* This Psalm shows the beauty of gratitude toward God.

* It was written by the sons of a man who was swallowed up along with the rest of his family into the earth (Numbers 16).

* These sons of Korah didn’t grow up with a grudge, even though the story of their ancestor was a permanent part of Scripture.

* They learned to walk in the fear of the Lord and they grew in Him because of their gratitude toward Him.

* Power comes through pain. These people allowed their painful past to be the source of their power.

* They reframed it because of the thankful hearts toward God.

* Baptism was a good thing, something God called some to do.

* But Paul knew he was not one of them - he was called to evangelize.

* Paul knew his primary thing, so it limited his options.

* Often times our lives get out of balance with busyness because we’re not operating according to our calling.

* This increases our options and weighs us down.

* Are you operating out of guilt in doing some things that are outside your calling?

* Too many of us operate out of a CAUSE rather than a CALL.

* If we are cause-focused rather than call-focused we lose our ability to see Christ.

* We are all called to do certain things - stand up for the defenseless, give to the poor, etc.

* But when it comes to our vocation - the thing we spend our lives for - we operate according to a call, not a cause.

* Did you catch what this verse just said?

* “The God of PEACE will soon CRUSH!”

* Why would a peaceful God be in the crushing business?

* Because peace is only found when the enemy is defeated.

* This means we have to be involved in a fight if we are to experience peace.

* This applies both personally and culturally.

* As the church, we simply show up to the battle (the gates of hell).

* God brings the victory.

* God has given us the keys to the kingdom to win the fight.

* Psalms 110:1 - most quoted OT verse in NT.

* The church is in the footstool making business.

* So are we personally.

* We most often think Solomon got wisdom because he asked God for it.

* But notice the type of young man he was before God showed up in the dream.

* He diligently listened to his dad, longing to learn from him.

* As Solomon grew in wisdom he saw the benefits of it.

* In time, I can imagine his dad telling him that one day he’d be king.

* Solomon may have asked, “Why me?”

* David would say, “Because you have searched for wisdom and have grown wise.”

* David chose Solomon to be king over any of his other sons, including the oldest.

* After Solomon was raised like this God shows up in a dream and says, “Ask for one thing and you’ll have it.”

* For Solomon, it was a no-brainer.

* Better to have a little money and a lot of righteousness (being in “right relationship” with God).

* Imagine making 500k in a sales deal, only to know you cheated on your spouse two weeks prior.

* You’d rather have peace over profit.

* I’ve taught my kids that in business when you don’t know what to do, do the harder thing.

* In business there are times when you can make a lot of money but you may have to hide something or lie or exaggerate.

* In those moments, do the harder thing - you won’t make money but you’ll have peace.

* Doing this will keep you in right relationship with God.

* Just remember - every decision you make affects your relationship with God, so choose wisely.

* Salespeople know how to persuade others to buy their product or service.

* This is why we don’t trust them.

* This verse shows us that persuasion can actually be a good thing.

* How?

* When it is used with wisdom.

* A wise person uses wise words to help people make a wise decision.

* The best salesperson does this - they persuade you to do the right thing.

* This means two things:

* 1) Their product / service is something that’s good for you.

* A good salesperson would never sell anything that isn’t beneficial to the person buying it.

* 2) The time is right for you to buy it.

* A good salesperson will only sell if the person can afford it and it’s the right time.

* vs 24 - a good salesperson uses pleasant words because his #1 goal is to help the person he’s talking to.

* vs 29 - a bad salesperson is covetous and greedy.

* He sees people not as people but as dollar signs.

* He wants to cash a check more than help a human.

* vs 19:22 - “it’s better to be poor than a liar.”

* Whenever it’s time to make a move you will often feel two things:

* 1) A PUSH from where you are.

* 2) A PULL to where you need to be.

* Often times we feel one or the other and make the move, only to end up disillusioned.

* Notice the two parts of this verse (AMP):

* “But NOW since I have no further opportunity for work in these regions...” This was the PUSH from where he was.

* Work ran out. The opportunity to advance the gospel to unreached people was over.

* “and since I have longed for enough years to come to you...” This was the PULL to where he needed to be.

* He felt this pull for a while, but he never acted on it until there was a push from where he was.

* God’s “yes” and His “go” are often two different things.

* Matthew Henry pointed out three things we exist for as outlined in this verse:

* 1) Righteousness (to God).

* To know we’re in a right relationship with God is the foundation for all relationship success.

* 2) Peace (toward others).

* A tranquil heart brings life to the body (Proverbs 14:30).

* 3) Joy (for ourselves).

* Inside-out living does not let environment determine behavior and makes you a life-breather wherever you go!

* Romans 15:13 - when we live with peace and joy we end up with HOPE!

* The AMP version says, “Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother?”

* The NASB version finishes the verse by saying, “Or you again, why do you regard your brother with contempt?”

* Both verses are talking about looking with an eye of judgment on your brother/sister and how dangerous it is.

* Dr. John Gottman said the number one relationship killer is contempt.

* Contempt is thinking negatively of someone while placing yourself in a higher position.

* It’s caused by unchecked criticism.

* Notice the verse starts with criticism and moves to contempt.

* In relationships, there are two ways to approach a person who’s offended you:

* 1) Complaint - this deals with behavior. It starts with the word “I” and is aimed at how their action has affected you.

* “I felt hurt when you said that the other day. I wish you wouldn’t say things like that.”

* 2) Criticism - this deals with character. It starts with the word “You” and is aimed at their identity.

* “You hurt my feelings the other day. You always say stuff like that. I wish you’d quit.”

* If you criticize long enough and it goes unchecked, it leads to the relationship killer contempt.

* Contempt brings in the element of comparison where pride now enters the picture.

* “You hurt my feelings the other day. You always say stuff like that. I never talk like that. I wish you’d quit.”

* The minute contempt enters through the comparison caused by unchecked criticism, relationships begin to deteriorate.

* This verse gives us a clear command to drop the comparison, criticism, and contempt so your relationships will blossom.

* Notice - Job’s fortunes were restored “when he prayed for his friends.”

* Which friends?

* The ones who beat the snot out of him with their words.

* When Job prayed for the guys who made themselves his enemies, God moved on Job’s behalf and changed his situation.

* Key - when people wrong us it’s often so we can discern how we need to pray for them.

* God let’s us see the ugly side of people so we can pray for them, not hate them or criticize them.

* We tent to criticize or complain rather than intercede.

* When we intercede both parties benefit.

* If you want to bless me as a man, bless my kids.

* God feels the same way.