Thirsty

Thirsty

Revelation 21: ⁵ Then the one who sits on the throne said, “And now I make all things new!” He also said to me, “Write this, because these words are true and can be trusted.” ⁶ And he said, “It is done! I am the first and the last, the beginning and the end. To anyone who is thirsty I will give the right to drink from the spring of the water of life without paying for it. ⁷ Those who win the victory will receive this from me: I will be their God, and they will be my children. ⁸ But cowards, traitors, perverts, murderers, the immoral, those who practice magic, those who worship idols, and all liars—the place for them is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

 

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Becoming part of a group was new to me. I was handed a book that showed skills to learn. But then I was told that that I could earn merit badges if I could prove that I learned the skill! I tried it and earned my first merit badge.

 

• I got so excited that I read more of the book.
• I planned out what my next badge would be.
• I spent time learning more and more and then became good at what I learned.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, heard JESUS speak a declaration that could be trusted and was going to happen. JESUS spoke about two kinds of people. One was “thirsty” and the other was not.

 

My Observations:

• My thirst for JESUS would cause me to want to learn more about HIM.
• My thirst for JESUS would make me want to practice what HE said.
• My thirst for JESUS would open my eyes to what HE wants versus trying to get “my” way.

 

Thirsty means really, really wanting something. I mean, when I want something the world has to offer, I may spend time learning it from reading or watching someone. I then take the initiative to put what I learned into practice. JESUS says HIS “words are true and can be trusted.” In other words, it’s going to happen.

 

If I thirst for JESUS, then my learning will be easy and so will putting what I learned into practice. HIS message of love also came with a price, namely free! If anyone is thirsty for JESUS, HE will give him or her life without paying for it. All my sins have been paid for by JESUS. I am eternally grateful!

 

Challenge

• Why was the writer told to write down what was said?
• Have you ever wanted something so much, that you were willing to learn it and do it?
• When JESUS says “It is done!” does that give you confidence?
• Can you become thirsty to learn about JESUS and put HIS words into practice today?

I Ain ’t In It!

 

I Ain ’t In It!

Revelation 18: ⁹ The kings of the earth who took part in her immorality and lust will cry and weep over the city when they see the smoke from the flames that consume her. ¹⁰ They stand a long way off, because they are afraid of sharing in her suffering. They say, “How terrible! How awful! This great and mighty city Babylon! In just one hour you have been punished!”

 

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Getting caught in the act made me feel uncomfortable. I looked at others who were involved to speak up but no one stepped up. When I went to one guy, he said “My name is Bennet, I Ain ‘t  in it!” as if to say, I have nothing to do with your punishment! Ain ‘t is slang for “am not.”

 

• I wanted others to join in with me, so maybe my punishment would be milder.
• I wanted someone else to speak up so perhaps my punishment would go away.
• I actually did not know what I was expecting by asking guilty people for help to jump in when I was caught.

 

John, the disciple JESUS loved, was shown the fall of the great city that caused people to sin. Those who had joined in sexual sin mourned over the great punishment imposed on the city. But they stood off in the distance, afraid of sharing in the suffering.

 

My Observations:

• There is strength in numbers until “I” get caught doing something.
• I feel comfortable when “everyone” else is doing the same bad thing that I want to do.
• My best path is to stay away from doing the thing in the first place.

 

Risking getting caught is not the problem, rather doing the thing I would get caught doing, in the first place is the problem. Did I say that right? I mean, I should fear doing the thing that upsets GOD in the first place rather than fearing the consequence of my sinful action.

 

Before I commit the act, I should ask myself, “Is this worth losing everything over this moment of pleasure or this act of hatred?” “NO!” should be the answer. GOD gives me a way out that the tempting great city does not offer. HE provides forgiveness where the tempting city provides death. I choose JESUS for my forgiveness.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer include the distance of the guilty people from the great city?
• Have you ever gotten caught for something you did wrong?
• Will you learn from your mistakes and stay away from easy sin so you will not have to face consequences today?

Easier Living

John 4: ¹⁰ Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

¹¹ “Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? ¹² Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”

¹³ Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again,¹⁴ but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

¹⁵ The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water so that I won’t get thirsty and have to keep coming here to draw water.”

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Tired of pulling weeds, I decided to put down some rock. It took some hard work, digging up everything and laying down a liner to place the decorative stones. After the project was complete, I said to myself “I will never have to pull weeds from this area again.”

• Sometimes I want things to be easier.
• Sometimes I will work very hard to make something work automatically.
• Sometimes I just want peace and tranquility without having to work for it.

JESUS spoke to the Samaritan woman about “living water.” HE promised she would never thirst again. She took HIM literally and questioned HIS power. “Are you greater than Jacob?” she asked GOD unknowingly. JESUS answered “the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”

• GOD wants me to have eternal life.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIM to the point of overflowing.
• GOD wants me to never thirst again spiritually.

When GOD gave me the HOLY SPIRIT, HE gave it to me abundantly. I never have to chase down the philosophies of humans, trying to understand how to live because I am already full. Nothing else can fit. GOD said it, I believe it, that’s it.

• What education or philosophy has you doubting GOD’s power?
• Do you believe in GOD “to a point?”
• Will you drink from GOD and receive HIS eternal life, dropping your constraints about HIM today?

Joy

John 3: ²⁷ To this John replied, ‘A person can receive only what is given them from heaven. ²⁸ You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Messiah but am sent ahead of him.” ²⁹ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. ³⁰ He must become greater; I must become less.’

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Grousing all about, I could tell I was not very approachable. I was having a bad day and people could tell from my face that I did not want to be bothered. I felt comfortable being miserable that day. I can’t even remember the circumstances that put me in the bad mood, but I’m sure I was justified, right?

• Sometimes I just want to be in a bad mood.
• Sometimes I just want to be mad.
• Sometimes I just want to feel low because I “deserve” some things I am not getting.

John explains to his disciples, it is alright that JESUS is making HIMSELF known as the Messiah. He then tells them a quick parable of the joy a friend receives while attending the wedding of the bridegroom. John felt that joy.

• GOD wants me to have joy in my life.
• GOD wants me to ignore the things that can take my eyes off of HIM.
• GOD wants me to see HIS power in the middle of my storm.

Joy is something that cannot be explained. It supersedes happiness, problems and any negative thoughts or words. True joy only comes from heaven. GOD opens my eyes daily and shows me HE is still with me no matter what is going on. I must make JESUS great and myself small, which in turn, makes my problems small. I am grateful for the joy HE has given me.

• What mask are you wearing?
• Are you hurt and letting people know about your pain?
• Do you know GOD feels your pain and wants you to give it to HIM?
• Will you release what is going on in your life and fill the void with the joy of GOD today?

Wanting what They Have

Proverbs 23: Saying 15

¹⁷ Do not let your heart envy sinners,
    but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
¹⁸ There is surely a future hope for you,
    and your hope will not be cut off.

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With a scowl, the partner closed his door on us. I always wanted to know what words were said behind those closed doors. I tried to get myself invited to the meeting and I made numerous attempts to get placed at the table to no avail. Why can’t I be like them? Maybe I have to frown more.

• Sometimes I wanted what other people had.
• Sometimes I desired to have what others seemed to get easily.
• Sometimes I craved what someone was.

As I climbed the ladder of success, I noticed I had to take an oath of silence when it came to low moral events. To be “in” the club I had to witness drunkenness followed by who knows what, and not tell. My envy turned cold as GOD opened my eyes.

• GOD says to me “Do not envy those who have gained wealth easily for you know not how they acquired it.”
• GOD says to me “Stay faithful to ME in lean times and in plenty and I will keep your hope strong.”
• GOD says to me “Better to fear ME and do what is right than to forget ME and lose your soul.”

Why gain the world and lose my soul? GOD says to me “I will supply all of your needs” and HE means that. HE provides for me daily and keeps my hope whole.

• Are you jealous of someone?
• Do you think “that” rich person is someone to envy?
• Do you spend your time talking about others and not about yourself?
• Will you focus on fearing GOD instead of talking about other people?

When the Chips Fall

Proverbs 14: ³² When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
    but even in death the righteous seek refuge in God.

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Exhausted was the only way I could describe this particular year. Two broken cars, failing grades, girlfriend trouble, and a job cleaning toilets. Some people said, “Let’s go hang out in another city.” I knew what “hang out” meant so I said “of course!”

• When things got rough I sought relief.
• When things got tough I sought an instant way out of the pain.
• When things got harsh I sought a group who could make me laugh for only a moment.

We didn’t get into any wildness that weekend. Some would say it was fate. BUT GOD changed the circumstances such that we would not do anything outrageous. It was a much needed outing and I returned with my mind refreshed. During that time GOD actually said “I have a different way for you.”

• GOD wants me to seek HIM when problems arise.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face when issues flow.
• GOD wants me to seek the kingdom when troubles knock on my door.

Life is never guaranteed. One minute I have been on top and the next on the bottom. BUT GOD has shown me that HE is faithful no matter where I am. HE loves me dearly and protects me through trouble and pain. HE feels worse that I do when I hurt and wants me to see relief. No matter what I’m going through I seek GOD.

• Are you seeking relief from your situation?
• Have you sinned while seeking relief?
• Will you allow GOD to clean up your mess?
• Will you allow HIM to truly change your heart?

Understanding Jealousy

Psalm 73: ²¹ When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
²² I was senseless and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast before you.

²³ Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.

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This weekend I was reminded of the many junk cars I drove. It seemed like I was on the side of the road more than moving forward. Once as my car showed the usual signs of failure I pulled over, got out and watched all of the people in fancy cars whiz by. This time I was a bit bitter as I looked at the face of a driver of an expensive car and watched him turn his head as he drove past. “Why do they seem to have no problems and all I have is problems?” I thought jealously.

• Jealousy enters my heart when I compare myself to others.
• Jealousy enters my heart when I am not satisfied or content.
• Jealousy enters my heart when I look at others, wanting what they have.

The real question I’m asking is “Why am I not the wealthy person driving past the poor sole on the side of the road?” I mean would I stop? Would I help if I were rich? No! How do I know… because I have been there too. Being rich brings on challenges that cause me to ignore the poor and protect my wealth at all costs. BUT GOD has shown me something different.

• GOD says to me “Do not love money because it will generate all kinds of evil you do not even know.”
• GOD says to me “Hearts are deceptive and wicked, only I can know it.”
• GOD says to me “Seek MY kingdom first”
• GOD says to me “I will guide you with MY counsel.”

Instead of seeking what someone else has, I should quiet down and ask, “What do you want me to do right now?” GOD has me here for a wonderful reason, one that I cannot ignore. HE opens my eyes to HIM when jealousy tries to blind me. HE shows me that being connected to HIM and going through a difficult situation is far better than being without HIM and thinking my wealth will save me.

GOD does not like when I am arrogantly wealthy nor does HE like a pouting jealous poor rant from me. HE does however appreciate when I acknowledge HIS supremacy, HIS love and HIS mercy for me.

• Are you jealous of something or someone?
• Do you envy certain groups of people and wish for their demise?
• Can you stop wasting your time looking at others and look to GOD who has called you into this situation?
• Will you truly praise GOD for where HE has you and get started on the mission HE has for you?

Someone Cares About Me

Psalm 55: ²² Cast your cares on the Lord
    and he will sustain you;
he will never let
    the righteous be shaken.

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Staring at the phone did not make it ring. I even checked it to make sure that it worked, thinking “maybe the ringer is broken. Does anyone care?” I was not used to the silence after my noisy lifestyle of being the “party maker.” Staring at the phone again later in life still did not make it ring. This time I waited on a higher paying job after my noisy lifestyle of being the “hotshot programmer.” I checked the phone thinking “maybe the ringer is broken. Does anyone care?” I was used to headhunters calling me and they had stopped.

Staring at email did not make the responses come through, “maybe they didn’t get my email. Does anyone care?” I wonder if there is a pattern!

• When I want something and I am not getting it, I wonder if anyone cares.
• When I desire something and I am not getting my way, I wonder if anyone cares.
• When I crave something and I am not quenching want, I wonder if anyone cares.

“Does anyone care?” has run across my mind a few times in my life, usually when I faced an extended wait period. My party crowd had found their parties and the business crowd their candidate. “What about me?” blinded me to the care that was given to me.

• GOD says to me “I care for you deeper than you can ever imagine.”
• GOD says to me “I love you deeply and I will never leave you.”
• GOD says to me “I can handle whatever you are concerned about and I will sustain you.”

GOD knows every concern I may have, yet it is very liberating to search myself and tell HIM what is bothering me. When I tell GOD about my concern, HE gives me peace. HE sustains me through storms and does not let me become shaken.

• Are you going through a storm?
• Do you feel that no one cares?
• Can you place your cares at GOD’s feet?
• Will you understand that GOD cares about you deeply?