Almost Time

Almost Time

Genesis 41: ⁹ Then the chief butler spoke to Pharaoh, saying: “I remember my faults this day. ¹⁰ When Pharaoh was angry with his servants, and put me in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker, ¹¹ we each had a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream. ¹² Now there was a young Hebrew man with us there, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we told him, and he interpreted our dreams for us; to each man he interpreted according to his own dream. ¹³ And it came to pass, just as he interpreted for us, so it happened. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.”

 

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Speaking cautiously, the chief butler spoke to Pharoah. Because of Pharoah’s dream, he remembered Joseph. This dream came exactly two years after the butler was released.

 

My Observations:

• The butler may have been so intimidated, that when he was released and the baker was hung, he did not want to make any waves.
• The baker may have supernaturally forgotten Joseph.
• GOD brought Joseph to remembrance at the right time.

 

Sometimes we forget things or overlook things that are extremely important. Joseph asked the baker to remember him, but the baker may have been so intimidated, that he could not remember anything byt trying to please Pharoah. Meanwhile Joseph sat in prison. Does this sound familiar? You and I can think GOD will rescue us immediately, but HIS timing may be different.

 

The baker finally remembered Joseph. He said to Pharoah “I remember my faults this day” possibly meaning he coud have told Pharoah years ago, but didn’t. GOD orchestrated a servant that was close enough to Pharoah to have this discussion. Pharoah would have never listened to the butler regarding leadership choices. BUT GOD paved the way for Joseph. It was almost Joseph’s time.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD go into detail about the butler’s conversation with Pharoah?
• Have you forgotten someone that needs mentioning?
• Do you believe that GOD is working out HIS plan for you in ways you cannot see right now?

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?

Timing

Timing

Revelation 12: ¹⁰ Then I heard a loud voice in heaven saying, “Now God's salvation has come! Now God has shown his power as King! Now his Messiah has shown his authority! For the one who stood before our God and accused believers day and night has been thrown out of heaven. ¹¹ They won the victory over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the truth which they proclaimed; and they were willing to give up their lives and die. ¹² And so be glad, you heavens, and all you that live there! But how terrible for the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to you, and he is filled with rage, because he knows that he has only a little time left.”

 

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After giving up my desire to leave, I was resolved that I would spend the rest of my days in the town I moved to. I decided that I needed GOD in my life rather than the party scene I was known for. One day I got a phone call at my desk. “We would like for you to come work for us” were the words I was waiting on for months.

 

• I was stunned and didn’t believe it at first.
• I had been waiting for so long, that after a while I stopped thinking it would happen.
• I was filled with new energy, knowing that it was finally time!

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard a voice in heaven talking about the arrival of the Messiah! John spoke about the timing being “Now” meaning there would be no more waiting and all that needed to be done was done. He also said that those who were accused by Satan “won the victory!”

 

My Observations:

• Waiting on GOD with my own expectations can make me feel disappointed sometimes.
• When GOD arrives with HIS solution, I can sometimes be a bit stunned.
• JESUS has already won the victory, so I can celebrate “now!”

 

Being glad in the middle of a storm seems hard. I mean, when the time is tumultuous and it seems like nothing is going right, it doesn’t seem like a good time to celebrate. BUT GOD wants me to see beyond the storm.

 

JESUS won the victory over yours and my circumstances. While we cannot see it, HE has taken care of everything, even “that” thing that looks impossible to you. GOD formally declared that all was right so all we have to do is proclaim HIS victory until JESUS returns. I gladly am willing to speak about JESUS, even unto death.

 

Challenge

• What timing does the writer mention?
• Have you ever been waiting on something to happen for so long, that you just gave up?
• Will you continue to proclaim GOD’s message of love and salvation even though your circumstance may not have cleared up 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 Timing

Luke 22: ⁷ Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed. ⁸ Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.’

⁹ ‘Where do you want us to prepare for it?’ they asked.

¹⁰ He replied, ‘As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, ¹¹ and say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks: where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?” ¹² He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.’

¹³ They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.

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“What a life-changing trip” I said to myself as I left my first missionary journey to a large city in a large country on a large continent. It was kind of sad to leave the people, especially the ones I had long conversations. Two years later I went back and was standing in a very populated place. Someone called out my name. It was a person I met two years prior.

• Many times I have run into someone I knew in a strange place at a strange time.
• Many times I have seen circumstances clear themselves up in amazing timing.
• Many times I have been at “the right place at the right time.”

JESUS gives precise instructions on a very random event. HE tells them to follow a guy with a jug of water on his head. There could have been twenty or thirty people doing this. Which one would be the right one? The disciples did has HE said and found everything just as HE said.

• JESUS says to me “I will take care of you.”
• JESUS says to me “MY timing is the best timing.”
• JESUS says to me “There are no coincidences, only MY power.”

GOD’s timing is amazing timing. I mean I have been in some pretty precarious positions and HE has never failed me. HE raises me up when I feel down. In this passage, another amazing timing thing happened. JESUS was being prepared as the sacrifice for mankind on the same day as the sacrifice of the Passover lamb. GOD has no coincidences in my life, only great plans.

• Have you seen GOD’s timing lately?
• Do you think coincidences happen in your life?
• Will you give GOD the credit HE deserves for guiding you in HIS plan HE has for you today?