Warning Signs

Warning Signs

Genesis 4: ⁶ So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? ⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

 

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GOD made everything and said it was “very good.” I believe Satan introduced sin to Adam and Eve to ruin all humans, preventing a perfect human from opening the scroll that held HIS sentence. Adam and Eve fell for his lie and were thrown out of the garden. They had children, Cain and Abel. Both kids had a sin nature, but one chose to ignore it and one did not.

 

My Observations:

• Cain was warned about letting his anger turn into sin.
• Anger or lower moods can cause me to be open to sin.
• JESUS used “door” for the first time, implying that conditions were changed enough for humans to now need shelter, and that an entryway to the heart would be like an entryway to a home.

 

I believe JESUS gave Cain a warning just like HE gives you and me through the HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS warns Cain that his anger could cause him to sin and that sin would take over his heart. HE also says that Cain could “rule over it”, giving him a choice. HE even said “If you do well, will you not be accepted?”

 

So far humans were not doing so well in the choice department. Easily fooled, all humans were doomed to death. Fortunately for us, JESUS knows that we are like sheep needing a shepherd.  We don’t make good choices, yet GOD loves us anyway.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about this conversation?
• Have you ever thought about the path you take to sin in your life?
• Have you considered asking GOD to raise your mood and for HIM to place you back on HIS path today?

Test It First

Test It First

1 John 4: My dear friends, do not believe all who claim to have the Spirit, but test them to find out if the spirit they have comes from God. For many false prophets have gone out everywhere. ² This is how you will be able to know whether it is God's Spirit: anyone who acknowledges that Jesus Christ came as a human being has the Spirit who comes from God. ³ But anyone who denies this about Jesus does not have the Spirit from God. The spirit that he has is from the Enemy of Christ; you heard that it would come, and now it is here in the world already.

 

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“Measure twice, cut once” were the sage words of my uncle and my construction teacher. I was learning some light carpentry and those who had deep experience warned me that if I cut a board too small, then I would have wasted that board.

 

• I was taught that the material is precious, so be careful with it.
• I learned that whatever goes into the project should be a good fit.
• I was warned to test out the material before installing it permanently.

 

John addressed “relative belief.”  He may have observed people “who clam the have the Spirit”, but in reality were not believers in JESUS, rather on the hunt for a crowd. John may have wanted to provide protection for believers by providing them with a way to test the Spirit.

 

My Observations:

• There are those who claim to have the Spirit, who are not believers in JESUS.
• Believers in JESUS should be able to say HE became a human, was murdered by HIS creation and HE was raised from the dead.
• Before placing words in my heart, I should test them first by testing the person delivering the message.

 

Adding false belief to my heart can be detrimental. I mean, if I go down the road with someone who is saying false things about JESUS, then I could be seriously, if not eternally injured. BUT GOD made a way.

 

JESUS did become a human. In fact, HE was the perfect human who never sinned. HE lived as a human and felt every pain and temptation we can face. HE was slandered and murdered to die for your sins and mine. I am glad HE gives us a way to test the Spirit to keep us from harm.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer provide this warning?
• Is there any danger in believing in  “my made up truth?”
• Will you test the Spirit of those who are giving you advice by asking if he or she believes that JESUS is GOD, who became a human and was raised from the dead to become the forgiver of our sins?

Choices

Choices

Ephesians 5: ¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people. ¹⁶ Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. ¹⁷ Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.

 

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“Come hang out with us” were the tempting words I would easily flock to . We stayed up late having “fun.” To my dismay, I woke up late for my shift. I was supposed to open the dorm office and I slept way past the time. I was fired.

 

• I did not do what I was supposed to be doing.
• I made a short term choice that was costly long term.
• I could not see any problem with my choice until I ran into the problem.

 

Short term thinking was an issue Paul was trying to address. People had, too often, given into what the world would say is “fun” or “okay.” After a while, their eyes were no longer fixed on GOD, but their own pleasure.

 

My Observations

• GOD made humor, laughter and pleasure for me to enjoy.
• GOD made my life for HIM so I must seek what HE wants me to do and allow HIM to provide me with pleasure.
• GOD wants me to seek wisdom and make good use of every opportunity given to me to serve HIM.

 

Every moment does not have to be a Bible teaching moment. I mean, I must have faith that I know what GOD says through HIS Word and place it in my heart. But there are moments GOD wants me to be ready to speak about HIM and HIS SON as the Savior of all mankind.

 

I can enjoy life while seeking what GOD wants me to do. Unfortunately, there are times when I want to seek what “I” want to do. This is classified as “foolish” or “ignorant” by the writer. Harsh? Not really. GOD has a plan for me each day that is not overwhelming. I am grateful HIS burdens on me are light.

 

Challenge

• What is the warning of the writer?
• Are there any changes you would like to make in your life but need some help?
• Will you seek what GOD wants you to do and release your fear of what you hold onto so you can be filled by HIS SPIRIT today?

Windows to the Temple

John 2: ¹⁸ The Jews then responded to him, ‘What sign can you show us to prove your authority to do all this?’

¹⁹ Jesus answered them, ‘Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.’

²⁰ They replied, ‘It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and you are going to raise it in three days?’ ²¹ But the temple he had spoken of was his body. ²² After he was raised from the dead, his disciples recalled what he had said. Then they believed the Scripture and the words that Jesus had spoken.

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“Let’s go to a horror movie” one friend suggested. “Absolutely!” I replied. It was going to be fun. The one before that one was scary and had girls in it. It was alright to go see these movies, right? I mean these movies were only about fictitious characters killing lots of people and just a little bit of sex. What harm could this do to me?

• There were times when I would listen to things that may not have been good for me.
• There were times when I would look at things that may not have been good for me.
• There were times when I was entertained by violence and sensuality and it added nothing to my character.

JESUS responded to the church leader’s negative question about HIS authority to chase people out of their church for selling their stuff. HE then replied that HE would “Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days.” JESUS knew something about HIS body that HE called it a temple.

• GOD made my body a temple where HE would live.
• GOD created my body so HE would put HIS laws in my heart.
• GOD constructed.my body to house HIS HOLY SPIRIT.

My brain to replays whatever is shown through the windows of my mind. Whatever I listen to, look at touch or smell is recorded in my mind, ready to be replayed at any moment.

JESUS knew that manmade temples were not really HIS house, but what they represent should be holy. HE also knew that my body should also show others HIM as much as I can. GOD wants me to put HIS love in my heart on a daily basis. I am glad HE gives me HIS creation to look at.

• What are you putting in your temple?
• If people could see in your mind, would you be ashamed of what they would see?
• Will you open the windows of your mind to others so GOD can use your life to bring other people to HIM today?