Confidence Builder

Confidence Builder

Acts 5: ²² But when the officers came and did not find them in the prison, they returned and reported, ²³ saying, “Indeed we found the prison shut securely, and the guards standing outside before the doors; but when we opened them, we found no one inside!” ²⁴ Now when the high priest, the captain of the temple, and the chief priests heard these things, they wondered what the outcome would be. ²⁵ So one came and told them, saying, “Look, the men whom you put in prison are standing in the temple and teaching the people!”

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“Here is your gold star” the teacher said. “You have reached the next reading level, so you can now go to the highest level” she added. I wasn’t nervous about it at all. Well, not anymore. When I first started the reading program, it seemed like the highest level was a mountain away. But after practicing a lot, it did not seem as hard.

• At one point I did not have confidence in many things.
• At one point I saw obstacles as impossible things to get over.
• At one point I thought it would take forever to get to a higher level.

When the officers came to retrieve the disciples from prison, they found a locked cell with guards, but no one inside. The apostles were freed by an angel and were speaking boldly about GOD. More than likely they mentioned the angel freeing them from prison in detail. They had confidence in what they were saying and were at a whole new level.

• GOD wants me to notice HIS power every day.
• GOD wants me to increase my trust in HIM when I see what HE is doing.
• GOD wants me to be confident in HIS promises so my faith will grow into perseverance.

Confidence in GOD builds each time HE delivers me from trials and tribulation. HE is never alarmed by anything I go through and tells me “Do not be afraid”, not as a scold, but in a calming way. HE tells me over and over, “I got this.”

When I release the situation over to HIM and see how HE resolves things, I get more and more confident in HIM. I want to tell everyone about HIS saving grace and incredible power. GOD is amazing and I am excited about what HE has done in my life.

• Are you praying for something and it does not seem like GOD is listening?
• Are you losing your confidence in GOD and are looking for other ways to solve the problem?
• Will you place your trust in GOD by looking back at all the times HE has brought you through situations?

Full Trust

Luke 21: As Jesus looked up, he saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. ² He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. ³ ‘Truly I tell you,’ he said, ‘this poor widow has put in more than all the others. ⁴ All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.’

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Watching the other bikers soar high and then land made me want to try. I got in line behind the others and watched them pedal hard then roll over the board that was leaning on a cinder block in the middle of our street.

It was my turn. I pedaled but at the last moment I thought about the flimsiness of the setup. I went too slow and I crashed!

• There were times when I got filled with fear.
• There were times when I doubted and could not perform.
• There were times when I did not fully trust the situation and bumped my head.

JESUS marveled over a poor widow who gave all she had. Most would think HE was speaking about offering. JESUS knew she had no means to gain income and no one to take care of her. HE was excited that she put her full trust in GOD to provide.

• GOD wants me to fully trust HIM.
• GOD wants me to give my all to HIM.
• GOD wants me to embrace HIM at every turn.

How much do I trust GOD to love me and take care of me? I believe this is the illustration JESUS was trying to make. Whether it means giving to a church or a homeless person or my time with someone in need, it should be done with “hope” in mind.

I should not fear to do what GOD wants me to do . I should pedal life’s bicycle harder and throw away the fear of failing HIM. GOD loves me and I trust HIM to decide where I should go and what I should do.

• Is your trust in GOD low?
• Do you feel like giving up on the pursuit HE has you doing?
• Will you continue to put your all in HIM and trust that HE will have the best outcome for you?

Where to Place Trust

Nahum 3: ¹⁶ You have increased the number of your merchants
    till they are more numerous than the stars in the sky,
but like locusts they strip the land
    and then fly away.
¹⁷ Your guards are like locusts,
    your officials like swarms of locusts
    that settle in the walls on a cold day—
but when the sun appears they fly away,
    and no one knows where.

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“Go to school” was the overarching advice given to me by the masses. I went, got kicked out, went back and finally finished. “Get a job” was the next message that was a norm to society. I went, got kicked out, went back and same story.

• Sometimes I place my trust in governmental themes.
• Sometimes I place my trust in societal norms.
• Sometimes I place my trust in global commerce.

Looking back, I can see the bright shiny statements of groups promising safety and security. In glowing gullibility I soaked it up and followed the masses like a lemming. One day I cheered for “my” choice of a leader, the next I pouted in disappointment. Where should I place my trust?

• GOD says to me “I AM the one who controls nations, not humans.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the one who controls economies, not groups.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the one who gives and I AM the one who takes, not bosses, leaders or chiefs.”

Completing school is great, getting a job is wonderful, having a business is amazing, but all is for naught without GOD. Placing too much trust in any human construct is a huge mistake. GOD sees the storehouses being built and in an instance, wipes it away like dust. HE makes me nervous, quite honestly.

I mean should I keep going in any effort? Yes! I need to traverse the unknown holding GOD’s hand every step of the way. GOD desires that I dwell in HIM and HE in me. My jealousy of the rich and powerful diminishes when I know GOD is pleased with me following HIS plan.

• Are you secretly following government and preaching GOD?
• Do you get mad at not being wealthy enough as society dictates?
• Can you stop following the crowd and start following GOD who controls it all?
• Will you place your total trust in GOD today?

Supremacy Looks Strange

Micah 1: ¹⁵ I will bring a conqueror against you
    who live in Mareshah.
The nobles of Israel
    will flee to Adullam.
¹⁶ Shave your head in mourning
    for the children in whom you delight;
make yourself as bald as the vulture,
    for they will go from you into exile.

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Little ball bearings were given to us to put into our gauge that listed how high the stock was climbing. After celebration number five I went back to my room for some rest. I got an emergency call in the middle of the night that all leaders need to meet immediately. The CEO was pronounced dead and everyone at the convention was shocked.

• There have been times when things seemed right and they were wrong.
• There were times when it looked like smooth sailing and the wind went out of the sails.
• There have been times when I thought everything would be great and then the rug got pulled out from under me.

“What will we do?” we all thought. Fortunately for us, the number two guy was just as good and was being groomed for the new position. I felt pretty good because he knew me. About a month or two into his service he was diagnosed with cancer and died within six months. What shall we do now?

• GOD says to me “Place your trust only in ME.”
• GOD says to me “I AM the way the truth and the life.”
• GOD says to me “Do not place any gods before ME.”

My excitement was short lived. I thought “With this new leader I can finally get ahead and help others.”  GOD had other plans. HE wanted me to understand that HE is the supreme leader and that I need to focus on HIM more and more. GOD raises up all kinds of people, BUT HE wants me to always keep my eyes on HIM.

• Are you putting your trust in someone?
• Did the trust you placed in a person not quite pan out?
• Will you stop looking at humans and start placing your trust in GOD who is ultimate and supreme?

Hasty Decisions

¹⁵ Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?”

¹⁶ Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. ¹⁷ If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. ¹⁸ But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

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Hasty decisions are made when I am full of fear. I mean when I am scared out of my wits, I make hurried decisions without thinking through the long term consequences of my actions. I squirm and only want out of the problem!

• Many times I lost my patience when faced with certain problems.
• Many times I wanted out of the problem so bad that I could not wait on a good solution.
• Many times I could only see demise so I panicked and ran towards any comfort I could get.

Trust in GOD sometimes went out the window when I faced a pressure filled problem that did not seem to go away. I started searching for the quickest way out of the problem rather than facing the situation. BUT GOD wanted me to act differently.

• GOD wants me to slow down and see HIM rather than speeding up.
• GOD wants me to focus on HIM rather than on human obstacles.
• GOD wants me to join HIS winning fight rather than making the fight mine.

Looking back I can see when I trusted GOD and when I made a hasty decision on my own. The times when I did not trust made me make decisions I regretted for a long time. On the other hand, the times where I placed my trust totally in GOD bared the most fruit, usually in ways I never would have imagined. GOD wants total loyalty and total trust in HIM. HE knows I sin, yet HE wants my trust to grow rather than shrink. I trust GOD alone.

• Where have you placed your trust?
• Are you squirming to get out of the problem?
• Can you allow GOD to handle the problem rather than thinking you know the solution?
• Will you add a measure of trust in GOD today?

Because You Trust

Jeremiah 39: ¹⁵ While Jeremiah had been confined in the courtyard of the guard, the word of the Lord came to him: ¹⁶ “Go and tell Ebed-Melek the Cushite, ‘This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says: I am about to fulfill my words against this city—words concerning disaster, not prosperity. At that time they will be fulfilled before your eyes. ¹⁷ But I will rescue you on that day, declares the Lord; you will not be given into the hands of those you fear. ¹⁸ I will save you; you will not fall by the sword but will escape with your life, because you trust in me, declares the Lord.’”

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Nervous about what I was trying to accomplish I tried to move ahead, but something kept coming up. Each time I tried to put one step forward, something would come up and it seemed like I was just standing still. “How am I supposed to do this?” I exclaimed. I mean it seemed like I was facing nothing but opposition.

• Sometimes I cannot see my way out of the situation.
• Sometimes the situation seems so bleak that I cannot fix it or even dream of a solution.
• Sometimes the odds seem so overwhelming that I cannot even think I could get myself out of it.

Many times I have faced something that seemed so overwhelming that I felt like just giving up. “Why continue” or “Why try” would be the words of despair that I was tempted to believe in.BUT GOD had other words for me.

• GOD says to me “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding.”
• GOD says to me “Trust and obey and you will live long and prosper.”
• GOD says to me I will save you because you trust in ME.”

Trust is different than faith. I mean it takes faith in order to “trust” GOD. It means I look to GOD for the truth, for HIS direction, for HIS way instead of mine. Trust means I don’t listen to myself rather I look to GOD’s word for the correct answer. When GOD says something I can trust that it will most definitely, exactly, positively come true. When HE says HE is always with me, I can “always” trust that HE “is” there, for HE has never let me down.

• Where are you looking for your answers?
• Do you trust GOD or are you following your own instincts?
• Will you start putting your trust in GOD today?

Placing My Trust

Isaiah 47: ⁴ Our Redeemer—the Lord Almighty is his name—
    is the Holy One of Israel.

⁵ “Sit in silence, go into darkness,
    queen city of the Babylonians;
no more will you be called
    queen of kingdoms.
⁶ I was angry with my people
    and desecrated my inheritance;
I gave them into your hand,
    and you showed them no mercy.
Even on the aged
    you laid a very heavy yoke.

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“Can you get rid of a third of the department” was the killer question in my interview. I was at a point in my life where firing people was no longer where I wanted to be. I remember my hand trembled during the discussion. I could not lie. “No” I answered. I did not get the position.

• There were places that I have been where I had to be “tough.”
• There were places that I have been where I had to be “thick skinned.”
• There were places that I have been where I had to be “so cool that I was cold.”

Praised many times over for firing people, I felt strange for a change. Would my legacy be that of a wealthy cold hearted person without compassion? That was my course. BUT GOD rescued me from myself.

• GOD said to me “Do not focus on Babylon as your redeemer” meaning GOD is my only savior.
• GOD said to me “Do not put your trust in Egypt” meaning my trust needs to be focused on HIM and HIM alone.
• GOD said to me “Do not fear those who can hurt the body, but fear the ONE who can hurt the soul” meaning I need to have a healthy fear of the LORD and follow HIS way.

The world cheers after cold hearted, non-compassionate heroes and that was my path. BUT GOD saw fit to remove me from that path and open my eyes. HE wants me to pray for people not blame them for their existence. HE wants me to point them to HIS ark of salvation while there is still time. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

• Are you being “tough?”
• Do you feel you need to be combative with those people?
• Can you allow GOD to melt you heart and to provide compassion?
• Will you truly seek GOD rather than mouthing the words and allow HIM to ruin you to the world while building you up for HIS kingdom?

Who Do I Trust?

Isaiah 2: ³ Many peoples will come and say,

“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord,
    to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
    so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
    the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.
⁴ He will judge between the nations
    and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
    and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
    nor will they train for war anymore.

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²² Stop trusting in mere humans,
    who have but a breath in their nostrils.
    Why hold them in esteem?

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“Get that ‘_____’ Bible off of your desk” were the words of the managing consultant. He went ballistic enough for me to immediately comply. No one that I knew complained, he thought it would make us lose the contract. “Get away from me with that ‘____’ ” were the words of a gang member as I tried to invite him to church. In fear of getting shot I complied.

• Many times I have felt intimidated enough to hide my beliefs.
• Many times I have hidden my beliefs in order to get ahead.
• Many times I have gone with the crowd who could care less about GOD, in fear of being ostracized.

It seemed right to listen to self-made millionaires. I mean they have themselves together right? I soon found out that in many cases they suggested that I put this “GOD” thing on the backseat and learn how to “subordinate” to the people who had contacts. This was a crazy road that I actually considered. BUT GOD had a different thought in mind.

• GOD wants me to fear HIM instead of bowing down to “connected” humans.
• GOD wants me to elevate HIS position in order to fully respect HIS power.
• GOD wants me to believe in HIS plan so I will be open to HIS masterful plan.

Fear of humans still occurs in me, but with GOD’s help I am less and less fearful of those who would harm me with physical, political or mental abuse. GOD wants me to turn my eyes from humans and turn to HIM.

• Are you following someone?
• Do you fear you will lose your position if you cross “that” person?
• Will you stop fearing people and start fearing GOD?

Do NOT Trust Your Instincts

Psalm 146: ¹ Praise the Lord.

Praise the Lord, my soul.

² I will praise the Lord all my life;
    I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
³ Do not put your trust in princes,
    in human beings, who cannot save.
⁴ When their spirit departs, they return to the ground;
    on that very day their plans come to nothing.
⁵ Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob,
    whose hope is in the Lord their God.

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Running had never made me excited and this particular day it was no exception. It was “time to run” and I didn’t feel like it but I started on my trek anyway. “Why are you doing this?” popped in my mind as I approached the first mile. “You can’t make it” was the thought at mile five. “Everyone is faster than you and you will not finish” was the thought at mile fifteen. “Just give up” was the inclination when I hurt my ankle at mile twenty two. With 4.2 miles left I had a decision, press on or give up.

• Sometimes I feel like giving up.
• Sometimes it seems like the task in front of me is too great.
• Sometimes my thoughts are full of fear and my answer to fear is fear.

Fortunately I pressed on. I walked three miles with a slight limp and it seemed like even the slowest people who I passed hours earlier had caught up and passed me. My “comparison to other runners” thinking was thrown out the window and my pride was adjusted to simply finishing the race. As I approached the last mile I developed a trot that turned into a gallop. I crossed the finish line before they shut everything down and I was elated.

• GOD wants me to trust HIM rather than trusting in my abilities.
• GOD wants me to trust HIM rather than thinking I have all the answers.
• GOD wants me to trust HIM rather than paying attention to the stuff that pops in my head.

My thoughts can question GOD and sometimes the thoughts of others can be confusing. I mean my fears mixed with another person’s fears create a super fear that GOD allows me to hold onto. HE wants me to grow up and have trust, drawing on the many great and marvelous experiences HE has taken me through in the past. HE wants me to rebuke fear and trepidation while grabbing onto compassion for others as well as myself. GOD does not want me to trust any instinct but HIS and HE provides HIS word, HIS SPIRIT and HIS people to guide me.

• Are you listening to yourself?
• Have you been listening to your own instincts too long?
• Can you ask GOD to break down what you have been holding onto for years?
• Will you allow HIM to guide you by reflecting on what HE has brought you through in the past?

Daily Trust-Filled Requests

Psalm 143: ⁸ Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
    for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go,
    for to you I entrust my life.
⁹ Rescue me from my enemies, Lord,
    for I hide myself in you.
¹⁰ Teach me to do your will,
    for you are my God;
may your good Spirit
    lead me on level ground.

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“What are you going to do with your life?” was the question pointed towards me. I had no idea! I was going to get together with some friends, perhaps work out and go to a club. With no direction and no counseling, I wondered, “what am I supposed to be doing and how am I going to get there and what if I fail?”

• Looking into the future is a difficult thing to do for me.
• Predicting the future based on my past is a flaw in my thinking.
• Seeing the future without direction causes me to worry, doubt and fear.

When pressures of life pile on and I try to look into the future, I can only see more pressure. That’s because the current pressure starts in the mind which is connected to my eyes that are blinded by the current situation. BUT GOD has a remedy.

• GOD wants me to ask HIM to “Show me” the way I should go so I can have a solid path.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to “Rescue me” from my enemies so I won’t bring HIS judgment for them onto me for my retaliation.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to “Teach me” to do HIS will because otherwise I would not follow HIM at all.
• GOD wants me to ask HIM to “Lead me” on level ground so I can get off the ups and downs of life made by humans.

Dreams, expectations and ambitions are great to have as long as I have GOD with them. Humans throw out traps and snares to be in power in their own way, BUT GOD wants me to walk on level ground, remaining content in extreme poverty or wealth. HE wants me to trust HIS plan for me and ask HIM to show me the way in which I should go. I am renewed by GOD daily.

• Are you under pressure?
• Do you feel lost right now?
• Can you ask GOD to show, rescue, teach and lead you?
• Will you begin praising HIM now, even before HE does those things for you?

Experience Brings Trust

Psalm 125: ¹ Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,
    which cannot be shaken but endures forever.
² As the mountains surround Jerusalem,
    so the Lord surrounds his people
    both now and forevermore.

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Nervous and unlearned I took the entrance exam to high school. I fumbled through a prayer and heard nothing. Weeks later, the principal called several names over the loud speaker inviting us to his office. Immediately I knew I had got in! Traveling to school I lost some money due to a hole in my pocket and had no way to return home. I prayed and looked in the grass and found a crisp one dollar note that took care of the entire day’s trip.

• Looking back on GOD’s delivery helps me have faith that HE will carry me through.
• Looking back on GOD’s delivery helps me have hope that HE has not forgotten me.
• Looking back on GOD’s delivery helps me gain trust in HIM that HE knows what HE is doing.

Situations that are out of my control are the most difficult to face. I mean no matter what level of planning or action I could ever conceive; it still boils down to me being a spectator rather than a competitor in life’s struggles. This lack of control points me to a better place.

• GOD wants me to know HE loves me and has a wonderful plan for me.
• GOD wants me to know that when I put my trust in HIM, HE will come through abundantly.
• GOD wants me to know I can have confidence in HIM because HE surrounds me with HIS strength.

GOD is absolutely amazing! HE has brought me through so much I cannot name it all. HE has protected me from dangers, traps and snares. HE has delivered the right people at the right time and has always been there when I need HIM. My trust in HIM cannot be shaken for HE has shown me too much. I place my trust in GOD!

• Are you nervous?
• Have you lost your way and feel that life is out of control?
• Can you put your trust in GOD?
• Will you add confidence, hope and reliance on the all faithful, everlasting GOD?

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?

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?

Cure for Jealousy

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Getting Over Fear

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keep Hoping

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

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

  

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

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

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

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

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

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