Trust Level

Trust Level

Genesis 31: ³³ And Laban went into Jacob’s tent, into Leah’s tent, and into the two maids’ tents, but he did not find them. Then he went out of Leah’s tent and entered Rachel’s tent. ³⁴ Now Rachel had taken the household idols, put them in the camel’s saddle, and sat on them. And Laban^] searched all about the tent but did not find them. ³⁵ And she said to her father, “Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise before you, for the manner of women is with me.” And he searched but did not find the household idols.

 

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Jacob told Laban that he could kill the one who stole his household idols. Laban felt this was important, because he worshiped his ancestors instead of worshipping GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Laban trusted Jacob the least, so he searched his tent first.
• Laban may have felt Leah was influenced by Jacob because she had so many children by him.
• Laban trusted Rachel the most, probably because Jacob trusted her.

 

During the search, Laban came up empty. Rachel, whom he trusted the most, had stolen the idols and hid them on her camel’s saddle. She then lied to him about not getting off of the camel. Rachel believed in using mandrakes for fertility, idols for wishes and human ownership to acquire her children.

 

BUT GOD remembered Rachel. Earlier, HE listened to her desire to have children and enabled her to become pregnant with Joseph. GOD was with Rachel, even when her actions were insecure. GOD protected Jacob, Leah, the maids and Rachel.

 

My Observations:

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Laban’s search?
• Have you ever done something that you felt would cause GOD not to trust you?
• Are you willing to confess your sins to GOD so HE can entrust you with HIS precious plan?

Seeking Reliability

Seeking Reliability

2 Timothy 2: As for you, my son, be strong through the grace that is ours in union with Christ Jesus. ² Take the teachings that you heard me proclaim in the presence of many witnesses, and entrust them to reliable people, who will be able to teach others also.

 

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After partying all night, I went to bed. I woke up hours later in a haste that I had forgotten something. “O no!” I said to myself. I had forgotten to open the dorm office and I was the only one with the key. Many people were waiting on various services. I rushed down and opened the office, but was fired because I had been late before.

 

• I was not reliable.
• I was not dependable.
• I was not trustworthy.

 

Paul appeals to Timothy to seek “reliable” teachers who can be entrusted with spreading the Gospel. This may have been done to prevent someone who would twist the message into profiteering or some other manipulation. The highest importance was to remain strong in the grace of our LORD and Savior, JESUS.

 

My Observations

• Reliability is something GOD wants me to have so I can be entrusted with more precious things.
• Dependability is something GOD wants me to have so HE can send people to me and know I will rely on HIS message versus my hidden agenda.
• Trustworthy is something GOD wants me to be so I can be sent to the right place at the right time or be ready to speak HIS message in HIS way.

 

Faith has multiple components, but one is being dependable. I mean, as a business owner or employee, if I show up randomly, then I become unreliable. Same with GOD’s message. If I am not reliable to speak on HIS behalf, HE will not entrust HIS precious souls to me. In other words, HE will not send people who need to hear about GOD to someone who will not speak on HIS behalf.

 

GOD wants reliability. HE knows that times will get difficult and still wants me to be reliable. Faith is also dependability. GOD is faithful to cleanse me of all unrighteousness when I confess the to HIM. I am glad I can depend on HIM and hope HE can depend on me.

 

Challenge

• What is so important that the writer seeks reliable people to teach?
• Have you ever ran into a situation where you needed a reliable source but could not find it?
• Will you be the reliable source GOD needs so HE can entrust HIS plan and message to you today?

Entrusted

Entrusted

1 Thessalonians 2: ³ Our appeal to you is not based on error or impure motives, nor do we try to trick anyone. ⁴ Instead, we always speak as God wants us to, because he has judged us worthy to be entrusted with the Good News. We do not try to please people, but to please God, who tests our motives.

 

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When the phone rang, I answered and held a great conversation with my grandmother. “Tell your parents I called and to call me back” were the words given to me. As the day went on, I went outside to play, then eat, then go to bed. I never told anyone about the call.

 

• I had forgotten to pass on the message.
• I was not prepared to remember something important.
• I did not withhold information maliciously, I simply forgot.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy start out by saying their motives were pure when it came to the message of GOD. Other speakers may have tried to lead the people astray, but Paul, Silas and Timothy held themselves to a higher standard. They knew they would be judged by GOD for misrepresentation but even more, they were excited about being “entrusted” with HIS message.

 

My Observations

• JESUS forgave me of all my sins for HIS because HE loves me and has a purpose for my life.
• GOD wiped away all my sins so I could speak on HIS behalf, even though HE does not need me to do so.
• GOD entrusted me with HIS valuable Good News and wants me to keep it pure, even if people are not pleased with the fact that HE will also judge everyone.

 

Pleasing people can get me in trouble. I mean, when My motives are to gain more power or to manipulate people to get my way, I may try to please him or her temporarily until I get what “I” want. BUT GOD sees through my motives and wants me to act differently.

 

Instead HE approaches my life in an unusual way. HE knows I am a sinner yet HE gives me the most important message that all humans need to hear, believe in and shout namely, JESUS is LORD!. I am glad GOD sees my motives and entrusts me anyway.

 

Challenge

• Why did the writers make an appeal?
• What does it mean to be judged worthy by GOD?
• Will you accept JESUS as your Savior so HE can cleanse you of all unrighteousness and entrust you with HIS Good News today?

Time Machines Do Not Exist

Psalm 76: ⁷ It is you alone who are to be feared.
    Who can stand before you when you are angry?
⁸ From heaven you pronounced judgment,
    and the land feared and was quiet—
⁹ when you, God, rose up to judge,
    to save all the afflicted of the land.
¹⁰ Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,
    and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.

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“You know what’s really disappointing, I trusted you” were the words that turned me around. After losing the trust of my supervisor I felt miserable. Now I was being watched carefully on a job that I hated anyway. What hurt the most is I had trust placed in me, lost it and could never gain it back.

• Sometimes I blow it with people and I cannot gain their trust back.
• Sometimes I make permanent mistakes with people and I cannot win them over.
• Sometimes I burn bridges with people and they cannot be rebuilt.

It seemed like GOD was angry at my slothful ways. I was definitely on the wrong path and this incident with my supervisor proved it. I had to wake up and place my fear back in GOD rather than fearing a shrinking bank account. I had to get restraint.

• GOD allows me to be as wild as I want to be, but HE would rather have me fear HIS ways.
• GOD allows me to not follow HIM, but HE would rather that I fear HIS wrath.
• GOD allows me to get angry at HIM, shake my fist at HIM and threaten to move away from HIM, but HE would rather have a peaceful loving relationship with me that has power.

I do not have a time machine to go back and fix all the ills I have created in life. GOD allowed me to feel HIS wrath in a very small way many times. BUT GOD is the ultimate forgiver. HE chastens me rather than destroying me. HE adds restraint to my ways that tend to run away from HIM and HE holds on tight. I can now praise HIM for holding onto me instead of letting me run further away from HIM.

• Are you looking back at past mistakes?
• Do you think reviewing the past will help you right now?
• Can you let go of the past and hold onto GOD?
• Will you stop looking into the future and look at the here and now?
• Will you fear and praise GOD today?

Rely on GOD

2 Chronicles 13: ¹⁸ The Israelites were subdued on that occasion, and the people of Judah were victorious because they relied on the Lord, the God of their ancestors.

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Judah was part of Israel, yet they had separated from the group and it brought upon fights. Israel was not following GOD at the time but was much larger in number. They had Judah surrounded on all sides.

The people of Judah cried to the LORD and GOD intervened. HE fought on Judah’s behalf and they were victorious.

GOD fights my battles.

GOD listens to me when I cry out to HIM.

GOD can defeat any problem I face so I must cry out to HIM daily.

Relying on my own power is always a mistake. Relying on GOD means I am still in the battle, but I know the battle is won by HIM.

My own strength is faulty

Judges 7: ² The Lord said to Gideon, “You have too many men. I cannot deliver Midian into their hands, or Israel would boast against me, ‘My own strength has saved me.’ ³ Now announce to the army, ‘Anyone who trembles with fear may turn back and leave Mount Gilead.’” So twenty-two thousand men left, while ten thousand remained.

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⁷ The Lord said to Gideon, “With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.”

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With instructions from my brother I trekked to my high school early in the morning. It took an hour and fifteen minutes to get there on public transportation that day because I second guessed what was told to me and I missed busses and trains.

As I got closer to the school, I noticed thugs, bullies and gangs lurking about.

Finally when I arrived I breathed a sigh of relief, but that sigh was short lived as one of the teachers gave instructions on what I had to purchase, where my locker was and two thousand other laws I had to keep. I was overwhelmed. Will I ever graduate, alive?

• When I look at my strength I sometimes tremble with fear.
• When I see situations that are far larger than me I sometimes shutter with fear.
• When I think I have to solve a situation that is larger than my power I get stifled because of fear.

Fear makes me want to quit. I mean I think I am going to lose anyway, so why try? Maybe I should just go home, sit on the couch and ball up in the fetal position! BUT GOD has something different in mind.

• GOD takes me through many difficult situations only to show me HIS strength.
• GOD brings me through the battle to show me HE has already won the war.
• GOD says “where you are weak I can show MY strength.”

Battles are GOD’s specialty. HE knows the extent HE cursed the Earth and HE knows just how to protect me through very harsh and difficult times. HE wants me to rely on HIS wisdom, HIS love and HIS strength. My strength pales in comparison to HIS so HE wants me to trust HIM.

• Are you tired of trying things on your own?
• Are you just plain old tired?
• Won’t you look to GOD to solve and resolve your situation?
• Can’t you add trusting in the LORD to your plan?

Something to depend on

2 Corinthians 1: ²¹ Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, ²² set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.

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“I’m going to be there” I said to someone. I sent my response in and noted the event on my calendar. On the day of the event I couldn’t make it.  I was unreliable.

• Many times I have promised things and let people down.
• Many times I have good intentions but fall short on execution.
• Many times I have plans that just don’t seem to come to fruition.

I am so glad GOD didn’t leave salvation totally up to me.  HE strengthens my belief in HIS SON and has set me apart for an eternal relationship with HIM. GOD has placed HIS SPIRIT inside me so I can reap the benefits.

• Faith comes from GOD and it is a gift I desire more of.
• Wisdom comes from GOD and it provides the right guidance to follow HIM.
• Generosity comes from GOD and HIS SON modeled this action to the letter.
• Salvation comes from GOD and there is nothing I can do but praise HIM for it.

GOD did a remarkable thing.  HE placed HIS seal on me and HIS SPIRIT inside me to guarantee my salvation. HE watches over me daily and guides me to peace.  HE holds my future and has protected my past. This is what I depend on.

• Are you uncertain about your future?
• Have you started believing lies about yourself?
• Can you believe GOD has taken care of everything for you?

Believing takes more than words.

John 7:³ Jesus’ brothers said to him, “Leave Galilee and go to Judea, so that your disciples there may see the works you do. ⁴ No one who wants to become a public figure acts in secret. Since you are doing these things, show yourself to the world.” ⁵ For even his own brothers did not believe in him.

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“Inspect what you expect” was a term I was groomed with as a leader. In other words follow up behind the person to see if they were doing their job. Unfortunately, the more I “inspected” the more I noticed creativity flying out of the window.

I had become a micromanager, breathing down everyone’s neck. Every task I assigned was followed up with a question and soon the atmosphere of mistrust was born. It’s like I said “I trusted them”, yet assigned a private eye to spy on them.

• Many times I said “I trust YOU LORD” yet I build plan “B” just in case HE doesn’t come through.
• Many times I said “I trust YOU LORD” yet I lose sleep wondering if HE will take care of this problem.
• Many times I said “I trust YOU LORD” yet I focus my efforts on trying to change an uncomfortable situation that GOD has placed me in.

Lack of trust comes from fear of the unknown. It’s kind of a defense mechanism for me. Since I am the captain of this ship I feel more comfortable seeing signs of progress rather than trusting the right things are happening in my life. GOD says something different.

• GOD gave me enough words to believe in HIM and they are written in my heart and the Bible.
• GOD shows me enough evidence to believe in HIS imminent return by the violence in nature and in humans.
• GOD protected me through enough situations to believe HE will bring me through this one and many others.

When I “expect” GOD to act the way I want HIM to act then sometimes I am just using words instead of true belief. I have to drop the pretense that I trust HIM by really “trusting” HIM. This means to drop my worries, fears and doubts and “act” like HE is really going to do what HE said.

• What has GOD promised you?
• Are you acting like it won’t happen?
• Do you believe HE can and will deliver you from whatever you are facing?
• Won’t you stop faking your trust and truly believe in HIM today?

Can I be trusted?

Luke 16:  ¹⁰ “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. ¹¹ So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? ¹² And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?

   ¹³ “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.”

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Sunrise was beautiful as it glistened off the lake near my job, at least it was when I could pay attention to it. Unfortunately its beauty went unnoticed most days as I trudged into work half asleep.

My job was menial and repetitive to me so I would take frequent breaks and sometimes doze off in the washroom. I mean who should get up at this hour and why didn’t they give me more to do?

• I should not be trusted if I am so focused with my life that I cannot see what’s going on with others.
• I should not be trusted if I justify taking even a paperclip from work.
• I should not be trusted if I think “they are rich they won’t miss it.”

Being trusted with little is harder than it looks.  Most would believe it’s all about money but it is really all about “attitude” with GOD. Selfishness can permeate every fragment of my soul which causes me to be blind to GOD’s plan. I can’t hear HIM nor can I see HIM do HIS thing when I am selfish so I wind up doing untrustworthy things.

• GOD wants me to treat “every” dollar of my employer as if it were mine.
• GOD wants me to view my job as a privilege not as if it were owed to me.
• GOD wants me to give my wealth away not hoard it for myself.

GODLY wealth is bestowed on those who are willing to share in a graceful, mercy filled way. Satanic wealth is granted to those who lie, back-stab, cheat, and steal. Whether I am stealing time or materials from my employer to do personal things it’s wrong in GOD’s eyes and HE won’t trust me with HIS wealth on this earth or in heaven.

HE does get excited when I “entrust” all my money to HIM and bless others as much as I can.

• Are you sneaky?
• Do you steal personal time or material from your employer?
• Are you working for a human or GOD?
• Can you ask GOD to help you be trustworthy in all aspects of your life?