Where does true godliness come from?

1 Timothy 3: ¹⁶ Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great:

He appeared in the flesh,

    was vindicated by the Spirit,

was seen by angels,

    was preached among the nations,

was believed on in the world,

    was taken up in glory.

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Trust is something that can be easily lost with me. I mean if a person is inconsistent with me then my trust level goes way down.  I know this is my defense but when a person wants to “win” my trust back, they have to “prove” they won’t do that thing again.

I wonder if I treat GOD the same way. Do I trust HIM or am I making HIM “prove” HIMSELF to be as faithful as HE says?

• JESUS appeared as a human.
• JESUS was blameless according to the HOLY SPIRIT.
• JESUS was seen by angels in HIS glory and humanity.
• JESUS miracles and teachings were preached throughout the nations and was believed all over the world.
• JESUS was taken up to heaven where HE is building a place for me.

Many times I want GOD to prove HIMSELF to me because I face situation after situation. I want answers and I want them immediately. Fortunately for me GOD is faithful and HE allows me to test HIM with my faithless lenses. HE says “try ME and you will not be disappointed.”

This act of faith on HIS part increases my faith in HIM. HE took the first step of love toward me and all I have to do is believe and “trust” that HE will take care of me.

• Have you lost your trust?
• Are you suspicious about something or someone?
• Can you increase your trust that GOD has the situation or person handled?
• Will you release whatever is holding you back and “trust” GOD today?

How should I pray?

1 Timothy 2:¹I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— ² for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³ This is good, and pleases God our Savior,

⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

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Puny was over exaggerating my size growing up. I had to gain weight just to be called puny. When the bullies would surface I had my escape plan handy. To this day I still abhor bully-ish behavior. When I see people trying to flex their control I get my boxing gloves out and dig in for a fight. This person needs to be taught a lesson.

• Fighting other people does not draw them to CHRIST.
• When I dig in to “teach someone a lesson” I may be pushing them away from CHRIST.
• Entrenching my position does not yield an atmosphere where GOD can work through me.

GOD wants me to ask HIM to do something “for” the person not “about” the person. This requires that I get to know them and actually want something better “for” them. HE wants me to discuss them and talk about them in a way that HE would say something about them.

When they don’t act like they should HE wants me to step up and speak on their behalf to HIM. Most of all HE wants me to be thankful for the person because a thankful attitude yields a better relationship.

• GOD wants me to have peace so I’m the one who starts it.
• GOD wants me to have a quiet life so I have to douse my rage with forgiveness.
• GOD wants me to have a godly life so I must intercede for those who may not have my best interest in mind.
• GOD wants me to be holy and since I am a sinner my holiness only comes by understanding I am an enemy of GOD unless I believe in HIS SON as my mediator.

It’s easy to pray for friends and family who treat me right. It’s a little harder to desire the “best” for those who treat me like dirt. GOD wants my intercession as an act of worship to HIM.

• Is there someone in your life who has done you wrong?
• Can you stop looking for them to ne changed and start praying for GOD to treat them with peace?
• Will you act as a mediator for the person, asking GOD to treat them well so they can be saved?
• Do you know that maybe someone needs to intercede for you?

Where was I when HE found me?

1 Timothy 1: ¹² I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. ¹³ Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴ The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

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As I sat at the bar on another Saturday night with “friends” I thought to myself “what am I doing here?” I mean this is definitely not fulfilling! After being popular it seemed like I was living out a sentence of reclusion in a “Podunk” town. I was in the middle of a crowd feeling lonely but this time not lonely for people.

What was missing? People invited me out so that wasn’t it. We had laughter so that wasn’t it. We had shallow meaningless conversations so that wasn’t it. What could fill my emptiness?

• When I try to fill my life with sensuous pleasure I may be running away from something.
• When I try to surround myself with frolicking I may need to face something.
• When I go to the extreme to make myself happy I may need to deal with something.

What was I missing?  I was “the man” on campus then I wasn’t “the man” in this small town. Was it the town that was the problem? Nah! GOD had a different path that HE wanted me on.

• No matter what my past was GOD wants to pour out HIS love on me.
• No matter what I’ve done GOD wants to show HIS faithfulness to me.
• No matter where I’ve wandered to GOD wants to give me grace in abundance.

Somehow GOD saw right through my sinful façade. HE dug to the core and considered me trustworthy to carry HIS message. HE appointed me to HIS service in the middle of my ignorance and unbelief. HE found me when I wasn’t looking for HIM.

• Is your heart empty?
• Are you unfulfilled?
• Is your life out of control?
• Can you look to CHRIST to fill the hole in your heart?
• Won’t you give up that lifestyle for one that is fulfilling and full of GOD?

In it for the long haul

2 Thessalonians 3: ¹³ And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good.

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 It seemed like nothing was going well for me that year. With bills piled high and demands piling higher, I felt nervous about the future.  Maybe I should be “good” I thought to myself. I mean if GOD see how good I have been then maybe I can be done with this trial. Months later I was still in the trial and I decided to give up on being “good.” I mean what “good” is it anyway?

• When things are going wrong I look for immediate relief.
• When things aren’t going the way I want them to I seek a way out of the trial.
• When things are failing I may consult GOD but not trust HIM enough to let go of the test.

It seems like I start acting “good” when things are difficult. Maybe that’s why I face difficulty more and more. BUT GOD wants me to do “good” whether things are going well or not.

• When I have plenty GOD wants me to share.
• When I have few GOD wants me to praise.
• When I have blessings GOD wants me to show gratitude.
• When I have failures GOD wants me to seek grace.

“Good” guys actually do finish last but last is the best in GOD’s mind. HE did not find it a problem to become a lowly servant to me and HE wants me to feel the same. Wait a minute, what about healthy competition or fighting back? Well, in every situation I need to carry GOD with me, competing fairly and standing for what is right.

GOD wants me to be “good” showing love to draw people to HIM. I should do what is good not to get my way but for GOD to get HIS way.

• Are you trying to manipulate GOD by doing good?
• Are you getting tire of always being the “good” one?
• Can you stop trying too hard and understand GOD loves your actions, large and small?
• Won’t you do ”good” strictly to have GOD glorified?

Standing for something

2 Thessalonians 2: ¹⁵ So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

¹⁶ May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, ¹⁷encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

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There were times where I would think GOD is “relative” to my situations. I mean if I did something “wrong” then HE wouldn’t punish me because “how could a loving GOD punish me?” Yet when someone did something wrong to me then I would think “GOD should take that person down!”

Then I got in the mindset that I wasn’t putting enough emphasis on sins other people were doing and began judging them harshly. As the crowd went away I backed off my message of judgment, in fact I joined in on their escapades and found it was fun! I was no longer standing for anything. Free to join in and do what “I” wanted to do. My relative GOD won’t mind, will HE?

• When I try to fit in and follow CHRIST I fail miserably.
• When I try to do what everyone else is doing and follow CHRIST I fail miserably.
• When I try to have the “anything goes” mindset while attempting to follow CHRIST I fail miserably.

You are probably thinking I’m going to get on a high horse and focus on “easy” sins to pick on. Not really. GOD wants me to stand firm and hold fast onto some very specific things.

• No matter what a person is doing GOD wants me to love them enough to want them to love HIS SON.
• No matter where a person is from GOD wants me to love them enough to wish they would follow HIS SON.
• No matter how much a person frustrates me GOD wants me to love them enough to wish they can open their heart to HIS SON.

GOD is not relative to my situation, HE is GOD. HE loved me enough to allow HIS one and only SON to die in my place. HE desires that everyone accepts this eternal gift and wants me to stand firm in my beliefs that HE loves everyone. HIS wonderful words of encouragement should pour from my lips daily.

• Are you following GOD or your own thinking?
• Are you willing to give up a portion of your life and give it to GOD?
• Can you stand firm on love instead of focusing on a single sin that you wouldn’t do anyway?
• Are you willing to expose your sins, if not then are you willing to love people more?

LORD am I worthy to handle my desires?

2 Thessalonians 1: ¹¹ With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. ¹² We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

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When I heard the familiar tinkling of “Pop Goes the Weasel” or “Turkey in the Straw”, like a dog in a psych experiment, I wanted some ice cream from the truck even if dinner was minutes away.  When a pretty girl batted her eye at my wallet, like a showman’s puppet, I would fall for the possibility.

When a title or large responsibility would surface, I put on my Peacock feathers and paraded around hoping to be noticed. I would forsake my family and friends to move to the next level. In many cases my desires led to disappointment.

• When my desires are not coupled with GOD then I face disappointment.
• When my desires are focused only on what’s in it for me then I face failure.
• When my desires are targeted on the shiny new thing then I lose my peace if I don’t get it immediately.

My desires aren’t always aligned with GOD’s ways.  In fact many of my desires lead me on a path that is quite opposite of GOD.  I wonder if I am worthy to handle my desires.

• Since GOD knows my heart HE can develop situations where my desires are HIS desires.
• Since GOD knows my ways HE can orchestrate scenarios where my sinful desires fail and “good” desires grow fruit.
• Since GOD knows my mind HE can provide all that I need in spite of my worries, doubts and fears.

Yes, GOD knows my every thought and some of them are actually good! HE places wonderful desires in my mind to serve others, fight fear and most of all, to love HIM. When I ask HIM for stuff, I make the mistake of thinking I can handle that specific desire. I should ask HIM if I am ready for whatever my desire is and be willing to accept HIS answer.

• What do you desire?
• Are your desires aligned with GOD’s desires for you?
• Do you find yourself achieving your desires only to face consequence over and over?
• Can you ask GOD to guide your desires?

You are doing a great job!

1 Thessalonians 5: ¹² Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you. ¹³ Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

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“When I become the boss I know just who I’m going to fire” I thought to myself, as I watched my peers and even some of the management team work. I loved tackling difficult tasks and felt there was no assignment too hard to accomplish but they thought differently.  They worked hard, but I worked harder. “Who needs them?” I thought to myself.

When budget time rolled around, my stretch goals were not funded because I had not included my peers. I guess I did need them.

• There are times when I label people wrong because I am looking at me.
• There are times I lack appreciation because my lofty goals get in the way of their actions.
• There are times that I have forgotten to say thank you because I am too focused on achieving the next thing.

There is nothing like hearing “Well done” when a person puts effort into an assignment. GOD wants me to take time to applaud efforts and recognize what people are doing.

• GOD wants me to acknowledge when others work hard even when they don’t work for me.
• GOD wants me to recognize the efforts of others instead of seeking accolades for my accomplishments.
• GOD wants me to praise others for the sole purpose of encouraging them and building them up.

“You are doing a wonderful job” is what I can say to really light the fire up under someone. My praise brings peace.

• Are you battling with people at work?
• Are you in the middle of some faction?
• Will you seek out a subordinate, peer or supervisor and let them know they are doing a great job?
• Can you praise someone today and point them to GOD?

You are wonderful!

1 Thessalonians 5: ¹¹ Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

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Blissful was my existence as I did not recognize insults at one time. Passive aggressive barbs would fly over my head until I realized the laughter was not “with” me rather “at” me. “Okay, if that’s how you’re going to play then I’ll sharpen my tongue and see how you like it” I thought to myself.

When I laid into the first few people I tore them to shreds and I realized I had to back it off just a tad. After a while I could stick you instead of stabbing you. I had perfected the insult. I mean they know I’m just joking right?

• My cynicism does not help anyone grow.
• My sarcasm does not show anyone the right path.
• My pessimism does not foster innovation.
• My nihilism does not encourage a positive atmosphere.

People are hurting and I can’t say I’m immune. Call me sensitive or too serious but I can only stomach negative talk for a very short period of time. In fact my patience for slander is zero and my tolerance for negative is nil. What can I do about a society who makes heroes out of slanderous bullies?

• GOD wants me to encourage people one at a time.
• GOD wants me to show others “they can” do accomplish their goals it they are aligned with HIM.
• GOD wants me to be a positive light in this dark world.
• GOD wants me to build people up even when they are shooting barbs at me.

My job is to build people up whether they think lowly or highly of themselves. I should not evaluate whether you need to be built up, it should just be part of me. Encouragement is a weapon that fights off worry, doubt, fear, loneliness and a host of ills that press against us.

When I encourage others I encourage myself. Building people up takes practice and helps me grow in the process.

• Are you in need of encouragement?
• Do you know GOD made you special and wonderful?
• Can you accept the fact that HIS plan for you is to make you great?
• Won’t you encourage others for the purpose of building them up to see and hear CHRIST?

Is my life respectful?

1 Thessalonians 4: ¹⁰ And in fact, you do love all of God’s family throughout Macedonia. Yet we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more, ¹¹ and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands, just as we told you,

¹² so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.

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Feeling light headed I ordered another pitcher of beer. It was after work and we were blowing off steam. We stayed there for hours and we were blessed to make it back to our hotel. The desk manager said to us… “They have been trying to reach you for hours, the emergency system is not working correctly and they need you to come in.”

Again, we were blessed to make it there safely. It was hard to think but we managed to fix the problem. The county personnel could see us struggle. I vowed never to drink another drop of liquor again but I wonder what kind of impression I left.

• Whether I like it or not, someone is always watching what I do.
• Whether I like it or not, someone is paying attention to how I conduct myself.
• Whether I like it or not, someone is seeing how I act and react in difficult situations.

If I were to just withdraw from society, people would take note and if I were to make a spectacle of myself, someone would be right there soaking it in. This seems like a lot of pressure to live for other people. I mean can’t I just live for me?

• GOD allows me to make my own decisions but loves when I choose to follow HIS way.
• GOD allows me to choose to be HIS example or to be my own example outside of HIM.
• GOD allows me to be involved with others and it’s up to me to choose if I am going to show HIS way or my way.

Love is what GOD wants me to demonstrate.  HE wants me to add love more and more each day. When I show love it means I am going to get close to people. HE wants me to stay out of their “business” yet remain an example to them while demonstrating acts of kindness.

GOD wants me to work so that I won’t have to depend on others and HE desires that I set my goals on a “quiet” life that points at HIM instead of me. The purpose of my life is to be HIS example as much as I can even when I mess up.

• Is your life a good example of CHRIST?
• Are you judging others or loving others?
• Can you add a little love (action word) to your life today?

Increase my love

1 Thessalonians 3: ¹² May the Lord make your love increase and overflow for each other and for everyone else, just as ours does for you. ¹³ May he strengthen your hearts so that you will be blameless and holy in the presence of our God and Father when our Lord Jesus comes with all his holy ones.

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Sunny days and peaceful nights were the majority of times when I grew up in the city but when our lawn mower went missing, we knew who had it. When a stolen car “appeared” in the alley behind our block, we knew who was involved. Finally, when the police chased a car onto our mostly peaceful block we knew who it was.

We had no “love lost” as the police removed this scoundrel from our block. As the mother cried over her “baby” being ripped from her, we applauded, well at least I did. I mean how can anyone love this guy?

• Many times I see the wrong in people and it blinds me to see what GOD sees in them.
• Many times I see the sin “they” are doing and I forget the sins I am doing.
• Many times I see the mistakes people make and I am critical but I want grace when I goof.

It’s so easy to love those who show me love and it’s so hard to do the same for those who obviously don’t have my best interest in mind. From thugs, to bullies, to corporate oppressors with political slants, I wrote these people off as “deserving” their fall whenever one of them got caught. No love lost. BUT GOD loves them, how can I?

• GOD wants me to look beyond someone’s selfishness and give them what they need in order to see HIM.
• GOD wants me to look beyond someone’s sin and give them compassion, just like the compassion HE shows me.
• GOD wants me to look beyond someone’s passive aggressive ways or political affiliation or pleasure seeking plots so that I can truly show “love.”

Love is hard because I am selfish. I mean GOD wants the best for these people and I want them to feel pain so they can at least apologize for their “wrong” actions. GOD wants me to give the best to those who don’t deserve it so they can one day turn to HIM. I need an extra dose of love from GOD.

• Do you have someone in your life who is difficult to love?
• Are you busy pointing your finger at “those” people who are slanderous and scandalous?
• Do you have compassion for “that” person who constantly messes up?
• Can you ask GOD for an extra dose of love?

My hearing goes away during trouble

1 Thessalonians 1: ⁶ You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with the joy given by the Holy Spirit.

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Crouched behind the couch I could hear my name being called. I was already on punishment and I had breached my sentence by going outside when I wasn’t supposed to. I snuck back into the house and hid behind the couch.

Hours later I could hear many people on the block calling my name. Now the mess was getting bigger. I thought to myself “I’m really in trouble now! I better stay in my hiding place.” When it got late I emerged from my hiding place and tried to go to my room without anyone seeing me. Maybe they will think I magically appeared. I actually was wrong about being in more hot water.

• When I’m in trouble I cannot hear well.
• When I panic I cannot hear well.
• When I am in despair I cannot hear well.

No matter how much a person talks, screams or yells I cannot hear them when I feel I’m suffering. I wallow in my situation and cannot move forward. It’s like being crouched behind a couch, hiding from the world. BUT GOD wants me to hear HIM in the middle of my trouble.

• In the middle of my trouble GOD wants me to be still and listen to HIS direction.
• In the middle of my trouble GOD wants me to have peace that only comes from HIM.
• In the middle of my trouble GOD wants me to remain calm so I can see HIS love, grace and mercy even during the trial.

It’s hard to see and hear GOD when I’m suffering, but GOD takes me through the trial to strengthen me, not beat me up like a bully. GOD’s love is incredible and that’s what I need to focus on during my difficult time.

• Are you going through a difficult time?
• Are you wondering when will GOD save you?
• Can you praise HIM in the middle of your suffering?
• Won’t you be an example to others by praising GOD even before HE delivers you?

Please do not mistake my kindness for weakness

Colossians 3: ¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

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With their arms folded I knew I had no support from the other departments. Somehow my new found revelation of being kind and compassionate was mistaken for weakness. It seemed as though the other departments wanted me to be stark and curt rather than agreeable and cooperative. Maybe I should have gone back to being pushy!

• Being sneaky doesn’t make me a better businessman.
• Being cold and focused on the bottom line doesn’t make me a better leader.
• Being maleficent doesn’t make me closer to GOD but I may get my way and I have to deal with HIS consequences.

Human success was a driving force that seemed to take on a mind of its own. I mean at first I wanted to just do an excellent job, then I wanted to manage, then I wanted to get rid of dead weight, then I wanted to crush those who were in the way of my goals.

Before long I was in a place where people were nothing more than a statistic and those who couldn’t cut it should have been fired anyway. BUT GOD “cut me” from that world and I had to face what I had put others through. Talk about a revelation! “Who will help me?” I wondered in anguish.

• GOD taught me compassion by making me “empathize” with people I once had contempt for.
• GOD taught me kindness by having people treat me poorly the way I treated others.
• GOD taught me humility by stripping away my human titles I once endeared.
• GOD taught me gentleness by delivering people to me who were grieving yet contemptuous.
• GOD taught me patience by placing me in situations where I had to depend on others rather than having them respond to my title.

GOD says “forgive” and HE truly means it. HE wants me to forgive my enemies simply because HE forgave me. I still have the cold, tough dexterity BUT GOD wants me to purposefully show unity, peace and love as an act of strength, not weakness.

• Do you have someone who is against you?
• Do you feel they do not deserve compassion?
• Are you strong enough to show them kindness and gentleness?
• Won’t you forgive “that” person today?

A drastic change

Colossians 3: ⁵ Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. ⁶ Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.

⁷ You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ⁸ But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

⁹ Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

¹⁰ and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

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Our discussion centered on women, cars, money and positions. We had our futures ahead of us and the lusts for all these things were prominent. There was a magic number for a salary when I graduated that would set fire to my life for a while.  I mean what’s wrong with having stuff and with “dating” a few folks? I’m still a believer right?

• When I am greedy it is difficult for me to be generous.
• When I am lustful it is difficult for me to relate to someone in a deeper way.
• When I am angry it is difficult for me to show GOD’s peace.
• When I am slanderous it is difficult for me to show grace to someone who may not know CHRIST.
• When I am foul in my language it is difficult for GODLY words to cross the same lips.

Lust, lying and language are all things GOD can easily forgive. HE knows I sin but forgives me anyway. Yet when I act upon these things there is an empty feeling.  The hole in my heart just grows bigger and bigger. What can fill it?

• GOD wants me to look forward to HIS kingdom and lose focus on the earth little by little.
• GOD wants me to walk on HIS path which includes fruit not destruction.
• GOD wants me to be new each day dropping a little sin off here and there.

It’s a process.  I am not going to be changed right away but little by little I am becoming what GOD wants me to become.

• Are you caught up in a lifestyle that is not pleasing to GOD?
• Do you feel you should make a change?
• Have you tried to seek HIS face?
• Won’t you let HIM guide your path?

I have a new goal

Colossians 2: ² My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, ³ in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

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Achievement was my staple as I won another award. When I surveyed the plaques, trophies and medals I had won I felt proud of where I had climbed. I was so proud of myself that I couldn’t get enough of hearing how well I was doing from others. I would set lofty goals and climb high to achieve them and wait for the applause. “I wonder if anyone is in pain” never crossed my mind.

• When I focus on self-achievement I can lose focus on others.
• When I focus on “me” getting ahead I can forget to serve people in pain.
• When I focus on gaining treasures on earth I can get caught up in lusts that derail me from seeing GOD.

Many times I sought power, position and payment as my goal of success. Once I achieved my goal, it never seemed like it was enough. My monetary goal had to become greater and I had to have a bigger title. This left little time for me to see who was hurting or in pain. BUT GOD saw them and wanted me to act different.

• GOD sees people in pain and wants me to open my eyes to them as well.
• GOD sees people who are discouraged and wants me to encourage them to believe in HIM.
• GOD sees people who are thrown away and wants me to show united love as an example of how much GOD loves all.

Many times I get so caught up in trying to get people to stop doing a certain sin that I never look at how much compassion GOD wants me to have on others.  I think I can solve their problems by making more money and fighting a cause so my goals are geared towards sin eradication and wealth. BUT GOD wants me to have new goals of encouragement, compassion and united love to draw those who really need HIM.

GOD wants me to point at HIS SON instead of pointing at me.

• What are you trying to achieve?
• Are you feeling discouraged that you have not achieved what you think you should have achieved?
• Won’t you set goals to be more compassionate for someone today?
• Can you take a moment to encourage someone today?

I was lost

Colossians 1: ²¹ Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. ²² But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—

²³ if you continue in your faith, established and firm, and do not move from the hope held out in the gospel.

This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.

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A quick glance at my watch raised panic in my mind. The meeting was going to start in minutes and I couldn’t find the building. I started devising a plan that seemed to be futile and time was running out. I thought “If I could look at the buildings then maybe I could see something familiar.” Finally after looking at maps and driving in circles I found someone to give me directions. I felt peace easing my mind.

• Whenever life gets tough I try to develop plans that don’t include GOD.
• Whenever life gets difficult I try to create my own way excluding GOD.
• Whenever life gets painful I try to generate my own destiny, thinking I don’t need GOD for this situation, I can handle it myself.

In my mind, GOD was cramping my style. I mean HE wanted me to be “good” and to “trust HIM” yet HE didn’t seem to care because HE wasn’t handling the situation the way “I” wanted HIM to. At least that’s what my mind was telling me. BUT GOD acts and reacts much higher than I do.

• GOD saw I would not choose HIM yet HE allowed HIS SON to die for me to save me.
• GOD saw I would walk away from HIM many times yet HE chose to forgive me.
• GOD saw I would fight with HIS plans yet HE continues with HIS plans of love for me.

Whenever I fight with GOD and HIS mighty plan, I seem to get lost. Don’t get me wrong, I may seem to be doing fine from a humans’ perspective but I stop serving, praying and soon believing. I start believing I know better than GOD and after a while I leave HIM out of the picture completely. Then when life gets difficult I run back to HIM like a little baby.

GOD wants me to remain in HIM placing my faith and hope in HIS marvelous ways. Only HIS SON can remove my sins and declare me free from blemishes.

• Are you lost?
• Do you think you have a plan to get you out of your mess?
• Can you turn your life over to GOD and focus on HIS way?
• Won’t you believe in HIS SON who is the only one who can save you?