Only What’s Revealed

 

Only What’s Revealed

Revelation 10: Then I saw another mighty angel coming down out of heaven. He was wrapped in a cloud and had a rainbow around his head; his face was like the sun, and his legs were like columns of fire. ² He had a small scroll open in his hand. He put his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, ³ and called out in a loud voice that sounded like the roar of lions. After he had called out, the seven thunders answered with a roar. ⁴ As soon as they spoke, I was about to write. But I heard a voice speak from heaven, “Keep secret what the seven thunders have said; do not write it down!”

 

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Sitting in the room of executives, I heard some things that were being planned, but not ready for customers to hear. After saying what was planned, I was sworn to secrecy

 

• I was trusted with strategic information.
• I heard information that would affect a lot of people.
• I was able to say only what I could reveal to the public.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard a supernatural conversation that he was about to write down. It was between a powerful angel and seven thunders. John was about to write down the reply of the seven thunders when a voice, perhaps JESUS emphatically said “Keep secret what the seven thunders have said; do not write it down!”

 

My Observations

• GOD has revealed what HE wants mankind to understand about HIM.
• GOD has not revealed everything HE is going to do.
• GOD is sovereign, meaning HE has the right to conceal or reveal what HE wants to.

 

Protecting humans is GOD’s forte. I mean, when I try to think like GOD or question HIS actions, I find myself in trouble. I cannot figure out “why” or ”what” HE is doing. HE knows I cannot handle the future, nor can I repair the past, BUT HE can.

 

GOD’s thoughts and ways are far about any thought you and I can come up with. HE protects us from knowledge that would be harmful to us, but necessary to complete HIS plan. Knowing there is more to GOD than what is revealed helps me let go of trying to get my way.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer put emphasis on being told not to write down what was said?
• Have you ever been told a secret that would affect other people?
• Will you seek to understand GOD in the way HE revealed HIMSELF in the Bible, and have faith that HE has given enough information to help you in any situation you may face?

Dedication

Dedication

2 Timothy 2: ³ Take your part in suffering, as a loyal soldier of Christ Jesus. ⁴ A soldier on active duty wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life. ⁵ An athlete who runs in a race cannot win the prize unless he obeys the rules. ⁶ The farmer who has done the hard work should have the first share of the harvest. ⁷ Think about what I am saying, because the Lord will enable you to understand it all.

 

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Leaving the college track team was easy because they wanted me to run at five in the morning and then again at five in the evening! Leaving the company was easy because the environment was not what I wanted it to be! Leaving a volunteer group was easy because they wanted me to do everything! Leaving GOD was just as easy!

 

• I had become accustomed to quitting and leaving things that were hard.
• It was easy to quit and leave things if I “blamed” it.
• I did not want to face hard situations that had no benefit to “me.”

 

Paul gives some really hard words to swallow. “Take your part in suffering” was the advice he gave Timothy. He then gives three examples; a soldier, an athlete and a farmer. He probably used these examples because he was in jail guarded by soldiers who could not be moved or swayed by anything said to them. Athletes followed the rules and farmers did hard work!

 

My Observations

• Life is hard and GOD does not want me to give up on HIS ways.
• Life brings many trials and GOD wants me to be prepared to face them with HIM.
• Life can be unfair, tiring and sometimes disastrous and GOD wants me to remain dedicated to HIM.

 

Let’s face it, sometimes life really, really stinks! I mean, one moment things are going well, the next, things are not going so well. When trials hit, all I want to do is get out of the trial. It becomes hard to see GOD’s goodness in the middle of tribulation. BUT GOD wants me to look at life different.

 

HE wants me to have the mindset that life will definitely be difficult so I should expect it, like a soldier going to war. HE wants me to rain like an athlete and work as hard as a farmer, who seems to never find a moment’s rest. GOD does care and wants me prepared. I am glad HE changes my mind about life.

 

Challenge

• Why in the world is the writer talking about “suffering?”
• What are your expectations of GOD?
• Will you relook at life differently, knowing Satan is your enemy who wants to attack and destroy your relationship with GOD, so you can be strong and hold onto GOD’s ways in the middle of trials?

Important Task

Important Task

Colossians 1: ²⁵ And I have been made a servant of the church by God, who gave me this task to perform for your good. It is the task of fully proclaiming his message, ²⁶ which is the secret he hid through all past ages from all human beings but has now revealed to his people.

 

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When given a project to do, I accepted it, not knowing others were available. But when I found out there were more glamorous projects that were higher visibility to those in power, I questioned my menial project.

 

• I wanted something “I” could be known for.
• I wanted those in power to desire “my” expertise.
• I wanted to eventually move “up” so I needed to work on important

 

Paul speaks of GOD’s highly important task of spreading the Gospel. This message was hidden for a long time and has been revealed to HIS people. Paul accepted this task to perform.

 

My Observations

• Spreading the Gospel is not glamorous, but is the most important thing I can do for GOD.
• Telling people that our sins have been forgiven by JESUS who loves us, may seem less important, but is the utmost importance to GOD.
• Providing eternal hope to people may seem like a waste of time, But GOD wants every one of HIS creation’s to believe in JESUS as the Savior.

 

Let’s face it, serving GOD is not glamorous. I mean, if it were, then you would have more celebrities doing it. Instead, the world tries to determine what messages are “important.” GOD sees when HIS message has been spread and rewards those who do so.

 

HE and all of heaven cheer when one person gives his or her heart to GOD. Eternity with GOD through the belief in JESUS is the most important message I could ever proclaim. I gladly accept this task.

 

Challenge

• What task is the writer speaking of?
• Have you ever felt your gift or talent was mundane or not so glamorous?
• Will you speak about JESUS and know you are extremely important to GOD today?

Alignment

Alignment

Ephesians 1: ¹⁵ For this reason, ever since I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of God's people, ¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks to God for you. I remember you in my prayers ¹⁷ and ask the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you the Spirit, who will make you wise and reveal God to you, so that you will know him.

 

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Complaints about the preaching became the norm for me. I went to sleep on one set of sermons and others I tried to escape by being “busy” during the discourse. And what was it with the uniforms people wore? And why don’t they update the music?  And why was church service so long? And…

 

• I was blind to what people were doing for GOD.
• I could not value how people were serving GOD because I was too busy complaining.
• I saw myself as being right and “they” were serving GOD wrong because “I” did not hear what I wanted to hear.

 

Paul compliments the people on their faith in JESUS. He heard about their faith and had to do something special. He gave thanks. He also asked GOD for them to receive wisdom as given only by the HOLY SPIRIT. Paul aligned to GOD’s will.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to seek and admire those who put their faith in JESUS.
• GOD wants me to value what people are doing for HIM and give thanks for them by remembering them in prayer.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to provide wisdom from the HOLY SPIRIT so they may know HIM.

 

Recognizing other people is important to GOD. I mean, seeing what people ”are” doing for HIM rather than harboring a complaint is wonderful to HIM. Unfortunately, I look at things from my selfish perspective and wonder what is in this for me? GOD sees my complaint and knows my justification attempts for acting foul.

 

HE forgives me, opens my eyes to HIS servants and cleans my heart to see HE has a multitude of servants who love HIM. HE wants me to see that HE has placed many people around the world who show love for all HIS people. I give thanks for those who serve GOD because of their faith in JESUS and I align to GOD’s will.

 

Challenge

• What is the writers heart for the people?
• Are there people you can think of who have been faithful and could use your prayers?
• Will you take a moment and remember those who serve GOD and ask that HE provide the HOLY SPIRIT to open eyes and reveal who HE is today?

 

Prayer

Dear LORD, thank YOU for this reader. Thank YOU for his or her faith in YOUR SON, JESUS. Please open our eyes and reveal who YOU are today. amen

Only a Pinch is Necessary

Matthew 13: ³³ He told them still another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about sixty pounds of flour until it worked all through the dough.”

³⁴ Jesus spoke all these things to the crowd in parables; he did not say anything to them without using a parable. ³⁵ So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet:

“I will open my mouth in parables,

    I will utter things hidden since the creation of the world.”

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Study hard, stay away from sin and live in church was my thought of “success” in GOD. I mean that sounds about right doesn’t it? Well maybe…

• There have been times I put too many rules in front of GOD.
• There have been times I worshiped the structure of GOD rather than worshiping HIM.
• There have been times I felt I could earn GOD’s favor by being “righteous.”

The kingdom of Heaven requires a little, not a lot. What I mean is GOD saw “no” righteousness in me, yet HE saved me. HE gave me a tiny bit of faith and watched it grow in me.

• GOD says to me “I only need a little of your faith and I will do the rest.”
• GOD says to me “If you would have a tiny bit of faith, I will grow it in you like a mustard seed.”
• GOD says to me “I provide infectious faith that grows you and others around you.”

Faith does not come from me. I cannot manufacture it or think I have it when I don’t. Faith comes only from GOD. HE has to provide me with a tiny kernel of faith to believe in HIS guidance. It is up to me to ask for faith and to believe in it when HE provides it.

GOD does not mind providing faith. I have to recognize when HE gives me chances to use it.

• Do you want faith or more of it?
• Are you tired of being scared and worried?
• Can you ask GOD for a tiny kernel of faith today?