One Place

One Place

1 Corinthians 8: ⁴ So then, about eating the food offered to idols: we know that an idol stands for something that does not really exist; we know that there is only the one God. ⁵ Even if there are so-called “gods,” whether in heaven or on earth, and even though there are many of these “gods” and “lords,” ⁶ yet there is for us only one God, the Father, who is the Creator of all things and for whom we live; and there is only one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things were created and through whom we live.

 

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Saying “Everything has its place” to me was the wrong statement at this time. I had lost my keys for the hundredth time and was exhausted looking for them. “Look in between the wall and the bed” was a soft quiet voice that came to me. There they were. “I need to put everything in its place” I finally decided.

 

• There have been times when I put my “hope” in finances.
• There have been times when I put my “faith” in “my” abilities.
• There have been times when I put my “trust” in following a celebrity.

 

Paul addresses food offered to idols. He describes an idol as “standing for something that does not exist.” Many people were holding onto “things” as reminders of their desires. These people were willing to put the entirety of their hope in something that would never come.

 

• GOD wants me to put my hope in HIM.
• GOD wants me to put my faith in HIM.
• GOD wants me to put my trust in HIM.

 

Everything does have a place, one place, namely GOD. I mean, when I give GOD everything, I no longer have to worry about it. When I give GOD my family, friends, neighbors, worries, doubts, fears, excitement and praise; HE never disappoints.

 

Many humans try to be idols. The rich and the famous are followed by name. BUT GOD knows my name and that is all I need. Being known by GOD is far more important than being known by humans. I am glad I can place my everything in GOD as the one place I can trust.

 

• Are you looking for peace in your idols?
• Do you seek health from a famous idol?
• Will you turn your heart from following idols that stand for something and that do not really exist by putting your total trust in GOD who is the only one with true answers today?

Only One Needed

 

Only One Needed

Romans 5: ¹⁸ So then, as the one sin condemned all people, in the same way the one righteous act sets all people free and gives them life. ¹⁹ And just as all people were made sinners as the result of the disobedience of one man, in the same way they will all be put right with God as the result of the obedience of the one man.

 

²⁰ Law was introduced in order to increase wrongdoing; but where sin increased, God's grace increased much more. ²¹ So then, just as sin ruled by means of death, so also God's grace rules by means of righteousness, leading us to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

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Wanting results quickly, I went to the store to find something to make a plant grow faster. I found what I was looking for. The directions said “Use only one tablet.” I did this but did not see the results in the time I wanted, so I added another one. A little while later the plant started growing then it died. I read the directions and it said this would happen.

 

• There have been times when I did not trust the directions.
• There have been times when I did not believe I only needed one.
• There have been times when I did not think the number one could be so powerful.

 

Paul explains that eternal death was introduced by one man committing one sin. That’s powerful. From birth, each person desires to sin. No exception. BUT GOD had another plan.

 

• GOD committed a single act of love to save me.
• GOD sent one being to die in my place.
• GOD loved me so much that HE gave HIS one and only SON to die, just for me.

 

This one act of love cost so much. I mean, JESUS gave up everything just to save me. HE showed ultimate compassion with one single act of love, namely HIS death. But the story does not stop there. JESUS was raised from the dead and placed over everything. All authority has been given to JESUS. I am glad ONE is all I need.

 

• Do you think GOD needs your money or for you to be “good” in order to be accepted by HIM?
• Are you looking at a life of sin, thinking you could never be forgiven?
• Will you stop doubting what JESUS did and simply believe HE took care of all your sins so you can enjoy a relationship with the ONE who loves you dearly?

Ignoring Signs

Ignoring Signs

John 20: ³⁰ And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; ³¹ but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

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Making great time, I kept my foot on the pedal. I must have shaved three or four hours off of my trip. As I approached a local road I was met with signs that stated a twenty five mile per hour limit. “You have got to be kidding!” I said to myself. I looked around and all the other drivers were creeping along at this snail’s pace. Ignoring all the signs, I kept at my pace. The ticket was very expensive.

• I have ignored many signs in my life.
• I have closed my eyes to signs that I should have paid attention to.
• I have been told something, ignored what I was told and faced consequence.

JESUS did many supernatural things that cannot be comprehended. HE wasn’t doing slight of hand, nor was HE using some evil mysticism. JESUS healed the blind, cured the sick and opened the mouths of the mute so they could proclaim HIM as THE CHRIST, the one and only Savior.

• JESUS wants me to believe I need a Savior.
• JESUS wants me to believe I need HIM as my Savior.
• JESUS wants me to believe HE still does miracles every day, but it takes spiritual eyes to see them.

It takes more work to ignore GOD than to see HIM. In fact, the more humans ignore GOD, the worse humanity will get. Each human based solution to problems that are spiritual will only make matters worse. GOD centered solutions are different.

JESUS said “And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of MY followers, you will surely be rewarded.” The solution isn’t the focus, rather “why” the problem is being solved. GOD wants me to give to people, pray for people, be with people so HE can be seen. JESUS did many signs in my life, I am grateful I can see them without ignoring them.

• Are you ignoring what GOD has done in your life?
• Are you busy giving credit to humans or seeking credit for yourself?
• Will you look at all the incredible signs in your life and believe JESUS is your Savior and you need HIM today?

Getting Some Answers

John 4: ²⁵ The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”

²⁶ Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”

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“Where is the manual?” I wanted to ask. That question was not posed to anyone at the time, rather a vent of frustration towards life in general. I mean if I would have known that things would go wrong, I may not have chosen “fill in the blank.”

• Many times in life I have more questions than answers.
• Many times in life I want guidance but have none.
• Many times in life I desire the “right” path but I choose the very wrong path and need help getting back to the point where I started complaining in the first place.

The Samaritan woman concludes her encounter with JESUS by saying “The Messiah is coming and will explain everything to us.” JESUS declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I AM HE.” But what questions was JESUS supposed to answer?

• GOD wants me to know I have a purpose.
• GOD wants me to understand that my purpose is to tell as many people as possible that they are freed spiritually through JESUS.
• GOD wants me use the gifts and talents HE has given me to show HIS love so HE will draw many to HIM.

“What do you want from me?” is usually a question I have in frustration to GOD because of an unmet expectation. BUT GOD picks me up and fills me with HIS SPIRIT when I am low. HE opens my eyes to what HE is doing even when things I want are coming to me slowly or not at all.

JESUS said “I AM the Messiah” meaning, “Stop looking for answers because I AM the answer to life.” When I point even the smallest part of my life towards HIM, HE blesses it abundantly. I am grateful for HIM giving me purpose.

• Are you looking for answers?
• Do you base your faith on what you can see?
• Will you allow GOD to give you purpose and seek those HE wants to draw to HIM today?

Responsible One

John 3: ³¹ The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. ³² He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. ³³ Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. ³⁴ For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

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“Stay in your lane” is a term I’ve heard jokingly on commercials and movies. It means, be responsible for what you are responsible for and stay out of someone else’s responsibility. But sometimes I want to drive my car and drive for the “crazy” driver next to me. If I could just figure out how to hop from car to car, then we would both be safe.

• Sometimes I want to be responsible for everything in order to keep things going the way “I” want them to go.
• Sometimes I feel I should be making all the decisions, even in areas I don’t understand.
• Sometimes I feel I should be in control even if the one who is in control is doing a good job.

John explains responsibilities of the FATHER, the SON, the HOLY SPIRIT and humans in this passage. Only the “one” who is from above or heaven can talk about above or heaven. Humans cannot.

• GOD says to me “Accept the testimony of JESUS and you will be saved.”
• GOD says to me “Believe in JESUS and receive eternal life.”
• GOD says to me “If you reject JESUS, you will receive MY wrath.”

JESUS, who is GOD, is the only “one” who can talk about GOD, because HE is GOD. HE sends the HOLY SPIRIT without limit to those who believe in HIM. The FATHER has given everything to JESUS, who decides and knows who loves HIM.

The true gospel is “Whoever believes in the SON has eternal life, but whoever rejects the SON will not see life, for GOD’s wrath remains on them”. I am grateful for JESUS and I believe in  HIS salvation.

• Are you trying to do what GOD should be doing?
• Do you feel you are in control of your life?
• Will you allow JESUS to be your savior and let HIM guide your life today?