Still Acting with Immediacy

Still Acting with Immediacy

Genesis 17: ²³ So Abraham took Ishmael his son, all who were born in his house and all who were bought with his money, every male among the men of Abraham’s house, and circumcised the flesh of their foreskins that very same day, as God had said to him. ²⁴ Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. ²⁵ And Ishmael his son was thirteen years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin. ²⁶ That very same day Abraham was circumcised, and his son Ishmael; ²⁷ and all the men of his house, born in the house or bought with money from a foreigner, were circumcised with him.

 

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Twenty-four years earlier, GOD promised Abraham that he would have children, making him a “great nation.” Abraham waited eleven years and listened to his wife Sarah by having a child with her handmaid. It wasn’t until Abraham turned ninety-nine that GOD appeared to him again to confirm that Abraham’s plan was not HIS plan.

 

GOD then instructed Abraham to circumcise himself and every male associated with him. Even Ishmael.

 

My Observations:

• Abraham acted with immediacy to perform circumcision even after waiting twenty-four years.
• Abraham presented Ishmael as his plan to fulfil GOD’s plan.
• Abraham surrendered his plan to GOD by circumcising Ishmael, himself and every male associated with him.

 

“That very same day” means Abraham still had faith in GOD’s plan. When GOD appeared to Abraham at ninety-nine, HE said for the first time “I AM almighty GOD.” “I AM” is significant showing GOD’s sovereignty. Abraham bowed to this strange request of cutting off foreskin, simply for the reason of publicly showing alliance with GOD.

 

Abraham was the beginning of a group of people who believed in GOD together, rather than being born into an inheritance. The nation would provide the lineage of the physical CHRIST, but CHRIST may have been the one who spoke to Abraham in the first place. “I will be their GOD” is what was said to Abraham earlier. FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT spoke as one.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD mention to Moses how old Abraham and Ismael were when they were circumcised?
• Has your patience with GOD’s power and plan worn thin?
• Do you still act with immediacy when GOD says for you to do or believe in something HE said?

A Bigger Vision

A Bigger Vision

Genesis 13: ¹⁴ And the Lord said to Abram, after Lot had separated from him: “Lift your eyes now and look from the place where you are—northward, southward, eastward, and westward; ¹⁵ for all the land which you see I give to you and your descendants forever. ¹⁶ And I will make your descendants as the dust of the earth; so that if a man could number the dust of the earth, then your descendants also could be numbered. ¹⁷ Arise, walk in the land through its length and its width, for I give it to you.”

 

¹⁸ Then Abram moved his tent, and went and dwelt by the terebinth trees of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built an altar there to the Lord.

 

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Lot was raised by Terah, Abram’s father. He knew how to manage wealth and recognized opportunity when he saw it. Unfortunately, some of the opportunity he saw was from people who despised the LORD. Lot seemed torn between wealth and his heritage of following the LORD. When he left, GOD appeared to Abram.

 

My Observations:

• GOD could have appeared to Abram and Lot, but HE waited.
• Abram thought the first little place GOD showed him was the final place.
• Abram seemed to have so much faith, that he moved without complaining.

 

Possibly seeing that GOD had something bigger than he realized, Abram did not question GOD by asking “Why didn’t you show me this in the first place?” Lot had to leave before the bigger vision was given to Abram. Everywhere Abram looked was given to his descendants. Abram’s name would become so great that no human could ever count his descendants.

 

This meant that the vision was supernatural in nature. “I will” meant that GOD made a promise that would happen. “From the place” where Abram was, where he thought was the end of the vision, GOD showed something far greater. Abram did not have to lift a finger or try harder to have a better relationship with GOD. He just had to have faith.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD waited for Lot to leave before HE showed Abram the bigger vision?
• Are you clinging onto a circle of people who may be keeping you in a smaller vision?
• Are you willing to open your eyes to a bigger vision GOD has for you that includes you in HIS plan?

Secret Hope

 Secret Hope

1 Corinthians 15: ^51-52 Listen to this secret truth: we shall not all die, but when the last trumpet sounds, we shall all be changed in an instant, as quickly as the blinking of an eye. For when the trumpet sounds, the dead will be raised, never to die again, and we shall all be changed. ⁵³ For what is mortal must be changed into what is immortal; what will die must be changed into what cannot die. ⁵⁴ So when this takes place, and the mortal has been changed into the immortal, then the scripture will come true: “Death is destroyed; victory is complete!”

 

⁵⁵ “Where, Death, is your victory?
Where, Death, is your power to hurt?”

 

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After stepping off a porch, my foot landed strange and my Achilles tendon hurt. My first thought was “Man! Another trial!” This body has been bruised, sick and hurt many times over the decades. “I don’t have time for this!” I thought to myself.

 

• I really don’t like to be in pain.
• I also do not like being sick.
• I also despise being worried, scared, lonely, sad, or furious.

 

GOD revealed something secret to mankind through many writers, including Paul. This revelation is something the world has been waiting for since the first human was created. The major question is “When will all of this end?” Philosophers debate, but Paul makes it plain in a few words, “We shall all be changed in an instant.” But what does that mean?

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to know that JESUS overcame death by being raised to life first.
• GOD wants me to see that this act of love enables JESUS to judge the world.
• GOD wants me to understand that by believing JESUS has this authority, I can and will be changed into the immortal where death will not be able to hurt me.

 

Is there life after death? “Yes!” is my belief. I also believe that at some point GOD will say, “Enough” and all of life as we know it, will cease. Death will no longer be a worry, nor will trying to “extend” life or its comforts. The trumpet will sound and nothing will be the same.

 

Another writer, John, wrote about the seventh trumpet. This was the last huge announcement of judgement in which seven horrible things were about to happen. I am not sure when this will take place, but I am glad GOD gave me hope that HE is looking out for those HE chose.

 

Challenge

• Have you ever wished that the trials and tribulation would stop?
• Do you find yourself losing hope at times?
• Will you look beyond your current circumstances and know that GOD sees you and loves you and wants to spend eternity with you in a place that has no pain, sickness or worries?

Wake Up

Wake Up

Romans 13: ¹¹ You must do this, because you know that the time has come for you to wake up from your sleep. For the moment when we will be saved is closer now than it was when we first believed. ¹² The night is nearly over, day is almost here. Let us stop doing the things that belong to the dark, and let us take up weapons for fighting in the light. ¹³ Let us conduct ourselves properly, as people who live in the light of day—no orgies or drunkenness, no immorality or indecency, no fighting or jealousy. ¹⁴ But take up the weapons of the Lord Jesus Christ, and stop paying attention to your sinful nature and satisfying its desires.

 

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Seeing the huge stack of paper, my work was cut out for me. I was supposed to look at surveys and input customer responses. I started out with high energy, but as the day went on I started getting tired so I took a “quick” nap during lunch.  I woke up well after I was supposed to and now I was behind in my work.

 

• There have been many times when I started out strong, but soon became tired.
• There have been many times when I fell asleep on something I was supposed to be doing.
• There have been many times when I woke up and still had the responsibilities, but only a shorter time to do what I should have been doing all along.

 

“Wake up from your sleep” Paul says. The sleep he is referring to is a lulled sense of security from doing hidden things. He mentions two serious topics, “dark’ and “light.” The day is almost here and the night is almost over. But what am I getting prepared for? What must I do?

 

• GOD wants me to know JESUS is going to return.
• GOD wants me to prepare the world for HIS return.
• GOD wants me to take up HIS “weapons’ starting with the most powerful one called love.

 

Blindness has made me fall asleep. I mean, when I get lost in the concerns of the world, I get worried, doubt GOD and slip into sin for comfort which steals my joy and feeds mu sin nature. Afterwards, I feel hurt, lost and wandering.  My fighting increases and I grab the world’s weapons.

 

Human weapons hurt, kill and destroy, just as Satan wants us to do. BUT GOD has more powerful weapons, one being love. Love heals, protects, grows and raises people up. It was love that raised JESUS from the dead. GOD said “You must do this” and I accept HIS statement.

 

• Do you have a sense of urgency regarding the return of CHRIST?
• Are you so focused on you own sins that CHRIST is not your focus?
• Will you wake up and take up the weapon of love JESUS so generously poured out on you so you can stop paying attention to your sinful desires today?

At that Moment

At that Moment

Acts 11: ¹⁰ Now this was done three times, and all were drawn up again into heaven. ¹¹ At that very moment, three men stood before the house where I was, having been sent to me from Caesarea. ¹² Then the Spirit told me to go with them, doubting nothing. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered the man’s house. 

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“LORD please help me” was my cry. I was doubled over in serious pain. The words I uttered were not used often, as I had stopped communicating with GOD. At that moment, the pain went away.

• There are times when I need GOD right now and HE agrees.
• There are times when I pray to GOD and HIS answer is immediate.
• There are times when I am shown something by GOD and it happens right away.

Peter was told to eat strange animals as an illustration of how he was to go and speak to other races about JESUS. The illustration or vision happened three times. At that moment, three men knocked on the door where Peter was. The HOLY SPIRIT was orchestrating the whole situation.

• When GOD has a plan for me, HE wants me to act with immediacy.
• When GOD has something for me to do , HE wants me to do it without doubt.
• When GOD has a specific change I need to make, HE wants me to make it without question.

Every day, GOD speaks to HIS people. HE guides them and requests that service be top of mind. GOD leads me through the HOLY SPIRIT, praying for people HE brings to mind.

Every once in a while, GOD may put a special request in there. When HE does, I must act immediately, otherwise I would forget. I am grateful GOD includes me in HIS plans.

• Are you hung up on something right now?
• Is GOD trying to speak to you and you cannot hear HIM because of your rage?
• Will you quiet down and listen to what GOD is telling you to do today?

Known Belief

Luke 1: ¹⁸ And Zacharias said to the angel, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is well advanced in years.”

¹⁹ And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings. ²⁰ But behold, you will be mute and not able to speak until the day these things take place, because you did not believe my words which will be fulfilled in their own time.”

²¹ And the people waited for Zacharias, and marveled that he lingered so long in the temple. ²² But when he came out, he could not speak to them; and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple, for he beckoned to them and remained speechless.

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“That couldn’t possibly be the answer” is what I said to myself because the solution was too easy. I mean all the other problems on the test seemed excruciatingly hard. Why was this one so easy? I decided to go with my second guess answer and chose to make my answer more complicated than it needed to be. I got that problem wrong, it was as easy as my first thought.

• Sometimes I second guess.
• Sometimes I rethink something that has already been thought out.
• Sometimes my fears make me relook at something that is already planned and in the middle of execution.

Zacharias was a priest and probably knew the history of Abraham and Sarah having a baby in their advanced age, yet he questioned if GOD was able to do the same for him and his wife. Even though he knew an angel was standing in front of him, he still did not believe. I do the same. Sometimes I know what GOD can do and I second guess HIS methods.

• GOD wants me to practice having faith in HIM so it will grow.
• GOD wants me to take baby steps with my faith until I can handle larger amounts of faith.
• GOD wants me to steadily grow in HIM so I can immediately believe what HE says to me without pouting about HIS timing.

GOD fulfills HIS words “in their own timing.” HIS plan is intricate and involves other people. Sometimes other people are not yet ready so the plan HE has for me gets extended. Zacharias motioned to the people to calm down rather than clutching his throat in pain.

He knew this slight gaff in belief caused him to become mute temporarily. This “timeout” more than likely strengthened his belief in what he already knew. He accepted GOD’s power and acted accordingly. GOD wants me to believe without question. This takes practice.

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Do you think HIS timing for HIS promised blessings are wrong?
• Are you angry at GOD because HE chastens HIS chosen ones including you?
• Will you believe in HIS ways immediately more and more each day?

Act with Immediacy

Joel 1: ¹⁴ Declare a holy fast;
    call a sacred assembly.
Summon the elders
    and all who live in the land
to the house of the Lord your God,
    and cry out to the Lord.

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Floating through life, I allowed things to ‘happen” to me. As the final approached, I figured I would pick up the book at the last minute and learn the concepts. Of course I failed the class. I had not reacted fast enough.

• There were times when I did not react fast enough.
• There were times when I did not do things in a timely fashion.
• There were times when I did not grab hold of the rapid pace and things did not go so well.

Speed sometimes gets in the way of my desire to do something. The faster things are going, the more I need to slow down so I can speed up. But sometimes I slowed down too much, maybe to the point of giving up for a while then I realize in a moment of panic this thing is important! Sometimes I realized it too late. The same goes for GOD sometimes.

• GOD wants me to declare a holy fast while I still can.
• GOD wants me to call a sacred assembly before it is too late.
• GOD wants me to summon the elders and all who live in the land while there is still time.
• GOD wants me to cry out to HIM before time runs out.

Putting GOD on the back burner is a very bad idea. I mean once I “got my life together” I figured I would consult HIM and maybe even serve HIM. The problem is, I can never get “my life together” because “my” life is not “mine”, it’s GOD’s. HE wants me to act with a sense of urgency towards HIS kingdom because HIS return is imminent.

It does not matter what the day or year is, GOD wants me to seek HIS lost people and turn their face towards HIM daily. HE wants me to act like there is a blazing fire burning down the whole town and HE is the only road out. My sense of urgency in the LORD can begin today!

• Are you treating GOD like HE will never return?
• Do you think you have to “get your life together” before you serve HIM?
• Will you stop putting GOD on a lower priority and place HIM above everything?
• Can you act with a sense of urgency and cry out to the LORD today?

It Will Happen Soon

Ezekiel 12: ²⁶ The word of the Lord came to me: ²⁷ “Son of man, the Israelites are saying, ‘The vision he sees is for many years from now, and he prophesies about the distant future.’

²⁸ “Therefore say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: None of my words will be delayed any longer; whatever I say will be fulfilled, declares the Sovereign Lord.’”

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“Pack your bags and be in [insert some distant city] on Monday” were the words spoken to me is a hasty decision. It was Friday and in one moment my life changed by the decision of a company. There was no time to think, just move.

• Sometimes situations happen quickly.
• Sometimes life changes rapidly.
• Sometimes the unexpected pops up when I am not ready.

Complacency had me relax in my position. I thought I could be in one place forever. I usually put in a nice effort and was satisfied that I contributed value, but the change came unexpectedly. GOD does the same. Many situations, bad or good, happen rapidly. How can I be ready for them?

• GOD says to me “Take up your cross daily” meaning I need to pay attention to HIS salvation of me on a daily basis.
• GOD says to me “Pray without ceasing” meaning stay in continual communication with GOD because anything can happen quickly.
• GOD says to me “Put oil in your lamp” meaning be prepared for MY return at a moment’s notice.

Surprise is not in GOD’s vocabulary. HE knows what I am going to go through way before it happens, but I am blind to the timing and get surprised many times. Since I can’t go through life fearing the next moment, GOD wants me to seek peace by paying attention to HIM as often as I can. HE says “MY yoke is easy and MY burden is light.”

Instead of constantly thinking on disaster, I can think about GOD. Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. I can find peace knowing anything can happen.

• Are you worried?
• Are many thoughts flooding your mind?
• Can you relax for a moment and allow GOD to provide you with comfort?
• Will you let HIS timing happen while you sit back and relax?

A Sense of Urgency

Esther 8: ⁵ “If it pleases the king,” she said, “and if he regards me with favor and thinks it the right thing to do, and if he is pleased with me, let an order be written overruling the dispatches that Haman son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, devised and wrote to destroy the Jews in all the king’s provinces. ⁶ For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?”

⁷ King Xerxes replied to Queen Esther and to Mordecai the Jew, “Because Haman attacked the Jews, I have given his estate to Esther, and they have impaled him on the pole he set up. ⁸ Now write another decree in the king’s name in behalf of the Jews as seems best to you, and seal it with the king’s signet ring—for no document written in the king’s name and sealed with his ring can be revoked.”

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¹⁰ Mordecai wrote in the name of King Xerxes, sealed the dispatches with the king’s signet ring, and sent them by mounted couriers, who rode fast horses especially bred for the king.

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“You’d better get busy calling people” one of my friends at work told me. This was going to be one of the worst reorganizations the company would face. It was Friday and I urgently called my network and one person said “We need you out in the West Coast Monday.” I had hours to decide whether or not to pick up and move my entire life, family and all to a new place.

• Sometimes life comes at me very fast.
• Sometimes things change for me in a moment.
• Sometimes a fire gets lit and I have to do something about it immediately.

“Why me” can’t even be uttered when life happens. The smoke clears and suddenly I am in a new chapter of this journey, confused and bewildered. How should I act when change is thrust upon me?

• GOD says to me “I will be with you always even unto the end of this age.”
• GOD says to me “No man can pluck you out of my hand.”
• GOD says to me “My grace is sufficient.”

When things happen quickly, my mind starts racing with plans and steps toward action. BUT GOD wants me to stop for a moment and communicate with HIM. HE desires that I act with a sense of urgency in helping people stay on HIS path and remain encouraged. In every emergence HE wants me to bring HIM along with me.

• Has life happened to you?
• Did some emergency change your life quickly?
• Can you stop for a moment to ask GOD to enter into your plans?
• Will you start acting with a sense of urgency to reach the people GOD wants you to speak with?