Words of Integrity

 

Words of Integrity

1 John 4: ⁴ But you belong to God, my children, and have defeated the false prophets, because the Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world. ⁵ Those false prophets speak about matters of the world, and the world listens to them because they belong to the world. ⁶ But we belong to God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever does not belong to God does not listen to us. This, then, is how we can tell the difference between the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.

 

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“Spin” was the word used in explaining a difficult situation in a way that made it look as if the company was not at fault or was not responsible. “You should learn how to spin things” was the statement made to me as advice in the new role I had.

 

• Something didn’t feel right about “spinning” words.
• Something inside me said “this is wrong” but “everyone” else said I should go with the new statement.
• I felt bad delivering the “spin” but eventually got used to it.

 

John attempted to address integrity. He may have seen people who were believers, willing to use the words of the world, instead of using the truth. He may have also seen that people may have been discouraged because some people were not listening to the words of love being presented. He gave believers of JESUS assurance.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s word is made with love for you and me.
• HE wants us to find HIS lost sheep, so we can bring HIS loving message to them.
• I have to realize that some people will not listen to the message of GOD because they do not know HIM.

 

When I say “JESUS loves and forgives you” I get a couple of different responses. I mean, one person will not say anything or may even say “get away from me”, while the other may burst into tears of joy and say “Thank YOU LORD.” GOD wants me to seek those who will hear HIS message.

 

This means I have to get used to people who may reject JESUS as their Savior, whether I like it or not. HE doesn’t need me to be heard, because HE is the one who draws people to HIM in the first place. I just need to be ready with HIS message. I am glad people spoke to me about JESUS.

 

Challenge

• What concern so you think the writer was addressing?
• Have you ever told someone about your belief in JESUS and got an unexpected response?
• Will you seek those who can hear GOD’s message of love by keeping your integrity, no matter what the world may think today?

Different Angle

Different Angle

Titus 2: ^1-6 Your job is to speak out on the things that make for solid doctrine. Guide older men into lives of temperance, dignity, and wisdom, into healthy faith, love, and endurance. Guide older women into lives of reverence so they end up as neither gossips nor drunks, but models of goodness. By looking at them, the younger women will know how to love their husbands and children, be virtuous and pure, keep a good house, be good wives. We don’t want anyone looking down on God’s Message because of their behavior. Also, guide the young men to live disciplined lives.

 

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Being steeped deeply in technology, I provided a solution in an all-department meeting. A problem was brought up and I provided my angle to the problem by giving what I knew. Others did the same and we worked on the problem as a team, but from different angles.

 

• I didn’t know there were other ways to look at the problem.
• I though my way was the only way, until I heard other ways.
• I needed someone to guide me to use my strengths to solve problems while remaining part of the team.

 

Paul gives sage advice to Titus regarding enlisting a variety of people to use sound doctrine. To address questions and clear up confusion, Paul provides suggestions for people to come from various angles to serving and following JESUS. These angles were meant to make everyone effective based on his or her concerns or, in some cases, areas they needed to grow in.

 

My Observations

• GOD does not limit me in terms of how well I treat people.
• Gender and age can provide me with a different angle of serving the LORD with joy.
• Appreciating other angles of serving JESUS should be something I pursue.

 

Sound doctrine includes people. I mean, GOD made male and female to serve HIM from different angles. Each stage of life also beings in a new way to serve HIM. HE wants my heart open enough to desire to use sound doctrine when speaking about JESUS.

 

This includes learning about HIM and modeling what I learned. If also does not preclude me from modeling what other people are modeling. If it says to “live disciplined lives” to young men, it doesn’t prevent me as an older man or it doesn’t prevent a young woman from doing the same. I gladly serve GOD from the angle HE has given me.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer come from these angles?
• Have you ever been part of a successful team that had different roles?
• Will you do your part in serving GOD by the way HE made you so you can reach the people HE made you for today?

Arouse the Love

Arouse the Love

! Timothy 1: ³ I want you to stay in Ephesus, just as I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia. Some people there are teaching false doctrines, and you must order them to stop. ⁴ Tell them to give up those legends and those long lists of ancestors, which only produce arguments; they do not serve God's plan, which is known by faith. ⁵ The purpose of this order is to arouse the love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a genuine faith. 

 

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Angered by the driver darting in front of me, I yelled out in fury. “You can’t do that!” was my outburst. But words were not enough. I darted into the next lane, hoping to pass the reckless driver, but traffic did not allow me to “win the prize” of getting in front. I drove angrily the rest of the trip.

 

• I was affected by something out of my control.
• I was easily taken away from peace to rage.
• I wanted to “teach” the driver a lesson, but this lesson had the wrong motive.

 

Paul warns Timothy about those who were practicing false teaching. He sent an order to stop their practice of arguing over lineage. He also told them to focus on faith in JESUS. Lastly, he presents Timothy with purpose.

 

My Observations

• A pure heart can only be provided by GOD when HE dwells inside me.
• A clear conscience can only be obtain when GOD forgives me.
• A genuine faith can only be fostered when it is placed in JESUS.

 

Believing that I am better than someone else because of my ancestors is a lie. I mean, every human is a sinner, so no one is better than the next. JESUS deserves the praise and that should be my focus. HIS love should be aroused in my purpose.

 

HE gave me the HOLY SPIRIT who cleanse my heart when I soil it. HE helps me forgive myself when I fail. HE guides me to the truth which is JESUS, upon which I can place my faith. I am glad GOD’s love is aroused towards me and you.

 

Challenge

• Why did the writer give the recipient this warning?
• Have you ever wanted to feel superior to someone else?
• Will you accept GOD’s purpose for your life and arouse HIS love today?

Dropping the Safety Net

 

Dropping the Safety Net

Galatians 5: ¹¹ But as for me, my friends, if I continue to preach that circumcision is necessary, why am I still being persecuted? If that were true, then my preaching about the cross of Christ would cause no trouble. ¹² I wish that the people who are upsetting you would go all the way; let them go on and castrate themselves!

 

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Comparing how well the food was prepared from one household to the next was easy. At one household, I critiqued the flavors, at the other I judged presentation. I had a lot to say until I had to do the cooking for a large group. It was a lot of pressure!

 

• I felt safe to critique, but not to receive feedback.
• I felt opinionated when I was not driving or leading the effort.
• I felt I could complain when I had only a small part or no part at all in the success of someone else’s effort.

 

Paul implies that it is harder than it looks to speak about JESUS. Some people who were upsetting many, were placing unnecessary barriers in the way of those who desired to believe in CHRIST. Church leaders were giving lists of rules to follow, without giving themselves to the only Savior, namely JESUS. Paul expresses his anger towards those who attempt to take people off the path of following CHRIST.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to continue following JESUS through persecution.
• GOD knows I will be persecuted and gives me joy and perseverance to keep going.
• GOD desires that I continue to speak about the “cross of CHRIST” without worrying about being safe.

 

Dropping the safety net is a term used by circus acts. A tightrope walker would practice with a safety net without fear of falling. But when the safety net was removed, they could plummet to their death.

 

Same goes with following JESUS. It is easy to post a couple of scripture and anonymously attend a church, but when I had to speak about JESUS to someone, it was a different feeling. I was questioned, my character was doubted and my motives attacked.

 

Anger ensued where I thought love should have sprouted. I then learned, the adversary wanted me to be safe and not speak boldly about JESUS. I am glad JESUS grows us to follow HIM with fervor.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the writer’s persecution?
• Do you think following JESUS should be easy?
• Will you drop the safety net and prepare yourself to be persecuted by those who have not accepted JESUS because you joined HIM in HIS spiritual battle that HE has already won?

Following the Fallen

 

Following the Fallen

1 Corinthians 1: ¹⁰ By the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ I appeal to all of you, my friends, to agree in what you say, so that there will be no divisions among you. Be completely united, with only one thought and one purpose. ¹¹ For some people from Chloe's family have told me quite plainly, my friends, that there are quarrels among you. ¹² Let me put it this way: each one of you says something different. One says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Peter”; and another, “I follow Christ.” ¹³ Christ has been divided into groups! Was it Paul who died on the cross for you? Were you baptized as Paul's disciples?

 

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Watching a “successful” person was my way of getting ahead. If I could just mimic a few characteristics of “that” person, then I could be a “successful” too. I read articles, books and listened to words from the person I followed. But then it happened. That person fell from the grace of the public. Oh well, on to the next person.

 

• There have been many people I have admired.
• There have been many people I have followed to get their advice.
• There have been many people I have sought after to try to be “successful.”

 

Paul addresses an issue in Corinth. Some people were following him, others Apollos, and others were following Peter. This caused quarrels that were brought to his attention. Paul could have said, “Just follow what I say”, but he knew that was not the answer.

 

• GOD wants me to build a following for HIM.
• GOD wants me to point people to HIM rather than to me.
• GOD wants me to follow CHRIST and not the preacher of the day.

 

Humans rise and fall. I mean, one day I am preaching CHRIST, the next day I have fallen into sin. GOD knows the human heart. HE also knows how desperately wicked each human really is. HE supplied the only cure, namely HIMSELF.

 

JESUS volunteered to die for all humans and was raised from the dead. JESUS deserves the following for HE and HE alone never fell. I gladly follow JESUS over any human.

 

• Are you following a certain person?
• Do you admire their success?
• Will you take a moment to reassess who you are following and see if you are following JESUS with a personal relationship today?

Bring Good News

 

Bring Good News

Romans 10: ¹⁴ But how can they call to him for help if they have not believed? And how can they believe if they have not heard the message? And how can they hear if the message is not proclaimed? ¹⁵ And how can the message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out? As the scripture says, “How wonderful is the coming of messengers who bring good news!” ¹⁶ But not all have accepted the Good News. Isaiah himself said, “Lord, who believed our message?” ¹⁷ So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ.

 

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“What a rotten day” I said to myself. I was feeling low and down out about the dead end job which made me notice the gloomy weather, which emphasized my broken umbrella and to top it off… I was broke. My future looked grim as the dean told me the bad news of my failure in school. Can it get any worse?

 

• I have had many bad days.
• I have had many trying days where there was no good news to be found.
• I have had many rough days that seemed even rougher when I heard more bad news.

 

Paul spoke about the Great News which is CHRIST. But now he speaks of a dilemma. How can people believe in CHRIST if there are no messengers sent to proclaim HIM? Paul was trying to convince all who would hear to be the messenger.

 

• GOD wants me to bring Good News to everyone who will hear about JESUS.
• GOD wants me to proclaim HIS SON is the only way to peace.
• GOD wants me to be sent so I can tell people Good News.

 

Good news is in short supply these days. The media’s news seems to show what is wrong with the world every second. When difficult situations arise, it is hard for me to find solace anywhere. BUT GOD has a remedy. HE gave me the “Good News” which is JESUS. HE not only died for me, HE was raised from the dead with all power and authority.

 

There was mor Good News. JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me to comfort me and give me hope in hopeless situations. To top it off, JESUS went away to build a place for me. HIS imminent return unknown, however, HE brings great rewards to those HE finds following HIM with faith. I am glad JESUS is my Good News!

 

• Are you speaking life or death?
• Do your words pick people up or put people down?
• Will you seek GOD and ask HIM to wipe away your gloom so you can be used as HIS messenger to bring the Good News about JESUS to people HE sends you to today?

Putting Spin On It

 

Putting Spin On It

Romans 1: ¹⁸ God's anger is revealed from heaven against all the sin and evil of the people whose evil ways prevent the truth from being known.

 

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Knowing the system had problems, we sat in a room trying to think of ways to convince every owner operator spend lots of money on something that would not fix the problem. I was up for a promotion so I worked on the benefits of the system. I presented the benefits all around the nation. I got promoted.

 

• There were times when I hid the truth.
• There were times when I put “spin” on the problem to make it seem like it was not a problem.
• There were times when I was part of the coverup.

 

Paul explains that GOD is furious at anything that explains away HIS power and love. Any lie or made up story that confuses people about JESUS being GOD, dying for all sins and being raised from the dead; brings on GOD’s anger. The truth needs to be known.

 

• GOD wants me to know the truth, namely JESUS.
• GOD wants me to explain the truth, that JESUS became a human to suffer for my sins.
• GOD wants me to uncover my sins so people can see the power of HIS forgiveness.

 

Covering up the truth is easy to do. Insecurity or desiring power or fulfilling life’s lusts, make me cover up the truth to get my way. BUT GOD wants me to see that path is a dangerous and deadly one.

 

GOD sees my heart and knows every hidden thing in it. HE is available to forgive me of all my sin and clean my heart of all unrighteousness. I am grateful GOD uncovers sin to make the truth of JESUS known to me and countless others.

 

• Are you participating in a coverup that prevents someone from getting to know JESUS?
• Do you believe in an innocent story that points to humans as the answer to problems?
• Will you be bold enough to speak the truth about JESUS today?

Preach Imprisoned

Preach Imprisoned

Acts 24: ²² Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” ²³ He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.

 

²⁴ Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. ²⁵ As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” ²⁶ At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

 

²⁷ When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

 

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After surviving the slander, those who spoke negatively about me wanted to keep me around to get information from me. They would speak cordially in the meetings I attended, but reported something made up to people behind my back. They wanted to look like heroes, taking credit for my work. This felt like prison.

 

• There were many times when I wanted to expose the liars.
• There were many times when I wanted to tell people about those who were acting sneaky.
• There were many times when I wanted people to know the truth about what was going on.

 

Felix knew about “the Way.” In other words, he had heard about the followers of JESUS. He gave Paul a lighter sentence, but Paul still had to remain in jail. Felix came with his Jewish wife to listen to Paul. Instead of letting Paul go, he kept him imprisoned and listened to the faith in CHRIST.

 

• GOD wants me to not get weary in the place that feels like prison.
• GOD wants me to remain vigilant in preaching HIS word, even to those who do wrong to me.
• GOD wants me to speak about love and demonstrate it to those who could care less about me.

 

Rage is usually want I want to show when sneaky people are doing wrong. I mean, I get tired of people, who try to cover themselves, spinning their words to make me look bad and themselves look good. BUT GOD wants me to remain calm and let HIM handle the situation. GOD wants me to choose peace.

 

When I am peaceful, the opportunity to speak about JESUS is more likely to happen than when I am acting out in rage. I place, looking forward to speaking about JESUS while in prison, over being free and not talking about HIM. I am grateful JESUS is there with me every step.

 

• Are you, or do you feel like you are, in prison?
• Do you feel like someone is acting sneaky and making themselves look good at your expense?
• Will you ask GOD to help you not grow weary and keep speaking about JESUS anyway?

Noble Character

Noble Character

Acts 17: ¹⁰ As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. ¹¹ Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. ¹² As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.

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“We checked your references and what you said was true” the hiring manager told me. Although I had told them the truth and they were excited to have me on board, they wanted to make sure I really had performed the things I claimed to do.

• Many times I have had background checks.
• Many times I have had my actions questioned.
• Many times I have had to prove what I was saying was true.

Paul and Silas spoke to the Berean Jews, who were of more noble character than those at Thessalonica. While they were excited about what Paul and Silas preached, they check the Scriptures every day to see if what they spoke was true. This resulted in many people believing in JESUS as their Savior.

• GOD wants me to speak the truth about JESUS.
• GOD wants me to receive the message from HIS messengers with eagerness.
• GOD wants me to check the Scriptures to be sure the messenger is telling the truth.

Noble character means living by the truth. When someone claims to speak about JESUS, they should not mind if someone says “wait a minute… let me check the Scriptures to see if what you are saying is true.

GOD wants me to validate what I am saying by using the Scriptures, avoiding twisting the meaning to make it say something that gives me personal gain. I am glad GOD gave the scriptures so I can speak the truth.

• Are you mad because someone checked up on what you are saying?
• Did you speak the truth?
• Will you be excited about what you hear about JESUS and check the Scriptures for yourself to make sure the messenger is speaking the truth?

The Truth

The Truth

John 18: ³⁷ Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”

Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.”

³⁸ Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.

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“Omit that” was the advice of those who caused the problem. I had to speak to the crowd and explain there was a problem. I gathered input from the team that caused the problem and they wanted me to say there was a problem without saying there was a problem. After careful dissection, I came up with “a” truth.

• In this instance I had to convince people that things were not as bad as they seemed.
• In this instance I had to omit pieces of “the truth” so the crowd would not turn against me.
• In this instance I had to put a “spin” on what was going on so a riot would not happen.

Pilate asked JESUS again, “You are a king then?” JESUS answered “You say rightly that I AM a KING.” HE also explains why HE is KING. HE came to bear witness to “the truth.” Pilate, being a politician, scoffs “What is the truth?”

• JESUS wants me to know HE is the way, the truth and the life.
• JESUS wants me to know HIS word is the only truth.
• JESUS wants me to know HE has already saved me and forgiven me for ALL my sins.

Truth is hard to find. I mean ads can say “world’s best” without checking if that is true to everyone. “A” truth can be told to friends who want to believe speculative words. BUT GOD cuts through all of the deception.

JESUS saw mankind was doomed to eternal destruction. HE volunteered to become a human so HE could live a sinless life. HE was blamed by HIS creation, and murdered by those who lied by omission. HE was raised from the dead to be placed over everything. HE is building a place for believers in HIM and will return someday soon to destroy this world. This is the only truth I believe, all else fails.

• What do you believe?
• Do you think humans have proven things GOD cannot handle?
• Will you stop looking with your worldly, “prove it”, eyes and start believing JESUS is the only answer?

Not From Here

Not From Here

John 17: ¹⁴ I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁵ I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. ¹⁶ They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. ¹⁷ Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. ¹⁸ As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. ¹⁹ And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.

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“How do you get to the highway?” I asked. The local person politely replied with directions. “Is there a place to get a burger around here?” I asked. The person chuckled and said “You aren’t from around here, are you?” They pointed to the only diner in town then said, “We are know for our burgers!” I had never heard of them.

• Sometimes in life, I feel like “I’m not from around here.”
• Sometimes in life, I want directions.
• Sometimes in life, I desire to fit in, but wind up sticking out like a sore thumb.

JESUS continues in HIS prayer for HIS followers. HE asks the FATHER for protection of HIS followers from the evil one. HE states HE is not from this world, nor are HIS followers. HE knows navigating the world’s ways would be difficult.

• JESUS wants me to be set apart from the world, but be in the world to speak HIS truth.
• JESUS wants me to accept being sent into the world to proclaim HIS word.
• JESUS wants me to believe HIS word is from the FATHER, which holds all truth.

People can remember when I was born and they believe that was my inception. BUT GOD says something different. HE created me way before my parents were born. Sounds strange? Yes it does. However, JESUS makes it clear, that this world is not my home.

JESUS wants me to tell people there is another place where sickness, sadness and hatred do not exist. HE shows me that human efforts can only bring temporary pleasure or relief. This world was cursed by GOD when he threw the evil one out of heaven. Now HE sends me to the world to keep HIS created beings from being deceived. I am grateful for HIS protection.

• What are your desires?
• Do you ever want what GOD wants?
• Will you reduce thinking the world has more to offer than GOD by seeking HIS truth today?

Good News and Bad News

John 3: ¹⁶ For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. ¹⁷ For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. ¹⁸ Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. ¹⁹ This is the verdict: light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. ²⁰ Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed. ²¹ But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.

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“I got some good news and some bad news for you. Which would you like to hear first?” said the mechanic. These words were never really comforting because I did not want to hear any “bad news.” I said, don’t tell me the bad news. Months later my car broke down for good.

• When I hear bad news, I sometimes forget the good news.
• When I hear bad news, I sometimes lose hope.
• When I hear bad news, my mood changes to the point where I cannot give any good news.

JESUS explains one of the most famous verses of the Bible. HE talks about the Great News of HIS arrival as a human sent to die for the rescue all of humanity.  It truly is great news! But there is some bad news. Whoever does not believe in JESUS will be condemned forever.

• GOD wants me to believe that JESUS became a human, was murdered for me and was raised from the dead, showing all power.
• GOD wants me to not be afraid of HIM exposing my sin because HE has forgiven me.
• GOD wants me to live by the truth and come into the light so all my deeds can be put in front of HIM.

Choosing GOD is easy and extremely hard. I mean HE made it so easy to accept HIM and also easy to not accept HIM. I can choose to not believe in HIM or consequences or condemnation. BUT GOD has promised great things for accepting HIM and horrible things for rejecting HIM. This is the total gospel that I believe.

• Have you accepted the need for a savior?
• Will you reject GOD and believe in yourself or other human teaching?
• Will you surrender your life to CHRIST today and allow HIM to speak good news through you today?

Time to Go

Mark 1: ³⁵ Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. ³⁶ Simon and his companions went to look for him, ³⁷ and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”

³⁸ Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” ³⁹ So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.

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Bright stars clearly shone as I woke very early in the morning that day. Another opportunity had dried up and I was facing my last two weeks at this particular place.  GOD had provided my next location and I was on a new journey.

• GOD doesn’t want me to sit in one place too long.
• GOD wants me to go and preach the gospel wherever I am.
• GOD desires that I go to nearby villages to preach HIS word.

Many times I have asked GOD. “Why are YOU moving me from this place?” especially when I liked the city or the people. GOD says to me “The harvest is plentiful but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the LORD of the harvest to send out laborers into HIS harvest.”

I now understand that GOD sometimes wants me to venture to a new place for HIS purposes. HE has a plan for me to speak to “that” person and I should be willing to go. HE enables circumstances to arise so I can move to where HE leads me. GOD sends me to HIS harvest at the right time.

• Are you being sent?
• Is GOD calling you to a new harvest of HIS?
• Will you accept HIS calling and go to where HE is sending you?

Trapped

Matthew 22: ¹⁵ Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. ¹⁶ They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by others, because you pay no attention to who they are. ¹⁷ Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay the imperial tax to Caesar or not?”

¹⁸ But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? ¹⁹ Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, ²⁰ and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”

²¹ “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

²² When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away.

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Hour upon hours I spent collecting my facts. I was finally going to catch this guy in his slippery ways. I was going to lay my trap that he could not get out. When I got in his boss’s office he was there. Their question was about something I was supposed to be doing, but had not time due to my collection of evidence. I was caught in yet another trap!

• When I try to trap people I get caught in the trap.
• When I try to bring someone down I am the one who falls.
• When I try to make someone look bad, I am the one who winds up looking terrible.

Time is precious, yet the Pharisees spent an enormous amount of it scheming against JESUS. I did the same. I should have been working instead of trying to gain vengeance that GOD owns. Laying traps for people is as slimy as the person I am trying to trap. GOD wants something different.

• GOD wants me to be the person of integrity so I don’t have to trap anyone.
• GOD wants me to state the truth without bending it so I will not fall into any trap.
• GOD wants me to stay focused on HIM so human traps will fall off of me.

Snares, traps and deceptions are not the way of the LORD. HE does not want me to play games like that rather HE wants me to be courageous enough to stand for the truth and tell the truth. By following JESUS’s example, I do not need to lay traps for anyone.

• Are you trying to trap someone?
• How much time do you spend brooding over “that” person?
• Can you remove the hatred from your heart by asking GOD to fill it up today?

Price of Preaching

Micah 3: ⁹ Hear this, you leaders of Jacob,
    you rulers of Israel,
who despise justice
    and distort all that is right;
¹⁰ who build Zion with bloodshed,
    and Jerusalem with wickedness.
¹¹ Her leaders judge for a bribe,
    her priests teach for a price,
    and her prophets tell fortunes for money.
Yet they look for the Lord’s support and say,
    “Is not the Lord among us?
    No disaster will come upon us.”

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“Maybe I can make some money on a daily devotional” I thought to myself. I mean I do have enough material that I can copy and paste the words into a book and make some cash. Moments later I felt a voice tell me “Do not sell MY words. Give them to MY kingdom and feed MY sheep.”

• I’ve had thoughts of selling to the church.
• I’ve had thoughts of making a profit from GOD’s gathering.
• I’ve had thoughts of saying what people wanted to hear, disregarding what GOD really wants me to say.

After a while, the religious leaders of JESUS’s day were going through the motions. They spoke in front of great crowds for a price and if anyone stood in their way, they would slander them and have them killed. What does GOD want me to do?

• GOD tells me to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT.”
• GOD tells me to “Love the LORD your GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.”
• GOD tells me to “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

From GOD’s directives, I never hear “go make as much money on the backs of MY people.” HE tells me to gather as many people as I can, while I am alive, to bring them to HIS feet, then HE will give me my reward in Heaven. GOD’s harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few.

• Are you thinking about making more money using GOD’s people?
• Have you been preaching and teaching what people want to hear in order to get or keep a crowd?
• Can you admit your sins in front of a crowd so they can hear and be saved by GOD, not you?

Harsh Message

Jeremiah 19: This is what the Lord says: “Go and buy a clay jar from a potter. Take along some of the elders of the people and of the priests ² and go out to the Valley of Ben Hinnom, near the entrance of the Potsherd Gate. There proclaim the words I tell you, ³ and say, ‘Hear the word of the Lord, you kings of Judah and people of Jerusalem. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: Listen! I am going to bring a disaster on this place that will make the ears of everyone who hears of it tingle. ⁴ For they have forsaken me and made this a place of foreign gods; they have burned incense in it to gods that neither they nor their ancestors nor the kings of Judah ever knew, and they have filled this place with the blood of the innocent.

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“Thou shalt not have any god before ME” are the words spoken by GOD that are seldom spoken today. I mean, I have to go to work and that is where I get “my” money, right? I may not have as much time for going to church and GOD forbid helping others. I also may have so much money that I have to protect it by placing it in shelters reducing tax liabilities. I mean, I have to save for retirement, right? I may not have as much money to give to others because “mine” is tied up.

• Many times I have placed something over GOD.
• Many times I have looked somewhere else for the answer instead of GOD.
• Many times I have been blind, thinking my bank account is what will save me rather than GOD.

Like the ancestors of old, I murmured in the desert while GOD was protecting me and teaching me. HE delivered me from the modern day “Egypt” and sent me on a quest to seek HIM. HE showed me that complaints were quite painful to HIM and HE does not have tolerance for them too long. I had to grow up and hear GOD.

• GOD said to me “I AM the Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last.”
• GOD said to me “I AM the gate, no one enters Heave but through ME.”
• GOD said to me “I AM the bread of life and I AM the light of the world.”

GOD clearly wants me to know that HE is the only provider. As humans attempt to rob, steal and kill me and those around me, GOD wants me to stand firm on HIS word, trusting and believing in HIS mighty power. HE does not want to hear a complaint about someone else from my lips, otherwise I am acting like the Accuser. GOD wants me to praise HIM no matter the circumstance. My worship should be to HIM.

• Are you worshipping your job?
• Do you worship your bank account, no matter how small it is?
• Are you devastated when you lose either?
• Can you allow GOD to have all that you have?
• Will you let GOD reign supreme in your life?