All Grown Up

All Grown Up

Hebrews 11: Others, refusing to accept freedom, died under torture in order to be raised to a better life. ³⁶ Some were mocked and whipped, and others were put in chains and taken off to prison. ³⁷ They were stoned, they were sawed in two, they were killed by the sword. They went around clothed in skins of sheep or goats—poor, persecuted, and mistreated. ³⁸ The world was not good enough for them! They wandered like refugees in the deserts and hills, living in caves and holes in the ground.

 

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“Can I go outside?” was my simple question. “No, it’s your bed time” was the answer I did not understand. “I can’t wait to grow up” I said. “Can I go out with my ‘friends’?” was another request years later. Again, “No” was the answer with a good reason. A rare shooting happened.  “Aren’t I grown up enough?” I questioned.

 

• When I “grew up” I realized I was being protected.
• I could not see that I was not quite ready to handle the dangers of life.
• I thought life would be easy “when I grew up” because no one would need to tell me what to do.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, turned to the more difficult side of faith. He wrote about those who died in their belief due to extreme persecution. These men and women lived their lives in boldness for CHRIST, rather than accepting the bondage of the world. They were free and fully grown in the faith.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to have immediate faith in HIM like a child would.
• GOD takes me through trials so I can grow up and understand HIS power in the middle of problems.
• GOD controls life and death more than people give HIM credit for and HE can protect me or take me to a “better life.”

 

Falling to the pressures of this world may make me want things I am not supposed to have. I mean, I may seek pleasure over pain or sweet over sour. When life gives me trials, I may fall apart instead of facing it with hope. BUT GOD gives me strength to face issues.

 

The HOLY SPIRIT opens my eyes to the adversary who will try to stop me from spreading the Gospel of CHRIST. Problem after problem, the enemy is relentless in trying to discourage me. BUT GOD wants me to keep going, especially when life gets tough. HE wants me to have peace in the middle of the storm. This takes some growing up. I am glad GOD cares enough about me to not let me remain a child.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention difficulties people faced?
• Have you ever wanted help, but were not receiving it?
• Have you ever blamed GOD for the trial you are or were in?
• Will you ask GOD to help you grow up enough to be able to handle the tougher parts of life with boldness for HIM, even though there may not be any relief anytime soon?

By Now

 

By Now

Hebrews 5: ¹¹ There is much we have to say about this matter, but it is hard to explain to you, because you are so slow to understand. ¹² There has been enough time for you to be teachers—yet you still need someone to teach you the first lessons of God's message. Instead of eating solid food, you still have to drink milk. ¹³ Anyone who has to drink milk is still a child, without any experience in the matter of right and wrong. ¹⁴ Solid food, on the other hand, is for adults, who through practice are able to distinguish between good and evil.

 

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Sitting back and listening to the leader, I had many suggestions for improvement. One day, someone approached me and said, “When are you going to lead?”” The challenge felt like an insult at first, but eventually I wrapped my head around the concept and became a leader of a small group of people. It was harder than I thought.

 

• I had to learn while I was expected to be the teacher.
• I had to grow in ways I never would have imagined.
• I had to get out of my comfort zone and step into the spotlight, receiving the criticism instead of dishing it out.

 

“When will you grow up?” were the implied words from Paul, the assumed writer. He urged those who have been taught about JESUS to grow in spiritual maturity enough to teach instead of always being taught.

 

My Observations

• Solid food is for adults and GOD wants me to grow to eat it.
• Life is difficult so GOD wants me to be able to face it with HIS ways, which equates to “solid food.”
• Going to church can become a habit, BUT GOD wants me to grow up enough to take on responsibility outside being preached to.

 

“Act your age” is what the old folks used to say, meaning “by now you should be growing away from childish behavior.” It doesn’t feel good to be responsible for something, especially as precious as life after death. BUT GOD has given humans the responsibility to spread the Gospel versus always absorbing it.

 

GOD wants you and me to eventually grow up enough to teach, preach and live the Good news about JESUS. HE wants to give “solid food” to be able to bring people back to HIMSELF. I gladly accept the responsibility HE gives me and pray HE guides me to growth.

 

Challenge

• What are the “first lessons” the writer is speaking about?
• Have you ever imagined yourself in a perpetual kindergarten?
• Do you expect to always learn without ever teaching?
• Will you accept GOD’s growth and begin teaching HIS “solid food” today?

Next Level

Next Level

Colossians 3: ¹³ Be tolerant with one another and forgive one another whenever any of you has a complaint against someone else. You must forgive one another just as the Lord has forgiven you.

 

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As we sat at the picnic table, someone knocked over a drink into “my” food. I pouted because I was a child. “Forgive” were the words given to me. After some cooling down time, I was able to let it go. After that incident, other people spilled stuff and I easily forgave. One day a bully punched me in the chest so hard I almost passed out.

 

• I had been attacked so “How am I supposed to forgive?” was my question.
• I could not fight back, but I wanted something “bad” to happen to the bully.
• I remembered the words “forgive” and I had to do it, reluctantly.

 

Paul addresses differences of opinions. One person had a way of doing things and another had an opposing way to do the same thing. This raised complaints. He provided a way to resolve the differences. “Forgive one another.”

 

My Observations

• There seems to be another level of forgiveness GOD wants me to reach.
• As life goes on, I seem to face a variety of situations and people who need me to forgive.
• GOD forgave me and wants me to forgive others, even when my complaint is justified.

 

Someone said “Forgive and forget”, but it is the “forget part that trips me up. I mean, I do remember what happened so did I not forgive? Having a good memory does not seem to be the problem. Holding back GOD’s love from someone who hurt me is the problem. Why forgive in the first place?  Because the LORD has forgiven me.

 

HE wants him or her to be forgiven too. HE knows humans will have differences in approach, values and opinions. HE also knows this will cause quarrels. HIS message still needs to be spread to everyone. The only way to spread the message is to drop my “offenses”, “defenses”  and be ready to forgive those who are hard to forgive. I am glad GOD forgave me and teaches me to forgive, little by little.

 

Challenge

• What complaint does the writer speak about that does not warrant forgiveness?
• Have you ever been stuck on doing things a certain way and have a difference in opinion that you cannot let go of?
• Will you take purpose into your relationships and forgive those who may be difficult to forgive?

Up Close and Personal Love

 

Up Close and Personal Love

1 Corinthians 13: ¹¹ When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways. ¹² What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete—as complete as God's knowledge of me.

 

¹³ Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

 

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Driving became very difficult because salt was all over my windshield and the car was out of washer fluid. I had to slow down because the road was partially covered with snow and I could not see very well. I used my best understanding of that road to navigate, but I  really did not know if I was in one lane or another.

 

• My understanding of life is blurry.
• My knowledge of life is only partial.
• My wisdom used in life is like a dim image in a mirror.

 

Paul concludes his explanation of true love. Many people think this love is something that humans can do and do well. Paul explains that we will not really know what we are doing until we see JESUS face-to-face. But what am I supposed to do until then?

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to place my faith in HIS promises that HE will always be with me.
• GOD wants me to place my hope in JESUS, who I will one day see fact-to-face.
• GOD wants me to grow up and understand that true love has already been shown to me through JESUS.

 

Imagine a house on fire in the middle of a hurricane and a child asking “Why can’t I watch cartoons right now?” I mean, this child is not even on the road, let alone able to drive. Now think of what the adult should do. Focus on getting everyone to safety with the best knowledge he or she has.

 

GOD has given each of us a second chance. When we were in the middle of our sins, we were doomed to die an eternal death. BUT JESUS took care of that. HE saved me and anyone who will believe in HIM. HE then sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live in me. This act of love only gives me partial abilities. I need other people to complete the mirror. I place my faith and hope in JESUS.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about faith and hope being mentioned?
• What does it mean to speak and act as a child or an adult in terms of CHRIST?
• Will you stop seeking what you want as a child and seek what GOD wants you to do with your gifts HE has given you today?

Flip Back Over

Flip Back Over

Romans 14: ⁷ For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. ⁸ If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. ⁹ For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.

 

¹⁰ You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. ¹¹ It is written:

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bow before me;
    every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

 

¹² So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.

 

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“Look at them doing wrong over there” is what they said about us as we were just having “fun.” We would laugh and when one of my friends did something outrageous, I laughed even more. Years later, I returned to CHRIST. I felt sorry for those stuck in having “fun.: Years after that I said “Look at them doing wrong over there.”

 

• When did I flip over to being the judge?
• When did I start seeing the wrong in people?
• When did I look to blame others?

 

Paul continues with his appeal as given to him by the LORD. He had just tried to convince everyone that people will do different things for JESUS, giving honor and thanks to HIM in different ways. Now he sends a plea to stop looking at one another in a judgmental way. He ends his plea stating we all will stand before GOD as individuals, giving account for how we treated each other.

 

• GOD wants me to live for HIM and serve others.
• GOD wants me to drop the judgment and add words of life to people.
• GOD wants me to rid myself of contempt of “those” people and add prayers for “us” as sinners.

 

Being a tattletale is childish. I mean, a child tells an adult when another child is doing something wrong, meanwhile the child never looks at him or herself. This is my saying, “We are all in the mud, throwing mud at each other, saying ‘you have mud on you.””

 

Judgment is a sin GOD does not like. HE sees when I look down on someone for their actions and does not go after “that” person but corrects me. HE wants me to see people as HIS children whom HE loves. I am glad HE provides grace to me and hope HE guides me drop judgment of people.

 

• Are you judging people?
• Do you see the wrong in people immediately?
• Have you asked yourself, “When did I get to this point where I am judging people and I used to be judged?”, so you can flip back over to loving others?

Grown Up

 Grown Up

Romans 12: ¹⁴ Ask God to bless those who persecute you—yes, ask him to bless, not to curse. ¹⁵ Be happy with those who are happy, weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Have the same concern for everyone. Do not be proud, but accept humble duties. Do not think of yourselves as wise.

 

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Being handed an award for outstanding work felt rather insulting when I was notified the position I held was cut. During the downsizing process, insults were hurled at me and laughter ensued as I had to present my final “next year’s plan.” You won’t be around to see it, they giggled. “YOU mean I am supposed to pray for them!?’ I questioned.

 

• There were many times when I wanted to ask GOD to drop boulders on those who hurt me.
• There were many times when I wanted to see those who hurt me to get hurt so they could feel my pain.
• There were many times when I wanted to gloat at the pain of someone who hurt me, thinking I would feel better.

 

Paul writes something extremely strange. HE tells everyone to “Bless those who persecute you.” What!? He then reemphasizes his bold statement to make sure everyone heard what he said. “Yes, ask HIM to bless, not to curse.” Paul had been beaten, stoned, chased, and slandered. GOD showed him another way to handle bitterness and a poisoned heart.

 

• GOD wants me to guard my heart from the poison of hatred.
• GOD wants me to protect my heart from rage and anger.
• GOD wants me to insulate my heart from bitterness and animosity.

 

Hate breeds more hate. I mean, when I see “that” person get what he or she “deserves” it does nothing. I still have the loss and I still need to heal. It hurts even worse when “that” person seems to walk away unscathed. “YOU mean I have been wronged and “that” person seems to be doing well?” Yes, GOD says, because HE knows how to repair my heart.

 

I sighed and prayed for those who persecuted me to do well. It did not work the first time, but over time it did. I was able to release the poison I had in my heart. I even felt better about my relationship with GOD because HE was pleased with me for growing up.

 

• Did someone hurt you?
• Are you still carrying around bitterness for that person after all these years?
• Will you regain the power of GOD in your life by praying for “that” person to be blessed by HIM and let GOD handle him or her the way HE wants to so HE can repair your heart with grace today?

Growing Up

 

Growing Up

Romans 6: ¹² Sin must no longer rule in your mortal bodies, so that you obey the desires of your natural self. ¹³ Nor must you surrender any part of yourselves to sin to be used for wicked purposes. Instead, give yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes. ¹⁴ Sin must not be your master; for you do not live under law but under God's grace.

 

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“Oh, grow up!” were the insulting words hurled at me. “How dare she!” I thought. I blew off her statement because she was mean and crabby anyway. I was simply complaining and wanted someone to hear my complaint. After hearing her unexpected reaction, I wanted to complain about that too.

 

• When I was a child I spoke like a child.
• When I was a child I justified my sinful actions.
• When I was a child I had a lot to say about everyone else, and little to say about my flaws.

 

Paul appeals to every reader to give up sin and give the entirety of life to GOD. He then explains, that GOD did an incredible thing for humans so we should acknowledge what HE did and act like HE wants us to.

 

• GOD wants me to examine my sinful self, daily.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge I need HIM to guide me and correct me daily.
• GOD wants me to grow up little by little, making decisions that would please HIM instead of feeding my sin.

 

Growing up means taking responsibility. Blaming GOD for HIS righteousness will not cut it when I stand before HIM. One day I will need to account for my sins. I will have no excuse. The only reply I will have to GOD is “I believe in YOUR SON who took away that sin and that one and that one.” HIS reply will be “Well done MY faithful servant.” I am please to surrender to JESUS.

 

• Are you acting like a child, trying to hold onto a life you think you are in control of?
• Do complaints roll off your lips more than praise?
• Will you examine yourself and ask GOD to help you let go of your sin, little by little so HE can use you for HIS purpose today?

Jealousy

Jealousy

John 21: ²⁰ Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, “Lord, who is the one who betrays You?” ²¹ Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, “But Lord, what about this man?”

²² Jesus said to him, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.”

²³ Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, “If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?”

²⁴ This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true.

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Me and another person were top in our business class. We worked hard to study and figure things out. When we got our first business engagement, we poured our hearts into in. I worked tirelessly to prove my worth. One guy, who played golf well and told great jokes, got promoted over us. “What about us?” I inquired, really wanting to know “What about me?”

• There were times when I based my worth on winning over someone else.
• There were times when I looked at relationships as win-lose.
• There were times when I felt I needed recognition rather than correction.

Frustrated after JESUS had just restored him, Peter lashed out and said “What about him?”, as if to say, “Why not scold him for betraying YOU?” JESUS sees Peter’s hurt heart and guides him again by saying “What is that to you? Follow ME.” This sounded harsh, but it grew Peter.

• JESUS wants me to have my relationship with HIM.
• JESUS wants me to look at my sins and confess them to HIM every day.
• JESUS wants me to grow my relationship with HIM by seeking HIM and not pouting at what other people are doing or getting.

Jealousy is a heart rotter. I mean when I look at what other people are getting or doing, I wonder if GOD loves me. I question the love of the One who actually loves me. BUT GOD knows this and comes after me anyway. HE erases my jealousy and still rewards me in spite of me. I thank GOD for forgiving me.

• Do you act jealous?
• Do you downplay other people’s accomplishments, talents or skills because you secretly desire to be where they are?
• Will you stop looking at other people and know GOD made you exactly as you are and loves you at HIS maximum already?

Powered By

Powered By

John 21: After these things Jesus showed Himself again to the disciples at the Sea of Tiberias, and in this way He showed Himself: ² Simon Peter, Thomas called the Twin, Nathanael of Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two others of His disciples were together. ³ Simon Peter said to them, “I am going fishing.”

They said to him, “We are going with you also.” They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing. ⁴ But when the morning had now come, Jesus stood on the shore; yet the disciples did not know that it was Jesus. ⁵ Then Jesus said to them, “Children, have you any food?”

They answered Him, “No.”

⁶ And He said to them, “Cast the net on the right side of the boat, and you will find some.” So they cast, and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish.

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Seeing traffic was getting clogged up, I exited the expressway. “Maybe the side streets will get me there faster”, I thought to myself. Stopped at numerous lights, I glanced at the slow, but steady movement on the freeway. They were going faster than I was.

I got to work later than ever. I thought missed my opportunity to meet with the person deciding if I would stay at the company or go.. I arrived just before the person and we met in the hallway. “Good timing” the person said. They invited me to move with the company as a promotion.

• Sometimes I try to fix things on my own power.
• Sometimes I think my power is what gets me places.
• Sometimes I work out plans to get myself out of situations only to make matters worse.

Peter and other disciples decided to go fishing. They were experienced fishermen and tried the same old techniques. JESUS appeared on the shore and told them to try the other side of the boat. They had fished all night. How was this going to work? And Why now? It gained them more fish than ever before.

• JESUS says to me, “Believe in MY power.”
• JESUS says to me, “I see your desire and I want what is best for you.”
• JESUS says to me, “I AM excited to show you MY power daily.”

Giving myself too much credit causes me to worry when it comes to the next problem. I mean, I may think I fixed that last problem, but when something bigger comes along, I feel overwhelmed. GOD wants me to give HIM credit for the little things so I can have faith that HE will take care of the big things. It is not my power but GOD’s that saves me and fixes everything.

• Are you trying to control your life?
• Do you think it was your power or another human’s ability that fixed the situation?
• Will you open your eyes and see GOD touching every situation?
• Will you let go and allow GOD to show HIS power today?

Blamed or Believed

Blamed or Believed

John 11: ¹⁷ So when Jesus came, He found that he had already been in the tomb four days. ¹⁸ Now Bethany was near Jerusalem, about two miles away. ¹⁹ And many of the Jews had joined the women around Martha and Mary, to comfort them concerning their brother.

²⁰ Then Martha, as soon as she heard that Jesus was coming, went and met Him, but Mary was sitting in the house. ²¹ Now Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died. ²² But even now I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You.”

²³ Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

²⁴ Martha said to Him, “I know that he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

²⁵ Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. ²⁶ And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”

²⁷ She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

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As the car in front of me crept through the yellow light, I was forced to stop. “That car made me late for work!” I exclaimed. When finally I made it to the meeting, I noticed they got my breakfast order wrong. “They did this on purpose” I thought to myself. I really did not like the person who was hosting the meeting.

• There were situations out of my control that were easier to blame someone so I could make sense out of it.
• There were times when it was easier to blame someone else when I did not get “my” way.
• There were times when I blamed the benevolent, misunderstanding their motives because I could not see how someone would care for me.

Martha was hurt that JESUS did not come in time to “save” her brother. While JESUS told her what HE was about to do by saying “Your brother will rise again”, she replied “Yeah, yeah, yeah, resurrection” as if to say, “But what about now?” She blamed JESUS for not being there for her.

• GOD wants me to throw away my blame for others.
• GOD wants me to get rid of blaming HIM for difficult situations.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS power to sustain, fix and grow me.

JESUS is “The resurrection AND the life.” HE is focused on this life as well as the afterlife. HE is not to be blamed, but praised. JESUS has a great plan for me that sometimes I do not understand. HE gives me the faith to know HE has no harm meant for me but a plan to prosper me.

• Who are you blaming for where you are in life?
• Do you blame GOD easily?
• Will you trade your easy “blame” for easy “belief” in JESUS today?