Detached

 

Detached

1 Corinthians 12: ²¹ So then, the eye cannot say to the hand, “I don't need you!” Nor can the head say to the feet, “Well, I don't need you!” ²² On the contrary, we cannot do without the parts of the body that seem to be weaker; ²³ and those parts that we think aren't worth very much are the ones which we treat with greater care; while the parts of the body which don't look very nice are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ which the more beautiful parts do not need. God himself has put the body together in such a way as to give greater honor to those parts that need it. ²⁵ And so there is no division in the body, but all its different parts have the same concern for one another. ²⁶ If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it; if one part is praised, all the other parts share its happiness.

 

============

 

Walking into church, someone greeted me by name. I had no clue what his name was so I politely greeted him and kept going. This surface conversation was replicated with several people until service was over. I went home with no one knowing me or the circumstances I was going through.

 

• It was easy to be detached from other people’s problems.
• It was easy to smile in a group when everything was going wrong inside.
• It was easy to put up a front in church because others were doing the same.

 

Paul continues explaining the “body” of CHRIST. He flips from those who felt lesser than others to those who feel superior to people. “I don’t need you” is the mistake Paul is trying to correct. This brazen line of thinking is fostered by pride  and societal structures that naturally form hierarchies.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to break down hierarchies.
• GOD wants me to value what everyone brings to HIM.
• GOD wants me to know that when one person suffers, it is my obligation to suffer “with” him or her.

 

Detaching from people is easy and sometimes necessary. Carrying too many burdens can cause one to fall into despair. On the other hand, being detached puts up a façade that everything is alright, meanwhile life keeps getting messier and messier. GOD wants the “body” HE made to be there for one another.

 

No one is greater than another person. Only GOD is greater than all. We are made to share our hurts, pains, sins and point people to JESUS for salvation. Looking good in front of people is not the answer. Sharing JESUS as the healer, is the only way to truth. I am grateful for and need the body of CHRIST.

 

Challenge

• Do you feel it is easier to do things by yourself?
• What do you notice about the term “I don’t need you” in this explanation?
• What are your thoughts on “division?
• ”Will you seek help or seek to be helpful to someone today?

I Doubt It

Matthew 14: ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

============

After searching for a while I prayed, “LORD help me find my license.” Then it came to me, “Look behind the desk.” It was there. After being in school for too long I stubbornly prayed, “LORD please help me graduate.” Seemingly in no time, I graduated. After job loss and bills were mounting I thought, “I wonder if GOD will hear me.” I doubt it.

• There are situations that I think are too large for GOD.
• There are times when the world is coming at me so fast that I think GOD cannot possibly handle this!
• There are circumstances where I think my sin is greater than GOD’s grace so I doubt HIS grace.

During the winds of life I simply want things under “my” control. I try to place logic around what’s going on and somehow I can’t make things make sense. The question “why” would pop into my mind without resolution. My doubt grew. BUT GOD had a remedy.

• GOD wants me to focus on praising HIM so I can build stronger faith.
• GOD wants me to rest in HIM so I can calm down enough to hear HIS voice.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM versus seeking to always “fix” the problem.

Sometimes it is best to let go of the problem for a while and just walk out to GOD. HE can handle life’s troubles while I take steps towards HIM. Since GOD was only an earshot away, Peter wasn’t far from making it all the way to HIM, same with me.

GOD wants me to have total trust that HE has the situation fully covered. HE wants me to stop looking around and look at only at HIM.  GOD is my complete Savior.

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Have you trusted HIM in the past and are choosing not to trust HIM now?
• Can you drop your timelines and focus only on how GOD is blessing you today?
• Will you take more steps towards HIM today?

Not by Force

Hosea 1: ⁷ Yet I will show love to Judah; and I will save them—not by bow, sword or battle, or by horses and horsemen, but I, the Lord their God, will save them.”

============

In a tiny tantrum I said “I will not serve YOU GOD!” At that time things were just not going well at all. The wheels were flying off of school and my car was falling apart. After graduating I remained in my pouting state, meanwhile my loneliness was increasing and the pressures of life were mounting. Finally, I was in a place where I had nowhere to turn. “GOD, please help me I muttered pitifully.”

• Sometimes I do not think GOD is the answer.
• Sometimes I blame GOD for my problems.
• Sometimes I look at GOD as something I do rather than someone to be with.

When I tried to leave GOD it’s as if HE said “Okay” and let me go on my merry way. I did not communicate with HIM nor HE with me. BUT GOD was extremely graceful and merciful and I did not know it.

• GOD watched over me in spite of my tantrum.
• GOD protected me in spite of my pouting.
• GOD delivered me in spite of my lack of service, communication or giving.

I did not manipulate GOD in any way, yet HE chose to deliver me from my trials. HE opened my eyes to how immature I was truly acting and showed me just how full of anger and rage my heart was. HE emptied it and allowed it to dry out for a while, then HE filled it up with HIS HOLY SPIRIT which gives me different eyes.

GOD enables me to see HIM in the middle of situations. HE opens my eyes to allow me to see HE is fighting the battle, not me. HE protects me daily and grows my faith in HIM. I trust HIS plan and get excited for what HE is doing!

• Are you throwing a tantrum right now?
• Do you feel you are drowning with no way out?
• Can you stop squirming and slow down enough to hear GOD’s small still voice?
• Will you open your heart’s mouth and shout to GOD “I need YOU?”

Ingredients for Deliverance

Psalm 78: ¹¹ They forgot what he had done,
    the wonders he had shown them.
¹² He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors
    in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
¹³ He divided the sea and led them through;
    he made the water stand up like a wall.
¹⁴ He guided them with the cloud by day
    and with light from the fire all night.
¹⁵ He split the rocks in the wilderness
    and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
¹⁶ he brought streams out of a rocky crag
    and made water flow down like rivers.

¹⁷ But they continued to sin against him,
    rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.
¹⁸ They willfully put God to the test
    by demanding the food they craved.
¹⁹ They spoke against God;
    they said, “Can God really
    spread a table in the wilderness?
²⁰ True, he struck the rock,
    and water gushed out,
    streams flowed abundantly,
but can he also give us bread?
    Can he supply meat for his people?”
²¹ When the Lord heard them, he was furious;
    his fire broke out against Jacob,
    and his wrath rose against Israel,
²² for they did not believe in God
    or trust in his deliverance.

============

As I pondered “GOD’s deliverance” I noticed that when I get nervous or think GOD isn’t moving fast enough, I start telling HIM what to do. I mean I tell HIM how much, when and sometimes why. BUT GOD wants me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to understand the trial so I can go in a different direction.
• GOD wants me to hold onto HIS ways so I can follow HIS lead.
• GOD wants me to remember HIS deliverance from the past and trust in HIS deliverance now.

“Grow up” is GOD’s calling to me. HE wants me to stop remaining feeble and hold on to GOD, who has all the power!. Instead of fretting through a trial, HE simply wants me to remember.

• Have you lost your trust in GOD?
• Do you tell HIM what you need and when you need it constantly?
• Can you ask HIM for forgiveness and look back to remember HIS deliverance?
• Will you add trust to your day and let GOD bless you?

When My Back is Against the Wall

Psalm 70: ³ May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
    turn back because of their shame.
⁴ But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”

⁵ But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    come quickly to me, O God.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    Lord, do not delay.

============

When my professor said, “I think you should choose another major” I was devastated. Meanwhile my car was broke down and bill collectors were calling. This was the worst year ever… well at least that’s what I thought back then. It’s amazing how large these problems felt.

• There are times when it seems difficult for me to just hold on.
• There are times when it seems like everything is falling apart for me.
• There are times when it seems as if nothing is going right for me.

“Woe is me” could be said many days and that makes me want to schlep into a corner and ball up into the fetal position. One negative thought after the next tell lies about the current situation, bringing on discouragement. BUT GOD breaks through with HIS might!

• GOD says to me “Do not be afraid for I AM with you” meaning I do not have to believe in my lying thoughts.
• GOD says to me “Take heed, salvation is here” meaning I am not the one who will save me, rather it is GOD.
• GOD says to me “Trust and obey, keep seeking MY kingdom and I will deliver you” meaning I do not have to exhaust myself but ask GOD to fill me up.

Discouragement is one of the enemy’s weapons. He throws obstacle after obstacle at me until I feel my efforts are futile. BUT GOD wants me to remain encouraged so I can use the creative mind HE gave me. GOD wants me to seek HIS face so I can have peace. Once I have peace then HE can remove negative thoughts and replace them with HIS inspired activity.Peace is not a hard thing to get when I ask GOD for it and give HIM today’s worries.

• Are you in need?
• Do you feel overwhelmed?
• Can you give your problems to GOD in exchange for a moment of peace?
• Will you stop thinking one way and allow GOD’s infinite imagination to enter you?

A Passionate Prayer

Psalm 69: ¹³ But I pray to you, Lord,
    in the time of your favor;
in your great love, O God,
    answer me with your sure salvation.
¹⁴ Rescue me from the mire,
    do not let me sink;
deliver me from those who hate me,
    from the deep waters.
¹⁵ Do not let the floodwaters engulf me
    or the depths swallow me up
    or the pit close its mouth over me.

¹⁶ Answer me, Lord, out of the goodness of your love;
    in your great mercy turn to me.
¹⁷ Do not hide your face from your servant;
    answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.
¹⁸ Come near and rescue me;
    deliver me because of my foes.

============

“LORD Help!” were the only words I could think of as my car began to skid. One moment I was driving steady the next my car began to wag and almost spun out of control. The car skidded through a red light of a usually busy street. No one hit us.

• Sometimes I am in immediate danger.
• Sometimes I need help right now!
• Sometimes I am in trouble and the situation is dire.

David was sick and tired of being sick and tired. At one time he was praised and at this moment he was being hunted for execution. I feel the same way at times. I chalk up life’s lessons as something to store up in my memory but there are times when trouble really seems to get heavier and hotter. What can I do?

• GOD says to me “In times of trouble call to ME and I will save you.”
• GOD says to me “No matter where you think you are I have MY arms open wide for you.”
• GOD says to me “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see GOD.”

Some trials make me go into action and I put my hands into things GOD should be handling, but there are other times when I have no time to plan, grab on or fix my trouble. Only GOD can handle the situation and all I can do is say “GOD Help!.” Just like the Psalmist said, “GOD knows my folly and my guilt is not hidden from HIM.”  GOD’s grace is the focus in times of trouble.

• Are you in trouble?
• Do you feel you are running out of time?
• Can you focus on GOD’s deliverance?
• Will you rely on GOD rather than your power?

Keep Hoping

Psalm 31: ¹⁶ No king is saved by the size of his army;
    no warrior escapes by his great strength.
¹⁷ A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
    despite all its great strength it cannot save.
¹⁸ But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
    on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
¹⁹ to deliver them from death
    and keep them alive in famine.

²⁰ We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
²² May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you.

  

============

Tears flew down my face as I ran away from the Christmas tree without the toy I hoped for. Fear struck my heart as I stared in the place where my now stolen bike used to be and my hopes of riding were gone. Disappointment ran through my body as yet another job sent a rejection letter to my apartment and my hopes of moving back to the city seemed impossible. Why hope?

• When my hope is on what I want I get disappointed.
• When I place my hope in getting more of what I want I get my hopes crushed.
• When I place all my hope in what I think I get highly embarrassed when it does not come to pass.

Looking back, there were a lot of things I really, really wanted. I hoped and prayed and they did not come to pass. Then I sat and said once, “Why hope?” I mean I don’t get my way so why even have a hope. BUT GOD spoke to me peacefully.

• GOD said to me “My ways are not your ways.”
• GOD said to me “I have a wonderful, delightful plan for you that is much better than you can ever imagine”
• GOD said to me “Stand still and watch MY deliverance.”

Each time I try to use my might, wit or connections I find myself wanting, hoping, desiring until it hurts. BUT GOD wants me to focus on HIM in order to have peace. HE wants me to place my hope in HIM and let HIM decide my path. My hope needs to be place in HIS plan so my peace can be made whole. GOD wants me to keep trusting HIM.

• Are you uneasy?
• Do you feel a bit shaken?
• Can you place a small portion of your trust in GOD?
• Will you take a step towards HIM today by praising HIM?