Protected All Along

Protected All Along

Revelation 21: ¹² It had a great, high wall with twelve gates and with twelve angels in charge of the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of the people of Israel. ¹³ There were three gates on each side: three on the east, three on the south, three on the north, and three on the west. 

 

============

 

When the tornado sirens went off, I was still outside trying to finish a home improvement project. I had worked all week on this project, and I was at the last part when the darkness came rolling in. This memorable sight of the dark olive green clouds was followed by strong wind sounds, like a fast train passing by.

 

• A tornado touched down two blocks from our house.
• I was no match for the storm, nor was the house.
• Our house was not touched by the devastating winds.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, continued describing what he was shown from a high mountain. He saw a wall around a marvelous, new, clean city. The wall had, what was probably, monumental gates on all sides. Imperfect human names were written on the gates.

 

My Observations:

• GOD may have put the gates on the new city to show how HE was protecting us in this life.
• GOD is very methodical in providing you and me with assurance.
• One angel chained up Satan and GOD put twelve in charge of gates to protect you and me.

 

GOD’s protection is there when we cannot see it. I mean, HE protects us from dangers we cannot see each and every day! We take life for granted and pout when we are not getting our way. BUT GOD is fighting battles we are not aware of.

 

HE sees what we are going through and wants to not only provide, but protect. HIS wall of protection is impenetrable. The gates only let in those who belong and keeps out any harm. I am glad GOD protects you and me, even from ourselves!

 

Challenge

• Why is the writer so descriptive of the gates and their placement directions?
• Have you ever thought about how many times GOD has brought you through trials of life?
• Will you take a moment to remember the difficult times GOD has brought you through instead of looking at your current circumstance today?

Situation Handled

Situation Handled

2 Peter 2: False prophets appeared in the past among the people, and in the same way false teachers will appear among you. They will bring in destructive, untrue doctrines, and will deny the Master who redeemed them, and so they will bring upon themselves sudden destruction. ² Even so, many will follow their immoral ways; and because of what they do, others will speak evil of the Way of truth. ³ In their greed these false teachers will make a profit out of telling you made-up stories. For a long time now their Judge has been ready, and their Destroyer has been wide awake!

 

============

 

After being lied on, I felt worried that people would not be able to believe my side of the story. I laid awake trying to think of ways to make the truth known, I approached someone to ask for advice. “How do I fight this liar?” “You don’t.” was his tough to hear reply. But it was followed by “GOD sees what is going on and HE has the situation under control.”

 

• I wanted to expose the false statements.
• I wanted to be the one to expose the liar.
• I wanted “my” name cleared so I could keep doing what I was doing.

 

Peter begins with a warning to believers that false teachers will slip in amongst them and tell lies for money. Peter may have observed that these slick and polished speakers would be hard to get rid of because they spoke to desperate people who craved their lies. He, himself denied JESUS and witnessed Judas betray HIM. He repented and warned everyone.

 

My Observations:

• GOD’s word is precious and pure and should be used to bring people to a saving relationship with HIS SON.
• There will be false teachers who preach for money, who could care less about making up stories to keep the crowd entertained.
• GOD wants me to know HE has the situation under control.

 

Noisy liars seem to get their way. I mean, we see examples of very wealthy people telling lies to keep their profits and maybe even oppress various groups of people. Meanwhile, those in need seem to be in trouble without a way. BUT GOD has “The WAY.”

 

JESUS said, “I AM the way and the truth and the life.” This is the true doctrine to follow. Humans want people to follow false doctrines to amass a great wealth. Unfortunately, people will fall for it. BUT GOD wants you and me to follow HIM. I gladly worship JESUS in Spirit and truth.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer brings up this warning?
• Have you ever been so desperate that you would listen to liars?
• Will you take a moment to see if you are listening to liars and turn to CHRIST who is the truth today?

Wet Paint, Hot Stove

 

Wet Paint, Hot Stove

Romans 7: ⁹ Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ¹⁰ I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. ¹¹ For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. ¹² So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.

 

¹³ Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

 

============

 

“Don’t touch that. The paint is wet” were the words that made me want to touch the wall. “Wet cement” seemed like an invitation to write my initials. “Hot stove, do not touch” seemed like a suggestion to try it out. But I obeyed and did not touch or write my initials.

 

But then someone said “Don’t worry.” Wait. Don’t worry about what? Now I couldn’t stop thinking about the thing I wasn’t supposed to worry about. I worried about my worry.

 

Some things that were brought to my awareness made me want to try it.

Some things that I would have never tried, I did because it was put in front of me.

Some things that should have been avoided, I got into because someone told me not to.

 

Paul talks about how sin used what is good to cause death. The Law was made to protect humans, but sin used it to entice people to do the opposite of the Law, thus causing death. Sin is recognized through the Law.

 

GOD wants me to follow HIS ways.

GOD wants me to learn about HIM so I can be protected from the consequences of sin.

GOD wants me to seek HIM daily so I will not pursue sin that fools me into thinking it is better than HIS way.

 

“Do not worry” or “Do not get angry” makes me more worried and very angry. I mean, how am I supposed to not be afraid of the unknown? Fortunately GOD took care of my problems with following the Law. JESUS died for me and was raised from the dead. By believing in HIS saving power I can follow HIS ways when I fall.

 

When I get worried, GOD enables me to see HIS power and promises. After a while, I’m not so worried. When I get angry, GOD shows me a way to have peace and suddenly the anger dissipates. The wet paint and hot stoves become easier for me not to touch when I recognize GOD is trying to protect me. I am glad HE loves me.

 

Have your desires gotten the best of you?

Do you want things that may be opposite of what GOD wants for you?

Will you surrender your life to GOD so HE can guide you to HIS powerful purpose today?

Influential

 

Influential

Acts 26: ³⁰ The king rose, and with him the governor and Bernice and those sitting with them. ³¹ After they left the room, they began saying to one another, “This man is not doing anything that deserves death or imprisonment.”

 

³² Agrippa said to Festus, “This man could have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

 

============

 

Wanting to be more like this leader, I met his family. The wife was very poised and graceful and the kids were too. “How in the world did they get that way?” I asked myself. They were very influential.

 

• I have met some very influential people.
• I have met some people I wanted to be like.
• I have met some people who seemed to be connected to everyone in an influential way.

 

King Agrippa heard Paul’s final defense. He, the governor and Bernice discussed the situation and could not find anything wrong with what Paul was doing. Bernice is mentioned a lot. Her prominence must have come from her influential style. Paul appealed to Caesar, avoiding the influences of those trying to kill him.

 

• GOD wants me to be influential for HIM.
• GOD wants me to be persuasive for HIM.
• GOD wants me to be a life changer for HIM.

 

Influencing people happens whether I like it or not. I mean, I will influence people with what is in my heart. If my heart is greedy, I will always speak about money. If I lust for power, I will somehow work respect or taking over into the conversation. BUT GOD wants something different.

 

GOD wants me to have HIS love in my heart so I can persuade people to follow HIS SON. People make mistakes. I make a lot of them. HE wants me to overlook the mistakes and present the true solution. JESUS. I am grateful for the influencers HE sent to me.

 

• What are you trying to persuade people to do?
• Who has influenced you to be where you are?
• Will you stop following human influences and allow JESUS to guide you through the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Watched and Watched Over

 

Watched and Watched Over

Acts 23: ¹² The next morning some Jews formed a conspiracy and bound themselves with an oath not to eat or drink until they had killed Paul. ¹³ More than forty men were involved in this plot. ¹⁴ They went to the chief priests and the elders and said, “We have taken a solemn oath not to eat anything until we have killed Paul. ¹⁵ Now then, you and the Sanhedrin petition the commander to bring him before you on the pretext of wanting more accurate information about his case. We are ready to kill him before he gets here.”

 

¹⁶ But when the son of Paul’s sister heard of this plot, he went into the barracks and told Paul.

 

============

 

When the driver cut me off, rage filled my mind. I thought of a great idea. I would speed up, get in front of the reckless driver and slam on brakes to scare him or her straight. Brilliant! As I put my plan in motion, I moved to the passing lane, hit a pot hole and blew out a tire.

 

• There were times when my plots to harm someone, were being watched.
• There were times when my plots to get back at someone were being seen.
• There were times when my plots to take justice in my own hands, failed miserably.

 

A small group of forty or more Jews decided to take matters in their own hands. They thought it would be better to go against the law they strictly followed to rid themselves of their problem. They decided to kill Paul and went to the church leaders to bring them into the conspiracy. BUT GOD placed Paul’s nephew close by.

 

• GOD watches over those whom I plot against.
• GOD watches over me when people plot against me.
• GOD watches over the just and the unjust so HE would prefer that I make a choice to watch over people rather than harm them.

 

“MY grace is sufficient” says the LORD. This statement is mind boggling. I mean, HE has grace for those who harm me and for me wanting to harm them back. HE places the HOLY SPIRIT in me as a guide to drop my “rage” and replace it with “right.”

 

When I am guided by the HOLY SPIRIT, I am led to peaceful places. My rage subsides and peace prevails. I am grateful for GOD’s protection.

 

• Are you harboring bitterness towards someone?
• Do you think you would feel better if that person were harmed?
• Will you release your rage and receive peace that only comes from the HOLY SPIRIT today?

Found Out

 

Found Out

Acts 22: ²⁹ Those who were about to interrogate him withdrew immediately. The commander himself was alarmed when he realized that he had put Paul, a Roman citizen, in chains.

 

³⁰ The commander wanted to find out exactly why Paul was being accused by the Jews. So the next day he released him and ordered the chief priests and all the members of the Sanhedrin to assemble. Then he brought Paul and had him stand before them.

 

============

 

Not wanting people to be “offended”, I hid my relationship with JESUS at work. I mean, I worked with people who worshipped other things than the LORD of my life. I hid the relationship so well, I acted like everyone else. When they were mean, lying, undermining, and slanderous, I figured that was just part of “the game.”

 

• There were times when I hid who GOD wanted me to be.
• There were times when I denied my relationship with GOD so I would not “offend” anyone.
• There were times when I felt my godly actions would speak for themselves, but my actions were like everyone else.

 

When the commander found out Paul was a Roman citizen, he put a stop to the interrogation. The soldiers were about to beat Paul, possibly trying to see if he were a spy from some other nation. When the commander found out Paul’s citizenship, he wanted to find out why the leaders of the Jews were accusing him.

 

• GOD wants people to find out my relationship with JESUS.
• GOD wants me to be overt with my relationship with JESUS so people can find out what salvation means.
• GOD wants me to be ready with an answer about salvation at a moment’s notice.

 

Shining my “light” and adding “salt” are terms used to mean “let people know.” Light is very distinct when it is dark and salt is very distinct when placed on food. When I hide GOD’s light the darkness prevails around me. When I do not add GOD’s salt, the other flavors of philosophies permeate the meal of life.

 

Fortunately, I only need a little light and salt to make a point. JESUS is my Savior, in HIM I believe. I am glad that is all the light and salt I need.

 

• Are you hiding your relationship with JESUS?
• Are you trying to be covert with your relationship with JESUS so you will not “offend” someone?
• Will you allow people to find out who you really are by telling them your sins and about JESUS who forgave you for your sins today?

Escorted

Escorted

Acts 17: ¹³ But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. ¹⁴ The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. ¹⁵ Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.

============

“Put your stuff in boxes” they told me in a cold tone. “Oh, and here is a reward you won for being a great team member. We will be your escort out of the building. You will give me your access badge at the entrance.” I was being escorted out of the building after a job elimination.

• I have been escorted out during tense situations.
• I have been escorted out when I did not need protection.
• I have been escorted out without being able to send a message back to those who encouraged me.

Paul was escorted out of the city because the Jews from another city had arrived and stirred up trouble for him. Paul was speaking about JESUS and many began to believe. The believers had to escort Paul out of the city so he would not be harmed. They took a message of good will back to Silas and Timothy.

• GOD wants me to protect those who are being harmed.
• GOD wants me to bring messages of encouragement to others.
• GOD wants me to calm the crowd by speaking peace about JESUS.

Being an escort can mean something bad or good. GOD wants me to be a protector and an encourager. When I walk by someone’s side, HE wants me to watch over that person and be ready to keep them from harms way. I am glad GOD sends HIS protection for me.

• Are you being harassed?
• Are people trying to harm you because of your relationship with GOD?
• Will you ask GOD to provide a reliable escort out of the harmful situation today?

Facing Problems

Facing Problems

John 18: When Jesus had spoken these words, He went out with His disciples over the Brook Kidron, where there was a garden, which He and His disciples entered. ² And Judas, who betrayed Him, also knew the place; for Jesus often met there with His disciples. ³ Then Judas, having received a detachment of troops, and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, came there with lanterns, torches, and weapons. ⁴ Jesus therefore, knowing all things that would come upon Him, went forward and said to them, “Whom are you seeking?”

⁵ They answered Him, “Jesus of Nazareth.”

Jesus said to them, “I am He.” And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. ⁶ Now when He said to them, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground.

============

Hostile is the only word I could use to describe the crowd. I had to prepare my notes so I could present the information in a palatable way. The closer it came for my turn to speak, the more scared I became. I took a deep breath because I was super nervous. I stammered over the first few words when I got on stage, but I got through the difficult presentation.

• Sometimes I do not want to face problems.
• Most times I do not want to go through trials.
• Sometimes I just want the problem to go away.

Judas betrayed JESUS with a large number of military soldiers. He had help from the church leaders to gather this kind of power. They were armed and ready for fights. Did Judas stir them up so they expected the crowd to turn against them? In the middle of this tense situation, JESUS faced the problem and calmly walked out and said HE was the one they were looking for.

• JESUS wants me to face problems, knowing HE is with me.
• JESUS wants me to address difficult situations, knowing the HOLY SPIRIT is with me.
• JESUS wants me to accept trials, knowing the FATHER is with me.

Huge problems can be scary at times. BUT GOD is there with me to guide me through the situation. HE gives me strength to face the problem especially when the problem is spiritual in nature.

HE understands the war and knows I will face many battles. HE gets excited, because HE has already won the war because HE was raised from the dead and given all glory. I can face trials with JESUS on my side.

• Are you going through problems?
• Does it seem like there is no way out of the situation?
• Will you face the problem, knowing GOD is with you and cares for you?

Protected From Liars

Psalm 120: ¹ I call on the Lord in my distress,
    and he answers me.
² Save me, Lord,
    from lying lips
    and from deceitful tongues.

============

“That will be about $1500” the dentist said as I looked dismayed. “Would you like me to take care of that now?” she asked. Something didn’t feel right about what she was saying. In fact my whole being felt alarms go off. “No, not right now” was my reply. I took my, so called, cracked tooth to another dentist and they did not find any problem. The new dentist cleaned my teeth and any pain I felt went away. “Your insurance will cover that” he said.

• There are times where I have lied.
• There are times when I felt I had to protect myself at all costs.
• There are times in which I have not stated the truth in order to get my way.

“Lying lips” are something GOD does not like. HE cannot stand when I lie to someone, especially to get my way. Lying is the ultimate form of manipulation. Even lying to myself causes problems between me and GOD. HE can see through any delusion I put up about someone or some situation. HE drills down to the core when it comes to lying.

• GOD wants me to tell the truth to others and to myself so I can worship HIM in spirit and TRUTH.
• GOD wants me to believe HE will protect me from those who lie about me or slander me or try to get the best of me.
• GOD wants me to know HE will protect me from liars and HE does not want me to be included in the lying.

“Put off your childish ways” is what GOD says to me. When I was a child, I would tell my parents “I don’t know” when I fully knew what I did, yet got caught. BUT GOD wanted me to grow up and to face my mistakes. HE wants me to be able to confess my wrongs, knowing HIS grace is on the other side of admittance. GOD not only protects me from lies, HE pursues those who attack me. I do not want to be pursued by GOD for lying. GOD answers my prayers of protection.

• Are you being deceived?
• Are you deceiving someone?
• Can you ask GOD for forgiveness of your deceit, even the deceit you have about yourself?
• Will you ask GOD to protect you from liars and to heal you from lying?