What to Live By

Habakkuk 2: ⁴ “See, the enemy is puffed up;
    his desires are not upright—
    but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness

============

“You are very good at what you do” someone said to me. “I am” I thought to myself. I “deserve” a raise and a promotion. I did not put my feet on the person’s desk physically, but I did with my words. “When will I be next in line for a higher position?” I said.

• There have been times when I have thought “more highly” of myself.
• There have been times when I have felt I am “better” than “that” person.
• There have been times when I have believed the words of flattery and let them go to my head.

After getting the promotion I soon realized this was not enough. I mean my boss was asking me all the questions. Shouldn’t “I” be the boss? I took classes on how to get to the next level and after a while I did become the boss, only after a lot of people were fired! Good riddance! Or was it?

• GOD wants me to walk humbly with HIM.
• GOD desires that I live for HIM and not for the job.
• GOD wants me to follow HIS ways and live by HIS faithfulness.

Instead of becoming a repellent, GOD wants me to be a draw to many. HE wants me to place my sinful desires at HIS feet and ask “Do YOU want me to have this?” and allow HIS answer to be “No!” HE wants me to treat everyone with respect and allow HIS humility to be my guide.

Faithfulness to GOD is the creed I need to follow. It should not matter how high I climb as long as I have GOD guiding me. GOD removes my arrogance and replaces it with HIS wisdom.

• Do you have a deserving attitude?
• Do you believe you should be treated better?
• Do you think you can rob or take whatever you desire?
• Can you stop thinking more highly of yourself and allow GOD to humble your ways?

Dedicated to the robber who attacked one of my daughter’s. – GOD forgives

Being Conceited

2 Samuel 24: Again the anger of the Lord burned against Israel, and he incited David against them, saying, “Go and take a census of Israel and Judah.”

² So the king said to Joab and the army commanders^[a] with him, “Go throughout the tribes of Israel from Dan to Beersheba and enroll the fighting men, so that I may know how many there are.”

³ But Joab replied to the king, “May the Lord your God multiply the troops a hundred times over, and may the eyes of my lord the king see it. But why does my lord the king want to do such a thing?”

⁴ The king’s word, however, overruled Joab and the army commanders; so they left the presence of the king to enroll the fighting men of Israel.

-------

¹⁵ So the Lord sent a plague on Israel from that morning until the end of the time designated, and seventy thousand of the people from Dan to Beersheba died. 

============

“They won’t cut us!” I rationalized to my group.  We are the technology group, “They need us” I said to my team. As I walked the halls, I didn’t feel worried at all; in fact I started getting the papers together to grow my team from groups who would have large cuts.

Of course when the dust settled, twenty five percent of my team was gone and we had to work harder with fewer people. Morale was in the dumps and I had to explain how life was going to be “better.”

• When I think I can’t be touched, I am blind.
• When I think I can’t be taken down, I am on my way out.
• When I think I can’t be beat, I am already defeated.

David wanted to see how powerful he had become for the simple purpose of feeding his ego. I too had my ego fed as I walked around, having a team who could cater to my every whim. It actually felt good to strive to get to the top and actually reaching it. The problem was I thought the title was the destination.

• GOD raises me up for HIS purpose not my ego.
• GOD places me above what I can handle and wants me to take my responsibility seriously.
• GOD brings me groups of people to point to HIM rather than pointing to myself.

GOD doesn’t need another noisy person ranting about themselves. HE hates the arrogant and confuses their words. GOD wants me to rely on HIS power, HIS might and HIS everlasting love. HE doesn’t want me cowering in the corner. HE wants me to bravely move forward trusting that HE knows what HE is doing.

• Are you counting your cash?
• Are you comparing yourself to your neighbors or other people?
• Can you trust GOD enough to allow HIM to get the credit for your accomplishments?

Fixing people

Joshua 2:¹Then Joshua son of Nun secretly sent two spies from Shittim. “Go, look over the land,” he said, “especially Jericho.” So they went and entered the house of a prostitute named Rahab and stayed there.

============

After praying and having a number of discussions I felt pretty good about the progress made with this guy. “He is ready to serve” I assessed. Weeks later I got a phone call stating he had a lapse and was back on drugs. We have to “fix” him, otherwise he can’t serve I thought to myself.

• When I look at someone else’s sin I can get smug.
• When I look at people as projects I can get high and mighty.
• When I look at a person’s contribution to the GOD’s kingdom, I act like I can save them and I have a heaven or a hell to put them in.

When I single out a sin “that” person is doing that I’m not, I can get rather smug in my thinking. I mean, I don’t do “those” things any longer, or I “never” did. “Those people” is a term that assumes I’m not part of that group.  In fact it implies I’m above the group. GOD has something different in mind.

• GOD sees every person as one of HIS until they reject the SON.
• GOD can use the most unlikely person to do great things in HIS kingdom and HE wants me to never underestimate HIS choice.
• GOD wants me to treat every person with high esteem and let HIM assess their sin level and position with HIM.

I can’t tell what a person believes even by their actions. I know I sin and that’s all I should focus on. Talking about other groups of people is very easy. I can point out their flaws and character cracks and I can even doubt they can be used. BUT GOD is the one who cleanses us of ALL unrighteousness!

• Do you think "that” person is a project?
• Do you believe “those people” are far away from GOD and “you” are close?
• Can you stop treating people like projects and give the love?
• Won’t you drop you assessment of sin and listen to what GOD wants you to do?

The danger of pointing at myself

Deuteronomy 13 If a prophet, or one who foretells by dreams, appears among you and announces to you a sign or wonder, ² and if the sign or wonder spoken of takes place, and the prophet says, “Let us follow other gods” (gods you have not known) “and let us worship them,” ³ you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. 

The Lord your God is testing you to find out whether you love him with all your heart and with all your soul. ⁴ It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him. 

============

“Why am I not getting promoted?” I asked a mentor. He said, “You need to learn the art of self-promotion.” It’s when I tell people how great I am without looking like a braggart. I tried it and it worked! In fact it worked so well that I used it when speaking about “church” not GOD. 

I promoted “churches” and eventually the positions I held within them. Soon people were looking at me. I was now an icon. Now I couldn’t tell people about my sins, people would be so disappointed!

• My desire to be promoted may spill into other areas of my life.
• My desire to be noticed may make me do things contrary to what I’m supposed to be doing.
• My desire to be in the spotlight may take the stage away from the being who is supposed to have it.

Please don’t get me wrong… it is perfectly fine to let people know accomplishments and to be excited about how GOD is blessing me, but my motive has to be carefully examined to see if “I” need to tell people or should this wonderful situation remain between me and GOD.

Angels have incredible power, yet when John tried to bow to one of them the angel immediately stopped him and pointed to GOD. The angel knew something very important.

• All blessings come from GOD.
• All eyes should be on GOD not on me in any way.
• All thanks and praise should go to HIM not me.

It’s nice to hear when I am doing a good job. Who wouldn’t want to hear it? BUT GOD requires that I point the people to HIM so HE can give me my reward instead of stealing HIS light.

• Are you following a human?
• Are you trying to get humans to follow you?
• Can you place GOD above all humans, even yourself?
• Won’t you stop promoting the thing that is less than GOD and point people to HIM again?

Where do good things come from?

Leviticus 1: ² “‘He must take it to the priests who are in Aaron’s family line. A priest must take a handful of the fine flour and oil. He must mix it with all of the incense. Then he must burn that part on the altar. It will be a reminder that all good things come from the Lord. It is an offering that is made with fire. It gives a smell that is pleasant to the Lord.

============

Tears flowed from my eyes as my coworkers and family gathered together to celebrate my award. “I” had worked hard and “I” stayed up many nights making sure “my” project was complete and right. I was invited to a dinner with the CEO and many of the top executives.  “I” did it!

• Sometimes I forget to thank GOD for my abilities and talents.
• Sometimes I forget that GOD is the one who raises me up.
• Sometimes I forget that GOD has the right to tear me down.
• Sometimes I forget that it’s not about me but it’s about GOD.

GOD wants me to remember that all good things come from HIM, even trials. Yes, trials are good because they can strengthen me where I am weak. I must recognize GOD as being the ultimate giver and forgiver. HE put rules in place to remember HIM because mankind would easily forget who and what HE is.

• GOD wants me to remember that all good things come from HIM.
• GOD wants me to remember that I need a savior as often as I can.
• GOD wants me to remember to sprinkle a little “salt” on the world as a reminder of HIS everlasting covenant.

It’s easy for me to think I accomplished all that I have accomplished. BUT GOD wants me to recognize that everything I do has to go through HIS will. I can do nothing without GOD.

• Do you think you accomplish things on your own?
• Do you believe you lack talents because GOD forgot to give them to you?
• Can you recognize that GOD made you perfect?
• Won’t you stop thinking the situation you are in is bad and see GOD has a perfect plan for where you are?

Am I setting myself apart for GOD?

Exodus 39: ³⁰ They made the plate out of pure gold. It was a sacred crown. They carved words on it as if it were a seal. They carved the words set apart for the Lord. 

============

Scantily clad women walked around trying to get noticed and I wanted to join in. After lifting weights in my local gym, I adorned myself with tiny shorts and a ripped up shirt that I made myself. I mean, store bought shirts couldn’t accentuate my muscles enough.

• Self is difficult to dodge.
• Self usually wants to be noticed or rewarded now.
• Self points everyone to my efforts in a passive or overt way.

Usually when I want to be noticed, it isn’t going to end up in a positive way. Yes I may get a pat on the back, which isn’t bad, but sometimes I may fall into something I shouldn’t. I wonder if all the attention I seek is positive.

• GOD says “Be holy because I am holy” which means I will fail but HIS holiness makes me holy.
• GOD says “Set yourself apart” which means I still have to live with people and not exclude.
• GOD says “I will know MY people” which means HE has placed HIS seal of approval on me.

I have to realize that I am HIS.  This is hard to do when I’m blaming HIM for situations or trouble. I also have to realize “that” person belongs to HIM as well so I have to treat them like it. Being “Set Apart” means living with the purpose of GOD each day. The more I can let go of self the better I am. I will not always get this right but I’m on my way!

• Are you trying to get noticed?
• Do you use overt or passive aggressive ways to get noticed?
• Can you focus some of that attention on GOD?
• Won’t you point someone to CHRIST instead of pointing them to your opinion?

Do you like the “Me” team?

Hebrews 3: ³ Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor than Moses, just as the builder of a house has greater honor than the house itself. ⁴ For every house is built by someone, but God is the builder of everything.

============

After many hours of work we finally released our new product.  At the convention, people crowded into our booth clamoring to see it. Some of those people came over to me and pat me on the back. “Yeah I did do a good job” I thought to myself. I mean “I” oops we put a lot of hard work into this!

• When I look for accolades I sometimes point to myself.
• When I build a group I sometimes want those who follow to follow “me.”
• When I am part of a group I usually want that group to be the “winning” group so I can be associated with winners no matter how the group is acting.

Team “Me” is a wonderful team that I try to promote as often as I can.  Either I’m voicing my stance on something to be associated with a group or I’m just dropping subtle hints to make sure people know I’m pretty great. Don’t get me wrong, I treat my people well as long as they like “me.” I wonder if I should be pointing to team “Me.”

• GOD says everything I own is HIS.
• GOD says every group given to me was given by HIM.
• GOD says every leader put in place was placed there by HIM for HIS purposes.

I am not greater than GOD so I need to point all of my accomplishments to HIM.  Every team he has me lead I need to point to HIM and not team “Me.” Every group I am associated with I need to point to GOD and not in a false, selfish way.

GOD needs to receive the accolades for everything accomplished. If HIS SON is falsely followed then HE will know and not respond. I need to point my team to GOD for HE is the builder of everything.

• Are you pointing at yourself?
• Are you trying to push a human into the spotlight without pushing GOD into the spotlight?
• Are you mentioning the sins of others without examining your own sins?
• Can you mention the name “JESUS” with the way you are acting towards “that” person?

Aw do I have to do that LORD?

Philippians 2: ¹⁴ Do everything without grumbling or arguing, ¹⁵ so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky

¹⁶ as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.

============

My parents told me to do the dishes. “Aw man” I thought to myself. I wanted to watch TV. My supervisor seemed to give me busy work. “Aw man” I thought to myself. I wanted to hide and possibly get a nap in at work. In my career stage my boss made me take notes in a meeting. “Aw man” now they want me to act like an admin instead of sitting at the table. Can’t I do what I want?

• When I am blind I grumble at tasks handed to me.
• When I am immature I fuss and fight to get out of doing things.
• When I think too highly of myself I get upset at doing tasks I feel are beneath me.

Wow! GOD wants me to do “everything” without grumbling or arguing?! That seems to be a pretty tall order.  I mean what if the person who is barking out orders to me is a jerk? GOD says look at things a little differently.

• GOD doesn’t want me looking at the task rather look at the person as HE does.
• GOD doesn’t want me to view myself higher than the task rather be an example to others.
• GOD doesn’t want me to fuss and fight with people rather HE wants HIS light to shine through me when I humble myself.

It’s not the task that is important it’s the “purpose” of the task. Sometimes GOD raises me up to heights I never would have imagined and sometimes HE makes me lower than the lowest but the purpose is still the same. GOD wants HIS SON to be recognized and worshipped.

Our generation is “warped and crooked” and it is difficult to find a person who seems to carry a smile during difficult times. GOD wants me to be alright with the mundane menial tasks that no one wants to do. HIS light will shine in all of my grumble-less efforts.

• Are you grumbling over what you are doing?
• Do you feel tired of doing “that” thing again?
• Are you doing something for someone who doesn’t deserve your talents?
• Can you do your tasks for GOD instead of doing them for people today?

Who is worthy of my presence?

Ephesians 4: ² Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 

Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; ⁵ one Lord, one faith, one baptism; ⁶ one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

============

My tolerance for nonsense started shrinking when I saw people pouting over who won an award in our department. On one side the lack of congratulations disgusted me and on the other the choice of a buddy to receive the award made me ill. “Just wait until I become the boss, I am going to fire all these people” I thought to myself.

• When I have rage I handle people harshly.
• When I want something my anxiety makes me impatient towards others.
• When I feel I know more than others I judge them and usually cause dissension.

I can usually tell when I am not acting like GOD wants me to. Major groups of people start falling off my radar and my circle shrinks more and more. After a while I am only touching who “I” consider worthy of my presence. Usually I can justify my actions because “they” are acting ugly and I am not, right? Wrong!

• GOD wants me to be completely humble and gentle towards people, even those who are harsh to me.
• GOD wants me to be patient with people especially those who I mistake for slow and weak.
• GOD wants me to bear with others in love in hopes that they will see the love GOD has for me.

There is one LORD, one faith, one baptism, one GOD and FATHER of all and HE wants me to act in unity with all HE sends to me. When I judge too harshly or use my blunt, crass approach I notice HE stops sending people my way.  Yes the Bible says correct people but it says do it “in love.”

I must put the person over the sin they are doing. In other words I have to make every effort to see “each” person as GOD sees them.

• Are you better than “those” people?
• Are “they” not following GOD like you are following HIM?
• Are you judging others by what they are doing?
• Have you examined yourself and judged yourself by your own measure?

Give the gift of a “new” you this year.

2 Timothy 3: ¹ But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. ² People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, ⁴ treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— ⁵ having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

============

“Wow, what a harsh list” I thought to myself as I read this scripture in the middle of the night.  What in the world am I going to write about that could possibly be encouraging about this scripture? This particular scripture was on my plan and there was no way around it.

When I pondered over it, I saw it wasn’t so bad. In fact I saw a wonderful Christmas list I could give my family and neighbors.

Here are the top twenty (20) gifts I could give this year:

1.    Do not be a lover of myself rather love my family and neighbors.

2.    Do not love money instead I can be content with GOD’s blessings.

3.    Do not be boastful rather when GOD blesses me with plenty I should remain humble.

4.    Do not be proud instead I can allow people to serve me and admit when I am down.

5.    Do not be abusive rather include my family in decisions leveraging their strengths.

6.    Do not disobey my parents instead listen to their wisdom for they have been where I am going.

7.    Do not be ungrateful rather be thankful for all the blessings GOD has given me.

8.    Do not be unholy instead focus on GOD’s love and remain pure to HIS word.

9.    Do not be without love rather love those who can’t or won’t understand my love.

10.  Do not be unforgiving instead I should be the quickest to forgive and ready to do it again.

11.  Do not be slanderous rather hold my harsh tongue when I’m ready to ridicule someone else.

12.  Do not be without self-control instead control my thoughts, eyes, and obsessions.

13.  Do not be brutal rather be gentle with the souls GOD has placed in my care.

14.  Do not be evil instead be a “lover of good.”

15.  Do not be treacherous rather remain positive and focused on GOD’s ways.

16.  Do not be rash instead remain calm and patient especially when things go wrong.

17.  Do not be conceited rather think humbly of myself and my capabilities.

18.  Do not be a lover of pleasure rather than a lover of GOD.

19.  Do not have a form of godliness instead worship GOD the way HE wants to be worshiped.

20.  Do not deny GOD’s power instead throw all my doubts away and remain true to the faith.

Have a very merry Christmas being a new you!