Untamable Unquenchable

Untamable Unquenchable

Genesis 19: ⁴ Now before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Sodom, both old and young, all the people from every quarter, surrounded the house. ⁵ And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally.”

⁶ So Lot went out to them through the doorway, shut the door behind him, ⁷ and said, “Please, my brethren, do not do so wickedly! ⁸ See now, I have two daughters who have not known a man; please, let me bring them out to you, and you may do to them as you wish; only do nothing to these men, since this is the reason they have come under the shadow of my roof.”

 

⁹ And they said, “Stand back!” Then they said, “This one came in to stay here, and he keeps acting as a judge; now we will deal worse with you than with them.” So they pressed hard against the man Lot, and came near to break down the door. ¹⁰ But the men reached out their hands and pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. ¹¹ And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door.

 

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After GOD visited Abraham and told him he would create a nation, Abraham took Lot to the place where GOD showed him. But eventually this land was too small. This was not the final land. Abraham asked Lot what land he wanted. Lot chose Sodom because they had figured out a human version of the Garden of Eden. Unfortunately, Lot did not know what the people of Sodom were into.

 

My Observations:

• Lot was requested, by the men, to bring the angels out so they could have sex with them.
• Lot, being desperate, offered up his virgin daughters.
• Lot was threatened by the men who quickly reminded him that he was from the outside of the city.

 

From lust to violence, the men raced towards the house to grab Lot and the angels. The men had never touched Lot, especially after being rescued by Abraham. They were probably worried that word would get to Abraham and they would be killed. But they decided to take a chance.

 

Their lusts were “very grave” according to the LORD. Lot probably tried to tame them by telling them what they were doing wrong against GOD. But Lot was not Abraham. He believed in GOD’s ways, but may have also wanted to straddle the fence and use the ways of Sodom when convenient. He easily offered up his daughters to save the angels.

 

This situation was handled by the angels blinding the men. Anyone who tried to approach Lot’s house would be blinded. Even the strongest could not get in. The small were probably sneaky, and tried to get into the house’s weak areas. They became blind too. GOD allowed the angels to begin judgement.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD provided details of the conversation between the men of Sodom and Lot, to Moses?
• Has your ministry at a place come to an end?
• If GOD is moving you out of a place, will you accept change and ask HIM “Where do you want me to go”?

Sovereign Sorrow

Sovereign Sorrow

Genesis 6: ⁵ Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. ⁶ And the Lord was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. ⁷ So the Lord said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” ⁸ But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.

 

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With GOD, there are no mistakes, yet GOD seems to have expressed a problem that HE had to deal with. HE created a perfect world. HE created man and woman and placed them in the Garden of Eden. Plants would grow themselves. Animals would come up to the man and woman to be named and cared for. There was harmony. But the Devil, who wanted to be GOD, caused humans to sin.

 

Every human was born with a sin nature. Only a few walked with the LORD and spoke with HIM. The rest ignored HIM. The descendants of Cain multiplied and so did evil. After a while, humans got tired of seeing the Garden of Eden that they could not get in. They too wanted to be GOD.

 

My Observations

• Because of our sin nature, humans have a difficult time relating to GOD’s timing and ways.
• Human thoughts and intentions can go wildly away from GOD if left unchecked.
• Insecurities about GOD causes humans to think of evil thoughts that seem innocent.

 

Justified thinking made people rationalize their evil behavior. Giants introduced the thought of “Only the strong will survive.” Humans fought over land that would produce food. Selfishness grew stronger within each human to the point of no return. They would someday storm the Garden of Eden and take it over! Or at least they may have thought. BUT GOD saw their heart and was sorry HE had to destroy them. All but one found grace.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the conversation HE held with HIMSELF?
• Are your thoughts on you or GOD?
• Will you get a hold of your thoughts and focus them on what GOD will have you do today?

Now What?

Now What?

Revelation 18: After this I saw another angel coming down out of heaven. He had great authority, and his splendor brightened the whole earth. ² He cried out in a loud voice: “She has fallen! Great Babylon has fallen! She is now haunted by demons and unclean spirits; all kinds of filthy and hateful birds live in her. ³ For all the nations have drunk her wine—the strong wine of her immoral lust. The kings of the earth practiced sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the world grew rich from her unrestrained lust.”

 

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Waiting for my parents to overlook the keys to the car, I slid them out of sight. They were going on vacation and I planned on using the car without permission. They left and the keys were mine! I started the car and as I was driving, noticed the engine was getting hot. I checked the fluid levels and there was no coolant in the car. I spent all my money just trying to get the car to work.

 

• I got what I wanted but did not want what I got.
• I added problems by my sneakiness that I had not accounted for.
• I was in worse shape by doing something I should not have been doing.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard another angel, who had great authority, announce that the great city Babylon has fallen. This was the thing that tempted humans into fulfilling their lusts for sex, power and money. The evil plan to tempt people away from GOD failed and evil was turned against evil.

 

My Observations:

• My evil plans never work, BUT GOD’s loving plans always succeed.
• My plans that use the world’s methods may temporarily succeed, BUT GOD rewards me eternally for following HIS plans.
• It seems like every time I used evil as my plan, it backfired and then I ended up in worse shape.

 

“Now what?” is the question that I have to ask myself when I realize my sin put me in worse shape. I mean, do I keep going down the sinful path or do I stop, turn around and go towards the way that I know is right and would benefit me? Unfortunately, there have been times when I have chosen to be wrong and fall down with my sins. BUT GOD has that in HIS plans.

 

HE saw my sins and made a way for me to return to HIM. By confessing my sins, HE is faithful and just to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. HE restores my soul and leads me on the path of righteousness. I am glad GOD gives me another chance.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer was informed about the angel’s authority?
• Have you ever did something wrong and now you have to live with your mistake?
• Will you tell GOD about your mistake so HE can erase it and restore you and give you a better path to walk today?

Heart Trapped

Heart Trapped

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

My Observations:

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

 

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

 

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

 

Challenge

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

Instinct Error

Instinct Error

Jude 1: ¹⁰ But these people attack with insults anything they do not understand; and those things that they know by instinct, like wild animals, are the very things that destroy them. ¹¹ How terrible for them! They have followed the way that Cain took. For the sake of money they have given themselves over to the error that Balaam committed. They have rebelled as Korah rebelled, and like him they are destroyed.

 

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“That’s stupid!” I said when I heard of an action someone was taking. It did not make sense to me how someone could do or say what he or she did or said. I then told several people how “stupid” I felt the action was.

 

• I used insulting language because “I” felt I had a right to criticize.
• I looked down on the person because I did not understand his or her actions.
• I used my instinct to surmise their actions were “stupid” and my insults were not.

 

Jude continues to discuss the dangers of insulting the spiritual realm. He gave specific examples of people who used their instincts to murder, lie for money or to be rebellious. They were met with destruction.

 

My Observations:

• My instinct starts off sinfully so I need to give my plans to GOD for cleansing.
• My first thought is to sin, then ask for forgiveness, BUT GOD would rather that I consider asking HIM if I should do or say something before I take action.
• Understanding that I have a sin nature makes me aware that I am capable of committing sin at a moment’s notice, therefore, I need GOD to guide me.

 

Instincts can be very dangerous. I mean, when I see things with my human eyes, I take the fear, lusts and desire for affirmation that is inside me and twist what I see into something I can attack. I then use the same tactics as Satan by insulting versus giving him or her over to GOD.

 

JESUS took on many insults and was ridiculed for HIS actions. “Why would GOD become human and die?” scoff those who lust for power. BUT HE did not see that power was important enough to have you and me die because of sin. I do not understand what JESUS did, but instead of insulting HIM, I am grateful for HIS love for you and me.

 

Challenge

• What “error” does the writer mention?
• Have you ever considered that your instincts could be wrong at least part of the time?
• Will you consider taming your words and actions by asking GOD, “Is this pleasing to YOU?” so HE can guide you with better words or actions today?

Fit to Do Good

Fit to Do Good

Titus 1: ¹⁵ Everything is pure to those who are themselves pure; but nothing is pure to those who are defiled and unbelieving, for their minds and consciences have been defiled. ¹⁶ They claim that they know God, but their actions deny it. They are hateful and disobedient, not fit to do anything good.

 

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Testing the waters, I said a “bad” word. I had not done so before. It felt strange, but nothing happened. No lightning bold from the sky. Soon “bad” words were part of my language amongst “friends.” Peeping in the girls locker room felt weird. But soon I joined in with the guys and we talked about what we saw. Lying about results felt wrong. But when I learned how to “spin” the conversation to make myself look good, it didn’t feel like I was lying.

 

• I gave myself permission to do what “I” wanted to do.
• I was opposed to doing wrong at first, but got used to it quickly.
• I did not know that other parts of my life were being affected by my degrading character.

 

Paul warns Titus to remain pure in all he does. He spoke to Titus about keeping his mind and conscience pure and focused on GOD, otherwise it they could become defiled, hateful and disobedient.

 

My Observations

• GOD forgives me for my sins, BUT HE wants me to have more than forgiveness.
• GOD has a plan for me which includes an abundant life with HIM.
• It takes effort on my part to choose GOD’s ways over the slippery slope of sin.

 

Doing sin and justifying what I’ve done is not good for anything. I mean, when I fall into the hole of temptation, I forsake GOD and leave HIM to do what I want to do. Then I crawl back to HIM, asking forgiveness, especially when things are going wrong. There has to be a better way! GOD has one.

 

HE preempts my thinking by providing me with the HOLY SPIRIT who guides me away from the sins of my youth. HE then gives me purpose to stay on HIS path rather than falling away easily. HE knows I will still sin, BUT HE also knows I am growing up to handle more responsibility. I am glad GOD has a wonderful plan for me.

 

Challenge

• What lifestyle is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever decided that GOD is too harsh?
• Are you too tough on yourself?
• Will you accept the LORD’s forgiveness and seek HIS ways so HE can use you in a mighty way today?

Choices

Choices

Ephesians 5: ¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people. ¹⁶ Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. ¹⁷ Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.

 

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“Come hang out with us” were the tempting words I would easily flock to . We stayed up late having “fun.” To my dismay, I woke up late for my shift. I was supposed to open the dorm office and I slept way past the time. I was fired.

 

• I did not do what I was supposed to be doing.
• I made a short term choice that was costly long term.
• I could not see any problem with my choice until I ran into the problem.

 

Short term thinking was an issue Paul was trying to address. People had, too often, given into what the world would say is “fun” or “okay.” After a while, their eyes were no longer fixed on GOD, but their own pleasure.

 

My Observations

• GOD made humor, laughter and pleasure for me to enjoy.
• GOD made my life for HIM so I must seek what HE wants me to do and allow HIM to provide me with pleasure.
• GOD wants me to seek wisdom and make good use of every opportunity given to me to serve HIM.

 

Every moment does not have to be a Bible teaching moment. I mean, I must have faith that I know what GOD says through HIS Word and place it in my heart. But there are moments GOD wants me to be ready to speak about HIM and HIS SON as the Savior of all mankind.

 

I can enjoy life while seeking what GOD wants me to do. Unfortunately, there are times when I want to seek what “I” want to do. This is classified as “foolish” or “ignorant” by the writer. Harsh? Not really. GOD has a plan for me each day that is not overwhelming. I am grateful HIS burdens on me are light.

 

Challenge

• What is the warning of the writer?
• Are there any changes you would like to make in your life but need some help?
• Will you seek what GOD wants you to do and release your fear of what you hold onto so you can be filled by HIS SPIRIT today?

Knowing and Doing

 

Knowing and Doing

Romans 14: ¹⁴ We know that the Law is spiritual; but I am a mortal, sold as a slave to sin. ¹⁵ I do not understand what I do; for I don't do what I would like to do, but instead I do what I hate. ¹⁶ Since what I do is what I don't want to do, this shows that I agree that the Law is right. ¹⁷ So I am not really the one who does this thing; rather it is the sin that lives in me. ¹⁸ I know that good does not live in me—that is, in my human nature. For even though the desire to do good is in me, I am not able to do it. ¹⁹ I don't do the good I want to do; instead, I do the evil that I do not want to do. ²⁰ If I do what I don't want to do, this means that I am no longer the one who does it; instead, it is the sin that lives in me.

 

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“How old are you?’” was the very pointed question to me. Reading between the lines, I sensed the person was trying to point out my lack of experience. “Tell the truth” was the voice inside me. I added four years to my age, placing me in the group that was “experienced” but not “over-experienced.” This lie got me nowhere.

 

• Many times I know what is right but I do not do it.
• Many times I know the right way, but something pops up inside me and I go the wrong way.
• Many times I know how I could be successful, but I follow my instincts and fail.

 

Paul is expressing some serious pain in this passage. He explains that he knows the Law is holy and spiritual. He then explains that he has a desire to follow the Law but winds up breaking it because of the sin inside of him. He’s not the only one.

 

• GOD knows I have sin living inside me.
• GOD made my soul so HE is the only one who knows how to cure it.
• GOD knows how to handle the sins I so easily fall into.

 

All humans sin. As I stated many times before, “We are all in the mud, throwing mud at each other, saying ‘You have mud on you.’” I mean, we are all sinners trying to compare our sins to each other so we can tell other people they are sinners.

 

BUT GOD sees something different. HE sees my sins and loves me so much that HE wanted to save me from my destruction. HE knows I want and desire sin, even though I know the Law. To help me with the war inside me, GOD placed HIS HOLY SPIRIT in me to win the battles and the war. I am glad GOD cares enough about me to guide me back to HIS ways.

 

• Are you conflicted?
• Do you know the right thing to do but are afraid to do the right thing?
• Will you ask GOD for bravery to live for HIM so HE can help you win the war inside you today?

Dirty But Functional

 

Dirty But Functional

Romans 7: ⁴ So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. ⁵ For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. ⁶ But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.

 

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Snow was coming down in the frigid temperatures. Salt was used to melt the snow on the roads in this region. Blowing winds and a sloppy mess caused my windshield to become so dirty, I used up all of the windshield washer fluid.

 

With a long way to drive, I had to pull over to wipe off the windshield. I opened the trunk and all I had was a dirty grimy towel that I sometimes used to wipe off oily stuff. I found one small corner of the towel that was clean enough to wipe away enough dirt to keep going.

 

• That dirty towel reminds me of the dirty stuff I do.
• That dirty towel was stained so much, that it seemed like it could never be used to clean anything.
• That dirty towel was resurrected from the trunk and was now made useful to make something clean.

 

Paul explains what JESUS did for humanity. He states that those who believe in JESUS have also died to the Law. In other words, the Law shows all humans are guilty and deserve death. All humans sin, which causes other humans to sin. BUT GOD took the dirt away.

 

• GOD saw my sins and cleaned my heart so HE could use me.
• GOD knows my righteousness is like a filthy rag, yet HE placed HIS HOLY SPIRIT in me anyway.
• GOD allowed JESUS to become the filthy, dirty, blamed thing to die just for me and HE raised HIM from the dead, clean, to have all authority.

 

When JESUS was raised from the dead, HE was given all power to clean those who believe in HIM. I mean, the Law no longer holds the sentence of death for me because JESUS freed me from my sins.

 

HE knows I still sin so HE takes the tiny corner of faith I have to wipe off some of the dirt from someone else’s eyes. HE then takes it one step further. HE opens my eyes and that persons’ eyes to see it was HIM that did all the cleaning. I am grateful JESUS can still use a dirty, but functional person like me.

 

• Do you think your sins are too big to be used by GOD?
• Are you being convicted for the sins you did last night or are planning to do today?
• Will you stop thinking you can clean yourself up and allow JESUS to clean your heart so HE can use your dirty story to help someone believe in HIM today?

 

Getting Away with It

Ecclesiastes 8: ¹² Although a wicked person who commits a hundred crimes may live a long time, I know that it will go better with those who fear God, who are reverent before him. ¹³ Yet because the wicked do not fear God, it will not go well with them, and their days will not lengthen like a shadow.

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Scared to even cuss, I tiptoed around doing “bad” stuff. I went to another school and met more people. They had some great ideas about doing stuff that seemed like “fun.”  Leaving the house without permission was my first test. I had never done that before and it felt great until I got home, late, to worried parents.

I then started trying other stuff. Lying felt pretty good and so did cursing. After a while I asked myself, why was I worried about being “bad?” This stuff did not feel “bad” and besides, I hadn’t killed anyone!

• There were times when I tried sin and it never felt “bad.”
• There were times when I dabbled in sin and the crowd was pleased with my actions.
• There were times when I tested my “sin boundaries” to see what I could get away with.

Little did I know that I was headed in the wrong direction. I was chipping away at my character a little at a time. I did not know I would be out on my own someday with fractures in my character here and there. When I went to my next place in life I faced some difficult times that sin could not fix. What was I to do?

• GOD said to me “Come unto ME all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
• GOD said to me “Return back to me and I will wipe away your tears.”
• GOD said to me “I sent you the COMFORTER who will be with you always.”

Forgiven was the feeling I missed when I was engulfed in sin. I could not do things right and it seemed like my road was getting harder and harder. BUT GOD rescued me and put me back on HIS path. HE said to me “I have a plan for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I believed and HE blessed me thoroughly!

• Do you feel you “got away with it?”
• Are you on the wrong path?
• Can you stop with your plans and start following GOD?
• Will you start looking at GOD as the solution instead of thinking HE is the problem?

Getting What’s Due

Proverbs 11: ⁸ The righteous person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.

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“I found a checkbook” said a friend. “Let’s go buy some groceries!” He said. I thought this was a great idea since my bank account was more than nil. We bought all kinds of groceries and piled them in my junker of a car. On the way back to my apartment, my car broke down. I had to get a tow truck and the cost of repairs was exactly half the cost of the groceries.

• Sometimes my action causes trouble.
• Sometimes I am involved in evil plots.
• Sometimes my ways are not GOD’s ways.

It seemed like people could “get away” with stuff and I couldn’t. Every time I tried something evil, it seemed like I would get in trouble for it and they wouldn’t. Was I supposed to be learning something?

• GOD says to me “If you follow MY ways, I will guide you to the best path.”
• GOD says to me “Drop your wicked ways and follow ME.”
• GOD says to me “A little sin is like yeast, it rises up and ruins the entire batch of dough.”

I was on the wrong path, BUT GOD saw fit to intervene and put me back on HIS path. No get-rich-quick schemes or theft shall win the prize. Following GOD is the way to go. I was a teen at a crossroads and GOD said follow me or die. I chose GOD and HE has blessed me tremendously ever since!

• Are you dreaming up wicked ways?
• Do you have a scheme you are trying to secretly do?
• Do you understand that every wicked action from you will fall on you tenfold?
• Will you stop scheming and start following GOD?