How do you rank?

We worry so much about how we rank;

Finding pride in how much we make.

Looking at the scale to see what we weigh;

Then deciding which credit card is next to pay.

A trip to the doctor to see our BMI;

We thought we had given it a good try.

Finding out our cholesterol is off the chart;

Now we have to worry about our heart.

This means the blood pressure is high too;

What is a person to do?

How can we get all these numbers out of the way?

A good place to begin is to pray.

Not just for one day, it will take more;

Look at all the high prices when you walk in the store.

Now you're down to your last cent;

Oh no, it's time to pay the mortgage or rent.

Look at all the numbers God put in the Bible and say;

"Lord please help me to push all this stress away!"

You made everything in less than a week;

Help me understand my place and the service You seek.

I know it's not tracking my balance or my weight;

It's not wondering what number I look like to my mate.

When I see a number I don't like;

Maybe I can talk to You while out on a hike.

Or I can take that number and open the Bible to its page;

Wow, it's saying I shouldn't fixate on my wage.

I promise to give You more of my energy and time;

Not fusing over whether I have a nickle or a dime.

AMEN

Knock, knock...Who's there?

James 4:7

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you."

Knock, knock--who's at my door?

I know it isn't the devil anymore.

Once I began to pray day and night;

He caught the first flight.

Yes, he had to get on a plane;

I know he just wanders in pain.

To see me is a reminder of what he lost;

And what was the cost?

Eternity with God's Majesty;

Once, even he had a key.

Part of the kingdom;

Yet so, so dumb.

How could he still want more?

I suppose he has a house on every shore.

But, what good is owning things on earth?

The place cursed with pain during birth.

A spot for men to toil;

Trying to make something grow in the soil.

All done to eat food that satisfies today;

Tomorrow, it's already gone away.

I'd rather be home with my Dad;

And I know in the past I've been so bad.

Luckily, I had time to learn a better way;

Opening the Bible to learn and to pray.

Once the devil witnessed this enough;

His demeanor became gruff.

Eventually, he couldn't take it, and had to flee;

Thank you God for saving me!!!

AMEN

Knowing my worth...

God has numbered all the hairs on our heads, but we devalue ourselves in so many ways:

• Am I good enough?

• Do I deserve this?

• Am I liked or loved?

• Who would want me?

• Does anyone appreciate what I do?

Even some of the most outwardly confident people are internally struggling, or even covering up a lack of true confidence. How can I maintain the confidence God has in me? One thing that comforts me is knowing that if God is for me no one stands a chance coming up against me (even myself). Sometimes we can be our own worst enemy. If I am worth everything to God I need to set the bar each day at eternity and not on the weight of this world. I pray we all set our bars to the sky and not let anyone pull us down!

AMEN