Ordinary People

Ordinary People

1 Corinthians 14: ¹³ The person who speaks in strange tongues, then, must pray for the gift to explain what is said. ¹⁴ For if I pray in this way, my spirit prays indeed, but my mind has no part in it. ¹⁵ What should I do, then? I will pray with my spirit, but I will pray also with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will sing also with my mind. ¹⁶ When you give thanks to God in spirit only, how can ordinary people taking part in the meeting say “Amen” to your prayer of thanksgiving? They have no way of knowing what you are saying. ¹⁷ Even if your prayer of thanks to God is quite good, other people are not helped at all.

 

¹⁸ I thank God that I speak in strange tongues much more than any of you. ¹⁹ But in church worship I would rather speak five words that can be understood, in order to teach others, than speak thousands of words in strange tongues.

 

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“Say it in English!” were the words of frustration in response to my statement. I thought I had communicated well, but I spoke using the terminology I was comfortable with. I then realized I was using “tech talk” because that was what I was used to.

 

• Sometimes I may be saying one thing but not explaining myself well.
• Sometimes I may use the words I am comfortable with, but they do not convey what I mean.
• Sometimes I may speak before I understand how this message can be understood.

 

Paul explains that he can speak in many strange tongues, but what good is it if no one understands what is said? He implores people to seek clear communication that is easily understood.

 

My Observation

• GOD wants me to speak to people with the purpose of everyone being able to praise HIM.
• GOD wants me to value praying with other people when seeking to thank HIM.
• GOD wants me to desire my words to be translated if I am speaking in a way that cannot be understood.

 

Communication is not easy. I mean, I can say one thing and to another person it can mean something else. If I am speaking in a way that cannot be understood, then other people cannot be included. It seems like GOD wants inclusion.

 

HE may give me a gift of being able to speak in another language, but HE wants more people than me to praise HIM. Prayers, singing and thanksgiving are to be shared with one another so GOD will be pleased with all participants. I am glad HE wants me to be part of a group of ordinary people who can worship HIM together.

 

Challenge

• How are prayer, singing and thanksgiving to be shared with other people?
• What benefits do you see in clearly communicating with other people?
• Will you seek ways to teach or communicate to others clearly today?

So Much to Say

So Much to Say

Acts 20: ⁷ On the first day of the week we came together to break bread. Paul spoke to the people and, because he intended to leave the next day, kept on talking until midnight. ⁸ There were many lamps in the upstairs room where we were meeting. ⁹ Seated in a window was a young man named Eutychus, who was sinking into a deep sleep as Paul talked on and on. When he was sound asleep, he fell to the ground from the third story and was picked up dead. ¹⁰ Paul went down, threw himself on the young man and put his arms around him. “Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “He’s alive!” ¹¹ Then he went upstairs again and broke bread and ate. After talking until daylight, he left. ¹² The people took the young man home alive and were greatly comforted.

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After returning from the day at the amusement park, I was elated. This was my first time visiting the wonderful, fun-filled location. The next day I went over a friend’s house. I had so much to say. Somehow I spoke on the subject for hours because we shared our varied experiences.

• There have been times when I was so excited about something, that I could speak for hours.
• There have been times when I sat with a group of people who were just as excited about the thing I was excited about.
• There have been times when I talked for hours on a subject simply because I was amazed.

Paul was about to leave so a group of people ate with him while he spoke. By now, Paul had been rescued by GOD on many occasions, so he had a lot to say. Eutychus, may have been excited, but was extremely tired.

While tragedy happened when he fell out the window and died, Paul proved the power of GOD by raising him from the dead. The humorous part of the story is Paul now had even more to say.

• GOD wants me to have an abundant life.
• GOD wants me to speak about past experiences I’ve had with HIM.
• GOD wants me to seek new experiences with HIM, telling people about JESUS along the way.

Believing in JESUS is a wonderful start to an abundant life. I mean, it is the belief that changed my life into a person who seeks GOD daily. The rotten situations that I go through turn into testimonies of GOD’s power. I have nothing to brag about, only praise for JESUS who gave me purpose.

• Do you have an abundant life with GOD?
• What experiences have you had that people need to hear about?
• Will you tell people about the situations GOD has brought you through so they can do the same with others?

Reasoning

Reasoning

Acts 17: When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. ² As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures, ³ explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead. “This Jesus I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah,” he said. ⁴ Some of the Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks and quite a few prominent women.

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“This doesn’t make sense” I said. I was struggling to understand the concept and was stuck on a couple of minor details. When someone explained the concepts, without using technical terms, I understood what was being taught. I understood the reason we were doing what we were doing.

• There are times when I don’t understand.
• There are times when I get stuck on minor concepts.
• There are times when I need someone to explain some things I get stuck on.

Paul reasoned with the people about JESUS for three weeks. He pointed out that the Messiah is JESUS, who had to suffer and rise from the dead. After appealing to their logic, many people believed. Paul was able to explain JESUS well enough that people sought HIM.

• GOD wants me to logically believe in HIM.
• GOD wants me to understand HIS love for me.
• GOD wants me to be able to explain who JESUS is.

Talking about JESUS can be an emotional subject. I mean HE is pure love and showed me compassion. But there is a logical side to GOD. HE created humans with free will to choose HIM or not. It took me a while to grasp the logic behind HIS creation.

While I don’t fully understand everything GOD does, HE supplies me with faith to hop over the gaps in knowledge. Faith is logical and I reason to believe in JESUS.

• Are you reasoning GOD out of your life?
• Do you look at things logically without seeing GOD in everything?
• Will you use your reasoning to understand GOD’s love for you as you seek a better understanding by reading about JESUS in HIS word?

Boldness

Boldness

Acts 4: ²⁷ “For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together ²⁸ to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. ²⁹ Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, ³⁰ by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.”

³¹ And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

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Tired of being bullied, we decided to walk out. Thugs had robbed us long enough and threatened our safety once too often. One acquaintance got a little too excited when all of the students got outside. He jumped on a car and began bouncing on the hood. The police grabbed him. I and others went to the station to explain what happened.

• When I feel empowered I act bold.
• When I feel protected I act bold.
• When I feel I have nothing to lose I act bold.

Peter, John and those who repented, for believing JESUS should have been executed, were now praising GOD and praying to HIM earnestly. They had been threatened once too often and had to do something about it. They asked GOD for boldness to speak up about JESUS even though the government and church leaders would persecute them.

• GOD wants me to be bold about HIM.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM for boldness.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM for healing, knowing it only comes from HIM.

Boldness means speaking up even when the situation may have negative consequences. Boldness for CHRIST means living for HIM even when others try their best to prove away HIS daily power by labeling it as something else.

One can speak only what is in one’s heart. If GOD is not there, then of course HIS name will never be mentioned. BUT GOD wants my heart to be “Filled with the HOLY SPIRIT” so I can speak boldly about JESUS, the CHRIST who saves all who believe. I am grateful for JESUS.

• How often do you argue against speaking about JESUS?
• Do you feel HIS name should never be mentioned?
• Do you think your conversations, thoughts and actions are pleasing to GOD?
• Will you stop being a tool against GOD and speak up for HIM today by mentioning JESUS’ name with boldness?

There will come a day

There will come a day

Acts 2 ¹⁴ But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. ¹⁵ For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. ¹⁶ But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

¹⁷ ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God,
That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh;
Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
Your young men shall see visions,
Your old men shall dream dreams.

¹⁸ And on My menservants and on My maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days;
And they shall prophesy.

¹⁹ I will show wonders in heaven above
And signs in the earth beneath:
Blood and fire and vapor of smoke.

²⁰ The sun shall be turned into darkness,
And the moon into blood,
Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

²¹ And it shall come to pass
That whoever calls on the name of the Lord
Shall be saved.’

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“What do you want to be when you grow up?” was a common question asked by adults to me. Some would ask with options like “A fireman?” or “A policeman?” Later in life people asked the same question, but with different options like “A doctor?” or “A lawyer?” Funny, no one asked “How will you prepare for GOD?”

• I have spent years preparing for a career.
• I have spent decades preparing for employment.
• I have spent a great part of my life focused on making debt and making enough money to clear it.

Peter explains to those who mocked the devoted people of GOD, that they have just witnessed the beginning of something huge. Men and women from all walks of life will proclaim the arrival of our LORD and Savior.

• JESUS wants me to prepare for HIS return.
• JESUS wants me to have others prepare for HIS return.
• JESUS wants me to understand HIS truth and tell others about HIS great love.

There will come a day when every tongue will confess that JESUS is LORD. Some will praise HIM for being LORD and some will curse HIM because they chose to never surrender their will to HIM. I choose to Praise GOD!

• Will you surrender your will to GOD?
• Will you choose JESUS as your Savior?
• Will you seek JESUS’s true name so you will be saved?

Excuses

Luke 14: ¹⁵ Now when one of those who sat at the table with Him heard these things, he said to Him, “Blessed is he who shall eat bread in the kingdom of God!”

¹⁶ Then He said to him, “A certain man gave a great supper and invited many, ¹⁷ and sent his servant at supper time to say to those who were invited, ‘Come, for all things are now ready.’ ¹⁸ But they all with one accord began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a piece of ground, and I must go and see it. I ask you to have me excused.’ ¹⁹ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I am going to test them. I ask you to have me excused.’ ²⁰ Still another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’ ²¹ So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ ²² And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ ²³ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. ²⁴ For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ”

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“Will you tell people about GOD in a 30 second message?” someone asked me. Afraid of offending my following and for fear of my job, I said “Not this time, I believe someone else should do this.”

• I remember times when I was too important to speak about GOD.
• I can recall moments when I could have spoken about GOD, but did not.
• I reflect on times when GOD wanted me to speak on HIS behalf, but something “I” wanted got in the way.

JESUS seems to be telling a statement rather than a story as HE speaks to the crowd. HE spoke of three people who made excuses for not coming to the “Great Supper.” Possessions, business or jobs and family were the excuses made for not answering the Master’s call. What should I do when GOD calls me?

• GOD wants me to respond when HE calls me to do something for HIM.
• GOD calls me to serve HIM daily, all I have to do is listen.
• GOD wants me to be excited about speaking about HIS SON, especially to those who will hear it.

Age, race, gender, time, health, finances or worry are all great reasons for me not to speak about GOD. I mean I’m only one person right? Kinda. GOD wants me to see I will always have an excuse not to speak about HIM. There will never be a good time for me to talk about HIM. BUT GOD is still worthy to be praised.

HE wants me to see opportunity to speak about HIM on a daily basis. No longer am I ashamed of JESUS and HE is no longer ashamed of me.

• Are you making excuses for not speaking about GOD?
• Do you speak about GOD only during times of plenty?
• Can you stop being ashamed of GOD and speak of HIS grace today?

Character Witness

Luke 4: ⁴⁰ When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them. ⁴¹ And demons also came out of many, crying out and saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of God!”

And He, rebuking them, did not allow them to speak, for they knew that He was the Christ.

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“How do I get out of this?” I thought. “I got it! I will tell them the names of police officers and judges I know” I planned in my head to get out of jury duty. I had too many other things to do rather than sitting around listening to crimes. “I wonder if I should lie.” I was not chosen.

• There were times when I wanted to show bad character.
• There were times when I desired to sin a lot and still represent GOD.
• There were times when I wanted to be in control of my time and I would do anything to remain in control, even lie.

JESUS showed people just how powerful HE was. HE healed those who were sick and sent demons out of many. The demons wanted to scream “YOU are the CHRIST, the SON of GOD!” This statement was definitely true and many needed to hear it, BUT GOD did not want HIS name mentioned by those who rejected HIM.

• GOD wants me to represent HIM by pointing people to HIS SON.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge I am a sinner saved by grace so people will come back to HIM.
• GOD wants me to remain focused on telling people about grace rather than accusing them of sinning.

Day and night the Accuser goes before the throne, blaming each human for the sins they commit. This is a poor character witness because the devil was thrown out of heaven and wants to destroy GOD’s prize creation, namely humanity.

BUT GOD allowed “THE CHRIST” which is JESUS to voluntarily take all the blame and wipe away my sin. THE HOLY SPIRIT speaks on my behalf, nullifying every accusation brought against me. HE is my character witness.

• Have you examined your character lately?
• Does your character include blaming people for their faults?
• Will you preach “grace” that can only come from “THE CHRIST” today?

Ooo I’m Telling!

Matthew 18: ¹⁵ “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. ¹⁶ But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ ¹⁷ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.

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“This guy has to go” I thought to myself. In the meeting I allowed him to make mistakes on his facts. I knew he would snoop around my desk, so I laid a trap with false information. It took time to develop the fake report but it was worth it!

• I have been a coward when it came to confrontation.
• I have been selfish when it came to dealing with someone I did not like.
• I have been foolish when it came to helping instead of hurting.

Telling my peers how wrong this guy was became a pastime. I wonder how many hours I spent trying to get rid of this person or wasting my breath talking about him. Not once did I approach him.

• GOD wants me to be brave enough to confront “that” person in love.
• GOD wants me to bring witnesses; otherwise my wicked heart may bring up slander.
• GOD wants me to seek restoration versus demise and destruction.

I do not have to be a pushover if someone has wronged me. I should confront them, seeking restoration. If they refuse to listen then I should escalate the issue to those who also seek restoration.

Seeking demise and destruction hurts “that” person, myself and more. Nothing good comes from slander. GOD wants me to seek restoration so HIS work can be done.

• Are you speaking negatively about someone behind their back?
• Are you waiting for their next mistake so you can talk bad about them?
• Will you stop desiring their demise before GOD brings that same demise on you?
• Will you have the faith that GOD will deal with that person in HIS way and HIS time?

Serious Responsibilities

Ezekiel 3: ²⁰ “Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood. ²¹ But if you do warn the righteous person not to sin and they do not sin, they will surely live because they took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

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Snooping around my desk was the action I despised the most of this particular person. I was working on a project and refining my numbers. I left the wrong numbers on my desk and went home to correct the information. The next day this person tried to take credit for my work in a meeting but they were using the wrong numbers. “Serves him right” I thought to myself. I sat there without saying a word and watched him flounder.

• There have been times when it felt good to watch someone else’s demise.
• There have been times when it felt good to see someone “get their just rewards.”
• There have been times when it felt good to observe someone fall especially if they have been bugging me and others.

Watching someone else fail while I sit there with a hands off attitude feels good because it is not “my fault” if they fail. I mean they shouldn’t be doing what they are doing in the first place, right? Well, maybe not. What does GOD have to say about this?

• GOD says to me “Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin and I will hold you accountable for their blood.”
• GOD says to me “Have compassion on those who hold you in contempt and I will give you words of peace.”
• GOD says to me “Bless those who curse you and I will bring about salvation for those who heed your words.”

My desire was wanting this person to fail in the first place so taking a hands off approach not only enabled his failure, but it made me look better. GOD wants me to raise people up just as HE raises me up. HE wants me to enable success and let HIM worry about their actions and attitudes. My warnings need to point people to GOD and leave the rest to HIM. GOD wants me to open my mouth and say something that will grow HIS kingdom.

• Are you sitting back and watching “that” person fail?
• Do you feel satisfied when someone gets what is coming to them?
• Can you change your attitude and be part of their success?
• Will you tell the righteous person to turn from their ways and give them the compassion of GOD?