Not Fooled

Not Fooled

Revelation 20: ⁴ Then I saw thrones, and those who sat on them were given the power to judge. I also saw the souls of those who had been executed because they had proclaimed the truth that Jesus revealed and the word of God. They had not worshiped the beast or its image, nor had they received the mark of the beast on their foreheads or their hands. They came to life and ruled as kings with Christ for a thousand years. ⁵ (The rest of the dead did not come to life until the thousand years were over.) This is the first raising of the dead. ⁶ Happy and greatly blessed are those who are included in this first raising of the dead. The second death has no power over them; they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and they will rule with him for a thousand years.

 

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Being gullible was a problem I faced. I took what was said as face value. I repeated some of the words without checking whether the information was right or wrong. “Do you know what you are saying?” someone challenged me.

 

• I was saying things that contained half-truths.
• I believed in what people said without checking their character.
• I was fooled quite easily, because I wanted to be part of a crowd.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, saw thrones of people given power to judge. They had not been fooled by the beast or the false prophet or Satan. All things that looked glamorous but took people away from CHRIST, did not penetrate their hearts and they remained followers of JESUS, even unto death.

 

My Observations:

• It takes prayer to not be fooled.
• It takes giving up “my” desire to have a kingdom to hear the truth from GOD.
• It is worth losing the world and gaining my soul.

 

Relative truth can fool me into deep problems. I mean, when something sort of makes sense, but has a slight dab of lie mixed in, I sometimes cannot tell what is the real truth. Then my desires blind me further to want to believe in lies more than the truth. BUT GOD gave me a way to know the truth.

 

JESUS is the Way, the TRUTH and the life. Following HIM means getting to know HIM. It means I love HIM more than I love “being known” for studying HIM and becoming a Pharisee. It also means that the world has nothing to offer me, BUT JESUS has everything I need. I gladly give up the world’s lies for the TRUTH.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer mention about the “first raising of the dead?”
• Has life gotten so difficult that you are willing to believe in a lie?
• Will you seek the truth yourself by reading the Bible without someone else’s interpretation so GOD can speak to you through HIS word today?

Right Kind of Approval

Right Kind of Approval

Hebrews 11: ⁴ It was faith that made Abel offer to God a better sacrifice than Cain's. Through his faith he won God's approval as a righteous man, because God himself approved of his gifts. By means of his faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.

 

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Wanting to be part of the “in-crowd,” I sought to change how I looked. I finally had a job that afforded me to buy my own clothes. I put on my new shirt, pants, shoes and jacket. Excited, I went to show off my new apparel. “You are too skinny” someone said to me.

 

• I was crushed because the clothes didn’t work.
• I wanted approval from the “in-crowd” but it still seemed far away.
• I did not like my appearance so I tried to change it to gain approval.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, begins his list of faith examples with Abel, who was a child of Adam and eve after they were thrown out of the garden of Eden. Cain was the firstborn and brother of Abel. Both decided to give something to the LORD. Cain’s sacrifice was rejected by GOD and Abel’s was approved.

 

My Observations:

• Cain’s offering may have been motivated by trying to rebuild the Garden of Eden.
• Abel’s offering may have been motivated by recognizing GOD’s love and mimicking HIM through an animal sacrifice, similar to when GOD made clothes for Adam and Eve.
• GOD loves when I sacrifice for HIS approval versus my own or when I try to win the approval of humans.

 

Fitting in can feel good but can sometimes carry consequences. I mean, when I gain the approval of humans, I may not know their motive. I may be trying to do something that goes away from GOD and towards someone who is trying to “be” GOD. I have a choice.

 

I can look at the what the “crowd” stands for and see if they are really seeking GOD or their own pleasures. HE gives me HIS HOLY SPIRIT to discern who to follow. I then have to get out of my own way and not follow myself. I am glad GOD rewards me when I seek HIM for approval.

 

Challenge

• What example of righteousness did the writer provide?
• Have you ever thought you were doing something great for the LORD, but were really doing it for human approval?
• Will you seek GOD’s approval and submit to HIS ways so HE can show you a “better sacrifice” today?

Awarded Honor

 

Awarded Honor

Hebrews 5: ⁵ In the same way, Christ did not take upon himself the honor of being a high priest. Instead, God said to him,

“You are my Son;
    today I have become your Father.”
⁶ He also said in another place,
“You will be a priest forever,
    in the priestly order of Melchizedek.”

 

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“You need to brand yourself to be noticed” was the advice given to me. In the middle of all the noise, people were trying to teach me how to “manage upward” and to “self-promote” to get noticed by the higher ups so I could be pulled up to their level.

 

• I wanted to be noticed.
• I wanted to be promoted.
• I wanted to gain power.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, spoke about the humility of JESUS. Infinite power and the highest title was not the goal of JESUS, rather HE took the lowest form and served humanity. GOD awarded HIM with the “honor” anyway.

 

My Observations

• GOD said “the first will be last and the last will be first.
• Sometimes when I think “I” should be elevated I really should take a step back and focus on serving.
• Serving others give me the leadership style GOD wants me to have.

 

Titles, power and fame are holes I can fall into easily. I mean, I can seek “likes” on social media, or a title in a company or business and be recognized by the world as being “successful.” BUT GOD sees success in a different way.

 

JESUS gave the best example of being successful. HE died for the sins of mankind even though HE was innocent and did not sin. HE then served humanity by sending the HOLY SPIRIT to comfort us, instead of scolding us. HE went away to build a permanent place for us even though we don’t deserve it. I am glad HE did all of this with love for me and you in mind.

 

Challenge

• What honor is the writer speaking about?
• Have you ever wanted to be noticed or elevated to a higher status?
• Will you seek that GOD wants for you and not worry about what people think about you or the title you have?

Worn Out

 

Worn Out

Romans 9: ³⁰ So we say that the Gentiles, who were not trying to put themselves right with God, were put right with him through faith; ³¹ while God's people, who were seeking a law that would put them right with God, did not find it. ³² And why not? Because they did not depend on faith but on what they did. And so they stumbled over the “stumbling stone” ³³ that the scripture speaks of:

 

“Look, I place in Zion a stone
    that will make people stumble,
    a rock that will make them fall.
But whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.”

 

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Desiring to move up, I applied for position after position. I did not get each them. I decided that my problem was possibly my work ethic. One day, I stayed at work overnight. I worked for 36 straight hours trying to help the company keep a contract that was slipping away. The company did not get the contract and I still did not get promoted.

 

• There have been times when I worked very hard and got nothing.
• There have been times when I depended on my strength and could not make it happen.
• There have been times when I tried to do everything right, but it was not enough.

 

Paul writes about something very peculiar. He mentions that the Gentiles, who were not even trying, were put right with GOD though faith. Meanwhile, the people GOD chose to be born through decided JESUS was not enough and they wanted people to focus on the law, wearing themselves out. They stumbled over the ROCK.

 

• GOD wants me to have total faith in HIM.
• GOD wants me to watch HIM work things out.
• GOD wants me to believe in JESUS who is the cornerstone that makes people stumble.

 

Belief in JESUS is all that is needed. It seems so simple. In fact, it seems too simple. “What’s the catch?” I ask. I mean, don’t I have to try hard to win GOD’s love? No! GOD loved me so much that HE gave HIS one and only SON to die in my place and when I believed in HIS resurrection, I will no longer perish but have everlasting life.

 

Trying to win GOD over by showing up to weekly gatherings and giving some money and following the rules diminishes what GOD did. HE saved the world! HE said, “It is finished” meaning, there is nothing more to do.

 

The harder I try, the more I don’t rely. HE simply wants me to believe and be so excited that I will tell others and they will believe. HE is the one who controls all circumstances. I place my trust in JESUS and I have never been disappointed.

 

• Are you worn out?
• Do you feel you need to try harder to win GOD’s love?
• Are you looking at your circumstance, thinking GOD must not love you?
• Will you place your faith in JESUS and keep trusting that HE is the one who loves you will not disappoint you.

Leaving Home

Luke 18: ²¹ ‘All these I have kept since I was a boy,’ he said.

²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’

²³ When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy. ²⁴ Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! ²⁵ Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’

²⁶ Those who heard this asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’

²⁷ Jesus replied, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God.’

²⁸ Peter said to him, ‘We have left all we had to follow you!’

²⁹ ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus said to them, ‘no one who has left home or wife or brothers or sisters or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God ³⁰ will fail to receive many times as much in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.’

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Arriving on campus gave me no clues that I would not be returning home. I could now stay out as long as I wanted and do what I wanted to do when I wanted to do it. I was free! The first night I began my party life and became “known” on campus.

• I remember living life with no purpose.
• I recall fulfilling the few lusts that I had.
• I reminisce on my life when I was simply wandering and living only for me.

JESUS saw the rich man’s heart and says to him “sell everything” for HE knew the rich man had a lust for money. Those around HIM heard this and may have known they too had this same lust, only they were poor. “Who then can be saved?” they asked.

• GOD says to me “It is impossible to save yourself, BUT what is impossible with man is possible with GOD.”
• GOD says to me “Leave your life and accept MY life that has purpose.”
• GOD says to me “Do not worry about what you will eat or the clothes you will wear, for I will take care of you.”

After yet another party I still felt empty. I wondered if there was more to life. GOD guided me to be by myself with HIM and I slowly let go of my friends and family to begin following HIM. Later in life GOD gave them back to me with abundance. HE is my purpose.

• What are you holding onto?
• Is money, job, or a relationship holding you back from truly following GOD?
• Will you stop chasing what you think is your purpose and allow GOD to give you purpose in your life today?

Fame News

Luke 4: ¹⁴ Then Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news of Him went out through all the surrounding region. ¹⁵ And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified by all.

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“This is my chance” I said to myself. I ran towards the crowd, climbed up steps from outside the bannister and smiled towards the camera. The news was at the house of someone being arrested and I kept trying to stick my head behind the newscaster. “Did you see me on TV?” I asked everyone I knew.

• There were times when I wanted my moment of fame.
• There were times when I wanted to be noticed.
• There were times when I wanted everyone to know my name.

JESUS was now ready to face the world having been tempted in every way a human could. HE was led by the power of the SPIRIT to teach what the FATHER wanted for HIS children. HIS teaching was fresh and new unlike the church leaders of the day. HE taught the truth and became famous.

• JESUS wants me to speak about HIM.
• JESUS wants me to point at HIS fame, not mine.
• JESUS wants me to bring people to HIM so they may glorify HIM.

All attention should go to JESUS. Even the HEAVENLY FATHER said “This is MY SON who I AM very pleased.” The entire bible is written about JESUS, yet somehow the church leaders tried to make it about humans and their lack of trying or giving.

GOD doesn’t want me to speak on the inadequacies of humanity, though there are many. HE wants me to speak on the gift that JESUS gave me freely, namely mercy and forgiveness for my sins. HE loves me dearly and wants me to teach that HE loves others too.

• Are you seeking the spotlight?
• Do you think you need to be famous in order to be heard?
• Can you stop seeking fame and allow GOD to speak through you on JESUS’s behalf today?

Bargaining for the Right Terms

Jeremiah 11: ³ Tell them that this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘Cursed is the one who does not obey the terms of this covenant— ⁴ the terms I commanded your ancestors when I brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace.’ I said, ‘Obey me and do everything I command you, and you will be my people, and I will be your God. ⁵ Then I will fulfill the oath I swore to your ancestors, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey’—the land you possess today.”

I answered, “Amen, Lord.”

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Negotiating had become a skill. As a contract was placed in front of me, I could quickly assess where the terms and conditions could change or be removed completely. In a shrewd way I gained popularity. When problems hit, I turned this perceptive methodology on GOD. “Didn’t I serve YOU once ten years ago? Remember?”

• There have been times when I tried to bargain for my terms with GOD.
• There have been times that I told GOD how much “I” was doing for HIM.
• There have been times I tried to negotiate with GOD, impress GOD or flatter HIM into looking over my sinful ways.

“Maybe GOD won’t see the sin I’m doing if I do stuff for HIM” was my attitude that I fooled myself into believing. GOD wasn’t buying it. HE wanted me to be naked in front of HIM and others.

• GOD wants me to stop bargaining for myself and accept HIS path for me.
• GOD wants me to stop scheming to get “my” way and learn to settle down and accept HIS way.
• GOD wants me to stop complaining about where HE has me and praise HIM for what HE “is” doing for me.

Obedience seems like such a harsh word when I am pulling away. I mean why should I “obey” when I am not getting “my” way?  GOD gently tells me that I will get my way when I align it to “HIS way.” When I stop doing the evil in my heart and follow HIM, HE gives me all “the things” I need and desire. HE tells me I am already in the land of milk and honey so I should be a good steward of it while I can. I answered “Amen LORD.”

• Are you bargaining with GOD?
• Have you told GOD how “good” you have been?
• Can you stop trying to manipulate HIM and serve HIM with all your heart? 

Am I setting myself apart for GOD?

Exodus 39: ³⁰ They made the plate out of pure gold. It was a sacred crown. They carved words on it as if it were a seal. They carved the words set apart for the Lord. 

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Scantily clad women walked around trying to get noticed and I wanted to join in. After lifting weights in my local gym, I adorned myself with tiny shorts and a ripped up shirt that I made myself. I mean, store bought shirts couldn’t accentuate my muscles enough.

• Self is difficult to dodge.
• Self usually wants to be noticed or rewarded now.
• Self points everyone to my efforts in a passive or overt way.

Usually when I want to be noticed, it isn’t going to end up in a positive way. Yes I may get a pat on the back, which isn’t bad, but sometimes I may fall into something I shouldn’t. I wonder if all the attention I seek is positive.

• GOD says “Be holy because I am holy” which means I will fail but HIS holiness makes me holy.
• GOD says “Set yourself apart” which means I still have to live with people and not exclude.
• GOD says “I will know MY people” which means HE has placed HIS seal of approval on me.

I have to realize that I am HIS.  This is hard to do when I’m blaming HIM for situations or trouble. I also have to realize “that” person belongs to HIM as well so I have to treat them like it. Being “Set Apart” means living with the purpose of GOD each day. The more I can let go of self the better I am. I will not always get this right but I’m on my way!

• Are you trying to get noticed?
• Do you use overt or passive aggressive ways to get noticed?
• Can you focus some of that attention on GOD?
• Won’t you point someone to CHRIST instead of pointing them to your opinion?