JULY 24, 2017

“Relying on God has to begin all over again every day as if nothing had yet been done.” 
― C.S. Lewis, Letters to Malcolm: Chiefly on Prayer

PSALM 41-43

5Why, my soul, are you downcast?

Why so disturbed within me?

Put your hope in God,

for I will yet praise him,

my Savior and my God.(43:5)

ACTS 24

22Then Felix, who was well acquainted with the Way, adjourned the proceedings. “When Lysias the commander comes,” he said, “I will decide your case.” 23He ordered the centurion to keep Paul under guard but to give him some freedom and permit his friends to take care of his needs.

24Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. 25As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 26At the same time he was hoping that Paul would offer him a bribe, so he sent for him frequently and talked with him.

27When two years had passed, Felix was succeeded by Porcius Festus, but because Felix wanted to grant a favor to the Jews, he left Paul in prison.

JOURNAL 

Emotions are emotions. They are a blessing...yet at times they can feel like a curse, especially when they are of sorrow or fear. Yet they are what make us human and they are a gift of God, no matter how uncomfortable at times they are. 

David speaks to his own soul and emotions with the remedy being to put his hope and trust in God. For when my own hope and faith wander from the presence of God, I find anxiety, dissatisfaction, boredom and a whole host of unwelcome emotions. Yet when I stay faithful in seeking the presence of God. When I stay faithful in seeking God first in pursuing greatness, then I find peace, joy and a contentment that is far beyond any circumstance. 

The key is to seek God simply for the purpose of being a light in this world and representing God in all that I do. How this plays out day to day is not for me to decide. That is the trust and faith I put in God. Give my best, seek God in all things and trust that he will use it for his purposes and HE will not fail to care for me in the process. 

25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

JAMES 1:25