I am “sure” everything will be alright!

John 10: ²⁷ My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. ²⁸ I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. ²⁹ My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. ³⁰ I and the Father are one.”

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Sleep hid from me as the excitement of my first camping trip went through my mind. What was going to happen? It was the unknown. Sleep escaped me the day before my first day of school, my first day of college, my first day on the job or moving to a new city.

Why was my mind racing? Was I sure this was the right thing to do? What if something bad happens to me?

• When new things happen it makes me unsure.
• When bad things happen it makes me more cautious in the future.
• When I sin it only makes matters worse and shakes my faith in GOD.

I wish I had the faith of Abraham who seemed to do things for GOD without question. It seems like I have this habit of trying to predict the future based on past experiences. The tougher my experiences, the more nervous I get and the more I question GOD’s intentions with me.

• GOD knew my faith would be weak so HE grabbed onto my life.
• GOD knew I would serve sometimes and sin sometimes, yet HE holds my life in HIS hands.
• GOD knew fear, worry and doubt would be my comfort zone, that’s why HE put a grip on my life that no one can touch.

GOD is all seeing, all knowing all and all powerful. No one can force HIM to release HIS grip on me. HE made me exactly how HE wanted me to be made. Anyone who has a problem with me has a problem with GOD. That goes for me as well, if I have a problem with someone I have a problem with GOD.

I can be sure, that I am sure, that I am positive, that I am sure that no height, nor depth, nor obstacle can keep me away from the love of GOD. I can’t even get in my own way, that’s how much GOD loves me!

• Do you believe GOD is all powerful?
• Why do you doubt HIS strength to hold onto your life once you believed in HIM?
• Are you making an effort to hear HIS voice?
• Are you “sure” you know HIM and more importantly, HE knows you?

I can’t see!

John 9: ³⁹ Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

 ⁴⁰ Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, “What? Are we blind too?”

 ⁴¹ Jesus said, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.

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“Please come speak to our group” was the request of one of the business owners. Arrogantly, I accepted the invitation thinking they wanted to hear my greatness. When I stepped to the podium, I was met with questions not pertaining to the agenda, nor had I prepared for. It was a trap! How did I not see this coming?

• When I think more highly of myself, I become blind.
• When I think I am doing better than others, I become blind.
• When I think I have arrived, I become blind.

Blindness is my weakness and arrogance is my blind-guide. When I assume someone is stupid or weak or prejudiced or flirty or dangerous, I am acting in a “blind” fashion. I guess it’s self-preservation.

• JESUS came into the world to lead me to HIS kingdom.
• JESUS opened my eyes to my fallen state and showed me there is no way to save myself.
• JESUS volunteered to die specifically for me and you in order for us to “see” HIS power.

Going through life blind and deaf to GOD’s ways has been a problem of mine since birth. HE yearns for me to learn about HIM, teach about HIM and live with HIM in peace not adversarial. Blindness causes me to run towards things I can touch and “see” which unfortunately are not items of faith.

JESUS says “Have faith in ME” and you will see.

• Are you trying to live by your own power?
• Do you get nervous easily?
• Won’t you trade your worry for faith that GOD has a wonderful plan for you?
• Can you accept your purpose in life telling more and more people about the great news of JESUS’ salvation?
• Does the last question leave you blind?

You won’t be right no matter what you do.

John 8: ⁵⁷ “You are not yet fifty years old,” they said to him, “and you have seen Abraham!”

   ⁵⁸ “Very truly I tell you,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” ⁵⁹ At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.

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When I get mad at people it seems like they can’t do anything right in my eyes.  Just ask my wife and kids. It seems there are times when I’m waiting for them to do something wrong rather than catching them in the act of doing something right. What am I missing?

• Expectations of what GOD should do sets HIM up for failure in my mind.
• Expectations of what GOD should solve makes HIM look like HE isn’t listening to me when HE doesn’t do it.
• Expectations of what GOD should give me makes GOD my genie and not my GOD.

The Pharisees knew the Bible very well and walked around telling others how they should live. They were so full of themselves that they could not even see the good right in front of their eyes. They had an expectation of what GOD should be in their mind and were quite disappointed when JESUS appeared.

Love cannot exist when the expectation of the people around me are of “my” perfection.  They just won’t live up to it and inevitably disappoint me.

• JESUS was accused of doing everything wrong but the truth was HE did everything right.
• JESUS was accused of being a demon but HE is GOD and my savior.
• JESUS was accused of being lower than a human but the FATHER has placed HIM above everything.

GOD doesn’t seem to act like I expect HIM to, look like I think HE does nor does HE do things when I expect HIM to. BUT GOD does act in pure love, HIS transformed appearance is glorious and HE is always right on time with HIS plan!

• What expectations are you setting for others in your mind?
• Are the failures in your mind or do you still see the potential?
• Can you drop your accusations about them and help them become the best they can become?
• Won’t you help them see CHRIST through your grace?

GOD is that you?

John 8: ⁴⁷ Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

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My life has been riddled with events that most would just brush off as “coincidences.”  A “coincidence” is the explanation of an event that happened by “chance” in a surprising or remarkable way. What I call a “miracle” some would say “the situation was supposed to happen that way.” What is the explanation for the events that happen in my life?

• There are no coincidences in my life, but many times I believe GOD is not involved.
• There are no coincidences in my life, but I try my best to set myself up to make coincidences happen.
• There are no coincidences in my life, but I brush off the smallest thing as a random event rather than GOD speaking to me.

I can go into a laundry list of tiny events and circumstances that makes me very aware that GOD is speaking daily. Delays in traffic, words from a stranger, seeing a person that looks very familiar all have some purpose that seems random. BUT GOD uses each event to steer me to HIS purpose.

• Once I opened my eyes, I could see GOD working in all events.
• Once I opened my ears, I could hear GOD telling me to serve others in spite of my sins.
• Once I opened my heart, I could feel GOD’s love every day and HIS motivation consumes me.

I’m no better than the next person.  I have no special powers, rather GOD has all the power. But I can listen to GOD speak every day and HE says, “Serve even though the service won’t be seen.” He says, “Give even though no one will say thanks.” He says “Forgive and I will forgive you.” Yes, GOD speaks and it’s up to me to hear what HE has to say.

• Is GOD speaking to you?
• Does it disturb you that GOD hasn’t spoken to you if you haven’t heard HIM?
• Are you too busy listening to yourself?
• Are you trying so hard to get your way that you can’t hear GOD?
• Won’t you try asking GOD “what do YOU want me to do?”

I want to be free!

John 8:  ³¹ To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. ³² Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

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Sitting next to the window I could see a bird soar. How I dreamt I could be outside again enjoying the warm weather but my daydream was cut short when the teacher asked me a question.

Later in life I walked to work after class one summer and I saw everyone gathering to have some fun. I longed to be with them but the punch-clock said different. Even later, I sat in a high pressured meeting with blame and accusations being tossed around and I remembered days with no responsibility. “I just want to be free!” I thought to myself.

• My definition of freedom is missing an ingredient.
• My definition of freedom is slightly off kilter.
• My definition of freedom doesn’t always include GOD.

The way I define freedom means I am free “from” responsibilities, free “from” blame, free “from” doubt, free “from” worries. That sounds good until I add more. I want to be free “to” do what I want, free “to” run wild, free “to” have what I want to have, free “to” say what I want to say.

“What is so bad with all that?” you ask. My definition of freedom is bathed with selfishness. I don’t want to be bothered with “life” and I want to just check out from problems without facing them, this turns to blaming others and even worse blaming GOD for constraining me so much.

• GOD wants me to serve people the way they need to be served.
• GOD wants me to tell people I sin and JESUS took my punishment.
• GOD wants me to continue to learn of HIS ways so I can truly be free.

Freedom is telling people I have lied. Freedom is telling people I have broken promises. Freedom is telling people I have fallen to many other sins. Now that my life is an open book, I am free to live without guilt. What a weight lifted off my chest. I have chained my life to JESUS and HIS truth has set me free!

• Are you trying to hide something?
• What sins are you committing that seem to hold you in captivity?
• Do you realize GOD forgave you for “all” your sins?
• Won’t you try to reduce your “sin diet” even though GOD set you free from death?
• Do you know GOD’s truth instead of your own “truth?”

My path is bright!

John 8: ¹² When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

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Life seems so murky and unclear at times. When it was time to apply to college the road was dark and unsure. My counselor was no help and my parents had never travelled down the road laid before me.

I naively applied to one college which happened to be one of the top schools. I didn’t expect to be rejected so I never built a contingency plan. I had no money, no guidance to keep me successful and no plan. How in the world did I make it?

• Sometimes the future seems impossible.
• Many times I have no idea what is going to happen so I fret and get myself worked up.
• Sometimes I review my accomplishments and wonder how in the world I made it.

Looking back on my life, I should have never reached where I reached nor achieved what I have achieved. All odds were against me and the misguided would say there is something special about me that enabled me to accomplish things others couldn’t. Little do they know I had someone lighting the path.

• Even though the path may be dark at times, JESUS lights the way.
• Even though life may be unsure, JESUS lights my path.
• Even though I may get anxious about the future, JESUS shines before me and calms my nerves.

There is no confusion following JESUS. HE wants me to tell the world about HIM whether I am standing or sitting, working or unemployed, happy or sad. It’s very simple. No matter what the circumstance, I should focus my attention to HIM. HE deserves credit for lighting my path; all I have to do is tell others about HIM.

• Is your path unclear?
• Are you worried about the future?
• Can you calm yourself down by thinking about how JESUS is lighting your path?
• Will you realize HE is there during this difficult time?
• Won’t you trust HE has a great plan for you that is truly exciting?

"That’s pretty judgmental of you"

John 8: ⁴ and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. ⁵ In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” ⁶ They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

   But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. ⁷ When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” ⁸ Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

   ⁹ At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.

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One defining moment of my life that told me I was on the wrong track was a conversation I had with my wife. Well actually she was my fiancée at the time. It was about a friend or relative deciding to “live” with someone.

By this time I was in the middle of study at a seminary and I quickly retorted to the position by saying “they shouldn’t be doing that.” She responded, “That’s pretty judgmental of you.” Wow! Was I on the wrong path?

• GOD does not like when I go on a hunt looking for sinners to clean up.
• GOD despises when I certify myself as being cleaner than someone else.
• GOD loathes any act of tripping someone else up just to look better.

Many times I get confused with eradicating sin. Yes, I am supposed to teach others what GOD wants from me and that includes letting go of sin however the main message I need to say is JESUS died for the multitude of sins I commit daily!

Judging others who have not sinned against me is so easy to do. The news parades mean nasty people who deserve sentencing in front of me daily. My once positive outlook on life turned into blanket statements like “they shouldn’t be doing things like that!”

• Instead of looking at the sin others commit, I need to seek the good GOD sees in them.
• Instead of finding who to blame, I need to find who needs grace.
• Instead of being very aware of GOD’s message of judgment, I need to become familiar with HIS message of mercy.

JESUS quietly bends down and writes my sins on the ground. “Cast a stone at that person you don’t know, I dare you” is what I hear. Now this doesn’t mean I should be a pushover and let a people sin against me without repercussion rather as I tell the person I must remember how I sinned against GOD and possibly them.

• Are you ready to judge that person?
• Have you admitted the sin you have committed?
• Are you busy comparing yourself to someone else trying to look good to GOD?
• Won’t you look at your own sins for a change and openly admit them to GOD and others?