Am I special?

Genesis 1: ²⁷ So God created mankind in his own image,
    in the image of God he created them;
    male and female he created them.

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³¹ God saw all that he had made, and it was very good. And there was evening, and there was morning—the sixth day.

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Sitting on the bus I noticed some girls staring in my direction. As I observed a little closer I noticed they were looking past me staring at my friend. “Why didn’t I have a pretty face?” Then I started noticing other people doing better in other things. Why are they better or stronger or smarter? I didn’t feel like I was made in GOD’s image.

• When I see myself as a mess I’m not seeing how GOD made me.
• When I see myself as a problem I’m not seeing how GOD made me.
• When I see myself as useless I’m not seeing how GOD made me.

I have complained to GOD in the past.  “Why did you make me this way?” as if I had a better idea of how HE should have made me. It basically boils down to me trying to get my way and then I complain that GOD made me wrong because I’m not getting my way.

• GOD made me the way I am and HE said it was very good.
• GOD made me with a purpose and that purpose was good.
• GOD made me and knows my flaws so HE rescued me through HIS SON.

 

I guess I’m a little hard on myself. If GOD thinks I’m very good the way HE made me, who am I to argue?

• Are you feeling a little low?
• Do you think you don’t have a purpose?
• Can you stop looking at yourself through sinful eyes and see how GOD wants you to be seen?
• Won’t you recognize that GOD made you special and with a purpose?

Something to look forward to

Revelation 22: ³ No longer will there be a curse upon anything. For the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there, and his servants will worship him. ⁴ And they will see his face, and his name will be written on their foreheads. ⁵ And there will be no night there—no need for lamps or sun—for the Lord God will shine on them. And they will reign forever and ever.

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Ever have “one of those days?” I’ve had days where from the time I woke up until the time I went to sleep there were nothing but troubles.  It seems like when I said “what else could happen” something else would happen.  Is there any relief in sight?

• When Satan was thrown out of heaven for wanting to be GOD he tried to ruin mankind.
• When Satan tempted the first humans to sin GOD cursed the Earth and everything that surrounds it.
• When Satan plotted against GOD in an effort to take over GOD sealed up his fate along with anyone who does not believe in HIS SON.

So the Earth is cursed and life is difficult.  I should actually expect things to go wrong, not in a pessimistic way rather in a healthy understanding way.  GOD loves humans. GOD loves me, so much so that when HIS SON volunteered to take my punishment HE allowed it. Now JESUS has been raised from the dead and the curse will be lifted.

• One day JESUS will lift the curse on everything and I will be able to worship HIM without problems.
• One day I will be able to see JESUS and be excited about being in HIS presence.
• One day I will have HIS real name written on my forehead because I am one of HIS.
• One day I won’t need lights or the sun because I will have the SON.

Just thinking of this makes me breathe a sigh of relief. Knowing HE did all this for me makes me continue with “hope.”

• Do you have hope?
• Can you see that GOD has done it all just for you?
• Won’t you stop focusing on today’s issues and know GOD loves you dearly?
• Can you look forward to HIS promises? 

Have I done anything for GOD?

Revelation 20: ¹¹ Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. The earth and the heavens fled from his presence, and there was no place for them. ¹² And I saw the dead, great and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded in the books.

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Lying about my grades seemed to be a good idea at the time.  It was the only way to get into the program so I simply told them I had the grades. I figured that they would want me, not my grades. I didn’t know they would ask for my transcripts. All my mistakes had been recorded and the truth was documented. Now I had to face the consequences of not performing well and lying!

• Everything I do is being recorded.
• Every word I say is being written down.
• Every thought I think is being captured.

Here is my confusion.  You would think salvation is the goal and those who believe would not be judged, but clearly that is not the case. Somehow I will be judged for every action I have ever done.  Unlike the “scales of justice” where every sin is balanced by a good deed GOD will still do something with my sins.

Fortunately for me, JESUS took my eternal consequence away from me and will wipe away my tears. My actions that I thought were for HIM will be judged and probably found that they were for me instead. The actions that I thought were useless will probably be the ones where GOD says I was truly on the mark.

Whatever the case GOD wants me to have a life that is full of HIM.

• GOD wants me to serve those in need right now even if it is not the perfect time to serve.
• GOD wants me to be there for HIS people to help in their hurt not add to it.
• GOD wants me to recognize that every human has a chance to believe in HIM so my pursuit should include them even if my belief is different than theirs.

My recorded actions should include compassion, love, kindness, mercy, sacrifice and generosity. Sometimes I will get it right.

• Are you doing things for you or GOD?
• Is your service to GOD used for cleaning up your sins or for love for others?
• Are you better than “those people over there” or are you focused on listening to GOD?
• Do you truly have compassion or is it a façade?

Desire to be admired

Revelation 19: ⁹ Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.”

¹⁰ At this I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “Don’t do that! I am a fellow servant with you and with your brothers and sisters who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.”

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Walking down the hall headed to my next meeting I had a trail of people asking me questions. In my mind I had arrived. When I left the company I no longer had anyone asking me questions. In fact people were looking at me like I was a problem. I really desired to have people seeking my advice. Then I thought “maybe if I become a title then people will admire me again.”

• Many times I do things to point at me.
• Many times I do things to get noticed.
• Many times I do things to grab all the attention.

It feels good to be admired or sought after but it shouldn’t go to my head. I mean I should focus my attention on getting people to the “right place.”

• JESUS is the being I need to point people to.
• JESUS is the answer to other peoples’ problems.
• JESUS is the only being who deserves to be idolized and worshipped.

Great humans come and go. People I admire fall to sin just like the next person. JESUS never sinned, yet took my punishment. Now that’s a person to admire!

• Do you desire attention?
• Are you constantly having people focus on you rather than on GOD?
• Do you develop causes to keep people focused on you or your crowd?
• Can you give up some of the attention and let GOD do HIS thing?

I thought I wanted toys

Revelation 18: ⁴ Then I heard another voice calling from heaven,

“Come away from her, my people.
    Do not take part in her sins,
    or you will be punished with her.

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“Finally I got a new car” I thought to myself.  It was my first brand new car and I cherished it.  I drove around a couple of hours just to be in it.  Once a speck of dirt touched it, I immediately washed it. One morning I saw the dew glisten all over the car with the exception of one window.

As I got closer I noticed my car had been broken into and all my music had been stolen. My car was never the same. Next time I’ll get a better car and I’ll have a garage and an alarm system!

• My stuff brings worries about my stuff.
• My toys are fun to play with until I get tired or my toys.
• My things seem to never last and I have to go out and get more things.

I’ve had some expensive things and some cheap things and they only made me lust for more things.  In fact, I found myself willing to do almost anything to keep my things or to get more things.  GOD says different.

• GOD doesn’t mind if I have things, but HE wants to be the focus in my life.
• GOD sometimes blesses me with things and HE blesses me by taking things away from me.
• GOD allows me to choose between HIM and things.

It’s very difficult to just give “stuff” up.  I mean I have to live don’t I? Yes, but things come and go and I must release them as GOD sees fit. No longer will I do almost anything for things.  My focus should be on seeking GOD’s kingdom and things here on earth and in heaven will be given to me but not in a greedy selfish way.

• Are you stuck on getting the latest thing?
• Are you sad because you can’t get more things?
• Won’t you step away from your things for a moment and focus on GOD?
• Can you give up some of your things as a sacrifice to the LORD?

Being on the winning side

Revelation 17: ¹⁴ Together they will go to war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will defeat them because he is Lord of all lords and King of all kings. And his called and chosen and faithful ones will be with him.”

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After a semester of confusion I sat praying for a miracle. I just didn’t understand the material and I hoped GOD would zap some clarity in my mind. I failed the course and got mad at GOD for a minute. I interviewed for a position that I really wanted. I prayed about it in hopes to get this “life-changing” job. I didn’t get the position and got mad at GOD. Wait, is there a pattern?

• When I don’t get my way I get mad at GOD
• When I get mad at GOD I don’t feel like serving.
• When I don’t feel like serving, sin looks like a good option.
• When I sin, my faith in GOD diminishes.

It seems like I’m at war with GOD to get my way.  When things go a little rough I get nervous, worried, frightened, let’s call it what it is, I lose faith. Fortunately for me GOD took care of every situation for me.

• When JESUS said “It is finished” my salvation was sealed forever.
• When JESUS rose with all power every situation I face has to bow to HIM.
• When JESUS returned to HIS throne all of humanity had to recognize HIS authority to rule over the past, present and future.

When I complain about the present, I’m complaining about the ordained. When I complain about people I may be complaining about HIS people. JESUS won and it’s up to me to choose HIS ways over mine.

• Are you fighting against GOD?
• Do you think you can continue in your ways and be on HIS side?
• Won’t you place your attention on building HIS kingdom instead of fighting?

Am I ready?

Revelation 16: ¹⁵ “Look, I will come as unexpectedly as a thief! Blessed are all who are watching for me, who keep their clothing ready so they will not have to walk around naked and ashamed.”

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“What is taking him so long?” I asked myself as I waited in the lobby. We were supposed to be doing a tour of businesses in the area and this person was making us late.  While waiting, I received a phone call.  I moved to a quiet location and got lost in my discussion. 

When I got off the phone, everyone looked angrily at me. I didn’t notice the person we were waiting on had returned and I was now the culprit in making the group late. I wasn’t ready.

• Sometimes I doubt that JESUS is going to return so I sin instead of preparing.
• Sometimes I believe I will have another day to get it right so I focus on me instead of others.
• Sometimes I think GOD will forgive me for my sins so HE won’t mind if I continue in them.

Yes I know I am forgiven for all my sins and that’s the reason I watch out for CHRIST’s return.  “Just think of the look on my face if JESUS returned right now” is the thought that crosses my mind in the middle of my sin.

This passage implies that someone won’t be ready for HIS return.  It also implies that once HE does return, it will be too late. HE gives me a short lifetime to “get it right.” Why waste my life on items that will not last eternally?

• Are you living a life of purpose?
• Are you so determined to live your life your way or will you include GOD’s way?
• If JESUS were to return today, would HE be pleased at your activity?