Monthly Archives: June 2015

I Love $$

26 Friday Jun 2015

Posted by in Choice, Love, Money

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Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus.

How did Judas go from follower to betrayer?

  • Judas followed Jesus.
  • Judas was the keeper of the $$ box.
  • Judas pilfered money from the $$ box.
  • Judas erupted when Mary wasted costly perfume.
  • Judas lied about what he loved, pretending to love the poor while loving $$.
  • Judas designed his plan of betrayal for $$.
  • Judas became a traitor.

Judas loved $$.  It started small. He pilfered.  It grew stronger and he began to see all of life through the lens of $$.

It all came to a head on the night of the Passover meal before the crucifixion. Jesus confronted the traitor.  With a gesture of special friendship, Jesus offered Judas the dipped morsel. With this act, Jesus was giving Judas a choice.  Choose me or choose $$.  Judas chose $$.

So after receiving the morsel, Judas went out immediately; and it was night.  John 13:30

Judas went to Jesus and kissed Him.  Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you have come to do.”  Matthew 27:49-50

But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.  I Timothy 6:9-10

Sadly, Judas is a prime example of one who wants to get rich.  His love of $$ led to all sorts of evil, made him susceptible to Satan’s temptation, and caused him to wander away from the faith and pierce himself with much grief. His love of $$ was his ruin.  He committed suicide, falling headlong into the field purchased with blood $$.

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What do you love?

TODAY, are you content with what you have?

Guard your heart!

Luke 6:12-16, John 12 1-8, John 13:21-30, Matthew 27:3-10

Envy is Killing Me!

25 Thursday Jun 2015

Posted by in Envy, Faith

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For Pilate knew that because of envy the chief priests and elders had handed Jesus over. Matthew 27:18

  • Envious people plot to destroy others – Matthew 27:1
  • Envious people twist and bend the truth – Matthew 26:61-66
  • Envious people are accusatory – Matthew 27:11-14
  • Envious people make bad choices – Matthew 27:21
  • Envious people do not listen to the voice of reason – Matthew 27:23

For where Jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. James 3:16

Envy is evil.  Envy wants what someone else has.  Envy is earthly, natural, demonic. James 3:13-15

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With a burning desire to speak to women about the things God has laid on my heart, I often find myself battling envy.  I see others doing what I want to do -speaking to women and having impact for God – and if I’m not alert, envy quickly fills my heart, followed by discouragement and doubt.  Envy is destructive.

Envy must be dealt with quickly.  James 4 and I Peter 2 tell us how to deal with envy. Envy must be put aside quickly.  Have nothing to do with it!  Get rid of it!

  1. Admit that you are envious.
  2. Agree with God that envy is evil.
  3. Humble yourself before your God.
  4. Surrender your selfish-ambition.
  5. Thank God for His plan for you.
  6. Thank God for His plan for others.
  7. Ask God for His help in this area.

God gives grace to the humble.  James 4:6

Envy erupts so easily within us. We can even envy things that are wonderful in and of themselves. Our eyes look at others and we want what they have and we want it now! This is another reason we must keep our eyes on Jesus.  He will give us what He wants us to have and He will give it to us when He wants us to have it.  Can we trust that He knows best?

The Father Has a Plan!

23 Tuesday Jun 2015

Posted by in Encouragement, Grief, Hope

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Although Christ was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. Hebrew 5:8

Christ Jesus humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.  Philippians 2:8

Then Jesus said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; Matthew 26:38a

Jesus fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”  Matthew 26:39

Jesus, the perfect holy Son of God, experienced grief beyond description as He approached the time of the crucifixion.  Yet He continued to submit Himself to His Father’s will and plan – His death on the cross. He kept His eyes on His Father at all times.

Life comes at us in mind-numbing, heart-breaking, shocking waves.

  • an absent parent
  • a friend’s betrayal
  • a run-away teenager
  • near fatal accidents
  • painful diseases
  • broken dreams
  • death of a loved one

Unlike Christ, we do not always know what is about to happen.  We do not know all the ups and downs that will be part of the Father’s plan for us.  And that is a blessing.

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What we do know is that if God has brought us to a heart-breaking situation, He will be with us through it all. He will use it for our good. He will mold us and shape us to be more like Him.

Let’s keep our eyes on Him when we don’t understand the what, the when, the where, the how, or the why.  We know the Who.  It is Our Heavenly Father.  And He is working His plan for us and in us at all times.

The Best Thing I Can Say About Myself

22 Monday Jun 2015

Posted by in Change, Encouragement, Faith, Fear

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The best thing I can say about myself is, “I’m learning to trust God today.”

Every day is a faith walk!  This is how God intends it to be.

If you’re like me, you may find yourself longing for just one day without concerns, difficulties and struggles.  This day will come but not until we see Jesus face to face.

Difficulties encourage us to fix our eyes on Jesus instead of trying to do life without Him.  It is for this very personal relationship that Jesus died.

What do we know about faith?

  • Our relationship with God begins with faith – faith in Christ alone.
  • Our relationship with God continues and grows by faith – faith in Christ alone.
  • Faith pleases God.
  • Faith is a fight – a good fight.

Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith.  He walked by faith when He endured the cross for us, giving us an example of faith in action.  He kept His eyes on His Heavenly Father. Hebrews 12:2

Are you facing a difficult situation today? Is someone you love in trouble? Are you in the midst of change?  Are you feeling anxious?  Are you afraid?

Fix your eyes on Jesus! He is willing and eager to help you. Put your faith in Him – not in your own strength, not in your circumstances, not in your bank accounts, not in other people – but in Him alone. Fight the good fight of faith!

I am fighting the good fight of faith.

  • I have walked away from my career as a CPA to follow God’s call on my life.
  • I am trusting God to guide me.
  • I am trusting God to provide opportunities of service.
  • I am trusting God with my future.
  • I am fixing my eyes on Him.

file000551198693 (1)Faith is assurance of the unseen! Hebrews 11:1