Something to Focus On

Something to Focus On

Revelation 1: ⁴ From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace be yours from God, who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits in front of his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first to be raised from death and who is also the ruler of the kings of the world.

He loves us, and by his sacrificial death he has freed us from our sins ⁶ and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father. To Jesus Christ be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

⁷ Look, he is coming on the clouds! Everyone will see him, including those who pierced him. All peoples on earth will mourn over him. So shall it be!

⁸ “I am the first and the last,” says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.

 

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Worried about life, I felt like giving up. My “try harder” did not seem like it was getting “me” anywhere. As bills grew, so did my complaints. I could not find rest because the people I hung around also had many bills and complaints.

 

• My focus on life had turned into how much money I had or did not have.
• After complaining and worrying enough, I could only see problems.
• Victory was not even in my vocabulary because “I” did not feel victorious.

 

John starts his book by telling the believers that GOD, HIMSELF, sends HIS grace and peace. Not only HIM, but the seven SPIRITS and JESUS also send the message of grace and peace. All had seemed lost and humanity would belong to Satan. BUT JESUS, “the faithful witness” was “the first to be raised from death” and HE “freed us from our sins.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD, who is, who was and who is to come, is not worried about what is going to happen to me because HE has already seen me in a victorious state of being.
• JESUS freed me from death, pain and misery, so whatever I go through now is only temporary.
• GOD said, I AM the first and the last” meaning anything HE says can be counted on.

 

When life brings challenges, there is hope. I mean, human demands for unholy things can make anyone feel like all hope is lost, BUT when GOD tells me “everything turned out fine” I can believe it.

 

My focus needs to shift from the day to day worriers over to eternal victory. GOD may never say  “Did you work harder?” or “Did you get that gym shoe?”, or  “Did you accumulate as many earthly riches as you could?” Instead HE will ask “How many people did you serve the way I intended?” I am willing to change my focus over to the victory that has already happened!

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer sends “grace and peace” from GOD?
• Have you ever worried about something and could only focus on your worries?
• Will you change your focus by believing that JESUS is already victorious over your temporary situations today?

This is What Love Is

 

This is What Love Is

1 John 4: ⁷ Dear friends, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God. ⁸ Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. ⁹ And God showed his love for us by sending his only Son into the world, so that we might have life through him. ¹⁰ This is what love is: it is not that we have loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the means by which our sins are forgiven.

 

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Receiving a note with “Yes” or “No” boxes drawn on it and the words “Do you like me?” made my heart leap! I was in “love” and I didn’t know it until I got the note. Later in life, we were ogling over body shapes. I was in “love” with the body shape that was talked about most.

 

• My definition of love was skewed.
• My thought of what love is was defined by my own lusts.
• My description of love came from a human perspective which was very wrong.

 

John goes back to the greatest commandment given by JESUS, namely “love one another.” He didn’t leave it up to interpretation for those who were looking for selfish vaunts, rather he defined what true love is.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave up something extremely precious just to have a relationship with me.
• GOD is made up of love so HIS definition is pure.
• GOD’s example of love can only be mimicked by humans in a tiny way.

 

Sin taints my definition of love. I mean, whatever I view as “love” may be mixed in with the world’s definition and it could contain selfishness, envy, jealousy and pride. When “I” am not getting the things “I” feel “I” should get, then perhaps “I” am not being loved. GOD says, this is not HIS definition.

 

JESUS volunteered to become a human, die for the sins of humanity and be raised from the dead. HE and HE alone can forgive sins that would otherwise, cause eternal death, suffering and pain. GOD loved us first, so much so, that HE gave up HIS one and only SON for us. I am so glad GOD loves me with pure love.

 

Challenge:

• What do you think the writer spells put “What love is?”
• Do you have a definition of love in your mind that causes someone to fail?
• Will you look at GOD’s definition of love and rethink yours so you can spread HIS love to everyone HE sends you to today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD HEAVENLY FATHER, thank YOU for showing us love when we were selfishly using our own definition. Dear JESUS, thank YOU for dying for our sins. We celebrate YOUR resurrection!  amen

Created For

Created For

Colossians 1: ¹⁵ Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things. ¹⁶ For through him God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen things, including spiritual powers, lords, rulers, and authorities. God created the whole universe through him and for him. 

 

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“Mine!” I screamed in my mind. Someone had taken the items off of “my” desk at work. I had gone to the supply cabinet and carefully chosen the items I needed. “Can’t whoever took ‘my’ stuff simply go get their own things!”

 

• I was frustrated over something “I” had claimed to be mine.
• I wanted “my” own territory.
• I had laid claim to something purchased by someone else.

 

Paul is revealed the identity of CHRIST. He explains there is no one greater than JESUS. CHRIST is superior to all created things. Everything in heaven and earth was made through HIM and for HIM.

 

My Observations

• GOD really, really loves HIS SON and HE made me for HIM out of love.
• JESUS really, really loves me, so HE decided to die for my sins.
• The HOLY SPIRIT really, really loves me and the SON, so HE pleas on my behalf and goes where the SON sends HIM.

 

“I made this for YOU” is what I imagine GOD saying to HIS SON. I mean everything was created by JESUS and for JESUS. Unfortunately, one of the created beings, Satan, decided he was going to “be” GOD. This did not go so well for him.

 

He tried to ruin humanity through temptation. We all fell. BUT JESUS did something remarkable. HE allowed HIMSELF to be murdered by HIS own creation and was raised from the dead. HE has all authority over any situation I can encounter. I am glad I am made for HIM and give my life to HIM.

 

Challenge

• Who does the writer focus on?
• Have you ever thought GOD is supposed to do your bidding?
• Have you ever pondered what your purpose in life is?
• Will you know you are specially made for CHRIST and celebrate what HE has done for you today?

United Races

United Races

Ephesians 2: ¹⁶ By his death on the cross Christ destroyed their enmity; by means of the cross he united both races into one body and brought them back to God. ¹⁷ So Christ came and preached the Good News of peace to all—to you Gentiles, who were far away from God, and to the Jews, who were near to him. ¹⁸ It is through Christ that all of us, Jews and Gentiles, are able to come in the one Spirit into the presence of the Father.

 

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A slush-ball with a rock in it hit the car window as we passed by. I was in the back seat and could feel the tension as we drove through a neighborhood that was of a different race. Another incident happened as we were biking in a community of another race, I got kicked off my bike. I got back on and we were chased with racial slurs flung heavily at us.

 

• I did not know who I could trust in other races.
• I thought other races were against me because of my race.
• I could only see division as the answer, so I shrunk back into my own community.

 

JESUS did something amazing that Paul wrote about. HE died on the cross and was raised from the dead. This miracle enabled all who believed, to become part of GOD’s family. HE destroyed the wall that was between the two races and unified all to come into one SPIRIT.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s desire is unity.
• GOD wants me to align with HIS desire regardless of past hurts.
• GOD wants me to see that JESUS is the only answer to unity.

 

Bowing to JESUS means I do not want to steal HIM to show I am part of a superior race. I mean, I have been all over the world and saw JESUS represented in the race of that country. We argue over who is superior or who wronged who the longest. Meanwhile, GOD sees all races as HIS children and simply wants someone to step up and do the same.

 

GOD wants more than one race saved and no race is superior than another. The excuse of not believing in JESUS because HE is of a certain race is false. HE died for all races and lives for all. No human is without sin but JESUS. I am glad HE cares for me and all races.

 

Challenge

• Want enmity is the writer speaking of?
• Does it seem like the racial divide is getting larger?
• Will you align to GOD’s desire and seek unity on a small scale by simply praying for one another today?

 

For the Kids

For the Kids

Acts 13: ²⁶ “Men and brethren, sons of the family of Abraham, and those among you who fear God, to you the word of this salvation has been sent. ²⁷ For those who dwell in Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they did not know Him, nor even the voices of the Prophets which are read every Sabbath, have fulfilled them in condemning Him. ²⁸ And though they found no cause for death in Him, they asked Pilate that He should be put to death. ²⁹ Now when they had fulfilled all that was written concerning Him, they took Him down from the tree and laid Him in a tomb. ³⁰ But God raised Him from the dead. ³¹ He was seen for many days by those who came up with Him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are His witnesses to the people. ³² And we declare to you glad tidings—that promise which was made to the fathers. ³³ God has fulfilled this for us their children, in that He has raised up Jesus. As it is also written in the second Psalm:

‘You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.’

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“Jump in the car” a neighbor said. I was delighted to be invited to go to the park. “Come bowling with us” another neighbor said. I was elated to do something I had never done. “Stay for dinner” another neighbor said to me. “Of course!” I answered with stomach growling.

• Many times I have been treated well by my neighbors.
• Many times I have seen generosity in action.
• Many times I have been given gifts and opportunities just because someone wanted to do something just because I was a kid.

Paul continues to preach. He explains that the very person who was lied about, shamed, murdered and put in a tomb was the being they should have paid attention to. JESUS was who Paul spoke about fervently. He also explained how GOD raised JESUS from the dead.

• GOD did amazing things just for me.
• GOD raised JESUS from the dead, just for me.
• JESUS fulfilled all prophecy, just for me.

The FATHER does care. HE watches over me, guides me and loves me so much that HE allowed HIS SON to be murdered for me. HE raised HIM form the dead, giving HIM all authority. HE has shown extreme care. I am grateful for HIS love.

• Are you alone?
• Do you need to be shown love?
• Will you look to GOD and know HE loves you dearly just for being you?

Fulfilling the Plan

Fulfilling the Plan

Acts 1: ¹⁵ And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, ¹⁶ “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; ¹⁷ for he was numbered with us and obtained a part in this ministry.”

¹⁸ (Now this man purchased a field with the wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his entrails gushed out. ¹⁹ And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)

²⁰ “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

‘Let his dwelling place be desolate,

And let no one live in it’;

and,

‘Let another take his office.’

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“Come up on stage” were the words I was shocked to hear. The leadership team had acknowledged the efforts of business owners, because it was a convention specifically for them. I was an employee, yet they recognized my efforts. My part of the plan helped.

• Sometimes I think I am insignificant.
• Sometimes I think my tiny part does not matter.
• Sometimes I think I am not part of a large plan.

Peter spoke about replacing Judas but was careful with his words. It wasn’t just about getting another person, but getting the right person. How were they going to choose when GOD was the one who chose everyone else? He relied on the scripture.

• GOD’s plan includes me.
• GOD’s plan has a part in it for me.
• GOD’s plan is laid out for me to read daily.

“What do you want from me?” is usually cried out from those who wants something and are not getting it. GOD says clearly that HE wants everyone to believe in HIS SON for salvation. HE also says the harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few.

Forcing GOD into my plan usually does not work. I mean, usually I want to stay the same and let GOD clean up my mess. BUT GOD wants me to be part of HIS plan, which requires me to change, giving it all to HIM. I am glad HE is gracious enough to keep me in HIS plan.

• Are you trying to make GOD do something and have not yielded your life to HIM?
• Are you praying to get something and have not given your all to HIM?
• Will you join GOD’s plan for you by giving HIM all the things you hold onto so HE can multiply it?

A Prayer for All

A Prayer for All

John 17: ²⁰ “I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; ²¹ that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. ²² And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: ²³ I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

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Searching for a church became a task. “This one is too political” I said about one church. “This one has a terrible singing group” I said about another. “This one is too hypocritical” I said about another. On my way to visit a church, I passed about twenty churches within two miles. “What are we saying to each other? I wondered.

• Sometimes I wonder if we can have unity.
• Sometimes I wonder if we can work together.
• Sometimes I wonder if we will settle for one person going to hell because we found our crowd and “that” person did not.

JESUS prays for everyone who believes in HIM. HE shows HIS heart and love for all of HIS creation by saying a prayer for them.

• JESUS wants me to speak unity in HIM to everyone I meet.
• JESUS wants me to believe HE was sent to save me and the rest of the world.
• JESUS wants me to receive the glory HE has given me.

Be as one, believe the FATHER sent JESUS and receive the glory JESUS gave to us, is the simple request JESUS gives. Working together to bring people to JESUS sounds simple, but I find this very difficult. I mean, JESUS did warn us about manipulators who use HIS name to get what they want, yet bear no fruit. This can be confusing. How can we “Be one?”

JESUS wants me to start by having unity with HIM. HIS peace will enable me to reach others with HIS love, not “my program or my offering.” JESUS wants my love to be pure and solely focused on raising HIS reputation as the one and only cure for every ill to humanity.

Though this task may be overwhelming in a society where belief in JESUS is only done as a club, HE wants me to press on, seeking those HE sends me to and sends to me. I am grateful HE is in me and I in HIM.

• Will you join JESUS in bringing HIS lost people back to HIM?
• Will you believe JESUS was sent to bring back those who left HIM?
• Will you accept the glory JESUS has given you so you can reach those only you can reach today?

Loved

Loved

John 16: ²⁵ “These things I have spoken to you in figurative language; but the time is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figurative language, but I will tell you plainly about the Father. ²⁶ In that day you will ask in My name, and I do not say to you that I shall pray the Father for you; ²⁷ for the Father Himself loves you, because you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. ²⁸ I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”

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After being dumped by someone I liked, I said “no one will love me.” I felt dejected. After a while, I went out with someone else. After a job elimination I said “No one will hire me.” I felt lost. After a while, I found another position.

• I have felt abandoned.
• I have felt lonely.
• I have felt unwanted, undesired and unloved.

JESUS speaks plainly to HIS disciples by saying “The FATHER loves you because you love ME.” JESUS was giving HIS disciples a direct connection to the FATHER, who has all power.

• GOD wants me to know HE loves me.
• GOD wants me to know HE cares about me.
• GOD wants me to know HE wants the best for me.

Love seems to be rare these days. With the major focus on humans ripping each other apart with poisonous words, there is not much room for love. BUT GOD sees those who love JESUS. HE can see though all of the sin, anger and hatred to find those who are truly seeking HIM.

HE guides those HE loves with the HOLY SPIRIT and forgives all sin through HIS SON, JESUS. GOD is marvelous and I feel loved by HIM. I am no longer lonely because of GOD.

• Do you feel unloved?
• Do you feel dejected?
• Will you love JESUS so HE can open your eyes to how much GOD loves you?

Wandering

Wandering

John 14: ⁵ Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, and how can we know the way?”

⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

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Feeling abandoned, I wandered aimlessly, with no place to go. As I tried different ways of having “fun” I still felt empty. In fact, the more, “fun” I had, the emptier I felt. “What’s the point?” I asked. I mean everyone seemed to be going somewhere in life and I had no place to go.

• I felt church people were phony.
• I felt the establishment was against me.
• I felt I had no direction and no one I could trust.

Thomas told JESUS, “We do not know where YOU are going, so how can we know the “way?” JESUS gave Thomas a bigger destination. Life’s journey should be towards the FATHER.

• GOD wants me to understand that my life should point to JESUS.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM daily even in my earthly pursuits.
• GOD wants me to trade in my wandering for that of a life of purpose for HIM.

JESUS is the way, the truth and the life.” Any other philosophy that distracts people from this statement is false. I mean, if I am focused on fixing a certain sin in people without having JESUS in the middle, then it may be a distraction.

JESUS wants to be first and only destination. Some philosophies want food or health or psyche or pleasure or money or human words to be their god. BUT JESUS wants to be the only truth. There is no other way to the FATHER but through JESUS. I am grateful HE came after me when I was wandering.

• Are you wandering through life?
• Does your life have no good direction?
• Will you give your life to JESUS so HE can guide you to a much better place today?

Scared

Scared

John 12: ²⁷ “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? But for this purpose I came to this hour. ²⁸ Father, glorify Your name.”

Then a voice came from heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it and will glorify it again.”

²⁹ Therefore the people who stood by and heard it said that it had thundered. Others said, “An angel has spoken to Him.”

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“I’m not going down there!” I said in terror. With fears of the “Boogey Man” being in the basement of our home, I refused to go downstairs unless someone was with me. All the lights had to be on.

• Sometimes I get scared of the unknown.
• Sometimes I get worried about situations people have told me about.
• Sometimes I get filled with fear over a huge situation facing me.

Death was facing JESUS and HIS humanity showed. HE expressed HIS fear out loud. THE FATHER heard HIS voice and responded with assurance. JESUS accepted the responsibility.

• GOD is there when I have fears.
• GOD is there when I have doubts.
• GOD is there when I worry about big situations.

Worry easily creeps in when the answer to a problem is out of my control. I mean when I cannot do something to resolve the situation, my mind spins, trying to come up with a solution. BUT GOD knows the outcome.

HE wants me to trust that HE has the situation under control and HE can use the circumstance for HIS glory. HE rewards me greatly for obeying HIS plan and for this I am grateful.

• Are you worried?
• Is there a very large situation in front of you that seems too big to handle?
• Will you ask GOD to not only give you strength, but comfort as well?

Compassion

Compassion

John 11: ²⁸ And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” ²⁹ As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. ³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. ³¹ Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”

³² Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

³³ Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. ³⁴ And He said, “Where have you laid him?”

They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

³⁷ And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

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Without the scowl, my nemesis looked different this particular day. The air of arrogance was not there. Since I did not trust the guy, I did not listen to the voice inside that said “Go over to him and ask if there is anything you could do?” I passed on the moment. Later, I found out there was a death in his family.

• There have been times when I did not show compassion when I had the chance.
• There have been times when my I lost perspective on what I am supposed to be giving to people.
• There have been times when I was tired of my “kindness” being mistaken for “weakness.”

Mary came to JESUS weeping. She had a similar statement to Martha, only this time it was not laced with blame. “If YOU had been here, my brother would not have died.” The church people around her were crying “with” her. JESUS groaned in the SPIRIT. JESUS wept.

• JESUS wants me to show compassion to everyone HE sends me.
• JESUS wants me to express HIS love to those who annoy me.
• JESUS wants me to be “with” people HE send me to, no matter how different they are from me.

Compassion bubbles over from GOD’s heart. HE wants me to have a healthy portion of this. Instead of “Serves you right” when things go wrong in “that” person’s life, JESUS wants me to desire HIS peace to be placed in their heart. I can fill the hole in my heart with two things, hatred or love. I am grateful GOD chose love towards me.

• Who are you keeping your compassion from?
• Are you refusing to show compassion to “those” people because they look or act different?
• Will you drop your hatred for a moment to show compassion to the person who comes to mind right now?

Caregiving

Luke 1: ⁶⁷ Now his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying:

⁶⁸ “Blessed is the Lord God of Israel,
For He has visited and redeemed His people,
⁶⁹ And has raised up a horn of salvation for us
In the house of His servant David,
⁷⁰ As He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets,
Who have been since the world began,
⁷¹ That we should be saved from our enemies
And from the hand of all who hate us,
⁷² To perform the mercy promised to our fathers
And to remember His holy covenant,
⁷³ The oath which He swore to our father Abraham:
⁷⁴ To grant us that we,
Being delivered from the hand of our enemies,
Might serve Him without fear,
⁷⁵ In holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life.

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“No one cares” I thought to myself as I sat on my couch. I had been politely dumped from a relationship, I was told I was about to be kicked out of school and I had just got a ticket on my out of commission car. It rained that day.

• There were times when I felt no one cared.
• There were times when I was filled with blame and rage.
• There were times when I felt like giving up because nothing was going the way I planned.

The HOLY SPIRIT spoke through Zacharias’s experiences and observations on life. All of his serving, studying, disappointments and blessings came bubbling out in this exclamation about GOD. He knew who was with him.

• GOD says to me “People will disappoint you but I will never forsake you.”
• GOD says to me “Situations may look difficult at times, but I will always be there for you.”
• GOD says to me “Your enemies may surround you, but I will deliver you from their hands.”

Amazing things kept happening ever since I opened my eyes to GOD. HE shows me how marvelous HE truly is. HE saved me, gave me purpose and protected me from those who meant harm to me. I can serve HIM without fear.

• Do you feel no one cares?
• Are you misunderstood?
• Can you listen to GOD and accept HIS everlasting love for you today?

What’s the Good News

Mark 1: ¹⁴ After John was put in prison, Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God. ¹⁵ “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

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Waiting and waiting, I looked for a reply. When the phone rang I could sense something great was going to happen. I could hardly keep from hollering, but I was at work. I got the job and I was moving out of the city I wanted to leave!

• Getting “Good News” feels great.
• Getting “Good News” makes me want to shout with joy.
• Getting “Good News” is something I heed when I have heard a string of bad news.

An oppressive leader had just put the one ray of hope into prison and the people knew this usually meant death for the person. John was now in jail and those who were baptized by him were probably very nervous. JESUS came out and said “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!”

• JESUS wants me to repent of my sins and follow HIM.
• JESUS wants me to recognize the HE IS the Good News.
• JESUS wants me to seek HIM in the middle of all the difficulties of life.

When the oppressor was really putting pressure on people JESUS knew exactly what to say. HE spread a message of true hope and that hope was in HIM. HE wants me to do the same. Many people need hope right now, not just me. HE wants me to give hope to a hopeless world. HE wants me to give the world the Good News of JESUS CHRIST.

• Do you feel down?
• Do you feel low?
• Can you accept the Great News that JESUS cares about you, your current situation and your relationship with HIM?

Pep Talk

Mark 1: ⁹ At that time Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. ¹⁰ Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw heaven being torn open and the Spirit descending on him like a dove. ¹¹ And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”

¹² At once the Spirit sent him out into the wilderness, ¹³ and he was in the wilderness forty days, being tempted^[g] by Satan. He was with the wild animals, and angels attended him.

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“What if I lose” ran through my mind as I got ready for my first race. I must have had the look of terror on my face because my teammates started talking to me. “You can do this!” they screamed. I shook off my nervous jitters and ran the race.

• Sometimes I need a pep talk.
• Sometimes I need to be encouraged.
• Sometimes I need someone to say “You can do it!”

JESUS publicly showed HIS ministry by being baptized. This ministry would be far more than healing people of their physical ailments. HE needed to die and be blamed for every sin that ever happened. The FATHER gave HIM a pep talk by saying “YOU are MY SON, whom I love; with YOU I AM well pleased.”

• JESUS knows I need words of comfort.
• JESUS knows I need words of encouragement.
• JESUS knows I need words to pick me up when I am down.

“LORD guide me” are my words to HIM and HE does just that on a daily basis. When those around me are petrified and cannot console me, HE is there to pick me up. HE knows how I am tempted because HE faced temptations of every kind, yet HE resisted. HE gave me the HOLY SPIRIT who speaks on my behalf.

JESUS went through great lengths to protect me. All I can do is praise HIM!

• Are you feeling down?
• Do you need a pep talk?
• Can you understand that JESUS loves you and is well pleased with you?”

Have Confidence Today

2 Chronicles 32: ⁷ “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him, for there is a greater power with us than with him. ⁸ With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles.” And the people gained confidence from what Hezekiah the king of Judah said.

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Life has a way of throwing a curve ball each and every day. One minute things are smooth sailing, the next there is bad news about a loved one getting sick or dying or a job goes away or a relationship is torn to shreds. In these times I have had questions.

• What should I do now?
• What is going to happen?
• What if I can’t withstand the trial?

GOD said some marvelous things to me today.

• GOD said to me “Be strong” knowing my strength is nothing compared to HIS.
• GOD said to me “Be courageous” knowing my courage is faulty compared to HIS.
• GOD said to me “Do not be afraid” knowing my faith is nothing compared to HIS..
• GOD said to me “Do not be discouraged” knowing my drive and determination is nothing compared to HIS.

GOD says to me “I will fight your battles today.” I must know that HE is in control of this day. What seems to be a problem is simple for HIM. GOD says to me “Believe, trust and watch MY deliverance from any trial you are going through.

• Does the trial you are going through seem impossible?
• Does it seem like problems are coming at you from all sides?
• Can you slow down for a moment and listen to what GOD is saying to you today?
• Can you hear “Be strong”, “Be courageous”, “Do not be afraid or discouraged?”
• Will you let GOD fight your battle for you today?

Blaming GOD

2 Samuel 6: ⁶ When they came to the threshing floor of Nakon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. ⁷ The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down, and he died there beside the ark of God.

⁸ Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah.

⁹ David was afraid of the Lord that day and said, “How can the ark of the Lord ever come to me?” ¹⁰ He was not willing to take the ark of the Lord to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. ¹¹ The ark of the Lord remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the Lord blessed him and his entire household.

¹² Now King David was told, “The Lord has blessed the household of Obed-Edom and everything he has, because of the ark of God.” So David went to bring up the ark of God from the house of Obed-Edom to the City of David with rejoicing.

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Finally at 12:30AM I went to bed after watching my racy show. This would be a normal day, I thought to myself. As I raced to the airport traffic was unusually thick entering the parking area. I cut it too close and watched the plane pull away from boarding area as I had arrived.

GOD why are YOU doing this to me?! I screamed in my mind!  With the sunken feeling of reality, I booked the next flight, knowing the partner of the firm would be livid. He was!

• Sometimes when things don’t go my way I blame GOD.
• Sometimes when things are going wrong I blame GOD.
• Sometimes when I think things aren’t fair I blame GOD.

David wasn’t supposed to have the ark of GOD on a cart rather it was to be carried by consecrated people as a burden to their sins. David became angry at GOD for killing a person when in reality David was the cause. I can see similar situations in my life when I am mad at GOD but blind to the sin I’m doing in my life.

• GOD wants me to recognize my own sin and admit it ti HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand when I’m blaming HIM and focus on praising HIM.
• GOD wants me to control my contempt of HIM being GOD and thank HIM rather than blame HIM.

With my sin GOD doesn’t always react with punishment. If that were the case, I would have been wiped off the planet years ago. GOD sometimes punishes me and other times HE teaches me with grace, mercy and love. HE is to be praised, not blamed!

• Are you blaming GOD for your circumstance?
• Are you trying to control your situation too much?
• Can you let go of your situation and allow GOD to yield HIS fruit?
• Won’t you review your own life and give HIM areas that are holding you back from greatness?

GOD seeks restoration

Deuteronomy 30: ⁴ Even if you have been banished to the most distant land under the heavens, from there the Lord your God will gather you and bring you back. ⁵ He will bring you to the land that belonged to your ancestors, and you will take possession of it.

He will make you more prosperous and numerous than your ancestors. ⁶ The Lord your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, so that you may love him with all your heart and with all your soul, and live. 

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Sitting at my desk I studied feverishly to learn the programming required on my job. It seemed like I was all thumbs and I couldn’t do anything right. My boss’s boss called me into his office. I just knew he was going to give me some terrible news so I braced myself. He told me I was doing a great job and to relax.  In fact he gave me additional responsibilities and sent me to be trained. He restored my confidence.

• Sometimes I feel lost and frustrated.
• Sometimes I feel banished.
• Sometimes I feel I am in a distant land.

It seems like trouble comes in numbers. At the same time when I was trying to get my groove my old jalopy of a car broke down and I was in a town unfamiliar to me. I hadn’t been to church in years and I felt alone. A woman in my building asked me “what church do you go to?” I didn’t have an answer.

She told me about a few churches and went on her way. “That was strange” I thought to myself. I think I will go. I went and a sense of peace and belonging came to me. This carried over into my work and social life. I felt restored.

• GOD wants me to turn to HIM so HE can restore me.
• GOD wants me to give HIM my heart so HE can modify it to serve HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand no matter how gloomy things may seem HE is there ready to restore me.

GOD really does love me. I mean HE goes to great lengths to show me HIS love and all I need to do is open my eyes to HIS marvelous blessings HE pours out on me daily. HE is willing to restore me no matter how far I have strayed.

• Are you away from GOD?
• Do you feel you HE can’t possibly forgive you?
• Can you stop making GOD small and understand HIS words “MY grace is sufficient?”
• Won’t you let HIM restore you HIS way and drop your expectation of HIM?