Saved From Fired and Drowned

Isaiah 43: But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
² When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
³ For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;
I give Egypt for your ransom,
    Cush and Seba in your stead.

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“It hurts me but I am looking to fire you” were the words of my former janitorial supervisor. “Are you drowned in paperwork” a former coworker asked me. Firing and drowning are strange concepts to me. I hope it doesn’t mean placing logs at my feet and lighting a match to burn me or holding my head beneath water until I suffocate.

• Sometimes the fires of life can get to me.
• Sometimes I feel like I am drowning in work, debt, pain or something else.
• Sometimes the waters knock me over and the fires burn my soul.

Fire also has been used to illustrate an unmet yet extreme want or desire. It burns from within and can cause me to turn away from GOD. Meanwhile water, while soft, can knock me over when it comes at me too fast, similar to the problems of life. When I try to hold back the raging river of trials, I seem to get flooded with worry. What am I to do?

• GOD says to me “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.”
• GOD says to me “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”
• GOD says to me “When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.”

Only GOD can make those statements. HE is the only one who can protect me, my family, my community and my nation. GOD continues to say to me “No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?” When GOD holds onto me, no one can take me out of HIS hand, not even myself. GOD’s salvation is as permanent as HIS promises. HE acts on my behalf and no one can reverse it.

• Are you being burned by the fires of life?
• Is life dishing out trials that are knocking you over like a flood?
• Can you slow down and see that GOD is holding onto you tightly in spite of the way you think about HIM?
• Will you call out to HIM today?

Taking Credit

Psalm 59: ¹⁷ You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
    you, God, are my fortress,
    my God on whom I can rely.

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Prayer was approaching a habit at this time. I decided to pray about the situation and it seemed like everything cleared up overnight. People around me saw that I had talent and I was promoted. Soon after I got as tough as the other bosses. “’I’ am strong enough to handle these people” I thought to myself.  “I” made it here “myself” and “I” can reach the top.

• It is false to think that I have any power whatsoever.
• It is false to think that my health, wealth and welfare come from me.
• It is false to think that I can breathe on my one, work on my own, live on my own.

I used to think that strength came from me. I mean when I was scrawny, I lifted weights and grew large. When I wasn’t successful, I worked harder than anyone else until I was. Soon I thought I was a self-made man. BUT GOD wants different.

• GOD wants me to give HIM credit for every step that I take.
• GOD wants me to praise HIM for everything that is done.
• GOD wants me to sing to HIM and about HIM because HE is the one who deserves credit.

It is GOD who raised me up and it is up to HIM to place me wherever HE wants me to go. HE is the bright shining light in the morning who blesses me with strength. I have no might at all. I cannot breathe without GOD. HE has the right to do as HE pleases and I praise HIM for it. I can always rely on GOD.

• Are you doing things on your own strength?
• Do you think it is your might that has you where you are?
• Do you think that your sin controls GOD’s blessings?
• Can you look at GOD’s grace as being sufficient?
• Will you look to GOD and praise HIM for being your strength today?

Strange Ways Work

Psalm 18: ³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
³¹ For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
³² It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
³³ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.

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With a car full of my stuff I turned down a semi-familiar street. I had only been to this town once so every street looked the same. I felt something say “Turn here.” I looked to the left and it was a one-way street headed in the opposite direction so I only had one way to turn. About one block later my quest ended with the apartment I sought out. Not only was it the perfect price, I discovered it was only blocks from my new job.

• My intuition can be faulty.
• My instinct can fail.
• My insight can be wrong.

Finding an apartment the way I found this one goes against logic. I mean one approach could be to go to my place of work then look within a certain radius of that location, comparing pricing until I found some within my range, and then executing a cost benefit of each one… whew! GOD had something different in mind.

• GOD wants me to not to be foolish rather depend on HIM for my decision making.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM first then proceed in the direction HE sends me.
• GOD wants me to take refuge in HIS way which sometimes may seem strange to everyone around me.

Conventional methods do not seem GOD’s style in my life. I mean HE has lifted me up to places I never should have been and taken me places I never should have gone. Like Noah building an Ark or Joshua marching around a city seven times and defeating it with a trumpet, GOD has me doing strange things that seem extremely unconventional to everyone around me.

HE makes me realize I must depend on HIM and seek HIS face daily in spite of what surrounds me. It is GOD who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.

• Are you listening to GOD?
• Does HE have you doing something out of the ordinary that is beneficial to the kingdom and not harmful to others?
• Can you put your full trust in HIM today?

Feeling Secure

Job 31: ²⁴ “If I have put my trust in gold
    or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’
²⁵ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth,
    the fortune my hands had gained,
²⁶ if I have regarded the sun in its radiance
    or the moon moving in splendor,
²⁷ so that my heart was secretly enticed
    and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,
²⁸ then these also would be sins to be judged,
    for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.

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Reorg season number four was here and my biggest fear was upon me. I had no depth perception regarding the levels they would cut because I was one of them. I was absolutely speechless. I thought I would work at this place forever. In fact I worked day and night for this place, trying to “hold onto what I had.”

• Fear blinds me to what I’m supposed to be doing.
• Fear robs me of an abundant life.
• Fear grips me to the point where I try to play it safe, hiding so I won’t get cut.

In order for me to “feel secure” I had to have fear. I mean if I didn’t tie my shoes right or please the latest ego in charge then I could “lose my job.” In retrospect, this wasn’t security, it was bondage.

• GOD wants me to put my trust in HIM at all times.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge that I need HIM before I need money, titles or pleasure.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face on my job or business or home.

No matter where I am, I must seek GOD. I should acknowledge my fear and ask HIM to hold onto it for me. My security is in GOD so wealth that causes fear must depart. I’m not saying I should not be wealthy, but it’s the fear of losing wealth that must be removed. Everything is GOD’s and I need to understand that I am in a very wealthy family, namely JESUS CHRIST’s.

• Do you have gripping fear over your job?
• Are you extremely stressed out?
• Hove you lost your job and feel lost?
• Can you begin to put your trust in GOD today?
• Will you slowdown in order to hear GOD’s voice?

Bargaining with GOD

2 Chronicles 19: ⁷ Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

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“I will NEVER do that again” were my words to GOD as I had just left “that” particular sin. I desired something so I tried to refrain from sinning to obtain my longings. I waited and waited and did not get my way in the time I wanted. I got angry at GOD. I mean, “what good is it to be ‘sinless’ if those who sin seem to get their way?”

• Sometimes I think I can manipulate GOD by refraining from certain sins for a short period of time.
• Sometimes I think GOD owes me something for being “good.”
• Sometimes I think I can be “sinless” for any period of time.

One mistake I have made is thinking “I” can be sinless for a month or a week or even a day. I may give up specific blatant sins and commit others I am not aware of. My motive behind refraining from sin ends up “being” sin because I want my way. 

• GOD wants me to realize HE treats people I don’t like with love.
• GOD wants me to understand I cannot change HIS mind with my sinfully motivated righteousness.
• GOD wants me to know HE already loves me to HIS fullest so when I try to manipulate HIM to get my way, it’s saying to HIM. “I don’t trust YOU.”

‘I will do THIS again and again LORD, but only YOU can help me in my path” is a new thought. I will never ever be sinless while I am on this earth. JESUS knew that my birth was flawed with sin so HE took my death and placed it on HIM. HE wants me to open my eyes to show me HIS impartiality.

I have consequences and grace just like every human HE has ever created. That crazy boss or the thief who stole my tapes or the thugs who robbed me are all loved dearly in GOD’s eyes. HE has a plan for me that cannot be tarnished with my bribery. I need to trust that HIS plan for me is great.

• Are you trying to bribe GOD?
• Do you think you can manipulate GOD by being “good” for a period of time?
• Can you trust GOD enough to let HIS great plan unfold in front of you?

Conducting Business GOD’s way

2 Kings 12: ¹³ The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the Lord; ¹⁴ it was paid to the workers, who used it to repair the temple. 

¹⁵ They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty.

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Sleep was my coveted desire.  I mean I gallivanted all night and I had to be at work at 7:00AM downtown in the big city. They wouldn’t mind if I slip into the bathroom and take a few winks. After my nap my boss questioned where I was. I stuttered and stammered through my explanation and thought to myself… “I have to take shorter naps!”

• When I think I can take liberties at work, it spills into other areas of my life.
• When I think I can steal even a paperclip from work I may steal large amounts later.
• When I think I can cheat customers on small items I will probably try to get more money from them than deserved.

I have run into a few business people who have acted with integrity and they are marvelous. In fact some of them made me change my ways. They told me to show up on early, tell the truth and to do what was right when no one was looking. By adding this character to my work ethic, I was promoted time after time.

• GOD wants me to be honest in my business dealings or HE will deal with me.
• GOD wants me to have integrity with my business or HE will not bless it.
• GOD wants me to have character with my business so HE can use it to draw people to HIM.

Slick and slippery don’t mesh well with GOD. HE wants service from the heart and it takes work to push the greedy part of me out and allow GOD to fill my heart.

• Are you trying to be slick?
• Have you fooled yourself into thinking you can get away with the tiny lie you just told?
• Can you stop lying to yourself?
• Won’t you start acting with integrity?

GOD is watching

1 Samuel 26: ²³ The Lord rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The Lord delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the Lord’s anointed. ²⁴ As surely as I valued your life today, so may the Lord value my life and deliver me from all trouble.”

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When I finally received the letter with my title and new salary, I said to myself, “I can’t wait to fire a few people.” I knew just who I had in mind. These were the lazy and slothful, at least in my mind, but really they were those who had opposed me over the years.

I handed in my list of people who should be cut, only to find out much later that one was my boss’s boss great friend.

• Sometimes I choose justice over grace.
• Sometimes I choose vengeance over mercy.
• Sometimes I choose “my way” versus “GOD’s way.”

It just feels good to get revenge or see someone fall who has been a jerk to many. BUT GOD wants me to have a different approach.

• GOD wants me to show mercy and sometimes explain it.
• GOD wants me to choose grace by praying for my enemies.
• GOD wants me to value life over getting my way.

Yes, GOD has softened my heart over the years and I value souls more stuff. My push is now focused on the kingdom more and more. It’s not always there but the more I can focus on GOD the more HE rewards me.

• Are you ready and hoping for vengeance?
• Do you want justice to happen?
• Are you waiting on a person to fail?
• Can you change your heart and hope for the best for that person?
• Won’t you pray for GOD to embrace them rather than taking them down?

There is no other GOD

Deuteronomy 4: ³⁹ The Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below. Today you must agree with that and take it to heart. There is no other God.

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Standing on a porch in a hand-me-down snorkel coat, a gust of wind blew and I went sailing. Laughter came from everyone because my frail frame wasn’t enough to hold me down. Since I was so frail I developed fears, especially of bullies, I avoided them at all costs.

When I grew high in a company I complained because I had to pay “alternative minimum tax.” I feared fluctuations in the market so I kept a close watch on where I put “my” funds. Then I met my worst fear, a bully at work who threatened my financial security! What was I going to do?

• Sometimes my fear of people comes from me viewing them with too much power.
• Sometimes my fear of losing money comes from me putting it too high on the priority.
• Sometimes my fear of failure comes from looking at my frail being and thinking I don’t have the power to accomplish huge things.

It was only GOD who could take me to the places I’ve been.  I never would have imagined meeting people I’ve met or doing the things I have done. My fear of the unknown blinds me to the point where I cannot see GOD’s great power.

• The LORD is GOD in heaven above and on the earth below.
• The LORD is GOD all by HIMSELF.
• The LORD is GOD and there is no other GOD.

GOD has ALL of the power, I have none. My frail thinking is only limited by how much I trust in what HE can do. If I believe HE can perform a miracle, then HE will bless me with miracles happening in front of my face. HE performs them anyway, but my blindness causes me to miss HIS great power.

GOD is mighty. GOD is powerful. GOD is everywhere. GOD is.

• Do you doubt GOD’s power?
• Do you think HE can’t handle your situation?
• Can you increase your trust in HIM to do what HE want with the situation?
• Won’t you let HIM bless you the way HE wants you to be blessed and throw away your false expectations of HIM?

Leaders are patient

Numbers 20: ⁷ The Lord spoke to Moses. He said, ⁸ “Get your wooden staff. You and your brother Aaron gather the people together. Then speak to that rock while everyone is watching. It will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community. Then they and their livestock can drink it.”

⁹ So Moses took the wooden staff from the tent. He did just as the Lord had commanded him. ¹⁰ He and Aaron gathered the people together in front of the rock. Moses said to them, “Listen, you who refuse to obey! Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?”

¹¹ Then Moses raised his arm. He hit the rock twice with his staff. Water poured out. And the people and their livestock drank it.

¹² But the Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron. He said, “You did not trust in me enough to honor me. You did not honor me as the holy God in front of the people of Israel. So you will not bring this community into the land I am giving them.”

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Sitting in church was no longer enough for me. Something stirred inside me and made me want to do more. I could sense it clearly and was led to teach.  This was a great and scary revelation.  I had never taught before but accepted the challenge.

My fears got the best of me as thoughts raced through my mind. “What if they won’t listen?” “What if I’m boring?” “What if I don’t know any answers?” In my usual planning way I thought up some “exciting” ideas.  I will come up with a few gimmicks to keep everyone awake, this way they will hear.  My lesson failed miserably because people got distracted by my gimmick!

• I must face the reality that GOD doesn’t need my help but loves when I do.
• I must face the reality that GOD’s methods are strange to me but they always work.
• I must face the reality that GOD’s message does not go out “void” rather every word spoken is fruitful and for HIM.

Sometimes I really can’t believe GOD’s plan for me.  I mean some of the things HE has me do seem futile.  Shouldn’t I fill a stadium and have thousands of people clamoring over CHRIST? Not right now. GOD has me right where HE needs me. It may be only one person I need to speak to in my entire life.  I just need to be ready and obedient to HIS ways.

• Do you think GOD’s plan for you is wrong right now?
• Do you feel like HE has you doing futile work?
• Can you remain obedient and speak about HIM to someone today?

Tired? Give it to GOD.

Matthew 11:    ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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There are times that I get tired of the whole “good” versus “evil” thing. I mean it seems like I come up wrong most of the time and my efforts seem to go unrewarded. When I try to serve people they blow it off, troubles seem to still come my way and those I have been praying for don’t seem to be getting better (at least from where I see it).

• The reason I get tired is I am trying to do things my way, not GOD’s way.
• The reason I get tired is I think “I” have the answer when it is really up to GOD.
• The reason I get tired is I try to manipulate GOD and change HIS direction rather than going with HIM.

GOD told me to “Come to HIM” which means I have to stop running away scared of the consequence HE has for me because of my sin. HE then told me to “learn from HIM” which means I have to drop my know it all ways and trust HIS plan.

HE also told me that HE is “gentle” “humble in heart” and that HE would “give me rest.” GOD took on the burden of sin and HE gave me an easy job. All HE wants me to do is be at peace with HIM and tell others why I am peaceful.

• Rest comes when I see things GOD’s way.
• Rest comes when I learn from GOD and I understand how gentle HE truly is with me.
• Rest comes when I can finally give up the fight I have with GOD trying to get my way.

I have noticed I rest better when I trust GOD to do HIS thing. I get nervous when I am trying to do something and GOD’s answer may be “no.” Learning from GOD and doing HIS tasks are easy when I truly ask HIM “LORD what do YOU want?”

• Are you tired?
• What battle are you fighting?
• Are you trying to get “your way” or have you asked GOD “what do YOU want?”
• Can you say to GOD “YOU will be done” today?

Hold on! Hold on.

2 Thessalonians 2: ¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

 ¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷ encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

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“Is it Christmas yet?” I would ask throughout the night bugging my tired parents. “Are we there yet?” I would ask my weary parents on long trips. “When are my test scores going to get here?” I would rhetorically ask my parents who had no answer.

“Why is that person driving so slow?” I would ask myself as I tore into oncoming traffic trying to pass them. Wow, life moves too slow so I better take matters into my own hands.

• When I’m impatient I set an expectation of GOD that may not be HIS will.
• When I’m impatient I may hear GOD’s word but throw it out when things don’t move fast enough.
• When I’m impatient I can’t see or hear what GOD is doing in my life because I’m to busy executing my plan.

Many times in my life I really “wanted” something and it seemed like it took so long to get it so I would pout. Eventually when I got whatever I was waiting for, it seemed anticlimactic and I wasn’t very thankful to GOD. Sometimes I wouldn’t get what I wanted so I would throw out GOD’s ways and come up with my own.

• GOD wants me to “hold fast” to HIS ways.
• HE wants me to be patient with HIS plan and accept HIS time.
• GOD wants me never to forget that HIS SON took care of “all” of life’s problems.
• HE wants me to know and accept HIS love the way HE wants to show it.

Admittedly I am impatient and I try to “fix” relationships, people and situations, BUT GOD tells me to “hold fast” to HIS teachings instead of coming up with my plan. HE saved me from eternal death and HE certainly can fix whatever I’m going through if I just let HIM do it in HIS time, HIS way.

• Have you been waiting on something for a very long time?
• Can you still see GOD working in your life?
• Can you hold on to the teaching about GOD and HIS love?
• Can you see HE is trying to encourage you today?

Thank GOD I’m foolish, weak and low!

1 Corinthians 1:26Brothers think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29so that no one may boast before him. 30It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. 31Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord."

It’s amazing that GOD works opposite of human thinking. HE definitely does not work the way I think HE should. Over the years I have run into some very intelligent people. Unfortunately their intelligence get’s in the way of their relationship with GOD, yet GOD does not smash them.

There are times where my intelligence get’s in the way of GOD. Whenever I think I accomplished something on my own or if my education got me where I got then I miss out on praising GOD for what HE has done.

GOD is the only one who is intelligent.
GOD raises people from “low” places and no man can remove them.
GOD removes people from “high” places for HIS purpose.

At first I would get sad when someone would lose their job or title. This is human intelligence getting in the way again. GOD in HIS magnificent wisdom has shaken the world’s economy and many have lost their possessions, but have not lost hope.

GOD is showing that “HE” is “the hope” not money, title or possession. Human wisdom is no match for GOD nor is a person in a high office or military stature.

GOD cannot be understood.
GOD cannot be opposed.
GOD cannot fail.

When I think that I am “something,” I am nothing. When I know I am nothing compared to GOD, HE makes me “something!”

Are you relying on your wisdom?
Are you doubting GOD’s ability because of your knowledge?
Do you think your knowledge matches GOD’s?

GOD'S WAY by Sharon Lambkin

When times seem bad
And clouds are gray
A window in heaven will open
And there will be a way.

God has this perfect plan
For us all defined
We just need to tune into God's will
And all will be fine.

Sometimes in the course
Of our busy day
We offer our problems to God and say
'Your will be done' we pray.

After we give it all to God
Our faith begins to fade.
Lord Jesus, I think I have a better solution
And another request is made.

Remember, just give it to the Lord
And leave it there
God in all his miracles,
Will always be fair.

When he works out your problems
And delivers you from despair,
It's not just a one time shot
He will always keep you in his care.