HIS promises are never broken

Hebrews 6: ¹³ When God made his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater for him to swear by, he swore by himself, ¹⁴ saying, “I will surely bless you and give you many descendants.” ¹⁵ And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised.

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

When my bike was stolen I thought my life was ruined…well at least for that moment. I also thought the same thing when I had my first accident, when I missed an interview and when I watched a plane leave with the VP on it and I wasn’t.

Can anything good come out of bad situations?

• When bad situations happen I think I’m being punished.
• When bad situations happen I sometimes think my life is ruined.
• When bad situations happen I let my mind race in the wrong direction and fall to my worries, fears and doubts.

Little did I know these “bad” moments in my life were those that would shape me. Looking back I can see each situation acting like a puzzle piece to a greater picture. GOD seems to have HIS hand on these “bad” situations.

• GOD made a promise to me that HE has a wonderful plan for me.
• GOD made a promise to me that HE would always be with me even until the end of this age and beyond.
• GOD made a promise to me that HE would wipe away all my tears and forgive me for all my sins if I would just believe in HIS SON’s position and efforts.

When GOD makes a promise you can believe HE is going to keep it. I may have one way I think the promise should play out and I am usually wrong. I never would have chosen the path HE has placed me on. HE put obstacles in front of me to turn my life back to HIM. Now I can see those “bad” situations weren’t bad at all, they were simply nudges.

• Are you going through a difficult time?
• What is GOD trying to tell you by having you in this situation?
• Can you believe HE has a wonderful plan for you?
• Won’t you believe HE will always keep HIS promise of loving you forever?

Who should I be focused on?

Colossians 1: ¹⁵ The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. ¹⁶ For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him.

¹⁷ He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.

¹⁸ And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy.

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

Generosity was taught to me by my in-laws. Investing was taught to me by one of my best friend’s parents. Cooking was taught to me by many of my “mothers” and “uncles” from neighborhoods far and wide. My parents taught me about GOD.

These were people to admire yet they do not quite match up to the ONE I am supposed to look at.

• JESUS is the SON of GOD who created all things with the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT.
• JESUS is the one who all things were created for.
• JESUS is the authority who puts rulers in charge of governments.
• JESUS is the one who is supreme over any force or power.
• JESUS is the glue that holds all things together.
• JESUS is the church and HE chose to die just for me.

In these days of people looking at other people to admire, it’s difficult to find someone who is truly in my corner. I mean what is the hidden agenda “that” person holds? JESUS is above everything so HE has no need to have a hidden agenda.

HE willingly and purposefully died for me to serve a sentence HE declared. HE said I should die because of my sins yet HE turned around and died for me.  Now that HE is alive HE is busy building a place for me and those who believe in HIS supremacy.  HE is the one I should focus on.

• Are you wearing yourself out trying to be a role model?
• Are you disappointed in someone?
• Have people pulled away from you?
• Can you focus on JESUS today and ponder what HE has done for you?
• Will you give HIM your cares today?

From tragedy to triumphant

Galatians 6: ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

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

Disturbed by another heinous act of violence I ran through many emotions and thoughts this morning. “Why did another shooter take so many lives?” was the first thought on my mind. Then I immediately tried to figure out who to blame. What a tragedy! Can’t we ever just live peaceful lives?

• When I think other people will bring me peace I am highly mistaken.
• When I blame others for stealing my peace I am highly mistaken.
• When I believe circumstances are too bleak to ever have peace I am highly mistaken.

There are many tragic situations that happen on a daily basis. In fact it seems more like they are happening each hour! BUT GOD doesn’t want me to be shaken by tragedy rather focus on triumph!

• When I encourage someone I overcome tragedy.
• When I choose to praise GOD instead of venting frustration I overcome tragedy.
• When I place blame in the grave and uphold the ways of the SPIRIT I overcome tragedy.

I could point to others and say “look at this sick society” or I can say “how can I lift someone up today?” I believe it’s obvious which one GOD wants me to do. GOD wants me to exclaim the GREAT NEWS about HIS SON who went through tragedy and became triumphant.  

• Are you feeling defeated?
• Do you blame others for your situation?
• Do you blame others for the direction the nation or the world is headed?
• Can you take today’s tragedy and become triumphant?
• Won’t you encourage someone today and defeat tragedy?

It’s the GOD in me

Galatians 2: ²⁰ I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

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

Many of my “mom’s” and “dad’s” are aging now. They have been through many circumstances, situations and impossible surroundings that would make you cringe just listening. When I go through my situations I always wonder… how did they make it? I mean I think I would have given up. What kept them going?

• My situation blinds me to what I am here for.
• My circumstance blinds me to what is truly important.
• My surroundings blind me to what really matters.

When I am feeling down and despondent I think the world is crashing around me. I think there is no way out and I feel like just sitting and doing nothing. Then I start feeling “deserving” where I ask “Why don’t YOU care anymore LORD?” The answer always comes back the same… “I do love you.”

• GOD loves me dearly and knows what I am going through.
• GOD loves me wholeheartedly and gave HIS own body to save mine.
• GOD loves me unconditionally and forgave ALL of my sins.

GOD placed HIS SPIRIT in me to seal my eternal life. HE wants me to live for HIM instead of trying to live for me. When I live for HIM my circumstances seem to diminish, no matter how large. I can face the day knowing that whatever happens, it’s part of GOD’s plan and what a great plan it is.

• Are you living for you or GOD?
• Are you focused on your situations or HIS?
• Do you believe you are in the middle of HIS plans or are you nervous about yours?
• Will you stop focusing on you for a moment and focus on what GOD wants you to do?

Fake light

2 Corinthians 11: ¹³ For such people are false apostles, deceitful workers, masquerading as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light.14  ¹⁵ It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

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

Critical of another preacher, I left this church too. I mean it was obvious he was sleeping with half the congregation and taking their money. When I finally settled on a church I became a Sunday School teacher. This place was perfect because the congregation was a little older. I could still go out on Saturday’s and no one would know.

Then one Sunday someone came in and yelled across the room at me… “We had a great time at the club last night.” My high school students knew exactly which club and knew just how phony I had been.

• When I try to act righteous I shine fake light.
• When I try to act “goody-goody” I shine fake light.
• When I try to act like I don’t sin I shine fake light.
• When I try to act like sin and holiness can live together in harmony I shine fake light.

Fake light is produced when I try to manipulate the Bible’s words to get my way. When it is convenient to use its words in my favor I produce something that repels people away from GOD versus drawing them closer. If I want revenge then I can say “an eye for an eye” but when I have done wrong I can say “the LORD forgives sin.” Where is the true light?

• GOD is not hypocritical so I can put my trust in HIM.
• GOD’s word does not contradict itself so I should take it entirely in context.
• GOD’s methods are unmatched so Satan’s temptation can never fix what is truly broken.

Fake light is dangerous. It goes out and seeks a crowd to justify its actions. It knows sin and is not willing to admit it. Justification is in fake light rather than sanctification. BUT GOD is the true light. JESUS volunteered to become the only human to live sinless. HE, being GOD, became lower than me and took my punishment. Now HE is alive and I am forgiven. Now that’s light!

• Do you know the “true” light?
• Are you following fake light and fighting to get your way?
• Won’t you turn your life over to the true light?

I have an arsenal available to me

2 Corinthians 10: ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.5 

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

“Woe is me” I thought to myself many times. I mean “that” person didn’t treat me right or I didn’t win the contest or I was broke again or someone including myself felt sick. “Can’t I ever get ‘my’ way?

• I fight against GOD when what I want isn’t what I need.
• I struggle with GOD when HE delays my deliverance.
• I wrestle with GOD when I lose my faith in HIM and try to go my own way.

There is something inside me that says “this GOD stuff is too hard, give up and go your own way.” The problem with that crazy statement is “which way can I go outside of GOD?” The very thought that I can do better without GOD puts me on the wrong path. Soon my thoughts attack HIS intentions and even still they attack HIS existence. How do I combat this?

• GOD gave me HIS Bible to keep my mind focused on HIS wonderful promises for me.
• GOD gave me five senses to see, smell, hear, taste and touch HIM daily.
• GOD gave me HIS HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me and comfort me when things go wrong.
• GOD gave me HIS SON who died in my place giving me free access to the FATHER whom I can ask for anything.

This little situation or that one cannot match the weapons GOD has given me. In fact, once I assess the situation I notice my faith is really being attacked and I am tempted not to use my weapons. GOD says “try ME out and watch the outcome.” HE changes me to be stronger to handle the situation while bringing others along.

The power is with GOD and while I may not get “my” way I will get the best way!

• Are you battling something?
• Is there something in your life making you doubt GOD?
• Can you look at the weapons GOD has given you to protect you?
• Will you help someone realize GOD’s power today?

What is important?

1 Corinthians 15: ³ For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.4 5 

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

Awake, worried about the test I finally arose and studied. Awake, worried about the presentation I finally arose and prepared. Awake, worried about my family I finally arose and paced the house to clear my thoughts. How much time have I spent distracted?

• I spend way too much time worried about the future I cannot control.
• I spend way too much time thinking about what “if” instead of thinking about what “is.”
• I spend way too much time trying to make sense out of the senseless.

When I get shaken or beat up by the world I panic and try to develop a plan to fix everything. All the while I have missed the main point of my existence namely CHRIST.

• CHRIST is more important than anything I can worry about.
• CHRIST is more important than anything I can aspire to achieve.
• CHRIST is more important than anything I can hope to have.

Sometimes I make the mistake and think JESUS is only for my death. I mean I mistakenly think HIS only purpose is to save me from Hell and only focuses on heaven, but what about now? JESUS died for my sins and sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live with me daily. Each and every day I can consult with GOD to understand where to go and how to get there.

HE isn’t just the GOD of the future, HE is the GOD of the past and present as well. HE brings me peace today and has great plans for my future. HE is what I should focus on as being important.

• What are you worried about?
• Are you focused on what is not important?
• Can you believe GOD has a great plan specifically made for you?
• Will you believe HE is not trying to harm you but help you?

Are you jealous yet?

Romans 9: ¹⁶ It does not, therefore, depend on human desire or effort, but on God’s mercy. ¹⁷ For Scripture says to Pharaoh: “I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” ¹⁸ Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden.

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

Looking at the news I saw another singer who had lived their life reckless meet some sort of demise. With little sympathy I thought “serves them right.” “I mean if I had their money, I would do something good with it!”

• Jealous is actually anger at GOD’s plan.
• Envy is actually a form of saying to GOD “YOU did this wrong.”
• Covetousness is actually a statement to GOD that HIS grace is not sufficient enough and I want more!

Usually when I pout about what someone else has or does, it is because I want what they have. My jealous, envious, covetous heart seeks something that is not mean for me. I whine like a child pointing at the things GOD is trying to keep away from me. Then I throw out a statement, “Haven’t I been good?” as if that is supposed to move GOD to give me what I want.

• GOD raises up who HE wants to raise up for HIS purpose so I should not be jealous of HIS choice.
• GOD tears down who HE wants to tear down so I should not be angered if HE chooses me.
• GOD has mercy on who HE wants to have mercy on so I should not get upset when my enemies prosper.
• GOD hardens who HE wants to harden but my acts of love toward them are still very important.

One would say, “Well what’s the use? If GOD is going to do what HE is going to do then I don’t have a choice!” GOD has given me choices and will help me along with those choices. If I choose to be greedy then a terrible thing could happen. HE could enable me to be wealthy and harden my heart to never give, and then HIS wrath would be against me and my greed.

“What?! I thought GOD was merciful!” you say. YES, GOD is infinitely merciful, grace-filled and loving, but HE wants me to point my life in HIS direction. You see, GOD is a jealous GOD and wants my complete attention.

• Is your attention focused on looking for some relationship outside of GOD’s will?
• Are you looking to obtain more stuff or keep your stuff?
• Are you jealous of someone who is doing “better” than you?
• Can you focus on the plan GOD has for you without jealousy, envy or covetousness?