GOD has come to test you.

 GOD has come to test you.

Exodus 20: ¹⁸ Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. ¹⁹ Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

 

²⁰ And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” ²¹ So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

 

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After hearing the thunder, seeing the lightning, hearing the trumpet blasting louder and louder, the people trembled and moved away from the mountain where GOD stood. Their reaction from hearing GOD was to ask Moses to speak with GOD instead of HIM speaking with them.

 

My Observations:

• The children of Israel were terrified about GOD’s presence and HIS commandments seemed difficult because their mindset was that of an Egyptian slave.
• The children of Israel may have felt that GOD’s commandments were judgments versus protection.
• Moses tried guide the children of Israel by telling them that GOD was testing them, not in a pass-fail way, but in a mindset changing way.

 

When GOD tests you and me, it is not to make us fail; rather, strengthen us. GOD did not put rules in place that our natural inclination to sin causes us to fail. When we voluntarily surrender ourselves to follow what GOD said, HE does amazing things to us and through us.

 

Unfortunately, when we see GOD as a harsh ruler versus a protector, we resent HIS commandments as harsh. GOD had already showed HIS harsh side by placing plagues on the Egyptians. HE was acting very different with HIS children by correcting them versus judging them.

 

Moses guided the children of Israel into healthy fear of the LORD which holds HIM in reverence and sees HIS ways as love and protection. Moses drew near to the scary place where GOD was. We should too.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD remind Moses about the reaction of the people after HE gave HIS commandments?
• Do you view GOD as the ultimate punisher or the ultimate being who loves you and wants to grow you and protect you?
• Do you react to GOD with surrender or “survival” which causes you to see HIM and HIS servants as harsh?

Created For

Created For

Colossians 1: ¹⁵ Christ is the visible likeness of the invisible God. He is the first-born Son, superior to all created things. ¹⁶ For through him God created everything in heaven and on earth, the seen and the unseen things, including spiritual powers, lords, rulers, and authorities. God created the whole universe through him and for him. 

 

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“Mine!” I screamed in my mind. Someone had taken the items off of “my” desk at work. I had gone to the supply cabinet and carefully chosen the items I needed. “Can’t whoever took ‘my’ stuff simply go get their own things!”

 

• I was frustrated over something “I” had claimed to be mine.
• I wanted “my” own territory.
• I had laid claim to something purchased by someone else.

 

Paul is revealed the identity of CHRIST. He explains there is no one greater than JESUS. CHRIST is superior to all created things. Everything in heaven and earth was made through HIM and for HIM.

 

My Observations

• GOD really, really loves HIS SON and HE made me for HIM out of love.
• JESUS really, really loves me, so HE decided to die for my sins.
• The HOLY SPIRIT really, really loves me and the SON, so HE pleas on my behalf and goes where the SON sends HIM.

 

“I made this for YOU” is what I imagine GOD saying to HIS SON. I mean everything was created by JESUS and for JESUS. Unfortunately, one of the created beings, Satan, decided he was going to “be” GOD. This did not go so well for him.

 

He tried to ruin humanity through temptation. We all fell. BUT JESUS did something remarkable. HE allowed HIMSELF to be murdered by HIS own creation and was raised from the dead. HE has all authority over any situation I can encounter. I am glad I am made for HIM and give my life to HIM.

 

Challenge

• Who does the writer focus on?
• Have you ever thought GOD is supposed to do your bidding?
• Have you ever pondered what your purpose in life is?
• Will you know you are specially made for CHRIST and celebrate what HE has done for you today?

Made Specific

Made Specific

Ephesians 4: ¹⁶ Under his control all the different parts of the body fit together, and the whole body is held together by every joint with which it is provided. So when each separate part works as it should, the whole body grows and builds itself up through love.

 

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Waking up slightly later than usual, I realized I had to catch a flight. I rushed out the house and sped to the airport. To my dismay, the traffic getting into the parking garage was fierce. I ran to the gate only to watch the plane pull away. I was supposed to present my part to a client that afternoon in another city.

 

• I was not available to present my part.
• I was part of a team and I had a specific role.
• I did not do my part as I should have.

 

Under the control of JESUS, Paul explains that each person has a specific role to play. HE made each person different to play a specific role in the whole body.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to surrender my life so HE can be in control.
• GOD made me specifically to grow the body.
• GOD wants me to do my part to build the body up in HIS love.

 

Human love is incomplete. I mean, one person has a tiny piece of love, but not the totality. Under the control of JESUS, we are put together as one single body. Each person has a specific role to play in HIS love.

 

Every action placed under HIS control has a purpose that HE uses to draw HIS kingdom together. HE knows where the missing pieces fit and each piece is just as important as the next. I am grateful GOD made me to be part of HIS family and has given me a specific purpose.

 

Challenge

• What concern is the writer addressing?
• Do you feel alone or feel as if you are not quite fitting in?
• Will you enjoy the fact that GOD made you for a specific role and needs you to do your part so HE can reach those who HE will draw to HIMSELF through you today?

Made for This

Made for This

Ephesians 2: ⁶ In our union with Christ Jesus he raised us up with him to rule with him in the heavenly world. ⁷ He did this to demonstrate for all time to come the extraordinary greatness of his grace in the love he showed us in Christ Jesus. ^8-9 For it is by God's grace that you have been saved through faith. It is not the result of your own efforts, but God's gift, so that no one can boast about it. ¹⁰ God has made us what we are, and in our union with Christ Jesus he has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.

 

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“Come on in!” a greeter said to us. It was our first time packing food for a well known group who provides hunger relief. She seemed to be perfect at making us feel welcome. The people who served there were also great at what they were doing. Our trainer was patient with all of our questions. He helped out as we worked through the day.

 

• It seemed like each person was made for what they were doing.
• I could see the excitement in their heart by their actions and their words.
• They seemed like they were at peace with what he or she was doing.

 

Paul introduces us to the sovereignty of GOD. He explains that we were made by GOD for a “life of good deeds.” This is a strange thought, because some of the church leaders presented GOD as something or someone who serves us and gives us stuff. Paul also addresses the source of true grace.

 

My Observations

• GOD has prepared good deeds HE wants me to do.
• GOD made me to be in union with CHRIST JESUS.
• GOD gave me grace before I chose HIM, so I cannot give myself credit for HIS love.

 

Any good deed deserves thankfulness, but it really should go to GOD. I mean, HIS gracious gift of JESUS is the only action that makes us do what is good and pleasing to HIM. GOD showed HIS extraordinary greatness by reaching down and picking all of us up through faith in JESUS.

 

HE saw the calamity I was headed for and rescued me from myself. He then planned a life of good deeds I can do for others so they may see HIS great grace. I gladly accept HIS plan for me in service to others.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about your efforts?
• Have you ever wanted to hear “thank you” from people?
• Will you give GOD thanks for making you the way you are and for giving you “good deeds” for you to do, to draw people back to HIM through the love of JESUS today?

Love Who You Are

 

Love Who You Are

Romans 9: ¹⁹ One of you will say to me: “Then why does God still blame us? For who is able to resist his will?” ²⁰ But who are you, a human being, to talk back to God? “Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, ‘Why did you make me like this?’” ²¹ Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for special purposes and some for common use?

 

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Broke, nappy hair, skinny and torn up clothes made me a target for ridicule from several angles. On top of that, I was sometimes blamed for the skin I wore, let alone the glasses that screamed “Don’t ever date this nerd!” “Why did YOU make me this way?” I cried out. To GOD. I got no answer.

 

• There were times when I shouted out blame so I could feel better.
• There were times when I spit poison at parents, teachers, and bosses, for making me a certain way.
• There were times when I felt misunderstood mainly because I did not understand myself.

 

Paul continues with the difficult subject of trying to explain why GOD made humans the way HE made them. The underlying question would be, why didn’t GOD just make everyone love HIM and believe in HIM? Paul does not address this question, but it is still there. He does, however, mention GOD’s right to make us the way HE pleases.

 

• GOD wants me to know HE made me special and with care.
• GOD wants me to understand that HE has a purpose for how HE made me.
• GOD wants me to love who I am so I can love others the way HE loves me.

 

Loving the way GOD made me is important. I mean, when I blame GOD, it means I am dissatisfied with what and how HE does things. The real reason I blame is to take charge or say to GOD, “Move over and let me show YOU how it should have been done.”

 

Looking back, I can see how beneficial it was to be me. I could talk to other broke, nappy haired, malnourished people and point them to GOD. HE would then fill me up so much that I would not just stop there. I could speak to those who ridiculed me about JESUS, and do it in a loving caring way. I am grateful GOD has a purpose for me, special or common.

 

• Are you full of blame and lacking in taking responsibility?
• Do you fight easily and surrender slowly?
• Will you give your blame and rage to GOD and love how HE made you so HE can clean your heart to use you for HIS purpose today?

Do something with the gift

Matthew 25: ¹⁹ “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. ²⁰ The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’

²¹ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

²² “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’

²³ “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’

²⁴ “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵ So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’

²⁶ “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? ²⁷ Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

²⁸ “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. ²⁹ For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. ³⁰ And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

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“Why am I this way?” I exclaimed to GOD. I mean at times it seemed like I was wrong for every situation. People were telling me how wrong my looks, clothing, choices and personality was for a given situation.

• Sometimes I feel wrong for the job.
• Sometimes I feel wrong for the situation.
• Sometimes I feel wrong for society.

Can’t I just sit in my house and talk to no one? I mean it beats rejection, coercion, blame and other unkind stuff the world dishes out. BUT GOD wants me to do something with the gifts HE has given me.

• GOD wants me to reach those HE has given me with my personality.
• GOD wants me to reach those only I can reach because of the way HE made me.
• GOD wants me to reach those who HE sends me to.

When GOD made me and “that” person HE said it was perfect. This is exactly how I made you and I want you to use that to bring people to ME. When you use your gifts for me, I will bless you!

• Are you hiding?
• Do you feel inadequate or making others feel the same?
• Can you use the simple gifts GOD has given you to bring others to HIM?