Exposed

Exposed

Hebrews 4: ¹² The word of God is alive and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It cuts all the way through, to where soul and spirit meet, to where joints and marrow come together. It judges the desires and thoughts of the heart. ¹³ There is nothing that can be hid from God; everything in all creation is exposed and lies open before his eyes. And it is to him that we must all give an account of ourselves.

 

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After the night of drunken sex, I put on my best suit and went to church. Maybe this would erase the guilt, was my motive for going. As I transitioned from Sunday School to morning service, a guy called me out. “We had fun at the club last night!” “Why did he have to be there?” was my thought!

 

• I didn’t want anyone to know that I went to clubs and had drunken sex.
• I had plenty of sins that I was planning to take to my grave.
• I felt embarrassed when I was exposed, but it turned out to be a relief.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, tells everyone about the power of the word of GOD. This is the revelation of how GOD interacts with humans, given through prophets, poets and priests. This revelation also includes the fact that everything in all creation is exposed to GOD.

 

My Observations

• There is nothing I can hide from GOD.
• The more I try to hide my sins, the harder it will be for me to confess them and to let go of them.
• GOD called the Pharisees “hypocrites” because they refused to expose their own sins.

 

It is real easy for me to tell others “You have sinned” but it is tougher for me to say in front of everyone “I have sinned and her is how I did it.” I mean, it just feels better when the spotlight is not on me when it comes to something yucky. But GOD sees my yuckiness and loves me anyway.

 

There is nothing I can hide from GOD. HE sees every thought that pops in my head and allows me to decide to choose HIS way or mine. HE gives me HIS word as a revelation to HIS love and I have, at my fingertips, a guide that brings me back to HIS love. I gladly expose my sins I still make mistakes on and believe they will not sting as much when I stand before HIM someday.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about “Purpose” in this passage?
• Have you ever done something wrong and felt so insecure about it that you plan on taking the hidden sin to your grave?
• Are things going wrong in your life and you don’t know why?
• Will you expose your heart to GOD and confess everything directly to JESUS so HE will be faithful and just to forgive you and cleanse you of all unrighteousness today?

Reputation Repaired

Reputation Repaired

Galatians 1: ²⁰ What I write is true. God knows that I am not lying!

 

²¹ Afterward I went to places in Syria and Cilicia. ²² At that time the members of the churches in Judea did not know me personally. ²³ They knew only what others were saying: “The man who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith that he once tried to destroy!” ²⁴ And so they praised God because of me.

 

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It took time, but my reputation was repaired. I actually did not know what people were saying about me, but it did not seem pleasant. When I walked in the room, the conversation would change. “This stinks!” I said to myself. But I felt helpless to change the situation.

 

• I felt I had to convince people they had the wrong impression of me.
• I felt misunderstood.
• I felt shunned by people and could not do or say anything to make things right.

 

At one point Paul became known for being a murderer. What was worse was, he did the killing in the name of GOD. He thought he was doing what was right according to the Law. BUT GOD intervened. HE called Paul to be HIS servant. Now Paul’s reputation was repaired through much suffering he had to go through.

 

My Observations

• GOD sees my heart where humans cannot.
• GOD has a different view of my reputation and HE loves me beyond my sins.
• GOD gave HIS SON so I could have a good reputation with HIM.

 

People are fickle and reputations come and go. I mean, one day I am in the in crowd, the next, I am looked at as a criminal. BUT GOD changes my reputation. When I confess my sins HE is faithful and just to forgive my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness.

 

This does not mean I will not face the consequence of my sins. It means GOD can still use me to grow HIS loving kingdom of redeemed sinners in spite of my sins. I am glad GOD loves me as a sinner and has given me a new name I cannot wait to hear.

 

Challenge

• Can you imagine being the writer after having persecuted the people you now have to convince about GOD’s love for them?
• Have you ever been misunderstood or given a reputation that you know is not what is in your heart?
• Will you accept GOD’s purpose on your life and allow HIM to clear your reputation HIS way?

Able to See

 

Able to See

Acts 22: ¹² “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. ¹³ He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him.

 

¹⁴ “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. ¹⁵ You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. ¹⁶ And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’

 

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Looking at the problem, I could not figure out a solution at all. The problem seemed complicated and the solution seemed even more elusive. When I sat there, I felt lost. I mean, not knowing what was wrong made me feel like I was wandering in the dark.

 

• There were some problems that I faced that I could not see what the problem was.
• There were some problems that I encountered where I was blind to coming up with solutions.
• There were some problems that I endured because I was blind to the fact that I was the problem.

 

Paul explained how JESUS blinded him on the road to Damascus. He then told the angry mob of how Ananias, a devout observer of the law, was sent to him. Paul put in the law comment trying to address the angry Jews. He then explained that Ananias told him to receive his sight and he did. Paul was now able to see physically and spiritually.

 

• GOD wants me to open the eyes of my heart so I can see HIM regularly.
• GOD wants me to learn about HIM so I can see the problems HE sees.
• GOD wants me to experience HIS grace so I can show others the same grace HE showed me.

 

Seeing is important to GOD. Even blind people can see when they know JESUS as their

Savior. I mean, they have insights into the GOD’s kingdom that only come from JESUS. GOD wants me to see HIS power, HIS presence in every situation and HIS patience when I get anxious.

 

“Get up” is the call from GOD when I am down. HE baptizes me and sends me out to call on HIS name for every situation. I am grateful GOD opens my eyes to HIS kingdom daily.

 

• Are you blind to what GOD is doing in your life?
• Do you give credit to humans for what GOD is doing?
• Will you open your eyes to what JESUS has done for you so HE can use your heart to help others see HIM as the Savior today?

Seen and Heard

Seen and Heard

Acts 7: ³⁰ “And when forty years had passed, an Angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire in a bush, in the wilderness of Mount Sinai. ³¹ When Moses saw it, he marveled at the sight; and as he drew near to observe, the voice of the Lord came to him, ³² saying, ‘I am the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.’ And Moses trembled and dared not look. ³³ ‘Then the Lord said to him, “Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground. ³⁴ I have surely seen the oppression of My people who are in Egypt; I have heard their groaning and have come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send you to Egypt.” ’

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“Come on!” I shouted in my mind. Another thing was going wrong and it seemed like my newfound prayer life wasn’t working. “What do YOU want from me?” I said out loud to GOD. No answer. I then started questioning HIS validity. “If YOU are GOD, then fix this problem right away” I commanded.

• There have been times when I lost heart.
• There have been times when I wondered if GOD even heard me.
• There have been times when I thought GOD doesn’t see me so I can sin as much as I want because maybe HE doesn’t care.

Stephen continues his discourse about Moses. He explains how GOD spoke to Moses regarding the oppression of HIS people. GOD was ready to reveal HIS plan to Moses.

• GOD says to me “Stand still and see the salvation of the LORD.”
• GOD says to me “I have come to give you abundant life.”
• GOD says to me “You are not alone, I AM here with you.”

With a flaming bush in the desert, Moses was summoned to GOD’s glorious plan. Moses had not prayed for the salvation of the people. He was quite content to live with his family away from the oppression. BUT GOD chose him to be the leader of HIS people.

GOD’s plan cannot be stopped. HE sees and hears all groanings and the oppression people face. HE already has a plan in motion to deliver HIS people. I am grateful GOD sees and hears me.

• Are you losing faith?
• Do you feel worried?
• Will you place in your heart that GOD sees and hears you and will guide and protect you today?

Inside Knowledge

John 2: ²³ Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. ²⁴ But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. ²⁵ He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.

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“I can’t do this” I exclaimed. “Yes you can” said another person. “I have seen you do other things more difficult than this” were the follow on words. I stopped and took a deep breath and put my face in the water. When I came up for air I said “I did it!” How did the person know I could hold my breath under water?

• Sometimes people know me better than I know myself.
• Sometimes people can see potential in me that I could not see.
• Sometimes people have an idea of what I can do based on their observation and experiences.

JESUS performed many miracles and people believed in HIM. But HE did not get comfortable with their belief, because HE knew what was in each person’s heart. HE knew that with some, the excitement would disappear when the slightest problem would occur in their lives.

• GOD knows my deepest fear and loves me anyway.
• GOD knows my hidden sins that I lock away and HE desires a relationship with me anyway.
• GOD knows my ugliest desires and is still excited to cleanse me of all unrighteousness.

JESUS is never surprised by my circumstance nor is HE stunned by my reaction. HE has taken all of my failures into account and still has the greatest plan for me that I could never have imagined. HE loves me in spite of me.

• What are you hiding?
• Do you think GOD will never forgive you?
• Will you stop thinking GOD’s love is limited and allow HIM to execute HIS wonderful plan HE has for you today?

Ingenuity

Luke 5: ¹⁷ One day Jesus was teaching, and Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there. They had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was with Jesus to heal the sick. ¹⁸ Some men came carrying a paralyzed man on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. ¹⁹ When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus.

²⁰ When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”

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“We have a business problem” were the words posed to me that started my wheels turning. I loved solving business problems, the more complex the problem, the better. I pondered solutions for days, even weeks. Finally I came up with a solution and when I implemented it, I received awards and cash!

• There were times when I spent enormous amounts of time thinking of business solutions.
• There were times when I spent huge amounts of time trying to get the company ahead.
• There were times when I put forth large efforts developing complicated business solutions that made wealthy people wealthier.

The paralyzed man’s friends probably came up with a simple plan to go see JESUS who was healing people left and right but they ran into a problem. The crowd was too large. They had to think of something.

I could imagine the quick meeting as they discussed options. “Do you think the roof would support our weight?” “How will we get through the roof?” “Does anyone have any rope or should we use our clothes?” JESUS saw their faith as they implemented their solution.

• GOD wants me to think of ways to bring people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to spend time pondering solutions to bringing lost people back to HIM.
• GOD wants me to spend some time developing solutions to meet the needs of people who are seeking HIM.

“Your sins are forgiven” was the unexpected reward JESUS gave the paralyzed man. Who knows how he got paralyzed in the first place. Was he doing something that he wasn’t supposed to? The Bible does not say. JESUS forgave him and I believe his friends benefited as well. GOD sees any ingenuity I can give HIM.

• Do you have someone who is seeking GOD but they are facing barriers to accepting HIM?
• Do you know someone who is trying to run from GOD?
• Can you ask GOD for HIS ingenious plan to be brought to you so you can begin implementing it today?

Heart of All

Matthew 18: ¹⁰ “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. ¹¹ For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

¹² “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? ¹³ And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. ¹⁴ Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

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Looking around I could see no familiar faces. I panicked and began crying as I had no way to get myself “found.” People came over to me and led me to an office, but this provided no comfort. I was noticed, but not “found.”

• It is scary being lost.
• It is terrifying being in an unknown place where it seems to be no way out.
• It is horrifying to be lost with no means to be found.

Humanity can be the same way. Many situations can seem so overwhelming to me that I feel “lost” with no way out. BUT GOD has an answer for that.

• GOD sees me when I am in need and answers prayer before I even ask.
• GOD knows my every fear and guides me out of the darkness.
• GOD understands when I am lost and seeks me before I seek him.

I should never pretend that I am not lost when it comes to GOD. Admitting I have no idea how to be found is a start, but doesn’t do anything if no one is looking for me. GOD decided to search for me in my “lost” state. HE tapped on my heart to show me the way. It was up to me to follow HIM back to a place where it was safe. I rejoice over GOD’s search for me!

• Are you lost?
• Do you think you know your own way?
• Can you let go and allow GOD to lead you back to HIM?

Mistaking My Kindness for Weakness

1 Chronicles 19: In the course of time, Nahash king of the Ammonites died, and his son succeeded him as king. ² David thought, “I will show kindness to Hanun son of Nahash, because his father showed kindness to me.” So David sent a delegation to express his sympathy to Hanun concerning his father.

When David’s envoys came to Hanun in the land of the Ammonites to express sympathy to him, ³ the Ammonite commanders said to Hanun, “Do you think David is honoring your father by sending envoys to you to express sympathy? Haven’t his envoys come to you only to explore and spy out the country and overthrow it?” ⁴ So Hanun seized David’s envoys, shaved them, cut off their garments at the buttocks, and sent them away.

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¹⁴ Then Joab and the troops with him advanced to fight the Arameans, and they fled before him. 

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¹⁹ When the vassals of Hadadezer saw that they had been routed by Israel, they made peace with David and became subject to him.

So the Arameans were not willing to help the Ammonites anymore.

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Sitting in my office, I wondered how I was going to get the work done with the resources I had available to me. A peer came to my cubicle and tapped on the imaginary door. He proceeded to ask me to do some of his work. It was small and similar to what our team was doing so I agreed. Our team worked hard, but my peers’ extra load began to drag on and on so I went back to him and asked for more attention to “our” project.

He then said “It’s your project” as if he had nothing to do with it. Things looked bleak for a moment, but after talking to the team, they were willing to work a little harder. We finished all the work with a few minor adjustments and our team won an award. I truly appreciate their wonderful hearts.

• Sometimes I feel my kindness is viewed as weakness.
• Sometimes I feel my kindness is supposed to yield to bullying tactics.
• Sometimes I feel my kindness is taken and trampled by those who aren’t appreciative.

Yes, I know I should not be looking for rewards here on earth. GOD clearly says if I seek a pat on my back, I would get it as my reward instead of getting a reward in heaven from HIM. But HE also said “Do not cast your pearls before swine.” As a follower of CHRIST I need to watch HIS example carefully.

• JESUS served those in need and recognized those who were blatantly against HIM.
• JESUS never sought credit but recognized the Churchy people who blew HIM off.
• JESUS was not afraid to serve someone who acted different than HE did and recognized those who served by exclusion.

The recognition JESUS had of the Pharisees and Sadducees wasn’t good. In fact HE called them a den of vipers. HE wants me to serve with my eyes wide open and perhaps stop serving those who rob and steal from people. HE still wants me to show kindness to those HE delivers to me, but I must obey HIM rather than chasing human approval.

• Are you chasing those who can never be pleased?
• Do people mistake your kindness for weakness?
• Can you say “no” to people to avoid burn-out?
• Won’t you ask GOD to open your eyes to those HE wants you to serve and those you can say “no” to?