Holding On

Colossians 2: ¹⁸ Do not allow yourselves to be condemned by anyone who claims to be superior because of special visions and who insists on false humility and the worship of angels. For no reason at all, such people are all puffed up by their human way of thinking ¹⁹ and have stopped holding on to Christ, who is the head of the body. Under Christ's control the whole body is nourished and held together by its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God wants it to grow.

 

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Seeking help when I was feeling pretty low, I sought advice from the rich and powerful. I had placed my entire identity in work and now I was no longer employed. “Follow this person” and “follow that person” was the confusing advice from well-meaning people. Nothing helped.

 

• I felt lost.
• I did not know who to turn to.
• I was feeling desperate so I was open to listening to anyone who could provide a path to “success.”

 

Paul continues with another warning. He cautions everyone not to be condemned by anyone who “claimed” to be superior. These people wanted a following so they made up their visions and even worse they pretended to be humble and finally they worshipped spiritual being lower tan GOD. Their smooth talk tore people away from following CHRIST.

 

My Observations

• Following people can possibly drag me away from following CHRIST if I’m not careful.
• Acting like I’m superior or falsely humble or telling people I worship angels can bring on condemnation to others and myself.
• Being so desperate that I would follow “successful” people and let go of CHRIST can be my downfall.

 

Holding onto CHRIST is hard at times. I mean, when times are really, really difficult, it seems like someone pops up at the right time with the right solution that pulls me away from CHRIST. I ignore the warning signs of their celebrity status and place my hope in their “success.” BUT GOD wants me to act different.

 

CHRIST is the only one who is superior. HIS death, burial and resurrection gives HIM all authority over every situation. HE is the one I should seek when I am low. HE is also the one who requires praise when things go well for me. I point my life to HIM and hope you will follow JESUS.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer’s warning?
• Have you ever wanted to follow celebrities in hopes that your life would change?
• Are you willing to stop following CHRIST to obtain some temporary “success?”
• Will you seek JESUS as the head of your life and recognize HE feeds the body or church, holds it together and grows it for HIS purpose today?

What is Missing?

 

What is Missing? (Feel free to comment)

1 Corinthians 11: ¹⁷ In the following instructions, however, I do not praise you, because your meetings for worship actually do more harm than good. ¹⁸ In the first place, I have been told that there are opposing groups in your meetings; and this I believe is partly true. (¹⁹ No doubt there must be divisions among you so that the ones who are in the right may be clearly seen.) ²⁰ When you meet together as a group, it is not the Lord's Supper that you eat. ²¹ For as you eat, you each go ahead with your own meal, so that some are hungry while others get drunk. ²² Don't you have your own homes in which to eat and drink? Or would you rather despise the church of God and put to shame the people who are in need? What do you expect me to say to you about this? Shall I praise you? Of course I don't!

 

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“Why don’t we do an outreach for the people on, let’s say, Main (name changed to protect the church) street?” I said to the leaders.  Looking back, this challenge had a hidden agenda of exposing the fact that the outreach efforts seemed to be targeted to those who already attended this particular church. “Great, why don’t you lead the effort?” was the shocking reply I wasn’t prepared for.

 

• There have been times when I wanted to be heard versus being part of the solution.
• There have been times when I wanted to complain versus offering to help.
• There have been times when I wanted to blame and feel good about registering my “two cents” versus stepping up to help based on a unifying need.

 

Paul does not hold back when it came to the divisive behavior of this group. Some people were getting all the attention, while others were left out. Some were using the church as a club to get “drunk.” What was missing was unity.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to approach HIS gathering with unity.
• GOD wants me to seek a unifying message versus “my own meal.”
• GOD wants me to come together to help the entire congregation, not just feed my own appetite.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I have been in need many times. In fact, I am in need right now! But GOD wants me to approach HIS church with a unifying message versus trying to be heard and seeking division. I believe the only “right” message is to preach the belief and love of CHRIST.

 

My ideas for making things better or growing the church do not need to be heard unless they are shredded through the knives of humility and the blades of unity. I am glad GOD expects unity from us all.

 

Challenge

• How powerful is unity?
• How dangerous is division?
• Have you ever come up with an idea and got frustrated when it was not accepted?
• Will you seek unity by understanding the needs of all, while serving the group you have been called to?

Edge Dwellers

Edge Dwellers

1 Corinthians 4: ⁸ Do you already have everything you need? Are you already rich? Have you become kings, even though we are not? Well, I wish you really were kings, so that we could be kings together with you. ⁹ For it seems to me that God has given the very last place to us apostles, like people condemned to die in public as a spectacle for the whole world of angels and of human beings. ¹⁰ For Christ's sake we are fools; but you are wise in union with Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! We are despised, but you are honored! ¹¹ To this very moment we go hungry and thirsty; we are clothed in rags; we are beaten; we wander from place to place; ¹² we wear ourselves out with hard work. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; ¹³ when we are insulted, we answer back with kind words. We are no more than this world's garbage; we are the scum of the earth to this very moment!

 

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“What is the maximum amount of money I can make and still be pleasing to GOD?” I thought greedily to myself. No one had the answer. From my perspective, some greedy leaders would say, “There is no limit.”

 

Another perspective would be “You have to manufacture a perception of humbleness, but still own a house and a car and subscription entertainment with not too many channels.” Still another would say “You must give up everything and live outside, eating only off the land.”

 

• There have been many times when I have struggled over my relationship with CHRIST.
• There have been many times when I wondered if I could test my limits with GOD.
• There have been many times when I desired to do things “my” way without thought of what GOD wanted.

 

Paul gives some difficult words to live by. As an apostle, he explains that life was very, very hard. His only purpose was to spread the Good News of JESUS. Apostles were poor, despised by church leaders, clothed in rags, beaten, homeless and often exploited by the rich to do hard labor just to eat. But apostles did this for the LORD.

 

• GOD wants me to stop trying to figure out the maximum greed I can have and simply be led by the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to stop trying to figure out the maximum amount of hidden sin I can have and simply be led by HIS Word.
• GOD wants me to stop trying to think about “my” position in heaven and simply praise JESUS for saving me.

 

Comparing myself to others is dangerous. I mean, one rich person who says words that make a lot of people mad may get me thinking he or she is destined for hell. On the other hand a homeless person may be viewed as an addict or a prostitute and cast out or looked down upon. BUT GOD wants me to be different.

 

HE wants me to praise HIM in plenty or in sparse times. Sometimes I am the helper and sometimes I need help. HE wants me to stay away from dwelling on the edge of the things that can draw me away from serving HIM with all my heart. I still fall into the deep, blinding holes of worldly thinking. I am grateful GOD pursues me and raises me out of these holes constantly.

 

• Are you questioning your relationship with GOD?
• Are you trying to manipulate GOD by your show or humbleness?
• Do you think your riches have not made you blind?
• Will you relax your worries and simply be in union with JESUS today?

Recommendations

Recommendations

Acts 16: Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. ² The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him. ³ Paul wanted to take him along on the journey, so he circumcised him because of the Jews who lived in that area, for they all knew that his father was a Greek. ⁴ As they traveled from town to town, they delivered the decisions reached by the apostles and elders in Jerusalem for the people to obey. ⁵ So the churches were strengthened in the faith and grew daily in numbers.

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“Mind if I introduce someone to you?” a person from another department asked. “Please” was my reply, not knowing why I was meeting the person. I had a lot of work to do, and meeting someone was the last thing on my mind that day. “You have been recommended to lead a division” the person said. Wow! I didn’t expect that!

• I have been blessed to receive recommendations.
• I have been shocked that someone noticed what I was doing.
• I have been excited to work with those who believed in the abilities given to me.

Many believers approached Paul, recommending Timothy. After a while, Paul could not resist wanting Timothy to join him on the journey to teach the simplified message of obedience to new believers of JESUS. This recommendation paid off. Paul and Timothy spoke, many believed and the church was getting stronger.

• GOD wants me to seek HIM.
• GOD wants me to simply use the gifts HE has given me.
• GOD wants me to focus on HIM and HE will deliver me to the people HE needs me to speak to.

There are two ways to work. One way is to work to seek recommendations or “thank you” from people. While this brings moderate success, my rewards are only the “thank you.” BUT GOD wants me to seek eternal rewards which are given by HIM. This is not achieved by bragging and self-promoting.

GOD wants to be centerstage. My work for HIM should point to HIM. People may notice or they may not. BUT GOD always sees when I work for HIM with sincerity. I am grateful for HIS eternal rewards.

• Are you seeking to be known?
• Do you want to create a huge following for yourself, and not for GOD?
• Will you point people to GOD and allow HIM to change your approach so you become highly recommended without needing to boast?

Good At It

Luke 18: ⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: ¹⁰ ‘Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: “God, I thank you that I am not like other people – robbers, evildoers, adulterers – or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.”

¹³ ‘But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, “God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”

¹⁴ ‘I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’

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Slapping the winning card onto my forehead in exuberance for all to see was my goal, but alas I did not know how to play the card game. I studied the rules. I played and played until I was good at it, missing many classes along the way. Now, I too could slap the winning card onto my forehead in a shout of victory! I was very good at that game, if I must say.

• There were times when I wanted to feel that I was “good at something.”
• There were times when I wanted to be better at something than other people.
• There were times when I wanted to be superior at something so other people would look at me as if I were special.

JESUS spoke to the crowd about church leaders who thought they were “good at this god thing.” HE spoke about how proud they were to follow the rules and compare themselves to others.

BUT HE also contrasted this example with a person whom everyone hated because of his thieving profession. The tax collector did not see himself as worthy, but asked for mercy from GOD. The tax collector was the one who JESUS said was the humble one.

• GOD wants me to know I can never be “good” enough to meet HIS standards.
• GOD wants me to tell people about my sins rather than trying to put on a front that I am perfect.
• GOD wants me to show people that sinners like me can be saved without having to “pay” or “do” their way into heaven.

The “Good News about CHRIST” is not really good news if every human can’t achieve it. I mean if JESUS’s gift of salvation is based on how good I follow the rules, then I am in trouble. JESUS points out that I need HIM as my savior. I sin daily and walk away from HIM daily, BUT GOD is my forgiver. I will never be “good at” following HIM. That’s why I love GOD.

• Do you think you can reach perfection by dropping off a few sins?
• Do you look down on other people or complain about how they are running their lives?
• Will you stop comparing yourself to other people and look at JESUS’s perfection as your salvation?
• Will you ask for HIS mercy on your mountain of sins today?

Weakness in Numbers

Luke 15: Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him. ² And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” ³ So He spoke this parable to them, saying:

⁴ “What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? ⁵ And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!’ ⁷ I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.

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After a while I felt comfortable attending church. I mean the people looked like me, acted like me and smiled in my face when I told them “I” did something good. “You want to go to the club with us?” was the question from one of my “former friend’s.” “Nah. I’m just going to stay at home” was my response.

• Somewhere along the way, I stopped hanging out with “sinners”.
• Some path led me to stop being around those who blatantly did “sinful” things.
• Somehow I determined it was not good for me to hang out with “those” sinful people.

JESUS spoke to the “churchy” people when they complained about “those” HE chose to hang around. HE responded in a direct way towards their implied accusations of “being sinful” by hanging around “sinners.” HE says “Heaven will rejoice over one repentant sinner than over ninety-nine people who “think” they are clean.”

• GOD says to me “Be one of the sheep who needs to be cleaned.”
• GOD says to me “Do not think more highly of yourself, lest you shall fall.”
• GOD says to me “I found you, so go and look for MY lost sheep.”

Gatherings with people who believe in JESUS as their personal Savior should be so much more than a money collecting hut, filled with self-claimed righteous people. GOD wants me to have enough grace for myself to be able to go out and tell HIS loving story to many people.

HE wants me to drop my judgment on others, as much as I can, so I can approach those who are rejecting JESUS and HIS gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. I do know I have limitations. In other words, I must respect GOD’s power and know HE created many people to reach those I cannot. Instead of complaining about my neighbor HE wants me to reach my neighbor. I am a found sinner.

• Do you look down on someone?
• Have you judged someone and feel they are helpless?
• Will you drop the judgment you have of others and show them compassion so maybe, just maybe, they can turn their eyes to CHRIST today?

People Checklist

Luke 3: ⁷ Then he said to the multitudes that came out to be baptized by him, “Brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? ⁸ Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance, and do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I say to you that God is able to raise up children to Abraham from these stones. ⁹ And even now the ax is laid to the root of the trees. Therefore every tree which does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.”

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Looking at my calendar I realized I was triple booked with events. I made an appearance at each gathering spending only minutes with the host. I made sure they knew I was there and had the best intentions, but I was busy. In later years, I was triple booked again, only this time it was for funerals.

• There were times when I went to a lot of events.
• There were times when I spent more time going to the events than being at the event.
• There were times when I wanted to be seen at the event than actually “being” at the event.

John was filled with the HOLY SPIRIT and discerned the hearts of those who came out to be baptized. Some people may have come there because everyone else was there or to be seen by the ”right” people. He tried to change their perspective because some of the crowd may have felt they deserved to be there because their families were long time church goers.

• GOD wants me to serve others with my heart filled with HIS love.
• GOD wants me to not to think more highly of myself because I attend church.
• GOD wants me to bear fruit worthy of repentance rather than “looking good” on the outside and being rotten on the inside.

Having people on a checklist is not always the best. I do understand that I cannot save everyone and if I do not set boundaries, I could burn myself out. BUT GOD does want me to spend quality time with people so I can bear HIS fruit.

Only GOD’s fruit is good. HE looks at my heart and can tell when I am bearing fruit for myself rather than for HIM. HE wants me to point to HIM by sitting and crying and laughing and praying with people all while pointing to HIS amazing grace for me. HE want me to be there for people rather than check listing my appearance.

• Are you treating GOD as a checklist item?
• Do you sympathize with people?
• Can you spend some quality time with those who need you today?

Front of the line

Mark 9: ³³ Then He came to Capernaum. And when He was in the house He asked them, “What was it you disputed among yourselves on the road?”³⁴ But they kept silent, for on the road they had disputed among themselves who would be the greatest. ³⁵ And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, “If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.” ³⁶ Then He took a little child and set him in the midst of them. And when He had taken him in His arms, He said to them, ³⁷ “Whoever receives one of these little children in My name receives Me; and whoever receives Me, receives not Me but Him who sent Me.”

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All day long I could feel the pressure of competition at work. I mean did he have to say “that” during the meeting! As I replayed these words I on my drive to wherever I was going I stepped on the gas more and more forcefully. At least no one would pass me on the road. I was pulled over.

• There are times I desire to be on top.
• There are times when I just want to win.
• There are moments when I want to be ahead of everyone at all costs.

Who would be the greatest was the equivalent of being at the front of the line. The disciples were in for a rude awakening. JESUS, who was and is the greatest, told them they had to be like HIM, a humble servant.

• GOD wants me to learn to serve others.
• GOD wants me to classify serving as being great.
• GOD wants me to exchange my currency for souls.

Rich and powerful to GOD means how many people have I served. I’m not talking about human metrics, I am truly speaking about servitude that only GOD guides. HE gives me opportunities to accept those HE sends to me. Shall I turn them away? No. GOD desires that I serve someone in HIS name daily.

• Are you trying to get on top?
• Are you trying to learn how to be the best?
• Can you learn that being the best means being the best “true” servant of GOD?

Heart Comparison

Mark 2: And again He entered Capernaum after some days, and it was heard that He was in the house. ² Immediately many gathered together, so that there was no longer room to receive them, not even near the door. And He preached the word to them. ³ Then they came to Him, bringing a paralytic who was carried by four men. ⁴ And when they could not come near Him because of the crowd, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralytic was lying.

⁵ When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.”

⁶ And some of the scribes were sitting there and reasoning in their hearts, ⁷ “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”

⁸ But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, “Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? ⁹ Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? ¹⁰ But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, ¹¹ “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” ¹² Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!”

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Dressed in my best suit, I went off to church. I observed the behaviors of those around me and thought to myself, “Maybe I should act like them so I can fit in.” One deacon was flirting with many of the women another bragged about his car. A person approached me and said “I like your suit.”

• There were times when I did not know how to follow GOD.
• There were times when I was just guessing about GOD by observing others.
• There were times when my faith was based on the opinions of others.

JESUS saw two hearts in this passage. HE saw the heart of faith that believe in HIM so much that friends tore through someone’s roof just to get to HIM. The friends knew HE was the only hope.

On the other hand, JESUS saw the heart of the church leaders criticizing HIM for claiming to be who HE really was and is, namely GOD. They had a picture in their mind of who the Savior should be, but they were dead wrong!

• GOD wants me to follow HIM without boundaries.
• GOD wants me to follow HIM without pretense.
• GOD wants me to follow HIM without trying to get pats on the back from people.

JESUS showed HIS amazing power over human problems. While the paralytic laid there, helpless JESUS leveraged the faith of his friends to heal him, showing everyone that HE in fact is GOD. JESUS wants me to have total faith in HIM.

• Are you facing incredible problems?
• Does it seem like you are paralyzed and cannot get through to GOD?
• Will you simply ask GOD for help and allow HIM to rescue you HIS way?

Think Like One

Matthew 27: ⁶² The next day, the one after Preparation Day, the chief priests and the Pharisees went to Pilate. ⁶³ “Sir,” they said, “we remember that while he was still alive that deceiver said, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ ⁶⁴ So give the order for the tomb to be made secure until the third day. Otherwise, his disciples may come and steal the body and tell the people that he has been raised from the dead. This last deception will be worse than the first.”

⁶⁵ “Take a guard,” Pilate answered. “Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how.” ⁶⁶ So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

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“What will I say to them” ran through my mind. I thought up my “story” and worked it out in my mind. When I told the person what had “happened” they began to question and I had no good answers. My lie had not gone that far.

• There were times when I lied to cover myself.
• There were times when I made up stories just to be seen in a good light.
• There were times when I tried to get others to say a lie with me.

Unfortunately for the Pharisees and chief priests, they were thinking like liars and thieves. They thought they could cover their murder by sealing the grave. They even agreed on their lie. GOD saw it all.

• GOD wants me to tell the truth even when it hurts me.
• GOD wants me to not hide my sin so others can be healed.
• GOD wants me to stop being a fraudulent religious person and be transparent.

What good is it to be evil and attend church regularly? I mean on the outside I may look good, BUT GOD sees my heart. HE knows when I am covering something up and will not stand for it. “Every hidden thing will come to light” GOD says, so it is better to bring my sins to the surface than have GOD expose them in a more difficult way.

• Are you covering something up?
• Do you think your lie is not going to be found out?
• Will you stop hiding your sin and confess it so GOD can use it for good?

Keeping Up Appearances

Matthew 23: ²⁵ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. ²⁶ Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

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Scouting out the right desk was the first part of the plan. It had to have lowered light and needed to be at an angle where my back was all that could be seen. I placed a pen in one hand and propped my head up with the other. To anyone who walked past, I looked like I was working but in reality, I was asleep! I mean the job was boring!

• There were times I appeared to be righteous.
• There were times I looked great on the outside but was rotten on the inside.
• There were times I seemed to have it all together.

JESUS told the Pharisees and Sadducees that while they appeared to be holy, they were not. They carried their hidden sin into the church and pretended to have it all together. Meanwhile their pretense did not go unnoticed. GOD sees the same in me. HE sees when I am trying to keep up appearances or “fronting.”

• GOD says to me “Admit your sins before many and it will be easier to admit your sins to ME.”
• GOD says to me “Ask to be cleansed on the inside and I will guide you.”
• GOD says to me “Seek to have people learn of ME rather than trying to appear perfect before humans.”

Smiling on the outside and rotten on the inside is not GODLY. JESUS wants hurt people not those who declare they are well. HE knows only HE can cleanse me of all unrighteousness if I am willing to confess my sins. I may look like a wretch to humans, but to GOD, I am declared clean.

• Are you taking hidden sin into the church and telling others to follow the rules?
• Do you think your sin is not being noticed?
• Can you stop trying to look righteous and ask GOD to cleanse you of all unrighteousness?

Hidden Sin

Ezekiel 9: ⁹ He answered me, “The sin of the people of Israel and Judah is exceedingly great; the land is full of bloodshed and the city is full of injustice. They say, ‘The Lord has forsaken the land; the Lord does not see.’ ¹⁰ So I will not look on them with pity or spare them, but I will bring down on their own heads what they have done.”

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Being a thief, peeping Tom, a liar and a greedy vengeful person was never something I wanted to admit to anyone. In fact these sins were things I was supposed to carry to my grave without anyone knowing just how rotten I was. I was supposed to put on my “church face” and shine my halo daily, meanwhile letting the decay inside grow larger and larger.

• When I try to hide my sin it only multiplies.
• When I try to bury my sin it only comes to the surface.
• When I try to pretend everything is well with my soul, weird spiritual dilemmas pop up.

GOD was furious with those who had reached a point where they admitted nothing and blamed everyone else around them. HIS chosen people left HIS protection and turned to asking wooden idols questions, knowing there would never be someone to say “Your action is wrong.” Sin was now available without restraint and now what used to be hidden was now blatant. GOD wants something different from me.

• GOD wants me to admit publicly that I have sinned.
• GOD wants me to tell people about HIS grace and mercy because I admitted my sins.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS grace through HIS SON, knowing that ALL my sins have been forgiven.

I can never be good enough or stop sinning long enough to win GOD over. So what’s the point in being good? GOD loves it when I turn away from that sin or when I help others focus on HIM. HE provides me with opportunities to bear fruit on a daily basis, all I have to do is reach out and accept HIS calling to admit what I have done so others will do the same.

Admitting sin takes the spotlight off of me and places it on GOD. HE blesses me for pointing people to HIM.

• What are you hiding?
• Are you hiding a lot?
• Can you stop hiding and start admitting something small and work your way up to what you feel is large?
• Will you reach the point where you know that all sin is the same?
• Can you accept the gift that JESUS gave you by dying for your sins and taking on your consequences?

True Fasting

Isaiah 58: ⁴ Your fasting ends in quarreling and strife,
    and in striking each other with wicked fists.
You cannot fast as you do today
    and expect your voice to be heard on high.
⁵ Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
    only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
    and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
    a day acceptable to the Lord?
⁶ “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
    and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
    and break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
    and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
    and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
    and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
    and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you will call, and the Lord will answer;
    you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

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“Do you want to join us in a fast?” someone asked me. “I’ll see” was my way of saying “No!” I mean what’s the purpose? I don’t eat or drink and what does that do? I went on my merry way. Weren’t these people just being religious fanatics?

• I used to think fasting was useless.
• I one time thought fasting was ridiculous.
• I used to think fasting was only for the religious freaks who were hypocrites by “my” standard.

When I read about the powerless disciples who came back beat up after fighting a demonic battle, I was curious. JESUS said, “This kind of demon can only be cast out by prayer and fasting.” These seemingly powerless weapons were the most powerful to GOD. I mean prayer does not involve any on my part to solve or resolve the problem, nor does fasting.

When I tried fasting once, it seemed like an eternity. I never realized how much I ate during one day. I got used to it but my fasting eventually ended up pointing to “me” fasting. GOD wanted more.

• GOD wants me to fast with a purpose. 
• HE wants me to miss a meal so someone else can have one. 
• GOD wants me to help the poor and guide my family to GOD. 

HIS fast calls me to point to HIM.

• Are you afraid to fast?
• Is your fast selfish?
• Are you unchanged in your ways after a fast?
• Will you give up your will versus giving up a meal?

Human Help

Psalm 108: ¹² Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.
¹³ With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.

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Baffled and perplexed, I asked “what would you like me to do?” My willingness was there but this was my first time working with this group. The owner was a friend of the family so his tolerance level of me was extremely high and gracious. As his son toiled, carrying up huge troughs, I struggled to carry my own weight. I made mistake after mistake. Quite honestly I didn’t provide much help that entire day.

• Sometimes my help is worthless.
• Sometimes my addition may be a subtraction.
• Sometimes my input is a detriment.

Fortunately for me, the owner had a vested interest in growing me. While I was not very helpful to his business that day, he received rewards for his actions because he invested his time, talents and treasure in me. He was led by GOD.

• GOD has a way of guiding me through HIS servants.
• GOD has a way of growing me through HIS people.
• GOD has a way of gaining my trust though those HE chose to put around me.

Sometimes my help isn’t help at all, BUT GOD has a way of using my mistakes for good. GOD has blessed the business owner with extreme faith and he imparted some of that faith to me. Now I must do the same, sowing seeds of faith rather than crops of death. GOD has the victory!

• Are you feeling worthless?
• Do you feel like you are making mistake after mistake?
• Can you see that GOD is the victor and HE loves you?
• Will you allow HIM to leverage your situation as a blessing, not a curse?
• Do you realize, it’s not the situation that you are in, but how you allow GOD to drive the path?

I Don’t Want Justice

Esther 7: ⁸ Just as the king returned from the palace garden to the banquet hall, Haman was falling on the couch where Esther was reclining.

The king exclaimed, “Will he even molest the queen while she is with me in the house?”

As soon as the word left the king’s mouth, they covered Haman’s face. ⁹ Then Harbona, one of the eunuchs attending the king, said, “A pole reaching to a height of fifty cubits stands by Haman’s house. He had it set up for Mordecai, who spoke up to help the king.”

The king said, “Impale him on it!” ¹⁰ So they impaled Haman on the pole he had set up for Mordecai. Then the king’s fury subsided.

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Bragging was an art in the position I was in. It was concealed by the words “self-promotion” mixed in with a hint of “praising my team.” I wasn’t always a master at it though. One day I blurted out “I” worked hard and “I accomplished whatever. I did this because I was tired of my thieving boss stealing credit for ideas he had no clue about.  I was pulled aside and told “don’t ever do that again. “What” I said innocently. “Don’t be a braggart.” I was labeled a trouble maker for a while until I learned the right bragging mix.

• Spotlight seemed like the place I wanted to be.
• Headline seemed like the words I wanted to hear.
• Top spot seemed like the place I deserved.

Haman was a braggart who would do anything to gain power. He ordered to have GOD’s people murdered, simply because he didn’t like them or how they were handling things. He would then self-promote about his wealth and title. Little did he know his demise was around the corner. He received GOD’s justice. I felt the same way when I was looked at as the troublemaker. What was I to do?

• GOD says “Do not think more highly of yourself.”
• GOD says “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”
• GOD says “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

True humility is what GOD is looking for, not the fake stuff I sprinkle here and there when I can tally how humble I have been when I rant to GOD in a tantrum. GOD is looking for the times when I have served and no one knows about what I have done but HIM and me. Service cannot wipe away sin rather it is a celebration of not receiving GOD’s justice.

• Are you bragging about something?
• Are you mad at someone because you are doing more of the work or you are “better” than them?
• Are you yelling at GOD and telling HIM how humble you have lived?
• Can you leave the humble judging to HIM?

Humble Is Great Medicine

1 Chronicles 12: ¹² Because Rehoboam humbled himself, the Lord’s anger turned from him, and he was not totally destroyed. Indeed, there was some good in Judah.

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Desiring a promotion, I observed how “those on the move” would talk. They would take credit for other folks work and brag about themselves. I thought, “Let me try that.” “I” did this and “I” did that was added to my speech. I wish I could remember who said this to me but someone looked at me disappointed and said “I thought you were different.”

• When I am insecure I point to myself to get praise.
• When I want status I point to myself to get noticed.
• When I desire accolades I ask people to tell me how great I’m doing to grow my ego.

One problem with pointing at me is it takes the eyes off of GOD. Many people begin looking at me and even marveling at my title, status and stuff, meanwhile they are distracted from who really is providing the blessings.

• GOD wants me to humble myself in order to point people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to lower how I think of myself in a healthy way.
• GOD wants me to consider HIS strength in all my plans so that I can never brag or boast.

GOD doesn’t want me to take credit for any accomplishment I have achieved. In fact I am truly supposed to give HIM praise for everything I have. Humbling myself also means I do not “deserve” any blessing I get. I don’t deserve great service but should be thankful when I get it.

Humbleness adds a level of gratitude that enables GOD’s blessings to flow.

• Are you demanding?
• Do you think you “deserve” to be treated better?
• Can you humble yourself and open your eyes to the blessings GOD is pouring out on you already?

In memory of Willie Edwards

Asking for Forgiveness

2 Chronicles 6: ²¹ Hear the supplications of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place; and when you hear, forgive.

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Laughing at the escapades of a friend, the teacher came in and saw what he was doing and immediately grabbed his arm to get his attention (yeah I know, this is back in the day). She said he would have to stay after school fifteen minutes. The laughter stopped but a giggle still remained on my face.

She then turned to me and asked “what’s so funny?” Then the words of devastation came from her mouth “You stay too! And when the time is up I want you to apologize.” Parents knew how long it would take us to get home and if we weren’t there we were questioned. And besides, why do I have to apologize? “I didn’t do anything wrong” I said to myself.

• Many times I don’t see myself as being guilty.
• Many times I rationalize what I’m doing to justify my actions.
• Many times I think I am innocent when I am really guilty.

GOD said “Your righteousness is like filthy rags” and HE is right. My acts of service have sin at the core. Even my prayers come from a sinful perspective because GOD knows I will do the same sin again and again. But there is something amazing that happens with GOD when I communicate to HIM.

• GOD says “All have sinned and have fallen short of MY glory.”
• GOD says “Confess sins. I am faithful and righteous to forgive sins and to cleanse from all unrighteousness.”
• GOD says “I truly love you so put your trust in ME.”

Admitting to GOD that I need HIM instead of being on the path I am on helps me see HIM in a different light. Instead of blaming the ONE I need I have to humbly ask for forgiveness especially when I think I haven’t done anything wrong. The Pharisees never could see they were wrong so they could never confess.

Asking GOD for forgiveness is a privilege. It shows HIM I have nowhere to turn and I trust HIS ways.

• Are you in a quandary?
• Do you feel GOD has forgotten you?
• Can you ask HIM for forgiveness and to open your eyes to a stronger relationship with HIM today?
• Can you stop being defeated, put your feelings behind you and start trusting in GOD?

Praise Without Expectation

2 Chronicles 5: ¹³ The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:

“He is good;
    his love endures forever.”

Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, ¹⁴ and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.

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After the phone transferred the call to my answering machine, I could hear the bill collector leave their number. I went to church and they talked about a “cheerful giver” and “praising GOD,” so I tried it. I praised GOD and I smiled as I gave and weeks later, someone broke the window out of my car and stole my cassette tapes.

• When I praise GOD with expectations that HE owes me something, I am trying to manipulate HIM.
• When I give to GOD expecting more cash in return, I am trying to manipulate GOD.
• When I sing to GOD expecting HIM to see how righteous I am, I am trying to manipulate GOD.

I realized the difference between praise and manipulation when I observed a person who had less than nothing approach me and praise GOD on a dirt road in another country. I mean, he wasn’t looking for more stuff, he only sought GOD. In fact he walked twenty miles to hear me talk about GOD and I wasn’t a pastor or a big name.

• GOD wants me to praise HIM because HE is worthy to be praised.
• GOD wants me to keep my praise simple and remove the expectation from my words of praise.
• GOD wants me to enjoy my time with HIM, understanding HIS love for HIS humans.

Praise comes from the heart and if my heart is filled with doubt, fear, lust, anger, lies or thievery then my words can become tainted with “want” instead of gratitude. I must praise GOD and expect nothing in return.

• Are you trying to get GOD to do your bidding?
• Do you feel GOD is not answering your prayers?
• Can you praise HIM without expecting HIM to get you out of the mess you are in?
• Won’t you simply say “GOD YOU are great” and leave it at that?

It’s not personal

2 Samuel 15: In the course of time, Absalom provided himself with a chariot and horses and with fifty men to run ahead of him.² He would get up early and stand by the side of the road leading to the city gate. Whenever anyone came with a complaint to be placed before the king for a decision, Absalom would call out to him, “What town are you from?” He would answer, “Your servant is from one of the tribes of Israel.” 

³ Then Absalom would say to him, “Look, your claims are valid and proper, but there is no representative of the king to hear you.” ⁴ And Absalom would add, “If only I were appointed judge in the land! Then everyone who has a complaint or case could come to me and I would see that they receive justice.”

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I finally got the nerve to have lunch with a very powerful person seeking wisdom. There I sat, not knowing what questions to ask. “What seems to be the problem?” the mentor inquired. “Why am I not getting promoted?” I replied. “Business is not personal. You must do what you have to do to fight against those who will try to take your power away.”

“Wow!” I thought. This seemed cold but let me give it a try.  I watched some of the best use slander campaigns while self-promoting. I tried it and it worked. My power was on its way!

• When I forget I’m dealing with people I focus on power.
• When I think the goal is “up” I focus on power.
• When I work towards the next level instead of raising people up I focus on power.

Power makes me treat “higher” people higher and “lower” people low. It adds fear when I’m supposed to be confident and confidence when I’ supposed to be humble. Fortunately GOD placed people in my life to correct my course. “Raise people up and you will do better” were the words of another mentor. GOD also added some words.

• Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see GOD.
• Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
• Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.

GOD also said “in order to be first you must be last.” JESUS, king of all, came to Earth as a servant. HE never begged anyone to follow HIM. HE served. With HIM it was and is personal. Each soul is special and HE wants me to treat people with dignity, respect and love.

• Are you working under the “it’s not personal” way of thinking?
• Do you believe you need to bow to the god of money?
• Can you bow to the true KING?
• Won’t you focus your behaviors on being a servant rather than seeking to be served?