But I Need Help

But I Need Help

Exodus 6: ²⁸ And it came to pass, on the day the Lord spoke to Moses in the land of Egypt, ²⁹ that the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “I am the Lord. Speak to Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say to you.”

³⁰ But Moses said before the Lord, “Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh heed me?”

 

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Moses and Aaron went back to Mount Horeb to speak to the LORD. HE told them to go back and tell Pharaoh to “Let MY people go.” Moses remembered this encounter, but deviated from the story to list a genealogy. He gets back to the action by talking to GOD, telling HIM he does not speak well.

 

My Observations:

• Moses seemed like he was very humble in his assessment of his abilities.
• Moses presented his shortcomings to the LORD as if HE did not know.
• GOD allowed Moses to work within free will, asking HIM for needs that align to GOD.

 

Moses wanted to align to GOD’s vision, but understood that it may take someone who could convince or persuade Pharaoh to let GOD’s people go. Moses thought it was going to be a negotiation, rather than a set of ten plagues that would drive Pharaoh to make the people leave.

 

Moses’s assumption was that his plan would need eloquent speech, when it really did not. Aaron’s words are barely written. Moses could have said what Aaron said, but GOD allowed Moses to ask for something he may not have needed. GOD provided Aaron to go with him.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about his statement of lack and inability?
• Have you ever told GOD that you do not have what it takes to complete HIS plan?
• Have you forgotten that GOD has included you in HIS plan that will always work for the good of those who love HIM?

Dead to Alive

Dead to Alive

Revelation 20: ¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and the one who sits on it. Earth and heaven fled from his presence and were seen no more. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small alike, standing before the throne. Books were opened, and then another book was opened, the book of the living. The dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books. ¹³ Then the sea gave up its dead. Death and the world of the dead also gave up the dead they held. And all were judged according to what they had done. ¹⁴ Then death and the world of the dead were thrown into the lake of fire. (This lake of fire is the second death.) ¹⁵ Those who did not have their name written in the book of the living were thrown into the lake of fire.

 

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Seeing what seemed to be an ocean of people without homes, I decided to go another route. I only had enough in “my” wallet for “my” lunch. After a while, I was good at avoiding poor people. And besides, they were just going to take my money and use it to get drunk or buy drugs, right?

 

• I had figured out ways to not help the poor.
• I had justified why it was important for me to keep “my” money.
• I had labeled people in ways that made “me” feel good for not helping.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw the throne of JESUS. The sight was so incredible that Earth and heaven fled from HIS presence. John saw two sets of dead people, but only one set of books. The first set of dead were raised to “life” and the second set were raised to “death.”

 

My Observations:

• By believing in JESUS, all my deeds, will be replayed and I will be judged accordingly.
• For those who do not believe in JESUS as the Savior, even “good deeds” will be erased and counted against him or her.
• JESUS has a book of life that HE keeps and records the deeds we do that are precious to HIM.

 

“When did we feed YOU?” We will ask, JESUS will turn to a page and say “See, right here… When you gave that child a cup of water and some food.” “When did we clothe YOU?” we will ask. HE will flip to another page and say “See, its when you donated clothes.” JESUS cannot wait to show HIS people what they have done. Unfortunately HE also remembers what unbelievers have done.

 

HE will bring up all the deeds of those who manipulate, lie, cheat, harm and kill. These people will be thrown in the lake of fire with Satan, the beast and the false prophet. This “second death” will be an eternal death. I am glad you and me will be raised to an eternal life!

 

Challenge

• What deeds does the writer mention?
• Have you considered doing something good for someone, without desiring something in return?
• Have you given your life to CHRIST so your good deeds can be recorded as endearing to JESUS today?

Getting a Do Over

 

Getting a Do Over

Titus 3: Remind your people to submit to rulers and authorities, to obey them, and to be ready to do good in every way. ² Tell them not to speak evil of anyone, but to be peaceful and friendly, and always to show a gentle attitude toward everyone. ³ For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, and wrong. We were slaves to passions and pleasures of all kinds. We spent our lives in malice and envy; others hated us and we hated them. ⁴ But when the kindness and love of God our Savior was revealed, ⁵ he saved us. It was not because of any good deeds that we ourselves had done, but because of his own mercy that he saved us, through the Holy Spirit, who gives us new birth and new life by washing us.

 

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After taking the bait of an argument, I said all the wrong words. My apology could not erase what was said. After sliding on ice, I hit a pole, damaging the passenger and my car. Grousing about the weather could not undo the damage. After taking a test, I realized I made a costly mistake. It was too late.

 

• I wish I could have a do over in many instances.
• I wish I could rewind time and not do or say what was done or said.
• I wish I could install a second chance button for times when life seems to go wrong.

 

Paul reminds everyone to act peacefully because “we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient and wrong.” He then explains the root of the solution, namely JESUS. He said “HE saved us.” Paul then explains that the HOLY SPIRIT “give us new birth and new life by washing us.”

 

My Observation

• I was foolish until I met the LORD.
• I was lost and a slave to my own passion and pleasures until JESUS rescued me.
• I was the problem BUT GOD gave me a second chance.

 

Getting a do over in life would be nice. I mean, I look back at the mountain of mistakes I have made and would love to erase them. But they linger. JESUS decided to do something about them. HE died for every mistake I have made. HE was raised from the dead and placed in authority over all. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live in me so I could get a second chance on eternal life.

 

This do over enables me to live a life that is pleasing to the one who sacrificed HIMSELF. This is a loving relationship that knows no bounds. There is no limit to the amount of love poured out on me when I realize where true love comes from. I gladly give my life to HIM and I am thankful for a second chance.

 

Challenge

• Why do people need to be reminded by the writer?
• Have you ever done or said something that you regretted?
• Will you give your regrets to JESUS today by believing you need HIM for salvation so HE can give you a new life through the HOLY SPIRIT?

Second Chance

Second Chance

1 Corinthians 15: ⁵⁶ Death gets its power to hurt from sin, and sin gets its power from the Law. ⁵⁷ But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

 

⁵⁸ So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord's service is ever useless.

 

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Cutting the tall bushes at our first house, I couldn’t quite reach the top. I didn’t have a ladder so standing on my toes was the best option. As I reached with the hedge trimmers, my arm gave way. My natural response kicked in and I tried to steady the moving blades with my other hand, which was bare. I only needed stitches, but the finger was not cut off.

 

• I have had many close calls.
• I have had situations that I could have really been hurt.
• I have been given a second chance to do things right many times.

 

Paul gives us the Good News again. He explains that JESUS gave us the victory over a situation that seemed lost. Everyone must die was the problem presented to GOD because of the first sin. “But thanks be to GOD who gives us victory through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.”

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to stand firm because of the victory JESUS did.
• GOD wants me to remain steady even though life may throw many obstacles in my way.
• GOD wants me to keep busy in my work for the LORD, for even the smallest service is useful to HIM.

 

Sin and death cause fear. I mean, who wants punishment and who wants the pain of death? No one. BUT JESUS overcame death and released us from the sentence that wasn’t even caused by us.

 

Being born into sin doesn’t seem fair. BUT JESUS dying because of my birth seems exponentially unfair to HIM. HE took on all my sins and I no longer have to die eternally. I can have peace as HE guides me in ways to serve HIM daily.

 

Challenge

• What victory is the writer speaking about?
• Does knowing that JESUS is not out to punish you but to save you give you any relief?
• When given a second chance to do things right, what would you do differently?

Needing Help

Needing Help

John 15: ²⁶ “But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me. ²⁷ And you also will bear witness, because you have been with Me from the beginning.

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Sitting alone in my apartment was driving me crazy. I did not know many people in the town where I worked and was forced to commune with co-workers. I applied for a few positions away from that place, but found nothing. I felt doomed to stay there “forever.” I started my life over. I was no longer going to be the chief of parties. I wanted to learn about GOD.

• At one point, something changed inside me.
• At one point, I desired to follow GOD.
• At one point, my worries, fears, doubts and complaints were put aside for a new outlook on life.

JESUS gives HIS followers something to look for. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT, who is the HELPER. JESUS also gave HIS followers purpose, namely to bear witness of HIM being our Savior.

• The HELPER will gives me words to comfort others.
• The HELPER fills me up with joy.
• The HELPER changes my mind from worry to victory.

Feeling all alone is sometimes overwhelming. I mean at every turn, there seemed to be a problem that I could not fix. BUT GOD wanted me to look to HIM for all of my answers. Instead of thinking “I” had to solve everything by “myself”, GOD sent me the HELPER.

When I couple myself to GOD, through the HOLY SPIRIT, I am filled with joy that makes no sense. I can then serve others and speak about JESUS in word and action. I always need help and I am grateful for the HOLY SPIRIT who lives inside me.

• Are you alone?
• Do you feel worthless?
• Will you accept your calling and allow GOD to speak to many people through you?
• Will you also stop thinking you are broken and let the perfect HOLY SPIRIT reside in you today?

But we had hoped

Luke 24: ¹⁹ ‘What things?’ he asked.

‘About Jesus of Nazareth,’ they replied. ‘He was a prophet, powerful in word and deed before God and all the people. ²⁰ The chief priests and our rulers handed him over to be sentenced to death, and they crucified him; ²¹ but we had hoped that he was the one who was going to redeem Israel. And what is more, it is the third day since all this took place. ²² In addition, some of our women amazed us. They went to the tomb early this morning ²³ but didn’t find his body. They came and told us that they had seen a vision of angels, who said he was alive. ²⁴ Then some of our companions went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said, but they did not see Jesus.’

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Longing for better working conditions, I welcomed the new boss. Anything would be better than the last regime, I thought to myself. Unfortunately the announcement was modified and the new person was not going to take over our area. I felt lost again.

• There have been times when I hoped for something and it did not happen as I thought.
• There have been times when I wished something would happen but it did not happen the way I wanted.
• There have been times when I longed for something better to happen, but I got more of the same.

JESUS asked “What was going on?” to the men HE walked with. They explained that their hopes had been crushed because their Messiah had been sentenced to death by the ones who preached that the Messiah would come someday. They also explained that something strange was going on and the body of JESUS was missing and they heard JESUS was alive!

• GOD wants me to know that HIS plans are far better than what I could ever think of.
• GOD wants me to have patience with the current situation because it may not be as it appears.
• GOD wants me to see that in spite of the current circumstances, HE has the situation under control.

Back to the story of the change in plans to get a new boss. I was saddened that things would not change and they asked me what I would do differently. I explained and they asked me to step into a higher role, leading an area I was not familiar with. I was amazed just as the people were who heard the news that JESUS was alive.

GOD does not always reveal to me what is going on during the dark times, but HE does give me hope that HE is in control of every situation. I am grateful of HIS plan for me.

• Do you feel lost, anxious or scared?
• Has something extreme happened to you?
• Will you take a moment to understand that GOD is in control of your situation and HE loves you dearly in spite of what you can see?

Busting into Heaven

Luke 16: ¹⁶ “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.¹⁷ And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail.

¹⁸ “Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery.

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“Our FATHER, who art in heaven”, through “amen” was the prayer I mouthed, but in my mind I was saying, “I hope they don’t find out I stole from a store.” Or “I hope they don’t find my Playboy magazine I hid in the hamper of my room.” “I’m sure GOD won’t mind.”

• There were times when I made up my own rules.
• Three were times when I justified my sin.
• There were times when I recklessly plowed forward with what “I” wanted to do.

JESUS spoke bluntly to the church leaders who did whatever they wanted to do. HE saw through their “holy” act and said “Not one once of the law will go away.” The pharisees had figured out ways to justify the divorce of their wives so they could still be accepted in the community. JESUS sees through justification.

• GOD wants me to understand my sin cost JESUS HIS life.
• GOD wants me to understand that HIS law does not go away just because I say it does.
• GOD wants me to understand that my add on rules for “holiness” need to be examined with HIS law.

Justifying sin is something GOD opens my eyes to daily. HE doesn’t beat me up over and over about a single sin, however the HOLY SPIRIT does remind me that I did something wrong and I need forgiveness every day. GOD doesn’t want me to develop rules to get around HIS rules. HE wants me to embrace HIS law and praise JESUS for taking my eternal consequence away.

• Are you making your own rules?
• Do you think the rules you place on others align with the loving rules GOD gave?
• Will you drop your bitter, lustful, power grabbing rules and focus on GOD’s grace and mercy today?

Plea for Restoration

Lamentations 5: ¹⁹ You, Lord, reign forever;
    your throne endures from generation to generation.
²⁰ Why do you always forget us?
    Why do you forsake us so long?
²¹ Restore us to yourself, Lord, that we may return;
    renew our days as of old
²² unless you have utterly rejected us
    and are angry with us beyond measure.

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“Blunder” was the only word to describe my first experience training people. I did not have charisma, anecdotes or clever jabs to spice up my dry material. As I stood in front of the dead crowd I could feel their pens mark poor on the evaluation. This came true and I was pulled off the assignment. “Please let me try again” was my reply.

• There were times I needed to be restored.
• There were times I fell flat on my face and needed help getting up.
• There were times I had to admit failure and needed to prove I would do better on the alternate path.

Outcast, outlier, and outside the group feels rotten when I am the one who made the mistake. Not only do I have to admit I made a mistake, I have to try doubly hard to prove I am on a different trail. BUT GOD is different.

• GOD gives me second, third and fiftieth chances to get it right.
• GOD says to me “Ask and it will be given to you.”
• GOD allows me to make mistakes and is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanses me of all unrighteousness.

Restoration is not only about confession, it’s about a different attitude. I must resolve that I may not be restored to the height I once was when I make a serious blunder. It is thoroughly up to GOD to raise me to where HE wants me to be and lower me if need be. When I ask GOD for restoration I must ask it in a way that is not demanding but humbly. It is up to HIM to restore me and HE always has been faithful to do so!

• Have you made a serious blunder and are afraid to admit it?
• Will you face your sins and confess them to GOD today?
• Can you ask GOD for restoration without expectation and allow HIM to elevate you to where HE wants you?