Broken Perspective

Broken Perspective

Genesis 3: ¹⁷ Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:

“Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.
¹⁸ Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.
¹⁹ In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return.”

 

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Wow! Satan, the serpent, received his sentence and so did “the woman”, who at this point was nameless. But now it was Adam’s turn. Satan and the woman were there listening.

 

My Observations:

• GOD implied to Adam that he could have said “No.”
• GOD cursed the planet, heavens or sky, and other planets.
• GOD broke what was perfect and made it difficult.

 

No matter how hard we try, heaven on earth is impossible. GOD’s garden was amazing. Self-watering plants, no death, no problems. But after the curse, the planet would not act the same. Fruit would be planted and weeds would sprout instead. The animals would get more and more fierce because of lack of food.

 

Territories would be carved out to get food. Some places would grow food better than others. Shelter would be needed for the first time and so would clothing. Rain would be needed for the first time but would not come until much later. Lastly, death would happen, just as GOD said. Nothing would be the same until JESUS fixes everything.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about the curse caused by Adam?
• Have you ever felt that things are sometimes good and sometimes not so good?
• Can you set your eyes on GOD so HE can give you the right perspective to endure the difficulties of life today?

Repaired and Restored

Repaired and Restored

1 John 3: ⁷ Let no one deceive you, my children! Whoever does what is right is righteous, just as Christ is righteous. ⁸ Whoever continues to sin belongs to the Devil, because the Devil has sinned from the very beginning. The Son of God appeared for this very reason, to destroy what the Devil had done.

 

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Walking up to my car, I noticed I could see in one window better than others. As I walked a little closer, I reasoned that I must have left the window down. But when I reached the car, I found my window had been broken out and my tapes were stolen. Yes, I said tapes.

 

• I wondered why did this happen to “me?”
• I felt a sense of loss that I could not reconcile, so I became angry.
• I had spent years collecting the right music for my moods and now they were all gone!

 

John makes an implied appeal to stay firm in doing what is right according to the LORD. He gave a strong reason, namely the Devil came to steal GOD’s people away from HIM. John explains that JESUS appeared specifically to repair what Satan broke and restore humanity.

 

My Observations:

• At times, the difficulties in life cause me to lose my hope, BUT GOD knows what I go through and always provides a way.
• Troubles in life are placed in front of me and I have to make a choice to continue to serve GOD or fall to my own sins.
• JESUS knew I would choose sin, BUT HE died for me anyway and gave me a way to live forever, in spite of my sins.

 

Being repaired and restored is exciting! I mean, when something that is damaged or stolen is repaired or returned, it is exciting to be the benefactor. Unfortunately, we have an adversary who will not give up as easily. He will keep trying to make you and me lose hope in CHRIST. But there is hope.

 

JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me so I would not lose hope. HE opens my eyes to see beyond the trouble of the day, so I can keep doing “what is right” for GOD. CHRIST did not die so mankind would be weak, sick and hurt, rather HE was raised from the dead to repair and restore you and me. I am grateful for HIS love!

 

Challenge

• What deception could the writer be talking about?
• Have you ever been tempted to lose hope in JESUS and follow the recommendations of the world?
• Will you keep doing “what is right” as GOD has laid out HIS plan to you so you will remain in union with HIM today and forever?

Jealous Moments

Jealous Moments

2 Corinthians 8: ⁸ I am not laying down any rules. But by showing how eager others are to help, I am trying to find out how real your own love is. ⁹ You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ; rich as he was, he made himself poor for your sake, in order to make you rich by means of his poverty.

 

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Hearing when other people were promoted when I wasn’t made me think I was less than the recipients of the “honor.”. Hearing when other businesses got huge deals when I didn’t, I, again, felt less than other people. What was I missing?

 

• I was comparing myself to other people.
• I was vulnerable to try to be someone else rather than myself.
• I was open to becoming frustrated with who I was; meanwhile I saw what other people were doing and got jealous.

 

Paul wrote about how blessed he was by another group of people who gave their all during extreme poverty. He did this to show the dedication other people had for JESUS. He wanted each reader to examine themselves and form their own dedication to CHRIST.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants my relationship with HIM to be real.
• GOD wants me to drop my jealousy in exchange for open eyes to HIS love.
• GOD wants me to see that JESUS was not jealous rather confident that HIS love would save anyone who believed in HIS sacrifice.

 

Lack of confidence breeds jealousy which can breed all kinds of not so good actions. I mean, I may try to prove myself, or move too fast on opportunities, or cower in the corner alone, or worse, stop following GOD to follow humans who do not believe in JESUS.

 

HE had enough grace to make HIMSELF a human, giving up extreme power, while keeping that power in check. HE was raised from the dead after being murdered by HIS own creation. HIS patience, while being a human, was worth the wait as HE remained sinless all of HIS life. I am glad I do not have to be jealous over someone else’s relationship with HIM because HE loves me too.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use the examples of others?
• What is your reaction if someone challenges your relationship with JESUS?
• Are you easily offended or is your relationship real enough to withstand those who scoff at your actions?
• If you have been or are jealous of others or want other people to change, will you examine your own relationship with JESUS to see how real your own love is today?

It is About You

 

It is About You

Romans 10: ⁵ Moses wrote this about being put right with God by obeying the Law: “Whoever obeys the commands of the Law will live.” ⁶ But what the scripture says about being put right with God through faith is this: “You are not to ask yourself, Who will go up into heaven?” (that is, to bring Christ down). ⁷ “Nor are you to ask, Who will go down into the world below?” (that is, to bring Christ up from death). ⁸ What it says is this: “God's message is near you, on your lips and in your heart”—that is, the message of faith that we preach. 

 

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Cruising at a very nice speed, I was beating everybody on the road. When I was pulled over, I quickly thought of my defense. “What about them?” I asked, not knowing where I was going with that argument. “Yes, they are speeding, but it is you who was caught speeding.”

 

• When I am in trouble I want other people to go down with me.
• When I am caught doing wrong, I want a group to be caught with me.
• When I want something that someone else has, I question, “Why them and not me?”

 

Paul tries to address a seriously diseased way of thinking. “Will that person go to heaven or hell?”” was the type of questioning that could get any human in trouble. Paul then gives the best alternative. Speak for yourself.

 

• GOD wants me to hear HIS message and place it in my heart.
• GOD wants me to speak HIS message to anyone who will hear.
• GOD wants me to have faith in HIS message so I will continue to speak about HIM.

 

Looking around at others, trying to decide if they believe in JESUS or not is impossible for any human. I mean, many people who speak and preach HIS name weekly may not know HIM in a saving way, but a greedy way.

 

On the other hand, that person who is a regular sinner, known by the community as a liar and a thief, may be GOD’s greatest example. Ask the thief on the cross. The only assignment GOD gives me is to speak about HIS SON, who took care of all my sins. I am grateful HE is gracious enough to give HIS message to me.

 

• Are you looking at “those” poor lost people?
• Do “they” need to be saved because of something ”you” saw them do?
• Will you stop judging others and include yourself by saying “I” am a sinner who needs salvation today?

Influence the Influencer

Luke 1: Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, ² just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, ³ it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, ⁴ that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.

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It was getting late and I was getting nowhere. A thought popped in my head. I ran to a person in the house and said “Will you ask if I can go to the party tonight for me?” This was my last ditch plea.

• Sometimes I want someone to speak on my behalf.
• Sometimes I want someone who has influence to speak for me.
• Sometimes I want someone to touch people I cannot touch.

Luke starts off this tremendous account of JESUS by telling Theophilus that he was a firsthand witness to what JESUS had done. Luke uses “Most excellent” to describe Theophilus recognizing his title in the community. Perhaps this in-depth account of reality would spark Theophilus to tell others in the community.

• GOD wants me to reach those who can reach others.
• GOD wants me to tell others about the great things HE has done in my life.
• GOD wants me to give an account of what HE has done in my life so others will tell their stories.

“Sit down, I have something very important to tell you” is the attitude in which GOD wants me to bring up HIS SON.  HE wants me to be very careful not to point to myself, making me look good in the process. HE wants people to see HIS SON so they can praise HIM and repair their broken relationship with HIM.

GOD wants me to go to those who have influence over many so they can tell others about the Great News of JESUS CHRIST. HE alone will guide me to those who truly believe and steer me away from those who have big crowds but point only to themselves. GOD’s message needs to be pure.

• Do you know someone you can influence to talk about CHRIST?
• Can you tell them to tell others about GOD?
• Will you be open enough to tell people your story so others will renew their relationship with GOD today?