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“52”, 06DEC

“52, why God?”

I have written about God and silly numbers before, but the last few days have been ridiculous… I have stumbled upon or caught the eye of that number “52” probably TEN TIMES everyday for the last few days…whew…. The time shines at the 52 minute mark about five times a day, the temperature shows 52, a video stops at the 52 mark, the mileage on my car stops with a 52, my phone battery hits 52% just as look up, obviously my house number is 52, my late cousin’s age 52, Santa’s autograph book yesterday had a random giant 52 written by a child above his name… Lest you think I am going crazy, can YOU EVEN imagine how I feel??? I am staggered by God overwhelming me…. My analytical mind coupled with my melted heart explodes this Christmas…. And the reason???  I think God is trying to distract ME from ME. And he does this in fun ways (oh the joys of the last week!!!), I am distracted from anxiety-riddled ways and therefore fortified in clear, sober and necessary discussions… And yes, with the number 52, He is trying to humble me, reminding me that ALL my joy flows from HIM!

But honestly I don’t know…

God requests that we gently humble ourselves… Trust me, minor humbling is better than major humbling…  It’s better that I just trip in my new shoes, both in my faith shoes and on my feet, then to fall hard… God says “pay attention!!!”… “Stay on task”. God is conditioning and commissioning me…

I know God is reminding me all this thru my trials, my thorns…. He says: “I got this…. Remember?” Psalm 46 reminds me to be like a river….  “God is within her, she will not fall; God will help her at break of day”.

Yes, like HE reminds me,  And I plead to you all: let God remind YOU TOO who is in charge: “7 Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.”  1st Peter 5.

“Be still and KNOW I AM GOD.”…. Psalm 46…. God STILL knows how to STILL me, to emotionally and physically remind me that I am nothing without Him, I need to be everything for HIM.

This week He sends “52” to me, next week it will be something new, God likes to mix it up… God repeats himself until I get the message. The message is “I woke you (like Jarius’ daughter) now DON’T fall asleep!!!”… God says you are young now but you are rapidly growing into an elder not because you must but because you ARE willing (1Peter 5)… Elders must take their roles seriously, “NOT lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock”.
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Scriptures:

1 Peter 5New International Version (NIV)

To the Elders and the Flock
5 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder and a witness of Christ’s sufferings who also will share in the glory to be revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve; 3 not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

5 In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud    but shows favor to the humble.”
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

10 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Final Greetings
12 With the help of Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly, encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast in it.

13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love.

Peace to all of you who are in Christ.

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Psalm 46
For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. According to alamoth. A song.

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]
4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.
7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
8 Come and see what the Lord has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”
11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

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Psalm 52
For the director of music

1 Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero?
Why do you boast all day long,
you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?
2 You who practice deceit,
your tongue plots destruction;
it is like a sharpened razor.
3 You love evil rather than good,
falsehood rather than speaking the truth.[c]
4 You love every harmful word,
you deceitful tongue!
5 Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
He will snatch you up and pluck you from your tent;
he will uproot you from the land of the living.
6 The righteous will see and fear;
they will laugh at you, saying,
7 “Here now is the man
who did not make God his stronghold
but trusted in his great wealth
and grew strong by destroying others!”
8 But I am like an olive tree
flourishing in the house of God;
I trust in God’s unfailing love
for ever and ever.
9 For what you have done I will always praise you
in the presence of your faithful people.
And I will hope in your name,
for your name is good.