GOD has come to test you.

 GOD has come to test you.

Exodus 20: ¹⁸ Now all the people witnessed the thunderings, the lightning flashes, the sound of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking; and when the people saw it, they trembled and stood afar off. ¹⁹ Then they said to Moses, “You speak with us, and we will hear; but let not God speak with us, lest we die.”

 

²⁰ And Moses said to the people, “Do not fear; for God has come to test you, and that His fear may be before you, so that you may not sin.” ²¹ So the people stood afar off, but Moses drew near the thick darkness where God was.

 

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After hearing the thunder, seeing the lightning, hearing the trumpet blasting louder and louder, the people trembled and moved away from the mountain where GOD stood. Their reaction from hearing GOD was to ask Moses to speak with GOD instead of HIM speaking with them.

 

My Observations:

• The children of Israel were terrified about GOD’s presence and HIS commandments seemed difficult because their mindset was that of an Egyptian slave.
• The children of Israel may have felt that GOD’s commandments were judgments versus protection.
• Moses tried guide the children of Israel by telling them that GOD was testing them, not in a pass-fail way, but in a mindset changing way.

 

When GOD tests you and me, it is not to make us fail; rather, strengthen us. GOD did not put rules in place that our natural inclination to sin causes us to fail. When we voluntarily surrender ourselves to follow what GOD said, HE does amazing things to us and through us.

 

Unfortunately, when we see GOD as a harsh ruler versus a protector, we resent HIS commandments as harsh. GOD had already showed HIS harsh side by placing plagues on the Egyptians. HE was acting very different with HIS children by correcting them versus judging them.

 

Moses guided the children of Israel into healthy fear of the LORD which holds HIM in reverence and sees HIS ways as love and protection. Moses drew near to the scary place where GOD was. We should too.

 

Challenge

• Why did GOD remind Moses about the reaction of the people after HE gave HIS commandments?
• Do you view GOD as the ultimate punisher or the ultimate being who loves you and wants to grow you and protect you?
• Do you react to GOD with surrender or “survival” which causes you to see HIM and HIS servants as harsh?

Song of Triumph Part 3 – No One like GOD

Song of Triumph Part 3 – No One like GOD

Exodus 15: ¹¹ “Who is like You, O Lord, among the gods?
Who is like You, glorious in holiness,
Fearful in praises, doing wonders?
¹² You stretched out Your right hand;
The earth swallowed them.
¹³ You in Your mercy have led forth
The people whom You have redeemed;
You have guided them in Your strength
To Your holy habitation.

 

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After the Egyptian army was destroyed by GOD closing up the Red Sea, Moses and the children of Israel sang. This third stanza was about GOD.

 

My Observations:

• Moses recognized that humans try to be gods but they cannot compare to the true GOD.
• Moses points out GOD’s holiness, HIS deserving of healthy praiseworthy fear, and HIS power to do wonders.
• Moses ends the stanza with GOD dismantling the mindset of humans thinking they can do anything above HIM.

 

There is no one like GOD! HE is worthy of all praise! Only HE is holy and HE can do anything, anytime, anywhere. GOD takes down enemies who try to place themselves over one another with the pride of the Enemy. This song speaks about GOD’s triumphant power.

 

Moses also speaks about redemption. GOD rescued HIS people out of Egypt and does the same for you and me. HE rescues us out of a mindset that keeps us as slaves to the world, blinding us from GOD’s tremendous power. GOD was leading them to HIS holy habitation.

 

Challenge

• Why does GOD remind Moses about this part of the song?
• Have you marveled over GOD’s incredible power over your life lately?
• What amazes you about GOD’s power, holiness and redemption?

Overcoming Fear

Overcoming Fear

1 John 4: God is love, and those who live in love live in union with God and God lives in union with them. ¹⁷ Love is made perfect in us in order that we may have courage on the Judgment Day; and we will have it because our life in this world is the same as Christ's. ¹⁸ There is no fear in love; perfect love drives out all fear. So then, love has not been made perfect in anyone who is afraid, because fear has to do with punishment.

 

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Going out to play, I did not notice the door was broken, causing it to slam. “Stop slamming the door please” was the statement given to me that was easy to do. But when I was older and wanted to “sneak” back into the house after being out all night, I carefully placed the key in the door and gently opened it so it would not make any noise. I was met with “Who do you think you are?’

 

• I did not notice the door when I was doing something that was harmless.
• I did not even think about the door when I was enjoying myself the way I was expected to.
• I feared getting caught doing something I was not supposed to be doing, so I feared making noise with the door.

 

John attempted to address the fear of consequence. He started off by explaining that GOD is love. This is an important statement, because many may have focused on GOD dishing out wrath. He explained that by living a life that contains love, courage can increase and fear decrease.

 

My Observations:

• Satan wants me to live in fear, so he uses temptations that go directly against GOD to keep me wounded.
• GOD gave me HIS SON as a remedy to my sin, and by believing that I need salvation from GOD’s wrath, I can be saved from it.
• I no longer have to worry about GOD’s wrath, especially when I follow the leading of the HOLY SPIRIT.

 

Motivated by love reduces my fear. I mean, when I am motivated by something that GOD will object to, I get filled with fear. I try to handle things on my own or side with people who are fumbling through life, just like me. When things still don’t appear to be going well, my fear increases. BUT GOD has a remedy to this fear.

 

Focusing on what the HOLY SPIRIT wants me to do and say, makes me change my words and even change my motive. I may not want to do something, but I will do it, if it pleases GOD. I also may want to do something that GOD does not want me to do. So by listening to the HOLY SPIRIT, I may sigh, and leave whatever that thing is alone. I am glad GOD cares about my fears and replaces them with HIS love.

 

Challenge

• Why does the writer explain that “GOD is love?”
• Have you ever thought that GOD is out to get you because of a known or unknown sin?
• Will you find the root of your fears and see if you are missing a solid relationship with GOD?
• Will you also consider overcoming any fear you may have by placing GOD’s love into your solution today?

Healthy Fear

 

Healthy Fear

Hebrews ²⁶ For there is no longer any sacrifice that will take away sins if we purposely go on sinning after the truth has been made known to us. ²⁷ Instead, all that is left is to wait in fear for the coming Judgment and the fierce fire which will destroy those who oppose God! ²⁸ Anyone who disobeys the Law of Moses is put to death without any mercy when judged guilty from the evidence of two or more witnesses. ²⁹ What, then, of those who despise the Son of God? who treat as a cheap thing the blood of God's covenant which purified them from sin? who insult the Spirit of grace? Just think how much worse is the punishment they will deserve! ³⁰ For we know who said, “I will take revenge, I will repay”; and who also said, “The Lord will judge his people.” ³¹ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God!

 

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“This same job again?!” I said to myself. I was tired of cleaning after people and felt stuck doing so. One guy suggested I sneak off work. I feared doing that, but the thought kept running through my mind. Weeks later, I said I would do it. I hurried through my work and snuck away.

 

• I had lost my fear of getting fired.
• I had gotten comfortable with doing wrong.
• I had lost sight of what I was supposed to be doing.

 

Paul, the assumed writer, gives a stern warning over believing in the SON of GOD. He implies the importance of needing either the Law or JESUS to remove the consequences of sin. He shows how ineffective the Law is towards removing sin. He then turns to JESUS being the only effective one who can absolve us from sin. Getting comfortable with disbelief will be dealt with harshly.

 

My Observations:

• My fear of the LORD is the beginning of my wisdom.
• I should fear taking JESUS actions lightly.
• Every one of my sins are forgiven, but I should not be ready to continue in sin.

 

When led by the HOLY SPIRIT, I no longer get comfortable with my sin. I mean, I get this feeling that I am doing something wrong and I feel I need to not do this particular sin, this time. I feel relieved when GOD guides me away or places a barrier in the way of my blatant sin.

 

Unhealthy fear to me is when I fear humans or job loss or money loss more than fearing belief in JESUS.  The HOLY SPIRIT whispers “don’t do that” when it comes to sin. I ignore the voice and instantly feel awful. I usually feel better when I heed HIS voice. My biggest fear is not trusting in the LORD. I am grateful for HIS forgiveness.

 

Challenge

• What does the writer say about GOD’s judgment?
• Have you ever gotten comfortable with sin?
• Will you ask GOD for help in areas where you need HIM so HE will guide you to HIS places of refuge today?

Healthy Faith

Healthy Faith

Titus 1: ¹⁰ For there are many, especially the converts from Judaism, who rebel and deceive others with their nonsense. ¹¹ It is necessary to stop their talk, because they are upsetting whole families by teaching what they should not, and all for the shameful purpose of making money. ^12-13 It was a Cretan himself, one of their own prophets, who spoke the truth when he said, “Cretans are always liars, wicked beasts, and lazy gluttons.” For this reason you must rebuke them sharply, so that they may have a healthy faith ¹⁴ and no longer hold on to Jewish legends and to human commandments which come from people who have rejected the truth. 

 

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“Wear a suit because you want to give GOD your best” was a statement told to me so I wore suits to church. But when I went into the neighborhood to invite people to come to church, a person said “I don’t have anything to wear” meaning I can’t dress up like that.

 

• This made me question what rules I was following that were barriers to CHRIST.
• This made me examine the manmade rules for church versus following what GOD says.
• This made me wonder what other lies have I been following that are mixed in with the truth.

 

Paul warns Titus about those who were converting from traditional Judaism to following CHRIST. This was a tumultuous time when followers of JESUS were getting thrown out of communities and, even worse, killed for their belief. Unfortunately there were some who saw an opportunity to make up their own groups to bilk people out of money.

 

My Observations

• JESUS died and was raised from the dead and is now alive reigning over everything.
• My belief in JESUS gives me eternal life and abundant life in the present.
• Following JESUS means loving people versus following rules.

 

“Love one another” was the greatest command given by JESUS. This command broke rules, traditions and reasons to keep people out of the club. This command makes me examine myself versus blaming someone else for what he or she is doing or not doing.

 

Love sets me free from having to follow the rules and gives me thankfulness for being set free from my well-deserved eternal death. I am glad there is a path to healthy faith and that is through JESUS, who sends the HOLY SPIRIT as my guide.

 

Challenge

• What is the warning of the writer?
• What rules are you following or have made for yourself that do not come from GOD?
• Will you examine yourself to see why you sometimes feel far from GOD and determine if you are being too hard on yourself and others today?

Working It Out

Working It Out

Philippians 2: ¹² So then, dear friends, as you always obeyed me when I was with you, it is even more important that you obey me now while I am away from you. Keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation, ¹³ because God is always at work in you to make you willing and able to obey his own purpose.

 

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Being stopped by a local thug was always a scary encounter. This particular day was no different. One thug stopped me and asked me questions. I wondered what that was all about, but went along with it because I felt I had no other choice.

 

I noticed other thugs snickering. When the encounter was over, someone said, “They were working together to pick your pockets.” They had gone through my coat without my knowledge.

 

• I was distracted by questions.
• I was deceived by something that scared me.
• I was detoured from my destination because I was not looking at where I was going.

 

Paul provides a warning to “keep on working with fear and trembling to complete your salvation.” He knew there would be many false teachers, greedy people and thieves who wanted followers versus genuine followers of the Living CHRIST. He tells everyone who believes that “GOD is always at work in you.”

 

My Observations

• GOD wants me to keep praying to not be deceived.
• GOD wants me to fear falling for false teaching, false preaching and false movements that could distract me from HIS will.
• GOD wants me to know HE has a purpose for me that the deceiver wants to stop at all costs.

 

Purpose is a gift from GOD. I mean, HE gave me a purpose to point people to the Most High GOD, through belief in JESUS. You would think this would be easy, but the deceiver has made it difficult. Through worldly tactics, the enemy fools people into trying to make GOD into “their” image.

 

False teaching confuses people, false images deceive people and false information worry people. BUT GOD took care of all of that too. HE makes believers “willing and able to obey HIS purpose” to prevent being deterred. I gladly work out my relationship with GOD by fearing being deceived and by pursuing HIS will.

 

Challenge

• What obedience do you think the writer is describing?
• How is GOD working in you?
• Will you continue to pursue the truth about GOD by seeking HIM through HIS Word and by serving HIM through loving others today?

Fear for Strength

Fear for Strength

Acts 5: ²⁶ Then the captain went with the officers and brought them without violence, for they feared the people, lest they should be stoned. ²⁷ And when they had brought them, they set them before the council. And the high priest asked them, ²⁸ saying, “Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man’s blood on us!”

²⁹ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men. ³⁰ The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. ³¹ Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. ³² And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him.”

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In a certain country, the rule was “No proselytizing.” In other words, “Do not preach about JESUS” or face the consequences. This bothered me because we were on a missions trip to do exactly that. “LORD what do YOU want me to do?” I asked. Then a way was made. If the locals asked about my faith, then I could explain what I believed. One person did, then another. It was all worked out.

• There were times when I was scared to present my belief in JESUS.
• There were times when I felt driven to present how JESUS saved me from eternal death.
• There were times when I saw the opposition to presenting the great news about JESUS.

The church leaders took a weak position on fear. They worried about what the people thought so they quietly sneaked the apostles away. Their fear was because of their murderous actions and their eternally deadly stance on disbelieving JESUS as Savior. They were full of weak fear.

• GOD wants me to fear not telling people about HIM.
• GOD wants me to fear not following what HE tells me to do.
• GOD wants me to fear not believing in JESUS as my Savior.

When GOD tells me to do something contrary to what humans say, HE wants me to obey HIM. HIS voice is that of love and salvation, not harm or pain. Some people do things in the name of GOD, but are really acting in their own power like those who murdered JESUS.

GOD sees the heart and fills it with the desire to speak about HIM at all costs. But this can only happen to those who believe in JESUS as their Savior. To those, HE freely gives the HOLY SPIRIT. I am grateful GOD gives me purpose.

• Are you acting on your own desires without consulting GOD?
• Do you think your actions are pleasing to GOD?
• Will you start fearing what GOD says to do over any human thought little by little today?

Where it all starts

Psalm 128: ¹ Blessed are all who fear the Lord,
    who walk in obedience to him.
² You will eat the fruit of your labor;
    blessings and prosperity will be yours.
³ Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
    within your house;
your children will be like olive shoots
    around your table.
⁴ Yes, this will be the blessing
    for the man who fears the Lord.

⁵ May the Lord bless you from Zion;
    may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem
    all the days of your life.
⁶ May you live to see your children’s children—
    peace be on Israel.

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Zero words, zero advice came from my high school counselor, but I never asked the right question. I was told to “Go to college” so I did because I feared the future. No direction, no roadmap came from the college I graduated from, but I never asked for help. I was told by others to “Dress for success” and to be impressive in the interview, so I did because I feared not getting the job.

• Fear has driven many of my decisions.
• Fear has driven many of my questions about life.
• Fear has driven many of my mistakes and successes.

Blame was the first thought that came to mind when it came to a direction I chose. I mean, why wasn’t someone put in my path to simply tell me what to do so my fears would be taken care of? Some paths I chose felt right while others felt dreadfully wrong. Where does true success come from?

• GOD tells me “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”
• GOD says to me “Blessed are all who fear the LORD.”
• GOD states “Do not fear those who can hurt the body but cannot hurt the soul. Fear the ONE who can destroy the soul.”

Fear of GOD means I need to hold HIM in the highest regard. HE needs to be number one in my life no matter what goes on around me. HE gets praise first and my plans need to be placed in front of HIM before I move forward. HIS direction, HIS path and HIS timing are all great in my mind and my fear needs to be channeled to pleasing HIM.

GOD is not needy or mean. HE simply wants me to stay away from anything that isn’t of HIM. Instead of fearing “stuff” I need to fear the LORD, this is the beginning of GOD’s blessing.

• Do you have fear in your life?
• Do your fears seem greater than your fear of GOD?
• Can you stop blaming GOD without fearing HIS consequence of complaining?
• Will you fear GOD today by seeking HIM first?

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?

Getting Too Comfortable

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keep Going in Spite of Fear

Ezra 3 ³ Despite their fear of the peoples around them, they built the altar on its foundation and sacrificed burnt offerings on it to the Lord, both the morning and evening sacrifices.

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⁶ On the first day of the seventh month they began to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, though the foundation of the Lord’s temple had not yet been laid.

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¹⁰ When the builders laid the foundation of the temple of the Lord, the priests in their vestments and with trumpets, and the Levites (the sons of Asaph) with cymbals, took their places to praise the Lord, as prescribed by David king of Israel.

¹¹ With praise and thanksgiving they sang to the Lord:

“He is good;
    his love toward Israel endures forever.”

And all the people gave a great shout of praise to the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid.

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Things looked quite pitiful for a while. Setback after setback it looked as if the project would never be done. We finally had to cut loose one part of the project that we struggled over because it just wasn’t coming to fruition. I remember being called into the president’s office and being asked, “Is this thing ever going to fly?” When I walked out of the office I could feel the tension from everyone around me. My boss said, “Keep going you are almost there.”

• Sometimes things around me seem grim.
• Sometimes situations I’m in seem lost.
• Sometimes my efforts seem fruitless and everyone around me is full of fear.

When things look grim it seems like more and more things go wrong. More things break and more those who oppose what I am doing seem to salivate at the calamity.  BUT GOD says not to react.

• GOD says keep going “For I am with you.”
• GOD says keep going “For MY burden is light.”
• GOD says keep going “For MY love is great for you and MY plan is to prosper you.”

We finished the project and everyone was rewarded heavily. It was a true success that made news. All of the nay-sayers and assassins had to back off. Only GOD brought me through the tough times and HE continues to this day.

• Are you facing a difficult time?
• Are you filled with fear?
• Can you follow GOD in spite of your fear?
• Will you continue to follow HIS leading and keep moving forward? 
• Can you praise GOD today for enabling you to take another step?

Healthy Fear

2 Kings 23: ²⁵ Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.

²⁶ Nevertheless, the Lord did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to arouse his anger.

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Ice Cream drinks seemed innocent enough to try. I mean it only had a little alcohol. After laughing a few hours, the punch laced with grain alcohol seemed innocent enough to try because you really couldn’t taste the bitter sting of the alcohol as it was added with just the right amount of sugar to take the edge off.

Soon the dare was to drink a shot of straight alcohol. I watched one person try it and throw up! Would you believe I still considered trying it, but I was too scared?

• The HOLY SPIRIT has led me from going too far in many instances.
• The HOLY SPIRIT has led me away from many situations I wanted to try but would have gotten me in deep trouble.
• The HOLY SPIRIT has led me away from diving too deep in the wrong things.

GOD isn’t looking for me to be a goody, goody person; that would make CHRIST’s death, burial and resurrection trivial. In fact GOD said, “MY grace is sufficient.” BUT there is still something inside of me that aches inside of me when I do wrong or when I try to go down the wrong path.

• GOD has saved me from “dangers unaware.”
• GOD has saved me from “eternal separation from HIM.”
• GOD has saved me from “being fruitless.”

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Do not be afraid of humans who can hurt the body but fear the one who can destroy the soul.  GOD wants a relationship with me but it is one where HE is GOD and I am one of HIS people. HE is the ultimate friend but I can never forget that HE is supreme in HIS power and decisions.

I cannot manipulate HIM by trying to do good because my good is faulted with sin, but HE loves when I am sincere in my bowing to HIM.

• Is you fear of GOD disappearing because of your sin?
• Are you in a habit of sinning and have given up on GOD?
• Can you stop focusing on you and your sin and appreciate that GOD’s grace is sufficient to cover ALL your sins?
• Won’t you stop trying to stop sinning and begin adding praise to GOD more and more so HE can help you?