Putting Wealth into Perspective

Psalm 49: ¹⁵ But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;
    he will surely take me to himself.
¹⁶ Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
    when the splendor of their houses increases;
¹⁷ for they will take nothing with them when they die,
    their splendor will not descend with them.
¹⁸ Though while they live they count themselves blessed—
    and people praise you when you prosper—
¹⁹ they will join those who have gone before them,
    who will never again see the light of life.

²⁰ People who have wealth but lack understanding
    are like the beasts that perish.

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After the conversation moved from the type of humidor this person would install, we moved on to fine wines, and then Mediterranean cruises.  I enjoyed the conversation but something felt different, something missing. I mean once we were done with the conversation about house square footage, then what was left? Oh, yeah, we could discuss cars!

• Envy makes me secretly look at the wealthy as a destination.
• Jealousy makes me secretly look at the wealthy as problem free.
• Greed makes me secretly look at the wealthy as a group without a care.

The missing element was GOD. When I had these conversations with the extremely wealthy, I never heard once, the need for GOD. I found myself, leaving GOD in my car to become what the next wealthy person wanted me to become. BUT GOD says something different.

• GOD ways to me “Stop loving money because it is the root of all kinds of evil.”
• GOD says to me “It is harder for a rich man to enter heaven than for a camel to go through an eye of a needle.”
• GOD says to me “What is it for a man to gain the whole world and lose his soul.”

I had a conversation with a dear friend and brother. He was trying to convince the CEO of a very large corporation to follow GOD. The CEO had just received a $2million gift on top of bonuses and salary. He said, “Get away from me with all that GOD talk.” He died at the same convention they announced his bonus. It woke me up along with many others. GOD is the pursuit. GOD is the destination.

• Are you jealous of the wealthy?
• Do you get mad at someone who squanders money while you struggle?
• Can you get your eyes off of them and look at GOD’s splendor?
• Will you accept where GOD has you and praise HIM for it?

Pondering Takes Time

Psalm 48: ⁹ Within your temple, O God,
    we meditate on your unfailing love.
¹⁰ Like your name, O God,
    your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;
    your right hand is filled with righteousness.

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“I wonder if I did my report?” was the thought that crossed my mind. The answer came to me in a flash. “No!” I started thinking of who I could call to help me with the project. I then thought about some important points that would make the report engaging. Finally I thought of some great numbers that would really knock the socks off of senior management.

When I finished my flood of thoughts I realized I was in church and had not really heard a word that was said. “Oh well, I’ll catch it next week.”

• Sometimes I get distracted with life.
• Sometimes I put projects in the way of life.
• Sometimes I see nothing else but the project, causing me to be blind.

Praise who? I have this on my mind and it’s hard to praise anyone when I am this distracted, I thought to myself. Then it hit me, I was getting choked by the world.

• GOD says to me “Do not worry” and I believe it is because I lose my focus of HIM.
• GOD says to me “Do not be afraid” and I believe it is because I think about this world too much.
• GOD says to me “I will be with you always” and I forget this when I am distracted.

GOD has received second billing in my life to so many worries, fears and doubts. I exhaust myself just trying to keep things moving in a path that I feel comfortable. GOD has never placed me on a path where life gets boring. HE has just the right mix of trial and reward to make me grow. HE is worthy of my time and I need to quiet down and listen to HIM daily.

• Are you distracted?
• Do you feel overwhelmed?
• Can you stop for a moment to meditate on GOD’s wonderful power?
• Will you praise GOD today for HIS unfailing love?

Am I Above GOD?

Psalm 47: ⁵ God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
    the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.
⁶ Sing praises to God, sing praises;
    sing praises to our King, sing praises.
⁷ For God is the King of all the earth;
    sing to him a psalm of praise.

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“GOD can’t possibly forgive me this time” was the thought that crossed my mind as I committed for the thousandth time. I mean preachers and church people said “sin is your problem, once you stop sinning you will be on easy street.” Soon I began to believe I could be “good” enough to get my way.

• My thinking is flawed if I believe I am in control of my situations.
• My thinking is flawed if I believe I am in control of my circumstances.
• My thinking is flawed if I believe I am in control of my status.

When things went wrong in my life, I would think to myself “what sin brought this on?” I mean it has to be a sin that I have committed to bring “this” on I would think to myself. But there is a flaw in that thinking, I’m still in control and I think GOD isn’t. BUT HE IS.

• GOD is above any situation, circumstance or status I can ever be in or hold.
• GOD is above any human, economic report or war that I could ever worry about.
• GOD is above any thought, feeling or action I could ever pursue.

GOD is.

My problem is that sometimes I don’t give GOD the credit for being as graceful as HE is. I think because my car just got beat up or someone robbed me that GOD no longer loves me or has forsaken me, which is FAR from the truth. GOD is amazing! HIS grace is amazing! HIS love, endless! HE has patience with me I wish I could have with other humans. HIS grace truly is sufficient!

• Are you having a difficult time praising GOD?
• Do you think HE is mad at you for something?
• Can you stop thinking GOD is somewhere else and believe HE loves you dearly, period?
• Will you lower yourself beneath GOD and let HIM have grace, HIS way?

Being Excited

Psalm 45: ¹ My heart is stirred by a noble theme
    as I recite my verses for the king;
    my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.

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“I am finished!” I declared as I ran down the hallway of my dorm. With my first set of finals under my belt, I was filled with elation. I could not hold the words inside. I gleefully galloped down the hall, slipped and hurt my shoulder! I went to the infirmary and they placed my arm in a sling.

The sling could not hold back my joy.  The semester was a difficult transition for me and the mystery was now complete.

• When I am excited I can face pain.
• When I am excited I can face problems.
• When I am excited I can face difficulty.

Discouragement is exactly what the enemy wants me to feel. There is no excitement on discouragement, in fact, discouragement leads to dragging everyone around me down to the ground. Soon, I look around and there are nothing but sad faces and pain for miles. BUT GOD wants something different.

• GOD wants me to wake up praising HIM for the things HE has done.
• GOD wants me to be excited about this new day rather than approaching it with dread.
• GOD wants me to focus on the fruit of the spirit rather than the waste that flies out of the body of pain.

Whatsoever is good, whatsoever is true whatsoever is pure; think on these things keeps my mind clear and sharp. Excitement about this new day makes my heart leap with joy as I look forward to what GOD has in store for me!

• Are you excited about life?
• Can you recognize that the ALMIGHTY GOD has a wonderful plan for you today?
• Can you stop thinking about how GOD is doing things and let HIM masterfully weave a tapestry of love in your life today?

Long Lessons are Great Lessons

Psalm 39: ¹¹ When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,
    you consume their wealth like a moth—
    surely everyone is but a breath.

¹² “Hear my prayer, Lord,
    listen to my cry for help;
    do not be deaf to my weeping.
I dwell with you as a foreigner,
    a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
¹³ Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
    before I depart and am no more.”

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With my last three hundred dollars, I bought a car. It ran and had seats so I was excited, but months later I found myself on the side of the road. I had no car again and this time, no money. Walking was my alternative to get to work. “Why is this happening to me?”, I wondered at the time, not considering the lifestyle I was keeping up.

• My sin blinds me to the point where I think things are “happening to me.”
• My sin deafens me to the point where I cannot hear.
• My sin mutes me so I cannot speak about the wonders of GOD.

Many times I think about the consequences of sin rather than the wages of sin. I think GOD is going to be mad at me for something I did and HE will whoop me or take my stuff away for being bad. BUT GOD has shown me something different.

• GOD said to me “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of GOD is eternal life through JESUS CHRIST our LORD.”
• GOD said to me “I want you to have life and have it more abundantly.”
• GOD said to me “I stand at your door and knock, if you will open it I will come in and sup with you.”

The LORD gives and the LORD takes away is a hard scripture to swallow when I have my eyes focused on money, but when my eyes are focused on GOD I can see things differently. I can see the blessing of dependence on HIM and recognize that stuff may have clouded my vision of HIM. I would get nervous about sinning because the consequence may be that I would lose my stuff.

The reality is I should be focused on the “wages” of sin in which GOD had to lose HIS life for me. HE lost everything just for me and is now alive above everything. I am eternally grateful.

• Are you afraid of losing your stuff?
• Do you have fear that GOD is punishing you for something?
• Can you let things go and let GOD guide your path?

Slow Down

Psalm 38: ¹⁵ Lord, I wait for you;
    you will answer, Lord my God.

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My hand quickly pounded on the horn as the car in front of me sat there like they had no place to be. I raised my engine high as I passed everyone on the road. I got to work and my admin did not have my schedule together, “Please hurry” was my request as I had numerous meeting to prepare for. When an emergency popped up, I went faster and faster. “Where are you GOD, and why aren’t you moving fast?” was my thought.

• Sometimes my problem isn’t the problem.
• Sometimes the emergency isn’t the problem.
• Sometimes the situation or circumstance isn’t the problem.

Leading a very busy life leaves no room for GOD in my life. HE gets pushed to the back burner every day while I handle the “high priority” items on my plate. Then I find myself moving faster and faster with little patience for those who can’t keep up. In this instance, GOD chooses to help me with my impatience.

• GOD says to me “Wait on MY deliverance.”
• GOD says to me “I have you in MY hand no one can pluck you out.”
• GOD says to me “Have patience, be slow to anger, and watch ME work.”

What about my emergency? You mean I have to wait again!? Yes. Wait. GOD know just how long to keep me in the fire in order to burn off my doubts, worries and fears. HE says “I made you and I know how much you can handle.” HE watches me squirm and watches others around me squirm. HE then says, “Wait.”

Waiting makes me slow down, sit down and bow down. It makes me have patience for those around me and for those who are in similar positions. Waiting removes gloating arrogance and anger. Waiting builds trust and faith. GOD yields to no humans’ dates or times, but HE is always right on time!

• Are you losing your patience with GOD?
• Do you feel like you are out of time?
• Can you understand that waiting on GOD is good because HIS plan is better?
• Will you slow down enough to listen to GOD?

Cure for Jealousy

Psalm 37: ¹ Do not fret because of those who are evil
    or be envious of those who do wrong;
² for like the grass they will soon wither,
    like green plants they will soon die away.

³ Trust in the Lord and do good;
    dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
⁴ Take delight in the Lord,
    and he will give you the desires of your heart.

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It was easy to stay away from the thugs of my day. Petty crime and thievery was about the worst that it would get. Then I saw a new wave of thug emerge with flashy cars and clothes to match. They said “You have to be tough and take no prisoners if you want to be like me.” It was still easy for me to avoid them but others flocked towards their glitter.

I went my way, worked hard and met some wonderful corporate minded people along the way. They said “You have to be tough and take no prisoners if you want to be like me.” Wait, didn’t I hear that somewhere before? It must have been my imagination. I was envious of the corporate mogul.

• No matter where I am I can get envious.
• No matter how little or how much I have, I can get jealous.
• No matter what the cost, I can get green-eyed.

It seemed like the “tough” and the “arrogant” and the “mean spirited” people would get their way most often, meanwhile I was left to fend on my own, working hard for little reward. I mean why do they get all the rewards and I have to do all the work? BUT GOD hears and knows.

• GOD says to me “Trust in ME and do good and you will dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”
• GOD says to me “Take delight in ME and I will give you the desires of your heart.”
• GOD says to me “Be still before ME and wait patiently for ME; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Success of those who harm others is short lived. Yes it seems like they have the bigger bank accounts, bank rolls or Benz’s BUT GOD says I want you to follow ME on MY path, not theirs. GOD’s path means my eyes are open to those who hurt and are in pain. It means telling someone they are forgiven, no matter what sin they have committed. GOD says “MY way is the right way and I will bless you for following ME.”

• Are you jealous?
• Do you have envy of those who do wrong?
• Are you secretly looking over what they do so you can be like them?
• Can you turn your heart to GOD?
• Will you stop being envious of them and delight in following GOD?

Getting Revenge

Psalm 35: ²² Lord, you have seen this; do not be silent.
    Do not be far from me, Lord.
²³ Awake, and rise to my defense!
    Contend for me, my God and Lord.
²⁴ Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God;
    do not let them gloat over me.
²⁵ Do not let them think, “Aha, just what we wanted!”
    or say, “We have swallowed him up.”

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“That felt good” was the thought that flashed in my mind as I was able to block a person from interviewing at the company I worked at. She was a thorn in my side at my last job and I was shocked to hear my boss ask me “Should I interview her?”

Years later I went to look for a job at a place where I was a perfect fit. I looked through the list of employees and did not see her name, but I did see a person who was fired from the company I was trying to leave. I tried to reach out to him and he would have nothing to do with me. “So this is how she felt” crossed my mind.

• Sometimes revenge feels great to me.
• Sometimes revenge feels wonderful.
• Sometimes revenge fuels my determination.

Obtaining a goal based on revenge is very problematic. I mean if someone says something about me or does something to me, a dangerous fire can be lit that makes me determined to get that person back. This is a mild form of hatred that carries a dangerous seed. BUT GOD says think differently.

• GOD says to me “Vengeance is MINE, I will repay.”
• GOD says to me “Pray for your enemies that they may prosper.”
• GOD says to me “Forgive others as I have forgiven you.”

Spitting out my poison rather than using it as a dart is what GOD wants me to do. HE wants me to seek HIS kingdom first rather than seeking revenge first. By seeking HIS kingdom, I will find peace instead of pain, grace instead of groaning, and love instead of let downs. It is hard to “let it go” sometimes, BUT GOD can help me move on.

• Are you seeking revenge?
• Do you want to see “them” fail?
• Can you give your thoughts of revenge over to GOD?
• Will you focus on HIS kingdom first?

Getting Over Fear

Psalm 34: ⁴ I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
    he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
    their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
    he saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him,
    and he delivers them.

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¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them;
    he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is close to the brokenhearted
    and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ The righteous person may have many troubles,
    but the Lord delivers him from them all;
²⁰ he protects all his bones,
    not one of them will be broken.

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Scared of the mountain I went with the kids who were on the trip. I hadn’t even heard of a “bunny hill” but it seemed harmless. I went skiing with a bunch of people who couldn’t afford luxury trips and we had fun. My fear was unwarranted. I went bowling and I thought I would embarrass myself.

I didn’t know how to hold the ball and I didn’t know how to keep score. Gutter after gutter I tried to get it right. My score was a dismal 23 out of a perfect score of 300. I had a great time and went on to enjoy bowling.

• Sometimes I’m scared to get embarrassed.
• Sometimes my fear holds me back from trying.
• Sometimes I think too hard about the consequence rather than the blessing.

Fear is a very personal thing. What is easy for some is scary to me. I mean it seems so easy for people to do things I shudder to think about doing. I even had a fear of talking about GOD. I mean what if they reject “my” words?

• GOD says to me “I will deliver you from all your troubles.”
• GOD says to me “I save those who are crushed in spirit.”
• GOD says to me “I am close to the broken hearted.”
• GOD says to me “I camp angels to protect you because you fear ME.”

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. HE enables me to know the difference of fearing losing something I wasn’t supposed to have versus fearing following HIM. HE may embarrass me or make me look crazy to those who are against HIM. They may even humiliate me which doesn’t feel good at all, BUT GOD knows HIS great plan for me, plans to prosper me.

• Are you full of fear?
• Are you scared of being embarrassed?
• Can you get over your fears of the world and add a healthy fear of the LORD?

Keep Hoping

Psalm 31: ¹⁶ No king is saved by the size of his army;
    no warrior escapes by his great strength.
¹⁷ A horse is a vain hope for deliverance;
    despite all its great strength it cannot save.
¹⁸ But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him,
    on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,
¹⁹ to deliver them from death
    and keep them alive in famine.

²⁰ We wait in hope for the Lord;
    he is our help and our shield.
²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,
    for we trust in his holy name.
²² May your unfailing love be with us, Lord,
    even as we put our hope in you.

  

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Tears flew down my face as I ran away from the Christmas tree without the toy I hoped for. Fear struck my heart as I stared in the place where my now stolen bike used to be and my hopes of riding were gone. Disappointment ran through my body as yet another job sent a rejection letter to my apartment and my hopes of moving back to the city seemed impossible. Why hope?

• When my hope is on what I want I get disappointed.
• When I place my hope in getting more of what I want I get my hopes crushed.
• When I place all my hope in what I think I get highly embarrassed when it does not come to pass.

Looking back, there were a lot of things I really, really wanted. I hoped and prayed and they did not come to pass. Then I sat and said once, “Why hope?” I mean I don’t get my way so why even have a hope. BUT GOD spoke to me peacefully.

• GOD said to me “My ways are not your ways.”
• GOD said to me “I have a wonderful, delightful plan for you that is much better than you can ever imagine”
• GOD said to me “Stand still and watch MY deliverance.”

Each time I try to use my might, wit or connections I find myself wanting, hoping, desiring until it hurts. BUT GOD wants me to focus on HIM in order to have peace. HE wants me to place my hope in HIM and let HIM decide my path. My hope needs to be place in HIS plan so my peace can be made whole. GOD wants me to keep trusting HIM.

• Are you uneasy?
• Do you feel a bit shaken?
• Can you place a small portion of your trust in GOD?
• Will you take a step towards HIM today by praising HIM?

Forgiven

Psalm 32: ¹ Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
² Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

³ When I kept silent,
    my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night
    your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
    as in the heat of summer.

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
    my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.

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I find that it is easier to forgive than to ask for forgiveness. I mean asking for forgiveness means I have to see what I did wrong, ask the person for forgiveness and accept the consequences of what I did. BUT GOD says it isn’t hard.

• GOD says to me “If you confess your sins I will be faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you of all unrighteousness.”
• GOD says to me “If you confess with your mouth the JESUS is LORD “ and believe in your heart, you will be saved.
• GOD says to me “No one is righteous, no not one, but whoever believes in their heart the JESUS is the CHRIST, they will be saved.”

GOD is. HE forgives me for all my sins and cleanses me of all unrighteousness. I feel great about confessing to HIM daily!

• Are you too ashamed to confess your sins?
• Do you think hiding your sins is good?
• Can you come out and confess your sins to GOD who is waiting for you?

A Place to Put My Trust

Psalm 31: ¹ In you, Lord, I have taken refuge;
    let me never be put to shame;
    deliver me in your righteousness.
² Turn your ear to me,
    come quickly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge,
    a strong fortress to save me.
³ Since you are my rock and my fortress,
    for the sake of your name lead and guide me.
⁴ Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
    for you are my refuge.
⁵ Into your hands I commit my spirit;
    deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.

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Investments were new to me when one of my best friends’ father handed me a magazine teaching me how to invest. He mentioned retirement, buying a house and having money to do stuff. I was nervous because I hadn’t even thought about saving a penny. In fact, my friend and I were headed to a party that evening.

Years later I had saved up a mountain of cash and my attitude went to protection mode versus give. I became nervous at anything that threatened “my” wealth. I found myself worshipping less and working more. BUT GOD knew that.

• When I place my trust in money, it makes me forget how to have peace.
• When I place my trust in the in crowd, it makes me follow their lusts and change who I am.
• When I place my trust in insurance, security alarms, or firewalls it gives me a false sense of security that makes me forget a true need.

I met a man in another country who had his family, a hut, a cow and a lemon tree. He was truly at peace because he had all he needed, meanwhile I had money, fancy cars, and a huge network of people waiting to see if I would succeed or fail. I was the one who could not sleep. I had no peace. GOD wanted my mind somewhere else.

• GOD wants me to take refuge in HIM daily so I can have peace.
• GOD wants me to put aside all problems and focus on HIM for at least a moment so I can have peace.
• GOD wants me to stop playing my problems over and over and over again; slowing down to focus on HIM for just a moment each day.

Taking refuge to me is like when there is a tornado, I run and take shelter. I can run to my depleting cash, I can run to faithless people, I can run to insurance that rejects the claim or I can run to GOD. I chose GOD to quickly deliver me in HIS way in HIS time.

• Are you nervous?
• Where have you put your trust?
• What have you prayed for the most?
• Can you ask GOD for shelter during this storm?
• Will you ask GOD for HIS peace?

The Preference is People

Psalm 30: ⁸ To you, Lord, I called;
    to the Lord I cried for mercy:
⁹ “What is gained if I am silenced,
    if I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise you?
    Will it proclaim your faithfulness?
¹⁰ Hear, Lord, and be merciful to me;
    Lord, be my help.”

¹¹ You turned my wailing into dancing;
    you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
¹² that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
    Lord my God, I will praise you forever.

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“Let’s get this over with” was the thought that flashed in my mind as the church announcements droned on and on. “Blah, blah I need this and blah, blah, I need that!” Let’s just get on with the church part so I can get home.

• Sometimes my attitude makes me blind.
• Sometimes my thinking gets in the way.
• Sometimes my demeanor is heartless.

When I went to “church” only thinking of “me” sermons became irritating. In fact, anyone who asked for gifts became irritating. Quite honestly, if anyone corrected me about my approach to church, I found them irritating as well. Soon I wasn’t praising much at all, rather complaining about what was wrong with the church, work and community.

My giving was not sacrificial and my help to others was limited. BUT GOD said do something about this NOW!

• GOD says to me “I can make the rocks cry out to praise ME, but I prefer you to do it.”
• GOD says to me “I made all creation, but I have given you free will to praise ME or not.”
• GOD says to me “Chose this day who you will serve, ME or those who do not serve ME.”

GOD has opened my eyes to the judgment I placed on my giving. I now see that I did this as “protection” for myself rather than being generous to please GOD. I critiqued churches because I wanted to hear what I wanted to hear. I complained about people at work because I didn’t want to point at my own mess. BUT GOD showed HIS mercy and has blessed me instead of punishing me. I can praise HIM forever!

• Are you shrinking away from helping people?
• Are you super suspicious of those who are sent to you and are in need?
• Can you believe you may be serving an angel and are not aware of it?
• Can you stop complaining at work, church or at home and begin praising GOD?

Knowing Gives Peace

Psalm 29: ¹⁰ The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
    the Lord is enthroned as King forever.
¹¹ The Lord gives strength to his people;
    the Lord blesses his people with peace.

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Nervous, scared and shaking like a leaf, I was frightened to go outside. I mean the thugs who had chased me might still be outside.  When the police arrived I felt somewhat comforted. I could go back outside, meet up with my friend and continue the journey home.

• Sometimes I get scared, especially when drastic things happen.
• Sometimes I get nervous, especially when big situations pop up.
• Sometimes I get frightened, especially when the situation is huge in my mind.

Outnumbered, defenseless and pitiful, I cowered in the place I worked, wondering if these guys were outside. Did they have it in for me? OH no, did they have a gun? My mind raced. BUT GOD doesn’t want me to panic, instead HE has other thoughts.

• GOD says to me, “By knowing ME you can have peace.”
• GOD says to me, “I have all things in my hand.”
• GOD says to me, “Stand still and watch MY deliverance.”

Too many times I think I can “think” my way out of situations or do something under my own strength. But when a very large situation pops up that I can’t think my way out of or fix with my ability, I wonder where GOD is. HE says “I’M right here where I’VE always been… with you.” HIS power to protect is fantastic. HIS power to lift is unmatched. HIS power to bless is unyielding.

GOD can do what HE promised, I only have to trust in HIM.

• Are you facing something huge?
• Do you think your “thinking” will get you through the situation?
• Can you accept the fact that your thinking has faulty doubt in it?
• Will you place a small amount of your thinking to the knowledge that GOD is strong and wants to give you peace?

My Heart Leaps With Joy!

Psalm 28: ⁶ Praise be to the Lord,

    for he has heard my cry for mercy.
⁷ The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

⁸ The Lord is the strength of his people,
    a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.
⁹ Save your people and bless your inheritance;
    be their shepherd and carry them forever.

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My heart is filled with joy as we approach the weekend where we celebrate the most significant murder on the planet. I can only imagine how HE felt as HE reached out to us and we misinterpreted HIS kindness because of our false view of who and what GOD “should” be.

• JESUS extended a hand to me and I misinterpreted it for punishment.
• JESUS tried to wipe away a tear from my face and I misinterpreted it for a slap.
• JESUS attempted to tell me “Have Courage” and “Do not be afraid” and I went away cowering even more!

It seems like this JESUS fellow messed up quite a bit. HE was misunderstood, lied on and beaten until the crowd got worked up into a frenzy to have HIM murdered. Then I looked at my blunders throughout life and nothing compares to HIS. HE said HE was GOD and the staunch church goers, who had specific ways GOD should act in their minds, killed HIM. Wow! JESUS must have been crazy to call HIMSELF GOD!

• But on Sunday JESUS rose from the dead just for me.
• But on Sunday JESUS got up from the grave and had all power and saved me.
• But on Sunday JESUS showed everyone HE is GOD and HE is alive!

Just because I look crazy sometimes or am embarrassed sometimes or fail sometimes doesn’t mean JESUS is out to get me or take me down! Quite the opposite, HE became a human to shoe me HE loves me and that even HE would be misunderstood. “Forgive them, for they know not what they do” was and is HE plea to the FATHER for me.

• Are you ready to praise GOD for being there for you?
• Can you stop misinterpreting what GOD is taking you through and praise HIM!
• Will you begin filling your heart with joy by praising HIM today!