Bribery for Offense

Bribery for Offense

Genesis 34: ¹¹ Then Shechem said to her father and her brothers, “Let me find favor in your eyes, and whatever you say to me I will give. ¹² Ask me ever so much dowry and gift, and I will give according to what you say to me; but give me the young woman as a wife.”

 

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Shechem decided to speak up. He thought it would be a good idea to bribe Jacob and Dinah’s brothers by offering a dowry for his violation.

 

My Observations:

• Shechem was probably used to getting what he wanted because the city was named after him.
• Shechem may have thought money would always be the answer for his problems, even the one’s he caused.
• Shechem had no regard for Dinah, Jacob or her brothers and figured a bribe would smooth over his wrong.

 

Thinking money was the solution, Shechem tried to bribe the family into getting his way. He already took what he wanted without considering the consequences. Being rich and powerful, he may have felt he was above the law. BUT GOD saw what he did.

 

In many ways, we think like Shechem. We recklessly break things in life, hoping money will fix the problem. Shechem seemed arrogant enough to approach the family with such an offer. He was raised in rebellion to GOD, much like the other Canaanites. He seemed to live life like anything goes. Little did he know, GOD saw every action.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses about Shechem’s bribery attempt?
• Have you ever messed up and thought money could buy you out of the problem you made?
• Instead of bribery, will you consider confessing to GOD and allow HIM to correct you so HE can place you back on HIS path?

First Actions. First Questions.

First Actions. First Questions.

Genesis 3: ⁸ And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

⁹ Then the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, “Where are you?”

¹⁰ So he said, “I heard Your voice in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself.”

¹¹ And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree of which I commanded you that you should not eat?”

¹² Then the man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.”

¹³ And the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?”

The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

 

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Now the man and woman were spiritually awake, but in a bad way. They knew they had made a huge mistake and the first thing they did was hide. I feel like doing that too when I made mistakes. They hid their nakedness and then they thought they could hide from GOD.

 

My Observations:

• GOD is all knowing, all seeing and is everywhere.
• GOD knew where Adam was, yet HE asked a question so Adam could understand.
• GOD knew what happened, yet HE asked the woman a question, maybe to take responsibility.

 

Personally, I believe this was JESUS in the garden. HE knew HIS creation had fallen and knew HE was the answer for the huge problem Adam and Eve had caused. The first actions from Adam and Eve seemed so futile. Innocent people trying to develop a coverup with no plan, led to hiding from the one who could solve the problem.

 

Instead of asking for help, the first blame came out. “It was YOUR fault for giving me the woman who gave me the fruit from YOUR tree” it could read. Or “The devil made me do it.” BUT GOD handled it graciously. HE never accused them of doing wrong because they knew and so did HE. JESUS knew what HE had to do. HE had to die and be raised from the dead to repair the fall.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD tell Moses this conversation?
• Have you ever messed up and tried to cover it up?
• Have you tried owning up to what you did wrong by uncovering “that” secret so GOD can heal you?

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?

People Pleasing

People Pleasing

2 Thessalonians 3: ¹³ But you, friends, must not become tired of doing good. ¹⁴ It may be that some there will not obey the message we send you in this letter. If so, take note of them and have nothing to do with them, so that they will be ashamed. ¹⁵ But do not treat them as enemies; instead, warn them as believers.

 

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“I am bored” I complained. I was on my first job out of college and wanted some action and excitement. Instead, all I was doing was supporting the first project I was on. No phone calls would come in, so I had nothing to do. Meanwhile other support roles were suggested to me that I quickly shot down. After a while, the suggestions stopped, but other people were assigned to new projects. “Hey, what about me?” I thought.

 

• I wanted to be pleased.
• I had specific hopes in mind that were not being met.
• I was not willing to be pleased by the suggestions made.

 

Paul, Silas and Timothy gave advice to keep those who believe in CHRIST from getting tired of serving and “doing good.” They knew that some people would keep accepting service and never serve or lift a finger to help grow GOD’s kingdom. Their suggestion was to leave those who were leading “lazy lives” alone until willingness to help  came into play.

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to be willing toserve people and not get tired of doing so.
• GOD wants me to open my eyes to when I am being served and be thankful.
• If I am trying to please people, I will get tired and disappointed, BUT GOD wants me to pace myself and not try to please everyone.

 

People pleasing is dangerous. I mean, I may be doing it for the wrong reasons or I may never see the results “I” want to see. BUT GOD sees the situation differently. HE wants me to serve people and not grow weary. But how?

 

HE wants me to serve those who I was made for and pray for those I am not. I can only reach certain people, and I need to have faith that GOD will send someone who is made for those I cannot reach. I have to pace myself so I do not become tired and trust GOD that HE has a plan to reach those I cannot. I am glad GOD made each of us unique to reach people.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the people were becoming tired of doing good?
• Have you ever wanted your way and tried to be “good” for a while and still did not get your way?
• Have you ever served people who did not seem like they appreciated your service and demanded more and more?
• Will you pace yourself and let go of those who cannot be pleased and serve people for GOD versus serving for your own motives today?

Depend on the Promises

Depend on the Promises

Galatians 3: ¹⁵ My friends, I am going to use an everyday example: when two people agree on a matter and sign an agreement, no one can break it or add anything to it. ¹⁶ Now, God made his promises to Abraham and to his descendant. The scripture does not use the plural “descendants,” meaning many people, but the singular “descendant,” meaning one person only, namely, Christ. ¹⁷ What I mean is that God made a covenant with Abraham and promised to keep it. The Law, which was given four hundred and thirty years later, cannot break that covenant and cancel God's promise. ¹⁸ For if God's gift depends on the Law, then it no longer depends on his promise. However, it was because of his promise that God gave that gift to Abraham.

 

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“I will” are powerful words from GOD.  When HE makes a promise to humanity, HE has already done what HE said HE will do. Since I am stuck in time, I can only see what HE has already done in my life and what was written down in others. I cannot see the future.

 

• I have to have faith to believe in GOD’s promises
• I need to know what GOD’s promises are to believe them.
• Once I know what HIS promises are, I should live my life according them already happening.

 

GOD made promises to Abraham and JESUS before the Law was given to Moses. Paul explains something that is often overlooked. We try to live by “the Law” and forget about the “Promise” GOD made to Abraham before the Law was written. The primary promise is that JESUS would save the world and be “the blessing” everyone needs.

 

My Observations

• GOD’s promises to me have never been broken.
• My insecurities or lack of faith cannot affect GOD’s promises for me.
• Nothing can stop GOD’s love for me because HE promised to do so through JESUS.

 

Insecurity blinds to GOD’s promises. I mean, when GOD says “I will never leave you or forsake you” I have to believe this is a statement that has already take place. HE has never left me nor forsaken me for the entirety of my life.

 

To believe in GOD’s promises takes faith. I have to stop trying to figure out everything and let go of requiring evidence and “signs” daily. GOD said “I love you” and HIS promise should be enough. I gladly depend on HIS promise to “make my paths straight.”

 

Challenge

• What is GOD’s promise in this passage?
• Have you ever doubted GOD’s promises for you?
• Why do you think the writer is trying so hard to take the focus off “the Law” and place it on JESUS?
• Will you seek to know what GOD’s promises are for you so you can live an abundant life for HIM today?

Grace Terms

 

Grace Terms

Romans 5: ⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

 

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Realizing I was wrong I had to go to the person and ask for forgiveness. This did not feel good at all. When the person rejected my request, I felt even worse. I mean, I did what the manual said and humbled myself to ask for forgiveness. I wanted an immediate reaction that I did not get.

 

• There have been times when I asked for grace but wanted it on “my” terms.
• There have been times when I wanted grace but had an idea of what it should look like.
• There have been times when I was in the wrong, but I did not want to admit it.

 

Paul continues his explanation of JESUS. Paul had just mentioned that trouble brings on perseverance which grows character and enables hope. That hope is in JESUS. Paul also explains that JESUS provided grace to those who do not deserve it. HE died for HIS enemies. Who are HIS enemies? All of us.

 

• GOD saw every sin I would commit and while HE disliked all the sin, HE died for me anyway.
• GOD was extremely angry at anyone who would side with those who would kill HIS SON, and I was on that side, yet JESUS died for me anyway.
• GOD knew I would never choose HIM and I sometimes think “I don’t need grace” or tell HIM “this is what grace should look like”; but HE overlooked my broken thinking.

 

GOD’s grace is pure and is not up for negotiation. The only term HE has is for all humans to realize the need for forgiveness and to believe JESUS is the judge who forgives those who believe in HIM.

 

Asking for grace requires me to humble myself and not expect to be raised up to the level I once was before I messed up. GOD’s grace means I did not get what I deserved, and I am thankful HE loved me so much that HE died for me in the middle of being HIS enemy. I am grateful of HIS grace and accept HIS terms for my life.

 

• Are you wrong, but anticipating how grace should look?
• Do you think it is on the other person to show forgiveness “your way?”
• Will you stop placing terms and conditions on GOD so you can see how much grace HE has poured out to you and how much restraint HE has for not pouring out punishment on you daily?

Trying Too Hard

 

Trying Too Hard

Romans 3: ²⁷ What, then, can we boast about? Nothing! And what is the reason for this? Is it that we obey the Law? No, but that we believe. ²⁸ For we conclude that a person is put right with God only through faith, and not by doing what the Law commands. ²⁹ Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the Gentiles also? Of course he is. ³⁰ God is one, and he will put the Jews right with himself on the basis of their faith, and will put the Gentiles right through their faith. ³¹ Does this mean that by this faith we do away with the Law? No, not at all; instead, we uphold the Law.

 

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When they announced I got the position, I could not believe it. Many disappointments had happened before, so I decided to keep doing my old job. I showed up at a meeting and the attendees were puzzled but cordial. I was doing two jobs at once, my old job and the new. I had to be sure.

 

There were times when I was insecure so I held onto things I should have let go of.

There were times when I did not believe so I worked a little harder to “see” results.

There were times when I was given something and had been hurt once too often so I accepted the gift with caution.

 

Paul concludes his discussion about how we are “put right” with GOD. He refutes those who try hard to follow the letter of the Law but fail to see the heart of the Law. He states that every human, Jew or Gentile, has the same requirement, namely to believe.

 

GOD wants me to have faith that HE took care of all my sins.

GOD wants me to have faith versus trying harder to please HIM.

GOD wants me to have faith in JESUS so HE will give me the HOLY SPIRIT who will guide me to joyfully follow the Law.

 

Doing right does not save me eternally. Only belief in JESUS does that. But there are times when things go wrong that scare me straight. I then try hard to “please” GOD by quitting certain sins temporarily. GOD sees through the ploy and forgives me for trying to manipulate HIM.

 

GOD wants my whole heart, not just the scared one. HE wants me to praise HIM when things are going well and when they are not. HE desires that I choose to follow HIM versus being coerced. “MY yoke is easy and MY burden is light” HE says to me. I am grateful GOD has taken care of everything so I can rest in HIM.

 

Are you scared?

Are you trying hard to make GOD do something and missing out on praising HIM for what HE is doing?

Will you praise GOD for what HE has done and is doing in your life and turn away from your complaining spirit today?

Ego Food

 

Ego Food

Acts 24: Five days later the high priest Ananias went down to Caesarea with some of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus, and they brought their charges against Paul before the governor. ² When Paul was called in, Tertullus presented his case before Felix: “We have enjoyed a long period of peace under you, and your foresight has brought about reforms in this nation. ³ Everywhere and in every way, most excellent Felix, we acknowledge this with profound gratitude. ⁴ But in order not to weary you further, I would request that you be kind enough to hear us briefly.

 

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Bowing down to the rich and powerful was a lesson in the leadership class I attended. “Feed their ego” was part of the lesson. After doing this for a number of years, I found human success, but felt I failed miserably following GOD.

 

• There were times when I bowed down to celebrities.
• There were times when I worshiped those in power.
• There were times when I overlooked the lack of true relationship with JESUS and flattered people, in hopes of getting my way.

 

The church leaders got their story together and went to present it against Paul. The lawyer started his argument with flattery, showing his alliance with the governor. A few days prior, they met with people who wanted to secretly murder Paul for preaching about JESUS.

 

• GOD wants me to point my life to HIM.
• GOD wants me to be impressed by what HE does every day.
• GOD wants me to give HIM credit for what I give credit to humans.

 

GOD is not impressed by fake flattery. HE has no ego, because HE is the Most High. HE is already the most powerful, all knowing, all seeing being. Any flattery I give to another human in hopes to get something is practically wasted.

 

I mean, genuinely complimenting someone is welcome, but fake flattery to manipulate the circumstance is not. GOD hears every word I say and will use them for or against me when I stand In front of HIM someday. I give my praise to JESUS today, who is my Savior.

 

• Who are you following?
• In the past year, who’s name have you mentioned the most?
• Will you stop flattering the rich and powerful or stop flattering yourself, and point others to the one who has true power, namely JESUS?

Thankful

Thankful

John 17: ⁶ “I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. ⁷ Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. ⁸ For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.

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Remembering the bonuses of the past, I was excited to open the check. It was much lower than it had ever been. My excitement immediately went away. I had worked pretty hard that year and could see no reason for the deficit. I was not happy.

• I wanted to trade in my thankfulness for a complaint.
• I expected more when I should have expected nothing.
• I based my happiness on what I could see, rather than knowing what was really happening.

JESUS speaks to the FATHER about HIS disciples. But the words really point out just how far JESUS went to help them.

• GOD wants me to know that JESUS made HIS name known to me.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS gave me the words that came from the FATHER.
• GOD wants me to know that JESUS came from the FATHER who sent HIM to save me.

Getting back to the bonus. I asked about the lower amount the next day. “The company did not do as well this year, however, you got the highest  in the department” the person said. I was angry when I should have been thankful. Sometimes I treat GOD the same way.

JESUS went out of HIS way to make sure humans would return back to HIM. I must receive JESUS’ words and believe HE came from the FATHER, just as HE said. This belief gives me a thankful heart. I drop my complaints and praise GOD for what HE does. I am thankful.

• Are you thankful?
• Will you be able to look at what GOD has done for you today?
• Will you allow GOD to open your eyes to HIS blessings and thank HIM today?

Truth of Being Good

Mark 14: ²⁷ Then Jesus said to them, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written:

‘I will strike the Shepherd,
And the sheep will be scattered.’

²⁸ “But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee.”

²⁹ Peter said to Him, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.”

³⁰ Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you that today, even this night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny Me three times.”

³¹ But he spoke more vehemently, “If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!”

And they all said likewise.

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Giving up the clubbing lifestyle was pretty drastic for me. With my renewed faith, I vowed to leave the “hanging out” scene alone. Weeks passed and I was doing pretty good then one person asked, “Do you want to come out with us?” I was single and there were going to be a bunch of women and booze there. “Yes!” I answered, knowing the crowd.

• There have been times I have tried to be good and failed.
• There have been times when I told GOD, “I am not going to ever do ‘that’ again” and did “that” hours later.
• There have been times when I hid my relationship with CHRIST.

JESUS points out the main reason HE became a human, namely to die for our sins. HE tells the disciples that they would deny HIM just like everyone in the world. HE knew the poison racing through their veins causes every human to sin and there was no exception.

• GOD says to me “I know your ways and I forgive you.”
• GOD says to me “I understand how you were made and I love you.”
• GOD says to me “I know the struggles you go through and I have a wonderful plan for you, plans to grow you for the good of the kingdom.”

In the middle of my sin CHRIST died for me. HE doesn’t stop me from sinning rather HE allows me to go right ahead and sin my brains out and turns right around and says “you are forgiven.” HE then draws me to HIM rather than pushing me away. HE comforts me when I do not deserve comforting and heals me when I make the wounds. My good can never match HIS love for me.

• Do you think you are good?
• Do you beat yourself up for your good being faulty?
• Can you stop thinking you goodness can save you and look to CHRIST who has truly taken care of it all for you?

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? 

Good is Not Good Enough

Psalm 53: ¹ The fool says in his heart,
    “There is no God.”
They are corrupt, and their ways are vile;
    there is no one who does good.

² God looks down from heaven
    on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,
    any who seek God.
³ Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
    there is no one who does good,
    not even one.

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⁶ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
    When God restores his people,
    let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

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In a bind I had nowhere to turn. “Side with the thief or the liar” were my choices. I had to become one or the other in order to get what I needed. I chose siding with the thief. I mean lying seems too extreme and the thief was admired.

• When I look at someone else’s righteousness I forget I am a sinner.
• When I look at someone else’s downfalls I forget I have issues.
• When I look at someone else’s sin I forget I have sin.

It’s easy to look at “that” person and say ‘Tsk, tsk, tsk, look at what they are doing.” I mean whatever “they” are doing is much worse than what I’m doing, right? Wrong! What I’m doing may be viler to GOD than what “they” are doing.

• GOD says to me “Do not compare yourself to anyone or you will be judged.”
• GOD says to me “Your righteousness is like filthy rags.”
• GOD says to me “MY grace is sufficient.”

We are all in the mud, throwing mud at each other saying “you have mud on you.” When I try to be “good’ to get my way with GOD and then get mad at HIM for not getting my way, I show just how evil my heart is. GOD knew that I would turn away from HIM and HE loved me anyway. HIS SON volunteered to restore my sinful life by dying for me. I am eternally grateful.

• Are you comparing yourself to others, even in the tiniest way?
• Do you talk about other folk’s mistakes or sins?
• Can you praise GOD instead of thinking bad or talking about someone?
• Will you allow GOD to save you, HIS way and in HIS time?

On the Edge of Cursing GOD

Job 2: ⁷ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. ⁸ Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

⁹ His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”

¹⁰ He replied, “You are talking like a foolish^[b] woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

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“I’m not going to serve YOU anymore” I said to GOD in a curt fashion. It was the first job I had been passed over for and I really wanted it. I was only eighteen months out of college and one of my friends recommended that I try the executive track. When I did not get the position I threw a tantrum. I mean what good is this GOD stuff anyway if I don’t get my way?

• When I don’t get my way I am ready to give up on GOD.
• When I don’t get my way I am ready to tell GOD to go somewhere else.
• When I don’t get my way I am ready to blame GOD because “I” think HE has the power to give me “my” way but simply refuses to.

Looking back on many situations I see how patient GOD was with me. HE saw the immature baby within me and held on tight anyway. After being passed over for this position, I was passed over for many others at different companies. This made me stronger and wiser. It also taught me to look at GOD and not the positions.

• GOD wants me to continue to praise HIM in the middle of trouble.
• GOD wants me to expect trouble and when I get some, expect more trouble and continue to praise HIM.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM in all that I aspire to do so I can depend on HIM and mature.

Growing up is a difficult thing to do, BUT GOD wants me to mature in HIS ways. This may mean taking on a little more trouble so I can praise HIM through it. People around me may not understand. They may even question my faith, BUT GOD continues to guide me towards growth in HIM.

• Are you pouting at GOD?
• Do you have complaints on your lips?
• Will you focus your words on praise instead of problems?
• Can you seek maturity in GOD and expect problems in life rather than only expecting comfort?
• Can you understand that GOD loves you dearly and has warned you that life will have trouble?

Bargaining with GOD

2 Chronicles 19: ⁷ Now let the fear of the Lord be on you. Judge carefully, for with the Lord our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”

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“I will NEVER do that again” were my words to GOD as I had just left “that” particular sin. I desired something so I tried to refrain from sinning to obtain my longings. I waited and waited and did not get my way in the time I wanted. I got angry at GOD. I mean, “what good is it to be ‘sinless’ if those who sin seem to get their way?”

• Sometimes I think I can manipulate GOD by refraining from certain sins for a short period of time.
• Sometimes I think GOD owes me something for being “good.”
• Sometimes I think I can be “sinless” for any period of time.

One mistake I have made is thinking “I” can be sinless for a month or a week or even a day. I may give up specific blatant sins and commit others I am not aware of. My motive behind refraining from sin ends up “being” sin because I want my way. 

• GOD wants me to realize HE treats people I don’t like with love.
• GOD wants me to understand I cannot change HIS mind with my sinfully motivated righteousness.
• GOD wants me to know HE already loves me to HIS fullest so when I try to manipulate HIM to get my way, it’s saying to HIM. “I don’t trust YOU.”

‘I will do THIS again and again LORD, but only YOU can help me in my path” is a new thought. I will never ever be sinless while I am on this earth. JESUS knew that my birth was flawed with sin so HE took my death and placed it on HIM. HE wants me to open my eyes to show me HIS impartiality.

I have consequences and grace just like every human HE has ever created. That crazy boss or the thief who stole my tapes or the thugs who robbed me are all loved dearly in GOD’s eyes. HE has a plan for me that cannot be tarnished with my bribery. I need to trust that HIS plan for me is great.

• Are you trying to bribe GOD?
• Do you think you can manipulate GOD by being “good” for a period of time?
• Can you trust GOD enough to let HIS great plan unfold in front of you?