Addressing Struggles with Other Humans

 Addressing Struggles with Other Humans

Exodus 23: ²⁰ “Behold, I send an Angel before you to keep you in the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared. ²¹ Beware of Him and obey His voice; do not provoke Him, for He will not pardon your transgressions; for My name is in Him. ²² But if you indeed obey His voice and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy to your enemies and an adversary to your adversaries. ²³ For My Angel will go before you and bring you in to the Amorites and the Hittites and the Perizzites and the Canaanites and the Hivites and the Jebusites; and I will cut them off. ²⁴ You shall not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do according to their works; but you shall utterly overthrow them and completely break down their sacred pillars.

 

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GOD continued speaking to Moses. This time HE mentions the preincarnate JESUS.

 

My Observations:

• GOD mentions that an Angel would or would not pardon transgressions.
• JESUS is the only being given the authority to pardon transgressions.
• JESUS would go before the children of Israel to fight their battles.

 

Humans try to say GOD does not have conditions. HIS love stretches the bounds of sin, so HIS love is unconditional. BUT HIS protection and guidance seem to have conditions. “If you obey HIS voice,” is a condition that would provide the children of Israel protection against those who rebelled against GOD.

 

First it was the people of Canaan who hated GOD and HIS ways. They developed rocks and wood and gold as things to worship. They made sacred pillars that solidified their rebellion against GOD. Everything about the various groups mentioned pointed to a broken relationship with GOD.

 

JESUS would be the Angel who would go before the children of Israel. HE would guide them, but they would still need to be the ones who would drive the rebels out of the promised land. The condition of listening to JESUS was established. Those who rebelled would be cut off. I believe this is the eternal separation from GOD that we could face by not believing in JESUS.

 

The children of Israel would face struggles with other people that JESUS would take care of. All they had to do was obey HIM and not provoke HIM. HE was leading them to a better place. To provoke HIM would be an act of disbelief in HIS guidance.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the leading of “An Angel?”
• Have you examined yourself to see if you have any ways that may provoke the LORD?
• Do you realize that JESUS wants you to be successful in HIS plan and path?

 

If They Do Not Believe You

If They Do Not Believe You

Exodus 4: ⁶ Furthermore the Lord said to him, “Now put your hand in your bosom.” And he put his hand in his bosom, and when he took it out, behold, his hand was leprous, like snow. ⁷ And He said, “Put your hand in your bosom again.” So he put his hand in his bosom again, and drew it out of his bosom, and behold, it was restored like his other flesh. ⁸ “Then it will be, if they do not believe you, nor heed the message of the first sign, that they may believe the message of the latter sign. ⁹ And it shall be, if they do not believe even these two signs, or listen to your voice, that you shall take water from the river and pour it on the dry land. The water which you take from the river will become blood on the dry land.”

 

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Moses was sent by GOD to bring the Hebrews out from under the cruel hands of the Egyptians. Moses asked questions about his calling. GOD obliged him by performing miracles. Moses stuck his hand in his bosom and it became leprous. He then put it back in and it was healed.

 

My Observations:

• Moses needed convincing that he was called by GOD to do what HE said.
• Moses placed his hand in the fold area where the ribs meet the stomach, but there may have also been a miraculous insertion under the skin.
• GOD told Moses that if they do not believe, then HE was going to handle it.

 

Convincing people was not Moses’s job like he thought. He was simply supposed to be obedient and allow GOD to do the supernatural stuff. This is the first time leprosy is mentioned in the Bible. GOD was showing Moses that HE can cause a supernatural disease and heal it just as easily.

 

GOD wanted Moses to have solid belief in his calling. HE wants the same with you. It is not up to you whether someone believes in GOD’s calling on your life, or that they place their belief in HIS SON. GOD wants you and me to be faithful to HIM and to do as HE says. HE is looking for the lost and HIS directions on our lives are pure in HIS pursuit.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about the miracle of leprosy on his hand?
• Do you need convincing of your calling?
• Once convinced of your calling, what are your next steps to being faithful to GOD?

Reason for Blessing

Reason for Blessing

Genesis 22: ¹⁵ Then the Angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time out of heaven, ¹⁶ and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— ¹⁷ blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies. ¹⁸ In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice.” ¹⁹ So Abraham returned to his young men, and they rose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beersheba.

 

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Abraham was told by GOD to leave his father’s place to go to a place GOD did not tell him the location. He then faced all kinds of issues like famine, raiders, liars and a decadent city.

 

My Observations:

• Abraham was the example of total obedience to GOD
• Abraham believed in GOD like a child and he kept this belief all his life.
• Anything GOD told Abraham to do, he obeyed.

 

JESUS called to Abraham out of heaven a second time and gives Abraham the reason HE was providing the blessing. As if to say “See, that’s what I’M talking about,” JESUS tells Abraham why the blessing was coming.

 

JESUS did not want a human sacrifice, rather HE wanted to show you and me that there was a human named Abraham who put total trust in HIM. As difficult as it is, obedience to GOD is special to HIM and HE loves when we surrender our ways to HIM.

 

Life is not ours, rather it is GOD’s to use as HE pleases. When GOD says to do something, there should be no question, but action. GOD planned from the beginning to bless Abraham through his lineage. JESUS would become a human, live a sinless life, get murdered by HIS creation and be raised from the dead to open the scroll that held the sentence of Satan.

 

Rebellion was introduced in the Garden of Eden by Satan, JESUS blesses all those who wins the internal battle of disbelief and disobedience. Belief and obedience to JESUS gives life!

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about this conversation between JESUS and Abraham?
• Have you ever been tempted to give up and no longer follow JESUS?
• Is obeying JESUS your first response or is it a struggle?

 

Endurance Choice

Endurance Choice

Revelation 14: ⁹ A third angel followed the first two, saying in a loud voice, “Those who worship the beast and its image and receive the mark on their forehead or on their hand ¹⁰ will themselves drink God's wine, the wine of his fury, which he has poured at full strength into the cup of his anger! All who do this will be tormented in fire and sulfur before the holy angels and the Lamb. ¹¹ The smoke of the fire that torments them goes up forever and ever. There is no relief day or night for those who worship the beast and its image, for anyone who has the mark of its name.”

¹² This calls for endurance on the part of God's people, those who obey God's commandments and are faithful to Jesus.

 

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Getting mad at the hypocrites in church, I decided to leave and do what “I” wanted to do. It was “fun” for a while, but soon I ran into problems that seemed overwhelming. I listened to advice from those who were struggling like me. After years, someone asked me if I believed in JESUS. I already had accepted HIM as my Savior, but my life did not remotely look like I believed.

 

• My choices in life were usually for my own pleasure.
• My choices in life were usually for my own protection.
• My choices in life were usually for “me” and not for GOD.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw the third angel and heard a loud warning. Some people had gotten so desperate about their health and comfort and pleasure that they chose to get the mark of the beast, stating that they no longer belonged to GOD but would rather follow a human. The warning to those who worshiped the beast was eternal pain.

 

My Observations:

• GOD, amazingly, gave us free will to choose HIM or not.
• Free will is the only scenario that love can exist.
• Choosing GOD over the fears the world places in front of me, keeps me focused on HIS endurance.

 

When I want fame, pleasure, comfort and “my” desires, I am quick to leave GOD. I mean, when things are going well, my prayers drop off and sin picks up. After a while, no one can even recognize that I belong to CHRIST because I look like the world HE is trying to save me from.

 

GOD wants me to choose HIM and sometimes that means being uncomfortable. I may stand before the world and say JESUS is my LORD and Savior, only to be met with laughter and sometimes disgust. But HE wants me to endure the ridicule and pressures for more of the world. I place my hope in CHRIST.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer mention endurance?
• Have you ever felt like giving up on GOD?
• Will you know that HE will never give up on you and wants an eternal relationship with you, but it is your choice today?

Clarified Relationship

Clarified Relationship

1 John 3: ¹⁹ This, then, is how we will know that we belong to the truth; this is how we will be confident in God's presence. ²⁰ If our conscience condemns us, we know that God is greater than our conscience and that he knows everything. ²¹ And so, my dear friends, if our conscience does not condemn us, we have courage in God's presence. ²² We receive from him whatever we ask, because we obey his commands and do what pleases him. ²³ What he commands is that we believe in his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as Christ commanded us. ²⁴ Those who obey God's commands live in union with God and God lives in union with them. And because of the Spirit that God has given us we know that God lives in union with us.

 

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“What do YOU want from me?! I cried out as things seemed to be falling apart. Just beginning my career and just returning to the LORD, I expected smooth sailing for the rest of my life. But when trouble hit, I questioned my relationship with GOD and wondered if this was the right choice.

 

• I expected GOD to serve me.
• I wanted a problem free life and expected GOD to deliver it.
• At the first sign of trouble, I was ready to “leave” GOD or throw a tantrum.

 

John attempted to address insecurity regarding believers relationship with GOD. There was a lot of confusion because the church leaders of the day had freshly murdered the Messiah. John may have attempted to address how people were feeling towards GOD and wanted them to have a solid relationship with HIM.

 

My Observations:

• GOD has a simple desire, that all humans be saved.
• GOD wants us to have heaven on earth, so HE commands that we love one another.
• GOD knew I could not keep the Law given to Moses, so HE provided the easiest most rewarding way to have a relationship with HIM.

 

GOD clearly answered the question, “What do YOU want from me?” I mean, HE has a creation with free will to choose HIM or not. HE would prefer all of us to choose HIM and HIS loving ways. Unfortunately, the world has a lot to offer that counters our belief in HIM. Lust for money, fame and various physical pleasures make GOD seem weak and forgetful. BUT GOD says different.

 

JESUS volunteered HIS very life so you and I could live eternally. HE didn’t stop there. HE knew we have to live in a world that opposes HIS love, so HE commanded that we love one another, simply to receive a slice of heaven on earth. I am glad that by believing in JESUS and loving others, I can have confidence in my relationship with GOD.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer mentions “GOD is greater than our conscience?”
• Have you ever felt that GOD has left you or that it is not worth following GOD or even believing in JESUS?
• Will you align to GOD’s desires by believing in JESUS and loving others so you can be in union with GOD and have courage to ask for whatever you need today?

Assurance

Assurance

1 John 2: ³ If we obey God's commands, then we are sure that we know him. ⁴ If we say that we know him, but do not obey his commands, we are liars and there is no truth in us. ⁵ But if we obey his word, we are the ones whose love for God has really been made perfect. This is how we can be sure that we are in union with God: ⁶ if we say that we remain in union with God, we should live just as Jesus Christ did.

 

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When the new leader arrived, we were all hesitant to immediately follow. I was a longer hold out, because things had worked well the way they were. But after seeing the new direction, I was able to act differently.

 

• It took me some time to change.
• I had to understand the leader.
• I had to make a change to follow the leader’s ways.

 

John reasons with everyone in a gentle way. He appeals to everyone’s logic to address insecurity some people may have felt. Times may have been difficult and hard to understand. Choosing between sin versus following GOD may have needed to be addressed.

 

My Observations:

• GOD gave commands to follow so we could have a great relationship with HIM.
• GOD knows the opposition and confusion I will face because the enemy wants me to become discouraged.
• By following GOD’s commands, I can be sure that any trouble I face I am in good standings with HIM.

 

Life is difficult enough without having to question if GOD loves me or not. I mean, Satan has been given a short time in which he is allowed to bribe humans, tempt humans and trick humans to follow him. GOD is not worried because JESUS died for the sins of everyone who will accept HIM.

 

By following JESUS, I can have assurance that any difficult time is not punishment, rather it could be an assault from the enemy to keep me from spreading the love of JESUS. I do not have to worry about GOD when I follow HIM. I am glad GOD is gracious even when I question my relationship with HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use “obey” so often?
• Have you ever wanted to get your own way, even if it was not good for you?
• Do you have more questions about GOD’s love than answers?
• Will you get to know who GOD really is by following the ways of JESUS so you can have a solid relationship and gain peace with HIM today?

Genuine Magnet

Genuine Magnet

Hebrews 11: ⁷ It was faith that made Noah hear God's warnings about things in the future that he could not see. He obeyed God and built a boat in which he and his family were saved. As a result, the world was condemned, and Noah received from God the righteousness that comes by faith.

 

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Hearing my assignment, I groused a little. The projects that were high visibility seemed to go to other people and I seemed to get the leftovers. Someone said to me, “Just do a good job”, so I did. After a while, the higher ups asked me to help them out on their projects.

 

• I originally thought I had to complain in order to get my way.
• I thought I had to be someone else in order to be seen.
• I thought I was unfavorable and others were getting all the favors.

 

Paul, the assumes writer, gives a different example of faith, namely obedience. He used the example of how Noah chose to stay away from violence and was not trying to get his way, rather he lived a peaceful life and worshipped the LORD. GOD blessed Noah’s obedience.

 

My Observations:

• I don’t have to broadcast my abilities to GOD when I genuinely serve HIM.
• I don’t have to tell GOD where I am, when I am genuinely doing what HE wants me to do.
• I don’t have to wonder if GOD sees me when I am genuinely being who HE wants me to be.

 

Sometimes I want to be “found” by the right people. I mean, I work hard and want my work to be noticed. But when the work is overlooked, I may be too tired to tell “the right people” what I have done. BUT GOD sees and knows what I do for HIM.

 

GOD gets excited when I do things for HIM that no one sees or acknowledges. HE finds me even when I am not seeking HIM. HE wants my love to be genuine so HE can use it to draw people to HIM. I am glad GOD can use a sinner like me to do HIS marvelous works.

 

Challenge

• What type of faith is the writer talking about?
• Have you ever done the right thing simply because it was supposed to be done, even though no one would see your action?
• Will you be genuine with your relationship with GOD and seek those HE wants to draw to HIMSELF through you today?

Hearing Test

 

Hearing Test

Hebrews 3: ¹⁵ This is what the scripture says:

“If you hear God's voice today,
    do not be stubborn, as your ancestors were
    when they rebelled against God.”

 

¹⁶ Who were the people who heard God's voice and rebelled against him? All those who were led out of Egypt by Moses. ¹⁷ With whom was God angry for forty years? With the people who sinned, who fell down dead in the desert. ¹⁸ When God made his solemn promise, “They will never enter the land where I would have given them rest”—of whom was he speaking? Of those who rebelled. ¹⁹ We see, then, that they were not able to enter the land, because they did not believe.

 

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Wanting to be mad, I thought of all the “bad” things that had happened. Then I heard something within me say “Let it go. Your hatred is hurting you more than you know.” I had a choice. Let go of the hurt I replayed in my mind or move forward, carrying GOD’s love.

 

• I could not hear GOD when I was fuming.
• I could not hear other people when I was upset.
• I could not hear words of reason when I had anger, rage, slander and hurt in my heart.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, warns everyone to listen to GOD “today.” He mentions ancestors who heard GOD, but refused to obey as a warning to everyone. Their rebellion caused death and GOD promised they would never reach the promised land.

 

My Observations

• My stubborn heart is no match for GOD.
• Any time I rebel against GOD, I lose.
• Since GOD is pure love, my rebellion is against pure love.

 

Not listening to GOD is a huge mistake, I mean, when I hear HIM tell me “forgive that person” and I don’t, I am rebelling. HE wants me to voluntarily choose love as my path to all my relationships. The more I choose hatred, hurt, and slander, the harder my heart gets. After a while, I get friends who agree with my hatred and slander and we feel better spreading poison versus love. BUT GOD has a remedy

 

HE wants me to see that my heart is on its way to becoming hard and stubborn as those HE did not deliver into the promised land. HE can open my eyes to HIS promises, but I have to be willing to let go of things HE does not want me to have. I am glad GOD wants to be my guide, therefore, I choose to hear HIM.

 

Challenge

• What warning does the writer give?
• Have you ever knowingly done something wrong and now you have justified your wrong for so long, that it seems like there is no way back to right?
• Will you let go of things that are obviously wrong and allow GOD to rescue you and guide you with the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Balanced

Balanced

Colossians 3: ¹⁸ Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, for that is what you should do as Christians.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

²⁰ Children, it is your Christian duty to obey your parents always, for that is what pleases God.

²¹ Parents, do not irritate your children, or they will become discouraged.

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Imperfect people with many life changes, needed a way to navigate ambiguity. With hurt happening all around, something needed to be said. But what could be the problem? Imbalance.

 

• Wives had complaints about husbands.
• Husbands had complaints about wives.
• Children had complaints about parents and parents complained about their children.

 

Paul addressed issues that continue to this day. Families had become imbalanced and looked for solutions. Unfortunately the solutions must not have worked so the complaints remained. He brings the ultimate solution to address imbalance.

 

My Observations

• Only GOD can bring families back into balance.
• With CHRIST as the foundation, imbalance can be cured.
• GOD wants me to look at my role through HIS eyes instead of mine.

 

Looking at CHRIST as the answer sounds easy, but can be difficult if things are out of balance. I mean, if CHRIST is used to wound people into doing a role that is expected by another person, regret, distrust and resentment can appear. The result is more imbalance. BUT GOD has this too.

 

HE has seen family after family after family try and make mistakes. HE knows the walking wounded need help and HE is willing to bring balance to a specific role. HE wants me to come into balance with HIM first so I can see my role through healed, not hurt lenses. I am grateful for my family and love the fact that GOD loves each person far more than I could ever imagine.

 

Challenge

• What words do you get stuck on from the writer?
• What words from the writer can throw things out of balance?
• Does looking at your own role hurt or bring excitement to you?
• Will you seek a balanced approach by understanding the love that CHRIST has shown can live in you today?

More to Life

More to Life

Colossians 3: ⁵ You must put to death, then, the earthly desires at work in you, such as sexual immorality, indecency, lust, evil passions, and greed (for greed is a form of idolatry). ⁶ Because of such things God's anger will come upon those who do not obey him. ⁷ At one time you yourselves used to live according to such desires, when your life was dominated by them.

 

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No one told me that after “doing it” for the first time, I would constantly crave to “do it” again. Something was awakened inside me that was insatiable at times. We ogled and commented about body parts and soon it became part of my everyday speech.

 

• My life was dominated and it seemed innocent.
• I had given up on being “good” so I could have pleasure.
• I found a crowd who was also dominated by the same thing.

 

Paul says something extremely hard. “You must put to death” were the extreme words he used to get people to change their minds. He never said “sex is bad” or “don’t make a living.” He warns people about an attitude that dominates a person so much, that the well-being of others gets diminished.

 

My Observations

• GOD gives me another way to look at HIS people.
• GOD wants me to see all people as HIS child who HE cares for deeply.
• JESUS gave me a new life that does not have to be dominated by sin.

 

Just having an alternative is freeing. I mean, when I had no alternative but to do sin, life seemed hopeless. BUT GOD gave me a way out. HE placed HIS HOLY SPIRIT inside me so I could take every thought captive and make it obey CHRIST.

 

Am I successful at controlling “every” thought? No. BUT GOD is pleased that I know HIM. HE does forgive me when I am weak. Forgiveness of sin is not permission to sin. HE knows I will reap what I sow. HE gives me more to life to pursue, namely HIM. I am glad GOD forgives and provides another way to live.

 

Challenge

• What stands out to you from the writers words?
• Is there any area of your life that is dominated and possibly out of control?
• Do you feel too weak to handle it by yourself?
• Will you praise GOD that HE gives your life purpose and seek HIS kingdom as an alternative to whatever is dominating your life today?

Get Help. Give Help.

 

Get Help. Give Help.

Galatians 6: ² Help carry one another's burdens, and in this way you will obey the law of Christ. 

 

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Feeling overwhelmed, I just sat there with a lost look on my face. I must have looked lost because someone came over and asked, “Do you need help?” Not knowing where to turn, I replied, “Yes, thank you.”

 

• I needed help.
• I had huge burdens that I was carrying alone.
• I felt I could not help someone else at that time.
• I remembered being helped, so then I could help others when I faced trials.

 

“Love one another” were the words of JESUS to help people stop trying to achieve GOD versus behaving as HE wanted. This message was further explained through Paul, urging everyone to carry one another’s burdens.

 

My Observations

• Sometimes GOD wants me to get help from other people.
• Sometimes GOD wants me to give help to other people.
• GOD wants me to pray for and with other people to share our burdens.

 

Pride gets in the way of asking for help. I mean, if I asked for help again and again, it seems like I am the problem or I cannot seem to do for myself. This is far from the truth and the enemy wants me to not ask.

 

BUT GOD wants me to share my burdens to get help. HE also expects me to share “in” another person’s burden. I may not be able to fix the situation, or provide the need, but I can share the burden and pray for deliverance. I am grateful GOD puts many people in my life who can share my burdens.

 

Challenge

• When you read this passage, do you feel you need to help or get help?
• If you feel overwhelmed, will you continue to ask GOD for help?
• Will you share in one another’s burdens today and pray for many who need help?

Versatility

Versatility

1 Corinthians 9: ¹⁹ I am a free man, nobody's slave; but I make myself everybody's slave in order to win as many people as possible. ²⁰ While working with the Jews, I live like a Jew in order to win them; and even though I myself am not subject to the Law of Moses, I live as though I were when working with those who are, in order to win them. ²¹ In the same way, when working with Gentiles, I live like a Gentile, outside the Jewish Law, in order to win Gentiles. This does not mean that I don't obey God's law; I am really under Christ's law. ²² Among the weak in faith I become weak like one of them, in order to win them. So I become all things to all people, that I may save some of them by whatever means are possible.

 

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Seeing what was wrong was part of my job. I was taught to spot broken operations and unsanitary conditions. On the missions trip, all of my training went out the window. I was in a place that had no sink and a makeshift stove for cooking. Guess who had to adapt.

 

• There have been times when I needed to become flexible in my beliefs.
• There have been times when I needed to do things a little differently because of where I was at.
• There have been times when I needed to become versatile as a good example to others.

 

Paul explains that he uses his freedom to serve people for JESUS. He shows flexibility within the confines of obeying GOD’s law. He knew his salvation was solid, so with the Jews he was careful to obey the Laws of Moses. With the Gentiles, he did not observe the Law because they were not taught. He was versatile to win people for CHRIST.

 

• GOD wants me to be flexible versus being a people pleaser.
• GOD wants me to reduce my thinking of how things should be so I can win a variety of people for HIM.
• GOD wants me to be able to speak to as many people as possible about JESUS, so I must learn to be versatile.

 

Being versatile does not mean I have to become something I am not. I mean, I still have to obey GOD and love HIS people, so joining a hate group would be out of the question. But what about the many ways people justify their sin by belonging to groups where the sin is accepted? GOD has the answer. Love “them” as part of “us.”

 

The main goal is to win people over for CHRIST, not win arguments on how people should live their lives. The HOLY SPIRIT is the one who is the guide. I am grateful GOD has given me the task of being a seed planter.

 

• Are you trying to make someone live as you do?
• Do you feel people are not following GOD correctly?
• Will you become more versatile so you can win more people to CHRIST today?

Priority

Priority

Acts 8: ²⁶ Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert. ²⁷ So he arose and went. And behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace the queen of the Ethiopians, who had charge of all her treasury, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸ was returning. And sitting in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah the prophet.

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“Take out the garbage” was the directive given to me. “Okay” was my response, but I was in the middle of a game with my friends. As the game went on, we got lost in the laughter. Eventually, my friends went home.

I walked past the seething cesspool of garbage and went to bed only to be awoken by the stench in the middle of the night. “I told you to take out the garbage. We cleaned out the refrigerator.”

• There were times when I said I would do something, but made it a low priority.
• There were times when I thought what I was doing was a higher priority.
• There were times when I should have prioritized something but did not and I faced consequence.

Philip was told to go to the desert by an angel of the LORD. He immediately obeyed, not knowing what he would find. He never questioned “How far?” or “How long should I be there?” He just went. When he got there, he met an Ethiopian eunuch who was worshiping the LORD by reading the prophet Isaiah. Philip’s obedience paid off.

• GOD wants me to listen to HIS directives HE gives me.
• GOD wants me to act on what HE says immediately.
• GOD wants me to accept what HE says as an act of obedience.

Acting with immediacy pleases GOD. HE guides by using HIS word and will not go against it. When HE says “Speak to that person about MY SON”, I should do it without hesitance. HE tells me to do things I don’t want to do like “Forgive that person” or “Stop doing that and follow ME.”

Obedience to GOD takes practice. HE wants me to let go of the things I prioritize over the things HE wants me to do. HE wants to be the priority each day. I am grateful GOD wants me to want HIM.

• Are you making GOD a priority?
• Do you make time to listen to HIM each day?
• Will you stop doing what you are doing and allow HIM to send you to who HE wants to send you to today?

For This Reason

Matthew 28: ¹⁶ Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. ¹⁷ When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. ¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

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“Why should I?” was my question after someone barked orders at me. I knew “What” I was supposed to do and “How” I was supposed to do it, but “Why” I was doing it eluded me, so I asked. “Because I said so” was the answer” given to me.

• Sometimes I have questioned authority.
• Sometimes I wondered if those in charge had it together.
• Sometimes I checked to see if those in charge were really in charge.

JESUS did what HE said. HE rose from the grave. Lazarus was raised from the dead before JESUS, no one before or after said “I will rise from the dead” and actually do it. 

• JESUS says to me “Go and make disciples of all nations” because all authority has been given to HIM.
• JESUS says to me “Baptize all nations in the name of the FATHER and the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT” because of HIS authority.
• JESUS says to me “Teach them to obey everything I have commanded you” because HE is in authority.

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to JESUS. HE decides who has eternal life and eternal death. HE decides what happens in a given day for me and has wonderful plans for me each day. JESUS assures me that I am not alone and never will be. HE is in charge and HE loves me.

• Are you questioning GOD and HIS authority?
• Do you feel GOD should be doing something different in your life so you have a right to question HIM?
• Can you allow HIM to take care of you and let HIM decide your path today?