Thrown Out

Thrown Out

Revelation 12: ⁷ Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, who fought back with his angels; ⁸ but the dragon was defeated, and he and his angels were not allowed to stay in heaven any longer. ⁹ The huge dragon was thrown out—that ancient serpent, named the Devil, or Satan, that deceived the whole world. He was thrown down to earth, and all his angels with him.

 

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After a night of partying, I was tired. I went to bed in the wee hours of the morning, completely forgetting that I needed to open up the office. When I woke up, I remembered that I had to work, so I hurried downstairs to the dorm office. There I was met with a group of people who fired me, reminding me this had happened before.

 

• I did not take my responsibility seriously.
• I was not dependable.
• I was thrown out of my easy position and had no one to blame but myself.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, witnessed the recap of Satan being thrown out of heaven. This recap happens after the seventh trumpet was blown. JESUS showed that HE had zero tolerance for Satan’s ways.

 

My Observations:

• GOD hates my sin and yours.
• JESUS knew that I would not choose HIS love, BUT HE died for me in the middle of my sins.
• GOD’s tolerance for disbelief in the love JESUS showed is zero.

 

Being thrown out from GOD is quite final. I mean, once out with GOD, there is no return. Humans are given chances over and over and over again. We sin like it is no big deal and expect GOD to simply forgive. HE does, but only for those who believe that need forgiveness and salvation through JESUS and who repent.

 

GOD is willing to remove my sin as far as the east is from the west. HE is also willing to remember my sins no more. But for those who reject HIS act of love, GOD will take vengeance and repay. I choose to ask GOD for HIS forgiveness and guidance back to HIS path.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer repeat that Satan was thrown out?
• Have you considered if you are taking advantage of GOD’s love or are rejecting the change HE wants from you?
• If you have left GOD, will you seek HIM and ask HIM to change your ways so HE can guide you back to HIS path today?

Good Thoughts

Good Thoughts

Philippians 4: ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

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“Would you go with me?” was my fear filled question. I was scared to go in the basement of our house because I thought there was a scary man living down there. Back then we called this “the Boogey Man.” Eventually I could go downstairs by myself, but I needed the lights to be on. Some people tried to “fix” my fear by having me go downstairs. They turned off the lights. I screamed!

 

• My fear was real to me.
• My fear caused me to be unable to go places or do things.
• My fear guided my decision making.

 

Paul attempts to address, fear, anxiety, doubt and worry. He provides a way out of the deep holes negative thinking can cause. Instead of worrying about what will happen in the future, “think on these things.”

 

My Observations

• When I think on true, noble and just things, GOD brings clarity to my thinking.
• When I think on pure, lovely and good report things, GOD pulls me out of temptation that takes me off HIS plan.
• When I think on virtuous and praiseworthy things, GOD fills my heart with thankfulness and gives me HIS peace which will not make senses to anyone around me.

 

Let’s face it, life can be scary. I mean, someone will always have scary news which can fill the mind with fear. This fear , when handled alone, can open the mind to the enemy’s discouraging tactics. Suddenly the words, “You’ll never…” or “You will always…” grow stronger while faith grows weaker. BUT GOD has this covered.

 

HE places great examples of those who have overcome scary situations in the Bible and in my life. HE then reminds me, through the HOLY SPIRIT, of the many times HE has brought me through things. A battle surges and I want to give into negative memories. “Yeah, but remember this negative thing?” GOD says. “I got that.” I am glad HE gives me a way to control my thoughts and place them on HIM.

 

Challenge

• What are the opposite of the things listed by the writer?
• Have you ever had negative thoughts because of a negative report or are afraid to go down a very scary path?
• Will you remember that GOD is with you and has brought you through many circumstances?
• Will you fight your mind and allow GOD to put “good report” thoughts in your mind so you can stay on HIS path today?

GOD even uses evil for good

Genesis 45: ⁴ Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! ⁵ And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you.

⁶ For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will be no plowing and reaping. ⁷ But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

⁸ “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt.

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Scared and confused I left a company that I had poured heart and soul into. I had run into the wrong mix of people and found myself on the outside of “the club.” For a while I felt like I was in the desert. “GOD where are you?” I would cry out.

The desire to start a business was swelling in me. I pursued many options but nothing seemed right. I finally settled on a path and GOD started delivering people to me in droves. Many have helped me and some I helped. I prayed with many and cried with them. I never would have met these people if GOD hadn’t sent me.

• GOD knows I have to face painful situations so I can grow.
• GOD understands I have to face adversity in order to be made into what HE wants me to be.
• GOD delivers me into HIS house in spite of any evil plan thought up by others or me.

Humans think they have control of lives and situations BUT GOD knows better. HIS plans are far above my thoughts, desires or worries. HE is the deliverer of my salvation!

• Are you going through something?
• Do you think GOD has left you alone?
• Won’t you open your eyes and see HIS deliverance?
• Can’t you give HIM your best AND your worst so HE can show you HIS plan?

Do I have a choice?

Hebrews 8: ¹⁰ This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel

    after that time, declares the Lord.

I will put my laws in their minds

    and write them on their hearts.

I will be their God,

    and they will be my people.

¹¹ No longer will they teach their neighbor,

    or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’

because they will all know me,

    from the least of them to the greatest.

¹² For I will forgive their wickedness

    and will remember their sins no more.”

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I had some easy buildings to clean that night. Empty a few trash cans clean the bathrooms and the minimum was done. What could I do with all that “extra” time on my hands? I know… I can go to my apartment, eat and go back to work. “Who would know?” Well, my boss, to name one person.

• I have a choice between loving GOD and leaving GOD.
• I have a choice between following GOD versus following myself.
• I have a choice between GOD’s way versus my way.

I honestly have no excuse for when I choose to sin. I mean I actually know better but for some reason the thing I want to do seems like a good choice at the time. I actually, willingly choose to disobey GOD.

• GOD wrote HIS laws in my conscience so I would have a guide.
• GOD put HIS laws in my heart so I could experience HIS compassion.
• GOD placed HIS laws in my person so I could be forgiven.

I actually believe it is difficult to be sentenced to hell. I mean GOD made the provision for salvation so easy for me by taking on the penalty of sin. If I reject HIS SON as the savior then HE will remember all my sins. I am glad HE made it easy to accept HIS gift of grace.

• Are you fighting GOD?
• Is your life one struggle after another?
• Do you want a life filled with abundance and adventure?
• Won’t you allow GOD to move your heart so you can have a full life?