Waiting to Rejoice

Waiting to Rejoice

Revelation 18: All the ships' captains and passengers, the sailors and all others who earn their living on the sea, stood a long way off, ¹⁸ and cried out as they saw the smoke from the flames that consumed her: “There never has been another city like this great city!” ¹⁹ They threw dust on their heads, they cried and mourned, saying, “How terrible! How awful for the great city! She is the city where all who have ships sailing the seas became rich on her wealth! And in one hour she has lost everything!”

²⁰ Be glad, heaven, because of her destruction! Be glad, God's people and the apostles and prophets! For God has condemned her for what she did to you!

 

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As the teacher separated the thug from the rest of the class, I felt relieved. It seemed like she allowed the thug to torment us forever without doing something about it. Before she left with the thug to go to the principal’s office, she gave a warning. “Do not celebrate, because this could be you.”

 

• She put a damper on my celebration.
• I wanted to get excited because justice had finally been served.
• I was told to hold back on my celebration, which was kind of a letdown.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw world trade and ocean travel come to an end. The great city that made it possible for goods to be sold around the world, and for luxury cruises to make people rich, had come to an end. This was the final piece of demolition that GOD put in place.

 

My Observations:

• Wealth without GOD can lead to my destruction.
• Luxury without GOD can cause me to move further away from hear HIM and seeing HIM.
• One day, the rich, powerful and arrogant leaders will mourn over the fall that GOD has planned.

 

Wealth is a touchy subject that can cause highly charged conversations. I mean, one person preaches prosperity, the other preaches poverty, in terms of being close to GOD. JESUS said “Foxes have holes and birds have nests, but the SON of man does not have a place to lay HIS head” while HE walked on earth. HE owned everything, yet chose to be the poorest among HIS people.

 

To HIM, worldly wealth was not a thing to be obtained because HE owned it all anyway. But what was HE after? HE wanted to save all HIS humans HE created, from destruction. One day, JESUS will judge the world for stealing people away from following HIM. I gladly seek HIS kingdom, which are the lost people HE wants me to find.

 

Challenge

• Does the writer give a sense of urgency?
• Have you ever wanted to be rich or follow those who are?
• What is GOD’s plan for your life and why do you think HE has you where you are today?

Now What?

Now What?

Revelation 18: After this I saw another angel coming down out of heaven. He had great authority, and his splendor brightened the whole earth. ² He cried out in a loud voice: “She has fallen! Great Babylon has fallen! She is now haunted by demons and unclean spirits; all kinds of filthy and hateful birds live in her. ³ For all the nations have drunk her wine—the strong wine of her immoral lust. The kings of the earth practiced sexual immorality with her, and the merchants of the world grew rich from her unrestrained lust.”

 

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Waiting for my parents to overlook the keys to the car, I slid them out of sight. They were going on vacation and I planned on using the car without permission. They left and the keys were mine! I started the car and as I was driving, noticed the engine was getting hot. I checked the fluid levels and there was no coolant in the car. I spent all my money just trying to get the car to work.

 

• I got what I wanted but did not want what I got.
• I added problems by my sneakiness that I had not accounted for.
• I was in worse shape by doing something I should not have been doing.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard another angel, who had great authority, announce that the great city Babylon has fallen. This was the thing that tempted humans into fulfilling their lusts for sex, power and money. The evil plan to tempt people away from GOD failed and evil was turned against evil.

 

My Observations:

• My evil plans never work, BUT GOD’s loving plans always succeed.
• My plans that use the world’s methods may temporarily succeed, BUT GOD rewards me eternally for following HIS plans.
• It seems like every time I used evil as my plan, it backfired and then I ended up in worse shape.

 

“Now what?” is the question that I have to ask myself when I realize my sin put me in worse shape. I mean, do I keep going down the sinful path or do I stop, turn around and go towards the way that I know is right and would benefit me? Unfortunately, there have been times when I have chosen to be wrong and fall down with my sins. BUT GOD has that in HIS plans.

 

HE saw my sins and made a way for me to return to HIM. By confessing my sins, HE is faithful and just to cleanse me of all unrighteousness. HE restores my soul and leads me on the path of righteousness. I am glad GOD gives me another chance.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer was informed about the angel’s authority?
• Have you ever did something wrong and now you have to live with your mistake?
• Will you tell GOD about your mistake so HE can erase it and restore you and give you a better path to walk today?

Underemployed

Underemployed

Revelation 6: ⁵ Then the Lamb broke open the third seal; and I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there was a black horse. Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶ I heard what sounded like a voice coming from among the four living creatures, which said, “A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages. But do not damage the olive trees and the vineyards!”

 

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Getting in my car, I noticed the seat would no longer stay upright. Having no money to spend on this, I figured out a solution. I grabbed a block of wood and propped up the seat. “There! Good as new!”

 

• My wages were not enough to cover the expense of the repair.
• My wages were only enough to pay for rent and gas to get me back to work.
• My wages were not enough for any luxury, so I ate wisely.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard the third living creature say “Come!” after the third seal of Satan’s sentence scroll was opened. A spirit of greed was unleashed. Then John heard a voice from among the four living creatures. People would work hard and barely have enough money to eat.

 

My Observations:

• GOD will dismantle Satan’s temporary kingdom by allowing greedy people to raise prices.
• Greed will cause painful desires on the poor to want something better.
• GOD is in control of what gets damaged and what does not.

 

Greed is a silent killer. I mean, the world praises the rich and powerful and says “too bad” to the poor and powerless. As greed escalates, new words emerge that make people desire a piece of heaven on earth and justify indulgences. BUT GOD has all the wealth.

 

JESUS looked at humanity and cared enough to die for it. HE saw a price that no one could pay but HIM. Life itself was at stake. HE gave HIS life so you and I would not have to. HE gave up everything for us. But now HE is the most wealthy being and wants to share HIS love with us.

 

Challenge

• Does the writer convey unfairness?
• Does it seem like the rich and powerful get richer and the poor stay poor?
• Will you place your hope in JESUS who is methodically taking down Satan’s kingdom?

More Valuable Than Clothes

More Valuable Than Clothes

Hebrews 1: ¹⁰ He also said,
“You, Lord, in the beginning created the earth,
    and with your own hands you made the heavens.
¹¹ They will disappear, but you will remain;
    they will all wear out like clothes.
¹² You will fold them up like a coat,
    and they will be changed like clothes.
But you are always the same,
    and your life never ends.”

 

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After purchasing a new suit, I felt pretty good about myself. But after wearing it only once, I noticed a seam open. I was enraged as I took the garment back to the suit shop. “I didn’t pay this kind of money to get low quality!” was the beginning of my rant. I continued with more words.

 

• I did not even know who I was talking to.
• I did not care that he or she had a relationship with CHRIST.
• I wore the new garment until it went out of style, and I never once thought of the salespeople.

 

As magnificent is the earth, it will one day be destroyed by the one who created it, according to what was revealed to Paul. “They will wear out like clothes” is the analogy to the moon, stars and planets we see and experience. Paul then points to something that is eternal, namely JESUS.

 

My Observations

• GOD loves people far more than possessions.
• My focus on possessions can sometimes get in the way of GOD’s love for me and other people.
• I am loved eternally.

 

Having clothes and possessions is not a problem until they have me. I mean, when I get mad at people over lack of possessions, or dented or torn possessions, then I forget what GOD wants me to see, namely HIS love for him or her.

 

JESUS is eternal and so are those who believe in HIS salvation. Our life here on earth is temporary. All the titles, things and places will some day be destroyed. All that will remain will be you and me standing in front of GOD, accounting for our lives. I only hope my life is not squandered, rather it bear fruit for GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use clothes as the example?
• Have you ever bought clothes that went out of style and felt like you needed more and more and more and more?
• Will you seek what is eternal, namely a relationship with CHRIST so HE can guide you to bring others to HIM today?

Bad Fruit

Bad Fruit

Galatians 5: ¹⁹ What human nature does is quite plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions; ²⁰ in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups; ²¹ they are envious, get drunk, have orgies, and do other things like these. I warn you now as I have before: those who do these things will not possess the Kingdom of God.

 

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Continuing on yesterday’s thought, I remember being excited about going to college where I found “freedom” to do what “everybody” else was doing. When I joined in with the group I liked, I was able to get drunk, have as much sex as I wanted and join in on a few battles with malicious words. I found myself not attending classes, then I was kicked out. The “fun” group was not there to help.

 

• I was on a path to destroying myself and others.
• I cared so much about experiencing pleasure that I was blind to my own actions.
• I wanted to fit in with a group that was trying to use “fun” as a medication to life’s difficulties.

 

Paul provides a list that could be confusing. He lists actions that some would ask “what’s wrong with that?” He is warning people about their “purpose” in life. The list is not about a specific sin, it is about life’s pursuits. His warning is, if people pursue yielding to human nature too long, eventually he or she will not be able to hear GOD.

 

My Observations

• Recognizing that I am blinded by my own desires helps me see GOD.
• Asking GOD to give me strength to ignore the things that are barriers to hearing HIM puts me back on HIS path.
• Knowing that JESUS died for all my sins helps me when I fall.

 

Believing in JESUS enables me to possess the Kingdom of GOD. But what happens if I sin? If I confess my sins HE is faithful and just to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. Getting back to the passage, it is about life’s pursuits that GOD is looking at.

 

HE knows when I am pursuing “my” own kingdom versus HIS. HE let’s be bear bad fruit, thinking my crowd can “support” me through life’s difficulties. HE allows my bad fruit to grow into horrible situations that may have affected many. Fortunately, HE always makes a way back to HIM. I am grateful I can run back to GOD and HE welcomes me with open forgiving arms.

 

Challenge

• Is there any part of the list the writer brings that would concern you?
• Do you find yourself justifying your own actions with a group?
• Will you stop listening to your human nature and confess to GOD that your life may be on a dangerous path and you need HIS help to guide you back to HIM today?

Mine

 

Mine

Romans 11: ³³ How great are God's riches! How deep are his wisdom and knowledge! Who can explain his decisions? Who can understand his ways? ³⁴ As the scripture says,

 

“Who knows the mind of the Lord?
    Who is able to give him advice?
³⁵ Who has ever given him anything,
    so that he had to pay it back?”

 

³⁶ For all things were created by him, and all things exist through him and for him. To God be the glory forever! Amen.

 

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Driving my old car, anyone and everyone was allowed in. The seats were full of junk I tossed in the back, so I would ask the unexpected passenger to move the stuff out the way. But then I bought my first “new” car. I had a car note that was exactly the same amount as my rent. I washed it weekly and vowed to keep it clean. I restricted who would ride in “my” car.

 

• There have been many things I have had that I claimed to be “mine.”
• There have been many possessions I have had that I worried about protecting.
• There have been many items that I had that I thought were “mine.”

 

Paul and the other prophets ask great questions about GOD to show how powerful and incredible HE is. HIS riches, wisdom and knowledge is unsurpassed. HIS decisions and ways cannot be explained or understood. No one has given HIM anything especially money or advice.

 

• GOD wants me to know that all things were created by HIM.
• GOD wants me to know that all things exist through HIM.
• GOD wants me to know that all things exist for HIM.

 

Knowing all things were made by HIM and exist through HIM and for HIM is scary. I mean, even though humans make things, they still exist because of GOD. When I use the things humans make I should be using it “for” GOD. While it sounds extreme, it seems true.

 

GOD wants me to use “my” computer to spread HIS word versus searching for porn or ways to become GOD and be in control. HE wants me to use “my” phone to spread the gospel versus sending text messages complaining about “that” person.

 

HE wants me to use “my” food to feed those who are hungry. Many ways I have neglected GOD by thinking I own anything. I am grateful GOD forgives me and accepts any portion of what I acknowledge as HIS.

 

• What are you trying to protect?
• Do you think you “own” anything?
• Will you release your hold on “your” stuff and allow GOD to guide you to HIS peace today?

Daydreaming

 

Daydreaming

Romans 8: ⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

 

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Hearing the conversation about cars made me know I was in the wrong league. One guy had just bought a car worth more than my house. After the conversation I was content to drive away in my rusty car. But later, I sat at my desk wondering how I could make more money. Maybe I should day trade or invest. I started dreaming of wealth more and more.

 

• Many times I put my mind on what I desired.
• Many times I sat with my mind fixed on what was in my heart.
• Many times I pondered how “good” life would be if I would just have…

 

Paul explains an enemy that is not the devil rather the mind. Though Satan caused humanity to ultimately fall and desire sin, humans still have a choice. Paul explains that choice. Those who live with their minds fixed on any lust cannot have their minds on things that please GOD.

 

• GOD wants me to seek HIS ways daily.
• GOD wants me to know my weaknesses and give them to HIM.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to guide my thoughts, for only HE knows my heart.

 

Without GOD, all dreams are worthless. I mean, any dream I have should include what GOD wants, otherwise I will find myself in a losing fight against GOD. If I really want that material thing and do not get it, I pout at GOD and question HIS existence.

 

GOD hates when I back HIM in a corner and question HIS love that HE so generously gave to me. BUT HE is patient enough to guide me back to HIM and to allow me to pray for daily forgiveness. HE sets my mind on HIS people who need HIS SON for HIS salvation. I am grateful GOD intervenes in my mind.

 

• What are you worried about?
• What do you dream about most of the day?
• Will you ask GOD to set your mind on what HE wants rather than trying to get your desires fulfilled today?

Unfair Trade

Luke 22: Now the Festival of Unleavened Bread, called the Passover, was approaching, ² and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people. ³ Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve. ⁴ And Judas went to the chief priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus. ⁵ They were delighted and agreed to give him money. ⁶ He consented, and watched for an opportunity to hand Jesus over to them when no crowd was present.

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“Are you with us?” was the question posed to me. The crowd wanted a person fired but needed my title and position to make it happen. After meeting with the person, I gathered enough “evidence” to make the call, although it took a while to find anything really wrong. They had to go, was my final thought. I mean, this person wasn’t going to matter in the long run, right?

• There were times when I traded in my values to do what the crowd wanted me to do.
• There were times when I went with the crowd to protect “my” world.
• There were times when I overlooked the innocent to figure out how to make the rich richer.

The church leaders had enough of JESUS and wanted to have HIM killed but they couldn’t figure out how to do it and keep their “holy” appearance. Judas was open minded enough to have Satan tempt him into betraying JESUS. Judas saw this wonderful amount of money offered and figured this person didn’t matter in the long run.

• GOD says to me “Every person matters to ME.”
• GOD says to me “Do not let your heart be so concerned with getting your way that you allow Satan to drive your desires.”
• GOD says to me “Narrow is the path, but stay on it and I will be your guide.”

One day I will have to stand before GOD and account for everything I have done. Unlike a monetary system, sin outweighs any “good” I could ever do. JESUS did an unfair trade for me. HE gave HIS life in place of mine. HE decided to take my punishment in order to rescue me. I cannot thank JESUS enough for what HE has done.

• Are you justifying being “unfair” to someone?
• Do you think your slander is not seen by GOD?
• Will you turn your heart over to GOD and allow HIM to guide your words today?

Money Eyes

Luke 16: Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. ² So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’

³ “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— ⁴ I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’

⁵ “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’

⁶ “‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied.

“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’

⁷ “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’

“‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied.

“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’

⁸ “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. ⁹ I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.

¹⁰ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? ¹² And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

¹³ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

¹⁴ The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. ¹⁵ He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

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• GOD wants me to be honest.
• GOD wants me to be just.
• GOD wants me to see money as a tool, not a life saver.

Three were times when I sunk very low and would almost do anything for money. When creditors were calling and no money was headed my way, I felt miserable. BUT GOD showed me something different. HE showed me that I am made of much more than money. HE gave me HIS mercy so I could love others. GOD’s mercy is worth more than riches to me.

• Are you stuck?
• Do you spend most of your time talking about or thinking about money or the lack thereof?
• Can you examine your heart to see how much of a hold does money have on you?
• Will you serve GOD over money today?

Fine Print

Luke 4: ⁵ Then the devil, taking Him up on a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. ⁶ And the devil said to Him, “All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish. ⁷ Therefore, if You will worship before me, all will be Yours.”

⁸ And Jesus answered and said to him, “Get behind Me, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.’ ”

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“Just hang with me and you will be alright” was the promise from one of the higher ups to me. At dinner, he drank until he could hardly speak and flirted with the wait staff.  As I walked him and others to his suite in the convention hotel and he suggested we do this again tomorrow only this time bring more people so we could really party.

• There were times when I had to decide between career and virtues.
• There were times when I had to decide between money and character.
• There were times when I had to decide between the crowd and the lone trail.

As a human JESUS was relegated to decide between supernatural comforts of life versus an uncomfortable low quality human existence. Greed, power, fame and lust were now possibilities presented to JESUS BUT HE knew that the fine print of the contract would cause all humans to be lost.

• JESUS wants me to decide to follow HIM versus the very tempting roads presented to me.
• JESUS wants me to decide to follow HIM versus the blind road the world presents.
• JESUS wants me to decide to follow HIM versus following the fears of money, the lusts for power, and the desires of constant pleasure.

Some of the temptations sound perfectly fine and logical. I mean who wouldn’t want riches and the ability to satisfy any lust one could imagine? GOD says to me “Control yourself and follow MY lead so you may be protected from the world.”

People may laugh at this choice because it doesn’t look “successful.” BUT GOD loves when I follow HIM and ignore the jeers from those who poke fun at my plain life. Being amazed at GOD daily is more important than people temporarily following me for my five minutes of fame.

• Are you seeking fame and power?
• Do you think you would be better off if you were extremely wealthy?
• Can you stop trying to fix your problems with money and give all your issues to the LORD who knows just what to do with them?

Nice Threads

Matthew 23: ²⁷ “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. ²⁸ In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.

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Adorned with a matching tie, new shoes and socks that went with the suit, I was ready for church. I also had a new, unread Bible. When I arrived, I saw tight skirts and smelled perfume. “I have no idea what was said, but I’m sure I would fit in here” I thought to myself. “I mean I look pretty good too!”

• Why did I gather when my heart was filled with lust?
• Why did I attend church when I wanted to be in a club?
• Why did I look at GOD’s children as something I could eventually mistreat as common.

My attitude towards church was that it was a gathering made for me. If I did not like the message or the way people were dressed, I would eventually leave and try again. I found a place where I could hear about GOD and lust at the same time! What a deal! BUT GOD wanted different.

• GOD wanted me to care more about my insides than out.
• GOD wanted me to go to church caring about people not staring at them.
• GOD wanted me to seek to be cleansed from the inside.

Dead and unclean were the words JESUS used to describe the Sadducees and Pharisees. They would bring business deals, lust for power and lust for humans into the church while wearing nice garments and proud smiles. Respected in the community, they pranced before men.

GOD wants me to act different. HE wants me to go to church, ready to confess at the drop of a hat. HE wants my insides to become clean more than the outside.

• Do you pay a lot of attention to clothes?
• Are you trying to dress to please people?
• Can you stop trying to please others and let GOD clean your insides?

Childish Praise

Matthew 21: ¹² Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. ¹³ “It is written,” he said to them, “‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’”

¹⁴ The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. ¹⁵ But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple courts, “Hosanna to the Son of David,” they were indignant.

¹⁶ “Do you hear what these children are saying?” they asked him.

“Yes,” replied Jesus, “have you never read,

“‘From the lips of children and infants
    you, Lord, have called forth your praise’?”

¹⁷ And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.

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Looking under cars for coins, I missed the beginning of the church service. I wanted to buy a doughnut and did not have any money. I didn’t want to ask anyone for money and those tasty morsels were calling my name!

“Ministry costs money” is what I have heard over the years as justification for selling books, CD’s, DVD’s, fashion shows and fancy dinners in the church. For years this has puzzled me because at the end of the “fund raising” thing, I rarely heard if people accepted CHRIST or were healed or turned their life around.

• GOD said to me “Your ministry does not have to cost a dime.”
• GOD said to me “You can pray for people for free.”
• GOD said to me “You can go to people, tell them about ME and have them return to ME for free.”

Ministry does not cost money, buildings do. Please don’t get me wrong, I think it is wise to have a building for people to meet. Sometimes the building’s expenses get in the way of ministry.

The Pharisees enjoyed their buildings. They enjoyed their titles and in order to keep the building and human programs going, they needed money, lots of money. Even though JESUS healed people for free, the Pharisees groused. Meanwhile the children praised JESUS in their innocence. They had no motive, no manipulation.

JESUS wants me to praise HIM like these children. HE desires me to do “ministry” for free each and every day. HE wants me to assemble with others regularly, sometimes in a building. My praise should be as childish as these children.

• Are you stuck thinking your lack of money is why you cannot do ministry?
• Are you praying for money more than praising GOD?
• Can you praise GOD with childish innocence today?

Price of Preaching

Micah 3: ⁹ Hear this, you leaders of Jacob,
    you rulers of Israel,
who despise justice
    and distort all that is right;
¹⁰ who build Zion with bloodshed,
    and Jerusalem with wickedness.
¹¹ Her leaders judge for a bribe,
    her priests teach for a price,
    and her prophets tell fortunes for money.
Yet they look for the Lord’s support and say,
    “Is not the Lord among us?
    No disaster will come upon us.”

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“Maybe I can make some money on a daily devotional” I thought to myself. I mean I do have enough material that I can copy and paste the words into a book and make some cash. Moments later I felt a voice tell me “Do not sell MY words. Give them to MY kingdom and feed MY sheep.”

• I’ve had thoughts of selling to the church.
• I’ve had thoughts of making a profit from GOD’s gathering.
• I’ve had thoughts of saying what people wanted to hear, disregarding what GOD really wants me to say.

After a while, the religious leaders of JESUS’s day were going through the motions. They spoke in front of great crowds for a price and if anyone stood in their way, they would slander them and have them killed. What does GOD want me to do?

• GOD tells me to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT.”
• GOD tells me to “Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
• GOD tells me to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

From GOD’s directives, I never hear “go make as much money on the backs of MY people.” HE tells me to gather as many people as I can, while I am alive, to bring them to HIS feet, then HE will give me my reward in Heaven. GOD’s harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

• Are you thinking about making more money using GOD’s people?
• Have you been preaching and teaching what people want to hear in order to get or keep a crowd?
• Can you admit your sins in front of a crowd so they can hear and be saved by GOD, not you?

Accepting Bribes

Daniel 5: ¹⁶ Now I have heard that you are able to give interpretations and to solve difficult problems. If you can read this writing and tell me what it means, you will be clothed in purple and have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”

¹⁷ Then Daniel answered the king, “You may keep your gifts for yourself and give your rewards to someone else. Nevertheless, I will read the writing for the king and tell him what it means.

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²² “But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. ²³ Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.

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One day I got a notification from the worst boss I ever worked for. Mean, belligerent and condescending was his style. He was reaching out to me because he had moved on to a new position and wanted to bring aboard a team of his own. I was unemployed at the time and money was running quite low. “I wonder if I should work for this guy” I thought to myself.

• Sometimes I would do some crazy things for money.
• Sometimes I would lose myself in order to get some money.
• Sometimes I would become something that I did not like in order to gain a little money.

Life’s hardships can bring on challenges that make me think twice about following someone who has no integrity. I mean maybe I can put up with pretending to be something I am not for a little while, you know, until I “get on my feet”, right? Wrong! GOD says something different.

• GOD says “I want you to follow ME not money.”
• GOD says “I want you to be single minded not double-minded.”
• GOD says “I want your entire heart and there is no room for money and ME.”

The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. Belshazzar was not only celebrating money, he figured he could use it to solve his problems with the Living GOD. BUT GOD wasn’t having it. HE took Belshazzar’s life that night.

GOD wants me to see this example and chose to follow HIM. Just like Daniel turned down the bribe, GOD wants me to say “No” when it comes to dirty money. No matter how difficult things may look, GOD is there to guide me.

• Are you constantly thinking of money?
• Would you do anything for money right now, even lose your own personality?
• Can you stop following money and start following GOD today? 

Saved by Silver

Ezekiel 7: ¹⁹ “‘They will throw their silver into the streets,
    and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean.
Their silver and gold
    will not be able to deliver them
    in the day of the Lord’s wrath.
It will not satisfy their hunger
    or fill their stomachs,
    for it has caused them to stumble into sin.

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Broke was the word that best described my situation. It seemed like there were more bills than money. Weekly I would get yet another call from a creditor and it seemed like I was moving backwards instead of forwards. “If I just had a little more money I could relax” I thought to myself.

• There have been times when I really wanted more money.
• There have been times when I craved more cash.
• There have been times when I wanted more stuff but could not afford it.

During this “broke” time I groused and my smile was seldom seen. I mean my life was a shamble right? Wrong! My dependence on cash made my life like a thermometer, hot when I had it, cold when it was gone. What was I supposed to do?

• GOD says to me “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
• GOD says to me “Put your trust in ME and all will go well with you.”
• GOD says to me “Trust in the LORD with all your ways and all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.”

When I calmed down I realized I had never missed a meal and I was living in a semi-paid for apartment. My job was difficult but I was getting a steady paycheck. I truly had a lot to praise GOD about. “You mean I can depend on GOD for my worries?” I thought to myself. This brought a genuine smile to my face. I felt heaviness fall from my shoulders. GOD wants me to smile in the middle of the storm without depending on cash or my wits. HE does care.

• Have you placed too much emphasis on money?
• Do you spend an excessive amount of time worrying about money?
• Will you stop placing so much value on money and start valuing GOD?

Cure for Jealousy

Psalm 37: ¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
² for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

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It was easy to stay away from the thugs of my day. Petty crime and thievery was about the worst that it would get. Then I saw a new wave of thug emerge with flashy cars and clothes to match. They said “You have to be tough and take no prisoners if you want to be like me.” It was still easy for me to avoid them but others flocked towards their glitter.

I went my way, worked hard and met some wonderful corporate minded people along the way. They said “You have to be tough and take no prisoners if you want to be like me.” Wait, didn’t I hear that somewhere before? It must have been my imagination. I was envious of the corporate mogul.

• No matter where I am I can get envious.
• No matter how little or how much I have, I can get jealous.
• No matter what the cost, I can get green-eyed.

It seemed like the “tough” and the “arrogant” and the “mean spirited” people would get their way most often, meanwhile I was left to fend on my own, working hard for little reward. I mean why do they get all the rewards and I have to do all the work? BUT GOD hears and knows.

• GOD says to me “Trust in ME and do good and you will dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”
• GOD says to me “Take delight in ME and I will give you the desires of your heart.”
• GOD says to me “Be still before ME and wait patiently for ME; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Success of those who harm others is short lived. Yes it seems like they have the bigger bank accounts, bank rolls or Benz’s BUT GOD says I want you to follow ME on MY path, not theirs. GOD’s path means my eyes are open to those who hurt and are in pain. It means telling someone they are forgiven, no matter what sin they have committed. GOD says “MY way is the right way and I will bless you for following ME.”

• Are you jealous?
• Do you have envy of those who do wrong?
• Are you secretly looking over what they do so you can be like them?
• Can you turn your heart to GOD?
• Will you stop being envious of them and delight in following GOD?

Feeling Secure

Job 31: ²⁴ “If I have put my trust in gold
    or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’
²⁵ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth,
    the fortune my hands had gained,
²⁶ if I have regarded the sun in its radiance
    or the moon moving in splendor,
²⁷ so that my heart was secretly enticed
    and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,
²⁸ then these also would be sins to be judged,
    for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.

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Reorg season number four was here and my biggest fear was upon me. I had no depth perception regarding the levels they would cut because I was one of them. I was absolutely speechless. I thought I would work at this place forever. In fact I worked day and night for this place, trying to “hold onto what I had.”

• Fear blinds me to what I’m supposed to be doing.
• Fear robs me of an abundant life.
• Fear grips me to the point where I try to play it safe, hiding so I won’t get cut.

In order for me to “feel secure” I had to have fear. I mean if I didn’t tie my shoes right or please the latest ego in charge then I could “lose my job.” In retrospect, this wasn’t security, it was bondage.

• GOD wants me to put my trust in HIM at all times.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge that I need HIM before I need money, titles or pleasure.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face on my job or business or home.

No matter where I am, I must seek GOD. I should acknowledge my fear and ask HIM to hold onto it for me. My security is in GOD so wealth that causes fear must depart. I’m not saying I should not be wealthy, but it’s the fear of losing wealth that must be removed. Everything is GOD’s and I need to understand that I am in a very wealthy family, namely JESUS CHRIST’s.

• Do you have gripping fear over your job?
• Are you extremely stressed out?
• Hove you lost your job and feel lost?
• Can you begin to put your trust in GOD today?
• Will you slowdown in order to hear GOD’s voice?