Leadership Prepared

Leadership Prepared

Exodus 4: ²⁷ And the Lord said to Aaron, “Go into the wilderness to meet Moses.” So he went and met him on the mountain of God, and kissed him. ²⁸ So Moses told Aaron all the words of the Lord who had sent him, and all the signs which He had commanded him. ²⁹ Then Moses and Aaron went and gathered together all the elders of the children of Israel. ³⁰ And Aaron spoke all the words which the Lord had spoken to Moses. Then he did the signs in the sight of the people. ³¹ So the people believed; and when they heard that the Lord had visited the children of Israel and that He had looked on their affliction, then they bowed their heads and worshiped.

 

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GOD spoke to Aaron based on Moses’s request, and sent him to meet Moses on top of the mountain of GOD. After they met they wen to Egypt and met with the elders. There they performed the miracles they were going to perform in front of Pharaoh.

 

My Observations:

• GOD interacts with our free will and HIS will in a way that HE can listen to a request and already know the outcome.
• GOD sent Aaron to Mount Horeb, which is also called Mount Sinai, to have Moses show him the bush that didn’t burn up and to discuss all that GOD said.
• Moses and Aaron went to the elders of the children of Israel and performed all the signs that GOD was about to do.

 

Talk about preparation! GOD did some amazing things in this passage of scripture that I have never noticed before in my life! HE sent Aaron to meet Moses on a huge mountain. They found each other. Moses was probably pretty excited as he pointed to a bush that looked like any old bush, but he saw it on fire at one point.

 

Second Observations:

• I believe the preincarnate JESUS went to send Aaron.
• I believe the HOLY SPIRIT led Aaron directly to Moses.
• I believe the FATHER was orchestrating the salvation of HIS people through JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT, because THEY do not need credit for who was doing what.

 

Moses and Aaron probably talked all the way to Egypt and caught up on forty years of low to no contact. When they arrived, they gathered the elders from each tribe who would tell the history to the people. They performed many of the signs that GOD would have them perform. I say “many” because no one died, which was the last plague that would be imposed on Egypt. The people “believed” and they “worshiped.”

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about when Aaron was sent and the signs they performed in front of the children of Israel?
• Have you ever had an encounter with GOD that you were excited to share with people?
• What is GOD preparing you and others for?

Something to Focus On

Something to Focus On

Revelation 1: ⁴ From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace be yours from God, who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits in front of his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first to be raised from death and who is also the ruler of the kings of the world.

He loves us, and by his sacrificial death he has freed us from our sins ⁶ and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father. To Jesus Christ be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

⁷ Look, he is coming on the clouds! Everyone will see him, including those who pierced him. All peoples on earth will mourn over him. So shall it be!

⁸ “I am the first and the last,” says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.

 

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Worried about life, I felt like giving up. My “try harder” did not seem like it was getting “me” anywhere. As bills grew, so did my complaints. I could not find rest because the people I hung around also had many bills and complaints.

 

• My focus on life had turned into how much money I had or did not have.
• After complaining and worrying enough, I could only see problems.
• Victory was not even in my vocabulary because “I” did not feel victorious.

 

John starts his book by telling the believers that GOD, HIMSELF, sends HIS grace and peace. Not only HIM, but the seven SPIRITS and JESUS also send the message of grace and peace. All had seemed lost and humanity would belong to Satan. BUT JESUS, “the faithful witness” was “the first to be raised from death” and HE “freed us from our sins.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD, who is, who was and who is to come, is not worried about what is going to happen to me because HE has already seen me in a victorious state of being.
• JESUS freed me from death, pain and misery, so whatever I go through now is only temporary.
• GOD said, I AM the first and the last” meaning anything HE says can be counted on.

 

When life brings challenges, there is hope. I mean, human demands for unholy things can make anyone feel like all hope is lost, BUT when GOD tells me “everything turned out fine” I can believe it.

 

My focus needs to shift from the day to day worriers over to eternal victory. GOD may never say  “Did you work harder?” or “Did you get that gym shoe?”, or  “Did you accumulate as many earthly riches as you could?” Instead HE will ask “How many people did you serve the way I intended?” I am willing to change my focus over to the victory that has already happened!

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer sends “grace and peace” from GOD?
• Have you ever worried about something and could only focus on your worries?
• Will you change your focus by believing that JESUS is already victorious over your temporary situations today?

Instructions Not for Everyone

 

Instructions Not for Everyone

Revelation 1: This book is the record of the events that Jesus Christ revealed. God gave him this revelation in order to show to his servants what must happen very soon. Christ made these things known to his servant John by sending his angel to him, ² and John has told all that he has seen. This is his report concerning the message from God and the truth revealed by Jesus Christ. ³ Happy is the one who reads this book, and happy are those who listen to the words of this prophetic message and obey what is written in this book! For the time is near when all these things will happen.

 

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Reading the note left on the desk, I was confused. It had instructions that did not make sense to me. When I asked about the note, the response was “Oh, that note was not for you.”

 

• The note had instructions that were meant for a specific person.
• I was not the person who the note was written for.
• The instructions on the note probably made sense to the intended recipient.

 

John, the disciple who JESUS loved, was given a revelation of things to come by JESUS. HE told John that the origin of the revelation came from GOD and that it is true. This message was intended to “bless” those who believe they need to be saved by JESUS. John knew the message would be difficult so he probable did not want to trouble the reader, rather provide comfort.

 

My Observations:

• GOD revealed what “must happen”, so it is not up to debate or question.
• GOD is preparing HIS followers to get ready for the events HE has already seen.
• GOD wants us to be obedient to HIS revelation by reporting visions of what will take place.

 

The book of Revelation can be scary to those who do not believe in JESUS. I mean, it is filled with judgment and some very harsh times ahead for humanity. Many people will question GOD’s intent, BUT HE revealed that those who read and obey the revelation would be blessed.

 

GOD shows us HIS grace by telling us what will happen. HE did not have to do this. BUT HE wanted believers to be prepared. Knowing the events that “must happen” changes my mindset to be focused on what GOD wants.

 

Challenge

• What level of urgency is the writer expressing?
• Have you ever received a message intended only for you?
• Will you read what GOD has revealed about JESUS and take the prophetic words as a message of love today?

Live In

 

Live In

2 John 1: ⁴ How happy I was to find that some of your children live in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. ⁵ And so I ask you, dear Lady: let us all love one another. This is no new command I am writing you; it is the command which we have had from the beginning. ⁶ This love I speak of means that we must live in obedience to God's commands. The command, as you have all heard from the beginning, is that you must all live in love.

 

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“Once you join the group, you have to follow the rules” a group leader said. I wanted to be part of the prestigious group so I did everything the group said. Once inside I became an ambassador for the group, taunting people to join and to be like “us.”

 

• I was totally invested in the group.
• I believed in the group so much, that I talked about the group’s decisions all the time.
• I even thought the group was the answer to some problems people were having in life.

 

John expressed the excitement of seeing “some” people living in the truth of GOD. He could see their lives were different than others because they took GOD’s words to heart and were loving one another. They were no longer living outside of GOD’s love.

 

My Observations:

• I may try to leave GOD, BUT HE will never leave me.
• GOD loves when I live in HIS truth and obey what HE says in HIS word, which is the Bible.
• Obedience to GOD requires that I surrender my life to HIM which gives me more freedom than I thought.

 

At one time I thought GOD was a restrainer who couldn’t wait to punish me. I mean, isn’t the Bible a list of rules that hypocrites use to control people? No! GOD revealed HIS love and spoke to many writers to reveal HIS SON, JESUS as the Savior from blindness of HIM.

 

Sin caused all humans to be blind to GOD’s love and we needed help. JESUS took our punishment and sent the HOLY SPIRIT to open the wyes of believers. This causes you and me to be able to “live in” the truth, obedience and love. I am glad GOD made a way.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer used the words “some of your children?”
• Have you ever wanted to be part of an organization, so you learned the rules and stuck to them?
• Will you take whatever battles you are creating and surrender them to GOD so you can live in HIS truth, by obeying HIS commands so you can live in HIS love today?

This is What Love Is

 

This is What Love Is

1 John 4: ⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹ And God showed his love for us by sending his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him. ¹⁰ This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven.

 

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Receiving a note with “Yes” or “No” boxes drawn on it and the words “Do you like me?” made my heart leap! I was in “love” and I didn’t know it until I got the note. Later in life, we were ogling over body shapes. I was in “love” with the body shape that was talked about most.

 

• My definition of love was skewed.
• My thought of what love is was defined by my own lusts.
• My description of love came from a human perspective which was very wrong.

 

John goes back to the greatest commandment given by JESUS, namely “love one another.” He didn’t leave it up to interpretation for those who were looking for selfish vaunts, rather he defined what true love is.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave up something extremely precious just to have a relationship with me.
• GOD is made up of love so HIS definition is pure.
• GOD’s example of love can only be mimicked by humans in a tiny way.

 

Sin taints my definition of love. I mean, whatever I view as “love” may be mixed in with the world’s definition and it could contain selfishness, envy, jealousy and pride. When “I” am not getting the things “I” feel “I” should get, then perhaps “I” am not being loved. GOD says, this is not HIS definition.

 

JESUS volunteered to become a human, die for the sins of humanity and be raised from the dead. HE and HE alone can forgive sins that would otherwise, cause eternal death, suffering and pain. GOD loved us first, so much so, that HE gave up HIS one and only SON for us. I am so glad GOD loves me with pure love.

 

Challenge:

• What do you think the writer spells put “What love is?”
• Do you have a definition of love in your mind that causes someone to fail?
• Will you look at GOD’s definition of love and rethink yours so you can spread HIS love to everyone HE sends you to today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD HEAVENLY FATHER, thank YOU for showing us love when we were selfishly using our own definition. Dear JESUS, thank YOU for dying for our sins. We celebrate YOUR resurrection!  amen

Fruit Bearing Love

Fruit Bearing Love

Philemon 1: ⁴ Brother Philemon, every time I pray, I mention you and give thanks to my God. ⁵ For I hear of your love for all of God's people and the faith you have in the Lord Jesus. ⁶ My prayer is that our fellowship with you as believers will bring about a deeper understanding of every blessing which we have in our life in union with Christ. ⁷ Your love, dear brother, has brought me great joy and much encouragement! You have cheered the hearts of all of God's people.

 

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Waking up with a horrified feeling, I remembered it was Valentines Day. The teacher told us to bring Valentines cards to pass out to the class. I did not have money or a means to get to the store if I did have any. I had a great idea that I would make the Valentines, but I forgot.

 

• I felt I did not live up to the standard.
• I felt I embarrassed.
• I did not know this was not the definition of love GOD desired, so I felt rotten.

 

Paul spoke highly of Philemon. He pointed out Philemon’s love and faith as being a great example. The basis of Philemon’s love was his faith in JESUS. His heart must have been overflowing, because he “cheered the hearts of all GOD’s people.”

 

My Observations

• The world may have a definition of what love looks like, BUT GOD has a different criteria.
• I should have room in my heart for people who love me and for those who are against me.
• GOD’s love bears fruit for HIM that cannot be denied, even by those who have fallen into a trap of defining a different love.

 

Redefining love has gotten me into trouble. I mean, when I thought love was catering to every worldly desire a person could dream up, I found myself never quite measuring up. BUT GOD had a remedy.

 

JESUS showed me the ultimate example of love for mankind. HE never fell for Satan’s tactics to draw HIM away from showing love to HIS creation. HE was gentle when other people slandered HIS name and surrounded HIM with lies, ultimately crucifying HIM because of their insecurities. I am so glad JESUS quietly took all of my punishment and gave me an example of true love to strive for.

 

Challenge

• What “love” is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever felt bad because you did not give or receive love the way the world has defined it?
• Will you renew your mind on what love looks like and ask GOD for HIS type of love that bears fruit for HIM today?

Controlled Life

Controlled Life

Ephesians 5: Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like him. ² Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave his life for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.

 

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Finally deciding to graduate, I focused on studying. I disappeared from having “fun” and focused on what I was supposed to do. It worked! I applied this focus on pursuing lustful items such as power, sex, and money. Each took time and controlled my life in its pursuit.

 

• I could not stop until I got what I wanted.
• I lost sleep over fruitless pursuits.
• I was controlled by the pleasures of life rather than something more solid.

 

Being adopted into a family means acting like the family. This overall behavior was the plea of Paul to everyone who believed in GOD. Since we cannot be GOD we can try to be like HIM on some level. The one way to be like GOD is to love like HIM.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s definition of “love” is far greater than anything I can imagine.
• JESUS provided me with the ultimate example of “love.”
• “Love” is an eternal pursuit that GOD wants for me.

 

Getting my way is not love. I mean, GOD says no to many of my requests, especially when they are harmful to others or myself. When I don’t get “my” way, I pout and question GOD’s “love.” HE forgives my childish tantrums and opens my eyes to the sacrifice JESUS made.

 

Humans were created out of love, for love by love. GOD is pure love and cannot be tainted. JESUS controlled HIS life out of love. HE never wavered from HIS purpose. I am glad JESUS forgives me daily and I ask for the tiniest bit of HIS love to control my life.

 

Challenge

• How does the writer appeal to everyone?
• Have you ever had something control your life like work or an addiction or loneliness?
• Will you let go of the things that easily control you and allow GOD to fill empty spaces in your heart with overflowing love for yourself and others today?

Untwisted Love

Untwisted Love

1 Corinthians 13: I may be able to speak the languages of human beings and even of angels, but if I have no love, my speech is no more than a noisy gong or a clanging bell. ² I may have the gift of inspired preaching; I may have all knowledge and understand all secrets; I may have all the faith needed to move mountains—but if I have no love, I am nothing. ³ I may give away everything I have, and even give up my body to be burned—but if I have no love, this does me no good.

 

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Reviewing another human’s actions and comparing them to this list, I can only come to the conclusion that all humans hate each other. Not one can do what is said in this list. But rereading the list, replacing the word “love” with “JESUS” and now, the list makes sense.

 

• My “love” will be misinterpreted.
• Someone else’s “love” can be misunderstood.
• Our “love” can be selfish, filled with sin, and, in reality, twisted and false.

 

Paul wrote an entire letter, trying to get this church to focus on spreading the good news about JESUS. Unfortunately, the selfish look at this list as a “what about me?” list.  Paul was trying to unify “the body” and provided the only solution. Rereading the list shows the need for JESUS and it stops there.

 

My Observation

• I may be able to do many things, but if I have no JESUS, the things I do are worthless.
• I may be able to acquire large sums of money but if I have no JESUS, the material possessions will hold me.
• I may be able to give up everything and be homeless, serving worthy causes, but if I have no JESUS, all my actions will be in vain.

 

JESUS is pure love because HE is GOD. Measuring someone else’s “love” would be problematic because there would always be a smidge of sin in it. Love cannot contain a smidge of sin, hurt or hate, so JESUS had to provide pure love to the world.

 

My “love” is tainted, but GOD has given me pure love that is not. I am glad I can point people to this pure love so anyone who accepts HIM will feel true love.

 

Challenge

• When you replace the word “love” in the passage above, what do you notice?
• What do you observe about the list of comparison items such as languages, preaching, understanding scripture, faith and sacrifice?
• Who did the Pharisees overlook and what actions did they pride themselves on?
• Will you rethink love and focus on JESUS versus the tainted love humans give?

Keep Away From Them

 

Keep Away From Them

Romans 16: ¹⁷ I urge you, my friends: watch out for those who cause divisions and upset people's faith and go against the teaching which you have received. Keep away from them! ¹⁸ For those who do such things are not serving Christ our Lord, but their own appetites. By their fine words and flattering speech they deceive innocent people. ¹⁹ Everyone has heard of your loyalty to the gospel, and for this reason I am happy about you. I want you to be wise about what is good, but innocent in what is evil. ²⁰ And God, our source of peace, will soon crush Satan under your feet.

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

 

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Willing to do anything legal for money, I stretched my values to include fine words and flattering speech to get “my” way. It worked. When the company came to me and said it was my job to explain away mistakes made by senior leaders, I got right in line and gave the story the right “spin” to make the $500 million gaff look salvageable.

 

• There have been times when I used “spin” to justify problems.
• There have been times when I used fine words to wow the crowd over.
• There have been times when I used flattering speech to keep the crowd from leaving.

 

Paul uses wisdom to explain a very important subject. Keep away from those who cause division and upset people’s faith. He knew some people would be very polished in their delivery and could grow large crows by their flattery. He also knew they were not speaking or living the Gospel of JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to stay away from smooth talkers who do not live for or speak about JESUS.
• GOD wants me to stay away from the large crowd that seems powerful but is weak compared to JESUS.
• GOD wants me to recognize when someone is a deceiver based on their words that serve their own appetites.

 

Belief is in short supply these days. I mean it seems like leaders can lie and get away with it. Meanwhile, innocent people are hurt because of the flattering words. BUT GOD sees you. GOD sees those who believe in HIS SON and HE is happy with you and me.

 

HE removes my flattering fine words that would make “me” rich and replaces them with HIS Good News which is quite offensive in most circles. GOD wants to be first so HE will crush Satan under our feet. I am glad the grace of JESUS is with me.

 

• Are you seeking to be the answer?
• Will you lose your life trying to please the crowd instead of speaking up for JESUS?
• Will you leave the crowd that has flattering fine words so GOD can use you to speak about HIS SON today?

Included and Protected

 

Included and Protected

Romans 8: ³¹ In view of all this, what can we say? If God is for us, who can be against us? ³² Certainly not God, who did not even keep back his own Son, but offered him for us all! He gave us his Son—will he not also freely give us all things? ³³ Who will accuse God's chosen people? God himself declares them not guilty! ³⁴ Who, then, will condemn them? Not Christ Jesus, who died, or rather, who was raised to life and is at the right side of God, pleading with him for us! ³⁵ Who, then, can separate us from the love of Christ? Can trouble do it, or hardship or persecution or hunger or poverty or danger or death? ³⁶ As the scripture says,

 

“For your sake we are in danger of death at all times;
    we are treated like sheep that are going to be slaughtered.”

 

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“You wouldn’t be welcome there” were the disappointing words of exclusion said to me from my boss. I was warned he struggled with racism, but I hoped he could see something different in me if I treated him with love. After a while, I found myself looking for a job. I was inclined to ask “LORD, why do those who do bad things, seem to ‘win’ all the time?”

 

• There have been some people who told me I would not amount to anything.
• There have been some people who excluded me from their groups.
• There have been some people who tried to slander me, steal from me and lie about me, just to keep me out.

 

Paul says something fantastic. “If GOD is for us, who can be against up?” He explains that GOD allowed HIS own SON to die and be raised for us. Who can then be an accuser if GOD declares us “not guilty?” He then explains that nothing in this world can separate us form GOD’s love.

 

• GOD says to me, “People will try to exclude you from my love but they cannot.”
• GOD says to me, “People will try to accuse you to ME and I said you are not guilty.”
• GOD says to me, “People will try to harm you so you will blame ME, but I AM with you always.”

 

Even liars who mention JESUS in the wrong way cannot separate me from HIS actual love. I mean, there will be groups of people who make JESUS look false and try to insert their philosophy, blinding many. BUT GOD says, “MY sheep hear MY voice.”

 

No lie, plot, or exclusion tactic can separate those who believe in JESUS from salvation. GOD loved freely and will give freely to anyone who believes in JESUS. I am glad HE does not exclude me because of my sins.

 

• Are you being excluded?
• Has someone, who speaks about JESUS, hurt you and caused you to seek other “truths?”
• Will you turn to the path of GOD’s infinite love for you and allow HIM to come into your heart today by believing in JESUS, who will never leave you nor forsake you?

Exercise Worth Doing

 Exercise Worth Doing

Romans 5: Now that we have been put right with God through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ² He has brought us by faith into this experience of God's grace, in which we now live. And so we boast of the hope we have of sharing God's glory! ³ We also boast of our troubles, because we know that trouble produces endurance, ⁴ endurance brings God's approval, and his approval creates hope. ⁵ This hope does not disappoint us, for God has poured out his love into our hearts by means of the Holy Spirit, who is God's gift to us.

 

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Malnourishment set in because I did not like most food. In gym class I could not do most of the exercises because I was too weak. I tried climbing the rope, but did not make it far. “Why are we climbing ropes anyway?” I thought to myself. This exercise was not worth doing.

 

• There were some circumstances I avoided because I felt it was not worth it.
• There were some situations I did not want to face because I was too embarrassed or proud.
• There were some troubles I faced and did not want many people to know about it.

 

Paul switches from explaining the Law of Moses to talking about how JESUS has brought us by faith into the experience of GOD’s grace. He emphasizes that since we have peace with GOD we can excitedly share hope to many people. We can also see our trouble differently. Trouble is our new exercise that brings on GOD’s approval when we excitedly share it with the same hope.

 

• GOD knows I will face difficult times.
• GOD knows the way out of difficulty is through the prayers of many.
• GOD wants me to share my trouble with those who will pray with me and for me.

 

Sharing trouble is not fun, especially if there are a lot of them for a long, long, long time. BUT GOD knows this exercise of sharing brings on endurance. HE needs people who can endure long enough to bring others to HIM. The world is busy trying to emphasize trouble and keep people focused on “their” cure.

 

GOD wants the focus. HE knows that when I see my trouble as exercise, HE approves my faith as righteousness and fills me with the HOLY SPIRIT. This is exciting enough to share with the world. Yes, I face many troubles, but I am glad GOD approves of me, even if I am afraid, ashamed or worried.

 

• Are you in trouble and afraid to share your troubles with a group you feel will judge you?
• Are you tired of facing, yet another, trouble?
• Will you take a fresh look at your trouble to see if GOD is giving you an exercise in an area of your life HE wants to strengthen so you can joyously share HIM no matter what storm comes?

For the Kids

For the Kids

Acts 13: ²⁶ “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. ²⁷ For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. ²⁸ And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. ²⁹ Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised Him from the dead. ³¹ He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. ³² And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. ³³ God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:

‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’

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“Jump in the car” a neighbor said. I was delighted to be invited to go to the park. “Come bowling with us” another neighbor said. I was elated to do something I had never done. “Stay for dinner” another neighbor said to me. “Of course!” I answered with stomach growling.

• Many times I have been treated well by my neighbors.
• Many times I have seen generosity in action.
• Many times I have been given gifts and opportunities just because someone wanted to do something just because I was a kid.

Paul continues to preach. He explains that the very person who was lied about, shamed, murdered and put in a tomb was the being they should have paid attention to. JESUS was who Paul spoke about fervently. He also explained how GOD raised JESUS from the dead.

• GOD did amazing things just for me.
• GOD raised JESUS from the dead, just for me.
• JESUS fulfilled all prophecy, just for me.

The FATHER does care. HE watches over me, guides me and loves me so much that HE allowed HIS SON to be murdered for me. HE raised HIM form the dead, giving HIM all authority. HE has shown extreme care. I am grateful for HIS love.

• Are you alone?
• Do you need to be shown love?
• Will you look to GOD and know HE loves you dearly just for being you?

Relieved and Excited

Relieved and Excited

Acts 12: ¹¹ And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people.”

¹² So, when he had considered this, he came to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose surname was Mark, where many were gathered together praying. ¹³ And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a girl named Rhoda came to answer. ¹⁴ When she recognized Peter’s voice, because of her gladness she did not open the gate, but ran in and announced that Peter stood before the gate. ¹⁵ But they said to her, “You are beside yourself!” Yet she kept insisting that it was so. So they said, “It is his angel.”

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“At least it’s not raining anymore” I said to the other long-faced campers. Moments later, the van rolled back to the campsite with the injured child all bandaged up. They had been gone for hours. I was relieved that the person was alright. I was more relieved to have our leader back. I mean we couldn’t do anything without him and we were bored!

• When the trial is over, I get relieved.
• When the trial is over, I get excited.
• When the trial is over, I want to tell everyone.

Rhoda answered the door, heard Peter’s voice and became so excited that she forgot to open the door. Everyone at the house was mourning the death or Mary’s son, James brother of John. It seemed like the little excitement of seeing the power of the HOLY SPIRIT was lost. But Peter arrived under impossible odds. The excitement grew.

• GOD wants me to seek HIM in the middle of mourning.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM in the middle of the trial.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM in the middle of the pain.

It is not easy to praise GOD when it seems like all is lost. I mean, just when I start living my life for GOD, it seems like more problems occur. GOD knows the persecution will increase when I give my life to HIM. BUT GOD does provide relief and excitement that keeps me going. Some things cannot be fixed, but I put my trust in GOD to use them for HIS good.

• Are you in mourning?
• Does it seem like all is lost?
• Will you understand that it is alright to be in mourning and GOD loves you even though it may be difficult to hear that right now?

Dear LORD, please heal those hurting right now. Bless them with peace that only comes from you. amen

Loved

Loved

John 16: ²⁵ “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; ²⁷ for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. ²⁸ I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

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After being dumped by someone I liked, I said “no one will love me.” I felt dejected. After a while, I went out with someone else. After a job elimination I said “No one will hire me.” I felt lost. After a while, I found another position.

• I have felt abandoned.
• I have felt lonely.
• I have felt unwanted, undesired and unloved.

JESUS speaks plainly to HIS disciples by saying “The FATHER loves you because you love ME.” JESUS was giving HIS disciples a direct connection to the FATHER, who has all power.

• GOD wants me to know HE loves me.
• GOD wants me to know HE cares about me.
• GOD wants me to know HE wants the best for me.

Love seems to be rare these days. With the major focus on humans ripping each other apart with poisonous words, there is not much room for love. BUT GOD sees those who love JESUS. HE can see though all of the sin, anger and hatred to find those who are truly seeking HIM.

HE guides those HE loves with the HOLY SPIRIT and forgives all sin through HIS SON, JESUS. GOD is marvelous and I feel loved by HIM. I am no longer lonely because of GOD.

• Do you feel unloved?
• Do you feel dejected?
• Will you love JESUS so HE can open your eyes to how much GOD loves you?

The Big Reveal

John 1: ¹⁴ The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

¹⁵ (John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, ‘This is the one I spoke about when I said, “He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.”’) ¹⁶ Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. ¹⁷ For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in the closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

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“Do you know who you were talking to?” someone inquired. “No, who?” I replied. “That’s the famous bowler who is sponsoring this event.” I knew the name from TV and I wanted to meet the pro bowler. It was exciting. I went beck over and said his name. He smiled and shook my hand again. He did not reveal who he was. I should have known.

• I have met many famous people without really knowing who they were.
• I have had my eyes opened to several famous people by someone who recognized them.
• I have sat in the room with famous people and did not recognize them until someone revealed who they were.

John revealed who The WORD was, namely JESUS. John then tells us that JESUS was with GOD and is GOD. He then explains that GOD showed us grace by giving us the law through Moses and HE gave us more grace by giving us HIS SON who died for us.

• GOD says to me “I AM full of grace and truth.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the one who has the power to rescue you from MY wrath.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the one who voluntarily gave up MY life to save you.”

“Grace and truth” are wonderful gifts JESUS enjoys giving me. HE guides and provides and shows me how much HE loves me every day. HE is “The WORD” and through HIS actions I am saved. I am grateful JESUS revealed HIMSELF to me.

• Are you searching for famous people?
• Do you want to be famous?
• Will you seek JESUS in the same way as searching for people you want to be around today?

Addressing Racism

Luke 9: ⁵¹ Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem, ⁵² and sent messengers before His face. And as they went, they entered a village of the Samaritans, to prepare for Him. ⁵³ But they did not receive Him, because His face was set for the journey to Jerusalem. ⁵⁴ And when His disciples James and John saw this, they said, “Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?”

⁵⁵ But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. ⁵⁶ For the Son of Man did not come to destroy men’s lives but to save them.” And they went to another village.

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While walking back to my dorm room a guy stuck his head out of his room and cried out “Hey (racial slur)!” This infuriated me! I not only wanted to fight, but from then on I called him “(racial slur)”. The fight for “justice” was on!

• There were times when I was enraged by others who treated me poorly because of my race.
• There were times when I was filled with rage when I perceived people not accepting me because of my race.
• There were times when I refused to serve anyone who was not in my race and I labeled “them” as being racist.

JESUS was rejected and not allowed to stay in an entire village because of HIS race. The Samaritans, who had been looked down upon by the Jews, saw an opportunity to give a little “justice” and sent JESUS and HIS friends away. When James and John saw they could not reason with hatred they asked JESUS “Should we have them killed?” JESUS had another plan.

• GOD wants me to love those who hate me.
• GOD wants me to stay focused on HIS kingdom rather than focusing on the many sins of humans.
• GOD wants me to examine my hatred towards others daily and to give it to HIM so HIS love may win them over to the kingdom.

Forgiveness of other races did not start with a few select humans in history rather it was started by GOD. JESUS was hated by HIS own creation simply because HE loved them. No matter what HE did or how hard HE tried, HIS owns creation blamed HIM for every problem. HE received no rest.

JESUS wants me to recognize the need for GOD rather than seeing yet another sinful act of a human.  Since HIS wish is not to send humans to hell, I should never wish someone there. GOD is the only one who can turn my furious hatred into genuine love for others. HIS love creates fruit for HIS kingdom through me.

• Do you see actions around you that can be labeled “micro-aggressive?”
• Do you perceive unfair treatment because of who you are?
• Will you pray for your rage to subside and for HIS love to enter you and those who are the aggressors?
• Will you ask for courage to treat the multitudes with love in spite of how they treat you?