Raised From Exhaustion

 

Raised From Exhaustion

Philippians 3: ⁸ Not only those things; I reckon everything as complete loss for the sake of what is so much more valuable, the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have thrown everything away; I consider it all as mere garbage, so that I may gain Christ ⁹ and be completely united with him. I no longer have a righteousness of my own, the kind that is gained by obeying the Law. I now have the righteousness that is given through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God and is based on faith. ¹⁰ All I want is to know Christ and to experience the power of his resurrection, to share in his sufferings and become like him in his death, ¹¹ in the hope that I myself will be raised from death to life.

 

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After running out of gas again, I vowed to keep a couple of gallons in the tank. Being on the side of the road without gas was frustrating! I woke up, needing to be someplace; jumped in the jalopy of a car and it would not start. The battery was dead. “Ugh! I just got gas!”

 

• Just when I thought I did everything right, something else went wrong.
• “When will it all come together for me?” was my cry in disappointment.
• I had lost hope and was exhausted because there were too many things “I” needed to fix.

 

“Achievement” and “Self-Righteousness” were attitudes Paul addressed. Following the Law to the letter was something he no longer wished to “achieve.” GOD had opened his eyes to the fact that he had become “self-righteous” and was persecuting those who sought JESUS. He looked at his actions as a loss.

 

My Observations

• JESUS is my only true salvation.
• Believing that I can change GOD’s mind by acting good for a short period of time, causes me to be exhausted.
• Connecting my “dead battery” of trying too hard to the power of JESUS’ resurrection gives me endless hope that cannot be exhausted.

 

Running on empty could mean I was trying too hard to please GOD. I mean, JESUS died for me, was raised from the dead and sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me. I had nothing to do with that. I should praise HIM continually, but I find a way to attempt to control GOD so everything will go “my” way.

 

When “bad” things happen, I try to do the Law “better.” BUT GOD sees through this filthy righteousness. All HE wants me to do is to place my faith in JESUS. I am glad I can place my hope in HIS resurrection and look forward to being with HIM eternally.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer consider a complete loss?
• Have you ever thought you were doing things perfectly and still not pleasing GOD?
• Have you ever tried to convince GOD that you deserve better because you sinned less last week?
• Will you place your full hope in JESUS and allow HIM to guide you through life without needing to achieve HIS love that HE already has for you?

Embarrassing Hypocrisy

 Embarrassing Hypocrisy

Galatians 2: ¹¹ But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him in public, because he was clearly wrong. ¹² Before some men who had been sent by James arrived there, Peter had been eating with the Gentile believers. But after these men arrived, he drew back and would not eat with the Gentiles, because he was afraid of those who were in favor of circumcising them. ¹³ The other Jewish believers also started acting like cowards along with Peter; and even Barnabas was swept along by their cowardly action. ¹⁴ When I saw that they were not walking a straight path in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them all, “You are a Jew, yet you have been living like a Gentile, not like a Jew. How, then, can you try to force Gentiles to live like Jews?”

 

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Complaining about what other people were doing had become a skill of mine. It felt pretty good when people would listen to how I could point out the wrongs of someone else. But one day, I found myself on the other side of the problem equation. I had made a mistake and my “perfect” record was smudged. The very thing I said other people were doing wrong, I was doing.

 

• I did not know I could be at fault because I was thinking too highly of myself.
• I did not think I would be wrong because I did not factor in my infallibilities.
• I did not consider I could be the problem because I was too busy trying to get or please a crowd.

 

Peter was passionate in all he did. Unfortunately, he acted like a hypocrite, causing many to do the same. Paul pointed out Peter’s hypocrisy in front of everyone. He said nothing about Peter that he did not already point out for himself. Course correction was needed.

 

My Observations

• We are all sinners which makes every human a hypocrite in GOD’s eyes.
• My hypocrisy needs to be placed in front of JESUS so HE can guide my tongue away from it.
• GOD enables me to self-examine so the HOLY SPIRIT can open my eyes to my hypocrisy.

 

Embarrassing is the only word I can think of when it comes to hypocrisy after realization. I mean, I may be thinking everything is going smoothly until things tumble down on “my” words or “my” actions. It is easy to sit back and say someone is doing something wrong or saying something not aligned with “the truth” but only GOD knows the deepest truth.

 

HE knows the hidden motives of those who are deeply steeped in hypocrisy. GOD calls us to look at only one human for perfection, namely JESUS who is GOD that dwelt amongst us.

 

When I compare myself to others, using my own measuring tape, I come out looking pretty good. But when I compare myself to JESUS, I am rotten to the core, then I see that even my comparison measurement is hypocritic. I am glad JESUS is willing to forgive my hypocrisy.

 

Challenge

• How would you have handled the situation between Paul and Peter?
• What was the writer trying to convey?
• Have you ever been embarrassed publicly and been wrong?
• Will you ask GOD to help you search your heart to see if there are any ways that HE needs to remove so you can acknowledge HIS grace that is sufficient for you and others today?

Identified in the Line-Up

 

Identified in the Line-Up

Romans 3: ⁹ Well then, are we Jews in any better condition than the Gentiles? Not at all! I have already shown that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. ¹⁰ As the Scriptures say:

“There is no one who is righteous,
¹¹     no one who is wise
    or who worships God.
¹² All have turned away from God;
    they have all gone wrong;
    no one does what is right, not even one.
¹³ Their words are full of deadly deceit;
    wicked lies roll off their tongues,
    and dangerous threats, like snake's poison, from their lips;
¹⁴     their speech is filled with bitter curses.
¹⁵ They are quick to hurt and kill;
¹⁶     they leave ruin and destruction wherever they go.
¹⁷ They have not known the path of peace,
¹⁸     nor have they learned reverence for God.”

 

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Years of music gone. Someone broke the back window of my car and stole all my mix tapes. Yes I said tapes. How dare they! Having watched a lot of TV shows about cops, I thought “maybe they can dust for prints or pull up a book of usual suspects or put people in a line-up where my neighbors can point out the culprit.”

 

That did not deter me from going out that night, trying to “steal” someone’s girlfriend at the bar.

 

• There were times when I wanted justice when something happened to me.
• There were times when I wanted to point at what others were doing wrong.
• There were times when I wanted forgiveness for my wrong but justice for theirs.

 

Paul gets very real about this sin situation. He talks about those who think they are “good” but are not. He states a list that is harsh and when reading it, the tendency is to think of other people. BUT GOD wants something different.

 

• GOD wants me to see myself as a person who would never choose HIM.
• GOD wants me to know I need HIM by identifying with the sin that naturally flows from me.
• GOD wants me to understand that my heart needs daily cleaning.

 

“No one is righteous” when compared to JESUS. There are a lot of people who do nice things, but no one is sinless down to the motive. But there was one who remained sinless, namely JESUS. HE became a human, lived to adulthood and was murdered, all without committing a single sin. I identify with the list of sins and I am grateful JESUS forgave me.

 

• Are you mad at someone and think you are “righteous?”
• Do you see the faults in others and not your own?
• Will you ask GOD to look at your own heart to show you how much “you” need HIS grace today?

Voluntary Heart Surgery

 

Voluntary Heart Surgery

Romans 2: ²⁵ If you obey the Law, your circumcision is of value; but if you disobey the Law, you might as well never have been circumcised. ²⁶ If the Gentile, who is not circumcised, obeys the commands of the Law, will not God regard him as though he were circumcised? ²⁷ And so you Jews will be condemned by the Gentiles because you break the Law, even though you have it written down and are circumcised; but they obey the Law, even though they are not physically circumcised. ²⁸ After all, who is a real Jew, truly circumcised? It is not the man who is a Jew on the outside, whose circumcision is a physical thing. ²⁹ Rather, the real Jew is the person who is a Jew on the inside, that is, whose heart has been circumcised, and this is the work of God's Spirit, not of the written Law. Such a person receives praise from God, not from human beings.

 

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 “Say you are sorry” were words that did not resonate with me. I mean, I would say the words, but I was not sorry for putting the brat in the box and sitting on the lid. He was my age but acting like he never had seen punishment of any kind.

 

Later in life, I noticed all kinds of brats in school and then in the workplace. I wish I could put “that” person in a box and sit on the lid, I would think to myself.

 

• There have been many people I did not like.
• There have been many people I wanted to show “my” justice to.
• There have been many people I desired to see their demise, because that was in my heart.

 

Paul speaks about something complicated. The Laws of Moses required circumcision. When the church leaders did this, it felt like more of a rite of passage than obedience. They figured out loopholes in the Law rather than following it with their hearts. Paul tries to convince those who have gone through the trouble of following the Law, to pay attention to the “heart” of the Law. This required “surrender.”

 

• GOD wants me to surrender my hatred for people to HIM.
• GOD wants me to well pray for my enemies.
• GOD wants me to love those who hate me.

 

Since the heart is extremely wicked, there is only one surgeon who can fix it, namely JESUS. HE sends in a specialist who can get into the darkest corners of my heart and eradicate any cancerous hatred that resides.

 

GOD promised that if I confess my sins to HIM, HE would be faithful and just to forgive me of my sins and cleanse me of all unrighteousness. JESUS places the HOLY SPIRIT inside me to change my heart. It is up to me to accept HIS SPIRIT when HE knocks on my heart. I accept.

 

• Is your heart full of hatred masked in the communication of the “news?”
• Do you feel better when you see someone get what is coming to them?
• Will you allow GOD to change your heart before you carry hatred, you don’t know you are carrying, into other aspects of your life today?

Look at Them

Matthew 12: At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. ² When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, “Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.”

³ He answered, “Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? ⁴ He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. ⁵ Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? ⁶ I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. ⁷ If you had known what these words mean, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice,’ you would not have condemned the innocent. ⁸ For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.”

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“Look at those people sinning” I sneered. I was talking about “that” church with all of “those” people. “They aren’t following the Bible” I quipped.

• I have been judgmental.
• I have been condemning.
• I have been a stickler for the law and not for grace.

After stopping a few sins, I felt I ‘earned” the right to point out someone else’s flaws. I mean I was near perfection right? Dreadfully wrong!

• GOD wanted me to know “All have sinned and fall short of HIS glory” and I am included in the “all.”
• GOD wanted me to know HE desires mercy not sacrifice.
• GOD wanted me to know the law is fulfilled through JESUS, not through my actions.

I follow GOD’s laws because of JESUS, not the other way around. I cannot get more righteous by following a few rules and breaking others. GOD wants me to seek HIS mercy for me and those around me.

• Are you commenting on “those” people?
• Are you pointing fingers at someone else?
• Can you stop condemning others before GOD condemns you?
• Will you seek GOD’s mercy today for you and those around you who you are accusing?

Trying to Convince

Matthew 7: ²¹ “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. ²² Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ ²³ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’

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Scared half to death I read this passage. I mean who can be sure they are saved if this is written? Also, the statement “Away from ME, you evildoers!” seems pretty permanent.

• It is quite possible for me to act righteous and not be righteous.
• It is quite possible for me to preach about JESUS and not believe in HIS position, power or protection.
• It is quite possible for me to actually drive out demons and perform miracles in JESUS name without believing “in JESUS name.”

Mimicking a follower of CHRIST is still effective because GOD’s word does not return void. In other words, even if I did not believe in what I am saying, the words are still true. I can say “GOD sent HIS SON to save the world” but if I do not believe HE saved me, then I have wasted my words. What can make me sure?

• GOD says to me “But the one who does the will of MY FATHER who is in Heaven will enter.”
• GOD says to me “Follow MY SON for who I AM well pleased.”
• GOD says to me “Be led by the HOLY SPIRIT and all will be well with you.

A sigh of relief came over me when I saw what I overlooked. GOD simply wants me to do HIS will and stop trying to impress the crowds by pretending to hear from HIM. GOD speaks to me daily through HIS word and when it says to stop, keep going or stand up, I need to obey immediately.

GOD wants my total attention and while I am still a bit nervous about this passage, HE enables me to clearly see that I can humble myself to obey HIS will. I do not have to “try to convince” GOD that I am doing HIS will when I am doing HIS will.

• Are you mimicking?
• Do you have dishonorable motives of leading a group or getting rich off of GOD?
• Can you stop using HIS people and seek GOD’s will for them?
• Will you stop siding with humans and ask GOD to lead you with HIS HOLY SPIRIT?

Trying too Hard

Zechariah 4: ⁶ So he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: ‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the Lord Almighty.

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After looking at the clock when I got home, I noticed thirty six hours had passed from the time I had last got out of bed. We were trying to land an account and I stayed overnight to work on the proposal.

• There were times I worked extremely hard to make things work.
• There were times I worked to exhaustion only to find dead ends.
• There were times I worked my fingers to the bone in order to get what “I” wanted.

Avoiding disappointment was the reason behind all the effort. I figured that since the others were not “strong” enough to complete the work, I would push us over the top with “my might.” We did not get the account. Wait, I worked hard! Why didn’t we get the account?

• GOD said to me “Not by your might.”
• GOD said to me “Not by your power.”
• GOD said to me “Only by MY SPIRIT.”

Success is defined by GOD alone. HE is the one who deems what will be successful and what will fail miserably. GOD places perfect barriers on my path that I cannot go over, under around or through. HE stops me dead in my tracks until I acknowledge I need HIM and HIM alone.

I have to take my faulty thinking that the source of success is from me and turn it towards the truth, namely GOD.  HE is the way the truth and the life!

• Are you depending on yourself for your success?
• Do you think you can get yourself out of your mess?
• Will you stop trying to depend on yourself and place your trust in GOD who will guide you?

In memory of Daryl Matthews

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?

Restoration after Destruction

Jeremiah 49: ³⁸ I will set my throne in Elam
    and destroy her king and officials,”
declares the Lord.

³⁹ “Yet I will restore the fortunes of Elam
    in days to come,”
declares the Lord.

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“How can I fire this person?” I thought to myself. It was a difficult decision because I would have to fire a few other people as well. Who can I replace them with? How soon can I make this happen? A mentor approached me and said, do not become “the problem” while fixing things.

• I once thought about destruction.
• I once dreamed about total devastation.
• I once imagined eradication of the “weak” to build up the strong.

My zeal was only pointed towards one department and I did not like any of the people. I mean they were good at being “employees” and not good at doing work! I wanted to get rid of all of them and find people who would work day and night. BUT GOD opened my eyes to another side.

• GOD showed me I had plenty “judgment” and little grace.
• GOD showed me I had plenty “self-righteousness” and little humility.
• GOD showed me I had plenty “conquer” and little restoration.

After I stepped back from my rage I realized I needed people. Instead of firing people I had to grow them and mature them. It was my responsibility to restore people after I disciplined a few. GOD enabled me to add grace to my thinking which means I need to seek restoration wherever I can because GOD restores me quite often.

• Are you “right” in your anger?
• Are you seeking justice?
• Can you seek restoration of that person?
• Will you pray for that person to get to know CHRIST?
• Will you pray for restoration instead of destruction of that person?

What is Said Will Be Done

Isaiah 46: ¹¹ From the east I summon a bird of prey;
    from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose.
What I have said, that I will bring about;
    what I have planned, that I will do.
¹² Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted,
    you who are now far from my righteousness.
¹³ I am bringing my righteousness near,
    it is not far away;
    and my salvation will not be delayed.
I will grant salvation to Zion,
    my splendor to Israel.

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“I will be there in about forty five minutes” I said. When I jumped on the road there was road construction and I made it to my destination thirty minutes late. “I will buy a new suit” I thought to myself.  On my way home, my transmission went out and I no longer had the funds to buy anything for a long time. My predictions don’t always come true.

• Some things are out of my control.
• Some circumstances are not mine to predict.
• Some situations pop up that I could never foresee.

Even when I planned ahead and walked the line as carefully as I could, it seemed like some “unforeseen” circumstance would appear that was out of my control which would make me have unresolved worry. What was I to do?

• GOD says to me “Depend only on MY plans for what I have said that I will bring about.”
• GOD says to me “Place your trust in ME for what I have planned that I will do.”
• GOD says to me “Listen to ME, you stubborn-hearted, you who are now far from MY righteousness, I AM bringing MY righteousness near, it is not far away.”

Trust in GOD means I have to drop my stubbornness to follow HIS plan. HE is the only one who can save me. I have no ability within myself to get where I am going. GOD can choose to send me here and there and I must be willing to go where HE leads me. HIS salvation is far greater than anything I can do. I place my trust in HIM.

• What do you place your trust in?
• Are you filled with mistrust, fear and doubt?
• Can you drop your stubbornness and your fight and place your trust in GOD?
• Will you look to HIM for HIS nearby salvation?

I Detest That Person

Proverbs 29: ²⁷ The righteous detest the dishonest;
    the wicked detest the upright.

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After returning to church from years of being away, I decided to clean up my act. I had a long list of habits that I did not want to do anymore. One after another, I dropped certain sins and felt pretty good about myself. I felt so good that I felt I could tell others what they were doing wrong. “If that person would only do x y z then their life would be so much better.” That statement soon turned into “That person is too far gone, there is no hope.”

• There were times where I thought too highly of my “progress” in life.
• There were times where I felt “closer” to GOD than I really was.
• There were times where I added judgement to my righteousness making it like a bloody tampon.

“That person” or “those people” are words that are very easy for me to say. They roll off my tongue like silk and I can say what I want about “them.” Meanwhile I can think “I am better than “them.” Surely “I” would not commit “that” sin like “those people.” BUT GOD saw something different.

• GOD saw my righteousness and compared it to JESUS’s righteousness and said it does not measure up.
• GOD said to me “Do not think more highly of yourself otherwise pride will make you fall.”
• GOD looked at me and told me to “Admit your need for ME and acknowledge ME in all your ways and you will be blessed.”

Now when I see “that person” or “those people” I have to ask GOD “Is that how I’m acting right now?” “Will YOU change my heart to be used in this situation to bring all of us back to YOU?” I need to include myself in “those people” and have compassion.

• Are you laying down your judgment?
• Do you feel justified for not liking “those people?”
• Will you include yourself in the crowd of people you dislike and help them back to GOD?
• Will you ask GOD to remove your stony heart for those you dislike?”

Underestimating GOD

1 Kings 19: ¹⁴ He replied, “I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”

¹⁵ The Lord said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. ¹⁶ Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. ¹⁷ Jehu will put to death any who escape the sword of Hazael, and Elisha will put to death any who escape the sword of Jehu. ¹⁸ Yet I reserve seven thousand in Israel—all whose knees have not bowed down to Baal and whose mouths have not kissed him.”

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With the announcement of the birth of my children, excitement turned into fear as I watched the world’s moral fabric rip apart. “There doesn’t seem to be anyone left to protect my kids from the world” I thought to myself. “How will they survive?”

Years later I realized I wasn’t the only person who believed in GOD. In fact I found out that I had grossly underestimated GOD’s marvelous power in their lives and everywhere we went.

• When I think too highly of my righteousness I underestimate GOD’s.
• When I think I am the only one who is righteous I fail to see GOD’s power.
• When I think everything is out of control I cannot see GOD’s sovereignty.

GOD is awesome and is not worried about the world today. HIS power is far above anything that’s going on and HE is concerned about every aspect of my life and others.

Can you put your trust in GOD today?

I can’t take credit for my abilities

Genesis 41: ¹⁵ Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I had a dream, and no one can interpret it. But I have heard it said of you that when you hear a dream you can interpret it.”

¹⁶ “I cannot do it,” Joseph replied to Pharaoh, “but God will give Pharaoh the answer he desires.”

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Don’t ask me why I did this but I prayed that I would be successful in my career. I had stopped praying or it was seldom and now I was out in the real world. Amazing things happened over the years and I saw GOD working.

Then I started taking credit for my abilities. “I deserve that promotion!” I thought to myself. “Maybe I should quit and show them they can’t function without me!”

When I think I did something on my own I get arrogant.

When I think my abilities are from my hard work I become blind.

When I think I have talent that is superior I am highly mistaken.

I love the term Joseph used “I cannot do it, BUT GOD will…” Joseph recognized his limitations and acknowledged GOD’s power. He had no expectations of GOD rather he pointed his faith toward HIS power.

When I give GOD credit for giving me talent, I use them for HIS purposes.

When I give GOD credit for making me who I am then I will be thankful for where HE takes me.

When I give GOD credit for my abilities then I won’t squander them.

I cannot do anything without GOD.  HE is my power and my guide. No plan will prosper without HIS blessing.

Do you think you acquired your talent on your own?

Do you believe you have raw talent?

Can you recognize where your talents come from?

Won’t you give GOD credit for blessing you with abilities that you alone possess for HIS purpose?

Perfection in the making

Hebrews 10: ¹² But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, ¹³ and since that time he waits for his enemies to be made his footstool.

¹⁴ For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.

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“One hundred ten pounds” is what I exclaimed to the person at the department of motor vehicles. I mean it was my first license and I couldn’t look like a weakling and tell my real weight!

“Thirty” was the answer I said to a coworker who just wouldn’t show me any respect because I was in my twenties. I wonder where those lies got me.

• When I am self-conscience I try to cover my flaws.
• When I am insecure I try to validate my existence.
• When I am uncertain I try to muster up self-confidence only to find I am fractured.

The longer I follow CHRIST the more I realize I really need HIM for perfection. It seems there is always a decision I could have made better or something I should or shouldn’t have done on a daily basis. Sometimes when I look at all the rules and regulations placed on me by “churchy” people I actually feel like giving up. I mean who can keep this holy stuff up?

• JESUS gave HIS life up as a sacrifice for mine.
• JESUS is now sitting at the right hand of the FATHER.
• JESUS sent the HOLY SPIRIT to live inside me, guiding me to perfection on a daily basis.

I really want the process to be done. Can’t I just call myself perfect and be done? Not quite. Each morning I wake to a new day with new opportunities to sin or not. I have the choice to serve others or serve myself. Every once in a while I actually choose CHRIST as my focus and HE says well done.

• Are you trying too hard to “be” holy before you are “made” holy?
• Do you actually think you have arrived and “that” person hasn’t?
• Can you see GOD working in and on your life?
• Do you believe HE can even handle “that” sin of yours?

I declare myself the winner!

2 Corinthians 10: ¹⁷ But, “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.” For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends. 18 

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Sitting at the traffic light with my eyes fixed on the red, I prepared to hit the gas the moment the light changed. Of course the driver in the lane next to me didn’t even know they were in a race. Every once in a while my minivan full of people would run up against a person in a sports car who was aware of my tactics leaving me in a cloud of dust. I couldn’t declare myself the winner that time!

• When I think I am better than I am I fall on my face.
• When I believe I am better than other people reality brings me back down to earth.
• When I perceive my performance is better than it actually is then I open myself up for some harsh criticism.

I can rationalize myself to be better than “that” person or “those” people over there simply by setting a goal only I know or comparing myself to people who aren’t doing the things I’m doing. I hand pick my competition and wallop them without them knowing declaring myself “winner.” Then I boast about my achievement.

• GOD enjoys when I point people to HIM and not on my self-declared status.
• GOD loves when I point people to HIM and not on my self-declared accomplishments.
• GOD elates when I point people to HIM and not on my self-declared righteousness.

All that I accomplish needs to be credited to GOD. HE needs to be the one who says “well done my good and faithful servant” based on how I treat others. HE looks at my thoughts and attitude and can easily discern my motives. My bragging should be that GOD is the only one who is “good” and all I have achieved comes from HIM.

• Are you comparing yourself to someone?
• Are you busy looking at your accomplishments thinking you are “good” or “bad?”
• Can you stop comparing and just live for CHRIST at least for today?
• Won’t you brag about what GOD is doing for you instead of trying to be noticed?

Loving GOD, HIS way or mine?

John 21: ¹⁷ The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

   Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

   Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.

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Waiting has been a weakness of mine since “forever.” I mean what was taking them so long? I interviewed with the top executives and the decision should have been clear “I was the man.” Weeks after they told me I wasn’t the man, I walked around work pouting. I even pouted at GOD.

“LORD, why do YOU do things like this?” “Why do YOU put things in front of my face only to snatch them away?” “I don’t feel like serving YOU anymore.” Uh oh, what was I saying?!

• Just because I have served GOD in the past, I still need to grow.
• Just because I have grown a little, I still have a lot of growing to do.
• Just because I have seen a little fruit to my faith, I still need my faith to be strengthened.

Sometimes I think I have “arrived,” in other words I think I have learned all the lessons “I” need to learn, now it’s everyone else’s turn. This is definitely the wrong attitude. GOD shows me my flaws daily so I won’t get my head too puffed up with confidence in myself.  Don’t get me wrong, my self-esteem is fine, probably a little too fine!

• My confidence needs to be aimed at GOD not in me.
• My worthiness only comes through belief in JESUS as being GOD, not in the things I do.
• My judgment need only be directed at me enabling GOD to work on others without my interference.

Loving GOD HIS way means “feeding HIS sheep.” The only way to do this is to have the right attitude.

• Do you love GOD?
• What are you doing to serve HIM?
• Are you trying to love GOD your way or HIS way?
• What would be the answer if GOD asked you “do you love ME?”
• Are you willing to feed HIS lambs, in other words serve people?

Believing “is” my job

John 6:  ²⁸ Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

 ²⁹ Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

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Sitting alone in my apartment was great for me because I could finally feel a need to go back to church. This was no longer my parents’ decision but mine. After wasting many years I felt I needed to make up for lost time. I think I volunteered for everything in church. “GOD, this makes up for all my sinful years, right?”

• I can never “work” away my sins.
• I can never “work” my way into GOD’s approval.
• I can never “work” hard enough to obtain eternal life.

I truly thought I could be “good” enough to erase the sin in my life.  In fact I stopped doing so many things soon I thought I was pretty “great.” I compared myself to my old “down trodden” friends and of course now I was better than them because they were still sinning and I wasn’t.

My attitude was smug and at that time I probably thought I could teach JESUS a thing or two.

• The only job GOD has given me is to believe.
• My one and only task in life that is paramount to anything is to believe.
• The greatest thing I can do for people is to believe in JESUS.

Spreading the great news about JESUS does take work but the work doesn’t make me holy. My willingness to tell people about HIM coupled with my faith that HE is “the ONE” makes me holy. My righteousness is like, excuse the expression, a used tampon.

Many times I have the wrong attitude about working, giving, and living for GOD. It’s either out of obligation or out of guilt and shame that I press hard to do my part. GOD the FATHER gave up everything when HE gave HIS one and only SON. HE wants me to believe “everything” will be fine in spite of today’s circumstances.

HE wants me to believe all the way to death and that’s my only job.

• Are you trying to work your way into heaven?
• Have you turned from GOD because it seems too hard to follow HIS rules?
• Have you been able to just “stand still” and watch the power of the LORD?
• Can you get your hands off of GOD’s job and do yours, namely “believe?”

Accept GOD’s methods and plans

Luke 23: ³⁹One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: “Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!”

 ⁴⁰ But the other criminal rebuked him. “Don’t you fear God,” he said, “since you are under the same sentence? ⁴¹ We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.”

 ⁴² Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.”

 ⁴³ Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

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Many times I expect GOD to act like Hollywood’s special effects department. I think when I have a problem some angel with a fuzzy glow would come and speak to me telling me a special message. I also think GOD should zap my problems away just like in the movies. That’s how I approach prayer sometimes, with “Hollywood” expectations.

• Setting false expectations of GOD actually builds a barrier between me and HIM.
• Setting false expectations of GOD gets my hopes up so high that they have a longer way to hit the ground.
• Setting false expectations of GOD is actually arrogant especially when I’m telling HIM the plan to execute.

One of the criminals in this historical setting didn’t really believe in the Messiah, rather he heard JESUS could do tricks to help others. “Maybe I could get healed” could have been his thought as he insulted JESUS. He had a false expectation that JESUS would help him and his stony heart.

When I look at myself, I do the same as the insulting criminal. I treat GOD as common like HE is a pal, a peer or sometimes my servant.

• I get upset at GOD for giving, who I call evil people, all the wealth and power they want while I see people who try to serve HIM suffer.
• I get mad at GOD for not fixing my situation right away and even still bringing another situation into my life before the first is fixed.
• I get angry at GOD for answering my prayer differently than I “expected.”

GOD’s plans cannot be changed by my prayer for many times my prayers are bathed in selfishness. HE actually changes me when I pray to be more accepting of HIS plans and HIS ways. HE changes my mind to forget “me” this time and to serve others like HE does.

• Are you mad at GOD for not doing things your way?
• How willing are you to ask HIM to keep you in the situation for as long as necessary to truly change you into what HE wants?
• Will you admit to HIM you are a sinner and allow HIM to bring you into paradise?  

How can I serve you?

Luke 22: ²⁴ A dispute also arose among them as to which of them was considered to be greatest. ²⁵ Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. ²⁶ But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves.

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Lack of confidence has not been an issue with me in the past. “I am the most humble person I know.” In fact “I am the best at not only being humble, but I’m the best at not bragging.” Hopefully you caught the joke in that statement.

When I stopped doing certain sins I was humble, or at least I thought I was, but something happened when my zeal for others to stop their sins became more important than the person. I confidently approached people about believing in CHRIST but made it seem like they had to be perfect before GOD would help them. How naive.

• When I judge others I am not serving them.
• Even if I’m on a “serving” committee my heart may not be serving.
• When I’m so wrapped up in telling GOD to fix my problems I can’t seem to serve.
• Even if GOD brings me out of the situation I forget my promises to HIM and go back to my sins.

False humility can creep in quickly when I try my best to stop sinning and I look at what others are doing.  Yes the Bible does say to correct each other in love and to correct those who sin against me. But the GOD also says be very humble and careful about my approach otherwise I “will” fall into the same sin.

My goal should not be to receive awards from humans for what I’ve done to please GOD. I should do the things GOD tells me to do without the need for a thank you or a notice of recognition.

• My service to others is recorded by GOD.
• Every act of kindness I perform should be done without bragging so the benefactor will focus on GOD, not me.
• Even if I’m the “boss” I need to serve my employees and those who support my efforts.

Serving is becoming a lost art. “WIFM” is what’s in it for me? GOD’s answer to WIFM is “your eternal salvation along with heavenly treasures for humble serving is in it for you.” I have to remember my greatness is only because of GOD’s greatness.

• Do you think you are in control of your life?
• Are you upset at GOD’s plan for your life?
• Can you recognize the need to be humble while serving others?

I’m better than that person

Luke 17: ⁹ To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:

¹⁰ “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. ¹¹ The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

   ¹³ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

   ¹⁴ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

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My neighborhood where I grew up was not bad by any stretch of the imagination but there were a few unsavory characters.  One guy constantly broke in our garage and there were others who acted loud and obnoxious.

My parents once scolded me for not doing my chores and I said in my defense, “I’m doing better than those guys.”

• Just because I do fewer sins than another person doesn’t mean I am not off the hook for my own sins.
• Just because someone does something worse than the sin I just did doesn’t give me the right to compare myself to them.
• Just because I have reset my standards doesn’t mean everyone around me is going to reset theirs.

My friends and family have felt my judgmental behavior which actually drives them away from GOD. Discussions about “those” sinners are not appealing to anyone. GOD wants me to humbly admit “I am a sinner.” By the way there is a period on that last sentence.

• Do you think you are better than “that” person?
• Have you stopped doing certain sins and judging others for doing those sins?
• What sins are you hiding?
• Are you willing to proclaim your sins in front of everyone to finally release its deadly grip on you?