World’s Best Isn’t Good Enough

World’s Best Isn’t Good Enough

Genesis 47: ²⁷ So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly. ²⁸ And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. ²⁹ When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, ³⁰ but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.”

 

And he said, “I will do as you have said.”

 

³¹ Then he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed.

 

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After living in the land of Egypt for seventeen years, Israel spoke to Joseph. His one request was to be buried outside of Egypt, back in the land of his fathers.

 

My Observations:

• Goshen was the best land Egypt had to offer and the Israelites prospered more than they ever had.
• Israel and Joseph got to spend a great amount of time with each other during the seventeen years he was there.
• Israel saw the ways of the Egyptians and did not want any parts of it, so he made Joseph promise to bury him with Abraham and Isaac.

 

Israel’s request was a strong rejection of the Egyptian ways. Egyptians regarded Pharaoh as a god. They believed in multiple gods and worshiped the sun and even frogs. Israel had spoken to the one and true GOD. I believe he had encountered the preincarnate JESUS.

 

Israel’s desire to be physically buried near his fathers was highly symbolic. He made Joseph place his hand under his thing, similar to Abraham’s oath he made his servant take. This is something Joseph would never forget! Goshen represents wealth and the best. But the world’s best falls short of GOD’s glory.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Israel making Joseph take an oath?
• Are you pursuing the world’s best, thinking it will save you from your current situation?
• Have you placed a priority of obtaining the world and watching a little piece of your soul go away in the pursuit?

Humble Friendship

 

Humble Friendship

James 4: Where do all the fights and quarrels among you come from? They come from your desires for pleasure, which are constantly fighting within you. ² You want things, but you cannot have them, so you are ready to kill; you strongly desire things, but you cannot get them, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have what you want because you do not ask God for it. ³ And when you ask, you do not receive it, because your motives are bad; you ask for things to use for your own pleasures. ⁴ Unfaithful people! Don't you know that to be the world's friend means to be God's enemy? If you want to be the world's friend, you make yourself God's enemy. ⁵ Don't think that there is no truth in the scripture that says, “The spirit that God placed in us is filled with fierce desires.”^[a] 6 But the grace that God gives is even stronger. As the scripture says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

 

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Frustrated because it seemed like “everyone” else was getting paid but me, left me complaining about what I did not have. I had just started going back to church and I heard the preacher say “name it and claim it.” In other words say what I want and I will get it. But when I didn’t get it, I got mad.

 

• I was mad at GOD because I did not get what I wanted.
• I thought GOD was supposed to give me what I wanted.
• I thought that I “deserved” better than what I already had.

 

James addressed selfishness by illustrating two friendship types. One friendship is with the world, the other is with GOD. He exposes the root of quarrels and fights, namely friendship with the world. He points out the fact that wrong motive causes a lack in receiving from GOD.

 

My Observations:

• The more I become friends with the world, the more I fight over its pleasures.
• GOD resists my pride, but loves when I humble myself before HIM.
• GOD’s desires are fierce and cannot be quenched by the selfishness of obtaining the world.

 

“What is it to gain the whole world and lose your soul?” is a deep, convicting question. I mean, insatiable desires that cannot be quenched or controlled causes me to think of GOD in the wrong way. I may think “I” deserve better when GOD has already provided so much for me.

 

HE loves when I can say “Thank YOU for what YOU have given to me, I have more than enough.” This keeps my insatiable appetite down to a minimum and my hatred for other people who may be “in the way of getting mine” diminishes. I am glad GOD is willing to give me grace when I humble myself.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about fights and quarrels?
• Have you ever wanted something and did not get it, so you cried or got mad at another person?
• Do you have a problem with wanting more and more to the point that GOD is no longer the answer?
• Will you ask GOD to open your eyes to HIS true grace so HE can guide you to the things HE wants you to have today?

“No” Practice

Luke 9: ²³ Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. ²⁴ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. ²⁵ For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? ²⁶ For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels. ²⁷ But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the kingdom of God.”

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“Do you want some weed?” was the strange question of a person offering the drug to me. “No” I said in an “Are you kidding?” way. “Can you be my lookout as I pick up something” one thug said to me as he was shoplifting. “No” I said as I eased away from the beating. “You want to go out, get drunk and hang with a bunch of loose women?” a buddy asked me. “What time?” I answered.

• There were many times when I said “yes” when I should have said no.
• There were many times when the day was filled with “my” desires.
• There were many times when I had no time for anything else but “me.”

JESUS gives a harder lesson to the crowd. “Deny yourself and follow ME.” This message truly conflicts with the “way of life.” JESUS wanted the crowd to not pay attention to their desires as much and pay attention to HIS desires.

• GOD wants me to seek HIS face daily.
• GOD wants me to pray to HIM daily.
• GOD wants me to make my decisions based on serving HIM daily.

When I want to sin, GOD wants me to practice saying “No.” As with any practice, I will fail and fall into the sin I was trying to avoid. GOD says to me “It’s okay. I forgive you. Try again tomorrow and the next day and the next.” HE knows my short comings and still watches over me, giving me practice to strengthen my faith.

Practice also includes not being ashamed of JESUS. Bold speech about HIM is one thing but HE also wants me to boldly admit my sins and speak on the more shameful sides of me and to do it in HIS name. It takes practice to deny the pride of looking perfect. Only GOD is perfect.

• Are you trying to pretend everything is well with you when you meet with church goers?
• Is your life a mess for real but you are wearing a mask?
• Can you deny your pride and admit the more ugly side of you and tell people you are saved through CHRIST in spite of your actions?

Soul Matters

Mark 8: ³⁴ When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ³⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. ³⁶ For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? ³⁷ Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ³⁸ For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

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“What kind of job will I get?” was the only thing on my mind at the time. Seven jobs later I found myself with another question, “What is my purpose?”

• There were times when I thought life meant “How much money can I make?”
• There were times when I thought life was about the insurance carrier I could obtain.
• There were times when I thought life equated to houses, cars and gadgets.

“Now that’s living” were the words in my mind as I lusted after people with lavish lifestyles. BUT GOD broke things down differently.

• JESUS says to me “Take up your cross and follow me daily.”
• JESUS says to me “Your soul is more important to me than the lusts of this world.”
• JESUS says to me “Seek ME without being ashamed of me and I will remember you upon MY return.”

Telling a group that my life matters is noble, BUT GOD tells me “Souls Matter.” HE has a place made for me where the quality of life never diminishes. There is no anger, no guilt, and no shame. HE wants all souls which includes race, gender and other forms of discrimination. HE is excited when I follow HIM and wants others to do the same.

• Are you trying to gain more of the world?
• Do you feel bitter and rage when someone else gets ahead?
• Can you stop trying to become bigger in humans eyes and give your soul back to GOD who created you?

Too busy for GOD

Romans 12: ¹ Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. ² Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

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Peering at my watch, I only had minutes to catch the next plane. I knew I would make it as I had become a business airport sprinter. I passed hundreds of people not seeing one of them. As I sat on the plane I slept until they announced it was alright to turn on electronics.

I broke out my laptop and began working, never seeing the people next to me. All I knew is I was on my way to “that” promotion. Months later I was passed over for the promotion. I wondered why GOD wasn’t speaking to me!

• Ignoring people is like ignoring GOD.
• Ignoring people makes me just like “the world.”
• Ignoring people creates selfishness in me that blocks me from hearing GOD’s will.

Many times I have heard preachers tell me this scripture is about sex and they are absolutely correct but there is more to it. When my body is in close proximity to another body something special is supposed to happen.  I am supposed to listen to orders from the HOLY SPIRIT to see what I am supposed to do.

• Instead of conforming to the world I should listen to GOD and treat people differently.
• Instead of conforming to the world I should sacrifice some “me” time and please GOD.
• Instead of conforming to the world I should pay attention to the mercy GOD has shown me and show mercy to others.

Rejection will come with the territory.  I mean when I try to speak to “that” person about GOD’s mercy, they may not accept what I’m saying right then and there.  I should listen to GOD every step of the way to determine if my actions, tone or demeanor is getting in the way of this person hearing GOD’s message of mercy.  I should be a living sacrifice to GOD.

• Are you having a difficult time hearing GOD?
• Are you too busy to hear HIM?
• Have you taken a moment to ask HIM what HE wants to do for your life?
• Have you given up on GOD?
• Can you sacrifice some of your busy time to focus on GOD today?

A sense of "Purpose."

Matthew 16:24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

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I used to think this set of scripture was talking about selling all that I had and becoming a preacher living in the desert. While that's not a bad idea, it currently is not my calling.

I thought about what was being said here and I believe JESUS is telling me to have a sense of purpose while I'm here on this earth. I remember just getting out of college, ready to take on the world. I hadn't seen church much sense high school, so I thought I would pray. Strange thought, but let me give it a shot.

I prayed that GOD make me "successful." Wow! I had no idea about the ride HE would take me on. My first job enabled me to buy my first new car, instead of the side of the road specials I had been driving.

I started going to church again and even "serving" and this time I prayed "LORD get me out of this small town" for I had moved to "Podunk, Nowhere USA." Shortly after my prayer, I got a job with a premier consulting firm in Chicago that had me flying all over the country. Hey, this prayer stuff is alright!

I then prayed for a wife and family. Poof. OK not Poof, but my wife did come along and we did have kids. Wow. I like this prayer stuff! Then I prayed for a better neighborhood to live in because we were raising kids. I got another job which enabled us to move into a house we built from the ground up in a nice neighborhood.

During this time I was blessed to grow in the LORD, learning, I went to night classes at Bible college, witnessed in neighborhoods, went on missions trips. Life is good!

I got a promotion. Then another. Then another. Then they asked me to move to Southern California! Wow! I'm successful. I can't teach now, I'm too busy, but I do have time to go to that island and on that cruise and "yes" I'll take one of those and two of those.

I got another promotion and this time I had to move back to the headquarters because I am now over the "nation." I'll take one of those and five of those shiny things right here. Only the biggest and the best!

"Wait a minute?" you ask, "what happened to prayer?" "What happened to serving?" Well I had no time for that. GOD wants me to be a good steward over my job right? Yes but not as an idol.

I idolized my job and status. I realized this when I no longer had the position and I wondered where I was with GOD. I had gained the world and was losing my soul. I had lost my sense of purpose of being here.

• GOD wants us to remember we are here temporarily.
• GOD doesn't mind you having stuff, just don't make "stuff" your purpose.
• GOD will let you do "your" thing, but remember, HE wants us to do "HIS" thing.

I forgot my purpose for being on this planet. It is not to look the "sharpest" in the best clothes and drive the best and forget the rest. GOD desires that we tell people about HIS SON. No matter what my career or status, GOD wants me give to others, love humans and keep them from rejecting HIS SON.

• What is your purpose?
• What are you "driving" for?
• What does "success" look like to you?
• Is GOD calling you to another purpose for your life?
• Will you use your career to serve GOD also?