The Center

The Center

Revelation 4: At this point I had another vision and saw an open door in heaven.

 

And the voice that sounded like a trumpet, which I had heard speaking to me before, said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must happen after this.” ² At once the Spirit took control of me. There in heaven was a throne with someone sitting on it. ³ His face gleamed like such precious stones as jasper and carnelian, and all around the throne there was a rainbow the color of an emerald. ⁴ In a circle around the throne were twenty-four other thrones, on which were seated twenty-four elders dressed in white and wearing crowns of gold. ⁵ From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings, and peals of thunder. In front of the throne seven lighted torches were burning, which are the seven spirits of God. ⁶ Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

 

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Science fiction became a favorite genre of mine early on. From cartoons about space travel to the movies about galaxies far away, I enjoyed the creativity. During science class, some were trying to make sense out of what was being observed. I enjoyed hearing theories of human existence. One theory was the entire universe revolved around earth.

 

• I struggled with theories that could not be truly measured.
• Theories that I learned had merit to human accomplishments, but they fell short because they left GOD out of the equation.
• Asking “What is the true center of existence?” is still being questioned by philosophers, religious leaders and scientists.

 

John, the disciple that JESUS loved, was guided by the SPIRIT into the throne room of JESUS. He could barely describe what he saw. JESUS appeared extremely different than any human depiction and everything emanated from HIS throne.

 

My Observations:

• I believe everything originates from JESUS.
• I believe GOD cares about the heavens and the earth and even the hairs on my head.
• I believe everything revolves around JESUS.

 

Seeing life from the true origin makes a huge difference. I mean, when I believe that GOD spoke everything into existence, life makes sense to me. Even the fact that everything revolving around and belonging to JESUS, helps me think of things slightly different.

 

HE is on the only throne that matters. HE is not worried and is in thorough control of everything I could imagine. HIS power is unending  and HIS glory is the highest. I cannot wait to see the true center.

 

Challenge

• Who helped the writer describe everything seen?
• Have you ever question the center of life?
• Will you consider seeing life revolving around JESUS to understand “what must happen after this” so you can be prepared?

Recognizing the Curse

Recognizing the Curse

1 Corinthians 11: ² I praise you because you always remember me and follow the teachings that I have handed on to you. ³ But I want you to understand that Christ is supreme over every man, the husband is supreme over his wife, and God is supreme over Christ. ⁴ So a man who prays or proclaims God's message in public worship with his head covered disgraces Christ. ⁵ And any woman who prays or proclaims God's message in public worship with nothing on her head disgraces her husband; there is no difference between her and a woman whose head has been shaved. 

 

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Very confusing verse. I mean, I don’t have a story to associate with this because it is very unusual. Paul speaks about head coverings relating to men and “married” women.  He gives the hierarchy of CHRIST being over the man (or husband) and the husband being over the woman (or wife) and GOD being over CHRIST (or JESUS).

 

My head explodes trying to make sense out of this. The only thing I can figure is that before Genesis 3, man and woman were equal and shared the responsibilities. But an external source, Satan, came in and tempted the woman by tricking her into doing something she was told not to do.

 

After this, GOD cursed the relationship by putting a hierarchy in place. Who wants that? No one. But unfortunately it is there. Now, because of a curse, ill equipped men will need to seek CHRIST and lead a wife who was supposed to be equal.

 

How unfair is that?

 

• GOD wants me to know the curse can be fixed.
• GOD wants me to know the curse has been lifted.
• GOD wants me to recognize the curse and follow HIM as the only master.

 

Leading a wife just because I am a male is a curse. I mean, I have no qualities to follow. BUT JESUS does. HE wants me to point my wife to HIM versus thinking she is “my” servant. Fortunately, CHRIST brings us back into equilibrium. When she speaks, she can recognize the curse and speak about JESUS.

 

No challenge questions today, only a prayer that we all seek peace through CHRIST who is the answer.

Amazing News Told

Luke 2: ¹³ And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

¹⁴ “Glory to God in the highest,
And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!”

¹⁵ So it was, when the angels had gone away from them into heaven, that the shepherds said to one another, “Let us now go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has come to pass, which the Lord has made known to us.” ¹⁶ And they came with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the Babe lying in a manger. ¹⁷ Now when they had seen Him, they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child. ¹⁸ And all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds. ¹⁹ But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ Then the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told them.

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“I have to see this for myself” I said to the messenger. I was still in a bit of shock when they said, “Your name is posted, and you have made the Dean’s List.” Considering the semester before was a disaster, I was thoroughly surprised. I told everyone!

 

• When I have great news I want to tell everyone.
• When I have some awesome news I want to tell the world.
• When I have awesome news I want to sit everyone down and tell them what is going on with me.

Being chosen by GOD was one thing, but the shepherds had to go see the amazing news for themselves. They raced to the barn and saw GOD as a baby in the dirty feed trough, just as the angels said. They told everyone of this amazing event and excitement filled the town!

• GOD wants me to spread HIS amazing news.
• GOD wants me to ignite excitement throughout the land.
• GOD wants me to be excited about HIM enough to tell others about HIM.

What was missing from this passage was complaints about the sheep or ailments of the shepherds or the shepherds not having enough of whatever their fears dictated. It was all about JESUS coming as a human to save mankind. They were excited and so should I. GOD wants me to tell people about HIS amazing news!

• Are you stuck in complaint mode?
• Do you have blame on your mind?
• Can you remove your negative language and replace it with the great news about JESUS?

Life’s Elevator

Matthew 23: ⁵ “Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; ⁶ they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; ⁷ they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called ‘Rabbi’ by others.

⁸ “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have one Teacher, and you are all brothers. ⁹ And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven. ¹⁰ Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one Instructor, the Messiah. ¹¹ The greatest among you will be your servant. ¹² For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

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“Making it” was top of mind. I tried not to step on people, but if a person got in my way, they were in trouble. I did get the title and it felt great to have the “respect.”

• Seeking places of honor can sometimes make me blind.
• Seeking to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces can sometimes puff up my head.
• Seeking a title or a position of status can sometimes lead me to think I am better than I am.

JESUS makes it clear that HE is the only instructor and the FATHER is the only father. Anyone who seeks to have the spotlight on themselves in the church will be knocked down.

• GOD wants me to humble myself so HE will not have to.
• GOD wants me to humble myself so HE can use me HIS way.
• GOD wants me to humble myself so HE can exalt me.

When I am in a humble position I celebrate more. I mean when GOD raises me up, even a little, I am thankful and I cheer. On the other hand, when I seek a title that I feel I “deserve” and do not get it, I pout and life is quite miserable. GOD wants me to be a servant no matter what title or position HE gives me. Serving others as HE served me is the highest honor!

• Are you trying to get a title?
• Do you feel you “deserve” better in life?
• Can you seek to serve rather trying to exalt yourself?

No More Traps

Matthew 22: ⁴¹ While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, ⁴² “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”

“The son of David,” they replied.

⁴³ He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,

⁴⁴ “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
    under your feet.”’

⁴⁵ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” ⁴⁶ No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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“Why?” is the question I asked GOD. “If YOU are GOD, the why” fill in the blank with whatever question. I asked this on many occasion. I never got an answer.

• Sometimes I question GOD’s authority.
• Sometimes I question GOD’s power.
• Sometimes I question GOD’s position on matters.

Supremacy of GOD is what I question. I mean “Why does GOD allow ‘that’ person to get away with seemingly everything?” Usually I ask that question when I am not getting my way. JESUS quiets the Pharisees and Sadducees for good. No more traps were set because they were made to look like fools.

• GOD wants me to learn to believe in HIM without question.
• GOD wants me to grow in faith so I can throw away my sinful questions.
• GOD wants me to ask without doubting, knowing HE will answer the right questions.

Questioning GOD’s authority has never yielded a favorable answer to any human. Asking HIM “What would YOU like me to do LORD?” always yields fruit. GOD does not mind questions, as long as they point towards growth in me and HIS kingdom.

• Are you trying to trap GOD?
• Do your words try to trap others?
• Can you stop trying to twist situations and ask GOD to lead you?

Obedient to the Weird Plan

Matthew 1: ¹⁸ This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about: His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. ¹⁹ Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

²⁰ But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. ²¹ She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”

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What a strange plan. As I pondered this plan to save all humans I said to myself, “I would never have done it this way.” I mean in this chapter I read that Joseph was a descendant of murderers, liars, adulterers and thieves. Then it turns out that this guys’ fiancé turns up pregnant without having sex.

• GOD says to me “MY ways are not your ways. MY thoughts are not your thoughts.”
• GOD says to me “I WILL be your GOD and you will be MY people.”
• GOD says to me “I AM.”

Joseph had to do something so divorce was a nice quiet option. BUT GOD said something different. GOD wanted all of humanity to know this was no ordinary plan. It had to be weird, extraordinary, and supernatural. GOD does the same in my life. HIS plans are weird and sometimes seem that they will not work.

• GOD’s plan for me is extraordinary.
• GOD’s plan for me is not the norm.
• GOD’s plan for me sometimes seems strange but when I am obedient it always works!

I did not have an example that compared to the birth of my SAVIOR, but I do recognize that GOD doesn’t always tell me everything up front. HE requires me to have faith without fault. The more I can have the better off I will be.

• Does your plan seem strange?
• Does it seem like you will never get to the finish line?
• Can you stop trying to make sense out of GOD’s plan and ask HIM for the faith to continue?

Greatness out of Small Places

Micah 5: ² “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah,
    though you are small among the clans of Judah,
out of you will come for me
    one who will be ruler over Israel,
whose origins are from of old,
    from ancient times.”

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⁴ He will stand and shepherd his flock
    in the strength of the Lord,
    in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they will live securely, for then his greatness
    will reach to the ends of the earth.

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Eloquent was his speech and solid was his direction. I watched this person rise from nothing to become the CEO of one of the largest companies in the world. I asked him where he lived when he grew up. Surprisingly he answered “the projects” or “slums” or “ghetto” to others. I thought to myself, “Someone this fantastic can come out of a place that is looked down upon by the masses?”

• Sometimes I underestimate the people in small places.
• Sometimes I overlook the people in places that are categorized as off limits.
• Sometimes I protect myself by labeling places and people instead of searching for bright spots.

When I went to serve in a neighborhood that was classified as dangerous, I found people who had aspirations of becoming a doctor, lawyer, and famous musician. These individuals had something in common, they all followed GOD.

• JESUS chose to become a human in a town that was overlooked.
• JESUS chose to be born in a place where people would classify it as a slum or a ghetto.
• JESUS chose to provide HIS redemption through a small place called Bethlehem.

GOD told me to teach these people about HIM and as they sat in my class I could see them grasping onto HIS message in their own way. They were hungry for the LORD and HE did enable them to become what they sought out to be! GOD raised them to their place and they have not forgotten HIM. I learned a lesson, never label a place or person that GOD has a plan for, including myself!

• Are you labeling people in order to protect yourself?
• Have you labeled people so much that you refuse to serve them?
• Will you remove your label and serve people who do not look or act like you?
• Can you realize that you may serve a person who will be used by GOD to bring millions to HIM?

Supremacy Looks Strange

Micah 1: ¹⁵ I will bring a conqueror against you
    who live in Mareshah.
The nobles of Israel
    will flee to Adullam.
¹⁶ Shave your head in mourning
    for the children in whom you delight;
make yourself as bald as the vulture,
    for they will go from you into exile.

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Little ball bearings were given to us to put into our gauge that listed how high the stock was climbing. After celebration number five I went back to my room for some rest. I got an emergency call in the middle of the night that all leaders need to meet immediately. The CEO was pronounced dead and everyone at the convention was shocked.

• There have been times when things seemed right and they were wrong.
• There were times when it looked like smooth sailing and the wind went out of the sails.
• There have been times when I thought everything would be great and then the rug got pulled out from under me.

“What will we do?” we all thought. Fortunately for us, the number two guy was just as good and was being groomed for the new position. I felt pretty good because he knew me. About a month or two into his service he was diagnosed with cancer and died within six months. What shall we do now?

• GOD says to me “Place your trust only in ME.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the way the truth and the life.”
• GOD says to me “Do not place any gods before ME.”

My excitement was short lived. I thought “With this new leader I can finally get ahead and help others.”  GOD had other plans. HE wanted me to understand that HE is the supreme leader and that I need to focus on HIM more and more. GOD raises up all kinds of people, BUT HE wants me to always keep my eyes on HIM.

• Are you putting your trust in someone?
• Did the trust you placed in a person not quite pan out?
• Will you stop looking at humans and start placing your trust in GOD who is ultimate and supreme?

Standing on My Own

Ezekiel 18: ²⁰ The one who sins is the one who will die. The child will not share the guilt of the parent, nor will the parent share the guilt of the child. The righteousness of the righteous will be credited to them, and the wickedness of the wicked will be charged against them.

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³⁰ “Therefore, you Israelites, I will judge each of you according to your own ways, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. ³¹ Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel? ³² For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent and live!

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Watching the consequence of sin play out, I said to myself “I will never do that!” I heard of neighbors who had been shot or jailed because of theft. I watched executives who were fired because of porn or sex in the office. Then one day I realized, someone may be watching me and saying the same.

• At one time I used to point out sin in others.
• At one time I used to see the wrong people did.
• At one time I used to say “Look at that person and the awful thing they did.”

Talking about other people is an easy way to get the spotlight off of me. I mean it’s easier to tell people what’s wrong with “that” person than to admit my own sin. BUT GOD knows better.

• GOD says to me “All have sinned and fall short of MY glory.”
• GOD says to me “Confess your sins and believe in your heart that JESUS died for your sins and you will be saved.”
• GOD says to me “Get a new heart and a new SPIRIT simply by turning to ME.”

I can no longer blame someone else for the sins they commit. I can’t even blame them if their sin affected me. All I can do is confess my sins to the LIVING GOD and praise HIM for my forgiveness. My sin is my sin and I need to stand on my own and ask GOD for HIS favor.

• Are you blaming someone for the situation you are in?
• Do you think it it their sin that caused you to be where you are?
• Can you let go of their sin and look at you own heart?
• Will you confess your sins to GOD and allow HIM to cleanse you of all unrighteousness?

Being Raised Up

Ezekiel 17: ²² “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will take a shoot from the very top of a cedar and plant it; I will break off a tender sprig from its topmost shoots and plant it on a high and lofty mountain. ²³ On the mountain heights of Israel I will plant it; it will produce branches and bear fruit and become a splendid cedar. Birds of every kind will nest in it; they will find shelter in the shade of its branches. ²⁴ All the trees of the forest will know that I the Lord bring down the tall tree and make the low tree grow tall. I dry up the green tree and make the dry tree flourish.

“‘I the Lord have spoken, and I will do it.’”

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Looking back I can see that it was GOD who raised me up to places I would never have dreamt. I wasn’t super poor but I do remember eating a stale bread mustard sandwich because we had run out of groceries. “I want to help people” was my fleeting thought back then. Years later as I flew with the top executives on the corporate jet I forgot about the “mustard sandwich” people because I was under tremendous pressure to produce for the company.

• When GOD raises me up, it is for HIS purpose not mine.
• When GOD raises me up, it is to tell people about HIM not pander to those who could care less about HIM.
• When GOD raises me up, it is to help those who need help rather than filling the pockets of the greedy.

Tall trees are cut down and never remembered BUT GOD can take an unassuming shoot like myself and raise it up to places unimagined. HE wants people to see HIM so HE raises up people who are willing to proclaim HIS name. Caution should be take not to forget HIM in the process. GOD wants me to remember HIM daily and to live my life with purpose.

Stripping me of my admiration of money, GOD sends me to places where HE leads me.  HE gives me the words to say and the people to hear them. One person is enough, but for some reason HE provides me with plenty to pray for and watch over. GOD raises me up to do HIS will. By the way, JESUS is the tree in the story!

• Are you climbing the ladder of success?
• Why do you want to be on top?
• Can you take GOD with you and tell HIS message to your huge audience?
• Will you hide GOD or shout HIM when HE raises you up?
• Can you stop looking at money and practice speaking about GOD today? 

Harsh Message

Jeremiah 19: This is what the Lord says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take along some of the elders of the people and of the priests ² and go out to the Valley of Ben Hinnom, near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. There proclaim the words I tell you, ³ and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah and people of Jerusalem. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Listen! I am going to bring a disaster on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. ⁴ For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent.

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“Thou shalt not have any god before ME” are the words spoken by GOD that are seldom spoken today. I mean, I have to go to work and that is where I get “my” money, right? I may not have as much time for going to church and GOD forbid helping others. I also may have so much money that I have to protect it by placing it in shelters reducing tax liabilities. I mean, I have to save for retirement, right? I may not have as much money to give to others because “mine” is tied up.

• Many times I have placed something over GOD.
• Many times I have looked somewhere else for the answer instead of GOD.
• Many times I have been blind, thinking my bank account is what will save me rather than GOD.

Like the ancestors of old, I murmured in the desert while GOD was protecting me and teaching me. HE delivered me from the modern day “Egypt” and sent me on a quest to seek HIM. HE showed me that complaints were quite painful to HIM and HE does not have tolerance for them too long. I had to grow up and hear GOD.

• GOD said to me “I AM the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last.”
• GOD said to me “I AM the gate, no one enters Heave but through ME.”
• GOD said to me “I AM the bread of life and I AM the light of the world.”

GOD clearly wants me to know that HE is the only provider. As humans attempt to rob, steal and kill me and those around me, GOD wants me to stand firm on HIS word, trusting and believing in HIS mighty power. HE does not want to hear a complaint about someone else from my lips, otherwise I am acting like the Accuser. GOD wants me to praise HIM no matter the circumstance. My worship should be to HIM.

• Are you worshipping your job?
• Do you worship your bank account, no matter how small it is?
• Are you devastated when you lose either?
• Can you allow GOD to have all that you have?
• Will you let GOD reign supreme in your life?

Equality

Psalm 58: ¹ Do you rulers indeed speak justly?
    Do you judge people with equity?
² No, in your heart you devise injustice,
    and your hands mete out violence on the earth.

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Twisting words is dangerous. What I mean is when someone spoke the truth, I took that truth and applied “my” truth to it making their whole statement invalid. My measure for doing this was the “Who are you” measure. The more “important” the person the less I asked “Who are you?”

• When I put people beneath me I ask in my mind “Who are you?”
• When I ask “Who are you” in my mind I put people beneath me or beneath others.
• When I think in terms of “level” or “expertise” then I put people beneath me.

“Level” is a corporate term that I learned to give a person a grade which affects their compensation, the better the performance the more the pay. Then I ran into places where I was told to hire or elevate a person regardless of their performance. I had to learn something different, “justifying my actions.” This justification led to twisting words which is a very dangerous place.

• When I seek superiority I am not seeking GOD.
• When I seek elevation I am not seeking GOD.
• When I seek to be placed above people I am not seeking GOD.

GOD saw that being “GOD” was not something to be sought, instead HE decided to become the most helpless thing on the planet, namely a human. The reason humans were so helpless was the fact that all were sentenced to be sent to Hell because all have sinned. Intellect could not save me. HE decided to lower HIMSELF, become one of us and to die in my place.

GOD says “do not think more of yourselves” to me. This means I must serve as GOD served me.

• Are you trying to elevate yourself?
• Do you think you “deserve” better treatment or more of something?
• Are you twisting someone’s words to get ahead or stay ahead?
• Can you lower yourself in order to have GOD raise you up HIS way?

Being Restored

Job 42: ¹⁰ After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. 

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¹² The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 

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Pondering Job’s calamity I learned a lot about GOD and myself. Job was trying to do what was right all his life. His faith was tested in extreme measures all in one day by losing his family, wealth and health. These are things that I and many I know hold dearly to their hearts. Quite honestly it looked like GOD was the bad guy in the story, but it was Satan who asked to do all of this to Job after GOD said “consider my servant Job.”

Here is what I learned:

• GOD sees every faithful action I do and wants me to do it for HIM no matter what condition I’m in.
• GOD knows I’m a sinner and I cannot fool HIM so I should stop trying to be righteous and start trusting in HIM.
• GOD’s ways are not my ways so I should not try to make HIM follow my ways rather learn how to follow HIM.
• GOD allows calamity in my life and others but HE always has a marvelous plan that we are not always privy to in this life.
• GOD is always in my corner even when it looks disastrous.

Job had to hang in through some incredibly rough times. He had no one around him who could help him through a GOD ordained issue. He had no way to stop the calamity and had practically given up. He wished he wasn’t born. BUT GOD restored him.

I did ponder a question. “Why did people have to die?” and all I could get from this slice of history is GOD has that in HIS control. HE holds life and death in HIS hands and “everything under heaven is HIS.” HE owns humans, wealth and health. Satan wants me to look at GOD as the problem when he is the one who seeks to devour me.

My focus should always remain on faith in GOD, trust in HIS love and hope in HIS deliverance.

• Do you think your righteousness is saving you from calamity?
• Do you trust in yourself more than you trust in GOD’s love for you?
• Will you stop trying to maneuver GOD and flow down HIS rushing river?
• Can you ask GOD to show you HIS plan for you this day and this day alone?

Bargaining With GOD

Job 30: ²⁴ “Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man
    when he cries for help in his distress.
²⁵ Have I not wept for those in trouble?
    Has not my soul grieved for the poor?

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Clutching my chest I wailed in agony. I lived alone and no one could drive me to see the doctor. I had to get there myself. I thought I was having a heart attack. “I will never do that again” whatever “that” sin was at the time. The pain persisted. “I’ll go to church and I’ll be good.” The pain persisted.

I went into the doctor’s office and found I had a bruised sternum that resulted from some new exercise I was doing. “Man! I shouldn’t have made that promise.”

• When I bargain with GOD I have no intent of keeping my side of the promise.
• When I bargain with GOD it’s usually because I am not focused on HIM in the first place.
• When I bargain with GOD I am not accepting HIS supremacy.

When things go wrong in my life I ask GOD, “Haven’t I been good, what about those bad people, haven’t I served?” Meanwhile I look at GOD like HE is the problem. BUT GOD looks at the situation different.

• GOD wants me to understand that I have consequences for my actions even though I am forgiven for sin.
• GOD wants me to realize HIS way is the only way and I should not have a problem with HIS way.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to show me HIS path rather than bargaining my way down my path.

If I have been “good” then GOD will know. HE gives me rewards stored up in heaven that cannot be touched by the evil one. HE guides my path through calamities and raises me up at the right time. HE is my rock and my salvation.

• Are you bargaining with GOD?
• Do you think you are being punished?
• Can you look at GOD as your guide and LORD of your life?
• Will you accept where HE has you and ask for guidance down HIS path?

You just never know

1 Chronicles 10: ¹³ Saul died because he was unfaithful to the Lord; he did not keep the word of the Lord and even consulted a medium for guidance, ¹⁴ and did not inquire of the Lord. So the Lord put him to death and turned the kingdom over to David son of Jesse.

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Another mediocre review left me wondering if I would ever advance. It seemed like a mystery I just could not solve. It also seemed like the oppressors had a few of their buddies in mind to keep them in power. I decided to do my work for the LORD instead of working for these guys.

Years passed and it seemed like nothing changed, but one day I was called into the office and they asked me if I would take on more responsibility. I said yes and that led to other promotions. Soon I was over the department where I felt oppression. It wasn’t by my effort.

• Sometimes barriers seem immovable.
• Sometimes difficult people are placed in my path.
• Sometimes I think I have to be the one who works hard to get to where I want to be.

Looking back I see times where I wanted something so bad I could just taste it. That’s when I would buckle down and work harder only to be disappointed and knocked to the ground. I left no room for GOD to say “Yes” or “No”, in fact I wouldn’t consult HIM at all. BUT GOD wants something different from me.

• GOD wants me to have desires but let HIM steer the outcome.
• GOD wants me to have dreams but point my dreams to HIS kingdom.
• GOD wants me to have wishes but include HIM on all phases of accomplishment.

It is GOD who raises me to heights I never knew existed. HE has placed me in front of the kings of this world and opened my eyes to understand JESUS is the KING of kings. When I let go of my desires and allow GOD to steer the outcome, I end up in a much better place. HE grows huge fruit in my life and I am filled with gratitude.

• Are you feeling oppressed?
• Do you feel held back?
• Can you allow GOD to deal with “that” person?
• Can you dream a good dream and allow GOD to handle how the dream comes to fruition?

Sometimes GOD just needs to be praised!

David sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. ² He said:

“The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
³     my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
    my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
    from violent people you save me.

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³¹ “As for God, his way is perfect:
    The Lord’s word is flawless;
    he shields all who take refuge in him.
³² For who is God besides the Lord?
    And who is the Rock except our God?
³³ It is God who arms me with strength
    and keeps my way secure.
³⁴ He makes my feet like the feet of a deer;
    he causes me to stand on the heights.
³⁵ He trains my hands for battle;
    my arms can bend a bow of bronze.
³⁶ You make your saving help my shield;
    your help has made^[i] me great.
³⁷ You provide a broad path for my feet,
    so that my ankles do not give way.

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This is the day in which JESUS was handed over and falsely accused. Preachers, ministers, deacons, deaconesses and elders of the church were the primary accusers of GOD in the flesh saying HE is not GOD. Their expectation of a worldly leader had not been met.

Instead of praising HIM for all of the miracles HE performed, they accused HIM of trickery and deceit. HE said nothing and absorbed the pain hurled at HIM as HIS own creation looked at HIM with wrongful eyes.

• GOD should be praised not blamed.
• GOD should be exalted not hidden.
• GOD should be talked about not implied.

Saying the name JESUS has power. Just speaking HIS name out loud has far more meaning than any “helps” program that could come from any church. Praising GOD means nothing else matters at this moment.

• Are you praising GOD?
• Can you stop asking HIM for stuff for one day and praise HIM?
• Won’t you focus your attention on GOD’s worthiness to be praised instead of looking at what’s going on around you?
• Can you open your mouth and say “JESUS thank YOU for being my savior”?

Being a friend

1 Samuel 20: ⁴² Jonathan said to David, “Go in peace, for we have sworn friendship with each other in the name of the Lord, saying, ‘The Lord is witness between you and me, and between your descendants and my descendants forever.’” Then David left, and Jonathan went back to the town.

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Having friends id something very dear to me. Some of my friends have known me for most of my life.  Seeing the relationship between Jonathan and David reminds me to pray a special prayer for friendships all around.

• LORD thank YOU for my friends.
• LORD thank YOU for blessing those who read about YOU and follow YOUR ways.
• LORD thank YOU for all friendships for YOUR SON acted like the ultimate friend.

• Do you have friends you should pray for?
• Do you have friends who need you to reach out to them?
• Can you pray for your friends today?

Only one person could have done this

Deuteronomy 21: ²² If someone guilty of a capital offense is put to death and their body is exposed on a pole, ²³ you must not leave the body hanging on the pole overnight. Be sure to bury it that same day, because anyone who is hung on a pole is under God’s curse. You must not desecrate the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance.

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Miraculous is the only word I could think of when it came to JESUS’ life. Yes HIS birth was amazing and HE did some amazing things when HE was alive, but what about death? HIS body was declared dead as HE hung on the pole or tree or cross as we would say. How was HE going to get down and avoid the curse?

• JESUS was murdered because people wanted power they shouldn’t have.
• JESUS was placed on a pole, otherwise known as the cross, as an act of evil to make HIM an example to others, but it became symbolic instead.
• JESUS was declared dead and they miraculously did not break HIS legs or leave HIM on the pole amazingly fulfilling laws.

What does all of this have to do with me? GOD declared a curse on humans, earth and the surrounding planets and galaxies. Every human born is susceptible to this curse. I deserved to die along with all humans unless one sinless human died for all mankind.

IF JESUS remained overnight on the pole HE wouldn’t qualify as sinless. HE would be under the same curse as all of mankind. BUT GOD made it possible that the guards fulfill the laws even when they didn’t know what they were doing.

Maybe they felt lazy and just wanted to go home. Maybe they were tired of JESUS after beating HIM up. Whatever was the case, they released HIS body and HE was buried properly.

• Sometimes it’s good to ponder our LORD and Savior.
• Sometimes it’s good to remember that JESUS volunteered specifically for me.
• Sometimes it’s good to remember there is a much higher purpose for my life.

JESUS gave HIS life so HE could save mine. There is nothing I can do or accomplish to repay HIM. HE only wants a little of my focus to thank HIM whenever I can remember HIM.

Are all of GOD’s promises pleasant?

Deuteronomy 3: ²³ At that time I made my appeal to the Lord. I said, ²⁴ “Lord and King, you have begun to show me how great you are. You have shown me how strong your hand is. You do great works and mighty acts. There isn’t any god in heaven or on earth that can do what you do. ²⁵ Let me go across the Jordan River. Let me see the good land that is beyond it. I want to see that fine hill country and Lebanon.”

²⁶ But the Lord was angry with me because of what you did. He wouldn’t listen to me. “That is enough!” the Lord said. “Do not speak to me anymore about this matter. ²⁷ Go up to the highest slopes of Pisgah. Look west and north and south and east. Look at the land with your own eyes. But you are not going to go across that Jordan River.

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Hearing the sounds of everyone outside added to my torture.  It was the perfect summer day and kids were playing in the sprinklers and I couldn’t go outside.  I was “on punishment” for something I had done. “Can I please go outside?” was my only negotiation tactic. “NO and don’t ask me again” was their final statement.

• I have to accept that everything GOD says to me may not be pleasant.
• I have to accept that everything GOD allows may not be fun.
• I have to accept that everything GOD does may not always hide me from disappointment.

If GOD is supreme in my life, then HE has the right to say “NO” to me.  HE also has the right to not like what I’m doing and correct me. In fact, I really should be worried when there are no consequences for my actions because that means HE has left me stuck in my mess.

• GOD gives mercy but also corrects me.
• GOD gives grace but holds me accountable for my sins.
• GOD gives love and in love HE disciplines me.

I honestly don’t think there is a “cause and affect” action to my sin.  Sometimes when I sin, GOD sees I need grace and HE reaches HIS arms out to show HIS love. BUT there are other times when HE sees I am really on the wrong path and HE brings a trial in my life to wake me up.

GOD’s supremacy means HE isn’t my servant nor is HE only a goody, goody grant giver. Make no mistake, GOD despises sin yet HE has pardoned me for mine.

• Do you think GOD doesn’t see your hidden sin?
• Are you using your words to put the attention on someone else rather than pointing out your own sins?
• Has GOD said “NO” to you and you won’t take “NO” for an answer?
• Won’t you let GOD be supreme in your life and accept HIS plan?

GOD does what HE says

Numbers 26: ⁶⁵ The Lord had told the people of Israel at Kadesh Barnea that they would certainly die in the desert. Not one of them was left alive except Caleb, the son of Jephunneh, and Joshua, the son of Nun.

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“If you don’t write an excellent final, I’m going to give you a failing grade” my professor told me. In disbelief I went back and studied.  It was past the deadline to drop the class and I was determined to prove him wrong. I began studying, asking questions and preparing. 

On the day of the final I prayed. It had been a while.  A week after the final I was in my professors office begging him to at least give me a “D.” I had failed my first class in my life! He did what he said. I wish I had studied along the way.

• Many times I ignore what GOD wants me to do.
• Many times I ignore GOD’s rules and do what I want to do.
• Many times I ignore the situations GOD places in front of me because of pride rather than faith.

“GOD loves” I tell myself. HE would never harm me or punish me is my foolish thought. BUT GOD loves me in a much greater way. 

• GOD loves me so much that HE doesn’t want sin to separate me from HIM.
• GOD loves me so much that HE doesn’t want my pride to get in the way of listening to HIM.
• GOD loves me so much that HE wrote HIS laws on my heart so that I would inherently follow them.

Many times my fear gets in the way of hearing GOD. I may run after money or chase things I’m not supposed to have. HE then allows the consequences of my sin to overwhelm me to open my eyes and cry to HIM as being the only answer. HE doesn’t “manipulate” like humans do. HE simply knows what holes I will fall in and allows me to do it.

GOD loves me enough to let me make mistakes, BUT HE loves me more to not let my mistakes get in the way of eternal life.

• Is GOD tearing down your world?
• Do you feel HE is surgically removing things from you?
• Can you let HIM remove things out of your life and allow HIM to change you for HIS good?
• Won’t you let HIM discipline you so you can do “great” instead of “good?”