Security

Security

John 12: ¹⁷ Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. ¹⁸ For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. ¹⁹ The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”

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Looking around at the other seniors, I could see they had nice clothes. I started rationalizing why I would not get the job. I mean I was wearing the same suit I wore at my high school graduation. “And they probably cheated to get through college” I said to myself. “And they probably lied in their interviews.” I don’t like those people.

• There were times when I was very insecure.
• There were times when my insecurities led me to protect myself by not trying.
• There were times when I thought negatively of others not knowing I thought negatively of myself.

Jealousy ignited amongst the church leaders as they were losing their crowd. “The whole world goes after HIM” were their words. But they were said in anger, not in praise. They were not feeling secure, and desired to get that security back. They made a plan made from hatred.

• JESUS wants me to place my security in HIM.
• JESUS wants me to seek HIM for my validation.
• JESUS wants me to trust in HIS decisions and not worry how I look.

GOD wants me to give my desires to HIM. HE can take my dreams and do what HE wants in the time HE wants. HE says to me “If you feel lonely, insecure or protective of yourself, then come to me and I will help you.”

JESUS can take my negative view of others and make me see people as HE sees them. HE values when I feel secure in HIS promises towards me. I am grateful HE holds onto me and will never let me go.

• Are you insecure?
• Do you speak negatively of others, not knowing how you feel about yourself?
• Will you allow GOD to open your eyes to HIS grace for you and “those” people today?

Real Motive

Real Motive

John 11: ⁴⁵ Then many of the Jews who had come to Mary, and had seen the things Jesus did, believed in Him. ⁴⁶ But some of them went away to the Pharisees and told them the things Jesus did. ⁴⁷ Then the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered a council and said, “What shall we do? For this Man works many signs. ⁴⁸ If we let Him alone like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and nation.”

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“Why do you want this leadership position?” they asked me in the interview. I couldn’t say, I thought most of the department was lazy and deserved to be fired. I replied, “To further the interests of the company.”

• There were times when I had “other” motives.
• There were times when I protected my motives so I could protect my position.
• There were times when I wanted something because of the wrong motives.

Many Jews believed, but some slipped off and told the church leaders that JESUS raised a person from the dead. This was an impossible act to follow. The church leaders became extremely worried and finally mentioned their real motive. They preached just enough to keep everyone focused on them rather on the true GOD.

• GOD wants me to point people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to allow HIM to be the center of attention.
• GOD wants my motive for doing things to be because of HIM.

Motive needs to be checked every day. No one knows my motives, but GOD. HE can see right down to the core and know when I am telling the truth and when I am fooling myself to believe a lie that HE wants me to let go of. GOD wants me to place every thought in front of HIM.

Even when my thoughts are not aligned with GOD, HE wants me to give those to HIM too. HE desires that I willingly come to HIM with everything I have. HE wants to be in control and gently guides me to let go of the power I may seek. I place my trust in JESUS.

• What perception are you trying to protect?
• Are you clinging onto hidden things so you will look good to others?
• Will you take the less popular route and admit to others your flaws, so they will know it is alright to accept GOD just as they are?

Thankfulness Power

Thankfulness Power

John 11: ³⁸ Then Jesus, again groaning in Himself, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone lay against it. ³⁹ Jesus said, “Take away the stone.”

Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, “Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days.”

⁴⁰ Jesus said to her, “Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the glory of God?” ⁴¹ Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, “Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ⁴² And I know that You always hear Me, but because of the people who are standing by I said this, that they may believe that You sent Me.” ⁴³ Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come forth!” ⁴⁴ And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”

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“What will I say to him?” were my thoughts. I had an audience with this particular church leader and I did not want to waste it. Should I ask to diversify the music to reach a broader audience? Should I point out the messages spoken in fear versus boldness? Should I ask him to speak more about JESUS and less about social policy? Then a soft voice said “Tell him thank you.”

• There are times I want to complain.
• There are times I want to let “that” person know just how wrong they are.
• There are times I want those who harmed me to really get what’s coming to them with “my” sharp words.

JESUS was deeply saddened over the entire situation. I mean not only was Lazarus dead, but the crowd of humans HE created did not believe HE was and is GOD. HE lifted HIS eyes and started the conversation with familiar, yet strange words. “FATHER I Thank YOU.”

• GOD wants me to thank HIM before I request more.
• GOD wants me to be in a thankful mind when I am asking HIM to perform another miracle.
• GOD wants me to overflow with thanksgiving to show how much I understand I need HIM.

Appreciation for the FATHER is often overlooked. Yes, Lazarus was dead and decaying. Yes, JESUS raised him up and healed whatever killed him. BUT the FATHER agreed that JESUS would and should raise, whom HE pleased, from the dead.

GOD deserves me staring at my GODLY account as much as I look at my bank account. HE wants me to thank HIM for everything I have, AND ever had. True thankfulness disarms those who are combative. I thank GOD for all HE has done for me.

• Do you need something really big right now?
• Are you fooled into thinking you have not paid enough money and that is why you are not getting your way?
• Will you add the thankfulness of GOD to your heart, so HE can hear your prayers for them and you today?

Compassion

Compassion

John 11: ²⁸ And when she had said these things, she went her way and secretly called Mary her sister, saying, “The Teacher has come and is calling for you.” ²⁹ As soon as she heard that, she arose quickly and came to Him. ³⁰ Now Jesus had not yet come into the town, but was in the place where Martha met Him. ³¹ Then the Jews who were with her in the house, and comforting her, when they saw that Mary rose up quickly and went out, followed her, saying, “She is going to the tomb to weep there.”

³² Then, when Mary came where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying to Him, “Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died.”

³³ Therefore, when Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her weeping, He groaned in the spirit and was troubled. ³⁴ And He said, “Where have you laid him?”

They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.”

³⁵ Jesus wept. ³⁶ Then the Jews said, “See how He loved him!”

³⁷ And some of them said, “Could not this Man, who opened the eyes of the blind, also have kept this man from dying?”

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Without the scowl, my nemesis looked different this particular day. The air of arrogance was not there. Since I did not trust the guy, I did not listen to the voice inside that said “Go over to him and ask if there is anything you could do?” I passed on the moment. Later, I found out there was a death in his family.

• There have been times when I did not show compassion when I had the chance.
• There have been times when my I lost perspective on what I am supposed to be giving to people.
• There have been times when I was tired of my “kindness” being mistaken for “weakness.”

Mary came to JESUS weeping. She had a similar statement to Martha, only this time it was not laced with blame. “If YOU had been here, my brother would not have died.” The church people around her were crying “with” her. JESUS groaned in the SPIRIT. JESUS wept.

• JESUS wants me to show compassion to everyone HE sends me.
• JESUS wants me to express HIS love to those who annoy me.
• JESUS wants me to be “with” people HE send me to, no matter how different they are from me.

Compassion bubbles over from GOD’s heart. HE wants me to have a healthy portion of this. Instead of “Serves you right” when things go wrong in “that” person’s life, JESUS wants me to desire HIS peace to be placed in their heart. I can fill the hole in my heart with two things, hatred or love. I am grateful GOD chose love towards me.

• Who are you keeping your compassion from?
• Are you refusing to show compassion to “those” people because they look or act different?
• Will you drop your hatred for a moment to show compassion to the person who comes to mind right now?