But You

But You

2 Timothy 4: ³ The time will come when people will not listen to sound doctrine, but will follow their own desires and will collect for themselves more and more teachers who will tell them what they are itching to hear. ⁴ They will turn away from listening to the truth and give their attention to legends. ⁵ But you must keep control of yourself in all circumstances; endure suffering, do the work of a preacher of the Good News, and perform your whole duty as a servant of God.

 

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Waiting a few seconds in silence, one student gave the “all clear” so everyone could get up and do whatever. The teacher had given us a command to remain silent until she returned. That was laughable. I usually did not participate, but I walked around, laughed and played. When she returned, I was still away from my desk. “Stay after class” she said. Nervous at her words, I complied. “I expect this from some of the others, but you… I expect more.”

 

• Her words cut deep.
• I regretted doing like “everyone” else.
• I knew I should have listened to that voice inside that said “Don’t do this.”

 

Paul warns of an impending time that will come when people will just flat out stop listening to GOD’s word. He tells Timothy that human desires will become more prevalent and people will even become teachers, telling others to follow the wide path. “But you”, referring to believers in CHRIST, keep control.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to keep control and endure suffering, even when the crowd has a different way.
• GOD wants me to preach the Good News, even when it is not popular to preach.
• GOD wants me to perform my duty as a servant of HIM, even when it means becoming low instead of being raised up high by the world.

 

Let’s face it, speaking about JESUS is tough. I mean, the world will fall away from listening to this message and it will seem like an overwhelming task to speak about the love of JESUS, expecting results. BUT GOD wants everyone who believes in JESUS to seek and speak.

 

It does seem like people only think of self-preservation. Classes and mantras are taught, devoid the love of JESUS. Implied messages do not carry the words “JESUS died for me and was raised from the dead. My belief in HIM gives me eternal life. HE wants your heart, will you accept HIM today?” I will gladly speak on HIS behalf to small crowds if necessary.

 

Challenge

• Does the writer paint an easy picture?
• Do you feel like life should be easy?
• Will you take a deep breath and speak on HIS behalf, even when the world is not listening, because GOD needs you for “that” person today?

Boundless Power

Boundless Power

Ephesians 4: I urge you, then—I who am a prisoner because I serve the Lord: live a life that measures up to the standard God set when he called you. ² Be always humble, gentle, and patient. Show your love by being tolerant with one another.

 

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“Are you okay?” I asked one of the thugs who’s life seemed to be centered on making everyone miserable. He had fallen after holding onto a car and sliding on his heels down the icy street. Years later he reminded me that I said a kind word. I did not even remember saying it.

 

• I wanted to react with a fight or rage when being bullied.
• I wanted to point and say “That’s what you get” when someone I did not like got hurt.
• I wanted to finally “win” when it felt like I was losing to the bullies, tormentors and tyrants.

 

Jailed for speaking about JESUS, Paul wrote a letter. His chains could not stop his love for the people. He urged everyone to stay focused by showing humility, gentleness and patience. These could not be stopped.

 

My Observations

• The HOLY SPIRIT gives me an alternative way that is humble.
• The HOLY SPIRIT reminds me to be gentle.
• The HOLY SPIRIT tells me to slow down and be patient.

 

Humans may trap me in ways that seem unfair. I mean, overt and passive bullies try to get their way instead of GOD’s way. BUT GOD gives me a standard that I can follow. I do not have to look at my circumstance as “the measure” rather I can choose humbleness, gentleness and patience as my “measure” for success.

 

When I have shown these to others who may not even be receptive, GOD says “Well done good and faithful servant.” It also relieves me of how the world constantly says “You don’t measure up.” I am glad GOD’s measure of me is through HIS SON and not my actions.

 

Challenge

• What is the heart of the writer?
• Have you ever wanted to fight or get back at someone or been enraged?
• Will you seek any part of the small list given in this passage as an alternative to your first reaction to fulfill GOD’s calling on your life today?

Who put you in charge?

 

Who put you in charge?

1 Corinthians 4: You should think of us as Christ's servants, who have been put in charge of God's secret truths. ² The one thing required of such servants is that they be faithful to their master. ³ Now, I am not at all concerned about being judged by you or by any human standard; I don't even pass judgment on myself. ⁴ My conscience is clear, but that does not prove that I am really innocent. The Lord is the one who passes judgment on me. ⁵ So you should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time comes. Final judgment must wait until the Lord comes; he will bring to light the dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people's minds. And then all will receive from God the praise they deserve.

 

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After I realized I was not living as I should, I started reading the Bible more and learning what it had to say. When I found a truth that I should live, I immediately told others. But one day someone said “Who put you in charge?” My approach was pretty harsh.

 

• There have been times when I had the best intentions but my delivery was not the best.
• There have been times when I wanted to help, but the way I helped seemed harsh.
• There have been times when I thought I was serving when in reality I was judging.

 

Paul explains that anyone who speaks about JESUS, needs to be faithful. Judging someone else’s intentions is not the main goal and should be left to JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to be faithful to follow JESUS.
• GOD wants me to be careful not to judge.
• GOD wants me to keep my conscience clear, but know I am a sinner who need to be forgiven.

 

When GOD made me, HE wanted me to speak highly of JESUS. I believe everyone is made to do the same. But some will not. GOD chose to use humans to spread HIS Good News of JESUS being our Savior.

 

I can say this with a clear conscience, knowing all my actions will be judged. Some will be burned up and some will stay. I am glad GOD enables me to be dependable enough to speak HIS name.

 

• Do you feel like falling away from CHRIST?
• Are you judging someone today?
• Will you remain faithful to GOD and follow HIS ways and drop any judgement you may have of others today?

Criteria

Luke 7: ²² Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and tell John the things you have seen and heard: that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, the poor have the gospel preached to them. ²³ And blessed is he who is not offended because of Me.”

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“Write down your criteria for the person you are looking for” said Human Resources. I was searching for a candidate to hire and had to write a short list of standards the person needed to have in order to get the job.

• Sometimes I have set standards for how people will act.
• There were times when I set the conditions for how I expected people to behave.
• Sometimes I wonder what is the criteria for being GOD transformed into a human.

JESUS gives a shocking list that no human could do. HE healed the blind, lame, lepers and deaf people of their ailments. HE took it one step further and mention the dead are raised. One other strange item that JESUS added was “the poor have the gospel preached to them” as if not preaching to them was similar to the diseases and death HE just mentioned.

• GOD wants me to preach the gospel to the poor.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS power over the physical body.
• GOD wants me to bold in my belief of HIM and the not be ashamed or offended by believing in HIM.

GOD’s standards are so far above mine. I mean, sometimes I just want GOD to give me a vacation or pay a few bills. HE is concerned about me and the other poor person HE sends me to, or the person who is sent to me. JESUS wants life and only HE can give it.

• Are you looking for something?
• Do you think you have the right criteria for your life?
• Can you allow GOD to guide you to the place HE wants you to be?

Never compromise a standard

Genesis 23: ⁴ “I am a foreigner and stranger among you. Sell me some property for a burial site here so I can bury my dead.”

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¹¹ “No, my lord,” he said. “Listen to me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.”

¹² Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land ¹³ and he said to Ephron in their hearing, “Listen to me, if you will. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there.”

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Cold was only the beginning of the pain we felt. The wind was blowing and it was dark and we were tired from practice. The bus was nowhere in sight and my buddy and I had a mile to walk on this last leg of my usual one hour commute. 

Our neighborhood was pretty good but it had a drug dealer and wouldn’t you know he and his thugs pulled up and offered a ride. We dove into the cars’ warmth and rode home in style. I mean I wasn’t going to use or sell drugs so it was okay right?

• My comfort sometimes makes me compromise my standards.
• My lifestyle sometimes makes me take shortcuts.
• My desire to avoid obstacles makes me take the easy route which may end up with a very bad outcome.

Abraham had a standard to never accept any charity from the group of violent people. He said “they will never be able to say they made me what I am” so he never compromised.  Many times I compromised to “fit in” or to “be comfortable.”  I wonder what GOD would have to say about that.

• GOD wants me to choose HIM over my comfort.
• GOD wants me to focus on HIS standards of love, grace and mercy rather than going the easy route of judgment and slander.
• GOD wants me to hold on to HIM rather than compromise.

When I choose to sin I am compromising what GOD said is right. I may mask my sin in blame or circumstance but when GOD looks at it, it’s still sin. HE wants me to follow HIS standard to bring others to HIM rather than pushing them away.

• Have you lowered your standard in any areas of your life?
• Are you showing grace to “those people” that GOD is showing you?
• Are you looking at yourself in a pitiful, deserving way or can you face the obstacle in front of you with GOD?