Great Words, Difficult Crowd

 

Great Words, Difficult Crowd

Revelation 10: ⁸ Then the voice that I had heard speaking from heaven spoke to me again, saying, “Go and take the open scroll which is in the hand of the angel standing on the sea and on the land.”
⁹ I went to the angel and asked him to give me the little scroll. He said to me, “Take it and eat it; it will turn sour in your stomach, but in your mouth it will be sweet as honey.”
¹⁰ I took the little scroll from his hand and ate it, and it tasted sweet as honey in my mouth. But after I swallowed it, it turned sour in my stomach. ¹¹ Then I was told, “Once again you must proclaim God's message about many nations, races, languages, and kings.”

 

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

 

Being invited to speak at a high school was an honor to me. I was excited, so I prepared my words carefully. When I got to the room I was supposed to speak in, I was met with a classroom full of students similar to a comedy movie where no one wanted to pay attention. The class was forty minutes and it took the teacher 20 minutes just to get things quiet.

 

• At first I felt discouraged that I was not going to be able to motivate anyone like the invitation warranted.
• I had to keep my composure and keep the main message top of mind.
• I used the motivational words in hopes that at least one person would hear and go on to do some wonderful things!

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was told by the voice, perhaps JESUS, to eat the little scroll from the angel who stood on the land and the sea. The scroll tasted sweet, but turned his stomach. The voice then told him to proclaim GOD’s message about “nations, races, languages, and kings.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s message of love is sweet, but difficult to deliver because of disbelief.
• Racial and country tension can prevent people from hearing a sweet message from GOD, because of someone who does not look like him or her.
• GOD wants you and me to proclaim HIS message to all nations, not just one.

 

Saying “GOD loves people from every nation” is unpopular. I mean, it is easy to make excuses to not love someone who GOD loves. The way “they” act or look or eat or live can cause a sense of pause when it comes to treating people with the love GOD expects from us. Fortunately GOD has a remedy.

 

GOD tells us to not be ashamed of the gospel and for us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything HE has commanded us. GOD will reward you and me for preaching HIS message, even to a world that may scoff at the words.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the scroll was sweet as honey but turned the writer’s stomach?
• Do you think GOD knows HIS message is difficult to hear?
• Will you preach GOD’s message to people, even if they are unwilling to listen, so you will be rewarded by GOD for doing so?

Thankful

Thankful

John 17: ⁶ “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. ⁷ Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. ⁸ For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

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

Remembering the bonuses of the past, I was excited to open the check. It was much lower than it had ever been. My excitement immediately went away. I had worked pretty hard that year and could see no reason for the deficit. I was not happy.

• I wanted to trade in my thankfulness for a complaint.
• I expected more when I should have expected nothing.
• I based my happiness on what I could see, rather than knowing what was really happening.

JESUS speaks to the FATHER about HIS disciples. But the words really point out just how far JESUS went to help them.

• GOD wants me to know that JESUS made HIS name known to me.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS gave me the words that came from the FATHER.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS came from the FATHER who sent HIM to save me.

Getting back to the bonus. I asked about the lower amount the next day. “The company did not do as well this year, however, you got the highest  in the department” the person said. I was angry when I should have been thankful. Sometimes I treat GOD the same way.

JESUS went out of HIS way to make sure humans would return back to HIM. I must receive JESUS’ words and believe HE came from the FATHER, just as HE said. This belief gives me a thankful heart. I drop my complaints and praise GOD for what HE does. I am thankful.

• Are you thankful?
• Will you be able to look at what GOD has done for you today?
• Will you allow GOD to open your eyes to HIS blessings and thank HIM today?

Helpless and Mighty

Mark 4: ²⁶ And He said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, ²⁷ and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how. ²⁸ For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head. ²⁹ But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

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

When the car stalled out for the fifth time it seemed like we would never get home. The two hour journey had now turned into six. My cousin and I sat there waiting yet again for something miraculous to happen. After fifteen minutes I started the car again. This time it made it all the way home.

• Sometimes I have problems I cannot fix.
• Sometimes I have a desire but no solution.
• Sometimes I have an immediate need but have no way to meet that need.

Helpless is never a fun feeling but it is definitely useful. Looking back on the car situation, I can truly say that it was only GOD that brought me through that situation. I had nothing to offer, no power to give.

• JESUS says to me “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
• JESUS says to me “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”
• JESUS says to me “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see GOD.”

In my weakness GOD’s might is made perfect. GOD is the one who knows how seeds sprout in this story. JESUS lets HIS disciples know that the power comes only from HIM. I am supposed to go out and plant seeds of love, knowledge and faith to many and let GOD grow the seeds.

As much as I may want someone to believe in CHRIST, I am helpless BUT GOD is mighty! HE wants me to be ready for HIS harvest so HIS glory will shine bright.

• Are you ready for GOD’s harvest?
• Can you stop fearing and allow GOD to deliver you the way HE wants to?
• Will you continue to spread the seeds of GOD wherever HE sends you?

Watch What I Say

Proverbs 18: ²¹ The tongue has the power of life and death,
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.

²² He who finds a wife finds what is good
    and receives favor from the Lord.

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

Words are extremely important I have found over the years. When I say something harsh to my wife it seems like the whole house gets filled with gloom. No matter how simple the word or how complex the thought if the words are negative the whole world will know about it.

• Sometimes I have had words of complaint.
• Sometimes I have had words of disgust.
• Sometimes I have had words of distrust.

The tongue can be filled with poison and tear up my family. I mean I don’t have to be a cream puff if something is going away from GOD rather I have to watch what I say and say it in love.

• GOD wants me to see HIS example when HIS own creation blamed HIM, HE prayed for them.
• GOD wants me to know the power of the tongue can bring life or death.
• GOD wants me to understand that my words will be replayed to me when I am standing in front of HIM one day.

My words have to be chosen carefully so instead of responding quickly, I have to place my words before GOD and ask HIM to modify them before I speak. Only HE can tame my tongue and make it breathe life.

• Are you a harsh speaker?
• Do your words bring life or death?
• How many people have you torn down with your words?
• Can you examine your words and place them before GOD today?
• Will you accept the prayer that any words you say will fall back on you tenfold?

Don’t go with the flow

1 Kings 22: ⁵ But Jehoshaphat also said to the king of Israel, “First seek the counsel of the Lord.”

-------

¹² All the other prophets were prophesying the same thing. “Attack Ramoth Gilead and be victorious,” they said, “for the Lord will give it into the king’s hand.”

¹³ The messenger who had gone to summon Micaiah said to him, “Look, the other prophets without exception are predicting success for the king. Let your word agree with theirs, and speak favorably.”

¹⁴ But Micaiah said, “As surely as the Lord lives, I can tell him only what the Lord tells me.”

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

“All your problems will go away. GOD will provide you with health, wealth and happiness” is what I want to say to entice people to accept CHRIST.  This naive thinking turned my tongue into a lying instrument.  After telling people “it will be alright” and watching things get worse, I questioned GOD.

• GOD never said things would be easy.
• GOD never said I wouldn’t have troubles.
• GOD never said all of my problems would go away if I follow HIM.

Following GOD invites trouble. I mean as soon as I stop following the world, it becomes my enemy. Things will be a bit tougher as I resist temptation and walk in HIS ways. Even my tongue will have to be guided to give the right words at the right time. Sometimes GOD will give me wonderful news through HIS word and sometimes the words will be a bit sharp, cutting me and others.

• GOD wants me to speak the truth but delivered in love, not judgment.
• GOD wants me to speak the truth by understanding HIS word and not deviating from it.
• GOD wants me to speak the truth by saying HE is supreme and has the right to say “No.”

Yes GOD wants to bless everyone, but in HIS time and HIS way.  There may still be some pain each of us has to endure, some longer than others. BUT GOD wants me to say what HE wants me to say, knowing HIS word is best to follow.

• Are you telling people what you want to say or what GOD wants you to say?
• Do you feel you have to say “everything will be alright” even though you weren’t told to do so?
• Can you ask GOD what HE wants you to say and find the courage to say it?

Fallen words

1 Samuel 3: ¹⁹ The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

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

Foul language had never crossed my lips until I decided I wanted to be funny like one of my friend’s. He seemed to get attention and he was quite colorful in his language.  I slipped one in and got some chuckles. Soon my words were as a filthy as a rhino in a swamp.

Hilarious was my label, but when I wanted to be taken seriously, my words fell to the ground unheard.

• When I want attention I may use the wrong words.
• When I want to fit in I may say what the crowd is saying.
• When I want something I shouldn’t have I may say what is necessary for me to get that thing.

I learned terms like “Business is not personal” so my cold words could affect a life without me being worried about it.  I even went so far to pick up phrases that excluded people from being saved like “GOD doesn’t like that person” or “GOD isn’t with that leader.”

• GOD wants my words to be encouraging so I can bring people to HIM.
• GOD wants my words to match my actions so I can bring people to HIM.
• GOD wants my words to come from HIS words so I can bring people to HIM.

I sometimes forget that I was put on this planet with GOD’s purpose rather than mine.  When I speak poorly about a group of people in leadership or in a different neighborhood than me, then my words fall to the ground. GOD wants my words to be elevated off the ground. When I speak of HIS might, then HE can use these words to bring many to HIM.

• Are you wasting your words?
• What are you talking about?
• Can you take a moment and use some words to be more encouraging?
• Won’t you say a praise about GOD today?

Don’t mistake prosperity for GOD’s blessing

Judges 18: ³⁰ There the Danites set up for themselves the idol, and Jonathan son of Gershom, the son of Moses, and his sons were priests for the tribe of Dan until the time of the captivity of the land.³¹ They continued to use the idol Micah had made, all the time the house of God was in Shiloh.

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

Dressed in my new suit, I ventured into a huge church.  This place seemed to have everything!  When I sat on one of the lavish pews I noticed several women sitting near me. I noticed this the next week and the next. Finally a couple of them introduced themselves but similar to that of being in a club.

The preacher drove a lavish car and the sermons were about how to live in prosperity. Meanwhile, I noticed the deacons sneaking peeks at the women and winking at me as if to say, “You didn’t see that.” The crowd was huge and since this was one of my first efforts to go back to church I said to myself, “This place is better than the clubs!”

• Sometimes I can be fooled by fake prosperity.
• Sometimes I can be fooled into thinking immense wealth will bring me closer to GOD.
• Sometimes I can be fooled into seeking a place where I won’t be corrected so I can do what I want and blame it on GOD.

The Danites stole an idol and attacked peaceful people out of ignorance of what GOD desired for them. They worshipped the idol and broke one of the major commandments of GOD. I can relate to this because I was ignorant to what GOD wanted for me and when I got to the church where the preaching tickled my ears, I felt great!

• GOD told me HIS word is like a two edge sword, it cuts the preacher and the receiver.
• GOD told me HIS word applies to every human so I should look at my flaws before I make statements.
• GOD told me HIS word is above any thought I could dream up so it’s best that I follow HIS ways.

Prosperity comes and goes, BUT GOD is here forever.  When HE said “I will never leave you nor forsake you” HE also meant HE would hang around and correct those who believe in HIM. The country I live in emphasizes two things way too much, money and sex.

It blinds us to our many other flaws like prejudice, hatred, slander, corruption and divisiveness to name a few. GOD made it easy, “love one another as I have loved you.” This simple command is easy to remember and breaks down any pitiful cause focused on one single sin.

• Are you in a building calling itself a church that is not following GOD?
• Do you feel GOD wanting you to grow?
• Are you studying and learning about HIM?
• Can you add “loving others” to your plan today?

Keeping GOD’s message special

Numbers 1: ⁴⁷ But the families of the tribe of Levi were not counted along with the others. ⁴⁸ The Lord had spoken to Moses. He had said, ⁴⁹ “You must not count the men from the tribe of Levi. Do not include them when you list the other men of Israel.

⁵⁰ “Instead, put the Levites in charge of the holy tent. That is where the tablets of the covenant are kept. The Levites will be in charge of everything that belongs to the holy tent. They must carry the tent and everything that belongs to it. They must take care of it. They must set up camp around it.

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

Dress in a suit and don’t walk behind the pulpit were the rules that seemed to be upheld the most in the church of my childhood. Meanwhile I missed many sermons because I would fall asleep. “When I get older, I may not attend church” I said to myself.

I tried reading the Bible but it got boring real quick. I mean why should I know a genealogy? And besides, many of the old folks who were teaching me this stuff didn’t seem to be living any better than other folks.

• When GOD’s message is not special to me I develop reasons to move away from HIM.
• When GOD’s message is not special to me I treat everything about HIM as common.
• When GOD’s message is not special to me I compare what others are doing and never look at myself.

GOD went through great lengths to make HIS message to me special.  HE wrote HIS laws on my heart and taught many great people to hold HIS word in great esteem. HE knew I would reject HIS ways so when HIS SON volunteered to die for me HE agreed. HE loves when I pursue HIM.

• GOD understands when I don’t follow HIS ways but rewards me when I do.
• GOD understands when I don’t read about HIM but loves when I get to know HIM.
• GOD understands when I don’t treat HIS message special but grows me when I seek wisdom, knowledge and understanding from HIM.

HE put a group of people in charge of carrying HIS message when the Israelites were in the desert and told them to keep this message special. GOD wants me to do the same.

• Are you keeping GOD’s message special?
• Do you yield to HIS ways whenever you can?
• Won’t you start seeking HIM by letting go of your expectations of HIM and allowing HIM to work?