Already Inside

Already Inside

Ephesians 4: ⁷ Each one of us has received a special gift in proportion to what Christ has given. ⁸ As the scripture says,

“When he went up to the very heights,
    he took many captives with him;
    he gave gifts to people.”

 

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Doubting my capabilities, I wondered if there was a way out of where I was. I looked at the circumstances and my own capabilities and I could not see a way to the future the world would consider “successful.” I had no money, no connections and I felt I did not have any talent.

 

• I did not feel special.
• I did not feel valued.
• I did not feel needed or wanted.

 

Unity was the message the HOLY SPIRIT gave to Paul to give to everyone. Each person is unique and is special to GOD. JESUS did something phenomenal. HE gave gifts to many and declared each special to HIM.

 

My Observations

• CHRIST gave me gifts that no one else has.
• CHRIST gave other people gifts that I need to appreciate.
• CHRIST wants me to unite with HIM to bring all HIS sheep together because HE is the Good Shepherd.

 

Gifts were made by GOD for HIS purpose. I mean, HE gave us all the capability of reaching other people for HIM in our own unique way. Unfortunately we have an adversary who wants us to use our gifts for self. We chase the world, seeking more and more of it, sometimes abandoning our GOD-given gifts.

 

BUT GOD saw this and accounted for it. HE gave us the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside each person who believe in JESUS as the Savior. The HOLY SPIRIT guides us back to using our special gift to bring honor and glory to GOD> I am thankful GOD made the gifts HE gave me and I gladly use all for HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think JESUS had to leave the world to get the gifts HE gave?
• What gifts do you consider insignificant that may be overlooked?
• Will you seek your gifts by asking GOD “Who do YOU want me to be today and who do YOU want me to reach for YOU in my own way?”

One Job

One Job

John 17: Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, ² as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. ³ And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. ⁴ I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. ⁵ And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.

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“Open up the office” was the only thing I had to do the next day. The party was getting good, so I stayed a little longer. After the party I made it back to the room and went to bed. When I woke up, I realized I had missed opening time for the office. I raced downstairs and tried to explain, but there was no good explanation. I was fired. I only had one job to do and did not do it.

• I did not think the job was that important.
• I did not think having “fun” was a problem.
• I did not think enjoying myself would get in the way of anything.

JESUS speaks to the FATHER in plain view of HIS disciples. HE talked about the one job HE came to do being finished. But what was this one job? Was it to heal a few people or raise one or two people from the dead? It was much more than that.

• JESUS says to me “I came to give live to those who believe I provide life.”
• JESUS says to me “ I have taken care of all sin for all eternity.”
• JESUS says to me “I have been raised up to the highest esteem by the FATHER.”

Being created by GOD to tell people about JESUS is my one job. Unfortunately I spend a large amount of my time away from doing that. The FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT are the one and only true GOD. While HE forgives my sins and allows me to be distracted by the world, HE still yearns for me to hold JESUS to the highest esteem.

JESUS must be recognized and praised. The more I can do this, the more I am doing the one job HE put me here for. HE wants me to collect others to do the same, Those who believe in HIM will praise HIM forever., I am eternally grateful for JESUS who saved me from eternal death.

• What is your purpose in life?
• Do you think it is to scrounge around for more money or worldly pleasure?
• Can you stop fighting GOD and join HIM in telling people about HIS SON today?

One Sided Relationship

One Sided Relationship

John 6: ²⁸ Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?”

²⁹ Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.”

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When I heard the complaint, I started doing an assessment. “Wait a minute” I said to myself. “Didn’t I do all the work?” I mean I looked at all the planning, hard work and late nights I had put into the effort. I even counted every dollar that came out of “my” pocket.

• One sided relationships make me count what “I” am doing.
• One sided relationships make me feel like “I” am being used.
• One sided relationships make me raise “my” expectation that the other person or people should be doing the same.

“What works should we be doing to please GOD?” was the gist of the question the people asked. They had been miraculously fed by JESUS but told not to seek food alone. Immediately their enterprising minds went towards something tangible. They could see and measure “work” so they wanted to be told what to “do” so they could just do it. But GOD had something else in mind.

• GOD wants me to believe that HE took care of all my sins.
• GOD wants me to believe that HE takes care of all my situations.
• GOD wants me to believe that HE is with me every day, especially during the more difficult ones.

Air, water, food, shelter, and clothing all come from GOD. HE gives me talents and creates scenarios for me to use them to bring people to HIM. HE plans, does all the work and spends all that HE has on me. HE loved me so much that HE gave HIS only begotten SON.

Never once does HE say “Wait a minute, I gave you that meal you ate, the car you drove and clothes you are wearing.” HE does say “Love and believe in MY SON.” That’s it. This one sided relationship is totally in my benefit. All I have to do is believe and trust in JESUS. I place my faith in HIM.

• Are you questioning GOD’s love?
• Do you think you need to sin less or do more so you can be closer to GOD?
• Will you stop trying to control GOD and allow HIM to work through you simply by trusting JESUS today?

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?

Arrival

John 1: ²⁹ The next day John saw Jesus coming towards him and said, ‘Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! ³⁰ This is the one I meant when I said, “A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.” ³¹ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptising with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.’

³² Then John gave this testimony: ‘I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. ³³ And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptise with water told me, “The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptise with the Holy Spirit.” ³⁴ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.’

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After spending hours in an airport, my hopes of getting home that night were waning. It seemed like everything was going wrong that day and rain did not make it any better. Suddenly I heard these words “The flight has arrived.” Everyone, including myself, was filled with joy.

• Something as little as a flight arriving filled me with joy.
• Something as trivial as getting home hours earlier made me delighted.
• Something as small as a plane pulling up to a gate at an airport made my day much better.

John told everyone that the problem of sin was cured by JESUS. “The Messiah had arrived” John told everyone. John came to baptize, BUT JESUS cam to same with the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.

• JESUS wants me to tell HIS story.
• JESUS wants me to let people know that salvation has arrived and they can now be filled with joy.
• JESUS wants me to express to others that HE is GOD’s Chosen ONE, who already has the victory over all my sin.

What a relief it is to have a few things go “my” way. It should be even more of a relief when eternity is paved for me. GOD enables me to live with HIM and wants me to tell others about this great news!

• What little thing has brought you great joy?
• Have you forgotten where joy comes from?
• Will you reflect on what GOD has done and is doing in your life today?

Already Done

Luke 8: ⁴⁹ While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house, saying to him, “Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher.”

⁵⁰ But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, “Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well.” ⁵¹ When He came into the house, He permitted no one to go in except Peter, James, and John, and the father and mother of the girl. ⁵² Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, “Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping.” ⁵³ And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead.

⁵⁴ But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, “Little girl, arise.” ⁵⁵ Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately. And He commanded that she be given something to eat. ⁵⁶ And her parents were astonished, but He charged them to tell no one what had happened.

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“Get on a plane to California on Monday” said one of the senior leaders to me. I could not believe the statement, as it was Friday and the decision that would change where I would live was already made. I had to stop thinking I was going to live where I lived and start looking forward to the place I was going.

• Sometimes it is difficult to wrap my mind around decisions that are already made.
• Sometimes it is hard for me to think of something new in my life.
• Sometimes it is scary to face something new.

“Do not be afraid; only believe” were the words of JESUS as HE spoke of, what looked like, a dead girl. How in the world could anyone muster up the belief that a person who is dead could come back to life? It had never happened before, why would it happen now? GOD wanted them to think differently.

• JESUS says to me “Do not be afraid” so HE can calm my repetitious thinking of the future.
• JESUS says to me “Only believe” so HE can rest my mind on the thing HE has already done for me.
• JESUS says to me “Arise” so HIS purpose may be made known to others around me and they may believe.

When GOD has decided something for me, nothing can change the decision. I mean HIS wonderful plan for me is irrevocable. HE has already put HIS plan into action and the great things HE has for me are already done. I must get my mind ready for HIS great decision and act like I am ready to receive the marvelous blessings HE pours out on me. HE prepares me.

• Are you grousing about your life?
• Do you spend an enormous amount of time complaining about where GOD has you?
• Can you believe HE has already blessed you and start acting like HIS blessings are already here?
• Will you believe HIS blessings are already done for you?

Unbelievable

Mark 16: ¹² After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. ¹³ And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

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“Aw go back to bed” said the person in the top bunk as I tried to give him an urgent message. I went to the only bathroom in the house very early in the morning. I didn’t have my glasses on but I could clearly see that on the rim of the tub was a mouse on its hind legs. “You were dreaming” I was told.

• There were times when I stated the facts and was not believed.
• There were times when I stated something that seemed farfetched.
• There were times when I said something that was the truth that were not believed and rebutted with “that is your story.”

Two disciples walked with the risen LORD for a while. Other accounts say that JESUS spoke to them in marvelous ways with such passion as they never heard before. When they went to tell others, they were met with disbelief. I wonder if the people said “You were dreaming” to both men.

• JESUS wants me to tell people about the amazing thing HE did for me.
• JESUS wants me to proclaim HIS message of salvation to many who may not believe.
• JESUS wants me to continue following HIM, even when it looks crazy to do so.

“Won’t you believe me?” is my question sometimes when I tell people about GOD. I mean this is an eternal decision, yet the message sometimes falls on deaf ears. GOD wants me to have the fortitude to see beyond those who will not believe at this moment.

HE never lets HIS word go out without some return. HE wants me to plant seeds in some, in others HE wants me to water the seed and still in others HE wants me to pick the fruit of the growth. GOD wants me to be consistent and that consistency is my faith in HIM whether I am believed or not.

• Are you telling people about GOD and are met with disbelief?
• Are you getting discouraged because people have rejected you?
• Can you continue in your faith knowing GOD is with you today?

Window Pane

Mark 10: ¹⁷ Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

¹⁸ So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”

²⁰ And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”

²¹ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

²² But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

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 “Why did you do that?” a person inquired of me as they were trying to get to the bottom of my untruth. My lie was falling apart and I said something else that could not support the lie I had just told. They could see through my lies.

• People have seen right through my lies.
• People have looked at my face and knew I was not telling the truth.
• People have listened to a story I have said and quickly deciphered I was not telling the truth.

JESUS spoke to the rich man who seemed to be an achiever. The rich man’s words “Do” and “Inherit” shows he thought he could earn GOD’s approval. BUT JESUS saw right through HIM and told the rich man of only one fatal flaw, namely he was greedy.

• JESUS sees my heart and forgives my sin.
• JESUS sees my plans and alters them to bless me and others.
• JESUS sees my deepest desires and saves me anyway.

At one point I thought this story was only about greed, but it is much deeper than that. Pride, bitterness, hatred, lust, and envy are just some sins JESUS could have substituted in this message. If a murderer approached HIM, JESUS would have changed the action.

HE sees me desperately trying to achieve what HE has already done. JESUS has already forgiven me, already healed me and has already restored my soul back to HIM. HIS desire is that I open my eyes to HIS blessings daily because HE did it while seeing right through me.

• Are you trying to achieve GOD’s free gift of grace?
• Do you think you are in control of GOD’s love by your actions?
• Will you stop thinking your “level of good” merits you special favors from GOD?
• Can you start opening up your eyes to grace and spit out your bitterness?