I'm annoying!

 

Sometimes I just can't help myself. I am ANNOYING. I have to admit, I have been annoying much of my life. I get fixated on one thing and it dominates all my conversations. When I read a book that really strikes a chord within me, I CAN'T HELP BUT TALK ABOUT IT. When I learn something NEW the same thing happens. AND when I feel an unbelievable HOPE I just don't understand why everyone else isn't sharing that same HOPE. Sometimes when people are having a BAD DAY or a BAD WEEK, I am extra annoying. It is not that I am trying to be annoying, MY JOY JUST OVERFLOWS and I want everyone to get it!

Paul can be just as annoying as I am. In Acts 26 Paul is testifying on his behalf in front of Festus, King Agrippa, and Bernice. He gets an opportunity to tell his story. Here is one of my favorite parts of that story, although I really love the whole thing!

"Now I am on trial because of my hope in the fulfillment of God's promise made to our ancestors. In Fact, this is why the twelve tribes of Israel zealously worship God night and day, and they share the same hope I have. Yet, your Majesty, they accuse me for having this hope! Why does it seem incredible to any of you that God can raise the dead?" (Acts 26:6-8, NLT)

Paul uses the word HOPE three times in this short discourse. You can just sense his excitement. It is like he is so JOYFUL and cannot want to know, WHY DOESN'T EVERYONE HAVE THE SAME HOPE I HAVE?

Later in the same scene, Agrippa says, 

"Paul, you are insane. Too much study has made you crazy!" (Acts 26:24, NLT)

People think the same thing of me. They might think: "How can he be so joyful when there is so much craziness going on. Why isn't he stressed like I am? Doesn't he feel my pain?" That is the reason people feel I am annoying. Of course, it has not always been this way. SLOWLY, over the years, I have learned nothing, even the DARKEST TRIALS, will soon fall away. Yes, I still worry and fret. Yes, I still stress over things going on at church and at home, but that stress, worry, and fretting, are QUICKLY OVERCOME by the realization GOD IS IN CONTROL. 

It reminds me of the ever popular Psalm 23. It seems people focus on walking through the valley of the shadow of death more than the part that says, MY CUP OVERFLOWS. They focus on the needs they have, being afraid,  and neglect the comfort we receive, the FEAST we receive, the ANOINTING we receive, THE BLESSINGS, goodness, love and the eternal life. 

I know I am annoying. I just won't let life get me down. I used to do that a lot. Now I refuse to dwell in the dark valleys. Praise God. My prayer today is PSALM 23. I pray it over each and everyone of you!

"The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: And I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. (Psalm 23, KJV)

Heavenly Father, Forgive me if I am annoying to your people. I love you and I have coem to realize I always have a bright future and a HOPE in YOU! I pray that I can bring light into a world that truly needs it. I pray I will always speak the truth but even when the truth hurts, I will provide a light and a hope in you. Thank you Lord, for 65 wonderful years of life. I am just sad I have not always recognized the blessings you have always provided. Amen!

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"because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." (Romans 10:9-10, ESV)

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