Set Up For Success

 

Set Up For Success

Romans 11: ¹⁶ If the first piece of bread is given to God, then the whole loaf is his also; and if the roots of a tree are offered to God, the branches are his also. ¹⁷ Some of the branches of the cultivated olive tree have been broken off, and a branch of a wild olive tree has been joined to it. You Gentiles are like that wild olive tree, and now you share the strong spiritual life of the Jews. ¹⁸ So then, you must not despise those who were broken off like branches. How can you be proud? You are just a branch; you don't support the roots—the roots support you.

 

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Blame the last person for the mess so the new person could look like the hero, was the normal habit at this particular company. I got into the position and everything seemed to be falling apart. People were blaming “my” department and I considered using the deflection tactic.

 

• There were times when I wanted to blame someone else for the mess I was in.
• There were times when I wanted to set someone up for failure so I could succeed.
• There were times when I wanted to show how wrong someone else was so I could look right.

 

Paul spoke about GOD’s currency, namely people. He uses two analogies; one about bread and the other about olive trees. In both analogies, Paul explains that everything is GOD’s. If a group of people are given to GOD then the entire tribe is also given to HIM. If a group has been adopted into the family, those adopted should not despise the family members who left the family.

 

• GOD wants me to recognize I am accepted by HIM only because of HIS grace.
• GOD wants me to understand that all of us have gone astray so I must be humble because HE brought me back to HIM.
• GOD wants me to show love to those who are pursuing religion versus believing in JESUS as the Savior.

 

Setting people up for success means not speaking badly about them. I mean, I must look at my own sins and avoid pointing out someone else’s. I am a sinner and the only reason I can even speak JESUS’ name is because HE pursued me when I was not looking for HIM.

 

I have nothing to be proud of. My righteousness is like a pile of poop. I am grateful I can point to JESUS whose righteousness cleans all who believe.

 

• Are you looking at someone, thinking they are not following GOD correctly?
• Do you have a problem with the way someone sings, speaks or preaches about GOD?
• Will you get rid of your pride and be thankful JESUS is your Savior so HE can clean your heart to share in the “strong spiritual life” today?

GOD is with you through the battle!

Judges 11: ²⁹ Then the Spirit of the Lord came on Jephthah. He crossed Gilead and Manasseh, passed through Mizpah of Gilead, and from there he advanced against the Ammonites.

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³² Then Jephthah went over to fight the Ammonites, and the Lord gave them into his hands. ³³ He devastated twenty towns from Aroer to the vicinity of Minnith, as far as Abel Keramim. Thus Israel subdued Ammon.

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Scowling faces made me feel a bit uneasy as I walked through the crowd. As I shook a few hands I engaged people in conversation to find out why they were so angry. As they told me their story I could empathize a bit more.

As I stood at the podium I saw the same scowls on the ocean of people but a sense of peace fell over me. I took a deep breath and began my presentation. I could actually see the scowls lift into smiles as I made some modifications to my discussion that included their pain. I could feel a spirit of peace in the room.

• GOD gives me peace when I face something huge.
• GOD leads me beside still waters and restores my soul.
• GOD fights my battles when I face difficulty.

I would like to say it was me who calmed the crowd, but in reality it was GOD who brought peace in the room. Every circumstance, every situation, every tough decision can be brought to GOD and HE has plenty of peace to give me. All I have to do is trust that HE will be with me as I walk out and fight the battle, knowing the battle is already won because of HIM!

• Are you fighting on your own strength?
• Do you think you can win the battle by yourself?
• Won’t you stop fighting without GOD and ask HIM to go before you today?
• Can you trust that HE has your best interest in mind?

How healthy am I?

1 Timothy 4: ⁷ Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸ For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

⁹ This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.

¹⁰ That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

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Treacherous was the description of the road as I tooled along at fifteen miles per hour. Snow blowing thwarted my visibility but I was determined to get there. When I arrived I breathed a sigh of relief. I could lift weights in peace because I had the whole gym to myself.

The bodybuilding competition was coming up in a few months and I wanted to be ready. Besides, I could miss church if I worked out too hard.

• Sometimes I put my ambitions in the wrong place.
• Sometimes I place my ambitions higher than the prime objective.
• Sometimes I put my ambitions first and other things fall somewhere down the list.

Health concerns are good. I should rest, eat right and exercise as much as possible, but all these things won’t amount to much if my spirit is not healthy. I mean if I am lazy in my service to GOD then my spirit can get sick and out of shape.

• GOD wants me to take time to speak with HIM to build my faith muscles.
• GOD wants me to take time to read about HIM to build my perseverance and joy muscles.
• GOD wants me to take time to serve others for HIM to build my generosity and love muscles.

It actually requires a conscience effort to pay attention to GOD. I can get so wrapped up in trying to accomplish something that I forget why I’m here in the first place. GOD put me here to be HIS. The more training I do the easier it is to “be” the person HE wants me to be.

• Are you training yourself for GOD?
• Can GOD use a little of your life today?
• Won’t you set some of your ambition aside and focus on what GOD would want you to do?

I’ll take it from here

Galatians 3: 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?

 

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Independence is what I sought for the longest. I wanted to be all “grown-up” without the lessons. With my hand held out I reluctantly asked for money from my parents. I was trying to peel as far away from my parents as I possibly could but alas, I was broke. When they gave me what they could I said, “I’ll take it from here” meaning I won’t need you anymore.

 

• When times are good I tend to forget GOD.
• When things are going well for me I tend to leave GOD out the picture.
• When everything seems to be going right I tend to think I’m the cause of creating a good situation.

 

No matter how many times I got in trouble, GOD bailed me out and then I felt a sense of relief. Unfortunately I got comfortable in that relief and I forgot that GOD was the one who delivered me in the first place. I would bask in the accolades and soon I would start believing the compliments from others.

 

 

“Yeah, I am pretty good” I would think to myself. Soon that thought would turn into “I’m pretty good and you’re not so good.” I wound up in a place where the HOLY SPIRIT did not lead me.

 

 

• When I stay with the HOLY SPIRIT I remain humble.
• When I stay with the HOLY SPIRIT I stop trying to do things on my own.
• When I stay with the HOLY SPIRIT I view “success” as a trait of GOD not my accomplishment to take credit.

 

 

GOD wants me to be totally dependent on HIM. HE doesn’t just want me to come to HIM when I get in trouble and when the situation is resolved, leave HIM by saying “I’ll take it from here.” GOD wants me to walk with HIM through thick and thin. Why? Because HE always walks with me no matter what I am going through.

 

 

• Have you forgotten where you came from?
• Do you think your accomplishments come from your abilities?
• Can you give credit where credit is due?
• Won’t you turn back to following the HOLY SPIRIT instead of listening to your own ways?

 

Am I led by the SPIRIT?

1 Corinthians 2: ¹² What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us.

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When speaking about the HOLY SPIRIT I sometimes feel like a nut.  I mean can I really tell others that I actually hear something that tells me what to do without sounding crazy? Well, let me tell you, the HOLY SPIRIT tells me stuff to do all the time, sometimes I listen.

• When I’m tempted to sin the HOLY SPIRIT warns me against the sin.
• When I want to be mad at that person, the HOLY SPIRIT says forgive just like you were forgiven.
• When I want to treat myself to something nice, the HOLY SPIRIT says give that extra cash to someone in need.

The problem I have with the HOLY SPIRIT is I want to do what I want to do and most times I don’t want to listen to HIM. HE is always going to tell me to do something I don’t want to do, yet when I listen to HIM my heart is filled.

• When I listen to the HOLY SPIRIT, I never go wrong.
• When I listen to the HOLY SPIRIT, it’s scary at first then I realize later I’m on the best path.
• When I listen to the HOLY SPIRIT, I do things I normally would not do but it furthers the kingdom.

I have seen people burn down buildings or kill their families saying GOD told them to do it. Now to me that’s crazy. The HOLT SPIRIT says to me “Be compassionate to your enemy” or “Go serve when you don’t feel like serving” or “Give even when you feel nervous about giving.” None of these items are news worthy but I can tell you, each time I obey, I understand GOD a little more.

• Are you led by the HOLY SPIRIT or are you doing what you want to do?
• What are you doing to step out on GOD’s faith?
• What part of GOD’s kingdom is HE nagging you about?
• Is there someplace or someone GOD is telling you to serve and you are ignoring it?
• Won’t you listen to the HOLY SPIIT today and obey HIM?

Speak about JESUS no matter what.

Acts 4: ¹⁸ Then they called them in again and commanded them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. ¹⁹ But Peter and John replied, “Which is right in God’s eyes: to listen to you, or to him? You be the judges! ²⁰ As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

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At work a person thought it would be a great idea to send a spiritual voicemail to several people. I got on the list and enjoyed the daily messages of inspiration. When the person left the company there was a void and the request was sent to all of us to step up and become the messenger.

The Holy SPIRIT said to me, “go ahead” but I quickly declined in fear of being labeled as some sort of fanatic. I wanted that promotion and got it! Years later the company cut many positions including mine. I wonder what GOD would have done if I had flowed HIS leading.

• Telling people about CHRIST takes courage especially when the crowd doesn’t want to hear it.
• Telling people about CHRIST is inconvenient and makes people question my lifestyle.
• Telling people about CHRIST may mean persecution and when I try to protect myself I get persecuted anyway.

The quest for fame and fortune seems to exclude CHRIST.  It is more acceptable to quote a scientific journal than GOD’s words.  The world sits back and scoffs at JESUS’ return asking in a sarcastic way, “where is HE” or “why hasn’t HE saved you from your situation?” The answer is clear, speak about GOD anyway.

• GOD wants me to tell people about HIS Son even if my dreams don’t come true.
• GOD wants me to exclaim from the mountain that HIS Son saved me even though I am a daily sinner.
• GOD the FATHER wants me to preach about JESUS because JESUS is GOD the SON.

Wealth and titles created a false world of friends for me BUT GOD has shown me that preaching about HIS SON is the most important thing I could ever do in life. The messages are never popular and most times I don’t want to write them or read them because they force me to change my lifestyle to conform to GOD’s. I am driven to serve HIM no matter what!

• Are you scared to follow GOD?
• What barriers do you have in your way when it is time for you to tell people about JESUS?
• Do you feel the need to tell many people about GOD’s great love or are you busy asking for stuff?
• Won’t you change your focus and live for CHRIST today?

SPIRIT led choices

Acts:  ²¹ Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time the Lord Jesus was living among us, ²² beginning from John’s baptism to the time when Jesus was taken up from us. For one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

 ²³ So they nominated two men: Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias. ²⁴ Then they prayed, “Lord, you know everyone’s heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen ²⁵ to take over this apostolic ministry, which Judas left to go where he belongs.” ²⁶ Then they cast lots, and the lot fell to Matthias; so he was added to the eleven apostles.

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When I got my first job out of college I drove to the small town without directions (typical man). I didn’t know the area or where I worked but I needed to find an apartment.  A car cut me off as I drove around my new “strange” town. Stopping to catch my breath, I glanced over and there was a set of hidden apartments, under my price range.

A feeling came over me saying “this is the place” so I immediately put a down payment on the place then I went to check out where I worked. To my amazement my job was only four blocks from my apartment.

• I don’t have to see burning bushes to see GOD every day.
• I don’t have to see seas splitting open to see GOD working in my life.
• I don’t have to see fire rain down from heaven to see GOD steering me and guiding me.

Okay, there are times when I don’t feel comfortable speaking about the experiences I’ve had with GOD. I mean I feel like I will be looked at like I am a nut or people will brush off my situation as a coincidence or belittle it. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD is just as concerned about my “little” choices as much as the large ones.
• GOD has a plan for me and has chosen me for that plan.
• GOD protects and guides me.

The disciples were very SPIRIT led when making a choice for a new apostle. They relied on GOD to make the choice for them. Please don’t get me wrong, planning is great, just don’t leave GOD out of the plans!

• Do you have a decision to make?
• Have you considered allowing GOD to guide your direction?
• Are you trying to control every aspect of your life?
• Which decisions have you left up to the SPIRIT to make?