Psalm 37 is the New Offense

In the previous edition, “Goodbye Anger,” I introduced Psalm 37 as a new offense to run against anger. What is the main element that produces anger? Evil. One word that describes what we face on this earth.  Evil comes in many forms including gossip, greed, jealousy, selfishness, self-righteousness, lying, and pride, to name a few.  Evil is a disease that no one is immune too. Evil attacks the heart, mind, and mouth. The war that we think is with people is really against evil. Evil, itself opposes all that we are created for.
We are a good work. We were created to do good things. We were made to love. We trust that other people will do the same. When that trust is violated, evil enters.

Sometimes, evil enters our lives by invitation. We let evil into our homes and hearts consciously thinking that we can stop evil before it becomes a problem. On many occasions, evil appears to us masked as a solution. At other times, we do not even see evil coming right at us.

We fail to realize that evil always has a plan to keep the evil going. It gets passed from one person, to the next person, and then the next person. Evil is generational. Evil has an end game- death. Death of someone we love, death of our spirit, death of our family, death of our job, death of our friendships, and death of our future.

Since we are not running an offense against evil, when we encounter hints of or even full-blown evil, we respond with defense. On the defensive side there is thoughts of anger, hate, revenge, destruction, and murder. This defense keeps evil alive and prospering.

We have to understand that evil has no chance of winning no matter how many people it affects. Psalm 37 makes it clear that evil and being wicked are synonymous and actually have no lasting power:

The wicked will soon wither away. (V. 1)
The wicked will soon disappear. (V. 10)
Evil people have a day of judgment. (V. 13)
Evil people will stab their own hearts. (V. 15)
Evil’s power will be broken. (V. 17)
Evil will perish. (V. 20)
Evil people will be destroyed. (V. 38)

Evil is a losing opponent. However, since there are so many evil participants, willing and unwilling, the game continues.

If we look at Psalm 37, we can see there’s a manageable offense that we can run against the evil. This offense consists of changing our perspectives. Offensively, Psalm 37 instructs us to:

Trust in the Lord and do good (V. 3)
Delight yourself in the Lord (V. 4)
Commit your way to the Lord (V. 5)
Be still and wait patiently for the Lord to act (V. 7)
Stop being angry, turn from your rage, do not lose your temper (V. 8)
Turn from evil and do good (V. 27)
Offer good counsel and teach right from wrong (V. 30)
Wait for the Lord and keep his way (V. 34)

When you encounter people with their evil eyes, evil words, and evil ways- save your breath and keep it moving. The Lord will handle it if you put your trust in him. That is how you will keep your peace and score for the winning team in this game of life.

Goodbye Anger

For years, the Lord was speaking to me about anger. I kept coming back to this scripture: Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. (‭Psalms‬ ‭37‬:‭8 NLT).

I tried to focus on that point: stop being angry, turn from your rage. How could I stop it? Self-control. That’s what the experts say, practice self-control. I had some of that; I was sure of it. So, I started off trying to stay calm in a situation that I would normally be angered by. I counted to 10. I did some deep breathing. I walked away. I showed progress by attempting to overlook wrongdoings. I would rationalize not responding to an insult when I should have said something. I would try to ignore anger altogether.

But, the anger was still there. The problem that I encountered was that I was wrestling not just with my internal anger, but with the outward evil. How dare someone offend me! Anger was the correct defense to respond with right? Then I discovered that calling anger into play wasn’t always working, because outward evil kept reappearing in another form over and over again.

What am I so angry about? The real reason why I’m so angry is because of the unpleasant interactions that I have with people. Maybe you can relate to some of these:

I’m angry because people are clueless about respect.
I’m angry because people are condescending and talk down to others.
I’m angry because people can be bought when a little money is thrown their way.
I’m angry because when people see a good thing happening they want to ruin it.
I’m angry because people are selfish, lazy, and thoughtless.
I’m angry because people lie and lies multiply.
I’m angry because people don’t take responsibility for their actions.
I’m angry because people make excuses.
I’m angry that people take advantage of kindness.
I’m angry because people cause harm and don’t think twice about it.
I’m angry that people are not compassionate, considerate, and caring.
I’m angry that the more I try to do, the more people try to minimize it all.
I’m angry because people judge by what they see, especially regarding color and body size.
I’m angry because all of my efforts are always compared to someone else.
I’m angry because people want to take credit for the work I’ve done.
I’m angry because people always want to be seen and heard, but not listen.
I’m angry because people call themselves preaching, yet practicing hypocrisy.
I’m angry because people who I considered friends are back-stabbers.
I’m angry because anything I try to do is never enough for people.
I’m angry because people do not apologize for their wrongdoing.
I’m angry because people steal everything- physically, mentality, and spiritually.

When God became angry and flooded the earth, it was because of people (Genesis 6). People were out of control. People are still out of control today. People do not know what purpose they serve. They do not understand what they are to live for. People live in willful ignorance. All of that is what fuels unpleasant interactions. Therefore, we have to stop giving people our power.

So anger, I have to say goodbye to you now since I know that your power is derived from people and unpleasant, perhaps evil, interactions.  I know I can never get away from these interactions entirely. I may even create them at times. The way that I am choosing to overcome that is by faith. Having the faith to say no, let people go, and let God help me grow.

Instead of calling that anger defense into play, I’m running a new offense called Psalm 37- it says it all.

Your Nothing Is His Something

I am the vine, you are the branches, He who abides in me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. JOHN 15:5

Ever felt like you’ve been stuck in a rut? Recently we had a snow storm so I’m sure someone can relate to this. You know when your driving and all of a sudden you get stuck and can’t get out of the spot you’re in. Your just sitting there giving the car gas, backing up, going forward, yet getting no where. Spinning your wheels and sometimes digging yourself in deeper.

I kinda felt that way this morning. I haven’t written anything in a while, but this morning I could feel something stirring. So I got up and began writing in my journal, talking with the Lord about something I needed to do at work. I thought, Lord how can I do this when sometimes its hard to it for myself…*crickets chirping here*…No answer…silence. sometimes that can be so frustrating. I am sitting here waiting for this “AH HA” moment and NOTHING!

A friend of mine was texting me and I was telling her about my frustrations and she replied back with these word, “Your Nothing is His Something” and I heard it, “THE VOICE behind the voice!That was my AH HA moment. Then it all began to flow.

I had been stuck in this rut for a while. The definition of rut is, a behavior or pattern that has become dull or unproductive, but is hard to change. A low spot, ditch or pit, a pattern you can’t escape. Or can you? Often when we are stuck we can’t seem to find any way out of the situation and sometimes we even panic because of that. A lot of times all we have to do is stop and change our perception of the situation.

Sometimes to get out of a rut, you have to change the terrain, by that I mean, do something to give yourself some traction. In other words, change what you or doing, or how you are perceiving the situation. I was looking at my situation as if I had not been making any progress, as if there was nothing I could do to really gain any ground. When in reality my, Nothing is actually, HIS something. Just because I cant see it doesn’t mean change isn’t taking place. It doesn’t mean I am not making progress. I just needed to change the way I was looking at what I need to do in order to get out of the rut.

Sometimes in order to get out of a rut you may have to use what you have to pull yourself out. Sometimes people use a piece of wood or cardboard under their tires to change the terrain and gain some traction. So what do you have that you can use to change your terrain? For me, with my situation I need to use my story, my words, and my voice. Often God will use what we already have in our midst, but because we are so focused on the problem we cant see what is right in front of our faces. Whether its, an idea, a phone call, or change in perspective, our nothing is  always HIS something.

Ask God to show you today what HIS Something is for your situation.

Father,

I thank You for an ear to hear Your Voice when You speak. May everyone who reads this  today experience the same thing.

In Jesus Name

AMEN

Vrooooom vroooom….IM OUT!

IT’S THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS

THE VOICE OF HOPE

As a man thinks in his heart so is he…. Proverbs 23:7

Have you ever really paid attention to your thoughts? One of the definitions for the word thought is; the product of mental activity that one thinks. So what kind of activity do you have going on in your mind? In the book, The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne, she says that thoughts are magnetic and have a frequency. As you think a thought it is sent out and it magnetically attracts or brings to you on the sane frequency what you are thinking. She says if you want to change anything in your life change your thoughts. The bible puts it this way. Do not be conformed to the world, but transformed by the Renewing of your Mind. Romans 12:2

Your thoughts will transform your life either for good or for bad. If you are always thinking thoughts of…

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God’s Purpose Trumps Perspective

After two years, my daughter’s beloved basketball coach took a coaching position with another team. Needless to say, there were immediate concerns about the incoming coach. Unfortunately, the team did not have the opportunity to meet the coach before the first tournament they were scheduled to play.

When we showed up to the gym, my daughter began to voice some concerns about having a new coach and asked me how she is supposed to respond to the awkwardness of the situation.

I was just as surprised as she was when I said I can understand your perspective but do not confuse your perspective with your purpose. I reminded her that her responsibilities did not change. She needed to do what she always does for every game regardless of who is coaching. She seemed to be calmed by my response. Throughout the tournament she focused on what she needed to do.

I must admit I was taken aback by the profoundness of speech God had given me at that moment. I reflected more on what the words actually meant. I realized that sometimes our perspective overshadows the purpose. We dwell so much on what we see, expect, or even fear that we miss the purpose.

God’s purpose trumps our human perspective. We may not know or understand the purpose at the time we are going through a situation. The way situations appear, are not always how they really are. Our human perspective is distorted by emotions, logic, and past experiences.

Faith allows use to focus on the purpose. Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see. (Hebrews 11:1 NLT). Our faith gives us power to accept the changes and fulfill our purpose. Our challenge is to focus on the purpose and not the perspective. Faith through God gives us a perspective that is purposeful. It allows us to be used for God’s good purpose.

Perspective with a Purpose

The king summoned Nathan the prophet. “Look, David said, “I am living in a beautiful palace, but the Ark of God is out there in a tent!” Nathan replied to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you have in mind for the Lord is with you.” 2 Samuel 7:2 NLT

 

            If you are like me, you have likely had strong opinions about certain situations that you would consider unfair. Think about the time you failed that test, didn’t get approved for that loan, or had something taken from you.

David felt that unfairness at the moment in which he compared his living situation to the Ark of God. He thought that he was unworthy of living in a palace while the Ark of God was housed in a tent. However, God has a much more righteous perspective than we do. His perspective has a purpose.

God gave Nathan a message for David in verses 6-7, “I have never lived in a house from the day I brought the Israelites out of Egypt until this very day. I have always moved from one place to another with a tent and a Tabernacle as my dwelling. Yet no matter where I have gone with the Israelites, I have never once complained to Israel’s tribal leaders, the shepherds of my people Israel. I have never asked them, why haven’t you built me a beautiful cedar house?”

God appeared to Nathan in a vision to explain the plans he had for David. God instructed Nathan to repeat everything he said to David. God told Nathan to tell David that He had taken him from tending sheep in the pasture and selected him to be the leader of God’s people. In much the same manner, God is grooming us to take our place in this world. Some of us are in training to be leaders, teachers, doctors, lawyers, and a multitude of other professions. God has done this for a purpose.

It was thoughtful of David to consider an elaborate home for the Ark of God. Even though he had Nathan’s blessing, it did not mean that David had the blessing of the Lord. It is clear from how God responded to David that God does not want us to focus on His needs. There is nothing that we can do for Him personally. We are to focus on the work He has for us to do. It is our job to keep a righteous perspective on our work.

We are not to focus on the problems but the purpose behind the problem. Even though it may seem unfair to us, God has a reason for it. God reminds us in Proverbs 16:4, that he “has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.”

Instead of being disappointed with the Lord’s response, David was thankful! David praised and thanked the Lord for the blessing, the favor, and the dynasty that God promised him. Today, we should thank God in advance for the purpose in spite of the problems. In doing so, we will develop a perspective with a purpose.

 

 

Receiving the Harvest

 

So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we do not give up. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone especially to those in the family of faith. Galatians 6:9-10 NLT

 

            The Bible makes it clear that we harvest what we plant. In the last several weeks, I have been humbled to see the fruit of the labor I performed so long ago. Off and on through the last 10 years, I have been a stay at home mom. Early on, God put it on my heart to help people with their children. He gave me time, he gave me means, and he put people in my life who needed help with school drop offs, pickups, and child care. He gave me a hospitality gift and a ministry to serve other families.

            Recently, I returned to the workforce again not knowing how I was going to afford child care for three kids or get them to school because our district does not provide buses. I prayed, I sought the Lord, and to tell the truth, even though I believe in God, I did not think that was enough. In the depths of my soul, I doubted that the situation would work out.

I tried to find solutions on my own such as getting a loan for child care. I thought about turning down the job opportunity.  I thought that maybe this was not the time to try and pursue the opportunity. I was so conflicted about the direction of the situation and what I should do. The truth was I did not have to do anything at all. I finally figured out that I only had to wait.

Eventually, God made it clear that the opportunity was from Him. God put two helpers in my life just days before the job started, one for the morning drop-offs and one for the afternoon pickups. One helper is a single mom, with two kids who refused money and encouraged me to pay it forward because she knows how it is. I sneak her gifts though because I am grateful for her help. The other helper is someone I met at church over a year ago. She just retired from her job. She asked to serve. Both of these women are now friends I would do anything for. As it would turn out, two more people showed up when one of my children had a schedule change at school for a few days.

            I have been truly amazed at how God has generously provided in this situation. The fruit of the labor I performed was returned to me in abundance. God has opened my eyes to how our work pays off when we do what is right.

            Believe me I struggled to surrender to God’s plan to have other people care for my kids. I have always been there for them and now I had to fully release them into His care. It has truly been humbling to allow God to work in this situation. I can only imagine the plan He has for me, my family, and my helpers to be able to seize this opportunity.

            Be encouraged that God has a plan, a purpose, and He provides for our needs. Before I even asked, He had a plan. I only had to wait on His timing and He blessed me for it. Now I know that we eventually receive the harvest.

 

 

 

You Are Not an Egg

Courtesy of www.babymed.com

 The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring. Isaiah 58:11NLT

 

Do you recall the Mother Goose nursery rhyme Humpty Dumpty? “Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. All the king’s horse and all the king’s men couldn’t put Humpty together again.”

In this scene, the king’s horses and men were looking at a tragic accident that could not be fixed. There was no way for Humpty Dumpty to be rebuilt. Imagine an egg falling off your kitchen counter.  Likely it breaks. You cannot put it together again and you cannot use it.

You are not an egg.

You may have taken a fall. You may be down and out.  You may feel completely broken or shattered as an egg. The devil thinks you are an egg. He thinks he can break you. He can toy with your mind and make you believe lies about yourself and your situation that are not true. Your heart will get broken. Your spirit will get broken. You may lose your job, home, money, or family and friends. The good news is that you and all of those situations can be fixed. The Lord rebuilds and restores. God makes the promise in Isaiah 58:11.

Seek the Lord, allow Him to speak to you, and get your restoration process going. He is waiting to rebuild and restore you like a well-watered garden. God wants to bless you in this New Year.

Prayer

Dear Lord,

Humbly we come before you asking for forgiveness of sins and chance to be restored, refreshed, and renewed. Only you can provide the food and water we need in our spirit to renew us. Speak to our hearts and minds in everything we do. May You alone direct our path and lead us in victory for this new year. ~In Jesus name~ Amen

 

Clean This House by Isaac Carree

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hEluuTkn6U

Can You Hear The Voice of Hope

Are you listening?

THE VOICE OF HOPE

Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumes, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, says my soul, Therefore I HOPE in Him!
LAMENTATIONS 3:22-24

What does the Voice of Hope sound like to you? Have you ever heard it? It doesn’t have to be an audible voice. It could be the voice that comes from listening to another share their story. Especially if there story is liken to something you are going through and they are telling you how they made it.

One of the definitions for the word voice is, something likened to the speech as conveying impressions to the mind. That is what this blog site was designed to. As we share our life experiences and struggles it is our desire that the voice with which we speak is conveying hope in your mind. The…

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Knowledge of the Lord is my Jackpot!

“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

I know a few people who play the lottery every single day with hopes of winning a jackpot. I admit there are times when I feel compelled to play the lottery too especially when the jackpots have extremely high pay outs.  I think I just want the feeling of being rich for a while. When you grow up poor and limited in what you can do, you see money completely different than people who have always had it.

I am a big dreamer and I know a monetary jackpot could do a whole lot of good. I think about what I could do with the money. I think about the investments I would make that would impact the world. My dream is to open an all-girls school and start a new generation of young ladies who believe in God. I dream of being able to put my children, nieces, and nephews through college. I dream of owning a beach house where my family can come together and have a reunion in the summers. I have envisioned starting a mobile ministry that goes across country to help people in need.  I dream of starting a publishing company to help writers like me and Chanteea.

There is one thing about these lottery jackpots that is not disclosed: more money, more problems. People win the lottery and have no clue how to manage it. They squander what they win and go right back to being in the same position they were before the winning with nothing to show for it. They get bombarded with requests of money from people they no longer associate with. They feel driven to be selfish with the money.

The bottom line is that taking money from people, creating a big jackpot, and giving the money to a random winner is the world’s way of enticing people into sin. The bible is clear about money, it is fleeting. We cannot take it with us when we die. God desires that we choose him over money. Does God motivate us to do what we do, or money? The love of money is the root of so much evil. (1Timothy 6:10). As an example, remember that money was given to Judas before Jesus was arrested, beaten, and tortured.

I may never win a lottery, but I have learned this: I’m already a winner and the Lord is my jackpot. Investing my time in a relationship with God will give me more of my heart’s desires than paper that blows in the wind. God is a divine king who has a wealth of resources at his disposal. I am a princess of the Lord. All I have to do is ask and He provides for my needs. To top it off, I have an everlasting salvation that no one can take away from me.

Proverbs 1:7 says, that “fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and knowledge.” Let the Lord be your jackpot. He wants to share his wealth with you, not just materially, but intellectually. Seek Him, find Him, fear Him, worship Him, and know Him personally = Jackpot!