Rejection Direction

Rejection Direction

Acts 13: ⁴⁴ On the next Sabbath almost the whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord. ⁴⁵ When the Jews saw the crowds, they were filled with jealousy. They began to contradict what Paul was saying and heaped abuse on him.

⁴⁶ Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: “We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles. ⁴⁷ For this is what the Lord has commanded us:

“‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles,
    that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

⁴⁸ When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed.

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Feeling down about not getting the position, I sat brooding at the latest rejection. “I really wanted that last one”, I thought to myself. I mean it had everything I wanted, or so I thought. After a couple of weeks, the sting of the rejection was no longer there. About three months later, another company called and mad an offer.

• There have been many times I have been rejected.
• There have been many times I questioned the direction of the rejection.
• There have been many times I kept revisiting what it would be like if I had gotten the thing I had been rejected from.

Paul and Barnabas were rejected by the Jews, who contradicted them at every turn. This probably caused confusion and their leadership would no longer be effective. Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly saying they would preach salvation to people who would not reject them, namely the Gentiles. Cheers came from the Gentiles, who were probably made to feel like an outcast.

• GOD made me a light for people HE sends me to.
• GOD made me a light to bring salvation to the ends of the earth.
• GOD made me a light for those who can hear HIS message of love.

Rejection doesn’t feel good, but it definitely changes direction. No longer is that person, place or thing available. GOD does this to provide new opportunities that I would not have thought of. The HOLY SPIRIT patches the wounds of the rejection and guides me to where I was supposed to be in the first place. I am grateful GOD cares for me to guide me to a better place.

• Have you been rejected?
• Is your message still valid but people refused to hear it?
• Will you stop looking back and see the new direction GOD wants you to go on today?

Decision Making

Decision Making

Acts 1: ²¹ “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

²³ And they proposed two: Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen ²⁵ to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

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After being out of work for a while, I finally got an interview. We had a great discussion and I felt pretty good about the position. Walking with GOD with total reliance was a bit new to me. Previously, I relied on my strength, thinking it was me who made it to the top. Now humbled, I needed a job.

During the interview, the person said something strange. “We are in charge of the tech that enables porn to go into the rooms.” I got an offer, but turned down the job.

• Some decisions are hard.
• Some decisions seem extreme to make.
• Some decisions look easy on the outside, but are really hard to make when it comes to GOD.

The disciples took finding another person, as part of their ministry, seriously. This person had to have been there at the beginning, when they were called by JESUS, all the way to the time HE was risen. They still could not decide. They asked GOD to make the decision.

• When I need a decision, GOD wants me to ask HIM first.
• When I need a decision, GOD wants me to allow HIM to say “no” or “wait” or “yes.”
• When I need a decision, GOD wants me to see that HIS choice is always the best choice.

GOD sees though the scheme when I run up to HIM with my mind made up first, then asking HIM to just go along with “my” decision. Like a kid waiting until the last minute to ask, “Can I go out to the party with my friends who are waiting outside?” GOD sees through the pressure tactic, just like a parent would.

Unfortunately sometimes GOD says “yes” to something I should not have. HE grieves when I ask for something that goes thoroughly against HIS ways. BUT HE is full of love and allows me to fail and come back to HIM. The lesson from the pain grows me to ask HIM first then wait for HIS answer and accept HIS decision. I am glad I can put my decision before HIM.

• What decision do you have to make?
• Are you trying to make the decision on your own?
• Will you ask GOD and accept HIS answer, knowing HE has what is best for you in mind?

Getting Back In

Getting Back In

John 8: ³⁷ “I know that you are Abraham’s descendants, but you seek to kill Me, because My word has no place in you. ³⁸ I speak what I have seen with My Father, and you do what you have seen with your father.”

³⁹ They answered and said to Him, “Abraham is our father.”

Jesus said to them, “If you were Abraham’s children, you would do the works of Abraham. ⁴⁰ But now you seek to kill Me, a Man who has told you the truth which I heard from God. Abraham did not do this. ⁴¹ You do the deeds of your father.”

Then they said to Him, “We were not born of fornication; we have one Father—God.”

⁴² Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love Me, for I proceeded forth and came from God; nor have I come of Myself, but He sent Me.

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Not knowing what I would do, I sat, staring in despair. I was thrown out and no longer had any thought of a bright future. What was I going to do now? My job stunk and I barely had any money to do something different. “Maybe you can get back in” someone said to me. I humbly went to the deans office the next morning to appeal the decision.

• It does not feel good to be thrown out.
• It felt terrible being on the outside, knowing what was on the inside.
• It made me feel like giving up when I was no longer part of the inside.

JESUS turned HIS conversation back to the church leaders. HE told them they may have been descendants of Abraham, but they sure were not acting like it. “If you were from Abraham” and “If GOD were your FATHER” was JESUS’s implication that they were no longer in the family.

• GOD wants me to act like I belong to HIM, not just talk about HIM.
• GOD wants me to seek the “heart” of HIS word so I can abide in HIM.
• GOD wants me to ask to get back in the family by confessing my sins to HIM.

Being on the outside of GOD’s will, without knowing it, is extremely dangerous and eternal life threatening. Church leaders who were driven by pleasing the crowds, did not speak of JESUS as the answer. They made up their own rules and used scripture to support what was truly in their heart.

GOD wants me to humble myself and act like I am in HIS family. HE wants me to believe that JESUS is the answer to my problems and to tell others to do the same. HE guides me in the little things so I can, one day, handle the large things of GOD. I need GOD’s forgiveness so I can remain in HIS family.

• Do you think you have the right to judge “that” person?
• When is the last time you confessed your sins to GOD instead of complaining to HIM about someone else?
• Will you ask GOD to open your eyes to what is blinding you from having a great relationship with HIM today?

Too Busy

Luke 13: ³⁴ “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing! ³⁵ See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ”

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Bored was a mild word for how I felt. With nothing to do, in a town I did not want to live in, I felt stranded more than bored. I got another job and moved. I did this again and again until I was extremely busy. “Would you like to serve the poor and the lost?” someone asked, in so many words. “I’m too busy” I thought to myself.

• There are times when I am too busy for GOD.
• There are times when I am too overwhelmed to listen to GOD.
• There are times when I am too frustrated at others to hear what GOD wants me to say to them.

JESUS feels sad for the society and lifestyle people sought. Instead of being able to hear GOD, they wanted to follow the rich and powerful people of Jerusalem. These ungrateful politicians would kill anyone who stood in the way of their “power.”

• JESUS cries over me when I forget “I” am made for HIM.
• JESUS weeps over me when I think “my” life in “mine.”
• JESUS laments over me when I blame HIM for “my” situation rather than listening to HIM.

“How often I wanted” were the hurt words JESUS uses to express just how deeply concerned HE felt for those who would eventually kill HIM. HE feels the same for me when I seek HIM in my own way, get disappointed and leave HIM, only to fill my life with timewasters.

GOD wants me to seek HIM in spite of my situations. If I am “bored” HE wants me to fill my life with HIM so I can reach others. The same goes for when I am scared, hurt, angry or any other distracted state. GOD loves when I seek HIS people. HE is my healer.

• Where are you right now?
• Are you too busy blaming GOD or are you seeking HIM?
• Will you turn your face to HIM and open your heart to the thankfulness HE has in store for you today?

Where to Turn

Luke 8: ⁴⁰ So it was, when Jesus returned, that the multitude welcomed Him, for they were all waiting for Him. ⁴¹ And behold, there came a man named Jairus, and he was a ruler of the synagogue. And he fell down at Jesus’ feet and begged Him to come to his house, ⁴² for he had an only daughter about twelve years of age, and she was dying.

But as He went, the multitudes thronged Him. 

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Having no answers, I was in a panic. It seemed like my problems were more than I could handle at the time. I tried asking coworkers and friends, but they had no answers. My family wouldn’t understand. Where could I go for answers?

• There were times when I did not have any answers.
• There were times when I ran out of ideas.
• There were times when the problems seemed to be bigger than any solution I could come up with.

Jairus had nowhere to turn. His only child was sick and he went to JESUS for the answer. He probably heard of JESUS through the news that spread all over the area about HIS miraculous healing. He fell at JESUS’ feet begging HIM to come to his house.

• When I run out of answers I should turn to JESUS.
• When I am faced with problems I should turn to JESUS.
• When I do not have any answers and the problems keep coming, I should turn to JESUS.

JESUS says “Come unto ME all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest.” HE does not want me exasperated rather at peace. HE knows the enemy will constantly seek to put up hurdles for me to jump so HE makes it easy by carrying me over each obstacle. JESUS gives me hope when there is no hope.

• Do you feel hopeless?
• Do you feel alone with the problems you face?
• Will you turn to JESUS today and give HIM your problems while asking for HIS peace today?

Wanted and Needed

Mark 16: ⁹ Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. ¹⁰ She went and told those who had been with Him, as they mourned and wept. ¹¹ And when they heard that He was alive and had been seen by her, they did not believe.

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After a brief discussion, I hung up the phone. Thirty minutes later I received a call from the hiring manager. “We want you to come here.” Ten days later I was working in a new state.

• Being wanted is a great feeling.
• Being desired feels wonderful.
• Being needed makes me work a bit harder.

When JESUS rose, HE could have chosen the leaders of the day to appear to first, yet HE chose a woman who was helpless to her demons at one point in her life. She needed HIM to be GOD in her life to miraculously get her out of the situation she was in. She was grateful for all HE did for her and was dedicated to showing it the rest of her life.

• JESUS wants me to want HIM.
• JESUS wants me to need HIM.
• JESUS wants me to desire HIS ways every day.

Head knowledge about JESUS is not enough. The church leaders “knew” about GOD but did not want HIM or need HIM. They wanted and needed money and power, but not GOD. When Mary Magdalene told the disciples that JESUS was alive, they did not believe her, probably because she “wanted” HIM to be alive and they wanted a king who would appoint them to seats.

GOD wants me to want HIM the way HE is. I’d rather need GOD daily than to be the wealthiest person and not know GOD.

• Do you need GOD?
• Do you desire to be with JESUS today?
• Can you seek a relationship with GOD that accepts HIM the way HE is, just like HE accepted you the way you are?

Overwhelmed

Mark 3: ⁷ But Jesus withdrew with His disciples to the sea. And a great multitude from Galilee followed Him, and from Judea ⁸ and Jerusalem and Idumea and beyond the Jordan; and those from Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they heard how many things He was doing, came to Him. ⁹ So He told His disciples that a small boat should be kept ready for Him because of the multitude, lest they should crush Him. ¹⁰ For He healed many, so that as many as had afflictions pressed about Him to touch Him. ¹¹ And the unclean spirits, whenever they saw Him, fell down before Him and cried out, saying, “You are the Son of God.” ¹² But He sternly warned them that they should not make Him known.

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With a troubled heart I woke in the middle of the night. Papers were due, bill collectors were calling, and my car was broken down. It was raining that day. I sneezed and my nose began to bleed. The episode seemed to last forever, but eventually gave way. I sat there overwhelmed.

• Sometimes I feel pressure.
• Sometimes I feel pressed on all sides.
• Sometimes I feel like so much is coming at me.

JESUS was literally overwhelmed with the crowds from all the surrounding cities. Word had spread about this healer and everyone wanted in on the action. JESUS understood their needs and healed them but HIS purpose was more than temporary healing.

• JESUS became a human to die for my sins.
• JESUS became a human so HE could be the sinless one to pay for my sins.
• JESUS became a human to empathize, sympathize and show compassion for me.

The people who surrounded JESUS did not understand HIS purpose at the time. Demons wanted to reveal HIS true purpose probably to throw people off, for if they knew HE was and is GOD they may not have killed HIM.  JESUS withdrew by boat to continue on HIS true journey.

HE understands when I get overwhelmed, in fact HE expects it. HE knows just how much I can handle and HE sends relief at just the right time. JESUS is my Savior on earth and eternity.

• Are you overwhelmed?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Can you take a moment to slip away and take a break so you can return rejuvenated to serve CHRIST?

Good Old Days

Matthew 23: ²⁹ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous. ³⁰ And you say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our ancestors, we would not have taken part with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ ³¹ So you testify against yourselves that you are the descendants of those who murdered the prophets. ³² Go ahead, then, and complete what your ancestors started!

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Sitting in my car, I found it difficult to get out this particular day. Looking back on simpler times made me wish I could go back and relive life at a slower pace.

• There have been times I have looked back in the past and wished I were there.
• There have been times I have looked back and thought those days were better than the present.
• There have been times I have desired to be in the “Good Old Days” versus these difficult days.

Whenever trouble pops up my mind wants to go on vacation back to a time when things were good. Unfortunately some of those “Good Old Days” caused these bad days. I easily forget that trouble existed then too. I also forget that I sinned then as I do now.

• GOD wants me to focus on HIM rather than the past.
• GOD wants me to desire a wonderful outcome rather than living in a place I cannot go.
• GOD wants me to dwell in HIM and not the past.

JESUS points out that the Pharisees and Sadducees were trying to clean the sins of their ancestors but in fact they were associating themselves with rebel mongers.

It’s funny how the mind scrubs clean my past. I mean I was rescued from myself many days by GOD and going back and reliving them would be disastrous. GOD took me through the right circumstances to grow me and HE is not finished yet. HIS plans for today are just as good as they were then,

• Are you longing for the “Good Old Days?”
• Do you think you were less of a sinner then?
• Can you focus on what GOD is doing today and praise HIM?

Make Me Wanna Shout!

Matthew 20: ²⁹ As Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho, a large crowd followed him. ³⁰ Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³¹ The crowd rebuked them and told them to be quiet, but they shouted all the louder, “Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!”

³² Jesus stopped and called them. “What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.

³³ “Lord,” they answered, “we want our sight.”

³⁴ Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him.

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Hurriedly I typed in the last few words. I ran as fast as I could to get to the building by the deadline as my paper was due at 5:00PM. When I arrived the door was locked.  “Let me in” I cried out! “Be quiet, people are taking finals” someone said. I kept calling out. They let me in and I turned my paper in.

• There have been times I have needed to cry out.
• There have been times when the crowd wanted me to be quiet but I couldn’t
• There have been times that I simply needed help that the crowd could not provide.

JESUS’s fame was now in full bloom. People followed HIM all the time wanting to see the next trick or to truly be healed. The blind men knew of HIS powers and got so excited that nothing would stop them. They had one purpose on their mind, namely to be healed.

• JESUS hears me when I cry out to HIM.
• JESUS listens to me when I ask to be healed of my blindness.
• JESUS touches me to the point of total healing from all unrighteousness.

The business crowd may not want me to shout about JESUS, nor do the political mongers. BUT GOD doesn’t mind my shout. In fact, GOD wants me to shout when people want me quiet. HE wants to see my alliance to HIM and my reliance on HIM. Sometimes I have to shout to be heard over the crowd.

• Are you in need but have not asked?
• Do you want something but are afraid of what the crowd would think?
• Can you openly ask without worrying about the crowd?

Remember the First Step

Daniel 2: ¹² This made the king so angry and furious that he ordered the execution of all the wise men of Babylon. ¹³ So the decree was issued to put the wise men to death, and men were sent to look for Daniel and his friends to put them to death.

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¹⁷ Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. ¹⁸ He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. ¹⁹ During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven

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My first inclination is to jump into action when things are going poorly. I mean, something has to be done so I figure I am the one who should step up and do the “something.” Sometimes it works, while other times it feels like things get worse and worse. What should I have done?

• Sometimes I think I can solve problems with my strength.
• Sometimes I think I can solve problems with my power.
• Sometimes I think I can solve problems with my intellect.

Nebuchadnezzar gave an impossible decree, either tell him what he dreamt and interpret it correctly or die! This was impossible or so it seemed. Sometimes the problems I face “seem” impossible as well. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD said “There is nothing impossible for ME.”
• GOD said “There is nothing too hard for ME.”
• GOD said “Come to ME first with your problem and I will make your way straight.”

Many times I think of GOD when the problem becomes too large for me. HE is an afterthought. BUT GOD wants to be first. HE wants me to come to HIM when the problem is small and before it gets too big and out of control. Even when the problem is large, HE does not want me to spring into action without consulting HIM first.

GOD wants to be my guide so HE desires that I consult HIM on a regular basis. Sometimes daily is not enough. There are days where I need to ask HIM several times for direction because of moments of feeling lost and left behind. GOD takes the impossible and laughs at how easy it is for HIM to solve the situation. Only HE can provide.

• Are you facing something impossible?
• Does it seem like you are at your last rope?
• Can you take a moment and ask GOD to intervene in your situation no matter how long you have been in it?

Returning from Lost

Jeremiah 50: ⁴ “In those days, at that time,”
    declares the Lord,
“the people of Israel and the people of Judah together
    will go in tears to seek the Lord their God.
⁵ They will ask the way to Zion
    and turn their faces toward it.
They will come and bind themselves to the Lord
    in an everlasting covenant
    that will not be forgotten.

⁶ “My people have been lost sheep;
    their shepherds have led them astray
    and caused them to roam on the mountains.
They wandered over mountain and hill
    and forgot their own resting place.

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“What do you want to do when you grow up” someone posed to me. “I don’t know” was all I could say because I had only thought about going bowling with my friends. “You are good at math, do you want to be in my computer class?” “Sure” I said and at that moment I had a path.

Another time I was standing in a building with a very puzzled look on my face. Nervous because of my pending tardiness, I got more and more frustrated. A person approached me and asked “Can I help you find something?” I replied with the address and person I was looking for and the person said “You are in the wrong building.” I received directions and went my way, relieved.

• Sometimes I feel lost.
• Sometimes I feel I have no direction.
• Sometimes I feel there is no one there to guide me.

Feeling lost is much broader than directions from place to place. In fact I use a GPS and haven’t felt lost in a while. But life sometimes makes me feel “lost” in a way that no GPS can bring me out. I wander, stumble and even ask for directions but unfortunately I ask other lost people and they get me more lost. Where can I find directions?

• GOD says to me “I AM the WAY the truth and the life” which means I need only to point my life to HIS and I will never be lost.
• GOD says to me “Seek first the kingdom of GOD and all these things will be added to you” which means I need only to look for GOD whenever I feel lost.
• GOD says to me “I AM the GOOD SHEPHERD” meaning HE is the only one who can confidently guide me through dark and mysterious times.

One reason I feel lost at times is because I have not asked GOD for directions, permission or safety on my journeys. Whenever I do I feel confident, protected and excited. HE guides me besides still waters and on paths of righteousness for HIS namesake. HE gives me a resting place.

• Are you lost?
• Do you feel you have been wandering?
• Can you seek GOD’s direction today?

Favorable or Unfavorable

Jeremiah 42: Then all the army officers, including Johanan son of Kareah and Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest approached ² Jeremiah the prophet and said to him, “Please hear our petition and pray to the Lord your God for this entire remnant. For as you now see, though we were once many, now only a few are left. ³ Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.”

⁴ “I have heard you,” replied Jeremiah the prophet. “I will certainly pray to the Lord your God as you have requested; I will tell you everything the Lord says and will keep nothing back from you.”

⁵ Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the Lord your God sends you to tell us. ⁶ Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God.”

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Tired of all of the issues I finally said “GOD, YOU win!” I was finally too tired to fight HIM and it seemed like I was not going to get my way anyway. The more I tried to do things on my own, the worse things got.

• There are times when I think I can solve my own problems.
• There are times when I think I have it within myself to come up with a solution.
• There are times when I think I can face any situation and hit it head on with my own strength.

In this world of “individualism” I was king. I mean I was great at not needing anyone and groused at those who did. BUT GOD took me through many situations that had me turn back to HIM. Things were falling apart left and right and eventually I had no place to turn. “GOD help me” was my cry.

• When I cry out to GOD, HE always answers.
• When I say the name of JESUS, HE always comes through.
• When I place my worries, sins, doubts and fears in front of GOD, HE always takes care of me.

There is one caveat that HE wants me to do. When I do turn my face back to HIM, HE does not want me to turn away from HIM again. HE desires that I live a life that is obedient to HIM whether HIS answer is favorable or unfavorable. HE wants full rights to my life and I must give HIM full praise. Ever since I realized this, all has gone very well.

• Are you nervous about something?
• Do you seem worried?
• Can you stop worrying for moment and ask yourself “Why do I not trust GOD?”
• What are you fighting GOD about?
• Will you stop being exhausted by trying to steer GOD and ask HIM for HIS favorable or unfavorable direction?