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?

Booger Check

Luke 6: ⁴¹ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴² How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

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“Keep your nose clean and check for boogers along the way” was the sage advice I was not expecting. I was headed into meet with the steering committee to discuss an important project and needed some pointers. “What was that supposed to mean?”

I blew off the advice and went to seek those who were more critical. I got plenty of advice. One day, an executive pulled me to the side and asked me “Why are you hanging around the group who drags people down?”

• There were times when I wanted to be part of the critical group.
• There were times when I wanted to criticize versus being criticized.
• There were times when I kept company with nay-sayers and I soon turned into one of them.

JESUS points out how deep a critical heart can run. I believe HE was saying “How can you be critical with others when you have not declared yourself a disaster?”

• GOD wants me to check my attitude when I approach HIM or HIS children.
• GOD wants me to look at myself before I step in with HIM.
• GOD wants me to examine my pitiful attempt at righteousness and count my actions as dung instead of patting myself on the back.

I finally learned I needed to do a “Booger check” with others. We would sit together and help each other with our blind spots. This close group would eventually watch each other’s back and would accept advice as well as dish it out. GOD wants me to admit I need help first before jumping in and providing my “wisdom.”

• Are you critical of others?
• Do you find wrong in what other people easily?
• Can you examine yourself before you are critical of others so you will change your approach with them?

Rejoicing

Luke 1: ³⁹ Now Mary arose in those days and went into the hill country with haste, to a city of Judah, ⁴⁰ and entered the house of Zacharias and greeted Elizabeth. ⁴¹ And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. ⁴² Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb! ⁴³ But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? ⁴⁴ For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy. ⁴⁵ Blessed is she who believed, for there will be a fulfillment of those things which were told her from the Lord.”

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With car now dented, I had to drive around town with less pride than before. It was raining this particular day and when I tried to roll up the window it tilted and I could only roll it up part of the way. “And now my stinky life is complete” I thought to myself as I headed off to clean toilets at work.

• Sometimes I was not filled with joy.
• Sometimes I thought life really stinks.
• Sometimes I could only see the negative in life.

Two women held the most joyous conversation in history. Miracle babies would be born around the same time and one would redeem the world. I can only imaging the conversation as they spoke quickly and with deep excitement! The HOLY SPIRIT was in the middle of their conversation as they spoke of “belief.”

• GOD wants me to focus on HIS promises when I am feeling glum.
• GOD wants me to practice my belief when I am feeling down.
• GOD wants me to look at HIS deliverance when I am feeling low.

Life has a daily choice. I can spend each day down or I can choose to rejoice in spite of situations. GOD has already blessed me and all I need to do is sit back and watch HIM fulfill HIS promises with the might HE has.

• Are you down right now?
• Do you think everything around you is falling apart?
• Can you focus on GOD instead of looking at the waves splashing around you?
• Will you believe today?

Negative or Positive

Ezekiel 13: ²² Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives, ²³ therefore you will no longer see false visions or practice divination. I will save my people from your hands. And then you will know that I am the Lord.’”

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It was a small still voice that told me to encourage this particular person so I did. That person desperately needed to hear the words of encouragement. The next day there was a preacher who said some words in a way that I did not agree. “I wonder if I need to tell that person what they did wrong?” was the first thought that came to mind.

• Sometimes I want to discourage the righteous people with “my” opinion.
• Sometimes I want to dishearten the righteous people with “my” thinking.
• Sometimes I want to disagree with the righteous people because I want “my” voice heard.

When I want the spotlight so badly I may try to argue “my” point or fight to be heard rather than being led by GOD. This quarrelsome behavior causes discouragement rather than building people up for the LORD, meanwhile I have not gone to the people who “do” need to hear encouragement to change their ways. GOD wants me to make a choice.

• GOD wants me to choose my words carefully and not twist HIS words into mine.
• GOD wants me to stay away from discouraging words by seeking the best for people.
• GOD wants me to encourage people to change their ways and focus on GOD rather than looking at me.

Negativity is all around, from television to work to neighbors, it is hard pressed to hear an encouraging word. BUT GOD says “encourage people to follow ME.” GOD is truly amazing, I feel encouraged by HIS word.

• Are you speaking negativity?
• Do your words tear people down or build people up?
• Can you stop using your poisonous negative words and build “that” person up?
• Will you go out and encourage a person to follow GOD today?

Life is Too Short

Ecclesiastes 11: ⁹ You who are young, be happy while you are young,
    and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth.
Follow the ways of your heart
    and whatever your eyes see,
but know that for all these things
    God will bring you into judgment.

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Miserable was probably the best word for how I felt. I sat there and thought to myself “Woe is me” for at that time it seemed like everything was going wrong. I was not doing well in school, I had no guidance and bills were not getting paid. Things looked pretty bleak.

• There were times when I felt things looked pretty bad.
• There were times when I felt miserable while it seemed like “everyone” else was happy.
• There were times when I felt the situations were too difficult for me to handle.

Gloom and doom led me to think, “Maybe I should quit, do whatever sin feels right at the time and let things happen as they may.” I wonder where that thought came from. It seemed like a good excuse at the time to do what I wanted to do anyway. I mean I deserve it since things were going so bad, right? Wrong!

• GOD wants me to praise HIM in good times and in bad to keep myself even keel.
• GOD wants me to see life in a positive light rather than being miserable.
• GOD wants me to see blessings instead of curses and then I can feel HIS awesome power.

It is quite amazing that GOD allows me to have a choice. I can choose to be miserable, in which HE cannot do marvelous works through me, or I can choose to be excited! I finally chose the latter and within a short time, everything I fretted over cleared up nicely.

I not only graduated but I had a new outlook on life that made me appreciate difficult times instead of dreading them. GOD blessed me with a new outlook that includes amazement of HIM.

• Are you stuck?
• Do you feel miserable and blaming someone else over your misery?
• Do you realize that some of your misery may be coming from your heart?
• Will you turn your heart over to GOD and allow HIM to add gratitude to it?
• Will you stop focusing on “what isn’t” and get excited about life and focus on “what is?

Hard Choices

2 Samuel 20:Now a troublemaker named Sheba son of Bikri, a Benjamite, happened to be there. He sounded the trumpet and shouted,

“We have no share in David,
    no part in Jesse’s son!

Every man to his tent, Israel!”

² So all the men of Israel deserted David to follow Sheba son of Bikri. But the men of Judah stayed by their king all the way from the Jordan to Jerusalem.

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“The teacher is a drunk” I giggled. Normally quiet, I wanted to break in my new comedy routine but did it quite awkwardly. This particular teacher did not like me nor did I have any great feelings for her. She was mean, but with me, she seemed to go out of her way. My quip made those around me giggle so her investigation almost got me sent to the principal. I was given a choice, keep clowning or straighten up.

• Sometimes it’s not my peers that makes me do wrong things.
• Sometimes it’s not the situation that makes me want to do wrong.
• Sometimes it’s not someone else tempting me when I do something wrong.

It’s a hard pill to swallow when I’m at fault. I mean, I try to convince everyone around me that “they” are doing things to me, meanwhile I thicken my blinders to the root cause, namely me. The limelight feels great but I noticed my crowd quickly disappeared when the heat got turned up. Soon I was left standing there labeled as a troublemaker.

• GOD wants me to admit I need HIM rather than thinking other people are the problem.
• GOD wants me to trust HIS ways rather than speaking against HIM.
• GOD wants me to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove.

The attention I sought needs to be placed on GOD rather than myself. HIS path is far greater than any other path I could choose.

• Are you causing trouble?
• Are you talking about someone else without speaking about how you have failed in the past?
• Can you mature and get on GOD’s path?
• Can you check out your words today to see if they have poison rather than praise?

Why is “that” person in charge?

1 Samuel 12: ²² For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. ²³ As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. ²⁴ But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you. 

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“Slick” was the one word that I could describe this particular boss.  I had just switched departments and my prior manager was a dream.  She was clear in her direction and collected input from her staff. Not this guy. He was unsure of where we were going and on occasion he would stretch the truth. Okay, he would lie all the time!

He would adjust his words to whatever audience he was in front of. “What a con artist” I thought to myself. “I wish I had my old boss back” I sighed.

• My complaints about “that” person are very unflattering.
• My jabs about “that” person reflect negatively on me.
• My negative thoughts about “that” person seem to take up too much of my energy and distract me from the truth.

When “that” person sins I put on my judgment hat saying, “they can’t possibly be GOD’s child” so I refuse to pray for them. I mean look at what “they” are doing. They can’t possibly deserve prayer.

• GOD says it is a sin for me to hold back prayer, especially for my enemies.
• GOD says HE would hold it against me if HE prompted me to pray for someone and I refused.
• GOD says HE wants me to teach “everyone” the way that is good and right.

In order to serve the LORD faithfully with all my heart, I will need to pray for those whom I feel do not deserve my prayer. In fact, I need to question why I feel they don’t deserve my prayer in the first place. GOD wants me to consider the great things HE has done for me and lavish those thoughts on others.

• Do you have strong negative thoughts about “that” person?
• Are you judging “that” person without understanding them?
• Can you release your judgment about “that” person and pray for them?
• Won’t you get your life back by letting go of the negative thoughts and focus on what GOD is doing for all?

You are wonderful!

1 Thessalonians 5: ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

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Blissful was my existence as I did not recognize insults at one time. Passive aggressive barbs would fly over my head until I realized the laughter was not “with” me rather “at” me. “Okay, if that’s how you’re going to play then I’ll sharpen my tongue and see how you like it” I thought to myself.

When I laid into the first few people I tore them to shreds and I realized I had to back it off just a tad. After a while I could stick you instead of stabbing you. I had perfected the insult. I mean they know I’m just joking right?

• My cynicism does not help anyone grow.
• My sarcasm does not show anyone the right path.
• My pessimism does not foster innovation.
• My nihilism does not encourage a positive atmosphere.

People are hurting and I can’t say I’m immune. Call me sensitive or too serious but I can only stomach negative talk for a very short period of time. In fact my patience for slander is zero and my tolerance for negative is nil. What can I do about a society who makes heroes out of slanderous bullies?

• GOD wants me to encourage people one at a time.
• GOD wants me to show others “they can” do accomplish their goals it they are aligned with HIM.
• GOD wants me to be a positive light in this dark world.
• GOD wants me to build people up even when they are shooting barbs at me.

My job is to build people up whether they think lowly or highly of themselves. I should not evaluate whether you need to be built up, it should just be part of me. Encouragement is a weapon that fights off worry, doubt, fear, loneliness and a host of ills that press against us.

When I encourage others I encourage myself. Building people up takes practice and helps me grow in the process.

• Are you in need of encouragement?
• Do you know GOD made you special and wonderful?
• Can you accept the fact that HIS plan for you is to make you great?
• Won’t you encourage others for the purpose of building them up to see and hear CHRIST?

Time to stand up!

Colossians 4: ¹² Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

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Quietly we crept down the stairs to the basement to see the thing that was down there. Was it a human, a ghost the boogey man? My brother and sister may have been snickering, but I was actually scared! We walked around the shadowy basement with the lights off then a noise came out of nowhere. I screamed, ran, and bumped my head climbing the stairs! The furnace had turned on.

• The unknown is a very scary place.
• The unknown makes me imagine the worst.
• The unknown causes me to have poor judgment of others and the situation.
• The unknown truly shows what I am made of and sometimes I’m made of “fear.”

In the "basement" situation my questions would have been answered if I had just turned on the light. Same with GOD… If I would just turn on HIS light, my fear would subside and sometimes go away.

• GOD wants me to stop listening to my wild imagination and focus on HIS blessings.
• GOD wants me to be fully assured that HE truly loves me “deeply.”
• GOD wants me to be firm in my faith.

Maturity in CHRIST means I can handle tougher and tougher situations without blaming or doubting GOD. HE and I can have frank conversations in other words “wrestling in prayer” and when I’m done, I can serve others during the roughest times.

Standing firm means not compromising on GOD’s ways. It’s very tempting to do the wrong things when jobs or money or possessions are in the balance, BUT GOD wants me to stand firm with integrity while trusting that HE has my best interest in mind.

It’s time to stand up! It’s time to stand firm! It’s time to stand for GOD for HE is my source of power!

• Is your imagination running wild with negative thoughts?
• Do you think GOD doesn’t care about you or your situation?
• Can you remember what HE has done for you in the past?
• Do you realize HE is in control of “all” situations, even yours?

Another prayer for you

Philippians 1:  ⁹And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, ¹⁰so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, ¹¹filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

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Dear HEAVENLY FATHER,

Right now it is difficult to see how great YOUR love is because I am focused on the world’s negativity. Political, economic and racial tension creates an atmosphere that breeds self medication through drugs, alcohol or sexual impurity. I feel so small when fighting the world.

LORD, I am not perfect so please help me help at least one person understand that YOU still care for them no matter how dark things may look.

• Help me discern what is best so that I can take my mind off of life’s negativity.
• Help me discern what is best so that I can see YOUR power instead of the world’s calamities.
• Help me discern what is best so that I can hear YOUR still quiet voice that gives me peace.
• Help me focus on YOU and not on me so that I can take one more step towards YOU.

Thank you JESUS for making me blameless. Please bless those who read and repeat these words.