If you are like most people, you have felt inadequate and lacking in confidence at times. There have been many self-help books written to help us improve ourselves and grow in self-confidence. I have read some of these. One thing I have noticed is that they put the focus on “me.” They stress that I am the answer and solution to make things better. These books don’t give a complete answer to the problem.  When we add surrendering to God, our insecurities diminish.  Positive thinking and self-talk strategies go only so far for those who struggle with self-worth. These strategies can seem like good ideas that we should embrace, but only work for a while.  I looked up self-talk and could agree with most everything I read.  However, what I find distressing is that it is only part of the solution.  Much what the world communicates today provides only part of the answer.  Without the whole truth, without balancing these ideas with what God teaches in His Word, we get just half of the truth, which can lead us into believing lies.
 
Please take time to read these few verses. The author of Psalm 119: 137-144 writes from his personal struggles and pain.  Yet, he focuses on the joy and fulfillment that God provides.  The writer does not dwell on himself or his situations.  He names and proclaims, with a joyful and thankful heart, the attributes, gifts and even requirements of God.

• Righteousness 
  
• Faithfulness
• Promises
• Precepts
  
• Commands

 
Words such as precepts and commands conjure up thoughts of rules and limitations confining and limiting our freedom and happiness. Yet the writer realizes that obedience to God’s Word brings about its own liberty.  It brings freedom of spirit and eternal joy.
 
Each verse reflects the writer’s love and devotion to God’s Word. They reveal the fulfillment the author receives through scripture and the protection God provides through life’s situations.
 
My prayer is that God’s Word will fulfill the deep needs of your heart and life and that you will be able to declare God’s Glory through His Word.  
 
 
 “May the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding,
keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” 
Philippians 4: 7

Have you ever had the privilege of holding the hand of a little one just learning to walk?  They hold on with all the strength their tiny hands can manage. They look up with trusting eyes, knowing that with every step they take, you will not lead them into danger but will keep them safe. God desires that same trust and devotion from us. 
 
Keep steady my steps according to your promise,
and let no iniquity get dominion over me.  Psalm 119:133
 
The Psalmist asks God to keep his footsteps steady, not wavering off the right path.  He claims God’s promise to help and requests that God keeps sins from having control over him. 
 
In Proverbs 4:20-27, we read of God’s clear instructions that show us how to follow God step by step and avoid having sin take dominion over us.
20 My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.
21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body.
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.
26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways.
27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.
 
As you read the verses try to identify the steps to keep one close to the Lord.
#1 _________ Attention   verse 20               
#2 _________ God’s Word verse 21 & 22
#3 _________ My Affections verse 23
#4 _________ My Conversation  verse 24
#5 _________ My Gaze  verse 25
#6 _________ My Steps  verse 26
#7 _________ From Evil  verse 27
(Answers not in order:  keep, guard, watch, pay, know, control, fix)
             
COVID-19 could overtake our hearts and minds.  Don’t let it.  Focus on God’s Word daily, and He will guide you Step by Step.
 
 
 “May the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding,
keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”     Philippians 4: 7

Sometimes my “by the book” personality gets me into trouble. Most of the time, I like things done, “decently and in order.”  Scripture teaches us that principle.
 
Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Corinthians 14:40
 
Several years ago, I was co-leading a ministry team to Romania.  I was very frustrated when the schedule and plans kept changing.  One of the younger team members was a great example to me, teaching me to enjoy the moment and to relax.  God was in charge.
 
When I read Psalm 119:121 - 128, I saw my personality show up in verse 126:
 
It is time for the Lord to act, for your law has been broken.
 www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%20119%3A121-128&version=ESV;HCSB;TLB
Do you feel that way about many of the things that are happening in the world today? 
 
It seems the world has gone crazy!  People break the law and get away with it.  Some of the laws written by our current governments are contrary to God’s Holy Word. It’s hard not to want to say to the Lord, ‘Please put a stop to this insanity, we have had enough!’ “Come, Lord Jesus, Come.”
 
Thankfully, God did not turn away the prayer of the writer of this Psalm, and He will not turn away those who come to Him with their honest, obedient and faithful hearts.  We can go to God with all of our frustrations.  We can speak to Him with everything we are thinking and feeling.  He wants us to admit these to Him, and then lay them at His feet to handle and take care of according to His will and timing.
 
God wants to hear our honest hearts, coming to Him in humble obedience, being like Christ. 
 
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2: 5-8
 
If you are feeling frustrated today and want to say as the Psalmist said:
IT IS TIME FOR THE LORD TO ACT!
 
Admit it to the Lord and claim the following verse for yourself.
 
 “May the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding,
keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.” 
Philippians 4:7

 - There is so much sadness, grief, and confusion today in the media, in our world, and lives. Life can seem hopeless.
 
When I read Psalm 119: 113-120, I find the source of hope and the place of protection.  My prayer for each of you today is that you will know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that God loves you and cares for you. 
 
Recently I was listening to the memorial message of a woman who died much too soon.  She was a wife, mom and grandmother who spent most of her adult life serving as a missionary with her husband.  The pastor reminded us of this truth that we all need to remember:
 
"Being a follower of Christ does not make us immune to the realities of life.  Being a follower of Christ gives us the ability to cope with what life throws at us." David Mann - World Partners USA
 
These verses from today’s reading assure us that God is with us holding us tight in the storm:
 
“You are my hiding place and my shield, I hope in Your Word.” vs 114
“Uphold me according to your promise that I may live…” vs 116
“Hold me up that I may be safe…” vs 117
 
In the middle of all the chaos of today, remember the promises found in Romans 8:34-39.  Nothing can separate us from the love of Christ;

• Tribulation
• Famine
• Sword
• Death
• Confused government
• Wrong laws

 “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 37-39
 
With Christ, we will conquer the situation, and nothing can separate us from the Love of Christ.  Being held in God’s hand is the hope we depend upon every day. 
 
 “May the peace of God, that surpasses all understanding,
keep your heart and mind in Christ Jesus.”   Philippians 4:7