Least Important Became Most

Least Important Became Most

Revelation 5: ⁶ Then I saw a Lamb standing in the center of the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb appeared to have been killed. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that have been sent through the whole earth. ⁷ The Lamb went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who sits on the throne. ⁸ As he did so, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people.

 

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When problems hit, I began to plan. “My” plans had worked before, so why not now. But the problem got worse and seemed to split into multiple problems. The more “I” tried to fix things the worse thing got. “Pray” someone said. Everything else failed, so I did. The problems started going away.

 

• I thought my plans would work.
• I thought I needed to take action.
• I realized that prayer should have been first.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw JESUS as the sacrificial Lamb standing, not sitting, in the center of the throne. HE had been viewed as the least important and was murdered by HIS own creation. The Lamb was able to take the scroll from the one who “sits” on the throne. Twenty-eight bowls filled with prayers of GOD’s people were there.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS was overlooked and was labeled the least important.
• JESUS volunteered to be blamed, slandered, and murdered for our sins.
• Prayer, surprisingly, is the only thing I can create here on earth that makes it into heaven.

 

One item that seems to be most valuable to GOD is prayer. HE loves prayer so much that HE stores each prayer up in a bowl. It makes me realize that it is not about the situation, rather it is about my prayer that GOD adores.

 

HE loves when I see beyond the circumstance to ask, or praise, or simply to give thanks. Every work I speak in sincere prayer makes it into the bowl. People say “You can’t take it with you” referring to money. But prayer is something I can take with me to heaven.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about the seven continents of world?
• Have you ever been in a situation that you thought more money or more fame would get you out of the problem?
• Will you pray to GOD and “ask” or “praise” or “thank” HIM for what HE’s already done so your prayer can be placed in a bowl before GOD’s throne today?

First Response

First Response

Colossians 3: ¹² You are the people of God; he loved you and chose you for his own. So then, you must clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. 

 

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“Aw man! I forgot a bag at the grocery store!” I said to myself. Knowing the day was full, I dreaded the trip back to the store. Long lines ran through my mind because I did not want to face this and to top it off, I noticed I had been double charged!

 

When I got there, another customer, who was returning things, moved slowly to the counter and painstakingly returned everything in the world!

 

• I had things to do and places to be.
• My first thought was to approach this with anger and rage.
• GOD made me choose smiling instead and the ordeal went quite pleasantly as I got my item and a refund for the double charge.

 

Paul tells everyone “You are the people of GOD” as if to say “Act like it.” He implies “Since you are people of GOD, act like HIM.” He then gives examples like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. These sound familiar. Oh yeah, the fruit of the SPIRIT.

 

My Observations

• When difficult situations arise, GOD wants me to rely on the HOLY SPIRIT for the answer.
• I sometimes want to respond with my instinct, BUT GOD wants me to respond with HIS qualities.
• My first response needs to be tamed with GOD’s compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

 

Better things happen when I come into a difficult or combative situation wearing the right clothes. I mean, when I walk into a circumstance prepared to use the fruit of the SPIRIT, things always go well. Unfortunately, I choose the argument or dive into combat, never once thinking what the other person is going through.

 

GOD gives me an alternative to my first response in difficult situations. Act like I am HIS. HE loved me enough to choose me. I owe my life to HIM. I walk around naked because of sin. HE says “Here. Put these clothes on.” I am glad HE cares for me and is willing to change my first response.

 

Challenge

• Do you get a sense of family from the writer?
• What does it mean to be “chosen” and “loved” by GOD?
• Will you put on the clothes of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience as your first response today?

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?

Servant Leadership

Mark 12: ³⁸ Then He said to them in His teaching, “Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces,³⁹ the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts, ⁴⁰ who devour widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. These will receive greater condemnation.”

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“Keep this confidential” they said as they handed me tickets to the island. All expenses were paid as a perk for doing such a good job leading a large team. “I could get used to this” I thought to myself.

• There have been times when I had the best.
• There have been times when my title made me feel like something special.
• There have been times when wanting first class upgrades seemed innocent.

Long robes, long titles and long prayers were not the problems JESUS was pointing out. HE was addressing a deeper problem, namely desire. The church leaders JESUS was talking to desired to be called by a title and have a wonderful office in the building they were trying to protect. This was theirs and annual celebrations would be bigger than any celebration of GOD.

• JESUS says to me “I want you to feed MY lambs.”
• JESUS says to me “I want you to tend MY sheep.”
• JESUS says to me “I want you to feed MY sheep.”

GOD’s concern is for everyone and HE needs some to serve others. The greater responsibility is to serve, not to be served. Not everyone is called to serve, but for those HE calls HE wants them to serve as HE served. GOD wants me to be a servant leader.

• Are you mad at GOD when the rich and powerful seem to get their way?
• Do you want your way to be in a “better” place?
• Can you ask GOD how HE wants you to serve others today?

Great Desires

Mark 10: ⁴¹ And when the ten heard it, they began to be greatly displeased with James and John. ⁴² But Jesus called them to Himself and said to them, “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. ⁴⁴ And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

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This time I had a plan. I would arrive a little early so I could position myself near the door. When the gym teacher would say “Go” I would burst out of the door and run to the fence. The first one to the fence would be the captain of the team and I wanted to be captain for a change. As I raced out the door the faster kids beat me profusely!

• There were times when I wanted to be on top.
• There were times when I wanted to be the one in charge.
• There were times when I wanted to be the person in the spotlight.

Competition and conflict spread through the disciples. Each one wanted to be great amongst men. JESUS saw what was going on so HE called them to teach them an important lesson about true greatness.

• JESUS says to me “If you want to be great you must desire to be a servant.”
• JESUS says to me “I did not come to be served, but to serve” so use this as you example.
• JESUS says to me “I came to ransom MY life for you and for many.”

Desire had to be put in check. JESUS wants me to desire to be great, but do it HIS way. HE came as a servant and wants me to be one too. HE knows the world would laugh at the things HE calls “great” like simply smiling at people or praying for those ahead of me in traffic.

“You call that great?” the world would say. GOD says “If you have served even a cup of water to these little ones you have served ME.” Yes, that is great! Now, back to the playground. I served as a person on the team as best I could and the team captain said, I want you on my team again. “Hmm, maybe there is something to serving after all.” I thought to myself.

• Do you desire to be great?
• Are you busy telling everyone how great you are?
• Can you redefine your definition of greatness as one who serve JESUS by serving others?

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?

Being the Boss

Matthew 20: ²⁴ When the ten heard about this, they were indignant with the two brothers. ²⁵ Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ²⁶ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ²⁷ and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— ²⁸ just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

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After learning a lot, I felt it was time for me to try my hand at management. I mean I was deemed the “best” in the department in the technical systems. I asked to lead a group and was given the okay. “Do this” and “Do that” were my first orders. Later, I received complaints about my “management style.”

• I once thought being the boss meant bossing people around.
• I once thought being the boss meant I was on top and everyone else was on the bottom.
• I once thought being the boss meant “do as I say” and that is that.

Being the boss quickly turned into a mutiny when I tried to flex my position. I went into my boss’s office to find no console. What was I to do? I still had to lead the people.

• GOD says to me “You must become a servant.”
• GOD says to me “I became a human to serve, not to be served.”
• GOD says to me “I freely gave MY life as a ransom for you and for many.”

JESUS wants me to follow HIS example of extreme servanthood in order to be the leader HE wants me to be. Human leaders boss people around, sometimes they bully people into action. GOD wants me to serve people into action. Those who respond to HIS example belong to HIM; those who do not respond are not mine to lead, it’s as simple as that.

Once I started “serving” the people, they began serving me and others. GOD enables me to serve in order to draw people back to HIM.

• Are you trying to be bossy?
• Do you criticize your leaders?
• Can you become a servant whether you are the boss or the employee for GOD today?

Special Treatment

Matthew 9: ¹⁴ Then John’s disciples came and asked him, “How is it that we and the Pharisees fast often, but your disciples do not fast?”

¹⁵ Jesus answered, “How can the guests of the bridegroom mourn while he is with them? The time will come when the bridegroom will be taken from them; then they will fast.

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Hungry and tired I sat at the reception. Finally the wedding party showed up and I got excited because I would finally eat. They put on some long program and I began to pout. Finally they started serving food. The servers passed by my table and went directly to the wedding party. “Hey! What about us over here?”

• Sometimes I ask “Why them and not me GOD?”
• Sometimes I ask “Why are they so special?”
• Sometimes I ask “Why do I have to do all this stuff and they don’t?”

Jealous of being last, I questioned why I wasn’t served first. I mean they were the ones who made “me” wait. “Shouldn’t they wait for their food?” was my flawed line of thinking.

• GOD says to me “The last shall be first and the first will be last.”
• GOD says to me “Do not be jealous of the BRIDEGROOM for HE has a special purpose.”
• GOD says to me “There is a time to make others special, have patience.”

This was my first wedding and a memorable one. That day makes me relate to this passage. “Why are ‘they’ so special that they don’t have to follow the rules” is the question at hand. JESUS said ‘They will follow the rules and do much more.’ JESUS knew the disciples had to go through a very difficult time.

What is amazing is JESUS took time to explain what was going on too those who sought HIM. John’s disciples were asking a question, not trying to trip JESUS up, but simply to understand “Doesn’t everyone have to follow the rules?” JESUS points out that HE is the most important rule. Celebrate HIM and you will have special treatment.

• Are you jealous of someone?
• Do you think it is not fair that you have to follow the rules and someone else doesn’t?
• Can you stop looking at other people and simply follow GOD where HE has you?