Provide a Warning

 

Provide a Warning

Acts 27: ⁹ Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement.  So Paul warned them, ¹⁰ “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” ¹¹ But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship. ¹² Since the harbor was unsuitable to winter in, the majority decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter there. This was a harbor in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest.

 

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Hearing the guy make jokes in a serious meeting, I cringed for his career. I mean, this meeting was with the senior executives of the company and he insisted on telling his joke. When another meeting was scheduled, I thought to myself, “I should warn him.” I did not follow my heart and remained silent. He joked again and got fired.

 

• There are actions of others that I used to think were out of my control.
• There are actions of others that I used to feel “It’s their fault if they hurt themselves.”
• There are actions of others that I saw coming, yet I did not provide them with a warning.

 

Paul saw the dire situation they were in and tried to warn everyone of the danger. It was already after the Day of Atonement, meaning it was fall and winter travel would be even more treacherous. The centurion heard the warning but did not listen. Paul had done what he was supposed to do.

 

• When GOD tells me to warn someone, I have to listen.
• When GOD warns me of something that is against HIS will I have to warn others.
• When GOD places a caution sign on the path of someone, HE wants me to heed the warning and make HIS point as clear as possible.

 

Letting someone fail is sometimes a good tactic. I mean, tough love provides hard lessons. But sometimes GOD steps in and wants me to provide a warning. Over and over GOD has warned me and the times I did not listen were difficult. But when I listened to GOD’s warnings, I bared fruit.

 

When GOD says “Warn that person”, HE is trying to do a marvelous work. Warnings from GOD are not born from fear, rather HIS sovereignty. GOD said “But if you do warn the wicked person and they do not turn from their wickedness or from their evil ways, they will die for their sin; but you will have saved yourself.” I am glad HE send people to warn me.

 

• Has GOD opened your eyes to something?
• Do you see something wrong, but were going to remain silent?
• Will you open your mouth and provide HIS warning today?

 

Gifts and Talents

Gifts and Talents

Acts 21: ⁷ We continued our voyage from Tyre and landed at Ptolemais, where we greeted the brothers and sisters and stayed with them for a day. ⁸ Leaving the next day, we reached Caesarea and stayed at the house of Philip the evangelist, one of the Seven. ⁹ He had four unmarried daughters who prophesied.

¹⁰ After we had been there a number of days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. ¹¹ Coming over to us, he took Paul’s belt, tied his own hands and feet with it and said, “The Holy Spirit says, ‘In this way the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem will bind the owner of this belt and will hand him over to the Gentiles.’”

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Never having worked on a team, I found myself challenged with understanding what was my part versus someone else’s. Was I supposed to do everything or just a little? I needed a little clarification on what I was supposed to do, so I asked my boss.

• There have been many times when I needed to know my role.
• There have been many times when I needed to understand where I fit on the team.
• There have been many times when I did not know how or when to use my gifts and talents.

When the disciples landed at Ptolemais and Caesarea, they were greeted by many. Each person had their own gifts and talents. Philip was an evangelist, his daughters were prophets and Agabus was also a prophet. Each person was led by the HOLY SPIRIT. Agabus gave Paul a warning based on what the HOLY SPIRIT said.

• GOD gave me gifts and talents to use for HIS purpose.
• GOD leads me by the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to embrace the gifts and talents of others.

Gifts and talents are in abundance in GOD’s kingdom. I mean, every person I meet has a unique way at looking at life. Each flawed person brings a unique piece to the broken mirror that reflects GOD. Only when all pieces are together, can we reflect HIM. I am grateful GOD has made me a tiny piece of a larger plan.

• Do you feel your gifts and talents are better than someone else’s?
• Do you think other people would be better off if they were to follow your way?
• Will you look at other people the way GOD does and value their gifts and talents even if you cannot see them today?

Compelled and Warned

Compelled and Warned

Acts 20: ²² “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. ²³ I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. ²⁴ However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

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Tired of living a lie, I took a deep breath and started telling people about my relationship with JESUS at work. I noticed a freedom I had not felt in years. I started telling “the” truth versus “a” truth. No longer could I settle for spinning bad news into some kind of positive myth.

Many people noticed and like hearing the truth. BUT the SPIRIT warned me there would be wealthy, powerful people who did not like the truth being told. HE prepared me to lose the job.

• There was a time when I had to say “no more of this.”
• There was a time when I had to stop cowering and pretending to live for GOD.
• There was a time when I had to choose who I really served.

Paul spoke to the elders of Ephesus after bypassing their city. He told them of the hardships he faced, speaking about JESUS. He said he was “compelled by the SPRIT” to go to Jerusalem where he would surely face imprisonment. Why would he do that? Because he had purpose.

• GOD wants me to give my life to HIM.
• GOD wants me to accept the task of testifying the good news of GOD’s grace.
• GOD wants me to complete the task the LORD JESUS has given me, namely to tell everyone about HIS death and resurrection to eternal life, saving anyone who believes in HIM.

When my life matters to me more than GOD, then I make fear filled decisions. I say “What if I get hurt?” or “What if I lose my job?” or “What if I am not liked?” GOD is not harsh, HE simply wants dedication to HIS SON who did so much for me that I cannot ever repay HIM.

My life is not “mine” it’s HIS. My family, business, home, friends, neighbors, job and stuff are all HIS. As much as I’d like to hold onto those things, they are HIS to take or expand. True freedom is being able to be led by the HOLY SPIRIT in spreading the news about JESUS. I am grateful GOD thinks enough of me to give me this task.

• Are you trying to hold onto something?
• Are your decisions based on fear?
• Will you allow GOD to guide you into letting go of what you are trying to hold onto; so HE can lead you to the true plan HE has for you, giving you abundant and eternal life today?

Suit Yourself

Suit Yourself

Acts 18: ⁵ When Silas and Timothy came from Macedonia, Paul devoted himself exclusively to preaching, testifying to the Jews that Jesus was the Messiah. ⁶ But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

⁷ Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God. ⁸ Crispus, the synagogue leader, and his entire household believed in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard Paul believed and were baptized.

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Trying hard to understand, my questions seemed resistant. Well, they “were” hesitant and resistant. A wise person was trying to give me advice and because I could not see the full picture, the advice seemed unactionable to me. After a couple of tries, he said “suit yourself” and left. Everything the he warned me about happened and it was too late to change my decision.

• There have been times when I could not “hear” good advice.
• There have been times when I could not “understand” someone else’s wisdom.
• There have been times when I could not “see” the obstacles in the road ahead so I went with my plans despite being warned.

Tired of the opposition, Paul told the Jews, “Your blood be on your own heads!” He was trying to convince them that JESUS was and is the Messiah. They became abusive and Paul had to move on to those who could hear.

• GOD wants me to listen to HIS advice with immediacy like a child.
• GOD wants me to provide HIS message to those who can hear.
• GOD allows me to move on when someone is not accepting HIS love.

“Suit yourself” is supposedly a term meaning “I tried to give you advice and you would not listen, so you will die and when they bury you, they will put on a suit for the casket.” GOD’s message is finite. We have all of our mortal lives to believe that we need JESUS for salvation.

This belief gives me the desire to tell others about the wonderful gift of love. When a person cannot hear, it makes me want to serve them, teach them and show them GOD cares. But there comes a time when GOD says “move on” meaning this person will not listen. I am saddened when I am told to move on but grateful GOD may send someone else to convince the person.

• Are you trying to convince a person to give all aspects of their lives to JESUS?
• Do you feel exhausted trying to convince a person to be led by GOD?
• Will you listen to GOD and move on if the person is abusive and is not accepting about the great news of JESUS’ salvation today?

News Ahead of Time

Matthew 24: ¹⁵ “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’ spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— ¹⁶ then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. ¹⁷ Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. ¹⁸ Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. ¹⁹ How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! ²⁰ Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. ²¹ For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.

²² “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. ²³ At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. ²⁴ For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. ²⁵ See, I have told you ahead of time.

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“You better make some calls” a friend told me. The company was about to go through a reorganization which is a fancy word for firing people at random. I was prepared. I made a few calls and secured a position!

• I have been blessed to have warnings I could react to in enough time.
• I have been blessed to see things coming that I could be prepared for.
• I have been blessed to hear the words of warning so I could ask for help before it was too late!

JESUS warns me about HIS imminent return but am I listening? I mean HIS description of HIS return does not sound too inviting if I were to actually read what HE is saying. False saviors, false prophets and the Anti-Christ were spoken about in JESUS’s message to the disciples and me. What should I be doing?

• GOD says to me “Have enough compassion for the world so they will not go through this horrible time.”
• GOD says to me “Prepare people for MY return on a daily basis.”
• GOD says to me “I have told you ahead of time so do the same for others.”

Instead of complaining about the leadership I need to pray for those around me to not be dullened by rhetoric of society. JESUS gives me full warning of the things that are to come. Its up to me to heed those warnings.

• What do you talk about daily?
• Do you find yourself in discussions that are about today’s leaders?
• Can you stop focusing on empty discussions and open your mouth for GOD today?