What To Do With Ttrouble

A young businessman, deeply troubled, went to his pastor. After a deep sigh, he said, “I have some huge problems. I don’t know what to do, and I need your help. Will you pray with me?”

What a great way to look at problems: through the eyes of prayer. That was what David did. “I pour out my complaints before Him; before Him, I tell my trouble.”

Whatever may have been troubling David was not as important as going to God in prayer. He did not go to his friends and complain. He did not go to the leaders of his army and gripe. Nor was he paralyzed in confusion or fear. He did what every godly person does: he went to God and prayed. And it was not an insincere prayer or a prayer that was meaningless. David “poured out” his complaints and troubles. He left his troubles, so to speak, “on the floor.” He kept nothing inside of himself. He put it where God could see what was troubling him.

Far too often we go to others and complain about our troubles knowing that they can do no more than listen or offer us sympathy. Sometimes we sit and sulk and feel sorry for ourselves. Other times we climb into bed and try to hide from them by falling asleep - only to awaken and see them before us on the ceiling.

David did the most sensible thing that any of us can do: Go to God and “pour out” our “troubles” and look to God for His wisdom, guidance, and solutions. God knows the answer before we even identify the problem. So, it makes good sense to go to Him first!

Prayer: It is so strange, Lord, that we often look to others for help rather than You. May we look to You first. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 142:2 I pour out my complaints before Him; before Him, I tell my trouble. 

What To Do With Ttrouble

A young businessman, deeply troubled, went to his pastor. After a deep sigh, he said, “I have some huge problems. I don’t know what to do, and I need your help. Will you pray with me?”

What a great way to look at problems: through the eyes of prayer. That was what David did. “I pour out my complaints before Him; before Him, I tell my trouble.”

Whatever may have been troubling David was not as important as going to God in prayer. He did not go to his friends and complain. He did not go to the leaders of his army and gripe. Nor was he paralyzed in confusion or fear. He did what every godly person does: he went to God and prayed. And it was not an insincere prayer or a prayer that was meaningless. David “poured out” his complaints and troubles. He left his troubles, so to speak, “on the floor.” He kept nothing inside of himself. He put it where God could see what was troubling him.

Far too often we go to others and complain about our troubles knowing that they can do no more than listen or offer us sympathy. Sometimes we sit and sulk and feel sorry for ourselves. Other times we climb into bed and try to hide from them by falling asleep - only to awaken and see them before us on the ceiling.

David did the most sensible thing that any of us can do: Go to God and “pour out” our “troubles” and look to God for His wisdom, guidance, and solutions. God knows the answer before we even identify the problem. So, it makes good sense to go to Him first!

Prayer: It is so strange, Lord, that we often look to others for help rather than You. May we look to You first. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 142:2 I pour out my complaints before Him; before Him, I tell my trouble. 

Criticism - Good Or Bad?

Criticism can be very beneficial. It can help us correct a problem or avoid making the same mistake again and again. Or, it may damage or destroy the hope that is within someone who is trying to do something good and makes a few mistakes along the way.

When the great Polish pianist, Paderewski, first chose to study the piano, his teacher embarrassed him and said, “Your hands are too small. You will never be able to master the piano.”

When the great American evangelist, Moody, closed a service, a critic said, “I counted eighteen mistakes in your grammar tonight.” Thinking for a moment, Moody graciously replied, “I am using all the grammar I know for the glory of God. Are you doing the same?”

The criticism directed at Paderewski and Moody did not cripple them, it challenged them. History records their stories, and though they had their problems, they went on to great things.

Criticism properly given and directed at something a person can change or improve on can be a gift from God. David wrote, “Let a righteous man strike me - it is a kindness; let him rebuke me - it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.”

People who love us will want the best for us. They will offer us suggestions on what we can do to improve our witness, service or testimony to the Lord. It is important to listen patiently, willingly and openly. Notice one word: “righteous.” People who are right with God want our best.

Prayer: Lord, we ask You to bring people into our lives who will help us to become our best and become like You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:5 Let a righteous man strike me - it is a kindness; let him rebuke me - it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.

Criticism - Good Or Bad?

Criticism can be very beneficial. It can help us correct a problem or avoid making the same mistake again and again. Or, it may damage or destroy the hope that is within someone who is trying to do something good and makes a few mistakes along the way.

When the great Polish pianist, Paderewski, first chose to study the piano, his teacher embarrassed him and said, “Your hands are too small. You will never be able to master the piano.”

When the great American evangelist, Moody, closed a service, a critic said, “I counted eighteen mistakes in your grammar tonight.” Thinking for a moment, Moody graciously replied, “I am using all the grammar I know for the glory of God. Are you doing the same?”

The criticism directed at Paderewski and Moody did not cripple them, it challenged them. History records their stories, and though they had their problems, they went on to great things.

Criticism properly given and directed at something a person can change or improve on can be a gift from God. David wrote, “Let a righteous man strike me - it is a kindness; let him rebuke me - it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.”

People who love us will want the best for us. They will offer us suggestions on what we can do to improve our witness, service or testimony to the Lord. It is important to listen patiently, willingly and openly. Notice one word: “righteous.” People who are right with God want our best.

Prayer: Lord, we ask You to bring people into our lives who will help us to become our best and become like You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:5 Let a righteous man strike me - it is a kindness; let him rebuke me - it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.

A Strong Heart

After walking for what seemed to be miles, he stopped at the corner of an apple orchard to admire the beautiful apples. The owner of the orchard noticed him and asked, “Son, are you trying to steal my apples?”

“No, sir,” he replied, “I’m trying not to. But my trying not to is losing to my wanting to.”

It was that way with David. Deep in his heart, he wanted to do what was right. But one day he realized that his friendship with evil men was a strong force that was often more powerful than his desire to do the right things.

As his walk with the Lord grew stronger, he began to realize that there was a power beyond human power, And, if he wanted to, he could choose victory over defeat by depending on that power. He was able to move from being overcome by their power to overcoming temptation and sin by calling upon God’s power.

So, he went to God in prayer and asked, “Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in evil deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.”

One of the most powerful thoughts that the devil places in our minds is that we are human and that God realizes we may be overcome by temptation to sin. It’s so easy to rationalize sin’s power and our weakness to be tempted to sin.

Paul had an answer or this excuse. “There is no temptation that is more powerful than God’s power. And He’ll provide a way of escape if you want it,” he added.

Prayer: Lord, help us to confront our excuse of being human as a reason to sin. May we run to You for safety. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture for Today: Psalm 141:4 Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in evil deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies.