December 13, 2021 -- Attitude Adjustment. Check. -- Psalm 119:65-66

People dearly loved by the Father, in the power of the Spirit: Sh'ma  ~ hear and obey Jesus!

You have dealt well with your servant,
   O LORD according to your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge,
   for I believe in your commandments.
Psalm 119:65-66 ESV

This morning, before I was about to start my devotions, there were a pile of emails. One jangled my nerves, because a credit card authorized prepayment didn’t go through and I was going to be charged $20. I don’t know if this is the latest scam, or a three-hour-on-hold-waiting-to-speak-with-a-customer-rep kinda call that I don’t want to deal with on a Monday morning. There is a backlog of FB personal messages to answer because I turned my computer off a bit earlier than usual last night in order to have some quiet. The credit card thing set me on a wrong path…but, before doing anything about it, I realized I was not walking in the good judgment which God, by His Spirit, has given me. The decision was made. Stop. Sing to God. Listen to His Word. Pray.

The credit card thing still is sitting there, waiting to be answered, but my attitude has changed. My willingness to sort this out with a much better attitude flows from the deep places of knowing God and His faithfulness. Tapping once again into the fullness of His goodness, I am prepared to speak with customer service reps and snarky people who begin the conversation by assuming I am angry, which I am not—and oddly that seems to be far more off -putting to some people than if I actually were angry!

The point is this, Jesus’ work and word aren’t meant to make my day easier. When I realize how my Father in heaven has dealt with me, such a plunging profundity of kindness beyond my deserving, giving me Jesus and sealing me with HIs Spirit then I know it is required of me to respond from this storehouse of grace. This little light of mine will be shining for Jesus Christ no matter who I speak to and what their attitude or posture is. My response is anchored in the good judgment and knowledge that comes from believing in Jesus and walking in His commandments. So in matters great and small, simple decisions or matters of huge implications—all these will be acted out from the foundation of living for the LORD and acting according to His Word. And putting it out there like this is a great way to be held accountable.

O LORD-God, You are my portion, You are my rich reward,
and I know this because of the gift, the priceless treasure Jesus.
Spirit of God, sent by the Father and the Son, to guard in me
such treasures that on my own I would burst rather than be able to keep them in,
You have dealt well with Your servant,
O LORD, according to Your word.
Keep on teaching me good judgment and knowledge,
for I believe in Your commandments.
Amen.

(This prayer is based on Psalm 119:57,65-66).

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