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? 

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?

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?

Searching for Treasure

Luke 15: ⁸ “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp, sweep the house, and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she has found it, she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!’ ¹⁰ Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

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“What is that?” I said to myself as I peered at the cluttered lawn on my way to school. It looked like money so I broke the rule of not stepping on anyone’s grass. To my excitement, I found a dollar! I quickly stuffed it in my pocket and smiled all the way to class. The next day I stared intently in the lawn and the day after and the weeks after that.

• Three were times when money caught my attention.
• There were times when I got a little bit of money and it made me search for more.
• There were times when money made me look for it, seek it and desire to have more of it.

JESUS deepens HIS explanation of lost people by giving another parable. HE illustrates how a woman spent a great amount of time looking for lost money in her house. This analogy was probably used to make the people hear because most could relate to losing money. But money was not the true treasure.

• GOD wants me to focus on HIM as the true treasure.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom as the true treasure.
• GOD wants me to bring HIS lost sheep and lost coins back to HIM as the true treasure.

People are clearly the true treasure GOD wants everyone to focus on. Those I hate, HE loves so somehow I need to quickly change my mind about what is important. HE values all lives and the more I can do the same the more treasure HE gives me. Prayers and preaching for more cash is sometimes okay, BUT GOD is elated when I ask for healing of my and other’s souls.

• Are you down because you don’t have money?
• Do you seek more things to make you happy?
• Will you take the time to seek GOD’s true treasure which are HIS lost children today?

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?

What kind of party would GOD throw?

Luke 15: ⁸ “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹ And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ ¹⁰ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

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Quasars blow up with enormous power. Wind not only gusts up to one hundred miles per hour on this planet but ten thousand planets, yet GOD who is in control of everything, is concerned about me, a sinner.

• When I gave up my will to GOD there was a party in heaven you wouldn’t believe!
• When I gave up my will to GOD angels and relatives who passed away got excited!
• Before I gave up my will to GOD there was a huge audience waiting and waiting until I said the words “JESUS thank you for taking my punishment for my sins by dying in my place.”

GOD seems to have an extreme concern for HIS humans. HE doesn’t want a single human to be lost but HE cannot go against what HE put in place, namely free will. I have the choice to believe of reject GOD. Unfortunately the wrong choice, according to what I read, has eternal consequences.

There must be something extreme at stake for an audience who no one can number to rejoice like that. I mean what do they see that I don’t? Do they see the turmoil of those who rejected GOD or have they experienced GOD’s “full, Intense” love and want any and every one to experience HIS grace?

GOD only wants those who want and desire to be with HIM. HE created choice and those who choose to believe JESUS is GOD who became a human to live a perfect sinless life and allow HIMSELF to be murdered to atone for the sins of all, will be saved. HE did not create robots that had no choice but to believe in HIM.

I choose to believe and now I am adopted into the most powerful family!

• What are you fighting?
• Are you looking for something more fulfilling in your life?
• Can you give up your will to GOD today?
• Will you believe GOD is seeking “you” today?

Do I need discipline?

Revelation 3:  ¹⁹ Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. ²⁰ Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

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Oh no… not the “D” word! When I think of discipline, I think of a horrible time or a time that I couldn’t have “my way.” I mean, I want to be as wild and free as I can, yet when discipline comes then I have to slow down, sit and not get my way.

• My thoughts and ways would all be sinful if it weren’t for GOD’s discipline.
• My actions would all be focused on me if it weren’t for GOD’s discipline.
• My selfish nature would rule my life if it weren’t for GOD’s discipline.

JESUS speaks commandingly because HE lived on Earth and did not sin, not once! HE was tempted in every way I am tempted yet HE overcame the world and now has the right to be the most high. Now HE expects me to follow in HIS way the best I can, but sometimes I’m selfish.

• GOD’s discipline isn’t used for evil rather HE is just simply guiding me back to the path.
• GOD’s discipline isn’t meant to harm me rather it is used to correct my misguided thoughts.
• GOD’s discipline isn’t bad for HE uses “all” situations for good because I love HIM.

There are some things I cannot see in my life, BUT GOD can see everything in my entire life.  HE knows when and where I will sin and HE gently corrects me because HE loves me.  I have to tell you, I don’t like HIS correction, but I would rather be corrected by HIM than to be eternally punished by HIM.

JESUS says “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.” The door to my heart has a lock named sin and when I confess to GOD the lock is opened and I let HIM in. I am excited about my meal with HIM!

• Are you living a wild life?
• Do you want everything your way?
• Are you fulfilling your lusts, yet still feel empty?
• Can you open your heart and let JESUS in?

Even my sadness has purpose.

2 Corinthians 7: 10Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death. 11See what this godly sorrow has produced in you: what earnestness, what eagerness to clear yourselves, what indignation, what alarm, what longing, what concern, what readiness to see justice done. At every point you have proved yourselves to be innocent in this matter.

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Cornfields laced both sides of the road as far as the eye could see. The sun stood high in the air and there was absolutely no one on the boring road, I thought. As I edged my speed up I noticed blue and red flashing lights in my rear view mirror.

“I’m sorry” was the first thing out of my mouth and the police officer said something very memorable. “You are sorry you got caught, not sorry you did it.” Wow was he right!

• GOD wants true change in my life when HE puts obstacles in my way.
• My heart would never follow GOD without something going wrong in my life.
• When I am in a trial, I beg GOD to remove the trial.
• The longer GOD leaves me in the trial, the more eager I serve HIM.

GOD isn’t holding me hostage by saying “love me or else” rather HE knows certain worldly situations can tempt me away from following HIM. When HE removes or changes the situation then my sadness makes me “seek” comfort.

•  There is no comfort better than GOD’s comfort.
• When I repent of the sins in my life, my conscience is clear.
• When my conscience is clear, I can actually see GOD the way HE wants me to see HIM.
• When I see GOD as my savior, I become eager to serve.

True change means I am “sorry that I’m sinning” rather than being “sorry that I got caught.” GOD can tell the difference between my arrogant rants of “being right” versus when I am truly sorry I am not serving HIM the way HE wants me to serve HIM.

HE can easily see through my attempts to “get my sinful life back” by manipulating HIM with my tainted goodness. HE can tell my goodness is temporary and when things are back to the way I want them, all of my lusts and sin will return. GOD prolongs my circumstances even longer until I “truly” give my life and the situation over to HIM.

• Are you truly sorry about your sin or are you sorry you got caught?
• Are you trying to be good to impress people or GOD so you can get your way?
• Are you trying to manipulate someone or GOD by being good?
• Is your conscience clear?
• Can you seek GOD today to cleanse your broken spirit?

Will “Communion” fix broken things in my life?

1 Corinthians 11: 23For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, 24and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." 25In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

 

27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. 29For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. 30That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep.

 

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For years I have taken Communion in church as a habit instead of an act of worship. I mean that’s just something that we do in church. They pass out some stale cracker and some juice or if you go to one of those fancy churches they pass out wine. This is just a ritual right? Wrong!

 

It is very clear GOD wants me to take this meal very seriously.

• First I have to believe that JESUS is GOD who became a human and died as a punishment in my place.
• Next I must recognize sin in my life and the need for GOD to remove HIS anger towards my sin.
• Finally I must give thanks for the many blessings GOD has given me through HIS risen SON.

Now what does this have to do with my problems? How is drinking some juice, eating some crackers and admitting my sin going to resolve what I’m going through? That doesn’t make sense!

• GOD wants to be “GOD” and HE commands respect and authority.
• GOD is more than a human and HE wants me to recognize HIS position.
• GOD wants me to recognize “my need” for HIM.
• GOD took sin so seriously that HE died for me so HE wants me to remember this as often as I can.

GOD’s power is awesome and infinite. HE can turn my situation around in an instant just by speaking a word. So why hasn’t HE? I go to church and pay my money. Well, it’s my attitude HE wants rather than a habit. Paul states “that’s why you’re weak, sick and dead.”

 

When my attitude towards church, prayer and Communion changed strangely enough I noticed problems in life dissolving. Coincidence? NO! GOD.

• Do you take Communion out of habit?
• How often do you stop and remember what JESUS has done for you?
• Do you take time out of your schedule to admit the need for JESUS every now and then?