Full of Courage

Full of Courage

1 John 2: ²⁸ Yes, my children, remain in union with him, so that when he appears we may be full of courage and need not hide in shame from him on the Day he comes. ²⁹ You know that Christ is righteous; you should know, then, that everyone who does what is right is God's child.

 

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Having told the lie, I did not feel confident in answering any questions. I could be tripped up easily because I made up a convenient story that was not consistent with what I was doing at the time.

 

• My mind raced as I tried to think of other lies to support the current lie.
• Blame entered my mind as a possible way out of “my” current lie.
• After a while, I gave up and said “lying is just too hard too hard to keep up.”

 

John wraps up his discussion about remaining in union with CHRIST. He implies that if we remain in union with JESUS, then when HE returns, we will not be ashamed, but full of courage.

 

My Observations:

• Confidence comes from staying with GOD, even when things look terrible.
• Assurance comes from following GOD instead of trying to create my own security blanket.
• Courage comes from doing “what is right” as GOD has defined it, not humans.

 

Sin makes me question GOD’s love for me. I mean, when I sin and something goes terribly wrong, I wonder if it was the sin that caused the pain. Even though I know I am forgiven, I still feel unstable in my relationship with GOD when blatant sin is in the picture. GOD has another way.

 

HE is not placing extreme pressure on us to be perfect. In fact, HE knew we would not follow HIM, yet JESUS died for humanity anyway. But there are times when GOD sees when you and I do “what is right” and gets excited. I am glad GOD can use sinful people to do HIS marvelous works of love.

 

Challenge

• How does the writer try to make the message precious to everyone?
• Have you ever questioned GOD’s love for you?
• Wil you have courage in your relationship with GOD by doing “what is right” so HE can call you HIS child today?

Keeping the Fire

Keeping the Fire

Hebrews 11: ²¹ It was faith that made Jacob bless each of the sons of Joseph just before he died. He leaned on the top of his walking stick and worshiped God.

 

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“Didn’t you try that years ago?” was the question posed to me in disbelief. I was asking some of the same people to get on board of something that took a long, long time to get ready. It took so long, that people forgot what I was working on.

 

• I felt embarrassed that it took so long to get started.
• I felt uneasy about asking the same people to be excited after so many years.
• I felt I needed to keep the same level of excitement as when I first started.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, continues the list of faith examples with Jacob, otherwise known as Israel. Jacob had been a liar and a sneak, but GOD changed his name to Israel, which means GOD preserves. At a very old age, Jacob remained loyal to GOD. He required a walking stick after wrestling GOD at a young age. He remained on fire until his death.

 

My Observations:

• Difficult times may make me want to leave GOD, BUT where would I go?
• Starting off with GOD can be exciting to me, but staying with HIM is more exciting to HIM.
• Being able to praise GOD at an old age is the goal HE wants me to have.

 

Remaining excited about GOD can be difficult. I mean, life can dish out some very rough circumstances. Loss of health, relationships and income, could leave people wondering “Where is GOD?” BUT GOD is there, always!

 

HE provides in ways I cannot see or understand. HE blesses me in spite of me. HE raises me up when I should be torn down. GOD and GOD alone should be praised all the time. I am glad HE cares for me!

 

Challenge

• Why did the writer choose someone sneaky as an example of faith?
• Have you ever gone through some rough times and wanted to give up on GOD?
• Will you examine your thinking about what HE really wants you to “be” and accept HIS love for you so you can praise HIM today and always?

Purposeful Friendship

 

Purposeful Friendship

Philippians 4:1 So then, my friends, how dear you are to me and how I miss you! How happy you make me, and how proud I am of you!—this, dear friends, is how you should stand firm in your life in the Lord.

 

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“Why doesn’t he ever call me to check in on me?” and “Why do I have to be the one who responds to her needs?” were questions I have asked about certain people. After a while, I stopped calling and responding to people I was not getting anything “from.”

 

• I wanted to be served “for a change.”
• I wanted to have some attention “for a change.”
• I wanted to engage in a storybook friendship “for a change.”

 

Paul raises the bar on friendship by giving it purpose. He mentions how dear the people are and how happy they made him feel and how proud he is of them. Why? Because they shared experiences in their life in the LORD.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants the best for me, so HE gave HIS one and only SON to die for me.
• When JESUS was raised from the dead HE gave me the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me because I believed I needed a Savior.
• Now that I am saved, GOD wants me to want HIS best for others.

 

Giving oneself to others is commendable, but when I do it in the middle of being needy, it can become detrimental. I mean, friendship is messy. When I am in need, so is the next person. Some people stay in need for decades because GOD is shaping HIM or her to do something great and is not finished yet. Meanwhile, I may take pity on myself and say “What about me?”

 

GOD doesn’t want me to give up on him or her because amazing transformations are happening that I cannot see. But when a glimpse of GOD comes out of any of us, HE is pleased. I am glad the HOLY SPIRIT fills me up so I can overflow HIS love to others.

 

Challenge

• What is the “life in the LORD” look like to you that the writer speaks about?
• Have you ever asked “What about me?” when thinking about certain people?
• Will you seek GOD to fill you up daily so HIS purpose will overflow from your heart and so you can endear “that” person and miss “that” person and be happy and proud of “that” person for CHRIST today?

Boasting Limits

Boasting Limits

2 Corinthians 10: ¹² Of course we would not dare classify ourselves or compare ourselves with those who rate themselves so highly. How stupid they are! They make up their own standards to measure themselves by, and they judge themselves by their own standards! ¹³ As for us, however, our boasting will not go beyond certain limits; it will stay within the limits of the work which God has set for us, and this includes our work among you. ¹⁴ And since you are within those limits, we were not going beyond them when we came to you, bringing the Good News about Christ.

 

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After getting the title, I felt pretty good. “I” had accomplished something “great” and other people told me they admired “my” achievements. I was given a large responsibility within the company, awards and a new office. “I” made it!

 

• The more I had the poorer in humility I became.
• The bigger the title the prouder I became within myself without knowing it.
• The higher I climbed the more I relied on my title for self-esteem.

 

Paul implies a warning about comparing oneself to another, especially those who rate themselves highly. He also points to a healthier means of boasting, namely to speak about how great GOD has loved us by giving us JESUS.

 

My Observations

• I should look at myself less and point more to GOD.
• I must thank GOD for the places HE brought me and the things HE has provided.
• I have to choose to limit myself instead of always testing the boundaries of GOD’s love.

 

In the days of pushing the limits, it seems strange to limit myself to anything old and stodgy. I mean, wasn’t the Bible written in times that were less complicated? Yes, but amazingly it applies even more today than when it was written.

 

GOD’s word, namely the Bible, provides a tiny dose of what HE chose to reveal to humans. It is inerrant in every way. Each day it can be read and applied for decision making, correction and growth. The comparison to JESUS knocks out any pride I may have, so I surrender my life to HIM. I am glad HE gave me limits to live my life abundantly.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the seemingly harsh words of the writer regarding ”self” standards?
• How do you feel about limits?
• Will you choose to walk within GOD’s limits, staying away from the boundaries so you can live an abundant life speaking about JESUS whenever HE sends you to people HE desires?

Power to Remain

 

Power to Remain

1 Corinthians 10: ¹¹ All these things happened to them as examples for others, and they were written down as a warning for us. For we live at a time when the end is about to come.

¹² If you think you are standing firm you had better be careful that you do not fall. ¹³ Every test that you have experienced is the kind that normally comes to people. But God keeps his promise, and he will not allow you to be tested beyond your power to remain firm; at the time you are put to the test, he will give you the strength to endure it, and so provide you with a way out.

 

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“Why is this happening to me!” I exclaimed many times. Each time I screamed this out, I was going through yet another trial. Which direction would I go? Would I stay with GOD or choose to sin and ask HIM for forgiveness?

 

• There have been times when I wanted nothing but peace.
• There have been times when I sought peace from what the world had to offer.
• There have been times when I wanted to complain about the current trial versus thank GOD.

 

Paul talks about tests or trials. He explains that every human will go through something that will cause questions to arise about the super solid relationship a person can have with GOD. He explains that GOD knows what the test is and is using this test to grow each person to choose “a way out.”

 

• GOD wants me to know HE is growing me when trials arise.
• GOD wants me to know HE loves me but need to rid me of some things that hold me back from having a great relationship with HIM.
• GOD wants me to choose “HIS way out” versus the flimsy plan I can come up with.

 

Having the power to remain in GOD is something else. I mean, humans will come up with solution after solution, never once asking GOD to provide HIS all powerful strength. Yes, we may pray, but when we don’t see the prayer answered in the time or way we want, we easily throw out GOD and turn to something we can see.

 

GOD wants me to “remain firm.” This means letting go of anything that I think is a solution and allow HIS deliverance in the time and way HE wants it. I am glad HE takes me through trials so I can choose HIS way, little by little.

 

• Are you going through a trial?
• Does this seem like the same trial you have been in over the years?
• Will you open your heart to GOD and allow HIM to give you “HIS way out” this time so you can remain firm in HIM today?

Edge Dwellers

Edge Dwellers

1 Corinthians 4: ⁸ Do you already have everything you need? Are you already rich? Have you become kings, even though we are not? Well, I wish you really were kings, so that we could be kings together with you. ⁹ For it seems to me that God has given the very last place to us apostles, like people condemned to die in public as a spectacle for the whole world of angels and of human beings. ¹⁰ For Christ's sake we are fools; but you are wise in union with Christ! We are weak, but you are strong! We are despised, but you are honored! ¹¹ To this very moment we go hungry and thirsty; we are clothed in rags; we are beaten; we wander from place to place; ¹² we wear ourselves out with hard work. When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure; ¹³ when we are insulted, we answer back with kind words. We are no more than this world's garbage; we are the scum of the earth to this very moment!

 

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“What is the maximum amount of money I can make and still be pleasing to GOD?” I thought greedily to myself. No one had the answer. From my perspective, some greedy leaders would say, “There is no limit.”

 

Another perspective would be “You have to manufacture a perception of humbleness, but still own a house and a car and subscription entertainment with not too many channels.” Still another would say “You must give up everything and live outside, eating only off the land.”

 

• There have been many times when I have struggled over my relationship with CHRIST.
• There have been many times when I wondered if I could test my limits with GOD.
• There have been many times when I desired to do things “my” way without thought of what GOD wanted.

 

Paul gives some difficult words to live by. As an apostle, he explains that life was very, very hard. His only purpose was to spread the Good News of JESUS. Apostles were poor, despised by church leaders, clothed in rags, beaten, homeless and often exploited by the rich to do hard labor just to eat. But apostles did this for the LORD.

 

• GOD wants me to stop trying to figure out the maximum greed I can have and simply be led by the HOLY SPIRIT.
• GOD wants me to stop trying to figure out the maximum amount of hidden sin I can have and simply be led by HIS Word.
• GOD wants me to stop trying to think about “my” position in heaven and simply praise JESUS for saving me.

 

Comparing myself to others is dangerous. I mean, one rich person who says words that make a lot of people mad may get me thinking he or she is destined for hell. On the other hand a homeless person may be viewed as an addict or a prostitute and cast out or looked down upon. BUT GOD wants me to be different.

 

HE wants me to praise HIM in plenty or in sparse times. Sometimes I am the helper and sometimes I need help. HE wants me to stay away from dwelling on the edge of the things that can draw me away from serving HIM with all my heart. I still fall into the deep, blinding holes of worldly thinking. I am grateful GOD pursues me and raises me out of these holes constantly.

 

• Are you questioning your relationship with GOD?
• Are you trying to manipulate GOD by your show or humbleness?
• Do you think your riches have not made you blind?
• Will you relax your worries and simply be in union with JESUS today?

Remain Confident

Psalm 27: ¹³ I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord
    in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
    be strong and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.

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Clinging to my mother’s hand, I was frightened to go into the unknown. I had never spent time away from her and this thing called kindergarten was foreign to me. I was scared, but I let go and went in. This same feeling appeared several times in my life, each time I was frightened of the unknown, each time I let go and dove in.

• The unknown is frightening to me.
• The unknown is very scary to me.
• The unknown is a place that my mind conjures up fears.

Jumping into the unknown is frightening for the heartless. I should know, I have been very scared many times. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD says to me “When you walk by faith, remember to wait on ME.”
• GOD says to me “When you are frightened, be strong and take heart.”
• GOD says to me “I will bring goodness while you are alive and after.”

GOD tells me to remain confident no matter how frightened others around me may be. HE leads me besides still waters and restores my soul.

• Are you frightened to walk into the unknown?
• Are you afraid of making a mistake?
• Can you ask GOD to help you overcome your fears?
• Will you reach out to GOD today for strength?

Why “not” me?

Acts 21: ³⁰ The whole city was aroused, and the people came running from all directions. Seizing Paul, they dragged him from the temple, and immediately the gates were shut. ³¹ While they were trying to kill him, news reached the commander of the Roman troops that the whole city of Jerusalem was in an uproar. ³² He at once took some officers and soldiers and ran down to the crowd. When the rioters saw the commander and his soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.

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Tired from a hard day’s work I just wanted to get home.  I made it from the train to my car and noticed my car had been dented and the window broken out.  “Not my tapes” I thought to myself. (Yes I mean cassette tapes!)

The music I meticulously collected for years was now gone. GOD, “Why me?”

• When I started following GOD I expected nothing to go wrong in my life.
• When I started following GOD I expected things to go smooth.
• When I started following GOD I expected never to be in pain again.

Wow was I wrong about my expectations of GOD.  I thought by believing in JESUS, my problems would be gone. It seems to be quite the opposite. 

• When I live for GOD, many obstacles will get in my way.
• When I live for GOD, the road will become more difficult.
• When I live for GOD, there will be times where it seems like the entire world is against me.

Life is not fair and I should expect difficulty when I live for CHRIST.  I’m not saying that GOD wants life to be harder, rather HE understands that all people choose to go their own way which causes a problem in the relationship with HIM.  I run away from humility, love, kindness, joy and compassion and run towards lust, envy, jealousy, anger and the things GOD doesn’t want me to have and the world loves me.

When I leave the things alone that the world wants me to have I suddenly find myself in a fight. The more I tell people about the great news about JESUS, the more angry the world becomes because it wants to hold onto sin tightly. I have a new expectation namely I expect the world to be mad at me for trying to follow GOD.

• Are you stuck in your sin?
• Are you trying to live for GOD but are trying to keep your sin too?
• Are things going wrong now that you have chosen to live for GOD?
• Won’t you choose to live for GOD through difficult times?

A change is required of “me.”

1 John 3: ⁹ No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. ¹⁰ This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.

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“Bend that branch” one of my friends said. I did it and this enabled me to jump from the tree and land on top of the factory. “Wow, this is cool” I thought to myself. After being up there a while, I quickly realized we had no way to get down. We thought about it a while and there was only one way.

We had to jump back into the tree face first and catch the limbs. Fortunately for us we walked away with a bunch of scratches a couple of bruises and torn clothes. I’m glad GOD allowed me to “grow up” now I should be able to make better decisions. Sin is immature.

• I am immature in CHRIST if I think I can sin as much as I want without consequence.
• I am immature in CHRIST if I keep expecting things from GOD without making any changes in my life.
• I am immature in CHRIST if I see the world as something to be gained.
• I am immature in CHRIST if I keep on sinning.

Belief is a very heavy subject that I cannot quite explain.  I believe JESUS died specifically for my sins and I deserved to be punished, not HIM. I also “believe” this is a saving “belief.” Unfortunately throughout the years I have been told otherwise.

• There are some who believe they can be good enough to get into heaven but they never compare their goodness to JESUS.
• There are some who believe in GOD but do not believe JESUS is GOD who died for their sins.
• There are some who believe GOD will not send a human to Hell and say “how could a loving GOD do that?”

Wow! This can be quite confusing. How could there be only one way to heaven? How can I know if this is the right way? What do I need to be “saved” from and who can be saved?

• GOD knew I would not choose HIM so HE died in my place.
• GOD only wants to share HIS unending love with those who do not reject HIS ultimate act of love.
• GOD knows I can never do enough good to cover any of my sins.
• GOD gets excited when I willfully get rid of my sins in order to relate to HIM better.

My relationship is broken with GOD and the best way to repair it is to remove as much sin out of my life while being excited about what JESUS has already done for me.

• Are you trying to make a change in your life?
• Do you feel your prayers are not being heard?
• Should you be maturing in CHRIST and making better decisions?

To "remain" in JESUS means giving up your life.

John 15:9"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.

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I can tell when I get selfish. I get pouty and want my way and then I get angry at GOD or people when I don't get it. Does this pattern sound familiar with you? GOD says HE chose me to serve HIM and HIS humans. But what if I don't want to serve GOD?

When I try to get away from GOD a conflict grows inside me because HE is inside me and I am inside of HIM. When I get selfish I usually go in the direction of sin and the outcome is always bad. Sin leaves me empty and I feel like I can't please GOD, HIS people or myself.

JESUS said "if you want to bear fruit then remain in ME." What does remaining in HIM look like? Well HE says it clearly in this passage. "LOVE each other as I have LOVED you." JESUS lived on earth in the toughest conditions. HE was tempted to use HIS powers yet remained humble to stay human. HE died by the humans HE made and is now alive forgiving HIS humans for not choosing HIM.

GOD doesn't want me to die for the sins of mankind, JESUS did that already. HE just wants me to "not get my sinful way" every once in a while. HE wants me to "die" to my lifestyle of sin just for a moment so that I can point my life to what HIS SON has done for me.

This is difficult because I am selfish. I said I want, what I want, when I want it. JESUS says "give me your life and you will be better off." Now this doesn't mean I have to go and live in a monastery in the mountains. I believe it means taking some small steps to walk toward CHRIST.

• When I occasionally let go of sin, I can hear GOD clearly.
• When I occasionally let go of sin, I remain in HIM.
• When I occasionally let go of sin, I follow what GOD wants me to do.
• When I occasionally let go of sin, I give instead of receive.
• When I occasionally let go of sin, I love people I don't like.
  
  

The more I "lay down my life" the more fruit I bear. It works opposite too. The more selfish I am, the less fruit I bear. I got so selfish at one point that I was just grateful to be saved and didn't want to bear fruit. I found out later that GOD has different plans for HIS servants.

• Following CHRIST means following HIS commands, not because I have to, because I want to.
• Following CHRIST means telling people about HIS SON either through words or actions.
• Following CHRIST means getting HIS way not my way.
• Following CHRIST means never being disappointed because I know I'm doing what HE says.
  
  

I can tell when I am being selfish, but I can also tell when I am serving GOD. It usually means doing something I don't want to do. It means loving someone I don't like. It means saying an encouraging word when I am discouraged. It means showing grace and mercy when I am "right" and they are wrong. It means giving up my pet sin for a time and telling people about the results.

By giving up my life, I gain an eternal life that is far richer than anyone on this earth. My fruit will last foever.

• Are you remaining in CHRIST?
• What are you holding onto that you know is not pleasing to HIM?
• Do you think you can bear fruit in spite of what you are doing?
• Is there someone in your life who needs GOD?
  Can you "lay down your life" for that person to see your example?