Response to Boils – Hard Heart

Response to Boils – Hard Heart

Exodus 9: ¹² But the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh; and he did not heed them, just as the Lord had spoken to Moses.

 

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For the sixth time, Pharaoh hardened his heart and would not turn to GOD. He believed he was a god and the one and only true GOD let him believe it.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh refused to admit that GOD was in control.
• Pharaoh wanted to control people and situations.
• Pharaoh would rather have the people around him suffer than to surrender to GOD.

 

Five warnings have passed and six plagues fell on the people because Pharaoh would not relent. GOD could have easily killed Pharaoh, but HE was doing something bigger. GOD was taking down a mindset that a human can think of himself as a god.

 

There are two sides to GOD’s wish. First, GOD kept warning Pharaoh to let HIS people go, otherwise Pharaoh would know that GOD is in control of wrath. At the same time, GOD wanted the children of Israel to know that HE is the GOD of salvation, deliverance, provision, protection and healing. Pharaoh’s attitude is the warning to us. GOD wants surrender.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to boils on all the Egyptian’s bodies?
• Have you ever been put in a situation where things seem to be going wrong and you would not surrender to an apology or loving someone you may have avoided?
• Is it time to self-examine some things that GOD is trying to have you surrender to HIM?

Trying to Control

Trying to Control

Genesis 32: ¹³ So he lodged there that same night, and took what came to his hand as a present for Esau his brother: ¹⁴ two hundred female goats and twenty male goats, two hundred ewes and twenty rams, ¹⁵ thirty milk camels with their colts, forty cows and ten bulls, twenty female donkeys and ten foals. ¹⁶ Then he delivered them to the hand of his servants, every drove by itself, and said to his servants, “Pass over before me, and put some distance between successive droves.” ¹⁷ And he commanded the first one, saying, “When Esau my brother meets you and asks you, saying, ‘To whom do you belong, and where are you going? Whose are these in front of you?’ ¹⁸ then you shall say, ‘They are your servant Jacob’s. It is a present sent to my lord Esau; and behold, he also is behind us.’ ” ¹⁹ So he commanded the second, the third, and all who followed the droves, saying, “In this manner you shall speak to Esau when you find him; ²⁰ and also say, ‘Behold, your servant Jacob is behind us.’ ” For he said, “I will appease him with the present that goes before me, and afterward I will see his face; perhaps he will accept me.” ²¹ So the present went on over before him, but he himself lodged that night in the camp.

 

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In a desperate effort to control the situation, Jacob figured he would try to control the situation by making Esau rich. He arranged to give Esau hundreds of animals with the ability to breed more and more.

 

My Observations:

• Jacob tried to prepare for Esau’s arrival by staging a welcome full of gifts.
• Jacob tried to reenter his old country on his own terms.
• Jacob tried to control the outcome by thinking of what Esau would say and do.

 

As if to say “If I were Esau….” Jacob planned for any eventuality. But his plan had a flaw. He did not ask GOD “How should I prepare myself to reenter the land?” His plan included bribery and self-protection, hoping to ease the blow of Esau’s anger. Jacob had not factored in GOD’s protection, so he tried to control the situation.

 

Jacob was used to planning his own protection. He had done this for years. He set his camp at the back of the gifts, thinking Esau would be greedy like Laban and possibly himself. He was looking at the situation through the world’s lenses. BUT GOD had the situation under control.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Jacob’s plan?
• Have you ever been faced with a situation and tried to control it without asking GOD?
• Will you place your current situation before GOD and allow the HOLY SPIRIT to guide you, knowing you “are” protected?

Warning Signs

Warning Signs

Genesis 4: ⁶ So the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? ⁷ If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it.”

 

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GOD made everything and said it was “very good.” I believe Satan introduced sin to Adam and Eve to ruin all humans, preventing a perfect human from opening the scroll that held HIS sentence. Adam and Eve fell for his lie and were thrown out of the garden. They had children, Cain and Abel. Both kids had a sin nature, but one chose to ignore it and one did not.

 

My Observations:

• Cain was warned about letting his anger turn into sin.
• Anger or lower moods can cause me to be open to sin.
• JESUS used “door” for the first time, implying that conditions were changed enough for humans to now need shelter, and that an entryway to the heart would be like an entryway to a home.

 

I believe JESUS gave Cain a warning just like HE gives you and me through the HOLY SPIRIT. JESUS warns Cain that his anger could cause him to sin and that sin would take over his heart. HE also says that Cain could “rule over it”, giving him a choice. HE even said “If you do well, will you not be accepted?”

 

So far humans were not doing so well in the choice department. Easily fooled, all humans were doomed to death. Fortunately for us, JESUS knows that we are like sheep needing a shepherd.  We don’t make good choices, yet GOD loves us anyway.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about this conversation?
• Have you ever thought about the path you take to sin in your life?
• Have you considered asking GOD to raise your mood and for HIM to place you back on HIS path today?

Life in Control

Life in Control

1 Peter 4: Since Christ suffered physically, you too must strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking that he had; because whoever suffers physically is no longer involved with sin. ² From now on, then, you must live the rest of your earthly lives controlled by God's will and not by human desires. ³ You have spent enough time in the past doing what the heathen like to do. Your lives were spent in indecency, lust, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and the disgusting worship of idols. ⁴ And now the heathen are surprised when you do not join them in the same wild and reckless living, and so they insult you. 

 

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After the party, I found a person passed out on my roommate’s floor. She had wandered into his room, missed the bed and fell on the floor. To make matters worse, she threw up under his bed. “Ugh!!” I screamed.

 

• I was getting tired of the temporary pleasure of partying.
• I was getting tired of the consequences of the way I was living.
• I was getting tired of my life being out of control and hinging out with people whose lives were just as out of control as mine.

 

Peter gives advice to those who believe in JESUS to “strengthen yourselves.” He observed that people were being beaten and jailed simply because they believed in CHRIST. He may have known that some would turn to some ways to get temporary relief from the world’s pressures by using the world’s pleasures for escape.

 

My Observations:

• My mindset has to be changed to follow CHRIST when times get hard.
• I need to follow CHRIST’s example and live a controlled life.
• I should expect people to insult me because I choose to live for CHRIST.

 

Being in control of my life seems hard. I mean, the world offers pleasures that appeal to the body physically. Sex, drugs, and alcohol seem to top the list of temporary problem solvers, with materialism creeping in as well. GOD wants me to act different.

 

HE knows the pleasures of this world will only distract me from focusing on HIM. HE provides a way for me to gain control of my out of control life. HE provides the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me and you because of our belief in JESUS. I am glad GOD gives me a second chance daily.

 

Challenge

• What changes does the writer recommend?
• Have you ever gotten caught up in some of the world’s pleasures that you felt were wrong at first?
• Will you ask GOD for help getting self-control regardless of what people think of you today?

Turning Back

 

Turning Back

1 Timothy 1: ⁶ Some people have turned away from these and have lost their way in foolish discussions. ⁷ They want to be teachers of God's law, but they do not understand their own words or the matters about which they speak with so much confidence.

 

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Host drunken parties and have sex afterwards seemed like a great idea. But after a while, something seemed missing. My life still felt empty. I slowly started praying, but tried to hold onto my party life. Something wasn’t working.

 

• I wanted to serve GOD and serve my lusts.
• I wanted to connect to the MODT HIGH with my sinful desires.
• I wanted to live with purity while being impure.

 

Paul tells Timothy, some people have turned away from a pure heart, clear conscience and genuine faith to pursue what felt right. They had turned away from GOD but wanted GOD’s promises.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to turn to HIM and drop the world’s philosophies.
• GOD sees my heart and is able to cleanse it of all unrighteousness.
• GOD always welcomes me back even when I turn away.

 

Trying to serve the world or myself causes problems with my relationship with GOD. I mean, GOD is love and HE is pure love. HE has no sin in HIM, I, on the other hand, have sin in me from birth. There is no way to get rid of my sin by my own power. BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

JESUS decided to save me from my sins. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live in my heart to keep me safe from my sins. HE begs on my behalf when I fall and keeps me strong when I am tempted to turn away from GOD. I owe all to GOD and I gladly serve HIM.

 

Challenge

• What “way” is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever known you were doing something wrong, yet tried to hold onto it and get GOD to do something for you?
• Will you serve GOD fully by turning back to HIM and allow HIM to help you with self-control today?

Confident About You

Confident About You

Galatians 5: ⁷ You were doing so well! Who made you stop obeying the truth? How did he persuade you? ⁸ It was not done by God, who calls you. ⁹ “It takes only a little yeast to make the whole batch of dough rise,” as they say. ¹⁰ But I still feel confident about you. Our life in union with the Lord makes me confident that you will not take a different view and that whoever is upsetting you will be punished by God.

 

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After running over some glass, my car developed a slow leak in one of the tires. I could still drive as I pleased, but I was not confident I could go on a trip that was too far from a place to refill the tire. This little pinhole changed my trips for a while until I saved up to get it fixed.

 

• Something tiny changed my thinking.
• One little thing made a big difference in my life.
• A tiny problem added to my sorrow.

 

Paul questions everyone about how easily they could be persuaded to stop believing in JESUS as the truth. One person may have preached a message that countered the truth about JESUS being the one and only Savior. He may have even gone so far as to raise questions about the need to be saved. But Paul remained confident for a reason.

 

My Observations

• Little sins can cause me to feel unconfident in GOD’s power for me.
• My sins cannot stop GOD’s love for me.
• My confidence comes from being in union with CHRIST.

 

“But I still feel confident about you” are true words of surrender to GOD’s power. I mean, when I see someone struggling in life due to a lack of a relationship with JESUS, I want to jump in and convince him or her to choose HIS power. It does not always work that way, so I feel helpless.

 

GOD wants me to be confident in HIM that HE will draw everyone who belongs to JESUS back to HIM because of their belief. HE chose us before the foundations of the world and is in complete control. I am glad I can let go of situations and remain confident in the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT in my life and many others.

 

Challenge

• What is the concern being raised from the writer?
• Has there ever been a time when you received conflicting information regarding salvation?
• Will you remain confident that JESUS saved you for all eternity and is not mad at you rather is quite pleased with you today?

Three Choices

 

Three Choices

1 Corinthians 2: ¹⁰ But it was to us that God made known his secret by means of his Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, even the hidden depths of God's purposes. ¹¹ It is only our own spirit within us that knows all about us; in the same way, only God's Spirit knows all about God. ¹² We have not received this world's spirit; instead, we have received the Spirit sent by God, so that we may know all that God has given us.

 

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Worried, I sat awake in the middle of the night. After a string of good bosses, I ran into yet another poor leader. I ran through my options. Make an adjustment to “my” style was my first thought. Second, I could seek advice from some “successful” people. I wonder if there was a third option.

 

• There have been many times when I tried to do things under “my” own power.
• There have been many times when I tried to do things using advice from “successful” people of the world.
• There have been many times when I tried to do things that have not been given to me, and I pouted over what was not mine.

 

 

Three beings are spoken about in Paul’s description. He starts off speaking about the HOLY SPIRIT, which GOD revealed HIS secret. He then spoke about the human spirit that knows our successes and failures. The last being is the spirit of the world that looks great to many but leads to a destructive path.

 

• GOD wants me to be led by HIS SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to make my choices by using HIS SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to make HIS secret known, namely that JESUS is the only Savior of the world.

 

Though the world may scoff at GOD’s SPIRIT, HE is not to be mocked. Every choice I make should be based on the purpose of GOD. “What about me?” the world will place on my mind. I mean, don’t I have to live in the world too? Yes, but HE wants me to live with the purpose HE has given me. I surrender my choice to the power of the HOLY SPIRIT.

 

• Are you trying to do things under your own power?
• Are you seeking the tactics of the world to be “successful” to those around you?
• Will you allow the HOLY SPIRIT to guide you and be a good steward over what HE has given you today?

Glorious Restraint

Glorious Restraint

John 19: So then Pilate took Jesus and scourged Him. ² And the soldiers twisted a crown of thorns and put it on His head, and they put on Him a purple robe. ³ Then they said, “Hail, King of the Jews!” And they struck Him with their hands.

⁴ Pilate then went out again, and said to them, “Behold, I am bringing Him out to you, that you may know that I find no fault in Him.”

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When a child called me a name that was racially motivated, I was astounded. Dressed in a suit and going home from a hard day’s work, I was accosted by a child who was no more than five. I replied, “I do not blame you for your ignorance, I blame your ignorant parents.” I felt better for calling the parent who was standing there, ignorant, in front of many waiting train passengers.

• It feels good to retaliate.
• It feels good to get revenge.
• It feels good to return hatred with more hatred.

Pilate said JESUS was innocent, yet he whipped HIM with barb wire. He then allowed the soldiers to bloody HIS head with a thorny, mock crown. Afterwards, they punched and punched JESUS repeatedly. Then Pilate came forth and again said “I find no fault in HIM.”

• JESUS wants me to see HE showed tremendous restraint.
• JESUS wants me to know vengeance is HIS.
• JESUS wants me to understand, while it is hard to turn the other cheek when slapped, I should try it more and more.

Restraint when filled with rage has always paid off. In fact, releasing what fills me with rage enables me to sleep easier, knowing GOD has this situation handled. HE had all power and used it to show mercy instead of rage. This is a sign of strength. I admire JESUS for HIS glorious restraint.

• Do you have a temper?
• Do you get enraged easily?
• Will you give your rage to JESUS and allow HIM to grow you by giving you restraint today?

Well Connected

Well Connected

John 18: ¹² Then the detachment of troops and the captain and the officers of the Jews arrested Jesus and bound Him. ¹³ And they led Him away to Annas first, for he was the father-in-law of Caiaphas who was high priest that year. ¹⁴ Now it was Caiaphas who advised the Jews that it was expedient that one man should die for the people.

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Advised on speaking to a specific person, I asked “Why should I?” “That person is well connected” was their reply. Confused about the statement, I asked “What does well connected mean?” They started naming all of the people this person knew. I still did not know what they meant by listing names, so I stopped asking questions.

• I had no idea at the time, people could become rich because of who they knew.
• I did not know, at the time, that people could be put in a position of power based on who they knew.
• I was unaware, at the time, that people could decide my fate, or at least they thought they could.

Caiaphas was the highest church leader at the time. He was threatened by the actions of JESUS, so he orchestrated HIS arrest. He used his connections to get government officials to bring troops in to arrest JESUS. He then sent JESUS to be interrogated by his father-in-law. He thought his plan was fool proof. BUT GOD saw through it.

• GOD sees when I am trying to control the situation.
• GOD wants me to let go of situations so HE can work.
• GOD desires to be in control and the more I hold on, the less HE will shine.

Little did Caiaphas know, his own declaration that “one man die for the people” is exactly what GOD wanted. He was trying to make an example out of JESUS so no one would challenge any church leader’s authority.

BUT GOD had the authority. JESUS allowed HIMSELF to be captured while maintaining HIS power as GOD. Caiaphas was never in control. GOD wants me to surrender control. This surrender only comes from the heart. I am glad HE is in control.

• Are you trying to use your connections to gain control over your life?
• Do you think you can control others?
• Will you release control and allow GOD to work out the situation today?

Grasping

Grasping

John 12: ²⁰ Now there were certain Greeks among those who came up to worship at the feast. ²¹ Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, “Sir, we wish to see Jesus.”

²² Philip came and told Andrew, and in turn Andrew and Philip told Jesus.

²³ But Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour has come that the Son of Man should be glorified. ²⁴ Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. ²⁵ He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. ²⁶ If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor.

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Tickets were mounting as I let the car sit. It was no longer working, nor worth fixing. I don’t know why I held onto it, but I did. “Let it go” someone said to me. I heeded their advice and sold it to the junkyard. I got enough to pay for some of the parking tickets.

• I have held onto things that I should have let go of.
• I have had things in my grasp that I should have freed.
• I have grabbed on tight to things I should have released.

Notoriety of JESUS spread way outside of the Jews. Greeks came to see HIS marvelous works, so they approached HIS disciples. JESUS told Philip and Andrew something different than expected. HE gave a parable about a seed needing to die in order to produce.

• JESUS wants me to let go of my life and give it to HIM.
• JESUS wants me to open my hands and allow HIM to remove what I am holding onto so tightly.
• JESUS wants me to release my grasp of situations and watch HIS power take control.

Giving my life to JESUS was easy at one point. I mean when things were easy, it was easy to believe in HIM. But when the winds of life blew against me, I found myself, trying to execute “my” plan to fix things. JESUS wanted something better to put in my hands, but HE couldn’t while I was holding onto things HE did not want me to have.

GOD wants me to release my grasp and open my heart to whatever and wherever HE has for me. HE gives my life purpose and I seek to serve HIM by serving others.

• Are you holding onto your life?
• Is your life full of blame and disappointments?
• Will you let go of the things that keep you from having a solid relationship with HIM today by seeking those HE wants you to serve?  

Controlling

Controlling

John 7: ³² The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring these things concerning Him, and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take Him. ³³ Then Jesus said to them, “I shall be with you a little while longer, and then I go to Him who sent Me. ³⁴ You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come.”

³⁵ Then the Jews said among themselves, “Where does He intend to go that we shall not find Him? Does He intend to go to the Dispersion among the Greeks and teach the Greeks? ³⁶ What is this thing that He said, ‘You will seek Me and not find Me, and where I am you cannot come’?”

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Planning my route was difficult this day. For some reason, several tempers had flared and multiple fights were planned in different parts of the playground leaving the school. In fear, I went an extreme route, that was several blocks out of the way, just to get home. “Why can’t this just be easy?” I exclaimed.

• Sometimes life seems out of control.
• Sometimes life seems like a huge problem.
• Sometimes life seems to bring raging out of control situations that affect me.

The Pharisees heard the crowd murmuring about JESUS. They felt their controlling power slipping away. They wanted to get control of this situation so they sent officers to take HIM. JESUS knew what they were doing and addressed them directly. “You will seek ME and not find ME and where I AM you cannot come” was HIS disturbing news.

• JESUS wants me to let go of my control of HIM.
• JESUS wants me to allow HIM to do things HIS way and in HIS time.
• JESUS wants me to put HIM in control of my decisions, expectations and outcomes.

Trying to control GOD is like trying to control a raging storm. It cannot be done. GOD’s power is uncontrollable, by me. BUT GOD controls HIMSELF to love me instead of hating me for my sins. HE says to me “You are mine” so I can never put GOD under my feet and control what HE does.

I can control one thing, namely believing that HE knows what is best for me. GOD keeps HIS promises, always! HE wants me to be with HIM eternally and sends me out to seek those who seek HIM. I am grateful HE wants me.

• Are you trying to force GOD to act the way “you” want HIM to?
• Do you think that because you stopped doing a few sins, you are better than “that” person?
• Will you stop trying to control GOD with your smelly righteousness and allow HIM to control your path to guide people back to HIM today?

Control Freak

Luke 13: ¹⁴ But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.”

¹⁵ The Lord then answered him and said,  “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? ¹⁶ So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” ¹⁷ And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him.

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“Look at the people singing the song wrong. Some people aren’t even singing. Why are we singing this song anyway. I wonder if I should put in a few suggestions for some “better” songs” were the flood of thoughts at the beginning of the church service.

• There are times when I think I have all the answers.
• There are times when I think I know better than those around me.
• There are times when I am distracted by “form.”

One of the church leaders barked out a rebuke towards JESUS for healing on the Sabbath. JESUS immediately calls him a hypocrite and had to show how ludicrous his thinking was. Should “form” be placed over following the SPIRIT? This was the gist of JESUS’ reply.

• GOD wants me to bring others to HIM and so they can have their own relationship with GOD.
• GOD wants me to stop trying to control people into how they serve HIM.
• GOD wants me to allow HIM to grow people so they can see HIS marvelous power.

Worshiping, learning and serving are all extremely important to GOD, but not as important as I can sometimes emphasize to others. When I get to the point where I am criticizing how much or little someone prays then I suddenly fall into the hypocrite category JESUS spoke of.

GOD is the only ONE who can see if someone is truly worshiping HIM or not. HE would rather have me praying for the population who is rejecting HIM all together than focusing on correcting a believer’s pattern of church attendance. GOD gives grace, not control. HE allows me to be as wild as a tornado without sending me straight to hell. I am grateful GOD guides others and me.

• Is someone worshiping GOD wrong?
• Do you notice what others are doing wrong when they are supposedly serving GOD?
• Can you reduce your judgment on others and allow GOD to lead you to people who really need HIS live today?

Control

Luke 9: ⁴⁹ Now John answered and said, “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.”

⁵⁰ But Jesus said to him, “Do not forbid him, for he who is not against us is on our side.”

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Having numerous things to do, I felt a bit stressed. Expecting perfection, I went over to a person who was doing me a “favor” and asked them to stop. I didn’t want to tell them they were doing it all wrong so I politely suggested they do something else. “I wonder if they are going to do that wrong too” I thought to myself.

• There have been times when I wanted control over people.
• There have been times when I desired others to follow “my” way.
• There have been times when I was proud of the way things turned out for “me” so I wanted others to do it “my” way.

John, brother of James, came to JESUS with some incredible news. “Master, we saw someone casting out demons in YOUR name, and we forbade him because he does not follow with us.” He was one of the disciples who fought over who was the “greatest” disciple. Though miracles were happening, he had a complaint.

• GOD says to me “I made many people for MY purpose.”
• GOD says to me “I have given each person who belongs to ME a special talent.”
• GOD says to me “I will bless those who serve in MY SON’s name.”

My perfection had extended into being a church critic. “They are doing it all wrong” or “Look at those ignorant people” were my misguided thoughts as I left one church after another. Instead of recognizing the beauty that they were following GOD, I saw flaws in their “performance.”

GOD wants me to applaud when people mention HIS name and let HIM decide whether they are sincere or not. I cannot judge the way someone worships GOD, but I can serve HIM the way HE made me. HE wants me to drop the critique and embrace as many as I can so HE will be praised by the multitudes.

• Are you criticizing people about how they serve GOD?
• Do you think people are insincere in their methods?
• Can you stop looking at other people and praise GOD for HIS amazing diverse creation?

Faith Practice

Luke 7: ⁶ Then Jesus went with them. And when He was already not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to Him, saying to Him, “Lord, do not trouble Yourself, for I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. ⁷ Therefore I did not even think myself worthy to come to You. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁸ For I also am a man placed under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

⁹ When Jesus heard these things, He marveled at him, and turned around and said to the crowd that followed Him, “I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” ¹⁰ And those who were sent, returning to the house, found the servant well who had been sick.

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“How will I ever do this?” I said to myself nervously. I had never done this before and I did not feel comfortable. As I took a deep breath, I got behind the wheel of the car. To my dismay, there were other practicing drivers sitting in the back seat. “Put the car in drive” the instructor said. I followed his instructions. After the drive was over, I felt more confident. “When will we do this again?” I said excitedly!

• Sometimes my faith is lacking.
• Sometimes I am not confident because of the unknown.
• Sometimes I need help with my faith.

One thing I noticed is the centurion never actually came out to speak with JESUS. He sent messengers to communicate between them because he did not feel worthy to be in JESUS’s presence. The centurion also believe in JESUS’s authority, so much so, that he could accept a word from JESUS knowing the healing would take place.

• JESUS wants me to practice having faith in HIM.
• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS authority over all of my situations.
• JESUS wants me to be more and more confident in HIS abilities and less confident in mine.

Just knowing JESUS is concerned about my situations is good enough. I mean once I know HE is handling the circumstance, I feel better. I praise HIM in the middle of the storm rather than when it is over, but it took practice to get there. Yes, I still question “why” and sin, BUT GOD teaches me faith daily and I trust HIM more and more.

• Do you feel your faith is lacking?
• Are you facing a huge situation that seems insurmountable?
• Can you allow GOD to have authority over your circumstance to do as HE pleases?
• Will you put your trust in HIM today?

In Control

Luke 3: Now in the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, Pontius Pilate being governor of Judea, Herod being tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and the region of Trachonitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene, ² while Annas and Caiaphas were high priests, the word of God came to John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness. ³ And he went into all the region around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins, ⁴ as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying:

“The voice of one crying in the wilderness:
‘Prepare the way of the Lord;
Make His paths straight.
⁵ Every valley shall be filled
And every mountain and hill brought low;
The crooked places shall be made straight
And the rough ways smooth;
⁶ And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”

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A friend of mine became a crossing guard. Ten minutes before the end of day school bell, he would get up and leave class. When I saw him get up, I started getting my stuff together and got up as well.

The teacher asked, “Where are you going?” “To help him” I replied. “Sit down” she replied. When the bell rang I raced to the corner to “help.” I stood there directing students and traffic.

• There were times when I wanted to feel important.
• There were times when I wanted to lead people.
• There were times when I wanted to be in control of something.

John spoke about JESUS in a mighty way. His compelling words resonate today as he spoke of trading in sin for belief in CHRIST. John taught people of the One who would truly be in control.

• JESUS wants me to speak about HIS power over the physical earth.
• JESUS wants me to speak about HIS return will changing the physical properties of the earth as well as the moral attitude of the world.
• JESUS wants me to prepare the way for HIS imminent return.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah” is what people say when people speak about JESUS’ return. They place people in the crazy category who speak of what seems to be a Hollywood tale of a higher being returning. BUT GOD wants me to speak about JESUS anyway, despite the labels.

HE is and will always be in control of the heavens and the earth. HE has the power over life and death and one day will show HIS face to all. I, like John must prepare as many people as GOD allows, to help people praise HIM the way HE should be praised.

• Are you ashamed of your calling?
• Do you fit in and look like everyone around you?
• Is GOD calling you to speak of HIS return, bringing life and peace to those who believe in HIM?  

Gimmicks

Mark 11: ¹⁵ So they came to Jerusalem. Then Jesus went into the temple and began to drive out those who bought and sold in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who sold doves. ¹⁶ And He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple. ¹⁷ Then He taught, saying to them, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations’? But you have made it a ‘den of thieves.’ ”

¹⁸ And the scribes and chief priests heard it and sought how they might destroy Him; for they feared Him, because all the people were astonished at His teaching. ¹⁹ When evening had come, He went out of the city.

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“Should we throw a pizza party?” was my contribution to the suggestions to solve the dwindling church attendance problem. I mean everyone likes pizza. Who wouldn’t come for that?

• There have been times when I tried to bait people into church.
• There have been times when I tried to fool people into church.
• There have been times when I tried to use gimmicks to get people to listen to the word of GOD.

Church had become a place of business rather than a place of worship when JESUS walked into the temple. More activity was centered on what was sold rather than “who” it was sold for. Exploitation and corruption had entered the church because there was serious money to be made.

• GOD said to me “Gather with people to pray to ME.”
• GOD said to me “Gather together so you can pray for one another.”
• GOD said to me “Gather with people so you can bear one another’s burdens and experience joy with one another.”

JESUS is enough and HIS message of salvation is true. Entertaining bored, skeptical people will almost never be quenched. GOD wants me to find those who need HIS SON and tell them about HIM. That is all. HE is not impressed by gimmicks to raise money that only go back into the pockets of those raising the money.

Pure worship is what GOD is looking for and GOD will bless those who allow HIM to deliver droves of people. HE can and will guide people to me, all I need to do is believe.

• Are you trying to trick people to come to church?
• When they get to your church will they hear a message of HIS love or another gimmick?
• Can you stop trying to trick people into believing in JESUS and allow the HOLY SPIRIT to move them in HIS own time and way?

Sharp Mind

Mark 8: ¹³ And He left them, and getting into the boat again, departed to the other side. ¹⁴ Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, and they did not have more than one loaf with them in the boat. ¹⁵ Then He charged them, saying, “Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.”

¹⁶ And they reasoned among themselves, saying, “It is because we have no bread.”

¹⁷ But Jesus, being aware of it, said to them, “Why do you reason because you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive nor understand? Is your heart still hardened? ¹⁸ Having eyes, do you not see? And having ears, do you not hear? And do you not remember? ¹⁹ When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

They said to Him, “Twelve.”

²⁰ “Also, when I broke the seven for the four thousand, how many large baskets full of fragments did you take up?”

And they said, “Seven.”

²¹ So He said to them, “How is it you do not understand?”

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Distracted, I sat in class but none of the information was comprehended. I had other things on my mind and when I tuned in, the instructor was on another topic.

• Sometimes I get distracted.
• Sometimes I cannot comprehend because I get lost thinking of various situations.
• Sometimes understanding is fleeting when I have things on my mind.

With dull, distracted minds, the disciples could not comprehend what JESUS was saying when HE urged them to beware of the Pharisees. JESUS was trying to tell them that even a little desire to be like the Pharisees would ruin a person for eternity. Unfortunately the disciples turned HIS lesson into a blaming session.

• GOD wants my mind to focus on HIS lessons of growth.
• GOD wants me to understand HIS love lessons.
• GOD desires that I wake up my mind to what HE is doing.

Sharp minds have clarity. GOD wants me to clearly see HIS power, HIS love and HIS compassion for me. HE doesn’t want the “situation of the day” to ruin my thoughts of HIM.  HE desires to raise me up. My mind needs to be on HIM daily.

• Are you distracted?
• Is it difficult to hear GOD because of all the clutter in your life?
• Can you take a moment to clear the distractions to focus on GOD’s love for you?

Amazing Hate

Matthew 12: ²² Then they brought him a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. ²³ All the people were astonished and said, “Could this be the Son of David?”

²⁴ But when the Pharisees heard this, they said, “It is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons.”

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Hatred is bewildering and amazing. I mean when I don’t like a person, there is not much “right” they can do.

• Hatred blinds me.
• Hatred makes me unable to see any good.
• Hatred takes me to s place where grace cannot live.

I may justify my words and say “I don’t hate the person” but if I am constantly thinking of their wrongs and talking about their missteps, I hate them, plain and simple. What can help me with this hatred?

• GOD says to me “Love one another” is the greatest command.
• GOD says to me “How can I show you grace if you cannot show others grace?”
• GOD says to me “Pray for your enemies for it is easy to pray for those who love you.”

Even a slight margin of hatred can breed a war. I tussle with GOD when HE tries to get me to do the right thing. GOD wants me to turn my amazing hate into amazing grace. When I do this, HE gives me rewards that I cannot imagine!

• Are you on the path to hatred?
• Is there someone in your life or on the news who you talk about constantly in a negative way?
• Can you stop your hatred and get on the road to grace?
• Will you ask GOD to heal your wounds and channel you anger towards GOD’s love?

Paying Attention in Class

Isaiah 48: ¹⁷ This is what the Lord says—
    your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel:
“I am the Lord your God,
    who teaches you what is best for you,
    who directs you in the way you should go.
¹⁸ If only you had paid attention to my commands,
    your peace would have been like a river,
    your well-being like the waves of the sea.
¹⁹ Your descendants would have been like the sand,
    your children like its numberless grains;
their name would never be blotted out
    nor destroyed from before me.”

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Looking out the window, I could see the trees gently moving in the warm breeze. “Was that a squirrel?” I thought to myself. Then the teacher called on me and woke me up from my daydream. I should have been paying attention.

• There were times that I should have paid attention to what is important.
• There were times that I should have noticed what was going on.
• There were times that I should have stopped what I was doing and listened.

Listening to humans is one thing but listening to GOD is quite a different path. I listened to humans because of fear of a broken relationship or fear of loss of money and went down the wrong paths many times. GOD wants me to act differently.

• GOD wants to take care of me so I need to listen to HIM.
• GOD wants to grow me so I need to heed HIS commands.
• GOD wants to protect me so I need to “go” out and spread HIS message no matter where HE sends me.

Peace and security only comes from GOD. People will lead me to believe that money will bring that security or if I could just get that right job “then” I will have peace. GOD says to me “Pay attention to MY commands and you will have peace like a river.” HE takes care of my well-being and watches over my descendants.

• Is peace missing out of your life?
• Are you discontent and complaining to everyone?
• Will you stop looking and start connecting to GOD’s peace?
• Will you allow HIS perfect plan to be in effect in your life?

Taking over THE Throne

Isaiah 14: ¹² How you have fallen from heaven,
    morning star, son of the dawn!
You have been cast down to the earth,
    you who once laid low the nations!
¹³ You said in your heart,
    “I will ascend to the heavens;
I will raise my throne
    above the stars of God;
I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly,
    on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.
¹⁴ I will ascend above the tops of the clouds;
    I will make myself like the Most High.”
¹⁵ But you are brought down to the realm of the dead,
    to the depths of the pit.

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Sitting in the audience of a dynamic speaker made me want to attend speaker training. After my lessons I felt I could take on the world! Listening to a sermon and watching everyone around me fall asleep, I said to myself “I could probably say that message with more excitement.”

• When I think more highly of myself, I may be putting someone else down.
• When my confidence turns into arrogance, I may be headed in the wrong direction.
• When I look at other people as the problem instead of them being part of the solution I may be in trouble.

Having a “kingdom” on earth means having followers who believe in “me.”  Whether it’s a kingdom on social media or a crowd who listens to me speak, it is still a kingdom. The problem with having a kingdom is the “end” stops at me. I mean I get the accolades and feel pretty good about myself but that is as far as it goes. What should I be doing?

• Instead of building a kingdom for myself, I should build a kingdom for GOD.
• Instead of having people look at me, I should have them look at GOD.
• Instead of getting the praise, I should have them give GOD ALL the praise.

Accolades on earth can be quite tempting. A group of social friends who “like” my stuff feels good, but if my life is not pointing to GOD, it is a waste. In fact, I start becoming “g”od when I like my crowd a little too much. I start wanting control of my life and blaming “G”OD for my problems. After a while my life becomes filled with blame, remorse and doubt instead of praise, appreciation and joy. 

GOD wants me to elevate HIM to HIS proper place. HE commands respect and desires my love. HE is the MOST HIGH, not me and I should always keep this perspective.

• Are you blaming GOD for where you are?
• Do you feel you deserve better and wish to “take control” of your life?
• Can you give GOD your life and let HIM do with it as HE pleases?
• Will you humble yourself and grow GOD’s kingdom in spite of your circumstances?