As For Us

As For Us

Hebrews 12: As for us, we have this large crowd of witnesses around us. So then, let us rid ourselves of everything that gets in the way, and of the sin which holds on to us so tightly, and let us run with determination the race that lies before us. ² Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God's throne.

 

============

 

Joining a gym, I wanted to gain some muscle. I struggled by myself as I guessed at what I should do. After a while, someone at the gym asked me if I would like to join them in their routine. They started me off with embarrassingly light weight and gradually added heavier weight. When I came in with a candy bar, they said “We don’t eat those anymore.” They suggested food that would help me build muscle.

 

• I was part of a group.
• I chose to cut out some things that were not “good” for me.
• I saw results when I stuck with their suggestions.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, pauses to give a word of motivation. He had just provided a list of examples where faith was shown in different forms. He then turned to the present to provide actions associated with faith.

 

My Observations:

• Faith in what JESUS did, helps me to turn away from things that HE died for.
• Understanding that some things may not be good for me, makes me seek what is pleasing to the LORD.
• Fortitude is given to me when I mimic the determination JESUS had for dying just for me.

 

“As for us” is a statement of being in a new family. I mean, my old family included “friends” who had me doing things that were not good for them or me. In fact, when I nervously joined in, I noticed the “fun” did not solve any problem I was going through, rather it magnified them. I needed a real solution.

 

GOD answered my prayer and provided me with a path to see life clearer. HE guided me away from certain things and gave me something more important to focus on, namely JESUS. I am glad GOD cares enough to guide me back to HIM.

 

Challenge

• Who is the “us” the writer mentions?
• Have you ever been part of a group that had your best interest in mind?
• Will you accept being part of GOD’s family and examine your life to see if there are things you say or do that could hold you back from experiencing a great relationship with JESUS today?

Up Close and Personal Love

 

Up Close and Personal Love

1 Corinthians 13: ¹¹ When I was a child, my speech, feelings, and thinking were all those of a child; now that I am an adult, I have no more use for childish ways. ¹² What we see now is like a dim image in a mirror; then we shall see face-to-face. What I know now is only partial; then it will be complete—as complete as God's knowledge of me.

 

¹³ Meanwhile these three remain: faith, hope, and love; and the greatest of these is love.

 

============

 

Driving became very difficult because salt was all over my windshield and the car was out of washer fluid. I had to slow down because the road was partially covered with snow and I could not see very well. I used my best understanding of that road to navigate, but I  really did not know if I was in one lane or another.

 

• My understanding of life is blurry.
• My knowledge of life is only partial.
• My wisdom used in life is like a dim image in a mirror.

 

Paul concludes his explanation of true love. Many people think this love is something that humans can do and do well. Paul explains that we will not really know what we are doing until we see JESUS face-to-face. But what am I supposed to do until then?

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to place my faith in HIS promises that HE will always be with me.
• GOD wants me to place my hope in JESUS, who I will one day see fact-to-face.
• GOD wants me to grow up and understand that true love has already been shown to me through JESUS.

 

Imagine a house on fire in the middle of a hurricane and a child asking “Why can’t I watch cartoons right now?” I mean, this child is not even on the road, let alone able to drive. Now think of what the adult should do. Focus on getting everyone to safety with the best knowledge he or she has.

 

GOD has given each of us a second chance. When we were in the middle of our sins, we were doomed to die an eternal death. BUT JESUS took care of that. HE saved me and anyone who will believe in HIM. HE then sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live in me. This act of love only gives me partial abilities. I need other people to complete the mirror. I place my faith and hope in JESUS.

 

Challenge

• What do you notice about faith and hope being mentioned?
• What does it mean to speak and act as a child or an adult in terms of CHRIST?
• Will you stop seeking what you want as a child and seek what GOD wants you to do with your gifts HE has given you today?

Have a Response

 

Have a Response

1 Corinthians 9: ³ When people criticize me, this is how I defend myself: ⁴ Don't I have the right to be given food and drink for my work? ⁵ Don't I have the right to follow the example of the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Peter, by taking a Christian wife with me on my trips? ⁶ Or are Barnabas and I the only ones who have to work for our living? ⁷ What soldiers ever have to pay their own expenses in the army? What farmers do not eat the grapes from their own vineyard? What shepherds do not use the milk from their own sheep?

 

============

 

When I got off the stage I felt debased. I was invited to speak on one subject, but was ambushed with other questions I was not expecting. Unfortunately for me, I had no response. An audience member pulled me to the side and said “You have the microphone. Speak from your platform.” “What did that mean?” ran through my mind.

 

• There have been times when I was unprepared with my response.
• There have been times when I have been criticized and I did not have a satisfactory reply.
• There have been times when I have faced combative people and had no “defense.”

 

Paul felt the need to teach people how to defend their service to the LORD. He talks about some controversial topics that remain to this day. “Should a person get paid for speaking about JESUS?” And “Should the spouse of the speaker be taken care of too?” were probably the questions he addressed. He provided a “platform.”

 

• GOD wants me to speak about HIM and have other people support HIS work through me.
• GOD wants me to know it is alright to be supported by others when I dedicate my life to speaking about HIM.
• GOD wants me to have a response to criticism ready that still points people to HIM.

 

Rather than arguing, GOD wants me to be ready for those who criticize me for speaking about HIM. HE knows some people will not agree that JESUS is the answer because he or she may be too blinded by the world to hear that JESUS “IS” the answer to any and all problems.

 

A life dedicated to speaking about JESUS deserves life sustaining conveniences. Luxury items complicate what is life sustaining these days. BUT GOD knows all of my needs, wants and desires. When I align those to HIM, I am always taken care of. My response to those who criticize me for serving the LORD is “HE loves you and me.”

 

• Are you getting into arguments about GOD’s calling on your life?
• Do you get frustrated because you have to defend what GOD told you to do?
• Will you relax the need to argue and be prepared to pray for those who may not understand and teach those who do to support GOD’s vision HE has on your life?

Led

Led

Acts 8: ²⁹ Then the Spirit said to Philip, “Go near and overtake this chariot.”

³⁰ So Philip ran to him, and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

³¹ And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he asked Philip to come up and sit with him.

============

Watching the pins fall, I was amazed at the bowler. Strike after strike, I watched in awe. “Can you show me how to do that?” I asked. I paid for lessons. Every word spoken to me was like gold. I was thoroughly interested and absorbed the information like a sponge in water.

• When I seek knowledge, I look for some help.
• When I want to know something, I am open for suggestions.
• When I desire to learn, I look for a guide.

Two people were led in this passage of scripture. Philip was led to the desert and then the SPIRIT led him to the Ethiopian eunuch, who was reading the prophet Isaiah out loud.

The Ethiopian must have desired some help from anyone who would assist, because he read out loud, possibly in an inquisitive way. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” The Ethiopian requested his guidance.

• GOD wants me to be open to learn about HIM.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS ways so I can have rest.
• GOD wants me to be led by the SPIRIT to receive teaching or to give it.

Surrender is required when being taught. It is difficult or impossible to teach about GOD to someone who is not open to hearing the information. GOD sends people to me to teach me about HIM when my heart is open to hearing from HIM.

It is not just about learning. GOD wants me to take what I learned and be willing to teach someone. HE then will send me to the right person at the right time. I am grateful for the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT.

• What are you looking for?
• Are you seeking knowledge to fill your desires?
• Will you steer your seeking to learn about JESUS who loved you enough to die for you and is alive, willing to save you today?

Acknowledgement

John 3: Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. ² He came to Jesus at night and said, ‘Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.’

============

“May I meet with you?” was my question. This person was polished in their speech, but not so polished that they could not be trusted. They were genuine and seemed to get along with everyone they met. Somehow this person could remember every person’s name and facts about each person. I wanted some of that.

• There have been people I’ve met who I admire.
• There have been people put in my path who seem to have it all together.
• There have been people I had to admit were stronger than me, faster than me and better at things than me.

Nicodemus sought JESUS out in the cover of night. This leader of the church leaders had to admit that JESUS was something special. “No one could do what YOU are doing if they were not from GOD” he admitted.

• JESUS wants me to seek HIM as someone special to pursue.
• JESUS wants me to acknowledge HIM daily because HE has all power.
• JESUS wants me to praise HIM everyday knowing HE is worthy of praise.

Acknowledging JESUS is extremely important. In fact, my acknowledgement that JESUS is GOD and that I deserve to be eternally separated from HIM, but HE chose to save me, gives me eternal life. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I believe that JESUS is my savior and I confess all my sins to HIM so they will be forgiven.

• Who do you admire?
• Can you place more admiration in JESUS today?
• Will you acknowledge GOD’s power over your circumstance right now?

Rich and Famous

Luke 6: ²⁴ “But woe to you who are rich,

For you have received your consolation.
²⁵ Woe to you who are full,
For you shall hunger.
Woe to you who laugh now,
For you shall mourn and weep.
²⁶ Woe to you when all men speak well of you,
For so did their fathers to the false prophets.

============

Mocking a person’s leadership style was one of the primary conversations of the “in crowd.” I was finally invited to partake and it felt great. I had a large expense account so our discussion took place at an expensive steak house.

• Riches can blind me.
• Indulgence can remove me from reality.
• Recognition can make me think more highly of myself.

JESUS turns from blessing to woes in a strange way.  HE had just said “Blessed are the poor for theirs is the kingdom of GOD”, then HE turns right around and says “Woe to you who are rich.” HE knew the evil grips money could have on a person.

• JESUS wants me to seek the lost and feed the poor so my reward can be in heaven.
• JESUS wants me to miss a meal or two seeking HIS kingdom.
• JESUS wants me to seek gratification in HIM being satisfied versus trying to get human edification.

When I am rich, full of food and bragged about, I do not hear GOD. When I am poor it seems like I can hear GOD in songs and I can see HIM moving obstacles. My rich blind times brings on worries of keeping my earthly treasures while my poor struggling times brings on a cry to GOD for rescue.

GOD wants me to be careful of falling into yet another trap of the devil. “If I could just make X dollars then I could…” is usually the trap language I use. GOD wants me to say “If I could just have the faith of a mustard seed then anything GOD wants me to do can happen.”

• Are you rich and losing touch with GOD?
• Are you poor and mad that you are not rich?
• Can you heed JESUS’s warnings and seek HIS kingdom as your pay and reward today?

Graduations

Luke 2: ³⁹ So when they had performed all things according to the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own city, Nazareth. ⁴⁰ And the Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him.

============

“Can I go see a movie with my friends?” I asked. “Yes” was the answer and I was delighted. We chose a popular disco movie of its time and, while cheesy, I thought was the best movie. I had graduated from elementary school and the world recognized me as being ready!

• When I graduated I felt ready.
• When I graduated I was recognized as being ready.
• When I graduated I felt a sense of relief and anxiety because I was now in the next step.

JESUS grew physically, mentally, emotionally and most important, spiritually. HE became strong in the SPIRIT each day. Though HE was the chosen One, HE was not ready as a child to take on the sins of the world. HE had to face many obstacles in order to truly mature.

• GOD wants me to look at life as continuous growth.
• GOD wants me to seek opportunities to obtain wisdom from HIM.
• GOD wants me to eventually put my relationship with HIM into practice.

Maturity is what GOD wants from me. Sometimes I still hang out with the same childish ways and I am forgiven for them. BUY GOD wants more from me. HE expects me to grow in faith, belief and grace. GOD desires that at some point I will accept HIS mercy and follow HIM implicitly. This takes practice. I am willing to follow HIM more and more each day.

• Are you still waiting for something amazing to happen and not recognizing the amazing things that have already happened to you?
• Are you growing in GOD?
• Will you seek to use the maturity HE has already given you to serve others today?

Soul Matters

Mark 8: ³⁴ When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. ³⁵ For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. ³⁶ For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? ³⁷ Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ³⁸ For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

============

“What kind of job will I get?” was the only thing on my mind at the time. Seven jobs later I found myself with another question, “What is my purpose?”

• There were times when I thought life meant “How much money can I make?”
• There were times when I thought life was about the insurance carrier I could obtain.
• There were times when I thought life equated to houses, cars and gadgets.

“Now that’s living” were the words in my mind as I lusted after people with lavish lifestyles. BUT GOD broke things down differently.

• JESUS says to me “Take up your cross and follow me daily.”
• JESUS says to me “Your soul is more important to me than the lusts of this world.”
• JESUS says to me “Seek ME without being ashamed of me and I will remember you upon MY return.”

Telling a group that my life matters is noble, BUT GOD tells me “Souls Matter.” HE has a place made for me where the quality of life never diminishes. There is no anger, no guilt, and no shame. HE wants all souls which includes race, gender and other forms of discrimination. HE is excited when I follow HIM and wants others to do the same.

• Are you trying to gain more of the world?
• Do you feel bitter and rage when someone else gets ahead?
• Can you stop trying to become bigger in humans eyes and give your soul back to GOD who created you?