More to Life

More to Life

Colossians 3: ⁵ You must put to death, then, the earthly desires at work in you, such as sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions, and greed (for greed is a form of idolatry). ⁶ Because of such things God's anger will come upon those who do not obey him. ⁷ At one time you yourselves used to live according to such desires, when your life was dominated by them.

 

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No one told me that after “doing it” for the first time, I would constantly crave to “do it” again. Something was awakened inside me that was insatiable at times. We ogled and commented about body parts and soon it became part of my everyday speech.

 

• My life was dominated and it seemed innocent.
• I had given up on being “good” so I could have pleasure.
• I found a crowd who was also dominated by the same thing.

 

Paul says something extremely hard. “You must put to death” were the extreme words he used to get people to change their minds. He never said “sex is bad” or “don’t make a living.” He warns people about an attitude that dominates a person so much, that the well-being of others gets diminished.

 

My Observations

• GOD gives me another way to look at HIS people.
• GOD wants me to see all people as HIS child who HE cares for deeply.
• JESUS gave me a new life that does not have to be dominated by sin.

 

Just having an alternative is freeing. I mean, when I had no alternative but to do sin, life seemed hopeless. BUT GOD gave me a way out. HE placed HIS HOLY SPIRIT inside me so I could take every thought captive and make it obey CHRIST.

 

Am I successful at controlling “every” thought? No. BUT GOD is pleased that I know HIM. HE does forgive me when I am weak. Forgiveness of sin is not permission to sin. HE knows I will reap what I sow. HE gives me more to life to pursue, namely HIM. I am glad GOD forgives and provides another way to live.

 

Challenge

• What stands out to you from the writers words?
• Is there any area of your life that is dominated and possibly out of control?
• Do you feel too weak to handle it by yourself?
• Will you praise GOD that HE gives your life purpose and seek HIS kingdom as an alternative to whatever is dominating your life today?

You are Covered

 

You are Covered

Romans 4: ⁶ David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

⁷ “Blessed are those
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
⁸ Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord will never count against them.”

 

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As I ordered my burger, I could not wait to eat. It was lunchtime and this was a departure from the normal bologna sandwich I would carry around in a paper bag. When the burger was cooked, he asked for payment. To my dismay, I left the money at home I was supposed to put in my wallet. “That’s okay, you are covered.” He graciously said to me. Bring it in tomorrow. I was relieved.

 

• Many people have been gracious to me.
• Many people have done thing for me who I am indebted to.
• Many people have not counted my debt against me.

 

Paul reflects on David’s words in one of the Psalms. David mentions that GOD credits righteousness apart from works. Paul mentions that GOD knows the sins of the one who believes in HIS grace, but does not hold that sin against that person.

 

• GOD wants me to believe that my sins have been forgiven by JESUS.
• GOD wants me to be excited that there is nothing more that needs to be done for my salvation.
• GOD wants me to be secure in my relationship with HIM.

 

Knowing I am “covered” means I do not owe GOD anything. I do not owe GOD money, time or treasure. With this realization, I owe HIM everything. I mean, it is really exciting to have a relationship with some as generous as GOD. HE looked at my debt and died for it. What more could HE do?

 

HE wiped away all my debt and nothing more is owed. I am so thankful, that I feel I have to give HIM something. What do I give to the being who owns everything? I give myself, thankfully.

 

• Are you so distracted with the world’s debts that you overlook the debt you owe to GOD?
• Do you think your efforts to stop doing some sins, earns you some righteous points?
• Will you simply believe that JESUS paid it all and all to HIM you owe today?

Exhaustion Solution

Zechariah 7: ⁹ “This is what the Lord Almighty said: ‘Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. ¹⁰ Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.’

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“I’m going to get that person back!” were my words. I used a lot of energy developing my plan. I lost several nights’ sleep while I brooded over situations that I would replay in my mind. “How dare they!” would come to mind as I think of more retaliation.

• There were times in my life when my immaturity led me to anger.
• There were times in my life when my immaturity led me to rage.
• There were times in my life when I wanted to harm those who harmed me, or at least in my mind they did!

After a while I believed the lies my mind told me about “that” person. I would replay old videos and negate positive imagery. I was not at peace. Soon I found myself mad at the world because I wanted people to justify my rage. I became exhausted. What was I to do?

• GOD said to me “Show mercy and compassion to one another.”
• GOD said to me “Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor.”
• GOD said to me “Do not plot evil against each other.”

When I reviewed my rage I realized I had no compassion, extended oppressive thoughts and an evil plot. I had not let go of the situation or the person, for that matter. GOD sees every heart and knows the wickedness of all souls. HE allows us to be prodigals and has compassion to enable our return. HE wants me to see HIS example and to give my stony heart to HIM.

Only GOD can change a person, it is not my job. HE is busy trying to change me! HE wants me to have perfect peace within HIM so I can drop my rage in exchange for mercy and compassion. I can release my anger and exchange it for peace. I can get rid of my evil plot and exchange it for encouragement. GOD gives me peace.

• Are you exhausted because of your evil thoughts?
• Are you tired trying to justify your oppressive thinking?
• Will you stop trying replaying old issues and live for GOD today?

Restoration after Destruction

Jeremiah 49: ³⁸ I will set my throne in Elam
    and destroy her king and officials,”
declares the Lord.

³⁹ “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam
    in days to come,”
declares the Lord.

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“How can I fire this person?” I thought to myself. It was a difficult decision because I would have to fire a few other people as well. Who can I replace them with? How soon can I make this happen? A mentor approached me and said, do not become “the problem” while fixing things.

• I once thought about destruction.
• I once dreamed about total devastation.
• I once imagined eradication of the “weak” to build up the strong.

My zeal was only pointed towards one department and I did not like any of the people. I mean they were good at being “employees” and not good at doing work! I wanted to get rid of all of them and find people who would work day and night. BUT GOD opened my eyes to another side.

• GOD showed me I had plenty “judgment” and little grace.
• GOD showed me I had plenty “self-righteousness” and little humility.
• GOD showed me I had plenty “conquer” and little restoration.

After I stepped back from my rage I realized I needed people. Instead of firing people I had to grow them and mature them. It was my responsibility to restore people after I disciplined a few. GOD enabled me to add grace to my thinking which means I need to seek restoration wherever I can because GOD restores me quite often.

• Are you “right” in your anger?
• Are you seeking justice?
• Can you seek restoration of that person?
• Will you pray for that person to get to know CHRIST?
• Will you pray for restoration instead of destruction of that person?

When Anger Flares

Jeremiah 48: ⁴⁶ Woe to you, Moab!
    The people of Chemosh are destroyed;
your sons are taken into exile
    and your daughters into captivity.

⁴⁷ “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Moab
    in days to come,”
declares the Lord.

Here ends the judgment on Moab.

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Childishly I lied about my age. I mean what was I supposed to do when the “experienced” people kept ranting about their importance and I was just starting out? Childishly I lied about my whereabouts at work by saying “I don’t know.” I mean what was I supposed to say when the janitorial supervisor was hounding me? Childishly I lied about my grades. I mean this was the only company looking at me at the time and it was the middle of the semester. They would never know.

• Immaturity breeds my insecurity.
• Immaturity increases my immediacy to sin.
• Immaturity makes me place a higher value on self rather than the truth.

One day I heard someone say the statement “Why did I just lie?” The person also said “What do I have to gain by this lie?” They were joking but I realized I was lying to others and myself. I also realized that GOD was not pleased with my actions and it seemed like everything was going wrong. It seemed like GOD’s anger was getting hotter and hotter at the way I was acting. I felt guilty all the time. BUT GOD was different.

• GOD was merciful to me and brought to my attention the sin I was doing against HIM and others.
• GOD was graceful to me and pardoned me of my sins while I was still committing them.
• GOD was loving to me and allowed me to face the consequences of my sins, yet restored me fully, enabling me to reach heights I never would have dreamt of.

Moab to me is like my sin. I mean it was a place that probably started off innocent but one sin after another got them to a place where GOD was full of anger. I felt the same way. I was headed in the wrong direction. One thing about being a child of GOD is HIS anger brings chastening, but it does not last forever.

HE wants me to recognize HIS power and love at the same time. HE does not want me to continue down a destructive path, yet HE understands that only HE alone can save me because I may not always make the best decision. GOD saved me because of HIS character, not mine.

• Are you acting immature?
• Have you given up on GOD and are headed down a path of destruction?
• Will you ask GOD to place you back on HIS path?
• Are you willing to give up the lie and start over with a firm foundation?

Acknowledge is the First Step

Jeremiah 3: ¹² Go, proclaim this message toward the north:

“‘Return, faithless Israel,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘I will frown on you no longer,
for I am faithful,’ declares the Lord,
    ‘I will not be angry forever.
¹³ Only acknowledge your guilt—
    you have rebelled against the Lord your God,
you have scattered your favors to foreign gods
    under every spreading tree,
    and have not obeyed me,’”
declares the Lord.

¹⁴ “Return, faithless people,” declares the Lord, “for I am your husband. I will choose you—one from a town and two from a clan—and bring you to Zion. ¹⁵ Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.

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Staring at the manual I felt lost. Barely making it out of school and having no guidance put me in a losing position. I had to acknowledge that I did not know what I was doing and needed help.

• There are times when I need help.
• There are times when I do not know what I am doing.
• There are times when I am walking down a path and have no idea where the path will lead.

After asking for help, my boss’s boss sent me to training. I absorbed all that I could and went back to the department soon to become one of the best. Grace was bestowed on me and I am thankful.

• GOD asks me to “Only acknowledge my guilt” so HE can provide help for me.
• GOD asks me to say how I rebelled against HIM so I can accept the strange way HE heals me.
• GOD asks me to admit going my own way so HE can put me on the right path.

Acknowledgement is difficult. It says to the higher authority, “I need your grace.” GOD freely gives grace, mercy and love. HE keeps HIS promise and accepts anyone who acknowledges HIS power. GOD welcomes me when I return to HIM.

• Are you busy trying to justify your actions?
• Are you tired of being stuck where you are?
• Will you acknowledge how you have turned from GOD today?
• Will you allow HIM to heal you in HIS strange way?

The Call to Return

Jeremiah 2: ²⁶ “As a thief is disgraced when he is caught,
    so the people of Israel are disgraced—
they, their kings and their officials,
    their priests and their prophets.
²⁷ They say to wood, ‘You are my father,’
    and to stone, ‘You gave me birth.’
They have turned their backs to me
    and not their faces;
yet when they are in trouble, they say,
    ‘Come and save us!’

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Pouting, I said “I will not serve you.” My immaturity said it all. I mean, I was not getting my way no matter how hard I was praying. I was tired of “my” circumstance and I decided that GOD must have been the problem.

• When I tried to leave GOD, it was simply an excuse to go my own way.
• When I tried to ignore GOD, it was simply a justification for my abysmal actions.
• When I tried to blame GOD, it was simply a cover up for what I was doing wrong.

Blame is truly easy to do. Instead of taking responsibilities for “my” actions I look to GOD and say, “What is YOUR problem?” I then try to justify my blame by pointing out to HIM how wrong HE is by not loving me the way I think I should be loved. Fortunately GOD is superior.

• GOD has unlimited love for me so HE accepts my return to HIM.
• GOD has endless belief in me so HE receives my return when I believe in HIM.
• GOD has infinite faith in me so HE receives my return when I put my trust in HIM.

Returning to GOD is a must. HE stays right where HE is until I realize that “I” am the problem, not HIM. HE wants me to turn my face towards HIM as I did in my youth. HE wants my childlike trust instead of matured blame and doubt. When I place my full trust in GOD, HE has never disappointed me. When I say “Come save me” HE is there ungrudgingly.

• Are you blaming?
• Do you think GOD or someone else is “the problem?”
• Can you open your eyes and recognize the need to turn your face to GOD?
• Will you grow up and see the immaturity of your relationship with GOD?

An Undeserved Reward

Isaiah 61: ⁷ Instead of your shame
    you will receive a double portion,
and instead of disgrace
    you will rejoice in your inheritance.
And so you will inherit a double portion in your land,
    and everlasting joy will be yours.

⁸ “For I, the Lord, love justice;
    I hate robbery and wrongdoing.
In my faithfulness I will reward my people
    and make an everlasting covenant with them.
⁹ Their descendants will be known among the nations
    and their offspring among the peoples.
All who see them will acknowledge
    that they are a people the Lord has blessed.”

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Struggling to find the correct answer, I simply could not get the mathematics right. I turned in my test and walked away with a sinking feeling. A few days later when I got the test back, I was shocked to see an “A” on the top. The teacher dug through my work and saw where I made my multiplication error and gave me full credit for the problem.

• Life has many problems.
• Life sometimes is a struggle to be perfect and correct.
• Life can have moments of shame, loss or pain.

Just like the math problem, there were times in my life where I tried to get everything right, but missed something and got “it” wrong. Then when I would try to correct the flub, the bell would ring and the period would be over. Will my sins be permanent? No!

• GOD says to me “Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion.”
• GOD says to me “Instead of your disgrace you will receive in your inheritance.”
• GOD says to me “Everlasting Joy will be yours.”

The LORD loves justice and HE is the only one who is just. HE hates those who are robbers of peace and providers of wrongdoing. HE pardons me for all my wrongs and does something spectacular. HE rewards me instead of punishing me because of HIS faithfulness. GOD has removed my disgrace and shown to people HE is the way!

• Do you feel disgraced?
• Do you feel like hiding?
• Can you come out of hiding and proclaim GOD?
• Will you shout how great GOD is instead of complaining today?

Past No Longer Counts

Isaiah 55: ⁶ Seek the Lord while he may be found;
    call on him while he is near.
⁷ Let the wicked forsake their ways
    and the unrighteous their thoughts.
Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them,
    and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

⁸ “For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.
⁹ “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are my ways higher than your ways
    and my thoughts than your thoughts.

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Reading the Bible made me more aware of my sins. I started dropping one sin off after another in a quest to be perfect. Every now and then I would do or say something that I knew was a sin. When things went wrong, I would immaturely say “I will never do that again!” After a while I stopped asking for forgiveness because when I dropped one sin, another would pop up. It seemed I could not be as “sinless” as I thought.

• At one time I thought I could be sinless.
• At one time I thought I could be perfect.
• At one time I thought I could drop all my sins and everything would go well for me because of “my” perfection.

Steering GOD by being “sinless” to gain wealth and status was my plan. I mean HE wanted me to not be sinful and it says righteous people will be rich, right? Yes, sort of… Wealth may not be monetary and is extremely relative. GOD’s wealth is in humans and besides, HE cannot be manipulated by my filthy righteousness. I thoroughly missed the understanding of what it meant to truly be forgiven.

• GOD says to me “MY thoughts are not your thoughts” meaning I may think HE cannot possibly forgive me “this” time and HE truly can.
• GOD says to me “MY ways are not your ways” meaning when I feel like giving up, GOD stays steady.
• GOD says to me “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts” meaning when I worry or doubt HE does not.

GOD declares my efforts at being “righteous” as a dung pile. One reason is I am measuring myself to my own standards, not HIS. I then go to far in the other direction, thinking I cannot possibly be forgiven. GOD says “I forgive you” plain and simple. HIS forgiveness is entirely misunderstood. I do not have to “do” so much rather just “be.” GOD is my fortress.

• Do you keep pointing in the past for where you are today?
• Are you stuck in a place where you think you are being punished by GOD?
• Can you allow HIM to open your eyes to HIS everlasting and marvelous grace?
• Will you place a little of your trust in HIM today?

No More Shame

Isaiah 29: ²² Therefore this is what the Lord, who redeemed Abraham, says to the descendants of Jacob:

“No longer will Jacob be ashamed;
    no longer will their faces grow pale.
²³ When they see among them their children,
    the work of my hands,
they will keep my name holy;
    they will acknowledge the holiness of the Holy One of Jacob,
    and will stand in awe of the God of Israel.
²⁴ Those who are wayward in spirit will gain understanding;
    those who complain will accept instruction.”

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“Move out of the way, it’s my turn” were the words that caught my attention as I saw a small group of guys huddled next to doors that were not exit doors. My curiosity climbed so I went to investigate. When I got my “turn” I peeked through a hole carved in the crease of the door. I got a glimpse of nakedness that made me want to stay there the whole day!

• There have been times where I tried to hide my thoughts.
• There have been times that I tried to cover up my actions.
• There have been times I tried to pretend I had not fallen, but I had truly fallen.

Late for class I decided to get a better glimpse. I wondered why there was no one around. Then a gym teacher came in and caught me. I was ashamed. I am glad I was caught, because I was headed down the wrong path.

• GOD says to me “You will no longer be ashamed.”
• GOD says to me “I will open your eyes and heal your heart.”
• GOD says to me “I will help you gain understanding and guide you with MY instruction.”

He simply yelled, “Get away from that door!” and off I ran. He gave me a strange look every time he saw me from then on. They fixed the door and I was glad. BUT GOD fixed my life. HE put me on a better path that includes acknowledging my need for HIM. By confessing, the sin no longer has power over me. I give the power to GOD who in turn gives it back to me.

• Do you feel powerless?
• Do you feel like your prayers are not being heard?
• Can you acknowledge the hidden things in your heart?
• Will you confess your sins and enable GOD to heal your soul?

I Stopped Serving GOD

Proverbs 21: ³⁰ There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan
    that can succeed against the Lord.

³¹ The horse is made ready for the day of battle,
    but victory rests with the Lord.

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Frustrated at many situations that were not going well, I chose not to serve GOD. I mean it seems like everyone else was getting “their” way and I was not getting mine. I threw away prayer and did not attend church. I was angry at people who had disappointed me and claimed to be followers of GOD. Stop following GOD was my plan.

• There were times when I rejected GOD’s calling.
• There were times when I did not want to hear about JESUS or the Bible or being good.
• There were times when I felt this “GOD” thing was not working so I should try something else.

I set out on my own and didn’t find many answers. In fact I saw calamity and wound up begging GOD to let me back in the house. Life was falling apart and I was without hope. I did not even have GOD to turn to.

• GOD welcomed me back with open arms.
• GOD forgave me for trying to run away from HIM.
• GOD insisted on blessing me when I stopped blaming HIM for my insecurities.

Looking back on this period I ask myself, “What was my plan?” I mean every movement my body makes cannot be done without GOD. Every breath that I take has to be blessed by GOD and every bite of food I take goes to HIS throne for permission to nourish me or kill me. I took GOD for granted and my immaturity made me think I did not owe HIM a thing rather HE owed me.

My plan to stop following GOD failed miserably. I had to swallow my pride and straighten up my act in order to be used of HIM again.

• Have you given up?
• Do you feel like you deserve to be treated better?
• Will you stop your prideful ways and run back to GOD with a humbled heart?
• Will you serve GOD today?

When the Chips Fall

Proverbs 14: ³² When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

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Exhausted was the only way I could describe this particular year. Two broken cars, failing grades, girlfriend trouble, and a job cleaning toilets. Some people said, “Let’s go hang out in another city.” I knew what “hang out” meant so I said “of course!”

• When things got rough I sought relief.
• When things got tough I sought an instant way out of the pain.
• When things got harsh I sought a group who could make me laugh for only a moment.

We didn’t get into any wildness that weekend. Some would say it was fate. BUT GOD changed the circumstances such that we would not do anything outrageous. It was a much needed outing and I returned with my mind refreshed. During that time GOD actually said “I have a different way for you.”

• GOD wants me to seek HIM when problems arise.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face when issues flow.
• GOD wants me to seek the kingdom when troubles knock on my door.

Life is never guaranteed. One minute I have been on top and the next on the bottom. BUT GOD has shown me that HE is faithful no matter where I am. HE loves me dearly and protects me through trouble and pain. HE feels worse that I do when I hurt and wants me to see relief. No matter what I’m going through I seek GOD.

• Are you seeking relief from your situation?
• Have you sinned while seeking relief?
• Will you allow GOD to clean up your mess?
• Will you allow HIM to truly change your heart?

Does GOD Hate Me?

Proverbs 6: ¹⁶ There are six things the Lord hates,
    seven that are detestable to him:
¹⁷         haughty eyes,
        a lying tongue,
        hands that shed innocent blood,
¹⁸         a heart that devises wicked schemes,
        feet that are quick to rush into evil,
¹⁹         a false witness who pours out lies
        and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

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Looking at this list made me ask the question, “Does GOD hate me?” I mean I have done a number of these things on the list and each time I suffered consequences. Everything I did on this list seemed to fall back on me, or come out into the open when hidden.

• When I sin I want to run away from GOD.
• When I sin I want to hide from GOD.
• When I sin I become god by saying what HE will do or won’t do.

The list is not exhaustive. GOD does not measure sin in increments. To HIM, sin is sin. There is no such thing as a small sin or a large sin, it’s just sin. So what can I do? I mean I sin daily.

• GOD said to me “I hate the sin but love the sinner.”
• GOD said to me “I cannot be in the presence of sin so I made you a new creation.”
• GOD said to me “I have washed away ALL of your sins by MY death and I AM alive creating a place just for you to live with ME.”

Sin is appalling to GOD so HE would rather that I try my best to reduce it as much as humanly possible. But here’s the great news. GOD forgives me when I fall. HE picks me up when I am down. GOD forgave me because I believed that JESUS did not die in vain rather HE is alive and cares about every detail of my life more than I can ever know! Does GOD hate me? NO! GOD loves me so much that HE lives inside me!

• Do you doubt GOD’s love?
• Do you think GOD is trying to make you fail?
• Can you stop thinking negatively about GOD?
• Will you reduce your sin without judging others and increase your praise of GOD today?