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.

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

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.

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

“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?

Feeling Forgiven

Exodus 26: ³³ Hang the curtain from the hooks.

“Place the ark of the covenant behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Room from the Most Holy Room.³⁴ Put the cover on the ark of the covenant in the Most Holy Room. The cover will be the place where sin is paid for.

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

As I told one lie it seemed only fitting to tell another.  How in the world could my parents tell that I was lying? I mean the first response of “I don’t know” should have been sufficient. Why were they asking me so many questions? Can’t this incident just be done?

• Many times I want forgiveness without admitting I did something wrong.
• Many times I want forgiveness without understanding consequence.
• Many times I want forgiveness without having to face the fact that I am flawed.

The initial covenant between mankind and GOD included a lot of conditions, like a special ceremony for confession of sin. GOD designed a special place that humans were supposed to enter with extreme caution and reverence.  Confession of sin was the main focus and it had to be done the right way, with the shedding of blood from a sacrifice. Do I need to do this?

• GOD did away with the sacrifices to HIM because HE sacrificed HIMSELF for me.
• GOD no longer needs the blood of an animal because HE used HIS own blood to pay for my sins.
• GOD does not need me to carry around stone tablets because HE placed HIS law in my heart.

One of my major battles is “feeling forgiven” rather than “:knowing I am forgiven.” Yes I know CHRIST died for me but sometimes I don’t “feel” it. GOD says “I will be with you always” and that lets me know I am forgiven. The laws in my heart battle with the ways of the world.

The battle wants me to doubt GOD’s everlasting love so I mistakenly seek “feeling” forgiveness with my own made up blinded criteria. GOD says to me “you are forgiven” and that’s all I need!

• Are you down on yourself?
• Are you feeling neglected rather than victorious?
• Can you stop believing the lie and start believing that GOD does care for you?
• Won’t you help others believe GOD cares for them?

Curiosity closed my eyes

Genesis 3: ⁶ When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. ⁷ Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves.

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

Music and a crowd seemed like the place I wanted to be.  It was exciting to see everyone having “fun.” Let’s play “insert drinking game name here.” In other words we were in college and any game could and would turn into a drinking game.

I was curious because I had never drank before. When it was my turn I grabbed a cup and quickly gulped it down.  Everyone cheered and laughter ensued. We played until the wee hours of the morning. The next day I was sick and sluggish, but that sure was “fun.”

• The crowd makes many actions seem “fun” but am I masking something?
• The crowd makes many actions seem “innocent” but is it good for me?
• The crowd makes many actions seem “delightful” but where is the crowd when things go wrong?

The argument over drinking continues but I’m talking about temptation in general.  The crowd will have me doing almost anything nowadays and I will easily fall for it because it seems “pleasurable.” But what does GOD want?

• GOD wants my spiritual eyes open and my sinful eyes closed.
• GOD wants me to pay attention to HIS ways instead of falling for ways that take me from HIM.
• GOD wants me to view HIS ways as being pleasurable versus the tempting ways of the crowd.

It sounds like I will never have fun again, right? Wrong! GOD never said act like a stiff, judgmental, old crony. HE wants my life to be full and rich but on HIS terms not mine. The first sin closed every human’s eyes and even Adam and Eve’s relationship was shaken with each other. BUT GOD saved them and me!

• Are you justifying what you are doing?
• Do you think it’s hard to follow GOD’s ways?
• Won’t you start learning who GOD really is?
• Can you seek HIS loving ways instead of following a path that may lead to destruction?

Spiritual Yeast Infection

Galatians 5: ⁹ “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.”

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

Lies were not easy to tell around my house because it seemed like my parents were always on top of things so I moved my “lying” operation to my classmates.  It was easy to lie and make up stories that would make me look good. I got better and better at my lies.  Once I was in the middle of a lie and asked myself “what will I gain from this lie?”

• If I start lying then my lies grow bigger and I get better at it.
• If I take a paperclip from work then I will justify taking more and more.
• If I use one person then I will seek more to use.
• If I scam someone then I can scam my way to get what I want right? Wrong!

Yeast is sin and it only takes a little to ruin me or even worse ruin a group of people.  Once my morals have been breached then it is only a matter of time in which I am dragging others down in the gutter with me.  How can I get rid of this “yeast infection?”

• When I see others as GOD sees them then I remove my “yeast infection.”
• When I crave to be mature in CHRIST then I remove my “yeast infection.”
• When I do what GOD wants me to do instead of doing what I want to do then I remove my “yeast infection.”

A little sin does ruin the entire person and takes down entire groups of people. It blinds people to the truth making them think they are well when they really aren’t.  I should know, I think I’m fine every day. BUT GOD knows my “sin” illness very well and the more I turn to HIM the more HE works through me.

HE is the only one who can eradicate my sin and declare me innocent of my guilt. All I have to do is “admit” my guilt to HIM and HE will do the rest.

• What path are you on?
• Do you believe you are healthy by your own actions?
• When is the last time you have admitted your wrong actions to GOD?
• Since CHRIST paid the price for your sin, does that give you a license to continue to sin without admission?
• Won’t you make some effort in giving up some of your sin by asking for help from GOD?

Bragging about sin

1 Corinthians 5: ⁶ Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.7 8 

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

“They’ll never know that I took the key” I said to myself. We’ll have our fun, clean up and no one will be wise to our antics. Since I was the office clerk I had access to all the keys in the dorm. This went on for a while and soon I got sloppy and began to brag about how much fun we were having.

The news spread and soon we had too many people for our little hide away. Complaints surfaced and I had caused problems. My explanation was, “We were only trying to have a ‘little’ fun!”

• When I’m acting opposite of GOD’s ways I want a crowd to make me feel good.
• When I’m doing things GOD would not appreciate I want others to say I’m doing well.
• When I’m thinking GOD won’t mind what I do I seek accolades from people involved in the same sin I’m doing.

GOD wants me to examine myself and “get rid of the old yeast” or stop trying to hang with the ways of this world.  It’s tough to go against the tide and the world is asking me to let go of things sacred to GOD.  The world wants me to be greedy, lustful, sensual, and power hungry always seeking the finer things in life.

All of the items I mentioned are like little pieces of “yeast” that rises in the dough of my soul causing me to go deeper and deeper into sin. Soon I woke up questioning GOD, questioning HIS power and I was headed down the path of questioning HIS existence. Fortunately for me, HE had a better plan than the destructive one I wanted.

• Is there some “little” sin you are bragging about perhaps on some social network?
• Are you telling the girls or the guys about your escapades?
• Can you ask yourself if your actions or words are pleasing to GOD?
• Can you back off of “that” sin at least once today for GOD?

It’s the inside that matters.

Romans 2: ²⁸ A person is not a Jew who is one only outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. ²⁹ No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.

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

Although I knew the answer, I just wanted to be sure so I checked her answer. I looked on both sides to see if the coast was clear then I got a good vantage point on her answer sheet. “Wait I see something slightly different on her sheet” I thought to myself.

As I was busy looking trying to change my answer, I failed to notice her noticing me. “He’s cheating off my paper she exclaimed.” Caught! “Think, think...” “No I didn’t” was the only lie I could think of. The teacher snatched my test and compared the answers and saw they were different. “Whew, I got away with it. I should be more careful NEXT time.”

• Thinking I can get away with sin only leads me to more sin.
• Thinking I can get away with sin puts me in a very bad place with GOD.
• Thinking I can get away with sin keeps me from having a repentant heart and even GOD can’t change it.

A relationship with GOD means I accept HIS ways while knowing mine are sinful. Even my birth was consecrated in sin so I have no excuse. My heart has sin in it because that is just my nature. BUT GOD decided to do something amazing with my life.

• GOD saw my sinful heart and “circumcised it” cutting away enough sin to hear HIS message.
• GOD saw my sinful heart and led me to believe in HIS SON and gave me the HOLY SPIRIT to guide me.
• GOD saw my sinful heart and gave me the option of following HIM or following death.

Every little sin I think I get away with only opens the way to more and more sin. Soon I find myself in a mess that I don’t know how to get myself out of. GOD wants me to give my sin to HIM daily so I don’t get too far off the path. In fact HE wants me to take the focus off “my” sins so I can help people focus on HIM.

My inward change cannot be seen by humans, in fact they will still accuse me of sins and wrongs I haven’t committed, BUT GOD sees my heart and praises me while giving me purpose.

• Are you stepping away from GOD’s path little by little?
• Do you think you “got away” with that sin?
• Won’t you take just a little step towards GOD today?
• Can’t you ask for “a little” forgiveness from HIM as you first step?

No longer hiding from GOD

Romans 1: ¹⁶ For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. ¹⁷ For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”

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

Broken vase, black electrical tape, fixed, they’ll never know. Magazine, bathroom hamper, hidden, they’ll never know. Dented car, spray paint, repaired, they’ll never know. Woman flirting at work, it’s at work, they’ll never know. Fear, doubt, worry, anger, they are all inside, they’ll never know.

• Sin makes me ashamed of what I have done.
• Sin makes me ashamed to be called a follower of CHRIST.
• Sin makes me ashamed of telling people about the Great News about JESUS because I think they will judge me instead of accepting.

I have many reasons to be ashamed of GOD when I want to keep sinning. Whether it is blatant or hidden sin, my shame is toward GOD not humans. In fact the more I sin, the more ashamed of GOD I become. How can I become righteous? How can I not be ashamed?

• JESUS died specifically for me and HE knew every sin I would ever do.
• JESUS was raised to life, has overcome death and is now entrusts me with HIS message.
• JESUS gave me the HOLY SPIRIT and now I have help staying away from sin.

I sin, but now I despise the sin I do. I know GOD does not like the sin and that it’s more difficult to be used by HIM in the middle of my sin. HE is faithful and just to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. That’s it! GOD has made me righteous through my belief in HIM! Wow, that is Great News!

Now I no longer have to stay in the same pattern of sin rather I can spread HIS Great News!

• Are you doing some shameful things either blatant or hidden?
• What sin can you hide from GOD?
• Do you feel forgiven?
• Are you acting forgiven?
• Won’t you change your life and live for GOD instead of living for sin?

My sin is only an excuse

Acts 22:  ¹⁹ “‘Lord,’ I replied, ‘these people know that I went from one synagogue to another to imprison and beat those who believe in you. ²⁰ And when the blood of your martyr Stephen was shed, I stood there giving my approval and guarding the clothes of those who were killing him.’

 ²¹ “Then the Lord said to me, ‘Go; I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’ ”

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

Groggy and a little disoriented I woke up and decided to go to church. I was a Sunday-School teacher now but I figured my single lifestyle didn’t have to be hampered with that detail. As I walked down the steps with my class I heard a voice all the way across the entrance of the sanctuary.

“Hey, we had a great time at the club last night! Did you get her number? ” What made him yell “that” in church? And whose number was he talking about? And most of all, what will my class think of me?

• My sin tells me that I am broken and can’t serve GOD.
• My sin tells me to remain broken and tries to get me to believe I can’t be fixed.
• My sin tells me to hide “it” and look good in front of everyone.

When I listen to my sin I sometimes feel small, ashamed, weak, and low down.  I see my imperfections and I think, GOD can’t possibly want a broken person like me to tell others about HIS goodness.  I mean “I’m not a preacher, I don’t know the Bible and I’m chasing women… I can’t change” or at least that’s what I thought!

• GOD saw “all” of my sins and chose me anyway.
• GOD knew every mistake I would ever make and still gave me a purpose.
• GOD understood I would face many obstacles so HE filled my life with the HOLY SPIRIT to protect me and guide me and comfort me.

Broken people are exactly what GOD uses the most.  HE looks at my life and sees nothing but perfection because HE is looking through me and sees the HOLY SPIRIT HE place inside of me. HE no longer sees my sinful outer crust but looks at a washed, cleaned and dusted off soul.

I heard this weekend that change is a lifelong process. I should examine my lifestyle and give “every” element to CHRIST. Little by little I should give my sins to HIM and exchange them for telling people about HIS SON. My sinful lifestyle should no longer be an excuse to living for JESUS.

• Are you busy trying to look good in front of people?
• Are you trying to serve GOD “and” keep your sinful lifestyle?
• Won’t you give up your sins little by little?
• Will you start telling people about GOD’s forgiveness even in the middle of your sin?

Lying to GOD

Acts 5: ¹ Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ² With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

 ³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴ Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

 ⁵ When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.

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

“LORD if YOU would just get me out of this situation, I will never do that again!” I said as I bargained with GOD thinking HE had caught me in my sin and was punishing me for it. “The escapades the night before must have caught up to me and this is why I have this intense pain in my chest!” I thought to myself.

I laid in my apartment in pain because the doctor’s office near me was closed. A day later I found out It was severe gas coupled with the normal pains of weightlifting.

• GOD cannot be manipulated by my false promises.
• GOD cannot me moved by my phony act of service.
• GOD cannot be impressed by my false humility.

Wanting my way while serving GOD has been a struggle for me for years. I dreamt a sinful dream and ignored GOD in my pursuit. Needless to say I broke my promise with GOD, this time with no immediate consequence. “I bet HE is alright with my sin” I reasoned.

• GOD wants me to worship HIM with my heart not just obligation.
• GOD wants me to “want” to be with HIM.
• GOD wants me to place HIM before anyone or anything.

Second, third and fiftieth chances are what GOD has given me over the years. HE taught me that it would be better not serving at all than serving to manipulate HIM. HE also taught me that serving HIM is supposed to be my pursuit so I should seek purity as best I can.

• Have you ever made a false promise to GOD in order to look good to others?
• Do you take your promises lightly?
• When will you start seeking GOD the way HE wants you to seek HIM?