Respect Reminder

Respect Reminder

1 Peter 3: ⁷ In the same way you husbands must live with your wives with the proper understanding that they are more delicate than you. Treat them with respect, because they also will receive, together with you, God's gift of life. Do this so that nothing will interfere with your prayers.

 

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Name calling was my new found humor. I was able to tear down people by weaving a tapestry of insults together. But when I got married, I realized that maybe I needed to stop this.

 

• I found out there were many ways I could disrespect my wife.
• I had to consider that GOD was looking at what I said and did.
• I did not know that the answer to my prayers were based on my conduct.

 

Peter turns his advice to the husband. His advice was to use “respect” and “understanding” in order to have harmony, which leads to prayers being heard.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to use “understanding” to gain harmony.
• GOD wants me to use “respect” to gain HIS gift of life.
• GOD wants me to consider why my prayers may be hindered and make adjustments.

 

Arguments and disagreements happen in marriage. I mean, two people who come together with unresolved baggage will run into disagreements. BUT GOD desires understanding and respect to come to resolution.

 

HE listens to me more when I can demonstrate understanding and respect. The goal is for all to have GOD’s gift of life by revering HIM. I gladly trade in my insults for a controlled tongue.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer discuss “understanding “ and “respect?”
• Have you ever felt a person deserves to be disrespected?
• Will you consider using “understanding” and “respect” to gain GOD’s ear today?

Respectful Character

Respectful Character

1 Peter 2: ¹³ For the sake of the Lord submit yourselves to every human authority: to the Emperor, who is the supreme authority, ¹⁴ and to the governors, who have been appointed by him to punish the evildoers and to praise those who do good. ¹⁵ For God wants you to silence the ignorant talk of foolish people by the good things you do. ¹⁶ Live as free people; do not, however, use your freedom to cover up any evil, but live as God's slaves. ¹⁷ Respect everyone, love other believers, honor God, and respect the Emperor.

 

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“Rolling my eyes at what was said, I listened to the speech, but did not believe a word. I clapped at the end of the leader’s speech, but huddled with others to tear down what was said. “What an idiot” we said as we scoffed at the leadership of the day.

 

• It was easy for me to see the flaws in leadership.
• It was easy for me to complain about the style of leadership.
• It was easy for me to continue in my own sins because the spotlight was on someone else.

 

Peter suggests something radical. He knew government officials of the time may or may not believe in JESUS as their Savior, however he warns believers to “respect” those in authority. He knew that world systems would clash with belief in JESUS so he gave a remedy. Live with character and respect.

 

My Observations:

• Living with flawed people can be difficult, BUT GOD wants me to look at my own flaws when looking at other’s.
• Following terrible leaders can be hard, BUT GOD wants me to respect their authority and live for HIM in spite of their seemingly poor decisions.
• GOD wants me to not think more highly of myself and HE wants me to constantly think of ways to be an example by loving other people.

 

Having purpose for GOD means loving and respecting others in public and in secret. I mean, it’s one thing to pretend to love people, yet turn around and say mean and harmful things about him or her. GOD wants me to have character and say respectful things about people whether I agree with them or not.

 

HE sees my heart and if I have disrespect in it, HE is willing to remove it if I ask. HE will then fill that area with love for others that is missing from the way I think. This heals my relationships so I can become a magnet for JESUS intentionally. I am grateful that GOD places people in authority and wants me to respect people to show them the way back to HIM.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer urge believers to have respect?
• Have you ever examined your words to see if they contain any disrespect?
• Will you examine your relationship with GOD and ask HIM to repair any character holes so you can be used by HIM to love those who are more difficult to love today?

People Treatment

People Treatment

James 2: ⁸ You will be doing the right thing if you obey the law of the Kingdom, which is found in the scripture, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” ⁹ But if you treat people according to their outward appearance, you are guilty of sin, and the Law condemns you as a lawbreaker. 

 

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Approaching a person with tattered clothing was easy. I felt comfortable “telling” him or her about GOD. But approaching a person in an elevator who wore expensive clothes made me hesitate.

 

• I said to myself, “He or she won’t want to hear this message.”
• I convinced myself that one group was easier to speak to than others.
• I inadvertently treated people different based on socio-economic status.

 

James continues to warn everyone about mistreating people based on appearance. He drives the point deeper by stating tat everyone should “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” He also provides what would happen if mistreatment occurs based on appearance.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to value everyone as much as HE values them.
• GOD wants me to see how much HE loves people, so I have to look at people differently.
• GOD gives me an easy way to treat people well, namely love people as I love myself.

 

Treating people on different levels is easy to do, especially if he or she looks different than me. I mean, I cannot possibly know what is inside of someone’s heart by looking at him or her. Lavishly dressed people may be full of as much hatred as a tattered dirty dressed person. They also could be full of love. Who can tell? GOD can!

 

HE wants me to see him or her as a person who need the love of GOD as much as I do. HE wants me to think “What would I do and feel if I were in this person’s situation? Would I be afraid to ask for help? Would I be too proud? HE then wants me to take action and do “the right thing.” I am glad GOD does not judge me based on my masks, because HE knows my heart.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer emphasize treating people the same?
• Have you ever looked at someone and thought differently about him or her solely based on appearance?
• Will you practice seeing beyond outer appearance so you can embrace the love of GOD for him or her today?

Levels of Respect

Levels of Respect

James 2: My friends, as believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, you must never treat people in different ways according to their outward appearance. ² Suppose a rich man wearing a gold ring and fine clothes comes to your meeting, and a poor man in ragged clothes also comes. ³ If you show more respect to the well-dressed man and say to him, “Have this best seat here,” but say to the poor man, “Stand over there, or sit here on the floor by my feet,” ⁴ then you are guilty of creating distinctions among yourselves and of making judgments based on evil motives.

 

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Upset that I ran into so many homeless people, I decided to do something about it. Instead of giving money, I offered to buy a meal. I proceeded to “tell” the person the Gospel, thinking I had done my job for the day.

 

• I assumed the person was going to use money for drugs and alcohol.
• I assumed the person needed to hear a message about CHRIST, when in reality this being could have been an angel that I was not aware of.
• I assumed “I” had a solution when I may have been contributing to the problem, namely lack of respect.

 

James attempts to address favoritism based on the appearance of wealth. He may have experienced the lack of favoritism based on his appearance. He knew that looking at the outward appearance of people could cause people to make assumptions that are untrue.

 

My Observations:

• GOD looks at the heart of humans and determines who is truly “good.”
• GOD sees how I treat people and knows if I treat others differently based on outward appearance.
• GOD loves when I treat everyone with respect and honor.

 

Treating one set of people different than the next leads to battles. I mean, when I treat people differently because of his or her appearance, I make wrong assumptions about who they are and even worse, I ignore what GOD sees.

 

GOD loves people I may not like. HE sees the inside and has a strong desire for all to be saved. HE loves the poor and does not like when rich people are treated better than them. HE provides opportunities for me to treat the poor the same as I treat the rich, with HIS utmost respect. I am glad GOD is not prejudice and loves me without wavering.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer use rich and poor as the example?
• Have you ever treated someone better based than others because of his or her title, appearance or financial status?
• Will you treat everyone with the same utmost respect that GOD wants you to so many can hear HIS message of love today? 

Ignoring the Hook Up

Ignoring the Hook Up

1 Timothy 6 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. ² Those who have believing masters should not show them disrespect just because they are fellow believers. Instead, they should serve them even better because their masters are dear to them as fellow believers and are devoted to the welfare of their slaves.

 

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Being hired for the summer seemed more like dread than favor to me. A person I knew got me a job doing odd and end kind of stuff. From running errands to unloading trucks, I had to just simply do stuff. Another guy who had the same job said to me “Let’s play basketball.”  He then laid out the imaginary rules with a garbage can and a huge ball of paper as the elements. “Of course! “ I said.

 

• I didn’t want to work there anyway!
• I couldn’t find another job and I didn’t like this one.
• I did not appreciate being handed a job by the believer who got me the job.

 

Ugh! Paul speaks to Timothy about slavery. This section was used by many to enforce cruelty and deep hatred towards other humans. Paul, however more than likely, was speaking about employer / employee relationships as the tone sounds voluntary. Employees may have worked harder for non-believers than believers. They may have not valued the favor.

 

My Observations

• On every job, volunteer situation or favor, GOD wants me to work for HIM.
• Each task I am given should be done at its fullest.
• Extra respect should be given to a believer who does me a favor.

 

Valuing favor is sometimes hard. I mean, when I don’t value something given to me or when someone does me a favor by providing me with a job, business deal or being part of a group, I may underestimate the need and goof off. GOD wants better.

 

HE wants me to understand that HE is working through people to provide me with something I would have otherwise, been without. HE also wants me to recognize that when I do my work, I work for HIM, not the employer. I gladly give it my all when I serve others who bless me with being able to serve.

 

Challenge

• What attitude is the writer trying to convey?
• Have you ever had a job in which you just wanted to goof off?
• Will you see your job or business or volunteer situation differently and serve equally as hard as if your life depended on it and know you are serving the LORD through your works?

Untitled

Untitled

1 Thessalonians 5: ¹² We beg you, our friends, to pay proper respect to those who work among you, who guide and instruct you in the Christian life. ¹³ Treat them with the greatest respect and love because of the work they do. Be at peace among yourselves.

 

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Sitting in a conference room freshly out of college, a person walked in and everyone stood up. I did not know what was going on, so I stood up too. They shook hands and when he left said “Don’t you know who that was?” I didn’t.

 

Months later, I was “in charge” of an assignment. I walked into the room and no one paid me any attention. I started doing the work and got a grievance filed against me for doing the work.

 

• I was furious that I was not recognized for my title.
• I wanted the same level of respect as that other guy who had a title.
• I later made the mistake of treating people with titles different than people without titles

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy begged people to treat those called by GOD, to speak on HIS behalf, with respect. These people were often looked down on and murmured against. They implored the people to not only recognize them as servants of the Most High GOD, but to treat them with the highest respect as a way to get them to think opposite of disrespect.

 

My Observations

• GOD is the only being who deserves the utmost respect from me.
• GOD wants me to treat all HIS children with the highest respect.
• Titles should not blind me into providing respect, rather I should give it to those who are looked down on, forgotten and lack power.

 

Seeking titles to gain respect may not be the best path. I mean, when I wanted a title so I could “help others” I found myself having to change for the worst because of that title and I could not “help” people the way I envisioned. GOD, on the other hand, wants servants who do not want HIS title.

 

Servants of GOD point their lives to HIM and want HIM to be know and exalted. In the process of speaking about HIM, their lives diminish. Other believers in JESUS must recognize the important message being told by those GOD has chosen as HIS speakers. I gladly give the highest respect to those who place GOD above all and are servants at heart.

 

Challenge

• Are the writers speaking of a hierarchy type of respect or honorable?
• Have you ever seen a servant who treated everyone with respect, regardless of his or her title?
• Will you treat everyone with respect, especially those who do not have titles, so they can be recognized by using their GOD given gifts for the LORD today?

Win the Respect

 

Win the Respect

1 Thessalonians 4: ¹¹ Make it your aim to live a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to earn your own living, just as we told you before. ¹² In this way you will win the respect of those who are not believers, and you will not have to depend on anyone for what you need.

 

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“I should send an email to the entire company regarding my exit” I thought to myself. I was handed an award for outstanding team member as I was asked to leave the company. Something inside me said “Don’t send the email. Just be quiet.” I am glad I didn’t send the email.

 

• I wanted to be noisy!
• I wanted to expose certain people for what they were doing.
• I wanted to keep the “respect” that I had earned, but was hurt, wounded and confused.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy urge the people of Thessalonica to do three things. Live a quiet life, mind your business and  earn a living. This may sound like “shut up and get a job”, but it is not saying this, rather “expand your outreach to nonbelievers by quietly winning their respect.”

 

My Observations

• Outreach should include my business or work interactions.
• GOD desires that I reach out to those who do not believe in a quiet respectful way.
• Self-reliance includes GOD’s provisions so I will not boast that I did it myself.”

 

Relying on GOD is hard, but necessary. I mean, sometimes I just want to say “help!” and that is okay to do so. But there are times when I need to be strong and show my faith in GOD’s provision for those who need to see that HE is the ultimate provider.

 

GOD seeks those who do not believe and wants to show HE can and will provide. HE does not need a braggard, rather someone who is confident in the LORD. I am glad GOD is the target  for all to seek.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writers give this goal?
• Have you ever wanted to be seen or heard, so you were tempted to get noisy?
• Will you seek the respect of those who are not believers by relying on GOD’s provisions today?

The Them Effect

John 4: ⁷ When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” ⁸ (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.)

⁹ The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.)

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“Watch out for those people” I was warned mistrustfully. I could hear the years of hurt mixed in with bitterness from this seemingly innocent person. Unfortunately, hate was the motive of the statement. Another unfortunate thing was they were justified in their thinking because a lot of mistreatment did occur.

• I have to decide whether or not to lump people into the “them” category every day.
• I have to decide if my hurt and pain is causing others to hurt and feel pain.
• I have to decide if my broad statements about people are blinding me to someone who may need my help.

JESUS did a few socially abnormal things in this passage. HE spoke to a woman in a subordinate tone by asking her for a drink. A woman? No demands? Yes, JESUS asked politely. Next, JESUS spoke to a Samaritan. A Jew speaking to a Samaritan? Unheard of. BUT JESUS saw something different.

• JESUS wants me to see all of HIS humans as valuable.
• JESUS wants me to stop propagating anger and hurt so others can be saved.
• JESUS wants me to get rid of my biases towards other people so I can be available to be sent to whoever HE chooses.

No respect of person is an old way of saying no prejudices towards or against a certain group of people. GOD wants to take my small-mindedness and stretch it into love for the world. This is hard. I mean, aren’t they supposed to act like I act and do what I do? No. GOD has an individual plan for HIS people.

HE wants me to reach people where they are and point their lives to HIM. HE will change them from the inside and I do not have to see the change, because I am too busy noticing how much he is changing me. I am grateful to be part of GOD’s vast family.

• Are you fearful of “them?”
• Do you secretly or overtly speak against “those people?”
• Will you drop your prejudices so you can be used to reach many people for GOD today?

GOD appoints leaders

Numbers 27: ¹⁸ So the Lord said to Moses, “Joshua, the son of Nun, has the ability to be a wise leader. Get him and place your hand on him. ¹⁹ Have him stand in front of the priest Eleazar and the whole community. Put him in charge while everyone is watching. ²⁰ Give him some of your authority. Then the whole community of Israel will obey him.

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“Who put her in charge?” was our thought when we got a new “go-getter” boss. She seemed to never stop working. Her diplomacy skills seemed sharp when she spoke to her boss but when it came to us it was a different story.  I thought about complaining, but could never find the words.

She then approached me and asked me to be the primary speaker on one of the projects we were working on.  “Maybe she isn’t so bad after all.”

• Sometimes I get mad at leaders when I’m not getting my way.
• Sometimes I think poorly of leaders based on my negative attitude.
• Sometimes I feel the leader is crazy because I didn’t take the time to understand them.

Being a leader is difficult especially when leading a group of whiners and complainers.  Each criticism is but another jab to the face that the leader must take. I wonder how I can make the leaders’ job easier.

• GOD wants me to respect the leader even if I don’t agree with their direction.
• GOD wants me to be creative with the leader because HE never wants me to hide my talent.
• GOD wants me to understand that HE appointed the leader and any criticism of them is a criticism of HIM.

Some leadership styles are more difficult for me to serve under; however it is my responsibility to use my GOD given talents and abilities to their fullest.  GOD appoints leaders and my complaints to HIM are about HIS decision of appointing this person to their post. Every complaint is heard and noted.

I must respect GOD’s decision and ask HIM for help when I don’t feel like following the appointed person.

• Is there a leader that you have complained about?
• Do you think GOD is excited about your complaints or actions?
• Are you performing up to your best when the leader isn’t acting like a leader?

Do I show respect?

Leviticus 19: ³² “‘Stand up in order to show your respect for old people. Also have respect for me. I am the Lord your God.

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With pants up to his chest we began to laugh at the old man. I mean look at the way he was dressed and wow, he smelled funny. I mimicked his shuffling movements and crotchety tones. My friends laughed and I was funny as usual!

• When I am laughing at the elderly I may not be showing respect.
• When I am refusing to listen to the elderly I may not be showing respect.
• When I dismiss their words as rants I may not be showing respect.

I do the same with GOD.  I dismiss HIS ways, and I treat HIS people as if HE didn’t mind that I talk bad about them. When I show a person a lack of respect I am not respecting what GOD has made.

• GOD wants me to treat the elderly with high esteem, listening to their words of wisdom.
• GOD wants me to treat the elderly with honor otherwise I will treat them as throw away people.
• GOD wants me to treat the elderly with love, making sure their history continues.

Respect seems to be high on the list for GOD. It doesn’t mean blowing off the existence of a person rather seeking their ways and being grateful for their words.

• Are you treating the elderly with respect?
• Are you giving GOD HIS proper respect?
• Do you think ignoring GOD is respectful?
• Can you stop treating others wrong in order to show GOD respect?

Live free but show respect

1 Peter 2: ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. ¹⁷ Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

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“How did this idiot get picked over me” I thought to myself. I mean He has no skills, doesn’t know what I know and definitely doesn’t have the best interest of others in mind. “I” could do better if “I” were the boss.

• Sometimes arrogance causes me to think more highly of myself.
• Sometimes I use my salvation to do whatever evil I want and I say “well I’m saved so I’m forgiven.”
• Sometimes my lack of respect for leaders makes me look like a complainer rather than a person of love.

This statement hit hard.  I mean how am I to show “everyone” respect? What about people who don’t like me or better yet what about people I don’t like? What if I feel that my leader is an idiot? GOD thinks differently.

• GOD says honor those in authority because I have to consciously remove my arrogance.
• GOD says expose my evil and never let salvation be a freedom to blatantly keep sinning.
• GOD says fear only HIM for HE is the only one who can destroy the soul.
• GOD says love those who love HIM even when they are difficult to love.

I must realize that “every” human is GOD’s human and I must show them respect. Yes, I will sin but my efforts must be on holiness rather than giving up to get my way.

• Are you blatantly living the way you want and are not pleasing to GOD?
• Do you honestly believe the way you speak about “that” person is respectful to GOD?

Can you submit yourself to your leaders and change your mind set to think more highly of them than yourself?

Winning the argument loses the battle

2 Timothy 2: ²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. ²⁴ And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.

²⁵ Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

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When I know someone is lying, I feel compelled to expose them even if I have nothing to do with the conversation. I mean they are lying! I would ride my horse around, you know, the high one? I would jump in places I thought my two cents would be worth to add.

In other words I would stick my nose in a conversation I did not have all of the facts in and look for tiny fights. My goal was to “win” and my opponent, well they may not have even known they were an opponent, but I still “won” right?

• When I look for something to be wrong I will find it.
• When I look for someone to fight I will find them.
• When I look for an argument I will start it.

My trigger is short for some and long for others.  I mean some people know just the right buttons to press and I automatically go into boxing stance! GOD wants something different.

• GOD wants me to kind instead of quarrelsome so my life will draw people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to teach people so my argument is not as important as the lesson GOD wants to teach.
• GOD wants me to be respectful to people not resentful because ultimately GOD will win them over.

I love “winning” an argument but that is not the goal. I also dislike when my kindness is mistake for weakness. It takes tremendous strength to treat others the way GOD wants me to treat them even though I feel like fighting. GOD wants me to hope they will one day come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap.

• Are you ready to argue with someone?
• Do you have irreconcilable differences?
• Are you the person spreading slander and picking fights?
• Can you be the first to drop your guards for GOD’s purpose?

Is my life respectful?

1 Thessalonians 4: ¹⁰ And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, ¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,

¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

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Feeling light headed I ordered another pitcher of beer. It was after work and we were blowing off steam. We stayed there for hours and we were blessed to make it back to our hotel. The desk manager said to us… “They have been trying to reach you for hours, the emergency system is not working correctly and they need you to come in.”

Again, we were blessed to make it there safely. It was hard to think but we managed to fix the problem. The county personnel could see us struggle. I vowed never to drink another drop of liquor again but I wonder what kind of impression I left.

• Whether I like it or not, someone is always watching what I do.
• Whether I like it or not, someone is paying attention to how I conduct myself.
• Whether I like it or not, someone is seeing how I act and react in difficult situations.

If I were to just withdraw from society, people would take note and if I were to make a spectacle of myself, someone would be right there soaking it in. This seems like a lot of pressure to live for other people. I mean can’t I just live for me?

• GOD allows me to make my own decisions but loves when I choose to follow HIS way.
• GOD allows me to choose to be HIS example or to be my own example outside of HIM.
• GOD allows me to be involved with others and it’s up to me to choose if I am going to show HIS way or my way.

Love is what GOD wants me to demonstrate.  HE wants me to add love more and more each day. When I show love it means I am going to get close to people. HE wants me to stay out of their “business” yet remain an example to them while demonstrating acts of kindness.

GOD wants me to work so that I won’t have to depend on others and HE desires that I set my goals on a “quiet” life that points at HIM instead of me. The purpose of my life is to be HIS example as much as I can even when I mess up.

• Is your life a good example of CHRIST?
• Are you judging others or loving others?
• Can you add a little love (action word) to your life today?

What goes around comes around

Luke 16: ¹⁹ “There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and lived in luxury every day. ²⁰ At his gate was laid a beggar named Lazarus, covered with sores ²¹ and longing to eat what fell from the rich man’s table. Even the dogs came and licked his sores.

   ²² “The time came when the beggar died and the angels carried him to Abraham’s side. The rich man also died and was buried. ²³ In Hades, where he was in torment, he looked up and saw Abraham far away, with Lazarus by his side.

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“What goes around comes around” is what the old folks used to say. In other words “how I treat people is how I am going to get treated.” If that’s the case then either I have to start treating people nice real soon or my past will catch up to me.

• Laughing at the demise of the “idiot” boss was my forte’ until my position was eliminated.
• Ignorance of the poor and downtrodden was my mode of operation until I had to worry about my finances.
• Thinking my parents and other adults were stupid was my mantra until I grew up and had kids of my own.

Now that I am older I understand the old folk’s statement. Truly “what goes around comes around.” It may not happen in this lifetime, but whatever seeds I sow on this earth will come to fruition. GOD wants me to plant heavenly seeds on earth to reap the harvest of eternal treasure.

• Even though “that” person is not treating me right I have to treat them with grace.
• Even though I may think I need “that” luxury item maybe there is a person whose “needs” aren’t being met.
• Even though I have my own family I’m still not too old to glean wisdom from those who are older and wiser.

I need to treat people the way I want GOD to treat me. I want to be the center of HIS attention so my focus needs to be on HIS humans.

• How are you treating people?
• Are your relationships strong?
• Do you seek out the poor for the purpose of serving them for GOD?
• Are you feeling the effects of treating people poorly?
• Can you begin treating “that” person with grace?

Am I free to do as I please?

1 Peter 2: ¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves. ¹⁷ Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

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After many drinks we decided to play a game. Everyone huddled in our room and one person was blindfolded. The person was asked a number of questions about their dream mate, one of which was “what would you take off first?” This was our trick to see if a drunken girl would take off their clothes. The answer of course is the blindfold.

Now I imagine myself trying to tell this person about CHRIST or her parents or any of the ogling guys or women in the room. It just doesn’t seem very effective for GOD’s kingdom.

• No matter how I slice it, sin is sin and GOD does not like sin.
• Salvation "from" sin doesn’t give me the freedom "to" sin.
• Justifying my sinful actions only leads to more sin and less GOD.

Somehow GOD made me with ‘”free will” or the ability to choose between good and evil. When I believed in HIS SON as my savior from the consequence of sin, I became eternally saved.  Does this mean “on with the party?” Emphatically NO!

• GOD is to be feared and never taken lightly.
• GOD is love AND HE is the judge of every human.
• GOD desires me to love and respect every human as one of HIS creations.

Let’s face it my evil plans are my evil plans. I can try to justify my evil actions saying that my salvation has removed my sins, but it is clear that my attitude towards sin should be different. GOD says even the demons “believe” and tremble fearing HIS power. They know their plan has failed and wish to ruin as many lives as they can before their judgment.

Sin cannot be totally removed from my life until I am transformed by GOD, but until then I can live with love for others, respect for authority and fear of GOD as I am supposed to.

• Are you trying to justify your sinful living?
• Is GOD pleased with how you are living?
• Can you sacrifice your sin for one day to serve CHRIST?
• Will you apologize to “that” person you have evil thoughts about?

Deepen my reverence for GOD.

Hebrews 12:  ²⁸ Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, ²⁹ for our “God is a consuming fire.”

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Six NBA championships just proves there is no basketball greater than you know who. At least that’s how I see it because I went to see him play on a number of occasions. I guess you could say I revered his talents, drive and determination.

He inspired me to yell at the television, play armchair coach and pay lots of money to see him perform. Wow! What talent!

• Human talent is limited.
• Human talent is flawed.
• Human talent is fleeting.
• Human talent can cause envy.

Reverence is a feeling or attitude of deep respect tinged with awe. Awe is an overwhelming feeling of admiration, fear, etc., produced by that which is grand, sublime, extremely powerful, or the like. There are times when I have leveraged my talents to win a competition and people admired my efforts but this was only a moment in time.

• GOD is all powerful, all knowing, all seeing and ever present.
• GOD is love on its greatest scale.
• GOD is mercy and the ultimate forgiver.
• GOD is judge, jury and executioner of those who oppose HIM or HIS people.

Sometimes I make GOD a little too common.  I blow HIM off during easy times and beg for help when I get in trouble. I cheapen HIS abilities by jumping in with my plan and get disappointed when HE doesn’t follow them. I treat HIM with disrespect when I act apathetic with my “get around to it later” attitude.

• The creator of the universe deserves my deep respect.
• The being who has “always been” and will “always be” deserves my immediate attention.
• The entity who holds Heaven and Hell deserves a healthy fear.

There are times where I have feared humans more than GOD because of their position or title. Fear of their retribution drove me to cater to their every whim. BUT GOD wants HIS position to be higher than that of any human. HE wants me to revere HIM and remain in awe of HIS SON.

GOD is a consuming fire, without the proper respect I could get burned.

• Do you respect GOD’s position in your life?
• Do you have a healthy fear of GOD or do you think HE is your pal?
• Do you demand things from GOD or do you approach HIM with respect?