7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Memory of the month: Proverbs 15:1-A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Today's reading: PSALM 72-73 ROMANS 9:1-15
"I Nearly Missed it"
The 'Message' is a translation of the Bible that has been around since 1993. The author, Eugene Peterson, translated it from original texts using modern language.
This is how the beginning of Psalm 73 reads in 'THe Message' translation:
No doubt about it! God is good—
good to good people, good to the good-hearted.
But I nearly missed it,
missed seeing his goodness.
I was looking the other way,
looking up to the people
At the top,
envying the wicked who have it made,
Who have nothing to worry about,
not a care in the whole wide world.
It is a common problem with a lot of people. We grow up looking at success and we follow the lead of the world as if we were under the spell of the 'Piper'. We know it as the recipe for success. Everybody does it this way. Our country was built on these business principles. It just makes good sense. It has to be done this way or no way...
Folks get so caught up in watching and pursuing the 'good life' of the rich and famous they forget they have a life of their own. From the time we start to learn we are filled with visions of 'how it is supposed to be'. Select a vocation that will allow us to live as we desire and work to get there. Or, get the education that allows you to do what you dream while your dreams of success are fulfilled.
The writer of Psalm 73, a man named Asaph, grew up in a world that thought there was one way to do things-the way of proven success. The sign of success was the people at the top. He almost missed it, he says. Missed what?
But if we live just to succeed the way the world says, we chance missing the whole world of God's grace. We succeed and then retire and then...
The children of God have the answer-that is- if they , themselves, don't miss it. Yes, we can also miss great blessings getting caught up in doing things the way somebody else says it is supposed to be done.
And there is the problem. There is nothing wrong with following a pattern of success unless you do exactly like someone else has done it-what?
God has created us all with differences and these differences are so we can be what-different? Yes. Be the individual God intends for you to be as you live aware of His presence all the time. God's way is perfect and He will lead you into whatever He has created you to be. Follow the proven pattern while you walk in God's grace and mercy and learn how great God is all the time.
Life does not have to be as hard as we make it. God puts us through some stuff, yes, but promises with perseverance, that He will bring us through it and work it all to our good.(Romans 8:28-29)
No matter what happens, if we are true to God, He will make it all good.
Matthew 6:33
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Philippians 4:7
7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Christ Jesus did not hang on that cross and rise from the dead so you could miss one single thing...so don't...don't miss what God has for you-every minute.
...because He loves us...
Father in Heaven,
Forgive me for getting so caught up in the world. Open my eyes so I see everyday how great and good You really are. I don't want to miss a thing.
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