Today's Daily Soap {Scripture | Observation | Application | Prayer}
- S: No doubt about it! God is good— good to good people, good to the good-hearted. But I nearly missed it, missed seeing his goodness. I was looking the other way, looking up to the people At the top, envying the wicked who have it made, Who have nothing to worry about, not a care in the whole wide world.
Pretentious with arrogance, they wear the latest fashions in violence, Pampered and overfed, decked out in silk bows of silliness. They jeer, using words to kill; they bully their way with words. They're full of hot air, loudmouths disturbing the peace. People actually listen to them—can you believe it? Like thirsty puppies, they lap up their words.
What's going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody's tending the store. The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches. I've been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me? A long run of bad luck, that's what— a slap in the face every time I walk out the door.
If I'd have given in and talked like this, I would have betrayed your dear children. Still, when I tried to figure it out, all I got was a splitting headache . . . Until I entered the sanctuary of God. Then I saw the whole picture: The slippery road you've put them on, with a final crash in a ditch of delusions. In the blink of an eye, disaster! A blind curve in the dark, and—nightmare! We wake up and rub our eyes....Nothing. There's nothing to them. And there never was.
When I was beleaguered and bitter, totally consumed by envy, I was totally ignorant, a dumb ox in your very presence. I'm still in your presence, but you've taken my hand. You wisely and tenderly lead me, and then you bless me.
You're all I want in heaven! You're all I want on earth! When my skin sags and my bones get brittle, God is rock-firm and faithful. Look! Those who left you are falling apart! Deserters, they'll never be heard from again. But I'm in the very presence of God— oh, how refreshing it is! I've made Lord God my home. God, I'm telling the world what you do! Psalm 73 [MSG] - O: Those who seem to have it made -- with all of the money, the fine cars, the fancy houses -- are really missing out on the big prize.
- A: We run into people every day who are more concerned with appearances and with impressing others than just doing what's right and being themselves. The media flaunts it at us every day, it's no wonder. Inside Edition, Entertainment Tonight, all of the magazines in the checkout lanes -- even the local evening news seems to have turned into The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous. We can find ourselves green with envy so easily. Hummer, Lexus, Mercedes. Cadillac, Lincoln, Infiniti. Fine suits, nice house -- all for what? We don't see their private lives often -- and when we do it's either been glossed over or the result of a tragedy. While my meager existence seems to sail smoothly. The peaks and valleys are more of a straight line than the mountains and canyons of the uber rich. Because I have what they may not. I have what their fame and fortune cannot buy. I have what the world can't take away from me. I have the richest of riches -- a fortune that won't preish with my physical body. I have the riches of Salvation and Eternal Life with God through Jesus Christ His Son. All the riches in the world pale by comparison.
- P: Father, help me to share the wealth of your love. Make it more in my life than just a silent prayer. Help me to make it a way of life -- to share your wonderful gift freely and openly.
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