Make It Clear

Make It Clear

Colossians 4: ² Be persistent in prayer, and keep alert as you pray, giving thanks to God. ³ At the same time pray also for us, so that God will give us a good opportunity to preach his message about the secret of Christ. For that is why I am now in prison. ⁴ Pray, then, that I may speak, as I should, in such a way as to make it clear.

 

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“Why aren’t you hanging with us anymore?” was a question posed to me. We used to go out every weekend from one club to the next. But when my life changed, I sought something in life that seemed a bit more. I could not answer the question clearly.

 

• I had a sense of purpose but could not explain it well.
• I had to learn about JESUS and how to explain what I believed.
• I had done things one way for so long that I could not tell people why my life had changed.

 

Paul asks for prayer because his life had changed. He was a Pharisee of Pharisees, meaning he was a leader of leaders. He may have been wealthy being in this position and was very powerful. BUT JESUS met him and changed his life. He had to learn how to tell people about his encounter with the one true and living GOD.

 

My Observations

• It’s hard to explain why I believe in JESUS, but I do.
• Prayer is powerful and GOD will guide me to the right words.
• I need many people to pray for me to make “it” clear.

 

“It” is JESUS. I mean, making “it” clear is making JESUS clear to those who need hope and eternal life. To me, this is everyone. Unfortunately, the enemy, Satan, wants people to live blinded lives that do not ever seek HIM.

 

GOD wants HIS people to have peaceful lives full of love and abundant joy. HE also wants HIS SON known to all of mankind. HE uses imperfect people like me to say “I believe”, so others will do the same. I am glad I can have many people pray for me to make “it” clear.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer’s request?
• What is your purpose in life?
• Will you seek opportunities to speak “as you should” about JESUS to someone who needs hope and eternal life today?

Another Way

Another Way

Ephesians 2: In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins. ² At that time you followed the world's evil way; you obeyed the ruler of the spiritual powers in space, the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God. ³ Actually all of us were like them and lived according to our natural desires, doing whatever suited the wishes of our own bodies and minds. In our natural condition we, like everyone else, were destined to suffer God's anger.

 

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Growing up obeying the rules, I decided to step away from them to see what would happen. When I did not get struck with a bolt of lightning or get swallowed up by a fiery pit, I said to myself, “Maybe I can try more things that the rules say I shouldn’t.” When I found myself in deep trouble, I wondered how I got there.

 

• I was in a bad place with no hope.
• I felt I did not have a way out.
• I thought I was a disappointment to GOD and even HE would not help me.

 

Paul describes a progression towards a state of being that provides life. He spoke of a time in which the spiritual powers blinded people into following ways that would lead to GOD’s anger. Everyone suffered the natural condition. It seemed hopeless. BUT GOD had another way.

 

My Observations

• JESUS saw I could never achieve HIS required state of perfection so HE died for me.
• JESUS is GOD who became a human for me, was murdered by HIS creation and was raised from the dead, just for me.
• JESUS gave me another way that provides hope and a future.

 

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.”  GOD loved everyone enough to gave a gift. It is up to me to accept HIS gift and live inside of HIS path. Unfortunately there is an adversary who wants me to doubt GOD or blame HIM or question HIS authority or ways.

 

I then say things like “Why does GOD do…?” and “If GOD is so loving then why…?” I then question other people’s walk with JESUS and eventually my own. BUT GOD wants me to have a solid relationship with HIM. HE gave me the HOLY SPIRIT to dwell inside me and guide me to places of peace in stormy times. I am grateful GOD cares for me and I do not have to worry.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer is mentioning “the past?”
• Do you see there is an alternative?
• Will you seek a life that provides hope by asking GOD to handle all of your difficulties today?

Another Route

Another Route

Acts 19: ⁸ Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. ⁹ But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. ¹⁰ This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord.

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“There is no way to get there” were the sad words. “I’ll take you was my response. The roads were icy so many of them were closed. I tried the normal routes, only to be met with barriers. A thought popped in my head. “Try a route that is slightly unorthodox.” The back roads were open and even more treacherous. After much prayer and passing over 100 overturned trucks and cars, we made it. Now I had to make it home.

• There were times when it seemed impossible to get to the destination.
• There were times when it seemed like barriers kept popping up and I would never reach the goal.
• There were times when I felt like giving up, but was too deep into the journey to stop.

Paul spoke in the synagogue because it seemed like the right place to discuss the Messiah. He tried to reason with the church goers for months, but the crowd became obstinate. Paul and the disciples moved their gathering to a lecture hall where they could speak freely about JESUS being the Messiah. This was a better route.

• GOD wants me to know there will be barriers to speaking about HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand that obstacles will be placed in front of me.
• GOD wants me to allow HIM to provide another route to bring people to HIM.

Sometimes it feels hopeless, especially when the obstacles pile up all at once. BUT GOD shows HIS great plan and somehow clears the right path for me to follow. Time after time HE has provided when I could see no provision. I am amazed at HIS love.

• Are you facing an overwhelming number of obstacles?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Will you allow GOD to show you another route so you can see HIS power today?

Confusion Explained

Confusion Explained

Acts 1: ⁹ Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, ¹¹ who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

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“Can I help you?” was the question posed to me. Without letting me ask any questions another statement followed. “I see some confusion on your face and I am here to help.” Was I that transparent? Yes! I was frozen and did not know how to proceed. I was glad to have someone who cared.

• Many times I have been stuck and did not know what to do.
• Many times I was amazed at GOD for a moment, but stood frozen not knowing what to do the next day.
• Many times I saw incredible things GOD has done and did not know what to do next.

The disciples witnessed JESUS taken up into a cloud. Was this the same cloud JESUS used in the days of Moses? What will happen next? There were probably many questions on their minds. Two angels appeared and explained that the disciples should move on with their lives after seeing this marvelous event.

• GOD guides me after incredible events.
• GOD sends me after life-changing situations.
• GOD clears up my confusion because HE wants me to succeed.

When facing really difficult times, then out of nowhere, seeing GOD perform something incredible, it can cause confusion. BUT GOD is not the author of confusion. HE clears things up and guides those, who listen to HIM, on a journey towards abundant life.

GOD gives hope to the hopeless. “JESUS will return just as HE left” is the message of hope GOD gave to the disciples and all who believe in HIM. This incredible account fills many with hope and the everlasting water flows from all who accept the call. I am grateful for being sent.

• Have you experienced hearing from GOD but are now confused?
• Do you feel filled up one minute and empty the next?
• Will you let GOD clear up confusion and accept HIS journey HE has for you today?

You Are Good

You Are Good

John 7: ¹⁰ But when His brothers had gone up, then He also went up to the feast, not openly, but as it were in secret. ¹¹ Then the Jews sought Him at the feast, and said, “Where is He?” ¹² And there was much complaining among the people concerning Him. Some said, “He is good”; others said, “No, on the contrary, He deceives the people.” ¹³ However, no one spoke openly of Him for fear of the Jews.

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“Weakling!” was one of the random insults hurled at me by a person I did not know. “You think you are so smart” the unknown person said in a persecuting fashion. I was just standing there with my backpack full of math and physics books. Why did I feel bad?

• There were times when I felt I could not please anyone.
• There were times when I felt I could not be what others expected me to be.
• There were times when I felt I was the root of someone else’s problem.

The church leaders went looking to kill JESUS at the feast where people were supposed to be celebrating and remembering how GOD saved them. The crowd quickly turned against JESUS and complained about HIM, calling HIM a deceiver. Even those who witnessed the miracles HE performed became silent. Although a few did say “HE is good.”

• JESUS says to me “I have been slandered even though I have the best intentions for you.”
• JESUS says to me “I have been mislabeled even though I have shown nothing but love for you.”
• JESUS says to me “I have been blamed even though I cared for you.”

Blaming GOD seems to be a default when it comes to not getting “my” way. I mislabel HIS intentions and sometimes categorize them as “evil.” BUT GOD has no evil in HIM. HE has pure love for me and wants only the best for me.

My immature eyes are sometimes opened to HIS marvelous grace that I do not deserve. HE is not to blame, rather to thank. GOD has done so much for me that I cannot thank HIM enough. HE cleans me up from the inside by living in me and those who believe in HIM.

Now when someone slanders me, they are also slandering GOD inside me and vice versa. HE is the one who makes me clean. I am grateful HE calls me good.

• Have you been slandered?
• Do you feel bad about yourself because of what others have said about you?
• Do you think low about yourself even when others have not said anything about you?
• Will you accept the fact that when GOD made you and saved you HE said “You are good, no one can pluck you from MY hand”?

The LORD is ahead of me

Judges 4: ¹⁴ Then Deborah said to Barak, “Go! This is the day the Lord has given Sisera into your hands. Has not the Lord gone ahead of you?” So Barak went down Mount Tabor, with ten thousand men following him. ¹⁵ At Barak’s advance, the Lord routed Sisera and all his chariots and army by the sword, and Sisera got down from his chariot and fled on foot.

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“07734” were the numbers I used to type “hELL0” on the bulky calculator of the olden days! This was about the extent of my exposure to computers, yet the industry fascinated me. Four years later I entered college and felt overwhelmed. I didn’t even know where to get registered for my classes. Twenty years later I was the head of a department of technology people.

When I was going through school and entry level jobs, I had no idea what was in store for me. BUT GOD did.

• Sometimes I focus too much on the problems of today.
• Sometimes I want the obstacles to go away by themselves.
• Sometimes I think problems are much greater than they are.

If you would have told me I was going to be the head of a department when I received a letter from the dean stating I was no longer in school, I would have told you, “you are crazy!” BUT GOD said something much different than the problem I was facing at the time.

• GOD knows the plan HE has for me and it is good.
• GOD knows the obstacles I face and knows exactly how to strengthen me with them.
• GOD knows exactly how long to let a problem persist in order for me to fully understand HIS salvation in the matter.

Looking back, I can clearly see that it was GOD all along who was way ahead of me clearing my path. HE fought my battles and comforted me when I fell, over and over. HE taught me to pray for others especially those who do not like me and HE will fight all my battles. HE clears the way!

• Are you facing problems?
• Do you think you are alone?
• Can you look back on your life and see how GOD has worked in your life?
• Won’t you let HIM do marvelous things with your life by following HIS plan for you?