Undisciplined Celebration

Undisciplined Celebration

Revelation 11: ⁷ When they finish proclaiming their message, the beast that comes up out of the abyss will fight against them. He will defeat them and kill them, ⁸ and their bodies will lie in the street of the great city, where their Lord was crucified. The symbolic name of that city is Sodom, or Egypt. ⁹ People from all nations, tribes, languages, and races will look at their bodies for three and a half days and will not allow them to be buried. ¹⁰ The people of the earth will be happy because of the death of these two. They will celebrate and send presents to each other, because those two prophets brought much suffering upon the whole human race. ¹¹ After three and a half days a life-giving breath came from God and entered them, and they stood up; and all who saw them were terrified. ¹² Then the two prophets heard a loud voice say to them from heaven, “Come up here!” As their enemies watched, they went up into heaven in a cloud. ¹³ At that very moment there was a violent earthquake; a tenth of the city was destroyed, and seven thousand people were killed. The rest of the people were terrified and praised the greatness of the God of heaven. 

¹⁴ The second horror is over, but the third horror will come soon!

 

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“No talking during library time” were the words of doom. Who wants to spend 30 minutes being quiet? First a note was passed, then a giggle would happen. Soon a word or two would come out, then full conversations. The battle of quiet to noise went on. Months later, the library teacher left and we celebrated! But another was put in place. This one was more strict and would enforce discipline.

 

• We wanted to do what we wanted to do!
• We wanted the teacher to be stopped by any means necessary.
• We celebrated the teacher’s abrupt departure, only to be met with a more strict teacher.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw the “beast” rise from the abyss. This being was able to kill the two prophets of GOD. People around the world celebrated, unknowingly siding with the beast, who could be classified as the second part of the unholy trinity with Satan. All seemed lost, BUT GOD intervened.

 

My Observations:

• GOD has total power over life and death.
• GOD has a specific time in which HE does everything.
• GOD has a plan to tear down Satan’s kingdom, so celebrating against GOD would not be wise.

 

Getting my way may not be good for me. I mean, when I want something that is not good for me, I may put my desires over GOD’s. HE may even allow me to get my way, but I may not want what I get. Trouble follows a celebration of my being undisciplined. BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

“Surrender” is something I need to do in order to truly change. HE wants me to surrender my life to HIM by believing in HIS SON, JESUS, who died for humanity and was raised from the dead. Only JESUS can cure the mess humans have made.

 

Challenge

• Does the writer seem as if he was writing a horror movie of today?
• Have you ever celebrated something you were clearly doing wrong?
• Will you ask GOD to guide you away from the things you were or are doing, that are against HIM, so you can have a loving relationship with HIM today?

Expectations Met

Expectations Met

1 John 5: ⁶ Jesus Christ is the one who came with the water of his baptism and the blood of his death. He came not only with the water, but with both the water and the blood. And the Spirit himself testifies that this is true, because the Spirit is truth. ⁷ There are three witnesses: ⁸ the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and all three give the same testimony. ⁹ We believe human testimony; but God's testimony is much stronger, and he has given this testimony about his Son. 

 

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Sitting in driver’s school, I looked at my watch all day! It seemed like the hours moved as days as the instructor warned all of us speeders about the dangers of driving fast. I had to check in at the beginning of the class and then check out at the end.

 

• I was sentenced to serve eight hours for my speeding.
• I was required to take the driver’s class.
• I needed an official witness that I took the class in order for the speeding ticket to not count against me.

 

John addressed something that people are still looking for to this very day, namely a person who can fix the mess humans are in. Poverty, sickness, violence and other problems seemed to grow, removing all hope. John addressed the fact the JESUS is the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Humans witnessed HIS baptism, but only HE experienced death and the SPIRIT testifies that HE met the criteria, GOD was looking for.

 

My Observations:

• Satan’s pride caused him to get kicked out of heaven, and he introduced sin into the world by tricking Adam and Eve into performing an seemingly innocent sin.
• All of humanity became sinners through Adam and Eve and needed a sinless Savior.
• JESUS became a human, who never once sinned, who was baptized and murdered by HIS creation, but was raised from the dead by the HOLY SPIRIT.

 

Human witnesses are good, BUT GOD’s witness is the ultimate. I mean, humans can provide a witness to something and still be wrong or possibly have a sinful motive behind his or her witness. BUT GOD’s witness is pure and contains no sin.

 

The HOLY SPIRIT witnessed JESUS’s death and raised HIM from the dead. This act redeemed all humans who believe in the need of salvation. HIS resurrection was enough to meet GOD’s expectations. I am glad GOD supplied everything I needed to remove my sentence and to become redeemed by HIS SON.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer point out about JESUS?
• Have you ever pondered why did HE have to go through all of the pain and suffering?
• Will you see GOD’s love in JESUS’s actions by surrendering your life to HIM and by knowing that all expectations of you have been met, simply by believing in what HE has done today?

Different Angle

Different Angle

Titus 2: ^1-6 Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.

 

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Being steeped deeply in technology, I provided a solution in an all-department meeting. A problem was brought up and I provided my angle to the problem by giving what I knew. Others did the same and we worked on the problem as a team, but from different angles.

 

• I didn’t know there were other ways to look at the problem.
• I though my way was the only way, until I heard other ways.
• I needed someone to guide me to use my strengths to solve problems while remaining part of the team.

 

Paul gives sage advice to Titus regarding enlisting a variety of people to use sound doctrine. To address questions and clear up confusion, Paul provides suggestions for people to come from various angles to serving and following JESUS. These angles were meant to make everyone effective based on his or her concerns or, in some cases, areas they needed to grow in.

 

My Observations

• GOD does not limit me in terms of how well I treat people.
• Gender and age can provide me with a different angle of serving the LORD with joy.
• Appreciating other angles of serving JESUS should be something I pursue.

 

Sound doctrine includes people. I mean, GOD made male and female to serve HIM from different angles. Each stage of life also beings in a new way to serve HIM. HE wants my heart open enough to desire to use sound doctrine when speaking about JESUS.

 

This includes learning about HIM and modeling what I learned. If also does not preclude me from modeling what other people are modeling. If it says to “live disciplined lives” to young men, it doesn’t prevent me as an older man or it doesn’t prevent a young woman from doing the same. I gladly serve GOD from the angle HE has given me.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer come from these angles?
• Have you ever been part of a successful team that had different roles?
• Will you do your part in serving GOD by the way HE made you so you can reach the people HE made you for today?

Another Way

Another Way

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

My Observations

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

 

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

 

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

 

Challenge

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

Help Continue in Peace

Help Continue in Peace

1 Corinthians 16: ¹⁰ If Timothy comes your way, be sure to make him feel welcome among you, because he is working for the Lord, just as I am. ¹¹ No one should look down on him, but you must help him continue his trip in peace, so that he will come back to me; for I am expecting him back with the believers.

 

¹² Now, about brother Apollos. I have often encouraged him to visit you with the other believers, but he is not completely convinced that he should go at this time. When he gets the chance, however, he will go.

 

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Instead of being happy that a new person was starting, I felt a bit overwhelmed. Since I had been around longer than most people, it was implied that I would train the new person on how to do things while keeping up with my work.

 

• I was not excited about the new person.
• I almost treated the new person as the problem versus the solution.
• I needed more help with change.

 

Paul provided help with change. People requested Apollos who had a large following. But Apollos was led by the SPIRIT to remain away for a little while longer. Instead Timothy was being sent. Paul urged everyone to receive him with open arms and to help him continue his trip in peace.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to understand that change is inevitable so I need HIS guidance when it happens.
• GOD wants me to embrace change even when it is not going as I expected.
• GOD wants me to desire things to go one way but accept HIS solution which may differ than “my” plans.

 

Continuing in peace is the goal versus getting my way. I do ask GOD “What is going on?” many times when I expect things to go one way and they go another way. When I ask for one resource, I tend to get a different one. “What am I supposed to do with this?” I ask GOD in frustration.

 

“Continue in peace” is the answer. GOD knows what I need way before I need it. HE also knows what I can handle and gives me exactly what I need at the right time. Change is difficult. I am glad GOD does care and wants me to continue with the peace that HE provides which surpasses all understanding.

 

Challenge

• How do you handle change?
• Do you automatically get upset first then calm down?
• How can you help other people embrace change like the writer did?
• Will you look beyond your current situation and see how to add GOD’s peace to it today?

Do What You Gotta Do

Luke 19: ⁴⁵ When Jesus entered the temple courts, he began to drive out those who were selling. ⁴⁶ ‘It is written,’ he said to them, ‘“My house will be a house of prayer”; but you have made it “a den of robbers”.’

⁴⁷ Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him. ⁴⁸ Yet they could not find any way to do it, because all the people hung on his words.

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“This person seems like they are after me” I said with distress. I mean they treat me different than the rest. I added. “Fight back” were the words of human wisdom. “You don’t have to stand for that nonsense. You have to do what you gotta do.” After this advice, I was filled with rage. The conflict was on! I had to protect “myself.”

• There have been many times I have been filled with rage.
• There have been many times I have gotten mad at someone who was in charge.
• There have been many times I was told to do something, but the person giving the advice had rage inside of them.

JESUS entered the temple and saw what it had become. It was not a place where HIS people were being fed, rather it was a “den of robbers.” JESUS was filled with rage and began to drive out those who sold their stuff blatantly. The church leaders mentioned “GOD” but wanted to kill HIM. They too heard the words “Do what you gotta do.”

• GOD wants me to listen to HIM for advice.
• GOD wants me to put HIS word over my actions.
• GOD wants me to remove my rage and let HIM decide what HE wants to do with the oppressor.

Hate breeds more hate and those who love to hate people may not be able to recognize love. The church leaders hated JESUS enough to kill HIM because they wanted to protect themselves and their lifestyle. They were willing to do whatever it took to take control of the situation, even murder.

GOD wants me to check my heart and give my desires to HIM. HE does not want me to be so desperate that I would prey on HIS followers. GOD wants me to seek peace with HIM so I can pass it on to others. HE is my guide.

• Are you enraged by someone?
• Do you feel like you “gotta do what you gotta do?”
• Will you consult GOD before you add rage and hatred to your heart today?

Will Call

Mark 3: ³¹ Then His brothers and His mother came, and standing outside they sent to Him, calling Him. ³² And a multitude was sitting around Him; and they said to Him, “Look, Your mother and Your brothers are outside seeking You.”

³³ But He answered them, saying, “Who is My mother, or My brothers?”³⁴ And He looked around in a circle at those who sat about Him, and said, “Here are My mother and My brothers! ³⁵ For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.”

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“What do YOU want from me?” was my anxious cry as I did not get my expected outcome yet again. Here was my normal pattern. I would want something, ask GOD “Please let me have that something” then pout when that something does not come in the time or way or amount that I wanted.

• Many times I am not open to GOD’s will.
• Many times I secretly get mad that GOD doesn’t answer my prayers in my time, my way.
• Many times I question GOD’s will when something “I” consider “bad” happens to me.

From car accidents to robberies to failed careers to people leaving when I needed them the most, I prayed prayers I thought were earnest and sincere but did not get what I wanted. In frustration I would cry out “What!?” meaning “What is the will of GOD?”

• GOD says to me “I want you to tell people about ME in everything you do.”
• GOD says to me “I have a serious plan for you that will be met with opposition, but I AM there for you.”
• GOD says to me “MY will is that all will be saved and I need you as one of MY few laborers.”

When I realized my purpose I could see GOD’s will a little clearer. HE doesn’t need another selfish, attention grabbing person who feels a little too confident in themselves. GOD needs me exactly as I am, sin and all, to tell other people “JESUS loved me to the point of death for me and now that HE is alive I can live eternally with HIM, no sickness and no pain.”

I hear GOD tell me to “Help that person” or “Pray for those who harm you” or “Give what you can while praising ME to be able to give.” GOD then grows me up to complain about HIM less and less. When something “bad” happens I also understand that is part of HIS will as “All things work together for good to them that love GOD, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” GOD calls me to do HIS will.

• Are you complaining that you are not getting your way fast enough?
• Can you accept GOD’s timing and methods?
• Will you praise GOD and tell people about JESUS in the middle of your crisis?

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?

Favorable or Unfavorable

Jeremiah 42: Then all the army officers, including Johanan son of Kareah and Jezaniah son of Hoshaiah, and all the people from the least to the greatest approached ² Jeremiah the prophet and said to him, “Please hear our petition and pray to the Lord your God for this entire remnant. For as you now see, though we were once many, now only a few are left. ³ Pray that the Lord your God will tell us where we should go and what we should do.”

⁴ “I have heard you,” replied Jeremiah the prophet. “I will certainly pray to the Lord your God as you have requested; I will tell you everything the Lord says and will keep nothing back from you.”

⁵ Then they said to Jeremiah, “May the Lord be a true and faithful witness against us if we do not act in accordance with everything the Lord your God sends you to tell us. ⁶ Whether it is favorable or unfavorable, we will obey the Lord our God, to whom we are sending you, so that it will go well with us, for we will obey the Lord our God.”

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Tired of all of the issues I finally said “GOD, YOU win!” I was finally too tired to fight HIM and it seemed like I was not going to get my way anyway. The more I tried to do things on my own, the worse things got.

• There are times when I think I can solve my own problems.
• There are times when I think I have it within myself to come up with a solution.
• There are times when I think I can face any situation and hit it head on with my own strength.

In this world of “individualism” I was king. I mean I was great at not needing anyone and groused at those who did. BUT GOD took me through many situations that had me turn back to HIM. Things were falling apart left and right and eventually I had no place to turn. “GOD help me” was my cry.

• When I cry out to GOD, HE always answers.
• When I say the name of JESUS, HE always comes through.
• When I place my worries, sins, doubts and fears in front of GOD, HE always takes care of me.

There is one caveat that HE wants me to do. When I do turn my face back to HIM, HE does not want me to turn away from HIM again. HE desires that I live a life that is obedient to HIM whether HIS answer is favorable or unfavorable. HE wants full rights to my life and I must give HIM full praise. Ever since I realized this, all has gone very well.

• Are you nervous about something?
• Do you seem worried?
• Can you stop worrying for moment and ask yourself “Why do I not trust GOD?”
• What are you fighting GOD about?
• Will you stop being exhausted by trying to steer GOD and ask HIM for HIS favorable or unfavorable direction?