Psalm 68:3

  All long as we are alive and on this Earth, one thing is for sure...there are always going to be things, circumstances and situations that will push, tempt, test and stretch us.  It's true, there may even be days and times when we feel like crying...and worse yet, we may feel like giving up!

During those times we must be careful not to let our feelings get the best of us.  as Mynista says in his song,  Put Ya Fist Up,  "...forget how ya feel...we walk by faith!"  Challenges are still gonna come, but there are some things we can do to meet them head-on.  First of all we can remain Scripture Compliant, meaning don't just read/hear The Word, apply it daily.  Secondly, we can stay prayerful, as 1 Thessalonians 5:17 instructs us.  Remaining prayerful keeps us in tune with God, and helps us focus on Him and not just our circumstances and the challenges we face.

Another key thing that we can do to help innoculate us from being overwhelmed by Life's test & trials is to make the choice to rejoice!  (1 Thess 5:16)  Remember, it is the Joy of the Lord that is our strength!  The enemy is well aware of this, and he is also aware that he has no defense against such a weapon, this is why he tries so hard to distract us...but don't be fooled or tricked.  Make the decision to rejoice...regardless of what it looks like.  Your rejoicing, moves you outta the way and allows God to do His thing...think of it as you releasing all authority to God, and then being a cheerleader on the sidelines cheering Him on as He goes to work on your behalf!

Today's Challenge:   regardless of what you are facing, or how you are feeling...make the choice to rejoice...and don't just sing a song or clap your hands...GO OFF!  Nothing confuses the enemy more than seeing God's people celebrating...especially when things look bad!  So go ahead confuse your enemies and GO OFF!!

Good people, cheer God! 

Right-living people sound best when praising.

   Use guitars to reinforce your Hallelujahs!

      Play his praise on a grand piano!

   Invent your own new song to him;

      give him a trumpet fanfare.

    For God's Word is solid to the core;

      everything he makes is sound inside and out.

   He loves it when everything fits,

      when his world is in plumb-line true.

   Earth is drenched

      in God's affectionate satisfaction.

    The skies were made by God's command;

      he breathed the word and the stars popped out.

   He scooped Sea into his jug,

      put Ocean in his keg.

     Earth-creatures, bow before God;

      world-dwellers—down on your knees!

   Here's why: he spoke and there it was,

      in place the moment he said so.

     God takes the wind out of Babel pretense,

      he shoots down the world's power-schemes.

   God's plan for the world stands up,

      all his designs are made to last.

   Blessed is the country with God for God;

      blessed are the people he's put in his will.

     From high in the skies God looks around,

      he sees all Adam's brood.

   From where he sits

      he overlooks all us earth-dwellers.

   He has shaped each person in turn;

      now he watches everything we do.

     No king succeeds with a big army alone,

      no warrior wins by brute strength.

   Horsepower is not the answer;

      no one gets by on muscle alone.

     Watch this: God's eye is on those who respect him,

      the ones who are looking for his love.

   He's ready to come to their rescue in bad times;

      in lean times he keeps body and soul together.

     We're depending on God;

      he's everything we need.

   What's more, our hearts brim with joy

      since we've taken for our own his holy name.

   Love us, God, with all you've got—

      that's what we're depending on.

-psalm 33