Stop holding GOD hostage.

Luke 17: ¹⁰ So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’

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GOD is pretty convenient to me sometimes. HE just sits in the corner collecting dust and when I face trouble and adversity I just go to the corner, dust HIM off and pray to HIM. HE seems to be a hostage to my every beckon call.

• GOD does not deserve to be treated like a servant even though HE is the best at being one.
• GOD desires true worship from me but my selfishness gets in the way.
• GOD is not impressed by the five minutes I spend being “good” because HE really knows my heart.

Sometimes I get rather “deserving” when it comes to my relationship with GOD.  I get mad at HIM because HE hasn’t given me my way. I mean I went to church, gave my money and prayed for that thing, what more does HE want?!

• Serving GOD is a privilege, not a way to manipulate HIM into giving me more.
• Serving GOD is only a small part of my relationship with HIM.
• Serving GOD is my duty, loving GOD is my need.

I’ll say it again, “GOD is not impressed with my service” but HE does get excited when I love HIM with all my heart, with all my mind and with all my soul. When I place my faith in HIS ways and mistrust mine, HE shows me HIS might and fights my battles.

• Are you trying to manipulate GOD into giving you something?
• Can you trust HIM to give you a wonderful blessing?
• Will you drop your usual expectations of HIM that set HIM up for failure?
• Will you serve GOD today strictly out of your love for HIM, not expecting anything in return?

What goes around comes around

Luke 16: ¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. ²⁰ At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores ²¹ and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

   ²² “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

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“What goes around comes around” is what the old folks used to say. In other words “how I treat people is how I am going to get treated.” If that’s the case then either I have to start treating people nice real soon or my past will catch up to me.

• Laughing at the demise of the “idiot” boss was my forte’ until my position was eliminated.
• Ignorance of the poor and downtrodden was my mode of operation until I had to worry about my finances.
• Thinking my parents and other adults were stupid was my mantra until I grew up and had kids of my own.

Now that I am older I understand the old folk’s statement. Truly “what goes around comes around.” It may not happen in this lifetime, but whatever seeds I sow on this earth will come to fruition. GOD wants me to plant heavenly seeds on earth to reap the harvest of eternal treasure.

• Even though “that” person is not treating me right I have to treat them with grace.
• Even though I may think I need “that” luxury item maybe there is a person whose “needs” aren’t being met.
• Even though I have my own family I’m still not too old to glean wisdom from those who are older and wiser.

I need to treat people the way I want GOD to treat me. I want to be the center of HIS attention so my focus needs to be on HIS humans.

• How are you treating people?
• Are your relationships strong?
• Do you seek out the poor for the purpose of serving them for GOD?
• Are you feeling the effects of treating people poorly?
• Can you begin treating “that” person with grace?

Can I be trusted?

Luke 16:  ¹⁰ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? ¹² And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

   ¹³ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

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Sunrise was beautiful as it glistened off the lake near my job, at least it was when I could pay attention to it. Unfortunately its beauty went unnoticed most days as I trudged into work half asleep.

My job was menial and repetitive to me so I would take frequent breaks and sometimes doze off in the washroom. I mean who should get up at this hour and why didn’t they give me more to do?

• I should not be trusted if I am so focused with my life that I cannot see what’s going on with others.
• I should not be trusted if I justify taking even a paperclip from work.
• I should not be trusted if I think “they are rich they won’t miss it.”

Being trusted with little is harder than it looks.  Most would believe it’s all about money but it is really all about “attitude” with GOD. Selfishness can permeate every fragment of my soul which causes me to be blind to GOD’s plan. I can’t hear HIM nor can I see HIM do HIS thing when I am selfish so I wind up doing untrustworthy things.

• GOD wants me to treat “every” dollar of my employer as if it were mine.
• GOD wants me to view my job as a privilege not as if it were owed to me.
• GOD wants me to give my wealth away not hoard it for myself.

GODLY wealth is bestowed on those who are willing to share in a graceful, mercy filled way. Satanic wealth is granted to those who lie, back-stab, cheat, and steal. Whether I am stealing time or materials from my employer to do personal things it’s wrong in GOD’s eyes and HE won’t trust me with HIS wealth on this earth or in heaven.

HE does get excited when I “entrust” all my money to HIM and bless others as much as I can.

• Are you sneaky?
• Do you steal personal time or material from your employer?
• Are you working for a human or GOD?
• Can you ask GOD to help you be trustworthy in all aspects of your life?

I tried to disown GOD but it didn’t work.

Luke 15:  ¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

   ¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

   ¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

   “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

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“Fun” was my goal and GOD was my barrier. HE had all these “rules” and it seemed like life was going to be miserable following HIM.  What boredom! The goody, goody two shoes people seemed to get trampled on while others seem to get away with whatever they wanted to. I know… I’ll just do what I want to do. I mean GOD won’t mind will HE?

• It’s easy to disown GOD until a real problem hits.
• It’s easy to tell GOD ‘I don’t need YOU’ when “I” think everything is going well.
• It’s easy to let sin creep into my life when my relationship with GOD is weak.            

Just like the son in this story, I blamed others for my situation and felt I deserved a little sin in my life. I mean look at what being good got “that” person. My selfishness said I didn’t want to end up broke, bored and bothered. But GOD said something different.

• When problems hit GOD had HIS arms wide open and showed me unimaginable grace.
• When I practiced my sad story I was going to tell HIM, HE already had forgiven me.
• When I realized I was guilty, HE showed me mercy.

GOD is always, always ready to forgive me when I realize I need to be forgiven.

• Are you blaming GOD for something?
• Can you accept the situation HE has you in so you can be an example for HIM?
• Will you recognize the grace HE is showing you right now?

What kind of party would GOD throw?

Luke 15: ⁸ “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ ¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

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Quasars blow up with enormous power. Wind not only gusts up to one hundred miles per hour on this planet but ten thousand planets, yet GOD who is in control of everything, is concerned about me, a sinner.

• When I gave up my will to GOD there was a party in heaven you wouldn’t believe!
• When I gave up my will to GOD angels and relatives who passed away got excited!
• Before I gave up my will to GOD there was a huge audience waiting and waiting until I said the words “JESUS thank you for taking my punishment for my sins by dying in my place.”

GOD seems to have an extreme concern for HIS humans. HE doesn’t want a single human to be lost but HE cannot go against what HE put in place, namely free will. I have the choice to believe of reject GOD. Unfortunately the wrong choice, according to what I read, has eternal consequences.

There must be something extreme at stake for an audience who no one can number to rejoice like that. I mean what do they see that I don’t? Do they see the turmoil of those who rejected GOD or have they experienced GOD’s “full, Intense” love and want any and every one to experience HIS grace?

GOD only wants those who want and desire to be with HIM. HE created choice and those who choose to believe JESUS is GOD who became a human to live a perfect sinless life and allow HIMSELF to be murdered to atone for the sins of all, will be saved. HE did not create robots that had no choice but to believe in HIM.

I choose to believe and now I am adopted into the most powerful family!

• What are you fighting?
• Are you looking for something more fulfilling in your life?
• Can you give up your will to GOD today?
• Will you believe GOD is seeking “you” today?

What am I holding on to?

What am I holding on to?

Luke 14:³³ In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.

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Giving up sin is one thing but you mean I have to give up stuff that seems to be alright to the LORD? What about my car? It’s not a sin to have a car is it? What about my house or my job or my wife and kids? What about the circumstance I’m worried about? How can I “give this up to GOD?”

• Giving my family to GOD means I show acts of love to them and I pray for them just like GOD wants me to.
• Giving my job to GOD means I work for HIM and not that crazy boss.
• Giving my house to GOD means I will open it up to people to serve them for GOD.
• Giving my car up to GOD means I will use it to transport thing to those in need.
• Giving my worries, fears and doubts up to GOD means I am more open to accept the outcome GOD has chosen for thing I desire so much.

I actually tried this a few times and my mind rested so well. It doesn’t mean have no ambitions nor does it mean sit and be lazy waiting on GOD to do everything. What it means to give up “everything” is exactly that give GOD “everything” and treat it like it’s HIS because it is.

• If GOD wants to take me down to the bottom then I should accept being taken there.
• If GOD wants me to be on top HE will put me there and I should be humble when I get there.
• If GOD wants me to have just a little then I should accept help from HIS servants.
• If GOD wants me to have plenty then I have the responsibility to seek those who have little.

What about worries? I should give the thing I’m worried about to GOD and say, “whatever YOU want to do with this circumstance, it’s up to YOU LORD.” Giving GOD everything is quite refreshing.  HE has some huge shoulders that can carry all my issues and stuff, all I have to do is give it to HIM.

• What are you holding onto?
• Are you worried about finances, relationships, job or something out of your control?
• Can you treat that thing like it’s not yours but GOD’s?
• Can you look at “that” person or “that” thing like they or it belongs to GOD so you shouldn’t mistreat it?

My Quest for Power!

Luke 14: ¹³ But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, ¹⁴ and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”

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The Chief Operating Officer of the Japan division was due to land in a matter of hours. We scurried to do research on his background to ensure our alliance would remain solid. Dinner that evening cost, well let’s just say it was a lot. On the way home, I felt proud that we had struck a good deal.

Dinners like this were a common occurrence and not once did I think about treating someone who could not help my career to this lavish lifestyle.

• When it comes to serving the poor I sometimes give my leftovers.
• When it comes to serving the lame I sometimes cringe, not wanting to see missing limbs or broken bodies.
• When it comes to serving the crippled I sometimes try to assess how they got like that so I can judge their lifestyle justifying my “non-action.”
• When it comes to serving the blind I sometimes fear blindness and I stay as far away from them as possible.

Networking with the rich and powerful was a quest I had for a while. I don’t know when it started but I could sniff out the leaders and get next to them quickly to “show my stuff.” They would embrace me and I would get the best projects and the largest budgets. But what about serving?

• The best reward comes from GOD when I do something for those who cannot repay.
• The best reward comes from GOD who sees what I do for others in secret.
• The best reward comes from GOD especially when I seek those who need help.

It’s real easy to ignore those in need to “get ahead.” I call them the “throw away people.” These are the less fortunate, less powerful and less desirable people who I tried to avoid, not on purpose, they just did not have anything to offer, or so I thought.

GOD wants me to have compassion for the masses so HE steered me in the direction of “seeing” the less fortunate now whereas before I could not see them. Serving them draws to HIM.

• When is the last time you served the poor?
• Will you reach out to the person who is crippled, lame or blind?
• Can you find time to serve the powerless today?
• Will you help someone in need as an act of worshipping GOD?

The Bible verse that scared me straight!

Luke 13: ²³ Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?”

   He said to them, ²⁴ “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. ²⁵ Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’

   “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’

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Many people have asked me in disbelief “would GOD send a person to Hell?” The answer is emphatically “YES”, but not in a happy way. The concept of Hell has been debated by many theologians. They question “if GOD created Hell, then is HE evil?” Well, they can question all they want to… all I know is salvation is extremely precious and should not be taken lightly.

• I believe GOD is pure love who created humans and angels with free will to choose HIM.
• I believe Satan chose not to follow GOD but attempted to be GOD.
• I believe GOD threw Satan out of heaven and in a tantrum Satan tried to ruin all humans with sin.
• I believe JESUS is the part of GOD who volunteered to die in my place to atone for my sins.
• I believe the FATHER agreed JESUS should become human and walk on earth without sinning.
• I believe JESUS allowed HIMSELF to be murdered in order to save me.
• I believe JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me until my earthly body dies.
• I believe I will live the remainder of my eternal life with the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT.

GOD took care of everything.  HE didn’t want to lose any human so HE took it upon HIMSELF to uphold the perfect standard HE set and that is to remain sinless while dying for me. This act of love is held paramount to any activity I can get involved in on earth. Unfortunately there will be those who do not believe JESUS is GOD or that there is a GOD at all.

This verse scared me half to death. Did I truly believe? What if I were one of the ones knocking trying to get in heaven when it is all said and done? GOD assured me that “whoever believes in the SON shall have everlasting life.” Now HE wants me to make “every effort” to help others not reject HIS precious gift of eternal life.

• How are you serving GOD?
• Are you serving HIM your way instead of asking HIM how HE wants to be served?
• Do you believe in “Heaven” and “Hell?”
• Does being separated from GOD eternally move you at all or do you think it is just a myth?

Why do bad things happen?

Luke 13: ¹⁴ Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, the synagogue leader said to the people, “There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.”

 ¹⁵ The Lord answered him, “You hypocrites! Doesn’t each of you on the Sabbath untie your ox or donkey from the stall and lead it out to give it water? ¹⁶ Then should not this woman, a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has kept bound for eighteen long years, be set free on the Sabbath day from what bound her?”

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“Why me?” are the words I have exclaimed many times when something went wrong in my life. When my bike was stolen, “why me?” came out of my mouth. When someone totaled my car, “why me?” was top of mind. When that relationship dissolved, “why me?” was hard to figure out. And when that person died “why me?” was the first thing I could think of.

• Satan wants me to ask “why me?” because it weakens my relationship with GOD.
• Satan wants me to ask “why me?” because it increases my selfishness.
• Satan wants me to ask “why me?” because it makes me doubt GOD’s position, abilities and love for me.

“Why me?” is focused on “me” not GOD. In the “circumstance” I call bad, GOD uses for good.  It’s immature to think a difficult circumstance is caused by my recent sin rather than understanding that difficulties are caused “because” I try to serve GOD.

• Immaturity says “why me” when something was stolen from me, maturity says “thank GOD” I am learning not to value possessions more than valuing GOD.
• Immaturity says “why me” when ‘that’ person is not in my life, maturity says “thank GOD” I no longer have that distraction away from my LORD.
• Immaturity says “why me” when ‘that’ person is hurt or dies, maturity says “thank GOD” salvation is available to me, my family and to all who believe.

I have to admit the “cursed” earth concept is hard to swallow.  I question GOD not seeing what HE is doing to make my life better. I blame HIM and fight HIM and challenge HIM rather than giving my will to HIM and doing HIS work. Oh, but when I do follow GOD, marvelous things happen.

Since I am at war with Satan, the question isn’t “why me?” the statement is “of course it’s me!” I am a follow of GOD!

• Have you run into some difficult times?
• Are you asking, “why me?”
• Can you take a moment to understand GOD loves you even through this difficult time?

I act like CHRIST isn’t coming back soon.

Luke 12: ⁵⁴ He said to the crowd: “When you see a cloud rising in the west, immediately you say, ‘It’s going to rain,’ and it does. ⁵⁵ And when the south wind blows, you say, ‘It’s going to be hot,’ and it is.

⁵⁶ Hypocrites! You know how to interpret the appearance of the earth and the sky. How is it that you don’t know how to interpret this present time?

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Freedom is something my wild spirit craves.  I want to do “what” I want to do “when” I want to do it, and then I want to conveniently ask GOD to forgive me. “I can have my cake and eat it too” is an old saying that suggests I want everything to go my way.

• There are currently wars and rumors of wars just as JESUS said.
• The earth’s natural state is becoming more violent just as JESUS said.
• Human’s attitudes toward one another will become less and less compassionate just as JESUS said.

How does wanting what I want, when I want it relate to JESUS’ return? Well, my wants, lusts and desires cause me to take my eyes off of JESUS. I think to myself, “HE won’t return soon so I can do this sin and simply ask HIM for forgiveness, HE’LL understand.” Yes JESUS has forgiven me for “ALL” my sins but has not remove the consequences for all my actions.

• I must treat JESUS’ return as a sacred event that is imminent.
• I must treat JESUS’ return as something that guides my actions day and night.
• I must treat JESUS’ return as the only important event that happens next.

As an executive we develop ten year plans, but are there ten years left? There are many who scoff at CHRIST’s return because of the false predictions and ludicrous behaviors of those who claim to follow JESUS yet do opposite of HIS compassionate teaching.

I truly believe the time is getting ripe for HIS return. This belief changes my mind on the purpose of my life. Yes I will work, because GOD wants me to work. Yes I will plan because it would be foolish not to but I will also try to convince as many people as I can to not get too used to remaining on this GOD cursed wasteland.

Speaking about the future and the return of CHRIST sounds like a fairy tale or some wild superstition, but everything JESUS said is happening just as HE said.

• Do you believe JESUS could return any moment?
• Will you show compassion to as many people as you can?
• Do you believe GOD made humans with free will and many will reject eternal life with HIM?
• Do you believe your compassion can be used by GOD to draw people back to HIM?

“Give” your worries away.

Luke 12:   ³² “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. ³⁴ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

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Every dime had to be accounted for after the job elimination. After being able to buy anything, it became difficult to adhere to a budget to only buy the necessities. With the account diminishing and expenses rising I just shook my head and questioned in a worried state, “why me?”

• When my possessions become more important than GOD’s plan I worry.
• When my happiness is based on getting more things I don’t seek GOD.
• When my feeling of security is based on my bank account I don’t rest when it diminishes.

During these times of economic woes GOD wants me to stand firm with faith in HIM. HE knows exactly what I need and it’s up to me to accept getting “needs” versus “wants.” Unfortunately for me I tasted getting more “wants” than “needs” in the past.

• When I worry about money GOD wants me to give it away then it won’t have control of me.
• When I worry about my house GOD wants me to open it up to serve others.
• When I worry about my possessions GOD wants me to give them to HIM to do with them as HE pleases.

Whatever is mine is GOD’s. If HE wants to take HIS stuff back then it’s up to HIM. If HE wants me to have more then it’s up to me to ask HIM what HE wants me to do with HIS stuff. I have noticed my worries disappearing and my feeling of anxiety dissipating when I give according to GOD’s plan.

Oh, and one more thing I have noticed, people who are in need are becoming whole through GOD’s blessings of the stuff HE has entrusted to me.

• Are you worried about losing “your” stuff?
• Can you give “your” stuff to GOD and allow HIM to do what HE wants with it?
• Are you willing to help “that” person who is in more need than you?
• Will you step up your generosity no matter what financial circumstance you are in?  

Fearing GOD is more important!

Luke 12: ⁴ “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵ But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after your body has been killed, has authority to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him.

⁶ Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷ Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

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Interview day had arrived and I was meeting with the entire senior management team. Needless to say I couldn’t sleep the night before. When they called my name fear went through my entire body. “This is my chance” I said to myself which made me more nervous.

For the first time in my life, my hand actually trembled as I sat in the room with the steely eyed intimidating team. Where did this fear come from? I never had it before, why now?

• Lust can drive fear in my life.
• Titles of people can drive fear in my life.
• Losing my stuff can drive fear in my life.
• Bullies can drive fear in my life.
• Wanting to be liked by everyone can drive fear in my life.

I’m not going to be able to please or reach everyone. GOD has specific people who HE wants me to be an example for.  HE wants me to be ready to have words of love, grace and mercy to those who can accept it coming from me. I should not fear this purpose.

• GOD wants me to fear not following HIS ways instead of fearing humans who are in power.
• GOD wants me to fear others facing the consequences of their sins rather than getting my way.
• GOD wants me to fear missing an opportunity to be HIS example because of the sin I just committed.

One problem that I face is GOD is too familiar to me at times. Oh I believe HE should be my friend, but not my pal. What I mean is HE deserves reverence, awe and healthy fear of HIS power. HE is pure love, yet HIS consequences are eternal.

HE despises sin and anything that turns my head away from HIM. HE made me for HIS purposes and that should be the only thing that matters in my life.

• Do you have a healthy fear of GOD?
• Are you more concerned with how you look in front of humans than being worried about how you look to GOD?
• Do you care if people know about your love for JESUS or are you busy lusting?

You are what you “see.”

Luke 11: ³⁴ Your eye is the lamp of your body. When your eyes are healthy, your whole body also is full of light. But when they are unhealthy, your body also is full of darkness. ³⁵ See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness.

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Huddled around a hole gouged in the locker room wall that separated our dressing area from the girls, we took turns peeping making us late for our next class. Pervert! Standing around complaining because everyone else was, so I joined in. Complainer! Joining in on the mob to take “that” person down. Backstabber! And the list goes on.

• I become a creep if I watch a steady diet of creepy things.
• I become a violent person if I watch violence as a regular diet.
• I become a bully if I watch and admire other bullies get their way.

Sometimes I have to turn the TV off! I mean to get away from the depressed news, over indulgent sensuality, compassionless sarcastic humor and over exaggerated violence. I found I needed “silence” to heal my soul because I saw too many negative things that wounded and harassed my spirit. I was becoming the things I watched.

• In order to be compassionate, I need to see examples of compassion.
• In order to be loving, I need to see examples of love.
• In order to be caring, I need to see people who need to be cared for.

I can’t always hide from the sewage spilling into my mind, but I can purposefully seek a break from it in order to serve GOD the way HE wants to be served. When I look at whatever is good, lovely, pure and kind, I find all burdens, fears, worries and doubts to go away. I can then praise GOD!

• What are you looking at?
• Is the thing you are looking at causing you to lust or stumble?
• Can you take time to stop looking at that for a moment?
• Will you seek to look at someone serving?

“Are you with me?” GOD asks!

Luke 11: 23 “Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.

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My GODLY behavior seems to ebb and flow during various times in my life. Funny, when I consider things to be going well is when I sin the most and ignore GOD the most.

• When I am in the “in” crowd at work I forget about family, friends and GOD to get ahead.
• When I have lots of money then decadence of food, fashion and folly tempts me.
• When I feel secure with my house, cars and stuff, I forget about the poor and less fortunate.

It seems like when I can see my retirement funds growing and I have just come from that lavish vacation that I forget to serve GOD with all my mind with all my body with all my soul. Instead I worry about how much I spent and who is buying which trinket all in hopes to keep my piles of money.

My arrogance seems to grow and my demands get justified, and then I can’t figure out why GOD’s people seem to scatter and run away.

• In times of need I tend to cry out to GOD for help.
• In times of need I worship GOD without ceasing.
• In times of need I straighten up and do what GOD says and hopefully I can manipulate HIM into getting my way.

GOD wants me to be consistent. Give when I have plenty, serve when I am busy, care when I need someone to care for me. When I feel deserving and selfish, I am not “for” GOD. When I am serving and humble I am gathering for GOD.

• Are you for or against GOD?
• Are your words and actions pleasing to GOD or are they scattering HIS people?
• Are you focused on helping the poor or are you saving up for that next large purchase?

Can I have a good relationship with you?

Luke 11: ⁹ “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

   ¹¹ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? ¹² Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

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My parents didn’t know what they were doing at all or so I thought. They didn’t dance my dance, drink my drink, know about my technology or get my friends. How clueless could they be? I wanted out and I figured at seventeen I knew everything I needed to know about life so I didn’t ask many questions.

• I will never have a good relationship with GOD unless I seek HIS heart.
• I will never have a good relationship with my wife and kids unless I seek their needs and desires.
• I will never have a good relationship with my parents, siblings, friends and neighbors unless I seek their problems and try to be there for them.

I never thought about asking for more of the HOLY SPIRIT. I mean didn’t GOD give HIM to me when I believed JESUS is GOD who died for my sins? Isn’t my relationship solid with that action? Yes, but I still have the rest of my life to live and I want to live it fully.

“Asking” according to GOD doesn’t seem to come from a selfish angle. “Asking” seems to be something HE wants me to do to be more like HIM.  Yes I could ask for money and more junk, BUT GOD is pleased when I simply ask HIM for more of HIM to serve others and let HIM do the rest.

HE wants me to ask for better relationships so that HE can be fully glorified and draw many people to HIM.

• Do you have good relationships?
• Have you asked for a better relationship with “that” person?
• Will you seek GOD more in order to have better relationships?
• Is the relationship the other person’s responsibility or is it yours?

Don’t worry be stress free!

Luke 10: ³⁹ She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

   ⁴¹ “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, ⁴² but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”

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Crying seemed like the thing to do when I didn’t get the gift I wanted at Christmas. I also cried when someone stole my bike. But as I got older I traded my tears for stress when things went wrong.

Job stability, “that” promotion, bills and family health became the things I felt like crying over. I became so stressed out that I couldn’t even sleep. Which worry should I focus on?

• I can spend my life chasing money, fame and power but it will cost me my peace.
• I can spend my life chasing notoriety, trinkets and worldly pleasure but it will cost me my rest.
• I can spend my life chasing pipe dreams, money making schemes and lavish vacations but it will cost me my humility.

Everything else that I look at is a distraction away from GOD. Yeah, I know this sounds extreme, but really how much time do I really waste not focusing on HIM? The answer is quite a bit! Most of my plans, pleasures and purpose are focused on “me” and getting ahead.

• GOD wants me to focus some of my life worshipping HIM.
• GOD wants me to focus some of my life praising how great HE is.
• GOD wants me to focus some of my life choosing “what is better.”

Bills, work and stress are always going to be there, but spending time with GOD is precious. Martha chose to focus on work when she should have focused on GOD.

• Are you trying to climb the corporate ladder and have lost sight of GOD?
• Are you stressed out about something?
• Can you focus your attention on GOD for just a moment to feel HIS peace?

JESUS laughed!

Luke 10: ²¹ At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do.

   ²² “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.”

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Sometimes I think JESUS is this stiff serious person who walks around with this airy voice saying impossible statements that only HE could keep. I mean HE is GOD, of course HE wouldn’t sin! But I seldom look at the human side of JESUS.

• JESUS got excited when HE saw Satan defeated and HIS humans were saved from eternal separation.
• JESUS got excited when HE made humans with free will to choose.
• JESUS got excited when HE made me.

I can see it now, JESUS screaming “Yeah!” and praising the FATHER for saving the people who chose to follow HIM with free will. HE gets excited when I faithfully follow HIM with perseverance and excitement.

I believe JESUS has a wonderful sense of humor. If you don’t believe that, just look at me. ALL things, ALL matters, ALL situations have been committed to JESUS. That’s something to get excited about.

• Do you begin your day with “purpose” in mind?
• Are you focused on being excited for GOD?
• Do you realize Satan has already been defeated and cannot eternally harm anyone who believes in the SON?

Grace is so much stronger than power!

Luke 9: ⁵² And he sent messengers on ahead, who went into a Samaritan village to get things ready for him; ⁵³ but the people there did not welcome him, because he was heading for Jerusalem.

 ⁵⁴ When the disciples James and John saw this, they asked, “Lord, do you want us to call fire down from heaven to destroy them?” ⁵⁵ But Jesus turned and rebuked them.

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Bullies seem to be a way of life these days. Whether it is a terrorist, politician, gang member, corporate boss or simply the captain of the cheerleading squad those who chose to abuse power will exist to the end.

My ambition to climb the corporate ladder was fueled by fairness and equality yet admittedly at times it did feel good flex my muscles on those “I” perceived to be obnoxious and irresponsible. They would feel my wrath immediately with no apologies.

• GOD’s grace is given to me in spite of me not because of me.
• GOD’s grace means I have sided with the one who has all the power to condemn me because HE forgives me.
• GOD’s grace is what I am supposed to show those who despise me, mock me, bully me and want to control me for their evil purposes.

James and John, nicknamed the sons of thunder, truly believed that fire would come from heaven to kill those who opposed JESUS and it probably would have if they asked. What faith however misguided. JESUS showed me that just because I am right, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t show grace to those who oppose me.

• Is someone really annoying you?
• Are you showing GOD’s grace to “that” person?
• Do you realize the grace GOD has given you?

Am I ashamed of GOD?

Luke 9: ²⁶ Whoever is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.

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“Born again people are so annoying” a person said to me. They went on to say “they stopped me and tried to force their religion down my throat.” “This is awkward” I thought to myself. “What should I say? Should I tell them I am a follower of CHRIST? No way, that would be too embarrassing! I know… I’ll just keep it to myself and avoid the conflict.”

• I get ashamed of GOD when I am in the middle of sin.
• I get ashamed of GOD when I want to fit in.
• I get ashamed of GOD when my position in life is more important than telling people about GOD’s one and only SON.

I never use the words “I’m ashamed of GOD” but my actions speak volumes. GOD wants me to never be ashamed of HIM or HIS ways. I have to admit, some of GOD’s ways are weird. That’s because I am looking at them through tainted lenses.

• It’s weird to give when I don’t have much BUT GOD loves when I do.
• It’s weird to pray for my enemies to prosper BUT GOD loves when I do.
• It’s weird to be humble especially when passive aggressive arrogance is the way to a fortune BUT GOD loves when I am humble.

GOD loves when I take my will and submit it to HIS structures. One such structure is telling people about my sin and the forgiveness JESUS gives me all while not being ashamed. This boldness will bring persecution from humans and I won’t have my lustful way. BUT GOD will be pleased and will not be ashamed of me when HE returns.

• Are you ashamed of GOD?
• Do people know you are a child of GOD?
• Does “that” person know you are a child of GOD?
• Do people know the sinful you or the GODLY you?

Do I really believe GOD will fix it?

Luke 8: ²⁴ The disciples went and woke him, saying, “Master, Master, we’re going to drown!”

   He got up and rebuked the wind and the raging waters; the storm subsided, and all was calm. ²⁵ “Where is your faith?” he asked his disciples.

   In fear and amazement they asked one another, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey him.”

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Amazing accounts of miracles peaked my curiosity about the concept of “GOD.” Were these accounts true or were they made up? I questioned GOD and demanded that HE show me one of these “miracles.”

“If you are GOD then show me YOUR power!” I would exclaim. Yeah, I wouldn’t want to be standing next to me either.

• JESUS’s miracles were meant to show the world HE cares, not as a parlor trick.
• JESUS’s miracles were meant to establish that GOD became a human yet remained connected to the ultimate power of the FATHER.
• JESUS’s miracles were meant to get everyone’s attention so they would not reject HIM rather embrace HIS gift of love.

GOD left my question unanswered. I read the Bible and got a sense of peace that GOD wants me to understand HIS unending love for me so HE gave just the right account of HIS love so I can manage through life’s difficult circumstances.

Whether I believe these miracles happened or not, JESUS is still GOD and is capable of doing anything and HE doesn’t need my permission to be GOD even if HE doesn’t perform a miracle for me.

The Bible helps me understand how to navigate “this” or “that” circumstance while remaining faithful to the one and only GOD. Now I am connected to GOD who has all the power to lead and protect me.

• Do you believe in the miracles listed in the Bible?
• Do you agree these miracles are listed to bring all humans back to HIM in a loving way?
• Will you drop your doubt that GOD cannot handle your circumstances, even your repeated sin?