It is uplifting to the spirits to enjoy this lovely sunshine, see the spring flowers opening out and hear the birdsong. Even when times are dark and difficult, we can take the time to look around and see God's glory in His creation, a glimpse of the sky, a silver edged cloud, a smile on a strangers face.
In Psalm 57, the writer is going through difficult times, feeling pursued by enemies, but he has found a refuge in God and makes Him the centre and focus of all that he is going through.
Psalm 57: 5 - 11 (MSG)
5 Soar high in the skies, O God!
Cover the whole earth with your glory!
6 They booby-trapped my path;
I thought I was dead and done for.
They dug a mantrap to catch me,
and fell in headlong themselves.
7-8 I’m ready, God, so ready,
ready from head to toe,
Ready to sing, ready to raise a tune:
“Wake up, soul!
Wake up, harp! wake up, lute!
Wake up, you sleepyhead sun!”
9-10 I’m thanking you, God, out loud in the streets,
singing your praises in town and country.
The deeper your love, the higher it goes;
every cloud is a flag to your faithfulness.
11 Soar high in the skies, O God!
Cover the whole earth with your glory!
It is easy to make something the focus of our lives, for some living in debt the worry about how to pay the bills can become central, clouding the ability to see beyond to a better future, for those with addictions, the need for something to take them beyond their situation can become their focus and it can be hard to see that it is a problem and take it away, feeling like something that makes up themselves is being taken away as well. For some who are lonely, spending money online shopping is a comfort blanket and becomes the centre of their lives, for others getting the latest thing is all about showing to the world how they are better and more successful than their neighbours.
1 Timothy 6: 17 - 19 (NIV)
17 Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.
It is important to put God as our focus, God at the centre, whether in the good times or the bad. He provides us with all that we need to carry His love to those who we meet, He provides love, strength and a refuge in times of trouble and is a firm foundation for our paths through life. Every morning we can be ready for the day by putting it into God's hands and take a moment to see His glory covering the whole of His creation in love.
Prayer
Please pray for one of our long term clients who is now debt free, pray that they can make a new beginning in their life free from the burden of debt and supported by the knowledge of God's love shared by the CAP team.
Please pray for one of our clients who is living a very busy and chaotic life making it hard to keep appointments, pray that they will be able to find the time to let CAP in and realise what a difference they can make both in the practical journey out of debt and by sharing the knowledge of God's loving support in all life's situations.
Pray for the Money Coaching team starting the Money Course yesterday and for all those who have booked in, that this will be a help and support for a more stable financial future.
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