Finish the Job

Finish the Job

2 Corinthians 8: ¹⁰ My opinion is that it is better for you to finish now what you began last year. You were the first, not only to act, but also to be willing to act. ¹¹ On with it, then, and finish the job! Be as eager to finish it as you were to plan it, and do it with what you now have. ¹² If you are eager to give, God will accept your gift on the basis of what you have to give, not on what you don't have.

 

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“I will try to do that” or “I will get around to it” were words I used regularly to put off work or projects. Sometimes I did not know how to do the thing so it became overwhelming and I did not know how to ask for help. I would sit, dazed, not knowing how to finish.

 

• I was eager to start, but did not know how to keep going.
• I had great intentions, but did not have follow through.
• I had wonderful plans but lacked completion.

 

Paul hits everyone between the eyes with a bold statement, “Finish the job!” Wow! These words were meant to encourage those who had started a long journey, serving the LORD. Somehow they became discouraged and some may have fallen away. BUT GOD had different plans.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to persevere through ambiguous or dark times.
• GOD wants me to come out of hiding when I feel like I failed.
• GOD wants me to live my life with purpose and finish the job HE has given me.

 

“I will try” is the procrastinator’s credo. I mean, I sometimes don’t know how to change directions or even know if I should. And when I find the thing I am supposed to do, I may start strong, but get weary, even if GOD told me to do something important.

 

Let me say, “GOD understands.” He wants us to take little steps to the bigger vision HE has for us. HE never gives us an assignment we cannot handle. HE choses to use broken people to speak about perfection, namely JESUS. I am glad GOD wants me to finish strong by speaking about HIS SON, JESUS, who is my Savior.

 

Challenge

• What do you get out of the writers challenging words?
• Is there something you started that you have been putting off?
• Have you ever felt overwhelmed and did not know how to finish what you started?
• Will you live your life with GOD’s purpose and allow HIM to provide you with the right resources, words and energy to finish what HE wants you to do for HIM today?

Daydreaming

 

Daydreaming

Romans 8: ⁵ Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. ⁶ The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. ⁷ The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. ⁸ Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

 

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Hearing the conversation about cars made me know I was in the wrong league. One guy had just bought a car worth more than my house. After the conversation I was content to drive away in my rusty car. But later, I sat at my desk wondering how I could make more money. Maybe I should day trade or invest. I started dreaming of wealth more and more.

 

• Many times I put my mind on what I desired.
• Many times I sat with my mind fixed on what was in my heart.
• Many times I pondered how “good” life would be if I would just have…

 

Paul explains an enemy that is not the devil rather the mind. Though Satan caused humanity to ultimately fall and desire sin, humans still have a choice. Paul explains that choice. Those who live with their minds fixed on any lust cannot have their minds on things that please GOD.

 

• GOD wants me to seek HIS ways daily.
• GOD wants me to know my weaknesses and give them to HIM.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to guide my thoughts, for only HE knows my heart.

 

Without GOD, all dreams are worthless. I mean, any dream I have should include what GOD wants, otherwise I will find myself in a losing fight against GOD. If I really want that material thing and do not get it, I pout at GOD and question HIS existence.

 

GOD hates when I back HIM in a corner and question HIS love that HE so generously gave to me. BUT HE is patient enough to guide me back to HIM and to allow me to pray for daily forgiveness. HE sets my mind on HIS people who need HIS SON for HIS salvation. I am grateful GOD intervenes in my mind.

 

• What are you worried about?
• What do you dream about most of the day?
• Will you ask GOD to set your mind on what HE wants rather than trying to get your desires fulfilled today?

Fully Assembled

 

Fully Assembled

Romans 8: Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. ³ For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, ⁴ in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.

 

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Working on the furniture seemed pretty easy, though there were a lot of parts and instructions. I followed the instructions to the letter, but in the middle of assembly, I got distracted with some difficult news that I had to attend to. When I returned, the distraction replayed in my mind and I was not able to concentrate as I should. I missed several steps and had to disassemble the furniture and start over.

 

• There have been times when I wanted to follow all the steps but could not.
• There have been times when I was willing to follow all the steps but got distracted.
• There have been times when I tried to follow the steps, but life got in the way and I found myself skipping a few rules that I should have followed.

 

Paul had just posed a serious question. “Who can save a wretch like me?” He was given the answer. JESUS CHRIST is the Savior to those who believe in HIS resurrection and the need to be saved.

 

Paul now explains that there is no condemnation to those who believe in CHRIST JESUS. GOD did not leave salvation up to chance, because humans would easily get distracted.

 

• GOD wants me to know I am free from condemnation.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS has given me life.
• GOD wants me to know that the instructions I could not follow were forgiven by the one who followed every instruction, namely JESUS.

 

Being born into sin starts me off with an impossibility. I mean, there is no good that I can do to erase the sin of my birth, which is tied to Adam’s sin of disobedience in the Garden of Eden. BUT GOD did the impossible.

 

HE volunteered to become a human, followed every rule HE gave humans, was falsely blamed for every sin, murdered by humans and raised to life to receive all authority. HE knew I would be condemned forever, so HE took care of the problem. I am broken BUT JESUS put me back together, fully assembled. I am grateful I now fill the righteous requirement because of JESUS.

 

• Do you think you are in control of your life?
• Are you distracted and missing a few steps, requiring you to start over again?
• Will you place your trust in JESUS, so you can have peace in HIM, so HE can provide clear direction for the purpose of your life today?

 

Owning Protection

Owning Protection

John 18: ²⁵ Now Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. Therefore they said to him, “You are not also one of His disciples, are you?”

He denied it and said, “I am not!”

²⁶ One of the servants of the high priest, a relative of him whose ear Peter cut off, said, “Did I not see you in the garden with Him?” ²⁷ Peter then denied again; and immediately a rooster crowed.

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“They did it” was the automated response to blaming my siblings. I mean who wanted to get in trouble for throwing pillows and breaking stuff on accident. I sang like a bird as I told on them. I got in trouble anyway.

What lengths have I gone to in order to protect myself?

What lies have I told in order to protect myself from facing consequence?

What stories have I made up in my mind in order to convince myself, I do not deserve punishment?

Peter did what most people would have done. He lied about his relationship with JESUS to save himself. He slipped into the courtyard with the help of the bold disciple. When he was recognized, he denied any relationship with JESUS. This was predicted by JESUS.

When I am in public, JESUS wants me to share my relationship with HIM.

When I am faced with consequence, JESUS wants me to remember HE is with me.

When I am persecuted by those who are supposed to be on my side, JESUS wants me to know I am blessed.

“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for MY sake” are the words that should remain when I think I should protect myself. Instead of getting out of trouble, I should face the situation with truth.

GOD wants me to join HIM in truth and accept all responsibilities for my actions. HE also wants me to face ridicule from those who have slandered me to get their way. HE has a greater reward for those who stand with HIM during times of persecution. I am grateful I can face my problems with GOD.

Are you trying to protect yourself by blaming someone else?

Have you made up stories so you can protect your image?

Will you seek GOD’s kingdom in spite of the possibility of being ridiculed, insulted or persecuted?

Will you allow GOD to own your protection today?

Open to it

Open to it

John 13: ²⁶ Jesus answered, “It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it.” And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon. ²⁷ Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, “What you do, do quickly.” ²⁸ But no one at the table knew for what reason He said this to him. ²⁹ For some thought, because Judas had the money box, that Jesus had said to him, “Buy those things we need for the feast,” or that he should give something to the poor.

³⁰ Having received the piece of bread, he then went out immediately. And it was night.

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“There will be drinking and you may have sex” the party planner implied. While those exact words were not used, that was the gist of the party. I said “no” on many occasions, but this time was different. I was sulking over a dead end job, being dumped by someone I liked and being thrown out of school, all in the same week. I was open for some ”fun.”

• Many times I have been willing to sin.
• Many times I have made excuses for my sin.
• Many times I have been open to sin because I felt I had been “good” and look where that got me.

JESUS is the Bread of Life. HE used bread, in this passage, to show who was open to sin. HE gave the bread to Judas who, after eating the bread, Satan entered. JESUS then sent him on his way to get the murderous church leaders. In this case, the bread did not provide life but exposed sin.

• JESUS wants me to look at HIM when I am sulking and sad.
• JESUS wants me to seek HIM when I am lonely and forlorn.
• JESUS wants me to desire HIM when I am nervous and worried.

Empty vessels is what GOD made when HE created humans. Free will gives me a choice as to what I will fill myself up with. I “will” fill myself up with something, as all humans will do the same. The question is, will I fill myself up with Satan or GOD?

Fortunately for me, JESUS made it easy. HE chose me because I would not choose HIM. HE opened my eyes, ears and heart to HIM and filled me with the HOLY SPIRIT. I still sin, but because of JESUS, my sins have no hold on me.

• What are you open to?
• Are you looking at your life and are not satisfied with it?
• Are you open to sin?
• Will you ask GOD to use you today, even in the smallest way?

Willingness

Luke 10: After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. ² Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.

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With the proposal due in a very short time, I decided to stay at work until I finished. Hour after hour passed and before I knew it people were showing up for work again. It was the next day and I had not left work. I worked 36 hours straight.

There have been many times when I have put a lot of effort into work.

There have been many times when I put work first and everything else second.

There have been many times when I was willing to use all of my thoughts on work.

JESUS  appointed seventy people who were willing to put their mind and efforts into telling people about HIS kingdom. HE knew there were plenty of people who needed to hear HIS message, but so many people were focused on protecting their lifestyle, they would never help HIS cause.

JESUS wants me to take some time to tell people about CHRIST.

JESUS wants me to use some of my thoughts to let people know how wonderful CHRIST is.

JESUS wants me to be willing to give my life to grow HIS kingdom.

Willingness to say “JESUS is LORD of my life” is what GOD desires from me. HE doesn’t make it hard or weird. HE wants me to be willing to seek those who have lost their way back to HIM. HE says “There are plenty of people who need to hear MY message, but very few people willing to tell people about ME.”

When I ask “What does GOD want from me” the answer is very clear. “Tell people about the sacrifice MY SON made for you” is all I want from you, nothing more.

Are you waiting on GOD to give you direction?

Do you think obtaining human titles and human affirmation will prove GOD’s love for you?

Will you start believing the truth that GOD loves you and drop the lie of meeting human expectations today?

Willing and Able

Luke 5: ¹² And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”

¹³ Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him. ¹⁴ And He charged him to tell no one, “But go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering for your cleansing, as a testimony to them, just as Moses commanded.”

¹⁵ However, the report went around concerning Him all the more; and great multitudes came together to hear, and to be healed by Him of their infirmities. ¹⁶ So He Himself often withdrew into the wilderness and prayed.

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“LORD I don’t know what to do!” was my cry. I just sat there in tears as it seemed like everything I tried to accomplish was falling apart rapidly. Broken relationships, broken vehicles and broken appliances piled up.

• Sometimes it seemed like GOD wasn’t listening.
• Sometimes it seemed like I was the problem and I could not find a solution.
• Sometimes it seemed like there was no end to the pain I was going through.

With tears in his eyes, the man begged JESUS to get rid of his infirmities as if to say, “I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!” He then said to JESUS “If YOU are willing, YOU can make me clean.” He had faith that JESUS could do anything but also knew permission was necessary.

• JESUS tells me to have faith that HE can do anything.
• JESUS tells me to believe that HE is willing to do anything for me.
• JESUS tells me to know HE wants me to ask for anything and it will be given to me.

After begging JESUS for some help, it seemed like things eased up for me. I mean just as fast as everything went bad, they turned around to good. Relationships started healing and so did the material possessions. I could only thank GOD for bringing me through the storms of life.

• Are you going through something?
• Do you feel like GOD isn’t hearing you?
• Will you cry out to GOD today and ask HIM “If YOU are willing” and allow HIM to say “yes” or “no” to your request but believe HE has to power to do all things?

Keep Looking Out

Matthew 26: ⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

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With squinted eyes I could not see the bus. “I have time” I said to myself, so I went into a shop to get whatever they were selling. I returned just as the bus zoomed past.

• Sometimes I drop my guard.
• Sometimes I stop looking out.
• Sometimes I get caught up in something else rather than focusing on what I am supposed to.

JESUS found HIS disciples sleeping when HE wanted them to be on the lookout, praying. My guess is that HE wanted to teach them a very important final lesson, but they were not ready to hear it so they slept and the moment passed.

• GOD wants me to live for HIM daily.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face daily.
• GOD wants me to be on the lookout for HIS miracles daily.

Falling asleep is the equivalent of me drifting away from following GOD. When I close my eyes to wrong I drift into temptation. “The SPIRIT is willing but my flesh is weak” is what GOD says to me. Unless I stay in prayer, the world’s traps will get to me. GOD wants me awake.

• Are you asleep and cannot hear GOD?
• Are you trying to do things on your own power and are missing GOD’s miracles for you?
• Will you stop looking in the opposite direction and look for GOD to solve your problems?