Far From the Garden

Far From the Garden

Exodus 1: ⁸ Now there arose a new king over Egypt, who did not know Joseph. ⁹ And he said to his people, “Look, the people of the children of Israel are more and mightier than we; ¹⁰ come, let us deal shrewdly with them, lest they multiply, and it happen, in the event of war, that they also join our enemies and fight against us, and so go up out of the land.” ¹¹ Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh supply cities, Pithom and Raamses. ¹² But the more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew. And they were in dread of the children of Israel. ¹³ So the Egyptians made the children of Israel serve with rigor. ¹⁴ And they made their lives bitter with hard bondage—in mortar, in brick, and in all manner of service in the field. All their service in which they made them serve was with rigor.

 

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Remember the Garden of Eden? Adam and Eve were placed in a perfect habitat where they could be fruitful and multiply without any hatred or bitterness. But now the Egyptians were hateful and bitter towards the children of Israel. The new Pharaoh had not heard of endearing stories of Joseph. All he cared about was pacifying his fear.

 

My Observations:

• The new Pharaoh wanted slaves and he expressed his insecurities with other Egyptians.
• The new Pharaoh came up with a plan that would put the children of Israel into bondage.
• The new Pharoah made the lives of the children of Israel bitter with hard bondage.

 

When the new leader of the nation was put in place, even the Egyptians felt the problem. When Joseph was alive, the Egyptians and the Israelites got along well. They lived in harmony and prospered. The peace experienced during the Joseph years was as close to peace felt by Adam and Eve.

 

But the new national leader came in with words of fear, hatred and bondage. Humanity was falling further and further from GOD. The longer humans spent out of the Garden of Eden, the more evil they became. GOD saw the new leader’s heart and had a plan to deliver HIS people.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the supernatural child fertility even when the children of Israel were afflicted?
• Have you ever experienced a new leader who has afflicted many people?
• Do you believe that what was meant for evil by the leader who afflicted many, GOD will use for good?

Beyond Bitterness

 

Beyond Bitterness

Revelation 8: ¹⁰ Then the third angel blew his trumpet. A large star, burning like a torch, dropped from the sky and fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. ¹¹ (The name of the star is “Bitterness.”) A third of the water turned bitter, and many people died from drinking the water, because it had turned bitter.

 

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After the hike, I was thirsty. We got back to the campsite and there was a water pump. We gathered around it in delight! I cupped my hands under the pump as someone raised and lowered the handle. I got excited hearing the pump rumble, but when the water came out, it was brown and rusty!

 

• Initially the water was rusty.
• We could not drink the water until the pump lines were cleared.
• We had to boil the water to make it drinkable.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard the third angel blow the trumpet. Then a star hit earth, contaminating a third of fresh water sources. This was the third of seven steps to continue to take down Satan’s kingdom.

 

My Observations:

• GOD will make the earth an uncomfortable place to live.
• Satan tempted JESUS with the things of this world, BUT GOD will tear down what he could offer.
• Believers in JESUS will not have to thirst, because GOD will supply living water.

 

Bitterness is a problem. I mean, when GOD uses bitterness to destroy something, it must be bad. I can have bitterness in my heart that isn’t good. I can see the injustice of a people group or remember what someone did or did not do to me or for me and react in a bitter way. Bitter is a sharp, pungent, taste or smell.  GOD has a remedy for bitterness.

 

JESUS died for my sins, even the bitter ones. HIS grace is sufficient to cover my sin of bitterness. HE is willing to reshape my heart instead of allowing it to be hardened towards any one person. HE can change any heart, and it starts with mine.

 

Challenge

• Are you surprised by what the writer saw?
• Have you ever tasted bitter water?
• Will you seek to understand GOD’s plan so you can remove any bitterness from your heart towards “that” person so you can allow GOD into your heart today?

Grown Up

 Grown Up

Romans 12: ¹⁴ Ask God to bless those who persecute you—yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.

 

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Being handed an award for outstanding work felt rather insulting when I was notified the position I held was cut. During the downsizing process, insults were hurled at me and laughter ensued as I had to present my final “next year’s plan.” You won’t be around to see it, they giggled. “YOU mean I am supposed to pray for them!?’ I questioned.

 

• There were many times when I wanted to ask GOD to drop boulders on those who hurt me.
• There were many times when I wanted to see those who hurt me to get hurt so they could feel my pain.
• There were many times when I wanted to gloat at the pain of someone who hurt me, thinking I would feel better.

 

Paul writes something extremely strange. HE tells everyone to “Bless those who persecute you.” What!? He then reemphasizes his bold statement to make sure everyone heard what he said. “Yes, ask HIM to bless, not to curse.” Paul had been beaten, stoned, chased, and slandered. GOD showed him another way to handle bitterness and a poisoned heart.

 

• GOD wants me to guard my heart from the poison of hatred.
• GOD wants me to protect my heart from rage and anger.
• GOD wants me to insulate my heart from bitterness and animosity.

 

Hate breeds more hate. I mean, when I see “that” person get what he or she “deserves” it does nothing. I still have the loss and I still need to heal. It hurts even worse when “that” person seems to walk away unscathed. “YOU mean I have been wronged and “that” person seems to be doing well?” Yes, GOD says, because HE knows how to repair my heart.

 

I sighed and prayed for those who persecuted me to do well. It did not work the first time, but over time it did. I was able to release the poison I had in my heart. I even felt better about my relationship with GOD because HE was pleased with me for growing up.

 

• Did someone hurt you?
• Are you still carrying around bitterness for that person after all these years?
• Will you regain the power of GOD in your life by praying for “that” person to be blessed by HIM and let GOD handle him or her the way HE wants to so HE can repair your heart with grace today?

Perfection at its Best

Matthew 5: ⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. ⁴⁶ If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? ⁴⁷ And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? ⁴⁸ Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

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“Strong dislike” was the feeling I had towards this guy. I mean he had come along an upended my world simply by being inserted as my boss. He went out of his way to harm me and seemed even more maleficent when I showed any type of resilience.

• There have been times that I didn’t like a person.
• There have been people in my life that I could do without.
• There have been times when I brooded so much over a person that I lost sleep.

Replaying the “criminal” act over and over made me furious. I could not help but conclude that the only answer was to have this person dropped off a mountain while locked in an exploding train met with jagged rocks and a shark pit. Since I couldn’t afford to buy a train, I just sat and fumed.

• GOD said to me “Love your enemies.”
• GOD said to me “Pray for those who persecute you.”
• GOD said to me “Be perfect just as I, your HEAVENLY FATHER, AM perfect.”

Perfection in this example was “Love.” He wanted me to take bitterness and poison out of my heart and replace it with love for those who went out of their way to harm me. It took time to drive out the bitter thinking. I actually found myself praying for this person more and more. Soon I was able to sleep well.

Their onerous acts became child’s play to me. GOD removed the bitterness by showing me how HE handles HIS enemies, namely me. HE forgave me for my sins and allowed me to flourish instead. HE is a great example!

• Are you bitter about someone?
• Do you have a long standing grudge with someone?
• Do you have hatred in your heart over “that” person or “those” people?
• Will you drop your hatred and replace your poison with GOD’s love?

Why So Angry?

Jonah 4: But to Jonah this seemed very wrong, and he became angry. ² He prayed to the Lord, “Isn’t this what I said, Lord, when I was still at home? That is what I tried to forestall by fleeing to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity. ³ Now, Lord, take away my life, for it is better for me to die than to live.”

⁴ But the Lord replied, “Is it right for you to be angry?”

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“Pray for your enemies?” I exclaimed! I had been wronged and I did not want these people to remain on the planet let alone have them prosper. GOD was firm with HIS message and I had to finally relent. “LORD, please protect those who set out to harm me. Enable them to know YOUR SON in a saving way. Bless their efforts that are pleasing to YOU.”

About a year later I received news that my adversaries were in fact doing quite well. “See! I knew you would be a gracious GOD!” I pouted.

• Sometimes I want to pout about what GOD is doing in someone else’s life.
• Sometimes I want to be the one on top and those who oppose me, on the bottom.
• Sometimes I want to see the demise of people rather than an escalation.

“Serves them right” were the words I had in mind as I could just picture something bad happening to my foes. BUT GOD had something different in mind.

• GOD says to me “Is it right for you to be angry when I am not?”
• GOD says to me “Will you take MY yoke on you and learn from ME how to be slow to anger?”
• GOD says to me “Can you see that I have held back calamity and MY love is abounding?”

Grace and compassion was the true lesson. I had to spit out my poison and release all the bitterness I had over “those” people in order to see just how blind I was. Over time I was able to truly ask GOD to work in their lives. GOD shows me extreme compassion and wants me to do the same.

• Are you mad about something someone has done?
• Are you busy spreading your bitterness?
• Will you listen to GOD asking you to pay attention to HIS compassion?
• Can you take GOD’s example and spread a healthy dose of compassion to someone today?

Wanna fight?

Hebrews 12: ¹⁴ Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. ¹⁵ See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

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Walking back to my dorm room I had a lot on my mind. As I was sorting things out someone opened their door and screamed out foul names directed at me. I immediately stopped thinking about class and thought about finding the biggest guy I knew.

We banged on the door until it almost broke. We threatened and intimidated them quite nicely I must say. I wonder if I could preach the message of CHRIST to them right after that incident.

• Living with the spirit of “fight” weakens my message of GOD’s love.
• Living with the spirit of “argue” closes off the ears of my opponent when I speak of GOD’s love.
• Living with the spirit of “anger” blinds those who are looking at me as an example of GOD’s love.
• Living with the spirit of “resentment” leaves others cold toward my message of GOD’s love.

Too many times sin has gotten in the way of GOD’s love and I choose to not be a good example. I’ll choose war over peace to teach “that” person a lesson. BUT GOD has another way.

• JESUS chose to die peacefully so that I may live.
• JESUS gave me a new commandment that I love others as I love myself.
• JESUS showed me the example of peaceful living so I have no excuse for not following HIS ways.

I have to admit peaceful living is difficult. When I see someone acting foolish then I feel it’s my duty to bring it to their attention! GOD says “I love them as much as I love you.” HE wants me to love those who are difficult to love so even they may accept GOD’s message of love.

• Are you at odds with someone?
• Are you ready to fight “those” people?
• Can you put your differences aside and live in peace specifically to show GOD’s love?

How to “be” friendly.

Colossians 4: ⁵ Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. ⁶ Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

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“You’re too skinny” or “where did you find those clothes” or “do you own a comb” were the insults hurled at me as a child. After I grew up and learned to like myself, I became witty, sometimes a little too witty. People would gather around as I hurled insults at other folks as if it were a comedy routine.

The laughter ended when someone told me how hurt they were by my antics. Wow, I had become what I hated!

• Any insult thrown at someone else is not pleasing to GOD.
• Insulting language may be misinterpreted by an “outsider” which weakens my witness.
• Complaints, bitter or harsh words will make an “outsider” miss GOD’s holiness inside me.

Laughter is acceptable when “everyone” agrees the joke is funny but an “outsider” may not know the nuances of the joke. GOD wants me to “make the most of every opportunity” to draw people to HIM.  I don’t think it means never laugh again, rather focus on getting to know this person just for a moment.

• GOD wants me to have conversations that draw people to HIM.
• GOD desires me to have words that show “grace” and “mercy” rather than insults.
• GOD loves when my words are “seasoned with salt” which is just the right amount of HIS word.

People are watching me constantly. They listen to how I handle the irate and belligerent and watch to see if I will join into their rants. “Outsiders” could be people who may not know JESUS as their savior who need to see “grace” and wisdom. This is why HE wants me to make the most of “every” opportunity.

I have a choice, insult, complain, spit poison or show “grace” and use wise “salt seasoned” words. I now choose words that draw people to HIM instead of getting all the attention.

• Do you insult other people to draw laughter?
• Are you trying to mask your own faults by laughing at someone else?
• Do you realize every insulting word you say may be misinterpreted by an “outsider?”
• Can you get rid of complaints, bitterness, lying, and insults for at least one day?

True Transformation

Ephesians 4: ³¹Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. ³²Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

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Anticipation filled the air as the winners of the most coveted award in the company was about to be announced. Only the top one percent received this award so the recognition along with the monetary value made it so special.

I wasn’t announced this time, my lipped sagged and the memories of working hard countless nights came to mind. “How dare they!” I said to myself.

• When I am bitter, it is “impossible” to show love of any kind.
• When I show rage, the root usually stems from my fight with GOD not with the other person.
• When I am angry, it sometimes is introduced through disappointment of not getting my way.
• When I brawl, I am standing too firm to thinking I am right.
• When I slander, I want my way so bad that I will take someone down to get it.
• When I look to harm someone, I have pretty much thrown GOD away and I am working on my own plan.

My pouting spread like a disease. Bitterness turned into discontent which led to many arguments. All of my relationships were affected and I couldn’t see it. Bitter people are blind and I was no exception.

• GOD wants me to be compassionate especially when I don’t get my way.
• HE wants me to forgive people who don’t deserve to be forgiven.
• GOD wants me to recognize that HE became a human and was murdered to save me so I should act differently towards other humans.

After I was told that my attitude was bad I had a choice, stay in my funk or do something about it. Fortunately I did something about it and chose the GODLY road. By the way, two years later I won the award.

• Are you bitter or angry?
• Are you stuck on being angry about your situation?
• Have you noticed your relationships are degrading?
• Can you forgive the people who wronged you?
• Can you move on and follow GOD?