Unamazed

Unamazed

Revelation 17: When I saw her, I was completely amazed. ⁷ “Why are you amazed?” the angel asked me. “I will tell you the secret meaning of the woman and of the beast that carries her, the beast with seven heads and ten horns. ⁸ That beast was once alive, but lives no longer; it is about to come up from the abyss and will go off to be destroyed. The people living on earth whose names have not been written before the creation of the world in the book of the living, will all be amazed as they look at the beast. It was once alive; now it no longer lives, but it will reappear.

 

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Seeing the card trick performed in front of me, left me amazed. “How did you do that?” I asked. When I learned the secret, it didn’t seem so amazing, but I learned how to “amaze” other people.

 

• I was fooled into being amazed.
• I thought something amazing had happened, when it was only a trick.
• I learned the trick and wanted to “amaze” people.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw the future which held a great city that was amazing. He also caught a glimpse of the beast who was from Satan. This being would act like JESUS and die and be raised from the dead. Everyone whose names have not been written before the creation of the world in the book of the living, will be fooled and amazed.

 

My Observations:

• Satan will try to mimic GOD, even by having a being die and be raised from the dead.
• GOD’s people have been saved, even before they were created.
• People who believe in JESUS will not be fooled by a being who is raised from the dead, who curses GOD.

 

People are amazed easily. I mean, there are videos that show people throwing a ball through tiny holes from great distances. But when people find out the video is fake, they quickly become unamazed. Same with the beast. When the angel explained that he will “reappear” it was to explain that nothing can mimic the resurrection of JESUS.

 

The Savior was and is GOD who became a human to die for the sins of humanity. HE lived a sinless life and was blamed and murdered by HIS own creation. HE was raised from the dead, giving everlasting life to those who believe in HIM for salvation. I will not be fooled.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer was amazed at seeing a futuristic city?
• Would you be amazed if someone were raised from the dead today?
• Will you seek wisdom that comes from GOD to understand who JESUS is, to believe in  HIM for salvation and to be guided by the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Destiny Fulfilled

Destiny Fulfilled

Revelation 13: ⁹ “Listen, then, if you have ears! ¹⁰ Whoever is meant to be captured will surely be captured; whoever is meant to be killed by the sword will surely be killed by the sword. This calls for endurance and faith on the part of God's people.”

 

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Working the cushy job was nice, but not enough after a while. There was a problem with the imbalanced population at the officer level that was noticeable. “Someone should speak up!” people whispered, but were afraid of losing their cushy jobs. I got with another person and we met with the higher ups, appealing the benefits of “balance.”  After a while, I was let go.

 

• I was willing to peacefully fight for a cause.
• I wanted what was right and was willing to give up the mundane for something better.
• Demise was no longer feared because the cause was more important.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, hears a pep talk for those remaining during the tribulation. Satan was loose and this meant difficult times for believers in JESUS. Instead of bowing down to Satan, people may gain the courage to continue in their open belief in JESUS, even unto demise.

 

My Observations:

• Human causes may make me fight someone, BUT GOD’s cause is one that brings eternal life.
• Believing in JESUS sounds easy, but it will make the world angry because it sometimes means surrendering pleasure for pain.
• Endurance and faith are needed because the world will brag about fame, power and wealth, meanwhile despising those who are willing to give it all up to live for CHRIST.

 

Destiny for the believer may require endurance and faith. I mean, in the days of relative truth, manipulation and word twisting, it is difficult to present GOD’s love which is JESUS. The HOLY SPIRIT guides believers away from the sin we desire over GOD. Who would want that? GOD does.

 

HE knows sin causes us to be blind, even to the point where we can no longer see or “hear” GOD. That’s why HE says “Listen, then, if you have ears!” GOD always, always has a better plan that plays out in this life and the next. Endurance and faith are needed!

 

Challenge

• Is the message from the writer harsh?
• Have you ever found yourself in a situation where the original benefit was no longer good enough?
• Will you turn from human causes to understand GOD’s main cause, which is to save all humans by belief in JESUS today?

Predetermined Love

Predetermined Love

Ephesians 1: Because of his love ⁵ God had already decided that through Jesus Christ he would make us his children—this was his pleasure and purpose. ⁶ Let us praise God for his glorious grace, for the free gift he gave us in his dear Son! ⁷ For by the blood of Christ we are set free, that is, our sins are forgiven. How great is the grace of God, ⁸ which he gave to us in such large measure!

 

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Living in an unforgiving world is sometimes difficult. My mistakes are placed in front of me and I place their mistakes in front of them. Mistakes were made all over. This sometimes makes me question if I am truly forgiven.

 

• I sometimes doubt GOD’s love so I try to control my actions to prevent more trials.
• I sometimes think my actions are greater than GOD’s, so I attempt to do “right” so HE will answer my prayers favorably.
• I sometimes question GOD’s love when I and others are met with trouble.

 

Paul is given some powerful words by GOD. He explains that it was GOD who decided to accept HIS SON’s proposal to save all of humanity. JESUS voluntarily stepped up and gave HIS life for all who would accept HIS gift. GOD decided this would serve HIS purpose of loving redemption, well. HE lost everything to save us.

 

My Observations

• It was not my actions that made GOD love me, rather HE loved me first.
• GOD saw all my sins and decided to save me anyway.
• My entire existence needs to praise GOD because of the incredible amount of grace HE has shown me.

 

It is impossible for me to mess up when I was chosen before I was born. I mean, GOD decided HE would make it easy for me to have a loving relationship with HIM by giving me a gift that is accessible to everyone. Unfortunately there is a war inside me and everyone, that fights against this precious gift.

 

Satan tainted all of humanity, causing each and every one of us to desire to be GOD. Our sin nature wants to be in “control” versus accepting the love GOD has poured out in large measure. BUT GOD did something extra. When I surrendered my life to JESUS, HE gave me the HOLY SPIRIT to fight that battle for me. I am eternally grateful for GOD’s great grace!

 

Challenge

• What actions do you see in this passage of scripture and who did them?
• Do you believe that all your sins are forgiven or just the ones you stopped doing?
• Have you ever felt that GOD is judging you versus loving you?
• Will you stop believing the lie about GOD’s love for you and believe HE loves you dearly and has given you a gift you can freely accept, namely JESUS who died for you and is alive today?

Act or React?

 

Act or React?

Romans 9: ¹⁰ And this is not all. For Rebecca's two sons had the same father, our ancestor Isaac. ^11-12 But in order that the choice of one son might be completely the result of God's own purpose, God said to her, “The older will serve the younger.” He said this before they were born, before they had done anything either good or bad; so God's choice was based on his call, and not on anything they had done. ¹³ As the scripture says, “I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau.”

 

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Wanting to fit in, I joined in the mischievousness when the teacher left the room. I was teased for being “smart”. That was before the term “nerd” was popular. I wanted to prove I could be cool.

 

Go in the coat closet with that girl, was the dare. I did not know what to do in the coat closet, so I agreed. We stood there for a while. When we came out, the teacher was back and laughter filled the room.  The teacher held me after class and said “I will overlook this because it is not how you normally act.” I didn’t do that again.

 

Many times I have been spared based on being known.

Many times I did not get in trouble for something I did wrong.

Many times I should have been punished for something I did, but instead, I was given grace.

 

Paul uses Jacob and Esau as an example of GOD’s choice. GOD saw the two kids before they were born and chose one before they had done anything “good” or “bad.” HE told their mother, Rebecca, of HIS choice.

 

GOD knew I would believe in HIM before I believed in JESUS.

GOD knew every sin I would do, yet HE chose me to live.

GOD knew I would mess up time and time again, yet HE saved me.

 

Looking at GOD through dirty eyes, paints HIM to be the bad guy. I mean, when I question HIS existence, or why HE did something, I am looking at it from the sin I was born with. Sometimes my eyes are dirtier than others.

 

I question “Why do bad things happen to good people?” I then question, “Why tell someone about JESUS if the choice was made for them?” These are valid and difficult questions. I am then provided with an answer. “I AM” says the LORD.

 

GOD, the creator, showed HIS love for me, enough to follow HIS own rule that somehow states, any sin, no matter how small, separates humans from HIM by death. JESUS took on that sin and saved me from eternal death. My reaction is to praise what HE did.

 

Are you trying to earn GOD’s favor by acting good?

Do you judge others when they act ”bad?”

Will you focus on the grace and rejoice that GOD loved you so much that HE died for you so you would not have to be punished forever?

Learning

Learning

John 6: ⁴³ Jesus therefore answered and said to them,  “Do not murmur among yourselves. ⁴⁴ No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. ⁴⁵ It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught by God.’ Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me. ⁴⁶ Not that anyone has seen the Father, except He who is from God; He has seen the Father.

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Bored to tears, I studied the lesson given in history class. The only way I could get through it was to memorize the dates, names and places I thought were going to be on the test. But in my computer class it was different. I was fascinated with technology and asked more and more questions.

• When I was interested I seemed to learn more.
• When I was excited I seemed to be able to pay attention more.
• When I was fascinated I seemed to be willing to understand the information no matter how complex it was.

JESUS confronts the Jews who questioned HIS origin. Though HE fed thousands, they could not understand why HE claimed to be GOD by saying “I AM the bread of life.” JESUS explains something important. “No one can come ME unless the FATHER draws that person.”

• GOD says to me “I will give people the urge to follow JESUS.”
• GOD says to me “I will put your name in the Lambs Book of Life.”
• GOD says to me “I chose you before I made the foundations of the world.”

This complicated relationship with JESUS is easy for those who believe in HIM. The FATHER cleared the path for anyone to learn about HIS SON so they could believe. Those who listen to HIS lessons of love will be drawn to learn more and more.

GOD never forces the lessons, but knows who will reject HIS love. HE teaches lessons every day. All I have to do is open my eyes and learn of HIM because HE is meek and lowly at heart. I shall find rest, for HIS burdens are light.

• What lessons are you learning?
• What are you spending your time studying?
• Will you take some time out of your busy life to study who GOD really is so HE can give your life a great purpose?

I should act “chosen”

Ephesians 1: ³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. ⁴ For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

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“Predestination” is hard to explain. Okay it’s impossible for me to explain.  GOD chose me way before I ever “believed” so does that make me a robot? I don’t think so.

• Just because GOD made me I can still reject what HE wants me to do.
• Just because GOD wants me to live I can still chose to follow the path of death.
• Just because GOD desires that I love I can still show hatred and judgment to “those” people.

GOD saw me and forgave me before the Earth was made but I still have “choice.” Choosing to reject GOD and HIS ways somehow holds more consequences than losing some rewards in heaven. I should never get comfortable and think “I am saved so I can sin as much as I want to.”

• GOD chooses people but HE still wants me to tell people about HIS SON.
• GOD draws people to HIMSELF but HE still wants me to go out to all nations and speak about HIS SON.
• GOD wrote HIS rules on every human’s heart but HE still wants me to reach out to as many people to keep them from rejecting the HOLY SPIRIT.

GOD chose me before HE made the “foundations of the earth.” HE loves “all” humans yet HE knows all of us would not choose HIM. HIS SON volunteered to die for my sins and through belief in the act of love I can have eternal life. I no longer reject GOD’s ways but accept HIS supreme leadership. I can now act like I have been chosen and show love to others.

• Are you stuck on trying to eradicate a single sin out of someone’s life?
• Are you focused on trying to stop sin rather than pointing people to CHRIST?
• Is your life an example of GOD or are you a poster child against GOD?
• Can you praise GOD for your blessings today?