Response to Boils – Hard Heart

Response to Boils – Hard Heart

Exodus 9: ¹² But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

 

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For the sixth time, Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not turn to GOD. He believed he was a god and the one and only true GOD let him believe it.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh refused to admit that GOD was in control.
• Pharaoh wanted to control people and situations.
• Pharaoh would rather have the people around him suffer than to surrender to GOD.

 

Five warnings have passed and six plagues fell on the people because Pharaoh would not relent. GOD could have easily killed Pharaoh, but HE was doing something bigger. GOD was taking down a mindset that a human can think of himself as a god.

 

There are two sides to GOD’s wish. First, GOD kept warning Pharaoh to let HIS people go, otherwise Pharaoh would know that GOD is in control of wrath. At the same time, GOD wanted the children of Israel to know that HE is the GOD of salvation, deliverance, provision, protection and healing. Pharaoh’s attitude is the warning to us. GOD wants surrender.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to boils on all the Egyptian’s bodies?
• Have you ever been put in a situation where things seem to be going wrong and you would not surrender to an apology or loving someone you may have avoided?
• Is it time to self-examine some things that GOD is trying to have you surrender to HIM?

Chaos Under Control

Chaos Under Control

Revelation 20: Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding in his hand the key of the abyss and a heavy chain. ² He seized the dragon, that ancient serpent—that is, the Devil, or Satan—and chained him up for a thousand years. ³ The angel threw him into the abyss, locked it, and sealed it, so that he could not deceive the nations any more until the thousand years were over. After that he must be set loose for a little while.

 

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After being dumped by a girl, I went to the apartment only to be met by a sheriff who gave me a summons for parking tickets. I sat down to take it all in when the phone rang. It was a creditor asking for money I did not have. I tried to go out to a party that night to take my mind off of my problems, but my car would not start!

 

• My life felt chaotic.
• Nothing seemed to be going “my” way.
• I had stopped following GOD, but a question came to my mind, “Don’t YOU see all these problems!?”

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw another angel who was given the power to lock Satan up for a thousand years. Chaos would be put under control for a thousand years. But then John was given a warning. “”he must be set loose for a little while.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD is so powerful, that he gave, even an angel, power over Satan.
• Satan’s chaos is seen, sentenced and will be done away with.
• One day, people will not be deceived into thinking of temporary solutions to solve problems.

 

You and I are being deceived and don’t even know it. Unfortunately we can be deceived and we have choices to make every day to do things GOD’s way or our own way. When we choose our own way, we run away from GOD and towards Satan’s deceit of a better life or temporary escape from life’s pain. BUT GOD sees his tactics.

 

There is no chaos that GOD does not see. HE holds order and is very methodical. Even the demise of Satan is calculated down to the minute. GOD sees, what you think is, chaos. In spite of what is going on GOD has the solution for you and me.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer’s description of Satan’s punishment?
• Have you ever felt like your life was in chaos and simply wanted it to stop?
• Will you hold onto your faith, knowing GOD is in control of any chaos you may perceive?

Controlled Life

Controlled Life

Ephesians 5: Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like him. ² Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave his life for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God.

 

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Finally deciding to graduate, I focused on studying. I disappeared from having “fun” and focused on what I was supposed to do. It worked! I applied this focus on pursuing lustful items such as power, sex, and money. Each took time and controlled my life in its pursuit.

 

• I could not stop until I got what I wanted.
• I lost sleep over fruitless pursuits.
• I was controlled by the pleasures of life rather than something more solid.

 

Being adopted into a family means acting like the family. This overall behavior was the plea of Paul to everyone who believed in GOD. Since we cannot be GOD we can try to be like HIM on some level. The one way to be like GOD is to love like HIM.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s definition of “love” is far greater than anything I can imagine.
• JESUS provided me with the ultimate example of “love.”
• “Love” is an eternal pursuit that GOD wants for me.

 

Getting my way is not love. I mean, GOD says no to many of my requests, especially when they are harmful to others or myself. When I don’t get “my” way, I pout and question GOD’s “love.” HE forgives my childish tantrums and opens my eyes to the sacrifice JESUS made.

 

Humans were created out of love, for love by love. GOD is pure love and cannot be tainted. JESUS controlled HIS life out of love. HE never wavered from HIS purpose. I am glad JESUS forgives me daily and I ask for the tiniest bit of HIS love to control my life.

 

Challenge

• How does the writer appeal to everyone?
• Have you ever had something control your life like work or an addiction or loneliness?
• Will you let go of the things that easily control you and allow GOD to fill empty spaces in your heart with overflowing love for yourself and others today?

Well Connected

Well Connected

John 18: ¹² Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. ¹³ And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. ¹⁴ Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

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Advised on speaking to a specific person, I asked “Why should I?” “That person is well connected” was their reply. Confused about the statement, I asked “What does well connected mean?” They started naming all of the people this person knew. I still did not know what they meant by listing names, so I stopped asking questions.

• I had no idea at the time, people could become rich because of who they knew.
• I did not know, at the time, that people could be put in a position of power based on who they knew.
• I was unaware, at the time, that people could decide my fate, or at least they thought they could.

Caiaphas was the highest church leader at the time. He was threatened by the actions of JESUS, so he orchestrated HIS arrest. He used his connections to get government officials to bring troops in to arrest JESUS. He then sent JESUS to be interrogated by his father-in-law. He thought his plan was fool proof. BUT GOD saw through it.

• GOD sees when I am trying to control the situation.
• GOD wants me to let go of situations so HE can work.
• GOD desires to be in control and the more I hold on, the less HE will shine.

Little did Caiaphas know, his own declaration that “one man die for the people” is exactly what GOD wanted. He was trying to make an example out of JESUS so no one would challenge any church leader’s authority.

BUT GOD had the authority. JESUS allowed HIMSELF to be captured while maintaining HIS power as GOD. Caiaphas was never in control. GOD wants me to surrender control. This surrender only comes from the heart. I am glad HE is in control.

• Are you trying to use your connections to gain control over your life?
• Do you think you can control others?
• Will you release control and allow GOD to work out the situation today?

In Charge

In Charge

John 5: ¹⁹ Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. ²⁰ For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel. ²¹ For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will. ²² For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son, ²³ that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

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Desiring to be heard, I scheduled a meeting with my bosses boss. In the meeting I expressed my idea and my concerns. Listening intently, the person took in all of my words. They replied, “Did you talk to your boss about this?” I did not know how to reply. I mean I did not believe in my boss enough to convey the message correctly, and besides why couldn’t I come to the head of the department directly?

• There were times when I was immature with my approach.
• There were times when I thought “my” way needed to be heard.
• There were times when I felt I should be able to go right to the top with my ideas, thoughts and complaints.

JESUS makes HIS position very clear to the church leaders. HE pretty much says “I AM GOD” as HE explains how much the FATHER loves HIM and shows HIM all things. HE also makes it very clear that judgment is all HIS. Anyone who speaks about “GOD” must speak about the SON who is GOD.

• JESUS wants me to recognize that HE is GOD.
• JESUS wants me to recognize that the FATHER has given HIM all power.
• JESUS wants me to recognize that the HOLY SPIRIT has been sent by HIM and I should pay attention to HIS voice as well.

FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT are GOD all in one. There is no separation that I can understand. Three unique beings work together in one as one. But somehow one volunteered to die for me.

It must have hurt to say “Okay, if YOU want to save all of the humans, YOU must become one, be blameless and accept all of their blame.” JESUS said “Yes, I will accept the blame for all their sin.” HE got that kind of grace from HIS FATHER. I only hope I can get a little grace from the both of them.

• Do you think there are many paths to GOD?
• Are you trying to ignore JESUS?
• Will you allow JESUS to be in charge of your soul and accept HIS wonderful gift of eternal salvation today?

Recognition

Luke 8: ²⁶ Then they sailed to the country of the Gadarenes, which is opposite Galilee. ²⁷ And when He stepped out on the land, there met Him a certain man from the city who had demons for a long time. And he wore no clothes, nor did he live in a house but in the tombs. ²⁸ When he saw Jesus, he cried out, fell down before Him, and with a loud voice said, “What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I beg You, do not torment me!” ²⁹ For He had commanded the unclean spirit to come out of the man. For it had often seized him, and he was kept under guard, bound with chains and shackles; and he broke the bonds and was driven by the demon into the wilderness.

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When the top executive walked in, I stopped my conversation with the “hired help” and immediately tried to think of something clever to say. “The project I’m working on is going great” were the first words I could think of. He ignored me and walked past. The admin I was talking to turned away from me as well.

• There were times when I got confused by those who had titles.
• There were times when I felt turned around by people who were put in “power.”
• There were times when I felt lost around those who were supposedly “in charge.”

A certain man who had demons cried out “What have I to do with YOU, JESUS, SON of the MOST HIGH GOD? I beg YOU, do not torment me!” The demons inside the man recognized JESUS’s authority and begged for mercy.

• GOD wants me to recognize JESUS as my savior.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS has risen from the murder and has all authority.
• GOD wants me to bow before JESUS who is the SON of the MOST HIGH GOD.

Sometimes I don’t give JESUS enough credit for who HE really is. I mean I complain to HIM and whine that I am not comfortable enough, but that may not be the right train of thought. JESUS is the SON of the MOST HIGH GOD. HE has all authority under HIM and my faith is generated from belief in HIM. No circumstance, situation or state of affairs can stop HIS love for me!

• Do you believe in JESUS?
• Do you really believe that HE is the SON of the MOST HIGH GOD?
• Will you recognize HIS power and authority over huge and small circumstances in your life and turn the solution over to HIM today?