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?

Ready and Willing

Ready and Willing

2 Corinthians 9: There is really no need for me to write you about the help being sent to God's people in Judea. ² I know that you are willing to help, and I have boasted of you to the people in Macedonia. “The believers in Achaia,” I said, “have been ready to help since last year.” Your eagerness has stirred up most of them. ³ Now I am sending these believers, so that our boasting about you in this matter may not turn out to be empty words. But, just as I said, you will be ready with your help. 

 

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It was time for the missions trip. We drove to the area and when we arrived I noticed a certain flag that represented hatred on a few of the houses. “I don’t know how effective I will be here” I thought to myself. That week we redid a broken down house. I had to pick the couple up who owned the house, so I prayed with them. I was glad to leave but I was also glad I went.

 

• I was very concerned about being in an unwelcome place.
• I questioned “Why me” instead of someone else being sent to this place of sneers.
• I went, but did not go back.

 

Paul spoke about the willingness of many people who went to serve. He went through some very difficult times and knew those who were called to go and serve others for the LORD would face similar issues. He was excited to talk about their willingness to serve.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to be ready to speak about HIS SON to whoever HE sends me to.
• GOD wants me to be willing to serve others to bring them to HIM.
• GOD wants me to be able to put my fears to the side to speak about JESUS in strange places.

 

Speaking about JESUS is not always comfortable. I mean, there are many settings where I can’t seem to bring up HIS name. GOD seems to want people who are willing to mention the love of JESUS in spite of criticism, or social conditions.

 

Politicians may try to steal the name of JESUS and people may even mention HIS name. BUT GOD stirs the heart of those who are HIS and sends them to spread the Good News about JESUS. It may not be comfortable, but I am willing to press forward to bring people back to HIM.

 

Challenge

• Do you see what the writer is excited about in this passage?
• What help do you think the writer is speaking about?
• What do you think the ultimate goal is when being sent?
• Will you accept your calling to be sent by GOD to speak on behalf of JESUS today?

Serve and Protect

Serve and Protect

Acts 20: ²⁵ “Now I know that none of you among whom I have gone about preaching the kingdom will ever see me again. ²⁶ Therefore, I declare to you today that I am innocent of the blood of any of you. ²⁷ For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. ²⁸ Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. ²⁹ I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. ³⁰ Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. ³¹ So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

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After attending the leadership class, I thought I was ready to lead the department. I mean, I learned skills on how to work with other’s nicely and how to value the opinions of one another.

When the budget meeting came up, the other department leaders acted like voracious wolves, stopping at nothing to get more money and people. “Wait, I thought we were supposed to be nice. Maybe I should be tough like them”

• There were times when I misinterpreted what a leader should be.
• There were times when I thought a leader was supposed to build “a” truth for themselves.
• There were times when I considered lying to others, sabotaging others or protecting “my” ideas so “I” could get credit or noticed.

Paul was making a final plea to the leaders he summoned to meet with. He knew he was called to a place where he might be jailed or killed for speaking about JESUS as LORD and Savior. He gave explicit directions and warnings to the leaders on how to truly lead.

• GOD wants me to serve others by guarding my own heart with HIS word.
• GOD wants me to protect HIS flock by explaining JESUS died for all, and those who believe in the need for salvation will be saved through HIM.
• GOD wants me to watch out for those who will claim to be leaders of the flock, but are really out to protect their status or wallet.

Leading GOD’s people can only be done in Spirit and truth. Unfortunately, there will be many who distort the truth for their convenience. BUT GOD has a remedy. HE revealed just enough of HIS Word for anyone who desires to get to know HIM, to follow.

HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to open my heart and the hearts of those who truly want to follow HIM, to follow the examples of JESUS, knowing HE is the only one who gave HIS “hands” and “feet” on the cross. I am grateful JESUS was and is willing to be the leader of my life.

• Are you a leader?
• Do you blame leaders?
• Will you listen to GOD and become a leader who serves others and protects them with HIS word and the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Abnormal Thinking

Luke 10: ³ Go your way; behold, I send you out as lambs among wolves. ⁴ Carry neither money bag, knapsack, nor sandals; and greet no one along the road. ⁵ But whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ ⁶ And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it; if not, it will return to you. ⁷ And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give, for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not go from house to house.

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“What is all of that?” exclaimed one of the higher ups. “It’s all of the information printed out about various projects I am working on” I replied, referring to the large stacks of papers in folders I was carrying. I just wanted to be prepared for everything!

• There were times when I thought I had to be prepared for any eventuality.
• There were times when I worked hard at being prepared.
• There were times when it seemed logical to me to try to be prepared for thing to happen.

JESUS tells those HE sent out into the world, that there is no such thing as “being prepared.” In fact, JESUS makes them less prepared by telling them to leave anything they would depend on, home. HE further impresses on them to go out with a purpose, HIS purpose. And when they went out, they were not prepared to fight like wolves, but harmless as lambs.

• GOD wants me to depend on HIS protection .
• GOD wants me to allow HIS thoughts to become my thoughts.
• GOD wants me to not be afraid of the world, trying to meet any expectation, rather allow HIM to shine through the change HE made in me.

Wherever I work, GOD will shine on that place and bring it peace a long as “peace” is accepted. HIS only desire is that I am at peace with myself and my relationship with HIM. The world will tell me that something is wrong with my relationship with GOD because I may not have human status or possessions that prove I am blessed.

BUT GOD holds the tally and HE says I am greatly blessed, so much so that I am filled to overflowing and must tell others about HIS love.

• Do you look at GOD as the great “punisher” or the great forgiver?
• Do you feel inadequate in life?
• Will you say GOD’s grace is sufficient and HIS love for you is more that any human status?