Best Trap

Best Trap

Genesis 13: ⁸ So Abram said to Lot, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, and between my herdsmen and your herdsmen; for we are brethren. ⁹ Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

 

¹⁰ And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. ¹¹ Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan, and Lot journeyed east. And they separated from each other. ¹² Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. ¹³ But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.

 

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After being tricked by Satan, Adam and Eve were thrown out of the Garden of Eden. Cain, may have tried to build his own garden, since he and everyone else, was not allowed back in the place that was heaven on earth. BUT GOD rejected Cain’s “sacrifice” of vegetables from his garden. From that moment, Cain and his descendants despised GOD.

 

BUT GOD saw their hearts. Only a few people willingly walked with HIM. HE told Noah to build an ark. HE saved only Noah and his family. After the flood Shem followed the LORD. But Canaan did not. Canaan sought power. Noah cursed Canaan, but Canaan rejected the curse. He founded many cities. Sodom was one of them. He was brilliant. He and his followers felt they could make heaven on earth, despite GOD. Lot chose what Cain and Canaan chose, namely “the bast.”

 

My Observations:

• Humans seem to want the comforts of heaven, while being on earth.
• Lot saw the best places on earth as an opportunity to grow wealthy and live lavishly.
• The places Lot chose were the most evil places on earth.

 

Seeing the best places became a temptation for Lot. He overlooked the people, perhaps thinking he would not be affected by what they were doing. Unfortunately, he would be wrong. The “best” place without GOD is the worst place anyone could be. He may have thought his upbringing could withstand the temptations wealth and power could bring.

 

Sodom had men who were very smart, super productive yet cursed GOD, possibly because of HIS just decision to throw Adam and Eve out of the garden. They no longer believed that GOD created the land they claimed and built a replica of the garden that was “well watered” everywhere. Lot may have been tired of famines and fighting. He wanted the best and did not know he was falling into a trap.

 

Challenge

• What is the tone from GOD as HE explains Lot’s choice to Moses?
• Have you ever wanted the best, overlooking the consequences of getting the best?
• Can you seek GOD and HIS kingdom first as your best instead of seeking human kingdom’s that may exclude HIM?

Nothing Held Back

Nothing Held Back

Ephesians 1: ³ Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! For in our union with Christ he has blessed us by giving us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world. ⁴ Even before the world was made, God had already chosen us to be his through our union with Christ, so that we would be holy and without fault before him.

 

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Searching for some relaxation, I pursued life’s pleasures. I was now out of “the house” and on my own. Parties were fun, sex was fun and waking up in the middle of the afternoon was fun. But life had a way of returning. Sometimes life came back faster and harder than I wanted.

 

• I had a misconception of heaven.
• I thought I could find a bit of perfection here on Earth.
• I wanted relief from life so I indulged in the world’s ideas of what a “blessed” life is.

 

Paul clears up a misconception of being able to find heaven on earth. He also gives everyone who believes in JESUS some relief that their sins are forgiven and we are declared “holy” and “without fault.”

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to focus on HIS tremendous blessings HE has given me.
• GOD wants me to know JESUS and for JESUS to know me so I can receive spiritual blessings.
• GOD wants me to understand that HE chose me to be with JESUS before HE made me.

 

Spiritual blessings are hard to imagine. I mean, I am so immersed in what the world dictates as “blessed.” Whether it is the lust for money, power or pleasure, life has a way of clouding my vision of what true blessings really are.

 

When I turn to the world, I tend to get mad at GOD for not “blessing” me enough. I look at bills, or people’s actions, or where I am in life and question GOD. BUT GOD took care of my doubts, fears and lusts. HE gave me a wonderful gift, namely JESUS and now I have every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world I can get. I thank GOD for the many blessings HE poured out on me.

 

Challenge

• Where is the writer’s focus?
• Is it possible we may have a misconception of what heaven is?
• Will you give GOD the FATHER your thankfulness today for having chosen you and for giving you HIS all?

Don’t Get Used To It

Luke 21: ⁵ Some of his disciples were remarking about how the temple was adorned with beautiful stones and with gifts dedicated to God. But Jesus said, ⁶ ‘As for what you see here, the time will come when not one stone will be left on another; every one of them will be thrown down.’

⁷ ‘Teacher,’ they asked, ‘when will these things happen? And what will be the sign that they are about to take place?’

⁸ He replied: ‘Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, “I am he,” and, “The time is near.” Do not follow them. ⁹ When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened. These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.’

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Streets did not go through so there was plenty of places to play. The neighborhood was still being built and I could go on my quest to find loose pieces of wood to build my clubhouse or scooter depending on the mood. This was a paradise I thought would never change.

• I marveled at how amazing things were at one time.
• I was amazed at the paradise I was in.
• I thought things would never change in “my” paradise.

Some of the disciples may have been trying to steer JESUS towards wanting a human paradise. They spoke to HIM about the temple how much it cost to build. BUT JESUS told them the temple would one day be torn down. They couldn’t believe it.

• GOD says to me “Your journey on this earth is only temporary.”
• GOD says to me “I have place you here temporarily to bring MY sheep back to me.”
• GOD says to me “Do not get used to living here for you home is much greater than this.”

Unfortunately JESUS also told the disciples about humanity. Hatred would rise up enough to cause wars that would tear things up. As long as there is hatred, there will be no paradise on earth. GOD warns me and says “Do not be frightened” because HE is in control.

HE knows my future and has protected me all the way to the day HE has appointed for me. Neighborhoods and houses can be nice, but heaven is my home.

• Are you working hard to make earth your paradise?
• Do you struggle to form a utopia?
• Will you stop thinking there is a better place somewhere on earth and fulfill your purpose for GOD today?

How much longer?

Revelation 5: ⁹ When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. ¹⁰ They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?”

¹¹ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.

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We traveled by car to go on “vacation” and the scenery was not appealing and it wasn’t really a vacation. We were headed to some relative and it was going to take a million hours to get there! “How much longer” I would ask only to be met with “relax, we’ll get there.”

This impatience spread to other parts of my life. When will I graduate? When will I get promoted? When will I get married? When Will I get a new job? When will this problem ever end? LORD, how much longer was my question.

• When I’m in pain I cannot see the destination, only my present location.
• When I’m challenged I’m blinded to my journey because it felt like I was standing still.
• When I’m feeling lost I think everything around me is lost as well because I can’t see the big picture.

One false expectation I have is I can make a sliver of heaven here on this cursed planet.  If I could just get the right amount of cash and if people would just act right and if my stuff would just last and if my health would just be good enough then I will believe GOD has HIS hand in it.

GOD says different.

• GOD says to me “no matter how difficult the road, stay on the path.”
• GOD says to me “ you've come this far by faith, no turning back.”
• GOD says to me “I have a white robe for you, which means your sins are forgiven.”

When life is filled with desperation GOD is calm and still because HE knows HIS great plan for me cannot be disturbed. In this dystopian society GOD is my focus.

• Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
• Are you ready for “this” to be finished?
• Can you focus on GOD who holds the beginning and end of your situation?
• In the middle of your situation can you reach out to GOD to gain strength to help others?

A better place to live

Hebrews 11: ¹⁶ Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.

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Graduation was finally here. I couldn’t wait to go to college for it had to be better than home, I thought.  Years later graduation came around again. I couldn’t wait to get away from college for working in a small town had to be better than college.

Years later I was being courted for a new job back in the city where I grew up. I couldn’t wait to move back because it had to be better than living in a small town.  Wait! Why aren’t these things getting better?

• Sometimes I get disenchanted with where I am.
• Sometimes I look around and see mostly bad and fail to see what is good.
• Sometimes I believe my situation is dismal and I need to move onto something new here on Earth.

It seems like “Utopia” has to be around here someplace. I mean can’t I find a perfect life where everything is easy, there is no fighting and I get my way while everyone else is getting their way? Not here on this planet!

• GOD wants me to remain focused on HIS kingdom.
• GOD wants me to know this life is extremely temporary.
• GOD wants me to hold on and persevere through difficult times knowing HE has a better place for me.

Admittedly I want the better place now, here on Earth.  I want treasures now and treasures later.  I guess it’s the greed in me. GOD says keep my eye on the prize and remain focused on telling the world about HIS SON. Countries will come and go but GOD’s kingdom remains forever! GOD is not ashamed of me and has prepared a city for me.

• Are you trying to make this world your permanent home?
• Are you frustrated with the way other people are acting?
• Can you focus your attention on helping others remain in GOD?
• Will you stop trying to eradicate sin, which only GOD can do, and focus your attention on loving people?

Utopia

Acts 4: ³² All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own, but they shared everything they had. ³³ With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all ³⁴ that there were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned land or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales ³⁵ and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone who had need.

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Green grass has been a pursuit of mine for the longest. What I mean by “green grass” is a society in which everyone respected, helped and especially loved one another.  No problem would be too great for my dream society. Unfortunately I had to wake up from the dream and I noticed many splotches in my “green grass.”

• The world is never going to be perfect.
• My dreams will always be challenged by an evil adversary.
• When I obtain a piece of my dream something else falls apart.

It seems like I can never achieve “heaven on earth.” People seem to act as individuals instead of banning together when the going gets tough. What should I do?

• GOD says continue to testify about JESUS being LORD!
• GOD says know the community exists and keep serving in spite of not seeing it.
• GOD says seek those in need and lay my treasures at HIS feet.

Utopia on earth does not exist or at least I don’t deserve to be in it. I am a sinner and if there is a Utopian society then my sin would mess it up. GOD says I sent my SON to die for the sins of mankind. Belief in HIM enables me to get a free pass into HIS perfect society!

• Are you frustrated because you don’t have your perfect job or home situation?
• Are you tired of being sick and tired?
• Can you focus your attention on the gift of peace from GOD?
• Are you willing to give up some of your possessions to help others?