Sent with a Purpose

Sent with a Purpose

Genesis 24: ³⁴ So he said, “I am Abraham’s servant. ³⁵ The Lord has blessed my master greatly, and he has become great; and He has given him flocks and herds, silver and gold, male and female servants, and camels and donkeys. ³⁶ And Sarah my master’s wife bore a son to my master when she was old; and to him he has given all that he has. ³⁷ Now my master made me swear, saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, in whose land I dwell; ³⁸ but you shall go to my father’s house and to my family, and take a wife for my son.’ ³⁹ And I said to my master, ‘Perhaps the woman will not follow me.’ ⁴⁰ But he said to me, ‘The Lord, before whom I walk, will send His angel with you and prosper your way; and you shall take a wife for my son from my family and from my father’s house. ⁴¹ You will be clear from this oath when you arrive among my family; for if they will not give her to you, then you will be released from my oath.’

 

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Abraham’s servant explained why he was there. He explained Abraham’s wealth and relationship to the family. He then told everyone that he was sent with a purpose whether Rebekah came with him or not.

 

My Observations:

• Abraham’s servant provided the context of why he was there.
• Only the HOLY SPIRIT could orchestrate the story Abraham’s servant told.
• Abraham’s servant made it clear that he had nothing to gain, rather he was sent with a purpose.

 

Showing up as a stranger and asking for Rebekah to just up and leave was a far-fetched request. Abraham’s servant knew this would be a difficult ask, but he wanted the best for Abraham. He explained everything without embellishing. The facts were strange so if Rebekah agreed to go, it was meant to be.

 

Abraham’s servant even explained his conversation with Abraham. He said to Abraham “Perhaps the woman will not follow me.” Abraham then explained how the HOLY SPIRIT “before who I walk” would be with him and prosper his way. GOD still does this. The HOLY SPIRIT clears the way for you and me to prosper in HIS purpose.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD include Abraham’s servant’s synopsis of the situation?
• What is the purpose GOD has given to you?
• Are you ready for purpose that will be prospered by the HOLY SPIRIT?

Forever Remembered

Forever Remembered

Hebrews 7: This Melchizedek was king of Salem and a priest of the Most High God. As Abraham was coming back from the battle in which he defeated the four kings, Melchizedek met him and blessed him, ² and Abraham gave him one tenth of all he had taken. (The first meaning of Melchizedek's name is “King of Righteousness”; and because he was king of Salem, his name also means “King of Peace.”) ³ There is no record of Melchizedek's father or mother or of any of his ancestors; no record of his birth or of his death. He is like the Son of God; he remains a priest forever.

 

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Encountering a stranger, I remember a guy wearing sunglasses, driving an expensive sports car, zipping in front of people and giving them “the finger” as he passed each. This enraged me, but I could not catch him.

 

• I remember how his actions affected me.
• I did not stop to think how my actions affect other people.
• I realized later that I want to be remembered differently than that.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, explains Melchizedek, who was a king and a high priest. No one knew when he was bon or when he died. He represents how JESUS has no beginning or end. Melchizedek is remembered for his goodness.

 

My Observations:

• Every action I do is either for GOD’s kingdom or against it.
• I have the opportunity to speak about GOD or to do harm to myself and others.
• I can choose what I want people to remember me by.

 

JESUS said “Remember ME.” This mean remember HIS goodness and HIS love. HE faced insurmountable odds by not sinning and at the same time, healing a multitude of people. HIS deeds and words are remembered forever. But what about you and me? GOD has us too.

 

If I give a child a cup of cool water to drink, GOD remember my kindness and loves it! HE enjoys the smallest of service I perform, even if it is just a smile. GOD sees anything I do for HIM and remembers it forever. I am glad GOD cares for you and me.

 

Challenge

• According to the writer, what is Melchizedek remembered by?
• Have you ever wanted to “act out” in public, only to regret what people will remember you by?
• Will you not worry about your reputation and simply serve the way GOD wants you to serve by encouraging someone today?

But You

But You

2 Timothy 4: ³ The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. ⁴ They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends. ⁵ But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.

 

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Waiting a few seconds in silence, one student gave the “all clear” so everyone could get up and do whatever. The teacher had given us a command to remain silent until she returned. That was laughable. I usually did not participate, but I walked around, laughed and played. When she returned, I was still away from my desk. “Stay after class” she said. Nervous at her words, I complied. “I expect this from some of the others, but you… I expect more.”

 

• Her words cut deep.
• I regretted doing like “everyone” else.
• I knew I should have listened to that voice inside that said “Don’t do this.”

 

Paul warns of an impending time that will come when people will just flat out stop listening to GOD’s word. He tells Timothy that human desires will become more prevalent and people will even become teachers, telling others to follow the wide path. “But you”, referring to believers in CHRIST, keep control.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to keep control and endure suffering, even when the crowd has a different way.
• GOD wants me to preach the Good News, even when it is not popular to preach.
• GOD wants me to perform my duty as a servant of HIM, even when it means becoming low instead of being raised up high by the world.

 

Let’s face it, speaking about JESUS is tough. I mean, the world will fall away from listening to this message and it will seem like an overwhelming task to speak about the love of JESUS, expecting results. BUT GOD wants everyone who believes in JESUS to seek and speak.

 

It does seem like people only think of self-preservation. Classes and mantras are taught, devoid the love of JESUS. Implied messages do not carry the words “JESUS died for me and was raised from the dead. My belief in HIM gives me eternal life. HE wants your heart, will you accept HIM today?” I will gladly speak on HIS behalf to small crowds if necessary.

 

Challenge

• Does the writer paint an easy picture?
• Do you feel like life should be easy?
• Will you take a deep breath and speak on HIS behalf, even when the world is not listening, because GOD needs you for “that” person today?

Heart Repair

Heart Repair

Philippians 1: From Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus—

To all God's people in Philippi who are in union with Christ Jesus, including the church leaders and helpers:

 

² May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

 

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Just getting a job was my heart’s desire at one point. But after a period of working, it was not enough. I needed to move up in the company. The pay, while good at one point, was now not enough. The work seemed repetitive and the people wore me down. “Why do they always listen to that guy?” was my complaint.

 

• I was discontent
• I wanted more.
• I lost my thankfulness.

 

Paul and Timothy send greetings to everyone through a letter to the Philippians. The title they gave themselves was that of a “servant.”  Their desire was to bless everyone with grace and peace that only came from GOD.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to trade in my need to be on top to that of being on the bottom.
• GOD wants me to desire more for others than myself.
• GOD wants me to value being a servant more than being served.

 

Serving people is GOD’s highest honor. I mean, when I serve someone, the hole in my heart gets filled. Unfortunately, when I am serving people for my own personal gain, then it can wear on me, causing me to be discontent. I long for something else “better” than the role I am playing at the moment.

 

BUT GOD has a remedy. HE makes me a servant wherever I am. HE guides my mindset to giving others the best, knowing I am adding to a huge “reward” account HE is storing up for me. HE changes my view of something negative into seeing that I  am serving others because HE wants me to. I am glad GOD guides me to those HE wants me to serve.

 

Challenge

• What stands out to you in this opening greeting from the writers?
• Have you ever felt discontent even when your prayers have been answered?
• Will you receive GOD’s grace and peace today by taking a deep breath and serving others without expectations so HE will fill your heart with overflowing thanksgiving?

Overlooked Credentials

Overlooked Credentials

2 Corinthians 11: ²² Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are they Abraham's descendants? So am I. ²³ Are they Christ's servants? I sound like a madman—but I am a better servant than they are! I have worked much harder, I have been in prison more times, I have been whipped much more, and I have been near death more often. ²⁴ Five times I was given the thirty-nine lashes by the Jews; ²⁵ three times I was whipped by the Romans; and once I was stoned. I have been in three shipwrecks, and once I spent twenty-four hours in the water. ²⁶ In my many travels I have been in danger from floods and from robbers, in danger from my own people and from Gentiles; there have been dangers in the cities, dangers in the wilds, dangers on the high seas, and dangers from false friends. ²⁷ There has been work and toil; often I have gone without sleep; I have been hungry and thirsty; I have often been without enough food, shelter, or clothing. ²⁸ And not to mention other things, every day I am under the pressure of my concern for all the churches. ²⁹ When someone is weak, then I feel weak too; when someone is led into sin, I am filled with distress.

 

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Choosing people for the team became political. One person did not seem right for the job but was liked by the higher ups. Another person had done the hard work, but had a few arguments with the higher ups. I had to make a choice.

 

• It seemed like a good idea to go with the popular route.
• It seemed good for “my” career if I went with what people liked versus what they needed.
• It seemed “safe” to choose the route chosen by the higher ups because in reality I was afraid.

 

Paul was livid that the people had fallen away from the teachings of JESUS so easily. They listened to smooth talkers and probably chose actions that were fruitless. He lists what he went through to let everyone know it was not easy to follow CHRIST, but it was the highest priority.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to stand firm in the middle of difficulties.
• GOD wants me to be confident that HE will protect me especially from those who overtly and covertly try to harm me.
• GOD wants me to understand that life will not be easy and I am to use its difficulties as a testimony to JESUS.

 

The wide path that looks easy but is sometimes dangerous. I mean, JESUS took the narrowest path one could take. HE followed every rule HE made and never sinned. HE then released me and everyone else who believes in HIM, from needing to be perfect.

 

JESUS doesn’t expect me to achieve, nor does he expect me to be perfect. That is a human flaw. HE simply wants me to recognize HIS servants look and act different than the world’s servants. HE wants me to keep praise on my lips as I go through difficulties for HIM. I am glad HE opens my eyes to HIS servants who seek HIS face daily.

 

Challenge

• Why is the writer so passionate and what is he passionate about?
• Would you be upset if you worked extremely hard only to be passed over by someone who was not qualified, but liked?
• What credentials do you think GOD wants from HIS servants?
• Will you be brave enough to point your life to JESUS in spite of what naysayers speak about you? 

Playing Dress Up

Playing Dress Up

1 Corinthians 15: ⁴⁵ For the scripture says, “The first man, Adam, was created a living being”; but the last Adam is the life-giving Spirit. ⁴⁶ It is not the spiritual that comes first, but the physical, and then the spiritual. ⁴⁷ The first Adam, made of earth, came from the earth; the second Adam came from heaven. ⁴⁸ Those who belong to the earth are like the one who was made of earth; those who are of heaven are like the one who came from heaven. ⁴⁹ Just as we wear the likeness of the man made of earth, so we will wear the likeness of the Man from heaven.

 

⁵⁰ What I mean, friends, is that what is made of flesh and blood cannot share in God's Kingdom, and what is mortal cannot possess immortality.

 

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“Clean the basement” was the directive given to us. My siblings and I started off doing the work, but the stuff down there was interesting. We found games and toys we hadn’t played with in a while. Then we found old clothes. I put on my father’s shoes, shirt and some pants and schlepped around, talking in the deepest 5 or 6 year old voice.

 

• The big shoes, that easily fell off my feet, reminds me of responsibility I could not keep.
• The big pants, that I clutched onto with my hands,  reminds me of security I tried to place on things.
• The big shirt, that drooped over my frail frame, reminds me of circumstances I could not control.

 

Paul continues to speak about the physical body. We wear it for a while, but one day we will wear the likeness of “The Man from heaven.” He provides encouragement that we can play dress up while on this earth.

 

My Observations

• JESUS wants me to know HE took care of the hard part when HE saved me from death.
• JESUS wants me to be excited about HIS resurrection.
• JESUS wants me to understand that HIS shoes are too big to be filled by my actions, but HE likes when I play dress up, mimicking HIS ways.

 

While I cannot die to save someone from eternal death, I can play dress up and show others a small portion of what JESUS did. I mean, HE prayed for people, wept with them and cared for everyone HE met. HE does not mind when I do the same.

 

GOD knows I am a child and sometimes the shoes my fall off or the pants I’m clutching onto may trip me up or the circumstances may roll off my small shoulders. BUT GOD loves the fact that I am playing dress up , trying to be like HIM. I am glad I cannot be GOD and equally glad HE doesn’t need me to. I am also grateful I can point people to JESUS by loving others as HE did.

 

Challenge

• What does “wearing the likeness” of JESUS make you think of?
• What things did JESUS do that you can mimic?
• Can you enjoy life again by playing dress up for JESUS, being free for just a little while today?

Infectious

 

Infectious

Romans 9: ²⁷ And Isaiah exclaims about Israel: “Even if the people of Israel are as many as the grains of sand by the sea, yet only a few of them will be saved; ²⁸ for the Lord will quickly settle his full account with the world.” ²⁹ It is as Isaiah had said before, “If the Lord Almighty had not left us some descendants, we would have become like Sodom, we would have been like Gomorrah.”

 

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Raining and gloomy, it was a day where everyone on the bus felt despair. As I sat, dreading my work destination, I could see a person smiling. Actually he was laughing. I brushed it off as another person who was going through some weird stuff. But I could not stop looking at him. I felt better. He got up and said, “GOD bless all of you” as he departed the bus. My day wasn’t as bad.

 

• There have been some people who have changed my attitude with a simple smile.
• There have been some people who made me laugh because they were laughing.
• There have been some people who had a positive effect on me simply because they were there.

 

Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah to get his point across. It doesn’t matter how large the number, many people would choose to walk away from GOD. BUT GOD left a few descendants so this would not happen.

 

• GOD wants me to be infectious to my family and neighbors.
• GOD wants me to speak about HIS SON, no matter the circumstance.
• GOD wants me to point to HIS strength, not my own.

 

Being infectious means rising above the current situation. I mean, the winds and storms of life look very scary at times. BUT GOD places me in the middle of the storm to be a beacon of light pointing to HIM.

 

Only a few descendants kept following HIS word and JESUS was born as a human. If it weren’t for those few, salvation would not have come about. JESUS then lived out a perfect life and was murdered by HIS creation. HE rose from the dead and infected those who believe in HIM with the HOLY SPIRIT. I am glad to be infectious to the world.

 

• Does the situation around you seem dismal?
• Are you looking at the storm versus seeing the Savior?
• Will you ask GOD for the strength to be the one who is calm in the middle of the storm so others can see JESUS through you today?

Needs of the Many

Luke 2: ³³ And Joseph and His mother marveled at those things which were spoken of Him. ³⁴ Then Simeon blessed them, and said to Mary His mother, “Behold, this Child is destined for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign which will be spoken against ³⁵ (yes, a sword will pierce through your own soul also), that the thoughts of many hearts may be revealed.”

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“Will you be able to fire a third of our department?” was the question in the interview. “No” was my answer. At one point my ruthless heart would do anything for “the company” but I realized something… these were people.

• One day I woke up and realized there were people around me.
• One day I woke up and saw many people around me that I could serve.
• One day I woke up and understood that I have been put here with a much higher purpose.

Simeon’s final declaration was that JESUS would be the cause of many to fall and many to rise. HE would be the ONE who would reveal the true hearts of humans. How cool is that? Not so cool, because the revelation would be through blindness, pain and death. JESUS needed to do something.

• JESUS has my situation already determined.
• JESUS has my circumstance already taken care of.
• JESUS has my life already planned out and HE has declared victory over eternal death for me.

I have a choice to look at JESUS as my savior. By belief in HIS action, I can be part of the “Rise of many.” HIS power, mercy and grace enables me to have life so when my wicked heart is revealed, it will not be as painful because I acknowledge the need for GOD in my life.

• Are you living your life for “the company?”
• Do you think your project is more important than those GOD has placed around you?
• Can you open your eyes and seek HIS face today so HE can show you your purpose?

Servant Leadership

Mark 12: ³⁸ Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,³⁹ the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, ⁴⁰ who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

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“Keep this confidential” they said as they handed me tickets to the island. All expenses were paid as a perk for doing such a good job leading a large team. “I could get used to this” I thought to myself.

• There have been times when I had the best.
• There have been times when my title made me feel like something special.
• There have been times when wanting first class upgrades seemed innocent.

Long robes, long titles and long prayers were not the problems JESUS was pointing out. HE was addressing a deeper problem, namely desire. The church leaders JESUS was talking to desired to be called by a title and have a wonderful office in the building they were trying to protect. This was theirs and annual celebrations would be bigger than any celebration of GOD.

• JESUS says to me “I want you to feed MY lambs.”
• JESUS says to me “I want you to tend MY sheep.”
• JESUS says to me “I want you to feed MY sheep.”

GOD’s concern is for everyone and HE needs some to serve others. The greater responsibility is to serve, not to be served. Not everyone is called to serve, but for those HE calls HE wants them to serve as HE served. GOD wants me to be a servant leader.

• Are you mad at GOD when the rich and powerful seem to get their way?
• Do you want your way to be in a “better” place?
• Can you ask GOD how HE wants you to serve others today?

Three Step Plan

Mark 12:²⁸ Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first commandment of all?”

²⁹ Jesus answered him, “The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. ³⁰ And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. ³¹ And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.”

³² So the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. ³³ And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”

³⁴ Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the kingdom of God.”

But after that no one dared question Him.

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One day I woke up with a lot on my mind. As I adjusted the scattered thoughts into one cohesive list, I felt a slight bit of relief but the day would indeed be busy.

• Sometimes I get really busy.
• Sometimes I have so many thoughts running through my head that I can’t get them all nailed down.
• Sometimes I am so busy that every thought is dedicated to what I am working on.

“What is our purpose?” the church leader may as well have asked. This one church leader was truly seeking GOD and not trying to protect his status or his building. JESUS gave him a great answer that I can apply to my life.

• JESUS says to me “Believe that the HEAVENLY FATHER, JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT are one GOD.”
• JESUS says to me “Love GOD with all your heart, with all your understanding, with all your soul and with all your strength.”
• JESUS says to me “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.”

GOD’s purpose for me is very simple, but sometimes I complicate it with the busy times of the day. I focus on the world and not on HIM or my neighbor. JESUS gives me an easy plan to follow; all I need to do is yield to HIS plan daily.

• Are you confused at what GOD wants from you?
• Do you think GOD wants you to do something extremely complex and elaborate?
• Will you yield to HIS three step plan and believe in HIM, love HIM and love your neighbor today?