Free Will Established

Free Will Established

Genesis 2: ¹⁵ Then the Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. ¹⁶ And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; ¹⁷ but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”

 

After creating a perfect place with beauty that could be enjoyed forever, GOD placed man in the garden and gave him something to do. The trees would grow themselves and provide fruit. Water was plentiful so no plant suffered. There was no rot or disease or bug infestations.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave the first human something to do for his enjoyment.
• GOD provided everything the first human could ever need.
• GOD also gave the first human a choice to obey by providing something he should not do.

 

Two trees were GOD’s and millions, if not billions of trees were for the first human. Each plant, bush, or tree would provide enough food for every animal, bird and fish. GOD probably had other conversations with the first human, but those are not recorded. HIS command, however, is recorded. HE distinctly told the first human not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. HE even gave the consequence. Death.

 

“What in the world is death?” would have been my question. GOD did not reveal the total conversation with the first human, but somehow, the message was conveyed. This was the very first command. No other rules. No sacrifice. No laws. Just eat and tend to the food provided.

 

Challenge:

• Why does GOD emphasize this command to Moses?
• Even with plenty, have you ever wanted what someone else had?
• Have you considered how much or how little you surrender yourself to GOD by choice?

Seeking Good Times

 

Seeking Good Times

1 Peter 3: ⁸ To conclude: you must all have the same attitude and the same feelings; love one another, and be kind and humble with one another. ⁹ Do not pay back evil with evil or cursing with cursing; instead, pay back with a blessing, because a blessing is what God promised to give you when he called you. ¹⁰ As the scripture says,

“If you want to enjoy life
    and wish to see good times,
    you must keep from speaking evil
    and stop telling lies.
¹¹ You must turn away from evil and do good;
    you must strive for peace with all your heart.
¹² For the Lord watches over the righteous
    and listens to their prayers;
    but he opposes those who do evil.”

 

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Wanting a better assignment, I lied about my age. I said I was two years older than I was so that maybe my years of experience would seem like more than they were. I was still considered a rookie and I wanted to shake that perception.

 

• I lied to get ahead.
• I didn’t consider my lie as harmful.
• I showed my immaturity when I argued, fussed and fought instead of being above negative conversations.

 

Peter continues to provide some difficult lessons. He knew there would be some who would do evil to those who did good. His advice was to be above evil by paying back with good. He also used a Psalm from David to change the mindset. “Keep from speaking evil.”

 

My Observations

• Striving for “good times” must include me telling the truth.
• For me to “enjoy life” I must be able to rest, which means telling the truth.
• Doing “good” and striving for “peace” gives me the makings for a life filled with good times.

 

Evil, brings on more evil. I mean, when someone does or says something bad to me or about me, I want to retaliate. I get my argument ready and maybe even think of ways to tear “that” person down. BUT GOD wants me to act different.

 

HE wants me above petty arguments to focus on HIM. HE wants “good” and “peace” to flow from me. This means I have to make a decision. I have to slow down, step away from the evil and speak the truth in live when the time is right. I am glad GOD gives me courage to speak truth.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention “pay back?”
• Have you ever been provoked by an evil attack and wanted to retaliate?
• Will you take the high road next time and seek “good times” by doing good in GOD’s sight today?

Heart Soil

Heart Soil

Hebrews 6: ⁷ God blesses the soil which drinks in the rain that often falls on it and which grows plants that are useful to those for whom it is cultivated. ⁸ But if it grows thorns and weeds, it is worth nothing; it is in danger of being cursed by God and will be destroyed by fire.

 

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“Ha, ha, you don’t even know how to curse right” were the words that fueled me to learn how to curse “right.” I practiced my foul language and got it down to a science. After a while, I was listening t how comedians used this language in jokes. I soaked in every word I could listen to.

 

• The more garbage I listened to, the more desensitized I became.
• I used foul language to joke, but eventually used it to increase the level of an argument.
• I wound up expressing frustration with foul language and brushed it off to “everyone else uses it.”

 

Paul the assumed writer, gives two types of soil, one that grows useful plants and one that grows thorns and weeds. Rather than looking at this as farming tips, Paul may have been speaking about the condition of the heart.

 

My Observations

• Things that are placed in my heart will grow into something good or something terrible.
• GOD wants to place HIS word in my heart, but if I have filled it with the garbage of the world, there will be no room for HIM to live.
• GOD gets excited when I listen to HIM and HE grows “plants that are useful” from me listening to HIM.

 

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control are all things that can grow from my heart when I listen to GOD. I mean, when I follow HIS ways, the fruit of the SPIRIT overflows from my heart.  Unfortunately, the opposite happens when I purposefully disobey HIM.

 

When I put the world in my heart, it grows greed, hatred, lust, blame and unhealthy self-consciousness that reverberates through all I do. Lies appear to be real and the false Utopia of the world crashes down on me. BUT GOD cleans my heart and cultivates a place where HE can live and grow me. I am glad GOD chooses to stay with me.

 

Challenge

• What soil sticks out to you from the writer?
• Have you ever wanted to stop a behavior, but didn’t see how to?
• Have you checked your heart to see if you have fallen?
• Will you allow GOD to cleanse your heart HIS way so you can bear fruit for HIM today?

Special Emphasis

Special Emphasis

Titus 3: I want you to give special emphasis to these matters, so that those who believe in God may be concerned with giving their time to doing good deeds, which are good and useful for everyone. ⁹ But avoid stupid arguments, long lists of ancestors, quarrels, and fights about the Law. They are useless and worthless. ¹⁰ Give at least two warnings to those who cause divisions, and then have nothing more to do with them. ¹¹ You know that such people are corrupt, and their sins prove that they are wrong.

 

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Doing research, I took time collecting facts to counter what someone said. It took a number of hours, but I collected “my” facts and was ready for the argument. I felt it was the right thing to do and I was ready for any “battle.”

 

• I was prepared to fight.
• I was looking to “win” the argument.
• I wanted to be declared the winner by my opponent.

 

Paul explains to Titus that arguing is “stupid.” He lists arguments, quarrels and fights as something to avoid. He labels this as a waste of time by saying “They are useless and worthless.” He does give the right thing to emphasize, namely doing good deeds.

 

My Observations

• Arguing over GOD’s word seems useless.
• Winning quarrels versus doing good seems worthless.
• Fighting over what is right is worthless and I should emphasize what is good and useful for everyone.

 

Arguing, quarreling and fighting takes precious time. I mean, when I fight, I lay awake thinking of my next move and the countermove from his or her next move. This time could have been spent doing something good for someone.

 

GOD has a plan that includes finding those who have been blinded from HIS love. HE wants all to return to HIM by leaving their selfish, combative ways. HE wants me to focus on doing what is right and leave useless, worthless arguments alone. I am glad GOD gives me the right path, namely to serve those HE wants me to serve.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer give these warnings?
• Have you ever wasted your time trying to convince someone about something versus simply living the example?
• Will you focus your time on doing good for others so you will be pleasing to GOD and remain on HIS path, seeking HIS kingdom today?

Fit to Do Good

Fit to Do Good

Titus 1: ¹⁵ Everything is pure to those who are themselves pure; but nothing is pure to those who are defiled and unbelieving, for their minds and consciences have been defiled. ¹⁶ They claim that they know God, but their actions deny it. They are hateful and disobedient, not fit to do anything good.

 

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Testing the waters, I said a “bad” word. I had not done so before. It felt strange, but nothing happened. No lightning bold from the sky. Soon “bad” words were part of my language amongst “friends.” Peeping in the girls locker room felt weird. But soon I joined in with the guys and we talked about what we saw. Lying about results felt wrong. But when I learned how to “spin” the conversation to make myself look good, it didn’t feel like I was lying.

 

• I gave myself permission to do what “I” wanted to do.
• I was opposed to doing wrong at first, but got used to it quickly.
• I did not know that other parts of my life were being affected by my degrading character.

 

Paul warns Titus to remain pure in all he does. He spoke to Titus about keeping his mind and conscience pure and focused on GOD, otherwise it they could become defiled, hateful and disobedient.

 

My Observations

• GOD forgives me for my sins, BUT HE wants me to have more than forgiveness.
• GOD has a plan for me which includes an abundant life with HIM.
• It takes effort on my part to choose GOD’s ways over the slippery slope of sin.

 

Doing sin and justifying what I’ve done is not good for anything. I mean, when I fall into the hole of temptation, I forsake GOD and leave HIM to do what I want to do. Then I crawl back to HIM, asking forgiveness, especially when things are going wrong. There has to be a better way! GOD has one.

 

HE preempts my thinking by providing me with the HOLY SPIRIT who guides me away from the sins of my youth. HE then gives me purpose to stay on HIS path rather than falling away easily. HE knows I will still sin, BUT HE also knows I am growing up to handle more responsibility. I am glad GOD has a wonderful plan for me.

 

Challenge

• What lifestyle is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever decided that GOD is too harsh?
• Are you too tough on yourself?
• Will you accept the LORD’s forgiveness and seek HIS ways so HE can use you in a mighty way today?

Choices

Choices

Ephesians 5: ¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people. ¹⁶ Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. ¹⁷ Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do.

 

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“Come hang out with us” were the tempting words I would easily flock to . We stayed up late having “fun.” To my dismay, I woke up late for my shift. I was supposed to open the dorm office and I slept way past the time. I was fired.

 

• I did not do what I was supposed to be doing.
• I made a short term choice that was costly long term.
• I could not see any problem with my choice until I ran into the problem.

 

Short term thinking was an issue Paul was trying to address. People had, too often, given into what the world would say is “fun” or “okay.” After a while, their eyes were no longer fixed on GOD, but their own pleasure.

 

My Observations

• GOD made humor, laughter and pleasure for me to enjoy.
• GOD made my life for HIM so I must seek what HE wants me to do and allow HIM to provide me with pleasure.
• GOD wants me to seek wisdom and make good use of every opportunity given to me to serve HIM.

 

Every moment does not have to be a Bible teaching moment. I mean, I must have faith that I know what GOD says through HIS Word and place it in my heart. But there are moments GOD wants me to be ready to speak about HIM and HIS SON as the Savior of all mankind.

 

I can enjoy life while seeking what GOD wants me to do. Unfortunately, there are times when I want to seek what “I” want to do. This is classified as “foolish” or “ignorant” by the writer. Harsh? Not really. GOD has a plan for me each day that is not overwhelming. I am grateful HIS burdens on me are light.

 

Challenge

• What is the warning of the writer?
• Are there any changes you would like to make in your life but need some help?
• Will you seek what GOD wants you to do and release your fear of what you hold onto so you can be filled by HIS SPIRIT today?

Three Choices

 

Three Choices

1 Corinthians 2: ¹⁰ But it was to us that God made known his secret by means of his Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, even the hidden depths of God's purposes. ¹¹ It is only our own spirit within us that knows all about us; in the same way, only God's Spirit knows all about God. ¹² We have not received this world's spirit; instead, we have received the Spirit sent by God, so that we may know all that God has given us.

 

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Worried, I sat awake in the middle of the night. After a string of good bosses, I ran into yet another poor leader. I ran through my options. Make an adjustment to “my” style was my first thought. Second, I could seek advice from some “successful” people. I wonder if there was a third option.

 

• There have been many times when I tried to do things under “my” own power.
• There have been many times when I tried to do things using advice from “successful” people of the world.
• There have been many times when I tried to do things that have not been given to me, and I pouted over what was not mine.

 

 

Three beings are spoken about in Paul’s description. He starts off speaking about the HOLY SPIRIT, which GOD revealed HIS secret. He then spoke about the human spirit that knows our successes and failures. The last being is the spirit of the world that looks great to many but leads to a destructive path.

 

• GOD wants me to be led by HIS SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to make my choices by using HIS SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to make HIS secret known, namely that JESUS is the only Savior of the world.

 

Though the world may scoff at GOD’s SPIRIT, HE is not to be mocked. Every choice I make should be based on the purpose of GOD. “What about me?” the world will place on my mind. I mean, don’t I have to live in the world too? Yes, but HE wants me to live with the purpose HE has given me. I surrender my choice to the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.

 

• Are you trying to do things under your own power?
• Are you seeking the tactics of the world to be “successful” to those around you?
• Will you allow the HOLY SPIRIT to guide you and be a good steward over what HE has given you today?

Good Power

 Good Power

Romans 12: ¹⁷ Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. ¹⁸ If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. ¹⁹ Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. ²⁰ On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
    if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

 

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After working hard for months, I sat for my evaluation. I received a “Good” as the performance rating. I was furious. ‘After all that hard work, you mean to tell me that it was ‘good’” I said. Good meant “doing as expected” and I felt I exceeded expectations by staying late and doing more. I wanted better than “good.”

 

• There were times when I felt “Good” was not powerful.
• There were times when I felt good people finish last.
• There were times when I felt great was better than good.

 

Paul continues with his radical words given to him by the HOLY SPIRIT. He speaks about not taking revenge. This was strange because the law said “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” In other words if someone does something bad to you, it is your right to do something bad to them. But GOD wants a different way.

 

• GOD wants me to leave vengeance up to HIM.
• GOD wants me to feel sorry for my enemies because HE felt sorry for me.
• GOD wants me to use good as a powerful weapon that overcomes evil.

 

“Great” is not suggested to be used to overcome evil, but “good” is. Being good when there is a chance or even the right to do evil, puts me in a better place with GOD. HE sees my “good” effort and rewards me.

 

Meanwhile, HE says “Let ME handle the evil this person has done to you.” GOD’s wrath on enemies is nothing to gloat at, but to be feared by all. I accept the powerful weapon of good to fight against those who purposefully do evil.

 

• Has someone done something evil against you?
• Do you want to take revenge out on “that” person?
• Will you allow GOD to take revenge on who HE chooses, meanwhile keep doing what “everyone” considers good so HE will be please with your actions?

Fork in the road

Fork in the road

John 5: ²⁸ Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice ²⁹ and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. ³⁰ I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.

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Driving around this particular large city was frustrating at best. I mean the signs were confusing and driving by GPS was difficult. When the direction was given to turn onto a street, there I faced a fork in the road. I had to make a decision without help from the GPS. I chose wrong and ended up adding another twenty five minutes onto the trip. We were now close to being late.

• Sometimes I feel lost even with directions.
• Sometimes I want my decisions to be right and yet they end up wrong.
• Sometimes I want to choose the correct path, but wind up on the very wrong path and don’t know how I go there.

JESUS clearly states that everyone will face HIS judgement. There will be two choices, life or death. HE says something strange when presenting this fork in the road. HE says “³⁰ I can of MYSELF do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and MY judgment is righteous, because I do not seek MY own will but the will of the Father who sent ME.” JESUS shows a glimpse of how HE works.

• JESUS says to me “Satan accuses you every day to the FATHER.”
• JESUS says to me “The FATHER forgives those who truly believe in HIS SON.”
• JESUS says to me “I listen to the FATHER and will judge who HE says to judge.”

Every day I have a choice, follow GOD or not. It is that simple. This fork in the road can sometimes seem difficult even when I the directions are being told to me. BUT GOD did not take any chances. HE knew I would make the wrong choice and go down the wrong path.

JESUS saw me sinning and volunteered to take my punishment. The fork in the road is, “Do I believe I deserve to be punished for sin I easily fall into” or better yet “for sin I was born with?” The answer is, YES. I believe I deserve an eternity of separation from GOD, but JESUS rescued me and I am forever grateful. I am glad HE guides me to the correct path.

• What path are you on?
• Do you believe in your fallible instincts?
• Will you stop guessing at life and believe in the One who can save you, namely JESUS?