Grow up and give it back!

Joshua 7: ¹⁰ The Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! What are you doing down on your face? ¹¹ Israel has sinned; they have violated my covenant, which I commanded them to keep. They have taken some of the devoted things; they have stolen, they have lied, they have put them with their own possessions. 

¹² That is why the Israelites cannot stand against their enemies; they turn their backs and run because they have been made liable to destruction. I will not be with you anymore unless you destroy whatever among you is devoted to destruction.

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Toner got all over my hands and finally some got on my clothes.  I fixed numerous paper jams and it seemed like the automatic stapler went nuts as soon as I fixed other problems.  It was after hours and I had to fix everything myself because I was making copies for my social group. “My company wouldn’t mind because they made lots of money”, I thought to myself.

• When I permanently borrow something without permission it’s stealing.
• When I use something without permission it’s stealing.
• When I go outside the boundaries for my own personal gain, it’s stealing.

Stealing was not my mode of operation.  I would never consider myself a thief.  I mean thieves break in and take what’s not theirs. So what’s the harm in taking stuff from work? “These folks are thieves themselves, they have plenty!”

• GOD wants me to mature enough to not want even a paperclip that’s not mine.
• GOD wants me to grow up enough to realize that even the time spent goofing off at work is stealing.
• GOD wants me to ripen enough to desire HIS supply of my needs rather than me taking them from someone.

Slipping out of work early or taking material from the job or doing inferior work to collect a check has not build the best relationship between me and GOD. I may even justify my actions by classifying the company or even my boss as jerks, but it still doesn’t fit well within GOD’s favor.

GOD wants me to be honest in my dealings and desires that I focus my attention on HIM more and more.

• Are you stealing from work by not giving your best?
• Are you stealing from GOD by not serving, giving, or praying?
• Can you give back what you have taken and start over?
• Won’t you grow up enough to admit what you are taking?

Are all of GOD’s promises pleasant?

Deuteronomy 3: ²³ At that time I made my appeal to the Lord. I said, ²⁴ “Lord and King, you have begun to show me how great you are. You have shown me how strong your hand is. You do great works and mighty acts. There isn’t any god in heaven or on earth that can do what you do. ²⁵ Let me go across the Jordan River. Let me see the good land that is beyond it. I want to see that fine hill country and Lebanon.”

²⁶ But the Lord was angry with me because of what you did. He wouldn’t listen to me. “That is enough!” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. ²⁷ Go up to the highest slopes of Pisgah. Look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes. But you are not going to go across that Jordan River.

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Hearing the sounds of everyone outside added to my torture.  It was the perfect summer day and kids were playing in the sprinklers and I couldn’t go outside.  I was “on punishment” for something I had done. “Can I please go outside?” was my only negotiation tactic. “NO and don’t ask me again” was their final statement.

• I have to accept that everything GOD says to me may not be pleasant.
• I have to accept that everything GOD allows may not be fun.
• I have to accept that everything GOD does may not always hide me from disappointment.

If GOD is supreme in my life, then HE has the right to say “NO” to me.  HE also has the right to not like what I’m doing and correct me. In fact, I really should be worried when there are no consequences for my actions because that means HE has left me stuck in my mess.

• GOD gives mercy but also corrects me.
• GOD gives grace but holds me accountable for my sins.
• GOD gives love and in love HE disciplines me.

I honestly don’t think there is a “cause and affect” action to my sin.  Sometimes when I sin, GOD sees I need grace and HE reaches HIS arms out to show HIS love. BUT there are other times when HE sees I am really on the wrong path and HE brings a trial in my life to wake me up.

GOD’s supremacy means HE isn’t my servant nor is HE only a goody, goody grant giver. Make no mistake, GOD despises sin yet HE has pardoned me for mine.

• Do you think GOD doesn’t see your hidden sin?
• Are you using your words to put the attention on someone else rather than pointing out your own sins?
• Has GOD said “NO” to you and you won’t take “NO” for an answer?
• Won’t you let GOD be supreme in your life and accept HIS plan?

Throwing a tantrum isn’t a good idea

Numbers 16: ³ They came as a group to oppose Moses and Aaron. They said to Moses and Aaron, “You have gone too far! The whole community is holy. Every one in it is holy. And the Lord is with them. So why do you put yourselves above the Lord’s people?”

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¹² Then Moses sent for Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab. But they said, “We won’t come! ¹³ You have brought us up out of a land that has plenty of milk and honey. You have brought us here to kill us in this desert. Isn’t that enough? Now do you also want to act as if you were ruling over us?

¹⁴ “Besides, you haven’t brought us into a land that has plenty of milk and honey. You haven’t given us fields and vineyards of our own. Are you going to poke out the eyes of these men? No! We won’t come!”

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³¹ As soon as Moses finished speaking all of those words, what he had said came true. The ground under them broke open. ³² It opened its mouth. It swallowed up those men. In fact, it swallowed up everyone who lived in their houses. It swallowed all of Korah’s men. And it swallowed up everything they owned. ³³ They went down into the grave alive. Everything they owned went down with them. The ground closed over them. They died. And so they disappeared from the community.

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Sometimes I forget that GOD doesn’t like it when I complain and throw tantrums.  When I view situations and people with a critical eye, I must be careful to remain on GOD’s side.

If I barge into circumstances with the wrong attitude, I may find myself facing GOD’s wrath instead of HIS grace.

• Are you grumbling about your situation to the LORD?
• Why do you think HE has you in this situation in the first place?
• Can you see how HE is working HIS marvelous plan in your life to grow you?
• Will you fight GOD?

Think before complaining

Numbers 11:The people weren’t happy about the hard times they were having. The Lord heard what they were saying. It made him burn with anger. Then the Lord sent fire on them. It blazed out among the people. It burned up some of the outer edges of the camp.

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“What is it” I jokingly sneered at the dorm food plopped on my plate! It looked funny, smelled funny and tasted not so funny but bad! I passed on that meal knowing another was on its way in a few hours. I complained about the food.

The next year I had my own apartment. I stepped into the kitchen waiting on someone to hand me my meal and there wasn’t anyone there. I looked in the refrigerator and there was no food there either. I begged to get into the dorm cafeteria and couldn’t. When I got out I had a ticket on my car and had no money to pay it!

• I sometimes forget GOD doesn’t like complaints about HIS plan.
• I sometimes forget GOD doesn’t like grumbles about HIS gifts to me.
• I sometimes forget GOD doesn’t like protests about HIS creatures.

When times were difficult, I complained to GOD and guess what… things got worse! Wait a minute, you mean GOD doesn’t like it when I have a request? A request is different than a complaint.  When I grumble about my situation, no matter how bleak it is, I am saying “GOD you don’t know what you are doing and I DO.”

• GOD cannot stand any form of pride from me especially when it’s wrapped in a complaint.
• GOD does not like it when I have my life all figured out and pout when I am not getting my way.
• GOD will not yield to my rants or complaints because HE is GOD.

Making GOD “GOD” means I have to accept when HE will say “No” or “No” or “NO!” I may have a plan in mind but without HIS blessing, nothing will come to fruition. If it is HIS will HE will bring me through difficult times and lead me beside still waters, if not the HE will provide the endurance and testimony to draw many to HIM.

GOD doesn’t want me to be phony and pretend to be “happy” but HE does want me to respect HIS choice and “joyfully” serve HIM and those HE chooses to send to me.

• Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
• Why does GOD have you in this position?
• Don’t you understand HE knows where you are and what’s best for you?
• Can you turn this difficult time into a testimony instead of burying the opportunity in a complaint?

Punished or Blessed?

Genesis 47: ²¹ They said to one another, “Surely we are being punished because of our brother. We saw how distressed he was when he pleaded with us for his life, but we would not listen; that’s why this distress has come on us.”

²² Reuben replied, “Didn’t I tell you not to sin against the boy? But you wouldn’t listen! Now we must give an accounting for his blood.” ²³ They did not realize that Joseph could understand them, since he was using an interpreter.

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“We are eliminating your position” were the devastating words that seemed to rip my soul apart. I had never heard these words, so I had to replay segments of my work history during my sleepless nights. I tried to think about sins I may have fallen into that made GOD so mad that HE would rip my job out of my hands.

Maybe it was the time I flirted with a person a decade before or maybe I was getting too arrogant in my status or maybe it was my lack of giving. Any way it goes I must be getting punished for something.  Maybe I need to quit sinning all together!

• When things go wrong I sometimes think I’m being punished.
• When difficult situations appear I ask “why me” in hopes that things would change.
• When I face adversity in life I immediately think I am being punished, otherwise I would be getting “my way.”

It’s quite amazing how negative I think GOD is sometimes.  I mean when things go wrong I see HIM as this judgmental, goody, goody being who doesn’t understand just how hard it is to follow HIS ways. When things go right I praise HIM. Well… maybe sometimes I praise HIM when I’m not taking credit.

• GOD wants me to see HIS plan no matter how tragic things seem.
• GOD wants me to recognize HIS masterful work in spite of the gloomy hour.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge HIS HOLY SPIRIT to get me through the miry decisions.

GOD does not want me to rely on my intellect rather HE wants me point people to HIM in spite of what is going on.

• Do you have difficulty in your life?
• Do you think there is no way out?
• Can you rely on GOD to bring you out of your situation?
• Didn’t you believe that GOD could do anything at one time?

Being indecisive hurts me

Genesis 19: ¹⁵ With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, “Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished.”

¹⁶ When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the Lord was merciful to them.

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In the distance I could see the green light.  “I wonder if I can make it” I thought to myself. Another thought popped in my head “No I can’t make it” unfortunately the second thought came a little too late for my raggedy car that would lung forward upon braking too hard. A third thought popped in my mind that said “Go!”

My hesitation caused the driver in the intersection to turn left in front of me and we had a head on collision.

Being indecisive about doing right makes me hesitate.

Being conflicted about moving forward makes me double-minded.

Being uncertain about going in a direction makes me question my faith.

Even when dire situations were presented I froze or made a decision that in retrospect could have been better. I sometimes wonder how I am alive. I wonder if I am being watched over.

GOD grabs my hand when I am about to go off HIS path.

GOD leads me in the path of righteousness when I want to drift from HIS way.

GOD protects me from HIS wrath even though I deserve HIS wrath.

GOD grants HIS mercy on me even though I do not deserve it.

When I hesitate to follow GOD it seems like I collide with life. I mean when my decisions don’t include HIS permission, I run into obstacles that perhaps HE puts in my way. GOD wants me to have faith in HIM and HIS plan. HE will provide.

Are you indecisive?

Are trying to go down multiple paths and are exhausted?

Can you make up your mind by asking GOD what does HE want you to do?

Once you choose your direction can you continue to add GOD to your plans?

GOD wins!

Revelation 11: ¹⁶ And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, ¹⁷ saying:

“We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty,
the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power
and have begun to reign.

¹⁸ The nations were angry,
and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead,
and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name,
both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth.”

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My head was pounding and I could barely breathe. It seemed like every note sent to me was filled with more bad news. I said to myself “this is going to be a rotten day” and guess what… it was!

• When I focus on everything bad I forget to look at GOD.
• When I look at everything wrong I can’t see what is right.
• When I see everything terrible I lose my direction on where GOD is calling me.

When situations arise I tend to forget GOD has already won! I may think HE is losing because I’m feeling rather beat up but HIS victory is nothing but reward for me.

• GOD rewards me for revering HIS name.
• GOD rewards me for recognizing HIS place and HIS power.
• GOD rewards me for reveling in HIS power.

GOD reigns now! HE always has and will always reign. I mean the situations that I think are catastrophic were known to GOD way before they happened. HE understands and HE loves. I get excited just watching HIS power!

• Are you stuck?
• Do you think you have no way out?
• Can you rely on GOD’s matchless power to be in control of your situation?

A drastic change

Colossians 3: ⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

⁷ You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

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Our discussion centered on women, cars, money and positions. We had our futures ahead of us and the lusts for all these things were prominent. There was a magic number for a salary when I graduated that would set fire to my life for a while.  I mean what’s wrong with having stuff and with “dating” a few folks? I’m still a believer right?

• When I am greedy it is difficult for me to be generous.
• When I am lustful it is difficult for me to relate to someone in a deeper way.
• When I am angry it is difficult for me to show GOD’s peace.
• When I am slanderous it is difficult for me to show grace to someone who may not know CHRIST.
• When I am foul in my language it is difficult for GODLY words to cross the same lips.

Lust, lying and language are all things GOD can easily forgive. HE knows I sin but forgives me anyway. Yet when I act upon these things there is an empty feeling.  The hole in my heart just grows bigger and bigger. What can fill it?

• GOD wants me to look forward to HIS kingdom and lose focus on the earth little by little.
• GOD wants me to walk on HIS path which includes fruit not destruction.
• GOD wants me to be new each day dropping a little sin off here and there.

It’s a process.  I am not going to be changed right away but little by little I am becoming what GOD wants me to become.

• Are you caught up in a lifestyle that is not pleasing to GOD?
• Do you feel you should make a change?
• Have you tried to seek HIS face?
• Won’t you let HIM guide your path?

Lying to GOD

Acts 5: ¹ Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ² With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

 ³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴ Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

 ⁵ When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.

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“LORD if YOU would just get me out of this situation, I will never do that again!” I said as I bargained with GOD thinking HE had caught me in my sin and was punishing me for it. “The escapades the night before must have caught up to me and this is why I have this intense pain in my chest!” I thought to myself.

I laid in my apartment in pain because the doctor’s office near me was closed. A day later I found out It was severe gas coupled with the normal pains of weightlifting.

• GOD cannot be manipulated by my false promises.
• GOD cannot me moved by my phony act of service.
• GOD cannot be impressed by my false humility.

Wanting my way while serving GOD has been a struggle for me for years. I dreamt a sinful dream and ignored GOD in my pursuit. Needless to say I broke my promise with GOD, this time with no immediate consequence. “I bet HE is alright with my sin” I reasoned.

• GOD wants me to worship HIM with my heart not just obligation.
• GOD wants me to “want” to be with HIM.
• GOD wants me to place HIM before anyone or anything.

Second, third and fiftieth chances are what GOD has given me over the years. HE taught me that it would be better not serving at all than serving to manipulate HIM. HE also taught me that serving HIM is supposed to be my pursuit so I should seek purity as best I can.

• Have you ever made a false promise to GOD in order to look good to others?
• Do you take your promises lightly?
• When will you start seeking GOD the way HE wants you to seek HIM?