Trying Too Hard

 

Trying Too Hard

Hebrews 8: ⁷ If there had been nothing wrong with the first covenant, there would have been no need for a second one. ⁸ But God finds fault with his people when he says,

“The days are coming, says the Lord,
    when I will draw up a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah.
⁹ It will not be like the covenant that I made with their ancestors
    on the day I took them by the hand and led them out of Egypt.
They were not faithful to the covenant I made with them,
    and so I paid no attention to them.
¹⁰ Now, this is the covenant that I will make with the people of Israel
    in the days to come, says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their minds
    and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
    and they will be my people.
¹¹ None of them will have to teach their friends
    or tell their neighbors,
    ‘Know the Lord.’
For they will all know me,
    from the least to the greatest.
¹² I will forgive their sins
    and will no longer remember their wrongs.”

¹³ By speaking of a new covenant, God has made the first one old; and anything that becomes old and worn out will soon disappear.

 

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“Don’t set your alarm, but ask GOD to wake you up” were the instructions of someone who was well meaning. I tried it and overslept. After this exercise I questioned GOD. “Why didn’t you wake me up?”

 

• I wanted to see if this GOD thing would work.
• I wanted to test whether or not GOD would do “as I say?”
• I wanted to have special powers that I didn’t possess.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, says some remarkable things about what GOD did for humanity. He mentions that GOD took care of the relationship that was broken and lost by a permanent repair through a second covenant.

 

My Observations:

• GOD did not leave anything up to chance when it came to having a relationship with me.
• GOD placed HIS laws in my mind and wrote them on my heart.
• GOD made me “know the LORD” and has forgiven me of my sins and does not remember any wrong I did.

 

It was all GOD! I mean, HE knew that I would not choose HIM, yet HE chose me. HE took it one step further. HE wrote HIS laws in my mind and in my heart. I do not have the responsibility to try to convince someone to “know the LORD.” But this seems confusing. What about the great commission?

 

You and I are part of the “I will.” HE never says how HE will put the laws in the minds of people or how HE will be their GOD. I am glad HE uses people to tell the Good News!

 

Challenge

• What words from the writer are shocking to you?
• Do you feel relieved that you do not have the responsibility of forcing people to accept JESUS?
• Will you simply “be” a follower of JESUS and be ready to explain your relationship with HIM to anyone HE places in front of you today?

 

Accepted

Accepted

Acts 15: ⁵ Then some of the believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stood up and said, “The Gentiles must be circumcised and required to keep the law of Moses.”

⁶ The apostles and elders met to consider this question. ⁷ After much discussion, Peter got up and addressed them: “Brothers, you know that some time ago God made a choice among you that the Gentiles might hear from my lips the message of the gospel and believe. ⁸ God, who knows the heart, showed that he accepted them by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as he did to us. ⁹ He did not discriminate between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith. ¹⁰ Now then, why do you try to test God by putting on the necks of Gentiles a yoke that neither we nor our ancestors have been able to bear? ¹¹ No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”

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It felt like I grew overnight when I put on a pair of pants and they were too short. While I wanted to be taller, now my clothes did not fit. People were already laughing at me about my hair, now this was added. And, with the new height, I looked skinnier. “I’m never going to fin in” I said to myself.

• Many times I have been laughed at.
• Many times I have been on the outside of the crowd.
• Many times I have been the one who was outcast because I did not fit in.

Confusion erupted as some of the believers, who may have been going to church a long time, were part of the political party that had JESUS killed, namely the Pharisees. “Be circumcised to keep the law of Moses” was their stance because humans could easily see evidence of acceptance. Peter spoke against this prejudiced thinking.

• GOD wants me to tell people they are accepted.
• GOD wants me to let people know HE does not discriminate.
• GOD wants me to inform people that HE purifies the heart by faith.

Accepting people just as they are is important to GOD. HE looked at my sin and while I was in the middle of committing the act, HE died for me to take the blame. JESUS accepted my belief in HIM, knowing I would commit sin, over and over.

It is though grace of our LORD JESUS that we are saved. HE wants people to understand they too are accepted, just as they are. I am grateful to be accepted into the loving family of the FATHER, SON and the HOLY SPIRIT.

• Are you outcast?
• Are you seeking to be understood and looking in the places, you know in your heart, that are wrong for you?
• Will you believe in JESUS and be accepted into HIS loving family so you will never be thrown out again?

Tempting Words

Luke 22: ⁶³ The men who were guarding Jesus began mocking and beating him. ⁶⁴ They blindfolded him and demanded, ‘Prophesy! Who hit you?’ ⁶⁵ And they said many other insulting things to him.

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“If YOU are GOD, then…” were the unfortunate words I have said or thought many times. I mean “IF” YOU can do what YOU say YOU can do then do exactly what I’m thinking.

• Many times I have lacked faith in GOD.
• Many times I wanted GOD to do what “I” say.
• Many times I questioned GOD’s timing, motives and power.

The men who guarded JESUS mocked HIS position as GOD. They blindfolded HIM saying “Prophesy! Who hit YOU?” In so many words they were saying “If YOU are GOD then do what I say or what I am thinking.”

• GOD says to me “I AM the LORD your GOD, do not put ME to the test.”
• GOD says to me “Believe in ME as a child and you will be saved.”
• GOD says to me “I know your thoughts and they are not MY thoughts.”

JESUS chose to be beaten even though HE could have easily wiped out those who sought to harm HIM. So why don’t I question that? I mean that doesn’t make sense either. GOD’s plan is full of grace mercy and love, which doesn’t make sense to a sinner like me.

GOD is very much GOD, no “if” statement needed. In my blind state, I cannot actually see what GOD is doing. All I know is I need to put my trust in HIM. I am blindfolded like JESUS was and I trust HIS plan.

• Do you think GOD should be doing something different in you life?
• Do you believe GOD has only punishment in mind for you?
• Can you ask GOD to reveal HIS loving plan for you in the middle of your difficult situation?

Checking the Limit

Luke 4: ⁹ Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. ¹⁰ For it is written:

‘He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you,’

¹¹ and,

‘In their hands they shall bear you up,
Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ”

¹² And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ”

¹³ Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time.

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“I can make it” I said to myself as I raced to catch a plane. I did not factor in spontaneous excessive traffic and I missed the plane. “I can make it” I said again as the low fuel light glowed for miles. I ran out of gas. “I can make it” I said yet again as I sprinted for the train. When I tripped up the stairs my case opened up and papers flew everywhere. I missed the train.

• There were times when I cut it too close.
• There were times when I did not get what I was chasing after because I missed the cut off.
• There were times when I pushed the limit and wound up in worse shape.

JESUS was tempted to commit suicide by the devil. “Push the limit and have the angels save you IF YOU are GOD’s SON” slyly stated the devil. BUT JESUS knew HIS tricks.

• JESUS says to me “Follow all of MY ways and you will be safe.”
• JESUS says to me “True freedom comes from the truth and I AM the truth.”
• JESUS says to me “You shall not tempt the LORD your GOD.”

Staying away from the boundaries has always been the problem with humanity, especially me. Adam and Eve could not stay away from the tree of knowledge, and I have fallen into known sins. BUT JESUS did not get fooled. HE kept every word of GOD in order to redeem me. HE guides me away from the boundaries of sin to the middle of HIS love.

• Are you busy pushing GOD’s boundaries, trying to see what you can get away with?
• Do you think that just because you can do something that goes against what GOD says, you will get away with it?
• Will you stop pushing the limits of GOD and accept HIS love, grace and mercy for you today?

Prove Yourself

Matthew 16: The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.

² He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ ³ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. ⁴ A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.

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“If YOU are GOD then…” were the immature words out of my mouth as if to say, “Prove YOURSELF to me.” Looking back on these words, I can see why they were a problem with GOD.

• When I say “If YOU are GOD” I really mean “I don’t believe who YOU are.”
• When I say “If YOU are GOD” I really mean “YOU should bow YOURSELF at my demands.”
• When I say “If YOU are GOD” I really mean “I am a better judge than YOU so prove YOURSELF to my standards.”

“Prove it” was the approach the Pharisees and Sadducees took towards JESUS. Their expectation of a military genius and a mighty, muscular, king was thwarted by this insignificant looking being who spread love and peace versus conquering enemies.

Since JESUS did not meet “their” expectation, they put up barriers to make HIM prove HIMSELF as being GOD to them. I have done the same. BUT GOD guides me back to HIM.

• GOD wants me to believe in HIM with childlike belief.
• GOD wants me to trust in HIM with my whole being.
• GOD wants me to obey HIM rather than tempting HIM to prove HIS abilities.

Parlor tricks are not GOD’s style. HE does not bow down to any human no matter their demands. HE deserves praise, honor and reverence from me because HE is GOD. All I need to do is believe.

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Do you try to force HIM to perform a miracle in front of you so you can believe?
• Will you stop trying to get GOD to prove HIMSELF to you and start trusting in HIM today?

Looking and Listening

Matthew 13: ¹⁶ But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. ¹⁷ For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

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Seeing and hearing GOD are two things that eluded me for the longest. I just wanted to hear the movie like voice, booming through the clouds. I also desired to see the hand people always paint, reaching down to pick me up. Wouldn’t seeing and hearing make me believe more?

• My faith in GOD has sometimes been small.
• My faith in GOD has sometimes been mixed in with fear and doubt.
• My faith in GOD has sometimes had a dangerous mix of “prove YOURSELF.”

“If YOU are GOD, then why don’t YOU…” has been a thought that has popped into my mind This thought is one that I have learned is the most dangerous one to entertain. It questions HIS being, authority and love. It also introduces my doubt which leads me to need for HIM to boom HIS voice and reach down in ways my small faith can understand.

• GOD shows me HIS hand when HE feeds me daily.
• GOD talks to me through HIS word and HIS SPIRIT.
• GOD gives me purpose of spreading HIS word to those who can hear it.

Every day GOD shows me something and says a lot to me. HE takes my fears, doubts and worries and transforms them into faith, love and peace. HE walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. Now I expect to be attacked and I also expect that GOD will protect.

• Are you looking tor GOD?
• Do you want a sign from HIM?
• Can you seek HIS face in a different way by seeking to do HIS will?
• Will you listen for HIM by reading HIS word today?

Just Say the Word

Matthew 8: ⁵ When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. ⁶ “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”

⁷ Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”

⁸ The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. ⁹ For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

¹⁰ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.

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“If you are a traffic light then you will change colors” or “If you are a mountain then you will be tall” are words I never say. I never challenge the traffic light’s authority especially on busy streets. I also never challenge the mountain by saying it does not exist. I do however challenge GOD.

• I challenge GOD by playing “If YOU exist, then” games.
• I challenge GOD by saying “If YOU love me, YOU would…”
• I challenge GOD by giving HIM specific instructions on how to cure my ills.

Sometimes I do not trust in GOD. I immaturely ask for things to get better but in the back of my mind I do not believe they will. I doubt the big idea from GOD and I doubt that HE can do marvelous things through “insignificant people.” BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD says to me “Ask and you will receive.”
• GOD says to me “Believe in the one who made you.”
• GOD says to me “I AM.”

Going back to the traffic light… It is a traffic light so therefore I must obey what it says, same with GOD. HE is GOD so therefore I must believe HE will do as HE says. Regardless of my desires, I must believe in HIS authority over the situation. HE is in command and HE does care about me in times of trouble.

Faith mixed with belief looks like the centurion. He clearly saw GOD’s authority and had faith enough to approach HIM with the belief that HE could do something about the situation, GOD wants me to believe HE has, not only the ability, but the power to change any circumstance. I believe in GOD.

• Are you asking for something that you doubt you will get?
• Do you think GOD is not listening to you so therefore you have considered giving up?
• Are you tired of everyone around you placing their doubt in what GOD has you doing?
• Will you add a measure of belief to your faith in GOD today?