Sixth Commandment – No Murder

Sixth Commandment – No Murder

Exodus 20: ¹³ “You shall not murder.

 

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GOD continues with giving the Ten Commandments to Moses and the children of Israel. This time HE addressed murder.

 

My Observations:

• GOD addressed the Egyptian’s negative mindset with ten plagues, but HE addressed the children of Israel’s mindset with Ten Commandments.
• GOD seemed to be addressing a complicated problem of hatred, jealousy, and rage, mixed with the thirst for power.
• GOD could not fulfill HIS prophesy if humans murdered one another.

 

Murder is different than killing someone. While the result is the same, murder has an attitude of trying to be GOD. Life is precious to GOD and taking someone else’s life to get one’s own way was a problem GOD needed to make clear to the children of Israel and to you and me.

 

The root of murder points to a seed of hatred that can be traced back to Cain. His brother Abel tried to mimic GOD by offering an animal. Abel may have done this gesture, because GOD showed kindness to Adam and Eve by killing an animal to provide clothes for them.

 

Cain was so jealous and enraged that GOD did not accept his offering of vegetables. Cain may have tried to recreate the garden of Eden and in his pride, tried to offer the vegetation from his garden. Cains murder was born out of a lust for power, and his own jealousy.

 

GOD may have also seen the defiance of Canaan. The children of Canaan hated GOD and would take land and people as they pleased. They would kill to get their own way. GOD seemed to be putting a stop to people trying to grab power through murder. Getting your own way can lead to aggressive or passive aggressive actions that diminishes a person’s value to eventually justify murdering the person.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS command to not murder?
• Are you trying to get your own way and are resisting hearing GOD?
• Have you examined your recent actions to see if you are on the path of love and peace versus self-protection and getting your way?

 

Murder is Bad

 

Murder is Bad

Genesis 4: ¹⁰ And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. ¹¹ So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. ¹² When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

 

¹³ And Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear! ¹⁴ Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

 

¹⁵ And the Lord said to him,  “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

 

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After GOD said “It is very good”, humans chose opposite of what was good. GOD made a peaceful existence with only a few things to do for humans, namely be fruitful, multiply, name animals and tend to the garden. That was it. Satan disrupted this easy, harmonious lifestyle, causing humans to be thrown from paradise.

 

Cain, seeing paradise off in the distance, may have wanted to build his own. But after being corrected for his offering, Cain became jealous and unstable. He killed Abel, his brother and tried to hide it. But the ground told JESUS.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS knew Cain killed his brother Abel.
• JESUS explained to Cain, that murder is bad and he would have to be punished.
• JESUS was still graceful and granted Cain a request of protection.

 

Cain shows me just how far humans can fall and how fast. From correction to stewing to rage to murder, Cain went down a path caused by his own selfishness and possibly insecurities. “What about me?” was his question, never once saying he was sorry for what he did.

 

What a mess, was my first thought, but then I had to ask “What am I to learn from this?” I can see that sin can lead me on a path that can cause me to hurt myself and other people. I have to set my mind on the truths of GOD rather than following the rumors of my heart.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD tells Moses about this conversation in detail?
• Have you ever disliked someone so much that you stewed over him or her and talked about him or her with no peace in sight?
• Can you release the person or people you dislike so it will not turn into hatred, causing you to sin?

Least Important Became Most

Least Important Became Most

Revelation 5: ⁶ Then I saw a Lamb standing in the center of the throne, surrounded by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb appeared to have been killed. It had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God that have been sent through the whole earth. ⁷ The Lamb went and took the scroll from the right hand of the one who sits on the throne. ⁸ As he did so, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each had a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of God's people.

 

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When problems hit, I began to plan. “My” plans had worked before, so why not now. But the problem got worse and seemed to split into multiple problems. The more “I” tried to fix things the worse thing got. “Pray” someone said. Everything else failed, so I did. The problems started going away.

 

• I thought my plans would work.
• I thought I needed to take action.
• I realized that prayer should have been first.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw JESUS as the sacrificial Lamb standing, not sitting, in the center of the throne. HE had been viewed as the least important and was murdered by HIS own creation. The Lamb was able to take the scroll from the one who “sits” on the throne. Twenty-eight bowls filled with prayers of GOD’s people were there.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS was overlooked and was labeled the least important.
• JESUS volunteered to be blamed, slandered, and murdered for our sins.
• Prayer, surprisingly, is the only thing I can create here on earth that makes it into heaven.

 

One item that seems to be most valuable to GOD is prayer. HE loves prayer so much that HE stores each prayer up in a bowl. It makes me realize that it is not about the situation, rather it is about my prayer that GOD adores.

 

HE loves when I see beyond the circumstance to ask, or praise, or simply to give thanks. Every work I speak in sincere prayer makes it into the bowl. People say “You can’t take it with you” referring to money. But prayer is something I can take with me to heaven.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about the seven continents of world?
• Have you ever been in a situation that you thought more money or more fame would get you out of the problem?
• Will you pray to GOD and “ask” or “praise” or “thank” HIM for what HE’s already done so your prayer can be placed in a bowl before GOD’s throne today?

Adjust the Approach

 

Adjust the Approach

Acts 26: ⁹ “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰ And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them. ¹¹ Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

 

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After learning a little about the Bible, I wanted to put the information to use. When told about a couple living together, my immediate response was “They shouldn’t be doing that” in a condemning tone. This was way after I had sex without being married in college. I figure that I could tell people what they were doing wrong, now that I learned something.

 

• There were times when I thought my approach was right.
• There were times when I read the Bible and brought judgment on people.
• There were times when I overlooked my sins to point out the sins of others.

 

Paul confessed he had the wrong approach. He told King Agrippa that he was very zealous about learning the Jewish customs, so he became a Pharisee. He judged people for believing in JESUS as the Messiah, which seemed counter to what he learned. He persecuted many and applauded their death. BUT GOD had a different plan for Paul.

 

• GOD wants me to see people as AHE sees them.
• GOD wants me to give HIM my judgement in exchange for HIS peace.
• GOD wants me to love one another as HE has loved us.

 

Seeing the world as “us” is difficult sometimes. I mean, when people dream of new kinds of hatred and lusts daily, who can teach GOD’s message of love. BUT GOD knows what is going on. HE simply needs me to be consistent in my love to those HE sends me to.

 

GOD sees my heart and knows how wicked it can be. HE cleans it out and places HIS SPIRIT in it. HE gives me purpose, namely to bring people to HIM. HE says “MY grace is sufficient” and I believe it. I am grateful HE cares for people like me.

 

• Are you judging someone?
• Do you easily see their flaws and overlook your own?
• Will you allow GOD to deal with “that” person and ask HIM to adjust your approach to spreading the good news about JESUS, today?

Humiliation

Humiliation

John 19: ¹⁷ And He, bearing His cross, went out to a place called the Place of a Skull, which is called in Hebrew, Golgotha, ¹⁸ where they crucified Him, and two others with Him, one on either side, and Jesus in the center.

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Late for a meeting, I hurried to use the restroom. To my dismay, I slightly wet my light colored pants just enough for it to be visible. “You have got to be kidding me!” I shouted. In haste, I grabbed paper towels and wet them, trying to get rid of the drops on my trousers. I made it look like I had just bypassed using the toilet at all. My pants were wet and I had to go to the meeting.

• Sometimes I feel humiliated.
• Sometimes I feel embarrassed.
• Sometimes I feel like everyone is going to laugh or have a negative opinion of me.

JESUS was forced to carry HIS cross in front of everyone so HE could be humiliated. To add further embarrassment, HE was placed in the middle of two criminals, drawing attention to HIM as being the largest offender. HE had to go on the cross.

• JESUS faced humiliation from many just for me.
• JESUS faced embarrassment just for me.
• JESUS faced a painful death just for me.

Humiliation never feels good. BUT GOD went through it as an example to HIS followers. “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of ME. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

JESUS gives me another way to look at the insults and embarrassing situations. HE tells me to persevere when I am insulted because I am trying to teach or preach about HIM. Looking forward to HIS reward calms the sting of the embarrassment.

• Have you been insulted because of your relationship with GOD?
• Have people pulled away from you because you are trying to speak about JESUS?
• Will you persevere, looking forward to the reward GOD has for you?

Building a Following

Building a Following

John 12: ³⁰ Jesus answered and said, “This voice did not come because of Me, but for your sake. ³¹ Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. ³² And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” ³³ This He said, signifying by what death He would die.

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As I sat in the seat, I could feel it hug me. When I gripped the steering wheel, it felt different than the jalopy I was driving. I was influenced. I have got to have one of these. When I grew older, I noticed some of the owners of this brand of car would lie, cheat and steal regularly. “I wonder if the lifestyle is worth it”, I thought to myself.

• There were times when I felt that nice people finished last.
• There were times when I felt the rich and powerful were “winning.”
• There were times when I felt discouraged by following GOD because it seemed like most of HIS true followers were broke and powerless.

JESUS proclaimed victory over the battle over humanity. All of humanity could be lost “if” JESUS was not murdered on the cross. BUT humanity was not lost. JESUS knew what HE had to do and knew HE was the only one who could draw all peoples to HIMSELF.

• JESUS wants me to follow HIM.
• JESUS wants me to look beyond the things of this world so I can see HIM.
• JESUS desires that I place HIM first then everything else will fall into place.

Being rich is not the problem. But when I gain the whole world and lose my soul, riches become the main problem. In other words, when I will do anything for money, it is the root of all kinds of evil. JESUS knows my needs and knows my limits.

HE knows exactly how much money and power I can handle before I get blinded and think “I” did everything without HIM. I am grateful for JESUS, for without HIM, I am nothing.

• What worldly thing are you chasing?
• Do you seek power, wealth or something else?
• Will you be a servant to those around you so JESUS can “be JESUS” by providing salvation and eternal life to them?

Hearing Aid

Luke 9: ⁴³ And they were all amazed at the majesty of God.

But while everyone marveled at all the things which Jesus did, He said to His disciples, ⁴⁴ “Let these words sink down into your ears, for the Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men.” ⁴⁵ But they did not understand this saying, and it was hidden from them so that they did not perceive it; and they were afraid to ask Him about this saying.

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“Blah, blah, blah, “Savings”, blah, blah, blah, “Don’t get in debt”, blah, blah, blah something about credit cards were the words I did not really listen to. I went out and bought a bunch of clothes anyway. I mean I had to look good, right?

• There were times when I did not listen.
• There were times when the warnings were in front of me but I could not hear.
• There were times when I was told exactly what to expect but could not listen.

For a second time, JESUS makes it very plain that HE would be betrayed and murdered. HE said this right after healing a boy and raising a girl from the dead. “How could anyone touch a person who did such miracles?”, were probably the words rolling through their minds. HIS words did not sink in.

• JESUS wants me to hear these words “I love you and I AM protecting you.”
• JESUS wants me to hear “I have a plan for you that you may not understand, but it is great, if you follow MY commands.”
• JESUS wants me to know “I love those who love ME by loving others.”

Sometimes the simplest messages are the hardest to hear. JESUS simply wants me to tell people “HE loves them” but this simple message is block by sin, worry and confusion. Sometimes when I cannot hear these words, it’s because I have either done something wrong or I’m too worried to listen.

GOD wants me to have peace in the middle of the storm. HE guides me to faith when the impossible seems to be in front of me. HE leads me besides still waters and restores my soul.

• Are you too worried about life that you cannot hear the words of GOD?
• Do you think your situation is too great this time?
• Are you absolutely too tired because things do not seem to be going your way?
• Will you listen to GOD today and know HE loves you with all HIS heart?

Rejection Purpose

Luke 9: ²¹ And He strictly warned and commanded them to tell this to no one, ²² saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day.”

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Girls lined up on one side and guys on the other was the set up for failure I feared when walking into the dance. It seemed like the room grew larger as I walked across the empty space to ask someone to dance. When the word “No” came out I embarrassingly ventured back to the laughing and pointing.

• There were times when I was rejected and felt embarrassed.
• There were times when I was rejected and my feelings were hurt.
• There were times when I was rejected and I was not listened to.

JESUS tells HIS disciples and others around them that HE must suffer, be rejected and eventually killed by those who supposedly led various churches. This sad news was coupled with the reason. JESUS would be raised on the third day.

• GOD wants me to know when I am rejected by humans, HE has accepted me.
• GOD wants me to know that HE will never reject me because I believe in HIS SON.
• GOD wants me to know life will be full of rejection but HIS love for me is everlasting.

Suffering, rejection and death were the gifts given to the CREATOR by HIS humans. Many times I give GOD these gifts by refusing to follow HIM or trust HIM or believe in HIS power over my situation. BUT GOD stays faithful in HIS love for me.

HE decided to take my punishment for me while providing HIS love towards me. It is up to me to accept what JESUS did for me or reject it. I accept HIS loving gift with open arms! Human rejection stings, but is temporary. GOD's love for me endures forever.

• Are you rejecting JESUS?
• Do you feel you can do life on your own?
• Will you stop rejecting HIS guidance and allow HIM to root out the things that do not belong in you?
• Will you ask JESUS to be your Savior and protector today?

Special Shout

Special Shout

Mark 15: ³⁸ Then the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. ³⁹ So when the centurion, who stood opposite Him, saw that He cried out like this and breathed His last, he said, “Truly this Man was the Son of God!”

⁴⁰ There were also women looking on from afar, among whom were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the Less and of Joses, and Salome, ⁴¹ who also followed Him and ministered to Him when He was in Galilee, and many other women who came up with Him to Jerusalem.

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“Hey, watch out!” cried someone to me. I was half way paying attention but still motioning towards the street. I stopped walking before the car sped past me. I am glad I heard the bystander.

Sometimes I need my attention grabbed.

Sometimes I need someone to scream rescuing words to me.

Sometimes I need a shout that is in my favor.

This was no ordinary shout from JESUS. When HE cried out with a shout, things happened. The earth shook and the veil of the temple was torn in two “from top to bottom.” HIS murderers realized the mistake they made by killing the SON of GOD.

JESUS saved me with HIS shout.

JESUS saved me when HE said “It is finished.”

JESUS saved me when HE said “FATHER I commend MY SPIRIT to YOU.”

The price had been paid. All blame for sin had been accounted for. The women followers were there to witness all of this from a distance. The guards were looking for the disciples who were scattered in safety. During this chaotic time, JESUS’s cry was heard by everyone. HIS shout is still heard today.

Do you need rescue from walking blindly through life?

Do you think it is your power that will enable you to fix everything?

Can you listen to GOD today as HE is trying to guide you towards HIS marvelous plan for you?

Hostile Takeover

Mark 12: Then He began to speak to them in parables: “A man planted a vineyard and set a hedge around it, dug a place for the wine vat and built a tower. And he leased it to vinedressers and went into a far country. ² Now at vintage-time he sent a servant to the vinedressers, that he might receive some of the fruit of the vineyard from the vinedressers. ³ And they took him and beat him and sent him away empty-handed. ⁴ Again he sent them another servant, and at him they threw stones, wounded him in the head, and sent him away shamefully treated. ⁵ And again he sent another, and him they killed; and many others, beating some and killing some. ⁶ Therefore still having one son, his beloved, he also sent him to them last, saying, ‘They will respect my son.’ ⁷ But those vinedressers said among themselves, ‘This is the heir. Come, let us kill him, and the inheritance will be ours.’ ⁸ So they took him and killed him and cast him out of the vineyard.

⁹ “Therefore what will the owner of the vineyard do? He will come and destroy the vinedressers, and give the vineyard to others. ¹⁰ Have you not even read this Scripture:

‘The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone.

¹¹ This was the Lord’s doing,
And it is marvelous in our eyes’?”

¹² And they sought to lay hands on Him, but feared the multitude, for they knew He had spoken the parable against them. So they left Him and went away.

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Seeing a crowded bus, I noticed a group of people who hung around the back door waiting for people to exit so they could slip on. A free ride was the goal. Wow! I thought to myself. I shimmied onto the bus and it worked. I tried it on the next bus and the driver stopped the bus and made me come to the front and pay. That cured my bus hopping in a single trip.

• There were times when I tried to force my way in.
• There were timed when I tried to sneak my way in.
• Three were times when I tried to get in places I did not belong.

The church leaders thought they had exclusive rights to heaven. They lorded their positions to the point of hating JESUS for exposing their sinfulness. This parable solidified their hatred as JESUS said they would kill HIM.

• JESUS wants me to confess my sins or HE will one day point them out.
• JESUS wants me to tell people my sins so the sin will lose its power over me.
• JESUS wants me to focus on HIS love instead of hating HIS methods.

GOD’s love requires that I believe in HIS SON. I can become a church leader and still rot in a place of eternal separation fro GOD if I do not truly believe in HIS SON. JESUS is the focus of the parable. HE was sent for my salvation.

• Are you trying to force your way into heaven?
• Do you think you goodness deserves a heavenly seat?
• Can you stop thinking you are good enough for heaven because of your title and start believing in JESUS?

Voice Impersonations

Matthew 27: ²⁷ Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. ²⁸ They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, ²⁹ and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. ³⁰ They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. ³¹ After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

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“You sound just like him! Do it again.” said the students, egging me on. I pretended to be our teacher and impersonated his distinct voice again in a jesting kind of way. All around me laughed except one, namely the teacher.

• There have been times I have mocked people.
• There have been people I have ridiculed.
• There have been situations where I wanted to make fun of someone at their expense.

I had gone too far and the teacher showed me his authority by sending me out of his room.  The soldiers, however, went much further against JESUS. They wanted to make a public example of anyone who would call themselves “King.”

They thought they had the upper hand as they brutalized the ONE who chose to die for their sins and mine. As they mocked HIM they may have walked away with a sense of satisfaction, BUT GOD says something different.

• JESUS showed me that HE does not want HIS creation mocked.
• JESUS faced humiliation just like I have faced before.
• JESUS gave me an example of taking the shame even though HE had the authority to stop it.

Mocking the KING of kings and LORD of lords was not a good idea and did not bode well for the soldiers later. JESUS wants me to understand HIS shame and apply it to my actions towards others. HE says to me “Figure out another way to make them laugh instead of mocking them.” I am glad JESUS’s humiliation led to my salvation.

• Are you mocking someone?
• Do you feel “that” person is stupid?
• Will you take mockery out of your heart and ask GOD to replace it with love?

Carried Away

Matthew 27: ¹⁹ While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

²⁰ But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

²¹ “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

²² “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

²³ “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

²⁵ All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

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We insisted on police protection so we planned a walk-out. When we got outside of the school we had no other plan. Some went home, others mulled around but one guy decided to get on top of a car and stir the crowd.  “I wonder if I should get on the car” I thought to myself, but before I could act on the thought, the police whisked him away. Whew, I thought!

• Sometimes I can get carried away with the crowd.
• Sometimes the crowd seems like it is doing the right thing to me.
• Sometimes I can get caught up in the moment with the crowd.

Pilate based his decision on an angry crowd with no distinct leader and thorough chaos abounding. His wife mentioned JESUS’s innocence but Pilate listened to those in charge of the local churches. The crowd won out.

• GOD wants me to follow HIM even when it is not what the crowd says.
• GOD wants me to get carried away with HIM, not the crowd.
• GOD wants me to understand true innocence based on HIS definition, not the crowd.

Innocence to GOD means I believe in HIS SON as the one and only SAVIOR. Only HIS innocent blood can wash away my sins. I am declared innocent through JESUS.

• Are you following the crowd even when JESUS is trying to speak to you?
• Do you think the crowd had a better idea than GOD?
• Will you allow yourself to be led by HIS SPIRIT by following HIS word today?

Silver and Gold

Matthew 26: ¹⁴ Then one of the Twelve—the one called Judas Iscariot—went to the chief priests ¹⁵ and asked, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver him over to you?” So they counted out for him thirty pieces of silver. ¹⁶ From then on Judas watched for an opportunity to hand him over.

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Desperate and tired of the job search, I started applying for positions I had no experience in. “Hmm, Deep Sea Diver… I went in the ocean a few times maybe I qualify for that!”

• There have been times when I was desperate for money.
• There have been times when I was only focused on my bank account.
• There have been times when I was so focused on money that I would do almost anything to get it.

Stretching my moral boundaries was a thought as I considered positions I was not qualified for. In other words I could lie a little because I figured I would be a hard worker and eventually be the best at whatever “it” was. BUT GOD wanted me to be different.

• GOD says to me “Be anxious for nothing” even when times look difficult.
• GOD says to me “The love of money it the root of all kinds of evil” so my desperation could make me go places I may not return from.
• GOD says to me “I AM your dwelling place” so HE has a right to guide me in difficult times and in peaceful times.

Looking back I can see it was not the lack of employment that caused my desperation, it was my love of money. One would say I was justified in my actions, but I was the same even when I was employed. Judas was the same way.

He saw an opportunity to put a man in jail for money. He probably never considered they would kill JESUS. He would do anything to please the rich so he would have his slice of the pie. GOD wants me to grab my desperation and give it to HIM. HE wants to be my guide.

• Are you desperate for money?
• Are you on the path to doing “anything” for money even outside of your moral boundaries?
• Can you stop focusing on your bills and ask GOD “How do YOU want me to serve YOU?” today?

I’M going to be killed

Matthew 26: When Jesus had finished saying all these things, he said to his disciples, ² “As you know, the Passover is two days away—and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.”

³ Then the chief priests and the elders of the people assembled in the palace of the high priest, whose name was Caiaphas, ⁴ and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him. ⁵ “But not during the festival,” they said, “or there may be a riot among the people.”

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Nervous and jittery, one friend said to me “I am going to jail.” He had already been sentenced and was supposed to report to the authorities the next day. I was stunned. I had never heard these words before.

• Some news from people can catch me off guard.
• Some news from people can really make me feel helpless.
• Some news from people can throw me off for a long time.

Sometimes I forget that JESUS walked around as a human.  I can only imagine hearing the terrible news coming from another person as they say “In two days I will be killed by the pastors and preachers and church goers”, but that is what happened.

• JESUS says to me “I faced extreme hatred to the point where people wanted to kill ME.”
• JESUS says to me “I faced difficulties, slander and lies about ME.”
• JESUS says to me “I could have stopped those who thought they were in power, but I chose to die for you.”

JESUS knew HE was going to face this horrible day because HE was in constant communication with the FATHER.  HE chose to lay HIS life down for me. I am deeply indebted to HIM.

• Is the death of JESUS real to you?
• Do you sometimes think of JESUS as a fairytale?
• Can you thank JESUS for willingly trying to save you?

Never Considered

Isaiah 53: Who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
² He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
    and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
    nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
³ He was despised and rejected by mankind,
    a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
    he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

⁴ Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.
⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

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Tired of struggling, I just sat. Bills were greater than pay, car was not working and my grades were suffering. I was exhausted from trying hard and not getting anywhere. Could someone just reach out their arms and pick me up like a little baby?

• Sometimes life has brought me tough times.
• Sometimes life has delivered to me trials.
• Sometimes life has given me prolonged pain that I cannot think my way out of.

I had no idea where to turn or what to do, then something inside said “Pray.” This did not make sense. I had not prayed in a while nor had I considered it effective. I mean could I just pray for X amount of money and get it? I had never seen anyone do that and have it work for them. I prayed “Help me! I don’t know what to do.” I felt peace to keep going.

• JESUS has no beauty or majesty to attract me to HIM.
• JESUS has nothing in HIS appearance for me to desire HIM.
• JESUS was despised and held with low esteem so I did not consider HIM.

I considered the lottery. I considered selling my stuff to get out of bills, but I did not consider JESUS as being an answer to day to day problems. Yeah HE saved me but did HE care about the debt collector calling me? HE led me beside still waters that day. HE said “Keep going” so I did. I truly cannot remember how I was delivered, but I was.

With bills paid and car fixed, I graduated and moved onto another phase of my life. I sought after GOD from then to now. HE has never failed me.

• Are you trying things on your own?
• Do you feel like you have ot do thing under your own power?
• Can you stop trying to carry the load and allow GOD to help you?
• Will you believe that no matter what you have done in the past, you are forgiven by JESUS who took your punishment for you?