I wonder how many times, during His tenure here in the flesh, Jesus became weary of the lies and deceit? And when in came to the real test, when He was arrested and questioned by the authorities of the day, even Peter joined the scattering mice. Yes, and before He was arrested, He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane that He be spared from drinking of the cup that was about to be given Him.

He is the One who is strong for us… And He still listens and cares… And His heart is still wide open for us. Jesus has a love for us that surpasses all understanding.

It is only human nature to expect something in return for what we do for others. It is Satan's goal to put it foremost in your mind and make it an obsession for you. It is also Satan's job to make you feel stronger than you are against him. Always remember that if you receive recognition and praise for what you do here in earth, His Word tells you that you have already received your reward. If that is what you want, then that is what you will get. I Corinthians 2 gives a good account of what we will receive if we wait for our reward from God, and not seek to find it in the earth.

I say in earth, because that is what we are in right now… a temple made of earth. If we hope to make heaven our home, then we have to overcome this earth that we live in, and all the lusts of it… including the desire for personal recognition and praise from others. Jesus wasn't appreciated for what He gave up for us, even up to and including the pain and suffering of losing His life in the flesh. He asked His father to "forgive them, for they know not what they do."

One thing we must keep in mind… Nothing but His promise required Christ to give up His home in heaven and come to Earth to be imprisoned by the flesh and spend a third of a century in its confines and restrictions. Only His love for humanity and His desire to save us impelled Him.

Don't allow disappointment with yourself or others keep you from Jesus' love. If you do, Satan has won in your life, and will give him something to laugh at God about. Is that what you want? I didn't think so!

If God is interested in listening to you, then what does is matter who is not interested? As the scripture so aptly puts it, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" And I reiterate, planet earth is not fair. Only God can give us real peace.

Yes, you can be all alone in a house full of people. But you are never alone if you stay close to God. Pray to him unceasingly. Don't try to figure out what He wants. The only thing He wants from you is for you to submit yourself to His will. Ask Him to give you the answers. That's all He wants you to do. He doesn't want you alone and confused. He is not the author of confusion. Be sure that when you get answers that it is God, and not the devil, who is answering you.

I am including you in my prayers.

God bless you and keep you.

~ Andy