Not Robbed

Not Robbed

2 John 1: ⁷ Many deceivers have gone out over the world, people who do not acknowledge that Jesus Christ came as a human being. Such a person is a deceiver and the Enemy of Christ. ⁸ Be on your guard, then, so that you will not lose what we have worked for, but will receive your reward in full.

 

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“Why is he being so nice to me?” was the thought running through my mind. Usually this thug would bully me and this conversation was unexpected. It was cold outside and I had on my snorkel coat. I looked around and saw his goons giggling. Turns out, they were practicing picking my coat pocket.

 

• I was distracted by the conversation.
• I was being robbed because I was distracted.
• I was a prime target because I wasn’t paying attention.

 

John gets right down to business in this very short letter. He wanted to address deception that had become plentiful. People were not acknowledging that JESUS came as a human to be murdered by HIS creation and be raised from the dead. A person who speaks against this is a deceiver.

 

My Observations:

• GOD wants me to be as wise as the serpent like worldly people, but as harmless as a dove.
• Believers will receive a full reward, simply by believing that JESUS died and rose from the dead.
• The reward for my belief is an eternity of peace, no problems and no pain.

 

Being deceived can rob me. I mean, in the past when I have been deceived, it wasted time, money and effort. “I could have done things differently” is usually the regretful thought I have had after realizing I have been deceived. It’s a bad feeling.

 

GOD does not want me to have regrets. HE wants me to choose HIM versus being forced to love HIM. When I choose to believe in HIS love, I experience HIS amazing grace. I am glad I receive HIS reward in full, simply by believing in JESUS.

 

Challenge

• Who does the writer say is a deceiver?
• Have you ever been deceived?
• Will you “be on your guard” by believing that JESUS is GOD and HE became a human to save you and me, and HE was murdered by humans to be raised from the dead to pay for your sins and mine today?

Something Much Better

Something Much Better

Hebrews 10: ³² Remember how it was with you in the past. In those days, after God's light had shone on you, you suffered many things, yet were not defeated by the struggle. ³³ You were at times publicly insulted and mistreated, and at other times you were ready to join those who were being treated in this way. ³⁴ You shared the sufferings of prisoners, and when all your belongings were seized, you endured your loss gladly, because you knew that you still possessed something much better, which would last forever. ³⁵ Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward.

 

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Many wars broke out at the company. Some were ego related, some power related, some were racially motivated and some were just plain greed related. Whatever the case, I was ready to fight! When I “lost” the battle, I questioned GOD.

 

• I wondered if GOD loved me.
• I questioned HIS motivation for taking me out of the struggle.
• I thought I was supposed to stay where I was, doing the same battles over and over again.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, addressed suffering. He spoke about it in two ways. First he spoke about past suffering. He suggested that GOD brought them through this difficult time and they were not defeated. He then spoke about other people’s struggles and how those who were not struggling at the time, empathized with those who were.

 

My Observations:

• GOD sees me when I am going through a struggle.
• GOD hears me when I cry out to HIM.
• GOD may move me out of a struggle that I wanted to hold onto.

 

Pain and struggles are something I can get used to even though I am not supposed to. I mean, when I am in a bad situation where there is abuse, slander and mistreatment, I think I should stay there and simply take it. I also think it is okay to receive no help when I ask for it and be insulted for trying to serve. I then wonder if GOD is there... HE is.

 

GOD shows up in marvelous ways during the insults, slander, abuse and manipulation. HE fills me up when nothing else in the world can do the same. HIS SPIRIT guides me and provides me with hope that can never be tarnished. All things I hold onto pale in comparison to what GOD has for me. I am glad HE has something much better than I can imagine!

 

Challenge

• What encouragement does the writer present?
• Have you ever suffered mistreatment and insults?
• Will you look beyond the current struggle and remember how GOD brought you through many of life’s battles and also know HE has great rewards for you because of your endurance today?

Even More Than I thought

Zechariah 9: ¹¹ As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
    I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.
¹² Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;
    even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.

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GOD’s promises are wonderful! In the middle of captivity, GOD promises not only to free me from my sin, but to restore me to a better place. GOD is deeply concerned about me, though the world would say different.

• The world may make me worry.
• The world may make me doubt.
• The world may make me think I am less than I am.

Those in the world may carry poisonous words, treading upon my peace in an attempt to place me in a waterless pit. BUT GOD’s blood through the death, burial and resurrection of JESUS, frees me from my prison. HE tells me to return to my fortress because of my hope in HIM.

GOD’s restoration is a promise, not a wish. HE sees every situation I get in and has grace enough to restore me to a place that is better than I could ever imagine! GOD is wonderful!

• Where is your hope?
• Do you think you are down and out?
• Can you place your trust in GOD today, knowing HE will restore you fully?

What is stolen will be replaced

Genesis 33: ⁸ Esau asked, “What’s the meaning of all these flocks and herds I met?”

“To find favor in your eyes, my lord,” he said.

⁹ But Esau said, “I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself.”

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After a very long week of unpacking, things finally looked settled in our new house.  I woke up to a very sunny day, stepped into the garage only to find the door had been left open. This was a very rare occurrence so I surveyed my belongings and noticed several items missing, one of which was a tool box.

About a year later I helped our office move. The administrative assistant said, “Here is a tool box that we no longer use, do you want it?” It had more tools in it than the one stolen from me.

• When something gets stolen from me I pout like it will never be replaced.
• When something gets pilfered I get upset because I think I can’t ever get another one.
• When something gets taken I think the sneaky will always win and I will be a wimpy victim.

Jacob stole Esau’s birthright, blessing and place with their father. When GOD told Jacob to return he did it with a bribe because that’s all he could see. Esau, who had everything taken from him, was restored fully even to the point where his coffers were bursting at the seams.

• When stuff gets taken it is only stuff and I should thank GOD for the moment I had it.
• When items get lost, broken or stolen I should thank GOD for the time I had with it.
• When things get taken it may be the removal of a distraction away from GOD.

I’m not saying I like things to be taken away from me, what I’m saying is GOD gives and GOD takes away and it’s up to HIM to replace what is stolen. Each time I have been robbed, I got something better.

• Has something valuable to you been taken?
• Has someone cheated you out of something?
• Can you pray for that person to meet GOD?
• Won’t you let GOD deal with the missing items and pay attention to HIM?