Compiled by: Georgeanne Falstrom, Intern
PARISH LAY MINISTRY ACADEMY
TABLE OF CONTENTS

SATURDAY, APRIL 8, 2006
(Daily Readings: Ps 42,43,144; EX 10:21-11:8; 2Cor 4:13-18; Mark 10:46-52)


“WHAT DO I FORGET? "
By: Dee W. Brooks

Scripture: “But O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God!”...Ps 42:11 (TLB)
“So we do not look at what we can see right now, the troubles all around us, but we look forward to the joys in heaven which we have not yet seen. The troubles will soon be over but the joys to come will last forever.” ...2Cor 4:18 (TLB)


Throughout his letters, Paul says in many ways that although in the world, we should not be of the world. However, at times it seems as though the world is winning. Pick up a newspaper or turn on the TV. There is a constant stream of bad news: of conflict; of envy, greed, lying and cheating; of man’s inhumanity to man; of adultery; of rampant narcissism; of abdication of personal responsibility; and finally, attacks upon the church.

When I see and hear this, I recall Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (ESV), telling Timothy that in the last days there will be times of difficulty. He says, “For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power.”

I don’t know about you, but it’s easy for me to fixate on the negative and become discouraged. Where is God in all that is going on, I sometimes wonder? What and when is He going to do something about it all? And that becomes a very, very slippery slope, putting me at risk for falling into the same sort of behaviors I find so disturbing in others. Have you ever been there?

What I forget is that the answer to my discouragement and upset feelings is God. The same God who sees so much more than I do, and works ALL things together for good! And that is God’s responsibility. Mine is to have faith and trust in Him who overcomes.

We see this in today’s daily readings, particularly EX:10-11. God most assuredly was seeing the Big Picture (EX 10:1-2) when taking the approach he took to liberate His people. With all the trouble in the world, and even in our own small sphere, it is easy to forget that the victory over sin and death was won with finality so long ago through Jesus, by His death on the cross and glorious resurrection.

In 1 JN: 4-5 (ESV), we are told the truth: “For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And that is the victory that has overcome the world...Our Faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?”

This is what we are preparing to celebrate in a few days. This is where our thoughts should be stayed. Instead of on the things of the world, our focus should be on the love of God, the God who loved us so much “that He gave his only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (JN 3:16 ESV) Jesus was sent by God to save us, not condemn us! We are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (Rom 8:37)

Prayer: Almighty God, we praise your name and give thanks for your love and forgiveness. Today and in the days to come, renew our love for you. Refresh our faith and belief in your power. You are in control. You do indeed work all things together for the good of those who love you. Help us to keep our focus on the Victory of the Cross and not be distracted and discouraged by the things of the world. Amen!

We thank our guest writer and appreciate his words of encouragement to help us stay focused so we can overcome during troubling times.