Assumptive Knowledge

Assumptive Knowledge

John 9: ²⁴ So they again called the man who was blind, and said to him, “Give God the glory! We know that this Man is a sinner.”

²⁵ He answered and said, “Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see.”

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It was time to visit a college so I asked everyone to get in the car. I used someone else’s GPS to put in the directions and began driving. After a long while, something seemed wrong. “Let me see that GPS” I said. The volume was down and it was not connected to the car. For over an hour, I did not hear the messages to turn around. I just knew I had done everything right!

• Sometimes my assumptions are wrong.
• Sometimes my assumptions may lead me in the wrong direction.
• Sometimes my assumptions can cost something precious.

“We know that this Man is a sinner” the church leaders assumed about JESUS. They assumed HE was some random guy trying to get their power. They loved their power over the people and would never let anyone threaten their position. They used the name “GOD” but assumed it was not JESUS.

• JESUS wants me to know HE is GOD.
• JESUS wants me to know HE loves me.
• JESUS wants me to know HE is the only one who can save me eternally.

My assumptions about GOD can be wrong at times. I mean when things are not going so well, I may assume HE does not love me. I may also assume I can manipulate GOD by trying to be good after I sinned. GOD is bigger than my sinful actions HIS grace is sufficient to save me and forgive me. I no longer have to assume. I know GOD is for me.

• Do you feel GOD is against you?
• Do you think HE finds pleasure in your pain?
• Will you stop your assumptive thinking and know GOD is the only solution to your problem?

Missing the opportunity to see GOD

Judges 12: ¹⁷ Then Manoah inquired of the angel of the Lord, “What is your name, so that we may honor you when your word comes true?”

¹⁸ He replied, “Why do you ask my name? It is beyond understanding” ¹⁹ Then Manoah took a young goat, together with the grain offering, and sacrificed it on a rock to the Lord. And the Lord did an amazing thing while Manoah and his wife watched: 

²⁰ As the flame blazed up from the altar toward heaven, the angel of the Lord ascended in the flame. Seeing this, Manoah and his wife fell with their faces to the ground. ²¹ When the angel of the Lord did not show himself again to Manoah and his wife, Manoah realized that it was the angel of the Lord.

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“Come on, come on!” I willed to my car to start but it seemed to have a mind of its own. Finally I heard a sputter and off I went to pick up my classmate. With four bald tires, no working heat and a gas gauge that could not tell me how much gas I had in the car, we set out on our icy drive. My friend had to scrape the ice that formed on the windshield inside the car as we plodded down the street.

I looked and saw a car that spun out on the road and then another and another. “They must be bad drivers” I said to myself. Suddenly my car went into a skid. We swerved back and forth all over the highway. “I” got control of the car and said to myself “I” better pay attention, not once praying!

• When I look at my abilities I can miss GOD.
• When I think I accomplished something I can miss GOD.
• When I pat myself on the back and look at others like they have a problem I can miss GOD.

Many times I have missed the message of GOD because HE was standing in my face and I was too blind to recognize HIM. My assumption of what HE would say and how HE would sound and when HE would help blinded me to what HE was doing right in front of my face.

• GOD wants me to open my eyes to see HIM every day.
• GOD wants me to recognize HIM from the smallest task to the largest.
• GOD wants me to see HIM in everything rather than putting HIM in a building I go to visit once a week for a very short period of time.

 I hear the term “Act of GOD” and cringe because it implies that HE only works with the large things. GOD works with the infinitely tiny as well as the outstanding enormity of the universe. HE is concerned with my day to day situations and wants me to give HIM as much time and communication as I can.

Recognizing GOD on a daily basis is not a stretch, all I have to do is open my eyes and I can see HIS marvelous works.

• Are you blind to what GOD is doing in your life?
• Do you think you are doing things on your own ability?
• Can you open your eyes to see GOD working on the small things in your life as well as the large?

Assuming they will be fine

Deuteronomy 22: ⁴ If you see your fellow Israelite’s donkey or ox fallen on the road, do not ignore it. Help the owner get it to its feet.

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Someone was on the side of the road a couple of weeks ago and I didn’t call anyone for help. In fact I can’t remember the last time I called for help for someone on the side of the road. The thought to help flashed in my mind but another thought popped in my head. “Everyone has a cell phone, they can call for help themselves.” I think I have even stopped noticing people on the side of the road.

• A busy mind can make my heart forgetful.
• When I assume the person is fine I think I don’t have to do any work.
• When I believe someone else will help that person I find myself helping no one.

There are all kinds of reasons for me not helping people and they are all good. I mean I don’t have the time or the money or fill in the blank, I just don’t have it. But what does GOD want?

• GOD wants me to be aware of my surroundings and help where I can.
• GOD wants my heart to be willing and HE wants some action from me.
• GOD wants me to see people in need rather than seeing them as an inconvenience.

Help is required all around me each day.  I don’t have to go very far to find a person in need.  GOD wants me to take a moment to help someone even when that deadline is approaching. This keeps my heart from being hard.

• Are you too busy to help someone?
• Do you think you don’t have the resources to help that person?
• Can you change your thought about the “helpless” person and provide some help?
• Won’t you begin with prayer for the person and see how GOD wants you to help?

Answered Prayer Doesn’t Mean I Am Following GOD

Exodus 8: ³⁰ Then Moses left Pharaoh and prayed to the Lord, ³¹ and the Lord did what Moses asked. The flies left Pharaoh and his officials and his people; not a fly remained. ³² But this time also Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not let the people go.

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“LORD please help me feel better” was the prayer when I felt unusually sick. A few hours later I felt better.  Now I can go “hang out” like usual. “Hanging out” was my code word for getting into mischief. Nothing had changed.  I didn’t learn my lesson.

• Sometimes my requests are selfish yet GOD answers my prayers.
• Sometimes my selfish requests make me turn my back on GOD yet HE answers my prayers.
• Sometimes my turning away from GOD makes me think I can do things on my own power yet HE answers my prayers.

Pharaoh was told to let the Israelites go to worship GOD. He wouldn’t and GOD sent plagues.  He hardened his heart at every plague even though his prayers were answered to remove them.

There is an old saying “you better be careful what you ask for, you might get it.” I get nervous about GOD helping me get on the wrong path. HE knows the heart and knows how incredibly wicked it is. HE can dig deep and see the motive behind my prayer. Scary thing about this is HE has given me free will to “not” choose HIS way.

• GOD would prefer that I consult HIM on my requests.
• GOD wants me to align my desires with HIS plan to draw all people to HIM.
• GOD desires that I seek HIS counsel, HIS timing and HIS answer which could be “no.”

Before I ask GOD for something I really should ask myself “Why do I want this?” Then when the answer pops in my head I should compare it to what GOD says is right. If they match then I can proceed. I know it’s harder than this statement but it is a start.

• Are your prayers selfish?
• Have you asked GOD to resolve your situation?
• Can you ask GOD to take control of your desires?
• Won’t you seek what GOD wants for you?

They just don’t understand

Acts 25: ¹⁸ When his accusers got up to speak, they did not charge him with any of the crimes I had expected. ¹⁹ Instead, they had some points of dispute with him about their own religion and about a dead man named Jesus who Paul claimed was alive. ²⁰ I was at a loss how to investigate such matters; so I asked if he would be willing to go to Jerusalem and stand trial there on these charges.

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“Shocked” was the look many people gave me when I told them I was going on my first missions trip. “Why now?”, “why you?”, “don’t we have enough problems here?” were only a few of the questions I got as I discussed my plans. Funny, these questions were from people who claimed to follow CHRIST.

• It seems like there are times GOD has me do some unusual things that benefit the kingdom.
• It seems like there are times GOD directs me to do things people don’t understand that benefits the kingdom.
• It seems like there are times GOD leads me to places I would never go but it benefits the kingdom.

GOD desires that no one will perish and HE wants anyone who is willing to go out and spread HIS message of love, grace and mercy. HE wants me to be open to going to my neighbors, my city, other states and even other countries if HE tells me to.  This openness is the beginning of compassion for “all” humans not just the ones I would choose.

Many people will question the timing, method or reason for me serving GOD.  It seems like each time I have gone on a trip, money was an issue or some event was in conflict or some other reason was a better option. Even writing down a daily devotional is questioned as people ask “why do you do that?” or “why make yourself look bad?” There is a harsh reality to relaying HIS message that must be coupled with “love.”

• GOD’s message will remain strange to those who are not seeking HIM but I must try anyway.
• GOD’s method will be doubted by those whose faith is small but I must have faith anyway.
• GOD’s timing will seem inconvenient to people but I must accept HIS timing and HIS plan.

Paul tried to explain JESUS’ resurrection to people who could care less. They treated him like some religious fanatic and he was ostracized. GOD desires HIS simple message of love to be given even though people may not receive it.

• Are you trying to live for GOD and people do not understand what you are doing?
• Are people confused by your decision to serve GOD more and more?
• Can you stay the course while delivering HIS message with love, compassion and grace?

GOD knows

Acts 7: ³³ “Then the Lord said to him, ‘Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground. ³⁴ I have indeed seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their groaning and have come down to set them free. Now come, I will send you back to Egypt.’

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On the way back to school I was pulled over for speeding and received a hefty ticket. A month later on the way to court, I was driving the speed limit when a car sped past me yet I was pulled over and given a ticket!

With two tickets under my belt and having barely enough money to pay rent and school I hoped to save up to pay the second ticket which caused a lapse in the fine. Now I owed more! “LORD where are YOU?” I screamed.

• There are times when GOD seems to have disappeared.
• There are times when GOD seems so far away.
• There are times when GOD seems like HE isn’t listening or doesn’t care.

When the pressures of life come crashing at my door I sometimes cave in and just want peace. It makes me want to be silent about the goodness of GOD and slink back in a hole. BUT GOD says something different!

• No matter how difficult the situation may seem GOD is there with a plan of salvation.
• No matter how tough the going gets GOD is there to fight my battles.
• No matter how bleak the situation looks GOD is there to give me peace.

Moses knew he was chosen for something but wasn’t quite ready for what GOD had in store for him. GOD had to take him through the desert otherwise known as “difficult times” to prepare him for true leadership. GOD does the same with me. HE has and is taking me through difficult times to show me HE is in control.

My tiny wisdom and tenacity are useless in difficult situations, BUT GOD’s plans are marvelous and HE is building my faith to follow HIS ways.

• Are you trying hard to fix your situation?
• Are you trying hard to fix “that” person?
• Won’t you let the person or situation go and watch GOD work HIS plan?
• Can look at “letting go” as not giving up rather you are yielding to GOD and not seeking credit?

I can’t see you my assumptions are in the way!

John 1: ¹¹ He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. ¹² Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— ¹³ children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

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“I’m late and this guy isn’t here” I thought to myself. I waited in the hotel lobby and there were only a few people. “I’m sure a man of his wealth would be on time because he has to be a busy person” I surmised.  

A guy dressed like a wrinkled farmer caught my eye and said my name. “Are you looking for me?” he politely said in a calm tone. “I watched you for ten minutes but I wasn’t sure you were looking for me” he said.  “This is the guy who makes $2 Million a month; you’ve got to be kidding?” I thought.

• How many angels who were dressed as a person in need have I passed?
• How many people who I assumed didn’t “deserve” my help have I turned down?
• How many names have I conjured up for those who annoy me or have gotten in my way?

Assumptions are little packaged expectations wrapped in prejudiced and ignorance. GOD operates with “fact” and I never have to assume anything about HIM.

• JESUS came to Earth as a human to HIS chosen people who rejected HIM.
• JESUS, who is GOD, volunteered to die for the sins of all humans no matter how heinous the sin.
• JESUS knocked on the door of my heart and it was up to me to let HIM in

Sometimes I expect GOD to speak to me in a loud echoing voice and appear with some sort of blinding light. I think HE is going to give me some strange, yet specific, message to drop everything and go on some wild pilgrimage. I keep waiting but all these needy people keep interrupting!

• GOD wants me to help the needy, that’s how HE is speaking to me.
• GOD wants me to deliver HIS message of deliverance, that’s how HE shows HIS love.
• GOD wants me to keep my heart soft for others so HE puts me in circumstances that enable me to empathize.

When I assume how GOD is going to work, I am usually wrong. I look for HIM in the wrong places and I definitely mistake how HE is going to guide someone’s life. But when I don’t assume and accept HIS plan, HE never disappoints me!

• Are you trying to manipulate GOD into getting your way?
• Do you assume that since you are following HIM things would be better?
• Are you willing to follow GOD even if it means “that” person would leave you?