Keep On

Keep On

Jude 1: ¹⁷ But remember, my friends, what you were told in the past by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ. ¹⁸ They said to you, “When the last days come, people will appear who will make fun of you, people who follow their own godless desires.” ¹⁹ These are the people who cause divisions, who are controlled by their natural desires, who do not have the Spirit. ²⁰ But you, my friends, keep on building yourselves up on your most sacred faith. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, ²¹ and keep yourselves in the love of God, as you wait for our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy to give you eternal life.

 

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“What good is it?” was my question. I was running out of gas because it seemed like my efforts were not amounting to anything. In fact, more problems arose than solutions. At every turn, there seemed to be another barrier.

 

• I got tired of hearing the scoffers.
• I got tired of hearing questions that clearly showed a lack of belief.
• I got tired of the problems, barriers and holes I could fall in, but mostly I got tired of those who questioned with their heart “Where is your GOD now?”

 

Jude gives a pep talk after blasting those who infiltrated believers of JESUS. He warns believers that in the last days, people will make fun of those who keep the faith. He mentions their tactics of divisiveness  and their lack of control. He then focuses on what believers should continue doing, namely praying and staying in GOD’s love.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to continue to ask HIM for HIS power to be used in every one of my situations.
• GOD wants me to not get tired of repetition rather to keep on building the way HE told me.
• GOD loves when I use encouragement, prayer and patience as I wait on eternal life through our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

 

Waiting on GOD could make me look like a nut to those who have fallen in love with the world. I mean, where is the political takeover or stacks of cash from heaven or super-human powers, scoffs the unbeliever? BUT GOD has another focus for me.

 

GOD wants me to see HIS gentleness, grace and mercy HE has for me and those who laugh at me praying instead of taking matters in my own hands. HE has all the power and wants me to keep on surrendering my plans in exchange for HIS. I gladly keep on building the way HE guides me.

 

Challenge

• What last days is the writer referring to?
• Have you ever been laughed at or questioned by those who clearly do not believe?
• Will you stay with GOD and continue in the work HE has for you until your eternal life is shown?

Working It Out

Working It Out

Philippians 2: ¹² So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, ¹³ because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.

 

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Being stopped by a local thug was always a scary encounter. This particular day was no different. One thug stopped me and asked me questions. I wondered what that was all about, but went along with it because I felt I had no other choice.

 

I noticed other thugs snickering. When the encounter was over, someone said, “They were working together to pick your pockets.” They had gone through my coat without my knowledge.

 

• I was distracted by questions.
• I was deceived by something that scared me.
• I was detoured from my destination because I was not looking at where I was going.

 

Paul provides a warning to “keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation.” He knew there would be many false teachers, greedy people and thieves who wanted followers versus genuine followers of the Living CHRIST. He tells everyone who believes that “GOD is always at work in you.”

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to keep praying to not be deceived.
• GOD wants me to fear falling for false teaching, false preaching and false movements that could distract me from HIS will.
• GOD wants me to know HE has a purpose for me that the deceiver wants to stop at all costs.

 

Purpose is a gift from GOD. I mean, HE gave me a purpose to point people to the Most High GOD, through belief in JESUS. You would think this would be easy, but the deceiver has made it difficult. Through worldly tactics, the enemy fools people into trying to make GOD into “their” image.

 

False teaching confuses people, false images deceive people and false information worry people. BUT GOD took care of all of that too. HE makes believers “willing and able to obey HIS purpose” to prevent being deterred. I gladly work out my relationship with GOD by fearing being deceived and by pursuing HIS will.

 

Challenge

• What obedience do you think the writer is describing?
• How is GOD working in you?
• Will you continue to pursue the truth about GOD by seeking HIM through HIS Word and by serving HIM through loving others today?

Becoming an Unstoppable Force

Becoming an Unstoppable Force

2 Corinthians 6: ⁸ We are honored and disgraced; we are insulted and praised. We are treated as liars, yet we speak the truth; ⁹ as unknown, yet we are known by all; as though we were dead, but, as you see, we live on. Although punished, we are not killed; ¹⁰ although saddened, we are always glad; we seem poor, but we make many people rich; we seem to have nothing, yet we really possess everything.

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Walking into the meeting it felt surreal. For years, I had worked hard and done everything by the book, yet I found myself on my way out. Someone said an obvious lie about me that everyone disputed immediately. While I was protected by many, I was confused. “Why do liars seem to get their way?” I asked.

 

• I felt weak and hopeless.
• I felt like giving up because no matter how much right I did, those who did wrong seemed to win.
• I felt that those who abuse power could disgrace, or insult or punish me at will.

 

Paul gave a “real” discussion. He put it out there that following GOD would sometimes be hard. He did not hold anything back. He spoke about people who would label the followers of GOD as a disgrace, liars, and unknowns who deserve punishment. BUT GOD saw something different.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to honor people who spread HIS word.
• GOD wants me to praise those who follow JESUS as their Savior.
• GOD wants me to look past being unknown and help those who are treated as dead to live on.

 

The world labels people who follow JESUS as weak, insignificant, unimpressive, intolerant, and sometimes uncaring. Unfortunately, many times this is true. BUT GOD sees things differently. HE knew believers in HIS SON would be persecuted.

 

In fact, JESUS said “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” HE knew HE would be lied on, slandered, abused and murdered. BUT HE kept going to live out HIS purpose. The main reason for trouble is to get believers to quit. Little does the enemy know, trouble strengthens. I am glad GOD picks me up when I fall.

 

Challenge

• What do you identify with in this passage?
• Have you ever been lied on or insulted or disgraced because of your relationship with GOD?
• Will you look beyond the pain for a moment to help someone become that unstoppable force who will follow JESUS at all costs?

Drive and Determination

Mark 16: Now when the Sabbath was past, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices, that they might come and anoint Him. ² Very early in the morning, on the first day of the week, they came to the tomb when the sun had risen. ³ And they said among themselves, “Who will roll away the stone from the door of the tomb for us?” ⁴ But when they looked up, they saw that the stone had been rolled away—for it was very large. ⁵ And entering the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a long white robe sitting on the right side; and they were alarmed.

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Ignoring all the rules, I noticed one person rise to the top. He pushed at people and ignored what they did and who they were. “Maybe I should be pushy so I can get ahead” I thought to myself.

• There were times when I wanted to be the one who pushed people around.
• There were times when I wanted to be on top.
• There were times when I wanted to “do what it takes” to be perceived as strong.

When everyone who followed JESUS was in hiding, two Mary’s were still plotting how to serve HIM one last time. They had no tomb to give HIM so they wanted to do something special for HIM even though HE was dead.

On Saturday the two Mary’s began their plan by buying the best spices they could. On Sunday, at the crack of dawn, they put their plan into action, but they ran into a snag. “Who will roll away the stone?” They did not know it was already taken care of for them.

• JESUS wants me to have drive to follow HIM especially when it seems like HE is silent.
• JESUS wants me to have determination to serve HIM even when it feels hopeless.
• JESUS wants me to have fortitude to continue especially when life puts huge stones in front of me.

Gentleness instead of pushiness is a great way to demonstrate determination. The two Mary’s, while determined, did not plot to hurt people in the process of serving GOD, Their plan took drive that only came from GOD and they would not stop until they did what they sought out to do. I appreciate their gentle example.

• Are you willing to give up when GOD wants you to continue?
• Do you think drive and determination looks like pushiness?
• Can you change your perspective of drive and determination to add faith and fortitude to continue in the plan GOD has for you?

Keep Looking Out

Mark 13: ³² “But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. ³³ Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is. ³⁴ It is like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch. ³⁵ Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming—in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning— ³⁶ lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. ³⁷ And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!”

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“Watch the food” said someone from another room. “Um Hmm” was my response but the message was clearly not received. I soon smelled something burning. I ran over to the stove only to see charred food. “Ohhh, I was supposed to watch the food” I realized in dismay.

• Being distracted can make me unaware.
• Being unaware can cause me to daydream.
• Daydreaming may cause me to miss something.

JESUS gives HIS final warning summarized in one word, “watch.” HE is referring to the ultimate demise of the earth, but it goes on a deeper level. JESUS also knows that life is fleeting and there is a specific day and time appointed for every human to die.

• GOD says to me “Watch for me daily.”
• GOD says to me “Stay on guard and do not get weary.”
• GOD says to me “Keep trusting because I AM with you always.”

Losing faith and giving up can cause me to fall asleep to GOD’s amazing works. When I fall asleep I cannot hear HIM or see HIM. I cannot be amazed rather I fall into feeling devastated. GOD says “Watch!” When I do watch, I notice GOD all around me. I can see HIS deliverance and protection and love. When I watch, I can see.

• Have your senses gotten dull?
• Have you lost your way and are blaming GOD for where you are?
• Can you take time today to quiet down and watch for GOD?

Keep Looking Out

Matthew 26: ⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

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With squinted eyes I could not see the bus. “I have time” I said to myself, so I went into a shop to get whatever they were selling. I returned just as the bus zoomed past.

• Sometimes I drop my guard.
• Sometimes I stop looking out.
• Sometimes I get caught up in something else rather than focusing on what I am supposed to.

JESUS found HIS disciples sleeping when HE wanted them to be on the lookout, praying. My guess is that HE wanted to teach them a very important final lesson, but they were not ready to hear it so they slept and the moment passed.

• GOD wants me to live for HIM daily.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face daily.
• GOD wants me to be on the lookout for HIS miracles daily.

Falling asleep is the equivalent of me drifting away from following GOD. When I close my eyes to wrong I drift into temptation. “The SPIRIT is willing but my flesh is weak” is what GOD says to me. Unless I stay in prayer, the world’s traps will get to me. GOD wants me awake.

• Are you asleep and cannot hear GOD?
• Are you trying to do things on your own power and are missing GOD’s miracles for you?
• Will you stop looking in the opposite direction and look for GOD to solve your problems?

Guard My House

Matthew 24: ⁴² “Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. ⁴³ But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. ⁴⁴ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

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“Have a drink” one person exclaimed. Laughter filled the air as the libations were poured out. I did not like the taste but I indulged. Later that evening we played drunk games. While I wasn’t drunk, I indulged. I mean it looked like “fun” and perhaps leading to sex!

• Many times I let my guards down.
• Many times I have opened the door to my heart to things that should not be there.
• Many times I went to sleep when I should have stayed awake, guarding my house.

Nothing good ever came out of letting my guards down, not even for a minute. Whatever I was running away from was still there the next day and then I may have added guilt on top of my problem. What am I supposed to do?

• GOD says to me “Be ready” so I should stop looking for “me” and seek HIS face.
• GOD says to me “The SON of man will come” so I should expect HIS return.
• GOD says to me “I will return when you do not expect ME.”

Readiness is not easy, but necessary. I mean I sin, but I sure would like to be caught in the act of serving someone versus harming them. Being ready makes me do the things GOD wants me to do instead of the things I shouldn’t place in my heart. HE guides me to a better place when I guard my heart.

• Are you giving up on GOD?
• Do you feel you “deserve” to sin a little?
• Can you stop feeling sorry for yourself and get back to the strength which is following CHRIST?