Wrong Crowd

Wrong Crowd

Genesis 41: ¹⁷ Then Pharaoh said to Joseph: “Behold, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river. ¹⁸ Suddenly seven cows came up out of the river, fine looking and fat; and they fed in the meadow. ¹⁹ Then behold, seven other cows came up after them, poor and very ugly and gaunt, such ugliness as I have never seen in all the land of Egypt. ²⁰ And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows. ²¹ When they had eaten them up, no one would have known that they had eaten them, for they were just as ugly as at the beginning. So I awoke. ²² Also I saw in my dream, and suddenly seven heads came up on one stalk, full and good. ²³ Then behold, seven heads, withered, thin, and blighted by the east wind, sprang up after them. ²⁴ And the thin heads devoured the seven good heads. So I told this to the magicians, but there was no one who could explain it to me.”

 

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After Joseph was released from prison, Pharaoh told him about the dreams that troubled him. Pharaoh then said he told his magicians, but they could not interpret the dream.

 

My Observations:

• Pharaoh was disturbed by this dream GOD gave him.
• Pharaoh used magicians who had limited supernatural powers.
• Pharaoh was revered as a god, and was probably even more disturbed that he could not understand this dream.

 

Believing in what he saw, Pharaoh entrusted his strange dreams to his magicians who had performed tricks that could not be explained. The magicians may have gotten their supernatural powers from Satan, but these powers were limited. 

 

Pharaoh may have seen Joseph as similar to the magicians. He considered himself as a god and everyone else was his servant. He felt he had power over life and death of a person because the crowd also believed he was a god. But the one and only true GOD baffled him.

 

Challenge

• Why do you think GOD told Moses about Pharaoh’s discussion with Joseph?
• Have you experienced getting advice from a group of people who may or may not have consulted GOD?
• Will you seek GOD’s guidance today to get HIS supernatural direction for you today?

Unhidden Strength

Unhidden Strength

Ephesians 5: ¹⁰ Try to learn what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Have nothing to do with the worthless things that people do, things that belong to the darkness. Instead, bring them out to the light. (¹² It is really too shameful even to talk about the things they do in secret.) ¹³ And when all things are brought out to the light, then their true nature is clearly revealed; ¹⁴ for anything that is clearly revealed becomes light That is why it is said,

 

“Wake up, sleeper,
    and rise from death,
and Christ will shine on you.”

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When confronted by what I did, I replied “He or she made me do it!” It was the only thing I could think of at the time that would absolve me of being part of whatever was going on. Blame got me nowhere.

 

• I was upset that I got caught.
• I enjoyed the fruits of hidden sin, but did not enjoy when the sin came to light.
• I was getting weaker and weaker, the more I hid things.

 

Paul continues his plea of everyone to turn from hidden sinful ways. He gives a solution that would seem worthless, but was quite valuable. “Try to learn what pleases GOD” was the advice that would provide a better path.

 

My Observations

• What I used to think was weakness is strength, according to GOD.
• What I used to think was “too long” was short, according to GOD.
• What I used to think was generous, powerful, loving or righteous was weak, prideful, stubborn and shameful, according to GOD.

 

Using people as my measure, I compared myself to what others were doing. I gave myself a passing grade because I wasn’t robbing or killing or blatantly trying to harm people. But I was still sinning and hiding it by participating in groups that accepted my sin. I was far from righteous.

 

The term “there is strength in numbers” is absolutely false when it comes to sin. I cannot use the excuse “they made me do it” when I am confronted by GOD. Instead, HE wants me to “Wake up” and get off any deadly path hidden sin can bring. HE wants my ways to “become” light. I am glad HE picks up my brokenness when I fall and makes me stronger “after” failure.

 

Challenge

• Why is the writer talking about darkness and light?
• Have you ever paid attention to someone else’s life and pointed out their faults without admitting your own failures?
• Will you accept GOD’s strength and admit there may be some areas of your life that you have “fallen asleep” on so you can “Wake up” and learn what is pleasing to HIM today?

Joining the mob

Joining the mob

John 18: ³⁹ “But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?”

⁴⁰ Then they all cried again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas!” Now Barabbas was a robber.

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Hearing the cheering made me want to cheer. It was my first college football game and I could feel the excitement in the stadium. Years later I was in a group who complained, a lot. After a while I felt myself wanting to do the same. My verbiage had turned negative. I could feel the intensity in the building.

 

• I used to join in based on what was going on around me.
• I used to get emotionally involved even when I did not have all the facts.
• I used to absorb the energy of the crowd, even when the crowd was going in the wrong direction.

Pilate asked who he should release, JESUS or a known felon named Barabbas. The crowd did not care about prophecy concerning the Messiah coming to save the world. Nor did they care that JESUS was innocent. They began chanting “Barabbas” with the same excitement as being at a game. I wonder if I would have joined in.

• JESUS wants me to have a solid relationship with HIM so I cannot be swayed by misinformation.
• JESUS wants me to seek HIM daily so I cannot be fooled by deception.
• JESUS wants me to hear HIS voice through all the world’s chanting.

The world can be quite noisy. Cause after cause points out the misgivings of others daily. One cause pulls and the other pushes. BUT GOD wants me to seek HIM, not causes. HE wants me to listen to what JESUS did and explain to others HE is my Savior.

HE wants me to see beyond those who seek power, even in churches. GOD shows who sincerely seeks HIM and who wants HIS SON as their savior. HE sends me to them or them to me. GOD gives me purpose to reach those whom only I can reach.

• Are you following the crowd?
• Do you have less belief in GOD and more belief in the news?
• Will you give your life over to GOD and seek HIM daily so you can hear HIS small still voice?

Overlooked Items

Luke 23: ¹³ Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, ¹⁴ and said to them, ‘You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. ¹⁵ Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us; as you can see, he has done nothing to deserve death. ¹⁶ Therefore, I will punish him and then release him.’

¹⁸ But the whole crowd shouted, ‘Away with this man! Release Barabbas to us!’ ¹⁹ (Barabbas had been thrown into prison for an insurrection in the city, and for murder.)

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Wanting to move up in the company, I picked and chose who I sided with. After careful planning I found the right mix of people who could pull me up to where I wanted to be. One person in particular liked flirting with the employees in a drunken state. “Want to come to our afterwork gathering?” was the question with hidden meaning. Hesitantly I said “Sure.”

• There were times when I overlooked what was going on to get what I wanted.
• There were times when I overlooked the poor qualities of the crowd so I could get my desires.
• There were times when I overlooked how people behaved and joined in on the “fun.”

Both Pilate and Herod could not find anything “wrong” with what JESUS did, especially since they did not follow GOD’s laws anyway. The church leaders stirred up the crowd to choose a murderer and a rioter named Barabbas to be released instead of JESUS. They overlooked Barabbas’ poor qualities to get what they wanted.

• GOD wants me to look at my poor qualities before I examine someone else.
• GOD wants me to “test the spirit” of the crowd in order to decide if I should hang with them.
• GOD wants me to bear fruit and not side with the crowd who does not serve HIM.

Being placed in a bubble away from sinners is not where GOD wants me to be. HE wants me to insert myself along side of people, telling them I am a sinner who has been saved by grace. BUT GOD does not want me to join in on the blatant sins that I could easily fall into.

HE wants me to overlook sins of people in order to forgive them rather than joining in. GOD wants me to show HIS grace so HE can show even more.

• Are you joining in with the crowd?
• Do you have complaints about someone GOD may be using for HIS purpose?
• Will you stop your blind complaints and allow GOD to lead you instead of following your desires?

Crowd Pleasers

Mark 15: ⁶ Now at the feast he was accustomed to releasing one prisoner to them, whomever they requested. ⁷ And there was one named Barabbas, who was chained with his fellow rebels; they had committed murder in the rebellion. ⁸ Then the multitude, crying aloud, began to ask him to do just as he had always done for them. ⁹ But Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews?” ¹⁰ For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy.

¹¹ But the chief priests stirred up the crowd, so that he should rather release Barabbas to them. ¹² Pilate answered and said to them again, “What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?”

¹³ So they cried out again, “Crucify Him!”

¹⁴ Then Pilate said to them, “Why, what evil has He done?”

But they cried out all the more, “Crucify Him!”

¹⁵ So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

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Uncomfortably I sat at my desk. The shirt had too much starch from the cleaners and the stiff collar was cutting into my neck. When I got back from lunch I looked down and had something on my tie. “Oh no! How am I going to go to the next meeting like this?” I groused.

• There have been times when I wanted to look good in front of people.
• There have been times when I wanted to please the crowd no matter how I truly felt.
• There have been times when I wanted to make a good appearance rather than do what I wanted to do.

The church leaders wanted their way so badly that they would do anything to get it. Pilate was a political puppet, used to officially do the dirty work that was in the church leader’s hearts. They saw their chance may be slipping away so they stirred up the crowd to release a known murderer. The crowd was led to a destructive decision, let Barabbas free.

• GOD wants me to do what is compassionate from HIS perspective.
• GOD wants me to follow HIM even if it is not a popular decision.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom first which may mean being unpopular.

Seeking to fit in may sometimes be a dangerous road. When the crowd rejects GOD and blames those who follow HIM, I have a serious decision to make. “Do I reject GOD too and fit in or do I be a misfit and follow GOD?” I choose the latter of the two. Following GOD is not always popular, but it it truly worth it!

• Are you trying to please the crowd?
• Do you think it would be better if you fit in rather than following GOD?
• Will you choose GOD over fitting in so HE can guide you to a better place?

Carried Away

Matthew 27: ¹⁹ While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”

²⁰ But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.

²¹ “Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.

“Barabbas,” they answered.

²² “What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.

They all answered, “Crucify him!”

²³ “Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.

But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”

²⁴ When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”

²⁵ All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”

²⁶ Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

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We insisted on police protection so we planned a walk-out. When we got outside of the school we had no other plan. Some went home, others mulled around but one guy decided to get on top of a car and stir the crowd.  “I wonder if I should get on the car” I thought to myself, but before I could act on the thought, the police whisked him away. Whew, I thought!

• Sometimes I can get carried away with the crowd.
• Sometimes the crowd seems like it is doing the right thing to me.
• Sometimes I can get caught up in the moment with the crowd.

Pilate based his decision on an angry crowd with no distinct leader and thorough chaos abounding. His wife mentioned JESUS’s innocence but Pilate listened to those in charge of the local churches. The crowd won out.

• GOD wants me to follow HIM even when it is not what the crowd says.
• GOD wants me to get carried away with HIM, not the crowd.
• GOD wants me to understand true innocence based on HIS definition, not the crowd.

Innocence to GOD means I believe in HIS SON as the one and only SAVIOR. Only HIS innocent blood can wash away my sins. I am declared innocent through JESUS.

• Are you following the crowd even when JESUS is trying to speak to you?
• Do you think the crowd had a better idea than GOD?
• Will you allow yourself to be led by HIS SPIRIT by following HIS word today?

Looking for Trouble

Matthew 26: ⁵⁷ Those who had arrested Jesus took him to Caiaphas the high priest, where the teachers of the law and the elders had assembled. ⁵⁸ But Peter followed him at a distance, right up to the courtyard of the high priest. He entered and sat down with the guards to see the outcome.

⁵⁹ The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they could put him to death. ⁶⁰ But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.

Finally two came forward ⁶¹ and declared, “This fellow said, ‘I am able to destroy the temple of God and rebuild it in three days.’”

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“This guy has got to go!” I thought to myself. He was causing problems at work and stirred everyone up. I asked people what he did wrong and they could not tell me for certain what he was doing. No one else had the nerve to get rid of this person so I had to be the one. Finally one person came forth and told me about some trivial mistakes. “Maybe I can use this” I thought.

• There were times when I looked for evidence against “that” person.
• There were times when I sought to prove my position was right.
• There were times when I would have listened to false witnesses and been alright with it.

Peace is all I wanted even if my employees may have been the malefactors. It was easier to fire one than many, no matter how “right” he was. GOD wants me to have a different attitude.

• GOD wants me to stand up for what is right versus following the crowd.
• GOD wants me to guard against pleasing the crowd versus following what HE says.
• GOD wants me to seek first HIS righteousness instead of looking at humans who may have hidden motives.

When I look for trouble in a person I often can find it. I mean everyone has problems and I can make their imperfections stand out with the right crowd behind me. GOD wants me to seek what is good not what is obviously bad. HE saved me in the middle of my sins and desires to do the same for “that” person. HE wants me to have grace.

• Are you looking for the worst in “that” person?
• Are you immaturely building up evidence against them and getting your crowd to believe in you even if the truth may have been stretched?
• Will you stop looking for trouble and start looking for GOD’s grace today?

Empty Belongings

Matthew 26: ³¹ Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:

“‘I will strike the shepherd,
    and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’

³² But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”

³³ Peter replied, “Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.”

³⁴ “Truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “this very night, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times.”

³⁵ But Peter declared, “Even if I have to die with you, I will never disown you.” And all the other disciples said the same.

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“You want to go bowling with us?” was the question posed to me. “Sure!” was my answer and it felt great to be asked. “You want to go drinking with us?” was the question. I had never drunk anything stronger than a cola before so I said “Sure!” I mean it was just to have a little fun. “You want to try this?” “This” being a drug… “No thanks, but maybe I’ll stay and have some sex later” was my thought.

• There were times I wanted to just belong.
• There were times I wanted to simply be with the crowd.
• There were times when I was so lonely that I would hang out with the group I knew was wrong.

Denying my principles was pretty easy to do when I wanted to belong. No one had to know I was trying to follow GOD at that moment. Besides, we are all sinners anyway right? “I deserve to do a little sin right?” Wrong!

• GOD knows I will sin but doesn’t want me to deny HIM in the process.
• GOD knows I will stray but doesn’t want me to pretend I don’t belong to HIM.
• GOD knows I will crave what the world has to offer but doesn’t want me to want the world so bad that I would leave HIM.

Peter was told he would deny JESUS. “What?” Peter exclaimed! No way! JESUS knew that Peter wanted to save himself more than follow HIM. HE knew Peter would follow the crowd at a crucial time versus following GOD. I have done the same. BUT GOD forgives me and I am grateful!

• Are you lonely?
• Do you have a strong desire to belong even to the point where you will deny your relationship with GOD?
• Will you seek GOD today instead of hiding behind the crowd?

Yuck Mouth

Matthew 15: ¹⁰ Jesus called the crowd to him and said, “Listen and understand. ¹¹ What goes into someone’s mouth does not defile them, but what comes out of their mouth, that is what defiles them.”

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Wanting to fit in, I started using foul language. I did it wrong at first, but like a fine wine, over time I got better. Now that I had the crowds laughing, it was time to graduate to lewd comments about people. Soon after that, I moved on to body part discussions. “Now I fit in! But to what end?”

• Fitting in feels great only for a moment.
• Fitting in dullens my senses.
• Fitting in causes me to do like the crowd, act like the crowd and please the crowd.

I then placed complaints on my cursing, foul tongue and topped it off with slander. Now it was complete. I was no longer a witness for GOD, but I had a nice sized crowd! Blame, bragging and criticism were soon to follow. BUT GOD wanted me to act differently.

• GOD wants me to encourage versus curse.
• GOD wants me to praise versus complain.
• GOD wants me to teach versus rip apart.

When I cleaned up my mouth, I lost a lot of “friends.” Soon I was encouraging people and speaking peace in folks lives. GOD delivered more and more to me. My crowd grew and I did not have to please them, GOD did.

• Are you trying to make yourself look good by slandering someone else?
• Do you use foul or suggestive language so you can fit in with the crowd?
• Can you stop your filth and change your words to praise GOD and HIS people?

Way to Go

Matthew 7: ¹³ “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. ¹⁴ But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

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“Fun” was what I sought after. I mean “everyone else” seemed to be having “fun” and here I was, by myself, not having any “fun.” I went to church and all I heard was how bad I was and a list of rules I couldn’t follow. “Maybe I should stop going to church and have some FUN!” I thought to myself.

• Sometimes I want what other people have.
• Sometimes I desire what other people are going after.
• Sometimes I crave what the crowd is doing so I can “fit in” with them.

Sex, drinking, and greed were many of the conversations “the crowd” said was okay. It’s okay not to serve GOD or the poor and it’s okay if I believe what I believe and you believe what you believe; was the crowd’s mantra. BUT GOD says something completely different.

• GOD says to me “Enter the narrow gate which is MY SON, JESUS who is the CHRIST.”
• GOD says to me “Stay away from the road to destruction which is listed in MY word.”
• GOD says to me “Find the road that leads to life, namely following JESUS.”

After having ”fun” for a while I found myself at a place where I could not even mention the name of JESUS to anyone around me. “Hypocrite” would be thrown at me if I opened my mouth about GOD because I was not living a lifestyle befitting of HIM, or at least that is what I thought. BUT GOD said something different.

GOD wanted me, in my broken state, to mention how HE rescued me in the “middle” of my sin. HE did not need me to clean myself up in order to mention HIS name. JESUS wiped away my shame and now I can talk freely about my sin without hiding or cowering in the corner. Oh, and by the way, hiding my sin was also me walking on the “broad path.”

• Are you walking on the broad path?
• Are you tired of following GOD’s numerous rules?
• Can you stop for a moment to assess where you are with GOD?
• Do you have hidden sin that you are not admitting to anyone?

How to Get Back on Top

Hosea 4: Hear the word of the Lord, you Israelites,
    because the Lord has a charge to bring
    against you who live in the land:
“There is no faithfulness, no love,
    no acknowledgment of God in the land.

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¹⁰ “They will eat but not have enough;
    they will engage in prostitution but not flourish,
because they have deserted the Lord
    to give themselves ¹¹ to prostitution;
old wine and new wine
    take away their understanding.

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Wandering around the desert is not fun. It seemed like everything was going wrong all at once, meanwhile the people I met there did not seem fulfilling. I mean we would go out, drink and laugh only to return to a place of loneliness. “Is this it?” I thought to myself.

• There were times when I was in a crowd and felt lonely.
• There were times when I was around laughter and was crying inside.
• There were times when I wanted to fly only to have my wings ripped off by life’s challenges.

“We’re going out drinking, you want to come?” was the statement that I finally had to say “No” to. It wasn’t the people or the drinking; it was the emptiness of the action that I found less fulfilling. We would sit drink, complain, joke, and jab each other, only to go back to our empty lives. Something had to change.

• GOD said to me “Increase your measure of faith in ME daily.”
• GOD said to me “Increase your love for ME and others daily.”
• GOD said to me “Increase your acknowledgement that you need ME daily.”

When I dropped to my knees and prayed I was amazed. My heart was opened and my mind was cleared up. I went from complaining about my situation to being thankful for where I was. No longer did the sordid jokes have the same effect on me. Helping thieves become wealthier just did not have the same taste.

GOD wants me to flourish but on HIS terms. HE desires to give me sober understanding to follow HIS ways and to lead others to do the same. I acknowledge I need HIM more than anyone.

• Are you lonely?
• Do you find yourself headed down the wrong path but cannot stop yourself?
• Will you stop for a moment to acknowledge GOD in your life?
• Will you reach out to HIM and ask HIM for direction?

Steady as It Goes

2 Chronicles 27: ⁶ Jotham grew powerful because he walked steadfastly before the Lord his God.

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“You need to meet the right people” a mentor told me when I inquired about being successful. I looked around and the “successful” people were drunkards, liars and thieves. One of my coworkers asked me to attend a very “visible” bible study that the “successful” people seemed to shun. What was I going to do?

• Hanging around the crowd seems so satisfying at times.
• Compromising my values seems like the right thing to do at times.
• Desiring something to the extreme makes me want to join the wrong group at times.

When I woke up I actually remembered the mentors’ real statement. “You need to meet the right people within your values” is what he really said but not what I heard. I thought I had to change my value system and become something I was not created for. BUT GOD showed me something different.

• GOD says “I will give you rest unto your soul.”
• GOD says “MY burden is light.”
• GOD says “I will lead you besides still waters.”

I chose the harder route and went to the Bible study. The Bible leader and I spoke to a person about CHRIST and he began crying and accepted HIM with zeal. This was a greater reward than promotions. But that’s not the end of the story. The CIO watched me and so did my bosses boss. They were followers of GOD and I didn’t know it. I was later promoted to areas I never would have believed.

• Are you ready to throw in the towel with GOD?
• Do you think you have to change or compromise your values?
• Are you so desperate for money or success that you are thinking of giving up on GOD?
• Can you choose GOD today?
• Will you continue to walk down the path with GOD no matter how rocky it may seem?

Thermometer or Thermostat?

2 Kings 18: ⁵ Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. ⁶ He held fast to the Lord and did not stop following him; he kept the commands the Lord had given Moses. ⁷ And the Lord was with him; he was successful in whatever he undertook. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.

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Sitting in a crowd of old “friends” I felt a little awkward. I had given up a lot of the things everyone was doing and people urged me to join in. It won’t hurt, I thought to myself. Soon I found I was acting one way around people at church and another around people I would “hang” with.

• When I am double minded I flow with whatever crowd I’m with.
• When I am double minded my opinions change in fear of not being liked by the crowd.
• When I am double minded I may flip flop and not support any direction.

Double minded behavior feels great “in the moment” because I am comforted by the crowd, but I end up lacking because any opposing opinion of mine gets discounted. What should I do about flipping with the crowd?

• GOD wants me to hold fast to HIS ways which in many instances are against the crowd.
• GOD wants me to keep following HIM even when the path seems to disappear.
• GOD wants me to keep HIS commands even when I stumble and fall.

Fear of the crowd makes me change like a thermometer. When the crowd is one way, so am I. BUT GOD wants me to be like a thermostat. HE wants me to walk into a crowd and set the temperature rather than being affected by what’s going on around me. Thermostats can be changed by the owner to be set at the temperature HE needs it to be. Thermostats live a life of purpose.

• Do you change your words with the crowd?
• Do you feel you have to “fit in” so you are willing to compromise your relationship with GOD?
• Can you give more and more of your life over to GOD daily?
• Won’t you let GOD be the owner of your life which gives you purpose?

GOD steers the plan

1 Samuel 29: The Philistines gathered all their forces at Aphek, and Israel camped by the spring in Jezreel. ² As the Philistine rulers marched with their units of hundreds and thousands, David and his men were marching at the rear with Achish.³ The commanders of the Philistines asked, “What about these Hebrews?”

Achish replied, “Is this not David, who was an officer of Saul king of Israel? He has already been with me for over a year, and from the day he left Saul until now, I have found no fault in him.”

⁴ But the Philistine commanders were angry with Achish and said, “Send the man back, that he may return to the place you assigned him. He must not go with us into battle, or he will turn against us during the fighting. How better could he regain his master’s favor than by taking the heads of our own men?

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Sitting in the interview, I answered all of the questions about innovation with brilliance, or at least I thought so. Then they asked the question “would you be able to let go of about 30% of your department?” My hand literally twitched and I got nervous.  I felt my voice stumble and stammer.

I took a deep breath and said “Of course!” Seeing right through my ploy, they dismissed me as a candidate. Looking back on it, I am glad I didn’t have to put a large number of people at risk of losing everything.

Sometimes when I plan something and it doesn’t work out then I plan another thing that doesn’t include GOD.

Sometimes when I fail at something, I am willing to do whatever it takes to be successful, even if it goes against what I stand for.

Sometimes when I don’t get my way, I lower my standards and values and blame it on GOD.

David knew he was supposed to be king, yet his own kingdom was trying to kill him. I’m sure he thought that if he sided with his enemies, surely he could become king by force, so his 600 men joined the ranks of thousands and thousands only to be rejected by them as well.

I felt the same way when I had been rejected. I figured since “this” group didn’t want me, then maybe this other group would. GOD said something different.

GOD says my success should be done through HIM and HIM alone.

GOD knows I want to be successful, but is not willing to compromise HIS standards of faith and trust in HIM.

GOD understands my desire to avoid the difficult route but HE wants me to mature in HIS faith so HE allows trouble in my life.

It would be easy and convenient to be rejected and hop over to my enemies and try to fit in, but that would compromise my values. GOD wants me to remain steadfast in my faith and push forward with HIM even when there are giant obstacles in my way.

Are you considering dropping GOD and trying something else?

Have you given up on GOD’s deliverance?

Can you rest your mind  a moment and seek GOD’s face wherever you go?

Where is the crowd when I need them?

Exodus 23: ² “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. When you give testimony in a lawsuit, do not pervert justice by siding with the crowd, ³ and do not show favoritism to a poor person in a lawsuit.

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Smiles and laughter reigned this evening. I reserved the multipurpose room in the dorm for our small gathering and somehow word got out that we were having a party. People from all over the campus showed up. It felt cool being the person who people were asking for until a fight broke out.

Everyone was asked to leave and the dorm director asked “who reserved this room?” Everyone scattered and I had to face this with only a few brave souls but the crowd thinned quickly.

• The crowd is quick to do wrong as long as they can get away with it.
• The crowd wants to be as wild as it can be without responsibility.
• The crowd doesn’t want justice rather it wants what it wants when it wants it.

Many times I have regretted following the crowd. The argument “everybody is doing it” is only an excuse to let my guards down and do what I want to do. What’s bad about this is the crowd will let me take the fall alone while it goes off and does something else wild.

• GOD wants me to stand firm for what HE says even when it’s not popular.
• GOD wants me to follow HIM when everyone around me is doing otherwise.
• GOD wants me to be different even when the crowd says follow us.

I have to examine every crowd I’m in, even church. Yes I said church. Sometimes this crowd can be the most dangerous. The religious falsely accused JESUS, murdered HIM and assumed the highest positions to rule over people and to be admired. This crowd was eternally wrong. GOD wants me to show discernment between judgment and compassion.

• Are you following the wrong crowd?
• Are you doing things because everyone is doing them?
• Can you use discernment to determine if the crowd is going in the direction GOD wants you to go?

Going with the corwd

Galatians 1: ¹⁰ Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ.

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Laughter was the reaction from the crowd the first time I used foul language. That soon became a habit. Enjoyment was the reaction of the crowd as I played games instead of going to class. That soon became a habit. Being known for our parties caused our phone to ring constantly. That soon became a habit.

Everyone was pleased with what I was doing, but was I doing the right things?

• I can always find a crowd of people who support my sin.
• When I start sinning it is difficult to stop because the crowd will cheer me on.
• If I seek human approval I will find it in the wrong places.

My fear was being labeled as being “boring.” I mean I didn’t want to become a hardened criminal but I certainly didn’t want to be labeled as a “Goody, goody” because they finish “last,” don’t they?

• GOD knows the world will hate me for trying to follow HIM.
• GOD knows I will be ridiculed for saying JESUS in public.
• GOD knows I will not be popular for taking a stand for HIS ways but has assured me HIS way is the only way.

The crowd would have me doing things that are not pleasing to GOD. It’s not like I don’t have enough sin of my own. The crowd doesn’t want me to stand for GOD but let people remain in their sin. The crowd says “Who are you to judge, everyone sins especially you.”

Yes, I sin and GOD forgives me daily. HE provides me with hope and has called me to give that same hope to others but they must “confess those sins” and “HE will be faithful and just to forgive those sins and cleanse all unrighteousness.”

Pleasing GOD sometimes means pleasing people but always points to HIM.

• Are you trying to follow the crowd?
• Are you hiding your relationship with JESUS because of your title or the crowd you hang with?
• Are you ashamed to let people know you follow GOD?
• Can you stop trying to please people and learn to follow GOD?

Peer pressure got to me!

Luke 23: ²² For the third time he spoke to them: “Why? What crime has this man committed? I have found in him no grounds for the death penalty. Therefore I will have him punished and then release him.”

 ²³ But with loud shouts they insistently demanded that he be crucified, and their shouts prevailed. ²⁴ So Pilate decided to grant their demand. ²⁵ He released the man who had been thrown into prison for insurrection and murder, the one they asked for, and surrendered Jesus to their will.

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It felt great being on my own for the first time. I could do with my body or someone else’s body, what I wanted to. When I got around the crowd, I could be the life of the party.  My language changed from holier than thou to holy . My peers egged me on.  I was the “man” or so I thought.

• Each time I choose my sinful life over JESUS I lose.
• Each time I downplay my relationship with JESUS HE does the same to me.
• Each time I stand for “nothing” I’m actually standing against what JESUS says.

Pilate could care less about JESUS as he saw HIM as only a mere man. I guess sometimes I do the same.  Oh yes I know HE is GOD and HE died for my sins, but I treat HIM like HE isn’t quite in charge of my life rather I am. 

With bad plans in hand I go about trying to please myself or others not once considering what GOD wants.  When I even think I’m not going to get my way, my nerves get on edge and sin ensues.

• Choosing JESUS over peer pressure isn’t easy but it’s the right thing to do.
• Choosing JESUS over peer pressure actually makes me make some hard choices about my current behavior.
• Choosing JESUS over peer pressure seems to never look easy but has always benefit me and those around me who I feared.

Killing an innocent man to protect his wealthy lifestyle and power is definitely a bad decision, BUT GOD looks at my life and says my sins are equal if not worse than Pilates because I know better.

• Are you afraid to audibly say JESUS’ name to “certain” people?
• Do your peers enjoy your sin?
• Will your peers get punished for the sin you commit?
• Will you get punished for the sin you commit?
• Does GOD punish anyone or is HE just a big pushover?
• Does GOD’s love for me have room for me to ignore HIM or even go against HIM?

Satisfying the crowd is easier but deadly.

Mark 15: ¹⁵ Wanting to satisfy the crowd, Pilate released Barabbas to them. He had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.

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Comedy was something I have always loved perhaps because it was my way of escaping pain. I wasn’t a good comedian, but I had a strange sense of humor that I never turned off. I constantly had an audience and I felt I would disappoint them if I didn’t say something that would make them laugh.

The elite group on campus approached me one day. “Wow” I thought to myself, “I finally fit in.” They said “We would like to make you one of our notables namely Campus Clown.” I guess satisfying the crowd didn’t gain me anything.

• Sometimes it’s easy to go along with the crowd, but if they are wrong it can be deadly.
• Sometimes it’s easy to get caught up in everyone else’s complaints, BUT GOD despises my complaints.
• Sometimes it’s easy to join in on sinful behavior because everybody is doing it, BUT GOD wants me to be different and stand firm.

Pilate was a great politician who had the power to release JESUS but chose to go with the crowd to save his reputation. Unfortunately he will remember his poor choice forever. This example lets me know I need to watch which crowd I am going with.

• GOD wants me to stand out instead of fitting in.
• GOD wants me to stand firm instead of choosing sin.
• GOD wants me to stand up instead of sitting in.

I sin on a daily basis. I am no better than Pilate, but I have chosen to believe JESUS died specifically for me and now I can choose to stay out of the crowd and depend on HIM.

• Are you trying to fit in?
• What part of your soul are you giving up every day?
• Can you depend on GOD more and accept your differences?