Plans After the Problem

Plans After the Problem

Revelation 14: ¹³ Then I heard a voice from heaven saying, “Write this: Happy are those who from now on die in the service of the Lord!”

 

“Yes indeed!” answers the Spirit. “They will enjoy rest from their hard work, because the results of their service go with them.”

 

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Not knowing I could goof off, I kept working. I dumped ashtrays, wiped up spilled drinks, sprayed and arranged the bowling shoes and put away the bowling balls. I looked around and realized I was doing all the work and the other floor porters were outside, enjoying themselves.

 

• I wondered why I was working so hard when “everyone else” was having fun.
• I thought about not doing my job because “everyone else” was not doing theirs.
• I kept doing my job and was met with uncomfortable conversations like “You are making us look bad”, so I felt bad.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard a supernatural conversation. One voice told him to write down a blessing that was aimed at those who would die in service of the LORD. This statement would apply to those who were persecuted during the tribulation of GOD. The response to the statement to “Write this” was “Yes indeed!” by the HOLY SPIRIT.

 

My Observations:

• Enjoyment was the plan after their death
• GOD sees hard work that is done in service of the LORD.
• Results of service of the LORD will be in the form of people who were the benefactors of the service.

 

Service of the LORD can seem lonely at times. I mean, if GOD sends you to a place that does not value HIM or any servant HE sends, it can seem lonely being the sent servant. BUT GOD sees every ounce of service done “of the LORD.”

 

In spite of how things may seem, “keep going” says GOD. HE has plans for this life and afterwards. Death has no power over those who reverence the LORD. Every word spoken for HIM and about HIM is accounted for. Every deed done in service of HIM will be blessed.

 

Challenge

• What is the mood of the conversation the writer records?
• Have you ever felt like giving up on the LORD?
• Will you persevere and remain faithful to the LORD even when it gets difficult or it may “seem” like you are the only one serving in an area?

Unpopulated

Unpopulated

Revelation 6: ⁷ Then the Lamb broke open the fourth seal; and I heard the fourth living creature say, “Come!” ⁸ I looked, and there was a pale-colored horse. Its rider was named Death, and Hades followed close behind. They were given authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill by means of war, famine, disease, and wild animals.

 

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Visiting relatives years ago, I saw a town that was busy. I didn’t think whether the town was thriving or not. Years later after a few major companies moved away, I went back and found a town that was no longer thriving.

 

• I saw empty buildings.
• I saw sickness escalating.
• I saw animals start to invade.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard the third living creature say “Come!” after the fourth seal of Satan’s sentence scroll was opened. This time two spirits were unleashed, namely Death and Hades respectively. This step in demolishing Satan’s cushy kingdom will cause many to die.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s devastation will not harm those who believe in CHRIST.
• GOD’s sentence on Satan will not affect those who believe in JESUS.
• Death has no power over those who believe in JESUS.

 

Death is scary but helps me grow up. I mean, who wants to go through the pain of dying? No one. It is not a fun subject, but necessary for believers to understand that JESUS is now the authority over eternal life.

 

While death may happen, believers will be raised from the dead, just like JESUS! GOD’s sentence, unfortunately, will be poured out on Satan and those who reject HIS SON as the Savior. This should give us fire to pray, teach and be sent to seek the lost with urgency.

 

Challenge

• Are the writer’s words scary?
• Is death a subject you would like to avoid?
• Will you believe in JESUS so you can have a healthy, less scary, view of death; knowing you will be raised from the dead or possibly will avoid death all together if JESUS returns before you die?

Brought Back to the Right Place

Brought Back to the Right Place

1 Thessalonians 4: ¹³ Our friends, we want you to know the truth about those who have died, so that you will not be sad, as are those who have no hope. ¹⁴ We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will take back with Jesus those who have died believing in him.

 

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Driving around in circles, I asked for directions twice. I could not find my way to my destination. Finally I stopped a third time and asked for directions. “This place is confusing, but I will help you” were the comforting words I received from a stranger.

 

• I was lost and did not know how to get unlost.
• I was getting frustrated with being lost.
• I watched the time more intently as I drove around, seemingly aimlessly.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy spoke about life after death. This confusing subject has been met with all sorts of philosophies, but they brought the truth. They spoke of eternal life through belief in the resurrection of JESUS.

 

My Observations

• This place is not my home, rather GOD’s kingdom is my desired home.
• Life can be confusing, BUT GOD is the only truth I can believe.
• JESUS was murdered, yet HE rose from the dead and now that I believe, I can have everlasting life.

 

GOD is in control. This statement is more difficult to say when things are going wrong or falling apart. Life can be confusing and directionless. BUT GOD made a way back to HIM, namely JESUS.

 

HE pursues us, knocks on us and asks us to surrender our lives to HIM. HE cares deeply for us, especially when we sin. HE provides for us and cannot wait to take us back to the place JESUS is building to this day. I a glad GOD has us in HIS hands and will never let go.

 

Challenge

• What is the writers opinion about death?
• What is your opinion about death and life after death?
• Will you surrender your life to CHRIST and seek JESUS as your Savior so you can be taken back when HE returns?

 

Proof of Love

Proof of Love

1 Corinthians 15: ³ I passed on to you what I received, which is of the greatest importance: that Christ died for our sins, as written in the Scriptures; ⁴ that he was buried and that he was raised to life three days later, as written in the Scriptures; ⁵ that he appeared to Peter and then to all twelve apostles. ⁶ Then he appeared to more than five hundred of his followers at once, most of whom are still alive, although some have died. ⁷ Then he appeared to James, and afterward to all the apostles.

 

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Love at eight years old was easy. Take a piece of paper and write a note with one question, “Do you like me?” and provide two answers, “Yes or No”,  if you were super cool or three “Yes, No or Maybe” for the rest of us. The answer would provide solid proof of a match or not. Was more proof needed?

 

• Love is difficult to prove.
• Love can be misunderstood.
• Love seems like it should be easy, but can get very complicated.

 

Paul makes the gospel as clear and simple as possible. He explains that JESUS died for our sins, was buried for three days and was raised from the dead. Why did JESUS do this for us? Because HE loved us. Does HIS love require more proof? No, but HE provides it anyway.

 

My Observations

• JESUS loved me so much that HE sent a COMFORTER to keep me from harm.
• JESUS cared for me so much that HE was willing to take my punishment away from me and experience death HIMSELF.
• JESUS proved HE was serious about wanting an everlasting relationship with me by becoming a human to be killed by HIS own creation.

 

Somehow GOD wanted to prove that JESUS was the one and only Messiah. I mean, HE appeared to so many people, HIS resurrection could not be refuted. The news of HIS resurrection solidified that JESUS fulfilled every prophecy, enabling HIM to be the One who could forgive any sin I committed.

 

This news is Good News! This could not be made up. JESUS does not have to die on a cross over and over to prove HIS love for me. I simply have to believe and my sins are forgiven. I am grateful for HIS love and for the HOLY SPIRIT, who guides me daily.

 

Challenge

• Does this passage provide proof of JESUS’ love?
• What do you notice about the urgency written here?
• Could GOD have just saved people without telling them they were saved?
• Why do you think GOD wants humans to know about the event of JESUS’ resurrection and for them to tell others?

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?

What’s Next

Luke 20: ²⁷ Some of the Sadducees, who say there is no resurrection, came to Jesus with a question. ²⁸ ‘Teacher,’ they said, ‘Moses wrote for us that if a man’s brother dies and leaves a wife but no children, the man must marry the widow and raise up offspring for his brother. ²⁹ Now there were seven brothers. The first one married a woman and died childless. ³⁰ The second ³¹ and then the third married her, and in the same way the seven died, leaving no children. ³² Finally, the woman died too. ³³ Now then, at the resurrection whose wife will she be, since the seven were married to her?’

³⁴ Jesus replied, ‘The people of this age marry and are given in marriage.³⁵ But those who are considered worthy of taking part in the age to come and in the resurrection from the dead will neither marry nor be given in marriage, ³⁶ and they can no longer die; for they are like the angels. They are God’s children, since they are children of the resurrection.³⁷ But in the account of the burning bush, even Moses showed that the dead rise, for he calls the Lord “the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob”. ³⁸ He is not the God of the dead, but of the living, for to him all are alive.’

³⁹ Some of the teachers of the law responded, ‘Well said, teacher!’ ⁴⁰ And no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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“Can I go to school too?” I asked as I saw my siblings leave the house day after day. I had no concept of what “school” was. I only knew they went somewhere for what seemed like an eternity. I was too young to understand where they went.

• Many times I have not known what was coming.
• Many times I have faced the unknown with excitement.
• Many times I have looked forward to something people told me about that I wanted to experience.

The Sadducees were church leaders who did not believe in heaven or a life after death. They studied the Law of Moses and knew it well but never placed the words in their hearts. JESUS saw through their unlikely question about marriage and knew they were trying to use it as a façade for disproving life after death.

• GOD says to me “Before Abraham was, I AM.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the resurrection and the life. He who believes in ME, though he may die, he shall live.”
• GOD says to me “I will give eternal life to those who believe in ME.”

Only a few years are spent on this earth and the time should not be wasted. GOD protects me though difficult times and promises one day there will be no more pain. HE will wipe away all my tears as a forgiven sinner. What’s next for me is what I look forward to and have since I accepted JESUS as my savior.

• Do you think life stops when you die?
• Do you have purpose and hope in your life?
• Will you seek JESUS as the owner of your life and fulfill your purpose from now on?