Never Again!

Never Again!

Revelation 18: ²¹ Then a mighty angel picked up a stone the size of a large millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “This is how the great city Babylon will be violently thrown down and will never be seen again. ²² The music of harps and of human voices, of players of the flute and the trumpet, will never be heard in you again! No workman in any trade will ever be found in you again; and the sound of the millstone will be heard no more! ²³ Never again will the light of a lamp be seen in you; no more will the voices of brides and grooms be heard in you. Your merchants were the most powerful in all the world, and with your false magic you deceived all the peoples of the world!”

 

²⁴ Babylon was punished because the blood of prophets and of God's people was found in the city; yes, the blood of all those who have been killed on earth.

 

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When the police arrived at the bowling alley, they asked me to identify one of the thugs who chased me. “Is this one of the people who were after you?” was the ludicrous question asked of me.

 

• I had just freshly ran away from danger and the police brought it back in my face!
• I worried that any jail time the thug would face would be short and I would have a problem later on.
• I did not believe the thug would permanently leave me alone.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was shown a mighty angel pick up a stone, throwing it into the sea, and said many declarations about how the great city would “never again” do the harm on humanity it once did.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s judgment is permanent and cannot be reversed.
• GOD will put an end to any torment HIS people faced throughout all of history.
• GOD sees any injustice done to anyone who believes in JESUS.

 

When GOD does away with evil, it will be permanent. I mean, there will be no retaliation, no pop up problems and no embarrassing confrontations with evil people who could cause future problems.

 

JESUS has been raised from the dead and that is not the end! HE went to build a new heaven and a new earth. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside those who believe, to protect and give purpose to tell others about our risen Savior. I am glad I will, one day, never face problems again!

 

Challenge

• What reason does the writer give for the punishment of the great city?
• Have you ever feared to tell on someone who harmed you or lied on you or stole from you?
• Have you considered believing in JESUS as your Savior and life support today?

At Least Try

At Least Try

Hebrews 12: ¹⁴ Try to be at peace with everyone, and try to live a holy life, because no one will see the Lord without it. ¹⁵ Guard against turning back from the grace of God. Let no one become like a bitter plant that grows up and causes many troubles with its poison. ¹⁶ Let no one become immoral or unspiritual like Esau, who for a single meal sold his rights as the older son. ¹⁷ Afterward, you know, he wanted to receive his father's blessing; but he was turned back, because he could not find any way to change what he had done, even though in tears he looked for it.

 

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Sitting in my apartment, I wondered if anything would go my way. I recalled my past gaffs and I didn’t see how my future could get any better. I went to the mailbox and picked up the bills that left me broke as usual. I wasn’t dating and I did not know many people in the town I lived in. “Sigh” I said.

 

• I felt like giving up.
• I felt like nothing would change.
• I wondered if I should return to GOD because at that time I thought I had left HIM.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, continues to give sage advice. “Try” was his challenge to those who may have felt like giving up. He knew many people would run into those who like to fight and quarrel. He also knew firsthand, the effects of causing strife in other people’s lives because he was once on a religious quest to murder those who “he” thought were not following GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Sometimes GOD does not seem like the right answer to me, but when I have tried HIM, HE has never disappointed me.
• Prayer sometimes seems like a pitiful action, BUT GOD loves when I turn to HIM.
• Letting go of some of the world’s ways seems like I would become strange, BUT GOD wants me to not “turn back” to things that are harmful to me or other people.

 

Following GOD can seem hard sometimes. I mean, what about people who are mean and nasty and hateful towards me? Am I supposed to just get beat up passively or physically? No! BUT GOD wants me to refrain from initiating fights, or living immorally or ignoring how much the HOLY SPIRIT really does for me every day.

 

GOD doesn’t make the relationship with HIM difficult, I do. I want HIM to act a certain way, meanwhile HE nudges me to act the way HE wants me to. HE guides me away from harmful things and leads me to a place of blessing. I am glad GOD doe not give me my way all the time and guide me to HIS way.

 

Challenge

• How does the writer imply “surrendering” things in your life to have a solid relationship with the LORD?
• Are there areas of your life that seem overwhelming and you are trying to use the world’s tactics to solve them?
• Will you try to be at peace with those who fight you and try to turn away from habits that may not be good for you and try to let go of bitterness that poisons you and others today?

Response to the Plea

Hosea 2: ²¹ “In that day I will respond,”
    declares the Lord—
“I will respond to the skies,
    and they will respond to the earth;
²² and the earth will respond to the grain,
    the new wine and the olive oil,
    and they will respond to Jezreel.
²³ I will plant her for myself in the land;
    I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’
I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’;
    and they will say, ‘You are my God.’”

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Some days I wondered if GOD was even listening to me. I mean some trials lasted longer than others. “Where are YOU?” I would cry out, only to hear silence and remain in my present state.

• There have been times when I have wondered if GOD is listening.
• There have been times when I thought GOD seems to not care.
• There have been times when I have thought GOD must be punishing me because things are not going the way I want them to in the time I want them to.

Looking back on my doubtful thinking I was venting at the one who put me in the situation in the first place. I did not know what HE was doing or why, I only knew I wanted out of the trial and into something ”better.” BUT GOD said something to calm me down.

• GOD says “I see you.”
• GOD says “There will come a day when I WILL respond.”
• GOD says “I WILL say you are MY people and you will say YOU are my GOD.”

Throughout my waiting period I can see GOD was there sustaining me, yet HE was growing me to become patient and more understanding of those who are going through circumstances. HE wants me to slow down rather than speeding up so I will not miss those around me.

GOD also wants me to have the faith to keep pressing forward and to plea with HIM daily. I will keep my measure of faith HE has given me and place my total trust in HIM. HE is my GOD and I am HIS.

• Are you still in a trial that has been going on for a while?
• Do you want out of the trial but it seems to still linger?
• Can you praise GOD for what HE is doing to sustain you?
• Will you stop feeling ashamed and speak about GOD boldly?

Not Too Late to Prosper

2 Chronicles 24: ²⁰ Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’”

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It seemed like everything was going absolutely wrong in my life at this time. My old jalopy was on the fritz again, and I was stuck in “this” stupid town, alone. I went to the mailbox and saw the envelope with the word “overdue” stamped on the outside.  I was behind on credit card payments.

One of the “old” ladies who lived in my building came up to me and asked me the strangest question. “What church do you go to?” assumptively she asked. “I haven’t found one” I said knowing I wasn’t even looking for one.

• There are times where I have tried to do life on my own.
• There are times where I think I can handle life by myself.
• There are times where I mistook being busy as being productive and I got exhausted getting nowhere.

I was working as hard as I could and things weren’t changing. I mean the car couldn’t have broken down at the worst time. I took a deep breath and went to church. I listened to the sermon and the pastor spoke about the book “Revelation of JESUS.” This perked my interest so I decided to return the next week.

Before long I was attending regularly and the pastor asked the question “Is there anyone here who would like to rededicate their life back to CHRIST?” Something within me said “stay seated” but fortunately for me I got up anyway. I was tired of trying so hard and getting nowhere.

I don’t remember any magic remedies or potions, but soon I found myself giving to people instead of holding back to pay my bills. Soon I wasn’t lonely anymore and wouldn’t you know it, my bills were paid off. The impossible was made possible.

• GOD says to me, “It is never too late to turn to your ways back to the LORD.”
• GOD says to me, “Stop trying to be GOD and follow ME.”
• GOD says to me, “I AM worthy to be praised in the middle of a crisis.”

There is no emergency with GOD. HE knows exactly what I am going through each and every moment. HE wants me to trust HIS plan and follow HIS ways first, and then I will prosper.

• Are you in a situation where you cannot see the end?
• Do you think your situation is impossible for GOD?
• Can you slow down a minute, take a deep breath and ask “what is GOD doing in my life right now?”
• If you are serving GOD, then can you check if you have judgmental words coming from your lips?

Committed versus Perfection

1 Kings 15: ¹¹ Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, as his father David had done. ¹² He expelled the male shrine prostitutes from the land and got rid of all the idols his ancestors had made. 

¹³ He even deposed his grandmother Maakah from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive image for the worship of Asherah. Asa cut it down and burned it in the Kidron Valley. ¹⁴ Although he did not remove the high places, Asa’s heart was fully committed to the Lord all his life.

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Tired of things going “wrong,” I decided to dedicate my life back to GOD. I mean everything else had failed, why not try this. I actually felt a load fall off of my mind. I could breathe again.  A couple of years into my renewed life things seemed to go extremely well.

But one year I hit a small blip as a family member’s health came into question. Then I got news of a friend who was dying. My car was broken into and other areas of my life were shaken.  “Wait! I thought life would be easy if I were to put my trust in GOD!” I huffed in disappointment. Maybe I’m not trying to live for HIM hard enough! I wonder if I need to give up on GOD.

• GOD understands the times when I feel discouraged.
• GOD understands the times when I feel like giving up.
• GOD understands the times when I feel disappointed.

Many times I thought “Nothing should go wrong because I’m living for GOD.” That statement couldn’t be further from the truth. Because I’m living for GOD, things will go seemingly wrong.

• GOD says there will be many trials in my life but HE wants me to trust HIM anyway.
• GOD says HE wants a simple relationship with me, not one where I expect the wrong things from HIM and get disappointed at the drop of a hat when HE doesn’t yield.
• GOD says love one another as I have loved you.

Sometimes I overcomplicate my relationship with GOD.  When things go wrong, I try to analyze my previous moves so I won’t fall into that type of trouble again. BUT GOD knows that when I live for HIM, the enemy will try to tear me down, accuse me and break my faith. GOD wants me to be committed. This means accepting there will be trials and keeping my trust in HIM.

• Have you lost your trust in GOD?
• Are you wondering where GOD is with you right now?
• Can you put your trust in HIM that HIS plan includes this trial?
• Can you help someone increase their faith in GOD today by telling your story?

Victory may come with defeat

Judges 20: ²⁶ Then all the Israelites, the whole army, went up to Bethel, and there they sat weeping before the Lord. They fasted that day until evening and presented burnt offerings and fellowship offerings to the Lord. ²⁷ And the Israelites inquired of the Lord. (In those days the ark of the covenant of God was there, ²⁸ with Phinehas son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, ministering before it.) They asked, “Shall we go up again to fight against the Benjamites, our fellow Israelites, or not?”

The Lord responded, “Go, for tomorrow I will give them into your hands.”

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After being passed over for a number of positions I wondered what was going on.  I prayed and it seemed like GOD was saying “keep going.” Finally the company asked me to interview for CIO of one of their recently purchased companies. “Wow, look at GOD” I said. When it was all said and done, I didn’t get the job.

I pouted and questioned GOD. “Why did you put me up to this?” I said in a tiff.  Little did I know HE had something much greater in store for me.

• When I get defeated I think I can’t move forward.
• When I lose the battle I think I can’t fight anymore.
• When I don’t get my way I think GOD has forgotten me.

The Israelites went to GOD, not once but twice and prayed to HIM asking if they should fight and the LORD said “Yes” and they lost both times. In fact they were humiliated in their defeat. They went back one more time and GOD gave them victory.

• GOD’s plan is wonderful for me but it has included painful growth.
• GOD’s plan for me is great but I have had to fail in order to accomplish HIS goal.
• GOD’s plan is absolutely marvelous for me but I have had to fall in a few holes to realize I need HIM.

Just because I am defeated on one battle or even two doesn’t mean I shouldn’t keep fighting. GOD wants me to be strong as I move forward. The weak will observe my defeat as total failure, BUT GOD sees it as an opportunity to strengthen me and grow me. HE is the one who raises me and places me in the position HE desires.

• Are you defeated?
• Are you tired of the fight?
• Can you open your eyes and ask GOD to fight for you?
• Won’t you “keep going” like GOD told you to?

How to keep going

Hebrews 10: ²² let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.

²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

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Our church was led to place “stretch goal” type ministries in a bowl and everyone was supposed to draw one out. Thinking this would be easy; I reached my hand in and pulled out a whale! “Run a marathon” my card read. What!? Before this particular race I rejected the notion of running. I mean why would anyone run 26.2 miles?

Right around the last quarter of my daily training run the same discouraging message would pop in my mind, “give up” or “why are you doing this” or “feel that pain, it could end up permanent.” It seems like many things in life have the same discouraging messages.

• Many times I feel like giving up.
• Many times I want to throw myself a pity party and talk about how bad things are.
• Many times I see the difficulties ahead of me and get scared and want to do nothing.

Life has many obstacles and sometimes things look very bleak. Many storms ravage my very existence and I feel tossed about like a rag doll in the wind. What can I do?

• GOD says “draw near” to HIM with a sincere heart not a phony, churchy, judgmental one.
• GOD says “hold unswervingly to hope” in HIM because HE knows the great plans HE has for me.
• GOD says “encourage someone” because it takes the focus off of me and places it on HIM.

Life has many challenges and can sometimes be scary. BUT GOD cleanses my guilty conscience, purifies my heart and holds the key to hope.

• Is life difficult for you?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Can you stop listening to the negative talk for a minute to hear GOD has a great plan HE promised to give you?
• Won’t you persevere and push through the pain?

What to do when being attacked.

Acts 16: ²² The crowd joined in the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be stripped and beaten with rods. ²³ After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown into prison, and the jailer was commanded to guard them carefully. ²⁴ When he received these orders, he put them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.

 ²⁵ About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. ²⁶ Suddenly there was such a violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all the prison doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.

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Country Western and Blues seem to be how I can describe various times in my life.  You know lyrics like “my dog died”, “my horse left” and “my woman burst into flames.” It seems like there are times when I am trying my hardest to live for CHRIST yet situations come up that feel like I am being beaten with rods. What should I do?

• There are going to be times when it seems like everyone is against me.
• There are going to be times when it seems like I should give up and stop trying.
• There are going to be times when it seems like there is no way out.

Paul and Silas actually praised GOD during their beatings. Wow! You mean they were trying to live for GOD and got beat in public for trying to do what is right? YES! They were publicly humiliated and physically beat for preaching about JESUS.

• GOD does not want me to be harmed but knows I will face opposition.
• GOD does not want me to feel like giving up especially when the going gets tough.
• GOD does not want me to turn away from HIM even when I’m boxed in with no way out.

Praising GOD is amazing! I mean when all circumstances look bleak praise HIM. When everyone around you is losing their heads and blaming it on you, praise HIM. When the road seems to be invisible and speed bumps keep getting larger, praise HIM.

Paul and Silas had a miracle happen when they praise GOD in the midst of their troubles. I have seen the same happen to me.

• Are you at the end of your rope?
• Do you feel many if not all people are against you?
• Do you believe in GOD’s strange tactics?
• Have you tried praising GOD?

NEVER give up!

Luke 18:1Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. 2He said: "In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared about men. 3And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, 'Grant me justice against my adversary.'

4"For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, 'Even though I don't fear God or care about men, 5yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so that she won't eventually wear me out with her coming!' "

6And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. 7And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? 8I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly. However, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on the earth?"

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I can't count the days that I have felt like giving up. There are so many days that I don't think GOD is hearing me. I mean, doesn't HE see me struggling? Doesn't HE understand my pain?

I read this story and questioned GOD's methods. Why does HE have to take so long to do things? Why doesn't HE give me my way instantly? I had to stop and think about this for a while. A story came to mind.

When I was a kid I wanted a certain toy for Christmas. My parents who were struggling to make ends meet more than likely tried to cater to my desires. They bought me something similar to the toy I wanted. On Christmas day I opened their gift and cried because it wasn't exactly what I wanted. Now looking back on the ordeal, they got me exactly what I needed.

Why do I bring up this story? Because people are fickle in their wants and desires. Looking back to that Christmas as an adult makes me laugh. I don't need the toy that I cried over years ago, I need the understanding my parents gave me.

I see things differently now. GOD knows what is best for me and sometimes, like a child, I am asking for the exact toy that "I" want. The toy for you could be a mate of your choice or more money or some luxury item. I know for me I want many toys, the list goes on and on.

GOD is patient with me because HE has all the time in the world. HE sees me asking for things I don't need and HE just sits there watching over HIS poor helpless child. After I throw my tantrum HE still sits there watching over me. Then I finally wake up and begin to ask for things I need.

• When I ask for things I really need, I am persistent.
• When I ask for things I really need, I see what GOD wants me to have.
• When I ask for things I really need, my prayers are real.
• When I ask for things I really need, my spirit won't rest until I get it.
• When I ask for things I really need, I find myself humble instead of demanding.
• When I ask for things I really need, I don't give up.

GOD understands life better than any human. HE understands that I try to manipulate HIM to get my way and HE isn't going to cater to this. HE wants me to pray with fervor, determination and tenacity. This type of prayer separates the toys from the needs.

• Are you "half way" praying for things?
• Do you pray out of habit?
• Is your spirit troubled by the thing you are praying for?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Can you ask GOD to help you be persistent in your prayer?