March 18th  

We learned that worship in the midst of troublesome circumstances, especially worship out loud, will renew our minds and transform us. It puts thing in perspective, helps us to see the situation in a more truthful light since we see it compared to our Mighty God. It changes how we think. It lines every part of us (heart, mind, thoughts, emotions/feelings, words, actions) up with the Lord instead of our own desire/emotions and this is truly worship. The result is transformation of us and of our situation.

There is another thing that happens when we worship. When we worship God regardless of our circumstances it pleases God.

Read Psalm 37 today. Here are a few of the verses that I picked out but you will want to read the whole thing.

Psalm 37:4 Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret—it leads only to evil.

Psalm 37:12-13 The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them; but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

When we delight in the Lord, He will give us the desires of our heart. Wow, I really don’t see any way to spin that verse that doesn’t come out to our advantage! So you want to worship God? Take delight in Him. What is it about Him that amazes you? What is it that tickles you pink? What is it about Him that leaves you speechless? I could go on but you take it from here. Spend some time today delighting in the Lord. You think your situation is tough, start thinking (and speaking) about what it is about God that just blows your mind.

Look are you ticked off because of some unfair situation or wrongdoing? It is not a little thing to the Lord, He knows their day is coming! SO rather than being angry which leads only to evil according to that verse above, why not try laughing with the Lord at the wickedness of the enemy that targets you?! -Just remember who your enemy (it is not flesh and blood.)

Ephesian 6:12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

It seems our solution to everything we face is: to remember who our enemy is and remember who our God is, -and talk about it!

Jesus, thank you for being you! Thank you for your love that is bigger than anything or anyone I face. Help me to remember that always! Help me to be mindful of you when I face offenses that seem to target me. Help me to learn how to delight in you in any circumstance so that I can be a blessing to you! Help me to give my anger to you and help me to remember that you know that the enemy’s day is coming! Thank you for defending me and for already conquering the enemy!