Worship

Scripture

I am challenged when I try to balance what I believe and what I see. When I am rooting for the Cowboys (Dallas OR Wyoming) I can find myself moaning that we are going to lose because we are already down in the first quarter….OR I can see the score is only 31-7 with 5 minutes left and we have the ball, if we can just score then a monster comeback is on. To tell the truth there isn’t a lot of balance there. In the world I have to remind myself of the same thing: what I see isn’t always the way things are. In 2 Thessalonians chapter 3 Paul writes that he prays we are delivered from wicked and evil men because not all have faith. In this world, we can encounter a lot of things that seem to go against our faith. We can see evil things happen; we can experience challenges and hard times. We wonder why it seems like evil is doing well when we might be experiencing hardships. We live in a fallen world and there are wicked and evil men. I wish it wasn’t true but there it is. Now we have to find that hope. We are told that in the world we will have trouble but not to fear because He has overcome this world. These are the moments when I feel like maybe the game is over…the bad guys have won. But Jesus tells us that’s not the case. So, whether it’s my lack of faith in the first moment of a challenge, or even if it’s deep into a lengthy challenge that has lasted years, we have to remember that it can look dim, but the outcome is already set. Going back to football, imagine the difference: it’s late in the game and my team is down and I don’t know what’s coming next…. OR I watch the game knowing that the monster comeback is going to happen because it’s a replay. The stress sure is different! We have to get to the place that we are reminded that Jesus has overcome the world. It’s a tough world and it can wear us out. But in the end, we have to keep trusting in the knowledge that He has overcome the world. He Wins no matter the scoreboard now.

Prayer

HONOR GOD

I will make a covenant of peace with them; it will be a permanent covenant with them. I will establish and multiply them and will set my sanctuary among them forever. My dwelling place will be with them; I will be their God, and they will be my people.

Ezekiel 37:26-27

What an honor it is that we are permanently at peace with God and that He has chosen us as His people and His dwelling place.

ASK GOD

Give us today our daily bread.

Matthew 6:11

Picture God extending His hands towards you.

What are you concerned about that needs to be placed in His hands? What is the “bread” you need from Him? Ask Him.

SUBMIT TO GOD

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.

Matthew 6:12-13

Imagine yourself entering a dark room, with a person in front of you, holding a flashlight, leading you. That’s what God does. As He leads you, tell Him how you desire to follow Him.

CLOSING PRAYER 

God, thank You for speaking to me! I will trust what You ask me to do, even when I don’t understand the reasons why. I don’t always need the answers, I just need You.  In Jesus Name, Amen.