Shame be gone

I never had someone read the Bible to me and my instant thought was wanting  to smack them...until now. 

The YouVersion Bible app's reader makes "aha, aha" in Psalm 70 sound as annoying as it is in real life. Everyone knows who the people are that say that. They are the pompous commentators who have nothing better to do than watch the actions of others but never take as much time in the mirror. 

They make the bully on the Simpsons who repeats "ha ha" seem bearable. 

(In case you haven't heard him, here's a link. 

http://youtu.be/lAUNlO6-rlk)

The Message version calls them "gossips off clucking their tongues." The New Living Translation said "aha! we got him now." Rob Lacey called them "the cocky ones who push me to the edge" in Word on the Street.

Notice the Psalm 70 prayer; no matter what version, the Psalmist is begging God to quickly come and rescue them.

These are clearly not people we want to be around for a long time. Even the Psalmist only gives them five verses of attention. For me personally, a second is long enough.

But what if we have to be in an environment with these cackling fools? What if they're in our daily life in someway? What if we actually begin to sound like them? What if we are them? 

God help us hold our toungues! Somehow we have to learn how to respond to them and not react to their overbearing ways with a smack down. Nor should we even entertain their obnoxiousness.

Clearly, the only way is to handle this is to turn it over to God. It's what the Psalmist did. He knew he was not the one to be shamed by his false accusers. What they were doing was very shameful. Don't play the shame game. 

Let God take the revenge. As you probably know, if you ever tried to speak back, the cackling only gets louder and longer. If you ever tried to defend a person or yourself in the situation, then you may have witnessed the finger-pointing increase. They have no interest in hearing you but God always does

Lord, I pray help me be a light to the world where annoying people are inevitable. Let your voice be louder than their cackle. Let truth replace the gossip. Let people be set free from the bonds of shame. The Word declares the cross will not go in vain, the humble will be exalted and the hecklers of both will face their judgment. In your name, Amen

Shedding worry weight

A wise man said what we care for, we carry and that is the weight of worry. Worry, in his definition, is a false sense of responsibility.

I was stuck in that awful position again where my teenage son did not return home after school.

However I went on to my appointment with Hope. On my way back, the sunlight and rainbow provided me the reminder that God's promise remains true.

But when I got home all I had was the pictures of His beauty to hold onto. I didn't have a son to hug.

With hope, I begin to prepare my son's favorite meal. I believed he would be home when it was set on the table.

At the precise moment my son's radiant smile should have come through the door, my phone rang. It was from an unlikely caller who gave me reassurance in a way the caller never did before.

Confident in renewed hope, I went on a quick errand. I also knew there was a possibility I could sneak up on the location where my son could be. But God didn't let me do it my way.

As God would have it, with no effort of my own, my son was automatically placed in my path. He thought he would get a ride home but I had to continue the discipline. Although my joy could have made me succumb to his rebellion, I told him to continue his walk home.

Guilt wanted to feed worry. Thoughts wanted to overcome me with the idea of if I was a good parent by the quick decision I made. But God helped me focus on the positive news that my son was not in any danger as worry could have me believe. My sweet boy was healthy and alive.

I didn't want to look at the clock while I was home again. Instead the still small voice reminded me the wise man quoted above, my pastor, preached on worrying and I hadn't had the chance to listen to it. The sermon was as long as my son's walk home.

Right on time, my son walked in the door as if nothing was wrong. I dropped to the floor and thanked Jesus. I kept my eyes on God. The sermon was wrapping up on my iPhone. Pastor Steve asked us to place our hands on our hearts and say this prayer:

Father, you are a great father and you care for me. If you care for the birds who you didn't die for, then you care for me, whom you did die for.

Help me today to not be shut down by my thoughts but to let me realize that my faith is for greater things then what I realize. I know you are in my tomorrow.

It's automatic. It's appointed.

So Father, when I fall behind and try to worry; Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit enable me to keep up with peace that passes all understanding.

Let the Lord speak to your heart today. Give it to him. It needs a response that's beyond your ability so why do you carry it?

Daily, I carry more and more, especially in parenting. Daily I am passionately seeking protection, provision and productivity for my family. These things can only come from God worry free and stress less. 

That's it! I'm going on a diet and I'm shedding my worry weight. I'm leaving all that disgusting blob of fat on the altar (much like the slaughtered animals they put on the altar in the Old Testament days. Gross!)

Cast it. It is His.

Everything that concerns us, you will perfect, my Father. I know it.

You didn't bring us this far to leave us hanging now. As a church, as a family, as individuals and as a corporate body May your heart be seen, may your heart be known. May we see the glory of you in the morning and know it's there, in Jesus name. 

Like what was preached from Exodus, the fog was lifted and I saw the provision of the daily bread God promised. He is with me and he will provide. 

I feel lighter already!

(Editor's note: The sermon was by Destiny Worship Ctr., Destin, FL and can be found online at http://www.destinyworshipcenter.com/summer-on-mount-sermon-series/)