followed by a small car then trucks then a large boat and finally the buildings gave way. My disaster didn’t compare!
  • GOD says it’s alright to have stuff just know the stuff is temporary.
  • GOD says it’s alright to have stuff just don’t make stuff your goal.
  • GOD says it’s alright to have stuff but humans are far more precious than stuff.
It feels strange to be included in the “quacks” who talk about the end of the world. I mean, no one wants to say it nor does anyone want to hear it. Personally, I want to hear everyone will be wealthy and at peace until JESUS returns, but that is not the way it’s going to be. When GOD curses something HE means it.

HE cursed mankind and the earth because of sin. HE also made a plan of redemption through HIS SON. Now that I believe in HIM I can look forward to that wealth and peace in a new heaven and earth.
  • Are you worried about your “stuff?”
  • Are you trying to make yourself happy through your house, cars or clothes?
  • Do you realize all of these things are temporary?
  • Can you give something to someone in need today?

Monday, March 14, 2011

I want what I want right now!

2 Peter 3: 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

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“How old are you?” the bouncer asked. “Twenty One”, my twenty year old mouth said to get into a bar. I mean my birthday is in two months, I’m practically there. “How old are you?” asked one of the partners at the firm “Thirty” came out of my twenty-seven year old mouth in hopes to gain some respect and pretend I was more seasoned than he thought.

It seemed like I couldn’t wait to grow up because there was always something better ahead of the current age. I was impatient with just sitting waiting on things to happen so I tried to make them happen right then and there. BUT GOD is quite different in HIS approach.
  • I may be impatient with trials, BUT GOD knows how long to leave me in them to grow me up.
  • I may be impatient with people, BUT GOD is extremely patient with me and my sins.
  • I may be impatient with GOD’s timing, BUT GOD is patient and waiting on that last person to accept HIS SON.
Let’s face it, I want things when I want things, how I want things. I set an expectation and “pray at” GOD expecting HIM to do my bidding the way I want HIM to. When HE says no then I doubt HIS power, wisdom and love for me. I am so glad HE has patience with me.
  • GOD has extreme patience and love for me.
  • GOD died for all of my sins and HE is patiently waiting on others to believe in HIS SON.
  • GOD can wait a lot longer than I can so I might as well follow HIM in the middle of my trials instead of waiting on things to be perfect.
Tragic things happened over the weekend and people are wondering if GOD is going to return tomorrow. HE could, but HE wants to wait on as many humans as possible to love HIM and accept the gift of eternal life. GOD is patient with me and I am eternally grateful.
  • Are you waiting on something?
  • Have you lost your patience with someone?
  • Can you be patient with “that” person?
  • Can you relax and let GOD do HIS thing?

Friday, March 11, 2011

GOD knows what HE is doing.

2 Peter 2: 9 if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment.

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Earthquakes and tsunami’s was the news I woke to this morning. Devastation and tribulation seemed to get the anchor people excited. Bad news about the economy and jobs was in my newspaper and to top it all off, my shoulder was killing me. Why in the world would GOD allow all of this stuff to happen?
  • When sin entered the world the earth became cursed.
  • When sin entered the world humans were sentenced to trials, troubles and tribulation.
  • When sin entered the world I was sentenced to death.
It all began with two people being tempted to be like GOD. Their curiosity unleashed death with no hope of salvation. BUT GOD knew they would do this before HE created them.  HE decided long before to die for their sins and mine as a rescue mission.
  • GOD knew a chain of events would happen once sin entered the world.
  • GOD knew HE was the only one who could rescue me.
  • GOD knew the trials I must face so HE put limits on them and used them to grow my faith.
GOD knows exactly what HE is doing. HE is in control even though things seem tough and dismal. HE gets excited when I accept trials and still praise HIM. All of heaven rejoices when one person gives up their sinful life to become a follower of our savior, JESUS who is the CHRIST.

Yes the world has bad news, BUT GOD is full of love, grace, mercy, kindness, goodness, faithfulness and peace. HE said HE would never leave me, this makes my trials bearable because I have hope when others do not.
  • Are you in a trial?
  • Do you feel lost and bewildered?
  • Do you know GOD loves you?
  • Have you accepted the fact that you are sentenced to die but can live eternally if you believe JESUS took your sentence?

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Something to believe in

2 Peter 1:  19 We also have the prophetic message as something completely reliable, and you will do well to pay attention to it, as to a light shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts.

20 Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation of things. 21 For prophecy never had its origin in the human will, but prophets, though human, spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.

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“The world is going to end on August 13th 1988” or some other exact date a preacher once said to us. At that time everyone sat poised waiting on the great explosion. Nothing happened. December 31, 1999 everyone nervously waited because machines would stop working, dams would open by themselves and toilets won’t flush anymore. Nothing happened.

I thought some evil plot would happen on 06/06/06. Nothing happened. What can I believe in?
  • I have a sin nature and it conflicts with GOD’s scriptures.
  • I want the opposite of what GOD wants.
  • My thoughts are not GOD’s thoughts, my ways are not HIS ways.
I think humans just want the whole “good” versus “evil” thing to be over and done with, I know I do. Many people have predicted the inevitable end of existence as we know it but all predictions are and will be wrong if they do not come from the Bible. GOD never lies and is the only being who has the power to keep HIS promises.
  • GOD spoke to prophets about the arrival of HIS SON.
  • GOD spoke to prophets and said JESUS would live, never sin and die for any human who believes in HIM.
  • GOD spoke to prophets and said JESUS would leave, send HIS HOLY SPIRIT to be with us while HE builds a place for us.
  • GOD spoke to prophets about the impending return of JESUS which ends the conflict between “good” and “evil.”

People have lied to me or have been deceitful in their words, and guess what… I have done the same. The human heart is selfish and wants its way BUT GOD’s word never lies. Preachers may come and go. Some tell the truth and some lie, BUT GOD’s word ALWAYS tells the truth!

  • What words do you believe in?
  • Do you believe the news more than you believe the Bible?
  • Are you listening to yourself or are you listening to GOD?
  • Are you speaking about GOD from a selfish point of view or is GOD speaking through you?

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

I want to be productive.

2 Peter 1: 5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; 6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; 7 and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.

8 For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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Strange requests were tossed at our department that seemed quite uncommon.  We were being asked to do things far outside of our responsibility. When I dug into the matter I found a couple of departments had formed an alliance to bog our department down in hopes that we would not complete our responsibilities. This was a slick way to steal our budget.

We took the high road and accepted the extra work. Not only did we complete the work, but our budget was increased to include a portion of the sneaky malefactors.

Good will always win! GOD wants me to grow up and see circumstances and situations as opportunities to mature in the faith.
  • When I have faith to believe in JESUS, HE wants me to be good to others.
  • When I am good to others, JESUS wants me to get to know HIM by reading HIS Bible.
  • When I learn from HIM, then HE wants me to control my sin as best as I can.
  • When I control my sin then I will be tested and tempted so JESUS wants me to persevere.
  • When I persevere and not fall back to my old ways, then I model godliness.
  • When I understand and practice godliness, then I learn to treat GOD’s people with affection!
It’s amazing it takes “me” being transformed to serve GOD’s people properly.  The more I give of myself, the more I gain from GOD. This is a process that cannot be circumvented.  When I try to serve GOD or live for GOD in my own terms then I fail miserably.
  • GOD will more than likely change me before HE changes “that” person.
  • GOD will more than likely allow trials in my life to help me persevere and grow my faith.
  • GOD will accept my growth and bless me.
It doesn’t matter how small my growth is as long as I am growing. GOD gets excited when I do even the smallest thing for HIM. When I pray a little more or read a little more or reduce my sin a little more GOD is there with wide open arms to congratulate me on my efforts!
  • Can you add a little goodness, knowledge, self-control to your walk today?
  • Will you persevere through your trial?
  • When you learn how GOD works, will you seek people you can serve?

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Keeping my head in the game yields results!

1 Peter 5: 8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

 10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

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Ring went the phone, yet I was afraid to answer it because a bill collector might be on the other side asking for their money. I was having one of those years when it seemed like everything was going wrong.

Tuition was due, my raggedy car seemed to be a money pit and my janitor job wasn’t paying enough to keep everything afloat. I felt discouraged and worried. My thoughts raced and I couldn’t think clearly.

  • When I focus on life’s circumstances then I get discouraged.
  • When I allow the devil to tempt me I fall easily to sin.
  • When I listen to lies from the devil I doubt GOD’s love and power.

Many times in my life I have doubted GOD’s love for me.  I believed HE died for my sins, but didn’t quite care about my life here on earth.  I sometimes thought HE was lurking behind me, waiting for me to make another mistake so HE could pounce on me with punishment. Then when I looked at the world, it seemed out of control. Where is GOD in all of this?

  • GOD knows the world is suffering so HE gives me strength to help others.
  • GOD understands every pain I have faced and HE renews my faith daily.
  • GOD knows my weaknesses and HE uses them to show HIS strength.

GOD’s love for me is untarnished, unadulterated, unblemished and unyielding. HE pursues me and applauds when I sincerely focus on HIM and HIS people. GOD is the GOD of grace, mercy and love. HE is the ultimate forgiver and the everlasting mercy monger. All HE asks me to do is “be alert and of sober mind” so I can see HIS love.

  • Is it hard for you to see GOD’s love in your life?
  • Do you think you are being punished constantly by GOD?
  • Can you see GOD’s grace in the middle of your circumstances?
  • Can you stop worrying to think clearly?

Monday, March 7, 2011

Expect things to go “wrong.”

1 Peter 4: 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

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It was finally spring break and my cousin and I loaded up the car to come home. We got on the interstate and my car sputtered and quit. We sat for a while and tried again. The car started and we were so elated. Twenty miles down the road it stopped again.

This process of stopping and starting stretched our two hour trip into four. I guess I should have expected this out of my car because I paid $100 for it.
  • Life on earth was cursed by GOD because of sin.
  • When Satan was selfish he wanted to ruin all humans.
  • He tried to stop JESUS from living a perfect sinless life.
  • Satan knows he is defeated so he and his army will stop at nothing to make it bad for me.
Heaven will be a place of perfect worship of GOD the way HE wants it.  HE will wipe away all tears and there will be no more pain, no more trials and no more testing. That person who is acting slimy will no longer bother me and my body will never contract a disease.
  • One day JESUS will return to take me to the place HE built for me.
  • One day JESUS will return and say “well done my god and faithful servant.”
  • One day JESUS will return to rule over all existence because the FATHER has given HIM everything.
Until JESUS returns I can expect to be challenged, tried, falsely accused, beat up, hurt, wounded, scorned and correctly judged for sin. This should not come as a surprise to me. By accepting JESUS as my savior, I made Satan my enemy and he spends all of his time developing ways to tempt and discourage me.

BUT GOD protects me! My soul can never be harmed because I am HIS child and my prize awaits me.
  • Are you going through trials?
  • Since you are a child of GOD do you expect opposition?
  • Do you believe that trials develop your perseverance and perseverance grows faith?
  • Can you show someone joy in the middle of your trial?