Devotion

Ezra 7: ⁸ Ezra arrived in Jerusalem in the fifth month of the seventh year of the king. ⁹ He had begun his journey from Babylon on the first day of the first month, and he arrived in Jerusalem on the first day of the fifth month, for the gracious hand of his God was on him. ¹⁰ For Ezra had devoted himself to the study and observance of the Law of the Lord, and to teaching its decrees and laws in Israel.

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Looking back on many rough times I can see where GOD has had HIS hand on me. From bullies at my school to thugs robbing me to having no mentor or guide in college all the way to today, I can see GOD’s hand on me.

• GOD has HIS hand on me through very difficult times.
• GOD has HIS hand on me through extreme rough times.
• GOD has HIS hand on me through times I had no idea how I was going to escape.

Devotion is that drive that says “I will never give up.” Ezra was devoted to GOD and GOD is devoted to those who HIS SON has saved. GOD says to those “I will never leave you or forsake you.”

My devotion is faulty. I doubt, fear and worry BUT GOD’s devotion to me is solid. It is un-waving. It is like a tree planted by the water, it shall not be moved. GOD has devotion to me and it is up to me to be devoted to HIM.

• Are you devoted to GOD?
• When times are good do you find yourself dropping GOD off and picking HIM back up when times are bad?
• Can you devote a small portion of your life to GOD and keep adding more and more to HIM daily?

The battle is not yours

Numbers 10: ³⁵ When the ark started out, Moses said,

“Lord, rise up!
    Let your enemies be scattered.
    Let them run away from you.”

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Gold chains and stick pins were the fashion of the day. Well this day my gold was snatched and another guy grabbed my bank book. (I have no idea why I was carrying that). I grabbed the bank book back somehow and I ran.  “He’s going into a door” they yelled. This caused my enemies to flee.

• GOD causes HIS enemies to flee.
• GOD makes HIS foes fail.
• GOD laughs at anyone who is against HIM.

Protection is what GOD offers me.  HE sees those who are trying to harm me a mile away.  HE puts HIS fence of protection around me and no one can remove the SPIRIT from within me.  They may be able to punch me or much worse BUT GOD’s eternal plan is marvelous!

• Do you seek revenge?
• Are you thoroughly angry at someone?
• Can you find some grace from within?

If I see it I’m guilty too?

Leviticus 5:1“‘Suppose a person has been called as a witness to something he has seen or learned about. Then if he does not tell what he knows, he has sinned. And he will be held accountable for it.

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“Stand right here” the guy said. As I stood there he proceeded to remove his old raggedy clothes and grab new ones from the rack of the store we were in. He then walked right out the front door. I had watched shoplifting and now I was an accomplice to his misdemeanor.  I didn’t tell anyone!

• GOD says to tell someone about a crime I witness.
• GOD says HE will protect me even though it may seem dangerous to tell.
• GOD says HE is for me, who can be against me.

It truly takes courage to “tell” but it’s worth following what GOD says.

• Did you witness something someone should know about?
• Are you afraid to say something?
• Can you mention the wrong to someone without being a gossip or mean spirited?
• Won’t you mention what you saw today?

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 

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“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?

GOD’s definition of love

1 Corinthians 13: ⁴ Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.5 6 7 

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Is “Love” a feeling or an action? This thought crossed my mind as I read the passage so I did a “Love inventory” and found my shelves to be empty. I mean I enjoy “feeling” loved when GOD dishes out these things to me, but am I showing others the same? Probably not.

• Let me check my inventory:
• Patience, I have slim to none.
• Kindness, I could use a lot of work here.
• Envy, I have plenty of that.
• Boasting, I’m the best!
• Pride, check out my awards.
• Dishonor others, just cross me and see.
• Self-seeking, check out my lust list.
• Not easily angered, these words made me mad!
• Keeps no record of wrongs, I remember everything and they will pay!
• Does not delight in evil, and I was waiting for my enemy’s demise.
• Rejoices in truth, except when the truth is about me.
• Always protects, I throw people under the bus.
• Always trusts, I’m quite suspicious.
• Always hopes, I get nervous.
• Always perseveres, I give up!

When I look at what GOD expects me to show others I get quite embarrassed. On a good day, I may show two or three of these qualities. HE always shows HIS love for me and uses this list consistently.  HE wants others not to reject this list and turn towards HIM.

HE forgives and takes my sin and throws it away. HE has been extremely patient with me and always protects me, always is faithful, always delivers and always perseveres through difficulty. GOD loves me and wants me to show love to others.

• Have you taken a “Love inventory?”
• Do you think your “provision” or “intellect” or “financial status” is showing GOD’s love?
• Can you recalibrate your love to add more of HIS type of love?
• Can you forgive yourself long enough to show others this type of love?

Nothing can stop me!

Romans 8: ³¹ What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

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 ³⁷ No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. ³⁸ For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, ³⁹ neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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All odds seemed to be against my past.  Growing up where I grew up, when I grew up, how I grew up, one would never say “he would be the leader of technology for a large corporation.  Home computers where only a concept and the exposure to technology in my neighborhood was exempt.

My education in technology was limited in high school and during college my GPA was barely above average. I had no connections, no map laid out and no understanding of how things worked. GOD put all the right people in my life to grow me.

• When all odds are against me I feel like giving up.
• When trouble faces me I feel like throwing up my hands.
• When difficulty confronts me I ask “why me again?”

Faith in GOD means knowing HE is there for me no matter what the circumstance looks like. Things could look thoroughly bleak yet HE is right there protecting, leading and guiding me to a better place.

• Can anyone ruin HIS plan for me? NO!
• Can I ruin HIS plan for me? NO! 
• Can any circumstance ruin HIS plan for me? No!

GOD is way too powerful to have HIS plans ruined by anyone’s sin, including my own.  HE truly has a wonderful plan for me and by being connected to HIM, nothing can stop me especially by following HIS will!

• What is holding you back from doing what GOD wants you to do?
• Do you have fear, doubt and worries?
• Can you put your trust in the LORD to lead you to a better place?
• Won’t you stare adversity in its face and tell it to fight with GOD instead of you?

Is GOD fair?

Romans 9: ¹⁴ What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! ¹⁵ For he says to Moses,

   “I will have mercy on whom I have mercy,

   and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion.”

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Watching others get away with crimes or sin was provocative. I mean the frat guys would somehow get “the test” and I had to struggle. A group of guys who were good at keeping their jobs could toss anyone out on their ear and I had to watch. Someone else could act one way towards people and I couldn’t. GOD doesn’t seem fair!!

• What’s fair to me is not “just” for GOD.
• What I think is fair is really a form of getting my way.
• What’s fair to me is really an incomplete picture of what fairness really is.

Aren’t you glad I’m not GOD? I mean I would zap all the “bad” guys and keep all those who acted like they liked me. GOD is truly different in the way HE thinks.  HE has compassion on murderers, rapists and thugs who are truly repentant in their behavior meanwhile HE is harsh on those who act goody, goody thinking they can manipulate HIM.

GOD knows something I don’t know. HE knows the heart.  Deep inside of the person who seems to be getting away with everything GOD sees something I can’t quite imagine. HE sees the ability for HIS child to return back to HIM. HE also sees when I am being sinful and trying to cover it up with “goody, goody.”

• I actually don’t want GOD to be fair with me because I deserve death according to HIS decree.
• I actually don’t want GOD to be fair with me especially when I sin and want HIS forgiveness.
• I actually don’t want GOD to be fair with me because I would miss out on HIS gift of grace.

When my lip is poked out and I am throwing a pity party because GOD seems to be doing more for others it’s actually jealousy and envy at work in me rather than praise. It takes time to see GOD loves the most heinous sinner. The only relationship I should worry about is my relationship with GOD and there will be no envy.

• Are you jealous that someone is living an “easy” life and you are struggling?
• Are you able to pray for good things to happen to those who have wronged you?
• Will you ask GOD for compassion on your enemies today?
• Can you let go of the issues you have with others so GOD can let go of the issues HE has with you?

The plan for evil will fail against me.

Acts 23: ²⁵ He wrote a letter as follows:

 ²⁶ Claudius Lysias,

   To His Excellency, Governor Felix:

   Greetings.

 ²⁷ This man was seized by the Jews and they were about to kill him, but I came with my troops and rescued him, for I had learned that he is a Roman citizen. ²⁸ I wanted to know why they were accusing him, so I brought him to their Sanhedrin.

²⁹ I found that the accusation had to do with questions about their law, but there was no charge against him that deserved death or imprisonment. ³⁰ When I was informed of a plot to be carried out against the man, I sent him to you at once. I also ordered his accusers to present to you their case against him.

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Rumbles of headcount reductions rippled through the organization stifling any productivity. Rumors of who was going to stay or go had many paralyzed. Some of my peers resorted to “slander” as their defense and they even attacked me just as the nation had been attacked by terrorists just weeks before.

I got a phone call that said, “I would like for you to come with me to the west coast.” Wow, they chose me over those who were trying to slander me!

• I will never know how many evil plots GOD has protected me from.
• I will never know how often GOD steps in to keep HIS plan intact.
• I will never know how GOD uses someone’s evil plan to complete HIS good and perfect plan.

Paul was defenseless against the plot to kill him. His message of JESUS’ salvation threatened the lifestyles of the Sanhedrin rulers and forty men vowed to not eat until Paul was killed. GOD intervened and had believers and those who did not believe in JESUS, help Paul to safety.

In other words GOD said, “MY plan for Paul isn’t finished!” HE does the same for me.  There is no evil plot that can go against me until GOD’s plan for me is complete. Yes, some lies against me may work for a minute and I may fall down a couple of times with their sin and sins of my own, BUT GOD’s plan cannot be stopped!

• GOD’s plan for me is definite.
• GOD’s plan for me is unpolluted.
• GOD’s plan for me is impenetrable by evil so I can have no fear of failing!

Every plot against me will fall back on the plotter, maybe not right away, but it will. I don’t need to see the revenge, I just have to believe GOD’s plan is great!

• What is GOD’s plan for you?
• Are you being attacked?
• Can you realize that your attacker means evil BUT GOD will use the plot for good?

GOD’s protection

Acts 22: ²⁵ As they stretched him out to flog him, Paul said to the centurion standing there, “Is it legal for you to flog a Roman citizen who hasn’t even been found guilty?”

 ²⁶ When the centurion heard this, he went to the commander and reported it. “What are you going to do?” he asked. “This man is a Roman citizen.”

 ²⁷ The commander went to Paul and asked, “Tell me, are you a Roman citizen?”

   “Yes, I am,” he answered.

 ²⁸ Then the commander said, “I had to pay a lot of money for my citizenship.”

   “But I was born a citizen,” Paul replied.

 ²⁹ Those who were about to interrogate him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.

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Project after project I was determined to do my best but it was difficult. It seemed like I kept running into one of those bosses, who wanted to be an obstacle, but somehow they would disappear and I would still be placed on the best projects.

This angered my belligerent boss. I sensed he was out to get me so I worked harder to win him over. The harder I worked the madder he got. He insulted, yelled and screamed at everyone and I was no exception. I was in a bad position but somehow I got promoted. It was because the head of the department knew I was part of a Bible study of a good friend of his.

I had no idea I was being watched by the family.

• GOD protects me especially when I am being mistreated.
• GOD watches over me when things go wrong.
• GOD uses a chain of events that I cannot perceive to guide me, watch me and guard me.

Paul never knew he would be protected just by being born as a Roman citizen. GOD used this link in the chain of events know as Paul’s life to protect him to do GOD’s will. HE has done the same for me many times when I look back but I couldn’t understand HIS protection while I was going through the trial.

• Are you going through a trial that seems hopeless?
• Have you noticed GOD protecting you during your trial?
• Won’t you stop feeling like “woe is me” for a moment to notice GOD’s love for you?