NOVEMBER 20 – FRAUD PREVENTION

 Therefore (since we please God, and we find His peace and joy through obeying Him – v.17), let us seek peace and what helps one another. Don’t get in the way of what God is doing for personal gain. There are many things you can choose to do, but you choose what helps rather than hurts another person. (Romans 14:19-20)

                   It is one thing to accept that some pain may come your way, but to choose to deny yourself an indulgence – even when there’s nothing immoral or unethical about doing it – that is another issue altogether. Have you ever consciously chosen not to do something you really wanted to do, just because it may hurt someone else?

                   It seems that Paul is encouraging initiative here. “Do what the Lord tells you to do, and then look around for ways you can encourage others (and refrain from derailing them). Paul knows that you can’t make decisions for other people, but he is saying, “Even when you extend trust enough to love and care for other people, don’t trust them with things that may harm them.” You can often keep people from fooling themselves. That is the fraud that will hurt them the most.

                   Care for others like Jesus cares for you. Let their needs inform and motivate your actions.

NOVEMBER 19 – YOU WILL GET HURT

 Even though people are terrible, and they will lie about me, I’m going to obey what you tell me to do with all my heart. Even though others won’t understand, I will embrace this pain, and all that goes with it, if I can learn to live life your way. (Psalm 119:69-71)

                  Do you love God enough to obey Him when it hurts? Can you overcome your fear of pain or loss with your trust in Jesus and His promises? The difficulties are inevitable when your work requires extending trust to people. Are you willing to embrace this difficulty as a necessary part of the job?

                   Scholars have said that the basic principles of God; His values, are repeated often throughout Scripture. If this is true, there is suffering for each person who would live life on God’s terms. Jesus explained that suffering has long been a part of obeying God, and that such suffering is part of following Him (Matthew 5:11-12). Paul, Peter, and others explain that your willingness to accept personal loss is an important part of both showing God’s love to others, and of growing in understanding of His love for you. Just as physical pain can teach lessons to every person, the suffering you experience because you follow Jesus is part of bringing you to spiritual maturity.

                   Understand and trust that God’s love for you will be worth the costs of following His way.

NOVEMBER 18 – BUT TRUST IS GOOD, RIGHT?

 There’s nothing to trust about mere mortals. Men can’t save you. When a man dies, so do his plans. And, he returns to dust. Real help and blessing – that comes from God. The Lord of Jacob who made everything is the trusted judge who helps those who suffer. (Psalm 146:3-7)

                  Here again, you are advised by Scripture not to expect men and women to be trustworthy. How often have you wondered, “can I trust this person who needs my help?” Maybe you’re worried that, “they will just waste this opportunity. Why should I invest in them (again)?” If so, you are in luck. This passage gives both correct answers to your questions.

                  Absolutely, no! Men and women aren’t even capable of insuring that they will do what they say. They are not trustworthy. And, absolutely, yes! The Lord, God – who created them – loves them (and you). He provides real help and blessing. He can be trusted. Jesus came to find and rescue hopeless, helpless people who were otherwise headed for self-destruction (Luke 19:10). Paul recognized that this purpose becomes your purpose as you follow Christ. He said, “this love of Jesus compels us. (2 Corinthians 5:14)”

It compels you to extend trust to those who don’t deserve it – people just like you.

                   Place your trust in God alone. But, extend His love - in that trust – to other people each day as He leads you.

NOVEMBER 17 – MIXED SIGNALS

Do not look for support from a friend, nor place your trust in a companion. Careful even with one who sleeps in your arms. Even the son dishonors his father, and a daughter opposes her mother. (Micah 7:5-6)

                   Have you ever been betrayed? Have you been victimized by fraud? Have people you held in esteem ever shaped “facts” to influence or persuade you to agree with or to benefit themselves? If you have graduated from kindergarten, your answer is probably yes.

                   Micah concludes his prophetic word from the Lord with a few observations. His verdict on Israel was not flattering. He concluded that none of those people were trustworthy. So, you shouldn’t be surprised that you find those around you to be the same. People will let you down. There are frauds all around. In this world, you will even see that you can’t trust yourself! Fortunately, Micah’s conclusion brings hope for people as well. God can be trusted, and He is compassionate to His people.

                   Recognize that God alone is trustworthy. All others will ultimately fail to be a faithful friend to you at times. God should be at the top of your list of valued relationships. God alone is the person who will always bring value to your life.

NOVEMBER 16 – SIGNS: INVITE NOT FORCE

 For this reason (because Jesus has given us the work of bringing others to Him), we are His representatives. It’s like God Himself is inviting people through us as His way to communicate with them. So, we invite you, even beg earnestly and humbly that you, on Christ’s behalf. Please, please choose God. Let Him transform you! (2 Corinthians 5:20)

                  Do you ever rush about, trying to do the things that will accomplish God’s work of saving people? Do you think and plan and try to figure out what is the best way to reach them in a way they will respond? If so, where is your attention? Is it on your creativity and wits, or do you look for the things other people are doing? Or, are you paying attention to God, looking for Him to give you the plan, and waiting for Him to show you the person you are to invite?

                  Listen to Paul as he explains to the people at Corinth. He says it so well. “God is inviting people through us.” This much is clear, God is choosing the time, place, person, and the means of contact and invitation. It is as if Paul is saying, “all we have to do is deliver the invitation to you.” He does this as well as he can, with passion and love, but he does only what God leads him to do. He knows anything else would be to try and force God’s hand.

                  Trust that God loves you enough to include you. Believe that he will give you meaningful work. Wait expectantly for Jesus to show you whom to invite

NOVEMBER 15–SIGNS:UNDERSTAND NOT QUOTE

 “This is my promise to my people after those days” (when Jesus conquers sin by His atoning sacrifice allowing God’s people to relate to Him as He has always intended) says the Lord and Master God, “I am going to place within them – at their core and etched into their minds – My truth and what I want from them.” (Hebrews 10:16)

                  There is another choice to be made if you will be this sign for your people. Will you learn about God, memorize and quote His words and decide which of His written laws you will follow? Or, will you pay attention to Him, listen to the Holy Spirit as you read His word and live in His world, and seek to recognize Him and His works in the people around you?

                  The writer of Hebrews is quoting Jeremiah here, as he argues that a person can never know so much about God and what God wants, that He can determine what is important each moment. Without the Holy Spirit, active in your life, it is impossible to behave in a way that will please the Lord. Instead, Jeremiah argues that Jesus has created a new way (vv. 20-25) that requires only that you be attentive to the Lord in community with your people, so that you may encourage and help each other. God now takes the responsibility for your prosperity if you will lead your people to Him.

                   Point your people not to what you tell them about what God says, but to the Lord, God Himself.

NOVEMBER 14 – SIGNS: LIFE NOT DEATH

 All the world is witness today. I’m giving you a choice – right out in the open – life or death; prosperity or ruin. Choose life – live – love your Lord, God and do what He says. Hang on to Him because He is your very life! (Deuteronomy 30:19-20)

                   Do you concentrate on the after-life or the now life? Do you dwell on controlling the impulses to sin and doing the things that the someone else says that you’re supposed to do, or do you focus on Jesus and what He is doing right now? Is what He wants you to do most important to you? There is great value in Scripture, a church family is helpful, even critical to provide accountability and encouragement. You should oppose sin and your flesh, and the life to come will be ecstasy. All of this is true. But, God’s call is to relationship – and life in Him – today!!!

                   Moses is calling on his people to pursue prosperity rather than destruction and death (Deuteronomy 30:15). He poses a clear choice. He argues very forcefully. The way you and your people will find prosperity is the same way. Prosperity – from the time of creation up through today – is found in “loving the Lord your God, walking in obedience to Him, and keeping His commands to you.”

                   See life – live God’s prosperity by answering Him always, “yes, Lord.” Just, “yes!” Choose life!