How To

How To

Colossians 2: ⁸ See to it, then, that no one enslaves you by means of the worthless deceit of human wisdom, which comes from the teachings handed down by human beings and from the ruling spirits of the universe, and not from Christ. ⁹ For the full content of divine nature lives in Christ, in his humanity, ¹⁰ and you have been given full life in union with him. He is supreme over every spiritual ruler and authority.

 

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“Go in and ask for advice” were the words I dreaded. I did not like this particular boss, but somehow he had made it to the level he was. “Read this book” was his advice. I was the leadership book of the day that was useful, but not life changing.

 

• I got nothing from that experience.
• I was open to change my life based on a random philosophy.
• I was focused on “me”, so anything less than getting help for “me” was disappointing.

 

Paul gives a stern warning to avoid the “worthless deceit of human wisdom.” This sounds harsh, especially to those who study and receive degrees or fancy letters behind their name. Paul was not downplaying accomplishments, rather the focus of the philosophy. If a human is exalted and JESUS is not, then the philosophy is worthless.

 

My Observations

• There have been many times when I wanted to be exalted so I read books, watched videos and attended seminars on “how to” get better, BUT GOD is my only path to true health.
• I have sought advice on “how to” live better, BUT GOD wants my dependence to be on HIM.
• I have been in dire straits and would do almost anything to get out of my circumstance, BUT GOD shows me that HE is supreme and is in control of all.

 

“How To” videos are mesmerizing these days. I mean, anyone with a smart phone can record “how to” do something. Unfortunately, some of these recordings contain content that have an inferior philosophy to that of believing in JESUS.

 

Each human wants to be GOD and wants to be in control of his or her own life. GOD wants us to surrender our desires to HIM and allow HIS SON to be exalted amongst all humans. JESUS, lived, died and was raised from the dead. I gladly give all authority in my life to HIM and know HE is in control of all my circumstances.

 

Challenge

• What do you get from the writer’s warning?
• Have you ever been so desperate that you would listen to an inferior philosophy from another human?
• Will you allow GOD to pick you back up so you can clearly hear HIM and follow the HOLY SPIRIT which draws all humans to the FATHER through CHRIST today?

Share in the Help

Share in the Help

1 Corinthians 17: ³ Let us give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the merciful Father, the God from whom all help comes! ⁴ He helps us in all our troubles, so that we are able to help others who have all kinds of troubles, using the same help that we ourselves have received from God. ⁵ Just as we have a share in Christ's many sufferings, so also through Christ we share in God's great help. ⁶ If we suffer, it is for your help and salvation; if we are helped, then you too are helped and given the strength to endure with patience the same sufferings that we also endure. ⁷ So our hope in you is never shaken; we know that just as you share in our sufferings, you also share in the help we receive.

 

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Being out of work made me worry about everything. I had never been out of work before and my total dependence was on “my” salary and self-esteem was tied into “my” title. I sat in a group of out of work people at a church.

 

“Help other people” was the message. “Wait! I need help” I thought to myself. I volunteered at a food pantry and helped others get jobs. I found peace that didn’t make sense.

 

• I had lost sight of other people suffering.
• I had fallen into the trap of working so hard that I could not see people who needed help.
• I had forgotten that I had nothing, at one point, and was given much.

 

Paul reminds everyone that GOD the FATHER provides the help. This is a different perspective than GOD the Punisher. Paul then explains that since we get help from the FATHER, we are supposed to help others. But when we suffer, others should help us.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to see other people in need, even when I am in need.
• GOD wants me to understand that HE provides all help that I receive and give.
• GOD wants me to give thanks to HIM for any help I have received by helping someone else and being glad about it.

 

GOD sees me in good times and bad. HE knows when my heart is in anguish and when it is elated. HE knows when to send me to someone or when I need help from others.

 

The FATHER rarely gets credit for wanting to help. I mean, sometimes I think that if I broke HIS rules, HE is ready to hit me on the head with a supernatural stick. The FATHER loves. I am grateful to receive HIS help.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about GOD the FATHER?
• Do you sometimes think you are being punished more than you are being loved?
• Can you help someone in the middle of your pain?
• Wil you share where help comes from by receiving help or giving it and praying for those who suffer in the same way you are suffering today?

Human Help

Psalm 108: ¹² Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.
¹³ With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.

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Baffled and perplexed, I asked “what would you like me to do?” My willingness was there but this was my first time working with this group. The owner was a friend of the family so his tolerance level of me was extremely high and gracious. As his son toiled, carrying up huge troughs, I struggled to carry my own weight. I made mistake after mistake. Quite honestly I didn’t provide much help that entire day.

• Sometimes my help is worthless.
• Sometimes my addition may be a subtraction.
• Sometimes my input is a detriment.

Fortunately for me, the owner had a vested interest in growing me. While I was not very helpful to his business that day, he received rewards for his actions because he invested his time, talents and treasure in me. He was led by GOD.

• GOD has a way of guiding me through HIS servants.
• GOD has a way of growing me through HIS people.
• GOD has a way of gaining my trust though those HE chose to put around me.

Sometimes my help isn’t help at all, BUT GOD has a way of using my mistakes for good. GOD has blessed the business owner with extreme faith and he imparted some of that faith to me. Now I must do the same, sowing seeds of faith rather than crops of death. GOD has the victory!

• Are you feeling worthless?
• Do you feel like you are making mistake after mistake?
• Can you see that GOD is the victor and HE loves you?
• Will you allow HIM to leverage your situation as a blessing, not a curse?
• Do you realize, it’s not the situation that you are in, but how you allow GOD to drive the path?