How to fix our embittered heart?

Learning from Ps 73 NLV version.

1. It all begins with "Envy"

• Psa 73:3 For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness.

2. Then we start to "Self-Pity"

• Psa 73:14 I get nothing but trouble all day long; every morning brings me pain.
  
  We only look at the bad side and ignoring all the good that we have.

3. Then we become "Angry" & "Bitter"

• Psa 73:21 Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
  
  Even at times, we get angry with God seeing that we have been obeying Him and yet...

4. Then we become "Foolish" even like a "Beast"

• Psa 73:22 I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to You.

Solution:

5. Seek God

• Psa 73:17 Then I went into Your sanctuary, O God,
• and I finally understood the destiny of the wicked.
  
  Take His perspective. Take the long-term view.

6. Trust God - Hope in God

• Psa 73:26 My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
  but God remains the strength of my heart; He is mine forever.
• Psa 73:28 But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
  I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,

7. Proclaim His Goodness - It reinforces our trust in God.

• 28b and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things You do.

Lim Liat (c) 7 Apr 2020

The Testimony of Older Generation - Psalm 71

What is the story or the legacy that we want to live behind? Can you sum it up in one sentence? How will others believe your story? How will future generations be affected by you? In Psalm 71, the author summarized it as God is Great and let me tell you why...

For those of us who are more than 40 or even 50 years in Christ, how will your testimony look like?

Do you want a template to share?

Here is one from Psalm 71. I kept the key verses in the following mind-map.

May we live our lives as examples even for the next generation. 

Our motto is simple it is "trust and praise Him even through the difficult times". And God assures us that the best is yet to be.

The Mind-map:

The Text:

• Come to God 1stThe Lesson of A Long Life
  
  • O Lord, You alone are my hope. I've trusted You, O LORD, from childhood. (Psa 71:5)
    • O God, You have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things You do. (Psa 71:17)
• Recall Past SuccessesMay Our Life be Like this...
  
  • My life is an example to many because You have been my strength and protection. (Psa 71:7)
  • Have we lived like that? Can we list now the specifics where people gave thanks to us for the help, advice, and even praise for?
• Ask of Help Now & For FutureNow Old and Weak...
  
  • But I will keep on hoping for Your help; I will praise You more and more. (Psa 71:14)
  • Keep our focus on God... He has the final say.
    
    • v24)... for everyone who tried to hurt me has been shamed and humiliated.
• Stick to Praising & Proclaiming God
• to the next generations
• • Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim Your power to this new generation, Your mighty miracles to all who come after me. (Psa 71:18)
  • by proclaiming & exemplify living as in v7
• Proven
  • You have allowed me to suffer much hardship, but You will restore me to life again and lift me up from the depths of the earth.  (Psa 71:20)
  • He has brought us through disappointments, betrayals, challenges...We thought we are gone but He will restore and honor us again.
  • You will restore me to even greater honor and comfort me once again.  (Psa 71:21)
  • The best is yet to come!

Lim Liat (c) 2 Apr 2020