God Has Plans
In Genesis 1 we saw how God created the earth and how we have to realize that we are not accidents and that we have a purpose here on this earth. God finished making the earth and then rested on the 7th day (Genesis 2:1-3). First off, which day is your day of rest? If you are not fully rested how can you be re-energized to not only do the job(s) that lay before you, but also do the work God has before you? People will make excuses and say "Just gimme coffee and I can get it done" but is that what God wants from you? I know American culture is "go go go" and "achieve more and make more money", but God established a predominant culture many, many moons ago that also involved rest. Let's be honest, even cars, cell phones, lap tops, light bulbs are not meant to run at all times...and neither are we.
God created man and placed hm specifically, not just anywhere, but in a place for him to do the job God bestowed upon him (Genesis 2:15). God also saw that the man did not need to be alone. Many take this section of scripture to mean God's view of marriage in terms of we should all be married, but in context, Adam was the first person on the planet and therefore was completely alone. Today, if you are not married, do not force yourself to be married due to the belief of this verse because celibacy/singleness is also a gift (Matthew 19:9-12) and God does not contradict Himself.
God know what He wants from you, now you must be receptive to what it is He wants and then you must be obedient to do what it is He has called you to do.
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Worship God
In having read through the entire New Testament there are chapters and verses I have had to read multiple times to understand parts to help me further understand the whole. I had to read through Revelation 22 a couple times and then a section of the chapter jumped out at me. Revelation 22:8-9 is significant as it clarifies the worship of the source and not the messenger. John, the writer and seer of the visions summarizes his experiences with the angel who showed him these things and he began to worship the angel. To me, this is a natural response to someone has helped you and revealed things to you that you now hold dear. For instance, you may praise the teacher aide for helping you understand math when you both have had the same teacher. Or you praise Jesus or angels and scoff at God. John, was not scoffing at God, but he did worship the angel and bow at its feet. The angel corrected John and told him that the angel is a fellow servant with (not above) John and the fellow prophets. We can do the same and focus on the messenger and not the message or even the source of the message. We need to remain focused on praising and worshiping God and not idolizing the messenger.
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Alpha and the Omega
I have heard of the verse I will reference, but did not know the context before. It is important to know the context when giving. In Revelation 21:6, the vision starts and says it is done. These are the same words Jesus spoke on the cross (John 19:30). Then he says he is the Alpha and the Omega. These are not just some really cool words that sound cool. Alpha is the first letter in the Greek Alphabet and Omega is the last letter in the same alphabet. Jesus is the beginning and the end. All things are summed up in him. There no need for anymore or any less. And then he says that he will give a free drink to those who have thirst. That drink will come from the "spring of the water of life." This is obviously not physical thirst but a spiritual one. If there is a spiritual thirst, Jesus can help quench it.
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The Woman and the Dragon
Revelation 12:1-6 reminds me of a conversation I had with a friend of min last year. He said he didn't read the Bible because there were people eating dragons or dragons eating people. He didn't have a reference as to what chapter or book, but just that people said that it was in the Bible and so he didn't believe it. He was missing the context and he was missing the symbolism. the woman represents Israel, the dragon is Satan and the man-child is Jesus. Jesus, after being born, was going to be eaten (tempted) by Satan, but instead Jesus went to God's throne in Heaven (did what was honorable to God). After Israel (through history) gave "birth" to Jesus he did what God wanted and fulfilled what he was to do rather than what was tempting and earthly.
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The Fifth and Sixth Trumpets
The fifth trumpet (Revelation 9:1-11) released locust type creatures from a black smoke. The locusts were to harm only people who did not have the seal of God upon their forehead. This does not mean an actual locusts or an actual stamp or seal, but could also mean the will of God at the forefront of their mind (my opinion) and the way to avoid these locusts (demons) is to be truly follow after what God wants from you, His will and your obedience to it. Dave Guzik writes, "These are obviously not natural locusts. They avoid plants and attack men like
scorpions attack. They are "A visual representation of the hordes of
demons loosed upon the earth." (Walvoord). Furthermore, regarding the seal, Guzik says "Those who
have the seal of God on their foreheads (the 144,000 and perhaps more) are protected, but none
other are. This is an inescapable judgment of God." The sixth trumpet released four angels (possibly different angels from chapter 8) which killed a third of mankind with mounted troops numbering over 200 million. Guzik says it may not be exactly 200 million, but that number could have been used to signify the insane amount of mounted of troops like there were too many to count. They had fire, smoke and brimstone coming out of their mouths and that is how 1/3 of human kind was killed. Chapter 9 closes out by stating that the rest of mankind that did not die from the plagues did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold" and other materials that cannot "see, hear or walk" like Jesus could. Nor did they "repent of their murders or their sorceries or their sexual immorality or their thefts."
And in case anyone tells you we are "near" the end of times and the end of the world, they are probably wrong based on the fact that numerous others have "predicted" the same thing- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_dates_predicted_for_apocalyptic_events
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The Scroll and the Lamb
Through reading an interpretation of the scroll and the lamb (Revelation 5:1-10) serve as God's will (the scroll) and Jesus (the lamb). The scroll is written on the front and back, which was not typical, could also represent the old and new testaments of the Bible. The scroll being handed to the lamb could signify that Jesus is the only one who has it within him (and his death) to unlock what is God's will. Therefore, if you really want to know what God wants from you, go to Jesus. Read about him and understand how he lived and why he lived and then you will know, what God wants from you.
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Verify the Teaching
2 John 1:9 tells us that anyone who is teaching the word needs to abide in the Father and the Son. Anything less or more is incorrect. Don't let these teachers in your house. Furthermore, why would you want to let them in your house? If they teach that Jesus isn't the son yet you know differently, why would you allow falsehood into your life? Anything more than the Father and the son is like saying Jesus isn't good enough. Look, we do include the Holy Spirit but not as an extra, but as an inclusive part of the Father and Son. The Spirit comes from God, not some extra reach from another culture. You are responsible fore the teaching you allow in your life and do not check. If your math teacher tells you that 20 + 20 is now 60, would you not disagree, argue or consider them a fool? Do the same thing with Scriptural teachings.
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Continuity of Sin
What have you allowed in your life? What exists in your life that is okay based on what culture thinks? Is it okay with God? Is it God honoring? Look we all mess up and fall short and fail and sin. It's what happens because we are fallible and we are human. In 1 John 5:18 we have to understand (just like in previous books and verses) that once you are born of God (born again, seeking His will consistently) then that sin life that was apart of you can be no more. Let God in to that part of you that you are not willing to give up yet. When you have something big coming up, do you work and get anxious and doubt yourself? That is not of God and that is how Satan uses you and your circumstances to pull you away from God. Seek God's will in your life. Consult the Scriptures and let the Holy Spirit guide you.
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Fellowship and Confession
1 John 1:6 and 1 John 1:9 show us what it is to be honest about our fellowship with God. We can say we unite with God and walk with Him, but yet we live in darkness. Well, what does that mean? Living in darkness would be along the lines of 1) understanding what it means to be in unity with God and 2) actually doing it. If I meet someone and I say to them I am a manager of a job I have, knowing that manager is not in my job title or description, yet I give off the impression to others possibly to impress them that I am something that I am now, then I am lying. I might have similar responsibilities to a manager, but I am not the manager. So, when I say I walk with God and seek to be in unison with His will, someone would be able to see it by my actions and my words and compare them up against God's will. In addition, verse 9 isn't as deep with a diagnosis, yet it is just as important. Confession of sins is important as it shows us that our way of handling things, saying things, thinking and behaving isn't always in unison with God's will. Being in God's will is the focus. When we act outside of His will, we express selfishness and we sin. When we confess that we have sinned, we are admitting to God, "hey, I didn't get it right. I messed up, but I wanna be back in your good graces." When you can humble yourself and tell God that you want to try it again and get back on the right track, that shows God that we are willing to be humble and seek His ways over our own.
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Unstable Twist vs. Stability
When reading through 2 Peter 3, I saw verses 16-17 and shook my head and gave an affirmative "mmmhmm" which signified my solidarity with what was written. Here was have Peter (yes that Peter) writing about the letters that Paul had written. Peter says that some things Paul wrote/writes are hard to understand and those that do not understand them and those that are unstable (not solid in their faith) will use them and twist the meanings to mean what they want them to say. He continues on and warns them to not get carried away (figuratively) with the lawlessness of the ignorant and unstable who twist the words of Paul as they have done with other scriptures. When I communicate with other be they believers or not, I see the same issue. People will use scripture to fuel their own sin and validate its existence in their life. We need to be careful not to fall prey as those people do and not let them whisk us away with them into those lifestyles and areas of thinking.
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Take the Steps
When you follow Christ, 2 Peter 1:5-8 shows you how to reflect that decision. If you have faith in Jesus yet have no virtue (high moral standards), isn't that a contradiction? What about the steps of knowledge, self control and steadfastness (fixed focus)? Didn't Jesus have knowledge of the Scriptures? Didn't he exhibit self control and have a fixed focus on doing God's will? Round everything out with godliness, brotherly affection and love and you are in the realm of what it is to be Christlike among those who also striving to do so and those who are on the outside watching. Your journey is your journey and not for comparison, but for you to honor God.
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Shepherds of the Flock
1 Peter 5:2-4 tells the reader to remember that leading a flock should be done with God given oversight (direction) and not human compulsion. Also it tells the reader to not dominate the flock but to be an example to them in said leadership. No one wants a leader who is telling you what to do and not being a good example of that. If my leader says that we should serve and read the word, and they don't serve or read the word, then they aren't being a good leader nor are they being a good example to the flock. We need flock leaders to hold themselves accountable and also be held accountable.
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Suffer and Glorify
When someone murders, steals, meddles in others business or generally does evil and gets caught it can be very shameful. No one feels good after getting caught in doing something wrong. They suffer from the shame. But, if someone is to suffer as 1 Peter 4:16 points out for being a Christian, then do not be ashamed. Why would you be ashamed for being a Christian/Christ follower? instead of being ashamed, glorify God's name as the rest of 1 Peter 4:16 says. That is our focus in our life. Yes we slip, stumble and fall, but overall, where are we centered and where and to what are we grounded? Let the Lord be glorified.
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Servants and Masters
With reading 1 Peter 2:18-22, I didn't want to address the servants and masters issue that some Bible detractors will try to bring up to discredit scripture and say how it encourages slavery. When if read properly the reader (detractor will see) that the Bible was not seeking to institute slavery, it was trying to show people how to respond in various situations and circumstances. Even doing this ministry over the last few years, God has told me some things that I was not ready for and didn't want to do, including starting the ministry itself. But in this regard, we have Peter speaking to servants who, of course, would want to fight back for being beaten/whipped for sinning against the master. The first part is the sin of the servant against the master. Compare that to the way we as God's children sin against God and we are punished for it. Are we supposed to fight God, our master? No. The same "rule" applies here as servant hood was not the same during this time or in this example as the slavery we understand from American slavery. This was servanthood to pay off debts. So Peter's words here are about enduring when being punished for wrongdoing against the person you went into an agreement with. Even when you are innocent, Peter's words are to "endure" the punishment as Christ was also innocent and that endurance will be a testimony to you in honor of God through Christ and his endurance.
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Just Ask God
Just ask God for what you need and what you want in life. There is nothing wrong with asking God. The worst He will answer is no. He may say yes...or he may say wait. Either way, you can ask God for your needs and wants. God wants to hear from you. Just like a parent that says call all the time to their children it is a way to stay connected. It is also a way to prioritize what you want to ask God, not that He can't take all of your requests on (God is all powerful), but when you are requesting something from God it may spark some "would God want me to have this" thinking. Sometimes we want things just because we want them. Like "God please get me approved for this loan so I can get this sports car cuz I look so cool in it and I know that will attract women." Or "God please help me get this job so I can get discounts on their clothes." Whatever you take to God, needs or wants, asking Him will allow you to double check your intentions before you ask. This is what we learn in 1 John 5:14. The name of Jesus is strong as Jesus is the son of God, so whether we ask Jesus or the Holy Spirit or God himself for what it is we want or need, let it be in God's will. Check yourself. You may see that your intentions are not God honoring and it may allow you to reset your aims.
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Tame the Tongue
James 3:5 compares the tongue to a ship's rudder or the bit places in a horse's mouth. Those items are used to control a ship and a large land animal. Our tongues also guide us and should be used with caution. Verses 7-8 tell us that every beast can be tamed, but no one can tame the tongue. We use our tongue on a contradictory basis to bless God and curse others made in the likeness of God (James 3:9). These things should not happen as they do not exemplify what it is to be a Christ follower.
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Faith Without Works
James 2:19-20 exposes the view points of those who claim to be Christians/Christ Followers, but they lack evidence to prove their status. Just because you known that Jesus is God in the flesh doesn't make you more of a believer than others nor does it solidify your belief either. Even the demons know that Jesus is Lord (James 2:19). Once you know Jesus is Lord then how does that play into your life? What do you do with that? Sit on it? Tell others? Serve others because you are a good person or because you serve the Lord and serve others? basically,m just because you have faith, if you do nothing with it, then what is the point (James 2:20).
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Do What It Says
James 1:22 jumps out to me as it reminds me of how may people see Scripture. They can read it and even understand it, but do not follow through with it. In verses 23-24 it says that anyone who is not a doer of the Word after having heard it is like someone who forgets what they look like as soon as they look away from a mirror. So, why hear and understand the Word of God and and then not do what it says? Do you disagree? Did you forget? You have heard it and you understand it. There are resources to seek further understanding. There are no excuses.
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How Tough Is It Right Now?
Have you heard the saying, when the going gets tough, the tough get going? There was even a song about it by Billy Ocean in 1986. But, from scripture, we can know and understand that when things get difficult for us it can be seen as discipline. Having money troubles? Maybe God wants you to cut back on your spending. Maybe God wants you to trust Him through hardships. Maybe you shouldn't have taken that job as it didn't pay enough and you made a bad decision. What ever happens is not always "God punishing me." Your earthly father disciplines you and you respect him, but God does it and you curse Him. Why?? In Hebrews 12:7 we read "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline?" God is disciplining us. It isn't going to be easy. We can make decisions that back fire on us because we weren't doing what God wanted from us to begin with. See the discipline not as punishment but as a guiding for a new direction.
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