What About Me?

What about me?

1 Timothy 5: ¹¹ But do not include younger widows in the list; because when their desires make them want to marry, they turn away from Christ, ¹² and so become guilty of breaking their earlier promise to him. ¹³ They also learn to waste their time in going around from house to house; but even worse, they learn to be gossips and busybodies, talking of things they should not. ¹⁴ So I would prefer that the younger widows get married, have children, and take care of their homes, so as to give our enemies no chance of speaking evil of us. ¹⁵ For some widows have already turned away to follow Satan. ¹⁶ But if any Christian woman has widows in her family, she must take care of them and not put the burden on the church, so that it may take care of the widows who are all alone.

 

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Feeling sorry for myself had become a ritual. I was in another bad situation and simply wanted someone to get me out of the current trial. Tired of being needy and tired of being in trouble, I groused instead of being excited.

 

• I could only see my problem.
• I needed help and did not know who to ask.
• I felt that no one could understand the trial I was going through.

 

Paul continues giving advice to Timothy regarding widows. He referred to “the list” as a special list reserved for those who have cared for others as a lifelong pursuit. Paul speaks harshly about young widows who can leave their identity in CHRIST by substituting marriage as a pursuit of a new identity. He also points out a new goal, namely caring for others because the need is huge!

 

My Observations

• Sometimes I can pity myself and desire things in substitute of GOD?
• Focused attention on what GOD wants me to do, keeps me away from the traps of the enemy.
• Realizing that I am chosen by GOD as part of the solution, takes my mind off my problems and places focus on what GOD wants.

 

Let’s face it, we have all asked “What about me?” Right? I mean, when life gets hard we want someone who can provide for us during the trial or lift us out of the hole. When this doesn’t happen, we feel GOD isn’t listening and easily stop following HIM to try something else. BUT GOD understands.

 

HE wants us to focus our attention on HIM by caring about other people. This trial is not about you rather it is about keeping you from seeing GOD as the solution. Care is a great remedy to the trial. GOD may have me simply care for those around me enough to pray for him or her and possibly even meet a need every now and then. I am glad GOD helps me take my focus off of “my” trials and place it on HIS love.

 

Challenge

• Be honest, do the words of the writer sound harsh?
• Why?
• Have you ever pitied yourself and just wanted out of this trial, with or without GOD’s help?
• Will you continue to walk with the LORD, asking HIM to firm up your reliance on HIM and to open your eyes to someone who is in need today?

Truly Understanding the Misunderstood

Psalm: ¹ Praise the Lord, my soul;
    all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the Lord, my soul,
    and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
    and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
    and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
    so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The Lord works righteousness
    and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
    his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸ The Lord is compassionate and gracious,
    slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
    nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
    or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
    so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
    so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

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“Misunderstood” is probably the most common name for GOD. I mean when HE tries to help me grow, I mistake it for an attack on my person. I try to recall my sins from the last time I asked for forgiveness and when I come up with no recollection, I try to convince GOD that I have been righteous and deserve better treatment. BUT GOD understands and holds no blame.

• GOD has forgiven me of ALL my sins, even tomorrow’s.
• GOD heals me in HIS time, HIS way and sometimes leaves me in the fire when HE sees a need to heal emotional and spiritual wounds.
• GOD has redeemed me from the pit by looking at my entire life, assessing every sin I ever did and stating “I will die in my child’s place.”
• GOD crowns me with love and compassion daily and satisfies my desires when pointed at HIS.
• GOD works righteousness and justice for me, even in my foolish ways.
• GOD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger abounding in love for me.
• GOD does not always accuse me so when I feel accused over and over, it is not from HIM (He need only tell me once).
• GOD does not harbor HIS anger towards me forever, in fact, HE does not treat me as I deserve, nor does HE repay me for my iniquities.
• GOD’s love for me is endless, as high as the heavens are above the earth.
• GOD has removed my transgressions away from me as far as the east is from the west.

I really need to change GOD’s name from “misunderstood” to “Thank-YOU LORD!”

• Are you feeling pitiful?
• Do you think GOD has it out for you?
• Can you stop having selfish, negative thoughts about GOD and believe HE has your best interest in mind?
• Will you praise HIM for who HE really is?

GOD Understands

Job 10: ² I say to God: Do not declare me guilty,
    but tell me what charges you have against me.
³ Does it please you to oppress me,
    to spurn the work of your hands,
    while you smile on the plans of the wicked?

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In this New Year I begin my journey not blaming GOD.  As I continue in my daily reading, I noticed Job felt beat down and rightfully so. I mean he tried to do everything GOD said to do and he ended up without a family or possessions and sores from the top of his scalp to the soles on his feet. He could not rest.

I have never faced what he faced, yet there have been many times I felt as if GOD were standing over me with a bat, ready to club my head in. My questions would ring out.

• GOD “Why, oh why hast thou forsaken me?”
• GOD “Do I have to drink from this cup?”
• GOD “Do YOU have to turn YOUR back on me?”

Then I realized these were the same questions JESUS asked HIS FATHER. JESUS felt lost and forlorn just like I have at times. HE was misunderstood and slandered by HIS own. Avid church goers decided to kill HIM and follow corrupt people who were in power. It’s apparent GOD wants me to think differently this year.

• GOD wants me to throw away any bitterness towards HIM and others.
• GOD wants me to spit out my poisonous words towards HIM and others.
• GOD wants me to seek HIS kingdom first and all these things will be added to me.

This year GOD wants me to reach out to people and let them know they can always put their trust in HIM.

• Are you still dragging your poison into this year?
• Can you let go of the problems you had last year and wipe the slate clean?
• Will you look to GOD daily instead of looking months down the road?

Appointed to Praise

1 Chronicles 25: David, together with the commanders of the army, set apart some of the sons of Asaph, Heman and Jeduthun for the ministry of prophesying, accompanied by harps, lyres and cymbals. Here is the list of the men who performed this service:

² From the sons of Asaph:

Zakkur, Joseph, Nethaniah and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were under the supervision of Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision.

³ As for Jeduthun, from his sons:

Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Shimei,^[a] Hashabiah and Mattithiah, six in all, under the supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied, using the harp in thanking and praising the Lord.

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“What is she so smiley about” I thought with a grumpy tone.  “There he goes again, standing up and lifting up his hands right on cue” I observed with a snippy attitude. These “Phony” people couldn’t be this happy in church. I think I will label them as hypocrites first because I know “something” has to be wrong with them.

• When I am grumpy I want others grumpy.
• When I am low I want a pity party.
• When I am mad at the world I want everyone around me to be mad.

CHRIST was falsely accused, slandered, beaten and murdered. HE had a very bad day! HE voluntarily selected this punishment, knowing HIS own creation would turn their backs on HIM. All of HIS friends who thought HE would be a political giant felt lost. That’s when the sadness and the grumpiness came out.

I can sympathize with the disciples. I mean what is there to praise about when “all hope” is lost? Well the problem was with the thought that “all hope” can be lost!

• JESUS died trusting that HE would be raised from the dead by the FATHER and the HOLY SPIRIT.
• JESUS knew HE was the only one who could save me and everyone who believes in HIM.
• JESUS got up with ALL power and is now building a better place for all who believe.

“All hope” was gained when JESUS arose, never to die again. HE is the reason I should assemble with others. HE is the reason I should sing loudly when I get there. HE is the reason I should learn more about what HE wants me to do. JESUS is the reason I should praise.

• Are you feeling lost?
• Do you feel grumpy?
• Can you recognize the blessings GOD has given you rather than pouting?
• Can you focus your praise on JESUS today?

Praise Instructions

1 Chronicles 16: ⁷ That day David first appointed Asaph and his associates to give praise to the Lord in this manner:

⁸ Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name;
    make known among the nations what he has done.

⁹ Sing to him, sing praise to him;
    tell of all his wonderful acts.

¹⁰ Glory in his holy name;
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.

¹¹ Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face always.

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“What am I going to do now?” was my question as I looked at my totaled vehicle. A guy driving a jeep turned left in front of me and my old jalopy needed more distance to stop, probably because I was exceeding the speed limit. “I don’t have a car! How am I going to get to work?” were the first thoughts.

Looking back on this incident, I do not remember “caring” that one of the passengers flew out of the jeep and had a bloody head.

• When tough situations happen I want to hold a pity party for myself.
• When life is difficult I want to tell everyone about how difficult life is.
• When rough things happen I want instant relief before I can be “happy.”

It is difficult to “praise GOD” in the middle of the storm.  I mean, isn’t HE supposed to be the one who grants my wishes and makes me happy? Not at all!

• GOD wasn’t created for me, I was created for GOD and by GOD.
• GOD is supreme and is extremely worth of all praise.
• GOD appreciates when I look past the difficulty and see HIM with joyous eyes.

Giving GOD praise takes practice. I actually had to start small, as small as praising HIM for life’s mundane parts. I then began to notice larger and more times where I could see GOD at work in my life. The more I praised, the more I noticed GOD working in my life.

• Are you going through difficult times?
• Do you feel you have to wait until the difficulty is complete in order to praise GOD?
• Does everything have to be worked out “your way” in order for GOD to receive your praise?
• Can you stop holding back your praise and sing, proclaim or look to the LORD and HIS strength?