Defined Lines Not to Cross

Defined Lines Not to Cross

Exodus 21: ¹² “He who strikes a man so that he dies shall surely be put to death. ¹³ However, if he did not lie in wait, but God delivered him into his hand, then I will appoint for you a place where he may flee.

 

¹⁴ “But if a man acts with premeditation against his neighbor, to kill him by treachery, you shall take him from My altar, that he may die.

 

¹⁵ “And he who strikes his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

 

¹⁶ “He who kidnaps a man and sells him, or if he is found in his hand, shall surely be put to death.

 

¹⁷ “And he who curses his father or his mother shall surely be put to death.

 

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After GOD gave Moses the laws concerning the protection of human lineages, HE turns to addressing violent mindsets.

 

My Observations:

• GOD created humans with free will to choose peace or violence.
• GOD may have been addressing a mindset that began after the garden of Eden, namely violence.
• GOD may have been steering humans away from violent acts to see HIS grace, mercy and love.

 

When someone is willing to cross the line and murder someone, hit a parent, kidnap someone or curse a parent publicly, that person is supposed to be seen as dangerous. GOD saw the heart of Canaan and knew his mindset was dangerous.

 

People who followed Canaan would murder, kidnap and harm others, even their own parents. This led to cruel behavior that would put the lineage of JESUS in jeopardy. GOD wants to protect peace. HE made Adam and Eve with peace and serenity. They had everything they needed.

 

But when they chose to be like GOD, as tricked by Satan, all humans faced the choice of violence versus peace. Our sin nature wants control and sometimes that control can lead to a desire to harm other people. GOD was addressing a centuries old issue that still lingers to this day, namely hating other people to the point of violence.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS warning against violence?
• Have you ever thought about harming someone on purpose to get your way?
• Can you think of ways to love the person you originally wanted harm to fall on them?

Sixth Commandment – No Murder

Sixth Commandment – No Murder

Exodus 20: ¹³ “You shall not murder.

 

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GOD continues with giving the Ten Commandments to Moses and the children of Israel. This time HE addressed murder.

 

My Observations:

• GOD addressed the Egyptian’s negative mindset with ten plagues, but HE addressed the children of Israel’s mindset with Ten Commandments.
• GOD seemed to be addressing a complicated problem of hatred, jealousy, and rage, mixed with the thirst for power.
• GOD could not fulfill HIS prophesy if humans murdered one another.

 

Murder is different than killing someone. While the result is the same, murder has an attitude of trying to be GOD. Life is precious to GOD and taking someone else’s life to get one’s own way was a problem GOD needed to make clear to the children of Israel and to you and me.

 

The root of murder points to a seed of hatred that can be traced back to Cain. His brother Abel tried to mimic GOD by offering an animal. Abel may have done this gesture, because GOD showed kindness to Adam and Eve by killing an animal to provide clothes for them.

 

Cain was so jealous and enraged that GOD did not accept his offering of vegetables. Cain may have tried to recreate the garden of Eden and in his pride, tried to offer the vegetation from his garden. Cains murder was born out of a lust for power, and his own jealousy.

 

GOD may have also seen the defiance of Canaan. The children of Canaan hated GOD and would take land and people as they pleased. They would kill to get their own way. GOD seemed to be putting a stop to people trying to grab power through murder. Getting your own way can lead to aggressive or passive aggressive actions that diminishes a person’s value to eventually justify murdering the person.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about HIS command to not murder?
• Are you trying to get your own way and are resisting hearing GOD?
• Have you examined your recent actions to see if you are on the path of love and peace versus self-protection and getting your way?

 

Heated Plans

Heated Plans

Genesis 37: ¹⁸ Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. ¹⁹ Then they said to one another, “Look, this dreamer is coming! ²⁰ Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!”

 

²¹ But Reuben heard it, and he delivered him out of their hands, and said, “Let us not kill him.” ²² And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood, but cast him into this pit which is in the wilderness, and do not lay a hand on him”—that he might deliver him out of their hands, and bring him back to his father.

 

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Enraged at hearing about Joseph’s dreams, the sons of Israel left Shechem and went to Dothan. There, they could see Joseph approaching without him seeing them. The heat of their conversation led to them wanting to kill Joseph. They developed a plan to kill him and were willing to execute the plan. But Reuben suggested another way.

 

My Observations:

• Joseph’s brothers were so angry, that they thought out how to harm him and began executing the plan by going to Dothan.
• Joseph’s brothers waited for him, possibly knowing Israel would send him out to spy on them.
• Joseph’s brothers were so jealous that they would do and say anything to get rid of him.

 

Talking to one another made things worse. Complaint after complaint about them more and more angry until it reached the point where they were willing to commit murder. GOD spared us the details of who the main conspirators were.

 

Fortunately for Joseph, Reuben stepped in with another plan. He probably knew he could not calm his brothers down, so he gave them an alternative. Dothan was the wilderness and no one would find Joseph if he was thrown in a pit. Reuben would then circle back around ahd get Joseph out of the pit and bring him back to Israel.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about the plans of the sons of Israel?
• Have you ever been so angry that you planned out harm to someone, even if only using harmful words?
• Can you think of an alternative to rage by putting your mind on good, pure, and lovely things the LORD has done for you?

Further From the Garden

Further From the Garden

 

Genesis 4: ¹⁹ Then Lamech took for himself two wives: the name of one was Adah, and the name of the second was Zillah. ²⁰ And Adah bore Jabal. He was the father of those who dwell in tents and have livestock. ²¹ His brother’s name was Jubal. He was the father of all those who play the harp and flute. ²² And as for Zillah, she also bore Tubal-Cain, an instructor of every craftsman in bronze and iron. And the sister of Tubal-Cain was Naamah.

²³ Then Lamech said to his wives:

“Adah and Zillah, hear my voice;
Wives of Lamech, listen to my speech!
For I have killed a man for wounding me,
Even a young man for hurting me.
²⁴ If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold,
Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”

 

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GOD created the heaven and the earth for humans. But when Satan rose up with pride to try to become GOD, he was thrown out of heaven. He had a quest to take over humans, so he tempted the first to sin, Now all humans born would have a sin nature. Their son Cain ended up killing his own brother over jealousy and insecurity.

 

Cain was extremely intelligent and built a city. He had a son named Lamech. This was a very resourceful family who never once consulted GOD, but was given a vast amount of intelligence.

 

My Observations:

• Industries were born to support being away from GOD.
• Human needs, mixed with rage and lawlessness caused people to want to take from each other.
• Rage, greed, and lust caused a set of humans to move further away from GOD’s original intent of a peaceful existence in the garden.

 

Various industries were born out of necessity from being banned from the Garden of Eden and from being cursed even further from growing vegetables. Housing, livestock, music, education, and metalworking were just a few industries now needed to sustain life without GOD. Even though they were using GOD’s created materials, they never consulted GOD or asked for forgiveness.

 

Soon other people intermarried and more and more selfish people existed. They learned to survive by harming each other. Killing was now a thing. Doing things without GOD was also now a thing. Human measures of success would now rule. JESUS knew this would happen and was prepared to die for the sins of those who “would” ask for forgiveness.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about a conversation between Lamech, Adah and Zillah?
• Have you ever got tired of waiting on GOD and done some things on your own?
• What plans have you put in place to keep yourself from leaving GOD this time?

Murder is Bad

 

Murder is Bad

Genesis 4: ¹⁰ And He said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground. ¹¹ So now you are cursed from the earth, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. ¹² When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield its strength to you. A fugitive and a vagabond you shall be on the earth.”

 

¹³ And Cain said to the Lord, “My punishment is greater than I can bear! ¹⁴ Surely You have driven me out this day from the face of the ground; I shall be hidden from Your face; I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth, and it will happen that anyone who finds me will kill me.”

 

¹⁵ And the Lord said to him,  “Therefore, whoever kills Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord set a mark on Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.

 

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After GOD said “It is very good”, humans chose opposite of what was good. GOD made a peaceful existence with only a few things to do for humans, namely be fruitful, multiply, name animals and tend to the garden. That was it. Satan disrupted this easy, harmonious lifestyle, causing humans to be thrown from paradise.

 

Cain, seeing paradise off in the distance, may have wanted to build his own. But after being corrected for his offering, Cain became jealous and unstable. He killed Abel, his brother and tried to hide it. But the ground told JESUS.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS knew Cain killed his brother Abel.
• JESUS explained to Cain, that murder is bad and he would have to be punished.
• JESUS was still graceful and granted Cain a request of protection.

 

Cain shows me just how far humans can fall and how fast. From correction to stewing to rage to murder, Cain went down a path caused by his own selfishness and possibly insecurities. “What about me?” was his question, never once saying he was sorry for what he did.

 

What a mess, was my first thought, but then I had to ask “What am I to learn from this?” I can see that sin can lead me on a path that can cause me to hurt myself and other people. I have to set my mind on the truths of GOD rather than following the rumors of my heart.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD tells Moses about this conversation in detail?
• Have you ever disliked someone so much that you stewed over him or her and talked about him or her with no peace in sight?
• Can you release the person or people you dislike so it will not turn into hatred, causing you to sin?

Free Will Obtained

Free Will Obtained

Genesis 4: ⁸ Now Cain^]talked with Abel his brother; and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.

⁹ Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?”

He said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”

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GOD created the heavens and the earth with love in mind. When HE created the garden of Eden, HE made a special place for HIM to have an everlasting relationship with HIS creation. But Satan had another plan that would ruin humans. When Adam and Eve were fooled into sinning, they had a choice, but did not choose wisely.

 

Now Cain was furious at being rejected by JESUS. He was also jealous that his brother’s offering to JESUS was accepted. If Cain were an only child, there still would have been a problem between JESUS and Cain. But he wasn’t an only child. He killed his brother.

 

My Observations:

• Cain did not learn murder from anyone.
• Cain allowed anger to turn into hatred which made him commit murder.
• Cain probably stewed over the offering situation and became enraged during the conversation with Abel, which led him to murder.

 

I can only imagine the conversation between Cain and Abel. Cain, full of blame, may have asked questions as to why Abel showed him up when it came to the offering. Or maybe he tried to convince Abel to help him build the garden and to stop following JESUS. GOD did not reveal the conversation. But HE did reveal the outcome, namely murder.

I believe it was JESUS who asked Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” JESUS knew what had happened, but Cain lied. And on top of the lie, he gave a sarcastic remark about responsibilities. “Am I my brother’s keeper?”  could have been a reply referring to not being a shepherd. This was the first rejection of JESUS.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD mention the conversation between Cain and Abel?
• Have you ever argued about free will in a convenient way that fights against its existence?
• Will you recognize that GOD’s love will not stop you from sinning, rather that JESUS died for your sins and was raised from the dead to forgive you if you believe you need to be forgiven?

Triumphant

 

Triumphant

James 2:  ¹⁰ Whoever breaks one commandment is guilty of breaking them all. ¹¹ For the same one who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not commit murder.” Even if you do not commit adultery, you have become a lawbreaker if you commit murder. ¹² Speak and act as people who will be judged by the law that sets us free. ¹³ For God will not show mercy when he judges the person who has not been merciful; but mercy triumphs over judgment.

 

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Hearing what someone else did made me feel pretty good about myself. “I don’t drink and I don’t do drugs and I don’t kill people” were my measures of success. But on my way to work I cut people off in traffic, was short with people at work and joined in on the jokes about body parts.

 

• I tried to justify my sin by comparing what I did to other people.
• I came up with my own conclusion that I was “better” than most people, so I deserved better treatment from GOD.
• I also factored in that I had stopped doing certain sins so GOD should treat me better than those who are still stuck in the stuff “I” used to do.

 

James addressed the sin of comparison. He mentions adultery and murder as two extreme sins to compare. People may have justified adultery, comparing it to murder, thinking it wasn’t as bad as murder. He then gives the right heart each person should have, namely be merciful.

 

My Observations:

• My insecurities make me compare myself to other people so I can feel good about myself.
• Overlooking my own guilt makes me judge other people.
• GOD sets me free from sin through JESUS and wants me to be merciful versus judgmental.

 

Breaking a single Law makes me guilty of breaking the whole Law of GOD. While this seems extremely harsh, it shows me GOD’s standard which is without sin and full of pure love. HE saw that I would struggle with sin because I was born with a tendency to sin. I could never be “good” enough to meet HIS standard of being sinless, so JESUS made a way to remove my guilt.

 

HE not only save me, but wants others saved as well. HE knows the sins of “that” person and forgives him or her, just like HE forgave me. HE wants me to look at my own sins and to not use comparison to justify being judgey. I am glad JESUS makes me triumphant when I show mercy, even in its tiniest degree.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about being guilty?
• Have you ever tried to compare your sin to other people?
• Have you ever talked bad about other people?
• Will you seek mercy by asking GOD to clean your heart so you can be more and more merciful towards all people today?

Keep in Mind

Keep in Mind

Romans 1: ²⁸ Because those people refuse to keep in mind the true knowledge about God, he has given them over to corrupted minds, so that they do the things that they should not do. ²⁹ They are filled with all kinds of wickedness, evil, greed, and vice; they are full of jealousy, murder, fighting, deceit, and malice. They gossip ³⁰ and speak evil of one another; they are hateful to God, insolent, proud, and boastful; they think of more ways to do evil; they disobey their parents; ³¹ they have no conscience; they do not keep their promises, and they show no kindness or pity for others. ³² They know that God's law says that people who live in this way deserve death. Yet, not only do they continue to do these very things, but they even approve of others who do them.

 

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When I took the exam, I did well. I studied and memorized all the facts. Years later, after not having used the subject, I struggled to remember the content. When someone asked me questions, I could not help. I had forgotten everything.

 

• There have been many things I used to know that I have forgotten.
• There have been many practices I used to do that I no longer do.
• There have been many things that were good for me, and I did at one time that I stopped doing.

 

Paul continues explaining what GOD revealed to him. He says that some people refuse to keep in mind the true knowledge about GOD. Because of this, GOD allows those people to have a corrupt mind, doing anything evil that feels right to them.

 

• GOD wants me to keep HIM top of mind every day.
• GOD wants me to know I would choose evil every time if it weren’t for HIS guidance each day.
• GOD wants me to recognize I would choose greed, vice, jealousy, murder, fighting, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, pride, boasting, disobedience and hatred unless I speak to HIM each day.

 

Having done many evil things on this list, I can testify that Paul’s writing is true. I mean, when he puts jealousy next to murder, it really makes me think that I am hopeless. BUT GOD gave me a way out of my mess.

 

Only GOD HIMSELF could save me from my sin. I would never choose HIS way, so HE chose me instead. HE died just for me and was raised from the dead. JESUS then sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me to guide me back to HIM. I still want sin, but I keep in mind what GOD wants.

 

• Are you doing what you want, never asking GOD what HE wants you to do?
• Do you see things only from your perspective, justifying your actions along the way?
• Will you keep GOD in mind, knowing you could fall to the things HE does not want you to do, so you could be given your perfect purpose today?

Mistakes Used Powerfully

Mistakes Used Powerfully

Acts 3: ¹¹ Now as the lame man who was healed held on to Peter and John, all the people ran together to them in the porch which is called Solomon’s, greatly amazed. ¹² So when Peter saw it, he responded to the people: “Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk? ¹³ The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. ¹⁴ But you denied the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, ¹⁵ and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses. ¹⁶ And His name, through faith in His name, has made this man strong, whom you see and know. Yes, the faith which comes through Him has given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all.

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In a hurry, I stopped by the cleaners to pick up my clothes. No one was around so I left the car running. Unfortunately, habit kicked in and I locked the car as I got out. When I returned to the car I could not get in. I had to call the police. Afterwards, I warned people to turn off their car even at short stops.

• When I learn from my mistakes, I warn others.
• When I have felt the sting of a mistake I tell other people so they won’t do it.
• When I make a mistake that is costly, I plea with people trying to convince them not to fall into the same trap I did.

The crowd was amazed that Peter healed the man who was lame. They rushed at him and probably started worshiping him. Peter warned them of their behavior. He told them of their denial of JESUS and reminded them of their choice to keep a murderer alive. Peter also had denied JESUS, but was blessed with restoration. He could now tell them the power comes from JESUS.

• JESUS wants me to be open with my sins so others will feel free to admit theirs.
• JESUS wants me to tell other people that I have made mistakes so they will not be bound by theirs.
• JESUS wants me to be brave enough to admit sin publicly so the sin no longer has power over me or whoever hears it.

Saying I have made mistakes is often not easy. I mean who wants to say. “I have lusted” or “I have enjoyed porn” or “I have stolen” or “I have lied?” Most people would not if they were trying to keep up a façade. BUT GOD wants me to admit to all of that and more.

These sins no longer have power over me only because JESUS said “I forgive you of all your sins” to me. HE released me from the consequence of sin and I am filled with joy, I want to tell other people about my mistakes so they will do the same and be forgiven. I admit I have made a lot of mistakes that JESUS cleaned up.

• Are you hiding your mistakes?
• Are you nervous that other people will find out your deepest darkest secrets?
• Will you start small and build up to, what you consider, big sins, admitting them to others so they can see you are forgiven by JESUS today?

Protected Responses

Mark 9: ⁴² “But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were thrown into the sea. ⁴³ If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter into life maimed, rather than having two hands, to go to hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— ⁴⁴ where

‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’

⁴⁵ And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame, rather than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that shall never be quenched— ⁴⁶ where

‘Their worm does not die,
And the fire is not quenched.’

⁴⁷ And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye, rather than having two eyes, to be cast into hell fire— ⁴⁸ where

‘Their worm does not die
And the fire is not quenched.’

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As a sign of bravery and strength I was instructed to punch the cement wall harder than the guy next to me. Judging was totally subjective as far as who “won.” Being the frail guy I was I punched the wall with a soft touch. “I’m not breaking my hand!” I said to myself.

• Many times I preserved myself.
• Many times I protected myself from harm.
• Many times I made sure I was safe.

JESUS shocks the disciples with a strict message of warning. HE warns them against causing others to fall into sin. The warning is extreme saying it would be better to maim yourself than to cause someone to sin because of lack of control.

• GOD wants me to control myself enough to keep others from falling into my sin.
• GOD wants me to refrain from hurting people and turn to helping them instead.
• GOD wants me to put a leash on my carnal urges long enough to encourage and grow people.

JESUS knew I would try to protect myself when HE said these statements. HE wanted to get down to the core of my wretched, rotten sin by saying it would be better to lose a hand or a foot or an eye than to drag others into my sinful world. But what does HE want me to do? HE wants me to pray for others, encouraging them to follow HIM.

• Are you trying to drag people into your sin?
• Can you stop for a moment and figure out a way to encourage that person?
• Will you turn from your sin today so you can help others do the same?

Sticking to Wrong Promise

Mark 6: ¹⁹ Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; ²⁰ for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just and holy man, and he protected him. And when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

²¹ Then an opportune day came when Herod on his birthday gave a feast for his nobles, the high officers, and the chief men of Galilee. ²² And when Herodias’ daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, “Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you.” ²³ He also swore to her, “Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half my kingdom.”

²⁴ So she went out and said to her mother, “What shall I ask?”

And she said, “The head of John the Baptist!”

²⁵ Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, “I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter.”

²⁶ And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet, because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. ²⁷ Immediately the king sent an executioner and commanded his head to be brought. And he went and beheaded him in prison, ²⁸ brought his head on a platter, and gave it to the girl; and the girl gave it to her mother. ²⁹ When his disciples heard of it, they came and took away his corpse and laid it in a tomb.

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“Get a pair of pants from the store” the person told me. The demand came from a person in an organization I wanted to be part of but alas I had no money. “Figure it out” were his words implying I should steal them. “Okay I promise I will get them!”

• There have been times I have made the wrong promises.
• There have been times I have followed the wrong crowd.
• There have been times I have wanted to be part of something so badly, I would do something that was wrong.

Herod’s position as king would be weakened if he went back on an oath. Unfortunately his daughter asked for a political nightmare, namely the execution of John the Baptist. He stuck with his promise and got nowhere with GOD.

• GOD wants me to make promises that grow HIS kingdom.
• GOD desires that I follow HIS ways without political affiliations.
• GOD longs for a relationship with me versus me building a kingdom of followers.

Desiring to be part of something can drive me to decisions that may not be centered on love. GOD sees through the loneliness and fills my heart with love for others. When HE does this I am never alone.

• Are you lonely?
• Do you look at GOD as a political affiliate or do you seek HIS face for HIS true power and love?
• Will you stop trying to follow humans and start following GOD today?

Escaping for Life

Matthew 2: ¹³ When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

¹⁴ So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, ¹⁵ where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”

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“Shoot him” were the words I heard as I dashed to the safety of the bowling alley. Our instincts had kicked in and standing to fight an outnumbered crowd was not the option for me or my friend. After waiting a while I could hear something that said “go check on your friend now, he is safe.” I found him and we went home together.

• There have been some very dangerous times in my life.
• There have been some times that I have faced some extreme life threatening situations.
• There have been some moments when I did not think I would make it.

“Fight or flee” comes to mind when faced with danger. I chose to flee that time and hoped for the best. Looking back on this extreme situation I could only see one thing, GOD.

• GOD protects me on a daily basis.
• GOD protects me from those who try to harm me.
• GOD protects me in extremely dangerous situations.

Since GOD has a plan for me, HE wants me to continue so HE protects me to fulfill that plan. HE guards me from dangers I am not aware of and for that I am eternally grateful.

• Are you mad about something?
• Do you feel upset?
• Can you stop your anger for a moment long enough to praise GOD for HIS protection?
• Will you thank GOD for HIS wonderful plan for you?

Heart of Revenge

Jeremiah 51: ¹⁰ “‘The Lord has vindicated us;
    come, let us tell in Zion
    what the Lord our God has done.’

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Driving along the highway I noticed a person who decided to pay back a person who cut them off. They got in front of them and slammed on their brakes, causing the other person a huge scare. I thought to myself, “That seems like a good idea!” I mean I got tired of drivers who got in front of me, almost grazing my car, meanwhile the lane doesn’t go any faster.

I decided to try it on the next driver who cut me off. Minutes later it happened. I put my plan into action by sliding over to the lane they left. Suddenly I hit a huge pothole and bent one of my rims. Oh, now I know why the person darted in front of me. My vengeance cost me hundreds.

• Sometimes I want to get that person back.
• Sometimes I want “that” person to fail.
• Sometimes I want to hear about the fall and see them tumble down the mountain.

Watching the speeder who passes me then gets pulled over by a cop feels great until I am the speeder who gets pulled over. The “Heart of Revenge” makes me look at others with judgement in mind. I hope for their demise never once thinking I may be the perpetrator. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD says to me “Vengeance is MINE says the LORD, I will repay” meaning I need to stay out of HIS way or I will feel the wrath too.
• GOD says to me “I will take out MY vengeance on those who harm MY people” meaning HE does not need me to fight when HE has been angered.
• GOD says to me “Bless those who persecute you. Don't curse them; pray that GOD will bless them” meaning let GOD handle the malefactor.

Having a “Heart of Revenge” makes me play the situation over in my mind, not letting go of its deadly poison. BUT GOD wants me to let go. HE wants me to see HIS protection and allow HIM to pour out HIS wrath or grace on the person. HE wants my heart to be filled with grace just like HIM. HE wants me to empty my vengeful heart and fill it with love.

• Are you mad at someone?
• Are you spitting poison as much as you can about other people?
• Can you stop being angry and fill your heart with love?
• Will you allow GOD to handle “that” person and also allow HIM to change your heart?

GOD lives here too

Numbers: ³³ “‘Do not pollute the land where you are. Murder pollutes the land. Only one thing can pay to remove the pollution in the land where murder has been committed. The blood of the one who spilled another’s blood must be spilled. ³⁴ So do not make the land where you live “unclean.” I live there too. I live among the people of Israel. I am the Lord.’”

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“GOD lives here too.” This seemed very profound to me.  HE lives in my house and sees everything I’m doing. If I tried to do something in secret, HE knows.  Even when I try to justify why I am sinning GOD knew the seed of sin was the problem and HE doesn’t even listen to any excuse I could come up with.

HE made a clear way back to HIM.

• My sin requires atonement through bloodshed.
• My sin requires that I be put to death.
• My sin requires that I spend eternity separated from GOD’s love.

Since my birth made me a sinner, I seemed destined to spend eternity separated from GOD.

• JESUS volunteered to take my punishment.
• JESUS paid the penalty of my sin by shedding HIS blood for me.
• JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live in me, sealing my relationship with HIM for eternity.

While the Earth is still polluted with my sin, GOD rescues me through HIS own power in the middle of my sin. HE doesn’t even expect me to clean myself up in order to have a relationship with HIM. HIS love is sufficient!

• Have you done something in secret?
• Do you think you are hiding what you have done from GOD?
• Can you confess what you have done or are planning to do and let GOD deal with it?
• Won’t you accept HIS love the way HE wants to give it?

I have someone who can help

Hebrews 2: ¹⁷ For this reason he had to be made like them, fully human in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. ¹⁸ Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.

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When I compare my temptations to other folks they seem rather mild. Okay, I was tempted to take my parents’ car without permission, look at a body I wasn’t married to, or move ahead in the company while taking others out of my way. People today would say “you are really a wimp” especially since I was really nervous as the temptation popped in my head.

Even though my temptations may seem mild they are temptations nonetheless. Who can help me with my temptations?

• When I am tempted to sin, I try to run away from GOD.
• When I am tempted to sin, I blame GOD for making too many rules.
• When I am tempted to sin, I look at others instead of myself and I justify my actions.

The devil knows sin blinds me from GOD’s grace. Every time I sin, I can’t see how GOD would love me, nor can I see that I have the right to tell anyone else about HIM.  I mean what would I say? “Follow the rules?” I couldn’t even follow them myself. Wait, maybe that’s what I should say!

• I should tell people I sin and GOD forgives me.
• I should tell people JESUS became a human and understands everything I go through.
• I should tell people GOD desires to help “anyone” who is willing to hear HIM.

GOD loved me so much that HE took my punishment for sin. HE sentenced HIMSELF and allowed HIS humans to murder HIM. Before HE died HE was tempted in every way possible. Yes “every way.” HE never sinned and fully understands my battle. HE is my focus to help me see around the temptation.

• Are you tempted?
• Do you feel like you are not in control of your life?
• Can you allow GOD to comfort you?
• Won’t you believe HE knows what you are going through and wants to help?

From tragedy to triumphant

Galatians 6: ⁸ Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

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Disturbed by another heinous act of violence I ran through many emotions and thoughts this morning. “Why did another shooter take so many lives?” was the first thought on my mind. Then I immediately tried to figure out who to blame. What a tragedy! Can’t we ever just live peaceful lives?

• When I think other people will bring me peace I am highly mistaken.
• When I blame others for stealing my peace I am highly mistaken.
• When I believe circumstances are too bleak to ever have peace I am highly mistaken.

There are many tragic situations that happen on a daily basis. In fact it seems more like they are happening each hour! BUT GOD doesn’t want me to be shaken by tragedy rather focus on triumph!

• When I encourage someone I overcome tragedy.
• When I choose to praise GOD instead of venting frustration I overcome tragedy.
• When I place blame in the grave and uphold the ways of the SPIRIT I overcome tragedy.

I could point to others and say “look at this sick society” or I can say “how can I lift someone up today?” I believe it’s obvious which one GOD wants me to do. GOD wants me to exclaim the GREAT NEWS about HIS SON who went through tragedy and became triumphant.  

• Are you feeling defeated?
• Do you blame others for your situation?
• Do you blame others for the direction the nation or the world is headed?
• Can you take today’s tragedy and become triumphant?
• Won’t you encourage someone today and defeat tragedy?

Don’t wait until it’s too late.

Matthew 27: ⁵⁴ When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”

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“Unless you execute a great final, you will fail this class” my professor exclaimed to me. I went to my room and I was determined to prove him wrong. I now understood the term “cramming” as I tried to shove an entire semester of learning into a few short nights.

An imprint of the book was on my face as I woke up on the day of the test. I sat down, took the test and got a “C” on the final. Unfortunately that wasn’t enough to bring my grade up and I failed the course. It was too little, too late!

• Life is extremely short and sometimes I don’t pay attention to GOD.
• Life is extremely short and most times I want my sinful way.
• Life is extremely short and there are times I fight with GOD instead of siding with HIM.

Those who murdered JESUS really wanted to see if HE would do something supernatural in front of them. They did not believe HE was GOD who had become a man rather they treated HIM like entertainment for their amusement. In many ways I am like them.

When I don’t believe GOD and I set a false supernatural expectation of HIM that HE won’t do, I am treating HIM like those who murdered HIM. I mean when I say statements like “If YOU are GOD then do X Y Z” I am saying I don’t believe HE “is” GOD and I refuse to follow HIS plan.

• There will come a time when I will die and it will be too late to honor GOD.
• There will come a time when I will pass away and I will realize the times I could have served HIM.
• There will come a time when I will be removed from this earth and I will understand how much time I could have spent serving instead of sinning.

Every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that JESUS is GOD, LORD and SAVIOR of the world. I choose to say this before it is too late.

• Do you believe JESUS can save you from eternal separation from HIM?
• Will you change some of your ways today to serve HIM?
• Can you take a moment out of your busy day to thank HIM for what HE has done for you?