Global Perspective

Global Perspective

2 Timothy 4: ⁹ Do your best to come to me soon. ¹⁰ Demas fell in love with this present world and has deserted me, going off to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia, and Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he can help me in the work. ¹² I sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring my coat that I left in Troas with Carpus; bring the books too, and especially the ones made of parchment.

 

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“Why would anyone leave this country?” I said out loud. I then defended my position by saying “We got mountains, forests, beaches, deserts and snow for vacation. We have homeless and unsaved people here. Why go anyplace else?” Then a pastor asked me to go with a group to another country. There I saw different needs that were cultural.

 

• I had no idea other people had needs.”
• I saw the world from “my” perspective.
• I never thought I would travel around the world telling people about CHRIST.

 

Saul had a local mission to kill people who followed JESUS. BUT GOD blinded him, healed him and gave him a new mission to preach about JESUS to the Gentiles. He went all over spreading the Gospel of JESUS versus persecuting the church. He was given a global perspective.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants all people to be saved.
• GOD wants me to participate in telling people about HIS SON locally, semi-locally and abroad.
• GOD sees other people who look different than me as HIS children.

 

Having a global perspective is hard to do without exposure. I mean, when I lived comfortably in my neighborhood, people looked and acted like me. I had no idea what other cultures were going through as barriers to believing in JESUS. BUT GOD wanted me to see more.

 

HE orchestrated interactions that were combative at first and then said, “Look at people the way I see them.” HIS love was without prejudice or hatred. HE loves everyone so much that JESUS died for all sins. I gladly open my eyes to GOD’s perspective of wanting everyone saved.

 

Challenge

• Do you see the global perspective of the writer?
• What are the needs you can fulfill in other cultures?
• Will you use your gifts and talents in a local, semi-local and global way for the LORD today?

Flexible Plans

Flexible Plans

1 Corinthians 16: ⁵ I shall come to you after I have gone through Macedonia—for I have to go through Macedonia. ⁶ I shall probably spend some time with you, perhaps the whole winter, and then you can help me to continue my trip, wherever it is I shall go next. ⁷ I want to see you more than just briefly in passing; I hope to spend quite a long time with you, if the Lord allows.

 

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“Hello. How are you?” was my polite obligatory statement. I had a full day planned and had finally gotten my schedule straight in my mind. She replied “Terrible” Then she started to tell me why. The longer she talked, the more time ticked off the clock. Unfortunately, I had to say “I have to go” in the middle of her tears.

 

• I have been overscheduled on items not concerning people.
• I have spent a large amount of time on things unrelated to people.
• I have planned my days so full, that I had no time for people.

 

Paul expresses his care for those who he wrote the letter to. He also spoke about entire regions he wanted to affect with the love of JESUS. He made plans to spend time with people, but knew his life was in the LORD’s hands. His plans needed to be flexible.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to make flexible plans that include caring for HIS people.
• GOD wants me to be flexible to be led to places HE wants me to go.
• GOD wants me to seek spending time with people so I and they can be made whole.

 

Worldly success comes with a price. I mean, everyone cheers a rich person, but JESUS spoke about the rarity of the rich entering heaven. HE said “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

 

Not knowing the full criteria of the heart, I think JESUS was talking about lack of care for others. It takes a tremendous amount of time and effort to amass great wealth. This time is usually not spent giving or listening or serving. GOD wants time. The little time I spend here on Earth should have some of it focused on bringing people to HIM. I am glad people made time for me.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the writer’s heart?
• How can your time conflict with caring for others?
• Will you add flexibility to your schedule so you can be available to GOD’s leading today?

Change Jobs

Change Jobs

Acts 12: ¹⁶ Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. ¹⁷ But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.

¹⁸ Then, as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter. ¹⁹ But when Herod had searched for him and not found him, he examined the guards and commanded that they should be put to death.

And he went down from Judea to Caesarea, and stayed there.

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“I can’t do it” I said in the interview. A group of executives wanted me to fire 33% of the staff if I joined the organization. After the interview, back in my home state, someone said “You need to get tough.” The expectation of me was to go along with decisions that could cause many people to lose their jobs, keeping mine in the process.

• There were times when I thought being “tough” was good.
• There were times when I thought nothing of firing people.
• There were times when I was led by the leaders, no matter how poorly they led.

Peter knew the guards were still in close proximity so when they finally opened the door, he told them to be quiet. He had to leave town. Meanwhile the guards, who were probably very tough, panicked. They had good reason. When they could not find Peter, they were put to death by other “tough” guards at the decree of the leader.

• GOD wants me to be wise to the world’s sins but not involved in causing them.
• GOD wants me to understand that I am a sinner who needs JESUS as the answer.
• GOD wants me to know HE can take care of me without the thing I may be holding onto that is harming other people.

“LORD, what do you want me to do?” was the missing question that I never heard or asked during my rapid rise in my career. I just went with the flow. BUT GOD wanted me to be different. HE wanted me to change jobs.

Unlike the world, JESUS showed grace and extreme mercy on HIS creation. This is missing from the world today. Being “tough” and combative is heralded as a badge of honor. GOD wants me to be tough, but to defend those who are being abused, misled and misdirected. HE wants me to stand for HIS entire kingdom, leaving the vengeance and protection to HIM. In JESUS I put my trust.

• Are you pursuing something that may be harmful to you and others?
• Do you think your pursuit will help or hurt GOD’s kingdom?
• Will you consider asking GOD “What do YOU want me to do?” so HE can guide you to stay or leave for HIM today?

Part of a Plan

Part of a Plan

John 19: ¹⁹ Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the cross. And the writing was:

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.

²⁰ Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin.

²¹ Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘The King of the Jews,’ but, ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.” ’ ”

²² Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written.”

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“Come along side me” one leader persuaded me. I worked hard and, sure enough, the person became successful. I was excited to be part of this person’s success.

• There have been times when I was part of a larger plan.
• There have been times when I helped someone become successful.
• There have been times when I enabled someone to reach their potential with a small contribution of my talents.

The church leaders put Pilate in a bad political light. He may have decided to impose retribution on them by placing a sign over JESUS stating HE was from a less significant town and HE is “THE KING OF THE JEWS.” This sign was embarrassing to the church leaders and they wanted it changed. Little did they know, Pilate’s retribution was speaking the truth.

• GOD has used my sin for good.
• GOD would prefer that I follow HIS ways and actively be part of HIS plan.
• GOD wants me to be successful and has a marvelous plan for me.

Being part of GOD’s plan always happens. GOD knew HIS creation would turn evil and murder JESUS. HE also sees my sin and knows the damage I do will still work out for good. But what about those who murdered JESUS? They will face eternal consequence. What about my sin?

JESUS says “Confess your sins to ME and I will be faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you of all unrighteousness.” When I give my life to GOD, I am no longer on the “evil” side of the plan. GOD rescues me and places me on the winning side. I crave to be part of GOD’s plan of love.

• Which side are you on?
• Are you doing things for yourself, never once thinking about GOD?
• Will you allow GOD to use you to bring many people to HIM without fear today?

Stop That

Luke 20: One day as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple courts and proclaiming the good news, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, together with the elders, came up to him. ² ‘Tell us by what authority you are doing these things,’ they said. ‘Who gave you this authority?’

³ He replied, ‘I will also ask you a question. Tell me: ⁴ John’s baptism – was it from heaven, or of human origin?’

⁵ They discussed it among themselves and said, ‘If we say, “From heaven,” he will ask, “Why didn’t you believe him?” ⁶ But if we say, “Of human origin,” all the people will stone us, because they are persuaded that John was a prophet.’

⁷ So they answered, ‘We don’t know where it was from.’

⁸ Jesus said, ‘Neither will I tell you by what authority I am doing these things.’

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“There she goes again” I said to myself with my eyes rolling sarcastically. It seemed like every week the same person would get up and dance in church as the musician egged her on. Then I noticed a few more people would join in.  I wanted to go up to her and say “Stop that”, but I decided to leave that church. I mean, they were phonies, right?

• In the past I questioned other folk’s motives.
• In the past I labeled church goers as hypocrites.
• In the past I looked hard at what people in the church were doing and I critiqued their behavior based upon “my” expectations.

The church leaders questioned why JESUS was telling people “good news.” They were supposed to be “in charge” so they questioned HIS authority to speak about the ways of salvation.

JESUS quickly saw through their controlling hearts and asked them a question they could not answer about the authority of John the Baptist. HE knew the church leaders sided with politicians who murdered John. The church leaders could not answer HIS question.

• GOD says to me “Do not stifle MY sheep.”
• GOD says to me “Help MY sheep grow.”
• GOD says to me “Feed MY lambs.”

Instead of criticizing how people worship, GOD wants me to help them reach others for HIS purposes. I may not do things exactly the way that person does things, but does that make them “wrong?” Maybe not, especially if they are trying to follow GOD’s word.

GOD wants me to bear fruit and I cannot when I am focused on what someone else is doing. I must be responsible for bringing people to HIM and praise HIM for making every human different. I praise GOD for giving my life purpose.

• Are you criticizing what someone else is doing?
• Do you think they are not doing GOD correctly and you are?
• Will you stop trying to control people to do things your way and allow them to be led by GOD?