Heart Trapped

Heart Trapped

Revelation 9: ²⁰ The rest of the human race, all those who had not been killed by these plagues, did not turn away from what they themselves had made. They did not stop worshiping demons, nor the idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see, hear, or walk. ²¹ Nor did they repent of their murders, their magic, their sexual immorality, or their stealing.

 

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“Do not pour grease in the sink” was the warning I received. For a while I heeded the warning. But one day, I questioned it. “Perhaps if I run some hot water with the grease, then it will be okay to pour it in the sink” was my rational thought. I did this for a while and not only clogged the sink, but I clogged the grease trap.

 

• I did not want to believe the warning.
• I could have avoided unnecessary problems.
• I had to look inside of a smelly disgusting grease trap that held months of rancid, foul looking grease that would not allow anything good to pass through it.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, continued his description of what he saw after the sixth angel blew his trumpet. Horrible plagues were shown and a third of humans died, yet the remaining inhabitants of the earth would not turn away from “what they themselves had made”, namely idols and blatant sin.

 

My Observations:

• GOD sees my blatant sin and warns me to “stop.”
• The heart is desperately wicked and makes me want to leave GOD and blame HIM for HIS strict ways.
• Knowing what GOD wants requires me to surrender my desires so I can be successful in GOD’s eyes, not human’s.

 

Being willing to let go of something that is bad for me is not easy. I mean, when my heart has rationalized that my sin should be justified or overlooked, then I find myself on the wrong side of GOD. HE literally cannot stand it when I take matters in my own hands versus allowing HIM to be GOD in my life.

 

GOD must be GOD. HE does not want me to place anything or anyone over HIM. HE wants me to surrender my life to HIM so I can relinquish the sin that stirs HIS anger. GOD is forgiving, and HE wants me to be forgiving too. Sin, blinds me from that forgiveness. I must turn to HIM so HE can heal my land.

 

Challenge

• What heart is the writer trying to convey?
• Have you ever blatantly did something wrong and were unwilling to change?
• Will you seek GOD’s love by being willing to let go of your ways and allow HIM to live inside your heart to guide you today?

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?

Caught in the Middle

 

Caught in the Middle

Romans 6: ¹⁷ But thanks be to God! For though at one time you were slaves to sin, you have obeyed with all your heart the truths found in the teaching you received. ¹⁸ You were set free from sin and became the slaves of righteousness. ¹⁹ (I use everyday language because of the weakness of your natural selves.) At one time you surrendered yourselves entirely as slaves to impurity and wickedness for wicked purposes. In the same way you must now surrender yourselves entirely as slaves of righteousness for holy purposes.

 

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“Yes” I said emphatically to one person who had a very strong opinion. I was neutral, but wanted to make her feel better by agreeing. A person with an opposing opinion asked me to agree with opposite side of the argument. I said “Yes” emphatically, wanting to treat him the same. One day they both tried to drag me into their argument. I was in the middle of a mess.

 

There have been times when I tried to live in the middle.

There have been times when I wanted to have the best of two opposing worlds.

There have been times when I dabbled in some good things and some not so good things.

 

Paul thanks GOD for those who have chosen to listen to the teaching of the Way of JESUS. He then gave a choice. Either keep serving sin or start serving GOD for HIS purpose. There was no middle ground presented.

 

GOD wants me to choose HIM or not.

GOD wants me to seek HIM or not.

GOD wants me to be with HIM or not.

 

Lukewarm belief in GOD disgusts HIM. HE said “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!” Trying to straddle the fence between being sinful and righteous is impossible in GOD’s eyes.

 

I mean, HE can help those who are disappointed with HIM because someone misrepresented HIS love and abused people, turning them against HIM. HE can also protect those who are totally for HIM, fighting along side HIM daily. HE detests those who try to justify sin and be try to be “good.” I am glad JESUS is the only one who is good and saved me anyway. I choose HIM.

 

Are you picking and choosing parts of the Bible to believe in?

Do you find some of GOD’s rules seem to be “unfair” so you refuse to follow them?

Will you surrender trying to live your life in the middle, in between sin and GOD, so you can be used for HIS purpose today?

Inside Out

Mark 7: ¹⁷ When He had entered a house away from the crowd, His disciples asked Him concerning the parable. ¹⁸ So He said to them, “Are you thus without understanding also? Do you not perceive that whatever enters a man from outside cannot defile him, ¹⁹ because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?” ²⁰ And He said, “What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. ²¹ For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, ²² thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. ²³ All these evil things come from within and defile a man.”

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Hearing some of the neighborhood kids use explicit language intrigued me. There were a few who would get all the laughs and I desired that kind of spotlight. My first attempts at using foul language flopped, but soon I got better. I eventually use this new found talent as pickup lines, venting rage and putting others down.

• There were times I acted out.
• There were times that I could not hold my tongue.
• There were times that my true desires came out of my mouth.

JESUS tells HIS disciples that the heart is more important than ritual practices of eating. Many  people who were concerned about following the Law were not as concerned about the spirit of the Law. JESUS points out that it is what comes out of the heart that can make someone dirty.

• GOD wants me to ask HIM for a clean heart.
• GOD wants me to align my desires to HIS on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to nourish my heart as often as I nourish my stomach.

“Garbage in, garbage out” is what people have said and it is true regarding my heart. When I have a steady diet of foulness my heart will wring out its gross contents. GOD is great at replacing my heart. No matter what I have done, HE can mend my heart to use it for HIS glory.

• Where is your heart?
• Are you on a road to foulness because of your heart?
• Can you listen to GOD instead of listening to humans and allow HIM to lead you to a better path? 

Deeper Relationship

Jeremiah 4: ³ This is what the Lord says to the people of Judah and to Jerusalem:

“Break up your unplowed ground
    and do not sow among thorns.
⁴ Circumcise yourselves to the Lord,
    circumcise your hearts,
    you people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem,
or my wrath will flare up and burn like fire
    because of the evil you have done—
    burn with no one to quench it.

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After recovering from my immature tantrum, I asked GOD, “Why didn’t I get into the Junior Executive program during the first job I had out of college?” I went to church and the preacher mumbled stuff about being “sent” places. Sent? What about the places “I” want to go? I pouted.

• GOD says to me “The heart is desperately wicked, who can know it”
• GOD says to me “There is a way that seems right to a man.”
• GOD says to me “Human righteousness is like a dung pile.”

After I settled down I said to GOD “I will stay here” although I despised the town I was in at the time. Months later I received a job back in my home town. I could see the fruit of GOD on so many levels. HE sent me to a tiny church in the middle of the city. Many people professed CHRIST as their LORD. I see now, that was the right path.

• GOD wants me to “Circumcise my heart” by getting rid of the need to have “my” way.
• GOD wants me to “Break up my unplowed fertile ground leaving the thorns alone” by seeking HIS plan for a change.
• GOD wants me to understand that HE does have wrath but HIS love is far greater.

After growing up a bit, I realize that “my” life is not mine at all, it is GOD’s. HE can and should be able to do with my life, whatever pleases HIM. After a while, getting “my” way should line up with getting “GOD’s” way. When I seek the kingdom first, that’s exactly what GOD will give me, in abundance! My way may include fame and riches, GOD’s way will include more and more of HIS kingdom!

• Have you turned away from GOD?
• Do you think your plan is going to work without HIM?
• Will you stop trying to do things on your own and seek GOD’s wisdom?

Responding Quick Enough

2 Chronicles 34: ²⁷ Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. 

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“Toughen up” was the phrase given to me as I was told to fire a person. This was a test to see if I could cut it in management. Everyone around me seemed to be scared of this person but I sat him down with my letter to him and simply said, “Your services are no longer needed here.”

“What was everyone scared about?” I thought to myself. Years later and several fired people later, I ran into a person who I had to “let go” who seemed different. He was no longer a thing that could be fired; rather he was a human with a family. When I “let him go” something bothered me.  I wonder what that was.

• Sometimes my drive keeps me from hearing things.
• Sometimes my determination keeps me from listening.
• Sometimes my position keeps me from having a soft heart.

Now I know why some of the elderly are so nice. After “letting people go” in a cold calloused way, I now see I had to harden my heart in order to be “tough enough” to make it in the position. I don’t mean I would not fire a rebellious or slothful employee, I mean I have to have a different courage.

• I have to have courage enough to listen to GOD rather than letting my ambition deafen me.
• I have to have courage enough to listen to GOD rather than plodding down a destructive course.
• I have to have courage enough to listen to GOD rather than thinking everything will be fine if I don’t repent.

GOD wants me to have a humbled heart. I have to appreciate rather than alienate. HE tells me to live the way HE designed and only HE can determine my course. My action is to have a responsive heart which takes spiritual ears and a humbled soul.

• Are you at war with GOD?
• Do you think you will win the fight against GOD?
• Can you stop the battle and follow HIS leading?
• Will you humble yourself and listen to what HE has to say?