An "IRRITATION" ? ? ?

Before you complain to God in prayer, thank Him for one thing that first comes to mind. 

As soon as you verbalize those words out loud — or quietly — then mention one more thing your brain remembers.  Give a smile to your Father in Heaven.

Now — just one more thing — say the third blessing of God you recall.

O K ?   D o n e   t h a t ?

Now go ahead and say what’s bothering you.

Your amazing brain will soon announce some details and then you might think of some acceptable ways to deal with that irritation.

No need to pout or cry, maybe just exhale with a thoughtful look.  God knows, He hears you, He loves you, and He provides a way through the muddle in your mind.

So, just before your smiling AMEN, you remember to send this request, “Help him (or them).  Thank You, Lord.”

                 + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ˙2020

       

A Problem is an Opportunity

Today will bring some problem . . . 

and a problem is an opportunity ! 

an opportunity to pray,

an opportunity to trust God,

an opportunity to learn,

an opportunity to respond,

an opportunity to share faith lessons 

by your example and

by your words. 

Keep your eyes open.  Be ready.

Watch for that problem today. 

by Elaine Hardt ©2018

See If This Works for You, Too

Haven’t seen this old friend of mine

For such a very long time.

There’s a solution for this

I’m sure you don’t want to miss!

All you do is run to the store

To grab a few things, nothing more.

You’re wearing some pathetic old clothes

And who do you see?  Goodness knows!

He (she) recognizes you, oh my!

And chats before he says, “Good bye.”

So, what a new thought, this remedy!

You decide who you would want to see.

Of course, you’ll greet everyone with a smile,  
"The LORD bless all of you,  all the while!" 

by Elaine Hardt ©2016

Success Comes When - - -

Review the basics.
1. Life is full of choices for me to make.
2. In my own ability I cannot make all the right decisions or do all the right things.
3. God allows this so I will see that I need Him in my life.
4. If success was easy we wouldn’t have opportunity to learn.

Come into agreement with what God says.
1. God wants us to be saved, healed, victorious.
2. Jesus has already done it all. He has provided for salvation, healing, victory.
3. God invites us to boldly come and take what He offers.
4. I must personally accept Jesus as my Savior.
5. His Holy Spirit comes to live within us, enabling us to do what pleases Him.

Review what the Bible says about the devil.
1. The devil will lie and deceive us so he can destroy us.
2. He will make us miserable so our testimony is ineffective.
3. He has a legal right to attack us when we are in disobedience to God.

Pray for wisdom, and be obedient to do what God reveals.
1. He will give us direction when we ask.
2. We must listen and obey.

Who is on YOUR Team? Whose Team Are YOU On?

A team can accomplish more than a single person.  Agree?  

Who is on YOUR team?  And, whose team are YOU on?

Some verses in the Bible in Exodus 17 give us a look at this principle and can give us some insight into our own situation today.

PROBLEM:

Moses is leading the people of Israel out of their slavery in Egypt to the promised land.  Now they are in a wilderness at a place called Rephidim. Some enemies called the Amalekites came against them and fought with Israel.  

STRATEGY:

Giving orders; Moses set Joshua as leader of the warriors.  Moses took Aaron and Hur to the top of the hill overlooking the battle. In verses 9 to 11 we read that Moses took the “rod of God in his hand.”  

When Moses held up his hand Israel prevailed against the enemies, but when his hand got tired and he lowered the rod, the Amalekites began to prevail. 

ADVICE AND HELP:

Here’s where his personal team up up there beside him sprang into action.  They got him a stone large enough to sit on, and Aaron and Hur held up his hands.  This was how he was able to hold up that rod until sundown, and the Israelites won the battle. 

ANALYSIS: 

Everyone there got to see an amazing victory. Later, thousands would hear about it; then later, millions would read about it. 

God told Moses to write this account for Joshua.  It was not to be forgotten.  And Moses built an altar as his response of worship to the LORD.

TO APPLY THIS TO YOU: 

You’ll agree that those steps to success make sense.  Realize you have a problem, come up with a strategy.  Get some advice and help from your “team.”  Then do it.  Then analyze it so you and your team gain info that could come in handy some other time.  

The Purpose of a Problem

Determination makes you strong, 

Apathy makes you weak;

The problem brings a choice to you.

Reject confusion, depression!  

Stand tall inside your heart;

God gives the power to you.

Pray for wisdom, help, protection.  

Analyze, plan, then do;

God means for this to strengthen you.  

          By Elaine Hardt ©2009