Mistakes Used Powerfully

Mistakes Used Powerfully

Acts 3: ¹¹ Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. ¹² So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. ¹⁴ But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, ¹⁵ and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. ¹⁶ And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

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In a hurry, I stopped by the cleaners to pick up my clothes. No one was around so I left the car running. Unfortunately, habit kicked in and I locked the car as I got out. When I returned to the car I could not get in. I had to call the police. Afterwards, I warned people to turn off their car even at short stops.

• When I learn from my mistakes, I warn others.
• When I have felt the sting of a mistake I tell other people so they won’t do it.
• When I make a mistake that is costly, I plea with people trying to convince them not to fall into the same trap I did.

The crowd was amazed that Peter healed the man who was lame. They rushed at him and probably started worshiping him. Peter warned them of their behavior. He told them of their denial of JESUS and reminded them of their choice to keep a murderer alive. Peter also had denied JESUS, but was blessed with restoration. He could now tell them the power comes from JESUS.

• JESUS wants me to be open with my sins so others will feel free to admit theirs.
• JESUS wants me to tell other people that I have made mistakes so they will not be bound by theirs.
• JESUS wants me to be brave enough to admit sin publicly so the sin no longer has power over me or whoever hears it.

Saying I have made mistakes is often not easy. I mean who wants to say. “I have lusted” or “I have enjoyed porn” or “I have stolen” or “I have lied?” Most people would not if they were trying to keep up a façade. BUT GOD wants me to admit to all of that and more.

These sins no longer have power over me only because JESUS said “I forgive you of all your sins” to me. HE released me from the consequence of sin and I am filled with joy, I want to tell other people about my mistakes so they will do the same and be forgiven. I admit I have made a lot of mistakes that JESUS cleaned up.

• Are you hiding your mistakes?
• Are you nervous that other people will find out your deepest darkest secrets?
• Will you start small and build up to, what you consider, big sins, admitting them to others so they can see you are forgiven by JESUS today?

Money Eyes

Luke 16: Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. ² So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

³ “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— ⁴ I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

⁵ “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

⁶ “‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.

“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

⁷ “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

“‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

⁸ “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. ⁹ I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

¹⁰ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? ¹² And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

¹³ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

¹⁴ The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. ¹⁵ He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

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• GOD wants me to be honest.
• GOD wants me to be just.
• GOD wants me to see money as a tool, not a life saver.

Three were times when I sunk very low and would almost do anything for money. When creditors were calling and no money was headed my way, I felt miserable. BUT GOD showed me something different. HE showed me that I am made of much more than money. HE gave me HIS mercy so I could love others. GOD’s mercy is worth more than riches to me.

• Are you stuck?
• Do you spend most of your time talking about or thinking about money or the lack thereof?
• Can you examine your heart to see how much of a hold does money have on you?
• Will you serve GOD over money today?

Desire to Win

Luke 3: ¹² Then tax collectors also came to be baptized, and said to him, “Teacher, what shall we do?”

¹³ And he said to them, “Collect no more than what is appointed for you.”

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“How did you beat him?” I asked. “It’s my secret” was the reply. I watched him play the game again and noticed he was taking money out of the bank as his opponent wasn’t looking. He was cheating! This seemed like a great idea. “Maybe now I can win” I thought to myself.

• There were times when I would do whatever it would take to win.
• There were times when I would stretch the truth in order to win.
• There were times when I would cut corners, stack the deck and lean things in my favor in order to win.

John said to the tax collectors “Collect no more than what is appointed for you” knowing most of them would skim a lot off the top for themselves. The industry was corrupt and it was widely accepted amongst people so their practices, while sneaky, were accepted. BUT GOD wants me to act differently.

• GOD says to me “A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is HIS delight.”
• GOD says to me “The LORD wants weights and measures to be honest and every sale to be fair.”
• GOD says to me “Use honest scales, honest weights, and honest measures. I am the LORD your GOD, and I brought you out of Egypt.”

Honesty should be placed higher than winning every time. The desire to please GOD is in fact “winning” every time I play. Whether it is a game or a business deal, GOD wants me to ask HIM “How do you want me to handle this transaction?” HE can decide the outcome and when HE does, I win every time because I accept GOD’s will.

• Are you hung up on winning?
• Do you lie to yourself in order to justify your actions?
• Can you stop trying to win and start listening to GOD who always has a great plan for you?  

Grow up and give it back!

Joshua 7: ¹⁰ The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? ¹¹ Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 

¹² That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

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Toner got all over my hands and finally some got on my clothes.  I fixed numerous paper jams and it seemed like the automatic stapler went nuts as soon as I fixed other problems.  It was after hours and I had to fix everything myself because I was making copies for my social group. “My company wouldn’t mind because they made lots of money”, I thought to myself.

• When I permanently borrow something without permission it’s stealing.
• When I use something without permission it’s stealing.
• When I go outside the boundaries for my own personal gain, it’s stealing.

Stealing was not my mode of operation.  I would never consider myself a thief.  I mean thieves break in and take what’s not theirs. So what’s the harm in taking stuff from work? “These folks are thieves themselves, they have plenty!”

• GOD wants me to mature enough to not want even a paperclip that’s not mine.
• GOD wants me to grow up enough to realize that even the time spent goofing off at work is stealing.
• GOD wants me to ripen enough to desire HIS supply of my needs rather than me taking them from someone.

Slipping out of work early or taking material from the job or doing inferior work to collect a check has not build the best relationship between me and GOD. I may even justify my actions by classifying the company or even my boss as jerks, but it still doesn’t fit well within GOD’s favor.

GOD wants me to be honest in my dealings and desires that I focus my attention on HIM more and more.

• Are you stealing from work by not giving your best?
• Are you stealing from GOD by not serving, giving, or praying?
• Can you give back what you have taken and start over?
• Won’t you grow up enough to admit what you are taking?

I have someone who can help

Hebrews 2: ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

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When I compare my temptations to other folks they seem rather mild. Okay, I was tempted to take my parents’ car without permission, look at a body I wasn’t married to, or move ahead in the company while taking others out of my way. People today would say “you are really a wimp” especially since I was really nervous as the temptation popped in my head.

Even though my temptations may seem mild they are temptations nonetheless. Who can help me with my temptations?

• When I am tempted to sin, I try to run away from GOD.
• When I am tempted to sin, I blame GOD for making too many rules.
• When I am tempted to sin, I look at others instead of myself and I justify my actions.

The devil knows sin blinds me from GOD’s grace. Every time I sin, I can’t see how GOD would love me, nor can I see that I have the right to tell anyone else about HIM.  I mean what would I say? “Follow the rules?” I couldn’t even follow them myself. Wait, maybe that’s what I should say!

• I should tell people I sin and GOD forgives me.
• I should tell people JESUS became a human and understands everything I go through.
• I should tell people GOD desires to help “anyone” who is willing to hear HIM.

GOD loved me so much that HE took my punishment for sin. HE sentenced HIMSELF and allowed HIS humans to murder HIM. Before HE died HE was tempted in every way possible. Yes “every way.” HE never sinned and fully understands my battle. HE is my focus to help me see around the temptation.

• Are you tempted?
• Do you feel like you are not in control of your life?
• Can you allow GOD to comfort you?
• Won’t you believe HE knows what you are going through and wants to help?

Just say “No!”

Titus 2: ¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. ¹² It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,

¹³ while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, ¹⁴ who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.

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Rain delayed the busses and everyone, including me, piled on the first bus that appeared. Standing room only forced us to be pushed to the seedier area of the bus where “that” guy felt compelled to light up his “homegrown” cigarette at six O’clock in the morning. He peered at me with a grin and asked “Want some?” That was an easy “NO!”

Later that day some of my friends said they were going to a party that night. I said I probably wouldn’t be allowed to go and they suggested that I sneak out. “Hmm, that’s not a bad idea” I thought to myself. The problem was I couldn’t come up with a good lie, our house was too small and my parents seemed to be awake at crazy hours. “How are you getting out of your house?” I asked.

• The world will always offer me something that seems “better” than GOD.
• The world will always want me to jump in on activities that are against GOD.
• The world will always invite me to join in activities that don’t please GOD but since “everyone” else is doing it maybe HE won’t mind.

The HOLY SPIRIT was place inside anyone who believes that JESUS (GOD) voluntarily allowed HIMSELF to be murdered by HIS own creation and is now living. The HOLY SPIRIT teaches me to say “NO” to the temptations of the world and HE comforts me “when” I decide to fall.

Little by little HE teaches me to take baby steps toward HIM and every time I fall, HE is right there to pick me up. CHRIST did the heavy lifting by removing eternal death from me. All I have to do is accept HIS gift and be purified. I can now take my baby steps toward HIM.

• Are you tempted to do something you know is wrong?
• Are you avoiding GOD so you can keep doing what you are doing?
• Can you turn toward HIM just a little today?
• Won’t you say “No” to that temptation and know that if you fall HE is there to pick you up?

I was made for this!

Ephesians 2: ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 

For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

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Lying, cheating and stealing is where I found myself at one point in my life.  I mean it was harmless to say “fine” when in reality I was hurting inside so I wasn’t really lying right? Also I was working to pay for college so I didn’t have time to really write “that” paper so I asked someone to do it for me but that isn’t really cheating right?

And the company I worked for made billions so they expect for me to copy flyers at work and staple books together. It was for a “good cause” so they won’t mind and that’s not stealing right?

• No matter how good my intentions are my sin bubbles out of me.
• No matter how I try to hide my sins GOD can still see what I am doing.
• No matter how much I try to justify my actions I am still responsible for my sins.

One day I sat in my apartment and I looked at my life.  I was used to “stretching” the truth to get my way or stay out of trouble. I was used to “taking short cuts” in lieu of doing the work. I was used to getting some service for free otherwise known as “the hook up.” Where was I? Was I made for this? NO!

• GOD saved me in the middle of my sin because of HIS grace.
• GOD saved me to do “good works.”
• GOD saved me as a gift to me and doesn’t want me to waste HIS gift of grace.

Good works do not save me rather I was made for GOD’s good works. HIS grace and mercy makes me look at “my” life rather than looking at others and I definitely see I am not worthy of HIS grace but I accept HIS gift wholeheartedly. I can celebrate with others by doing good works instead of complaining about what people are saying or doing.

I can tell people about the love of GOD’s SON, JESUS who saved any who believe. That’s what I was made for!

• Where are you?
• What sin is holding you back from doing GOD’s “good works?”
• Do you believe in GOD’s grace for you or are you trying to work for HIS favor?
• Won’t you celebrate HIS grace by forgetting your sin and focusing others on HIS love?

Married folks work it out.

1 Corinthians 7: ¹⁰ To the married I give this command (not I, but the Lord): A wife must not separate from her husband. But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce his wife.11 

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Seven O’clock was approaching rapidly and the guests would arrive soon.  The dimmer switch I had neglected to install was just sitting there.  “I know… I’ll install it now” I brilliantly said to myself!

I mean it would only take a few minutes. Meanwhile, my wife was busy cleaning and preparing for guests to come over. When a wire broke I had a sinking feeling this five minute effort would extend into a much longer venture. It did!

Marriage is not easy but it’s worth it. Marriage isn’t easy BUT it’s worth it. Yes I said that twice. Two personalities coming together to form one is usually met with turbulence and we were not immune. I can only speak for my half of my marriage. I brought baggage that needed to be unpacked.

• A reason GOD loves marriage is it makes me make concessions instead of going full force on my own faulty direction.
• A reason GOD loves marriage is it models a relationship I have with HIM.
• A reason GOD loves marriage is it shows me the need to bring others along rather than being a lone superstar.

Paul told single people he would rather they remain single so they could serve the LORD intently.  I understand but I view marriage as a blessed institution that I should be focused on GOD with similar intensity.

• Problems develop when I am not focused on GOD’s way of doing marriage.
• Problems pop up when I think “I’m all that” instead of being humble in marriage.
• Problems seep in when I focus on issues rather than GOD in marriage.

One thing I’ve learned to ask while being married is “LORD how do you want things to go?” Every time I’ve asked that question, HE has answered with LOVE.

• Are you fighting in your marriage?
• Can you take time to stop and work it out?
• Can you view marriage as GOD’s rather than yours?
• If you are single can you serve GOD intently without looking to be married?

Unfaithful

Romans 3: ³What if some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God’s faithfulness? ⁴ Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:

   “So that you may be proved right when you speak

   and prevail when you judge.”

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I have been unfaithful many times! Not the way you are thinking but in many ways I have proven to show “unfaithfulness.” Like the time I left work to relax in my apartment, I was unfaithful to the job at hand. The time I decided to go on a date without asking my parents and I went missing the entire day, I was unfaithful to their guardianship.

How about the time GOD told me to remain pure in thought and deed and… you get the picture.

• I have been unfaithful to GOD when I doubt HIS plan for me.
• I have been unfaithful to GOD when I refuse to change my ways for HIM.
• I have been unfaithful to GOD when I take matters into my own hand.

Unfaithfulness has some difficult consequences. My relationship with GOD is less than optimal when I don’t have “faith” in HIM. I mean I can believe HE exists, I can even believe JESUS died for my sins, but do I actually have “faith” that GOD can lead “all” my decisions, not just the big scary ones. Unfortunately the answer is “no.”

• When I am unfaithful, GOD is faithful.
• When I think I can do life by myself GOD says “you need ME and I will always be there.”
• When I make the mistake of thinking I can live my life any old way, GOD steps in and corrects me and is “just” for doing so.

Many think unfaithful means cheating on husbands or wives or boyfriends or girlfriends and this is true. Even a longing glance at someone else is a degree of unfaithfulness which I am guilty of. But how many times have I decided GOD is wrong and I am right and I deserve to do “this” sin because HE will forgive me anyway so “I’m cool.”

GOD wants me to focus on HIS grace not mine, HIS love not mine, HIS mercy not mine. Only HE is righteous.

• Have you been unfaithful?
• What thought just popped into your head?
• Are you willing to tell those you have been unfaithful to?
• Can you tell GOD about your unfaithfulness and “move on” because you “are” forgiven?

Looks can be deceiving.

John 4: ³⁹ Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony, “He told me everything I ever did.” ⁴⁰ So when the Samaritans came to him, they urged him to stay with them, and he stayed two days. ⁴¹ And because of his words many more became believers.

 ⁴² They said to the woman, “We no longer believe just because of what you said; now we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this man really is the Savior of the world.”

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Telling everyone about the wrong things I have done in my life is actually no party.  I liked when people would complement me on how “good” I was because it fit right into the political game I was playing so well. Seems as if people didn’t really care if I were actually sincere with my “goodness”, as long as I had the appearance, I would be okay.

It seems as if the better I look to humans the worse I look to GOD.

GOD looks through my “got it together” exterior only to find a messed up interior.

Fear ensues when I have to publicly confess my wicked heart because I may damage my reputation.

Testimonies are what the world needs yet we pursue the wealthy and powerful who hide their stories so well. The more resources I had the easier it was to hide my lusts. It was kind of a diversion tactic to throw people off my scent. BUT GOD wants a testimony.

• GOD is pleased when I tell people I have lusted and “battle” it even today in order to stay married.
• GOD is pleased when I tell people I had no limits to the evil I would have gone along with to keep my wealth and power.
• GOD is pleased when I tell people I am no better than the worse sinner no matter how heinous the crime.

None of my sins have power over me any longer. I tell people about my fears, doubts and worries and then I look around and they are gone. GOD reaches into my heart and cleans out the gook and grime and replaces it with HIS tenderness.

I guess by telling people about my sin they will not revere me rather they can confess their sins and revere the one who died for them, namely JESUS. The Samaritans didn’t like the Jews uppity ways of trying to “appear” clean. They finally had true “Great News” that JESUS doesn’t care about sin rather HE cares about sinners like me.

• What sin are you trying to hide?
• What sin are you openly broadcasting?
• Do you think GOD is pleased with the thing you are trying to hide?
• Can you confess to others and stop trying to appear “good” so GOD can use your heart?

Is GOD a joke or is HE real?

Luke 19: ⁸ But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”

 ⁹ Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

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My life has not been that bad when it comes to cheating, stealing and lying. I mean I did all the above but there are no warrants for my arrest. So that makes me good, right? Wrong!

• Admitting sin is hard to do especially when I don’t even realize when I have sinned.
• Admitting sin is hard to do when I have covered up my sin for so long.
• Admitting sin is hard to do when people made me popular because of those sins.

Zacchaeus was good at stealing from people. He stole and called it his job, namely tax collection. It wasn’t personal, it was business. As a follower of CHRIST, I would go to work and try to leave HIM in the car.

There I would turn into a stone cold warrior who dared people to get in my way. Not praying about my plans I forged ahead to take down my dishonest, arrogant power hungry opponents. Little had I realized I had become like them in order to take them down on their turf. I can’t imagine going back in time and repairing every little sin.

• When it comes to GOD’s humans, it “is” personal, not business.
• When it comes to GOD’s humans I should be aware of my proximity to GOD at all times so I can treat them the way HE wants me to treat them.
• When it comes to GOD’s humans I need to conduct my business above the level at all times.

Just because people around me are acting low down and dirty doesn’t mean I have to do the same. Remaining above the level takes a special relationship with GOD that opens my heart to others while remaining firm in HIS beliefs. HE will protect and defend me in all situations.

• Is there a sin you have become very good at that you would not admit to anyone?
• Do you think GOD wants you to hide your sins and keep them only between you and HIM?
• Can you imagine going back to all those you’ve sinned against and repaying them for your sin?
• Don’t you want to be free from the guilt of your sins?
• Do you realize that sin has no power over you if you confess them to the crowd?