No Secrets

 

No Secrets

Revelation 17: ³ The Spirit took control of me, and the angel carried me to a desert. There I saw a woman sitting on a red beast that had names insulting to God written all over it; the beast had seven heads and ten horns. ⁴ The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and covered with gold ornaments, precious stones, and pearls. In her hand she held a gold cup full of obscene and filthy things, the result of her immorality. ⁵ On her forehead was written a name that has a secret meaning: “Great Babylon, the mother of all prostitutes and perverts in the world.” ⁶ And I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's people and the blood of those who were killed because they had been loyal to Jesus.

 

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Wanting to be “successful” I took classes and obtained mentors to guide me to the top. Little did I know that in order to be in the “in” crowd”, I would be subject to secrets. One guy would use the company jet to bring prostitutes to private islands.

 

• I had to decide if the climb was worth keeping the secret.
• I had to decide to align with people who did things that were against my beliefs.
• I had to decide if I would join in, or look the other way or leave.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, had the HOLY SPIRIT take control of him and was allowed to be carried by the angel to a desert where he saw a great city that fooled people into their lustful actions. The woman (city) was drunk with the thought of GOD losing HIS power because of the death of HIS people.

 

My Observations:

• GOD can see my hidden motives to take control from HIM.
• GOD can see my innermost desires, not matter how disgusting they may be.
• GOD can see anything hidden, and HE will make it known, even the things that fool me.

 

There is nothing hidden from GOD. I mean, even when I try to fool myself, GOD sees the deep rooted hidden desire and exposes it. Since I can be fooled and I don’t know my motives, what hope is there for me? Plenty!

 

GOD wants me to know myself enough to confess where I fall short so I can confess this to HIM, so HE would cleanse me of the things I can so easily fall into. HE wants me to have HIS name on my forehead, carrying HIS message boldly so all can see it and return back to HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the HOLY SPIRIT wanted to show the writer this image?
• Have you ever been in a situation where if you kept a secret you would be paid, even if it went against your morals?
• Would you be willing to trade your morals to fit in or would you stand firm for what GOD wants from you today?

Off the Path

Off the Path

1 John 5: ¹⁶ If you see a believer commit a sin that does not lead to death, you should pray to God, who will give that person life. This applies to those whose sins do not lead to death. But there is sin which leads to death, and I do not say that you should pray to God about that. ¹⁷ All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin which does not lead to death.

 

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“Stay on the path” were the words of wisdom given to us from the forest ranger. It was easy at first, but there was a point where the path was not as obvious. We took a wrong turn and noticed the trees were getting thicker. We kept going and could see light. It was a small cliff that had a fall into a river.

 

• Veering off the path was scary and I tried to use my instincts to get to safety.
• The direction I was going could have led to death.
• Every step I went in the wrong direction caused me to get closer and closer to danger.

 

John attempted to address one time sin versus a lifestyle of sin. He states “All wrongdoing is sin” to make sure that people were not trying to categorize types of sin to justify his or her actions. He attempted to get people off the path of a sinful lifestyle that could lead people away from GOD, especially if the relationship with HIM was not true in the first place.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS died for all my sins, past, present and future.
• Sin is very offensive to GOD and I should not take it lightly.
• There is a way of thinking that is dangerous to my wellbeing that believes I can sin all I want and be forgiven, which will lead to my destruction.

 

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” is a scary quote to me. I mean, when the crowd says it’s right and my desires say it’s right, is everything I do or say right? No! There are some sinful desires, ways and words that are accepted by the world but are offensive to GOD. BUT HE always has a better way.

 

HE wants people to pray for each other, asking HIM to guide one another back to the path of life. HE knows we may innocently go down the wrong path by mistake. The problem comes when I stay on that path because I like it or my heart is too hard to turn back. I am glad GOD listens to prayers from others who may see my sin and want the best for me.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer recommend going to GOD versus confronting people?
• Have you ever accidentally done or said something wrong?
• If your heart has not been firmly planted in belief in JESUS, will you consider the path you are on may lead to death, so you can be placed back on GOD’s path of life today?

Prepared for Imperfection

Prepared for Imperfection

Hebrews 10: ¹⁵ And the Holy Spirit also gives us his witness. First he says,

¹⁶ “This is the covenant that I will make with them
    in the days to come, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts
    and write them on their minds.”

¹⁷ And then he says, “I will not remember their sins and evil deeds any longer.” ¹⁸ So when these have been forgiven, an offering to take away sins is no longer needed.

 

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Leaving for vacation, I hoped the keys to the car would be left behind. To my excitement, they were. I knew I didn’t have permission to drive it, but how would they know. I jumped in the car and drove every expressway. But then I noticed the car was running hot. I stopped and checked. It needed antifreeze. I bought some and continued. It needed oil. I spent all my money just trying to drive the car.

 

• I knew I wasn’t supposed to drive the car in the first place.
• I chose to drive the car anyway.
• I didn’t tell my parents that I had driven it until I was an adult.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, is revealed words from the HOLY SPIRIT. Laws have been written in the hearts and minds of everyone. This is to help people know right from wrong. But then the HOLY SPIRIT comes back and says “I will not remember their sins”, knowing people would disobey willingly.

 

My Observations:

• GOD knew I would not obey the Law but HE forgives me anyway.
• The HOLY SPIRIT sympathizes with me and does not remember my sins and evil deeds.
• JESUS provides a way for me to be forgiven and wants me to confess my sins to HIM.

 

Imperfection is annoying. I mean, no matter how hard I try, I will not be perfect. I make mistakes constantly and even when I try my best, something out of my control comes along and messes things up. “When will there be true peace?” I cry out. GOD hears it.

 

HE was prepared for me to sin when HE didn’t want me to sin. HE knew I would doubt HIM or depend on my own thinking or fall into another popular hole of sin. HE picked me up and dusted me off and says, I forgive you because you recognize you need to be forgiven.” I am grateful GOD cares enough about me to forgive me in the middle of my sins.

 

Challenge

• What two sides are revealed to the writer?
• Have you ever done something you knew was wrong and tried to justify it?
• Will you ask GOD to protect you from sin that so easily harasses you so HE can provide clarity into HIS forgiveness today?

The Cause or The Cure

Luke 17: Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! ² It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones. ³ Take heed to yourselves. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. ⁴ And if he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to you, saying, ‘I repent,’ you shall forgive him.”

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Bored and lonely, I decided to throw a party. I discussed this with my roommate and our plan was put into action. “Hmm, what do I need to make this successful?” I said to myself. “I know! Great music, booze and girls who would get drunk to… you know!” This was a good plan.

• There were times when I was the cause of the problem.
• There were times when I sought out to bring other people into my failure.
• There were times when I wanted to be viewed as the king of “my” kingdom.

JESUS warns HIS disciples about sin. “Don’t purposefully cause people to sin” was the first warning and the second was “Forgive people a lot more than you think you should.” HE understands that the pride if Satan caused mankind to fall. BUT GOD also knows the fall can be temporary.

• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS sinless life so I don’t have to be perfect.
• JESUS wants me to understand that at some point in my life, I should try to reduce my sins.
• JESUS wants me to forgive people because I too am a sinner who needs to be forgiven.

Forgiving people who are the cause of sin is probably harder than staying away from being the cause, for me. “Remember that time way back about twenty years ago” are the words that pop up in my mind that makes it hard to forgive “that” person. BUT GOD wants me to forgive even though I may never forget. I have caused many to sin, I am glad GOD has forgiven me and them.

• Are you causing other people to sin by your poisonous or lustful or complaint–filled words?
• Do you take sin lightly?
• Will you allow GOD to help reduce your sin a little each day by adding grace to your heart so HE can grow you for HIS purpose?

Restoration in Spite of

Jeremiah 30: ¹⁸ “This is what the Lord says:

“‘I will restore the fortunes of Jacob’s tents
    and have compassion on his dwellings;
the city will be rebuilt on her ruins,
    and the palace will stand in its proper place.
¹⁹ From them will come songs of thanksgiving
    and the sound of rejoicing.
I will add to their numbers,
    and they will not be decreased;
I will bring them honor,
    and they will not be disdained.
²⁰ Their children will be as in days of old,
    and their community will be established before me;
    I will punish all who oppress them.
²¹ Their leader will be one of their own;
    their ruler will arise from among them.
I will bring him near and he will come close to me—
    for who is he who will devote himself
    to be close to me?’
declares the Lord.
²² “‘So you will be my people,
    and I will be your God.’”

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Looking back I remember many times wanting to “fit in” to a crowd that wasn’t doing some of the best things. I mean they seemed to be rich and powerful, but greedy and lust filled. As I looked with adoration, I tried to justify my sinful actions as temporary. I mean “I” am not like those people. I’m just doing this sin temporarily until I “get ahead.”

• Sin is sin.
• Sin is what GOD has against me.
• Sin is a burden that destroys my relationship with GOD.

There is no such thing as a balancing scale, nor are there “big” or “little” sins. It is plain and simply sin and GOD hates it even more when I categorize my sin as if to justify to HIM that I am “mostly” good. GOD declared me as thoroughly sinful and deserving of Hell. BUT HE had compassion.

• GOD took it upon HIMSELF to do what I could not do.
• GOD decided to take the punishment for my sin, so instead of categorizing them small or large I need to simply ask HIM for forgiveness.
• GOD said “I will restore, I will add, I will honor” even though I do not deserve any of it.

In spite of my sins, GOD restores me. HE does not let any of my sins go unpunished, however HE applies grace or I would be destroyed. Large or small, great or few, sin is still sin in GOD’s eyes. HE wants me to see I need a savior not a lawyer. It is only when I recognize the need that I can ask.

• Do you need restoration?
• Are you feeling lost?
• Will you confess your sins to GOD so HE will show HIS faithfulness and cleanse you of all unrighteousness?

Taking Grace Lightly

Nehemiah 9: ³⁰ For many years you were patient with them. By your Spirit you warned them through your prophets. Yet they paid no attention, so you gave them into the hands of the neighboring peoples. ³¹ But in your great mercy you did not put an end to them or abandon them, for you are a gracious and merciful God.

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“It’s just this once, GOD won’t mind” was my thought as I chose to sin that day. When nothing bad happened to me, I decided to do it again a few months later. Then when problems hit I tried to straighten up.  I cleaned up my act for a while but soon looked over the fence at my sin and wondered if GOD would mind if I indulged.

• Sometimes I sin knowing GOD doesn’t want me to sin.
• Sometimes I sin and try to justify my sin.
• Sometimes I sin and say to myself “I’ve been good in other areas of my life, I deserve this.”

Sin is a battle all humans face and lose miserable. If I say I have not sin, I am lying. GOD sees my heart and know it is corrupted with the same sin Adam was tainted with. What am I to do?

• GOD saw my sin and forgave it through the death of HIS SON.
• GOD saw my behavior before I was made and decided to make me anyway and die for me.
• GOD saw my choices way in advance and removed my sins away from me through HIS SON.

Belief in JESUS is not a license for me to sin. In fact my belief says I need to focus on GOD’s ways as much as possible. I should give my thoughts over to HIM daily and move towards HIM step by step.

• Are you sinning?
• Are you trying to manipulate GOD by your righteousness?
• Can you admit to GOD you are a sinner and allow HIM to guide you instead of thinking you know the answer?
• Can you turn your life over to HIM a little at a time today?

GOD won’t mind

1 Chronicles 13: ⁷ They moved the ark of God from Abinadab’s house on a new cart, with Uzzah and Ahio guiding it. ⁸ David and all the Israelites were celebrating with all their might before God, with songs and with harps, lyres, timbrels, cymbals and trumpets.

⁹ When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. ¹⁰ The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God.

¹¹ Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.

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Heart beating nervousness and clumsiness was my first “encounter” with the opposite sex. I heard it was wrong to do this before marriage, but “is it really bad?” I thought to myself. Afterwards I checked myself and I seemed to be fine. No lightning from heaven nor did the earth split open to swallow me.

I guess “GOD didn’t mind” what I did. I soon dropped off more and more of these “so called” rules and found myself never mentioning anything about GOD, that is until stuff started to go wrong in my life.

• Sin blinds me to the truth.
• Sin causes me to drift further and further from GOD.
• Sin sounds logical and has a little truth mixed in which makes it seem like the right thing to do.

When I woke up from my journey, my world was a mess. I felt that GOD wouldn’t help me because I wasn’t acting like I was part of HIS family. I had problems and I felt I was at my lowest low at the time. I felt GOD was punishing me for a pile of sins so I questioned “Why are YOU so full of wrath?” as if to say “GOD, YOU are too harsh.” But maturity says something different.

• GOD wants me to see HIM as supreme which means HE has the power and the right to allow difficulties in my life.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as pure and HE despises manipulation, sin and self-righteousness.
• GOD wants me to take HIS wrath seriously because “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”

Yes GOD is love, but HE is wrath too. HE enabled only one way for me to avoid HIS eternal wrath and that is belief that HIS SON volunteered to take the consequences I deserve and place it on HIMSELF. HIS love is so great that HE died for me.

• Do you think “GOD won’t mind” what you are doing?
• Are you drifting further and further from GOD?
• Do you think that maybe if you don’t know about HIS ways then you won’t face consequence?
• Can you look at GOD as Holy and learn more about how HE wants you to act?
• Can you believe that no matter how far you have fallen, GOD forgives you?

GOD keeps HIS promises

2 Kings 8: ¹⁶ In the fifth year of Joram son of Ahab king of Israel, when Jehoshaphat was king of Judah, Jehoram son of Jehoshaphat began his reign as king of Judah. ¹⁷ He was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. 

¹⁸ He followed the ways of the kings of Israel, as the house of Ahab had done, for he married a daughter of Ahab. He did evil in the eyes of the Lord. ¹⁹ Nevertheless, for the sake of his servant David, the Lord was not willing to destroy Judah. He had promised to maintain a lamp for David and his descendants forever.

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“I’m done with church” I said to myself. Seeing the hypocrisy was too much. “Now what do I do?” was the decision I had to make. My first night on campus, there were parties, drunkenness and nudity!  “I know… I’ll try that” I thought to myself excitedly.

• Many times I have tried to leave GOD when I wanted my way.
• Many times I blamed the church for not being perfect.
• Many times I thought could make it on my own without consulting GOD.

Leaving church and stopping my efforts of following GOD seemed like a good idea at the time. I mean, the people in the church were acting like the people they called “worldly” only they were sneakier about it. I figured this would give me the license to leave them alone and do as I pleased. BUT GOD had something different in mind for me.

• GOD saw me in the middle of my sins and decided to rescue me.
• GOD saw me committing evil in HIS eyes yet HE held to HIS promise of mercy for me.
• GOD saw me doing the opposite of what HE wanted and went to HIS death in my place.

GOD cannot back out of a decree. Once HE says something it HAS to happen. HE said the wages of sin is death, so someone had to die. HE decided it would be HIM instead of me. HE also said “No one can pluck you out of MY hands”, so HE allows me to sin BUT rewards me the more I follow HIM.

HE allows consequence to happen in my life and chastens me. BUT he has saved me from eternal separation from HIM.

• Are you in the middle of sin?
• Have you stopped following GOD?
• Do you realize HIS grace is sufficient?
• Can you stop thinking you have to be clean in order to have a relationship with GOD?
• Do you realize that no matter how deep in sin you have fallen GOD forgives you?

Should I Obey GOD?

1 Kings 13: ¹⁶ The man of God said, “I cannot turn back and go with you, nor can I eat bread or drink water with you in this place.¹⁷ I have been told by the word of the Lord: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.’”

¹⁸ The old prophet answered, “I too am a prophet, as you are. And an angel said to me by the word of the Lord: ‘Bring him back with you to your house so that he may eat bread and drink water.’” (But he was lying to him.) ¹⁹ So the man of God returned with him and ate and drank in his house.

²⁰ While they were sitting at the table, the word of the Lord came to the old prophet who had brought him back. ²¹ He cried out to the man of God who had come from Judah, “This is what the Lord says: ‘You have defied the word of the Lord and have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. ²² You came back and ate bread and drank water in the place where he told you not to eat or drink. Therefore your body will not be buried in the tomb of your ancestors.’”

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It sounds like I’m double-talking when I say “Do what GOD says” and then later I say “GOD’s grace is sufficient.”  It seems like the two statements contradict one another. GOD says if we live by “the Law” then if we break even one, we are guilty of the entire law.

Does this give me the freedom to sin as much as I want? Not quite.

• GOD knows the destructive power of sin so I should understand “the Law” but not depend on it to save me.
• GOD knows the plan HE has for me so I should follow HIS ways and examples but not depend on my righteousness to save me.
• GOD knows I will fail over and over and over so I should be excited about HIS everlasting forgiveness but not depend on “not sinning” as a method to remain close to HIM.

When I believed that I needed to be saved from eternal separation from GOD, I was given the HOLY SPIRIT who lives inside me and will never leave me nor forsake me. Actually, GOD gave this to me before I was born, but that’s another story. Since the HOLY SPIRIT lives in me, I can’t get “away” from GOD.

GOD does however allow consequences to come in my life. My fear shouldn’t be on the consequences rather I should fear “not” following GOD’s ways for many who call on HIS name will not enter HIS kingdom.  GOD wants a real relationship with me rather than one of manipulation to get my way. GOD wants me to obey out of love for HIM.

• Are you walking on eggshells with GOD in hopes to get your way?
• Are you trying to remain ignorant to what HE wants you to do in hopes that HE won’t have a hard task for you?
• Can you seek what HE desires for you so you can truly be successful?
• Won’t you obey HIM today just to show HIM your love?Can you add to your faith that HIS grace is sufficient?
• Can you add to your faith that HIS grace is sufficient?

Watch out when fighting GOD

2 Samuel 18: ⁹ Now Absalom happened to meet David’s men. He was riding his mule, and as the mule went under the thick branches of a large oak, Absalom’s hair got caught in the tree. He was left hanging in midair, while the mule he was riding kept on going.

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“I wonder what fun I will have this afternoon?” I thought to myself as I plotted my escape from school. We could go home for lunch and this time I planned not to return. I was a “latch-key” kid meaning I had a key around my neck tied to an old shoe string. Both of my parents worked while I was in school so my plan would be flawless. I would go home to an empty house.

When I arrived, there stood my father. Something had happened that required him to be home. You mean the ONLY time I tried to ditch school was on a day he was there! Yes my plan was small yet huge because I never tried again.

• Looking back I see times where GOD thwarted my plan for evil.
• Looking back I see times where GOD placed an obstacle in front of my plan to ignore HIM.
• Looking back I see times where GOD used something irregular to upset my fall into temptation.

When I was immature in knowledge of GOD it seemed like HE would stop my evil plans in order to keep me on the path. As I grew older, GOD allowed me to fall into the traps I tried to get into.  HE would allow consequences to hit me hard and would always leave HIS arms open wide for my return.

The whole Earth is GOD’s and HE can use any bit of it to make my plans unsuccessful or successful. HE knows when I am trying to follow my own plan which will lead to a destructive path and eventually wind up fighting HIM on all fronts. GOD simply wants me to follow HIM so HIS love for me will be pure.

• Are you fighting GOD on something?
• Can you allow HIM to say “No” or “wait”?
• Do you always have to get “your” way?
• Can you see when GOD is placing obstacles in your path in order to steer you?

When the cover up backfires

2 Samuel 11: ⁶ So David sent this word to Joab: “Send me Uriah the Hittite.” And Joab sent him to David. ⁷ When Uriah came to him, David asked him how Joab was, how the soldiers were and how the war was going. ⁸ Then David said to Uriah, “Go down to your house and wash your feet.” So Uriah left the palace, and a gift from the king was sent after him. ⁹ But Uriah slept at the entrance to the palace with all his master’s servants and did not go down to his house.

¹⁰ David was told, “Uriah did not go home.” So he asked Uriah, “Haven’t you just come from a military campaign? Why didn’t you go home?”

¹¹ Uriah said to David, “The ark and Israel and Judah are staying in tents, and my commander Joab and my lord’s men are camped in the open country. How could I go to my house to eat and drink and make love to my wife? As surely as you live, I will not do such a thing!”

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“What will I do? What will I do?” I fearfully thought to myself. It was dusk and the light waned quickly.  I searched and found a can that seemed to match. I crept close, spray painted the dented car and went into the house trying to think of my next move.  I didn’t have one!

• Sin makes me not admit things.
• Sin makes me want to cover it up.
• Sin makes me want to not have any consequences.

David tried to cover up his sin, but the mess was too big. The problem was, everyone else around him was acting noble and he was the one who caused the problem.  Eventually he had a person murdered and others died during this massive cover-up. GOD was not pleased.

• GOD wants me to accept HIS consequence for my sin here on earth.
• GOD wants me to admit I need HIM rather than scheming to get away with something.
• GOD wants me to trust that HIS chastening is in love rather than destruction.

JESUS died for my sins and enabled me to have everlasting life. This does not take away the punishment for the things I do here on earth. GOD wants me to follow HIM and trust HIS ways. When I lust, doubt or do other blatant sins, GOD sometimes corrects my course by throwing calamity in my path.

HE knows the sin path leads me to destruction and wants nothing but the best for me. He wants me to come clean with hidden sin.

• Are you hiding something?
• Do you think your sin will not be made known?
• Won’t you start your path to forgiveness by admitting your sin?
• Can you stop pretending the problems you face are GOD’s fault and evaluate what you need to tell HIM?

Blaming GOD

2 Samuel 6: ⁶ When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. ⁷ The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.

⁸ Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.

⁹ David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” ¹⁰ He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. ¹¹ The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household.

¹² Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.

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Finally at 12:30AM I went to bed after watching my racy show. This would be a normal day, I thought to myself. As I raced to the airport traffic was unusually thick entering the parking area. I cut it too close and watched the plane pull away from boarding area as I had arrived.

GOD why are YOU doing this to me?! I screamed in my mind!  With the sunken feeling of reality, I booked the next flight, knowing the partner of the firm would be livid. He was!

• Sometimes when things don’t go my way I blame GOD.
• Sometimes when things are going wrong I blame GOD.
• Sometimes when I think things aren’t fair I blame GOD.

David wasn’t supposed to have the ark of GOD on a cart rather it was to be carried by consecrated people as a burden to their sins. David became angry at GOD for killing a person when in reality David was the cause. I can see similar situations in my life when I am mad at GOD but blind to the sin I’m doing in my life.

• GOD wants me to recognize my own sin and admit it ti HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand when I’m blaming HIM and focus on praising HIM.
• GOD wants me to control my contempt of HIM being GOD and thank HIM rather than blame HIM.

With my sin GOD doesn’t always react with punishment. If that were the case, I would have been wiped off the planet years ago. GOD sometimes punishes me and other times HE teaches me with grace, mercy and love. HE is to be praised, not blamed!

• Are you blaming GOD for your circumstance?
• Are you trying to control your situation too much?
• Can you let go of your situation and allow GOD to yield HIS fruit?
• Won’t you review your own life and give HIM areas that are holding you back from greatness?

Noble Character

Ruth 3¹⁰ “The Lord bless you, my daughter,” he replied. “This kindness is greater than that which you showed earlier: You have not run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. ¹¹ And now, my daughter, don’t be afraid. I will do for you all you ask. All the people of my town know that you are a woman of noble character. 

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“I saw your car last night” someone said to me suspiciously. I mean how could you miss it? It was mustard yellow, rust everywhere and a vanity license plate with my nickname on it. There was no denying it. My car showed others that I was in a place that I shouldn’t have been. I wonder if the person’s suspicions were a question of my character.

• People are watching me whether I see them or not.
• People pay attention to me whether I see them or not.
• People look at my actions and listen to my words whether I see them or not.

My character is defined as an action done when no one sees me doing it. What I do in the dark is what will be brought out in the light. There have been many moments that I have been told I was being observed and unfortunately I wasn’t doing what GOD wanted me to.

• GOD can see every action so I should focus my attention on what HE wants.
• GOD can hear my thoughts so I should focus my thoughts on what HE has written.
• GOD can read what’s in my heart so I should fill my heart with HIS people.

Character is not an act. It comes flooding out of my pores and there is nothing I can do to stop it. The only thing I can do about my character is to focus it towards the living GOD and let people know my flaws are accepted by HIM and theirs can be too.

• Are you busy trying to clean yourself up?
• Do you have character flaws that you may be blind to?
• Can you ask GOD to handle your character for a while?
• Won’t you bridal your negative thoughts and point them towards GOD?

Treating GOD any old way!

Judges 17: ⁵ Now this man Micah had a shrine, and he made an ephod and some household gods and installed one of his sons as his priest. ⁶ In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.

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“GOD won’t mind” is what I said when I lied to my boss for slipping away and goofing off. Well, actually I didn’t think about GOD at the time but later when it popped in my head I did. “GOD won’t mind” is what I said when I did (insert sin here). I mean HE did forgive me so I can sin as much as I want right?

• Sometimes I treat GOD a bit too common.
• Sometimes I treat GOD as if HE can’t do anything to me.
• Sometimes I treat GOD like HE is a pushover and doesn’t require me to worship HIM.

My actions will always bear fruit, but many times the fruit may be rotten. GOD sees through my actions and understands that if even the tiniest bit of sin is at the root, the action will fail. Does this mean everything I do will fail?

• GOD forgave me and cleansed me of all unrighteousness but I still should follow HIS ways.
• GOD understands every temptation I face but if I look carefully HE shows me a way out.
• GOD knows my weaknesses because HE made me but HE loves when I overcome them and turn to HIM.

Sometimes I look at GOD with extreme eyes. Either HE is this mushy, weak forgiver or HE is a sadistic punisher who likes to put tests in front of me that I will constantly fail. GOD is so much different than my thoughts!

HE is all powerful, all seeing, all knowing and chooses to show HIS love, gentleness and kindness to have a relationship with me.  HE knows the right amount of discipline to grow me instead of breaking me and has my best interest in mind ALL the time!

• Do you have the wrong view of GOD?
• Are you doing anything you wish and think there is no consequence for your action?
• Won’t you turn your life back to GOD and watch HIM work in your life?
• Can you take small steps toward HIM so HE can take giant steps towards you?

GOD doesn’t play

Judges 9: ²² After Abimelek had governed Israel three years, ²³ God stirred up animosity between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem so that they acted treacherously against Abimelek. ²⁴ God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal’s seventy sons, the shedding of their blood, might be avenged on their brother Abimelek and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers.

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Lying had become a way of life as I tried to get as much as I could at that time. It was so convenient to just make up a lie rather than facing whatever I was facing.  When the dorm director asked “why didn’t you open up the office on time”, I wasn’t quick enough to form my lie and my story fell apart quickly.

I lost the cushy office job and had to look elsewhere. This same thing happened at the next place when I was a janitor. “I wonder if I should take these jobs seriously” I thought to myself.

When I sin I try to hide what I did by lying to myself.

When I sin I think I can get away with whatever I’ve done.

When I sin I hope no consequence will fall on me.

“I can’t be perfect” is my excuse for sinning so I jump in with both feet. I then justify my sin by comparing what others have done and trivializing my “little” sin to their “big” one. BUT GOD sees things different.

GOD doesn’t want me to blow off my sin even though I am fully forgiven for them.

GOD knows sin somehow weakens me to the point where I can’t be used for HIS plan.

GOD sees through my lies even when I lie to myself.

“Vengeance is mine” GOD says and that goes for me as well. HE fights my foes and protects me from their attacks, but HE also corrects me when I am the attacker. GOD cannot stand sin, no matter how I try to justify it. Fortunately for me, HIS SON forgave me of all my sins and cleanses me of all unrighteousness.

I still may have to face consequence while I’m on this planet, but thank GOD my consequences are only for this lifetime. However, the more I can reduce my sinning the more GOD rewards me in the next lifetime.

Are you lying to yourself and others?

Do you constantly have sin in your life that you are not addressing?

Do you feel powerless?

Won’t you mature by not lying to yourself and turning to GOD for the answers?

Act like I mean it

Numbers 33: ⁵⁵ “‘But suppose you do not drive out the people who are living in the land. Then those you allow to remain there will become like needles in your eyes. They will become like thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. ⁵⁶ Then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.’”

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“Serves him right” was my thought as the news about another boss being release from “our” company.  “He was a jerk anyway” came across my mind. My compassion was extremely low for those who mistreated people.

Years later they were asking me to leave. I just knew it was a joke so I reached out my hand to those I had supported so they could rally around me. I could not find compassion.

• Some of the things I do may pop up later.
• Some of the ways I act will appear later.
• Some of the actions I take will grow into a crop later.

“You will reap what you sow” is what the LORD tells me. If I sow complaints about people, then complaints will be made about me. If I look at everyone else’s heart and not look at my own then the measure of judgment I hold on them will be held on me.

One day I will stand in front of GOD and account for my sins. GOD wants me to keep reducing the number of sins I commit so they won’t be “thorns in my sides.” HE knows sin will give me nothing but trouble so HE provided a plan.

• JESUS died for my sins and took away my eternal consequences for them.
• JESUS knew how disruptive sin is in my life so HE sent the COMFORTER to live inside me.
• JESUS forgave me for my sins before HE created me.

“It is finished” are the words JESUS uttered as HE died for me. HIS resurrection from this murder is the final statement to mankind showing HIS power over life and death. Now it’s up to me. I can treat this overwhelming act of love as common or I can truly appreciate its power.

• Are you trying to justify your sin by talking about someone else?
• Do you think GOD is pleased with you when you talk about “that” person?
• Can you plant a crop of encouragement, kindness, faithfulness and trust?
• Won’t you seek GOD’s kingdom instead of seeking justification for your actions?

When in Blank do what the Fill in the Blanks do

Leviticus 18: The Lord spoke to Moses. He said, ² “Speak to the people of Israel. Tell them, ‘I am the Lord your God. ³ You must not do what the people of Egypt do. You used to live there. And you must not do what the people of Canaan do. I am bringing you into their land. Do not follow their practices.

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“Grab a sheet” said the people on my floor. A frat was having a toga party. I had no idea what type of party this was going to be so I watched everyone get dressed like Caesar and tromp to the party. As the alcohol poured the people got wilder and wilder. “I wonder if I should stay” crossed my mind.

• The crowd will always want to be wild.
• The crowd will always want to justify its actions.
• The crowd will always want more instead of holding back.

Many times I followed the crowd and it seem to always end up in the same place, regret. You would think I would have learned from the first time but the crowd sounds so fun and so convincing. What am I to do?

• GOD says I brought you out of the crowd for MY purpose.
• GOD says I took you out of situations so you could follow ME.
• GOD says I rescued you from MY wrath and focused it on those who choose to turn away from ME.

GOD says “Follow ME” and he means it in a loving way.  I have a choice to follow HIM or not. HE forgives me for my sins but loves when I choose to leave the sin alone.

• Are you following the wrong crowd?
• Do you think the crowd you are in is righteous?
• Can you ask GOD where HE wants you to be?
• Won’t you check your own motives to see if they align with GOD?

I’m not wrong am I?

Leviticus 4: ²² “‘Or suppose a leader sins without meaning to. If he disobeys any of the commands of the Lord his God, he is guilty.

²³ “‘But suppose he is made aware of the sin he has committed. Then he must bring an offering. It must be a male goat. It must not have any flaws. ²⁴ He must place his hand on the goat’s head. He must kill it. He must do it at the place where the animals for burnt offerings are killed in the sight of the Lord. His offering is a sin offering.

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²⁶ “‘He must burn all of the fat on the altar. He must burn it in the same way he burned the fat of the friendship offering. When he does, he will pay for the sin of the leader. And the leader will be forgiven.

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Spray painting the dented car and parking it in the garage was my cover-up. Hiding the Playboy magazine in fishing magazine cover was my cover-up. Going into the men’s washroom and sleeping on the job was my cover-up.  I didn’t want the consequence, I wanted to get away with what I was doing.

• GOD wants me to admit when I am guilty so there can be forgiveness.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge I deserve consequence for my sin.
• GOD wants me to believe that my sins are forgiven.

When JESUS was murdered by people who attend church regularly, HE did it without complaint that HE was being falsely accused. HE died specifically for my sins and said “It is finished” meaning no more has to be done.

It is sometimes hard to grasp that ALL my sins are forgiven, no matter how many times I commit them or how heinous they are. GOD said “MY grace is sufficient” which shows HIS love is extreme.

BUT GOD does have a condition. HE wants me to acknowledge I deserve consequence and accept HIS forgiveness even when I think HE can’t possibly forgive me another time. GOD forgives me and that is the GREAT NEWS!

• Do you think everyone else is sinning and you aren’t?
• Do you find yourself talking about what other people are doing and not admitting what you are doing?
• Do you realize that if you confess your sins GOD is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and cleanse you of all unrighteousness?
• Can you believe GOD even forgives “that” person? 

Would seeing GOD even matter?

Exodus 40: ³⁴ Then the cloud covered the Tent of Meeting. The glory of the Lord filled the holy tent. ³⁵ Moses couldn’t enter the Tent of Meeting because the cloud had settled on it. The glory of the Lord filled the holy tent.

³⁶ The people of Israel continued their travels. When the cloud lifted from above the holy tent, they started out. ³⁷ But if the cloud didn’t lift, they did not start out. They stayed until the day it lifted.

³⁸ So the cloud of the Lord was above the holy tent during the day. Fire was in the cloud at night. The whole community of Israel could see the cloud during all of their travels.

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Nervous and distracted by my plans, I couldn’t wait for my parents to leave.  I would then hop on a series of busses to meet a girl downtown.  We spent the entire day there and had fun.  Little did I know, I had to return home. Upon my arrival my parents lit into me.

No wonder I was nervous. I actually knew better but wanted to do what I wanted to do.

• Sometimes I ignore the warning and do what I’m going to do anyway.
• Sometimes I ignore the obstacles to sin and do what I’m going to do anyway.
• Sometimes I ignore the lessons and do what I’m going to do anyway.

The Israelites saw the Glory of the LORD every day and decided to sin anyway.  I sometimes thought that maybe GOD should say something audible or rip open the clouds every now and then so that all would believe and everything would be alright. BUT GOD says “that’s not faith.”

• GOD says faith comes from “believing” not seeing.
• GOD says faith comes from “being” not fleeing.
• GOD says faith comes from “asking and admitting” not telling HIM what to do or ignoring HIM.

GOD placed HIS laws in “every” heart. The ability to discern right from wrong is in me and it is my choice to follow GOD or my own plans. Even seeing HIM probably will not change my mind. That’s why HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT and placed HIM inside me to guide me and comfort me and pray for me. This HE does for all who believes.

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Do you desire to see HIM perform a miracle in front of you as a parlor trick because at the root you doubt HIM?
• Can you observe HIS miracles HE does on a daily basis?
• Won’t you take HIS yoke upon you and learn of HIM today?