Mouth Full of Heart

Psalm 89: ¹⁴ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne;
    love and faithfulness go before you.
¹⁵ Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you,
    who walk in the light of your presence, Lord.
¹⁶ They rejoice in your name all day long;
    they celebrate your righteousness.
¹⁷ For you are their glory and strength,
    and by your favor you exalt our horn.
¹⁸ Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord,
    our king to the Holy One of Israel.

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Standing around the group a person passed by and we commented about their body parts. Of course I joined in. When I moved on to another group they were complaining. Of course I joined in. When I moved on to yet another group, all they talked about was houses, cars and expensive stuff. Of course I joined in. But one day I found myself talking about all of the above to someone who didn’t want to hear it. “What have I become” ran through my mind.

• The crowd actually doesn’t make me do anything that isn’t already there.
• The crowd actually doesn’t steer my heart, my heart joins the crowd.
• The crowd actually doesn’t change my heart because it already has the enough stuff in it.

It’s amazing how fast a complaint or doubt, or lust for will come out of my mouth. I mean when I look back at the tawdry words that proliferated from my mouth, I am amazed I haven’t been zapped down. GOD wants me to act different.

• GOD says to me “The mouth is like a rudder” so I must choose my words carefully.
• GOD says to me “The tongue is very difficult to tame” so I must find the root of my words.
• GOD says to me “The heart is desperately wicked” so I must ask HIM to cleanse it.

My words actually come from my heart. Every word spoken is not a product of “the crowd” rather it is from something that was already there in the first place. Fortunately for me there is hope. There is a cure. GOD says to me “Ask for a clean heart and watch me work.” I get so busy asking for stuff and situations to be cleared that I forget to ask HIM to make me more like HE is.

HIS heart transplant changes my words. I find myself acclaiming who HE is and rejoicing HIM in the middle of trouble. HE is my glory, my strength, and my shield. I walk with no fear on earth because I fear the LORD.

• Do you find yourself complaining?
• Are your words full of lust or worry?
• Do you feel you have to join in on crass conversations?
• Can you modify your words to speak for the kingdom?
• Will you praise GOD for an entire day without a worry or complaint?

HE Will Listen

Psalm 88: ¹ Lord, you are the God who saves me;
    day and night I cry out to you.
² May my prayer come before you;
    turn your ear to my cry.

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Phone staring was no longer my pass time. I had given up the job search and resolved in my mind that I would remain in the “Po-dunk” town I was in at the time. Looking back, the label I placed on the town was my problem. I had a specific lifestyle I was chasing when I looked for a job in the big city and because I wasn’t getting it I began to wonder if GOD loved me. I didn’t want to be around this group of people any longer. I wanted out!

• There are times where I ask for the wrong things.
• There are times in which my desires are centered on “me.”
• There are times where I am blinded by my own ambitions.

With a sigh and a slight pout I got back to work. Soon after I found excitement in serving at the church I was at. I started meeting people and found they were not so bad. In fact they needed GOD just as much as I did. I said I would become a Sunday school teacher there and then my phone rang. It was a job that I had not applied for.

• GOD wants me to want HIM more than I want other things.
• GOD wants me to elevate HIS needs over mine as much as I can.
• GOD wants to serve me so the more I can give to HIM the better our relationship grows.

Admitting my blindness to HIM is the first step. HE is the ONE who saves me from troubles, even the ones I put myself in. I must admit to HIM that I clearly do not know what is right for me so I need HIM to take the helm and guide me. I must place my prayer before HIM and align to HIS ways. The more I am in tune to HIS will, the less I will be disappointed.

• Are you asking GOD for something?
• Is your stubborn will getting in the way of hearing GOD?
• Can you curtail your desires for a minute and ask GOD to reshape them into HIS will for you?
• Will you ask GOD to take you on a new journey?

A Strong Place

Psalm 87: ⁵ Indeed, of Zion it will be said,
    “This one and that one were born in her,
    and the Most High himself will establish her.”
⁶ The Lord will write in the register of the peoples:
    “This one was born in Zion.”

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Blankets were my outer walls and pillows acted as the inner to my “strong” fortress.  It was exciting to build my fort on the bunk bed I lived in. I felt secure as I grabbed my homemade stuffed animal. As one could tell, the only thing my fort would keep out was my imagination.

• Sometimes I build things on earth to feel secure.
• Sometimes I build things on earth to feel like I am in control.
• Sometimes I build things on earth to feel safe, comfortable, and peaceful.

Retreating to places became my thing. I mean after a long day at school, I wanted to retreat to my home. After a long day at work I wanted to retreat to my apartment then, later in life, my home. These places felt safe but every once in a while a tornado, flood or some other form of nature would blow against my retreat and threaten my security. GOD wanted more.

• GOD wants me to look at HIM as my retreat.
• GOD wants me to see HIM as the answer, not the problem.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM for comfort, safety and peace.

With GOD as my refuge, there is total peace. HE gives security far greater than the fortress David captured in Zion. GOD’s throne alone is lifted high up and HE says to me “take your eyes off of earthly fortresses and look towards MY strong place. “I will never leave you or forsake you” are HIS words of comfort to me. HE wrote my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life and I am eternally grateful!

• Where do you find solace?
• Do you seek vacations as your way to retreat?
• Can you retreat with GOD on a daily basis no matter what you are going through?
• Will you let the HOLY SPIRIT comfort you?

Tools for Faith

Psalm 86: ¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord,
    that I may rely on your faithfulness;
give me an undivided heart,
    that I may fear your name.
¹² I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;
    I will glorify your name forever.
¹³ For great is your love toward me;
    you have delivered me from the depths,
    from the realm of the dead.

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“Pray” someone said. “Go to church” another person said. “Repent” was another piece of advice. “Give” was yet another answer to the troubles I was going through. All of the prescriptions came from avid church goers who seem to mean well. I have even used these terms thinking I could somehow change GOD’s mind or that HIS mind needed to be changed.

• There are times when I prescribe answers thinking it’s the right thing to say
• There are times when I prescribe answers thinking the person isn’t executing their faith well enough.
• There are times when I prescribe answers thinking “this” is what “I” want for the person.

Looking back I don’t think I have ever said, “Hold on, let me check with GOD and I’ll get back to you” when someone brings me a problem. I may jump right in and prescribe “take two prayers and a song and call me in the morning.” BUT GOD wants me to do something different.

• GOD wants me to ask HIM to teach me HIS ways so I can rely on HIS faithfulness.
• GOD wants me to focus on HIS faith rather than thinking I or the person I am helping has any sort of faith.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to give me an undivided heart to fear HIM constantly so I can follow HIM without inhibitions.

There are simply some situations where I cannot use a prescription. The tools for faith come from the builder alone. GOD understands what it takes to build my faith and I have to ask HIM to take me through things in order to understand how to rely on HIS faithfulness. HE wants me to have an undivided heart and only HE can heal my heart to do so. I will rely on HIS faithfulness, fear HIS name, praise HIM with all my heart and glorify HIS name forever.

GOD’s love is great towards me and HE has already delivered me from the depths and realm of the dead.

• Are you trying to gain faith on your own?
• Do you think you have any tools to grow your faith?
• Can you stop trying to change GOD and allow HIM to change your heart?
• Will you seek GOD, asking HIM to teach you HIS way so your eyes can be opened to HIS faithfulness?

Admiration Focused in the Right Direction

Psalm 85: ¹⁰ Love and faithfulness meet together;
    righteousness and peace kiss each other.
¹¹ Faithfulness springs forth from the earth,
    and righteousness looks down from heaven.
¹² The Lord will indeed give what is good,
    and our land will yield its harvest.
¹³ Righteousness goes before him
    and prepares the way for his steps.

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It probably started at a very young age. People seemed to gravitate towards a crowd and I was on the sidelines wanting to be included. I saw the group of notables in high school and thought how cool it would be to fit into the crowd. It didn’t happen. In college I wanted to fit in and this time I got a little closer but then I graduated. In business the “in crowd” required that I admire some people who wore their lusts on their sleeve. What would it hurt to pursue just a little sin?

• Sometimes I’m blinded by the crowd rather than seeing where I am.
• Sometimes I want to go on the wide road where everyone else “seems” to be having fun.
• Sometimes I desire to be like the “in crowd” no matter what they are doing or saying.

Separation from sinners is not what I’m saying because I would have to separate from myself. What I am saying is, it is already tough enough to battle my own sins let alone following someone into theirs. Being blinded by the in crowd can make me desire to be like them, no matter what the cost. BUT GOD wants my admiration.

• GOD wants me to notice HIS unending love for me rather than looking at what others have.
• GOD wants me to see HIS never ending faithfulness HE has towards me rather than thinking HE isn’t blessing me.
• GOD wants me to observe HIS righteousness so I can never become haughty and think I can ever be righteous enough to judge someone.

Love, faithfulness and righteousness are qualities to admire in GOD. When I complain about what HE is doing or not doing I cannot see these wonderful attributes HE wants to show me on a daily basis. HE pours out HIS love on me daily. HE is faithful and just to cleanse me of my unrighteousness because HIS steps are prepared in righteousness.

• Are you envious of someone?
• Do you think you would like to fit in with the crowd who could care less about GOD?
• Will you focus your attention on the wonderful attributes of GOD instead of complaining?
• Will you tell people of HIS greatness today?

Arguing for GOD is not my job

Psalm 83: ¹⁸ Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord—
    that you alone are the Most High over all the earth.

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Sitting at the lunch table I engaged in the debate of GOD’s existence and why JESUS is of utmost importance. I wasn’t very equipped but tried to answer their hidden agenda questions. I fumbled through my answers. Another time a very known religious group rang my doorbell and challenged my knowledge of the Bible. I fumbled through my answers. “I know… I’ll go to Bible school so I can argue with these people” I said to myself, tired of getting beat up in these debates.

• At one time I used to think GOD needed me to prove HIS existence.
• At one time I used to think GOD needed me to argue what’s right and what’s wrong.
• At one time I used to think GOD needed me to debate with people with other “religious” views.

This chapter was extremely harsh in that the writer was asking for calamity of his enemies who laugh at GOD and mock HIM. It reminded me of the times I faced people who refused to turn their face to GOD and I felt I had to say something in HIS defense. Looking back I see it was my faith that was in question not theirs.

• GOD wants me to have enough faith in HIM to deliver a message of love rather than proving someone to be “wrong.”
• GOD wants me to have enough faith in HIM to plant seeds of love in people rather than arguing and proving them “wrong.”
• GOD wants me to have enough faith in HIM to allow people to be who they are and to open my mouth and say “I believe” and let that be enough.

GOD does not need me to prove HIS existence, nor does HE need me to prove JESUS, who is GOD, died for me. GOD wants my faith to rely in HIM and HE wants me to prove HIS existence through showing “love” for my neighbor. Once I stopped arguing I noticed a strange thing, people started asking questions about my relationship with GOD. HE delivered people to me to love and they now follow HIM because GOD draws people to HIMSELF.

• Do you feel you need to argue GOD’s existence?
• Do you need to debate the existence of demons and angels?
• Can you ask GOD if HE wants you to do that?
• Will you have the faith to open your mouth and simply say “I believe in GOD” rather than fighting?

Choosing a Legacy

Psalm 82: ¹ God presides in the great assembly;
    he renders judgment among the “gods”:

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⁵ “The ‘gods’ know nothing, they understand nothing.
    They walk about in darkness;
    all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

⁶ “I said, ‘You are “gods”;
    you are all sons of the Most High.’
⁷ But you will die like mere mortals;
    you will fall like every other ruler.”

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Surprised and elated were the feelings that arose as I received my first award in my career. I had been working for years and I was being recognized for the long hours I had put in. The next year I received another and the following years too. I had a little more prance in my strut as one of the most decorated workers in the building. I was “proud” of myself.

• When I receive too many accolades I can get proud.
• When I receive too many pats on the back I can get a big head.
• When I receive too many cheers I can become arrogant.

Prideful leaders build kingdoms and I was no exception. I could not be told that my kingdom was only temporary because I had several backers who were firmly wedged into the company so I felt secure. BUT GOD says different.

• GOD says to me “Do not think more highly of yourself” to keep me from getting arrogant.
• GOD says to me “Do not place any god above ME” especially myself.
• GOD says to me “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” so I should never elevate myself higher than GOD, even when thinking my sin is greater than HIS grace.

“MY thoughts are not your thoughts, MY ways are not your ways” GOD says. HE has a sinless view of me and I have a sinful view of HIM. I try to build and rebuild kingdoms, meanwhile GOD laughs and says, “Unless you give it all to ME, your efforts are futile.” GOD made me in HIS likeness which gives me tremendous power. HE made Satan with tremendous power too and Satan chose pride over grace.

GOD wants me to be creative, expressive and flourishing just like HE is. HE does not want me to think that any creativity, any blessing or any security comes from me or my efforts. In all ways GOD wants me to acknowledge HIM. My legacy should point to HIM.

• Do you think you are “self-made?”
• Do you believe you are the one who is creative or talented?
• Can you acknowledge that GOD made you the way you are?
• Will you acknowledge GOD and allow HIM to take you where HE is taking you?

Wouldn’t it be nice to have all enemies subdued?

Psalm 81: ¹³ “If my people would only listen to me,
    if Israel would only follow my ways,
¹⁴ how quickly I would subdue their enemies
    and turn my hand against their foes!
¹⁵ Those who hate the Lord would cringe before him,
    and their punishment would last forever.
¹⁶ But you would be fed with the finest of wheat;
    with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

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Wouldn’t it be great to be free from fear, pain, doubt, lust, deception, misunderstanding, pride, covetousness and more? When I look at the list it actually grows longer the more I read. If I could just be sinless then GOD would subdue my enemies, right? Well, sort of…

• I have heard from many people that life can be lived sinless..
• I have heard from many people that they believe they have dropped all of their sins.
• I have heard from many people who feel they are righteous because they have minimal problems so those who have many problems must be sinners.

What a burden! I mean seeking a god who is ready to drop me at a moment’s notice once I sin! This is very bad news because my thoughts are sinful and I complain to GOD about HIS ways. “I’m really in trouble” I thought to myself. BUT GOD said something very different.

• GOD said to me “MY thoughts are not your thoughts. MY ways are not your ways.”
• GOD said to me “MY grace IS sufficient.”
• GOD said to me “There no one who is righteous, no not one.”
• GOD said to me “Confess your sins to ME and I will be faithful and just to forgive your sins and cleanse you of ALL unrighteousness.”

If I say I am not a sinner I am a liar to myself and to GOD. HE wants me to realize I need HIM daily and there is no humanly escape for sin because I was born a sinner. No matter how righteous I pretend to be, I will never be righteous enough to “please GOD.” What can I do?

GOD wants me to trust HIS plan for me. HE decided to become a human and be blamed for my sins. HE was falsely accused of what I did and sentenced to death. Then, I turned to HIM and blamed HIM for my situation, casting more sins at HIM. HE said “Forgive them for they do not know what they are doing” and HE was right.

GOD wants me to believe HE has the best in mind for me. HE wants me to trust HIS plan and understand the HE was VICTORIOUSLY raised to life and put above everything! HE wants me to believe and trust!

• Do you think you can persuade GOD with your righteousness?
• Can you stop trying so hard to please GOD and simply follow HIS ways because you love HIM?
• Will you drop the pretense of being righteous and tell people about your sin so they will turn to GOD?

Ask for Restoration

Psalm 80: ³ Restore us, O God;
    make your face shine on us,
    that we may be saved.

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“My ideas are better than his” I thought to myself smugly. I locked my desk and firmly grasped my planner (yes people used pen and paper once upon a time). As I polled the department, I could see that I was a shoe in for the next spot. My rival didn’t have a chance so I threw my feet on the boss’s desk, figuratively of course, and acted like I had the job. He gave the job to my rival and I had to “eat crow” for a long, long time.

• It’s not easy to ask for forgiveness especially when I think “I am right.”
• It’s not easy to ask for restoration especially when I have acted in an arrogant fashion.
• It’s not easy to ask for mercy when I clearly do not deserve mercy.

Swallowing pride is a very difficult thing to do for me, but I find it necessary in order to move ahead. I think the reason it is so difficult to swallow pride is because it puts me in a very humble position. BUT GOD wants me to be in that position.

• GOD says to me “Do not think more highly of yourself” so I can remain humble and even keel.
• GOD says to me “Ask and you shall receive” so asking for restoration will be given to me in abundance.
• GOD says to me “Acknowledge GOD” and “Believe in THE SON” and “Confess my wrongs” so I can see and respect HIS authority to say “yes” or “no” to my request for mercy.

I have heard people tell me to “Go to GOD and tell HIM what you want.” That sounds fine, but I believe HE wants me to humble myself and ask HIM for mercy that I should not expect. Mercy is not mercy if I can demand it. GOD wants me to ask for restoration without expecting it. HE is not punishing me rather opening my eyes to HIS wonderful plan.

HIS own Son asked “FATHER, if I don’t have to drink this cup (meaning being blamed for every human’s sin) then let it be so, but not MY will but YOURS.” The plan for JESUS was ultra-difficult, one that no father would want to see for their child. BUT GOD went ahead with the plan and what a victorious plan it was! My request for restoration may not happen in my way nor in my time, BUT GOD has a wonderful plan for me!

• Are you demanding restoration?
• Do you think you deserve to be restored?
• Can you humble yourself and ask GOD for restoration and not expect it?
• Will you follow GOD if HE does not restore you to the place you expect?

Deserving Deliverance

Psalm 79: ⁹ Help us, God our Savior,
    for the glory of your name;
deliver us and forgive our sins
    for your name’s sake.

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Sitting in my final, I asked GOD to help me recall some of the information I crammed into my head the night before. I didn’t understand the concepts and the professor told me a week before that unless I wrote an outstanding final, I would fail. After my prayer I took the final and got a C on the test and a failing grade overall.

Praying that GOD undo damage I have caused is rather futile, especially if it’s for my personal gain. I expected that GOD clean up the damage while I skip merrily through the situation. It did not happen. GOD allowed me to face the consequences of my decision and quite honestly it was the best thing that happened to me. My study habits got infinitely better afterwards.

• GOD delivers me not because of me, but in spite of me.
• GOD delivers me in the middle of my sins, not after I clean myself up.
• GOD delivers me because of HIS name and HIS sake, not because I demand it or deserve it.

When I look at my life I see points where GOD intervened in the middle of my sins. HE showed tremendous restraint and did not pour out wrath rather HE dished out a heaping helping of HIS grace. I can also see times where HE allowed the consequences of my sins to hit me in the face.

This prayer is appropriate. Israel was in captivity for turning away from GOD for the thousandth time. The writer knew there was nothing that could be said to deserve deliverance. All they could write was “Forgive our sins for YOUR name’s sake.” GOD’s name is pure and so is HIS love for me. I praise HIM because I do not deserve the blessings HE has bestowed on me.

• Do you feel you deserve deliverance?
• Are you busy telling GOD how good you have been?
• Can you stop trying to steer GOD and praise HIM?
• Will you ask HIM to deliver you on HIS terms?

Ingredients for Deliverance

Psalm 78: ¹¹ They forgot what he had done,
    the wonders he had shown them.
¹² He did miracles in the sight of their ancestors
    in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan.
¹³ He divided the sea and led them through;
    he made the water stand up like a wall.
¹⁴ He guided them with the cloud by day
    and with light from the fire all night.
¹⁵ He split the rocks in the wilderness
    and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
¹⁶ he brought streams out of a rocky crag
    and made water flow down like rivers.

¹⁷ But they continued to sin against him,
    rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.
¹⁸ They willfully put God to the test
    by demanding the food they craved.
¹⁹ They spoke against God;
    they said, “Can God really
    spread a table in the wilderness?
²⁰ True, he struck the rock,
    and water gushed out,
    streams flowed abundantly,
but can he also give us bread?
    Can he supply meat for his people?”
²¹ When the Lord heard them, he was furious;
    his fire broke out against Jacob,
    and his wrath rose against Israel,
²² for they did not believe in God
    or trust in his deliverance.

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As I pondered “GOD’s deliverance” I noticed that when I get nervous or think GOD isn’t moving fast enough, I start telling HIM what to do. I mean I tell HIM how much, when and sometimes why. BUT GOD wants me to think differently.

• GOD wants me to understand the trial so I can go in a different direction.
• GOD wants me to hold onto HIS ways so I can follow HIS lead.
• GOD wants me to remember HIS deliverance from the past and trust in HIS deliverance now.

“Grow up” is GOD’s calling to me. HE wants me to stop remaining feeble and hold on to GOD, who has all the power!. Instead of fretting through a trial, HE simply wants me to remember.

• Have you lost your trust in GOD?
• Do you tell HIM what you need and when you need it constantly?
• Can you ask HIM for forgiveness and look back to remember HIS deliverance?
• Will you add trust to your day and let GOD bless you?

A Cure for Waiting

Psalm: ⁷ “Will the Lord reject forever?
    Will he never show his favor again?
⁸ Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
    Has his promise failed for all time?
⁹ Has God forgotten to be merciful?
    Has he in anger withheld his compassion?”

¹⁰ Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:
    the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand.
¹¹ I will remember the deeds of the Lord;
    yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago.
¹² I will consider all your works
    and meditate on all your mighty deeds.”

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Bible babble was the last thing I wanted to talk about. It seemed like the people in my immediate circle knew so much more than me and when I opened my mouth, there was always a correction or added information.

The Bible was “their” Bible and knowing it was “their” thing. One day I read it and it peaked my curiosity. But as soon as I got to know the people in the Bible, my faith waned. I mean it was “their” experiences, what does this have to do with me?

• Looking at church goers can sometimes cause me to compare my life to theirs.
• Reading the Bible can sometimes cause me to compare my life to the experiences of others.
• Living around other people can sometimes cause me to compare my stuff to my neighbors.

I soon found that I didn’t measure up to the standards of the churchy people who could quote scripture and argue their knowledge. I stopped going to church and GOD brought me back. HE opened my eyes and took me though some amazing times. I now had my own experiences from which I could draw from. Now when I read the Bible I can see a different set of words that were always there. I can see GOD talking to “me” rather than spouting out rules.

• When I am anxious GOD wants me to remember what HE brought me through in the past.
• When I am scared GOD wants me to remember how HE delivered me from many near death situations.
• When I am confused and feel like giving up GOD wants me to remember the times that HE rescued me from extreme circumstances.

GOD is my all and all. HE has delivered me from so many dangers, toils and snares. HE has protected me, led me and loved me over and over and over again. HE has NEVER let me stay down and has ALWAYS stayed with me, feeling worse for me than I feel for myself. GOD wants me to remember HIS might, remember HIS deeds and remember HIS miracles.

When I consider all of GOD’s works it helps me wait because I know HIS plan is greater than anything I could ever think of.

• Are you in a waiting period?
• Do you want to be finished with “this” trial?
• Instead of waiting, can you take a moment and meditate on what GOD has done in your life?

Time Machines Do Not Exist

Psalm 76: ⁷ It is you alone who are to be feared.
    Who can stand before you when you are angry?
⁸ From heaven you pronounced judgment,
    and the land feared and was quiet—
⁹ when you, God, rose up to judge,
    to save all the afflicted of the land.
¹⁰ Surely your wrath against mankind brings you praise,
    and the survivors of your wrath are restrained.

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“You know what’s really disappointing, I trusted you” were the words that turned me around. After losing the trust of my supervisor I felt miserable. Now I was being watched carefully on a job that I hated anyway. What hurt the most is I had trust placed in me, lost it and could never gain it back.

• Sometimes I blow it with people and I cannot gain their trust back.
• Sometimes I make permanent mistakes with people and I cannot win them over.
• Sometimes I burn bridges with people and they cannot be rebuilt.

It seemed like GOD was angry at my slothful ways. I was definitely on the wrong path and this incident with my supervisor proved it. I had to wake up and place my fear back in GOD rather than fearing a shrinking bank account. I had to get restraint.

• GOD allows me to be as wild as I want to be, but HE would rather have me fear HIS ways.
• GOD allows me to not follow HIM, but HE would rather that I fear HIS wrath.
• GOD allows me to get angry at HIM, shake my fist at HIM and threaten to move away from HIM, but HE would rather have a peaceful loving relationship with me that has power.

I do not have a time machine to go back and fix all the ills I have created in life. GOD allowed me to feel HIS wrath in a very small way many times. BUT GOD is the ultimate forgiver. HE chastens me rather than destroying me. HE adds restraint to my ways that tend to run away from HIM and HE holds on tight. I can now praise HIM for holding onto me instead of letting me run further away from HIM.

• Are you looking back at past mistakes?
• Do you think reviewing the past will help you right now?
• Can you let go of the past and hold onto GOD?
• Will you stop looking into the future and look at the here and now?
• Will you fear and praise GOD today?

Reset Expectations

Psalm 75: ⁷ It is God who judges:
    He brings one down, he exalts another.
⁸ In the hand of the Lord is a cup
    full of foaming wine mixed with spices;
he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth
    drink it down to its very dregs.

⁹ As for me, I will declare this forever;
    I will sing praise to the God of Jacob,
¹⁰ who says, “I will cut off the horns of all the wicked,
    but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.”

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“Look at ‘those’ people” is what I thought to myself. I mean “they” are blatantly sinning by doing , not admitting any of my own. Maybe if “they” would just stop sinning then “their” problems would go away was my thought.

• When I think other people are sinning I don’t look at my own sins.
• When I look at what someone else is doing I ignore my own sins.
• When I talk about someone else I overlook my own sins.

Comparing myself to a class of sinner is real easy and quite honestly it feels good. I mean “they” are doing so much wrong and “I” am over here doing right! GOD should be patting me on the back and raising me up to be… well, the highest HE has raised me! Wrong!

• It is GOD who judges and what I sometimes overlook is I am in the mud.
• It is GOD who brings one down and exalts another and what I sometimes overlook is I do not deserve to be raised up.
• It is GOD who chooses and what I sometimes overlook is HE chose me in the middle of my sins.

GOD is the ultimate forgiver! HIS grace and mercy are unmatched. But my sinful mind sometimes expects HIM to raise me up to a certain level. Faith “is” the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen and I must put my faith in GOD. HE chooses how high I should be at a certain time to reach HIS people.

My expectations should not be on “how high” HE raises me, but “who” should I be talking to now that I am where I am. I will declare GOD’s righteousness forever, I will sing praises to the GOD of Jacob.

• Are you comparing yourself to others?
• Do you think you should be “higher” than you are?
• Can you stop trying to get raised up and seek the purpose of why GOD has you where you are?
• Will you become content and accept GOD’s calling on your life to reach the people HE is bringing to you at this level?
• Will you praise HIM for where HE has you and that HE has a special purpose for you?

The Long Journey

Psalm 74: ¹² But God is my King from long ago;
    he brings salvation on the earth.

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“Stop” has popped up in my mind many times as I was driving along distracted by life’s events. Each time I obeyed and each time I avoided a catastrophe. What was this voice? Why did I get saved each time?

• Looking back I see that GOD was there watching over me.
• Looking back I see that only GOD could have saved me from the things HE saved me from.
• Looking back I see that GOD was there the entire time protecting me and watching over me.

It’s not just avoided accidents or evaded pitfalls that GOD has guided me through. HE has blessed me beyond my imagination and taken me places I would never have dreamed. So why do I doubt?

• I doubt when I forget what GOD has done.
• I doubt when I think I know the answer and GOD has another path.
• I doubt when I lose my faith by placing faith in something else.

GOD want me to remember all the great things HE has done for me and to think on these things. HE wants me to retract the wonderful salvation HE has done and place HIS power to the forefront of my mind. GOD wants me to remember HIS greatness and continue to look forward to HIS everlasting love.

• Are you in a place of doubt?
• Do you think GOD has left you?
• Can you look back at the times GOD has miraculously saved you?
• Will you let GOD deliver you HIS way in HIS time?
• Will you continue to move forward without doubt like you used to?

Understanding Jealousy

Psalm 73: ²¹ When my heart was grieved
    and my spirit embittered,
²² I was senseless and ignorant;
    I was a brute beast before you.

²³ Yet I am always with you;
    you hold me by my right hand.
²⁴ You guide me with your counsel,
    and afterward you will take me into glory.

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This weekend I was reminded of the many junk cars I drove. It seemed like I was on the side of the road more than moving forward. Once as my car showed the usual signs of failure I pulled over, got out and watched all of the people in fancy cars whiz by. This time I was a bit bitter as I looked at the face of a driver of an expensive car and watched him turn his head as he drove past. “Why do they seem to have no problems and all I have is problems?” I thought jealously.

• Jealousy enters my heart when I compare myself to others.
• Jealousy enters my heart when I am not satisfied or content.
• Jealousy enters my heart when I look at others, wanting what they have.

The real question I’m asking is “Why am I not the wealthy person driving past the poor sole on the side of the road?” I mean would I stop? Would I help if I were rich? No! How do I know… because I have been there too. Being rich brings on challenges that cause me to ignore the poor and protect my wealth at all costs. BUT GOD has shown me something different.

• GOD says to me “Do not love money because it will generate all kinds of evil you do not even know.”
• GOD says to me “Hearts are deceptive and wicked, only I can know it.”
• GOD says to me “Seek MY kingdom first”
• GOD says to me “I will guide you with MY counsel.”

Instead of seeking what someone else has, I should quiet down and ask, “What do you want me to do right now?” GOD has me here for a wonderful reason, one that I cannot ignore. HE opens my eyes to HIM when jealousy tries to blind me. HE shows me that being connected to HIM and going through a difficult situation is far better than being without HIM and thinking my wealth will save me.

GOD does not like when I am arrogantly wealthy nor does HE like a pouting jealous poor rant from me. HE does however appreciate when I acknowledge HIS supremacy, HIS love and HIS mercy for me.

• Are you jealous of something or someone?
• Do you envy certain groups of people and wish for their demise?
• Can you stop wasting your time looking at others and look to GOD who has called you into this situation?
• Will you truly praise GOD for where HE has you and get started on the mission HE has for you?