World’s Best Isn’t Good Enough

World’s Best Isn’t Good Enough

Genesis 47: ²⁷ So Israel dwelt in the land of Egypt, in the country of Goshen; and they had possessions there and grew and multiplied exceedingly. ²⁸ And Jacob lived in the land of Egypt seventeen years. So the length of Jacob’s life was one hundred and forty-seven years. ²⁹ When the time drew near that Israel must die, he called his son Joseph and said to him, “Now if I have found favor in your sight, please put your hand under my thigh, and deal kindly and truly with me. Please do not bury me in Egypt, ³⁰ but let me lie with my fathers; you shall carry me out of Egypt and bury me in their burial place.”

 

And he said, “I will do as you have said.”

 

³¹ Then he said, “Swear to me.” And he swore to him. So Israel bowed himself on the head of the bed.

 

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After living in the land of Egypt for seventeen years, Israel spoke to Joseph. His one request was to be buried outside of Egypt, back in the land of his fathers.

 

My Observations:

• Goshen was the best land Egypt had to offer and the Israelites prospered more than they ever had.
• Israel and Joseph got to spend a great amount of time with each other during the seventeen years he was there.
• Israel saw the ways of the Egyptians and did not want any parts of it, so he made Joseph promise to bury him with Abraham and Isaac.

 

Israel’s request was a strong rejection of the Egyptian ways. Egyptians regarded Pharaoh as a god. They believed in multiple gods and worshiped the sun and even frogs. Israel had spoken to the one and true GOD. I believe he had encountered the preincarnate JESUS.

 

Israel’s desire to be physically buried near his fathers was highly symbolic. He made Joseph place his hand under his thing, similar to Abraham’s oath he made his servant take. This is something Joseph would never forget! Goshen represents wealth and the best. But the world’s best falls short of GOD’s glory.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about Israel making Joseph take an oath?
• Are you pursuing the world’s best, thinking it will save you from your current situation?
• Have you placed a priority of obtaining the world and watching a little piece of your soul go away in the pursuit?

An Appealing Plea

An Appealing Plea

2 Corinthians 5: ²⁰ Here we are, then, speaking for Christ, as though God himself were making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ's behalf: let God change you from enemies into his friends! ²¹ Christ was without sin, but for our sake God made him share our sin in order that in union with him we might share the righteousness of God.

 

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Speeding tickets seemed to be the norm for me until one day I got one too many. “You need a lawyer” was the suggestion of the judge. I was unable to speak on my behalf to overturn the latest violation.  I needed someone who could appeal to the judge in a way that could be heard. “How do you plea?” was the question The lawyer spoke for me and used words that could be heard by the judge.

 

• I was guilty but needed an advocate.
• I was clearly in the wrong but needed someone to make an appeal.
• I was on my way to being sentenced, but had someone make a plea to overturn the violation.

 

Paul is trying to make an appeal to overturn the thoughts of people who did not believe in JESUS. He spoke as though GOD HIMSELF were making an appeal. He then mentions how JESUS was without sin, but for our sake, HE was made sin so we could share in the righteousness of GOD.

 

My Observations

• An appeal was made to me to guide my thoughts to JESUS.
• When I believed that JESUS died for me and was raised from the dead, I became eternally saved.
• I plead with others to open their eyes to the one true Savior, which is CHRIST our LORD.

 

Usually a plea is seen as a way to get “my” way. BUT GOD sees it different. JESUS not only gave up HIS life, HE pursues each and every one of us, pleading to keep us from harm. The HOLY SPIRIT begs on our behalf and GOD sends people to plea to turn to HIS ways. I am grateful for the people who prayed for me and pleaded on my behalf.

 

Challenge

• Can you hear the plea from the writer?
• Have you ever been in trouble and needed someone else to explain things on your behalf?
• Will you make a plea on someone else’s behalf to turn to JESUS for all answers today?

Something Special About You

Something Special About You

Acts 9: Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest ² and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.

³ As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. ⁴ Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”

⁵ And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”

Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”

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When the teacher returned to the classroom, I was engaged in the disruption along with a few others. It seemed like fun to be involved, but I got caught. The teacher pulled me into the hallway and said “Them I expect this from, but you… I expected more out of you.”

• There have been times when people have recognized potential in me that I did not see.
• There have been times when my actions were not aligned with the potential I could reach.
• There have been times when my passion for fitting in exceeded my passion for having self-control.

Saul was passionate about what he was taught about GOD. The church leaders put him in charge of persecuting anyone who would go against their preaching. BUT JESUS intervened. HE came after Saul asking “Why are you persecuting ME?” in reference to Saul trying to kill HIS followers.

• JESUS wants me to know that if anyone tries to harm me, they are trying to harm HIM.
• JESUS wants me to know that HIS church is comprised of those who believe in HIM.
• JESUS wants me to know that HE sees my heart so it’s best that I point it to HIM.

Unlike the high priest, JESUS went after Saul, knowing his potential. GOD did the same for me. HE came after me when I tried to leave HIM. GOD passionately pursues HIS flock. When HE speaks, HIS followers hear HIS voice. HE blesses those who serve HIM. I am grateful HE saw something in me and saved me from myself.

• Are you running away from GOD?
• Do you think your fate is in your hands?
• Do you believe you can extend one day of your life without GOD’s permission?
• Will you surrender your life to JESUS today so HE can use the gifts and talents HE created you with?

Come to Collect

Come to Collect

John 6: ³⁵ And Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst. ³⁶ But I said to you that you have seen Me and yet do not believe. ³⁷ All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out. ³⁸ For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. ³⁹ This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. ⁴⁰ And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

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Scared to answer the phone, I said “hello.” It was another bill collector asking for their money. Unfortunately, I had none and I told them just that. The next day they called back. I explained that no money had come in from yesterday’s call. The following day they called back and again and again until I paid off the debt. Wow they were relentless!

• There were people who relentlessly pursued what I owed them.
• There were people who spared no cost in trying to collect what was theirs from me.
• There were people who spent their entire day looking for me to give them what I owed.

JESUS reveals HE is the Bread of Life. HE explains that if people would return to HIM, they would never hunger or thirst. HE is a different but necessary source of food. HE then explains what HE was there for.

• JESUS became a human so HE could be murdered for me to pay my debt.
• JESUS knew I must die because I was born into sin so HE decided to be killed in place of me.
• JESUS said if I would come to HIM, HE would never cast me out.

GOD wants to collect those who are willing to be with HIM. HE gave us free will to choose HIM or ourselves. Those who believe that JESUS took care of all their sins will be saved. Those who do not think their sins matter or that they have not sinned at all will perish forever.

JESUS came to do the will of the FATHER which is to gather all those HE has given to HIM. HE is relentless in HIS pursuit. Ever day HE comes after me, loving me and caring for me, even when I blatantly run away from HIM. HE is the great collector. I am glad HE paid my debt.

• What are you distracted by?
• Are you so focused on the debts of humans that you can no longer see GOD?
• Will you focus on your need for everlasting life and praise GOD for clearing your debt of sin today?

Food

Food

John 6: ²⁶ Jesus answered them and said, “Most assuredly, I say to you, you seek Me, not because you saw the signs, but because you ate of the loaves and were filled. ²⁷ Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to everlasting life, which the Son of Man will give you, because God the Father has set His seal on Him.”

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Sitting in the highly decorated restaurant, a number of people waited on our table. We had our own wait staff who promptly brought out any food or drink that we requested. The main course contained a very expensive Kobe beef steak. “This meal is a long way from beans and franks” I thought to myself. “Maybe I should become rich and eat like this more often.”

• I have eaten expensive foods.
• I have eaten at some very high end restaurants.
• I have sought out new foods as entertainment and pleasure.

The crowd sought JESUS because HE fed them when they had no food. JESUS performed a miracle, dividing a boy’s lunch into thousands of filling portions. JESUS saw through their quest to follow HIM. HE warned them not to seek HIM because HE was some sort of food pantry. But what is HE?

• JESUS wants me to seek HIM for everlasting life.
• JESUS wants me to start my eternal life right now by listening to HIM daily.
• JESUS wants me to accept HIS seal that no one can steal or remove, including myself.

Seeking food for pleasure or necessity can distract me from the real food GOD wants to give me. When JESUS said “Man does not live by bread alone” HE was telling me that there is more to life than eating. Preoccupation with staying healthy or gaining new tastes can take up precious time that could be spent with GOD.

HE knows I have to eat and does not mind if I eat a tasty meal, but what about those who have not eaten a meal in a while? GOD wants me to listen to HIS food so I can be nourished with the word enough to execute what it says. HE wants me to share my spiritual and physical food with those in need. I am glad HE feeds me daily.

• Are you hungry for GOD?
• Do you seek physical food?
• Will you take time today and seek GOD’s food which is everlasting?

GOD has pinpoint precision

Exodus 9: ³ the hand of the Lord will bring a terrible plague on your livestock in the field—on your horses, donkeys and camels and on your cattle, sheep and goats. ⁴ But the Lord will make a distinction between the livestock of Israel and that of Egypt, so that no animal belonging to the Israelites will die.’”

⁵ The Lord set a time and said, “Tomorrow the Lord will do this in the land.” ⁶ And the next day the Lord did it: All the livestock of the Egyptians died, but not one animal belonging to the Israelites died.

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Fascinated, I stood outside as the bright sky quickly turned dark. This was not a normal darkness rather the clouds had an eerie color to them. Olive green mixed with grey is the best description I can give the squall. Some of the clouds began to move faster then they started to spiral. It was time to take cover!

As I ran into the basement, the lights went off! Hard rain, wind and loud thunder rocked the house but eventually it passed. Our house was spared but the tornado did touch down with a wake of damage.

• I cannot explain the times where things happen all around me and I am spared.
• I do not understand the moments when problems are going on all around me and I am spared.
• I cannot fathom why a trial happens to some and I am spared.

Many other situations have happened that I cannot explain. From my car spinning out of control and touching nothing to lightning striking feet away and not harming me I have seen many situations where it could have been me but wasn’t. I wonder why GOD has spared me. What does HE want?

 GOD spares me because HE wants me to tell people about HIS SON.

• GOD spares me because HE wants me to show compassion to others just as HE has for me.
• GOD spares me because HE wants me to help those who hurt and show them a way to peace.

I can’t just say thanks for saving me and go about my business.  GOD wants me to interact with others to make sure they are alright.  HE protects me and makes me whole so I can help others focus on what HIS SON did for me.

• Have you been spared from the storm?
• Did something happen to the person right next to you and you were spared?
• Can you realize GOD has a purpose for you?
• Won’t you ask GOD what HE wants you to do today?

Am I ready?

Revelation 16: ¹⁵ “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

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“What is taking him so long?” I asked myself as I waited in the lobby. We were supposed to be doing a tour of businesses in the area and this person was making us late.  While waiting, I received a phone call.  I moved to a quiet location and got lost in my discussion. 

When I got off the phone, everyone looked angrily at me. I didn’t notice the person we were waiting on had returned and I was now the culprit in making the group late. I wasn’t ready.

• Sometimes I doubt that JESUS is going to return so I sin instead of preparing.
• Sometimes I believe I will have another day to get it right so I focus on me instead of others.
• Sometimes I think GOD will forgive me for my sins so HE won’t mind if I continue in them.

Yes I know I am forgiven for all my sins and that’s the reason I watch out for CHRIST’s return.  “Just think of the look on my face if JESUS returned right now” is the thought that crosses my mind in the middle of my sin.

This passage implies that someone won’t be ready for HIS return.  It also implies that once HE does return, it will be too late. HE gives me a short lifetime to “get it right.” Why waste my life on items that will not last eternally?

• Are you living a life of purpose?
• Are you so determined to live your life your way or will you include GOD’s way?
• If JESUS were to return today, would HE be pleased at your activity?

Living a life of purpose

2 Peter 1: ¹³ I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body, ¹⁴ because I know that I will soon put it aside, as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

¹⁵ And I will make every effort to see that after my departure you will always be able to remember these things.

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With new tie in hand I proceeded to the door. The exits all looked the same because in my haste to purchase a replacement for my forgotten tie I failed to note which way I had entered. That was only the beginning of the problem. I walked out and could not find my rental car because I didn’t remember what kind of car it was nor the color. Yes the information was on the key.

After finally finding my car I returned to the hotel. When I woke the next day I could not remember what city I was in. I had travelled too much. I sat on the side of my bed and asked myself, “is this my purpose in life?”

·         When I am overwhelmed I may not be living my life purpose.

·         When I am feeling absolutely miserable I may not be living my life purpose.

·         When I am restless and want something new I may not be living my life purpose.

I made work my purpose for living and quite honestly it only got me more work. Okay, I did get more money and accolades but they soon faded and I wondered “is this it?” BUT GOD has another purpose for me.

·         GOD says remind people about what I have already written on their heart.

·         GOD says make disciples to follow ME instead of following buildings or people.

·         GOD says love those who are difficult to love while loving your family and friends.

Leaving a legacy is nice but leaving people with ways to stop rejecting GOD is better. I used to think there were humans who just had not heard of CHRIST and needed me to tell them, now I believe GOD has written HIS word on every heart and it’s up to each not to reject HIM. I serve as a reminder to follow what they already know.

·         Do you have purpose?

·         Are you living your life’s purpose out?

·         Do you realize GOD has given you talents that only you possess?

·         Can you understand “your presence” can affect the situation?

Am I drifting away from GOD?

Acts 26: ¹³ About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. ¹⁴ We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

 ¹⁵ “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

   “ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. ¹⁶ ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me.

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Drifting seemed like a harmless thing to do when it came to this “GOD” stuff.  I mean everyone else seemed to be living full lives with their drinking and sexual exploits and I wasn’t a heavy drinker and my sex was held to a minimum. Comparatively I rated myself as “pretty good.”

My drifting turned into occasional visits to church, then no visits. I drifted into “deserving” to unwind after a hard week’s work so a few of us would go to the clubs which drifted into flirting and “going out” with a woman here and there. I still rated myself as “pretty good.” I mean I wasn’t trying to harm anyone and “everybody” was doing it.

• Drifting away from listening to GOD leads me into places “I” think are harmless but they are truly harmful to me.
• Drifting away from listening to GOD makes me assess myself as “pretty good” comparatively but I fail to take the time to admit I need HIM.
• Drifting away from listening to GOD puts me in a place where it requires HIS correction.

GOD wants a “hot” or “cold” person to work with and my drifting had put me in a “lukewarm” state which is impossible to change. What I mean is I thought I was “pretty good” and therefore needed no improvement yet I was “harmlessly” drifting little by little away from HIM.

After a while I was producing no fruit for HIS kingdom and found myself “needy” on occasion. I would scurry to pray to GOD when I needed HIM and would go back to living without HIM expecting everything to go well for me. GOD said HE wanted something different.

• GOD wants a full relationship with me, not one where I try holding onto my life.
• GOD wants my full attention, not distracted or chasing things that are against HIS will.
• GOD wants me to stand with HIM, not fold into the world and fight against HIM.

“Wait a minute… how am I fighting GOD?” you ask. The war inside of me starts where I am told by GOD to live for HIM in order to spread HIS message yet I choose to live the way I want to live. The only “drifting” I need to do is drift towards HIM not away.

• Do you find yourself drifting away from GOD?
• Has your time with HIM minimized because of school, work or a relationship?
• When is the last time you have produced “fruit” in “your” life?
• Are you purposefully living your life for GOD?

I’m being pursued

John 5: ⁵ One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

 ⁷ “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”

 ⁸ Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” ⁹ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

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Boredom was my accepted lifestyle. “I guess I’m sentenced to die here in this go nowhere job”, I thought to myself. Then the phone rang. It was a company who had “heard” about me. Suddenly life ran through my veins. I was once again excited and I could get out of this dump!

• Being pursued by humans feels great because it feeds my ego.
• Feeling wanted by humans is wonderful because it feeds my ego.
• Being needed by humans is magnificent because it feeds my ego.

It feels great getting my ego stroked! I mean when people pursue me for advice or pursue me for me, it makes me feel… I don’t know… better than I thought I was. Unfortunately once my ego is fed, I start thinking I’m better than I really am.

GOD, the creator of universes, the MOST HIGH, the greatest being, decided to pursue me because I turned my back on HIM. In fact the more I run from HIM, the more HE pursues me.

• GOD saw I would not accept HIS ways so HE took the penalty for my sin.
• GOD saw I would try to find my own way so HE placed obstacles in my way until I turned my eyes to HIM.
• GOD saw I would never remember what HE told me so HE placed the HOLY SPIRIT inside me.

Even today HE pursues me. After years and years of walking with HIM, HE still molds my sinful heart towards HIS and guides me through this scary thing called life. HE asked the paralyzed man “do you want to get well?”

There was nothing the man could do to make himself well. GOD pursued him and healed him once the man admitted he needed help and was willing to be helped. GOD pursues me and HE wants me to pursue HIM.

Think of a baby. He/she has all the needs, yet when he/she reaches out and smiles at me, he/she makes me want to do more. The more I seek HIM the more HE pursues me and blesses me!

• Are you trying to pursue GOD?
• How often do you speak to HIM?
• Have you asked HIM “what do you want me to do?”