Think About This #4 - Matthew 26:14-15
Think about this...
For 30 pieces of silver, Judas (one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ) gave up those that he proclaimed to love, and that which he professed to believe.
After over 3 years of following Jesus every day, Judas was beginning to learn that Jesus was not going to set up His kingdom on the earth at that time. Perhaps Judas was tempted to believe that by betraying Jesus, he (Judas) was going to achieve his own agenda, and that which was really important to him.
But in the end it cost Judas everything. It cost him those that he loved, it cost him his dignity, it cost him his life, and it cost him his soul.
1. What is your cost? What is your price? What would it take for you to give up those that you proclaim to love or that which you claim to believe?
2. What is the devil promised you, to tempt you to give up what you profess to hold dear?
Whatever the price or promise is, rest assured the Devil is a cunning liar and cannot be believed.
Also ask yourself this...
3. What is it going to cost you to surrender to that temptation?
The answer just might be everything. Just as it was for Judas.
Think About This #3
Read John 11:21-33 and then ask think about this:
1. What is it that you are blaming God for?
In vs. 21, Martha essentially blames Jesus for her brother dying. Verse 1, tells us that Lazerous was sick, and that Martha and Mary had sent word to Jesus to let him know and so that Jesus could come and heal their brother.
Jesus then decides to stay where He is at for two day, before telling the disciples that Lazerous is dead before they pack up and head to the town of Bethany, where they find that Lazerous has been dead for four days. The disciples are shocked by this news (perhaps at the apparent lack of urgency of Jesus to go and heal Lazerous, but Jesus says that it was for their benefit that
(It is important to note that the journey from Bethany to where Jesus was, would take one day to travel and thus the journey from Jesus to Bethany a day of travel as well. Thus when Jesus is told in verse 17 that Lazerous had been dead for four days, we are able to determine that Lazerous died before the messengers ever reached Jesus.)
Upon hearing that Jesus had arrived in town, Martha goes to him and essentially blames him not being there to prevent Lazerous from dying.
Which brings me back to my question: What is it you are blaming God for?
Somtimes in life things don’t go they way we would like, or the way we planned. When this happens, there are times, that a person might blame God for allowing those things to happen. If that has happened in your life, you are not alone. Moses, Elijah, David, Job and many others questioned God at various times in their life. “God, where are you”, why did this happen”, “it’s not fair” , “ why me”, and “when are you going to do something”, are all questions we might ask at various times in our life.
With that in mind I would like to point out two more things to consider from this passage:
1. Jesus did not rebuke Martha for blaming him.
He understood her frustration, pain, and grief. God has big enough shoulders to handle your questions. He understands our feelings of frustration when things don’t go the way we wanted. Don’t be afraid to turn to God in times of hurt and frustration to ask Him, that is part of the reason that He allows things in our life, to draw our attention to Himself.”
Don’t be afraid to turn to God humbly in prayer with your hurts, fears, frustrations, and questions.
2. Jesus had a reason for not being there to prevent Lazerous from dying.
In verse 15 tells us the reason, “to the intent that ye may believe.” Jesus knew that by delaying the use of His healing power and even foreknowledge of Lazerous condition, (He certainly knew of Lazerous impending sickness before the messengers ever showed up to late, because He is all knowing God) that He would have a greater impact upon their faith by raising Lazerous from the dead.
God knew what He was doing with and through the circumstances surrounding Lazerous life and death. He knows what He is doing in your life.
When you turn to God and He does not answer in the way you wanted, remember, He is about to do something even greater. All things work together for good to them that love the Lord and are called according to His purposes.
So when you begin to blame God something in your heart, or out loud to others, don’t be afraid to turn to God and express your concerns yourself, but realize that God never says, “Oops!” God is in control and although you may not yet realize it... He is about to do something greater than you can realize.
Things to Think About #2 - Psalm 98:1
Psalm 98:1 is a wonderful Psalm of praise to God for his mercy and Grace. Psalm 98:1 begins this praise. As your read this Psalm, ask yourself these questions.
1. God is doing marvelous works all around us. He has done them in the past, in the present, and He will in the future. Think about this: What have you noticed God doing around you that is miraculous?
2. Although God is the one who has done great things all around us, we often miss attributing those wonderful things to God. We often chalk them up to happenstance, random, or even take credit for those things ourselves. Are you giving God credit for the wonderful things that He is doing around you and in you?
3. Are the conversations and prayers you have with God the same all the time? Or are you allowing him to change your conversation with Him based on what He is doing in your life?
Things to Think About #1
Read the passage illustrated here found in Matthew 2:1-3:
After reading the passage, think about this: If Jesus were to show up today...
1. Would you be expecting him and looking to find Him?
2. Would you be excited and desiring to worship Him?
3. Would you be surprised by his arrival altogether, never even considering he might arrive today, or at all?
4. Would you be nervous and fearful upon hearing of His arrival?
When Jesus was born some 2000 years ago, there were people that were expecting Him to arrive. There were people who saw the signs that He had arrived and wanted to find exactly where He was. They were wanting to worship the King of Kings! They could not wait to find and meet Him!
When Jesus arrived the first time, there were also many people who were not looking for him at all. They were people that were surprised to hear that He had shown up. These same people were fearful and anxious about what His arrival meant for them. These same people expressed a desire to know where He was, not so they could find Him and worship Him, but rather so they could avoid Him or destroy Him.
Which group would you fall in? Which group would I?
Understand that when Jesus is coming again. However, when He comes again, He is not coming as a precious baby but as Mighty Judge and King! When He comes again it will not be in a manger in Bethlehem, but in the air with a trump and in the blink of an eye. He is not coming to teach you to believe in God and Redeem the lost, He is coming to gather the redeemed believers to himself for eternity.
So which group do you belong to? Are you ready for His coming? Are you looking for Him to arrive at any moment.
He could come today!
Does this sound like us?
While reading my Bible today, this passage jumped off the page to me. I had to ask myself, “is this me? Is this us/my church?”
I invite you to read Psalm 106:19-25 and then ask yourself the following questions:
1. Have I/we replaced God with anything else as the focus of our worship and attention? VS 19
2. Have I/we lowered ourselves to less than we are intended to be? VS 20
3. Have I/we forgotten our Savior? VS 21
4. Have we forgotten the great things, the wonderful things, and the amazing things He has done in our lives? VS 21-22
5. Am I living my life in such a way, and in such a relationship with God that can stand in the breech and turn away the wrath of God?
6. Have I/We been grumbling about the circumstances in which God has led me?
These are sobering questions. Israel was guilty, are we, am I?
The grace of this passage is the two fold. One, it is not to late to change and turn away God’s wrath. God delights in showing His power, His mercy, and His grace in your life and in the life of others.
Let us not forget.
