Natural Church Development

http://www.ncd-uk.com/html/ncd_principles.html

" The Principles of NCD ( Natural Church Development)

Many church development processes are model-based; NCD is based on principles which seem to be universal for the church. There are NCD tools including the survey and books, but if we can get the principles really working in churches we will see a difference. So here goes to itemise some of them:

Healthy things grow
God has provided all we need in the church for health and growth
He calls us into partnership with him in the growth process
Real change and growth comes by working as though it is all us and praying as though it is all God
There are eight significant characteristics of a healthy, growing and effective church:

Empowering leadership
Gift-based ministry
Passionate spirituality
Effective structures
Inspiring worship services
Holistic small groups
Need-orientated evangelism
Loving relationships
There are six growth forces

Interdependence –the church is a complex organism with many parts that are interrelated according to God’s plan.
Multiplication – we cannot simply keep on getting bigger, we need to start reproducing
Energy transformation – instead of wasting energy by fighting the crisis or catastrophe, we can use it for the advance of God’s kingdom, like the surfer.
Sustainability – we can put to multiple uses the work we do and thereby sustain the ongoing work.
Symbiosis – it is precisely in our differences that we work together best, we need ever more cooperation.
Fruitfulness – Jesus frequently uses this description in his parables and teaching. We have been appointed to bear fruit, fruit that will last

Natural Church Development - UK Limited
Registered in England and Wales; Company No. 07124421. Registered Charity No. 1138298.
Registered Office: 113 Archery Grove, Woolston, Southampton, Hampshire SO19 9ET"

The Lord keeps me alive!

Psalms 54:1-7 NLT

Come with great power, O God, and rescue me! Defend me with your might. Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea. For strangers are attacking me; violent people are trying to kill me. They care nothing for God. Interlude But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive! May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them. Do as you promised and put an end to them. I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you; I will praise your name, O Lord , for it is good. For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies.

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You can call out to God. You can ask him to rescue you. God will listen. God will answer. God will pay attention.

Have you found that there are people who ignore God? Are they the same people picking on you?

Although the writer of this Psalm is being attacked by evil people who act as if there is no God, he knows God is his helper.

Do you feel oppressed? Are you confident that God can give you victory?  Do you have faith in God?

See the situation was bad. The Psalmist is being oppressed, attacked for his faith, plotted against, troubled, and they are attempting to murder him.

Notice faith in God and trust in His rescue doesn't mean you won't have troubles!

It does mean you know you are not alone. It does mean you know there is justice from God. It does mean you can cry out in confidence that you are being heard.

Look at the difference between the psalmist and his enemies.

They care nothing for God.
He looks to God as a great defender.

They plan to take life.
He knows God keeps him alive.

They have evil plans.
He had plans to trust and voluntarily sacrifice.

Are you trusting the Lord with your life?

Is it really innocent or has it got you?

Proverbs 23:29-35 NLT

Who has anguish? Who has sorrow? Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining? Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes? It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns, trying out new drinks. Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper. You will see hallucinations, and you will say crazy things. You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea, clinging to a swaying mast. And you will say, “They hit me, but I didn’t feel it. I didn’t even know it when they beat me up. When will I wake up so I can look for another drink?”

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Drinking too much and making too much of drinking alcohol is a trap!

I've seen too many people who think being drunk is fun. I've seen too many people hurt by the "freedom" found at the bottom of a bottle.

It isn't clever and it's rather sad to see respectable people in positions of authority out of control because they've had to much to drink.

Read the warning above from God's word. Know your limit and then don't drink too much.

If you were Shepherded by Jesus would you want?

Psalms 23:1-6 NLT

The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.
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If the Lord were your Shepherd would you want for anything good? Would you have all you need?

If the Lord Jesus were you're Shepherd would your soul lack enough rest?

If the Son of God were your Shepherd would your strength be being renewed?

If the Saviour of the World were your Shepherd would your life be on a path that was right and brought glory to his name? Wouldn't you have confidence God's was using the path he had set you on for good?

If the Victor of the Cross were you're Shepherd wouldn't you be more peaceful than you thought you'd be even as you faced death or near death situations?

If the Host with the most, thrower of the biggest party of all time, bridegroom of the marriage feast of the Lamb were your Shepherd wouldn't you be holding the golden ticket and laughing all the way to the buffet?

If the man who turned water to wine and multiplied bread were your Shepherd wouldn't you be grazing without a care in the world?

If the God of Abraham, Joseph and Moses were your Shepherd wouldn't you be pretty sure that God would keep his promise and make an impossible situation, even after years, come good? Couldn't he because of his promise and great love extravagantly welcome you into his kingdom?

Is Jesus your Shepherd or not?

Who are you following? Who's your Shepherd?

Are you a delivery service?

Psalms 82:3-4 NLT

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

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Whose job is it to help the poor? Child of God it is yours! You are God's hands and feet. You are his eyes and the means he'll use to rescue the poor. God wants you to help the needy.

In what ways are you reducing the oppression of the poor? How are you making sure the courts are just? Have you helped the orphan or widow?

Often the rich are preferred over the poor.

The poor are made to feel shame for their situation. They are humiliated, looked down on because their clothes aren't nice enough, they don't have cars, nice homes, good gadgets or terrific holidays.

Don't make the poor feel shame.

Lift then up. Then you will be like God and show you are part of his family.

Lord of lips.

Psalms 141:3 NLT

Take control of what I say, O Lord , and guard my lips.

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Are you always proud of what you say? Or perhaps for you I should ask, are you ashamed of what you failed to say?

God can be master of your mouth! You are free to ask God as often as need be to be the Lord of your lips. You don't have to let what you say control your life. You can give your speech to God.

Ate you willing to put your words before the throne of God? Are you willing to put your Lord in control of what you say?

You can today.

Letting your heart have a voice.

Could you let these be your prayers?

Thoughts on being poor.

How or why is blessing is often equated with wealth and ease.

People usually think it is a blessing to be rich, but the Bible warns us against wanting to be rich. Why are we to be cautious about wealth?

Job 1:1-5 NLT

There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. He had seven sons and three daughters. He owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 teams of oxen, and 500 female donkeys. He also had many servants. He was, in fact, the richest person in that entire area. Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them. When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

What problems did riches not solve for Job?

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Why is poverty is seen far too often as a curse brought on oneself.

Job 1:20-22 NLT

Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship. He said, “I came naked from my mother’s womb, and I will be naked when I leave. The Lord gave me what I had, and the Lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord !” In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.

It is a shame in this world to be poor. The poor are treated with contempt and often thought of as lazy or lacking good moral character. Many people think poverty is a curse brought upon people for their own ignorance or sin.  How is that view challenged and supported by Job’s story?

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What is the relationship between health and wealth?

Job 2:4-5 NLT

Satan replied to the Lord , “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

How does wealth effect health?  Why are the poor vulnerable?  What value is wealth to a very sick person? What does Satan think of the relationship of health and wealth?

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What does an admirable righteous life look like?

Job 29:12-17 NLT

For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help. I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy. Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban. I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth.

Why did Job tell us about what he did for the poor?

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What does a just life consist of?

Job 31:6, 16-25 NLT

Let God weigh me on the scales of justice, for he knows my integrity. “Have I refused to help the poor, or crushed the hopes of widows? Have I been stingy with my food and refused to share it with orphans? No, from childhood I have cared for orphans like a father, and all my life I have cared for widows. Whenever I saw the homeless without clothes and the needy with nothing to wear, did they not praise me for providing wool clothing to keep them warm? “If I raised my hand against an orphan, knowing the judges would take my side, then let my shoulder be wrenched out of place! Let my arm be torn from its socket! That would be better than facing God’s judgment. For if the majesty of God opposes me, what hope is there? “Have I put my trust in money or felt secure because of my gold? Have I gloated about my wealth and all that I own?

According to Job what should a wealthy person do with their wealth?
And what should they not do with their wealth?

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What do people think of God's opinion of the poor?

Job 34:28 NLT

They cause the poor to cry out, catching God’s attention. He hears the cries of the needy.

Job got a lot of bad advice from his friends and family. But among all this we learn a bit of what people think about God's view of the poor.  How does the view expressed here similar or different to views you encounter today?  What about among Muslims, Christians, conservatives, democrats, labour, Buddhists, Hindus?
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Psalms & Proverbs

Psalms 140:12 NLT

But I know the Lord will help those they persecute; he will give justice to the poor.

Proverbs 14:31 NLT

Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.

19:17 - - God identifys with the poor.
22:09 - - Blessing is associated with helping the poor.
28:03 - - What are the consequences of individual oppression?
31:8-9 -  -  We are told to defend the poor.



Psalms 82:3-4 NLT

“Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people.

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Gospels

Matthew 11:5
Luke 4:18, 11:41

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Jesus

2 Corinthians 8:9

Became poor so we could be rich.

How can we change our thinking about wealth and poverty?

In what ways can we be like Jesus concerning or attitudes of wealth and poverty?

What does it mean to be just or righteous towards the poor?

In what ways specifically van we change?
How will this change of view effect our spending, our earning, our giving, or generosity?
How proactive for the poor should we become?
Can you think of other places in the Bible that addresses the disparity between rich and poor in the Bible?  (James)

Further related thoughts :

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/1-timothy-66-10-nlt-yet-true-godliness.html?m=1

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2012/12/there-should-be-some-equality.html?m=1

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/why-do-you-want-to-make-it-so-hard-on.html?m=1

http://williambode.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/what-is-your-fate.html?m=1

Psalms 112:9 NLT They share freely and give generously to those in need. Their good deeds will be remembered forever. They will have influence and honor. Psalms 146:6-9 NLT He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them. He keeps every promise forever. He gives justice to the oppressed and food to the hungry. The Lord frees the prisoners. The Lord opens the eyes of the blind. The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down. The Lord loves the godly. The Lord protects the foreigners among us. He cares for the orphans and widows, but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

Poor in Psalms

Do you consider yourself fortunate in this life?

Psalms 49:16-20 NLT

So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave. In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success. But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day. People who boast of their wealth don’t understand; they will die, just like animals.

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God warms us about putting our hope in wealth throughout the Bible. And yet it seems we have a very convenient ignore button that we press whenever we read such warnings.

We want to get rich. We'd like to have a windfall, an inheritance, to win the lotto, or to get a really big pay raise! We'd like to be rich.

Yet God isn't impressed with our money, our nice house, or our car.

Why don't we believe, "we can't take it with us!"

I'm going to paste in the whole of the Psalm below because it is so good.

But I'd suggest you ask God to help you to stop envying the wealthy.

Ask God to help you deeply rearrange your desires and your priorities.

Your life will be better if you seek God and his kingdom, not if you get rich.

Please take the time to read about God's view of wealth.

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Psalms 49:1-20 NLT

Listen to this, all you people! Pay attention, everyone in the world! High and low, rich and poor—listen! For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight. I listen carefully to many proverbs and solve riddles with inspiration from a harp. Why should I fear when trouble comes, when enemies surround me? They trust in their wealth and boast of great riches. Yet they cannot redeem themselves from death by paying a ransom to God. Redemption does not come so easily, for no one can ever pay enough to live forever and never see the grave. Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind. The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves, but their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals. This is the fate of fools, though they are remembered as being wise. Interlude Like sheep, they are led to the grave, where death will be their shepherd. In the morning the godly will rule over them. Their bodies will rot in the grave, far from their grand estates. But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave. Interlude So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave. In this life they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success. But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day. People who boast of their wealth don’t understand; they will die, just like animals.

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Please leave a comment here if this has been helpful.

Or email your or comments questions to

wkbode@gmail.com

Sunrise

Do you really want to mess with my Daddy's kids?

Psalms 18:6-19 NLT

But in my distress I cried out to the Lord ; yes, I prayed to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry to him reached his ears. Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the mountains shook; they quaked because of his anger. Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from him. He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet. Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind. He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dark rain clouds. Thick clouds shielded the brightness around him and rained down hail and burning coals. The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded amid the hail and burning coals. He shot his arrows and scattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were greatly confused. Then at your command, O Lord , at the blast of your breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare. He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the Lord supported me. He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.

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People really should think twice before bullying God's children. This Psalm pictures God's response to one of his children in distress.
The scene painted here with words is nothing short of epic cinematic drama. But it isn't fiction and it isn't hyperbole. God is protecting his family. He's a mad dad!
But why get so bent or of shape? Well, it is clear. It is because he delights in his children.
Are you God's child? He delights in you! He is rescuing you with a relentless force. He is pulling out all the stops. God is getting it in gear. And it's clobbering time!

That's how your dad (father in heaven) feels about you.

How often....?

How often do you eat?

How often do you think of eating?

How often do you play a game?

How often do you read some social media update or email?

How often do you bathe, dress, put on make-up, sleep?

How often do you work, think about work, do a job around the house, or plan to do jobs?

How often do you look after someone, check up on someone, take time for someone else?

How often do you read the bible?

How often do you pray?

How often do you serve?

18“So commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these words of mine. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders.19Teach them to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. 20Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates, 21so that as long as the sky remains above the earth, you and your children may flourish in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.

22“Be careful to obey all these commands I am giving you. Show love to the Lord your God by walking in his ways and holding tightly to him. Deut. 11:18-22

When is less more?

Proverbs 17:27-28 NLT

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

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Usually I've got something to say, and then some. Some say I could talk for England.
So truly I'm at a loss for words when I read this message in the Bible. And thankfully it isn't a one off isolated message. There are a few places in God's word that warn us about our use of words.

We need to remember we're not as wise as we think we are. We don't know everything.

Words are powerful. In a world that is constantly bombarding us with words,  we need to choose ours carefully.

Lord, please be the King of my lips. Please let my words be like apples of gold in settings of silver.

You don't really understand God's purposes!

Proverbs 16:4 NLT

The Lord has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for a day of disaster.

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You don't really understand God's purposes! I'm pretty sure most people have a real reluctance to accept the truth in the Proverbs 16:4. But like it or not there it is. So what did it mean? How should we think differently about God? What does this mean in reference to the world's terrible atrocities? Do this mean God made Hitler for his own purposes?
If God has even made evil people for his purposes and that purpose is to bring disaster upon them, then can you accept that?

God isn't simply allowing the circumstances of this world, he ordained them. Surely we need to think about this.

Everything has been made by God. You have been made by God. Your enemy had been made by God. God made all this for his purposes.

Does God rescue the rebellious?

Psalms 106:7-8 NLT

Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord ’s miraculous deeds. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea. Even so, he saved them— to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power.

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Do you think God will only help you if your good enough? Think again. God's own people were very bad. It's often the way out of it. God did amazing miracles and they were not impressed. The Son forgot his kindness to them. They rebel!
Even so, he saved them.

If you take the time to read the whole chapter posted in below you'll get an even clearer idea of their unworthy belligerent state.  Still God is good to them.

Can you accept the fact that God is good. You don't have to earn your keep. You can't somehow be worthy. It is not about cleaning up your own act so he'll help you.
God helps because of who he is. His character is what matters, not yours.
He is kind.
If you read the rest of the chapter you'll see that God's people really go of the deep end and even sacrifice their own children. They don't care at all about God. It gets very very nasty. But read how God ultimately responds:

" Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love. He even caused their captors to treat them with kindness. Save us, O Lord our God!"

Please don't think you can bargain with God. Please don't think you can somehow earn his favour with your good works.

See that God is good. See his kindness and love. Yes, he is not pleased with our rebellion and may let us suffer in the results of our evil choices, but he does good to us and blesses us because of his character not ours.

Don't insult God by thinking you can earn his help.

Rather, praise his goodness. And accept his help, so willingly offered to the rebellious evil people he gave kindness to.

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Psalms 106:2-48 NLT

Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord ? Who can ever praise him enough? There is joy for those who deal justly with others and always do what is right. Remember me, Lord , when you show favor to your people; come near and rescue me. Let me share in the prosperity of your chosen ones. Let me rejoice in the joy of your people; let me praise you with those who are your heritage. Like our ancestors, we have sinned. We have done wrong! We have acted wickedly! Our ancestors in Egypt were not impressed by the Lord ’s miraculous deeds. They soon forgot his many acts of kindness to them. Instead, they rebelled against him at the Red Sea. Even so, he saved them— to defend the honor of his name and to demonstrate his mighty power. He commanded the Red Sea to dry up. He led Israel across the sea as if it were a desert. So he rescued them from their enemies and redeemed them from their foes. Then the water returned and covered their enemies; not one of them survived. Then his people believed his promises. Then they sang his praise. Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel! In the wilderness their desires ran wild, testing God’s patience in that dry wasteland. So he gave them what they asked for, but he sent a plague along with it. The people in the camp were jealous of Moses and envious of Aaron, the Lord ’s holy priest. Because of this, the earth opened up; it swallowed Dathan and buried Abiram and the other rebels. Fire fell upon their followers; a flame consumed the wicked. The people made a calf at Mount Sinai ; they bowed before an image made of gold. They traded their glorious God for a statue of a grass-eating bull. They forgot God, their savior, who had done such great things in Egypt— such wonderful things in the land of Ham, such awesome deeds at the Red Sea. So he declared he would destroy them. But Moses, his chosen one, stepped between the Lord and the people. He begged him to turn from his anger and not destroy them. The people refused to enter the pleasant land, for they wouldn’t believe his promise to care for them. Instead, they grumbled in their tents and refused to obey the Lord . Therefore, he solemnly swore that he would kill them in the wilderness, that he would scatter their descendants among the nations, exiling them to distant lands. Then our ancestors joined in the worship of Baal at Peor; they even ate sacrifices offered to the dead! They angered the Lord with all these things, so a plague broke out among them. But Phinehas had the courage to intervene, and the plague was stopped. So he has been regarded as a righteous man ever since that time. At Meribah, too, they angered the Lord , causing Moses serious trouble. They made Moses angry, and he spoke foolishly. Israel failed to destroy the nations in the land, as the Lord had commanded them. Instead, they mingled among the pagans and adopted their evil customs. They worshiped their idols, which led to their downfall. They even sacrificed their sons and their daughters to the demons. They shed innocent blood, the blood of their sons and daughters. By sacrificing them to the idols of Canaan, they polluted the land with murder. They defiled themselves by their evil deeds, and their love of idols was adultery in the Lord ’s sight. That is why the Lord ’s anger burned against his people, and he abhorred his own special possession. He handed them over to pagan nations, and they were ruled by those who hated them. Their enemies crushed them and brought them under their cruel power. Again and again he rescued them, but they chose to rebel against him, and they were finally destroyed by their sin. Even so, he pitied them in their distress and listened to their cries. He remembered his covenant with them and relented because of his unfailing love. He even caused their captors to treat them with kindness. Save us, O Lord our God! Gather us back from among the nations, so we can thank your holy name and rejoice and praise you. Praise the Lord , the God of Israel, who lives from everlasting to everlasting! Let all the people say, “Amen!” Praise the Lord !

Can you control your response to life's circumstances?

Proverbs 15:13-17, 24, 28, 30 NLT

A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit. A wise person is hungry for knowledge, while the fool feeds on trash. For the despondent, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast. Better to have little, with fear for the Lord , than to have great treasure and inner turmoil. A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate. The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words. A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.

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Much of life truly is the old glass have full, half empty scenario.
What you want to see is to a great extent what you do see.
Today it snowed.  A beauty or a bother? A reminder of God's goodness or a blight?

I find it very interesting that what you feed your mind on, verse 14, is so contextually related your happiness (vv. 13,15,30)

Same day, same circumstances, different perspective. But the outcomes of being happy are contagious.
And the positive glass half full mindset helps others, it helps their attitude but it also helps their health.

Your well timed happy statement could make any situation into something "wonderful!"

Proverbs 15:23 NLT

Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!

So let God show you that he is in control working out his amazing plan in the world. Show others that you see A Good God blessing many with life, love, liberty, beauty, and justice.

Point people further down the road, back to the cross where death, famine, evil and pain are defeated and further ahead to the day of the Lord. A day when all wrongs will be made right.

Can you see the good in the life Good is giving you today?  Can you have a cheerful heart, a happy outlook, and a positive perspective?

You can. But will you?

Who cares about the downtrodden?

Psalms 74:21 NLT

Don’t let the downtrodden be humiliated again. Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name.

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God cares about the the poor and needy. The writer of Psalm 74 knows the heart of God. The writer knows that being downtrodden can be humiliating. To be under the foot of some one uncaring doesn't lift you up. But God does lift you up.

And we can ask God to be the rescuer of the poor and needy. We can expect God to be concerned. If we are asking for him to intervene it isn't a long shot. God is concerned about the underdog and he wants us to be too.

Are you downtrodden, poor and needy?  You can praise God!

Do you know downtrodden, poor, and needy folk? You can pray to God trusting, God to fill them with reason for praise.

Why do the enviable wicked seem to live such painless lives?

Psalms 73:1-28 NLT

Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me,
I almost lost my footing.
My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

They seem to live such painless lives;
their bodies are so healthy and strong. They don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like everyone else.

They wear pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their hearts could ever wish for! They scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and their words strut throughout the earth. And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their words. “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s happening?” Look at these wicked people— enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply. Did I keep my heart pure for nothing? Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain. If I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is! Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked. Truly, you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to destruction. In an instant they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Yet I still belong to you; you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.

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Are you green? Has envy stricken you? If it has you are vulnerable to slipping away from God.

It may appear now that life is not fair. Look at this Psalm. The writer is very honest. It doesn't seem right that evil, wicked, godless people look like they're getting away with it all. They've got nice tan healthy fit bodies and they live in huge homes with expensive cars. The godless appear to be getting one over on God.
And it doesn't seem fair. Why does God let them get away with murder?

It feels like, "I get nothing but trouble all day long;" and that "every morning brings me pain." Do you ever feel like that?

It doesn't stay that way though. God will make things right. We just have to be patient. God's apparent slowness to bring justice is motivated by his grace and mercy. It is the same grace and mercy you need to be saved.

And yet ultimately the wicked will slip off the cliff of justice! The godless will meet their destruction. All is not as it appears. It may seem like wicked people are making a mockery of God and his people but God promises that it is temporary!

But this envy you have misses the point and reveals an unbelief on your part. You and I need to get our focus off the wealth of the wicked and onto God.

God is offering us himself. And more than our health, more than our will to succeed, we can be in love with God.

Let God so captivate you that you are filled with all you desire. Look way into the future and see that nothing, not even death will separate you from God. A fall in the economy will not strip you of the wealth of His love, he is yours forever. Live threatening disease can not take away the strength of God's presence with you. Pain will only bring him closer. Suffering only serves to make him more glorious. Loss only reveals the great gain that is had in following him.
What the rich of this world have is fleeting,  empty and leads to certain destruction.

Tell everyone that God is better than anything this world has to offer!

Rivers are refreshed, canals are stagnant.

A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Proverbs 11:25 NIV

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The freshest water is flowing.

Do you feel a bit stagnant? Are your resources running low? When we're struggling our response is often to dam up our outflows and say, "I just need a little me time!, " When what we often need is to focus on others. It seems like turning in and focusing on self will pump us up. But or judgement is false. We need to give; we need to be in need. Because when we have an outflow that isn't selfish we make space for God to fill us up. And God works in this way. He will fill you up when you are genuinely generous.

I've spent a lot of time thinking about this verse over the years. And I can't help but see the truth in it. My experience bears it out.

Some of you may think you've been giving and you have run dry. And I'd suggest two things.

You weren't giving out of a generous heart. If your service, gift giving and "generosity" is actually motivated by your image, or your duty, or some other selfish motive, of course you'll run out. This is because you are giving out of your own self generated and hoarded resources.

To constantly be filled with new blessings every day you must be looking to an unending resource. You have to have an eternal supply. God must be your source. Let God's purposes be your aim. If you allow the limitless fountain of God's blessing become your supply and the generous just and righteous purposes of God be your reason for giving you will always have God's new blessings for yourself.

Give until you have nothing to give, so that you can only depend on God and like mana from heaven you'll have a new supply every morning.

I can tell you in the hardest situations under the most difficult circumstances I've found this to be true.

It won't make you rich but you'll be wealthy in refreshment from God and secure in his abundant spring of life bubbling up inside you.

Go give for God and get refreshed.