Not Me

Not Me

Acts 8: ⁹ But there was a certain man called Simon, who previously practiced sorcery in the city and astonished the people of Samaria, claiming that he was someone great, ¹⁰ to whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, “This man is the great power of God.” ¹¹ And they heeded him because he had astonished them with his sorceries for a long time. ¹² But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. ¹³ Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done.

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“Who broke this?” was the question angrily asked to me. “Not me” I answered quickly, trying to protect myself. “Who left the window open while it was raining?” “Not me” was my go to answer that I had become good at saying. “Who cleaned up?” was asked in a delighted tone. “Me!” I said proudly as I beckoned for the credit.

• There were times when I wanted to be noticed for good thing “I” did.
• There were times when I did not want to accept responsibility for things others considered bad.
• There were times when I enjoyed the spotlight when things were going well.

Simon was a sorcerer who was able to do things people could not explain away with science. The people of Samaria held him in great esteem, as did he. But when Philip arrived and spoke about JESUS, they turned to belief in the Savior. Even Simon had to believe.

• GOD wants me to point my life to HIM.
• GOD wants me to give GOD all the credit.
• GOD wants me to claim that HE is the only one who is great.

“Not me” are great words to use when it comes to GOD. “Who saved me?” “Not me” will be the answer, because JESUS did that. “Who gave me gifts and talents?” “Not me” is the answer again, for all my abilities come from HIM.

GOD gave me everything I have and placed me in places I am amazed at. HE is my provider, protector and pursuer. I am grateful HE goes after me when I run away from HIM.

• Are you trying to get likes and congratulations from people?
• Do you seek public affirmation for what “you” do?
• Will you start giving GOD credit for your gifts and talents so people will believe in JESUS today?

Pardon My Arrogance

Zephaniah 3: ⁹ “Then I will purify the lips of the peoples,
    that all of them may call on the name of the Lord
    and serve him shoulder to shoulder.
¹⁰ From beyond the rivers of Cush
    my worshipers, my scattered people,
    will bring me offerings.
¹¹ On that day you, Jerusalem, will not be put to shame
    for all the wrongs you have done to me,
because I will remove from you
    your arrogant boasters.
Never again will you be haughty
    on my holy hill.

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“You sound like one of us” is what a senior leader said to me. I now had the title, responsibility and the “strut” down-packed.  I could not be bothered with the trivial and sped up conversations because I was “busy.” I had made “it.”

• There were times when I was arrogant.
• There were times when I was boastful.
• There were times when I was the “one who would save.

Reeling with confidence, I laid “my” plans out to the masses without permission. Every step was a battle and each moment was a fight to keep the group under me strong. BUT GOD wanted something different.

• GOD wanted me to have a humble heart, not a haughty one.
• GOD wanted me to recognize my boasting that I called “managing upward.”
• GOD wanted me to see my arrogance that I placed false confidence in my abilities.

Confidence in capabilities is only good when I acknowledge where these gifts and talents come from, namely GOD. In business, people told me I spoke like a wimp when I did not say “I did this or I did that” so I did and people praised me for it. BUT GOD was not pleased.

HE wants me to point to HIM, not to me. HE should get ALL the glory for even the tiniest step I make. GOD is my guide and my refuge. In HIM I brag and boast.  

• Are you trying to get a promotion?
• Do you feel you need to “manage upward” in order to get ahead?
• Can you stop your arrogant tone and start asking GOD for humility?
• Will you seek GOD today?

The Roadmap to Success

2 Chronicles 26: ⁵ He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the Lord, God gave him success.

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“I am the best” is the attitude I carried into my meeting. After the third round of interviews my handler said “You did great, they would like to extend you an offer, but just hold tight we are on a hiring freeze that we should come out of soon.” The company never recovered and I was stuck.

I groused for a while and realized, maybe GOD wants me here. I began to warm up to the fact that I was going to spend my days in this little town. Months later I received a call, interviewed and got a job that moved me back to my large city.

• My pride sometimes fools me into thinking the circumstance will go my way.
• My pride sometimes dupes me into thinking the circumstance will go the way I thought.
• My pride sometimes tricks me into thinking the circumstance will play out just as I thought.

Looking back on my life I realize my crystal ball is quite broken. I would look at my ability and jump into something, thinking I can control the outcome. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD has given me gifts but HE controls the outcome.
• GOD has given me talents but HE controls the accomplishments.
• GOD has given me abilities that only I can do bur HE controls whether I will be raised up or knocked down.

I can never say I am “self-made.” GOD made me and my capabilities are ZERO compared to HIS. No matter how clever, sharp or smooth I think I can be, GOD can knock me down with unforeseen circumstances. GOD can also raise me up just as fast. HE can take a moment of fear and doubt and bring the right people and circumstances in my life to raise me to heights I never would have known.

• Are you pouting at GOD?
• Do you think HE owes you something?
• Can you release your will and ask GOD “what do YOU want me to do?”
• Will you seek GOD without trying to get something from HIM today?