Week Forty-Four, 2017

WHERE IS YOUR TRUST?

Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the Lord our God. They are brought down and fallen: but we are risen, and stand upright. – Psalm 20:7-8

What object or person do you trust? Where is your security? The dictionary definition of trust is “firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.”

We live in a world of misdirected trust. People put their hopes, dreams and security in the things of this world. Now, not all things of the world are necessarily bad, but no matter how valuable or useful they are, they are not where our total trust should reside.

The Psalmist says it so well. Some trust in chariots and horses (meaning the physical things of this world) and then admonishes us to trust in God. When we look around our world, we see people polishing their chariots and others grooming their horses. The chariots will rust and the horses will become lame, but those who put their trust in God will be on their feet standing tall.

Rule number one is to not put our trust in ourselves, but totally trust and depend on God. It’s easy to put ourselves first. When something good happens, we want to congratulate ourselves with a reward. When something bad happens, we want to console ourselves or find someone to blame. In other words, we often have a “me-centric” starting place. We should put God first in our life.

The words translated “trust” in the Bible literally mean a bold, confident, sure security or action based on that security.” The practical consequence of faith in God is trust, which we prove by living out our full acceptance of God’s promises day by day.

THOUGHT: Where do you put your trust? To what or to whom do you look for security? Try fixing your eyes and heart on the Word of God and you will be directed and inclined to trust in Him and in Him alone.

PRAYER: Lord, forgive me for placing my trust and dependence on the things of this world. Help me to fix my eyes on things above and take the focus off of myself. Strengthen me spiritually as I look to you for trust and dependence day by day.

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SOMETIMES TRUE STORIES

The statistics of the numbers of non-Christians can be staggering:

• 865 million unreached Muslims or Islamic followers in 3330 cultural sub-groupings

• 550 million unreached Hindus in 1660 cultural sub-groups

• 150 million unreached Chinese in 830 groups

• 275 million unreached Buddhists in 900 groups

• 2550 unreached tribal groups (which are mainly animistic) with a total population of 140 million

• Forming a smaller — though important — unreached group are the 17 million Jews scattered across 134 countries

• Good news: Missions researcher David Barrett says the country with the most rapid Christian expansion ever is China where there are 10,000 new Christian converts every day.

A SENIORS PERSPECTIVE OF FACEBOOK.

For those of my generation who do not, and cannot, comprehend why Facebook exists:

I am trying to make friends outside of Facebook while applying the same principles.

Therefore, every day I walk down the street and tell passers-by what I have eaten, how I feel at the moment, what I have done the night before, what I will do later and with whom.

I give them pictures of my family, my dog, and of me gardening, taking things apart in the garage, watering the lawn, standing in front of landmarks, driving around town, having lunch, and doing what anybody and everybody does every day.

I also listen to their conversations, give them the “thumbs up” and tell them I like them. And it works just like Facebook.

I already have four people following me: two police officers, a private investigator and a psychiatrist.

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QUOTES YOU CAN USE

Forgive us for thinking that prayer is a waste of time and help us to see that without prayer our work is a waste of time. Peter Marshall (former chaplain, U.S. Senate)

The Source of Our Division Is Spiritual Immaturity. The Solution to Our Division Is to Focus on God. Barry Chesney

Godliness makes a nation great, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Proverbs 14:34

Spiritual people are called to walk in the Spirit. Remaining worldly is not one of the options. Barry Chesney

The worst thing that could happen in the Christian life is when you lose your appetite for more. Jim Cymbala

If God has called a person to a work that is the most important ministry he can have. John MacArthur

Prayer is a daily habit for 76% of people in their 70’s. AARP

Which do you value more: your success or your soul?

Zenon Andrusyshyn

If we are to busy doing things for God that we don’t have time to spend with God— we are to busy!! Ken Whitten

The hardest way to achieve success is to have someone else define it for you. You must define what success means to you. Ernie Zelinsky

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©2017 John Grant | Florida State Senator (Ret.) | 10025 Orange Grove Drive | Tampa, FL 33618