Would seeing GOD even matter?

Exodus 40: ³⁴ Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting. The glory of the Lord filled the holy tent. ³⁵ Moses couldn’t enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it. The glory of the Lord filled the holy tent.

³⁶ The people of Israel continued their travels. When the cloud lifted from above the holy tent, they started out. ³⁷ But if the cloud didn’t lift, they did not start out. They stayed until the day it lifted.

³⁸ So the cloud of the Lord was above the holy tent during the day. Fire was in the cloud at night. The whole community of Israel could see the cloud during all of their travels.

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Nervous and distracted by my plans, I couldn’t wait for my parents to leave.  I would then hop on a series of busses to meet a girl downtown.  We spent the entire day there and had fun.  Little did I know, I had to return home. Upon my arrival my parents lit into me.

No wonder I was nervous. I actually knew better but wanted to do what I wanted to do.

• Sometimes I ignore the warning and do what I’m going to do anyway.
• Sometimes I ignore the obstacles to sin and do what I’m going to do anyway.
• Sometimes I ignore the lessons and do what I’m going to do anyway.

The Israelites saw the Glory of the LORD every day and decided to sin anyway.  I sometimes thought that maybe GOD should say something audible or rip open the clouds every now and then so that all would believe and everything would be alright. BUT GOD says “that’s not faith.”

• GOD says faith comes from “believing” not seeing.
• GOD says faith comes from “being” not fleeing.
• GOD says faith comes from “asking and admitting” not telling HIM what to do or ignoring HIM.

GOD placed HIS laws in “every” heart. The ability to discern right from wrong is in me and it is my choice to follow GOD or my own plans. Even seeing HIM probably will not change my mind. That’s why HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT and placed HIM inside me to guide me and comfort me and pray for me. This HE does for all who believes.

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Do you desire to see HIM perform a miracle in front of you as a parlor trick because at the root you doubt HIM?
• Can you observe HIS miracles HE does on a daily basis?
• Won’t you take HIS yoke upon you and learn of HIM today?

Am I setting myself apart for GOD?

Exodus 39: ³⁰ They made the plate out of pure gold. It was a sacred crown. They carved words on it as if it were a seal. They carved the words set apart for the Lord. 

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Scantily clad women walked around trying to get noticed and I wanted to join in. After lifting weights in my local gym, I adorned myself with tiny shorts and a ripped up shirt that I made myself. I mean, store bought shirts couldn’t accentuate my muscles enough.

• Self is difficult to dodge.
• Self usually wants to be noticed or rewarded now.
• Self points everyone to my efforts in a passive or overt way.

Usually when I want to be noticed, it isn’t going to end up in a positive way. Yes I may get a pat on the back, which isn’t bad, but sometimes I may fall into something I shouldn’t. I wonder if all the attention I seek is positive.

• GOD says “Be holy because I am holy” which means I will fail but HIS holiness makes me holy.
• GOD says “Set yourself apart” which means I still have to live with people and not exclude.
• GOD says “I will know MY people” which means HE has placed HIS seal of approval on me.

I have to realize that I am HIS.  This is hard to do when I’m blaming HIM for situations or trouble. I also have to realize “that” person belongs to HIM as well so I have to treat them like it. Being “Set Apart” means living with the purpose of GOD each day. The more I can let go of self the better I am. I will not always get this right but I’m on my way!

• Are you trying to get noticed?
• Do you use overt or passive aggressive ways to get noticed?
• Can you focus some of that attention on GOD?
• Won’t you point someone to CHRIST instead of pointing them to your opinion?

My little help can be powerful

Exodus 38: ²⁵ The silver that was received from the men in the community who were listed and counted weighed four tons. It was weighed out in keeping with the weights used in the sacred tent. 

²⁶ It amounted to a fifth of an ounce for each person. It was weighed out in keeping with the weights used in the sacred tent. The silver was received from the men who had been listed and counted. All of them were 20 years old or more. Their total number was 603,550.

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Darkness appeared in the west but we were hungry and wanted some dinner. I felt a drip hit my head then is starter to drizzle. Four miles into the trip it began to rain, but not too hard. Winds picked up and leaves blew off trees, then twigs then branches.

Finally, trees were lying in the street, on cars and in houses. The wind was strong but a drizzle or light rain hit this territory every day for the prior month which caused the ground to be saturated making it easy for the trees to topple over. How powerful is a drizzle?

• Major problems don’t happen all at once.
• Serious issues don’t happen right away but over time.
• Big trouble seems to happen with tiny issues complied.

Sometimes the issues with mankind seem too big for me. I mean large groups of people are doing what they want to do. I seem so tiny compared to the issues mankind is facing. Besides, I have my own sins that I’m dealing with. Maybe I should give up. BUT GOD says different.

• GOD says do a little and I will do the rest.
• GOD says I made you with a purpose but MY SON did the ultimate purpose.
• GOD says since I am with you who can be against you?

Each person gave less than five ounces of silver which is easy to carry. When put together it weighed four tons! GOD doesn’t want me to save the world, that’s HIS job. HE does want me to reach “that” person because HE made me special and I am the only one who can.

• Are you trying too hard to please GOD?
• Do you think you have to save an entire nation?
• Can you just reach the person GOD sends you today?
• Won’t you encourage someone to do a little instead of doing a lot?

It takes sacrifice

Exodus 37: ¹⁵ The workers made the poles out of acacia wood. They covered them with gold.

¹⁶ They made plates, dishes and bowls out of pure gold for the table. They also made pure gold pitchers to pour out drink offerings.

The Gold Lampstand

¹⁷ The workers made the lampstand out of pure gold. They hammered out its base and stem. Its buds, blooms and cups branched out from it.

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Twinkies was my purchase as I wanted to get change for the next day. I had decided to limit how much I gave away to homeless people downtown. Each encounter would only get a dollar, until I ran out of what I put in that pocket that day.

Hard work and an extremely busy schedule caused me to forget to get change the night before and as I reached in my pocket I had nothing for this person and a ten in my wallet. I was on a tight budget and, if I remember correctly, I still had a couple of days to go. GOD said “give him the ten.” “What?” and go without lunch?

• Sometimes I make giving a habit.
• Sometimes I give out of surplus instead of giving all to GOD.
• Sometimes I hold back from giving because of fear of self-preservation.

Okay, call it selfishness! I mean I can’t miss a meal for a day right? Wrong. GOD calls me to fast from time to time so I can miss a meal here and there. So what does this have to do with the gold used by the Israelites? They had no income and used what they had to build the Holy tent of the LORD. They sacrificed.

• GOD wants me to not only give but sometimes sacrifice.
• GOD wants me to take giving seriously.
• GOD wants only a little of what HE already owns.

Sacrificial giving is rare for me. I give habitually and I am blessed but sacrificial giving means I can’t have “that thing” right now, if ever. GOD wants it all and this is not a problem, it’s a blessing!

• Are you holding onto your stuff?
• Are you afraid to let go of your stuff?
• Are you willing to give sacrificially once or twice in your life?

Is it time to do something else?

Exodus 36: ⁶ Then Moses gave an order. A message was sent through the whole camp. It said, “No man or woman should make anything else and offer it for the holy tent.” And so the people were kept from bringing more offerings. ⁷ There was already more than enough to do all of the work.

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Sitting in the church office I listened to the sermon on the speaker as I plowed through the books. Later I made sure all of the offerings had been entered into the accounting system.  I then scheduled meetings to discuss the crumbling infrastructure, new parking lot, meetings with the city and hiring a new construction company.

At home, I documented new ways to do outreach, ordered items and toiled over a list of problems that seemed a mile long. I was exhausted! Good thing I was working for the LORD right? Maybe not.

• Sometimes my service is not based on GOD, rather I’m doing busy work.
• Sometimes my service is not based on GOD, rather it’s bathed in achievements to receive accolades.
• Sometimes my service is not based on GOD, rather it’s laced with complaints that other people are not pulling their load and “I’m” doing all the work!

Burn out is common in those who serve in churches and I was a casualty. No one else was stepping up and the corporate motto I learned was “failure is not an option” so I plowed ahead. BUT GOD has another thought.

• GOD says “come unto ME all who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
• GOD says “take MY yoke upon you and learn of ME for I am meek and lowly at heart.”
• GOD says “and you shall find rest unto your soul for MY yoke is easy and MY burden is light.”

I’m not saying I will be on vacation the rest of my days, but I will say I will do something controversial and that is pace myself. As badly as I want everyone around me to be saved, I will speak to those GOD delivers to me and I will serve at work, when driving and at the building we call “church.” 

Instead of looking at one portion of my life as GODS’ I will give HIM my entire life, sin included. I can actually give myself permission to say, I have done enough or given enough or prayed enough so I won’t experience burn out and end up in a worse place which is not doing it at all. I must keep in mind though, I am doing this to keep going!

• Are you working hard for GOD?
• Does it feel like you are serving and getting exhausted?
• Is GOD saying “it’s time for you to change ministries?”
• Can you get some “rest” so you can keep going for the long haul?

Does GOD stop giving skills?

Exodus 35: ³⁴ “And the Lord has given both him and Oholiab the ability to teach others. Oholiab, the son of Ahisamach, is from the tribe of Dan.

³⁵ “The Lord has filled them with skill to do all kinds of work. They carve things and make patterns. They sew skillfully with blue, purple and bright red yarn and on fine linen. They use thread to make beautiful cloth. They have the skill to work in all kinds of crafts.

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The ability to carve, sew or smelt seemed like great things way back in history because they had a purpose. Are my skills from GOD? Yes they are! They are to be used for HIS purpose because HE wants me to continue to grow HIS kingdom.

• What skills and talents has GOD given you?
• Are you using your skills for HIS purpose?
• Can you praise HIM for the skills HE has given you?

GOD’s love is strong!

Exodus 34: ⁶ As he passed in front of Moses, he called out. He said, “I am the Lord, the Lord. I am a God who is tender and kind. I am gracious. I am slow to get angry. I am faithful and full of love. 

⁷ I continue to show my love to thousands of people. I forgive those who do evil. I forgive those who refuse to obey. And I forgive those who sin. But I do not let guilty people go without punishing them. I punish the children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren for the sin of their parents.”

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“What a rotten year” I said to myself once. After getting dumped and numerous tickets and the dean saying you are no longer at this university and my boss saying it’s only a matter of time before we fire you, I had reached the last straw. I still did not turn to GOD but I was truly exhausted. Where should I go for help?

• Sin seems like a good idea when I am in pain.
• Throwing a pity party seems like a good idea when things are going wrong.
• Spreading my misery seems like a good idea when I am down.

I probably secretly want everyone else miserable around me so I pout and complain. I share my misery openly but calculate sharing my relationship with GOD. Then I sin and feel miserable and do it again. Is there any relief?

• GOD says “I am the LORD” which means HE is supreme.
• GOD says “I am a GOD who is tender and kind” which means HE sees beyond my situation.
• GOD says “I am gracious” which means HE understands my mess yet forgives me to the fullest.
• GOD says “I am slow to get angry” which means HE knows I’m going to mess up again and again.
• GOD says “I am faithful and full of love” which means HE is not out to get me like I sometimes fear.

GOD does quite the opposite of my thinking.  When I think I have arrived and act judgmental, HE is not pleased. When I realize how sinful I truly am acting HE reaches HIS arms out and gently leads me back to HIM. HE forgives me even when I refuse to obey HIM. HE loves me.

• Are you going through difficult times?
• Do you feel GOD has left you?
• Can you realize GOD is very slow to anger and knows what you are going through?
• Can you take a moment to praise HIM for HIS faithfulness towards you?
• Can you say out loud “Thank you GOD for loving me”?

Am I building a relationship with GOD?

Exodus 33: ³ “Go up to the land that has plenty of milk and honey. But I will not go with you. You are stubborn. I might destroy you on the way.”

⁴ When the people heard those painful words, they became sad and began to sob. No one put on any jewelry.

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¹⁵ Then Moses said to him, “If you don’t go with us, don’t send us up from here. ¹⁶ How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and your people? You must go with us. How else will we be different from all of the other people on the face of the earth?”

¹⁷ The Lord said to Moses, “I will do exactly what you have asked. I am pleased with you. And I know your name. I know all about you.”

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Work was the excuse for not going to church when I was in high school. I got off my job at 3:00AM so who would go sit and listen to a boring guy speak? In college I carried my lack of church attendance forward. I was studying… okay I wasn’t studying, but I had things to do.

I wasn’t giving, helping anyone or praying but I did have a problem with how GOD was doing things. I didn’t like how HE made money and relationships disappear. What’s the purpose with church and being a goody, goody?

• When I complain I am trying to get my way.
• When I ignore GOD’s ways I say to HIM I want to be on my own.
• When I pretend to be good in order to manipulate GOD I’m fooling only myself.

GOD wants a real, honest relationship with HIM.  HE doesn’t just want sin admission, HE wants me to want to be with HIM. My heart skipped a beat when I read “GOD would not go with me because I am stubborn.” It really made me examine my motives for serving if I was serving at all.

• GOD wants me to want to serve versus serving out of obligation.
• GOD wants me to want to love others versus being miserable in my actions.
• GOD wants me to want to give versus complaining I don’t have enough.

Free will means I have a choice. GOD wants me to choose HIM but will allow me to choose a different direction. HE will actually let me go on the wrong path which is scary! I thank GOD HE has decided to stay with me and not forsake me!

• Are you being stubborn?
• Are you building a pleasing relationship with GOD or have you decided to do it your way?
• Can you talk to GOD about your sin and be candid and honest with HIM so HE can work it all out?

Is GOD watching?

Exodus 32: ⁷ The Lord spoke to Moses. He said, “Go down. Your people you brought up out of Egypt have become very sinful.⁸ They have quickly turned away from what I commanded them. They have made themselves a statue of a god that looks like a calf. They have bowed down and sacrificed to it. And they have said, ‘Israel, here is your god who brought you up out of Egypt.’

⁹ “I have seen those people,” the Lord said to Moses. “They are stubborn. ¹⁰ Now leave me alone. My anger will burn against them. I will destroy them. Then I will make you into a great nation.”

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News traveled to me quickly that the Resident Advisor was going to be gone over the weekend. “Really” I said in a planning fashion. It seemed like people were just asking me to do something. I hopped in my old jalopy, picked up some “friends” and we proceeded to the liquor store. My roommate and I counted twenty one phone calls were made to our room in a ten minute span.

• When no one is watching it seems so easy to sin.
• When authority is missing it seems so easy to go down the wrong path.
• When people aren’t looking it seems like sin won’t really hurt.

Sin seems like so much fun at the time. With frolicking and laughter, sin penetrates my heart and inserts a tiny bit of yeast which grows into a stony tree. Fortunately GOD did something about this.

• GOD saw how rotten my heart can be so HE died for me.
• GOD saw all of my sins and HE created me anyway to die for me.
• GOD saw my shortcomings and HE saw something worth rescuing so HE died for me.

JESUS knows there is no one who is righteous but HIM.  I can pretend I am not a sinner but when I do GOD is not in me. HE wants me to admit the many flaws I have in hopes that others will do the same and accept HIS gift of salvation.

• Are you aware GOD is watching you?
• Are you busy pointing at someone else rather than admitting the sin you commit?
• Can you be honest with GOD and allow HIM to work out your situation?

Are you getting enough rest?

Exodus 31: ¹⁶ “‘The people of Israel must keep the Sabbath. They must celebrate it for all time to come. It will be a covenant that lasts forever. ¹⁷ It will be the sign of the covenant I have made between me and the people of Israel forever.

“‘I made the heavens and the earth in six days. But on the seventh day I did not work. I rested.’”

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My “to do” list has grown substantially and I notice that I find myself working seven days a week. Technology makes it very easy to stay busy because people seem to have access to me twenty four hours a day. I say to myself, “It’s only one e-mail”, then I find ninety minutes have passed. Should I rest?

• Sometimes I think I should answer the phone all the time.
• Sometimes I think I need to take care of business so it doesn’t pile up.
• Sometimes I think the world will shatter if I don’t get these few things done.

I now see that a little turns into a lot quickly.  I do a “little” work and suddenly I am doing a lot. Meanwhile, rest eludes me. What should I do?

• GOD says I need to take some time to rest on purpose.
• GOD says I need to concentrate on HIM for a while.
• GOD says I need rest because even HE took the time and HE never sleeps.

Working all the time is a product of low faith on my part. I need to trust that GOD is in control of that day and commune with HIM to hear how I should conduct myself during the upcoming week.

• Are you working all the time?
• Do you find yourself dragging and tired?
• Can you take a day to worship GOD in rest?

Can I pay for my sins?

Exodus 30: The rich are not to pay more nor the poor less than the half-shekel offering to God, the atonement-tax for your lives. Take the atonement-tax money from the Israelites and put it to the maintenance of the Tent of Meeting. It will be a memorial fund for the Israelites in honor of God, making atonement for your lives.”

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Tired of preachers “begging” for my cash and driving away in fancy cars wearing fancy suits I decided enough is enough. “I may as well keep my money instead of giving it to them!” I thought to myself.  BUT GOD says different.  HE does not want me to hold onto cash or be nervous about the lack of it. HE wants me to give freely to not fall in its deadly grip.

Is GOD, GOD in my life?

Exodus 29: ⁴⁴ “So I will set the Tent of Meeting and the altar apart. And I will set Aaron and his sons apart to serve me as priests.

⁴⁵ “Then I will live among the people of Israel. And I will be their God. ⁴⁶ They will know that I am the Lord their God. They will know that I brought them out of Egypt so I could live among them. I am the Lord their God.

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What a friend I have in JESUS or GOD is my roadie are songs I’ve heard but is HE really my pal or my buddy? I can ask HIM anything and I can tell HIM my deepest concern but HE is far from a pal or buddy. GOD is GOD. HE has the right to say yes to my prayers and HE can say “NO.” HE can give and HE can take away. HE can bless and judge. GOD is supreme in HIS decision.

I’m glad HE chose to save me!

GOD made me skilled!

GOD made me skilled!

Exodus 28:3 “Speak to all of the skilled workers. I have given them the skill to do this kind of work. Tell them to make clothes for Aaron. He will wear them when he is set apart to serve me as priest.

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It's amazing that GOD has given me the skills I use on a daily basis. I can't brag about accomplishing anything for it was GOD who enabled me to do everything I do. I also cannot complain that my skills are not adequate because GOD made me with a purpose that only I can fulfill!

Am I shining my light?

Exodus 27: ²⁰ “Command the people of Israel to bring you clear oil that is made from pressed olives. Use it to keep the lamps burning and giving light.

²¹ “Aaron and his sons must keep the lamps burning in the Tent of Meeting. The lamps will be outside the curtain that is in front of the tablets of the covenant. The lamps must be kept burning in my sight from evening until morning. That is a law for the people of Israel that will last for all time to come.

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“What’s the purpose of serving” I said to myself in a moment of tantrum. I mean GOD doesn’t seem to listen to me anyway. Why do I have to do all this stuff? Maybe I’ll stop serving and then I will get my way.

This came after being rejected for a job that I really wanted. It was going to be my way to move back to the city where I grew up. People saw me pouting and avoided me.

• When I am down because I am not getting what I want I hide my light.
• When I am angry because of what someone else is doing I hide my light.
• When I am judgmental and excluding towards others I hide my light.

Every law is important to GOD. HE made the priests shine light for all the people to see and wants me to do the same. JESUS said “do not hide your light under a bushel” meaning not letting my lust, anger, selfishness or fear get in the way of showing others how GOD loves me. The more I pout, the more I tell people GOD doesn’t care.

• GOD cares about me so I should tell others.
• GOD loves me so I should show this with excitement.
• GOD forgives me so I should forgive others.

There are many ways to show my light. In the face of adversity I can smile. When someone is in need of a drink I can provide a meal too. If I’m facing trouble instead of being pitiful I can serve others with joy. GOD’s light and words will not come back void. In other words the smallest thing I do or say grows HIS kingdom and that’s reward enough!

• Are you pouting right now?
• Are you hiding your light because you are not getting your way?
• Can you share your faith with others by focusing on what is right?
• Won’t you help someone grow today?

Feeling Forgiven

Exodus 26: ³³ Hang the curtain from the hooks.

“Place the ark of the covenant behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Room from the Most Holy Room.³⁴ Put the cover on the ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Room. The cover will be the place where sin is paid for.

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As I told one lie it seemed only fitting to tell another.  How in the world could my parents tell that I was lying? I mean the first response of “I don’t know” should have been sufficient. Why were they asking me so many questions? Can’t this incident just be done?

• Many times I want forgiveness without admitting I did something wrong.
• Many times I want forgiveness without understanding consequence.
• Many times I want forgiveness without having to face the fact that I am flawed.

The initial covenant between mankind and GOD included a lot of conditions, like a special ceremony for confession of sin. GOD designed a special place that humans were supposed to enter with extreme caution and reverence.  Confession of sin was the main focus and it had to be done the right way, with the shedding of blood from a sacrifice. Do I need to do this?

• GOD did away with the sacrifices to HIM because HE sacrificed HIMSELF for me.
• GOD no longer needs the blood of an animal because HE used HIS own blood to pay for my sins.
• GOD does not need me to carry around stone tablets because HE placed HIS law in my heart.

One of my major battles is “feeling forgiven” rather than “:knowing I am forgiven.” Yes I know CHRIST died for me but sometimes I don’t “feel” it. GOD says “I will be with you always” and that lets me know I am forgiven. The laws in my heart battle with the ways of the world.

The battle wants me to doubt GOD’s everlasting love so I mistakenly seek “feeling” forgiveness with my own made up blinded criteria. GOD says to me “you are forgiven” and that’s all I need!

• Are you down on yourself?
• Are you feeling neglected rather than victorious?
• Can you stop believing the lie and start believing that GOD does care for you?
• Won’t you help others believe GOD cares for them?

Do I really have to give?

Exodus 25: The Lord said to Moses, ² “Tell the people of Israel to bring me an offering. You must receive the offering for me from all whose hearts move them to give.

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“Snorkeling would be a great activity” I thought to myself as I planned our vacation. Let’s see… we’ll stay in one of the top hotels, spend days at a famous amusement park in Florida and really enjoy ourselves. Wait, that’s not enough. I know, I’ll throw in a cruise! Why not, I mean I worked hard so I needed a vacation!

• Vacations are nice but I wonder if I should give before I go.
• Buying nice things is okay but I wonder if I should give before I buy.
• Investing is nice but I wonder if I should give before I invest.

Somehow I think my money is mine. I dream of nice things for me and never once think about those who are hurting or without cash.  I work so hard to acquire my cash so I think I deserve new gadgets, clothes, cars and stuff. Throw in a lavish vacation here and there and I’m okay. BUT GOD has other plans for my cash.

• GOD wants me to take a portion of my wealth and give it to others.
• GOD wants my heart to be conditioned to give not just receive.
• GOD wants me to open my eyes and look for those in need rather than worrying about my cash.

GOD owns everything so HE isn’t looking for more stuff.  HE is looking to see if I can let go of things I consider precious and trust HIM to take care of me. Giving isn’t a cash matter it’s a heart matter. HE isn’t looking for me to be wealth with cash rather be wealthy with my heart.

• Are you looking to receive and are pouting about it?
• Can you give and not look to receive?
• Are you giving out of obligation when GOD wants you to give out of desire?
• Can you stop trying so hard to please GOD and start loving others knowing this pleases GOD?

Would seeing GOD make a difference?

Exodus 24: ⁹ Moses and Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and the seventy elders of Israel went up ¹⁰ and saw the God of Israel. Under his feet was something like a pavement made of lapis lazuli, as bright blue as the sky. ¹¹ But God did not raise his hand against these leaders of the Israelites; they saw God, and they ate and drank.

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Mustard yellow, rust, distinct figures hanging from the mirror and a vanity license plate individualized my car. People would often say, “I saw your car” but the reference would be at places and times I probably should have been studying or in bed. I wonder if GOD were standing visibly in front of those places would I enter.

• GOD wants me to have character and perform just like HE is standing right in front of me.
• GOD wants me to focus on HIS plan when no one is watching me.
• GOD wants me to treat HIM as GOD not as a distant possibility.

The elders of Israel weren’t supposed to go see GOD but they did anyway out of curiosity or disbelief is my guess. They actually saw who Moses spoke to and knew he wasn’t making all of this up to control them. In spite of “seeing” GOD and witnessing HIS miracles they could not stop sinning.

• It’s up to me to choose GOD instead of being on the wrong path.
• It’s up to me to desire GOD’s way instead of thinking my way is a good way.
• It’s up to me to focus my energy towards GOD’s people rather than catering to those who do not love HIM.

GOD wants me to love HIM and that means understanding HIS compassion for “everyone” not just my exclusive mind. HE desires that I act with character to draw people to HIM.

• Are you acting with character?
• Are your thoughts filled with judgment or compassion?
• Can you focus on what GOD wants you to do instead of wanting to see HIM as some sort of parlor trick or magician?

Where is the crowd when I need them?

Exodus 23: ² “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, ³ and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit.

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Smiles and laughter reigned this evening. I reserved the multipurpose room in the dorm for our small gathering and somehow word got out that we were having a party. People from all over the campus showed up. It felt cool being the person who people were asking for until a fight broke out.

Everyone was asked to leave and the dorm director asked “who reserved this room?” Everyone scattered and I had to face this with only a few brave souls but the crowd thinned quickly.

• The crowd is quick to do wrong as long as they can get away with it.
• The crowd wants to be as wild as it can be without responsibility.
• The crowd doesn’t want justice rather it wants what it wants when it wants it.

Many times I have regretted following the crowd. The argument “everybody is doing it” is only an excuse to let my guards down and do what I want to do. What’s bad about this is the crowd will let me take the fall alone while it goes off and does something else wild.

• GOD wants me to stand firm for what HE says even when it’s not popular.
• GOD wants me to follow HIM when everyone around me is doing otherwise.
• GOD wants me to be different even when the crowd says follow us.

I have to examine every crowd I’m in, even church. Yes I said church. Sometimes this crowd can be the most dangerous. The religious falsely accused JESUS, murdered HIM and assumed the highest positions to rule over people and to be admired. This crowd was eternally wrong. GOD wants me to show discernment between judgment and compassion.

• Are you following the wrong crowd?
• Are you doing things because everyone is doing them?
• Can you use discernment to determine if the crowd is going in the direction GOD wants you to go?

Be compassionate with cash

Exodus 22: ²⁵ “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest. ²⁶ If you take your neighbor’s cloak as a pledge, return it by sunset, ²⁷ because that cloak is the only covering your neighbor has. What else can they sleep in? When they cry out to me, I will hear, for I am compassionate.

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It seemed like there was an extra dose of homeless this particular day.  I thought about it and was convinced that maybe I should tell a person about CHRIST instead of giving them cash. I stepped up on my pedestal and began talking down to this lowly thing of a person. “Uh huh, yeah, um hmm” were the patronizing replies to my rants.

“There” I thought to myself. I had pushed on him the greatest gift he could ever accept. I’m sure both of us were rewarded that day and I didn’t have to give him money!

• The love of money causes me to treat people like business transactions.
• The love of money strikes fear in me that I will lose it or have it stolen.
• The love of money makes me decide to keep it rather than give it away.

Money matters make me miserly. In other words the more money I get the more I try to protect the wealth and I lose my compassion for people. I dream of reasons they are poor or homeless and chalk it up to some bad choice, or a mental disease or an addiction rationalizing why this person doesn’t need my cash. BUT GOD has compassion.

• GOD has given plenty to me so I may give to others.
• GOD wants me to get over my fear of losing stuff and be compassionate to HIS people.
• GOD desires me to see needy people instead of “hiding” from them in order to keep my stuff.

I keep imagining standing in front of GOD, having HIM display my gadgets, trinkets and bobbles, then showing me all the people I passed by who could have used a meal that day. Yes, GOD wants me to spread the gift of salvation but if love and compassion are not with the message I’m wasting my time.

• Is there someone you need to show compassion to?
• Is fear holding you back from giving to that person?
• Can you show compassion to someone today?
• Won’t you ask GOD who you are supposed to help and “how” HE wants you to help them?

Revenge or grace

Exodus: ²² “If people are fighting and hit a pregnant woman and she gives birth prematurely but there is no serious injury, the offender must be fined whatever the woman’s husband demands and the court allows. ²³ But if there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, ²⁴ eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, ²⁵ burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise.

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Exhausted from track practice I slumped toward my locker. A football player walking on the opposite direction decided to hit my scrawny frame in the chest. I literally saw glowing things so I know what people mean when they say they saw stars!

This amongst other bullying activities made me life weights. No one was going to push me around anymore!

• When I get mad I want revenge!
• When someone does me harm I want to harm them.
• When I am the target of hatred I want to give them a taste of their own medicine.

After lifting weights and putting on a few muscles I noticed people picking fights rather than letting me have peace. “Should I learn to fight” crossed my mind. BUT GOD wanted me to behave different.

• GOD wants me to turn rage into Grace for that’s what HE shows me daily.
• GOD wants me to forgive rather than show revenge for the sole purpose of drawing people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to bring peace rather than picking fights to demonstrate the same love HE showed me.

GOD created the “revenge laws” AND HE demonstrated the payment for the law by dying for my sins. HE paid the price for all revenge and wants me to show love instead of hatred.

• Did someone treat you wrong?
• Are you ready to fight them?
• Can you stop thinking about the wrong they have done and think about the grace GOD wants you to show?