All Is Not Lost

All Is Not Lost

Revelation 5: I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who sits on the throne; it was covered with writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel, who announced in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” ³ But there was no one in heaven or on earth or in the world below who could open the scroll and look inside it. ⁴ I cried bitterly because no one could be found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside it. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Don't cry. Look! The Lion from Judah's tribe, the great descendant of David, has won the victory, and he can break the seven seals and open the scroll.”

 

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“My life is ruined” I thought to myself. I was told by the dean that I was no longer in school. I didn’t have a plan “B” so I felt I did not know what to do. Someone said, “Ask to get back in.” “What? You can do that?” I asked and they let me back in.

 

• I thought all was lost.
• I did not know there was a way, so I fell in despair.
• I was told there was a way and I felt relieved.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, sees the result of something not revealed to humans. A scroll of judgment was sealed by seven holy seals. He was not told why a sinless human was needed to open the scroll, but all he knew was no one was worthy. He wept bitterly. But then he was told that JESUS won the victory!

 

My Observations:

• Satan thought that he could become GOD by introducing sin into the first humans.
• No human was worthy to open the scroll because all were born into sin.
• JESUS had to become a human through a miraculous birth, live a sinless life, die in faith and be raised from the dead so HE could open the scroll that judged Satan and saved humans.

 

We do not understand the complexities of what JESUS did. We are not privy to the declaration that says Satan can have everything if the scroll could not be open. All we know is JESUS “did” open the scroll because HE is worthy! All is not lost! Hope is restored!

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer weep bitterly?
• Have you ever felt that all was lost?
• Will you see that JESUS has won the victory, not only for eternal life but over your circumstance and all your situations you will ever, ever face?

In the Light

In the Light

1 John 2: ⁹ If we say that we are in the light, yet hate others, we are in the darkness to this very hour. ¹⁰ If we love others, we live in the light, and so there is nothing in us that will cause someone else to sin. ¹¹ But if we hate others, we are in the darkness; we walk in it and do not know where we are going, because the darkness has made us blind.

 

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Walking down the dorm hallway, a guy stuck his head out and yelled out a racial slur directed solely at me. This caused me to react, however I was scrawny. I needed help. I found a my 300 pound friend to “help” me with this situation. We pounded on the room door until they opened it.

 

• I had rage in my heart.
• I had retaliation in my heart.
• I wanted to fight to show people, you can’t do this to me or anyone else!

 

John does a masterful job at addressing hatred. He has been with JESUS and watched HIM love every race, age and gender. He saw love at its purest. He gives a reminder to self-examine in order to determine if there is hatred in wounded hearts.

 

My Observations:

• GOD loves people that I don’t like.
• GOD wants me to desire that all humans, even people I don’t like, go to heaven.
• GOD sees any hatred I may harbor in my heart, even if someone has cause me pain through his or her hatred.

 

Hatred brings on more hatred. I mean, when someone has performed an act of overt or passive hatred, I store it in my mind and plan my retaliation. This has never, ever worked! GOD wants me to “chose” a different way.

 

JESUS created humans. They wanted an earthly king who sounded and acted like them. When they found someone who was generous, kind and broke, they could not believe HE was the Messiah that would save the entire world, so they killed HIM out of hatred. HE was raised from the dead out of love. I am glad JESUS is my example and reminder that hatred is a choice. I choose love.

 

Challenge

• What mindset is the writer trying to address?
• Have you ever been hurt by a person and wanted to get back at their entire race, age or gender?
• Will you examine your motives and see if there is even the smallest kernel of masked hatred so you can ask GOD to remove it and fill your heart with HIS love today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, our world is filled with hatred for one another today. Please help this reader self-examine any hatred he or she may harbor towards even one person so love can enter the heart and YOUR forgiveness can enter. amen

Empty Hole

Luke 4: ⁴² Now when it was day, He departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowd sought Him and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from leaving them; ⁴³ but He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.”⁴⁴ And He was preaching in the synagogues of Galilee.

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“What service project will we do?” was the question posed in a corporate meeting. “I know…” exclaimed a coworker. “Let’s help rehab a house of someone.” We chipped in our time, got some great photos and immediately posted them in the news as corporate heroes. Through all of the excitement, I felt empty.

• There were times when I tried to fill my empty heart with service projects.
• There were times when I tried to fill my empty heart with work.
• There were times when I tried to fill my empty heart with shallow relationships.

JESUS tried to escape from the crowd, yet they found HIM. HE explained to them that HE had a purpose. “I must preach the kingdom of GOD to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent.” HE had healed this local crowd from all kinds of ailments and chased out demons but desired for them to understand HIS purpose so they would be whole.

• GOD wants me to live my life with HIS purpose.
• GOD wants me to preach the kingdom of GOD everywhere HE sends me.
• GOD wants me to proclaim JESUS as the Savior of the world who has already redeemed me.

When I spoke to someone about JESUS for the first time, I felt weird and nervous. With palpitating beats in my chest, I spoke about the kingdom of GOD and the conversation was not the best, but my heart did something strange, it was filled up.

Soon after, GOD gave me the courage to speak about my sins to people, especially the dark yucky ones. People who heard, believed that CHRIST could save them too. My heart was filled more and more to the point of overflowing. GOD gave me HIS purpose.

• Is your heart empty?
• Are you trying to fill your empty heart with service, business, empty relationships or self-medication to addiction?
• Will you seek GOD and allow HIM to guide you in preaching HIS kingdom to someone today?

Heart of All

Matthew 18: ¹⁰ “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. ¹¹ For the Son of Man has come to save that which was lost.

¹² “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them goes astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine and go to the mountains to seek the one that is straying? ¹³ And if he should find it, assuredly, I say to you, he rejoices more over that sheep than over the ninety-nine that did not go astray. ¹⁴ Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.

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Looking around I could see no familiar faces. I panicked and began crying as I had no way to get myself “found.” People came over to me and led me to an office, but this provided no comfort. I was noticed, but not “found.”

• It is scary being lost.
• It is terrifying being in an unknown place where it seems to be no way out.
• It is horrifying to be lost with no means to be found.

Humanity can be the same way. Many situations can seem so overwhelming to me that I feel “lost” with no way out. BUT GOD has an answer for that.

• GOD sees me when I am in need and answers prayer before I even ask.
• GOD knows my every fear and guides me out of the darkness.
• GOD understands when I am lost and seeks me before I seek him.

I should never pretend that I am not lost when it comes to GOD. Admitting I have no idea how to be found is a start, but doesn’t do anything if no one is looking for me. GOD decided to search for me in my “lost” state. HE tapped on my heart to show me the way. It was up to me to follow HIM back to a place where it was safe. I rejoice over GOD’s search for me!

• Are you lost?
• Do you think you know your own way?
• Can you let go and allow GOD to lead you back to HIM?

Redeemed From Abandonment

Isaiah 54: ⁷ “For a brief moment I abandoned you,
    but with deep compassion I will bring you back.
⁸ In a surge of anger
    I hid my face from you for a moment,
but with everlasting kindness
    I will have compassion on you,”
    says the Lord your Redeemer.

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Crying was the only tactic I could pull off at that time. I ran to the parking lot and there was no bus. The group I had arrived with left without me. I felt abandoned. When I won awards and accolades I was surrounded at work. When a new group of leaders came in, no one came around me. I felt abandoned again.

• Sometimes I have felt abandoned.
• Sometimes I have felt left behind.
• Sometimes I have felt lost and alone with no one to guide me.

Trusted people have dropped me out of their lives which left me with the feeling of abandonment, even when I cried out to GOD, it felt like HIS silence was deafening. BUT GOD said “I AM here.”

• When I stopped following GOD, HE allowed me to feel abandoned.
• When I sought GOD’s face HE welcomed me back with open arms.
• When I sought my own path GOD hid HIS face from me.
• When I asked HIM for forgiveness HE poured it out on me like a flood.

Even when GOD allows me to step away from HIM for a minute, HE never leaves me. HE carefully watches over me and still provides for me. HE brings me back to HIM because I would not seek HIS face. HE washes me up and gives me everlasting kindness. GOD is my redeemer.

• Are you lonely even in a crowd?
• Has a trusted person abandoned you?
• Can you forgive that person even though you may never forget?
• Will you allow GOD to bring you back to HIM so HE can pour out HIS everlasting kindness on you?

Ingredients of Joy

Psalm 107: ⁴ Some wandered in desert wastelands,
    finding no way to a city where they could settle.
⁵ They were hungry and thirsty,
    and their lives ebbed away.
⁶ Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he delivered them from their distress.
⁷ He led them by a straight way
    to a city where they could settle.
⁸ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
⁹ for he satisfies the thirsty
    and fills the hungry with good things.

¹⁰ Some sat in darkness, in utter darkness,
    prisoners suffering in iron chains,
¹¹ because they rebelled against God’s commands
    and despised the plans of the Most High.
¹² So he subjected them to bitter labor;
    they stumbled, and there was no one to help.
¹³ Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
    and he saved them from their distress.
¹⁴ He brought them out of darkness, the utter darkness,
    and broke away their chains.
¹⁵ Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love
    and his wonderful deeds for mankind,
¹⁶ for he breaks down gates of bronze
    and cuts through bars of iron.

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Joy is quite different than happiness. I have sought happiness and found it temporarily, but it sometimes led to places that were away from GOD. HE allowed me to be happy, but knew that’s not what I needed.

• GOD wants me to have “joy” because it endures the desert wastelands.
• GOD wants me to have “joy” because it leads me out of darkness.
• GOD wants me to have “joy” because it points me to GOD’s unfailing love.

Joy is hope wrapped in faith coupled with knowledge that GOD knows what HE is doing for you. Joy brings excitement that at the end of the crazy, disastrous, calamitous trouble, my relationship with GOD is strengthened so I will proclaim HIS name to the world!

• Are you in the desert?
• Have you been placed in chains?
• Can you seek joy from GOD versus happiness?
• Will you proclaim HIS name and the wonderful deliverance HE has for you?

GOD’s Plan

Joshua 3: ⁷ And the Lord said to Joshua, “Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses.

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“What a nice sash. You must have worked hard. You will do well!” were the words from a gentleman from another country I remember to this very day. At that age I felt rather directionless and I was in the scouts.  I read my scout book and looked at what it would take to achieve badges.

I sewed my badges on my sash with pitiful stitching. Some were dangling pathetically while others were crooked and pinched. I had no idea what affect this gentleman’s profound words would have on my life. GOD elevated me to heights I never would have dreamed of.

• Sometimes GOD’s plan starts out with very simple roots.
• Sometimes GOD’s plan seems cloudy and I have no idea where HE will take me.
• Sometimes GOD’s plan looks pitiful and hopeless.

Nay-sayers seem to gravitate towards my plans. “You can’t do that” is the first thing out of their mouths. “The odds are against you, why try” is their follow on question. At times, my actions did seem futile and pitiful, BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD says to me “I will begin to exalt you” right at the inception of any plan.
• GOD says to me “The battle is not yours” so any fight I face is going to be won.
• GOD says to me “I am with you, who can be against you” so obstacles and barriers have to bow down to HIM.

When GOD says HE has a plan for me, HE means it. The obstacles of life are a training ground for the strength I will need in another battle. HE grows me and cares for me along the way. HE exalts me in HIS time.

• Are you wondering where GOD is?
• Can you see GOD is with you and will never leave you?
• Won’t you stop trying to fight so hard and let GOD fight for you?

Never too late to return

Deuteronomy 4: ³⁰ All of the things I’ve told you about might happen to you. And you will be in trouble. But later you will return to the Lord your God. You will obey him. ³¹ The Lord your God is tender and loving. He won’t leave you or destroy you. He won’t forget the covenant he made with your people long ago. He took an oath when he made it.

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Staring at the phone drove me crazy! In college I had “friends” who called me constantly wanting to know the “fun” I had in store for them but, alas, I was no longer in college. I didn’t know anyone in this particular town and the apartment I moved into, while extremely close to work, was a semi-retired home full of old ladies.

Boredom quickly set in. “I have got to find a club or something to do” I said to myself. One of the old ladies in the building asked me “which church do you go to?” “Church?” “What’s church?” I said in my mind.  It had been a long time and I hadn’t considered actually worshipping GOD, not until I had chest pains and a broken down car and other problems.

• There are times that I forget GOD.
• There are times where I ignore HIS voice.
• There are times when I leave GOD’s ways to do what I want.

GOD knows what’s best for me so and HE knows I will not make the right decision.  HE takes me out of situations that will harm me and places me right where HE wants me. HE knows the right circumstances to place in front of me to guide me back to HIM.

• GOD is willing to accept me no matter how long I’ve been away from HIM.
• GOD is willing to love me no matter what I’ve done.
• GOD is willing to protect me no matter how low I’ve sank.

GOD wanted a relationship with me so HE died for me. Someone had to die for the sins I commit so HE volunteered. HIS only criteria is my belief, not just in HIS existence but in HIS position. HE wants me to believe I deserve to go to Hell based on my birth and that there is no “good” in me.

HE wants me to believe there is only one way to true worship and salvation and that way is through understanding JESUS volunteered to take away my sins. HIS resurrection placed HIM above all. GOD will never leave me or destroy me because of HIS tender love for me!

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Have you lost your way?
• Can you let GOD guide you back to HIM?
• Won’t you seek HIM again today?

A story of forgiveness

Genesis 43: ²⁰ “We beg your pardon, our lord,” they said, “we came down here the first time to buy food. ²¹ But at the place where we stopped for the night we opened our sacks and each of us found his silver—the exact weight—in the mouth of his sack. So we have brought it back with us. ²² We have also brought additional silver with us to buy food. We don’t know who put our silver in our sacks.”

²³ “It’s all right,” he said. “Don’t be afraid. Your God, the God of your father, has given you treasure in your sacks; I received your silver.” Then he brought Simeon out to them.

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Frustration was the look on my face as I sat there not knowing what to do. My boss was no help and I felt thoroughly inadequate in my new role. My boss’s boss invited me into his office and invited me to sit down. “Oh boy, here it comes, I’m going to be fired and I haven’t even started.” I thought to myself.

He said “Stop worrying, I’m sending you to a training class. I want you to take on more responsibility.”

• When I mess up I feel lost.
• When I am burdened I feel I am wandering.
• When I face difficult times I feel like I need to justify my every move.

Joseph’s brothers tried to kill him. Now, unknowingly, they had to buy food from him. Joseph was somewhat graceful and gave them food along with their silver but commanded them to bring their brother back. Joseph had forgiven them. They were frightened and thought the worse. I do the same.

I think GOD is looking to punish me more and more so I get scared and brace myself for the next wave of punishment. BUT GOD is different.

• GOD looks for opportunities to show HIS great love to me and others so HE can draw people to HIM.
• GOD looks for times HE can bless me so I can bless others.
• GOD looks for chances where I am willing to listen to HIM and see HIM so HE can show me HIS unfailing love.

It truly takes faith to see GOD working in adverse times. Everyone around may not see what GOD sees so the news may seem dismal. GOD’s plan is awesome so I’m taking HIS advice when HE says “Don’t be afraid.”

• Are you afraid?
• Does the situation seem hopeless?
• Can you keep moving forward with GOD knowing HE is blessing you right now?
• Won’t you be a blessing to someone today to show your faith in HIM?

The ONE who sees me

Genesis 16: ¹³ She gave this name to the Lord who spoke to her: “You are the God who sees me,” for she said, “I have now seen the One who sees me.”

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Excited about the position, I followed up with the recruiter.  I had been through three rounds of interviewing and my buddy said if I made it past the second round I would be a shoe in. “We would like to present an offer BUT…” the only word I heard was “offer.” 

As she kept talking I came to my senses and realized they were not going to extend an offer to me or anyone else.  For the first time in their history this very large nameless computer company went on a hiring freeze. I was furious! LORD, am I stuck in this town?

• Sometimes I think GOD isn’t listening to me.
• Sometimes I think GOD isn’t watching me.
• Sometimes I think GOD doesn’t care.

From situation to situation I looked at GOD like HE was the problem.  Whether it was an untimely speeding ticket or a lost valuable item or a physical pain that would not subside I looked at GOD and asked “why me?” I wonder if it was because I was looking at the wrong thing.

• GOD helps me see HIM when I stop looking at the situation.
• GOD helps me see HIM when I stop fretting and start believing.
• GOD helps me see HIM when I stop thinking HE can’t fix this situation.

GOD has a deep unadulterated love for me that I cannot understand. HE disciplines me much softer than HIS outpouring of love on me. HE hears me when I sincerely cry out and sees me all the time. GOD never leaves me nor does HE forsake me.

• Do you feel alone even though people are around you?
• Do you think you are being punished for some sin?
• Are you feeling a bit lost in your direction?
• Won’t you take a moment to look at what GOD “is” doing in your life and praise HIM?

Where was I when HE found me?

1 Timothy 1: ¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

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As I sat at the bar on another Saturday night with “friends” I thought to myself “what am I doing here?” I mean this is definitely not fulfilling! After being popular it seemed like I was living out a sentence of reclusion in a “Podunk” town. I was in the middle of a crowd feeling lonely but this time not lonely for people.

What was missing? People invited me out so that wasn’t it. We had laughter so that wasn’t it. We had shallow meaningless conversations so that wasn’t it. What could fill my emptiness?

• When I try to fill my life with sensuous pleasure I may be running away from something.
• When I try to surround myself with frolicking I may need to face something.
• When I go to the extreme to make myself happy I may need to deal with something.

What was I missing?  I was “the man” on campus then I wasn’t “the man” in this small town. Was it the town that was the problem? Nah! GOD had a different path that HE wanted me on.

• No matter what my past was GOD wants to pour out HIS love on me.
• No matter what I’ve done GOD wants to show HIS faithfulness to me.
• No matter where I’ve wandered to GOD wants to give me grace in abundance.

Somehow GOD saw right through my sinful façade. HE dug to the core and considered me trustworthy to carry HIS message. HE appointed me to HIS service in the middle of my ignorance and unbelief. HE found me when I wasn’t looking for HIM.

• Is your heart empty?
• Are you unfulfilled?
• Is your life out of control?
• Can you look to CHRIST to fill the hole in your heart?
• Won’t you give up that lifestyle for one that is fulfilling and full of GOD?

I was lost

Colossians 1: ²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

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A quick glance at my watch raised panic in my mind. The meeting was going to start in minutes and I couldn’t find the building. I started devising a plan that seemed to be futile and time was running out. I thought “If I could look at the buildings then maybe I could see something familiar.” Finally after looking at maps and driving in circles I found someone to give me directions. I felt peace easing my mind.

• Whenever life gets tough I try to develop plans that don’t include GOD.
• Whenever life gets difficult I try to create my own way excluding GOD.
• Whenever life gets painful I try to generate my own destiny, thinking I don’t need GOD for this situation, I can handle it myself.

In my mind, GOD was cramping my style. I mean HE wanted me to be “good” and to “trust HIM” yet HE didn’t seem to care because HE wasn’t handling the situation the way “I” wanted HIM to. At least that’s what my mind was telling me. BUT GOD acts and reacts much higher than I do.

• GOD saw I would not choose HIM yet HE allowed HIS SON to die for me to save me.
• GOD saw I would walk away from HIM many times yet HE chose to forgive me.
• GOD saw I would fight with HIS plans yet HE continues with HIS plans of love for me.

Whenever I fight with GOD and HIS mighty plan, I seem to get lost. Don’t get me wrong, I may seem to be doing fine from a humans’ perspective but I stop serving, praying and soon believing. I start believing I know better than GOD and after a while I leave HIM out of the picture completely. Then when life gets difficult I run back to HIM like a little baby.

GOD wants me to remain in HIM placing my faith and hope in HIS marvelous ways. Only HIS SON can remove my sins and declare me free from blemishes.

• Are you lost?
• Do you think you have a plan to get you out of your mess?
• Can you turn your life over to GOD and focus on HIS way?
• Won’t you believe in HIS SON who is the only one who can save you?

I too scream “JESUS!”

Luke 18:  ³⁵ As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging. ³⁶ When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷ They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

 ³⁸ He called out, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 ³⁹ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

 ⁴⁰ Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹ “What do you want me to do for you?”

   “Lord, I want to see,” he replied.

 ⁴² Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.” ⁴³ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

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This is one of my favorite passages of the Bible! They tried to shut the beggar up and he screamed for JESUS louder. I remember times of pressure and not knowing where to turn but I put my faith in CHRIST. Let me tell you, when times got tough many people will tried to give me “their” plan and looked at me like I was crazy for trying to follow GOD.

• When times get tough and I don’t have a plan my soul says “scream JESUS!”
• When all my plans seem to fall apart and things don’t seem to go my way my soul says “scream JESUS!”
• When I look around and find more and more people in pain and I don’t have a solution my soul says “scream JESUS!”

I guess the reason I like this account of history is because it showed a person who was in dire need trying to work his plan, begging. Yes, that would feed him, maybe clothe him but he really desired more.

He screamed “JESUS” when he felt the opportunity was about to pass him by! He knew this was his last chance and he wanted to become whole. JESUS made him whole so guess what… I too scream JESUS!

• Are you blind about something?
• Do you feel you have lost your direction?
• Are your plans failing?
• Have you tried calling on JESUS with every fabric of your soul?
• Will you believe HE can and will “fix” everything in your life the way only HE can?

Watch out!

Matthew 26: ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

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“LORD if YOU would just get me out of this situation, I will never to ‘that’ again” are the empty words I have used several times with GOD.  I said these words to manipulate GOD into not punishing me for the sin I had just done.

• When I lie my SPIRIT cries out yet I lie anyway.
• When I lust my SPIRIT cries out yet I lust anyway.
• When I am lazy my SPIRIT cries out yet I am lazy anyway.
• When I am lost my SPIRIT cries out yet I remain lost anyway.

Temptation to sin is like falling into a sticky gooey substance with dirt and junk blowing around getting stuck to me. No matter how hard I struggle it seems like stuff just stick to me.

• In order to avoid temptation I need to watch where I go.
• In order to avoid sin I need to pray for help.
• In order to avoid the traps laid out before me I need to watch out.
• In order to avoid GOD’s judgment on me I need to pray for HIS forgiveness.

“Watch and Pray” are GOD’s words to clean me up while avoiding the pitfalls of life that I can easily fall into. HE wants me to understand myself and know what tempts me in order to stay away from that thing. HE knows if I were around “that” temptation I would easily fall into the sin.

The best thing for me to do is stay far away from that temptation by “watching” out for it and “praying” for GOD’s strength.

• Are you falling into the same sin over and over?
• Do you feel discouraged that you are doing that sin again?
• Can you believe GOD has forgiven you for all your sins?
• Can you relax your mind enough to replace discouragement with “watching” and “praying?”

Tired? Give it to GOD.

Matthew 11:    ²⁸ “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. ²⁹ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

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There are times that I get tired of the whole “good” versus “evil” thing. I mean it seems like I come up wrong most of the time and my efforts seem to go unrewarded. When I try to serve people they blow it off, troubles seem to still come my way and those I have been praying for don’t seem to be getting better (at least from where I see it).

• The reason I get tired is I am trying to do things my way, not GOD’s way.
• The reason I get tired is I think “I” have the answer when it is really up to GOD.
• The reason I get tired is I try to manipulate GOD and change HIS direction rather than going with HIM.

GOD told me to “Come to HIM” which means I have to stop running away scared of the consequence HE has for me because of my sin. HE then told me to “learn from HIM” which means I have to drop my know it all ways and trust HIS plan.

HE also told me that HE is “gentle” “humble in heart” and that HE would “give me rest.” GOD took on the burden of sin and HE gave me an easy job. All HE wants me to do is be at peace with HIM and tell others why I am peaceful.

• Rest comes when I see things GOD’s way.
• Rest comes when I learn from GOD and I understand how gentle HE truly is with me.
• Rest comes when I can finally give up the fight I have with GOD trying to get my way.

I have noticed I rest better when I trust GOD to do HIS thing. I get nervous when I am trying to do something and GOD’s answer may be “no.” Learning from GOD and doing HIS tasks are easy when I truly ask HIM “LORD what do YOU want?”

• Are you tired?
• What battle are you fighting?
• Are you trying to get “your way” or have you asked GOD “what do YOU want?”
• Can you say to GOD “YOU will be done” today?

I'm conflicted and need help!

John 12:23Jesus replied, "The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. 24I tell you the truth, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds.

25The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. 26Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My Father will honor the one who serves me.

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Sin is a controversial topic. Many people have heard me say "We are all in the mud, throwing mud at each other while saying there's mud on you." Every human commits sin and I am no exception. I sin daily either in thought or in deed. But there is a difference in how GOD looks at humans who sin.

GOD looks at those who confess they are sinners as special people. When these people come looking for salvation they receive it abundantly. HE provides them with the HOLY SPIRIT who becomes their guide. While they remain sinners, they now have hope.

GOD also looks at those who do not confess they are sinners. They have no remorse for their condition and in most instances point out flaws in other people never once looking at their own condition. The Pharisees and pagans were in this group.

The religious people had a terrible time because they thought they were good when it was CHRIST that made a person good. The pagans who knew they were sinners, accepted CHRIST easier because they were saddened by their condition. Unfortunately there were some who liked their sinful acts and had no remorse or thought of letting it go.

CHRIST states that HE is the kernel of wheat who must fall to the ground and die to produce many seeds or Christians. The thing about a seed is that it's only value is to die to produce other seeds or to be eaten.

HE says to me that I must die to my life in order to keep it. What in the world does that mean? I think it means that each and every day I will make decisions that follow what GOD says or I won't. Every day I wake up with a choice, follow GOD or follow my own way of thinking.

The problem is my way of thinking is faulty. I want things "my way," "when I want it," "how I want it." When I fall into this trap nothing good comes out of it.

• When I follow my thinking, I justify my sinful acts.
• When I follow my thinking, I am not at peace.
• When I follow my thinking, I end up not pleasing anyone, not even myself.
• When I follow my thinking, I am full of blame.
• When I follow my thinking, I cannot hear what GOD is saying to me.

Why does GOD say over and over "Stop sinning" when HE knows I can't? Well, maybe HE knows I can stop sinning, at least long enough to hear HIM. The HOLY SPIRIT never yells, HE quietly speaks to me, persuading me to do better. HE guides me to look at the Bible each day. HE is the one who prompts me to pray and to forgive others when I don't want to.

• When I lose my life, I seek GOD's life.
• When I lose my life, I ask HIM "what does HE want me to do?"
• When I lose my life, I despise the sin I easily fall into.
• When I lose my life, I desire to serve rather than being served.
• When I lose my life, I no longer blame people, rather I look at my own sin in disgust.

Yes, I am saved! I believe JESUS died for my sin, now I am a seed. I too must die and give my life to HIM to do what HE wants to. It's up to HIM to 'give' and 'take away'. My life is HIS.

• What sin are you holding tightly onto?
• Are you tired of people blaming you for things?
• Are you energized by correction or does it drive you into rage?
• Are you seeking to serve or to be served?
• Can you hear GOD today?

Aren't you glad you "found it."

The Parable of the Lost Sheep
Luke 15: 1Now the tax collectors and "sinners" were all gathering around to hear him. 2But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them."
3Then Jesus told them this parable: 4"Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders 6and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'

7I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.

The Parable of the Lost Coin
8"Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins[a] and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? 9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'

10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

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I like to receive thank you's and pats on the back. At work I won a ton of awards and received recognition for doing some spectacular thing. In the community I received praise, plaques and prizes. None of what I received compares to the cheering and praise a person receives when the stop rejecting JESUS.

I sometimes get side tracked into thinking my existence is for work or school or whatever I'm doing at the moment. I pour myself into "that thing" for a while and I come home exhausted. I do this over and over until I need a vacation because I am burnt out.

While I am going on with my life, I don't notice the people around me who are dying. I'm not talking about physical death, I'm speaking about eternal death. People who reject JESUS as their savior are pursuing an eternal destiny of separation from HIM.

GOD wrote HIS laws in every humans' heart and I believe it is the rejection of what we already know that causes mankind to go to Hell. GOD does not take chances on losing HIS humans. HE took measures that would ensure "every" human could be saved.

It's amazing what HE did. HE gave me free will and saw that I would not choose HIM. HE then came to earth as a human and died in my place. HE saw every sin that I would ever commit and HE accepted me anyway.

• GOD accepted me when I lied.
• GOD accepted me when I stole.
• GOD accepted me when I lusted.
• GOD accepted me when I was lazy.
• GOD accepted me when I doubted HIM.
• GOD accepted me when I demanded that HE do something outside of HIS will.

My sins are forgiven because I no longer reject who JESUS is and what HE has done. Unfortunately there are a lot of humans who know this concept and reject it. "How can they know it?", you say. Again, GOD took precautions and wrote HIS law on every heart. My purpose is to be an example and a testimony to GOD showing humans HE accepted me in the middle of my sins.

I now have to tell people that HE accepted me without being cleaned up. People around the world have heard me tell them to accept not reject CHRIST. This is the most important thing I can do in life.

This purpose is for all Christians. All of us are to tell our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers and acquaintances about GOD's great acceptance. We should all be looking for the lost because we were found.

• What is your purpose in life?
• Do you think your work or school is more important than keeping someone from rejecting CHRIST?
• Is your relationship more important than keeping that person from rejecting CHRIST?
• Would you rather keep a friend on earth and watch them reject CHRIST and go to Hell?
• Is there someone you can seek to "find" today?