Titles May Mean Trouble

Esther 1: ¹⁰ On the seventh day, when King Xerxes was in high spirits from wine, he commanded the seven eunuchs who served him—Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar and Karkas— ¹¹ to bring before him Queen Vashti, wearing her royal crown, in order to display her beauty to the people and nobles, for she was lovely to look at. ¹² But when the attendants delivered the king’s command, Queen Vashti refused to come. Then the king became furious and burned with anger.

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After years of scratching and clawing my way up, I had finally reached the top! I could finally make some decisions and get things done. I called a meeting of my entire staff so I could meet everyone and give them my high level plan.

One of my employees refused to come to the meeting. I brushed this absence off until she refused to come to my next gathering. I then wanted to get rid of her. I approached her and asked, about the absences. Turns out she was the only one who was supporting a large number of systems and my meetings conflicted with her support.

• Sometimes titles give me an ego.
• Sometimes titles blind me to what’s going on.
• Sometimes titles make me believe I am important.

It seems like titles have made me think people should react to me in a special way. Titles like VP, Senior Director, Manager, Husband or even Dad commanded some level of respect and I craved it. BUT GOD wants me to see something different.

• GOD is the most high so I should look to HIM for my power
• GOD is the being I get my power from and titles are meaningless.
• GOD became a human, giving up HIS title of GOD just to die for me and is now raised up above all with the highest title.

Titles seem to ruin my humility. I do not mean I should not have a title or become a pushover when I have one, rather I should accept whatever title I have as a gift from GOD and treat it with the humility HE has bestowed on me.

• Do you demand respect and are not getting it?
• Are you frustrated with the people who are supposed to be following you?
• Can you point your life to GOD instead of yourself?
• Can you humble yourself before the only being who deserves a title, namely JESUS?

True Power

1 Chronicles 11: ⁹ And David became more and more powerful, because the Lord Almighty was with him.

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Frustrated after years of being passed over, I moved on to another company. When I arrived me and another guy received the highest scores on the internal testing and we were soon quite known in the “freshmen” crop of the company. One of the partners picked me to work with him on an assignment. Wow, I’m getting the power I wanted and I did it all by myself!

Thinking more highly of myself messed me up. Yes I understood the material but had no examples or information to back up my knowledge. I crashed and burned!

This kind of thing happened over and over throughout my career.  I would think more highly of myself and felt I “deserved” a raise of promotion because “I” was too valuable to the company. GOD says different.

• GOD says “Do not think more highly of yourself.”
• GOD says “Worship the LORD as your one and only GOD.”
• GOD says “No one can stand against you with MY strength.”

I had to realize that it is GOD who raised me to the heights I was at. It wasn’t my knowledge or quick thinking or self-promotion that got me to where I was, nor was it an eggshell that I stepped on to take me to lows in my life.

GOD cannot be controlled by my acts of faith nor does HE react to every sin I commit, otherwise I could manage GOD to get HIM to do my bidding. GOD wants me to understand HIS vast and marvelous power.

He is supreme which means even when I am doing everything right, HE can tear me down and put me on another course of HIS choosing. HE can also build me up even when I don’t believe in myself or HIS power enough to do HIS plan.

GOD is amazing and unpredictable. HE wants me to rely on HIS power to accomplish HIS plan for me.

• Are you complaining about where you are working?
• Do you think more highly of yourself?
• Do you feel you “deserve” a raise?
• Can you pay attention to where GOD has you and be content?

GOD’s Elevator

1 Kings 16: Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu son of Hanani concerning Baasha: ² “I lifted you up from the dust and appointed you ruler over my people Israel, but you followed the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to arouse my anger by their sins. 

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“You are one of the best” someone said to me. I said “Thank you” and moved on. Another person said “You are THE best we have.” I said “Thank you and by the way, have you noticed how other people are slacking off around here?” In fact the more I got complimented, the more I complained about my surroundings.

• Sometimes I think “I” am talented.
• Sometimes I think “I” am the one who is smart.
• Sometimes I think “I” am needed and they are disposable.

It seems like the higher I go the blinder I become as to how I got there. Once I reach a certain height then I think “I” did it all and no one else helped me. BUT GOD wants me to understand where blessings truly come from.

• GOD is the one who has raised me up and HE wants me to proclaim HIS name every step of the way.
• GOD is the one who has raised me up and HE wants me to show appreciation by following HIS way.
• GOD is the one who has raised me up and HE wants me to thank HIM instead of thanking myself.

Recognizing GOD is a must. HE protects me, leads me and loves me so why not proclaim HIS name? Proclaiming HIS name comes with a price. It means I can’t falsely thank HIM and secretly follow the world. I must give each god to GOD and let HIM do HIS way with them. If HE chooses to tear them from my hands I must thank HIM instead of cursing HIM.

• Have you recognized where GOD has brought you?
• Do you think you got where you are by yourself?
• Can you tell others about GOD and how HE has blessed you?
• Can you take your blinders off for a moment and drop the complaints from your lips?

Power Struggle

1 Kings 1: ⁵ Now Adonijah, whose mother was Haggith, put himself forward and said, “I will be king.” So he got chariots and horses^[a] ready, with fifty men to run ahead of him. ⁶ (His father had never rebuked him by asking, “Why do you behave as you do?” He was also very handsome and was born next after Absalom.)

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³⁹ Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the sacred tent and anointed Solomon. Then they sounded the trumpet and all the people shouted, “Long live King Solomon!” ⁴⁰ And all the people went up after him, playing pipes and rejoicing greatly, so that the ground shook with the sound.

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After my second promotion I thought to myself, “I have cracked the code.” After years of missteps and false declarations, I was finally on my way. A couple of years later I received another promotion followed by another. Soon I could actually see myself at the very top of the organization.

The top person got wind of my desires and we began to lock horns. He surrounded himself with many other department heads. I was locked out.

• When I’m climbing up to the top, I sometimes forget I need people to pull me up.
• When I’m trying to reach the top, I sometimes forget I can’t get there on my own.
• When I’m focused on the top, I sometimes forget I was once on the bottom.

Self-declaration is dangerous in any situation. Confidence and competence must be exuded, however, arrogance and know it all behaviors soon become old and can blind me to where I need to be. Fortunately GOD has something different to say about the climb to the top.

• GOD wants me to raise HIM above everything.
• GOD wants me to climb up to HIM rather than seeking titles.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as the ultimate destination without regarding the pride of humans.

“Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven and all these things will be added to you” GOD says to me. In other words, crushing the opponent and making sure they are homeless and desolate shouldn’t be on my agenda. GOD wants me to remove my mild brand of hatred of my opponents and seek HIS face.

• Are you seeking a title?
• Do you want power?
• Can you focus your attention on GOD’s true power?
• Can you stop self-declaring and start declaring GOD’s power?

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.

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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. 

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“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?

What does strength look like?

2 Samuel 3:¹The war between the house of Saul and the house of David lasted a long time. David grew stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker.

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³⁶ All the people took note and were pleased; indeed, everything the king did pleased them. ³⁷ So on that day all the people there and all Israel knew that the king had no part in the murder of Abner son of Ner.

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Everyone stood up when this guy walked in the room.  I was slow to rise as I was befuddled as to what was going on. We just stood there waiting on someone else to say something. I have no idea what was said but was happy when the guy left. “Don’t you know that was the vice president of something” they exclaimed.

From that day forward I tried to pay attention to what actually made someone powerful. I thought it was obtaining a title so I climbed the ladder to get one. I found out titles make people weaker because they can lean on them.

• When I use a title as my strength, I am weak.
• When I value someone’s title more than others, I am weak.
• When I think a title will give me more power, I am weak.

Once again David showed me what strength looks like. One of his generals murdered a person who defected and joined David in the quest for the kingdom. Abner was David’s enemy only because he was loyal to Saul, but Abner wanted the kingdom to follow David once Saul died.

David’s general murdered Abner in revenge but tried to cover it up saying Abner was acting as a spy. David cried and would not eat when he heard of the news. He actually cared.

• I learned that strong people care about others rather than the position.
• I learned that strong people don’t care about the competitive advantage rather they do what is right.
• I learned that strong people aren’t afraid to weep in public and are courageous enough to call out what is wrong.

Titles don’t make me strong, GOD does! In my weakness HE is strong. HE is pleased when I care about others and seek HIS face. HE wants me to value HIM rather than positions. GOD wants me to elevate HIM as the true measure of strength.

• Are you acting weak?
• Do you seek revenge?
• Do you believe that things would be better at the next level?
• Won’t you look to GOD as your source of strength rather than the title you aspire to?

Do I really want what I want?

1 Samuel 8: ⁴ So all the elders of Israel gathered together and came to Samuel at Ramah. ⁵ They said to him, “You are old, and your sons do not follow your ways; now appoint a king to lead us, such as all the other nations have.”

⁶ But when they said, “Give us a king to lead us,” this displeased Samuel; so he prayed to the Lord. ⁷ And the Lord told him: “Listen to all that the people are saying to you; it is not you they have rejected, but they have rejected me as their king. 

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With my first lottery ticket in hand, I waited anxiously to see the results. I prayed “Please, please, PLEASE let me win the lottery!” It was quite a memorable experience because each of my numbers was off by one or two.

Years later, on a mission’s trip to another country, I sat worried over all of the money I had earned. I was quite wealthy so my thoughts of worked piled up. The man I sat across from only had a hut, some cows and a lemon tree. He was at peace and I was discontented. I got what I prayed for.

• Sometimes I pray for something that is not good for me.
• Sometimes I want my way instead of wanting what GOD wants for me.
• Sometimes I beg GOD to allow me to touch the fire.

Looking back on my tears of desire I realize some of my disappointments were really silly and some were against GOD’s ways. I pouted when I couldn’t fulfill my lustful desires and I pouted when others seemed to be able to. Little did I know that GOD was protecting me.

• GOD wants me to look at HIM as my provider.
• GOD wants me to see HIS treasure as something to seek after.
• GOD wants me to desire HIM and HIS ways over any material gain I could ever receive on this planet.

The Israelites sought power, fame and wealth. Deep down I wanted these as well, but when I received them I found the top of the mountain I dreamt of didn’t have green lush pastures rather dead grass filled with fear, anxiety and lack of compassion. I had to become cold, callous and driven to remain at the top.

GOD wants me to listen to HIM and be compassionate to all, dropping my prejudices toward groups and providing GOD’s love where needed.

• Are you asking for something GOD doesn’t want you to have?
• Do you think you would be better off spiritually if you received the thing you ask for?
• Won’t you let go of “that” thing and let GOD provide for you?
• Can you operate under the assumption that if GOD wants you to have something, nothing can stop you from getting it?

Reputations precedes me

Ruth 2: ¹⁰ At this, she bowed down with her face to the ground. She asked him, “Why have I found such favor in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?”

¹¹ Boaz replied, “I’ve been told all about what you have done for your mother-in-law since the death of your husband—how you left your father and mother and your homeland and came to live with a people you did not know before. ¹² May the Lord repay you for what you have done. May you be richly rewarded by the Lord, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.”

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Popularity felt great at the time.  My foul mouth and quick wit earned me a spot in the “in” crowd, or so I thought. For some reason one of the populars decided to come up with a “most notable” declaration that wasn’t a contest.  The populars got together and decided who had what designation. 

They gave me “Campus Clown.” Several people told me to lay low and let the moment pass. Great advice!

• My reputation isn’t always as important to me when I want something.
• My reputation isn’t always a consideration to me when I want something.
• My reputation isn’t always top of mind when I want something.

I wanted popularity and I got it “the wrong way.” Maybe I didn’t want what I was getting after all. Maybe the thing I was shooting for was plagued with pitfalls and problems. Which reputation should I try for?

• GOD wants me to model HIS behavior as much as possible so people can see an example.
• GOD wants me to put away childish ways and grow in HIS grace and love.
• GOD wants me to increase compassion and decrease fear as my primary reputation.

GOD doesn’t want me doing things to be known, rather HE wants me to do things because of HIM. My reputation should point to HIM. If it points to me then I will have my reward here on earth.

I only have a short time to live on Earth and GOD has made it clear that I shouldn’t waste it on pettiness. HIS greatness comes through faith, compassion and love.  These are the areas I should desire more of so my reputation can point to HIM.

• Are you busy protecting your reputation to get more money?
• Are you trying hard to be polished so you can climb the ladder?
• Have you put any effort into focusing on what GOD wants for you?
• Is your reputation marred or is your life pointing to GOD?

Is the obstacle a test?

Judges 3 These are the nations the Lord left to test all those Israelites who had not experienced any of the wars in Canaan² (he did this only to teach warfare to the descendants of the Israelites who had not had previous battle experience):

³ the five rulers of the Philistines, all the Canaanites, the Sidonians, and the Hivites living in the Lebanon mountains from Mount Baal Hermon to Lebo Hamath. ⁴ They were left to test the Israelites to see whether they would obey the Lord’s commands, which he had given their ancestors through Moses.

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“Why am I not getting promoted?” ran through my mind on my second and a half job out of college.  It seemed like I would get hired, but not elevated.  “What’s the problem?” I asked someone.  They gave me some tips that I followed to the letter, still no promotion. In fact many people gave me tips here and there and nothing happened.

Finally I met a few mentors who taught me how to face obstacles with resiliency. I got promoted.

• When I want things to come to me easy I have a wrong expectation.
• When I give up too early because it is too hard I have a wrong expectation.
• When I want to sit back and let the plan work itself out I have a wrong expectation.

Obstacles seem to pop up at the worst time and I used to think the Devil was the cause of problems and GOD was in charge of solutions, but I left one person out of the equation, me.

• GOD sometimes wants me to grow so HE places obstacles in my way that I can handle.
• GOD allows me to face the consequences of my sin here on earth so I won’t have to face eternal consequences.
• GOD uses obstacles to get my attention when I have forgotten about HIM or when I think I can survive on my own.

There is a way that seems right to me, but the way of the LORD is far above my thinking. Instead of running away from the obstacle, I must face it no matter how large it may seem because GOD has a plan for it.

• Are you facing obstacles?
• Do you think GOD has left you on your own?
• Can you stop sulking about the obstacle for a moment and look to GOD’s power?
• Won’t you recognize where your talent and abilities come from and thank GOD for the gifts HE has given you?

Consult GOD first

Joshua 9: ¹⁴ The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. ¹⁵ Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.

¹⁶ Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living nearthem. ¹⁷ So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. ¹⁸ But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the Lord, the God of Israel.

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“Nine weeks will be a short assignment that would enable me to pick up a ton of cash and I can still perform the functions of my business” I greedily said to myself. I thought about what I would do with the cash and then I began planning.

Once I actually started working I realized I was in the worst assignment of my career. The atmosphere reeked of blame and deception. As I sat on the edge of my bed at 3:00 AM I realized I made a huge mistake.

• When something looks too good to be true for me, it usually is.
• When I look at things from a “monetary gain” perspective I usually fail.
• When I think about a plan from a “personal gain” angle I usually fall flat.

Many times I have run off with a plan and have not consulted GOD. These plans sometimes make it pretty far but then come crashing down to the ground with painful consequences. When I wake up in pain I blame GOD asking HIM “Why did YOU let me fail?”

• GOD wants me to consult HIM first before I make my plans.
• GOD wants me to ask HIS permission and allow HIM to say NO.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS wisdom, HIS power and HIS strength, for no plan can prosper without HIM.

The caveat to consulting GOD is I have to perform above the level otherwise HE will turn HIS back on the plan. I must respect everyone associated with the plan and listen to GOD intently. I must accept HIS timing and methods which can be long and scary. I must trust GOD.

• Are you planning something?
• Have you asked GOD “what do you want me to do?”
• Are you staying on the course HE has laid out for you?
• Won’t you ask HIM what plan HE wants for you instead of asking HIM for help on “your” plan?

When the noise is too noisy

Deuteronomy 27: ⁹ Then Moses and the Levitical priests said to all Israel, “Be silent, Israel, and listen! You have now become the people of the Lord your God. ¹⁰ Obey the Lord your God and follow his commands and decrees that I give you today.”

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With one eye open I peered at the clock and to my dismay it was 4:37 in the morning. I had a very large project due and since I was awake I got up and thought about it.  That led to other thoughts. I realized I had gone to bed without doing voicemail.

As my brain slipped back into consciousness I remembered all of the people I had to contact for that day. By 5:00AM I was fully awake. I worked until 10:00PM. Oh, and I forgot to do voicemail again!

• Noisy situations keep me awake.
• Noisy circumstances bring on many thoughts that I lose sleep over trying to resolve.
• Noisy environments make me lose my concentration and it seems like I can’t focus.

There are many things that can cause noise in my life. People bring me problems. Material things break or are lost or stolen. Someone gets sick or feisty or demanding.  All of these things add to the noise and when the noise is too noisy, I want to go in the corner and ball up like a child.

• “Be silent” is what GOD wants me to be so I can hear HIM.
• “Stand still” is what GOD says to me when I’m running too fast.
• “Have rest” is what GOD is giving me when I lay awake worried about ‘insert situation.’

The most powerful and high GOD tends not to yell at me. In fact HE speaks in a very soft, calming, inaudible voice. When life is rushing at me too fast, GOD says “Quiet down and listen to ME. The situation is close to MY heart and I love you.”

• Do you have a lot on your mind?
• Does it seem like you are getting confused trying to figure out what to do next?
• Can you take a moment to quiet yourself sown to listen to GOD?
• Won’t you let GOD tell you what to do next instead of worrying about it?

Will I do “anything” for money?

Numbers 22: ¹⁵ Then Balak sent other princes. They were more important than the first ones. And there were more of them. ¹⁶ They came to Balaam. They said,

“Balak, the son of Zippor, says, ‘Don’t let anything keep you from coming to me. ¹⁷ I’ll make you very rich. I’ll do anything you say. Come. Put a curse on those people for me.’”

¹⁸ But Balaam gave them his answer. He said, “Balak could give me his palace filled with silver and gold. Even then, I still couldn’t do anything at all that goes beyond what the Lord my God commands.

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Selling drugs or stealing never crossed my mind. I always felt hard work was the key to amassing wealth. I started in corporate with a prayer asking for “success.” Along the way I would pray here and there but as I got promoted higher and higher, my prayers became shorter and more absent.

Soon my attendance at church or serving events became sparse. I mean I had a lot of responsibility and I have to make this pile of money. Hard work isn’t bad is it?

·         Seeking money may make me forget GOD’s commands.
·         Seeking money may make me forget GOD wants me to rest on occasion.
·         Seeking money may make me forget GOD owns everything anyway so I should not worry about finances.

GOD feeds the sparrows and HE watches over me. HE doesn’t want me so desperate for money that I will compromise my relationship with worshipping HIM and serving those HE sends me to. HE wants me to be able to say “No” even if the money seems great.

How do I know this? I recently took an assignment that pushed away any quiet minute I could spend with GOD. This troubled my SPIRIT and left me with no rest. I was paid well but had no peace. This passage reminds me that no amount of money is worth losing my peace with GOD.

·         Are you losing sleep trying to make money?
·         Have your financial worries piled up so high that you have forgotten GOD owns everything?
·         Will you ask GOD what HE wants you to do or say?
·         Can you stop compromising your beliefs to follow what GOD will have you do today?

Make GOD number ONE

Genesis 34: ² So Jacob said to his household and to all who were with him, “Get rid of the foreign gods you have with you, and purify yourselves and change your clothes. ³ Then come, let us go up to Bethel, where I will build an altar to God, who answered me in the day of my distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.” 

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Productivity was extremely low around the company as the impending message of doom was going to be announced at the company.  It was early in my career so I felt a little confident but that confidence waned as the week went on.  I had worked so hard, were they going to cut me? I began to pray.

I received a call asking me to move to another city with the company. GOD had answered my prayers. “Well I guess I better put the company first” I thought to myself.

• Many times I have made work my idol.
• Many times I have made money a false god of “security.”
• Many times I have made cars and other toys things to cherish.

I have treated some of the material things better than humans pushing thousands of dollars into them just to maintain them.  I have also treated jobs like they were a god, dedicating more time to it than GOD HIMSELF. What does GOD want from me?

• GOD wants me to make HIM the number one GOD.
• GOD does not want any human or job to be worshipped more than HIM.
• GOD does not want my house, car, money, clothing, jewelry or any other material thing to be worshipped more than HIM.

If anything or anyone gets in the way of worshipping HIM it will soon become a problem. Worry, fear and doubt will permeate my being and that is not what HE wants. GOD wants me to have peace. Anything or anyone that destroys my peace has been placed higher than HIM. GOD says look at ME and you will have peace.

• Are you worried about something?
• Are you thinking about someone and get filled with fear and doubt?
• Won’t you place your faith in GOD, knowing HE has control of every situation?
• Can you accept your purpose with HIM?

Some money isn’t worth it.

Genesis 14: ²¹ The king of Sodom said to Abram, “Give me the people and keep the goods for yourself.”

²² But Abram said to the king of Sodom, “With raised hand I have sworn an oath to the Lord, God Most High, Creator of heaven and earth, ²³ that I will accept nothing belonging to you, not even a thread or the strap of a sandal, so that you will never be able to say, ‘I made Abram rich.’

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Day twenty one out of thirty of being on the road and I finally made it home. The company would take any account and since I was trained they would send me anywhere. Promotion possibilities were only whispered to me but nothing solid was spoken.

At that time we had just had our first child and I was stuck with a dilemma, keep traveling or get a new job paying less money and be home each night. “I am making a lot of money” I thought to myself.

• My love of money can sometimes cloud my judgment.
• My love of money can sometimes make me do things that GOD may not want me to do.
• My love of money can sometimes cause my worries to mount and I feel enslaved to those who may not have integrity.

Abram chose between getting richer and integrity and chose integrity. Of course when integrity is chosen, no one puts your name in the newspaper or gives you any awards.

• GOD owns everything and it is up to HIM to take away from me or to give to me.
• GOD is not excited about my worldly wealth but is excited when I follow HIS ways.
• GOD loves when I look to HIM for wealth and not be so desperate that I would do “anything” for a little money.

Integrity doesn’t mean I will be poor, it just means I won’t let greed get in the way of my relationship with CHRIST. Where the money comes from and how I make the money is just as important as getting the money.

• Are you miserable because of lack of money?
• Do you think having new stuff will make you happy?
• Can you look at yourself to see if money is making you miserable?
• Will you look at GOD and trust HIS reason for having you right where you are?

When my ambition supersedes GOD

Genesis 11: ³ They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. ⁴ Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”

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“I can run this place” I thought to myself.  I mean if I work hard I will get promoted and they will put me on top. Well, that didn’t happen, but I did notice that when others were promoted, they executed a smear campaign to take the person on top down. Should I stoop to that kind of behavior?

• Sometimes my ambitions drive me to take over rather than achieve.
• Sometimes my ambitions lead me to be on top at any cost.
• Sometimes my ambitions make me say “I can do that better than that person.”

Ambitions can blind me at times.  I’m not saying having goals is a bad thing, but what I am saying is my goals need to include GOD as the direction I am headed.

• GOD needs to be first in my ambition otherwise I will complain that HE is in the awy.
• GOD needs to be the center of my attention otherwise I will sometimes think HE is a hindrance.
• GOD needs to be top of mind in my plans otherwise I will leave HIM out of my plans and go my own way.

Ambition has gotten me in trouble with GOD before.  My plans were not HIS plans, yet HE allowed me to go with my plans. When my plans failed, I came running back to GOD asking for help and sometimes it was too late. GOD wants to be first, not last when it comes to my desires.

• Are you driven to achieve?
• Are you trying to do whatever you are doing without GOD?
• Can you take a moment to add GOD to your plans?

Living a life of purpose

2 Peter 1: ¹³ I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, ¹⁴ because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

¹⁵ And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

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With new tie in hand I proceeded to the door. The exits all looked the same because in my haste to purchase a replacement for my forgotten tie I failed to note which way I had entered. That was only the beginning of the problem. I walked out and could not find my rental car because I didn’t remember what kind of car it was nor the color. Yes the information was on the key.

After finally finding my car I returned to the hotel. When I woke the next day I could not remember what city I was in. I had travelled too much. I sat on the side of my bed and asked myself, “is this my purpose in life?”

·         When I am overwhelmed I may not be living my life purpose.

·         When I am feeling absolutely miserable I may not be living my life purpose.

·         When I am restless and want something new I may not be living my life purpose.

I made work my purpose for living and quite honestly it only got me more work. Okay, I did get more money and accolades but they soon faded and I wondered “is this it?” BUT GOD has another purpose for me.

·         GOD says remind people about what I have already written on their heart.

·         GOD says make disciples to follow ME instead of following buildings or people.

·         GOD says love those who are difficult to love while loving your family and friends.

Leaving a legacy is nice but leaving people with ways to stop rejecting GOD is better. I used to think there were humans who just had not heard of CHRIST and needed me to tell them, now I believe GOD has written HIS word on every heart and it’s up to each not to reject HIM. I serve as a reminder to follow what they already know.

·         Do you have purpose?

·         Are you living your life’s purpose out?

·         Do you realize GOD has given you talents that only you possess?

·         Can you understand “your presence” can affect the situation?

Does a title give me respect?

Luke 20:  ⁴⁵ While all the people were listening, Jesus said to his disciples, ⁴⁶ “Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. ⁴⁷ They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”

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After a number of leadership classes and meeting the right people, I was finally “heard” as this was a burning desire of mine for years. I was respected by everyone or at least I thought. When the time came to cut people from the workforce, I had my blade ready and sharpened with my list.

“They’ll be fine and if they aren’t then maybe they shouldn’t have been working in the first place” I justified to myself never once thinking of the widows.

• Human titles mean nothing to GOD.
• Human titles do not bring GODLY respect.
• Human titles can cause me to act arrogantly.

I once overheard someone ask “who is he” about me and the response was “he is the leader of the entire organization.” Wow, that sounded kind of nice and I would try to do anything to keep that power.  I would fire my mother if they told me to.

• GOD wants me to leverage human titles to be compassionate to many.
• GOD wants human titles to only be a part of me and not consume me.
• GOD wants me to be mindful of those in need. (That’s a period at the end of that sentence)

Unfortunately today, titles come with the responsibility of making the “hard calls.” The easier I can make the hard calls the higher the title and the better seat I can get at the banquet. GOD doesn’t mind me being at the banquet as long as I put HIM in the best seat.

• Would you do “anything” for that title?
• Would you rearrange your morals to achieve that role?
• Have you lost who you are trying to be something other people want you to be?
• Do you even need to be “that” title?
• Can you achieve that title GOD’s way instead of your way?