Unwarranted

Unwarranted

Revelation 6: ³ Then the Lamb broke open the second seal; and I heard the second living creature say, “Come!” ⁴ Another horse came out, a red one. Its rider was given the power to bring war on the earth, so that people should kill each other. He was given a large sword.

 

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Walking down the hall after practice, I was met with a fist in the chest. I saw stars and in a dizzy state fell against the lockers. Tired of bullies, I wanted to get “big.” I lifted weights and became stronger. One guy at the gym who was bigger than me wanted to go to a bar to pick on people. “No thanks” I replied.

 

• I thought that fighting was a good idea until I was invited to do the bullying.
• I thought that I needed to be prepared for battle, so I wanted to get my defenses up.
• I thought that if someone was combative, I needed to be combative to “win.”

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard the second living creature say “Come!” after the second seal of Satan’s sentence scroll was opened. A spirit of combativeness was unleashed, causing people to fight and to kill one another. This is the second step in tearing down Satan’s kingdom.

 

My Observations:

• GOD showed us how HE would take down Satan’s kingdom by using unwarranted fights.
• War can easily happen when the heart is ready to fight.
• Destruction is the solution of war.

 

Fighting stinks and unwarranted fighting stinks more. I mean, whether passive or aggressive, attacks, combat and war only ends up in destruction. No one wins. BUT GOD has a remedy. JESUS.

 

Every human is capable of war because there is a war inside us. At times we fight against GOD by trying to get our own way and other we side with HIM by trying to get HIS way. Fortunately for us HIS will, will be done.

 

Challenge

• What is the tone of the writer?
• Have you ever been so frustrated that your only way out is to fight?
• Will you mimic JESUS and drop your defenses by adding love as your weapon today?

Gentle Correction

Gentle Correction

2 Timothy 2: ²² Avoid the passions of youth, and strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who with a pure heart call out to the Lord for help. ²³ But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels. ²⁴ As the Lord's servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher, ²⁵ who is gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth. ²⁶ And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will.

 

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Being insecure and tired of being pushed around was a bad combination for me. On one hand, I had run into my share of bullies on the other, I ran into my share of mean people who called me names. I decided to fight back against aggressive and passive aggressive bullies.

 

• I armed myself with physical strength to fight overt bullies.
• I listened to passive aggressive jabs and was ready for a retort against covert bullies.
• I was always ready to “defend” “my” territory, “my” reputation and “my” actions.

 

Paul warns Timothy not to quarrel. He knew that fighting would get Timothy nowhere. He appeals to him as “the LORD’s servant” to be a kind, good and patient teacher who gently corrects. He then gives the reason. Because GOD may have them repent.

 

My Observations

• I did not trust GOD to handle my battles, BUT HE wants to.
• I did not believe that GOD cared about me enough to work out my quarrels, BUT HE wants me to be different.
• I thought I needed to correct everyone so he or she could see the LORD, but I was wrong, it takes gentleness and GOD’s leading to bring people to HIM.

 

Impatience mixed with correction wins a battle and loses the war. I mean, I have lost my cool with my family, friends and neighbors and could not mention JESUS to them. This is a tragic loss. BUT GOD says to me, “There is another way.”

 

HE wants me to try something different. Instead of winning the battle, HE wants me to focus on the war, namely having each member of my family truly believe in JESUS and HIM equipping each to proclaim HIM in a glorifying way. I have to be secure in my relationship with JESUS to allow opposition to HIS ways and be patient and gentle so HE can win them over. I will gladly learn gentleness in exchange for the souls of people I encounter.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about being “combative?”
• Have you ever been right and could not wait to win “this” fight?
• Will you stop quarrelling and let GOD move that person towards HIM by your gentle, patient corrections, knowing HE could save him or her from the “Devil’s trap” in HIS time?

No Need to Argue

No Need to Argue

Philippians 1: ¹⁵ Of course some of them preach Christ because they are jealous and quarrelsome, but others from genuine good will. ¹⁶ These do so from love, because they know that God has given me the work of defending the gospel. ¹⁷ The others do not proclaim Christ sincerely, but from a spirit of selfish ambition; they think that they will make more trouble for me while I am in prison.

 

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“Did you see the email!?” I said to a friend in an offended way. There was a scripture mention that raised a huge debate. We went back and forth, adding point and counterpoint. To this day, I do not know what we argued over, and now I don’t even remember the guy’s name.

 

• I was offended easily when I heard something that did not align to “my” thinking..
• I was ready to “argue” about scripture.
• I was a self-proclaimed defender of the scriptures.

 

Paul addressed a touchy subject, namely motive of speaking about JESUS. Some people saw Paul was getting attention and, out of jealousy, spoke the name of JESUS too. Combative quarrelsome motive with the ambition to be noticed or right made more trouble than peace.

 

My Observations

• Love is the motive GOD wants me to have in my relationship with HIM.
• Peace is the offering GOD wants me to give to HIS creation.
• Joy is what GOD wants me to carry during troubled times so others can come to HIM in spite of their circumstance.

 

Fighting over who is right about GOD is futile. I mean, not one of us is right about GOD. There is no one who seeks HIM. BUT GOD did something amazing. HE sought us. HE became a human, died for us and was raised from the dead. I’m talking about JESUS. HE did not do this to cause fights about HIM, rather because HE loved us dearly.

 

Unfortunately, HE knew HIS message of love would split families, communities and churches. Arguments, jealousy and bitterness grows, BUT so does HIS love. GOD’s grace is sufficient and HIS anger is slow. I am grateful GOD is patient with me and gives me a chance to drop my combative spirit.

 

Challenge

• What reasons does the writer give for speaking about CHRIST?
• Have you ever argued over what someone else said or did?
• How are you proclaiming the message of CHRIST?
• Will you be the one who brings GOD’s peace and love to places that contain quarrels and combativeness today?

Ready to Eat

 

Ready to Eat

1 Corinthians 3: As a matter of fact, my friends, I could not talk to you as I talk to people who have the Spirit; I had to talk to you as though you belonged to this world, as children in the Christian faith. ² I had to feed you milk, not solid food, because you were not ready for it. And even now you are not ready for it, ³ because you still live as the people of this world live. When there is jealousy among you and you quarrel with one another, doesn't this prove that you belong to this world, living by its standards? ⁴ When one of you says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos”—aren't you acting like worldly people?

 

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Saying “I don’t know” was forbidden in my immature mind. I needed to be special and have the answers and be right. Even when slightly wrong, I was right. I got jealous at those who “did” have the answers and was quick to argue. My questions were from a place of envy and combativeness rather than love and peace. I was still a child.

 

Many times I wanted to be ready and was not.

Many times I wanted to be mature and was not.

Many times I wanted to be able to hear deep truths, but could not because I was jealous and quarrelsome.

 

Paul eased into an issue he saw with the believers in Corinth. While they were excited about GOD and were ready to preach about JESUS, they were still acting immature in the faith. The world could not see anything different from the Corinth believers than from itself. By being divisive, they acted just as bad, if not worse than those who did not believe in JESUS.

 

GOD wants me to grow up and drop my jealousy of others.

GOD wants me to grow up and stop being ready to argue at the drop of a hat.

GOD wants me to grow up so I can hear deeper truths HE wants to give me.

 

Acting like the world closes my ears. I mean, when I follow the world’s ways, I cannot hear the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT. I will be too busy trying to please the world. BUT GOD is a forgiver. HE sees my immaturity and understands I need help to grow/

 

HE places me in situations where I have to believe in HIM and seek HIS food. When I stop following the world, I get hungry for GOD’s food. I am glad HE forgives me and desires to feed me daily.

 

Are you ready to fight at a moment’s notice?

Does “that” person make you think of combat or partnership?

Will you examine yourself to see if you are jealous or combative and stop looking to live by the world’s standards and seek GOD so HE can grow you today?

Searching But Not Finding

 

Searching But Not Finding

Acts 28: ²³ They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. He witnessed to them from morning till evening, explaining about the kingdom of God, and from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets he tried to persuade them about Jesus. ²⁴ Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. ²⁵ They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: “The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your ancestors when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

 

²⁶ “‘Go to this people and say,
“You will be ever hearing but never understanding;
    you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.”
²⁷ For this people’s heart has become calloused;
    they hardly hear with their ears,
    and they have closed their eyes.
Otherwise they might see with their eyes,
    hear with their ears,
    understand with their hearts
and turn, and I would heal them.

 

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Angrily, I stormed off from “those” people. They said the wrong thing again. When I got to the next group, I was okay for a while, but that group started acting the same as the other group. I got angry and stormed off from “those” people. When I got to the third group I said. “I will stay here no matter what.” This group seemed to act different.

 

• There were times when I was searching for problems and found them.
• There were times when I was searching for what is wrong and found it.
• There were times when I was searching for peace but could not find it because I found problems and only could see what was wrong.

 

The church leaders decided to meet with Paul and brought a large number with them. Some were looking for answers and others were looking for an argument. Both groups found what they were looking for, but one group did not get what they wanted. They overlooked the answer that would bring them peace.

 

• GOD says to me “See ME with your eyes.”
• GOD says to me “Hear ME with your ears.”
• GOD says to me “Understand ME with your heart.”

 

When I look for problems with other people, I don’t have to look very long. I mean their flaws jump out immediately. BUT GOD looks at the person differently. HE sees a creation HE made and said “Well done.” When I look at that person through sin filled, hurt eyes, I can search for something I want to see, but will not find it.

 

But when I ask GOD to heal my eyes, I can see what HE sees in “that” person. When I ask GOD to truly speak to me, I can hear the comfort HE wants me to give to “those” people. And when I ask GOD to change “me” I can understand with my heart what I must do. I am grateful GOD gives me another chance to be healed by HIM.

 

• What are you searching for in someone but not finding?
• Are you ready to leave a group because “they” are not acting right?
• Will you ask GOD to open your eyes, ears and heart to HIM so HE can heal you without expecting “them” to change?

Split Decision

Split Decision

Acts 15: ³⁶ Some time later Paul said to Barnabas, “Let us go back and visit the believers in all the towns where we preached the word of the Lord and see how they are doing.” ³⁷ Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them, ³⁸ but Paul did not think it wise to take him, because he had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in the work. ³⁹ They had such a sharp disagreement that they parted company. Barnabas took Mark and sailed for Cyprus, ⁴⁰ but Paul chose Silas and left, commended by the believers to the grace of the Lord. ⁴¹ He went through Syria and Cilicia, strengthening the churches.

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When I heard the news of a friend leaving the gathering I regularly attended, I was shocked. The leader of the gathering and the co-leader had parted ways. Not knowing what happened between them, I attempted to get them to speak to one another to no avail. Now I was put in a bad spot. If I stayed, then one would think I was “siding with the opposition,” and vice versa if I left.

• When people split up it stinks!
• When people split up it affects many.
• When people split up it weakens the purpose.

Paul and Barnabas had been through very difficult times together. Paul was stoned and left for dead, yet he continued in the faith. Barnabas wanted to bring Mark with them on their next journey. Paul adamantly disagreed, saying Mark had deserted them.

After a sharp disagreement, Paul and Barnabas separated. While the believers commended Paul, this weakened the support of Barnabas.

• GOD wants me to try to avoid splits.
• GOD wants me to work on loving one another, even when we disagree.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as the goal rather than siding with a group.

Humans are creative with how we hate each other. Immediate reactions to what a person wears, or does not wear or how a person is wearing it or when a person wears it, shows how easily humans throw out compassion in the cause of compassion. No one wins in a split. BUT GOD still continues.

GOD knew humans would not choose HIM. HE saw the poison of sin mixing in with my blood, blinding me of the truth. HE died for me and placed the HOLY SPIRIT in me, to forgive me and guide me back to HIM. This act of kindness cleansed me but did not prevent me from sinning. I am grateful JESUS forgive me daily.

• Are you on a side of something?
• Are you taking a stance against someone or a group?
• Will you check to see if your heart is turning to stone and ask GOD to soften it enough to have you pray for your opposition in a loving way today?

Driven Career

Luke 3: ¹⁴ And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.

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“Be cool” was the thought that ran through my mind as the negotiations continued. The opposition was trying to play hardball and I had to do the same. In order to get more money, I may need to flex my power to show them who is really in charge.

• There were times when I thought intimidation was the key to success.
• There were times when I thought getting “tougher” was best for “my” career.
• There were times when I thought climbing the ladder meant taking others down so I could make more money.

Soldiers of certain leaders would not only protect their king, but would sometimes hurt people to take their money, falsely accuse people in order to take their homes and grouse about how little they made in wages. John saw through their question with the aid of the HOLY SPIRIT. His message speaks to me.

• GOD wants me to desire to have peace with people.
• GOD wants me to use my power for grace and mercy versus violence and intimidation.
• GOD wants me to be content with my wages knowing HE is the one who sustains me.

Wow! Everything in this passage seemed to go against what the “successful” people would tell me. I mean those who would tell me to “get tough” are the same people who would tell me I would never have “enough” money. BUT GOD says something different.

GOD wants me to be tough enough to stand up for those who are wronged. HE desires that I trade in my intimidation for compassion. When I get paid for my services, HE wants me to be excited rather than in a constant state of complaint. HE wants me in a state of grace and peace.

• Are you discontent?
• Do you have a complaint about where GOD has you?
• Can you ask GOD for peace with people and contentment for where HE has you?

Looking for Trouble

Matthew 26: ⁵⁷ Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. ⁵⁸ But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

⁵⁹ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. ⁶⁰ But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward ⁶¹ and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

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“This guy has got to go!” I thought to myself. He was causing problems at work and stirred everyone up. I asked people what he did wrong and they could not tell me for certain what he was doing. No one else had the nerve to get rid of this person so I had to be the one. Finally one person came forth and told me about some trivial mistakes. “Maybe I can use this” I thought.

• There were times when I looked for evidence against “that” person.
• There were times when I sought to prove my position was right.
• There were times when I would have listened to false witnesses and been alright with it.

Peace is all I wanted even if my employees may have been the malefactors. It was easier to fire one than many, no matter how “right” he was. GOD wants me to have a different attitude.

• GOD wants me to stand up for what is right versus following the crowd.
• GOD wants me to guard against pleasing the crowd versus following what HE says.
• GOD wants me to seek first HIS righteousness instead of looking at humans who may have hidden motives.

When I look for trouble in a person I often can find it. I mean everyone has problems and I can make their imperfections stand out with the right crowd behind me. GOD wants me to seek what is good not what is obviously bad. HE saved me in the middle of my sins and desires to do the same for “that” person. HE wants me to have grace.

• Are you looking for the worst in “that” person?
• Are you immaturely building up evidence against them and getting your crowd to believe in you even if the truth may have been stretched?
• Will you stop looking for trouble and start looking for GOD’s grace today?

Fight Club

Matthew 26: ⁵² “Put your sword back in its place,” Jesus said to him, “for all who draw the sword will die by the sword. ⁵³ Do you think I cannot call on my Father, and he will at once put at my disposal more than twelve legions of angels? ⁵⁴ But how then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that say it must happen in this way?”

⁵⁵ In that hour Jesus said to the crowd, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come out with swords and clubs to capture me? Every day I sat in the temple courts teaching, and you did not arrest me. ⁵⁶ But this has all taken place that the writings of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled.

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“Stand up to him” were the words shouted from the crowd at me. We circled each other and the crowd grew around us. I had not been in this position before, but had seen it many days and was not about to back down. Bored with our circling, someone pushed us towards one another. The fight began.

• Some days I have had rage.
• Some days I wanted to fight.
• Some days I desired to be the one who won!

Being the scrawny underdog, many people cheered me on or at least I thought so. I can’t quite remember seeing how I was getting beat up. The teachers pulled us apart and the thug was taken to the principal. I never fought again but I lifted weights and grew large just in case.

• GOD wants me to “Put my sword away” and find an alternative to fighting.
• GOD wants me to “Call on my FATHER” when I am in danger.
• GOD wants me to “Sit in the temple courts” instead of looking for fights.

Picking fights can spread to other areas of life. At work, at home or even at church I can look for a fight and most of the time I will find one. BUT GOD wants something different. GOD wants me to carry peace instead of a weapon, just as HE did. Though I may have strength, HE wants me to show weakness so HE can be made strong.

In these days of human strength and bullying in business or politics, showing weakness is unheard of and even viewed as pitiful. GOD wants me to be strong enough to bring peace instead of a fight. That is love!

• Are you picking fights?
• Do you look to have your way so you practice your words to win the argument?
• Will you put down your “sword” and ask GOD for peace in your heart today?

Daily Delight

Micah 7: ⁷ But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord,
    I wait for God my Savior;
    my God will hear me.

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¹⁸ Who is a God like you,
    who pardons sin and forgives the transgression
    of the remnant of his inheritance?
You do not stay angry forever
    but delight to show mercy.
¹⁹ You will again have compassion on us;
    you will tread our sins underfoot
    and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

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“Wham!” was the first thing that happened as I stubbed my toe against a cabinet. I ran around the house looking for my keys and it seemed to take a solid year to find them. I was in a hurry to get to work and “this guy” was in front of me with his blinker on for miles, doing well under the speed limit. “What a day!” I thought to myself.

• There are some days where I get flustered.
• There are some days that seem to have more wrong than right.
• There are some days that simply just get to me!

As I rushed throughout the day I noticed my demeanor getting worse and worse. I went to get something to eat and my order was wrong! “That’s it! I had enough!” I thought to myself. I wasn’t going to let the day push me around anymore! I was ready to argue, fuss and fight with the next thing that went wrong. Is this how I should be?

• GOD says to me “Place your hope in me and I will hear you.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the one who pardons your sins and forgives your transgressions.”
• GOD says to me “I will not stay angry forever and I delight in showing mercy to you.”

“Delight” was the thing that was missing from the day. From early morning and all throughout the day, I had missed out on “delightful” moments that could have been wonderful. Instead of complaining, I should seek out what delights GOD.

By slowing down long enough to place my “hope” in HIM through prayer, GOD actually listens directly to me. Amazing! HE leads me to a quiet place and turns my hurried harassed day into a place where I can see HIM doing HIS wonders. GOD has compassion on me.

• Are you ready to fight?
• Are you ready to snap and are collecting your “side” of the story?
• Will you put down your poison and put away your sharp tongued weapons and seek GOD’s peace?
• Will you ask yourself “Why am I so angry” and ask GOD to show what delights HIM today?

Forgiven and Protected

Joel 3: ²⁰ Judah will be inhabited forever
    and Jerusalem through all generations.
²¹ Shall I leave their innocent blood unavenged?
    No, I will not.”

The Lord dwells in Zion!

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Bullies have always made me angry in a strange way. I mean when I feel bullied, I feel a mixture of rage and helplessness. At one point in my life, I could not take bullying any longer. I went to the gym and put on muscles. I later found the bullies getting bigger and stronger. What was I supposed to do?

• There have been times in my life when bullies have had their way with me.
• There have been times in my life in which I have been intimidated.
• There have been times in my life that seemed unfair because bullies walked right up to me, hit me and dared that I get back up.

Intimidation is a method of wielding power and GOD cannot stand when anyone flexes their muscles at someone else. What I am saying is GOD does not like intimidation, nor does HE like when someone bullies me or if I think I can bully anyone else.

• GOD says to me “Stand still and know the power of the LORD.”
• GOD says to me “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”
• GOD says to me “Vengeance is MINE, I will repay.”

JESUS gave me a difficult example to follow. HE said “When someone slaps you on the cheek, turn your face so they can slap the other.” This is not an exercise in face slapping and weakness rather it is an exercise in strength. HE wants me to allow HIS wrath to build up against the intimidator while HE gives me strength to stand firm on my beliefs.

Backing down from a fight takes more strength than I realized. It takes strength to hold my tongue from the bully who blasts me with words of intimidation. It takes strength for me to slow down from the road raged driver. It takes strength to allow GOD to show HIS strength while I watch. GOD forgives me and protects me daily!

• Are you being bullied?
• Do you have someone who is trying to intimidate you into doing something you do not want to do?
• Can you stop trying to fight and allow GOD to fight your battle?
• Will you stand still and know GOD’s power?