More Than Enough

More Than Enough

Titus 3: ⁶ God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for. ⁸ This is a true saying.

 

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Pouring a little water on the burning log, I thought the fire was out. The flames went away and it sizzled a little, so I assumed it was out. I came back a little while later only to see smoke. This made me curious so I watched it for a while. It did not blaze up, but smoke rose up more and more.

 

• I thought I used enough water.
• I thought a little water would do.
• I saw the fire go out but I did not use enough water to ensure the flames would not return.

 

Paul mentions how GOD “poured out the HOLY SPIRIT” on us. GOD did this “abundantly”  so that by HIS grace we might be put right with HIM and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for.

 

My Observations

• GOD saved me with an abundance of grace.
• GOD rescued me by HIS own decision.
• GOD gave me hope when it seems hopeless.

 

Abundance is something GOD wants me to see HE has plenty of. I mean, GOD does not do something half way. HE doesn’t just love me sometimes or care for me only when I’m good. HE loves me dearly when I make a mess of things and is always willing to receive me with open arms when I return to HIM.

 

GOD has an overflowing amount of grace. So much so, that HIS grace is sufficient to give me eternal life and hope in this life. I am truly grateful for HIS abundance!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use “abundantly” when describing GOD’s actions?
• Have you ever done something that wasn’t quite enough?
• Will you receive GOD’s abundance by believing in HIS SON JESUS, who saves all who are willing to believe today?

Titles May Mean Trouble

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Help me be a “real” man.

1 John 2: ¹² I am writing to you, dear children,
   because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.
¹³ I am writing to you, fathers,
   because you know him who is from the beginning.
I am writing to you, young men,
   because you have overcome the evil one.

¹⁴ I write to you, dear children,
   because you know the Father.
I write to you, fathers,
   because you know him who is from the beginning.
I write to you, young men,
   because you are strong,
   and the word of God lives in you,
   and you have overcome the evil one.

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Slow motion running was my best imitation of one of my television hero’s, “The Six Million Dollar Man.” Humming the theme music while running in slow motion, I could picture myself lifting cars with one hand or jumping over large crevasses.

Then I would imagine myself in the middle of some adventure. The bad guys would be getting away and I would use my slow motion running to catch them just like “Steve Austin.” “This was a real man” I thought to myself.

• GOD says real men know JESUS.
• GOD says real men have their sins forgiven because JESUS died for my sins.
• GOD says real me are earthly fathers who truly know GOD.
• GOD says real men overcome Satan’s temptations.
• GOD says real men are strong in the faith and HIS word lives in them.

Today’s man looks greedy, lustful, selfish, mean and nasty. In fact the more vile a “man” is the more of a “man” he is thought to be. GOD says HE wants men to be men the way HE made men. 

• I am a real man by staying away from adulterous affairs.
• I am a real man by following the leaders GOD puts in place.
• I am a real man by keeping faith even when things seem dismal.
• I am a real man by crying over my family’s pain and rejoicing when GOD brings us through.I am a real man because I love GOD!

• Do you know any “real” men?
• Single ladies, are you dating a real “Godly” man?
• Men, can you act like a “real man” today?

The most important thing

Hebrews 1:  

⁸ But about the Son he says,

   “Your throne, O God, will last for ever and ever;
   a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
⁹ You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
   therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
   by anointing you with the oil of joy.”

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Driving down the road to my class I listened to my favorite cassette (yes I said cassette). As I proceeded through the intersection another student made a left turn in front of me. My already raggedy car was totaled. This was the first of a series of events that seemed to go wrong.

I hadn’t prayed much nor had I attended church but during this stretch of “bad luck” I decided to pray. “GOD… why are you doing this to me?” The rest of the discussion went downhill from there. I think I mentioned that I was good or something.

Sometimes I view my salvation as something I deserve to have.

Sometimes I treat GOD like HE is mine.

Sometimes I look at GOD as a buddy who doesn’t mind my sin.

There have been many times where I have been selfish and wanted to tell GOD how things should be done. I focus on my problems and situations and ask GOD to focus on me for a moment. BUT GOD looks at things differently.

The FATHER raised HIS human SON and placed HIM back over everything.

The FATHER declares what is holy and what isn’t.

The FATHER anointed the SON with joy for saving me.

GOD wants me to look at the SON with reverence instead of getting angry at what I’m going through.  HE desires that I understand the SON’s position and place my faith in HIM.

What have you placed your faith in?

Are you depending on money or insurance to save you?

Are you blaming GOD for a situation you are going through?

Can you praise GOD today?

How many "Mommas and Daddies" do you have?

John 19:25Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. 26When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," 27and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.

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I just celebrated the 50th anniversary of my "Momma and Daddy" this past weekend. My parents had their 50th anniversary three years ago, but my "momma and daddy" just had theirs this past weekend. Confusing? It's not.

When I was raised, people truly lived like the African Proverb says, "It takes a village to raise a child." My parents were great. They provided a wonderful home, put food on the table and taught me about CHRIST. What more could I ask for? Well there was more.

As a teenager, I wanted to test the boundaries of what my parents were teaching. I would go over my friends house and see if I could get away with some things over there that I couldn't at my house.

We were loud and crazy over my friends house and then his father came downstairs and quickly shut all the craziness down and got us on track." Wow! Your parents are like mine", I said to my friend.

I was blessed with many "Mommas and Daddies" around my neighborhood. it seemed like all the "Mommas" could cook and all the "Daddies" had wise advice. One of my "Daddies" asked me and my friend where we were going that night. "The night club to have some fun", we responded.

He then proceeded to ask us "Where are you investing your money?" We had no answer. "Give to the LORD and save some", he said. I followed this principle the rest of my life and added my own twist to it. "Give to the LORD, save some and spend some."

JESUS sees the disciple who HE loved and HE sees HIS mother. I don't know where Joseph is and I would assume he is dead. JESUS had "step brothers" who Mary could have lived with, but JESUS says "Here is your mother."

I probably would have said "Here is your 'Momma'." JESUS knows the physical parent relationship is special, but HE also knows a caring relationship is just as special. HE loved HIS mother, Mary and HE loved John and knew they would care for each other.

This example of love would draw many people to CHRIST.

• A "Momma and Daddy" are examples to me.
• A "Momma and Daddy" may only say one thing that sticks with me the rest of my life.
• A "Momma and Daddy" trusts in the LORD and wants the best for me.

My "Mommas and Daddies" would go on to show me things my parents didn't do. Some of them taught me how to bowl and others to play games. All of my "Mommas and Daddies" showed me what was important and that is to keep CHRIST as the number one thing in my life.

• Can you recall a "Momma" or a "Daddy" in your life?
• Are you open to their correction and advice?
• Does your "Momma" and "Daddy" have your best interest in mind?
• Where are you getting "GODLY SPIRITUAL" advice from?