Response to Frogs – Hard Heart

 

Response to Frogs – Hard Heart

Exodus 8: ⁸ Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, “Entreat the Lord that He may take away the frogs from me and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may sacrifice to the Lord.”

 

⁹ And Moses said to Pharaoh, “Accept the honor of saying when I shall intercede for you, for your servants, and for your people, to destroy the frogs from you and your houses, that they may remain in the river only.”

 

¹⁰ So he said, “Tomorrow.” And he said, “Let it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the Lord our God. ¹¹ And the frogs shall depart from you, from your houses, from your servants, and from your people. They shall remain in the river only.”

 

¹² Then Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. And Moses cried out to the Lord concerning the frogs which He had brought against Pharaoh. ¹³ So the Lord did according to the word of Moses. And the frogs died out of the houses, out of the courtyards, and out of the fields. ¹⁴ They gathered them together in heaps, and the land stank. ¹⁵ But when Pharaoh saw that there was relief, he hardened his heart and did not heed them, as the Lord had said.

 

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Frogs were everywhere. Pharaoh begged Moses to pray to the LORD to remove the frogs. He said he would let the people go if the frogs went away. Moses prayed to the LORD and GOD did what Moses said.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh was in trouble and said whatever it would take to get out of trouble.
• Pharaoh did not ask his magicians to get rid of the frogs.
• GOD revealed HE listened to Moses.

 

Seeing his land become overrun with frogs, Pharaoh lied to get his way. We have done the same thing when we told GOD “I will never do that again.” Moses prayed to the LORD and may have even specifically said, “Leave the frogs in the house and let them die there.” GOD listened to Moses’s prayer and killed the frogs.

 

Pharaoh, who made additional work for the Hebrews, now had to clean up frogs. The Egyptian people had to have seen the futility in praying to the frog god. They also had just spent an entire week digging for water that had turned to blood. They were tired and their houses and land stank with dead frog smell. Pharaoh’s response was a hard heart, which meant he did not care that his people were tired, nor would he let the Hebrews go.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD remind Moses about Pharaoh’s response to the frog plague?
• Have you ever promised something to GOD and took back your promise when you got relief?
• Can you see the value in keeping your promises to the LORD?

Depend on the Promises

Depend on the Promises

Galatians 3: ¹⁵ My friends, I am going to use an everyday example: when two people agree on a matter and sign an agreement, no one can break it or add anything to it. ¹⁶ Now, God made his promises to Abraham and to his descendant. The scripture does not use the plural “descendants,” meaning many people, but the singular “descendant,” meaning one person only, namely, Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is that God made a covenant with Abraham and promised to keep it. The Law, which was given four hundred and thirty years later, cannot break that covenant and cancel God's promise. ¹⁸ For if God's gift depends on the Law, then it no longer depends on his promise. However, it was because of his promise that God gave that gift to Abraham.

 

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“I will” are powerful words from GOD.  When HE makes a promise to humanity, HE has already done what HE said HE will do. Since I am stuck in time, I can only see what HE has already done in my life and what was written down in others. I cannot see the future.

 

• I have to have faith to believe in GOD’s promises
• I need to know what GOD’s promises are to believe them.
• Once I know what HIS promises are, I should live my life according them already happening.

 

GOD made promises to Abraham and JESUS before the Law was given to Moses. Paul explains something that is often overlooked. We try to live by “the Law” and forget about the “Promise” GOD made to Abraham before the Law was written. The primary promise is that JESUS would save the world and be “the blessing” everyone needs.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s promises to me have never been broken.
• My insecurities or lack of faith cannot affect GOD’s promises for me.
• Nothing can stop GOD’s love for me because HE promised to do so through JESUS.

 

Insecurity blinds to GOD’s promises. I mean, when GOD says “I will never leave you or forsake you” I have to believe this is a statement that has already take place. HE has never left me nor forsaken me for the entirety of my life.

 

To believe in GOD’s promises takes faith. I have to stop trying to figure out everything and let go of requiring evidence and “signs” daily. GOD said “I love you” and HIS promise should be enough. I gladly depend on HIS promise to “make my paths straight.”

 

Challenge

• What is GOD’s promise in this passage?
• Have you ever doubted GOD’s promises for you?
• Why do you think the writer is trying so hard to take the focus off “the Law” and place it on JESUS?
• Will you seek to know what GOD’s promises are for you so you can live an abundant life for HIM today?

Grace Terms

 

Grace Terms

Romans 5: ⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

 

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Realizing I was wrong I had to go to the person and ask for forgiveness. This did not feel good at all. When the person rejected my request, I felt even worse. I mean, I did what the manual said and humbled myself to ask for forgiveness. I wanted an immediate reaction that I did not get.

 

• There have been times when I asked for grace but wanted it on “my” terms.
• There have been times when I wanted grace but had an idea of what it should look like.
• There have been times when I was in the wrong, but I did not want to admit it.

 

Paul continues his explanation of JESUS. Paul had just mentioned that trouble brings on perseverance which grows character and enables hope. That hope is in JESUS. Paul also explains that JESUS provided grace to those who do not deserve it. HE died for HIS enemies. Who are HIS enemies? All of us.

 

• GOD saw every sin I would commit and while HE disliked all the sin, HE died for me anyway.
• GOD was extremely angry at anyone who would side with those who would kill HIS SON, and I was on that side, yet JESUS died for me anyway.
• GOD knew I would never choose HIM and I sometimes think “I don’t need grace” or tell HIM “this is what grace should look like”; but HE overlooked my broken thinking.

 

GOD’s grace is pure and is not up for negotiation. The only term HE has is for all humans to realize the need for forgiveness and to believe JESUS is the judge who forgives those who believe in HIM.

 

Asking for grace requires me to humble myself and not expect to be raised up to the level I once was before I messed up. GOD’s grace means I did not get what I deserved, and I am thankful HE loved me so much that HE died for me in the middle of being HIS enemy. I am grateful of HIS grace and accept HIS terms for my life.

 

• Are you wrong, but anticipating how grace should look?
• Do you think it is on the other person to show forgiveness “your way?”
• Will you stop placing terms and conditions on GOD so you can see how much grace HE has poured out to you and how much restraint HE has for not pouring out punishment on you daily?

No More Traps

Matthew 22: ⁴¹ While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them, ⁴² “What do you think about the Messiah? Whose son is he?”

“The son of David,” they replied.

⁴³ He said to them, “How is it then that David, speaking by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord’? For he says,

⁴⁴ “‘The Lord said to my Lord:
    “Sit at my right hand
until I put your enemies
    under your feet.”’

⁴⁵ If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?” ⁴⁶ No one could say a word in reply, and from that day on no one dared to ask him any more questions.

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“Why?” is the question I asked GOD. “If YOU are GOD, the why” fill in the blank with whatever question. I asked this on many occasion. I never got an answer.

• Sometimes I question GOD’s authority.
• Sometimes I question GOD’s power.
• Sometimes I question GOD’s position on matters.

Supremacy of GOD is what I question. I mean “Why does GOD allow ‘that’ person to get away with seemingly everything?” Usually I ask that question when I am not getting my way. JESUS quiets the Pharisees and Sadducees for good. No more traps were set because they were made to look like fools.

• GOD wants me to learn to believe in HIM without question.
• GOD wants me to grow in faith so I can throw away my sinful questions.
• GOD wants me to ask without doubting, knowing HE will answer the right questions.

Questioning GOD’s authority has never yielded a favorable answer to any human. Asking HIM “What would YOU like me to do LORD?” always yields fruit. GOD does not mind questions, as long as they point towards growth in me and HIS kingdom.

• Are you trying to trap GOD?
• Do your words try to trap others?
• Can you stop trying to twist situations and ask GOD to lead you?

Good is Not Good Enough

Psalm 53: ¹ The fool says in his heart,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
    there is no one who does good.

² God looks down from heaven
    on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
    any who seek God.
³ Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
    there is no one who does good,
    not even one.

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⁶ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When God restores his people,
    let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

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In a bind I had nowhere to turn. “Side with the thief or the liar” were my choices. I had to become one or the other in order to get what I needed. I chose siding with the thief. I mean lying seems too extreme and the thief was admired.

• When I look at someone else’s righteousness I forget I am a sinner.
• When I look at someone else’s downfalls I forget I have issues.
• When I look at someone else’s sin I forget I have sin.

It’s easy to look at “that” person and say ‘Tsk, tsk, tsk, look at what they are doing.” I mean whatever “they” are doing is much worse than what I’m doing, right? Wrong! What I’m doing may be viler to GOD than what “they” are doing.

• GOD says to me “Do not compare yourself to anyone or you will be judged.”
• GOD says to me “Your righteousness is like filthy rags.”
• GOD says to me “MY grace is sufficient.”

We are all in the mud, throwing mud at each other saying “you have mud on you.” When I try to be “good’ to get my way with GOD and then get mad at HIM for not getting my way, I show just how evil my heart is. GOD knew that I would turn away from HIM and HE loved me anyway. HIS SON volunteered to restore my sinful life by dying for me. I am eternally grateful.

• Are you comparing yourself to others, even in the tiniest way?
• Do you talk about other folk’s mistakes or sins?
• Can you praise GOD instead of thinking bad or talking about someone?
• Will you allow GOD to save you, HIS way and in HIS time?

Bargaining With GOD

Job 30: ²⁴ “Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man
    when he cries for help in his distress.
²⁵ Have I not wept for those in trouble?
    Has not my soul grieved for the poor?

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Clutching my chest I wailed in agony. I lived alone and no one could drive me to see the doctor. I had to get there myself. I thought I was having a heart attack. “I will never do that again” whatever “that” sin was at the time. The pain persisted. “I’ll go to church and I’ll be good.” The pain persisted.

I went into the doctor’s office and found I had a bruised sternum that resulted from some new exercise I was doing. “Man! I shouldn’t have made that promise.”

• When I bargain with GOD I have no intent of keeping my side of the promise.
• When I bargain with GOD it’s usually because I am not focused on HIM in the first place.
• When I bargain with GOD I am not accepting HIS supremacy.

When things go wrong in my life I ask GOD, “Haven’t I been good, what about those bad people, haven’t I served?” Meanwhile I look at GOD like HE is the problem. BUT GOD looks at the situation different.

• GOD wants me to understand that I have consequences for my actions even though I am forgiven for sin.
• GOD wants me to realize HIS way is the only way and I should not have a problem with HIS way.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to show me HIS path rather than bargaining my way down my path.

If I have been “good” then GOD will know. HE gives me rewards stored up in heaven that cannot be touched by the evil one. HE guides my path through calamities and raises me up at the right time. HE is my rock and my salvation.

• Are you bargaining with GOD?
• Do you think you are being punished?
• Can you look at GOD as your guide and LORD of your life?
• Will you accept where HE has you and ask for guidance down HIS path?

The Right Motive

Nehemiah 5: ¹⁸ Each day one ox, six choice sheep and some poultry were prepared for me, and every ten days an abundant supply of wine of all kinds. In spite of all this, I never demanded the food allotted to the governor, because the demands were heavy on these people.

¹⁹ Remember me with favor, my God, for all I have done for these people.

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Scratching my head over a project I worked deep in thought. Someone popped into my cubicle and asked, “Do you want to help us serve this Saturday?” I said the corporate “Yes” knowing I had plenty of other things I would rather do. I really didn’t like the people at the home office.

It was a photo opportunity and I thought to myself, “If the big boss wants this then maybe I should.” After the photographer left, I wondered how I was going to make my escape. The big boss then asked me “Would you like to run a marathon?” “Aw Man!” What does it take to move up in this company? I already served!”

• Sometimes I serve to get my way.
• Sometimes I serve to gain political power.
• Sometimes I serve because I am told to serve.

I don’t even remember the causes I have supported over the years. I mean the hat is passed around at work and I dropped in a few dollars and kept going, hoping they would not come back again. Maybe if I reached a certain level then I could dictate which charity they would support. BUT GOD wanted me to think different.

• GOD wants me to desire what is best for HIS people without me getting anything in return.
• GOD wants me to sacrifice to ensure people are kept strong and made whole.
• GOD wants me to seek out situations where I can serve rather than being served.

Instead of getting more, GOD wants me to give more. HE said “The poor you will always have” meaning I will always have plenty of people to give to. HE wants me to give to those who cannot give back. My only motive must be to serve those HE delivers to me.

• Are you serving in order to get something from GOD?
• Are you serving and complaining about serving?
• Are you aware GOD wants you to serve out of cheerfulness and love?
• Can you serve people today with the right motive which is to help those GOD sends to you?

Bargaining with GOD

2 Chronicles 19: ⁷ Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

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“I will NEVER do that again” were my words to GOD as I had just left “that” particular sin. I desired something so I tried to refrain from sinning to obtain my longings. I waited and waited and did not get my way in the time I wanted. I got angry at GOD. I mean, “what good is it to be ‘sinless’ if those who sin seem to get their way?”

• Sometimes I think I can manipulate GOD by refraining from certain sins for a short period of time.
• Sometimes I think GOD owes me something for being “good.”
• Sometimes I think I can be “sinless” for any period of time.

One mistake I have made is thinking “I” can be sinless for a month or a week or even a day. I may give up specific blatant sins and commit others I am not aware of. My motive behind refraining from sin ends up “being” sin because I want my way. 

• GOD wants me to realize HE treats people I don’t like with love.
• GOD wants me to understand I cannot change HIS mind with my sinfully motivated righteousness.
• GOD wants me to know HE already loves me to HIS fullest so when I try to manipulate HIM to get my way, it’s saying to HIM. “I don’t trust YOU.”

‘I will do THIS again and again LORD, but only YOU can help me in my path” is a new thought. I will never ever be sinless while I am on this earth. JESUS knew that my birth was flawed with sin so HE took my death and placed it on HIM. HE wants me to open my eyes to show me HIS impartiality.

I have consequences and grace just like every human HE has ever created. That crazy boss or the thief who stole my tapes or the thugs who robbed me are all loved dearly in GOD’s eyes. HE has a plan for me that cannot be tarnished with my bribery. I need to trust that HIS plan for me is great.

• Are you trying to bribe GOD?
• Do you think you can manipulate GOD by being “good” for a period of time?
• Can you trust GOD enough to let HIS great plan unfold in front of you?

Praise Without Expectation

2 Chronicles 5: ¹³ The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang:

“He is good;
    his love endures forever.”

Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, ¹⁴ and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.

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After the phone transferred the call to my answering machine, I could hear the bill collector leave their number. I went to church and they talked about a “cheerful giver” and “praising GOD,” so I tried it. I praised GOD and I smiled as I gave and weeks later, someone broke the window out of my car and stole my cassette tapes.

• When I praise GOD with expectations that HE owes me something, I am trying to manipulate HIM.
• When I give to GOD expecting more cash in return, I am trying to manipulate GOD.
• When I sing to GOD expecting HIM to see how righteous I am, I am trying to manipulate GOD.

I realized the difference between praise and manipulation when I observed a person who had less than nothing approach me and praise GOD on a dirt road in another country. I mean, he wasn’t looking for more stuff, he only sought GOD. In fact he walked twenty miles to hear me talk about GOD and I wasn’t a pastor or a big name.

• GOD wants me to praise HIM because HE is worthy to be praised.
• GOD wants me to keep my praise simple and remove the expectation from my words of praise.
• GOD wants me to enjoy my time with HIM, understanding HIS love for HIS humans.

Praise comes from the heart and if my heart is filled with doubt, fear, lust, anger, lies or thievery then my words can become tainted with “want” instead of gratitude. I must praise GOD and expect nothing in return.

• Are you trying to get GOD to do your bidding?
• Do you feel GOD is not answering your prayers?
• Can you praise HIM without expecting HIM to get you out of the mess you are in?
• Won’t you simply say “GOD YOU are great” and leave it at that?

Because HE is GOD

1 Kings 20: ²⁸ The man of God came up and told the king of Israel, “This is what the Lord says: ‘Because the Arameans think the Lord is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lord.’”

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Looking back on my immaturity, I realize I have sinned quite a bit. Sometimes I even thought I could cover my sinful actions by doing goody good stuff and being nice and following the rules. This type of thinking still puts “me” in control and when I still don’t get my way, I pout and wonder where GOD is.

• GOD does great things in my life, not because of me but in spite of me.
• GOD does wonderful things in my life simply because HE is GOD.
• GOD does merciful, graceful things in my life in the middle of my sin.

I must realize that GOD wants to be known as GOD rather than “giant wish granter.” HIS ways are not my ways and HE accounts for my sin as well as my sincere attempts to serve HIM. HE puts a loving plan together for me which includes my rescue.

GOD did all of this because HE is GOD. I should always remember this when I desire to serve HIM.

• Are you trying to get GOD to do something for you?
• Do you think you will get your way if you just act nice?
• Can you stop trying to manipulate GOD and praise HIM for being GOD?
• Will you stand still and watch the glory of the LORD deliver you this day?

What I really want is my way!

James 4: ² You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. ³ When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures.

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⁷ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up

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“That sure is a nice suit” I said to my boss. I couldn’t think of anything else to say but I needed to make small talk because I wanted to get that promotion. Of course I didn’t get the promotion so I stuck my mouth out and started to act like a very deserving employee.

I ranted and threatened and do you know what… I never got promoted there.

• My fake compliment is quickly seen through by GOD.
• My wrong motive for whatever I desire is easily thwarted by GOD.
• My false humility trying to act “churchy” is effortlessly noticed by GOD and HE doesn’t like it.

GOD knows exactly what’s good for me and says “NO” to me quite often. In fact I look back on some of the things I’ve wanted and I am extremely grateful I didn’t get them. Believe it or not, I am also grateful for some of the turmoil I have been put through as well.

Getting “my way” means getting my way and I really don’t want my way when I get my way. I usually end up on a path that’s really bad for me and then I can’t find “my way” out of it. GOD has a remedy.

• HE wants me to submit “my way” to HIS way which means I can resist temptations and the Devil will leave me alone.
• GOD wants me to take a step toward HIM first and HE will come near to me.
• HE wants me to sincerely desire for things to be better for “that” person rather than trying to manipulate them to get “my way.”

GOD wants me to truly be humble, not false humility where other people tell me I’m humble. It means admitting I’m “still” a sinner and my plans will lead to the wrong place.

• Are you trying to manipulate GOD by acting good or by only listening to “godly” stuff?
• Do you think GOD can’t see through your efforts to be good for a moment and turn away from HIM when you get what you want?
• Can you let go of that thing you desire so much and let HIM decide if it is good for you or not?
• Won’t you back down and examine yourself and admit your stubbornness to GOD?

Lying to GOD

Acts 5: ¹ Now a man named Ananias, together with his wife Sapphira, also sold a piece of property. ² With his wife’s full knowledge he kept back part of the money for himself, but brought the rest and put it at the apostles’ feet.

 ³ Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has so filled your heart that you have lied to the Holy Spirit and have kept for yourself some of the money you received for the land? ⁴ Didn’t it belong to you before it was sold? And after it was sold, wasn’t the money at your disposal? What made you think of doing such a thing? You have not lied just to human beings but to God.”

 ⁵ When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear seized all who heard what had happened.

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“LORD if YOU would just get me out of this situation, I will never do that again!” I said as I bargained with GOD thinking HE had caught me in my sin and was punishing me for it. “The escapades the night before must have caught up to me and this is why I have this intense pain in my chest!” I thought to myself.

I laid in my apartment in pain because the doctor’s office near me was closed. A day later I found out It was severe gas coupled with the normal pains of weightlifting.

• GOD cannot be manipulated by my false promises.
• GOD cannot me moved by my phony act of service.
• GOD cannot be impressed by my false humility.

Wanting my way while serving GOD has been a struggle for me for years. I dreamt a sinful dream and ignored GOD in my pursuit. Needless to say I broke my promise with GOD, this time with no immediate consequence. “I bet HE is alright with my sin” I reasoned.

• GOD wants me to worship HIM with my heart not just obligation.
• GOD wants me to “want” to be with HIM.
• GOD wants me to place HIM before anyone or anything.

Second, third and fiftieth chances are what GOD has given me over the years. HE taught me that it would be better not serving at all than serving to manipulate HIM. HE also taught me that serving HIM is supposed to be my pursuit so I should seek purity as best I can.

• Have you ever made a false promise to GOD in order to look good to others?
• Do you take your promises lightly?
• When will you start seeking GOD the way HE wants you to seek HIM?

Stop holding GOD hostage.

Luke 17: ¹⁰ So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’

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GOD is pretty convenient to me sometimes. HE just sits in the corner collecting dust and when I face trouble and adversity I just go to the corner, dust HIM off and pray to HIM. HE seems to be a hostage to my every beckon call.

• GOD does not deserve to be treated like a servant even though HE is the best at being one.
• GOD desires true worship from me but my selfishness gets in the way.
• GOD is not impressed by the five minutes I spend being “good” because HE really knows my heart.

Sometimes I get rather “deserving” when it comes to my relationship with GOD.  I get mad at HIM because HE hasn’t given me my way. I mean I went to church, gave my money and prayed for that thing, what more does HE want?!

• Serving GOD is a privilege, not a way to manipulate HIM into giving me more.
• Serving GOD is only a small part of my relationship with HIM.
• Serving GOD is my duty, loving GOD is my need.

I’ll say it again, “GOD is not impressed with my service” but HE does get excited when I love HIM with all my heart, with all my mind and with all my soul. When I place my faith in HIS ways and mistrust mine, HE shows me HIS might and fights my battles.

• Are you trying to manipulate GOD into giving you something?
• Can you trust HIM to give you a wonderful blessing?
• Will you drop your usual expectations of HIM that set HIM up for failure?
• Will you serve GOD today strictly out of your love for HIM, not expecting anything in return?

What more can I do?

Revelation 2: ¹⁹ I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

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“Please, oh please give me the promotion” was my prayer. I had worked hard that year, sometimes not seeing my family for weeks at a time. The announcements came out early and I wasn’t on the list. “Why” I exclaimed with bitterness. I mean I went to church, paid tithes, didn’t smoke, drink or do drugs. “I worked hard so why not give me what I want… what more do YOU want from me?"

• When I do deeds to manipulate GOD into giving me what I want then I “never” move HIM.
• When I think of the sins I’m “not” doing I quickly forget about the sins I “am” committing.
• When I think I’ve reached the pinnacle of my relationship with GOD, HE says you can “always” do more.

GOD isn’t looking for me to burn myself out rather HE sees that I have more capacity to act like HIM on a daily basis. HE knows little by little I can drop my selfish ways and begin to serve HIS people the way HE wants me to serve them.

• Deeds performed out of a love for GOD yield a quality relationship with HIM.
• Love towards GOD’s people isn’t easy but is expected of me.
• Faith in GOD’s plan helps me reduce my worry of the future.
• Serving GOD’s people keeps me busy and I don’t have time to doubt GOD.
• Persevering “through” troubles helps me see GOD at work and in many instances seeing miracles.

When I was a child, I thought as a child and acted like a child but now that GOD has grown me up, I want to do more for HIM because HE did so much for me.  If GOD doesn’t do another thing for me here on Earth, HE has already done more than I could ever ask. I do “more” and “more” specifically to praise HIM.

• Are you trying to manipulate GOD into getting your way?
• Do you think you have “arrived” and you deserve better treatment from GOD?
• Are you willing to do a little more for HIM each day or are you giving up?
• Do you think your body, mind and soul is “yours” or GOD’s?

Church helped my lie look better.

1 John 1: ⁵ This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. ⁶ If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. ⁷ But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

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“What a strange place. Let me just get through this” I thought to myself. We were in church and it was on a Wednesday! There was plenty we could have been doing outside and maybe inside my young mind thought as I was trying to date.

I hadn’t been in church in a while, especially when I could be having “fun.” Okay, I’ll just go along with the program. The pastor asked me to stand, introduce myself and tell everyone about my relationship with CHRIST. “How dare this guy!” I thought to myself. I felt nervous and put on the spot! “How do I get out of here? I just wanted to impress this girl not be interrogated!”

• My methods of serving GOD can sometimes be quite pitiful.
• My thoughts of HIS people can sometimes be quite ugly.
• My actions are sometimes misguided under the guise of serving GOD.

Going to church doesn’t make me holier at all. Many times I have gone to church after being up all night hanging out and causing a ruckus. Giving money doesn’t make me holier at all. Many times in my wealth I thought I had carte blanche to sin because of the amount I had given the church. The only thing that makes me holy is GOD.

• GOD has no darkness in HIM “at all.”
• GOD is pure love and cannot live with sin.
• GOD’s SON died for me and my belief in HIM is the only thing that makes me holy.

Many times I have ignored GOD altogether. I went about my day not thanking HIM or thinking about HIM. When things went wrong or when I wanted something then I would serve or be nice until I got my way then I would drop GOD like a hot rock.

• GOD wants a relationship with me that is lasting not temporary.
• GOD wants me to serve with sincerity not with manipulation in mind.
• GOD wants me to love HIM for HIM, not what I can get from HIM.

I can pretend to love GOD or I can love GOD. Only GOD can judge my sincerity.

• Are you pretending to be good?
• What is your motive for attending church?
• Are you making any change in your life?
• Can others see GOD through your words and actions or do they see only “you?”

I can’t manipulate GOD so I follow HIM.

Galatians 6: ⁷Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. ⁸The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. ⁹Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. ¹⁰Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

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Dark hallways filled with silence were disturbed by my sweeping and dusting during my daily route as a janitor. My supervisor was a trusting soul who gave me the easiest buildings to clean. I was finished with the assignment and still had half my shift left.

“I know” I thought to myself… “I’ll go home, eat, watch TV and return, no one will know!” Bad move!

• I can fool people but I can’t fool GOD.
• My deception only hurts me because GOD can hold it against me.
• Every sin that I do drives me further and further away from having an “abundant” life.

After deceiving my supervisor I soon found out how disappointed he was that he trusted me and I took advantage of him. Now answer this… could I spread the great news about JESUS CHRIST to him? NO! What a waste. I could no longer be effective or used by GOD with him.

• GOD sees everything I do and knows every hidden thought.
• Every relationship, no matter how antagonistic, needs to be handled with GOD’s love in mind.
• GOD brings people in my life for HIS purpose and it’s up to me to show my faith in HIM.

After that ordeal, I tried to swing the pendulum in the other direction. Whenever I did something wrong, I would try to get out of trouble by doing “good.” I figured that if I did something wrong, then I could balance it by doing some good stuff. I could essentially have my cake and eat it too.

• GOD sees through my plot to manipulate HIM with my “good” acts.
• HE wants me to do “good” in order for people to be drawn to HIM.
• When I try to do “good” in efforts to manipulate GOD, I get tired of doing “good” quickly.

The purpose for doing “good” is to help a hurting world. If life is “all about me” then I will quickly get tired of helping others. GOD gives me the strength to perform HIS acts of love and I benefit from HIS blessings!

• Are you tired of doing “good?”
• Why are you being good?
• Are you secretly trying to manipulate GOD into giving you the thing you want?
• Can you do good to be an example of GOD today?