What goes around comes around

2 Samuel 17: Ahithophel said to Absalom, “I would choose twelve thousand men and set out tonight in pursuit of David. ² I would attack him while he is weary and weak. I would strike him with terror, and then all the people with him will flee. I would strike down only the king ³ and bring all the people back to you. The death of the man you seek will mean the return of all; all the people will be unharmed.” ⁴ This plan seemed good to Absalom and to all the elders of Israel.

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⁵ But Absalom said, “Summon also Hushai the Arkite, so we can hear what he has to say as well.”

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⁷ Hushai replied to Absalom, “The advice Ahithophel has given is not good this time.

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¹⁴ Absalom and all the men of Israel said, “The advice of Hushai the Arkite is better than that of Ahithophel.” For the Lord had determined to frustrate the good advice of Ahithophel in order to bring disaster on Absalom.

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Fed up with being pushed around, I started lifting weights. Soon I gained some nice size and I started hanging with the muscle heads. One guy was particularly mean. Okay, I think he was on steroids. He suggested we go out to a bar with him to have some “fun.” Not knowing what he meant, I agreed.

Another guy said “I don’t think we should go” so I didn’t.  A few days later the bar going guy furiously stormed into the gym. “Why didn’t y’all show up? I had to fight these guys all by myself.”

GOD has protected me many times from bad advice and stupid actions. In this instance I was protected from becoming the bully I longed to get away from. I played out the scenario after the incident and I could see nothing but destruction.

• GOD says to me “Whatsoever you sow you will reap.”
• GOD says to me “Love one another as I have loved you.”
• GOD says to me “Be slow to anger.”
• GOD says to me “Vengeance is MINE.”

When I am full of rage and fury, my next steps are very important. I can take the full rage and turn it into hatred, spreading poison and death to many or I can follow what GOD says and give HIM my poison and let HIM diffuse the situation. If I choose GOD’s way I must realize HE wants to save “that” person as well. Whatever the choice, I will reap what I sow.

• Are you angry at someone?
• Do you have rage?
• Can you let go of your anger and rage and let GOD work it all out?

Act like I mean it

Numbers 33: ⁵⁵ “‘But suppose you do not drive out the people who are living in the land. Then those you allow to remain there will become like needles in your eyes. They will become like thorns in your sides. They will give you trouble in the land where you will live. ⁵⁶ Then I will do to you what I plan to do to them.’”

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“Serves him right” was my thought as the news about another boss being release from “our” company.  “He was a jerk anyway” came across my mind. My compassion was extremely low for those who mistreated people.

Years later they were asking me to leave. I just knew it was a joke so I reached out my hand to those I had supported so they could rally around me. I could not find compassion.

• Some of the things I do may pop up later.
• Some of the ways I act will appear later.
• Some of the actions I take will grow into a crop later.

“You will reap what you sow” is what the LORD tells me. If I sow complaints about people, then complaints will be made about me. If I look at everyone else’s heart and not look at my own then the measure of judgment I hold on them will be held on me.

One day I will stand in front of GOD and account for my sins. GOD wants me to keep reducing the number of sins I commit so they won’t be “thorns in my sides.” HE knows sin will give me nothing but trouble so HE provided a plan.

• JESUS died for my sins and took away my eternal consequences for them.
• JESUS knew how disruptive sin is in my life so HE sent the COMFORTER to live inside me.
• JESUS forgave me for my sins before HE created me.

“It is finished” are the words JESUS uttered as HE died for me. HIS resurrection from this murder is the final statement to mankind showing HIS power over life and death. Now it’s up to me. I can treat this overwhelming act of love as common or I can truly appreciate its power.

• Are you trying to justify your sin by talking about someone else?
• Do you think GOD is pleased with you when you talk about “that” person?
• Can you plant a crop of encouragement, kindness, faithfulness and trust?
• Won’t you seek GOD’s kingdom instead of seeking justification for your actions?

Can I pay for my sins?

Exodus 30: The rich are not to pay more nor the poor less than the half-shekel offering to God, the atonement-tax for your lives. Take the atonement-tax money from the Israelites and put it to the maintenance of the Tent of Meeting. It will be a memorial fund for the Israelites in honor of God, making atonement for your lives.”

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Tired of preachers “begging” for my cash and driving away in fancy cars wearing fancy suits I decided enough is enough. “I may as well keep my money instead of giving it to them!” I thought to myself.  BUT GOD says different.  HE does not want me to hold onto cash or be nervous about the lack of it. HE wants me to give freely to not fall in its deadly grip.