Comfort versus the Wild

Psalm 5 ¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

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Working for a company thirty or forty years was my goal when I graduated. That’s what the generation before me did. They worked hard and retired with a mountain of cash, house paid off and the dream realized. As I sat at my desk I felt that I couldn’t work for this particular company another day let alone thirty nine more years! But the job was so comfortable. I felt guilty for looking.

• Sometimes I seek to find a comfortable place.
• Sometimes I seek places here on earth where I can exhale.
• Sometimes I seek situations where the stress is low and utopia abounds.

Disappointed by not getting the first job I applied for, I almost gave up the search. Maybe the town and dead end job I had was where I was supposed to be. BUT GOD intervened. A recruiter called me and whisked me away to another city. I would go on a ride I never would have believed. I forgot to mention, this happened when I started seeking GOD.

• When I seek GOD as my refuge, the location doesn’t matter.
• When I seek GOD as my refuge, the job doesn’t matter.
• When I seek GOD as my refuge, the situation doesn’t matter.

GOD is where I am supposed to seek my comfort. HE provide a place of solace on a daily basis. HE enables me to sing songs to HIM even through rocky times. Looking back the only stability in situations has been GOD. I mean I have had some good times and bad BUT GOD has always been there. HE provides my joy!

• Are you seeking comfort?
• Do you want to just have a breather?
• Can you focus on GOD for you refuge?
• Will you allow HIM to give you peace?

A Prayer for Those with Financial Woes

Psalm 4: ⁶ Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us.
⁷ Fill my heart with joy
    when their grain and new wine abound.

⁸ In peace I will lie down and sleep,
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.

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Dear LORD,

            I know many who are hurting and are in dire straits.

I know many who are struggling and desire to turn their hearts to YOU.

            I know many who used their last dime a long time ago.

I know many who cry out to YOU daily.

            LORD please fill their coffers with YOUR wealth.

Let their hearts abound with YOUR grace.

            “Let the light of YOUR face shine on us.”

Fill our hearts with joy when their grain and new wine abound.

amen

GOD Protects Me

Psalm 3: ³ But you, Lord, are a shield around me,
    my glory, the One who lifts my head high.
⁴ I call out to the Lord,
    and he answers me from his holy mountain.

⁵ I lie down and sleep;
    I wake again, because the Lord sustains me.
⁶ I will not fear though tens of thousands
    assail me on every side.

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Laughing and joking was our way to unwind from the precarious day at school. The two of us were in the home stretch and knew the schedule well. We figured that if we got off the bus one stop earlier, then we could start our mile walk home, that is unless another bus were to come.

A thug called for us to stop. We kept going. Then another appeared from nowhere. We looked at each other and took off in separate directions. I conveniently ran to where I worked, which is amazing that I was that close in the first place and my friend ran into the supermarket who’s parking lot we were crossing. I asked my boss to call the cops and when it was clear, my friend and I connected and walked home.

• Many times I have faced some very dangerous situations.
• Many times I have been surrounded with problems on every side.
• Many times I have seen assailants come up against me.

I have no idea why there are those who think they can rob, assault or kill, but they exist. Sometimes the question is, “Why does GOD allow me to be robbed, assaulted or on the brink of being killed?” Here is what I have noticed in my life.

• GOD has put a shield around me in some very dangerous situations and I am still here.
• GOD is the ONE who lifts my head high when I call on HIM.
• GOD is the one who sustains me when I falter.
• GOD protects me on all sides even though many foes may surround me.

I have been robbed, punched, bullied and bruised; BUT GOD protected me the entire way! HE surrounded me so many times that I cannot begin to count. GOD is my salvation!

• Are you surrounded by something that is causing you to worry?
• Do you have something or someone who has caused you fear?
• Can you thank GOD for protecting you?
• Will you rely on GOD’s protection rather than living in fear?

Getting Too Comfortable

Psalm 2: ¹¹ Serve the Lord with fear
    and celebrate his rule with trembling.
¹² Kiss his son, or he will be angry
    and your way will lead to your destruction,
for his wrath can flare up in a moment.
    Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

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We used to have a saying, “Don’t put your feet up on the boss’s desk” which meant don’t get too comfortable because that person is still your boss. I mean come on, this company won’t miss this ream of paper or they won’t mind if I slip off and do personal stuff while I am supposed to be working.

I sat on a team that was investigating a person who got so used to taking the company’s stuff that he took $600K worth of stuff. This scared me so much that I made sure my expense reports were impeccable!

• There were times when I would treat GOD with a little too much familiarity.
• There were times when I would treat GOD as if HE wouldn’t mind my tiny sin.
• There were times when I would treat GOD like HE never gave me any path to follow.

Yes I know it is very confusing to have a sin nature that is passed down from generation to generation through birth. I do know that I am in the group where it says “all have sinned and come short of GOD’s glory.” But there has to be more to this relationship with GOD than being “good” sometimes and sometimes being “bad.”

• Trust is what GOD wants me to give HIM rather than giving it to money or humans or myself.
• Faith is what GOD wants me to plant in myself and others leveraging “trust” to grow it to maturity.
• Belief is what GOD wants me to have in HIS SON on a daily basis, knowing my sins have been wiped out by HIS death.

The sin nature thing is difficult. It wars and rages inside of me letting me know I am not perfect. BUT GOD loves when I focus on HIM for just a moment and give my heart and mind to HIM. HE wants me to have a healthy “fear” of HIM where I fear not following HIM than getting the accolades of mankind.

• Are you treating GOD with too much familiarity?
• Do you think GOD won’t mind if you keep doing what you are doing?
• Can you give GOD a second, then a minute, then an hour, then maybe a day?
• Will you focus on maturing in GOD by learning of HIM?

Endure with Delight

Psalm 1: ¹ Blessed is the one
    who does not walk in step with the wicked
or stand in the way that sinners take
    or sit in the company of mockers,
² but whose delight is in the law of the Lord,
    and who meditates on his law day and night.
³ That person is like a tree planted by streams of water,
    which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither—
    whatever they do prospers.

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“Trust in the LORD and lean not unto your own understanding” is what my mother would say to me. “Yeah, yeah” I thought to myself. I did not ponder these words until I had to experience them myself. Soon real trouble came and I was on my own with no one to turn to. “What was she trying to tell me?”

• Words in the Bible were more “poetic” to me than experience.
• Words in the Bible were more “mysterious” to me than fact.
• Words in the Bible were more “interpretive” to me than a means to grow.

Now that the waters of trouble have pounded against me for years, I can say “I understand.” Each day is faced with new challenges and I need something to hold onto. What should I delight in?

• GOD gave me a path that I can choose to be on each day.
• GOD gave me relationships that I can show HIS love.
• GOD gave me HIS Word that if I believe and trust in HIM I will have everlasting life.

Trouble comes in waves pounding against my soul, BUT GOD gave me a way to endure. If I pay attention to what HE says through my Bible, my church and my relationships, I can hear HIM clearly. I can delight and meditate on HIS deliverance in spite of what’s going on around me. This plants my soul deep in trust and absorbs the nutrients of faith, love and hope that is provided by GOD’s river.

• Is your mind troubled?
• Do you have situations that seem utterly impossible?
• Can you meditate on GOD’s ways?
• Will you look at HIS word and read peace into your soul today?

Being Restored

Job 42: ¹⁰ After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. 

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¹² The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. 

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Pondering Job’s calamity I learned a lot about GOD and myself. Job was trying to do what was right all his life. His faith was tested in extreme measures all in one day by losing his family, wealth and health. These are things that I and many I know hold dearly to their hearts. Quite honestly it looked like GOD was the bad guy in the story, but it was Satan who asked to do all of this to Job after GOD said “consider my servant Job.”

Here is what I learned:

• GOD sees every faithful action I do and wants me to do it for HIM no matter what condition I’m in.
• GOD knows I’m a sinner and I cannot fool HIM so I should stop trying to be righteous and start trusting in HIM.
• GOD’s ways are not my ways so I should not try to make HIM follow my ways rather learn how to follow HIM.
• GOD allows calamity in my life and others but HE always has a marvelous plan that we are not always privy to in this life.
• GOD is always in my corner even when it looks disastrous.

Job had to hang in through some incredibly rough times. He had no one around him who could help him through a GOD ordained issue. He had no way to stop the calamity and had practically given up. He wished he wasn’t born. BUT GOD restored him.

I did ponder a question. “Why did people have to die?” and all I could get from this slice of history is GOD has that in HIS control. HE holds life and death in HIS hands and “everything under heaven is HIS.” HE owns humans, wealth and health. Satan wants me to look at GOD as the problem when he is the one who seeks to devour me.

My focus should always remain on faith in GOD, trust in HIS love and hope in HIS deliverance.

• Do you think your righteousness is saving you from calamity?
• Do you trust in yourself more than you trust in GOD’s love for you?
• Will you stop trying to maneuver GOD and flow down HIS rushing river?
• Can you ask GOD to show you HIS plan for you this day and this day alone?

I want what’s mine

Job 41: ¹¹ Who has a claim against me that I must pay?
    Everything under heaven belongs to me.

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Bonus time was also the time in which they would announce promotions. “This is my year” I said to myself. I mean I worked very hard this particular year and my boss seemed to like me. When they made the announcement, I was elated. I got the promotion just like I thought, but it came with a twist. I was promoted to run one of the most unruly groups in the department. It was bittersweet.

• Sometimes I don’t know how to react to certain situations.
• Sometimes I don’t know whether to complain or praise.
• Sometimes I don’t know if I’m being punished or protected.

This unruly group was extremely challenging. They did not like each other or me. I asked GOD for wisdom and HE provided me with some advice.

• GOD said to me “Treat people the same, just like I do.”
• GOD said to me “Have patience and a plan for each person just like I do with you.”
• GOD said to me “Love each person as you love yourself.”

I had to stop thinking “levels” and start believing that GOD loves each person just the same. GOD sees something special in the person I feel is belligerent. When I met with each person one on one I got to know them and they weren’t so bad, in fact they had some great ideas and had not been listened to.

I did as GOD said in spite of some of their insults and tantrums and soon I was blessed with a cohesive team. I am slowly understanding that “Everything under heaven belongs to GOD” even situations I have yet to face.

• Are you complaining?
• Do you think you can change GOD’s mind by acting good?
• Can you ask GOD to open your eyes to HIS plan versus yours?
• Will you accept HIS will and move forward with faith instead of fear?

GOD Explain YOURSELF!

Job 40: ⁸ “Would you discredit my justice?
    Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
⁹ Do you have an arm like God’s,
    and can your voice thunder like his?

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“Why?” is usually the question that begins my tantrum with GOD. “Why did this person die or why did I lose the thing that was precious to me?” I ask these questions to GOD as if HE owes me an explanation. It’s alright to question, but sometimes I was actually mad at GOD.

• Sometimes I get mad at GOD for not giving me my way.
• Sometimes I wonder if there is a purpose to serving GOD if I can’t get my way all the time.
• Sometimes I demand that HE explains HIMSELF so I can reconcile what’s going on.

Here I am the created telling the CREATOR to explain HIS plan HE has for me. Even if HE did explain, I probably would not like the explanation. Looking back on the pouting, I can see a better plan has emerged each time. Through many disappointments, toils and snares I can actually see why GOD took me through situations that enabled me to grow.

• GOD does not owe me an explanation but wants me to know HE loves me.
• GOD does not owe me my way but wants me to know HE has a plan to prosper me.
• GOD does not owe me pleasure or comfort yet HE sent the COMFORTER to give me peace when I am frazzled.

GOD does not owe me anything, especially when I am trying to justify myself, yet HE loves me so much that HE threw my sins away and cleaned me up to be acceptable to HIM. GOD loves me.

• Are you trying to justify why you should have something?
• Do you think your righteous acts deserve something from GOD?
• Can you do things for GOD without expecting something in return?
• Will you stop trying to get GOD to explain HIMSELF and start having faith, trust and hope?

Stop Comparing to Others

Job 39: ¹³ “The wings of the ostrich flap joyfully,
    though they cannot compare
    with the wings and feathers of the stork.
¹⁴ She lays her eggs on the ground
    and lets them warm in the sand,
¹⁵ unmindful that a foot may crush them,
    that some wild animal may trample them.
¹⁶ She treats her young harshly, as if they were not hers;
    she cares not that her labor was in vain,
¹⁷ for God did not endow her with wisdom
    or give her a share of good sense.
¹⁸ Yet when she spreads her feathers to run,
    she laughs at horse and rider.

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Self-conscious about my abilities, I crept into my half of the cubicle. I share a space with another college grad and we both were inexperienced. When introductions came around, I remember the genius acting people spewing out their credentials which made me feel thoroughly inadequate. “How am I going to make it here?” I asked myself.

• Sometimes I feel inadequate.
• Sometimes I feel lost.
• Sometimes I feel everyone else can do things better than me.

When I looked at what everyone else was doing I felt even worse. I mean it was nothing but brain power around me and I enjoyed one card game too many in college. BUT GOD saw something different.

• GOD said to me “Beautifully and wonderfully is how I made you.”
• GOD said to me “I made you in my likeness.”
• GOD said to me “I gave you a measure of faith and it is good.”

The selection process of my mind, body and soul was GOD’s. Whenever I compare myself to someone else, I am saying to GOD, “You don’t know what you are doing!” GOD gave me the ability to follow HIS wisdom and HIS might and not depend on mine. Once I realized this, I began to study and soon GOD elevated me up and out of the organization.

I realized, I need to focus on GOD’s wisdom, not mine.

• Are you feeling inadequate?
• Do you think other people are smarter, faster or stronger than you?
• Can you stop comparing yourself to others and focus on the greatness GOD has place in you?
• Will you stop trying to take credit and give GOD the praise that is due to HIM?

Am I ready for the real answer?

Job 38: ¹² “Have you ever given orders to the morning,
    or shown the dawn its place,
¹³ that it might take the earth by the edges
    and shake the wicked out of it?
¹⁴ The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;
    its features stand out like those of a garment.
¹⁵ The wicked are denied their light,
    and their upraised arm is broken.

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There I was, driving through the grounds of the steel mill. I was on assignment there and this industry was fascinating. I sat at a stop sign and a truck sideswiped me. “Why GOD did this happen?” I ranted. Looking back on this incident I can see that it was only a minor accident that I questioned GOD about. I mean, my life is supposed to be perfect when I follow GOD, right? Well, maybe not.

• Sometimes I will have difficulties.
• Sometimes I will have days when things just don’t go as planned.
• Sometimes I will have problems where it seems like there is no way out.

Trials and tribulation happen, sometimes too often. It seems like when one thing goes wrong two or three others follow and when I raise my voice to GOD about my trial, another one pops up.

• GOD said to me “Life will not be easy.”
• GOD said to me “Come unto me all you who are heavy laden and I will give you rest.”
• GOD said to me “I am sending the COMFORTER.”

When GOD cursed the heavens and the earth HE meant it. The earth would no longer produce incredible tasting, supernatural food and harsh conditions would abound. GOD still has mercy for me. HE could have made things a lot worse, but HE chose to give me peaks and valleys during life. I don’t quite understand “why” things happen, but I do know GOD loves me dearly in spite of my sins.

GOD died for my sins and when HE was raised to life, HE sent the COMFORTER to lead, protect and, well, comfort me. In the middle of a trial I can praise GOD!

• Are you in the middle of a trial?
• Do you think GOD has left you behind?
• Will you stop looking at the trial and place your eyes on what GOD is doing in your life?
• Will you accept HIS blessings in the middle of the trial?

Stop and Pay Attention

Job 37: ⁶ He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
    and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
⁷ So that everyone he has made may know his work,
    he stops all people from their labor.

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“Got a minute?” my boss said to me as I was considering going home for the day. “We need to work on this bid.” So I stayed. I worked hard and minutes turned into hours. Soon I noticed the sun rising. It was the next day and I had worked thirty six hours straight. We did not get the bid.

• Sometimes my busy life causes me to forget everything around me.
• Sometimes my busy life causes me to run so fast that I cannot see anything next to me.
• Sometimes my busy life causes me to push, push, push, but to what avail?

Many times the finished line has been placed right in front of me only to be moved a few yards further when I get close to it. I think, maybe if I run faster and longer then I can cross it. Meanwhile, I miss the opportunity to speak peace into the lives around me.

• GOD says to me “Slow down or I will slow you down.”
• GOD says to me “I created you for MY purpose.”
• GOD says to me “Turn back to ME.”

Days are not meant to be spent without thinking about GOD. HE provides the air I breathe and the food I consume. HE wants me to slow down and think about HIM each and every day. HE doesn’t want me to only think of HIM during an emergency or some extreme weather condition.

GOD wants me, all of me. If I can only give HIM a part of me on a daily basis then I have a great start.

• Are you ignoring GOD?
• Is life too busy to slow down and pay attention to GOD?
• Is GOD screaming and you are not listening?
• Will you stop for a moment and praise GOD right now?

Remember to Extol HIS work

Job 36: ²² “God is exalted in his power.
    Who is a teacher like him?
²³ Who has prescribed his ways for him,
    or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?
²⁴ Remember to extol his work,
    which people have praised in song.
²⁵ All humanity has seen it;
    mortals gaze on it from afar.
²⁶ How great is God—beyond our understanding!
    The number of his years is past finding out.

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There was a chill in the air and I went outside. Stars seemed to show themselves one at a time until the sky, that appeared to be dark, was now full of glorious rays. During the day I could see animals scurrying around gather food they did not plant.

I slowly pulled back and noticed that GOD had put a lot of people in my life to help me and for me to help. My life is abundant!

• Are you praising GOD for what HE is doing in your life?
• Do you have a mind full of complaints?
• Can you change your complaints to praise?

Listening to the Cry for Help

Job 35: ⁹ “People cry out under a load of oppression;
    they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful.

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Bonus this particular year was a little light. I had made plans for that money and it just didn’t materialize. Then I got a request from someone asking to borrow money. “Can’t they just get a job?” was my thought. I pouted and reluctantly handed over the funds. Within days, another person asked for money! “What am I… a bank?”

• Sometimes I blame the oppressed for being oppressed.
• Sometimes I look at the oppressed as the problem.
• Sometimes I think the oppressed could do more for themselves so I would not have to be bothered.

People cry out in different ways and I do understand that I have to be cautious about the schemer. But it seems like there were times where I put my plans over people. What does GOD want from me?

• GOD wants me to seek the lost rather than waiting for them to come to me.
• GOD wants me to be generous to those who HE delivers into my life.
• GOD wants me to add flexibility to my plans so that I can move in the direction HE leads me.

When people cry out for help, I still must use discernment, but have a heart that is willing to make sacrifices rather than stockpile riches. Money is not meant for total comfort, that breeds greed, fear and protection of wealth. Money meets needs and as my cup runs over so should those who are oppressed. I should always expect GOD to deliver people to me who are in need because HE said, “The poor you will always have.”

• Are you listening to the cry of people?
• Are your ears deafened by your own fears and debts?
• Are you busy looking at what others are doing and not being generous?
• Why are you waiting on giving?

Choose Maturity over the Cover-up

Job 34: ²¹ “His eyes are on the ways of mortals;
    he sees their every step.
²² There is no deep shadow, no utter darkness,
    where evildoers can hide.

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Immediately, I said to myself, “What will I tell my parents?” when I had the accident. I cursed the deceptive cap color as the olive green spray paint didn’t quite match the evergreen exterior. I was making matters worse thinking, “Maybe they won’t notice.” This deception led to others. Soon I was lying for no reason.

It was easy to stretch the truth about accomplishments in the business world, but this time I didn’t feel like it. I sat in the interview and told the truth for a change. Not believing what I was saying I belched out the truth and said “I had a less than stellar college performance, my first job was a steep learning curve for me and I am unprepared for this position, but I know what I know.” I didn’t get the job, but I could feel shackles fall. My lying days were over.

• My immaturity makes me cover things up instead of exposing what is right.
• My immaturity keeps me from telling the truth and standing for what is right.
• My immaturity says to me “lie, cheat and steal” instead of focusing on what is right.

I made a decision not to lie to myself or others. The cover-up had to stop. Soon I found myself getting elevated to the highest levels in one company. I was able to tell people the truth, even when it didn’t feel comfortable for me.

• GOD wants me to be truthful with myself and others.
• GOD knows when I am hiding something from people because I cannot hide anything from HIM.
• GOD has searched the depths of my heart and know when I am growing instead of hiding.

Growth comes with admittance. When I admit I cannot do something or be something or that I am just plain old sinning, GOD can kneed my heart into HIS wonderful shape. Hiding hardens my heart, closes my ear and blinds me. Telling the truth opens doorways that I never would have imagined.

• Are you lying to yourself?
• Can you look around you to see if you have GODLY fruit or are you killing weeds you have sown around you?
• Will you stop lying to yourself and to others by exposing the cover-up?
• Can you be honest to GOD and confess to HIM today?

Striving for Perfection Could Mess Up the Plan

Job 9: ⁴ The Spirit of God has made me;
    the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
⁵ Answer me then, if you can;
    stand up and argue your case before me.
⁶ I am the same as you in God’s sight;
    I too am a piece of clay.

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A misplaced semicolon took me hours to find when debugging my code. This one tiny problem kept my program from being perfect. After more and more practice I found that I could be perfect in my coding in fewer tries. This spread to other areas of my life. I found that I could be perfect in job performance, financial management and carpentry.

I expected others to be perfect around me. I mean, I was perfect, right? Wrong!

• My first mistake of many was thinking I could be perfect.
• My second mistake of many was using my own measure of perfection to deem myself perfect.
• My third mistake of many thinking I had arrived in that perfection.

Confidence in myself could lead me to a place that is self-centered. My confidence, if leveraged the wrong way, could lead to arrogance then pride. Where should I put my confidence?

• GOD says to me “Place your trust in ME and you will not fail.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the way the truth and the life.”
• GOD says to me “I have a plan to prosper you.”

Just yesterday, GOD spoke through one of HIS servants in a sermon on a topic similar to this one. The illustration was the process of making pottery which takes a mound of clay and turns it into a work or art. The clay cannot tell the potter what it wants to be, rather it trusts that the potter is skilled enough to mold it into something beautiful.

Imperfections are smoothed out as the clay is “centered” and “turned” on the wheel. Heat is applied at the right time. GOD’s perfection for me is far better than my efforts to become perfect. HE allows me to be messy and continues to mold my life. Clay is moldable, rock is not. GOD also pursues rocky hearts but HE chisels instead of molds. This is more painful. I’d rather be molded.

• Are you resisting GOD?
• Are you allowing HIM to mold you into what HE wants you to be?
• Can you accept what is going on in your life as “Good for GOD’s purpose?”
• Will you allow your heart to be clay or stone?

Age Does Not Mean Wisdom

Job 31: ⁷ I thought, ‘Age should speak;
    advanced years should teach wisdom.’
⁸ But it is the spirit in a person,
    the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding.

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Seeking a mentor I ran into a person who seemed to withstand the test of time at the company. He provided his words. “When you drink on the company’s dime, don’t over drink. Never mess around with people in the company, especially with your boss’s spouse. Never steal the company’s money. This place is a jealous mistress.”

These words seemed to give lots of leeway into whatever I wanted to do, yet seemed to teach me nothing. Who should I listen to?

• Some of the advice I have heard may not have been the best.
• Some of the mentoring I have received has not been the best.
• Some of the guidance I have received may not have been the best.

Selfish motives, rebellious living and lust are things I have to listen for when accepting someone’s advice. If I blindly listen then I could get caught up in something I did not mean to. Where should I get my advice?

• GOD gave me a HIS word to follow written by harmoniously through many authors.
• GOD gave me HIS people who struggle to remain true to HIM.
• GOD gave me HIS SPIRIT to guide me to HIS way.

I always say “I hear GOD when HE tells me to do something I don’t want to do that would benefit HIS kingdom.” I mean who wants to give away their money instead of going on a lavish vacation or stop lusting over the world or serve instead of being served?” Yet when I slow down and listen to HIM it always works.

GOD’s methods are unconventional. Some things HE has me doing does not make sense to the world. BUT GOD sees my strange efforts and adds another reward in heaven. Listening to GOD means seeking HIS word through the Bible coupled with faulty humans coupled with the perfection of the HOLY SPIRIT. I will seek HIS truth.

• Are you confused?
• Have you been listening to faulty humans?
• Can you seek what GOD has to say, I mean really seek?
• Will you stop trying to find people who will tell you what you want to hear and seek what GOD wants to tell you?

Feeling Secure

Job 31: ²⁴ “If I have put my trust in gold
    or said to pure gold, ‘You are my security,’
²⁵ if I have rejoiced over my great wealth,
    the fortune my hands had gained,
²⁶ if I have regarded the sun in its radiance
    or the moon moving in splendor,
²⁷ so that my heart was secretly enticed
    and my hand offered them a kiss of homage,
²⁸ then these also would be sins to be judged,
    for I would have been unfaithful to God on high.

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Reorg season number four was here and my biggest fear was upon me. I had no depth perception regarding the levels they would cut because I was one of them. I was absolutely speechless. I thought I would work at this place forever. In fact I worked day and night for this place, trying to “hold onto what I had.”

• Fear blinds me to what I’m supposed to be doing.
• Fear robs me of an abundant life.
• Fear grips me to the point where I try to play it safe, hiding so I won’t get cut.

In order for me to “feel secure” I had to have fear. I mean if I didn’t tie my shoes right or please the latest ego in charge then I could “lose my job.” In retrospect, this wasn’t security, it was bondage.

• GOD wants me to put my trust in HIM at all times.
• GOD wants me to acknowledge that I need HIM before I need money, titles or pleasure.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS face on my job or business or home.

No matter where I am, I must seek GOD. I should acknowledge my fear and ask HIM to hold onto it for me. My security is in GOD so wealth that causes fear must depart. I’m not saying I should not be wealthy, but it’s the fear of losing wealth that must be removed. Everything is GOD’s and I need to understand that I am in a very wealthy family, namely JESUS CHRIST’s.

• Do you have gripping fear over your job?
• Are you extremely stressed out?
• Hove you lost your job and feel lost?
• Can you begin to put your trust in GOD today?
• Will you slowdown in order to hear GOD’s voice?

Bargaining With GOD

Job 30: ²⁴ “Surely no one lays a hand on a broken man
    when he cries for help in his distress.
²⁵ Have I not wept for those in trouble?
    Has not my soul grieved for the poor?

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Clutching my chest I wailed in agony. I lived alone and no one could drive me to see the doctor. I had to get there myself. I thought I was having a heart attack. “I will never do that again” whatever “that” sin was at the time. The pain persisted. “I’ll go to church and I’ll be good.” The pain persisted.

I went into the doctor’s office and found I had a bruised sternum that resulted from some new exercise I was doing. “Man! I shouldn’t have made that promise.”

• When I bargain with GOD I have no intent of keeping my side of the promise.
• When I bargain with GOD it’s usually because I am not focused on HIM in the first place.
• When I bargain with GOD I am not accepting HIS supremacy.

When things go wrong in my life I ask GOD, “Haven’t I been good, what about those bad people, haven’t I served?” Meanwhile I look at GOD like HE is the problem. BUT GOD looks at the situation different.

• GOD wants me to understand that I have consequences for my actions even though I am forgiven for sin.
• GOD wants me to realize HIS way is the only way and I should not have a problem with HIS way.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to show me HIS path rather than bargaining my way down my path.

If I have been “good” then GOD will know. HE gives me rewards stored up in heaven that cannot be touched by the evil one. HE guides my path through calamities and raises me up at the right time. HE is my rock and my salvation.

• Are you bargaining with GOD?
• Do you think you are being punished?
• Can you look at GOD as your guide and LORD of your life?
• Will you accept where HE has you and ask for guidance down HIS path?

A New Journey

Job 29: ² “How I long for the months gone by,
    for the days when God watched over me,
³ when his lamp shone on my head
    and by his light I walked through darkness!
⁴ Oh, for the days when I was in my prime,
    when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house,
⁵ when the Almighty was still with me
    and my children were around me,
⁶ when my path was drenched with cream
    and the rock poured out for me streams of olive oil.

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Tea was the drink of choice as my mother and I would sit together. She would walk me to the preschool. How I longed to be at home. After preschool I had to go to kindergarten. I met strange children in unfamiliar surroundings. How I longed to be in preschool.

Each new grade brought on its challenges and each time I wished I was back in my comfort zone. That is until I graduated college. I then realized maybe it’s time to look forward.

• When I look back at the good old days I cannot see where I am going.
• When I dream about the good old days I miss out on what’s ahead.
• When I dwell on the good old days I close my ears and eyes to what lies ahead.

Life can be difficult and my mind immediately wants comfort so in a rescue attempt it pops in a recording of the good old days. Soon I found myself playing many recordings of the past and not willing to address what was going on right now. The problems of the day still persisted. Something had to change.

• GOD created me to go forward in life.
• GOD created my journey and know all the pitfalls I will experience.
• GOD created me as an everlasting creature so it is important how I respond to adversity.

As I mature my eyes are opened to new truths about life. When I was a child life was difficult, I just did not know it. As I grew and matured, GOD opened my eyes to the journey of serving HIS people. This would prove to be very difficult because people were just as scared of life’s journey as I was. GOD took me though many trials so I could help others do the same.

The new journey is full of adventures unknown BUT GOD is at the helm and HIS plan is awesome for me!

• Are you looking back at the good old days?
• Do you long for the days of the comfort you used to have?
• Can you stop dwelling on those days and focus on what GOD is training you to do right now?
• Will you accept the challenges of the day as a blessing from GOD not a curse?