Dropping the Safety Net

 

Dropping the Safety Net

Galatians 5: ¹¹ But as for me, my friends, if I continue to preach that circumcision is necessary, why am I still being persecuted? If that were true, then my preaching about the cross of Christ would cause no trouble. ¹² I wish that the people who are upsetting you would go all the way; let them go on and castrate themselves!

 

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Comparing how well the food was prepared from one household to the next was easy. At one household, I critiqued the flavors, at the other I judged presentation. I had a lot to say until I had to do the cooking for a large group. It was a lot of pressure!

 

• I felt safe to critique, but not to receive feedback.
• I felt opinionated when I was not driving or leading the effort.
• I felt I could complain when I had only a small part or no part at all in the success of someone else’s effort.

 

Paul implies that it is harder than it looks to speak about JESUS. Some people who were upsetting many, were placing unnecessary barriers in the way of those who desired to believe in CHRIST. Church leaders were giving lists of rules to follow, without giving themselves to the only Savior, namely JESUS. Paul expresses his anger towards those who attempt to take people off the path of following CHRIST.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to continue following JESUS through persecution.
• GOD knows I will be persecuted and gives me joy and perseverance to keep going.
• GOD desires that I continue to speak about the “cross of CHRIST” without worrying about being safe.

 

Dropping the safety net is a term used by circus acts. A tightrope walker would practice with a safety net without fear of falling. But when the safety net was removed, they could plummet to their death.

 

Same goes with following JESUS. It is easy to post a couple of scripture and anonymously attend a church, but when I had to speak about JESUS to someone, it was a different feeling. I was questioned, my character was doubted and my motives attacked.

 

Anger ensued where I thought love should have sprouted. I then learned, the adversary wanted me to be safe and not speak boldly about JESUS. I am glad JESUS grows us to follow HIM with fervor.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the writer’s persecution?
• Do you think following JESUS should be easy?
• Will you drop the safety net and prepare yourself to be persecuted by those who have not accepted JESUS because you joined HIM in HIS spiritual battle that HE has already won?

Resistance is Futile

Resistance is Futile

Acts 7: ⁵¹ “You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. ⁵² Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, ⁵³ who have received the law by the direction of angels and have not kept it.”

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After a hearing all the stories about how great sex was, I wanted to try it. I mean everyone else was doing it. But something inside me was telling me to wait until I was married. “I can’t wait that long” I thought to myself. From what I saw, it didn’t seem to be a big deal even amongst church leaders. I knew something was wrong and did it anyway.

• There were many times when I knew something was wrong but I did it anyway.
• There were many times when I justified my actions by looking at what “everyone” else was doing.
• There were many times when I plead ignorance by not learning about what was right or wrong, yet I knew the difference in my heart.

Stephen finally concludes his message to the church leaders who murdered JESUS. He told them they “always resist the HOLY SPIRIT” as did their ancestors. They knew right from wrong even when they were not told, yet they did what they did anyway.

• GOD wants me to surrender to the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to give up my life to the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to listen wholeheartedly to the HOLY SPIRIT.

Decision making can be hard, especially when people around me are making bad decisions, wanting me to join in. BUT GOD wants me to stand firm for HIM. HE placed HIS law in my heart when HE created me, so I have no excuse.

GOD made me in a way that is curious and seeking. Unfortunately I can listen to the lust of my flesh or the lust of my eyes or the pride of life to fulfill that curiosity. Soon I find myself in trouble, asking GOD for help out of the trouble I got myself into. BUT GOD is gracious. I am glad HE forgives me and guides me with the HOLY SPIRIT, because HE loves me.

• Are you ignoring the HOLY SPIRIT by trying to listen to your own pride?
• Do you argue over something without checking to see what GOD says about it?
• Will you surrender your thinking and check with GOD about more and more of your decisions each day?

Unbelievable

Mark 16: ¹² After that, He appeared in another form to two of them as they walked and went into the country. ¹³ And they went and told it to the rest, but they did not believe them either.

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“Aw go back to bed” said the person in the top bunk as I tried to give him an urgent message. I went to the only bathroom in the house very early in the morning. I didn’t have my glasses on but I could clearly see that on the rim of the tub was a mouse on its hind legs. “You were dreaming” I was told.

• There were times when I stated the facts and was not believed.
• There were times when I stated something that seemed farfetched.
• There were times when I said something that was the truth that were not believed and rebutted with “that is your story.”

Two disciples walked with the risen LORD for a while. Other accounts say that JESUS spoke to them in marvelous ways with such passion as they never heard before. When they went to tell others, they were met with disbelief. I wonder if the people said “You were dreaming” to both men.

• JESUS wants me to tell people about the amazing thing HE did for me.
• JESUS wants me to proclaim HIS message of salvation to many who may not believe.
• JESUS wants me to continue following HIM, even when it looks crazy to do so.

“Won’t you believe me?” is my question sometimes when I tell people about GOD. I mean this is an eternal decision, yet the message sometimes falls on deaf ears. GOD wants me to have the fortitude to see beyond those who will not believe at this moment.

HE never lets HIS word go out without some return. HE wants me to plant seeds in some, in others HE wants me to water the seed and still in others HE wants me to pick the fruit of the growth. GOD wants me to be consistent and that consistency is my faith in HIM whether I am believed or not.

• Are you telling people about GOD and are met with disbelief?
• Are you getting discouraged because people have rejected you?
• Can you continue in your faith knowing GOD is with you today?

Where to go when I am afraid

Psalm 56: ³ When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
⁴     In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
    What can mere mortals do to me?

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“Do not be afraid” appears in the Bible a lot. I mean it seems like when I turn another page, the statement about fear is addressed. On many occasions, I have felt fear, sometimes to the point of panic. When this happens, I run around as a chicken with a severed head. What is it about fear that is so stifling?

• I notice when I have fear, I am usually looking into the future.
• I notice when I have fear, I am usually replaying my situation over and over.
• I notice when I have fear, I am usually stuck in the past.

What is it that makes me afraid? I believe fear is the collision of my desire against GOD’s will. I mean when GOD wants me to do something and I want to do something else, our wills collide. Of course GOD will “win” but HE isn’t out to “win” He simply wants to show love to me. When I am afraid, what should I do?

• When I am afraid I will go put my trust in GOD.
• When I am afraid I will praise HIM and HIS word.
• When I am afraid I will realize mere mortals cannot do anything to me that is not ordained by GOD.

Trusting in GOD means placing all of my life into HIS hands. HE understands my needs wants and desires. HE has the right to say “No” “wait” or “yes.” My dependence should come from HIM daily. HE wants me to sit, listen and watch HIS deliverance.

• Are you afraid?
• Do you have something troubling you?
• Can you trust that GOD knows what HE is doing even in the middle of crisis?
• Will you place your dependence on GOD today?

Angry at GOD

2 Chronicles 28: ²² In his time of trouble King Ahaz became even more unfaithful to the Lord.

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Bills mounting and car broken down, I quickly said these words “I’m not going to serve YOU anymore!” I mean what’s the use? It seems like when I try “GOD” things get worse. I wasn’t serving GOD anyway but this one Sunday I went to church at the request of friends.

The next day the sheriff knocked on my apartment door with a summons to appear in court for a variety of tickets. “Why serve a GOD who brings on nothing but trouble” I pouted.

• When trouble comes I sometimes want to throw GOD out the window.
• When trouble comes I sometimes want to blame GOD for all my ills.
• When trouble comes I sometimes want to give up on GOD because I am not getting my way.

Trouble makes me irrational. When I see no way out and I use GOD as a “last resort” my mind cannot comprehend when HE doesn’t just swoop in and fix the situation to my liking. My doubting leads to pouting. BUT GOD understands.

• GOD knows when I am weak and encourages me to turn back to HIM.
• GOD knows when I feel like giving up and wants me to keep going with HIM.
• GOD knows when I am frustrated, HE came into the world and faced more scrutiny than any human.

GOD understands how difficult life can be. HE knew the depth and breadth of HIS curse on the heavens and the earth. When HE said to Adam “You will now work from the ground you came” HE knew just how difficult it would be to produce fruit where it was once easy. BUT HIS grace abounds.

Before the curse GOD developed a rescue plan for all humans. JESUS volunteered to take the blame I cast on HIM even before HE made humans. HE hears my blaming words as if I were saying “YOU didn’t do enough for me” and forgives me anyway with these words “Forgive them for they know not what they do.” GOD is there with me and wants me to know HE loves me dearly.

• Are you pouting at GOD?
• Is there an obstacle in your way that seems insurmountable?
• Can you trust GOD totally and allow HIM to take you through the trouble?
• Will you praise HIM today for being GOD who loves you and has a plan for you?