Wednesday's Word: Stick With God!

The Bible instructs us to not get tired of doing the right thing. Yet, in the corrupt and evil world that we live in, it can be challenging to consistently stay on the straight and narrow when it seems like everybody and their momma is kicking it on wide road.

David at one point shared how he was having similar thoughts. It seemed like all the wicked people around him were prospering while he wondered what the use in staying holy. But, by the end of his thoughts David figured out why it was important to stick with the Lord.

Truly God is good to Israel,

to those whose hearts are pure.

 But as for me, I almost lost my footing.

My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

  For I envied the proud

when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

 

  They seem to live such painless lives;

their bodies are so healthy and strong.

  They don’t have troubles like other people;

they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.

  They wear pride like a jeweled necklace

and clothe themselves with cruelty.

  These fat cats have everything

their hearts could ever wish for!

  They scoff and speak only evil;

in their pride they seek to crush others.

  They boast against the very heavens,

and their words strut throughout the earth.

  And so the people are dismayed and confused,

drinking in all their words.

  “What does God know?” they ask.

“Does the Most High even know what’s happening?”

  Look at these wicked people—

enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.

 

  Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?

Did I keep myself innocent for no reason?

  I get nothing but trouble all day long;

every morning brings me pain.

 

  If I had really spoken this way to others,

I would have been a traitor to your people.

  So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper.

But what a difficult task it is!

  Then I went into your sanctuary, O God,

and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.

  Truly, you put them on a slippery path

and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction.

  In an instant they are destroyed,

completely swept away by terrors.

  When you arise, O Lord,

you will laugh at their silly ideas

as a person laughs at dreams in the morning.

 

  Then I realized that my heart was bitter,

and I was all torn up inside.

  I was so foolish and ignorant—

I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you.

  Yet I still belong to you;

you hold my right hand.

  You guide me with your counsel,

leading me to a glorious destiny.

  Whom have I in heaven but you?

I desire you more than anything on earth.

  My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,

but God remains the strength of my heart;

he is mine forever.

 

  Those who desert him will perish,

for you destroy those who abandon you.

  But as for me, how good it is to be near God!

I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,

and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

Psalm 73 (NLT)

Afternoon Ti: God's Peace

This world is filled with unrest. There are so many things going on from wars to rumors of wars... violence in our streets... political unrest... economic decline... not to mention the everyday problems that plague our personal lives.

But I love the promise that God gives us in Philippians 4:7

...you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds 

anything we can understand. 

His peace will guard your hearts and minds 

as you live in Christ Jesus. (NLT)

As believers, we have the opportunity to experience God's peace. Peace that will keep both are hearts and minds settled and at rest. People in our world today would pay for any kind of peace, let alone God's peace!

Yet, so many of us miss out on our benefit of God's peace. Why? Because we forget all about Philippians 4:6

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. 

Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT)

We are told not to worry. We are to replace worry with prayer. Often, that is our initial and greatest error. We worry. We think about all the wrong that's going on, all the wrong that can happen, and the wrong that might happen, and we begin to stress ourselves out.

Then, we combine our worry with prayer. We come to God concerned, and we plead with Him for His help. We finish our prayer still with our worries. Instead of leaving them there with the Lord, we burden ourselves with our troubles again, and leave His presence worrying still.

Yet, Paul clearly instructs us to talk to God, tell Him what we need, and thank Him. That's it. Point blank, period. It's only then that the supernatural peace of God can reign in our lives.

True prayer - talking to and hearing from the Lord - can only lead to peace in your spirit. Coming to God, acknowledging Who He is and all that He is capable of, will diminish any problem that was looming large in our lives. Recognizing the power, wisdom, and love that God has will only serve to comfort us where our situation is concerned. It's when this happens that we can't help but be thankful before Him. We can't help but have gratitude for His willingness to hear and help us.

And we can go on full of His peace.

Today, don't allow the cares of this world to overtake you. Get before God and talk to Him. Allow Him to impart to you His peace.

Verse of the Day: Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

Days of Purpose & Destiny

I hope everyone has had a chance to purchase my new book! If you haven't you can purchase the book HERE. Recently, I was interviewed on Big Gospel Express 1570, and I have uploaded some snippets for you to enjoy.

Have a wonderful day of destiny!