More Than Enough

More Than Enough

Titus 3: ⁶ God poured out the Holy Spirit abundantly on us through Jesus Christ our Savior, ⁷ so that by his grace we might be put right with God and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for. ⁸ This is a true saying.

 

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Pouring a little water on the burning log, I thought the fire was out. The flames went away and it sizzled a little, so I assumed it was out. I came back a little while later only to see smoke. This made me curious so I watched it for a while. It did not blaze up, but smoke rose up more and more.

 

• I thought I used enough water.
• I thought a little water would do.
• I saw the fire go out but I did not use enough water to ensure the flames would not return.

 

Paul mentions how GOD “poured out the HOLY SPIRIT” on us. GOD did this “abundantly”  so that by HIS grace we might be put right with HIM and come into possession of the eternal life we hope for.

 

My Observations

• GOD saved me with an abundance of grace.
• GOD rescued me by HIS own decision.
• GOD gave me hope when it seems hopeless.

 

Abundance is something GOD wants me to see HE has plenty of. I mean, GOD does not do something half way. HE doesn’t just love me sometimes or care for me only when I’m good. HE loves me dearly when I make a mess of things and is always willing to receive me with open arms when I return to HIM.

 

GOD has an overflowing amount of grace. So much so, that HIS grace is sufficient to give me eternal life and hope in this life. I am truly grateful for HIS abundance!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use “abundantly” when describing GOD’s actions?
• Have you ever done something that wasn’t quite enough?
• Will you receive GOD’s abundance by believing in HIS SON JESUS, who saves all who are willing to believe today?

Imperfect Perfection

Imperfect Perfection

Acts 3: ¹⁷ “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸ But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. ¹⁹ Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 

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“Say you are sorry” the angry neighbor said to me and a sibling. The two choices that popped into my mind were to laugh at the statement, or to just say it and get it over with. I decided to do both. “I’m sorry, ha, ha, ha.” I said.. She knew I did not mean it. “I’m telling your parents.”

• There were times when I was forced to say, “I’m sorry” but I did not mean it.
• There were times when I was told to say “I’m sorry” but nothing was at stake for saying it.
• There were times when I was disciplined into saying “I’m sorry” but it only made me resentful.

Peter explains that the crowd was misled by the church leaders for killing JESUS. Now that JESUS is alive they should apologize for what they did. But this apology needs to be permanent, otherwise it will not be heard.

• JESUS wants me to admit I need a savior from being a sinner.
• JESUS wants me to believe HE is the only way to salvation.
• JESUS wants me to confess my sins so HE will be faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness, past, present and future.

Following JESUS does not mean I will never sin. I will do something “out of ignorance” or blatantly out of selfishness. BUT GOD saw all of my sins and “blotted them out” of HIS record. JESUS will be sent once again, but this time HE will come to bring back only those who believe in HIM. I am glad I do not have to be perfect because HE made me perfect in HIS eyes.

• Do you feel like you are making mistakes over and over?
• Does you have a sense of purpose that is not exclusionary or hateful?
• Will you surrender your strong will and believe that JESUS is the only being who can love you just as you are?

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?

Anointed Announcement

Luke 9: ³⁴ While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were fearful as they entered the cloud. ³⁵ And a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!” ³⁶ When the voice had ceased, Jesus was found alone. But they kept quiet, and told no one in those days any of the things they had seen.

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“Here are your new leaders” one of the higher ups said. I couldn’t believe it. I was one of the people on the stage they spoke of. With this announcement came a larger responsibility. Was I ready?

• There were times when I was announced.
• There were times when news about me was heralded.
• There were times when people were told to listen to me.

JESUS was announced as the “SON of GOD” to Peter, James and John. This anointed message was said again to a crowd of people when JESUS was baptized. These important words may have been the last anyone has heard from the HEAVENLY FATHER of the triune GOD.

• JESUS is the anointed CHRIST and I need to listen to HIM.
• JESUS is the SON of the Living GOD and I must obey HIS words.
• JESUS is the HOLY ONE who voluntarily gave HIS life for me.

GOD wants all of humanity to know that life is all about JESUS in spite of our selfish thinking. The ONE who created everything is the same who was murdered by HIS creation and was raised from the dead as our Savior. This is the special announcement GOD wants me to tell everyone.

• Are you looking to be in the spotlight?
• Do you want true success?
• Will you take a moment today and tell people about how special GOD is to you?

Authority

Luke 4: ³¹ Then He went down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and was teaching them on the Sabbaths. ³² And they were astonished at His teaching, for His word was with authority. ³³ Now in the synagogue there was a man who had a spirit of an unclean demon. And he cried out with a loud voice, ³⁴ saying, “Let us alone! What have we to do with You, Jesus of Nazareth? Did You come to destroy us? I know who You are—the Holy One of God!”

³⁵ But Jesus rebuked him, saying,  “Be quiet, and come out of him!” And when the demon had thrown him in their midst, it came out of him and did not hurt him. ³⁶ Then they were all amazed and spoke among themselves, saying, “What a word this is! For with authority and power He commands the unclean spirits, and they come out.” ³⁷ And the report about Him went out into every place in the surrounding region.

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“You can’t sign this?” I was told. “Why?” I questioned. “You do not have the authority to sign a request for the amount greater than your budget. Your boss will need to sign for this.” “Then I have to become the boss” I said to myself.

• There were times when I wanted to have the authority.
• There were times when I desired to be in charge.
• There were times when I wanted to be in control of “my” kingdom.

JESUS spoke with authority and the people were amazed. Instead of teaching from surface knowledge, JESUS probably provided the reason things had to be the way they were. HE then told a demon to leave a person. “Wow!” they thought. “HE really does have authority!”

• GOD wants me to know that JESUS has all authority.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS is in control of my circumstance.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS knows about every minute of my life and has already taken care of it.

Long before the world was made JESUS created me with free will. HE knew everything I would go through and the choices I would make. HE still accepted me into HIS family even though I would reject HIS ways, time and time again. I needed saving. Only JESUS has the authority to declare me clean so I owe my eternal life to HIM.

• Are you seeking power?
• Do you want your way and are pouting over it?
• Will you allow JESUS to use HIS authority to show you why you are in this circumstance today?

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?

Crashing the Banquet

Matthew 22: ⁸ “Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. ⁹ So go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.’ ¹⁰ So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, the bad as well as the good, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

¹¹ “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. ¹² He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless.

¹³ “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

¹⁴ “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”

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Delicious food was just sitting there in the hallway. I was starving and headed towards the wonderful aroma. “Do you have your badge?” said the hotel attendant with a stern voice. “Um, no” was my pitiful reply. It seemed like everyone around could hear the conversation so they all looked at me.

• There were places I wanted to see but did not have a ticket.
• There were events I wanted to be involved in but I did not have a pass.
• There were concerts I wanted to hear but I did not get my ticket in time.

Embarrassed, disappointed and upset were my feelings when I had the chance to get a ticket or a pass but I waited and they were all gone, therefore I missed out. JESUS’s parable was about missing out. HE gave people a chance to come to HIS wedding but they rejected HIM as the Messiah.

One person who tried to crash the banquet was immediately noticed because they had no wedding clothes on. JESUS was illustrating how those who accept HIM will be given “new clothes.”

• JESUS wants me to answer HIM when HE calls me the first time.
• JESUS gives me many changes to follow HIM but some day those chances will run out.
• JESUS allows me to reject HIM over and over, but if my rejection persists, then HE will ultimately reject me.

GOD’s grace is limitless to those who “believe” in the SON. Unfortunately HE has no tolerance for those who do not. HE will toss them out of HIS presence forever, saying “I invited you over and over.”  I choose to live for JESUS daily so I can enjoy the official Wedding Feast.

• Are you rejecting JESUS?
• Do you feel there are many roads to heaven?
• Can you accept JESUS as the only name who can save you eternally?