Friday, December 7, 2012

Stacked Like a Deck of Cards

Habakkuk 2:10

10You have plotted the ruin of man peoples, shaming your own house and forfeiting your life.

Judah suffered at the hands of Babylon. Though it was prophesied over and over by prophets of the Lord that Judah would be destroyed for its disobedience for a time, the destroyers themselves would be destroyed.  Babylon had no idea that it's conceited ways were being stacked against it like a deck of cards. The more cards stacked by destroying people and cities to add to it's supposed power, the more the Lord planned to deal and hand down punishment. Babylon is bondage whether then or now. Babylon doesn't have to be a physical place of bondage but can represent an emotional or spiritual bondage as well as people who incur bondage on others. Either way, any Babylon will be destroyed by the Lord's hands. Those who plot to put others in bondage have to answer to the Lord if they are touching one who belongs to the Lord. Our Lord is all knowing and all seeing. He knows what everyone thinks before they think it or even what they are going to say before they say it. The Lord is not a man that will tell a lie. When He says something will be destroyed believe it. When He says stop harming and using others, He means it. Babylon was proud and you know what the word says, pride goes before the fall.

Thursday, December 6, 2012

Don't Let the Looks Fool You

1Samuel 16:7

7But the Lord said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.

Samuel had been sent by the Lord to search for the next king of Israel. The people of Israel had chosen Saul. Saul refused to obey the Lord and the one whom the Lord sent. So the Lord decided that He would pick the next king. By the Lord picking the next king, he would not fail Israel, lead them astray and he would desire to obey the Lord. The people of Israel chose Saul based on his appearance. To them, he looked like a king. Samuel had to look past his judgements as well. Even if left to his own understanding, he would've chosen one of the other brothers. Samuel was not at the home of Jesse on his own accord. He was sent by the Lord and therefore he had to make the selection based on the Lord's understanding. And indeed our Savior comes from the root of David. David's heart truly desired God and to serve His people. Though based on his height, he would've been ruled out as king, but his heart was big.

We judge books by their covers everyday. But focusing on the looks instead of focusing on what's in the heart can prove to be a train wreck. Don't let the looks fool you.  When you fail to see beyond the surface, you get Saul. How do you get a David rather than a Saul in any situation? It's a simple answer really.  Consult the Lord. The Lord will tell you what to look for through the Holy Spirit. He will show you how the person treats others. He will show you their actions but most importantly, He will show you their heart, the compassion and eagerness to help. He will show you their disposition whether it be sunny or not. Don't let the looks fool you. Everything that looks good isn't good for you. The apple on the tree looked good to Eve but we know it was a disaster and Jesus had to be sent to redeem us. It's one thing to look like a king but it's quite another to have the servant heart of one.

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

What Kind of Price Tag?

Psalm 36:7

7How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.

What kind of price tag can you put on love? Many think that love can be bought with money. It cannot be so. If it's bought and sold for money, it's not love. We are all entitled to true love. The truest love there is, is the love our Heavenly Father has for us. He gave up His Son. Jesus willingly shed His blood. Anyone can seek God no matter what their stature in life. He makes himself available and known to all who sincerely seek Him. He freely gave us Jesus and the Holy Spirit because He desires so much to be one with us. Who else is willing to hear the silent cries of your heart? Who else can give you peace when it seems there is no place to retreat? Who is the doctor in the sick room when you shouldn't have been able to walk?  Who can hide you from your enemies when it seems they are all around you? Again, what kind of price tag can you put on love? When you need a hug, He sends one with loving arms to greet you. When there is danger lurking He gives you the signal to go the other way. Again, what kind of price tag can you put on love?

Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Rejecting the Truth

John 12:37

37Even after Jesus had done all these miraculous signs in their presence, they still would not believe in him.

Have you ever known someone to refuse to believe something even though they've seen it with their own eyes? Have you ever noticed they may even attempt to explain away what they saw? Denial of truth is a very serious phenomenon. We see it all the time. People are staring the truth right in the face but instead of acknowledging it, just don't want to see. How can you refuse a truth like Jesus? Or even a truth Jesus places in front of you? Jesus said it was because their eyes were blinded. Per the NIV Study Bible, God had blinded their eyes because their hearts were hardened. A hardened heart is one that is not easily penetrated, unfeeling, closed, harsh, severe or resentful according to Merriam-Webster's Dictionary. So what truth has Jesus given to you? Have you accepted it? Or have you like the Jews continued in your unbelief? What more does Jesus have to show you before you are willing to accept what He's showing you? How many more confirmations do you need to see? How many miracles does Jesus have to perform before you understand that He is real and we worship a living God? How many more times does He have to pull you out of a mess to understand He has the true direction for your life? When you get it, you'll really get it. Jesus was rejected on that cross for us. How many more times are you going to reject the sacrifice He made? How many more times are you going to reject His love? How many more times are you going to reject His protection and direction for your life? How many more times are you going to reject the truth?