Is it a contradiction that JESUS told us to "...be wise as serpents, and harmless as doves" (Matthew 10-:16)? Could it be that when we know or have experienced evil, the SPIRIT GIVES US POWER OVER EVIL? Does the SPIRIT reconcile these contradictions into the POWER TO BE GENTLE AND HARMLESS? This POWER lets us go out of the way of Fear, but not out of the way of Obedience. THIS POWER ATTRACTS OTHERS, IT IS NO LONGER A CONTRADICTION.
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'It's not my fault, I had no other choice, you were late so I had to do something". Why can't we take responsibility for our actions without conjuring up an excuse or blaming others? 1 Samuel 13:13, "...You have done foolishly. You have not kept the commandment of the LORD..." Saul had threatening conditions from the Philistines, his own peoples' opinions of what he should do and Samuel arriving late. Wasn't he right to do what he did? When "REASON PREVAILS" so that our thoughts and actions disobey GOD in order to do what we want or what we fear, THEY ARE NO MORE THAN EXCUSES TO DISOBEY.
There was a time when we "looked so forward" to going to Church. We would pleasantly greet and encourage one another; we would sing and praise as we listened to the message. We would still be talking about the message while children got grass stains on their "Sunday-go-to-meetin" best clothes. There was no Sunday football, no concerts or Sunday shopping. Families making "home made ice cream" was an "event" not just a treat. Hebrews 10:24-25, "...let us stir one another to Love and Good Works, NOT NEGLECTING TO MEET TOGETHER..." As we reflect on these times, we are told, " Times change and we must too". To that we must conclude that, "ALL CHANGE IS NOT NECESSARILY GOOD, NOR MOVING FORWARD". HAVE WE SACRIFICED OUR SOULS TO THE PRICE WE PAID, TO BECOME WHAT WE WANTED?
When we lose everything, stripped to nothing, we can choose to LIVE THE ABUNDANT LIFE. No house (and no mortgage payment); No car (and no insurance, gas and car payment); We have no Prestige, Wealth, Relationships or Authority on earth. Only here do we begin to live "Transparently" free from the penalties of our "WORLDLY CURSES" that separate us from GOD. Prayers become conversations with GOD; and these CONVERSATIONS are without Fear, Guilt, and Selfishness. John 1:16, "And from HIS fullness we have all received, Grace upon Grace". Do we remember a time when we "Obeyed" GOD'S Commandments, and had A CLEAR CONSCIENCE? This was a time when we STEPPED THROUGH THE "WALL OF FEAR" and discovered THE ABUNDANT LIFE.
What if our children only did something for us because they "knew" or "expected" some GREAT REWARD? They would do "some things" when they took the time, but soon they feel the REWARD needs to be greater or "IT'S JUST NOT WORTH THE EFFORT". Do WE WORK FOR JESUS because we are expecting A GREATER REWARD? Hebrews 5:6, "...without Faith it is impossible to please HIM, for those who draw near to GOD can not do it without BELIEVING IN HIM, HE REWARDS those who SEEK HIM". Could WORK be SEEKING the fulfillment of HIS HOLINESS and the REVERENCE in HIS PRESENCE? Could WORK be the MIRACLES OF LOVE? DO WE "WORK" FOR HIS REWARD; OR IS THE REWARD IN OUR DESIRE FOR HIM? AND, IS "WORK", ACTUALLY, A LABOR OF LOVE? Do our efforts to satisfy our desire for TRUE HAPPINESS leave us empty and void? Have we tried all the world has to offer in an attempt to know the COMPLETE GOOD and our PURPOSE IN LIFE? After all else has failed, have we learned that our PURPOSE IN LIFE is the pursuit of GOD'S WILL FOR OUR LIVES because HE is the COMPLETE GOOD, THE SUM OF ALL GOOD, THE COMPLETION OF OUR DEEPEST DESIRES? Matthew 5:12, "Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great...." The Completion of our Deepest Desire for TRUE HAPPINESS is the Pursuit of GOD'S WILL; THE TRUE SOURCE OF ABUNDANT BLESSINGS.
When we have to "think" of words to be kind and encouraging; "we're NOT". When we have to consciously "Love" and be "Courteous"; "we DON'T". When we ask the HOLY SPIRIT to show us; "we begin to speak graciously, and the words have a lasting impression on those hearing, and we answer in such a way that others hear GOD'S VOICE" (Colossians 4:6). Did we experience GOD'S Love by someone constantly telling us what we are doing wrong? Or, even when we deserved condemnation for our actions; did someone show us GOD'S LOVE? Did their "graciousness" cause us to see ourselves and others as GOD sees us? Was the HOLY SPIRIT so dominate in our lives that we no longer had to "think" of words that were kind and encouraging? WAS IT A TIME WHEN LOVE WAS NOT SOMETHING WE DID; BUT WAS SOMETHING WE WERE?
We must be GODLY CAUTIOUS that we don't "fall into" the sin that we recognize in another. When we try to "minister" to someone and there is no response (at least not the response we think we should see) we try to minister (Preach, Proclaim) even more. Since it was GOD WHO ordered this relationship in which we are to stand together; any contempt or disregard is not directed to us, but toward GOD. 1 Thessalonians 4:8, "Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but GOD...." MAYBE WE NEEDED TO HEAR THIS TODAY.
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About the Author and writerThe writer for our daily devotionals wishes to remain anonymous in regard to his work, giving instead Glory to the Author. Archives
December 2015
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