Something to Focus On

Something to Focus On

Revelation 1: ⁴ From John to the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace be yours from God, who is, who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits in front of his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the first to be raised from death and who is also the ruler of the kings of the world.

He loves us, and by his sacrificial death he has freed us from our sins ⁶ and made us a kingdom of priests to serve his God and Father. To Jesus Christ be the glory and power forever and ever! Amen.

⁷ Look, he is coming on the clouds! Everyone will see him, including those who pierced him. All peoples on earth will mourn over him. So shall it be!

⁸ “I am the first and the last,” says the Lord God Almighty, who is, who was, and who is to come.

 

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Worried about life, I felt like giving up. My “try harder” did not seem like it was getting “me” anywhere. As bills grew, so did my complaints. I could not find rest because the people I hung around also had many bills and complaints.

 

• My focus on life had turned into how much money I had or did not have.
• After complaining and worrying enough, I could only see problems.
• Victory was not even in my vocabulary because “I” did not feel victorious.

 

John starts his book by telling the believers that GOD, HIMSELF, sends HIS grace and peace. Not only HIM, but the seven SPIRITS and JESUS also send the message of grace and peace. All had seemed lost and humanity would belong to Satan. BUT JESUS, “the faithful witness” was “the first to be raised from death” and HE “freed us from our sins.”

 

My Observations:

• GOD, who is, who was and who is to come, is not worried about what is going to happen to me because HE has already seen me in a victorious state of being.
• JESUS freed me from death, pain and misery, so whatever I go through now is only temporary.
• GOD said, I AM the first and the last” meaning anything HE says can be counted on.

 

When life brings challenges, there is hope. I mean, human demands for unholy things can make anyone feel like all hope is lost, BUT when GOD tells me “everything turned out fine” I can believe it.

 

My focus needs to shift from the day to day worriers over to eternal victory. GOD may never say  “Did you work harder?” or “Did you get that gym shoe?”, or  “Did you accumulate as many earthly riches as you could?” Instead HE will ask “How many people did you serve the way I intended?” I am willing to change my focus over to the victory that has already happened!

 

Challenge

• Why do you think the writer sends “grace and peace” from GOD?
• Have you ever worried about something and could only focus on your worries?
• Will you change your focus by believing that JESUS is already victorious over your temporary situations today?

Cannot Be Stolen

Cannot Be Stolen

John 16: ¹⁹ Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, “Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, ‘A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me’? ²⁰ Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. ²¹ A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. ²² Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.

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Seeing the broken glass made my heart race. I looked into my car and to my dismay, all of my music had been stolen. All of that hard work, meticulously collecting the right songs that pleased my moods, was gone. I was not very happy.

• I have been robbed.
• I have had thieves threaten to shoot me.
• I have lost several items to burglars, liars and people who I was supposed to trust, stealing ideas, to claim it as their own.

JESUS explains the temporary nature of sorrow. It will only be here for a little while. BUT GOD has a remedy for sorrow that surpasses all understanding.

• GOD wants me to focus on joy rather than happiness.
• GOD wants me to be filled with joy rather than fleeting pleasure.
• GOD wants me to take joy into difficult days with difficult people.

Happiness, I find, is fleeting. I mean when things are new and shiny, I may be “happy”, but when the thing gets old, rusty or torn, I may not be as pleased with it. BUT GOD wants me to have something that lasts forever, namely joy.

When I am filled with joy, pain becomes temporary. I mean, when that stuff is stolen, or that person is causing strife, joy kicks in and enables me to calm down from being riled up. Joy doesn’t always stop me from getting angry, hurt or upset, but it is there to soothe me back to a place where I can see and hear GOD. No one can steal my joy because it comes from GOD.

• Are you hurting and trying to be happy by the world’s standards?
• Do you think happiness is the goal?
• Will you ask GOD for joy that is overflowing and can cover all of your situations you may ever face?

True Finances

True Finances

John 16: 12 “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. 15 All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.

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Over time, the coins I took to the bank added up. I got excited over seeing the balance grow. I could now afford to buy anything I wanted. “Maybe I will buy some pants” I said to myself. I mean the ones I had were ragged and outgrown. “I deserve something better.”

• Money made me excited.
• Money made me think there was a problem when I did not have it.
• Money made me want more of it so I could depend on its power.

JESUS had a lot more to say to HIS followers but ran out of time. HE spoke about the HOLY SPIRIT in a generous way. Somehow, the HOLY SPIRIT will give away everything that was entrusted to JESUS.

• Truth is a currency the HOLY SPIRIT gives to me.
• Glorifying JESUS is a currency the HOLY SPIRIT gives to me.
• Salvation of those around me is a currency the HOLY SPIRIT gives to me.

Truth, praise and salvation are extremely important to the FATHER. But sometimes I fall into the trap, thinking human made finances are more important. I mean, GOD wants me to be more upset that one of my neighbor’s may be rejecting HIM, than worrying if their grass is not cut to the right length.

JESUS treasures humans and wants me to do the same. HE wants me to be as greedy as I want to be, as long as my greed is for human salvation. GOD’s currency is opposite that of human currency, which raises false hopes, false expectations and false security. GOD’s currency is truth and I believe in HIS true hope and security.

• Are you as concerned about your neighbor’s salvation than if you can pay a bill this month?
• Do you care about others more than the latest thing you want to spend money on?
• Will you accept caring for what GOD gives you more than what you can get out of life?

Worry Actions

Luke 12: ²² Then He said to His disciples, “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; nor about the body, what you will put on. ²³ Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothing.²⁴ Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds? ²⁵ And which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature? ²⁶ If you then are not able to do the least, why ^[d]are you anxious for the rest? ²⁷ Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; and yet I say to you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. ²⁸ If then God so clothes the grass, which today is in the field and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will He clothe you, O you of little faith?

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Three o’clock in the morning was not unfamiliar to me. I had woken up many nights facing the pressures of work. Some nights, sleep evaded me altogether. After several years of this, the company decided to get rid of an entire group, including me. No more pressures. Why was I awake in the middle of the night?

• My thoughts can sometimes get the best of me.
• My mind can sometimes overthink situations.
• My security can be shattered when I do not have answers to the questions my mind conjures up.

JESUS tells HIS disciples “Do not worry” as if they had a choice in the matter. But then HE explains “why” they should not worry, which kind of defies logic. HE explains that GOD’s raging river of a plan cannot be stopped. HE says GOD cares about feeding birds, HE can certainly care about feeding humans, who HE created in HIS image.

• GOD cares about my physical attributes.
• GOD cares about my mental wellbeing.
• GOD cares about my comfort, my health, my relationships and my spirit.

GOD does care for me so I must get a grip on the lies my mind can dream up and focus on the truth. HIS plan seems strange, especially when I feel I am in control of my life. HE puts me in situations that actually grow me and HE removes blind spots where fear was leading me.

HIS power is unstoppable and I have to ride HIS raging river to the quiet place HE has for me. I put my trust in GOD. HIS plan is always great for me!

• Are you worried about your future?
• Do you think GOD has forgotten you or is punishing you?
• Will you stop thinking poorly about GOD’s love for you?
• Will you take the opportunity to grow instead of remaining a child and allow GOD’s strength to shine in your life today?

More or Less

Luke 12: ¹³ Then one from the crowd said to Him, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”

¹⁴ But He said to him, “Man, who made Me a judge or an arbitrator over you?” ¹⁵ And He said to them, “Take heed and beware of covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses.”

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“Try this on” the salesperson persuadably said.  When I put the garments on, I felt rich. I stared in the mirror and imagined scenarios of popularity and pride. “How much?” I asked. “Oh, about half a month of your salary.” “Hmm, I really want this” I battled. “I’ll take it.”

• Envy can make me want what others have.
• Greed can make me want more, even when I have enough.
• Pride can make me feel less than adequate even when I have plenty.

JESUS addresses possessions directly when a brother was fighting a brother over money.  “Life is more than materialism” JESUS said. But what does this have to do with me?

• GOD says to me, “I will give you abundant life.”
• GOD says to me, “Your life is extremely valuable to ME.”
• GOD says to me, “People are MY treasure, therefore go and bring ME back the treasure that is lost.”

When I believed that I needed JESUS as my Savior, the angels rejoiced. GOD wants me to bring HIM more and more people not just possessions as people think. GOD wants my message to be about HIS SON but sometimes money gets mixed into the message.

GOD wants me to let go of needing to have the latest thing or be styled in the nicest garments. HE wants me to focus people on HIS majesty so they will be taken care of by HIM. HE is what I desire.

• Do you want more than you have?
• Do you feel inadequate because you don’t have enough?
• Will you stop relying on the possessions you have as a basis of “who you are” and focus on what GOD declared “who you are” today?

I Doubt It

Matthew 14: ³¹ Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?”

³² And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. ³³ Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.”

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After searching for a while I prayed, “LORD help me find my license.” Then it came to me, “Look behind the desk.” It was there. After being in school for too long I stubbornly prayed, “LORD please help me graduate.” Seemingly in no time, I graduated. After job loss and bills were mounting I thought, “I wonder if GOD will hear me.” I doubt it.

• There are situations that I think are too large for GOD.
• There are times when the world is coming at me so fast that I think GOD cannot possibly handle this!
• There are circumstances where I think my sin is greater than GOD’s grace so I doubt HIS grace.

During the winds of life I simply want things under “my” control. I try to place logic around what’s going on and somehow I can’t make things make sense. The question “why” would pop into my mind without resolution. My doubt grew. BUT GOD had a remedy.

• GOD wants me to focus on praising HIM so I can build stronger faith.
• GOD wants me to rest in HIM so I can calm down enough to hear HIS voice.
• GOD wants me to seek HIM versus seeking to always “fix” the problem.

Sometimes it is best to let go of the problem for a while and just walk out to GOD. HE can handle life’s troubles while I take steps towards HIM. Since GOD was only an earshot away, Peter wasn’t far from making it all the way to HIM, same with me.

GOD wants me to have total trust that HE has the situation fully covered. HE wants me to stop looking around and look at only at HIM.  GOD is my complete Savior.

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Have you trusted HIM in the past and are choosing not to trust HIM now?
• Can you drop your timelines and focus only on how GOD is blessing you today?
• Will you take more steps towards HIM today?

Worry

Matthew 6: ²⁵ “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? ²⁶ Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷ Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

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³³ But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴ Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

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“Oh no, my life is ruined!” I thought to myself. I started calculating what would happen to my life now that I failed the class. “If  I don’t graduate in this particular major, then I won’t get good paying job, then I will be stuck being a janitor the rest of my life!” was my dramatic line of thinking.

• When I worry I think the worst will happen.
• When I worry I think of all kinds of bad things that could happen.
• When I worry I take it a step further and turn it into panic and start reacting to those who are worried around me.

Worry is an evil incessant foe. It rears its ugly head to distract, not only me, but many around me. It invites its friends “panic” and “fear” to join in on the party and soon I found myself blaming GOD for all my ills. “If YOU would have just given me the answers to the test, then I would not be in this mess!” was my immature thought after not studying.

• GOD says to me “You are more valuable than all the animals I feed daily.”
• GOD says to me “Seek MY kingdom first on a daily basis and MY righteousness and I will feed and clothe you.”
• GOD says to me “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.”

Tomorrow is GOD’s domain and I have not right to be in it at all. GOD wants me to stay in “today” where have an opportunity to praise HIM, serve HIM and be guided by HIM. A sigh of relief comes out of my mouth as I do not have to think about “tomorrow” for today I seek GOD.

• Are you worried?
• Do you think your worry can change things?
• Can you stop worrying for a few moments and praise GOD so HE can help you think straight?

Eyes on the Prize

Zechariah 2: ¹⁰ “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord. ¹¹ “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. ¹² The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. ¹³ Be still before the Lord, all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.”

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Desperate for a little cash, I entered the tournament hoping to have one of those movie like endings. I was doing great that day and just knew I would win the cash prize. Unfortunately, the guy next to me was performing with perfection. He not only won the cash prize, but the car that went along with it!

• Many times I have missed out on the prize.
• Many times I put my hopes in a prize and lost.
• Many times I did not get what I sought out for.

Disillusioned was the feeling as I used my last few dollars in a longshot. I went home dejected. “How am I going to make it now?” I cried out. I had my eyes on that prize and I did not get it.

• GOD said to me “Shout and be glad for I AM coming to live with you.”
• GOD said to me “You will become MY people.”
• GOD said to me “Be still before ME because I have roused MYSELF from MY holy dwelling.”

My heart was not at peace. I was looking at the current bill of the day and not looking at the true prize, namely JESUS. It is easier said than done to not worry about finances and only focus on GOD, but it had to happen in order for me to gain peace. I got on my knees in a very rare moment of prayer and said “Help!”

Somehow, everything worked out just fine. GOD gave me just enough to keep going and push through that bleak time. HE wanted me to put my trust in HIM and not my abilities. HE tells me to “shout and be glad” even when I don’t feel like it. This enables me to keep my eyes on HIM rather than focusing on bleak situations. HE has never let me down when I look at HIM!

• Are you focused on a bleak situation?
• Do you think you will never get out of this hole?
• Can you stop focusing in on the situation long enough to look at GOD?
• Will you take a moment to shout, be glad and “be still” before the LORD?

Facing Huge Challenges

Haggai 2: ⁴ But now be strong, Zerubbabel,’ declares the Lord. ‘Be strong, Joshua son of Jozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,’ declares the Lord, ‘and work. For I am with you,’ declares the Lord Almighty. ⁵ ‘This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.’

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Nervous about the journey I set out by myself. I had never traveled this far alone. “Which block do I turn down?” Dogs could sense my fear as I scurried past them. I made it to school safely. This was huge! Years later, with little to no counseling, I applied for college. I stood in the wrong line to sign up for classes and had no idea how to study, but somehow I made it.

Still years later I had just implemented technology to make the company more money. After the celebration, the position I held was eliminated. I was back to asking “Which way should I go?”

• There have been many times I have been faced with walking blindly.
• There have been many times I have had to go places that seemed unknown.
• There have been many times I have been in an impossible situation that seemed like I would overwhelmingly fail.

In each instance I felt like giving up. I mean I had no help, no one to guide me and the odds seemed impossible. BUT GOD always had a different message.

• GOD said to me “Be strong for I brought you out of Egypt.”
• GOD said to me “Be strong for I have been with you every step of the way.”
• GOD said to me “Be strong for MY SPIRIT remains among you. Do not fear.”

I left out a part in each story. When I felt like giving up, GOD showed me the way. Inevitably a person would pop up and guide me to a better place. HE placed HIS servants all over the world and enabled me to be guided in places I never would have dreamed of. HE has led me to still waters and restored my soul.

• Do you feel lost?
• Do you feel like giving up?
• Will you stop looking for the destination and seek GOD who will give you strength?
• Will you ask HIM for HIS direction and deliverance today?

Give Careful Thought

Haggai 1: ⁵ Now this is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. ⁶ You have planted much, but harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”

⁷ This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Give careful thought to your ways. ⁸ Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build my house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored,” says the Lord.

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Swimming in deep water, uphill, in a blizzard was how I felt. Drowning in debt and low on wages, I could see the needs pile higher and higher. My car was broken down, rent was due, tuition was unpaid and creditors were calling. Who has time for serving when I am in this much trouble?

• There were times when I thought life was spiraling downward.
• There were times when I thought life would never bring satisfaction.
• There were times when I thought all of my efforts were for naught because I did not seem to be reaping any great harvest.

Focusing in on money would excite some and depress others. I was in the latter because no matter how much I tried I just did not have enough. What was I doing wrong?

• GOD said to me “Focus on ME and I will bless you.”
• GOD said to me “Pay attention to ME and I will make your paths straight.”
• GOD said to me “Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find.”

Lost and bewildered, I gave my life back to GOD. This time something seemed different. I did not care if GOD took everything away from me, as long as my relationship with HIM was fine. It took a while, several years but I noticed a huge change. I was not worried, stressed or lying awake. I was out of debt and living quite comfortably. GOD did come through with HIS promise.

• Are you lying awake over something?
• Do you feel tired of working hard and getting nowhere?
• Will you take time today and focus on what really matters, namely GOD?

Destruction Restored

Nahum 2: ² The Lord will restore the splendor of Jacob
    like the splendor of Israel,
though destroyers have laid them waste
    and have ruined their vines.

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“My life is ruined!” I thought to myself. I had a new pair of pants and the pen in my pocket “flooded” and drained all throughout the fabric. I had to deal with the humiliation all day, which was about five hours or so!

“My life is ruined!” I thought to myself when I was in a head on collision. Not making much money, I did not have enough to buy another car. I had to resort to walking a mile and a half to work!

• There were times when I thought “my life is ruined” because I lost something I deemed as special.
• There were times when I believed “this is the end” when something was taken out of my hands.
• There were times when I felt “Everything is falling apart” when something I wanted was not achieved.

From music collections to money, I have had things stolen, lost and destroyed. When I lost five dollars before going into the amusement park I cried like a child, because I was a child. In fact, even when I got older I was childish in response to the stuff that was now gone. What should I do?

• GOD says to me “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
• GOD says to me “You cannot serve money and ME.”
• GOD says to me “Give everything to ME and all will be well with you.”

By giving everything to GOD I noticed I did not mind “as much” if HE took whatever “it” was away. “It” is all HIS anyway. Job said “The LORD gives and the LORD takes away; blessed be the name of the LORD” and this is true. I cannot say it does not hurt to lose stuff, but I can say that I do not have to stay in mourning over the lost stuff long.

GOD says “I will restore your splendor” which means I have splendor in the first place. HE enjoys picking me up, dusting me off and placing me in a high place that I never would have expected. GOD’s plan is incredibly wonderful for me. I do not have to fret over “stuff” very long.

• Are you crying over something you lost or was stolen from you?
• Do you feel like everything is ruined now that you don’t have the income, house or car?
• Can you stop looking at the stuff for a moment and look at GOD?
• Will you allow HIM to restore you to the splendor HE made you with today?  

Bank Account Replenished - Credit Fixed

Joel 2: ²⁵ “I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—
    the great locust and the young locust,
    the other locusts and the locust swarm—
my great army that I sent among you.
²⁶ You will have plenty to eat, until you are full,
    and you will praise the name of the Lord your God,
    who has worked wonders for you;
never again will my people be shamed.
²⁷ Then you will know that I am in Israel,
    that I am the Lord your God,
    and that there is no other;
never again will my people be shamed.

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³² And everyone who calls
    on the name of the Lord will be saved;
for on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem
    there will be deliverance,
    as the Lord has said,
even among the survivors
    whom the Lord calls.

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“Where are my tools?” I said to myself as I look in the garage. Then it dawned on me to ask myself “Why is the garage door open?” It finally hit me that some items were missing. We had been robbed! Thieves stole years of tool collection, miter saw and all!

Months later one of the admin, who by the way did not know the incident, asked me “Do you want these left over tools? We are moving our office and have no need for them.” I wound up with double of what I had lost.

• GOD sees every loss.
• GOD sees everything that was stolen from me.
• GOD sees every item that I clung tightly to and sometimes allowed them to be stolen.

It is not the loss of the item, but the reaction GOD wants me to have. “GOD gives and takes as HE pleases” is the attitude I had to learn. I mean, it’s all HIS anyway. I breathed a deep breath and let my tools go. GOD restored them when I wasn’t looking for them.

GOD did the same for my life. When I wasn’t looking for HIM, HE restored me. HE allowed HIS SON to die for my sins so I would not have to live apart from HIM. HE only asks that I call on JESUS name and HE will fulfill a promise that I will be saved. GOD fixed my bank account with HIM and erased my bad credit, replacing it with a new life!

• Are you in debt?
• Do you constantly worry about money?
• Will you call on GOD today?
• Will you allow GOD to handle financial affairs while you continue to praise HIM?
• Can you tell someone about how great GOD is for providing for you daily?

Saved by Silver

Ezekiel 7: ¹⁹ “‘They will throw their silver into the streets,
    and their gold will be treated as a thing unclean.
Their silver and gold
    will not be able to deliver them
    in the day of the Lord’s wrath.
It will not satisfy their hunger
    or fill their stomachs,
    for it has caused them to stumble into sin.

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Broke was the word that best described my situation. It seemed like there were more bills than money. Weekly I would get yet another call from a creditor and it seemed like I was moving backwards instead of forwards. “If I just had a little more money I could relax” I thought to myself.

• There have been times when I really wanted more money.
• There have been times when I craved more cash.
• There have been times when I wanted more stuff but could not afford it.

During this “broke” time I groused and my smile was seldom seen. I mean my life was a shamble right? Wrong! My dependence on cash made my life like a thermometer, hot when I had it, cold when it was gone. What was I supposed to do?

• GOD says to me “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
• GOD says to me “Put your trust in ME and all will go well with you.”
• GOD says to me “Trust in the LORD with all your ways and all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding.”

When I calmed down I realized I had never missed a meal and I was living in a semi-paid for apartment. My job was difficult but I was getting a steady paycheck. I truly had a lot to praise GOD about. “You mean I can depend on GOD for my worries?” I thought to myself. This brought a genuine smile to my face. I felt heaviness fall from my shoulders. GOD wants me to smile in the middle of the storm without depending on cash or my wits. HE does care.

• Have you placed too much emphasis on money?
• Do you spend an excessive amount of time worrying about money?
• Will you stop placing so much value on money and start valuing GOD?

How Long?

Jeremiah 47: ⁶ “‘Alas, sword of the Lord,
    how long till you rest?
Return to your sheath;
    cease and be still.’
⁷ But how can it rest
    when the Lord has commanded it,
when he has ordered it
    to attack Ashkelon and the coast?”

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“Are we there yet?” was my first question followed by “how long ‘til we get there?” Staring at the same cornfield seemed agonizing to me as a child but quite peaceful to me now, but that’s another story. When I went to the dentist, he asked “how long has this been hurting?” Another time I sat through a final exam and wondered “how much longer do I have to do this?” On a boring job I had to stop wearing a watch because the day would creep by in an agonizing way.

• When I am in pain I ask “how long?”
• When I want something to change I ask “how long?”
• When I am in a situation that seems to go on forever I ask “how long?”

Honestly, I really don’t want the answer to “how long” sometimes. I mean if the answer is “a few minutes” the question should not be “how long should I hold my hand in the fire?” “How long?” is a question I ask GOD quite often. The real question I am asking HIM is “Can you hurry up and change this situation in my favor?” HIS answer to “how long” may be “decades more” when I want something cured right away.

• GOD holds onto my future so I do not have to worry about it.
• GOD repairs my past so I do not have to dwell on it.
• GOD stays with me in the present so I can be confident in it.

Time is GOD’s. The writer says “A thousand years are but a day to the LORD.” In other words, HE can be extremely patient with me for as long as it takes. The situations I go through enable me to grow and GOD has just the right amount of time to hold me in the fire, to refine me like gold. “How long?” is a valid question but I have learned to answer the question myself with “Thank YOU LORD for bringing me through this like all other situations.”

• Are you going through something?
• Does it seem like you have been going through this situation for years?
• Can you ask GOD the real question “Will YOU change my heart to be YOURS?”
• Will you add praise to your life daily so you can gain endurance?

HE is WHO HE IS

Isaiah 44: ⁶ “This is what the Lord says—
    Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty:
I am the first and I am the last;
    apart from me there is no God.
⁷ Who then is like me? Let him proclaim it.
    Let him declare and lay out before me
what has happened since I established my ancient people,
    and what is yet to come—
    yes, let them foretell what will come.
⁸ Do not tremble, do not be afraid.
    Did I not proclaim this and foretell it long ago?
You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me?
    No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

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Pondering about the concept of GOD made me ask questions. “If GOD is real, why doesn’t HE just heal everybody?” I then decided this “GOD” thing isn’t enough for me. There has to be more. I mean I read parts of a self-help book and it said “I” should draw from my strengths.” I liked that because it put me in control. I soon started depending on “me” and got deeper into my mess. “I wonder if I should try GOD again” I thought to myself.

• There were times when I thought there has to be more than GOD.
• There were times when I thought GOD’s word was not enough.
• There were times when I thought GOD seems to not love me because I am in another mess.

Looking back on my relationship with GOD, I can see that I was the one who left HIM, not the other way around. During the time when I stopped praying and worshipping, I felt pretty good for a moment. I could do as I pleased and live as wild as I wanted to. But when problems happened, and boy did they happen, I had no place to turn. Should I rely on myself? No!

• GOD said to me “I AM the first and I AM the last; apart from me there is no GOD.”
• GOD said to me “Do not tremble; do not be afraid for I AM with you.”
• GOD said to me “You are my witnesses. Is there any God besides me? No, there is no other Rock; I know not one.”

GOD is my Rock and my salvation, whom shall I fear? After coming to my senses I soon realized I just wanted “my” way. I mean all those rules and not sinning didn’t seem “fun.” BUT GOD held onto me anyway. HE watched over me in spite of me and gently nudged me back to HIM. I am very glad to be in HIS arms. HE is the one and ONLY true GOD!

• Do you doubt GOD?
• Do you feel you need to add something to what HE said about life?
• Can you stop fighting GOD and let HIM work in your life?
• Will you turn your life over to HIM fully and watch HIS power unfold?

Spend Time Wisely

Psalm 135: ¹³ Your name, Lord, endures forever,
    your renown, Lord, through all generations.
¹⁴ For the Lord will vindicate his people
    and have compassion on his servants.

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Pressure seemed to grow the higher I climbed. Deadlines, meetings and conference calls filled my mind. I had to document all of them and review them at night. There was little to no time to think of people outside of the projects I worked on.

• There is a finite amount of time I am on this planet so I should praise the LORD.
• There is a finite amount of time I am on this planet so I should spend some of it with GOD.
• There is a finite amount of time I am on this planet so I should think of serving HIS people.

This chapter talks about how great and marvelous GOD is, but then it took a dark turn and talked about GOD destroying once mighty Egypt. Barbaric towards slaves, Egypt reigned with a mighty hand. Tierney caused GOD’s people to cry out. GOD heard.

• GOD hears me when I cry out.
• GOD hears me when I am in need.
• GOD hears me when I seek to serve HIM and HIS people.

Turning to GOD should be a daily thing rather than an afterthought upon attending church once a week. GOD wants me to seek the lost because time is running out. HIS name endures forever, not mine. My finite time should be spent as if tomorrow were the last.

• Are you spending an enormous amount of time mad, sad or worried?
• Can you quiet down for a moment and ponder GOD’s greatness?
• Will you stop spinning your troubles in your mind for a minute and notice GOD around you, even if it is for a second? 

Not Missed Until it is Gone

^Psalm126:4 Restore our fortunes, Lord,
    like streams in the Negev.
⁵ Those who sow with tears
    will reap with songs of joy.
⁶ Those who go out weeping,
    carrying seed to sow,
will return with songs of joy,
    carrying sheaves with them.

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Embarrassed but content was how I felt about my mustard yellow rust bucket of a car. The front end was torn to pieces and the headlights didn’t want to work at the same time. I would shrink away from those who would laugh at it, sometimes wanting a car that looked better. When the accident happened, I was back on foot. “Man I wish I had my rust bucket back.”

• When I complain about something, I am not appreciating it.
• When I complain about something, I think I deserve something better.
• When I complain about something, I look at the complaint as justified.

Instead of being grateful, my embarrassment turned into frustration, which lead to complaining. When my car was gone, I could no longer complain about it. I was back on foot, without the means to get around. GOD doesn’t like complaining. I have never seen an instance where GOD looked at complaining as an endearing quality. In fact, HE took things away from complainers leaving them begging for the little they had.

When GOD wipes out fortunes HE isn’t being mean or hateful. HE wants and deserves thankfulness for what HE has given me. HE deserves all the credit for anything HE provides.

• GOD provides for me and I should praise HIM for the little before I can praise HIM for plenty.
• GOD can give or take away the fortune HE has for me because it is HIS in the first place.
• GOD restores to who HE pleases, when HE pleases and it is up to me to be content wherever HE has me.

Worries seem to hover around money. I mean when I don’t have enough, I worry about bills. When I have too much I worry about losing it and spend an exorbitant amount of time protecting it. GOD says to me, “I AM your fortune. Seek ME first and I will provide your needs.” GOD restores and I am grateful!

• Has GOD wiped away your fortune?
• Do you feel like you are in a hole financially?
• Can you place your total trust in GOD instead of looking at riches?
• Will you follow HIS plan for you so HE can restore you fully at HIS time?

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

Taking Time to Ponder

Job 25: ² “Dominion and awe belong to God;
    he establishes order in the heights of heaven.
³ Can his forces be numbered?
    On whom does his light not rise?

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Sitting on my couch “worried” I wondered if I passed my final exam. Sitting in my apartment “worried” I wondered if I got the job. Sitting in my apartment “worried” I wondered if I got another job to move back. Sitting in my house “worried” I wondered if I could ever please this boss or the next one or those to follow.  Wow, I spent a lot of time worrying!

• Worrying takes me away from peace.
• Worrying distracts me so much that I cannot see blessings.
• Worrying puts me in a ball and I cannot move forward on anything.

It’s quite amazing how distracting worry is. I mean when I try to stop worrying. I worry that I’m worrying too much! What should I do?

• GOD said “Do not worry, do not be afraid.”
• GOD said “I will be with you always.”
• GOD said “Tell them I AM.”

I had to quiet my mind from all the worry and look at who GOD is. As I stared out the window I saw a deer slowly tromp into my yard, then another, then another. Soon several deer were standing there; one began kicking up the snow and sat down. I kept looking and seven or eight were sitting. I was amazed at the sight. Then I realized, if I could just slow down and look I could see GOD every day.

Slowing down helps me see and hear GOD. HE shows HIMSELF to me daily.

• Are you looking for GOD?
• Do you think HE is far away from you right now?
• Can you look around and see HIM where you are right now?
• Can you ponder the intricacies of how HE made you and your surroundings and the heavens above?
• Won’t you add “awe” back into your relationship with GOD?

Looking at Greener Grass

Job 21: ¹³ They spend their years in prosperity
    and go down to the grave in peace.
¹⁴ Yet they say to God, ‘Leave us alone!
    We have no desire to know your ways.
¹⁵ Who is the Almighty, that we should serve him?
    What would we gain by praying to him?’
¹⁶ But their prosperity is not in their own hands,
    so I stand aloof from the plans of the wicked.

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When I thought of the letter “H” I pursued Humility. I did the right things and lead a somewhat peaceful life. But it always seemed as if someone around me, who was reckless in their abandon, would always do better. I mean it seemed like the drug dealers would always have more money. I at least rationalized that they would be shot soon so I carried on.

Later it was peers at work who seemed to get better raises and bigger offices. Then I read the news when I was struggling in my payments and see some star who would buy frivolous items and not once look at GOD. I realized the “H” I found was Hater.

• Sometimes I look at the wealthy and get mad at GOD for allowing them to have it easy.
• Sometimes I look at the wealthy like they are getting everything they want without praying.
• Sometimes I look at the wealthy as a destination rather than a mirage.

I must admit it is hard to say to the poor, “Hang in there and remain poor” because it’s no fun being poor. Meanwhile those who never have a thought about GOD, not even once on a daily basis, seem to go unscathed. Is this fair? GOD thinks so.

• Wealth is fine BUT GOD knows my tipping point where wealth would blind me from HIM.
• Money is fine BUT GOD says to me “The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.”
• Prosperity is fine BUT GOD understands that the only way for me to truly be prosperous is to be generous without being jealous.

GOD wants me to look at the news and say “Good for them” when it comes to the wealthy who waste. HE actually wants me to look at my own actions to see if I am being generous and not jealous. If I can give and not look at greener grass then I am pleasing GOD for I am giving a sacrifice to the MOST HIGH.

• Are you jealous of the wealthy?
• Do you pout at your financial circumstance?
• Can you praise GOD sacrificially today?
• Can you stop looking at other people for a moment and give to someone even when you don’t have much?