Mindset

Mindset

Genesis 11: Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. ² And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there. ³ Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. ⁴ And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.”

 

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

 

After Noah’s curse, Ham’s sons became great leaders. Unfortunately, they chose to oppose GOD at every opportunity. “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”, is what GOD said. But the people unified to do the opposite by staying in one place.

 

My Observations:

• Some people had a mindset that united them against what GOD said.
• Even if people were speaking the same language, a different mindset would confuse the words.
• Unity is usually good, but if it is against GOD, it is terrible.

 

GOD seemed to focus on a period of time when great leaders like Nimrod, got together and agreed to stay in one place. Instead of tents, they agreed to create something permanent. This structure would defy GOD by being large enough to withstand any flood. This ignored the promise that GOD would not flood the earth.

 

Their defiance went further by making a permanent structure versus going out to all parts of the earth. A unified mindset against GOD was the problem that HE may have been pointing out. They did not know that their unity played right into the hands of Satan, who wanted humans to bow down to him. His plan seemed to be working. They wanted a name or power to rule GOD. BUT GOD had a solution. Scatter the people.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD focus in on one city and one building to Moses?
• Have you ever wanted to fit in with the crowd without assessing if they were following GOD or not?
• Have you asked GOD for discernment so you can become brave enough to question your motives and crowds?

Obedience School

Obedience School

Ephesians 6: Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents, for this is the right thing to do. ² “Respect your father and mother” is the first commandment that has a promise added: ³ “so that all may go well with you, and you may live a long time in the land.”

 

⁴ Parents, do not treat your children in such a way as to make them angry. Instead, raise them with Christian discipline and instruction.

 

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

 

“Get up and finish the work I told you to do” were the words both of my parents had to use on several occasions. I wants to sit around and take it easy, but they ‘always” seemed to have something to pick up, clean up or tear up.

 

• I grumbled.
• I murmured.
• I tried to convince them that I did not feel like doing whatever work they wanted me to do but had no other reason than, “I don’t feel like it.”

 

Family dynamics was a difficult topic that GOD wanted Paul to address. Honor, respect and obedience seemed like words of control to those who wanted to be wild and free. Dishonor, disrespect and disobedience had become the norm and needed a remedy.

 

My Observations

• GOD wanted me to learn how to obey as a child so I would later obey HIS strange, yet powerful ways.
• GOD wanted me to learn how to respect as a child so I would later respect HIS variety of creations that do not look or act like me.
• GOD wanted me to learn discipline from HIS word so I would have a basis from which I could make decisions.

 

Obedience, honor, respect, discipline and learning about GOD seem weak to those who want to be wild and free. I mean, I thought my parents just wanted workers versus children. I tried to manipulate the circumstance by thinking they weren’t expressing love by having me do chores. BUT GOD showed me my immaturity.

 

Looking back I can see how blessed I was to have parents who loved me enough to attempt to care for me, clothe me and feed me, all while trying to teach me about who GOD was to them. They also knew when to step back and allow me to with walk with GOD or choose “my” own way, even if it were destructive. I am grateful for my parents and understand more of what GOD is doing because of them.

 

Challenge

• What problems do you think the writer was trying to address?
• How can imperfect people provide instruction that works?
• Will you look at this passage from being a child or a parent so you can make adjustments that are pleasing to the LORD today?

Clear Example

 

Clear Example

1 Corinthians 10: I want you to remember, my friends, what happened to our ancestors who followed Moses. They were all under the protection of the cloud, and all passed safely through the Red Sea. ² In the cloud and in the sea they were all baptized as followers of Moses. ³ All ate the same spiritual bread ⁴ and drank the same spiritual drink. They drank from the spiritual rock that went with them; and that rock was Christ himself. ⁵ But even then God was not pleased with most of them, and so their dead bodies were scattered over the desert.

 

⁶ Now, all of this is an example for us, to warn us not to desire evil things, as they did, ⁷ nor to worship idols, as some of them did. As the scripture says, “The people sat down to a feast which turned into an orgy of drinking and sex.” ⁸ We must not be guilty of sexual immorality, as some of them were—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them fell dead. ⁹ We must not put the Lord to the test, as some of them did—and they were killed by snakes. ¹⁰ We must not complain, as some of them did—and they were destroyed by the Angel of Death.

 

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

 

Wanting to fit in, I paid attention to the technique. I wanted to get the movement right for when I did it. The thug saw me looking and motioned a hush finger over his lips. When the unsuspecting guy was going to sit down, he would snatch the chair away. Unfortunately his prey hit his head on the desk behind.

 

• There have been many times when I saw bad examples and got straightened out.
• There have been many times when I saw someone else do the wrong thing and I stayed away from doing the same.
• There have been many times when I saw the consequences of doing the wrong thing, so I avoided it.

 

Paul points out that obedience is not enough. Many people did as they were told, but what was really in their heart was to fulfill their every lust and complain when things were not going as they wished. These people were killed and never made it into the promised land.

 

• GOD wants me to obey but also to do it with a heart given to HIM.
• GOD wants me to follow HIS rules, but do it because I want to be with HIM versus manipulating HIM.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM versus complaining about where I am in the trial.

 

Sometimes the examples don’t seem fair. I mean, I can’t even complain? No. In fact, the more I look at GOD’s word, the more I realize I act like Satan when I complain. He was not satisfied with GOD being GOD so he vowed to take over and do things better.

 

GOD tossed him out of heaven for trying to get his way. GOD wants me to align my desires with HIS and put my trust in HIS hands. I am glad HE gives me mercy so I can praise HIM another day.

 

• Do you have a complaint against GOD?
• Are you going through a trial and are blaming GOD?
• Will you heed the warnings and turn your complaints to true praise for all HE has done for you today?

Freedom to do What I Want

Jeremiah 42: ² Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the arrogant men said to Jeremiah, “You are lying! The Lord our God has not sent you to say, ‘You must not go to Egypt to settle there.’

-------

⁴ So Johanan son of Kareah and all the army officers and all the people disobeyed the Lord’s command to stay in the land of Judah.

-------

⁷ So they entered Egypt in disobedience to the Lord and went as far as Tahpanhes.

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

“Don’t go outside” was my punishment imposed on my infraction. I have no idea what I did, but staying inside the house on a summer day was too great of a sentence. My friend next door said, “Come over and play. Just climb out your window and play for a little while.” I thought, “What would the harm be?” I mean I would be “inside”, just inside my neighbor’s house.

The climb seemed treacherous. The window was a good six feet from the ground. I made it down, played and realized when I returned, I had no way back in. How was I going to explain this?

• There have been times when I have disobeyed.
• There have been times when I have looked at the sentence and said “I do not deserve that.”
• There have been times when I have gotten myself in even more trouble because of my disobedience.

Sin brings on more sin. I heard my mother calling for me and I snuck in the back door and hid. After a while the entire block was looking for me with the police. I emerged from behind the couch hours later to extremely worried parents. My disobedience had now affected over a hundred people.

• GOD wants me to be obedient as much as I can.
• GOD knows I have a sin nature and understands I have to actually decide to follow HIM each day.
• GOD provides me with grace and mercy though I do not deserve it.

My parents released me from my punishment and talked to me instead. I did not understand their words but I’m sure they meant well. I gave the automatic response of “I don’t know” so we could get this conversation over. Looking back I can see that disobedience of GOD is the same. It not only affects me, many others are brought down with me. GOD wants me to follow HIM because HIS path is so much better. I am free to do what I want and the more I choose GOD the better I am.

• Are you tired of following the rules?
• Do you think you deserve better from GOD?
• Can you stop thinking more highly of yourself and become obedient to GOD?
• Will you allow HIM to work in your life by obeying HIS word?

Getting out of the Hole

Jeremiah 38: ²⁰ “They will not hand you over,” Jeremiah replied. “Obey the Lord by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared.

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

“Five dollars!” I said to myself as I pulled my jeans from the dryer. I felt I found a nice windfall. I had no money and now I could get almost half a tank of gas. Okay that was a while ago. I went to a friend’s house a couple of blocks over and he said to me “I just lost my job.” He was not asking to borrow any money, just had to talk about it. Suddenly a voice from within said “Give him the five dollars.” “Aww man, do I have to?” was my thought.

• GOD speaks to me and sometimes I do not want to listen.
• GOD shows me exactly what I am supposed to do and sometimes I want to ignore it.
• GOD give me opportunities to gain HIS wonderful heavenly rewards and sometimes I want to pass.

Reluctantly I conceded to the battle from within. “Here man, I found this, you take it.” He pushed it back and I thought “Maybe I should keep the money!” The voice said “Give it to him.” “Okay” I said this time. I insisted that he take the windfall and walked back home. I’d like to say I found some cash on the way home or a miracle happened, but it didn’t. I got in my car and noticed I had a little more gas than I thought. Maybe a miracle did happen. I went on my merry way.

• GOD tells me to serve HIM daily and it is up to me to listen.
• GOD says “Feed MY sheep” daily and it is up to me to accept HIS path.
• GOD talks to me on a regular basis and it is up to me to listen to HIM so “All will go well.”

I have said this before, I hear GOD loud and clear when HE tells me something to do that goes against my selfishness AND furthers HIS kingdom. HE gives me opportunities to serve others when I don’t think I have anything to offer. HE blesses me over and over for being obedient.

Jeremiah was rescued from a muddy cistern. He was obedient, yet faced cruelty. GOD sent servants and he was rescued from the hole. GOD blesses me in ways I don’t understand. I only have to remain obedient to HIM and watch HIM bless me.

• Are you fighting GOD?
• Is HE telling you to do something that would further HIS kingdom and you are ignoring HIM?
• Will you give up the fight and allow HIM to bless you?
• Can you seek HIS purpose for you today?

Obedience takes patience

Numbers 9: ²¹ Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening until morning. When it lifted in the morning, they started out. It didn’t matter whether it was day or night. When the cloud lifted, the people started out. ²² It didn’t matter whether the cloud stayed above the holy tent for two days or a month or a year. The people of Israel would remain in camp. They wouldn’t start out. But when the cloud lifted, they would start out.

²³ When the Lord gave the command, they camped. And when he gave the command, they started out. They obeyed the Lord’s order. They obeyed him, just as he had commanded them through Moses.

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

Sitting in my dorm room in the middle of my first semester, I wanted to be done! I had enough of school but I was only just beginning. After finally graduating I sat in my cubicle frustrated that I wasn’t getting a promotion. After finally getting a promotion years later I moved on to another position.

Weary from years of travel from this position I moved on to another position at a large company. It seemed like GOD is taking forever to get me to where I need to be. What’s taking HIM so long?

• My impatience causes me to be frustrated.
• When I hear I have to wait years instead of minutes I lose my patience.
• My impatience causes me to want to stop, sit and give up.

GOD’s timing definitely isn’t my timing.  I want things the way I want them, when I want them and how I want them.  I place a huge expectation on GOD and when HE doesn’t come through with my timing, I complain to HIM as if HE made a wrong decision.

• GOD wants me to cheerfully obey HIM on a daily basis.
• GOD wants me to release my expectations of the day and open my eyes to HIS grace.
• GOD wants me to increase my patience by accepting HIS daily gifts rather than pouting over not getting my desires.

When I lose my patience it is hard for me to be obedient. In fact I probably get quite the opposite and become rebellious. GOD has HIS timing and has plenty of love for me. HIS plans are great!

• Are you in a situation where you are losing your patience?
• Do you think GOD has forgotten you or is punishing you?
• Won’t you stop for a moment and remember the grace HE has given you?
• Can you ask HIM to remove any pouting you may have and replace it with grace for someone?

“I make you holy”

Leviticus 20: ⁷ “‘Set yourselves apart for me. Be holy, because I am the Lord your God. ⁸ Obey my rules. Follow them. I am the Lord. I make you holy.

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

Careful is a place I had fallen into.  I was careful not to do anything wrong, say anything wrong or be in any wrong place in expectations that GOD would grant me my wishes.  I was being a goody two shoes, following every rule as written. Sounds great doesn’t it? The problem was my motive.

• I sometimes act good to manipulate GOD into getting my way.
• I sometimes do good things out of habit instead of doing them when it’s tough.
• I sometimes forget about GOD when I accomplish great things.

GOD doesn’t want my phony worship nor does HE want me to totally give up on HIS ways. HE wants me to love HIM enough to want to be with HIM, HIS way.

• GOD wants me to “set myself apart” so others can see HIM instead of me.
• GOD wants me to “obey HIS rules” as a way of protection instead of it being punishment.
• GOD wants me to know “HE makes me holy” not any of my actions.

GOD said my righteousness is like, excuse my graphic language, a dirty tampon or used toilet paper. It’s filled with sinful motive, lack of grace and perpetual sinfulness. BUT GOD forgave me and catches glimpses of me loving HIM back here and there. My actions don’t make me holy, belief in HIS SON’s death and resurrection make me holy!

• Can you set yourself apart?
• Will you stop trying to steer GOD and let HIM work out HIS great plan for you?
• Won’t you allow HIM to make you into the person HE wants you to be?

Do what I say not what you see me do

Titus 1: ¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. ¹⁶ They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

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

As I sought power I noticed I became very good at pointing out what another department leader was doing wrong and how our group could “fix” it. This skill of being critical enabled me to peer into the eyes of the “opponent”, discover their weakness and rapidly build a plan to counter their next move. My mind was blind.

• When I practice being disobedient I become very good at it.
• When I perfect being detestable I lose my direction.
• When I prepare for acting evil I forget the good I had in mind when I started my plan.

I heard the road to hell is paved with “good intentions” and I know what those philosophers mean. I thought I could do “more” wonderful things for people the higher I climbed. Truth is the way I sought power was through being opposite of GOD’s style.

• GOD wants my intentions to match my actions.
• GOD desires that I treat “ALL” humans the same and not “side” with one specific group.
• GOD loves when I focus on what HE calls pure, not the cause I am hiding behind to pretend I follow GOD.

So many times I want to tell people to straighten up but I would have to put a caveat on the message to not pay attention to what I’m doing. Don’t pay attention to the slander or the lust or the greed I’m displaying just follow my words. GOD isn’t buying that kind of act. HE doesn’t want people who “talk” about generosity or love or compassion, HE wants people who are.

• Are you talking more than being?
• What would others who are not in your circle say about you?
• Can you use your thoughts and statements about those people on yourself?
• What if GOD used your thoughts and statements as the measure of how HE would judge you?

Am I Listening?

John 18: ³⁶ Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jewish leaders. But now my kingdom is from another place.”

 ³⁷ “You are a king, then!” said Pilate.

   Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me.”

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

Winning is the prime objective in business. If you are not a winner, you are a loser! I took that to heart and “won” quite often. After numerous promotions I was summoned to take on another challenge. Get rid of a large number of employees so the company could remain profitable.

I heard the voice of compassion say “don’t do this.” Was I getting soft? Where did that come from and why now?

• GOD speaks to me every day I just don’t listen to HIM.
• GOD speaks to me and tells me to serve HIM I just want my way.
• GOD speaks to me with love and compassion expecting me to follow HIS example I ignore it and crush my opponents.

People have said to me “I can’t hear GOD” and I tell them I hear HIM every day and ignore HIM often. Because I don’t fully trust HIM or I want my way, I ignore HIS cry to be compassionate or kind, or pure, or loving. But when I do listen to HIM marvelous thing happen!

• When I listen to GOD I reach people for HIM.
• When I listen to GOD I always benefit.
• When I listen to GOD I change my ways instead of getting my way!

Miracles happen in front of my face and situations disappear before my eyes when I listen to GOD long enough. It takes my seeking heart to want to hear HIM.

• Are you seeking GOD or your own way?
• Have you intentionally tried to follow HIS ways?
• Will you try to learn about GOD for the purpose of having a better relationship with HIM?
• Do you know the truth?

I tried to disown GOD but it didn’t work.

Luke 15:  ¹¹ Jesus continued: “There was a man who had two sons. ¹² The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

   ¹³ “Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living. ¹⁴ After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. ¹⁵ So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. ¹⁶ He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

   ¹⁷ “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.

   “But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

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

“Fun” was my goal and GOD was my barrier. HE had all these “rules” and it seemed like life was going to be miserable following HIM.  What boredom! The goody, goody two shoes people seemed to get trampled on while others seem to get away with whatever they wanted to. I know… I’ll just do what I want to do. I mean GOD won’t mind will HE?

• It’s easy to disown GOD until a real problem hits.
• It’s easy to tell GOD ‘I don’t need YOU’ when “I” think everything is going well.
• It’s easy to let sin creep into my life when my relationship with GOD is weak.            

Just like the son in this story, I blamed others for my situation and felt I deserved a little sin in my life. I mean look at what being good got “that” person. My selfishness said I didn’t want to end up broke, bored and bothered. But GOD said something different.

• When problems hit GOD had HIS arms wide open and showed me unimaginable grace.
• When I practiced my sad story I was going to tell HIM, HE already had forgiven me.
• When I realized I was guilty, HE showed me mercy.

GOD is always, always ready to forgive me when I realize I need to be forgiven.

• Are you blaming GOD for something?
• Can you accept the situation HE has you in so you can be an example for HIM?
• Will you recognize the grace HE is showing you right now?

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!