New Identity

New Identity

Revelation 2: ¹² “To the angel of the church in Pergamum write:

 

“This is the message from the one who has the sharp two-edged sword. ¹³ I know where you live, there where Satan has his throne. You are true to me, and you did not abandon your faith in me even during the time when Antipas, my faithful witness, was killed there where Satan lives. ¹⁴ But there are a few things I have against you: there are some among you who follow the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak how to lead the people of Israel into sin by persuading them to eat food that had been offered to idols and to practice sexual immorality. ¹⁵ In the same way you have people among you who follow the teaching of the Nicolaitans. ¹⁶ Now turn from your sins! If you don't, I will come to you soon and fight against those people with the sword that comes out of my mouth.

 

¹⁷ “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!

“To those who win the victory I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give each of them a white stone on which is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.

 

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Wanting to fit in, I decided that humor would be my entrance into the in-crowd. I learned how to insult people to make others laugh. But after a while, I was known as a clown and was not taken seriously when I desired it.

 

• I created an identity that I thought was funny, but had an edge of meanness.
• I thought people would gravitate to the identity I created for myself.
• I did not consider the unintended consequences of my hurtful words.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, wrote to believers in Pergamum that all believers can gain wisdom. The warning from JESUS was about being wishy-washy and allowing any philosophy to be spoken and followed. JESUS then warns to turn away from identifying with those who speak against HIM otherwise HE would speak judgment on them.

 

My Observations:

• At some point I had to realize that I am a creation of GOD and I need HIM for everything.
• My identity should clearly point to GOD.
• JESUS will give me a new identity that only HIM and I know.

 

Identifying with JESUS may cause the world to fight instead of joining in. I mean, as soon as I say “JESUS is my LORD and Savior”, the enemy wants to fight against me. Pressures to fit into the world that hates JESUS would grow more intense. BUT GOD has a remedy.

 

JESUS wants me to give up my identity so I can say “I belong to HIM.” Instead of making a name for myself, HE wants me to point to HIS name which has all the power. I no longer seek the accolades from the crowd.

 

Challenge

• What following does the writer speak about?
• Have you ever wanted to fit into a group that was possibly against CHRIST?
• Will you seek to identify with CHRIST so HE can use you to being many people back to HIM?

Different Thinking

 

Different Thinking

Hebrews 7: ¹¹ It was on the basis of the levitical priesthood that the Law was given to the people of Israel. Now, if the work of the levitical priests had been perfect, there would have been no need for a different kind of priest to appear, one who is in the priestly order of Melchizedek,^[a] not of Aaron. ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, there also has to be a change in the law. ¹³ And our Lord, of whom these things are said, belonged to a different tribe, and no member of his tribe ever served as a priest. ¹⁴ It is well known that he was born a member of the tribe of Judah; and Moses did not mention this tribe when he spoke of priests.

 

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“Why go to church?” was my question. I finally got tired of the same messages of “being good” or “giving money.” There had to be more to life that what was being said. I stopped going and started “having fun.” My “fun” became more of a problem than I thought.

 

• I did not have a place to put my hope.
• I did not fill the hole that was in my heart.
• I had to rethink “church” versus my relationship with GOD.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, may have tried to address a way of thinking that could have been detrimental to many. People may have relied on a human priest to cleanse them of their sins through confession and sacrifice. He explained, there is a “different kind of priest”, one who did not belong to the tribe of priests, who would be the one to follow.

 

My Observations:

• Humans struggle trying to understand GOD, BUT HE reveals enough to show me HIS love.
• Love is greater than keeping the law, because the law was founded by love.
• I do not have to worry about trying to be perfect, because JESUS was perfect for me.

 

Blaming GOD or blaming people who believe in GOD is a problem. I mean, when I question why GOD does things, or I question those who are supposed to believe in GOD, yet act duplicitous, I can fall away from HIM. BUT GOD knows there are many things that can come up against my relationship with HIM.

 

HE patiently allows me to fall into holes that I think can pull me away from HIM. HE gently lifts me up and dusts me off to serve HIM and praise HIM another day. I am glad HE is willing to renew my mind and show me HIS love!

 

Challenge

• What way of thinking is the writer trying to address?
• Have you ever tried to blame GOD or blame “churchy” people?
• Will you look at GOD’s love and think differently about how you approach church and the beliefs you may or may not have today?

Useful Thinking

Useful Thinking

Philemon 1: ⁸ For this reason I could be bold enough, as your brother in Christ, to order you to do what should be done. ⁹ But because I love you, I make a request instead. I do this even though I am Paul, the ambassador of Christ Jesus, and at present also a prisoner for his sake. ¹⁰ So I make a request to you on behalf of Onesimus, who is my own son in Christ; for while in prison I have become his spiritual father. ¹¹ At one time he was of no use to you, but now he is useful both to you and to me.

 

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Listening to the suggestions from the crowd, I began thinking of ways to get out of class and work. I wanted to play cards and hang out I got nervous when I was almost fired, so I straightened up temporarily.

 

• I hated my job, even though it paid the bills.
• I was constantly looking for ways to goof off or leave.
• I never thought of ways to improve the situation or to add value.

 

Paul humbly makes a request of Philemon on behalf of Onesimus. He describes Onesimus as being useful, but acknowledges that at one point in time he was not useful. Something change with Onesimus and he began serving Paul, the prisoner.

 

My Observations

• There are times when I want to complain, but this is useless to serving.
• There are times when I want to serve myself, but this is useless to drawing other people to GOD.
• There are times when I think only of myself and this type of thinking is useless  to helping other people.

 

Selfishness is blinding. I mean, the more I think of myself, I make excuses for not serving other people. In fact, I may even blame him or her for not serving me in the way “I” think I ought to be served. This type of thinking is useless to bringing people to GOD. Fortunately HE is so, so, so forgiving.

 

HE shows me my selfishness and opens my eyes to a plentiful harvest that HE wants to draw back to HIMSELF. HE show me the hurt and the lost and wants me to seek them and bring them to HIM. There are plenty to bring to HIM, but my eyes have to be opened. I am glad GOD includes me in HIS plan and forgives me when I think only of myself.

 

Challenge

• What tone is the writer taking?
• Have you ever felt sorry for yourself and felt you deserved more?
• Will you change your mindset and ask GOD “What do YOU want me to do for YOUR kingdom today?”

Herbs and Spices

Mark 4: ³⁰ Then He said, “To what shall we liken the kingdom of God? Or with what parable shall we picture it? ³¹ It is like a mustard seed which, when it is sown on the ground, is smaller than all the seeds on earth; ³² but when it is sown, it grows up and becomes greater than all herbs, and shoots out large branches, so that the birds of the air may nest under its shade.”

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“You should learn this new way of doing things” exclaimed one of my coworkers. Yes, the world had changed and a new way of thinking had emerged. I now had to go on a new road and learn. “I wonder when this road will change” I thought to myself.

• Sometimes I get busy chasing new philosophies.
• Sometimes I get entrenched into learning new ways of doing things.
• Sometimes I get involved with new thinking, new values and new beliefs.

Out with the old and in with the new was my way to stay ahead of the crowd. I would learn new ingredients to success by attending philosophical discussions and grab a new herb of knowledge. Many birds would flock with me to these spicy meetings. BUT GOD had another plan for me.

• GOD says to me “Tell people about the simple message of MY love for them.”
• GOD says to me “MY kingdom’s message is simple, just believe that JESUS died for all of mankind and you will be saved.”
• GOD says to me “MY yoke is easy and MY burdens are light.”

What a tiny seed GOD gave me. I mean HIS message of grace far exceeds any new herb and spice I could ever learn. In fact, GOD’s message of grace grows in me and in the hearts of mankind stronger than any other way of thinking. Branches of joy, love, forgiveness and peace flow from this simple message of HIS grace. GOD’s message is simple, HE loves me.

• Are you busy trying to learn the “new” thing?
• Do you think the new way of thinking will save you?
• Can you turn your thinking towards GOD for a moment and absorb the simple message of HIS love for you?