Respecting GOD’s Holiness

1 Samuel 6: ¹³ Now the people of Beth Shemesh were harvesting their wheat in the valley, and when they looked up and saw the ark, they rejoiced at the sight. 

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¹⁹ But God struck down some of the inhabitants of Beth Shemesh, putting seventy of them to death because they looked into the ark of the Lord. The people mourned because of the heavy blow the Lord had dealt them. ²⁰ And the people of Beth Shemesh asked, “Who can stand in the presence of the Lord, this holy God? To whom will the ark go up from here?”

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“I forgot my mitten” I said to myself and I started walking back to the choir stand. Someone saw my path and they yelled out to me in desperation “Don’t walk behind the pulpit!” Terrified, I changed my course and stayed away from that thing for fear of death!

I later challenged this belief.  I watched people bring glasses of water and other items and place them in the pulpit.  I took my chance and ran quickly behind the pulpit. Nothing. “These people are crazy with their old beliefs” I thought to myself.

• My doubt in GOD makes me blind.
• My lack of faith makes me try to prove GOD’s existence or nonexistence.
• My pitiful trust makes me test GOD to see if HE is there.

Instead of just believing I have asked GOD to show HIMSELF to me in a demanding deserving fashion. I mean, come on… invisibility? No speaking? Miracles only to certain people? So I stopped worshipping HIM and things went wrong. I handled the first few things as coincidence but then more and more things kept happening.

• GOD has placed obstacles in my way to get my attention.
• GOD has placed barriers in my path to get me to listen.
• GOD has placed trials in my direction to get me to focus on HIM.

The Israelites thought they had received a weapon back when in reality they had received GOD’s laws HE gave to Moses. This was supposed to be a sacred time rather than a time of rejoicing hatred and revenge. GOD does the same in my life.

HE never wants me to wish harm on one of HIS creatures nor does HE want me to put HIM to the test because of my lack of faith. GOD wants me to treat HIM as Holy rather than common.

• Are you treating GOD as common?
• Do you attend church as a thing you do weekly as a checklist item?
• Is GOD amazing to you or are you following?

GOD means “no other gods”

1 Samuel 5: After the Philistines had captured the ark of God, they took it from Ebenezer to Ashdod. ² Then they carried the ark into Dagon’s temple and set it beside Dagon. ³ When the people of Ashdod rose early the next day, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! They took Dagon and put him back in his place. 

⁴ But the following morning when they rose, there was Dagon, fallen on his face on the ground before the ark of the Lord! His head and hands had been broken off and were lying on the threshold; only his body remained.

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“Ooo $5” I said to myself! I looked around and grinned because no one was there to claim my windfall. Days later I found some coins on this same lawn, then an old but useful umbrella.  Finally I found the cream of the crop, my lucky gold chain and playboy stick pin.

I was hooked on the lucky lawn and would go there daily to see what gifts the lawn would bestow. Wearing my lucky chain I was driving down the street and a car came out of nowhere smashing the front of my already beat up car. Wouldn’t you know it was right next to my lucky lawn? Oh, and the guy didn’t have insurance!

• There have been times where I put my trust in luck over GOD.
• There have been times where I thought a piece of metal or a shirt or sitting in a certain place would bring me luck rather than seeking GOD.
• There have been times where I put my trust in bank accounts, investments and insurance rather than trust in GOD.

It’s not that I was down on my luck or sad, I just happened to get something unexpected and called it lucky. I began to think luck would be with me if I carried it around with me in the form of trinkets. BUT GOD wanted me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to put my trust in HIM rather than things.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS ways instead of constantly seeking the “lucky windfall.”
• GOD wants me to have faith where others fail to see what HE is doing.

I have to be honest, faith is the harder road. It’s easy to believe in luck because when things go wrong I can just blame it on “bad luck” and change my trinkets. GOD wants me to grow up and put my trust in HIM. HE wants me to maturely see that blessings and trials have to ask HIS permission.

HIS sovereign plan is ultimate, supreme and somehow loving and caring. I should worship HIM.

• Are you putting your trust in “Luck?”
• Do you think if you buy more trinkets, even crosses, then you will have better luck?
• Won’t you put your trust in the Living GOD who loves you and wants the best for you?

Churchy stuff doesn’t always help

1 Samuel 4: ³ When the soldiers returned to camp, the elders of Israel asked, “Why did the Lord bring defeat on us today before the Philistines? Let us bring the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Shiloh, so that he may go with us and save us from the hand of our enemies.”

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“Please pray about the parking lot” were my standard words I read in the announcement at the church meeting. I did not see a barricade to having the high priority parking lot redone so if people prayed then “good”, but if they didn’t then oh, well.  I just thought that since I was in church I needed to say “pray.”

A short time after the meeting, I met with one of the leaders. He confessed to “changing direction” with some of the funds. A battle ensued, I was “kicked out” and to this day I don’t think the parking lot has been finished. I wonder if I was blind to GOD’s plan.

• Just because I use churchy terms doesn’t mean I’m following GOD at the time.
• Just because I spray churchy words around doesn’t mean GOD is excited.
• Just because I hold what I’m saying up with scripture, doesn’t mean I’m directed by GOD.

It is very true that GOD’s word does not go out void, but it is also true that faithless actions will not be blessed by GOD. In this instance, I decided to move forward without consulting GOD, because I figured that it’s for church so it has to be good. I was so caught up in church that I forgot GOD.

• GOD wants my effort to be on prayer rather than programming.
• GOD wants me to place HIM above buildings rather than trying to get more comfortable.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM first and HE will provide the means to sustain those who are reached.

Please don’t get me wrong, I believe the “church” needs to meet in whatever building GOD desires and programs are important. BUT GOD needs to be first, not an excuse. I need to not checkmark prayer and GOD as if those things had to be included as a default. GOD demands to be heard and HE deserves faithful prayer. Without HIM my plans are nothing.

• Are you planning something without truly consulting GOD?
• Are you going through the motions thinking GOD is with you?
• Won’t you stop for a moment and ask GOD if HE will bless your efforts?
• Can you accept “No” as an answer from GOD?
• Won’t you seek HIS kingdom first before you proceed with your plans?

Fallen words

1 Samuel 3: ¹⁹ The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of Samuel’s words fall to the ground.

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Foul language had never crossed my lips until I decided I wanted to be funny like one of my friend’s. He seemed to get attention and he was quite colorful in his language.  I slipped one in and got some chuckles. Soon my words were as a filthy as a rhino in a swamp.

Hilarious was my label, but when I wanted to be taken seriously, my words fell to the ground unheard.

• When I want attention I may use the wrong words.
• When I want to fit in I may say what the crowd is saying.
• When I want something I shouldn’t have I may say what is necessary for me to get that thing.

I learned terms like “Business is not personal” so my cold words could affect a life without me being worried about it.  I even went so far to pick up phrases that excluded people from being saved like “GOD doesn’t like that person” or “GOD isn’t with that leader.”

• GOD wants my words to be encouraging so I can bring people to HIM.
• GOD wants my words to match my actions so I can bring people to HIM.
• GOD wants my words to come from HIS words so I can bring people to HIM.

I sometimes forget that I was put on this planet with GOD’s purpose rather than mine.  When I speak poorly about a group of people in leadership or in a different neighborhood than me, then my words fall to the ground. GOD wants my words to be elevated off the ground. When I speak of HIS might, then HE can use these words to bring many to HIM.

• Are you wasting your words?
• What are you talking about?
• Can you take a moment and use some words to be more encouraging?
• Won’t you say a praise about GOD today?

GOD’s might

1 Samuel 2: ⁶ “The Lord brings death and makes alive;
    he brings down to the grave and raises up.
⁷ The Lord sends poverty and wealth;
    he humbles and he exalts.
⁸ He raises the poor from the dust
    and lifts the needy from the ash heap;
he seats them with princes
    and has them inherit a throne of honor.

“For the foundations of the earth are the Lord’s;
    on them he has set the world.

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“Check his pockets” the thugs said, being quite thorough in their robbery. Fortunately I kept my precious bus money in my sock. Yes, sometimes it was a bit cumbersome when a quarter would slip down by my toes but it was worth it this day.

This memory popped in my head as I sat at the table of a major corporation making decisions on what to do with their billions of dollars. Looking back, it was only GOD who brought me through it all.

• GOD can say “No” and “Yes” in my life.
• GOD can take money away or give me money.
• GOD can keep me low or raise me up amongst men.

I never would have known that I would be raised up to where GOD placed me. HE brought me through many difficult and dangerous times without a scratch. People think it’s their own abilities that elevate them. They are fooled by their credentials. BUT GOD is very different.

• GOD elevates and exalts me.
• GOD lifts and dusts me off.
• GOD seats me with people I would never have guessed I would be seated with.

I stopped believing in my ability long time ago because my skills are limiting. GOD has far more power than I could ever muster up and HE does amazing things in my life.

• Is GOD amazing to you?
• Do you see GOD as a barrier or infinite power?
• Are you exhausted or energized?
• Won’t you stop looking at your abilities and become amazed at GOD again?

Keeping my side of the promise

1 Samuel 1: ¹⁰ In her deep anguish Hannah prayed to the Lord, weeping bitterly. ¹¹ And she made a vow, saying, “Lord Almighty, if you will only look on your servant’s misery and remember me, and not forget your servant but give her a son, then I will give him to the Lord for all the days of his life, and no razor will ever be used on his head.”

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¹⁹ Early the next morning they arose and worshiped before the Lord and then went back to their home at Ramah. Elkanah made love to his wife Hannah, and the Lord remembered her. ²⁰ So in the course of time Hannah became pregnant and gave birth to a son. She named him Samuel, saying, “Because I asked the Lord for him.”

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 ²⁷ I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. ²⁸ So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

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“LORD, if you would just grant me this [insert wish] I will never do this again!” were my empty words on many occasions. This usually meant I was pulled over for speeding or doing something else I shouldn’t have been doing. GOD has actually granted my “wish” at that time and not so soon afterwards, I found myself doing “that” thing again.

• When I want my way I call out to GOD with an empty prayer.
• When I want to get out of facing the consequences I call out to GOD with an empty prayer.
• When I want my sin to be overlooked instead of forgiven I call out to GOD with an empty prayer.

I have made empty promises to GOD and HE doesn’t take them lightly. HE looks at a vow as a word chipped in stone. If I break my word then HE has consequences for me.

• GOD made promises to me regarding salvation so HE takes promises seriously.
• GOD made promises to me regarding protection so HE takes promises seriously.
• GOD made promises to me regarding life so HE takes promises seriously.

If I act wishy washy in regards to my promises to HIM why should I expect HIM to believe my prayer isn’t just a selfish cry for more stuff or more power. GOD would rather I not promise than to state a promise I never intended to keep. GOD hates manipulation but loves when I keep a promise to HIM.

• Are you trying to manipulate GOD or someone else?
• Do you think GOD will listen to you if you have no intention of keeping your promise?
• Won’t you try adjusting your prayer to include a vow to GOD you will keep?
• Won’t you keep your promise once GOD has blessed you with your desire?

Amazing things can happen

Ruth 4: ¹¹ Then the elders and all the people at the gate said, “We are witnesses. May the Lord make the woman who is coming into your home like Rachel and Leah, who together built up the family of Israel. May you have standing in Ephrathah and be famous in Bethlehem. ¹² Through the offspring the Lord gives you by this young woman, may your family be like that of Perez, whom Tamar bore to Judah.”

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²¹ Salmon the father of Boaz,

Boaz the father of Obed,

²² Obed the father of Jesse,

and Jesse the father of David.

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Ruth was a foreigner who decided to serve a widow instead of remarrying. What’s amazing to me is she stuck to her convictions and didn’t seem like she was secretly looking for something or trying to ‘pretend’ so she could manipulate GOD.

She wasn’t seeking a title or praise by other people BUT GOD had something different planned for her.

• GOD amazingly brought Ruth through very harsh times.
• GOD saw fit to heal a very broken situation by rescuing an older and younger widow.
• GOD delivered the right person at the right time when things seemed the most desperate and he became the redeemer.

What’s so amazing about this piece of history is JESUS was a descendant of this family when HE decided to become a human. I tried to think of an amazing story that could match what was going on here and could not think of one.  The story speaks for itself.

• GOD doesn’t need to part oceans in order to be known.
• GOD can use ordinary desires to produce something special.
• GOD can bless me without fanfare, pomp and circumstances.

Sometimes just living life is enough for GOD to do some amazing things.

• Do you think GOD is not concerned about you?
• Does life seem monotonous?
• Do you realize GOD may be doing some amazing things in your life that you are blinded to?
• Won’t you open your eyes to how amazing GOD is on a daily basis?