Revelation 1:3 Blessed is the one who reads the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear it and take to heart what is written in it, because the time is near. - NIV
Basically a continuation of last night. Rereading Revelation. What stood out tonight was how often OVERCOME is used. To each of the Churches John writes, to him or he who OVERCOMES and there will be some kind of reward....
not be hurt by the second death 2:11,
I will give some of the hidden manna 2:17,
authority over the nations 2:26,
will acknowledge his name before my Father and his angels 3:5,
I will make a pillar in the temple of my God 3:11,
I will give the right to sit with me on the throne 3:21
To overcome, to me means that it isn't going to be easy. I must be diligent and disciplined. I am going to read the Bible every day and pray. I do want to enjoy the journey, and be happy. But I realize that there will be challenges and ever changing challenges. To me we always have a choice in how we react to the challenges. I don't want to let the challenge get me down, but recognize it as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Not Drinking, Smoking Weed or Gambling is a challenge. To be honest, sometimes I do think it would be more fun to go out and Drink, get High and Gamble. These are fun activities for me. I always enjoyed them. In and of themselves I can rationalize that I'm not going to hurt anyone by doing this if I'm responsible enough not to drive, get in a fight or borrow and loose someone Else's money. But they did take away time from my family, my wife, my kids. I became obsessed with gambling and it took focus off my business. There were consequences and I have to wake up and recognize that. Yes I could get high, watch a movie and be alone without hurting anyone. Then I wouldn't be reading the Bible and writing this down. I have to overcome my desire to relax and play. I have to overcome my desire to meet this lady for drinks, get drunk and get naked.
Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door I will come in and ear with him , and he with me. 3:19
Before I can overcome I have to start my relationship with God which is easy. I just have to ask. I just have to let him into my life. I am trying. Last night I prayed and I asked God to help me with my financial life. Something I am/was/felt in control of. I am trying to let go and trust that God will take care of me financially. I know I have to work at it, but I also know that if I do the right thing by putting relationships in first before my business that everything will be all right. That is difficult for me. I like to work. I like to make money. But I do Wake Up and realize that every time I've had money I've been stupid, made bad choices and blown it. I have had months when I was in real estate and finance that I made $30,000 in a single month. That's more than a lot of people make in a year. I made bad choices and I blew it.
Now I am literally praying that God will help me with my more modest business make money, survive and make better choices with how I manage my money and trust in him. Last night I said I was going to write a check today that I wasn't really ready to do and I did it because I am trusting in God that if I do the right thing, it will be all right. I am Waking Up to the fact that I was selfish before and I need to do the right thing. I even started filling out the paperwork for my quarterly tax payment for my daughter's employment with me last month that I'm really not ready for because it was a set back, but I still owe some taxes on it. So I'm getting ready to pay it. I will trust God to help me make the money to cover it.
Repent. I did do something for this today too. Just a small thing but trying. I wrote a letter to my first ex-wife telling he I know what I did that was hurtful to her and that I'm sorry. Seriously, just a short note. But an effort because I was a jerk to her when we were young. Now our daughter is 20 and our granddaughter is 2. I know she did what she thought was best for our daughter so I told her so. No more being a jerk to her. Only took 18 years.
Wake Up! Repent and Overcome. Simple words rich with meaning. Apply them to my life.
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