Heart Store

Heart Store
Revelation 3: ¹⁴ “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write:
 
“This is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, who is the origin of all that God has created. ¹⁵ I know what you have done; I know that you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶ But because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I am going to spit you out of my mouth! ¹⁷ You say, ‘I am rich and well off; I have all I need.’ But you do not know how miserable and pitiful you are! You are poor, naked, and blind. ¹⁸ I advise you, then, to buy gold from me, pure gold, in order to be rich. Buy also white clothing to dress yourself and cover up your shameful nakedness. Buy also some ointment to put on your eyes, so that you may see. ¹⁹ I rebuke and punish all whom I love. Be in earnest, then, and turn from your sins. ²⁰ Listen! I stand at the door and knock; if any hear my voice and open the door, I will come into their house and eat with them, and they will eat with me. ²¹ To those who win the victory I will give the right to sit beside me on my throne, just as I have been victorious and now sit by my Father on his throne.
 
²² “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!”

 

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Looking at the weather, I decided to miss going to the group. It was raining that day. The next time to meet it was too nice to be sitting around with a group so I missed it to continue to enjoy the nice weather. “Do you want to come over and watch the game?” was the statement that easily took me away from going to the group the next time.

 

• I was not vested in the group.
• I was not for the group or against the group.
• I figured the group would be alright because there were a lot of people, so they would not miss me.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, quoted JESUS when writing about Laodicea. This stern warning was about lukewarmness. At one point Laodicea was on fire. But along the way, they became proud of their size, programs and human success. JESUS rebuked their human wealth and told them to exchange it for HIS wealth.

 

My Observations:

• GOD sees my heart and wants it to be rich with HIS love.
• GOD wants to come into my heart so I cannot have it filled with the lust of the world.
• What is valuable to GOD should be valuable to me.

 

I may get what I want but not want what I get. I mean, GOD seems gracious enough to me to allow me to get things I want that are not good for me. This strange love can be costly to me. If I choose to brag and boast about what “I” have accomplished and label it as GOD, HE could be upset at what seems to be “success.”

 

GOD wants me to check to see if I have fallen each day. HE corrects me when I stay and humbles me when I boast. GOD is willing to heal me when I ask HIM into my heart.

 

Challenge

• Why does JESUS seem to focus on money?
• Have you tried to measure GOD’s success by human wealth standards?
• Will you allow GOD into your heart so HE can correct any wrong and guide you to win the victory?

Get Uncomfortable

 

Get Uncomfortable

Revelation 2: “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write:

 

“This is the message from the one who holds the seven stars in his right hand and who walks among the seven gold lampstands. ² I know what you have done; I know how hard you have worked and how patient you have been. I know that you cannot tolerate evil people and that you have tested those who say they are apostles but are not, and have found out that they are liars. ³ You are patient, you have suffered for my sake, and you have not given up. ⁴ But this is what I have against you: you do not love me now as you did at first. ⁵ Think how far you have fallen! Turn from your sins and do what you did at first. If you don't turn from your sins, I will come to you and take your lampstand from its place. ⁶ But this is what you have in your favor: you hate what the Nicolaitans do, as much as I do.

 

⁷ “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!

“To those who win the victory I will give the right to eat the fruit of the tree of life that grows in the Garden of God.

 

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Trying out lying on purpose felt strange and scary. My first attempt did not work too well as the recipient could see right through my deceit. I made some adjustments and tried it again. But it still did not work. “You have to believe in what you are telling others” was the advice of a schemer, so I lied to myself. That worked!

 

• I was falling and did not know how fast.
• I did not know I was walking away from GOD by trying to fit into the world.
• I needed someone to tell me to get back on track to a better path.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, wrote to the church of Ephesus first. This is part one of a seven part set of deep warnings all believers need to hear. JESUS said what HE saw in the heart. HE saw people who tried to compartmentalize HIM by doing what is right most of the time, but got comfortable with blatant sin.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS wants me to remember when I first accepted HIM as my Savior.
• JESUS also wants me to remember how easy it was to follow HIS commands.
• JESUS want me to get uncomfortable with any sin that has crept into my life.

 

“GOD won’t mind” is a lie I have told myself over the years. I mean, HE is supposed to forgive believers right? Meh. JESUS HIMSELF gives us a warning about becoming too comfortable with sin, even though HE is the one who will forgive us of all sin.

 

HE knows the power sin can have in our lives and the devastation it can cause. Something that may seem like an innocent sin may be bigger that I think. I believe JESUS wants me to take HIS death and resurrection seriously.

 

Challenge

• Is there any part of this warning from the writer that can be unsettling?
• Have you examined your life and compared it to when you were on fire?
• Will you win the victory so JESUS will give you the right to eat the fruit of the tree of life that grows in the Garden of GOD someday?

Comfort Zone

Comfort Zone

Hebrews 11: ²⁴ It was faith that made Moses, when he had grown up, refuse to be called the son of the king's daughter. ²⁵ He preferred to suffer with God's people rather than to enjoy sin for a little while. ²⁶ He reckoned that to suffer scorn for the Messiah was worth far more than all the treasures of Egypt, for he kept his eyes on the future reward.

 

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“You can go to another department, but I talked to people about you” were the discouraging words given to me in an ultimatum sort of way. The position I held was being “eliminated” and I could have stayed, but under duress.

 

• I chose to leave, but wanted to stay.
• I was confused by leaving, because it was under intense stress.
• I felt I would be better off without a job than to stay and be put under that kind of abuse.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gives another example of faith. He previously mentioned Moses’s parents, now he is focused on him. Moses could have lived his entire life in comfort because he was adopted into the Pharoah’s family. But he chose to leave when he found out he was a Hebrew, who were slaves at the time.

 

My Observations:

• Money and comfort are not worth losing my soul.
• Comfortable living may sometimes make me stay away from GOD’s path.
• My focus should be on GOD and take or leave comfort.

 

Living for GOD does not have to be hard, but can be sometimes. I mean, GOD does not seem to mind when humans have comforts, but when HE allows those comforts to be removed, HE checks our reaction to see if the comfort was placed over our relationship with HIM.

 

GOD wants me to choose HIM over any comfort the world offers because Satan can offer comforts as a way to take my eyes off of JESUS. HE wants me to look beyond current comfort and to seek HIS face daily. I am glad GOD provides rewards I cannot yet see.

 

Challenge

• What suffering does the writer speak about?
• Have you ever chose a harder route over a comfortable route because of the principle of the matter?
• If you face a choice between the world’s comfort versus GOD’s uncomfortable plan, will you ask HIM for fortitude to choose HIS way over the comfortable way?

Looking for Satisfaction

Hosea 13: ⁴ “But I have been the Lord your God
    ever since you came out of Egypt.
You shall acknowledge no God but me,
    no Savior except me.
⁵ I cared for you in the wilderness,
    in the land of burning heat.
⁶ When I fed them, they were satisfied;
    when they were satisfied, they became proud;
    then they forgot me.

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Struggling to pay bills I cringed when the phone rang knowing it was a credit collector calling. “LORD please help me!” I finally cried out as I began my journey back to following HIM. Eventually I made enough to pay off all my debt and soon I had a decent amount in the bank and investments. “Will you help serve the poor?” was the question posed to me at church. “Not this time, I have to prepare for work, I don’t have time.”

• Once I struggled and cried out to GOD.
• Once I asked GOD if HE even cared.
• Once I begged HIM to take me out of a miserable situation only to be satisfied and forget HIM.

Satisfaction is a problem with me. I mean when I get comfortable in a situation it seems like my prayer goes out the window. In fact complaints crept in where there was once praise. “You mean I have to hear the elevator next to my king suite in this five star hotel?” My mindset had forgotten my MAKER. What should I do?

• GOD says to me “Acknowledge no GOD but ME.”
• GOD says to me “Acknowledge no savior except ME.”
• GOD says to me “Remember ME as long as you live.”

Thankfulness and gratitude should pour from my lips constantly. I should thank GOD for every moment HE allows me to breathe on this planet. Each day HE gives me an opportunity to serve HIM, some days I do and some days I don’t. HE forgives me and I should offer HIM praise instead of complaints. GOD is my satisfaction!

• Are you searching for comfort?
• Do you want satisfaction?
• Can you keep praise on your lips instead of complaints?
• Will you add thankfulness and gratitude to your heart for where GOD has you right now?

Life of Comfort

Jeremiah 52: ¹² On the tenth day of the fifth month, in the nineteenth year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, Nebuzaradan commander of the imperial guard, who served the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. ¹³ He set fire to the temple of the Lord, the royal palace and all the houses of Jerusalem. Every important building he burned down. ¹⁴ The whole Babylonian army, under the commander of the imperial guard, broke down all the walls around Jerusalem.

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Sitting in my cabana, I prepared for the day’s events which included sightseeing, lunch, a massage, dinner and then dancing. Yes, this day was truly trying! On that day one of the top executives walked up to me and said he would like me to take a spot on his executive team. I was delighted! “Could this day go any better?” I thought to myself.

• In times of plenty, I have forgotten GOD.
• In times of abundance, I look at my achievements as “mine.”
• In times of great wealth, I thought I was secure.

“What a bright future” I said at that time, but little did I know my demise was on its way. The same people who raised me up forgot me when the reorganization came years later. A new guard came in and broke down the walls and many were carried off into the ranks of the unemployed. Like the king of Babylon, the new guard was unforgiving and onerous. BUT GOD had a plan for that too.

• GOD had to remove the blindness of my wealth to see I am secure in HIM.
• GOD had to remove my false security in titles to see I need humility in HIM.
• GOD had to remove my desire to be wealthy and serve the wealthy in order to see hurting people who need to be served.

Not once did I jump around and praise GOD during my island moment. Well, maybe a little, but my mind quickly raced off into how I was going to lead another large corporation. I did not think of who was poor or needy. I did not think of how I was going to use the extra money to help others. I think I tithed, but it was easy to do. GOD made it very clear to me that the earth is HIS and everything on it.

Every step I take is on HIS earth, not mine. The air I breathe is HIS and every penny as well. Every moment I exist should be given to GOD. I cannot say I give every minute to HIM, but the more I do the more I am blessed.

• Are you seeking a life of comfort?
• Do you constantly look forward to a vacation?
• Can you factor in time to worship GOD?
• Will you praise HIM for where you are right now no matter what the circumstance?

Getting Too Comfortable

Proverbs 25: ¹⁶ If you find honey, eat just enough—
    too much of it, and you will vomit.
¹⁷ Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house—
    too much of you, and they will hate you.

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“Come to the meeting and take notes” was the invitation of my boss’s, boss’s, boss. As I sat there with all of the people who were high up, I was a bit excited and wanted them to know my name. I kept my cool that day and simply wrote notes. “I wonder if I should tell them about what I’ve done” was my thought. After the meeting I asked someone if I should talk about myself next time. They said “sure.”

The next time, I went to the meeting prepared to talk about myself but a peer was there doing the same. I did not get to say anything. My peer was not invited back.

• Sometimes I am prepared to get too comfortable in my surroundings.
• Sometimes I am ready to “put my feet on someone’s furniture.”
• Sometimes I am primed to overstay my welcome.

I find that I can get too comfortable with places and organizations and suddenly I am not treating them with the high esteem I once did. Instead of following the chain of command, I went straight to the top because I got too comfortable with those in-between. “Oh, they’ll understand” was my excuse. They sometimes did not understand. I had to stop being informal.

• GOD says to me “Say praise for the little things and do not look for the big.”
• GOD says to me “Treat everyone with respect and you will always do well.”
• GOD says to me “Never overstay your welcome, but follow MY lead and I will tell you when to move.”

I must treat my neighbor as a precious gem and not get too comfortable with them. Each place I go, whether it is poor or plush, I should thank GOD for the tiny moment I was there and not desire a moment more. GOD has blessed me with that moment and that moment alone.

• Are you trying to get comfortable in a place?
• Do you think you have the right to spread your stuff out in someone else’s place?
• Can you stop getting too comfortable and thank GOD for the moment HE has you there?

Comfort versus the Wild

Psalm 5 ¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

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Working for a company thirty or forty years was my goal when I graduated. That’s what the generation before me did. They worked hard and retired with a mountain of cash, house paid off and the dream realized. As I sat at my desk I felt that I couldn’t work for this particular company another day let alone thirty nine more years! But the job was so comfortable. I felt guilty for looking.

• Sometimes I seek to find a comfortable place.
• Sometimes I seek places here on earth where I can exhale.
• Sometimes I seek situations where the stress is low and utopia abounds.

Disappointed by not getting the first job I applied for, I almost gave up the search. Maybe the town and dead end job I had was where I was supposed to be. BUT GOD intervened. A recruiter called me and whisked me away to another city. I would go on a ride I never would have believed. I forgot to mention, this happened when I started seeking GOD.

• When I seek GOD as my refuge, the location doesn’t matter.
• When I seek GOD as my refuge, the job doesn’t matter.
• When I seek GOD as my refuge, the situation doesn’t matter.

GOD is where I am supposed to seek my comfort. HE provide a place of solace on a daily basis. HE enables me to sing songs to HIM even through rocky times. Looking back the only stability in situations has been GOD. I mean I have had some good times and bad BUT GOD has always been there. HE provides my joy!

• Are you seeking comfort?
• Do you want to just have a breather?
• Can you focus on GOD for you refuge?
• Will you allow HIM to give you peace?

Getting Too Comfortable

Psalm 2: ¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear
    and celebrate his rule with trembling.
¹² Kiss his son, or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

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We used to have a saying, “Don’t put your feet up on the boss’s desk” which meant don’t get too comfortable because that person is still your boss. I mean come on, this company won’t miss this ream of paper or they won’t mind if I slip off and do personal stuff while I am supposed to be working.

I sat on a team that was investigating a person who got so used to taking the company’s stuff that he took $600K worth of stuff. This scared me so much that I made sure my expense reports were impeccable!

• There were times when I would treat GOD with a little too much familiarity.
• There were times when I would treat GOD as if HE wouldn’t mind my tiny sin.
• There were times when I would treat GOD like HE never gave me any path to follow.

Yes I know it is very confusing to have a sin nature that is passed down from generation to generation through birth. I do know that I am in the group where it says “all have sinned and come short of GOD’s glory.” But there has to be more to this relationship with GOD than being “good” sometimes and sometimes being “bad.”

• Trust is what GOD wants me to give HIM rather than giving it to money or humans or myself.
• Faith is what GOD wants me to plant in myself and others leveraging “trust” to grow it to maturity.
• Belief is what GOD wants me to have in HIS SON on a daily basis, knowing my sins have been wiped out by HIS death.

The sin nature thing is difficult. It wars and rages inside of me letting me know I am not perfect. BUT GOD loves when I focus on HIM for just a moment and give my heart and mind to HIM. HE wants me to have a healthy “fear” of HIM where I fear not following HIM than getting the accolades of mankind.

• Are you treating GOD with too much familiarity?
• Do you think GOD won’t mind if you keep doing what you are doing?
• Can you give GOD a second, then a minute, then an hour, then maybe a day?
• Will you focus on maturing in GOD by learning of HIM?

Comfort Versus Calamity

Job 13: ¹⁵ Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him;
    I will surely defend my ways to his face.
¹⁶ Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance,
    for no godless person would dare come before him!

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Shivering got on my nerves. The apartment we lived in was drafty and ice formed on the windows inside. I couldn’t stand to be cold for a moment so I went to the hardware store and purchased some plastic to tape around the sill. Now my apartment was toasty.

Later that week I went to church and realized I could make the church building comfortable too. I mean we needed to have a place of warmth and we were doing this for GOD right? Hmm.

• Sometimes my church efforts are for my comfort rather than HIS purpose.
• Sometimes my church effort is focused on belonging rather than serving.
• Sometimes my church efforts are for aesthetics rather than from the heart.

I’m not saying the church building had to be a shack but did I have to build a club? Soon my entire focus was on making the “members” comfortable. My prayers were on raising money for the building and my outreach efforts soon turned into contractor bids. Then it happened.

The church fell apart because of misappropriation of funds and we faced calamity anyway. This calamity caught me off guard. I mean weren’t we serving GOD? Looking back I can see some things I could have done differently.

• When it comes to GOD I must give in to HIS decisions whether they have calamity or comfort in them.
• When it comes to GOD I must seek HIS kingdom first before I seek my comfort.
• When it comes to GOD I must ask HIM for permission and be willing to accept “No” or “Wait” for an answer.

Of course I need to pray expectantly, that’s where faith comes in. But I must also pray knowing I don’t have the full picture and GOD has the right to make changes as HE sees fit. This could mean a mix of calamity with comfort. GOD is supreme and I praise HIM for it.

• Are you fighting for your comfort?
• Do you think you deserve only comfort?
• Could you accept the calling of calamity if GOD allowed it in your life?
• Will you praise GOD through any problem you are facing right now?

Comfortable with Knowledge

Job 11: ⁷ “Can you fathom the mysteries of God?
    Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?
⁸ They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do?
    They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know?
⁹ Their measure is longer than the earth
    and wider than the sea.

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After I finished counting the offering, I added the amounts into the books. I didn’t really hear the sermon because I was busy. “GOD will understand” I thought to myself. I mean, I’m in a church, working so HE should understand I’m too busy for prayer and listening. I’m saved so I don’t really have to pursue GOD anymore, right?

• Sometimes I get comfortable with my salvation.
• Sometimes I think “GOD won’t mind” when I neglect talking to HIM or praying to HIM.
• Sometimes I am too busy for GOD.

I was so busy in the church that I had no time for GOD. I mean I had books to keep, reports to get out and stuff to do. I was also the head of the Trustees, so I had a lot on my plate. GOD will understand if I miss a few sermons and miss praying for people and miss serving people directly right? I mean I’m serving them indirectly so doesn’t that count?

• GOD loves everything I do for HIM, but sometimes I need to slow down to listen to HIM.
• GOD loves everything I do for HIM, but HE is not achievement based rather relationship based.
• GOD loves everything I do for HIM, but HE does not want me building up a pile of works so I can bargain with HIM later trying to get out of my sin.

GOD knows I would probably come to HIM and say “See… I did XYZ, so YOU should forgive me for 123” but that’s not how HE works. The fact of the matter is, I don’t truly know how HE works and I should not be comfortable with having a relationship with HIM. GOD cannot be harnessed ass a weapon nor can HE be bribed to do my bidding.

GOD is supreme in HIS plan and I must follow HIM with fear and trembling.

• Are you taking your relationship with GOD for granted?
• Do you think HE owes you something for your little service you did last week?
• Can you stop thinking GOD owes you something and serve HIM without expectation?
• Will you reach out to HIM today and say “I love YOU LORD” to HIM and leave it at that?