Safety Instructions

Safety Instructions

Genesis 19: ¹⁵ When the morning dawned, the angels urged Lot to hurry, saying, “Arise, take your wife and your two daughters who are here, lest you be consumed in the punishment of the city.” ¹⁶ And while he lingered, the men took hold of his hand, his wife’s hand, and the hands of his two daughters, the Lord being merciful to him, and they brought him out and set him outside the city. ¹⁷ So it came to pass, when they had brought them outside, that he said, “Escape for your life! Do not look behind you nor stay anywhere in the plain. Escape to the mountains, lest you be destroyed.”

 

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Morning dawned and the day of destruction had arrived. The angels seemed to already set in motion the destruction of the city and its people. They urged Lot to leave with his wife and two daughters. But Lot lingered. He may have been thinking of ways to take all their stuff with them because he was extremely wealthy. While Lot lingered, the angels grabbed his hand and his family’s hands, pulling them out of the city in haste.

 

My Observations:

• Destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah would have come whether Lot left or not.
• GOD wanted to keep Lot safe, so HE sent angels to provide urgent instructions.
• Lot could have ignored the instructions and would have been destroyed with the city.

 

Having no time to ask question, Lot and his family were pulled out of the city. All of their possessions, comforts and animals were left behind. One angel said “Escape for your life!” Lot’s short-term decision caused him to lose all of his possessions.

 

This is the first mention of Lot’s wife. She and her daughters had been captured and rescued by Abraham, along with Lot and the rest of the Sodomites. Lot’s wife may have been raised in the ways of the Sodomites. This group of people were against GOD ways and wanted to do the opposite of HIS desires. GOD graciously rescued Lot’s wife. The angels held her hand tightly, leaving the city.

 

Even though the instructions were given with urgency, Lot lingered. I can understand this. Sometimes it depends on how many other urgent, life-threatening things have popped up with no time to think. GOD sent angels for the first time, to help Lot out of his bad decision. GOD’s grace and patience was shown in extreme measures.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the dire instructions the angels gave Lot and his family?
• Has GOD ever told you to do something urgent?
• When GOD gives you an instruction to keep you safe, do you act with immediacy?

 

Safely Through

Safely Through

Revelation 7: ¹³ One of the elders asked me, “Who are these people dressed in white robes, and where do they come from?”
¹⁴ “I don't know, sir. You do,” I answered.
He said to me, “These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution. They have washed their robes and made them white with the blood of the Lamb. ¹⁵ That is why they stand before God's throne and serve him day and night in his temple. He who sits on the throne will protect them with his presence. ¹⁶ Never again will they hunger or thirst; neither sun nor any scorching heat will burn them, ¹⁷ because the Lamb, who is in the center of the throne, will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

 

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Hearing the announcement did not put my mind at ease. “This is your captain speaking. We will be experiencing some turbulence. Fasten your seatbelts.” The message came suddenly and the flight attendants scurried to their seats. A few minutes later, the plane shook violently and did a sudden dip!

 

• I was alarmed a little when I heard the warning.
• I was more alarmed when I saw how fast the flight attendants ran to their seats.
• I was even more alarmed when the plane went through the turbulence, but afterwards things got calm.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, is asked a rhetorical question from one of the twenty-four elders who sits before GOD’s throne. “Who are these people dressed in white robes, and where do they come from?” He is given an unexpected answer. “These are the people who have come safely through the terrible persecution”

 

My Observations:

• GOD is with me when I am persecuted.
• Persecution for preaching JESUS is seen by GOD and HE allows me to go through it, not around it.
• Coming safely through persecution means I can receive the benefits of GOD’s protection.

 

Going through difficult times stinks! I mean, who wants to face persecution from people who could care less about GOD? Unfortunately, this is a reality that believers must face. Persecution cannot be prayed away or wished away, because even JESUS went through it.

 

HE faced persecution from HIS own creation who murdered HIM for HIS love and kindness. HE sent a COMFORTER, because HE knew we would need comfort from persecution. The HOLY SPIRIT is there to stand with me when I face turbulent times.

 

Challenge

• What encouraging message did the writer get from the conversation?
• Have you ever felt like asking “Why me?” when facing a difficult time?
• Will you know that GOD is going through the difficult time with you and is giving you the strength to hold on so you can make it “safely through” the turbulence of life today?

Safe Position

Safe Position

2 Peter 3: ¹⁷ But you, my friends, already know this. Be on your guard, then, so that you will not be led away by the errors of lawless people and fall from your safe position. ¹⁸ But continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory, now and forever! Amen.

 

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Being accused of being a “goody” I felt I needed to do something. The accusation made me feel like I didn’t fit in. I decided that sex, drunken parties and foul language as humor would make me fit in. When I got in trouble, the people who urged my change for the worse were not around.

 

• I was doing well then I fell.
• More problems came from trying to fit in that I thought.
• I was in worse shape when I fell, because now I had a reputation that did not look so good and I had problems.

 

Peter concludes his short letter with a warning. He tells everyone to “be on your guard” when it came to taking advice from people. There would be those who prescribe things that sound like “fun” on the surface but will ultimately cause problems in life and threaten a good relationship with GOD.

 

My Observations:

• GOD understands that I am a sinner saved by HIS grace.
• GOD also is perfect and loves when I follow HIS ways as best I can.
• Knowing GOD means I know what to stay away from and that I make my life about HIM.

 

People who seek pleasure as their only pursuit will look at the life of the followers of CHRIST as constraining. I mean, when trying to “do good” in life by not partaking in every indulgence that surfaces, people may complain about your life. BUT GOD sees your efforts.

 

HE loves when I can say “No” to the things that would distract me from serving HIM. There is nothing wrong with some of the stuff the world has to off as long as it does not interfere with GOD’s calling on your and my life or cause us to fall into a worse situation. I am glad GOD gives me freedom in HIS framework of love.

 

Challenge

• What “safe position” is the writer talking about?
• Have you ever fallen and wondered how did you get as low as you got?
• Will you question your own relationship with GOD to see if you and HIM are in “good” standings according to your own desires today so HE can keep you “safe”?

Safe and Sure

 

Safe and Sure

Hebrews 6: ¹⁸ There are these two things, then, that cannot change and about which God cannot lie. So we who have found safety with him are greatly encouraged to hold firmly to the hope placed before us. ¹⁹ We have this hope as an anchor for our lives. It is safe and sure, and goes through the curtain of the heavenly temple into the inner sanctuary. ²⁰ On our behalf Jesus has gone in there before us and has become a high priest forever, in the priestly order of Melchizedek.

 

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Wanting to be “rich”, I asked a rich person for investment advice. He told me about investing in  penny stocks. I tried it by investing in a random company. I watched the stock go up and my hope was elated. But when the stock went down, my hope receded. I did not sell fast enough and lost the amount I invested.

 

• My hope was based on the performance of a hunch.
• My hope was placed in the thought of getting money.
• My hope was not stable because money would come and go.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, concludes his discussion about GOD’s promises being reliable. Since the purpose of GOD does not change, we can place our hope in HIM. This hope is strong enough to go into the inner sanctuary of GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Hope is important enough to GOD that HE observes it to see if HE is at the center of it.
• Prayer is something that is important to GOD, so much so, that HE keeps each hope filled prayer in a spiritual bowl.
• Faith is something important to GOD and HE looks at it in measures and rewards me for when I exercise it.

 

Humans value money, fame and power. BUT GOD values hope, prayer and faith. These conflict with one another. I mean, when I try to use human methods to “feel” better, I can leave GOD out of the equation and rely on my own plans and abilities. When things go terribly wrong, I lose hope. BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

HE wants me to place my hope in JESUS, who was sinless and died to redeem the world. The tactic of not believing in “sin” or of having “my” truth will not stand up in front of the Living GOD. Only JESUS, who is the High Priest, will have the last word on all that I do. HE will examine my hope, prayers and faith and will deem me as being clean. I am glad I can place my hop in HIM.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer urge you to do?
• Have you ever placed your hope in money or a person or a job and been disappointed?
• Will you place your hope in JESUS, so it can be sternal and know HE has the best for you today?

No Chance Taken

No Chance Taken

Colossians 1: ¹³ He rescued us from the power of darkness and brought us safe into the kingdom of his dear Son, ¹⁴ by whom we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven.

 

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Wanting to get “my” way, I decided to “try” GOD. I had too many calamities going on and wanted some relief. I decided to act “good” so I took an inventory of what I thought was “bad.” I reduced my sin to no avail. More things were going wrong. “What do YOU want from me?” was my complaint.

 

• I was trying to manipulate GOD by being good.
• I thought I was in control of GOD.
• I used flawed logic by thinking GOD reacts to what I do.

 

Paul continues to explain why we should be thankful for GOD. By belief in JESUS, the FATHER rescued us from the power of darkness, brought us safe into the kingdom of JESUS and set us free by forgiving us of all our sins. GOD did it all.

 

My Observations

• When I think I have let GOD down by my sins, I must remember, HE forgave me of all my sins.
• When I think I can manipulate GOD by being “good” I must remember JESUS is the only one who is “good.”
• When I think GOD doesn’t love me or HE doesn’t care about this particular situation, I must remember, HE rescued me before I was even born.

 

We all want to be in control of our lives. I mean, I try hard to be “good” so things will go well with me. But what happens when I thought I was good and bad things happen anyway? I believe it means “bad things happen anyway and I am still supposed to believe that everything was taken care of for my salvation.

 

GOD did not leave it up to me to save me. HE knew I would not choose HIM, rather I would run after what the world thinks is right. HE made a way for me to be saved by giving us HIS one and only SON. I am glad I am forgiven for all my sins, even the sin of trying to manipulate GOD.

 

Challenge

• What are the things the writer is pointing out that are worthy of praise?
• Do you have to “feel” forgiven or know you are forgiven?
• What does “safe into the kingdom” mean to you?
• Will you know that GOD loves you dearly and has not taken a chance on losing you today?

Blessing, Love and Peace

 

Blessing, Love and Peace

Romans 15: ²⁸ When I have finished this task and have turned over to them all the money that has been raised for them, I shall leave for Spain and visit you on my way there. ²⁹ When I come to you, I know that I shall come with a full measure of the blessing of Christ.

 

³⁰ I urge you, friends, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love that the Spirit gives: join me in praying fervently to God for me. ³¹ Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that my service in Jerusalem may be acceptable to God's people there. ³² And so I will come to you full of joy, if it is God's will, and enjoy a refreshing visit with you. ³³ May God, our source of peace, be with all of you. Amen.

 

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Seeing ants crawl on the counter made me curious. “How are they getting in?” is what I asked. I spent time looking around the edges of the house and I found where they were crawling in. It was an easy fix once I found the source.

 

• Many times I look for the source of the problem.
• Many times I seek out problems so “I” can fix it.
• Many times I find the source of the problem, but need help getting the source of the solution.

 

Paul finishes explaining his plans. After he gives this money to the poor, he planned to visit those he wrote to. He knew the roads were treacherous and laced with thieves, so he asked for fervent prayer, not just a onetime ask. He also knew he needed the prayer of many.

 

• GOD wants me to ask for prayer when HE shows a difficult road ahead.
• GOD wants me to finish the task HE gives me to do.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM for blessing, love and peace.

 

The full measure of blessing of CHRIST is the Good News that should be preached all over the world. Love should be used when praying for one another. And peace comes from the source, namely GOD. I gladly ask everyone for prayers and that you receive peace from GOD.

 

• Have the many worries of the world made you lose your focus on GOD?
• How are you seeking peace?
• Will you speak about the blessing of CHRIST and ask others to pray for you with the love that comes from the HOLY SPIRIT so GOD may provide you with peace that only comes from HIM?

Safe Delivery

 

Safe Delivery

Acts 23: ³¹ So the soldiers, carrying out their orders, took Paul with them during the night and brought him as far as Antipatris. ³² The next day they let the cavalry go on with him, while they returned to the barracks. ³³ When the cavalry arrived in Caesarea, they delivered the letter to the governor and handed Paul over to him. ³⁴ The governor read the letter and asked what province he was from. Learning that he was from Cilicia, ³⁵ he said, “I will hear your case when your accusers get here.” Then he ordered that Paul be kept under guard in Herod’s palace.

 

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Feeling uneasy, I went back to the hotel room. I was parting from the company after more than a decade of work there. A new group came in and decided to clean house. I had faced this before, but this time it was different. I feared my physical safety. I was relieved when I was dropped off at the airport.

 

• There have been times when I felt uneasy.
• There have been times when I feared for my life.
• There have been times when I needed protection and did not know where to turn.

 

Paul was surrounded by over 400 soldiers. When they arrived far enough, the cavalry went all the way to his destination, while the other soldiers returned to the barracks. Paul was protected all the way to the next place.

 

• GOD wants me to seek HIS protection.
• GOD says to me “Do not be afraid.”
• GOD watches over me when I am in the presence of my enemies.

 

There is no situation GOD does not know about. It may be confusing or even scary that I don’t know what is going on. BUT GOD does. HE knows the situation and has factored in someone else’s evil in HIS great plan for me. Any robbery of earthly treasures from me is noted by GOD. HE rewards me with heavenly treasures that cannot rot or rust. I place my trust in GOD.

 

• Are you feeling uneasy about your situation?
• Do you feel unsafe?
• Will you continue to put your trust in GOD, knowing HE is the only one who can deliver you to safety today?

Taken to Safety

 

Taken to Safety

Acts 23: ²³ Then he called two of his centurions and ordered them, “Get ready a detachment of two hundred soldiers, seventy horsemen and two hundred spearmen to go to Caesarea at nine tonight. ²⁴ Provide horses for Paul so that he may be taken safely to Governor Felix.”

 

²⁵ He wrote a letter as follows:

²⁶ Claudius Lysias,

To His Excellency, Governor Felix:

Greetings.

 

²⁷ This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen. ²⁸ I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin. ²⁹ I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment. ³⁰ When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him.

 

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“Get in. We’ll take you home” were the relieving words I heard from a friend’s parent. The impending threat of another school coming over to beat us up, alarmed the principal enough to let us out a few minutes early. Since the threat was seemingly real, a ride was truly welcome.

 

• There were times when I faced threats from people I did not know.
• There were times when I worried about my safety.
• There were times when I felt relieved when I was taken to safety.

 

The commander found out about the plot against Paul’s life. He learned that forty men vowed not to eat until Paul was dead. He summoned 470 soldiers to surround and protect Paul as they escorted him out of town. He then wrote a letter to the governor, ensuring Paul would not be turned away.

 

• GOD wants me to know HE provides protection.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS deliverance.
• GOD wants me to understand HE is aware of every circumstance and is in control.

 

Life can be scary on this cursed earth. I mean, even though I believe in JESUS, there are many who do not and will not. My fight is not against them, but the ruler of this world rages war against anyone who puts their trust in JESUS.

 

Many troubles are hurled at me, trying to get me to question GOD’s power and love for me. BUT GOD prevails. JESUS already won the war when HE died and was raised from the dead triumphantly. My time on this cursed world is temporary. I am grateful, one day I will be taken to eternal safety, but until then, I remain as a servant of JESUS.

 

• Are you facing huge problems?
• Is your safety in danger?
• Will you continue to stand firm in your belief in JESUS, knowing HE is willing to send protection to you today?

 

Dear LORD, please protect the reader. Surround the reader with YOUR angels today. amen

Blocked

Blocked

Acts 19: ²⁸ When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” ²⁹ Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. ³⁰ Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. ³¹ Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater.

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When I answered the door, my friends were outside asking if I could go to the party. “What party?” I asked nervously. It didn’t matter what their answer was, I knew I wouldn’t get permission to go. I thought of ways to escape the house, but there was no way out. I resorted to a tactic that never worked before. “Everyone else is going.”

• There have been times when I have been blocked from doing something.
• There have been times when I wanted to join the crowd but could not.
• There have been times when I simply wanted to be part of the group without knowing what was going on.

The crowd in Ephesus was not having a party. They wanted to worship the goddess Artemis so they could make money on idols. They became furious over Paul’s words of love stating JESUS was and is the only GOD. A mob formed and protests took to the street. Many people didn’t know who they were angry at, but some did and seized Paul’s companions. Paul was blocked.

• GOD wants me to have the heart to serve.
• GOD wants me to be confident in HIS protection.
• GOD wants me to use wisdom rather than emotion.

Rushing in when the situation is heated leads to hurt people and no resolution. Unfortunately, this fight had to happen. I mean, when everything was calm, the greedy people lulled others into following a false god. But the true GOD was being overlooked. GOD wants me to be ready to speak about JESUS, not just say the word “GOD.” I am glad HE enables me to freely speak about HIM.

• Are you being blocked when it comes to speaking about JESUS?
• Is the situation too volatile to say the name of JESUS?
• Will you have patience because GOD hears you and will make a way for you to continue to speak on HIS behalf?

Escaping for Life

Matthew 2: ¹³ When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

¹⁴ So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, ¹⁵ where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

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“Shoot him” were the words I heard as I dashed to the safety of the bowling alley. Our instincts had kicked in and standing to fight an outnumbered crowd was not the option for me or my friend. After waiting a while I could hear something that said “go check on your friend now, he is safe.” I found him and we went home together.

• There have been some very dangerous times in my life.
• There have been some times that I have faced some extreme life threatening situations.
• There have been some moments when I did not think I would make it.

“Fight or flee” comes to mind when faced with danger. I chose to flee that time and hoped for the best. Looking back on this extreme situation I could only see one thing, GOD.

• GOD protects me on a daily basis.
• GOD protects me from those who try to harm me.
• GOD protects me in extremely dangerous situations.

Since GOD has a plan for me, HE wants me to continue so HE protects me to fulfill that plan. HE guards me from dangers I am not aware of and for that I am eternally grateful.

• Are you mad about something?
• Do you feel upset?
• Can you stop your anger for a moment long enough to praise GOD for HIS protection?
• Will you thank GOD for HIS wonderful plan for you?

Being Brought Back

Ezekiel 39: ²⁵ “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will now restore the fortunes of Jacob and will have compassion on all the people of Israel, and I will be zealous for my holy name. ²⁶ They will forget their shame and all the unfaithfulness they showed toward me when they lived in safety in their land with no one to make them afraid.

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Driving in circles, I got a little afraid. I was a young driver and I had not driven to this part of town. It was the “East Side” and I had never even heard of the streets. In my mind even the babies in strollers were trying to rob me. I was nervous. I drove a little further and found a familiar street. It took a while but I made it back to “civilization.” There was nothing wrong with that side of town, but I did not want to go back any time soon!

• There have been places I have gone that have been very scary.
• There have been situations I have encountered that have made me nervous.
• There have been circumstances I have faced where the unknown seemed larger than what I could see.

Life sometimes has some ups and sometimes it has its downs. I cannot tell how many I have been through, but I certainly can tell when I am being delivered from calamity rather than going in. It feels great!

• GOD restores my fortunes.
• GOD has compassion on me and is zealous in HIS holy name.
• GOD delivers me to live in safety so I will no longer be afraid.

Deliverance is GOD’s realm. Only HE can deliver me safely and make my paths straight. HE helps me forget my shame and my unfaithfulness towards HIM by shining HIS light on me. GOD restores me fully!

• Do you need to be restored?
• Are you full of shame and disgrace?
• Will you turn your face to GOD and let HIM deliver you?