Different Than a Tantrum

 

Different Than a Tantrum

Hebrews 6: ⁴ For how can those who abandon their faith be brought back to repent again? They were once in God's light; they tasted heaven's gift and received their share of the Holy Spirit; ⁵ they knew from experience that God's word is good, and they had felt the powers of the coming age. ⁶ And then they abandoned their faith! It is impossible to bring them back to repent again, because they are again crucifying the Son of God and exposing him to public shame.

 

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“I’m not going to serve YOU anymore” was my threat to GOD. I was tired of the hypocrites and saw no difference from those who were supposed to be “good” and those who were supposed to be “sinners.” And it didn’t seem like I was any better off trying this “GOD” stuff. I was still broke, alone and failing.

 

• I threw a tantrum and left GOD.
• I wanted to try “pleasure” as a way to cope with the burdens of life.
• I gave up following GOD to try something different and ended up worse off.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, asks a very deep rhetorical question. “For how can those who abandon their faith be brought back to repent again?” He was not speaking about falling into temptation, rather walking away from believing in JESUS as the Savior for some other belief. It means there was a clear understanding of the faith in JESUS and a choice to not believe.

 

My Observations

• My salvation began before the beginning of the world.
• Once I accept CHRIST as my Savior, I am eternally saved.
• Even when I throw a tantrum and try to stop serving GOD, HE is still with me.

 

Abandoning the faith is different than throwing a tantrum. I mean, when I am not getting “my” way, I may try to force GOD’s hand to make thing happen the way I think they should. This is not a good practice, but HE gently guides me back to HIM. But what about those who pretend to be saved?

 

Whether it is for fitting in or it felt like the right thing to do at the time, but now this other thing feels like the right thing to do, these people publicly abandoned faith in JESUS. In pondering this, it could mean that the initial “belief” was not belief, rather a possible deception. GOD knows who is HIS and HE will never leave those who believe in HIM. I am glad GOD forgives my tantrums and brings me back to the faith.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer mean by “Abandon the faith?”
• Have you ever wanted to stop following GOD because you were not getting your way?
• Will you check your relationship with GOD by understanding the foundation of JESUS as your Savior, so you can focus on HIS growth HE has for you today?

Gentle Correction

Gentle Correction

2 Timothy 2: ²² Avoid the passions of youth, and strive for righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who with a pure heart call out to the Lord for help. ²³ But keep away from foolish and ignorant arguments; you know that they end up in quarrels. ²⁴ As the Lord's servant, you must not quarrel. You must be kind toward all, a good and patient teacher, ²⁵ who is gentle as you correct your opponents, for it may be that God will give them the opportunity to repent and come to know the truth. ²⁶ And then they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the Devil, who had caught them and made them obey his will.

 

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Being insecure and tired of being pushed around was a bad combination for me. On one hand, I had run into my share of bullies on the other, I ran into my share of mean people who called me names. I decided to fight back against aggressive and passive aggressive bullies.

 

• I armed myself with physical strength to fight overt bullies.
• I listened to passive aggressive jabs and was ready for a retort against covert bullies.
• I was always ready to “defend” “my” territory, “my” reputation and “my” actions.

 

Paul warns Timothy not to quarrel. He knew that fighting would get Timothy nowhere. He appeals to him as “the LORD’s servant” to be a kind, good and patient teacher who gently corrects. He then gives the reason. Because GOD may have them repent.

 

My Observations

• I did not trust GOD to handle my battles, BUT HE wants to.
• I did not believe that GOD cared about me enough to work out my quarrels, BUT HE wants me to be different.
• I thought I needed to correct everyone so he or she could see the LORD, but I was wrong, it takes gentleness and GOD’s leading to bring people to HIM.

 

Impatience mixed with correction wins a battle and loses the war. I mean, I have lost my cool with my family, friends and neighbors and could not mention JESUS to them. This is a tragic loss. BUT GOD says to me, “There is another way.”

 

HE wants me to try something different. Instead of winning the battle, HE wants me to focus on the war, namely having each member of my family truly believe in JESUS and HIM equipping each to proclaim HIM in a glorifying way. I have to be secure in my relationship with JESUS to allow opposition to HIS ways and be patient and gentle so HE can win them over. I will gladly learn gentleness in exchange for the souls of people I encounter.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about being “combative?”
• Have you ever been right and could not wait to win “this” fight?
• Will you stop quarrelling and let GOD move that person towards HIM by your gentle, patient corrections, knowing HE could save him or her from the “Devil’s trap” in HIS time?

Unhidden Strength

Unhidden Strength

Ephesians 5: ¹⁰ Try to learn what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the worthless things that people do, things that belong to the darkness. Instead, bring them out to the light. (¹² It is really too shameful even to talk about the things they do in secret.) ¹³ And when all things are brought out to the light, then their true nature is clearly revealed; ¹⁴ for anything that is clearly revealed becomes light That is why it is said,

 

“Wake up, sleeper,
    and rise from death,
and Christ will shine on you.”

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When confronted by what I did, I replied “He or she made me do it!” It was the only thing I could think of at the time that would absolve me of being part of whatever was going on. Blame got me nowhere.

 

• I was upset that I got caught.
• I enjoyed the fruits of hidden sin, but did not enjoy when the sin came to light.
• I was getting weaker and weaker, the more I hid things.

 

Paul continues his plea of everyone to turn from hidden sinful ways. He gives a solution that would seem worthless, but was quite valuable. “Try to learn what pleases GOD” was the advice that would provide a better path.

 

My Observations

• What I used to think was weakness is strength, according to GOD.
• What I used to think was “too long” was short, according to GOD.
• What I used to think was generous, powerful, loving or righteous was weak, prideful, stubborn and shameful, according to GOD.

 

Using people as my measure, I compared myself to what others were doing. I gave myself a passing grade because I wasn’t robbing or killing or blatantly trying to harm people. But I was still sinning and hiding it by participating in groups that accepted my sin. I was far from righteous.

 

The term “there is strength in numbers” is absolutely false when it comes to sin. I cannot use the excuse “they made me do it” when I am confronted by GOD. Instead, HE wants me to “Wake up” and get off any deadly path hidden sin can bring. HE wants my ways to “become” light. I am glad HE picks up my brokenness when I fall and makes me stronger “after” failure.

 

Challenge

• Why is the writer talking about darkness and light?
• Have you ever paid attention to someone else’s life and pointed out their faults without admitting your own failures?
• Will you accept GOD’s strength and admit there may be some areas of your life that you have “fallen asleep” on so you can “Wake up” and learn what is pleasing to HIM today?

Ready for the Return

 

Ready for the Return

2 Corinthians 12: ¹⁹ Perhaps you think that all along we have been trying to defend ourselves before you. No! We speak as Christ would have us speak in the presence of God, and everything we do, dear friends, is done to help you. ²⁰ I am afraid that when I get there I will find you different from what I would like you to be and you will find me different from what you would like me to be. I am afraid that I will find quarreling and jealousy, hot tempers and selfishness, insults and gossip, pride and disorder. ²¹ I am afraid that the next time I come my God will humiliate me in your presence, and I shall weep over many who sinned in the past and have not repented of the immoral things they have done—their lust and their sexual sins.

 

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When the teacher stepped out, it was our chance to get up and act silly. It looked like fun. And for so long, I had never participated in the foolery. This time I decided to join in. Unaware of time, I was caught when the teacher returned; meanwhile the others dashed to their desks.

 

• I wasn’t doing what I was supposed to be doing.
• I got caught in the act.
• I could not say anything because I was guilty.

 

Paul spoke about his impending third trip. He mentions that he is afraid of what he will find when he gets there. While He had taught what was right, he was afraid the people had chosen not to follow GOD.

 

My Observations:

• One day JESUS will return and wants to catch me doing HIS will.
• One day JESUS will return and desires to see me following HIS ways.
• One day JESUS will return and will judge my actions according to HIS standards.

 

Believing in JESUS as the Savior also means believing that HE will return one day with all power. Not even JESUS knows when HE will return, only the HEAVENLY FATHGER. While JESUS has forgiven me of all my sins, past present and future, it does not give me the license to wildly indulge.

 

Sin distracts me. It makes me doubt GOD loves me and I question HIS love. No wonder Satan tries to tempt me. BUT GOD knows where I am. HE provides the strength to follow HIS ways and to seek the imminent return of JESUS. I am grateful so I choose to follow JESUS this day.

 

Challenge

• Have you ever been tempted to sin a little?
• What part of the writer’s list do you see that may be a bit convicting?
• Will you increase your fear of the LORD by desiring to please HIM and follow HIS ways little by little, knowing you will never be perfect?

Healthy Sorrow

Healthy Sorrow

2 Corinthians 7: ⁸ For even if that letter of mine made you sad, I am not sorry I wrote it. I could have been sorry when I saw that it made you sad for a while. ⁹ But now I am happy—not because I made you sad, but because your sadness made you change your ways. That sadness was used by God, and so we caused you no harm. ¹⁰ For the sadness that is used by God brings a change of heart that leads to salvation—and there is no regret in that! But sadness that is merely human causes death. ¹¹ See what God did with this sadness of yours: how earnest it has made you, how eager to prove your innocence! Such indignation, such alarm, such feelings, such devotion, such readiness to punish wrongdoing! You have shown yourselves to be without fault in the whole matter.

 

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“I’m sorry” I said to the officer. “You are sorry for speeding or are you sorry you got caught?” was the reply. Actually I was sorry I got caught because I loved speeding.

 

• I was going to speed again.
• I was actually angry rather than sorry.
• I was so fixed on speeding that after the ticket, I invested in a radar detector.

 

Paul speaks about two types of sadness, one that is repentant towards GOD and one that appeases humans. He focuses the believer, who wants to repent, on a sorrow that brings life.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to want HIM in my life.
• GOD wants me to see HIS ways are perfect and mine are not.
• GOD wants me to be sorry for my sinful ways and give them to HIM, for only HE can change my ways.

 

It is humbling to say “I am sorry to the LORD.” I mean, first I must recognize that I am the one in the wrong and need HIS mercy. If I think I am “good” or the one who needs the apology because HE created me, then I will not see HIS deliverance.

 

When I examine my life, I cannot be proud. I mishandle family, friends and situations all the time. I can say “Sorry” all day on a human level, and the faults will remain. BUT GOD is willing to forgive me and cleanse me of anything I have done or am doing or will do. JESUS death was perfection and my belief in HIS resurrection cleanses me of all unrighteousness. I owe my life to HIM.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the two types of sadness?
• What, if any, things in your life can you ask GOD for forgiveness?
• When you admit something to GOD, do you feel free?
• Can you help raise people up from their hurt so they can see GOD as a being of forgiveness? 

Desiring Good Body Health

 Desiring Good Body Health

1 Corinthians 11: ²⁶ This means that every time you eat this bread and drink from this cup you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. ²⁷ It follows that if one of you eats the Lord's bread or drinks from his cup in a way that dishonors him, you are guilty of sin against the Lord's body and blood. ²⁸ So then, you should each examine yourself first, and then eat the bread and drink from the cup. ²⁹ For if you do not recognize the meaning of the Lord's body when you eat the bread and drink from the cup, you bring judgment on yourself as you eat and drink. ³⁰ That is why many of you are sick and weak, and several have died. ³¹ If we would examine ourselves first, we would not come under God's judgment. ³² But we are judged and punished by the Lord, so that we shall not be condemned together with the world.

 

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“If one of you is late, then all of you are late” were the words of the organization I was trying to join during college. This didn’t seem fair because there were always a couple of people who would always be late, who also were trying to join. When asked where are they, no one spoke up. I then made up something to protect them. “When one of you doesn’t tell the truth, all of you lie” was the reply. How did he know I was lying?

 

• There were times when I wanted to protect myself so I would do or say anything to do so.
• There were times when I thought “It was their fault I am being punished.”
• There were times when I felt I was justified with an individual sin I did because those people “made” me do it.

 

Paul warns people about eating and drinking in a way that dishonors JESUS. He had already explained that the “body” should have unity, now he is addressing something more serious, namely the heart. He suggests staying away from proclaiming what JESUS has done by eating and drinking communion bread and wine until recognition of “the body” is accepted.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to see all people as HIS.
• GOD wants me to examine myself to see if I have any evil desires towards one of HIS children.
• GOD wants me to turn from those evil desires by asking HIM for forgiveness.

 

Being forgiven by GOD seems unnecessary once I believed in JESUS for salvation, I mean I’m going to sin and didn’t HE forgive me for all my sins? Yes, however if I have the attitude that I do not need to follow what JESUS desires, am I in trouble? Possibly.

 

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Having a healthy fear of GOD to me means I can see other people and desire the best for them, which is a saving relationship with JESUS. This doesn’t mean I or they won’t slip and sin, rather all of us will be guided by the HOLY SPIRIT to seek GOD’s kingdom first. I am not better than another person in HIS eyes. I am glad HE looks at all of us with HIS love.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about the seriousness of eating and drinking to proclaim HIS death until HE returns?
• What do you see regarding how you treat others or “the body”?
• How does self-examination affect health? Do you believe health can be affected by the heart?
• Is there anyone in your heart that could be treated more honorably?

Trying to Lead You

 

Trying to Lead You

Romans 2: Do you, my friend, pass judgment on others? You have no excuse at all, whoever you are. For when you judge others and then do the same things which they do, you condemn yourself. ² We know that God is right when he judges the people who do such things as these. ³ But you, my friend, do those very things for which you pass judgment on others! Do you think you will escape God's judgment? ⁴ Or perhaps you despise his great kindness, tolerance, and patience. Surely you know that God is kind, because he is trying to lead you to repent. ⁵ But you have a hard and stubborn heart, and so you are making your own punishment even greater on the Day when God's anger and righteous judgments will be revealed.

 

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“I hate sneaky, deceptive people!” I said to myself in reference to my boss. He had a habit of snooping around my desk to get new ideas he could steal. I thought of a great plan. I left a terrible idea I heard from someone else on my desk.

 

I would then “hide” around the corner and peek on occasion to see if he took the bait. I wasn’t being sneaky because I was trying to catch him, right? Wrong.

 

• There were times when I justified my judgment of people and did the same things as them.
• There were times when I did worse things than others and needed grace when I was caught.
• There were times when I blamed other people, never once looking at myself.

 

Paul had just written about those who ignore GOD, substituting evil for what GOD says is right. But then he turns to those who call themselves “righteous” by following GOD’s rules. He asks a simple question. “Do you, my friend, pass judgment on others?” He then says, passing judgment on others brings condemnation on yourself.

 

• GOD wants me to turn away from the sins “I” commit.
• GOD wants me to recognize I deserve the judgment.
• GOD wants me to notice HE is trying to lead me to repent and stop doing the things I blame other people of doing.

 

Judging others is not my job. I mean, GOD is the only one who has a heaven and a hell to place those HE chooses. Yes, GOD does want me and other people to stand up for those being harmed. HE also wants me to protect people from those who want to do evil for their pleasure.

 

BUT GOD wants me to examine myself each day to see if I am judging others and acting the same way. HE has given me a generous helping of kindness, tolerance and patience. HE wants me to combat wrong with these wonderful weapons. I am glad GOD cares enough to try to lead me back to HIS ways.

 

• Are you mad at someone?
• Do you think of how wrong “that” person is?
• Do you talk about how wrong “that” person is with your friends or other family members?
• Will you examine your own heart to see if there is hatred, bitterness, anger or resentment in it so you can ask GOD to remove it and replace it with the same love HE has for you today?

Scared Straight

Scared Straight

Acts 19: ¹⁷ When this became known to the Jews and Greeks living in Ephesus, they were all seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. ¹⁸ Many of those who believed now came and openly confessed what they had done. ¹⁹ A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. When they calculated the value of the scrolls, the total came to fifty thousand drachmas. ²⁰ In this way the word of the Lord spread widely and grew in power.

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“Jackpot, I found a checkbook” a friend of mine said. Broke and hungry we thought of ways we could use this to our advantage, although I felt something say “this is wrong.” We didn’t want to “steal” so we simply went to the grocery store and bought goods that would last us a month. On the way home my car broke down. The cost to repair was almost exactly half of what we spent.

• There were times when I knew I was doing something wrong but did it anyway.
• There were times when I lied to myself, trying to justify what I knew was wrong.
• There were times when I thought I could get away with something only to find myself in a worse spot.

Some people who wanted notoriety, tried to cast out demons in the name of JESUS who Paul preached about. A demon responded to them through the possessed man and stripped them naked, beating them bloody in the process. The news of this scared many. They believed in JESUS, confessed what they had done and turned from their deep sin.

• GOD wants me to come to HIM when I am not scared.
• GOD wants me to believe in JESUS when things are going well.
• GOD wants me to accept HIS gift of love when I am not worried, afraid or hurt.

Love is shown by GOD all the time. Unfortunately, I ignore it until something goes wrong. Sometimes something major has to go wrong for me to turn my eyes to GOD. Fortunately for me, GOD is gentle, kind, peaceful and full of love.

Not only does HE allow me to choose a path of calamity, HE does not rub it in my face when I return to HIM, begging HIM for forgiveness. Instead, HE welcomes me back with open loving arms. I am glad GOD’s grace is sufficient.

• Are you hiding something?
• Do you think you are getting away with the thing you did?
• How long do you want to remain a prisoner to your hidden sin?
• Will you confess publicly what you have done and turn away from your sins by believing JESUS is your Savior today?

Unknown Change

Unknown Change

Acts 7: ²³ “Now when he was forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren, the children of Israel. ²⁴ And seeing one of them suffer wrong, he defended and avenged him who was oppressed, and struck down the Egyptian. ²⁵ For he supposed that his brethren would have understood that God would deliver them by his hand, but they did not understand. ²⁶ And the next day he appeared to two of them as they were fighting, and tried to reconcile them, saying, ‘Men, you are brethren; why do you wrong one another?’ ²⁷ But he who did his neighbor wrong pushed him away, saying, ‘Who made you a ruler and a judge over us? ²⁸ Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?’ ²⁹ Then, at this saying, Moses fled and became a dweller in the land of Midian, where he had two sons.

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“No thank you” was my reply to the normal question “Do you want to hang out in bars tonight?” I was trying something new and wanted to see what a different life would look like. I interacted with a lot of people and they all seemed to ask me similar questions. People knew me as a bar hopping, flirty, fun guy and I wanted them to know I had changed.

• I stopped doing habits that I learned were not pleasing to GOD.
• I stopped doing some known sins so I could listen to GOD.
• I stopped doing what I used to do as a surrender to GOD.

Moses had changed. While he was considered an Egyptian, he was really an Israelite. Stephen explains how Moses killed the Egyptian, thinking everyone would know his honor for his people. They could not see how he had changed, for only GOD knew his heart.

• GOD wants me to change to serve HIM.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM without worries of what people think about me.
• GOD wants me to sincerely live for HIM in spite of the perception people have of me.

Having a personal relationship with GOD changes people. I mean HE gently guides me away from things I thought were pleasurable, knowing they were harmful. When I explain my change to those who participated in the pleasure with me, they look at me as if I have become some kind of judge, questioning if I have become yet another hypocrite.

BUT GOD sees my heart. HE painfully and gently pries the harmful habit or people from my hands and places HIS love in them. HE shows me grace when no one else will. HE is my forgiver. In HIM I place my trust.

• Are you scared to change because of what other people will think?
• Have you walked away from GOD because of a hypocrite?
• Will you return to GOD so HE can heal your broken heart and give you a loving purpose today?

Imperfect Perfection

Imperfect Perfection

Acts 3: ¹⁷ “Yet now, brethren, I know that you did it in ignorance, as did also your rulers. ¹⁸ But those things which God foretold by the mouth of all His prophets, that the Christ would suffer, He has thus fulfilled. ¹⁹ Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, ²⁰ and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, ²¹ whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began. 

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“Say you are sorry” the angry neighbor said to me and a sibling. The two choices that popped into my mind were to laugh at the statement, or to just say it and get it over with. I decided to do both. “I’m sorry, ha, ha, ha.” I said.. She knew I did not mean it. “I’m telling your parents.”

• There were times when I was forced to say, “I’m sorry” but I did not mean it.
• There were times when I was told to say “I’m sorry” but nothing was at stake for saying it.
• There were times when I was disciplined into saying “I’m sorry” but it only made me resentful.

Peter explains that the crowd was misled by the church leaders for killing JESUS. Now that JESUS is alive they should apologize for what they did. But this apology needs to be permanent, otherwise it will not be heard.

• JESUS wants me to admit I need a savior from being a sinner.
• JESUS wants me to believe HE is the only way to salvation.
• JESUS wants me to confess my sins so HE will be faithful and just to forgive me and cleanse me of all unrighteousness, past, present and future.

Following JESUS does not mean I will never sin. I will do something “out of ignorance” or blatantly out of selfishness. BUT GOD saw all of my sins and “blotted them out” of HIS record. JESUS will be sent once again, but this time HE will come to bring back only those who believe in HIM. I am glad I do not have to be perfect because HE made me perfect in HIS eyes.

• Do you feel like you are making mistakes over and over?
• Does you have a sense of purpose that is not exclusionary or hateful?
• Will you surrender your strong will and believe that JESUS is the only being who can love you just as you are?

Motivated

Motivated

Acts 2: ³⁴ “For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:

‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
³⁵ Till I make Your enemies Your footstool.” ’

³⁶ “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

³⁷ Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

³⁸ Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

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“Thank you” were the words I said at lunch. For years I had no idea this person was watching over me. They cleared up misconceptions. Stuck their neck out just for me. This gave me great motivation to serve the living GOD whom they served.

• Many times I have heard things that motivated me to do something.
• Many times I have listened to someone speak with passion and was motivated to act.
• Many times I have been responsive to someone’s acts of love towards me.

After Peter’s passionate plea, the crowd was “cut to the heart” at their actions. They may not have physically killed JESUS, but they may have been in agreement that HE should die. When they heard HE was alive, they were motivated to ask “What should we do?”

• GOD wants me to apologize for my sins.
• GOD wants me to outwardly show those around me that I belong to JESUS by getting baptized.
• GOD wants me to receive the HOLY SPIRIT as a gift I do not deserve.

“Sit at MY right hand” means let “ME” do all the work. JESUS has the power and authority to face any demonic situation that may arise. Though the situation may hurt, HE still is in control. HE wants me to surrender my life to HIM so HE can guide those HE chooses back to HIM. I owe my life to JESUS.

• What motivates you?
• Do you secretly want the spotlight without the consequence of desiring it?
• Will you add surrender to your life so JESUS can reach your heart today?

Change for a Dollar

Luke 19: Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. ² A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. ³ He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. ⁴ So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.

⁵ When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, ‘Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at your house today.’⁶ So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.

⁷ All the people saw this and began to mutter, ‘He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.’

⁸ But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’

⁹ Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. ¹⁰ For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’

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Crying did not help the lost money return. As I sat there disappointed, I realized my day was over before it began. I had lost the money I was supposed to use to keep myself amused the entire day. After the incident, I hated to lose anything. I promised myself I would never be “poor.”

• There were times when I despised being poor.
• There were times when I dreamt of being rich.
• There were times when I dove into the pursuit of wealth at all costs.

Zacchaeus had swindled his way to the top. Not only was he a tax collector, he was the head of those who stole from others. He had a desire to see JESUS and was determined enough to climb a tree to get a better view. JESUS knew who he was and invited HIMSELF over Zacchaeus’s house. Zacchaeus changed and wanted to give than receive.

• GOD wants me to change from being money driven.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as being GOD rather than being led by how much or how little cash I have.
• GOD wants me to think about HIM more than I think about my bank account.

Whether it’s worry or pride, there is a problematic view of money that GOD despises. I’m not saying humans don’t have needs, I am saying that money can drive people to lie, swindle or even preach more about money than they do about JESUS. I, at one time, thought about lying one my resume just to get a better paying job.

GOD wants me to be brave enough to be who HE wants me to be and follow HIM. HE knows my financial status and desires that HE be my provider. GOD has given me an abundance that I can never thank HIM enough. HE gave me HIS SON and I am eternally grateful.

• Are you focused strictly on money?
• How many conversations about money or wealthy people do you have?
• Will you change your desires to follow GOD where HE has you today?

Not Your Fault

Luke 13: There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. ² And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? ³ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.⁴ Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? ⁵ I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

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“Why me?” was my question many times when it came to a painful situation. I mean, why do “bad” things happen to “good” people? I questioned. As I faced, what I thought< was yet another difficult situation, I was in a panic with nowhere to turn. “I wonder if I should turn to sin for a little relief of the pressure” I said to myself.

• Life can be difficult at times.
• Life can dish out some very tough situations.
• Life can be very scary and make me want to do anything for a little relief from the problems.

Some people came to JESUS in a panic over those in charge of the government. They told HIM about the murders that were happening by the decree of the reigning leaders. They sounded like they had nowhere to turn. BUT JESUS replied with some strange words that would make them whole.

• JESUS wants me to face difficult situations with HIS power, not mine.
• JESUS wants me to rely on HIS timing especially when I am panicked.
• JESUS wants me to know HIS way is still better than the world’s way.

Turning to sin only makes my situation worse. When I lose my faith in GOD and I panic, the world sees my defeat and rejoices. BUT GOD picks me up and protects me anyway. HE wants me to succeed and says “I have you in MY hand. No one can pluck you out.”

GOD wants me to look forward instead of trying to figure out which sin caused the consequence I feel I go through at times. HE wants me to stop trying to be the captain of my destiny and allow HIM to guide me through places only HE can take me through. Life can still be difficult but I place my faith in HIM.

• Where are you turning?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Will you allow your current situation to defeat you or will you allow GOD to defeat your situation so you can praise HIM?

Miracles Have Purpose

Matthew 11: ²⁰ Then Jesus began to denounce the towns in which most of his miracles had been performed, because they did not repent. ²¹ “Woe to you, Chorazin! Woe to you, Bethsaida! For if the miracles that were performed in you had been performed in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago in sackcloth and ashes. ²² But I tell you, it will be more bearable for Tyre and Sidon on the day of judgment than for you.

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Desiring to see a miracle, I asked GOD to do some of the stuff I read about. “Part a river” or “Heal ‘this” specific person” or “Heal my eyes.” I wanted to see GOD in action. I was met with silence.

• There were times I did not have faith in GOD.
• There were times I wanted GOD to prove HIMSELF to me.
• There were times I wanted to do my own thing and seeing a miracle may not have changed me.

Looking back I can see my lack of maturity in how I thought of GOD. I figured HE was not as much of a GOD if I could not see the stuff “I” wanted to see. Fortunately for me GOD works differently.

• GOD performs miracles on a daily basis; I need to open my eyes to what is going on around me.
• GOD shows me HIS power each and every day; I need to be willing to accept what HE is showing me.
• GOD speaks to me every day; I need to have a willing heart to hear what HE has to say.

“Give”, “Forgive”, “Pray” or “Go” are words I often hear and ignore along with many others. GOD tends to tell me things that would benefit HIS kingdom and I ignore what HE says because I am too busy with “my” stuff. I mean what about me, is my pout.

GOD forgives my selfish times too. HE simply wants me to see HIS miracles and repent.

• Are you trying to make GOD prove HIMSELF?
• Is your faith based on what you can see?
• Will you stop looking and start paying attention to who GOD is bringing to you?

Flattering Words

Jeremiah 15: ¹⁹ Therefore this is what the Lord says:

“If you repent, I will restore you
    that you may serve me;
if you utter worthy, not worthless, words,
    you will be my spokesman.
Let this people turn to you,
    but you must not turn to them.
²⁰ I will make you a wall to this people,
    a fortified wall of bronze;
they will fight against you
    but will not overcome you,
for I am with you
    to rescue and save you,”
declares the Lord.
²¹ “I will save you from the hands of the wicked
    and deliver you from the grasp of the cruel.”

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“Suck up” were the words spoken in one of my leadership classes. I was outraged when I heard this and quite insulted that using empty flattery would work. They wanted me to cater to egos larger than the buildings they were in. I tried it and it worked. I was “In the club.”

• There have been times where I have turned to the ways I did not want to turn to.
• There have been situations that I have used a fake smile in order to get ahead.
• There have been people I have catered to in order to gain their approval when I should have taken a firm stance against their ways.

Greedy, lustful, power-hungry egos require feeding and from what I gathered, I did not have to “become” that kind of person, just cater to it. What is the difference!? Each moment I spent with that crowd was a moment I could have spent with GOD.

• GOD wants me to repent so HE can restore men.
• GOD wants me to utter “worthy” words which means I have to talk about HIS wrath as well as HIS love.
• GOD wants me to stand firm on HIS ways even when it means I will not be as successful from a worldly point of view.

I sat in the car longer one day. I absolutely could not “leave myself” in the car and pretend to like, agree or cater to this group any longer. GOD was stirring my heart to listen to HIM more than reading between the lines of those who could care less about HIM. I had to seek GOD instead of seeking a title. HE humbled me and I appreciate HIS ways.

• Are you running after a group who could care less about GOD?
• Do you spend an enormous amount of time doing something that would not please GOD?
• Have you considered asking GOD “What would YOU like me to do” rather than asking HIM for help on what you “want” to do?
• Will you read about HIS ways and place HIS words on your lips?