Problem Solver

Problem Solver

1 John2: ²² Who, then, is the liar? It is those who say that Jesus is not the Messiah. Such people are the Enemy of Christ—they reject both the Father and the Son. ²³ For those who reject the Son reject also the Father; those who accept the Son have the Father also.

 

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Admiring the rich and powerful, I took to listening to his or her words. I picked out a characteristic that seemed to be common about all of them. They seemed to be problem solvers. The bigger the problem, the more people they needed to follow them.

 

• I followed people I thought would solve big problems.
• I quickly stopped following people who were not problem solvers.
• I wanted to solve big problems.

 

John compares those who believe in JESUS as the Messiah to those who do not. He does this by asking a rhetorical question “Who, then, is the liar?” He provides the answer given to him by the HOLY SPIRIT, stating that those who say JESUS is not the Messiah are liars. He also mentions that people who reject JESUS as the Messiah reject GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Rich and powerful people may claim to be problem solvers, BUT JESUS is the only one who can solve every problem.
• Humans have tried to solve problems for centuries, BUT GOD laughs at any attempt to do what HE does.
• Problems, persecution and pain are current situations for many, BUT JESUS is the only one who can heal all situations.

 

Attempting to blind humans into thinking there is no problem is what the Enemy of CHRIST wants. I mean, what better way to keep people from getting his or her problem solved, than to make up multiple lies about “higher powers” or random “universe” occurrences or “relative truth?” GOD sees through it all.

 

JESUS volunteered to solve the ultimate problem, namely eternal death. What does this have to do with current life? Everything! Each day we have a choice, follow the way of the world or follow CHRIST. Each decision can contain pain or promise, thoughtlessness or thankfulness, grudge or grace. I am glad JESUS is my problem solver.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer speak about “rejection?”
• Have you ever placed your trust in humans who claim to have answers to big problems?
• Will you place your trust in JESUS who is the Messiah, the Savior of the world, by accepting HIS love and become adopted into GOD’s true family today?

Directed Freedom

Directed Freedom

Galatians 5: ¹⁶ What I say is this: let the Spirit direct your lives, and you will not satisfy the desires of the human nature. ¹⁷ For what our human nature wants is opposed to what the Spirit wants, and what the Spirit wants is opposed to what our human nature wants. These two are enemies, and this means that you cannot do what you want to do. ¹⁸ If the Spirit leads you, then you are not subject to the Law.

 

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Arriving on campus, I could hear the loud music blasting from various dorm rooms. We had a drunken party that night and many opportunities for sex. “I’m going to love this place!” I thought to myself!

 

• I thought I was finally freed from the “tyranny” of self-control.
• I thought it was alright to have a little “fun.”
• I thought of the normal excuse: “Everyone else is doing it.”

 

Paul addresses a very difficult topic, namely self-control. He explains the built in war within all humans that desires to get our own way with no surrender. Every impulse desires to be satisfied and will fight even the MOST HIGH to get it. This is a trap. But there is an escape path.

 

My Observation

• The HOLY SPIRIT wants to guide me to freedom daily if I would only listen.
• The HOLY SPIRIT lives inside me and fights the internal battle for me.
• The HOLY SPIRIT pleads on my behalf because I deserve eternal separation from the love of GOD.

 

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of GOD” is a hard statement to swallow. I mean, I was born in sin that I did not have a choice over. Meanwhile, I was given the ability to choose to believe in the cure for my sinful lite or live life to its fullest without regard to who GOD wants me to be. Seemed hopeless because I would choose to live life without GOD.

 

Fortunately for me, HE chose me. HE pursued me and showed me there is a better way to live that provides true hope and freedom. I can read GOD’s word for truth and listen to the HOLY SPIRIT for guidance to freedom daily. I can then oppose getting “my” way and seek GOD’s kingdom the way HE wants me to. I am grateful HE pursues me when I would not look for HIM.

 

Challenge

• What is the writer talking about when mentioning the “human nature?”
• What war do you seem to be fighting inside of you?
• What small steps can you take to listen to the HOLY SPIRIT and introduce a small amount of self-control to follow JESUS on the path HE has for you today?

Head Knowledge

Head Knowledge

Acts 8: ¹⁴ Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, ¹⁵ who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

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“Why do I have to know this?” I asked myself. I mean, I will never use this information. I sat in class and daydreamed, thinking of things I could be doing. I looked forward to my next class that was in my major and was only minutes away. I stopped listening and opened a book for the next class.

• There were times when I learned the information only to take the test.
• There were times when I understood the concepts but did not care about the information.
• There were times when I heard the information but did not take it to heart.

Philip preached about JESUS and many people understood and took action by being baptized. It was the right thing to do. But Peter and John were sent to pray for those who had this fresh knowledge. Many people accepted the HOLY SPIRIT in their hearts after the prayer and laying of hands.

• GOD wants me to plant seeds in the hearts of many.
• GOD wants me to know that someone else may water the seeds.
• GOD wants me to know that even someone else may see the increase of the seeds I planted in their heart.

Preaching about the great news of how JESUS saves  can sometimes be a group effort. Something I say can help a person stop rejecting JESUS, but this may only be temporary. Someone else may come along and say just the right thing to make it permanent.

When it comes to free will, we all have a choice to accept the HOLY SPIRIT or reject HIM. My life’s purpose is to help people accept HIM by believing they need to be saved by JESUS who died for us all and is alive because HE was raised from the dead. I have this belief in my heart.

• What do you know about JESUS and are rejecting?
• Are you trying to be GOD by thinking of your own concepts of what GOD is?
• Will you obtain “heart knowledge” by believing in JESUS as your Savior so you can receive the HOLY SPIRIT today, gaining everlasting life?

Hearing Test

Hearing Test

Acts 3: ²² For Moses truly said to the fathers, ‘The Lord your God will raise up for you a Prophet like me from your brethren. Him you shall hear in all things, whatever He says to you. ²³ And it shall be that every soul who will not hear that Prophet shall be utterly destroyed from among the people.’ ²⁴ Yes, and all the prophets, from Samuel and those who follow, as many as have spoken, have also foretold these days. ²⁵ You are sons of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying to Abraham, ‘And in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.’ ²⁶ To you first, God, having raised up His Servant Jesus, sent Him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from your iniquities.”

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Hearing aids were huge contraptions I was scared of getting when I heard we had to take a hearing test. What if I can’t hear? I said to myself. Nervously I slipped on the headphones and heard sounds, raising my hand at the faintest noise. I passed. But when I got in trouble and someone called my name, I ignored it. “Do you hear me calling you?” They said.

• There were times when I did not want to hear what others were saying.
• There were times when I tuned people out who were “on my nerves.”
• There were times when I listened to the information but was thinking about something else.

Peter spoke about Moses, Samuel and Abraham regarding prophecies they said about JESUS. “HIM you shall hear in all things, whatever HE says to you” was a statement to those who listened to JESUS. But those who did not listen would be destroyed.

• GOD tells me of HIS promise to save me from destruction.
• GOD tells me of HIS promise to protect me from eternal death.
• GOD tells me of HIS promise to hold onto me so the evil one cannot get me out of HIS hand.

Not listening to the fact that JESUS became a human, died for the sins of mankind, and was raised from the dead, is what sends a person to an eternal separation from GOD in a place of eternal increasing torment. GOD made it easy to believe, yet there will be some who chose not to.

GOD gave everyone free will to choose HIM. This is the only scenario where love can exist. I can choose to be with my loving GOD, who cares for me in every way, or not to. I choose JESUS as my Savior and I am grateful for HIS protection.

• Are you wrestling with how JESUS is GOD and became a human who died and was raised?
• Do you think there is no need to be saved from anything?
• Will you consider “love” as the reason GOD did all of this specifically for you?
• When human love has and will fail you, will you accept GOD’s everlasting love though CHRIST our Savior today?

Ignorance of The Law

Ignorance of The Law

John 15: ²² If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. ²³ He who hates Me hates My Father also. ²⁴ If I had not done among them the works which no one else did, they would have no sin; but now they have seen and also hated both Me and My Father. ²⁵ But this happened that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law, ‘They hated Me without a cause.’

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Before I stood in front of the judge, I wrote out my argument. As I watched others explain themselves, I listened intently to a similar case. “There was no sign posting the speed” said the person. I waited for the judges’ response. “Ignorance of the law is no excuse” said the judge. The person was fined more for pleading not guilty. I threw away my pitiful defense.

• “I didn’t know that was wrong” used to be my defense.
• ”I didn’t know I did anything bad” used to be my excuse.
• “Everyone else is doing it” used to be my rationale for doing something wrong but justifying it being right.

JESUS explains HE is the key to fulfilling all scripture. In other words, there are some extreme declarations about humanity that could only be fulfilled by one person. JESUS said “If HE had never come, then people could not be judged for their ignorance of the Law.” So why am I accused of sin?

• JESUS placed HIS Law in my heart when HE created me.
• GOD threw Satan out of heaven, who in turn made the first person sin, causing me to have sin.
• GOD declared that if anyone sins they would be eternally separated from HIM, which affected me.

Ignorance of GOD’s Law will be no excuse. JESUS placed The Word in every heart, so every human is capable of loving GOD. Unfortunately there will be some who fight the HOLY SPIRIT enough to reject HIM. GOD wants me to reach those who are rejecting HIS inherent love.

HE wants me to first admit I need HIM because all have sinned. Next, when I believe that JESUS is my Savior I can then confess HE is my only answer. Finally, HE sends me out with this belief to seek first HIS kingdom. It is all about JESUS. We hated HIM without a cause. I am grateful for HIS forgiveness.

• Are you ignorant of your sin?
• Do you think others are sinning and you are not?
• Will you confess to GOD you need HIM to clean your sin daily, so you can reach others the way HE wants you to?

Responsible One

John 3: ³¹ The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all. ³² He testifies to what he has seen and heard, but no one accepts his testimony. ³³ Whoever has accepted it has certified that God is truthful. ³⁴ For the one whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God gives the Spirit without limit. ³⁵ The Father loves the Son and has placed everything in his hands. ³⁶ Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them.

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“Stay in your lane” is a term I’ve heard jokingly on commercials and movies. It means, be responsible for what you are responsible for and stay out of someone else’s responsibility. But sometimes I want to drive my car and drive for the “crazy” driver next to me. If I could just figure out how to hop from car to car, then we would both be safe.

• Sometimes I want to be responsible for everything in order to keep things going the way “I” want them to go.
• Sometimes I feel I should be making all the decisions, even in areas I don’t understand.
• Sometimes I feel I should be in control even if the one who is in control is doing a good job.

John explains responsibilities of the FATHER, the SON, the HOLY SPIRIT and humans in this passage. Only the “one” who is from above or heaven can talk about above or heaven. Humans cannot.

• GOD says to me “Accept the testimony of JESUS and you will be saved.”
• GOD says to me “Believe in JESUS and receive eternal life.”
• GOD says to me “If you reject JESUS, you will receive MY wrath.”

JESUS, who is GOD, is the only “one” who can talk about GOD, because HE is GOD. HE sends the HOLY SPIRIT without limit to those who believe in HIM. The FATHER has given everything to JESUS, who decides and knows who loves HIM.

The true gospel is “Whoever believes in the SON has eternal life, but whoever rejects the SON will not see life, for GOD’s wrath remains on them”. I am grateful for JESUS and I believe in  HIS salvation.

• Are you trying to do what GOD should be doing?
• Do you feel you are in control of your life?
• Will you allow JESUS to be your savior and let HIM guide your life today?

Something Inside

Luke 17: ²⁰ Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, “The kingdom of God does not come with observation; ²¹ nor will they say,  ‘See here!’ or ‘See there!’ For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you.”

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Wanting to be mad, I grabbed onto every negative thought and held on tight. I was furious and just wanted to stew in my anger.  The more I thought about the situation, the more furious I got. Soon I was enraged. This was the beginning of a very bad day.

• There are many emotions that I run through in a given day.
• There are many feelings I experience at a given time.
• There are many thoughts that run through my head for which I have a choice.

JESUS says something extremely important to the Pharisees, who were looking for a human “king” or “leader” that would allow them to get their way. HE speaks about the very complicated issue of “what sends a person to hell?”

• GOD says to me “I have written MY laws on your heart.”
• GOD says to me “I have made you for MY purpose.”
• GOD says to me “I have placed MY SPIRIT in you and those who believe in MY SON as their savior.”

There is a war inside of me that I cannot see with my physical eyes. The lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life are forever causing me to think and act different than how GOD wants me to act. BUT GOD took care of all of my sin.

JESUS volunteered to become a human in order to physically be murdered by HIS own creation. By HIS own decree, all sinners would be separated from HIM for eternity. HE had to live a sinless life as a human, facing all temptations mankind could ever face.

JESUS died and rose back to life. HE sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside of me even though my lusts and pride are still there to battle HIM. HE gave me a second chance by placing HIS entire kingdom in me. I can accept HIS kingdom or reject it. I choose to accept it.

• What war are you fighting?
• Do you think you are the ”captain of your ship?”
• Will you stop fighting GOD and allow what  is already inside of you to be focused on growing HIS kingdom today?

Choosing Sides

Luke 12: ⁴⁹ “I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! ⁵⁰ But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how distressed I am till it is accomplished! ⁵¹ Do you suppose that I came to give peace on earth? I tell you, not at all, but rather division. ⁵² For from now on five in one house will be divided: three against two, and two against three. ⁵³ Father will be divided against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.”

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“Will you take five minutes to send a voicemail to the employees inspiring them to follow GOD?” was the question posed to me. My career was on the rise and I had a promotion right at my fingertips. From what I saw, many of the leaders did not mention a relationship with GOD. Besides, the person who wanted me to take over their post was being let go. “I’ll pass” I said.

• There have been many times when my silence about GOD chose a side.
• There have been times when I had the opportunity to speak about GOD and did not.
• There have been times that I chose to be with the people who were against GOD so I could be on the “winning” side.

JESUS saw the hearts of the crowd. Some wanted a political leader and some wanted a savior and some wanted to rob, steal and kill. JESUS says some very harsh words about HIS kingdom that is a wake up call to everyone.

• JESUS wants me to side with HIM no matter what the circumstance is.
• JESUS wants me to see HIM as the only solution in spite of what humans can promise.
• JESUS wants me to believe in HIS salvation, especially when things look bleak enough to follow humans.

There is no human plan that can work without GOD’s permission, even evil plans. GOD wants my belief to be totally in HIM. But what happens when someone close to me refuses to believe in JESUS? HE wants me to keep praying for them but stay with HIM. HIS love, unfortunately will divide because of sinful hearts. HE wants me to ask for a clean heart to spread HIS kingdom. That’s all.

• Are you considering denouncing GOD so you can be with the crowd?
• Do you feel pressure to hide your relationship with JESUS?
• Will you be bold for GOD in spite of those around you who may or may not believe in HIM?
• Will you stop looking for evidence of “following GOD” in those around you and simply serve GOD the way HE wants you to?

Top of Mind

Mark 8: ³¹ And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³² He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. ³³ But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”

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Bored was probably the best word I could use to describe the Sunday school students. Their parents had dragged them there and the person I was co-teaching with sounded monotone. “We need to entertain the students!” I exclaimed. I wonder what kind of gimmicks we can use.

• There were times when I thought people needed to be tricked into believing.
• There were times when I thought people would get bored by teaching what’s in the Bible.
• There were times when I thought entertainment was the best approach.

Peter had just heard the greatest lesson of mankind. He got the inside track on JESUS about to show HIS GODHOOD by being raised from the dead. Unfortunately he rejected JESUS’ statement as if JESUS needed a pep talk to stay in the political game.

• GOD says to me “Keep your thoughts on MY ways.”
• GOD says to me “Pray without ceasing.”
• GOD says to me “Test the Spirit from where people are coming.”

Gimmicks and entertainment can be problematic if they become the end goal. Leading someone to CHRIST must include the HOLY SPIRIT guiding that person. I must have enough faith to allow GOD to give me the right words to tell to people HE sends me.

• Do you think you need gimmicks to trick people into believing in CHRIST?
• Are you trying to attract people by football games and dinners without telling them about CHRIST?
• Can you keep GOD top of mind when reaching out to people?