“Don’t insist on getting even!”

Scripture:

Romans 12:19-21 Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. "I'll do the judging," says God. "I'll take care of it." (20) Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. (21) Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

Observation:

In this day of lawsuits and incessant demands for legal rights, Paul's command sounds almost impossible. When someone hurts you deeply, instead of giving him what he deserves, Paul says to befriend him. Why does Paul tell us to forgive our enemies? (1) Forgiveness may break a cycle of retaliation and lead to mutual reconciliation. (2) It may make the enemy feel ashamed and change his or her ways. (3) By contrast, repaying evil for evil hurts you just as much as it hurts your enemy. Even if your enemy never repents, forgiving him or her will free you of a heavy load of bitterness.

Forgiveness involves both attitudes and actions. If you find it difficult to feel forgiving toward someone who has hurt you, try responding with kind actions. If appropriate, tell this person that you would like to heal your relationship. Lend a helping hand. Send him or her a gift. Smile at him or her. Many times you will discover that right actions lead to right feelings.

Application:

I love reading Max Lucado. Please allow me to share with you today an excerpt from his book "Facing Your Giants" that goes perfectly with what I am trying to say today.

Some years ago a Rottweiler attacked our golden retriever puppy at a kennel. The worthless animal climbed out of its run and into Molly's and nearly killed her. He left her with dozens of gashes and a dangling ear. I wrote a letter to the dog's owner, urging him to put the dog to sleep.

But when I showed the letter to the kennel owner, she begged me to reconsider. "What that dog did was horrible, but I'm still training him. I'm not finished with him yet."

God would say the same about the Rottweiler who attacked you. "What he did was unthinkable, unacceptable, inexcusable, but I'm not finished yet."

Your enemies still figure into God's plan. Their pulse is proof: God hasn't given up on them. They may be out of God's will, but not out of his reach. You honor God when you see them, not as his failures, but as his projects.

God occupies the only seat on the supreme court of heaven. He wears the robe and refuses to share the gavel. For this reason Paul wrote, "Don't insist on getting even; that's not for you to do. 'I'll do the judging,' says God. 'I'll take care of it' " (Rom. 12:19 MSG).

Revenge removes God from the equation. Vigilantes displace and replace God. "I'm not sure you can handle this one, Lord. You may punish too little or too slowly. I'll take this matter into my hands, thank you."

Is this what you want to say? Jesus didn't. No one had a clearer sense of right and wrong than the perfect Son of God. Yet, "when he suffered, he didn't make any threats but left everything to the one who judges fairly" (1 Pet. 2:23 GOD'S WORD).

Only God assesses accurate judgments. We impose punishments too slight or severe. God dispenses perfect justice. Vengeance is his job. Leave your enemies in God's hands. You're not endorsing their misbehavior when you do. You can hate what someone did without letting hatred consume you. Forgiveness is not excusing.

Nor is forgiveness pretending. David didn't gloss over or sidestep Saul's sin. He addressed it directly. He didn't avoid the issue, but he did avoid Saul.

Do the same. Give grace, but, if need be, keep your distance. You can forgive the abusive husband without living with him. Be quick to give mercy to the immoral pastor, but be slow to give him a pulpit. Society can dispense grace and prison terms at the same time. Offer the child molester a second chance, but keep him off the playgrounds.

Forgiveness is not foolishness.

Forgiveness is, at its core, choosing to see your offender with different eyes. You don't excuse him, endorse her, or embrace them. You just route thoughts about them through heaven. You see your enemy as God's child and revenge as God's job.

By the way, how can we grace-recipients do anything less? Dare we ask God for grace when we refuse to give it? This is a huge issue in Scripture. Jesus was tough on sinners who refused to forgive other sinners. In the final sum, we give grace because we've been given grace.

Prayer:

"Lord, please forgive me for the times that I have insisted on getting even with the people that hurt me. When I insist on doing this, I am trying to remove You from your throne. I choose to stop playing god, and yield to You, and trust you. I make the choice today to forgive those who have done me wrong. Thank You, Lord for forgiving me. I love you and will walk in forgiveness today. In Jesus name, amen!"

Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

“The Lord calmed me down and cheered me up!”

Scripture:

Psalm 94:17-19 If GOD hadn't been there for me, I never would have made it. (18) The minute I said, "I'm slipping, I'm falling," your love, GOD, took hold and held me fast. (19) When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.

Observation:

Before a violin can produce music, stress must be put on the strings. But pull them too tightly and they'll snap. The same's true of you. Enough stress gets the juices flowing and helps you do what needs to be done, but beyond that you snap. Someone joked, "You know you're on overload when you've no time to cook a TV dinner, the cat's on tranquilisers and family reunions have to be mediated by law enforcement!" Seriously, before it gets to that point, do the following things:

Application:

(1) Ask for help: During Hurricane Katrina eight dolphins were swept out of their aquarium into the sea, but because they stuck together they were rescued. If one had tried to go it alone he'd have perished. When you're alone too much, you lose perspective. If the enemy can isolate you, he can influence you. God designed His family to stay connected. Or as Paul says, "So that all the members care for each other" (I Corinthians 12:25 NLT).


(2) Get real with God: Under stress the surge of negative emotions can be overwhelming, and unless you unburden your soul before God you'll explode at the wrong people. The Psalmist addresses this: "Cast your cares on the Lord and He will sustain you" (Psalm 55:22 NIV). "Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us" (Psalm 62:8 NKJV).

It's no mere coincidence that many of the Psalms start out with the Psalmist crying out to God for help, and end up with him rejoicing because he vented his pent-up frustrations.

I'm awake all night. (Psalm 77:4 TM)


You can't escape stress, but you can learn to cope with it by taking control of your life in small but important ways.

(3) Think about someone other than yourself. David was so frazzled that he was awake all night. Ever been there? That's when you need to "Let… praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. Before you know it, a sense of God's wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down" (Philippians 4:6 TM).

Elijah was depressed and suicidal when God showed him how to help himself. How? By leaving the cave he was hiding in, and going out and ministering to others. Focusing on something other than yourself gives you perspective. Paul says, the "God of all healing counsel… comes alongside… when we go through hard times… and… brings us alongside someone else… going through hard times so… we can be there for that person… as God was there for us" (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 TM).


Do you need help? Reach out to others. It's in connecting that we are made whole!

(4) Don't get bitter. Life is 10 percent what happens to you, and 90 percent how you respond to it. Archbishop Fulton Sheen said, "Nothing creates more deep-seated anxiety, than the false assumption that life should be free from anxieties." When somebody you trust betrays or disappoints you, or you're struggling financially after tithing faithfully for years, it's easy to feel hard-done-by. But "Don't… become bitter" (Hebrews 12:15 CEV); it destroys relationships and cuts you off from God's presence. The answer is learning to "thank God no matter what happens. This is the way God wants you… to live" (I Thessalonians 5:18 TM).

(5) God's still looking out for you. When things look bad, remind yourself that God's bigger than your problem. "Don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes." Don't get worked up. (Matthew 6:34 TM)

(6) Don't think about quitting! Every time you reach the breaking point it's a test. You have before you a series of choices that will add up to either quitting, or persevering through to victory. Paul was flogged, thrown in jail, shipwrecked and run out of town. But he refused to give in to circumstances and in the end he was able to say, "I have fought the good fight… finished the race and… remained faithful" (2 Timothy 4:7 NLT).

(7) If it doesn't have your name on it, don't pick it up! Stress comes from micro-managing others and assuming responsibilities that aren't yours. Establish healthy boundaries. If you're not sure what's appropriate, ask God to show you how much to get involved in the lives of friends and family.

(8) Your breaking point can be the start of a breakthrough. Ever heard the expression 'hitting the wall'? Runners use it when they're exhausted and feel like giving up. But seasoned athletes know if they push through the pain they'll get their second wind and experience a 'runner's high' that'll carry them over the finish line. So keep going - by God's grace you'll make it!

Prayer:

"Lord, thank you that I can come to you with all of my struggles and stresses! Many times I have allowed myself to get worked up with fear and anxiety. When I call out to you, you calm me down and cheer me up. Thank you for that. I choose today to walk in Your peace. In Jesus name, amen!"

Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

“When you can’t trace His hand, Trust His heart!”

Scripture:

Romans 8:28 (amp) We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

Romans 8:28 (msg) That's why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Observation:

God works in "everything"—not just isolated incidents—for our good. This does not mean that all that happens to us is good. Evil is prevalent in our fallen world, but God is able to turn every circumstance around for our long-range good. Note that God is not working to make us happy but to fulfill his purpose. Note also that this promise is not for everybody. It can be claimed only by those who love God and are called by him, that is, those whom the Holy Spirit convinces to receive Christ. Such people have a new perspective, a new mind-set. They trust in God, not in worldly treasures; their security is in heaven, not on earth. Their faith in God does not waver in pain and persecution because they know God is with them.

Application:

Romans 8:28 is one of those verses that bring much hope and encouragement, but yet is one that is tough to hold onto when you go through a crisis that you don't understand. When the "why Lord?" begins to form in your mind. "Why" do some good, godly people die at such a young age? Doesn't it make more sense for them to live a long life and continue to do great exploits for God? "Why" does bad things happen to good people? "Why" did the doctor just tell me that there is no hope? "Why" did my spouse just walk out on me? "Why" am I struggling so much financially? I've paid my tithes. I've been faithful in giving to God. "Why" am I battling depression and discouragement? And it could go on and on. But it doesn't change the fact that Romans 8:28 is a very real promise from God's Word.

My wife shared something yesterday on her blog that I want to share today:

Trust.

I think I have issues with that word sometimes.

Like today.

I cannot imagine the pain and the sense of loss this family must be feeling.

But God IS in control.
He DOES have a plan.
He KNOWS what is best for everyone.
All things DO work together for the GOOD of those who love Him.

Sometimes we can't see the angle He is going for.
Sometimes we just don't get what His purpose is.
Sometimes we can't trace His hand.
That is exactly when we need to learn to trust His heart.

Babbie Mason sings a song that has some of the most powerful words of any song that I have ever heard. Let me share them with you:

"All things work for our good though sometimes we can't see how they could. Struggles that break our hearts in two, sometimes blinds us to the truth. Our Father knows what's best for us. His ways are not our own. So when your pathway grows dim, and you just can't see Him, remember you're never alone.

God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind. So when you don't understand, when you don't see His plan, when you can't trace His hand...Trust His heart

He sees the master plan, and He holds our future in His hands. So don't live as those who have no hope, All our hope is found in Him. We see the present clearly, but He sees the first and the last, and like a tapestry He's weaving you and me to someday be just like Him.

God is too wise to be mistaken. God is too good to be unkind. So when you don't understand. When you don't see His plan, When you can't trace His hand...Trust His heart

He alone is faithful and true. He alone knows what is best for you. So when you don't understand. When you don't see His plan. When you can't trace His hand, trust His heart"

Prayer:

"Lord, I am so thankful that you have a plan and purpose for my life. During the times that I lose sight of that, please forgive me for the lack of trust, and lack of faith. I am so thankful that you love me and that you are truly touched with the "feeling" of my struggles. I must confess that there are times that I can't trace your Hands. But I know down deep in my Spirit man, that you are too wise to be mistaken. You are too good to be unkind. So even when I don't understand, when I am having a hard time seeing your plan…I determine to truly trust your Heart. In Jesus name, amen!"

Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

Never at the end of my HOPE

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 4:6-9 (MSG) It started when God said, "Light up the darkness!" and our lives filled up with light as we saw and understood God in the face of Christ, all bright and beautiful. (7) If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. (8) As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, (9) but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken.

2 Corinthians 4:6-9 For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). (7) However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves. (8) We are hedged in (pressed) on every side [troubled and oppressed in every way], but not cramped or crushed; we suffer embarrassments and are perplexed and unable to find a way out, but not driven to despair; (9) We are pursued (persecuted and hard driven), but not deserted [to stand alone]; we are struck down to the ground, but never struck out and destroyed;

Observation:

The supremely valuable message of salvation in Jesus Christ has been entrusted by God to frail and fallible human beings. Paul's focus, however, was not on the perishable container but on its priceless contents—God's power dwelling in us. Though we are "fragile, clay jars," God uses us to spread his Good News, and he gives us power to do his work. Knowing that the power is his, not ours, should keep us from pride and motivate us to keep daily contact with God, our power source. Our responsibility is to let people see God through us, even during difficult times and seasons.

Paul reminds us that though we may think we are at the end of our rope, we are never at the end of our hope. Our perishable bodies are subject to sin and suffering, but God never abandons us. Because Christ has won the victory over death, we have eternal life. All our risks, humiliations, and trials are opportunities for Christ to demonstrate his power and presence in and through us. We must ask ourselves, "Could I handle the suffering and opposition that Paul did?" The success syndrome is a great enemy of effective ministry. From an earthly perspective, Paul was not very successful. Like Paul, we must carry out our ministry, looking to God for strength. When opposition, slander, or disappointment threaten to rob you of the victory, remember that no one can destroy what God has accomplished through you.

Application:

Paul was encouraged because life had not thrown more at him than he could handle. When we read 2 Corinthians 4:7-10 we are likely to catch only the bad things that had happened to him and to notice the words "hard pressed," "perplexed," "persecuted," "struck down," and "always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus" (2 Cor 4:10). If Paul had told us all the bad things that had happened to him as a servant of the Lord, we would have felt that he would be justified in being bitter, leaving the ministry, or having a nervous breakdown. But we need to go back and pick up the other end of the sentence where he talked of being "not crushed… not in despair… not forsaken not destroyed," and of the "life of Jesus" being manifest in his body. If we read carefully what he has written, we hear the note of celebration that even though life had knocked him down, it had not knocked him out; he was still functioning.

As God's people, we are a lot tougher than we sometimes think, and it's encouraging for us to realize that we can cope with a great deal with the strength that Christ gives. During my years as a pastor I have seen Christians deal realistically and triumphantly with calamity, sorrow, tragedy, illness, death, and losses of every sort. I've stood by them during times of almost unbelievable stress with the assurance they would not be abandoned by Christ. And with time and patience and encouragement from Christian friends, I've seen them bounce back with renewed faith and confidence.

This is what the Holy Spirit, through Paul, wants us to know. You may be at the end of your rope, wondering how am I going to make it through this difficult time. Pause and remember how God has previously brought you through tough happenings in your life. He has not, nor will not, change. He is truly the God who will never change. Jesus is the SAME yesterday, today, and forever. He never brings you TO something that He will not bring you THROUGH. So, you may be at the end of your rope, but you will never, ever be at the end of your HOPE as a child of God.

Prayer:

"Lord, I am so thankful that you never leave me nor forsake me. I am thankful for your presence in my life. Even when I go through situations that I don't understand, it doesn't change the fact that you have a purpose and plan in place. You never bring me to something that you will not bring me through. I am so thankful that even though I feel like I am at the end of my rope, I will never be at the end of my hope. Because you are my hope! I love you Jesus, and thank you for this reminder from Your Word today. In Jesus name, amen!"

Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

Drop your Sword

Scripture:

Matthew 21:12 Jesus went straight to the Temple and threw out everyone who had set up shop, buying and selling. He kicked over the tables of loan sharks and the stalls of dove merchants.

Mathew 26:52-54 Jesus said, "Put your sword back where it belongs. All who use swords are destroyed by swords. (53) Don't you realize that I am able right now to call to my Father, and twelve companies--more, if I want them--of fighting angels would be here, battle-ready? (54) But if I did that, how would the Scriptures come true that say this is the way it has to be?"

Observation:

The man who cut off the servant's ear was Peter (John 18:10). Peter was trying to prevent what he saw as defeat. He didn't realize that Jesus had to die in order to gain victory. But Jesus demonstrated perfect commitment to his Father's will. His Kingdom would not be advanced with swords but with faith and obedience. Luk_22:51 records that Jesus then touched the servant's ear and healed him.

Application:

Often, people who have a problem with their temper use the Scripture from Matthew 21:12 to justify their lack of self-control. But you have to remember that Jesus went into the temple and "kicked over the tables" in defense of His Father's House. Not defending Himself. The Bible says to "be angry, and sin not." The problem is not the anger, but what we do with the anger. Too often we kick over tables when we should be "dropping the sword."

Jesus spent many hours is Gethsemane before He was crucified wrestling the flesh. He told His sleepy disciples, "the Spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." Jesus asked His Father, "If it is possible, let this cup pass from me, but nevertheless, not MY WILL but YOUR WILL be done." I believe Jesus wrestled with the fact that He could call 10,000 SWORD welding angels to deliver Him from the suffering that He was about to undergo. But through prayer, Jesus defeated the flesh, which is always weak, and chose to obey the Spirit, which is always willing!

Jesus walks away from prayer, fresh with the victory He has just won, and the mob comes after him, caring swords, clubs and lanterns. As they are about to take Him, Peter grabs a sword and swings it and cuts off an ear of one of the men. Jesus immediately says, "Put your sword down" and Jesus reaches down and heals the man's ear. Jesus then tells Peter, I could call angels right now that would come and deliver me, but then I would not fulfill my Father's plan.

Jesus left Gethsemane with an anointing to do great things, and the first great thing He did was to "drop the sword" that could have defended Him. This same Jesus who "kicked over the tables" to defend His Father, also "dropped the sword" when it came to defending Himself.

This goes back to my blog yesterday. Are you "Anger Driven" or "Spirit driven?" If you are anger driven, then you kick over tables AND swing the sword. If you are Spirit driven, you know there are times to kick over the tables, and there are times to drop the sword.

Jesus healed the man's ear so that he would be able to hear the great things that were about to happen through Jesus. Sure the man had two ears, and could have heard with one ear, but Jesus knew that the man wouldn't be able to hear the message because of the hurt that Peter had caused. So Jesus healed the man's ear, and I believe, his emotions.

Too often, because we are anger driven, we have swung the sword and damaged people. We have hindered them from hearing the message of a loving God who sent His only begotten Son to die for them. Why can't they hear? Often it is because one of God's children has become "anger driven" and is swinging the sword.

It is time to "drop the sword" because everyone needs to be able to hear the wonderful Good News that Jesus brings!

Prayer:

"Lord, help me to drop the sword today. Too often I have kicked over tables and swung the sword because I am "anger driven". I want to remember that the Spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I choose to be Spirit driven today. Please forgive me for the times I have hurt one of your children because of my lack of self-control. In Jesus name, amen!"

Blessings!

Pastor Rusty

“Spirit driven” or “Anger driven”

Scripture:

Job 40:1-10 GOD then confronted Job directly: (2) "Now what do you have to say for yourself? Are you going to haul me, the Mighty One, into court and press charges?" (3) Job answered: (4) "I'm speechless, in awe--words fail me. I should never have opened my mouth! (5) I've talked too much, way too much. I'm ready to shut up and listen." (6) GOD addressed Job next from the eye of the storm, and this is what he said: (7) "I have some more questions for you, and I want straight answers. (8) "Do you presume to tell me what I'm doing wrong? Are you calling me a sinner so you can be a saint? (9) Do you have an arm like my arm? Can you shout in thunder the way I can? (10) Go ahead, show your stuff. Let's see what you're made of, what you can do."

 

Observation:

 

Job's response comes somewhat short of repentance, so the LORD continues to remonstrate with him out of the whirlwind. He challenges Job to speak up like a man. After all, Job had accused God of injustice, and condemned Him in order to justify himself. Now then, let him play the part of deity by displaying omnipotence and by speaking in thunder. Let him take the throne, clothing himself with majesty, splendor, glory, and beauty. Let him pour out his wrath on the guilty and humble the proud. If he can do all these things, then the Lord will acknowledge his power to be his own deliverer.

 

How do you argue or criticize almighty God? Do you demand answers when things don't go your way, you lose a job, someone close to you is ill or dies, finances are tight, you fail, or unexpected changes occur? Job had obviously become offended and angry at God. He had gone from being "Spirit driven" in the beginning of this story to "anger driven." The next time you are tempted to complain to God, consider how much he loves you. And remember Job's reaction when he had his chance to speak. Are you worse off than Job or more righteous than he? Give God a chance to reveal his greater purposes for you, but remember that they may unfold over the course of your life and not at the moment you desire.

 

Application:

 

Job says something that I have had to say many times to myself, after I have spoken in anger or frustration…"I should never have opened my mouth!" I just happen to add my "big" mouth! How often have I spoken without thinking, then regret it later. Job goes on to say, "I'm ready to shut up and listen." That is a good idea for all of us. There is a time to talk, and a time to listen. Most of us spend more time talking then listening, especially when we get angry or offended. When we become offended, there are times we don't care who we talk to or how we talk to them. We make matters worse because we are now "anger driven" and not "Spirit driven." I know situations where an "anger driven" person has split churches because they can't keep their mouth shut. My friends, this should not be among God's children.

 

Listen to what God's Word says, James 1:19
"Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry."

 

The Message version says it this way: James 1:19
"Post this at all the intersections, dear friends: Lead with your ears, follow up with your tongue, and let anger straggle along in the rear."

 

Has anger been straggling "along in the rear" or have you been "leading with anger"? It is a good and legitimate question isn't it? I don't like my answer though. There are times that I lead with anger and that means that I have become "anger driven." I can't be all that God wants me to be when I am anger driven. I can't do all that God wants me to do when I am anger driven. I will not accomplish God's purpose and plan for my life as long as I am anger driven. I need TODAY to allow the Spirit of God to bring healing into my spirit man, deliverance from offense, and lead me into a deeper forgiveness of those who have hurt me. There will always be things and people that I do not understand. But I must not allow an offense to become what leads and directs my paths. God deserves so much more than that from me!

 

Prayer:

 

"Lord, please forgive me for allowing my life to become "anger driven" instead of "spirit driven." I have allowed unforgiveness to turn into an offense and a grudge. This is hindering my walk and ministry with you. I ask you to forgive me. Help me to keep my mouth shut. My family deserves more from me than to watch me be anger driven. But more importantly, you deserve better. I yield to your Holy Spirit today. I long to be Spirit driven today. I give you my hurts and thank you for your healing. In Jesus name, amen!"

 

Blessings!

 

Pastor Rusty

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. Triumph and Mr. Defeat

Scripture:

Philippians 1:20-23 "I can hardly wait to continue on my course. I don't expect to be embarrassed in the least. On the contrary, everything happening to me in this jail only serves to make Christ more accurately known, regardless of whether I live or die. They didn't shut me up; they gave me a pulpit! (21) Alive, I'm Christ's messenger; dead, I'm his bounty. Life versus even more life! I can't lose. (22) As long as I'm alive in this body, there is good work for me to do. If I had to choose right now, I hardly know which I'd choose. (23) Hard choice! The desire to break camp here and be with Christ is powerful. Some days I can think of nothing better"

Observation:

Where do we get the idea that everybody will appreciate us? We didn't get it from Jesus. He said that His blessings are reserved for the "persecuted" and "reviled" (Matthew 5:11). As author Bob Gass says, "If you have thin skin, life will give you a rough time, and your critics will find you an easy target. Endurance is the secret—not popularity!"

Look at what Paul endured in order to fulfill his life's goal. Desertion by his friends, ugly letters from the Corinthians, disappointment with the Galatians, mistreatment in Philippi, mocking in Athens, imprisonment and beheading in Rom. And I complain?

Today's Scripture was written by Paul in PRISON. What are you going to do with a man like that? His strength comes from within and is not diminished by the things that surround him.

Everybody wants what successful people have. The problem is that most of us don't want to do what they did in order to get it. When it comes to success there's no carpet on the racetrack, and no bed of roses on the battlefield.

All of us have our battlegrounds. Everybody you meet is struggling at some level. And while nobody pins a medal on us for winning, nothing can diminish the satisfaction of knowing that you didn't quit!

I read about a boy who had lost his right hand in an accident. When the doctor asked him about his handicap, he replied, "I don't have a handicap, I just don't have a right hand!" Later the doctor discovered that he was one of the leading scorers on his high school basketball team. It's not what you've lost, it's what you have left that counts!

Application:

Chuck Swindoll says, "Your mind is a thought factory. It produces thousands of thoughts each day. This factory is controlled by one of two foremen, Mr. Triumph and Mr. Defeat.

"Mr. Defeat specializes in producing reasons why you CAN handle whatever comes your way, why you're more than able to conquer. But Mr. Defeat is an expert at producing reasons why you CAN'T succeed, and why you should give in and give up."

"Both are instantly obedient; at your signal they snap to attention. Give a positive signal, and Mr. Triumph will throw the switches and see to it that one encouraging, uplifting thought after another floods your mind. But turn Mr. Defeat loose, and in the name of reality or common sense he'll convince you that you CAN'T or WON'T or SHOULDN'T. He'll drain all your energy, squelch all your confidence, and turn you into a frowning, tight-lipped, fatalistic victim.

"Happiness is not a matter of intelligence, age, or position. No, it's a matter of RIGHT THINKING. Your joy is directly related to the thoughts you've deposited in your memory bank. You can only draw out what you've put in."

Very true! What kind of performance would your car give if you kept putting dirt into the gas tank? The same is true of your life! But you say, "I have so many problems!"

You don't have more problems than other people, you just THINK about them more often! Change how you think and you'll change how you feel!

Prayer:

"Lord, help me to make a decision every day to let "Mr. Triumph" influence my thinking. Forgive me for the times I have allowed a defeated mentality to rule my thoughts and mind. I choose to think on whatever things are true, just, pure, lovely, of good report, excellent, and praise worthy. When I do this, I will have an attitude that you can use to influence those I come in contact with today. My faith is in you, and I trust you! In Jesus name, amen!"

Blessings!

Pastor Rusty