Wake Up!

Wake Up!

Revelation 3: “To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

 

“This is the message from the one who has the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know what you are doing; I know that you have the reputation of being alive, even though you are dead! ² So wake up, and strengthen what you still have before it dies completely. For I find that what you have done is not yet perfect in the sight of my God. ³ Remember, then, what you were taught and what you heard; obey it and turn from your sins. If you do not wake up, I will come upon you like a thief, and you will not even know the time when I will come. ⁴ But a few of you there in Sardis have kept your clothes clean. You will walk with me, clothed in white, because you are worthy to do so. ⁵ Those who win the victory will be clothed like this in white, and I will not remove their names from the book of the living. In the presence of my Father and of his angels I will declare openly that they belong to me.

 

⁶ “If you have ears, then, listen to what the Spirit says to the churches!

 

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After working all day, I went to visit someone. It took a while to get there and I spent most of the evening enjoying the time. It was late when I left and I had more than an hour to drive home. About fifty-five minutes into the trip I woke up driving up an exit ramp that was not mine. I slammed on brakes, rolled the window down and drove home locally.

 

• I thought I was awake, but I was sleep driving.
• I was lulled to sleep by the repetitious mileage.
• After waking up, I had to do something different!

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, quotes JESUS giving a warning to Sardis. This church thought they were alive, when they were really acting dead. They may have fallen into a false sense of security because of their reputation of being on fire, but JESUS saw they were not walking with HIM.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS wants me to remember what I was taught and what I heard about HIM.
• “My” reputation does not matter, rather doing GOD’s good and perfect will does.
• Waling with JESUS is important to HIM so I should choose to do this daily.

 

Thinking I am awake and being awake are two different things. I mean, I can be doing things that seem right, but I may, in fact, be going through the motions without my heart being filled with the presence of GOD. I can go to church, sing songs and give money without believing in the power of JESUS.

 

GOD wants me to “Wake up” to what JESUS has done and is doing in my life every day. HE wants me to turn from my sinful pats on my own back to see that I need help daily. HE wants me to return back to the days when I was on fire for the LORD because I had just accepted HIM as my Savior.

 

Challenge

• What reputation do you think the writer is speaking of?
• Have you ever thought you were doing GOD a favor by doing what feels comfortable to you?
• Will you return to the fire you once had for JESUS so you can make HIM known to many today?

Different Thinking

 

Different Thinking

Hebrews 7: ¹¹ It was on the basis of the levitical priesthood that the Law was given to the people of Israel. Now, if the work of the levitical priests had been perfect, there would have been no need for a different kind of priest to appear, one who is in the priestly order of Melchizedek,^[a] not of Aaron. ¹² For when the priesthood is changed, there also has to be a change in the law. ¹³ And our Lord, of whom these things are said, belonged to a different tribe, and no member of his tribe ever served as a priest. ¹⁴ It is well known that he was born a member of the tribe of Judah; and Moses did not mention this tribe when he spoke of priests.

 

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“Why go to church?” was my question. I finally got tired of the same messages of “being good” or “giving money.” There had to be more to life that what was being said. I stopped going and started “having fun.” My “fun” became more of a problem than I thought.

 

• I did not have a place to put my hope.
• I did not fill the hole that was in my heart.
• I had to rethink “church” versus my relationship with GOD.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, may have tried to address a way of thinking that could have been detrimental to many. People may have relied on a human priest to cleanse them of their sins through confession and sacrifice. He explained, there is a “different kind of priest”, one who did not belong to the tribe of priests, who would be the one to follow.

 

My Observations:

• Humans struggle trying to understand GOD, BUT HE reveals enough to show me HIS love.
• Love is greater than keeping the law, because the law was founded by love.
• I do not have to worry about trying to be perfect, because JESUS was perfect for me.

 

Blaming GOD or blaming people who believe in GOD is a problem. I mean, when I question why GOD does things, or I question those who are supposed to believe in GOD, yet act duplicitous, I can fall away from HIM. BUT GOD knows there are many things that can come up against my relationship with HIM.

 

HE patiently allows me to fall into holes that I think can pull me away from HIM. HE gently lifts me up and dusts me off to serve HIM and praise HIM another day. I am glad HE is willing to renew my mind and show me HIS love!

 

Challenge

• What way of thinking is the writer trying to address?
• Have you ever tried to blame GOD or blame “churchy” people?
• Will you look at GOD’s love and think differently about how you approach church and the beliefs you may or may not have today?

Good Thoughts

Good Thoughts

Philippians 4: ⁸ Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. ⁹ The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

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“Would you go with me?” was my fear filled question. I was scared to go in the basement of our house because I thought there was a scary man living down there. Back then we called this “the Boogey Man.” Eventually I could go downstairs by myself, but I needed the lights to be on. Some people tried to “fix” my fear by having me go downstairs. They turned off the lights. I screamed!

 

• My fear was real to me.
• My fear caused me to be unable to go places or do things.
• My fear guided my decision making.

 

Paul attempts to address, fear, anxiety, doubt and worry. He provides a way out of the deep holes negative thinking can cause. Instead of worrying about what will happen in the future, “think on these things.”

 

My Observations

• When I think on true, noble and just things, GOD brings clarity to my thinking.
• When I think on pure, lovely and good report things, GOD pulls me out of temptation that takes me off HIS plan.
• When I think on virtuous and praiseworthy things, GOD fills my heart with thankfulness and gives me HIS peace which will not make senses to anyone around me.

 

Let’s face it, life can be scary. I mean, someone will always have scary news which can fill the mind with fear. This fear , when handled alone, can open the mind to the enemy’s discouraging tactics. Suddenly the words, “You’ll never…” or “You will always…” grow stronger while faith grows weaker. BUT GOD has this covered.

 

HE places great examples of those who have overcome scary situations in the Bible and in my life. HE then reminds me, through the HOLY SPIRIT, of the many times HE has brought me through things. A battle surges and I want to give into negative memories. “Yeah, but remember this negative thing?” GOD says. “I got that.” I am glad HE gives me a way to control my thoughts and place them on HIM.

 

Challenge

• What are the opposite of the things listed by the writer?
• Have you ever had negative thoughts because of a negative report or are afraid to go down a very scary path?
• Will you remember that GOD is with you and has brought you through many circumstances?
• Will you fight your mind and allow GOD to put “good report” thoughts in your mind so you can stay on HIS path today?

Security

Security

John 12: ¹⁷ Therefore the people, who were with Him when He called Lazarus out of his tomb and raised him from the dead, bore witness. ¹⁸ For this reason the people also met Him, because they heard that He had done this sign. ¹⁹ The Pharisees therefore said among themselves, “You see that you are accomplishing nothing. Look, the world has gone after Him!”

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Looking around at the other seniors, I could see they had nice clothes. I started rationalizing why I would not get the job. I mean I was wearing the same suit I wore at my high school graduation. “And they probably cheated to get through college” I said to myself. “And they probably lied in their interviews.” I don’t like those people.

• There were times when I was very insecure.
• There were times when my insecurities led me to protect myself by not trying.
• There were times when I thought negatively of others not knowing I thought negatively of myself.

Jealousy ignited amongst the church leaders as they were losing their crowd. “The whole world goes after HIM” were their words. But they were said in anger, not in praise. They were not feeling secure, and desired to get that security back. They made a plan made from hatred.

• JESUS wants me to place my security in HIM.
• JESUS wants me to seek HIM for my validation.
• JESUS wants me to trust in HIS decisions and not worry how I look.

GOD wants me to give my desires to HIM. HE can take my dreams and do what HE wants in the time HE wants. HE says to me “If you feel lonely, insecure or protective of yourself, then come to me and I will help you.”

JESUS can take my negative view of others and make me see people as HE sees them. HE values when I feel secure in HIS promises towards me. I am grateful HE holds onto me and will never let me go.

• Are you insecure?
• Do you speak negatively of others, not knowing how you feel about yourself?
• Will you allow GOD to open your eyes to HIS grace for you and “those” people today?