Fighting Nature

Fighting Nature
 

Revelation 9: Then the fifth angel blew his trumpet. I saw a star which had fallen down to the earth, and it was given the key to the abyss.  ² The star opened the abyss, and smoke poured out of it, like the smoke from a large furnace; the sunlight and the air were darkened by the smoke from the abyss. ³ Locusts came down out of the smoke upon the earth, and they were given the same kind of power that scorpions have. ⁴ They were told not to harm the grass or the trees or any other plant; they could harm only the people who did not have the mark of God's seal on their foreheads. ⁵ The locusts were not allowed to kill these people, but only to torture them for five months. The pain caused by the torture is like the pain caused by a scorpion's sting. ⁶ During those five months they will seek death, but will not find it; they will want to die, but death will flee from them.

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On our way home from vacation, we stopped at a rest area to stretch our legs and use the bathroom. I was the first one out and I noticed a sign, pointing to a path. Not ready to end my vacation just yet, I asked “Would you all like to see the path?” “Yes” was the reply. Once inside we got swarmed by mosquitos!

 

• I got bit by multiple mosquitos.
• I was stung in awkward places like my ankle, the top of my head and my elbow.
• I was uncomfortable for about a week or ten days.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard the fifth angel blow his trumpet. He saw nature move in different ways. A star, an abyss and locusts with special instructions were used to carry out GOD’s fifth part of tearing down Satan’s kingdom.

 

My Observations:

• Things that I observe to have no intelligence, such as a star, can be used by GOD for HIS plan.
• GOD has complete command over nature and has a plan to use it for HIS purpose.
• At some point GOD will unleash nature against those who do not believe in HIM, HIS SON and HIS power.

 

Fighting nature is impossible, because it equates to fighting GOD. I mean, I can seek food, shelter and clothing as my basic necessities, but they are limited when it comes to fighting GOD. HE has the power to command nature to do as HE pleases.

 

Any past observations of how nature should act will be thrown out the window, because GOD will tell it to perform in a prescribed way that will baffle humans. HE will protect those who believe in HIS SON by telling nature not to harm HIS children.

 

Challenge

• What parts of nature does the writer observe?
• Some bugs emerge every seventeen years, so is it so far fetched that GOD can use locusts?
• Will you focus on your relationship with CHRIST to not only avoid plagues, but to have an abundant life today?

Chaos Contained

 

Chaos Contained

Colossians 1: ¹⁷ Christ existed before all things, and in union with him all things have their proper place. ¹⁸ He is the head of his body, the church; he is the source of the body's life. He is the first-born Son, who was raised from death, in order that he alone might have the first place in all things.

 

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Running late, I hurried to get myself out the door. I grabbed whatever things I could remember for work and hastily jumped in the car. When I got to work, I reached for the computer and it wasn’t there.

 

• I had a chaotic morning that day.
• I hurried through my decisions and caused more chaos.
• I caused my own chaos and had to deal with the consequences of my actions.

 

In a world filled with chaos, Paul gives an assuring message. He spoke about JESUS existing before all things. Everything has its proper place in JESUS. HE is the source of life.

 

My Observations

• When the world gets chaotic, I can always turn to JESUS who brings all things into order.
• Knowing that JESUS existed before all things helps me put my current thing under HIM.
• Since JESUS overcame death, I can know that there is nothing too hard for HIM.

 

Chaos is scared of order. I mean, chaos wants randomness to create fear in my heart. The unknown gets bigger and bigger, causing me to move faster and faster into possible bad decisions. BUT GOD has a remedy for chaos.

 

JESUS is the head of the church, which is the group of those who believe in HIS resurrection. HE is the source of life for all who believe. All chaos can be brough to HIM in prayer and HE in turn will order our steps. I am glad HE is willing to take first place to bring peace to me.

 

Challenge

• What “things” does the writer speak of?
• Have you ever felt your life is out of control?
• Do you have a place to give your chaos?
• Will you bring your life into order by giving it to the one who existed before all things, namely JESUS today?

Could Be Having a Bad Day

 Could Be Having a Bad Day

Romans 14: Welcome those who are weak in faith, but do not argue with them about their personal opinions. ² Some people's faith allows them to eat anything, but the person who is weak in the faith eats only vegetables. ³ The person who will eat anything is not to despise the one who doesn't; while the one who eats only vegetables is not to pass judgment on the one who will eat anything; for God has accepted that person. ⁴ Who are you to judge the servants of someone else? It is their own Master who will decide whether they succeed or fail. And they will succeed, because the Lord is able to make them succeed.

 

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Excited to get a good meal, I sat at the table and thought of how tasty it would be. This was a restaurant recommended by the hotel, so it must be good. I sat and sat. No one came to the table. I flagged a waitress over and she said “I will get your waitress.” When she arrived, her face was sad with a slight bit of anger. She gave me “bad” service.

 

• There have been times when I wanted to complain to the manager about someone.
• There have been times when I wanted to tell the boss about what someone was doing wrong.
• There have been times when I wanted to make sure the person who was giving me “bad” service would fail and hopefully be fired.

 

Paul continues with his strange message. At the core, he is speaking about respecting other people. The three people he mentions, remind me of a restaurant. One patron orders the everything platter while another table orders the salad bowl.

 

Both could ask the question “Why did that table order that kind of food?” in a judgmental way. Meanwhile both patrons judge the wait staff, not knowing the full story.

 

• GOD wants me to welcome those who are weak in faith.
• GOD wants me to hold back any arguments I may have, trying to convince someone to grow and simply accept the person, just like HE does.
• GOD wants me to become part of HIS success by removing judgment of the workers of churches, businesses or households I encounter.

 

Finding something wrong with the way someone does things is easier and easier these days. I mean, I can watch a video of how things are supposed to go, but when I try the experience it may not go as I have expected. I then have a choice, complain or give grace. GOD wants me to understand grace more than I want to at times. I mean “that” person is clearly wrong and should be told about it, right? Maybe. BUT GOD wants me to understand grace first.

 

Remember the sad, scowling waitress I encountered. Turns out she had a serious situation at home. I said I would pray for her and she shed a tear and gave me great service from then on. I tipped heavily. I am grateful GOD gives me a second chance, especially from those who judge me. HE makes me succeed.

 

• Are you judging someone?
• Are you saying to yourself “I wouldn’t do it that way?”
• Will you stop judging others and join the LORD who is willing and able to make them succeed?

Daily Delight

Micah 7: ⁷ But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
    I wait for God my Savior;
    my God will hear me.

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¹⁸ Who is a God like you,
    who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
    of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
    but delight to show mercy.
¹⁹ You will again have compassion on us;
    you will tread our sins underfoot
    and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

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“Wham!” was the first thing that happened as I stubbed my toe against a cabinet. I ran around the house looking for my keys and it seemed to take a solid year to find them. I was in a hurry to get to work and “this guy” was in front of me with his blinker on for miles, doing well under the speed limit. “What a day!” I thought to myself.

• There are some days where I get flustered.
• There are some days that seem to have more wrong than right.
• There are some days that simply just get to me!

As I rushed throughout the day I noticed my demeanor getting worse and worse. I went to get something to eat and my order was wrong! “That’s it! I had enough!” I thought to myself. I wasn’t going to let the day push me around anymore! I was ready to argue, fuss and fight with the next thing that went wrong. Is this how I should be?

• GOD says to me “Place your hope in me and I will hear you.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the one who pardons your sins and forgives your transgressions.”
• GOD says to me “I will not stay angry forever and I delight in showing mercy to you.”

“Delight” was the thing that was missing from the day. From early morning and all throughout the day, I had missed out on “delightful” moments that could have been wonderful. Instead of complaining, I should seek out what delights GOD.

By slowing down long enough to place my “hope” in HIM through prayer, GOD actually listens directly to me. Amazing! HE leads me to a quiet place and turns my hurried harassed day into a place where I can see HIM doing HIS wonders. GOD has compassion on me.

• Are you ready to fight?
• Are you ready to snap and are collecting your “side” of the story?
• Will you put down your poison and put away your sharp tongued weapons and seek GOD’s peace?
• Will you ask yourself “Why am I so angry” and ask GOD to show what delights HIM today?

A Very Bad Day

Job 1: ¹³ One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, ¹⁴ a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, ¹⁵ and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

¹⁶ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

¹⁷ While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

¹⁸ While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, ¹⁹ when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”

²⁰ At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship ²¹ and said:

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
    and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
    may the name of the Lord be praised.”

²² In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

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I have had some bad days, but not nearly as bad as the one Job had where in a moment his entire life was turned upside down. They say “Trouble comes in threes” meaning if you are having trouble, just wait, more trouble is around the corner so get ready.

I pondered, why did GOD allow Job to have his stuff taken and his people killed? Then I noticed something interesting.

• My sinful view of life makes me think “my stuff” is “my stuff.”
• My sinful view of life makes me think people around me should never be hurt or scathed.
• My sinful view of life makes me think GOD is to blame when things go wrong.

I also noticed Job did not ask “why” in this passage. Well, not yet. Job probably did not feel like praising GOD, yet he was obedient to the task. He knew that GOD is the only refuge rather than the center of blame.

Praise GOD for all HE has done!

• Are you blaming GOD?
• Are you mad that you are not getting your way?
• Can you see that GOD has a wonderful plan for you if you would just hold that complaint back?
• Will you seek to praise GOD during your trial?