Dangers and Troubles

Dangers and Troubles

Hebrews 11: ²⁷ It was faith that made Moses leave Egypt without being afraid of the king's anger. As though he saw the invisible God, he refused to turn back. ²⁸ It was faith that made him establish the Passover and order the blood to be sprinkled on the doors, so that the Angel of Death would not kill the first-born sons of the Israelites.

 

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Driving in a neighborhood that was known for its dangers, I made a wrong turn. I ended up on a dead end street, similar to those seen in movies. I panicked as I looked in my rear view mirror to see who was converging on me. No one was around. I simply backed up and drove away.

 

• I brought worry and fear into the situation.
• I worried about what could happen instead of seeing what was happening.
• I thought the worst, instead of thinking of the best.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, continues his faith examples with another aspect from Moses. Danger would not stop Moses from doing what the LORD said to do. He boldly left Egypt after GOD sent plagues, making Pharoah desire to send the slaves away. GOD also protected those who believed in placing blood on their doors from the final plague, namely Angel of Death.

 

My Observations:

• My fears can diminish my faith in GOD.
• GOD loves when I face my fears by turning to HIM for the answers.
• GOD specializes in protection and deliverance, even when things seem bleak.

 

In the middle of danger and trouble, GOD wants me to take a deep breath and keep moving towards HIM. I mean, things may seem impossible with no way out and no solution at hand. GOD steps in and provides when I stay the course.

 

HE knows I am still afraid. BUT HE also knows how to provide for me when I get nervous and need HIM to show me the way. I am glad GOD takes care of my deepest fears and addresses all situations with HIS loving power.

 

Challenge

• How do the two examples of the writer relate to each other?
• Have you ever faced danger or trouble and panicked?
• Will you take faith into your next encounter with danger or trouble so you can calm down enough to hear GOD, and be delivered from evil that day?

You Are Valued

You Are Valued

2 Corinthians 9: ¹² For this service you perform not only meets the needs of God's people, but also produces an outpouring of gratitude to God. ¹³ And because of the proof which this service of yours brings, many will give glory to God for your loyalty to the gospel of Christ, which you profess, and for your generosity in sharing with them and everyone else. ¹⁴ And so with deep affection they will pray for you because of the extraordinary grace God has shown you. ¹⁵ Let us thank God for his priceless gift!

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My wife worked all week and went over our parent’s house to help with our sick sister. My sister, brother, kids, nieces and nephew all chipped in to “meet the need.” Every prayer, action and thought is valued by GOD. My other brother and sister visited my parents every day in another state while my sister and I continued to pray vigilantly.

 

• Your service meets the needs of GOD’s people.
• Your prayers produce an outpouring of gratitude to GOD.
• Many will give glory to GOD for your loyalty to the gospel of CHRIST, which you profess.

 

Paul recognizes people are trying their best. Some are carrying heavy loads, seemingly by themselves. They are not doing the service for human accolades, rather for GOD. The wonderful thing about his message is, GOD sees the service and is pleased!

 

My Observations

• GOD is pleased with you and me for anything we do in JESUS name.
• GOD is excited when we recognize HE gave a priceless gift to us by allowing us to murder HIS one and only SON.
• GOD has forgiven us when we believe in the need for JESUS, who was raised from the dead and has the authority to forgive.

 

Trying to be “heard” by humans is tricky. I mean, hidden motives can get in the way of words spoken. BUT GOD sees our actions when we sincerely try to serve others strictly to “meet the need.”

 

HE sees the heart and is excited when we surrender it to HIM so the HOLY SPIRIT can be fed with our praise. I am grateful for my family and glad GOD sees every action they do for HIM.

 

Challenge

• Have you ever felt overwhelmed and tired?
• Do you feel like things are not going the way you planned?
• Will you look at the excitement in the writers words and know your service is seen by GOD and HE is pleased with you today?

Fixed Attention

Fixed Attention

2 Corinthians 4: ¹⁶ For this reason we never become discouraged. Even though our physical being is gradually decaying, yet our spiritual being is renewed day after day. ¹⁷ And this small and temporary trouble we suffer will bring us a tremendous and eternal glory, much greater than the trouble. ¹⁸ For we fix our attention, not on things that are seen, but on things that are unseen. What can be seen lasts only for a time, but what cannot be seen lasts forever.

 

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Short pants were in and it was hot! Notice I didn’t say shorts. I wore them outside as we played. Unfortunately, my fashion choice gave mosquitos more opportunities for their evening snack.

 

With tens of bites on each leg, I sat inside miserable. The itching was overwhelming. Dinner didn’t seem to taste good because of my distraction. Sitting was uncomfortable and we had another six days to be there. “Don’t think about them” someone said. All I could think about were the bites.

 

• Mosquito bites seem small but somehow draw my attention.
• When I am uncomfortable, I only want to see a path to comfort.
• My focus on scratching the problem made the healing process extended.

 

Because JESUS died and was raised from the dead, we can have eternal life. Paul says “for this reason we never become discouraged.” He was the poster child of going through trouble. His troubles were very large in comparison to mosquito bites, yet he provides some great advice for facing large and small troubles.

 

My Observations

• Faith is something GOD loves for me to focus on.
• Joy is a gift GOD loves to give me daily.
• Eternal rewards are the true prizes GOD wants me to seek.

 

The unseen things like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control are what GOD wants me to have in abundance. This fruit is the best meal to place my attention on.

 

Whenever life becomes challenging, GOD wants me to seek the fruit of the Spirit, so I can endure and persevere. I am glad GOD loves the unseen fruit to focus my attention on.

 

Challenge

• Have you ever felt more rested when you were not focused on the problem?
• What does the writer say about never becoming discouraged?
• What things that are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, good report, virtuous or praiseworthy can you focus on today?

Perspective on Things

Perspective on Things

1 Corinthians 15: ²³ But each one will be raised in proper order: Christ, first of all; then, at the time of his coming, those who belong to him. ²⁴ Then the end will come; Christ will overcome all spiritual rulers, authorities, and powers, and will hand over the Kingdom to God the Father. ²⁵ For Christ must rule until God defeats all enemies and puts them under his feet. ²⁶ The last enemy to be defeated will be death. ²⁷ For the scripture says, “God put all things under his feet.” It is clear, of course, that the words “all things” do not include God himself, who puts all things under Christ. ²⁸ But when all things have been placed under Christ's rule, then he himself, the Son, will place himself under God, who placed all things under him; and God will rule completely over all.

 

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“It’s his thing” or “It’s her thing” were the words used to describe a passion or hobby. I checked my inventory and didn’t have a “thing” that I was doing well or consistently. “I wonder if I need a thing” I pondered. Maybe I could get a distraction.

 

• I wondered if my thing would make me significant.
• I wondered if my thing would define me.
• I wondered if my thing would bring some brief escape from life’s day to day ups and downs.

 

Paul put “things” into perspective. He mentioned that the resurrection of CHRIST happened in the proper order. JESUS will overcome spiritual rulers, authorities and powers, then GOD will defeat the “things” that enemies do. GOD will defeat the last enemy, namely death and place all “things” under JESUS’ feet.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to let go of all “things” and allow HIM to choose what is best for me.
• GOD wants me check to see if the “thing” I am holding onto will be raised or defeated.
• GOD wants me to be excited that HE will rule completely one day and sin will no longer exist.

 

Why do people sin? Is a question I have asked. But the real question is probably, “Why don’t people sin all the time?” I mean, it seems humans are at a disadvantage. Being born with a tendency to sin, blaming GOD for my sin, while trying to be GOD and control outcomes to be in my favor, leaves me powerless.

 

BUT GOD has a better path. HE deliberately chose to live a sinless life, die for my sins and was raised to life and has all authority. GOD wants me to see the benefit in the “things” of CHRIST. I gladly seek HIS “things” as my “things.”

 

Challenge

• What does “all things” mean to you?
• Do you think the writer was speaking about specific people when writing about “defeating all enemies” and putting them under JESUS’ feet?
• What do you notice about CHRIST, who has all authority, being willing to subordinate HIS power to the FATHER, even though they are one?

Unseen Solution

Matthew 14: ²⁸ “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.”

²⁹ “Come,” he said.

Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ³⁰ But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!”

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“LORD, please grant me my prayer” is what I asked. Days later I got exactly what I asked for but got nervous that I would mess up. “What If I don’t do well?” “What if I can’t handle this?” More questions flooded my mind and I began to falter.

• Sometimes GOD gives me exactly what I asked for.
• Sometimes GOD instantly grants me favor.
• Sometimes GOD does some amazing things in my life that I am not quite ready for.

“If you don’t really want it, don’t ask for it”, don’t ask it is what I learned. GOD has said “Okay” to some of my prayers and I found myself in over my head and overwhelmed. I looked around and suddenly began to sink. BUT GOD pulled me through.

• GOD hears me when I earnestly cry out to HIM.
• GOD knows I need saving even before I get into a mess.
• GOD saves me from the turmoil’s of life even when I ask for them.

Faith was the unseen solution to Peter’s problem and mine. When I place my faith in GOD I can face enormous challenges. I have to tell myself constantly, “Don’t look left, don’t look right, just keep looking straight towards CHRIST.” When I focus on GOD my worries diminish. GOD saves me from the waves.

• Are you sinking?
• Do you have worries and doubts?
• Can you stop looking around at your situation and look at CHRIST as your Savior?