Silent Work

Silent Work

1 Thessalonians 2: ¹³ And there is another reason why we always give thanks to God. When we brought you God's message, you heard it and accepted it, not as a message from human beings but as God's message, which indeed it is. For God is at work in you who believe.

 

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After receiving some bad news, all of us seemed to be down. We sat around in a low mood, brooding over the bleak future. “Everything is terrible” were the thoughts that ran through my mind. Then someone came into the room with a smile. Not saying a word, the person walked in with a calmness that made me calm.

 

• I was uneasy about the future.
• I was feeling like Things would not get better.
• I instantly felt better when a genuine person exuded peace in the middle of the storm.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy felt thankful for something special. Not only did the people of Thessalonica listen to the message that JESUS as their Savior, they believed with all their hearts. GOD could now, work in them.

 

My Observations

• One reason I can give thanks to GOD is that HE is at work in me.
• Another reason I can give thanks to GOD is that I don’t have to try so hard because HE is doing the work.
• Yet another reason I can give thanks to GOD is that HE chose me to live for HIS purpose.

 

GOD’s power is unstoppable. It cannot be diminished, restrained or deterred in any way. Yet HE chooses to live inside those who yield their beliefs to HIM. As frail and fragile as you and I are, HE stores HIS power inside us.

 

Even a smile in the middle of a storm can help tame a torrent. GOD provides peace, love, and grace that is unimaginable. HIS work in you and me is great. I am thankful GOD has chosen us.

 

Challenge

• What reasons do you think the writers gave their thanks to GOD?
• What reasons do you have to be thankful?
• Will you believe in JESUS as your LORD and Savior beyond salvation, rather so GOD can work in you to do amazing things unknown to you?

Depend on the Promises

Depend on the Promises

Galatians 3: ¹⁵ My friends, I am going to use an everyday example: when two people agree on a matter and sign an agreement, no one can break it or add anything to it. ¹⁶ Now, God made his promises to Abraham and to his descendant. The scripture does not use the plural “descendants,” meaning many people, but the singular “descendant,” meaning one person only, namely, Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is that God made a covenant with Abraham and promised to keep it. The Law, which was given four hundred and thirty years later, cannot break that covenant and cancel God's promise. ¹⁸ For if God's gift depends on the Law, then it no longer depends on his promise. However, it was because of his promise that God gave that gift to Abraham.

 

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“I will” are powerful words from GOD.  When HE makes a promise to humanity, HE has already done what HE said HE will do. Since I am stuck in time, I can only see what HE has already done in my life and what was written down in others. I cannot see the future.

 

• I have to have faith to believe in GOD’s promises
• I need to know what GOD’s promises are to believe them.
• Once I know what HIS promises are, I should live my life according them already happening.

 

GOD made promises to Abraham and JESUS before the Law was given to Moses. Paul explains something that is often overlooked. We try to live by “the Law” and forget about the “Promise” GOD made to Abraham before the Law was written. The primary promise is that JESUS would save the world and be “the blessing” everyone needs.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s promises to me have never been broken.
• My insecurities or lack of faith cannot affect GOD’s promises for me.
• Nothing can stop GOD’s love for me because HE promised to do so through JESUS.

 

Insecurity blinds to GOD’s promises. I mean, when GOD says “I will never leave you or forsake you” I have to believe this is a statement that has already take place. HE has never left me nor forsaken me for the entirety of my life.

 

To believe in GOD’s promises takes faith. I have to stop trying to figure out everything and let go of requiring evidence and “signs” daily. GOD said “I love you” and HIS promise should be enough. I gladly depend on HIS promise to “make my paths straight.”

 

Challenge

• What is GOD’s promise in this passage?
• Have you ever doubted GOD’s promises for you?
• Why do you think the writer is trying so hard to take the focus off “the Law” and place it on JESUS?
• Will you seek to know what GOD’s promises are for you so you can live an abundant life for HIM today?

Who put you in charge?

 

Who put you in charge?

1 Corinthians 4: You should think of us as Christ's servants, who have been put in charge of God's secret truths. ² The one thing required of such servants is that they be faithful to their master. ³ Now, I am not at all concerned about being judged by you or by any human standard; I don't even pass judgment on myself. ⁴ My conscience is clear, but that does not prove that I am really innocent. The Lord is the one who passes judgment on me. ⁵ So you should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time comes. Final judgment must wait until the Lord comes; he will bring to light the dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people's minds. And then all will receive from God the praise they deserve.

 

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After I realized I was not living as I should, I started reading the Bible more and learning what it had to say. When I found a truth that I should live, I immediately told others. But one day someone said “Who put you in charge?” My approach was pretty harsh.

 

• There have been times when I had the best intentions but my delivery was not the best.
• There have been times when I wanted to help, but the way I helped seemed harsh.
• There have been times when I thought I was serving when in reality I was judging.

 

Paul explains that anyone who speaks about JESUS, needs to be faithful. Judging someone else’s intentions is not the main goal and should be left to JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to be faithful to follow JESUS.
• GOD wants me to be careful not to judge.
• GOD wants me to keep my conscience clear, but know I am a sinner who need to be forgiven.

 

When GOD made me, HE wanted me to speak highly of JESUS. I believe everyone is made to do the same. But some will not. GOD chose to use humans to spread HIS Good News of JESUS being our Savior.

 

I can say this with a clear conscience, knowing all my actions will be judged. Some will be burned up and some will stay. I am glad GOD enables me to be dependable enough to speak HIS name.

 

• Do you feel like falling away from CHRIST?
• Are you judging someone today?
• Will you remain faithful to GOD and follow HIS ways and drop any judgement you may have of others today?

Whoever

Whoever

Acts 10: ³⁹ And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. ⁴⁰ Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, ⁴¹ not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead. ⁴² And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead. ⁴³ To Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive remission of sins.”

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When the meeting ended early, I walked out with a growling stomach. I noticed a table full of delightful food just sitting out. “Go ahead, have some” said a person standing next to the table. There was too much food for the meeting attendants next door to the meeting I left, so whoever wanted food could have it.

• Many times I have been the benefactor of open generosity.
• Many times I have been the recipient of a gift I did not expect.
• Many times I have been the person in need and somehow got my need met.

Peter explains the many witnesses of JESUS, him included. He talks about JESUS being murdered by those who were supposed to be HIS followers. Peter also explains how JESUS was raised from the dead, shown to specific witnesses and gave the commandment to preach about HIM.

• GOD wants me to speak about JESUS to everyone.
• GOD wants me to give HIS gift away freely to anyone who will receive it.
• GOD wants me to tell people they can have forgiveness if they would just believe in JESUS.

JESUS proved HE was and is the Messiah. HE was the one the prophets wrote about and made a way for anyone who wants their sins forgiven to be saved. HE only wants belief in HIM as the Savior of mankind. This free gift is available to “whoever” believes in HIM. I am grateful JESUS did not exclude me.

• Are you in need of forgiveness?
• Have you lost your hope?
• Will you believe that JESUS is GOD, became a human, was murdered and raised from the dead and is now alive ready to have a relationship with you, today?

As You Are

As You Are

John 21: ¹¹ Simon Peter went up and dragged the net to land, full of large fish, one hundred and fifty-three; and although there were so many, the net was not broken. ¹² Jesus said to them, “Come and eat breakfast.” Yet none of the disciples dared ask Him, “Who are You?”—knowing that it was the Lord. ¹³ Jesus then came and took the bread and gave it to them, and likewise the fish.

¹⁴ This is now the third time Jesus showed Himself to His disciples after He was raised from the dead.

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Thinking I had to be just like other people, I mimicked several folk’s moves. I wore the styles of one person, talked like another, and discussed car desires of another. An observer, who knew me before I started mimicking, asked “What are you doing?” I said I wanted to be successful. They replied, “Just be yourself.”

• At one point I thought I did not have what it took to be successful.
• At one point I thought I had to be like someone else, because I felt the way I was could not possibly be successful.
• At one point I desired to be successful, but was scared that people would see my flaws.

Peter came to his senses and started helping drag the huge catch of fish to shore. Not only did they catch one hundred and fifty-three fish, something amazing happened. The net did not break. The net was just as it was before, but did amazing things.

• GOD wants to use me just as I am.
• GOD wants to do amazing things through me without needing me to be someone else.
• GOD wants me to point people to HIS power and only I can reach a certain group of people HE has given to me.

When JESUS called HIS disciples, HE never said, “Change for ME” rather HE said “Follow ME.” This bold statement enables me to remain who I am, yet follow HIS examples. HE also takes care of the miracles. The miracle of the net shows me HE can take my pitiful efforts and use them for miraculous things. I am glad GOD delivers, every time, in miraculous ways.

• Do you feel inadequate?
• Do you think you cannot possibly be used for something large?
• Will you stop thinking it is your power that makes you succeed rather GOD’s power?

Alarm Clock

Alarm Clock

John 12: ³⁷ But although He had done so many signs before them, they did not believe in Him, ³⁸ that the word of Isaiah the prophet might be fulfilled, which he spoke:

“Lord, who has believed our report?

And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?”

³⁹ Therefore they could not believe, because Isaiah said again:

⁴⁰ “He has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts,
Lest they should see with their eyes,
Lest they should understand with their hearts and turn,
So that I should heal them.”

⁴¹ These things Isaiah said ^[f]when he saw His glory and spoke of Him.

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After placing my child in the baby carrier, I performed my daily ritual. I loaded important papers and other work items in the back seat. I got in the car and started to drive off. When I looked in the back seat, I noticed the baby was not there. I got out of the car and went into the house. There was my child, sitting in the carrier, smiling. Oh, and I noticed my coffee was sitting on top of the car.

• There have been times when I was distracted.
• There have been times when I had so much on my mind that all I could do was concentrate on what was causing stress.
• There have been times when I was awake, but could not remember how so much time had passed.

JESUS had healed blind people, cured people of extreme diseases, and raised people from the dead. This was the beginning of a list that is too long to write. Unfortunately, the longer the list, the more the people would not believe in HIM. They were distracted by their desires and could not “see” or “hear” HIM.

• GOD wants me to wake up and see what HE made me for.
• GOD wants me to open my eyes to those around me who need HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand in my heart what HE wants me to do.

 ““HE has blinded their eyes and hardened their hearts” are the words that scare me most. I mean, if I want something that GOD does not want me to have, HE may give it to me, in abundance. HE will then blind me to think “I” did this. HE will also harden my heart to think HE does not exist or HE no longer heals.

GOD wants my full attention. HE wants me to believe in HIS healing, saving power. HE can do whatever HE wants, whenever HE wants. Fortunately, HE wants to do things with love in HIS heart. I am glad HE pursues me.

• Are you distracted away from GOD’s power?
• Are you just going through the motions, not knowing why so much time has passed?
• Will you wake up and see GOD in your life so you can understand with your heart how much HE loves you today?

Saying the Right Things

Saying the Right Things

John 12: ⁴ But one of His disciples, Judas Iscariot, Simon’s son, who would betray Him, said, ⁵ “Why was this fragrant oil not sold for three hundred denarii and given to the poor?” ⁶ This he said, not that he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and had the money box; and he used to take what was put in it.

⁷ But Jesus said, “Let her alone; she has kept this for the day of My burial. ⁸ For the poor you have with you always, but Me you do not have always.”

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Laughing at what was said by another classmate, I was signaled by the Sunday school teacher to give the answer. “Um, JESUS?” I said, knowing it was a safe answer. I mean, it was either HIM, or Noah or Daniel. “JESUS was not Abraham’s wife, it was Sarah” was her reply. Okay, the reply was a joke, because I could not remember the actual question, but the situation was true.

• There were times when I mouthed the name “GOD” without any meaning.
• There were times when I said “JESUS” because it was the right thing to say.
• There were times when I prayed with others because they were praying and I just went along with it.

Judas the betrayer tried to show concern for the poor by saying the expensive oil used on JESUS’s feet could have been sold and given to them. JESUS did not expose Judas at that time, rather HE explained that her actions were SPIRIT led and would be used to prepare HIM for HIS death.

• GOD wants me to speak about HIM from my heart.
• GOD wants me to say the name of JESUS, knowing it has true power.
• GOD wants me to express HIS love without doubt or manipulative motives.

Saying GOD or JESUS may sound like the right thing, but if said without the heart believing in HIM, the words are worthless. GOD wants me to say what I believe. Whatever is in my heart will be exposed. I am grateful JESUS fills my heart with HIS SPIRIT.

• What are you saying?
• What do you truly believe when no one is looking?
• Can you ask GOD to fill your heart so HIS words will flow through you today?

Roots

Roots

John 9: ³⁵ Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when He had found him, He said to him, “Do you believe in the Son of God?”

³⁶ He answered and said, “Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?”

³⁷ And Jesus said to him, “You have both seen Him and it is He who is talking with you.”

³⁸ Then he said, “Lord, I believe!” And he worshiped Him.

³⁹ And Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, that those who do not see may see, and that those who see may be made blind.”

⁴⁰ Then some of the Pharisees who were with Him heard these words, and said to Him, “Are we blind also?”

⁴¹ Jesus said to them, “If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see.’ Therefore your sin remains.

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After the third promotion I could see the top getting a bit closer. Nervous about the trail, I resorted to listening to lines from some cheesy movie. “You are the master” are the words I remembered, to give me confidence. “You can do this!” I went in and got the promotion. I was invincible! Or so I thought.

• There were times when I had a lot of “self-confidence.”
• There were times when I believed in myself and “my” abilities.
• There were times when I thought “I” accomplished a lot.

JESUS reveals HE is GOD to the man HE healed of blindness. HE then asks “Do you believe in the SON of GOD?” The man says “Yes!” The church leaders, who were very confident in their titles, asked “Are we blind?” They knew the Bible thoroughly and mentioned GOD regularly. They could not “see” their blindness.

• GOD wants me to only have confidence in HIS abilities.
• GOD wants me place my trust in HIS abilities, motives and methods.
• GOD wants me to admit I am blind and need HIM every second of every day.

Forgetting that GOD raised me up from very meager roots led to my blindness. I foolishly believed that it was “my” talents that raised me up to where I got to. My ego was deflated when it was all taken away. GOD showed me just how blind I had gotten. I forgot to give HIM credit for the little things as well as the large.

GOD is in control of everything, no matter what humans think. All trust needs to be placed in JESUS for only HE knows the true plan. GOD is my master, in HIM I place my trust.

• Are you over confident in your abilities?
• Do you suffer from lack of confidence because you think you lack abilities?
• Will you remember where you came from and believe GOD made you exactly as HE wanted so you can serve HIM today?

As long as I am here

As long as I am here

John 9: Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. ² And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

³ Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him. ⁴ I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. ⁵ As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”

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Holding my breath, I sped into the greasy, urine laced bathroom. It was the only option. On my way out, I remembered the words of one of the leader’s at work… “Leave a place better than you found it.” I looked at the overflowing garbage and knew I could not do anything about it. Instead, I cleaned the greasy sink as I washed my hands.

• Sometimes the situations that I face are really undesirable.
• Sometimes the solution that I come up with may be small.
• Sometimes I have to do something as long as I am here.

“Why is this man blind?” JESUS disciples questioned. They were on the right track because they believed everything stemmed from a spiritual nature. “Did he sin or his parents?” JESUS guides their thinking and provided the root cause of the blindness. “So GOD can should be revealed in him.”

• GOD wants me to serve HIM while I am alive.
• GOD wants me to serve others as long as I am living.
• GOD wants me to make the place a little better as long as I am in the world.

Solving poverty, abuse, neglect, pollution, crime, racism, and sexual misconduct seem overwhelming at times. Any one of those sins could have me dedicate my entire life trying to eradicate them from humans. BUT GOD gives me a different view.

HE wants me to see each person I encounter as unique. I can confess a variety sins I have done and explain how JESUS forgave them all. I can then spread HIS hope of an eternal future that only comes from HIM. As long as I am in the world, I may as well serve the Living GOD.

• What do you do daily?
• Why has GOD left you alive?
• Will you live your life for HIM, even if it is a smile or a word of encouragement to a stranger today?

It Does Not Make Sense

It Does Not Make Sense

John 6: ²² On the following day, when the people who were standing on the other side of the sea saw that there was no other boat there, except that one which His disciples had entered, and that Jesus had not entered the boat with His disciples, but His disciples had gone away alone— ²³ however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks— ²⁴ when the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, nor His disciples, they also got into boats and came to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. ²⁵ And when they found Him on the other side of the sea, they said to Him, “Rabbi, when did You come here?”

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Embarrassed to say my true background, I mustered up the courage to do so anyway. The room was full of people who had stronger credentials than me and I had barely got in wherever I applied. I stated I grew up with not much money and barely graduated from a university. Somehow I was selected to lead a group in a large corporation.

• Looking back on my path I say it does not make sense to where I got to.
• Looking back on my path I would have given up, because I never  would have thought I would be able to reach where I got.
• Looking back on the number of things that have miraculously happened to me, I would never have thought these things would happen to me.

The people tried to understand what happened though human lenses. They “saw” that there was no boat or disciples. They also “saw” JESUS did not leave with them but was gone. They crossed the sea and “saw: JESUS there. It did not make sense. BUT to GOD it made perfect sense.

• GOD says to me “I AM limitless in MY power.”
• GOD says to me “I AM all-knowing and all seeing.”
• GOD says to me “I AM.”

The great I AM can do anything at any time. Since this is a confusing concept, I try to make sense out of GOD by what I can “see.” When I do not like what I “see”, I question HIS power or intent. I mean I told HIM what I wanted in “my” prayer, why didn’t HE just do what “I” said?

GOD does answer my prayers, but HIS purpose for saying “no” or “wait” or “yes” has to include other people that will be blessed in the process. JESUS demonstrated HIS will cannot be stopped, even by a large body of water. HE loved me so much and never stopped HIS mission to rescue me. I am glad HE is all powerful.

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Are you looking at GOD by what you can see?
• Will you stop trying to make GOD small and allow HIS unseen works to speak louder to you to grow your faith?

Unseen Belief

John 4: ⁴⁶ Once more he visited Cana in Galilee, where he had turned the water into wine. And there was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. ⁴⁷ When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death.

⁴⁸ “Unless you people see signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.”

⁴⁹ The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”

⁵⁰ “Go,” Jesus replied, “your son will live.”

The man took Jesus at his word and departed. ⁵¹ While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living.⁵² When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “Yesterday, at one in the afternoon, the fever left him.”

⁵³ Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and his whole household believed.

⁵⁴ This was the second sign Jesus performed after coming from Judea to Galilee.

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“Trust me” were the words I had been burned by before. I mean those words seemed synonymous to “don’t believe anything I am going to say.” I wrote the check with the feeling of remorse and skepticism. Months later the investment flopped, just as I thought.

• Sometimes I am skeptical.
• Sometimes I have doubt.
• Sometimes I don’t trust so I develop my own plan to rest my mind.

A royal official could not heal his dying son by using influence or money. He went to JESUS to beg HIM to heal his son. JESUS said something that seems harsh. “Unless you see you will not believe.” “Go, your son will live,” JESUS said to the official. This was a moment of trust.

• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS power with faith.
• JESUS wants me to stop building contingency plans in case HIS plan for me fails.
• JESUS wants me to trust HIS word and obey what HE tells me to do.

Trusting in GOD means letting go of the fear, doubt and worry that so easily creeps into my soul. HE wants me to stop trying so hard and allow HIM to do HIS marvelous work. Instead of controlling GOD, HE wants me to trust HIM to do amazing things. GOD wants my faith to be in the unseen things HE does. I believe and trust GOD.

• Are you waiting on GOD to “show” you something?
• Do you feel you need HIM to do something before you can trust HIM?
• Will you put your trust in GOD today, before HE shows you HIS marvelous plan for you?

Optimistic Faith

John 1: ⁴⁶ ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ Nathanael asked.

‘Come and see,’ said Philip.

⁴⁷ When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, ‘Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’

⁴⁸ ‘How do you know me?’ Nathanael asked.

Jesus answered, ‘I saw you while you were still under the fig-tree before Philip called you.’

⁴⁹ Then Nathanael declared, ‘Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.’

⁵⁰ Jesus said, ‘You believe because I told you I saw you under the fig-tree. You will see greater things than that.’ ⁵¹ He then added, ‘Very truly I tell you, you will see “heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on” the Son of Man.’

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“The job is yours” said one of the higher–ups to me. First of all, I did not apply to the position and secondly, it seemed too good to be true. I was skeptical so I asked other people what was going on. “You were chosen for the position” they said. I cautiously went along with what they were saying until they made the announcement.

• Many times I have been skeptical.
• Many times I wanted to see proof in order to believe.
• Many times I doubted some great news until I saw it for myself.

Nathaniel had a reputation for being honest. When he heard about JESUS, who was born in Nazareth, he questioned the validity of this person being the Messiah. It would seem that the savior of the world would come from a great city with wealth and power. JESUS told him otherwise.

• GOD wants me to believe in HIS ways with optimistic faith.
• GOD wants me to know HE can do anything because HE is the true power.
• GOD wants me to understand that when HE gives me a promise, HE will never back down from it.

One day GOD will reveal to everyone the plan HE has for humans. This day to day life will be changed to an eternal way of living, with GOD or without HIM. Until that happens, GOD wants me to have optimistic faith that overflows onto others. HE wants me to mention JESUS as much as I can until HE returns. I am grateful GOD is faithful to me.

• Do you believe in what GOD is doing for you?
• Do you believe HE has an incredible plan for you?
• Will you put away any skepticism and allow GOD to execute HIS plan for you without doubt today?

Good Reception

John 1: ¹⁰ He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognise him. 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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Excited to test them outside, I handed one to a friend. We were camping and I wanted to see just how far I could be heard on my walkie-talkie. As we moved away from each other I said “Can you still hear me?” “Yes!” the other person said in the two way radio. My message was heard.

• Sometimes when GOD speaks I am too far away to hear HIM.
• Sometimes when GOD speaks I have too much interference to listen to what HE is saying.
• Sometimes when GOD speaks I voluntarily turn my “receiver” off so I can do my own thing.

The WORD was in the world and while the world was made by HIM, it did not recognize HIM as GOD. They turned off the radio’s of their hearts so they could no longer hear HIM. BUT GOD gave the right to become HIS children to those who allowed themselves to have “good reception.”

• GOD wants me to keep the ears to my heart open so I can hear HIM every day.
• GOD wants me to receive HIS marvelous blessings each and every day.
• GOD wants me to see HIM with my heart so I can do the things I was “born” for.

Receiving GOD means believing in HIS name or reputation or status. I mean I must believe HE is who HE says HE is and recognize HIS power over everything. HE is my guide and I should believe HE can handle any and every problem that arises. Everything must be place under HIS decisions so that they can be “born” of GOD. I give GOD my all.

• Can you hear GOD in your life or are you listening to yourself?
• Has GOD been speaking to you, telling you to spread HIS great news?
• Will you open your heart to HIM and allow HIM to speak through you today?

Follow the Instructions

Luke 24: On the first day of the week, very early in the morning, the women took the spices they had prepared and went to the tomb. ² They found the stone rolled away from the tomb, ³ but when they entered, they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. ⁴ While they were wondering about this, suddenly two men in clothes that gleamed like lightning stood beside them. ⁵ In their fright the women bowed down with their faces to the ground, but the men said to them, ‘Why do you look for the living among the dead? ⁶ He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: ⁷ “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”’ ⁸ Then they remembered his words.

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“After you build it, then use sand paper on it, put finish on it and then use sand paper on it again” were the counter-intuitive words from my uncle, who was a master carpenter. I heeded his words, bot did not understand how all of this would work. When I finished building my custom furniture, it turned out just as he said.

• There have been times I have been skeptical because I did not understand.
• There have been times when the instructor has given me a message and I did not receive it wholeheartedly.
• There have been times when I did not quite believe the message that was given to me by someone who knows the information.

The women went to the tomb and found it empty. They were shocked until two “men” or angels, told them JESUS had risen, just as HE had said. They remembered HIS words and put it all together.

• JESUS told me “HE loves me with all HIS heart.”
• JESUS told me “I died for you and ALL of your sins are forgiven.”
• JESUS told me “I have taken care of every one of your needs.”

“Do not be afraid” is another message JESUS told me, but sometimes I forget HIS instructions and try to fix things on my own. When I look at the future with my sinful eyes, I can only see a fearful future. BUT GOD wants me to adjust where I am looking and focus on HIM.

GOD has made so many promises to protect me, grow me and love me, that I cannot ignore HIS wonderful plan for me. HE guides me to places I never would have thought and HE brings people to me that needs an encouraging word. JESUS did as HE said and I put my faith in HIM.

• Are you fighting GOD?
• Do you believe HE has take care of your problem?
• Will you put your faith in JESUS today and allow HIM to guide you?