Looking for Amazement

 

Looking for Amazement

Revelation 13: Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea. It had ten horns and seven heads; on each of its horns there was a crown, and on each of its heads there was a name that was insulting to God. ² The beast looked like a leopard, with feet like a bear's feet and a mouth like a lion's mouth. The dragon gave the beast his own power, his throne, and his vast authority. ³ One of the heads of the beast seemed to have been fatally wounded, but the wound had healed. The whole earth was amazed and followed the beast. ⁴ Everyone worshiped the dragon because he had given his authority to the beast. They worshiped the beast also, saying, “Who is like the beast? Who can fight against it?”

 

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Hearing the smooth talker, I was amazed at what he said. I observed his style and noticed he said what people wanted to hear, no matter if it were true or not. “That’s it!” I thought to myself. Maybe I can “win” people over by saying whatever it took, even if were a lie, to get what “I” wanted.

 

• I was willing to walk away from the truth to manufacture a lie.
• I was willing to side up with people who seemed to be “winning” but were losing due to their harmful methods.
• I wanted to get “my” way so badly, that I was willing to do some things that I shouldn’t have been doing.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved saw the dragon, Satan, give his power to the beast. At this time, “everyone” worshiped the dragon, because of the ability to make the beast powerful, as if to say, Make me powerful too.” The whole earth was amazed and willing to follow Satan.

 

My Observations:

• People who belong to JESUS will never bow down to Satan.
• GOD’s people, who remained faithful, following HIS commands and pacing his or her trust in JESUS as the Savior, will never bow to Satan.
• Only those who remain in their unbelief can be deceived to follow Satan and worship him.

 

Why in the world did GOD give the most important message that could send people to heaven or hell, to unreliable humans? I mean, humans are inconsistent, hypocritical and selfish, all of us! GOD even said “No one is righteous.” BUT HE made a way that HE would not wipe out HIS creation. JESUS.

 

Believing in JESUS cleanses me of all unrighteousness. HE sends the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me to guide me in the way GOD wants me to live. HE gives me purpose to make HIM special, not myself. I am amazed at the grace of JESUS. HE is my hope.

 

Challenge

• Do you think the writer had a hard time describing what HE saw?
• Have you ever wanted to be in power so badly that you were willing to leave GOD to follow human “success?”
• Will you be amazed at GOD’s grace for you and HIS power and authority today?

Welcome News

 Welcome News

1 Thessalonians 3 ⁶ Now Timothy has come back, and he has brought us the welcome news about your faith and love. He has told us that you always think well of us and that you want to see us just as much as we want to see you. 

 

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“I heard you turned into a church guy” a friend said to me in a seemingly insulting way. It did not come as a surprise to me seeing how I was fresh out of a life that I felt was regretful. While convicting, I took this as welcome news because he had heard about my change of heart.

 

• I was known for the parties I threw.
• I decided to live for the LORD, so I stopped doing what I was doing.
• I did not know people were still watching me.

 

Timothy came back with “welcome news” about the faith of the Thessalonians. They had been persecuted, yet they stood firm in their faith. They wanted to see Paul and Silas but could not so they sent their well wishes.

 

My Observations

• Welcome news is a rare thing GOD wants me to spread.
• Encouraging news is something in short supply that GOD gest excited when I give it away.
• Good News is the message of JESUS saving me, and GOD loves when I spread it.

 

“No bad news” is what many people want, but cannot find. I mean, the news is full of devastation, corruption and fear. People can’t get enough of it. Somehow humans are drawn to “train wrecks” or car accidents. I don’t know if it is a feeling of superiority that make humans want to point out that something went wrong over there. BUT GOD wants welcome news.

 

HE wants me to focus on HIS strength, HOS power and HIS deliverance. GOD shows me people who have kept the faith and want me to do the same, even through trials. I am excited that I can bring welcome news about those who have kept the faith, especially you.

 

Challenge:

• What welcome news did Timothy bring?
• How did you feel when someone brought you good news about how someone was doing?
• Will you start bringing “welcome news” so GOD’s Good News can be heard today?

Incredible Credit

 

Incredible Credit

Acts 26: ⁴ “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. ⁵ They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee. ⁶ And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. ⁷ This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. ⁸ Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

 

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“Self-promote” was the suggestion to get ahead in corporate. I was always taught that hard work speaks for itself. I pondered how I was going to implement promoting myself and take credit more often.

 

As I was driving my family out of town, I hit a huge pool of water on the pavement. The car spun around and around then came to a stop. With trucks on the highway, it was incredible no one hit us. I could not take credit for this miracle of deliverance.

 

• Incredible things have happened in my life.
• I have seen Incredible things that humans would normally take credit for.
• There have been some unexplained incredible things that happened to me that can only be explained one way.

 

Paul continues to explain his defense to King Agrippa. He said he was raised religious and became a Pharisee. This is the group of people that murdered JESUS for saying HE was and is GOD. Paul then asks “Why should any of you consider it incredible that GOD raises the dead?”

 

• GOD wants me to believe in HIS incredible power.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS SON, who was incredibly raised from the dead.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS incredible plan HE has for me.

 

Incredible is only natural for GOD. I mean, HIS power is not my power, HIS ways are not my ways, and HIS thoughts are not my thoughts. HIS power is incredible when I see and hear about HIS miracles. I am grateful GOD includes me in HIS incredible plan.

 

• Are you trying to figure out GOD using human rationality?
• Are you giving humans more credit than you should?
• Will you look at what GOD is doing and see the incredible things HE performs daily?

Amazed

Amazed

John 19: ³¹ Therefore, because it was the Preparation Day, that the bodies should not remain on the cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a high day), the Jews asked Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. ³² Then the soldiers came and broke the legs of the first and of the other who was crucified with Him. ³³ But when they came to Jesus and saw that He was already dead, they did not break His legs. ³⁴ But one of the soldiers pierced His side with a spear, and immediately blood and water came out. ³⁵ And he who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true; and he knows that he is telling the truth, so that you may believe. ³⁶ For these things were done that the Scripture should be fulfilled, “Not one of His bones shall be broken.” ³⁷ And again another Scripture says, “They shall look on Him whom they pierced.”

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“Wow look at that!” were my words of amazement. I was so amazed that I went and told other people. I mean, who knew that if you folded the tips of the wings on a paper airplane, it would do loops.

• Many things have amazed me.
• Many things have made me say “wow!”
• Many things have been brought to my attention that I got excited about.

John, the writer, speaks about something that was truly amazing. He verified that even the tiniest of prophecy was fulfilled by JESUS. The guards went from one body, breaking the bones ensuring death, then went around JESUS to the other body to do the same. John was amazed that all scriptures were fulfilled by JESUS.

• GOD wants me to be amazed by HIM every day.
• GOD wants me to see that HE is working out the situation, without my help.
• GOD wants me to know HE has everything taken care of through HIS awesome power.

When JESUS said “It is finished” HE truly meant salvation is accomplished. Everything said about HIM was done and completed. HE has said much more. HE promised to never leave me nor forsake me. HE said HE would return for me and those who believe in HIM. I am amazed HE loves me.

• Are you amazed by GOD?
• Have you noticed HE cares for you?
• Will you seek HIS amazing love, grace and mercy today?

Amazing News Told

Luke 2: ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

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“I have to see this for myself” I said to the messenger. I was still in a bit of shock when they said, “Your name is posted, and you have made the Dean’s List.” Considering the semester before was a disaster, I was thoroughly surprised. I told everyone!

 

• When I have great news I want to tell everyone.
• When I have some awesome news I want to tell the world.
• When I have awesome news I want to sit everyone down and tell them what is going on with me.

Being chosen by GOD was one thing, but the shepherds had to go see the amazing news for themselves. They raced to the barn and saw GOD as a baby in the dirty feed trough, just as the angels said. They told everyone of this amazing event and excitement filled the town!

• GOD wants me to spread HIS amazing news.
• GOD wants me to ignite excitement throughout the land.
• GOD wants me to be excited about HIM enough to tell others about HIM.

What was missing from this passage was complaints about the sheep or ailments of the shepherds or the shepherds not having enough of whatever their fears dictated. It was all about JESUS coming as a human to save mankind. They were excited and so should I. GOD wants me to tell people about HIS amazing news!

• Are you stuck in complaint mode?
• Do you have blame on your mind?
• Can you remove your negative language and replace it with the great news about JESUS?