Strange Graceful Conversation

Strange Graceful Conversation

Genesis 3: ²⁰ And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.

²¹ Also for Adam and his wife the Lord God made tunics of skin, and clothed them.

²² Then the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us, to know good and evil. And now, lest he put out his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever”— ²³ therefore the Lord God sent him out of the garden of Eden to till the ground from which he was taken. ²⁴ So He drove out the man; and He placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

 

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After creating a place that had everything and people who could enjoy it, Satan tempted humans to sin, possibly to avoid the sealed up sentence of his demise. He was sentenced anyway but so was the man and woman. The ground would no longer respond the same and the garden was off limits to humans. The trees that brought life and knowledge were off limits. This portal to heaven was closed off.

 

My Observations:

• JESUS held a conversation with the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT saying “Behold, the man has become like one of US.”
• JESUS sacrificed an animal to make clothes for the man and woman.
• JESUS drove them out of the garden and placed a cherubim, or a guardian angel, in the way of the entrance.

 

It seems harsh at first glance that humans had to leave the garden. BUT GOD could have immediately intensified the punishment with immediate death. BUT HE didn’t. Instead, HE showed grace by hiding their nakedness and providing, only in a way that would be more difficult.

 

The land would need more attention outside the garden. Humans would be different too. Knowledge of good and evil would prove to be a problem because now there was a war inside of every human ever born. This war is called free will. Choice between GOD’s way versus being GOD became the battle. Fortunately JESUS saw this and knew what HE was going to do.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD tell Moses about this conversation?
• Can you see the grace that HE showed to HIS creation, even thought the stakes were extremely high?
• Can you look back on your life to see where GOD has shown you incredible undeserved grace?

Underemployed

Underemployed

Revelation 6: ⁵ Then the Lamb broke open the third seal; and I heard the third living creature say, “Come!” I looked, and there was a black horse. Its rider held a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶ I heard what sounded like a voice coming from among the four living creatures, which said, “A quart of wheat for a day's wages, and three quarts of barley for a day's wages. But do not damage the olive trees and the vineyards!”

 

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Getting in my car, I noticed the seat would no longer stay upright. Having no money to spend on this, I figured out a solution. I grabbed a block of wood and propped up the seat. “There! Good as new!”

 

• My wages were not enough to cover the expense of the repair.
• My wages were only enough to pay for rent and gas to get me back to work.
• My wages were not enough for any luxury, so I ate wisely.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard the third living creature say “Come!” after the third seal of Satan’s sentence scroll was opened. A spirit of greed was unleashed. Then John heard a voice from among the four living creatures. People would work hard and barely have enough money to eat.

 

My Observations:

• GOD will dismantle Satan’s temporary kingdom by allowing greedy people to raise prices.
• Greed will cause painful desires on the poor to want something better.
• GOD is in control of what gets damaged and what does not.

 

Greed is a silent killer. I mean, the world praises the rich and powerful and says “too bad” to the poor and powerless. As greed escalates, new words emerge that make people desire a piece of heaven on earth and justify indulgences. BUT GOD has all the wealth.

 

JESUS looked at humanity and cared enough to die for it. HE saw a price that no one could pay but HIM. Life itself was at stake. HE gave HIS life so you and I would not have to. HE gave up everything for us. But now HE is the most wealthy being and wants to share HIS love with us.

 

Challenge

• Does the writer convey unfairness?
• Does it seem like the rich and powerful get richer and the poor stay poor?
• Will you place your hope in JESUS who is methodically taking down Satan’s kingdom?

Given Another Way

Given Another Way

1 John 3: ⁴ Whoever sins is guilty of breaking God's law, because sin is a breaking of the law. ⁵ You know that Christ appeared in order to take away sins,  and that there is no sin in him. ⁶ So everyone who lives in union with Christ does not continue to sin; but whoever continues to sin has never seen him or known him.

 

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Going on a trip, I set the GPS to provide directions. But when the request to hear a song from another device came up, I switched over and connected to the passenger’s phone. We drove and drove and after a while I questioned why I wasn’t hearing directions. I looked at the GPS and it kept saying “Turn around.” We had driven twenty-five miles in the wrong direction.

 

• I could not hear which direction I should go.
• I needed to be on a different path, but had no way to hear what path I should be traveling.
• There was something that could get me back on the right path when I realized I was going in the wrong direction.

 

At first glance, it sounds like John is about to get harsh. But he is speaking to believers of JESUS, trying to encourage them. He attempts to let them know that JESUS is the only forgiver of sins. John had written earlier in the letter “But if anybody does sin”, knowing humans will sin. He points out that those in union with CHRIST always have a way back to HIM.

 

My Observations:

• All human made roads lead to death, BUT GOD made a way back to HIM, through CHRIST our LORD and Savior.
• My past, present and future sins are forgiven by JESUS, but those who choose to not believe in HIM will remain in their sins.
• Declaring there are other ways to GOD’s grace, does not mean the declaration is true and without consequence.

 

“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death” is a scary Proverb to me. I mean, sometimes I really, really think I am headed in the right direction by trying to fit into what the world has to offer. Things seem to “go right” for me amongst humans, meanwhile GOD is constantly trying to say to me, “you are on the wrong path.” HE has a remedy.

 

JESUS placed the HOLY SPIRIT inside me to let me know when I am headed on the wrong path. HE gently tells me to “turn around” and “follow JESUS’s ways.” HE also begs for my forgiveness because there is no sin in GOD. I am so grateful for CHRIST who loves you and  me dearly.

 

Challenge

• What logic is the writer trying to address?
• Have you ever done something that seemed right to you but was very wrong?
• Will you allow GOD to put you on HIS path so you can go in the successful direction HE has laid out for you?

Another Way

Another Way

Ephesians 2: In the past you were spiritually dead because of your disobedience and sins. ² At that time you followed the world's evil way; you obeyed the ruler of the spiritual powers in space, the spirit who now controls the people who disobey God. ³ Actually all of us were like them and lived according to our natural desires, doing whatever suited the wishes of our own bodies and minds. In our natural condition we, like everyone else, were destined to suffer God's anger.

 

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Growing up obeying the rules, I decided to step away from them to see what would happen. When I did not get struck with a bolt of lightning or get swallowed up by a fiery pit, I said to myself, “Maybe I can try more things that the rules say I shouldn’t.” When I found myself in deep trouble, I wondered how I got there.

 

• I was in a bad place with no hope.
• I felt I did not have a way out.
• I thought I was a disappointment to GOD and even HE would not help me.

 

Paul describes a progression towards a state of being that provides life. He spoke of a time in which the spiritual powers blinded people into following ways that would lead to GOD’s anger. Everyone suffered the natural condition. It seemed hopeless. BUT GOD had another way.

 

My Observations

• JESUS saw I could never achieve HIS required state of perfection so HE died for me.
• JESUS is GOD who became a human for me, was murdered by HIS creation and was raised from the dead, just for me.
• JESUS gave me another way that provides hope and a future.

 

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.”  GOD loved everyone enough to gave a gift. It is up to me to accept HIS gift and live inside of HIS path. Unfortunately there is an adversary who wants me to doubt GOD or blame HIM or question HIS authority or ways.

 

I then say things like “Why does GOD do…?” and “If GOD is so loving then why…?” I then question other people’s walk with JESUS and eventually my own. BUT GOD wants me to have a solid relationship with HIM. HE gave me the HOLY SPIRIT to dwell inside me and guide me to places of peace in stormy times. I am grateful GOD cares for me and I do not have to worry.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer is mentioning “the past?”
• Do you see there is an alternative?
• Will you seek a life that provides hope by asking GOD to handle all of your difficulties today?

The Cure

 

The Cure

Romans 5: ¹⁶ And there is a difference between God's gift and the sin of one man. After the one sin, came the judgment of “Guilty”; but after so many sins, comes the undeserved gift of “Not guilty!” ¹⁷ It is true that through the sin of one man death began to rule because of that one man. But how much greater is the result of what was done by the one man, Jesus Christ! All who receive God's abundant grace and are freely put right with him will rule in life through Christ.

 

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It was a long week, but it was finally over. I boarded the plane and took my normal restful seat by the window. The flight was full so the middle seat was occupied next to me. The guy coughed and sneezed most of the trip.

 

I tried staving off a cold by drinking extra orange juice, but to no avail. I caught the cold. When I got home, I tried to stay away from the family, but they too caught the same cold. And probably many other kids at their school.

 

• I can remember when one person infected me with a cold or flu.
• I can remember when one person infected me with temptation.
• I can remember when one person infected me with rage, anger, doubt or fear.

 

Paul explains that Adam’s one tiny sinful act caused a disease amongst humans that was not supposed to be there. Any offspring he had would be born into sin and deserve death. This pandemic needed a cure.

 

• JESUS knew that I was born into sin and deserved death.
• JESUS knew that I would commit sin all my life and would never choose HIM.
• JESUS knew HE was the cure, so HE died for me and gave me a transfusion with HIS shed blood.

 

Sin is a disease that cannot be cured by a sinful human. Only a pure human’s blood could provide the right transfusion to erase all sin. JESUS became a human and was murdered for being innocent. HE did not sin, even though HE faced greater temptation than any human.

 

HIS bloody death on the cross was enough to erase all sins to those who receive HIS love. HIS grace was truly sufficient. HE provided the vaccination, namely to believe in HIS cure for death. I believe in JESUS and the sin of one man, or especially my sin, has no effect on me.

 

• Are you struggling with the “good” versus “evil” thinking?
• Are you weary because you cannot be “good” enough to please GOD?
• Will you stop looking at GOD through diseased, sinful lenses and know HE provided a cure for your sin by believing that JESUS took care of your sin today and forever?

Same Wage

Matthew 20: “For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire workers for his vineyard. ² He agreed to pay them a denarius for the day and sent them into his vineyard.

³ “About nine in the morning he went out and saw others standing in the marketplace doing nothing. ⁴ He told them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.’ ⁵ So they went.

“He went out again about noon and about three in the afternoon and did the same thing. ⁶ About five in the afternoon he went out and found still others standing around. He asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day long doing nothing?’

⁷ “‘Because no one has hired us,’ they answered.

“He said to them, ‘You also go and work in my vineyard.’

⁸ “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last ones hired and going on to the first.’

⁹ “The workers who were hired about five in the afternoon came and each received a denarius. ¹⁰ So when those came who were hired first, they expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. ¹¹ When they received it, they began to grumble against the landowner. ¹² ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day.’

¹³ “But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? ¹⁴ Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. ¹⁵ Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’

¹⁶ “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.”

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“How are we getting the same pay?” I exclaimed in my mind. This guy does nothing but play golf and guess at things, then he comes to me for answers!

• I have been jealous over some else’s position.
• I have been upset over someone else’s rewards.
• I have been envious when someone gets treated the same as me for doing less.

JESUS says “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” This story sounded unfair at first but HE was speaking of the kingdom of heaven in which no one deserved it at all. In heaven people will look over at me and say “How in the world did this person get in?”

JESUS wants me to accept my wages gratefully, so much so that I go out and recruit more workers for the vineyard.

• Are you jealous over what others are receiving?
• Do you feel that you should have more and are mad at GOD?
• Can you drop your anger and allow GOD to bless you and receive thanks from you?

Long Lessons are Great Lessons

Psalm 39: ¹¹ When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,
    you consume their wealth like a moth—
    surely everyone is but a breath.

¹² “Hear my prayer, Lord,
    listen to my cry for help;
    do not be deaf to my weeping.
I dwell with you as a foreigner,
    a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
¹³ Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
    before I depart and am no more.”

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With my last three hundred dollars, I bought a car. It ran and had seats so I was excited, but months later I found myself on the side of the road. I had no car again and this time, no money. Walking was my alternative to get to work. “Why is this happening to me?”, I wondered at the time, not considering the lifestyle I was keeping up.

• My sin blinds me to the point where I think things are “happening to me.”
• My sin deafens me to the point where I cannot hear.
• My sin mutes me so I cannot speak about the wonders of GOD.

Many times I think about the consequences of sin rather than the wages of sin. I think GOD is going to be mad at me for something I did and HE will whoop me or take my stuff away for being bad. BUT GOD has shown me something different.

• GOD said to me “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.”
• GOD said to me “I want you to have life and have it more abundantly.”
• GOD said to me “I stand at your door and knock, if you will open it I will come in and sup with you.”

The LORD gives and the LORD takes away is a hard scripture to swallow when I have my eyes focused on money, but when my eyes are focused on GOD I can see things differently. I can see the blessing of dependence on HIM and recognize that stuff may have clouded my vision of HIM. I would get nervous about sinning because the consequence may be that I would lose my stuff.

The reality is I should be focused on the “wages” of sin in which GOD had to lose HIS life for me. HE lost everything just for me and is now alive above everything. I am eternally grateful.

• Are you afraid of losing your stuff?
• Do you have fear that GOD is punishing you for something?
• Can you let things go and let GOD guide your path?