Proverbs 2: 7-8a, 11a
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of jusice. ... Discretion will guard you. ...
James 3: 2, 17-18
For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is perfect (a fully matured person), able to bridle the whole body as well.
But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocracy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
There is so much here to consider, learn, and apply!
God had set me aside for a period of time for special care when He gave me these verses. And His attention to me astounds me! Me--who is not worthy of any consideration!
Yet He has seen me, and known me. He knows everything I do, everything I think about, how my mind works, and what my attitudes are. And He still loves me!
O my Father, thank You for Your Love for me! Thank You for Who You are, to love even Your enemies, desiring that they all will come to repentance and turn to You, even though most won't! For Your Love for me, even when I was Your enemy, living my life against what I knew were Your ways.
You drew me to want to know the Truth, because I didn't want to be lied to. And You used that to draw me to Yourself, and to show me that Jesus is the Truth I'd been searching for!
And You have taken my hand and led me along Your path through all these years, never allowing me to pull away from You, You held me tightly. You are my Shield, so that the lies of the enemy can no longer hold me hostage.
And You have been working on me, and in me, and even through me sometimes.
O my dear Father, continue to do in me what You know I need, to heal and cleanse my wounds and failures; and continue to mold me and shape me, and make me perfect, fit to serve You and live with You forever in Your home.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Wednesday, November 28, 2018
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Wisdom, Kindness, And The Bread Of Idleness
Proverbs 31: 26-27
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
I have been so foolish in the past! I had not given my children hardly any reason to "rise up and bless" me, because I am still learning to open my mouth in wisdom, and apply it to my conversations.
I want the "teaching of kindness" to be on my tongue. So I cannot react, I must pause to think and pray for this kindness before I respond, considering how I may be received by the hearers.
I do not "know" how to do these things, I must learn to practice this wisdom and kindness in my thoughts, my attitudes, and my words. And I am such a slow learner in this new way of living.
I have "eaten" the "bread of idleness" and found it nonnourishing and unsatisfying.
O my Father, I depend on You! I am desperate for You! Please help me apply in my thinking processes and in my attitudes those things You have taught me so far.
Continue to teach me, Father; that I may use the moments of every day in pursuit of You and Your ways, in Your strength, using Your wisdom and understanding, to accomplish Your will according to Your plans for me--plans to prosper me and not to do harm to me or my relationships.
Dear Father, continue to work out Your plans in my life and in the Nations of the World to fulfill our purposes according to Your great Plan of the Ages.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
I have been so foolish in the past! I had not given my children hardly any reason to "rise up and bless" me, because I am still learning to open my mouth in wisdom, and apply it to my conversations.
I want the "teaching of kindness" to be on my tongue. So I cannot react, I must pause to think and pray for this kindness before I respond, considering how I may be received by the hearers.
I do not "know" how to do these things, I must learn to practice this wisdom and kindness in my thoughts, my attitudes, and my words. And I am such a slow learner in this new way of living.
I have "eaten" the "bread of idleness" and found it nonnourishing and unsatisfying.
O my Father, I depend on You! I am desperate for You! Please help me apply in my thinking processes and in my attitudes those things You have taught me so far.
Continue to teach me, Father; that I may use the moments of every day in pursuit of You and Your ways, in Your strength, using Your wisdom and understanding, to accomplish Your will according to Your plans for me--plans to prosper me and not to do harm to me or my relationships.
Dear Father, continue to work out Your plans in my life and in the Nations of the World to fulfill our purposes according to Your great Plan of the Ages.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Monday, November 26, 2018
The Unjust And The Upright
Proverbs 29: 27
An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.
This really is true. So often when I've heard what evil people have done I've just felt sick about it. And I've read about people who don't know the Lord joking about feeling sick over some righteous deed that didn't seem logical to them.
God's ways are so far above ours that they seem opposite! There is no possible way for us to know anything at all of Who God is or His ways of living in this World without His telling us.
Our little brains that we like to think so highly of are like the little toys we make as children to play with: Lego creations that we give "life" to with a rubber band or by turning a crank. And we are god over our little toys, to do with as we wish, then dismantle all the bricks and put them away for the next time.
God wants us to know Him, so He has revealed Himself to us, and told us our whole Human story from the beginning to the end, and then some. He sent His prophets to tell us ahead of time what He is doing to bless us for obedience or to withdraw His goodness and protection from those who refuse to honor or consider His Sovereignty over us.
Just as the little Lego people could never come to know us, so we would never understand God or His ways. That's why wicked deeds are so sickening to those who have God's Spirit living in them, and righteous ways are abhorrent to worldly and wicked people.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
An unjust man is abominable to the righteous, and he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked.
This really is true. So often when I've heard what evil people have done I've just felt sick about it. And I've read about people who don't know the Lord joking about feeling sick over some righteous deed that didn't seem logical to them.
God's ways are so far above ours that they seem opposite! There is no possible way for us to know anything at all of Who God is or His ways of living in this World without His telling us.
Our little brains that we like to think so highly of are like the little toys we make as children to play with: Lego creations that we give "life" to with a rubber band or by turning a crank. And we are god over our little toys, to do with as we wish, then dismantle all the bricks and put them away for the next time.
God wants us to know Him, so He has revealed Himself to us, and told us our whole Human story from the beginning to the end, and then some. He sent His prophets to tell us ahead of time what He is doing to bless us for obedience or to withdraw His goodness and protection from those who refuse to honor or consider His Sovereignty over us.
Just as the little Lego people could never come to know us, so we would never understand God or His ways. That's why wicked deeds are so sickening to those who have God's Spirit living in them, and righteous ways are abhorrent to worldly and wicked people.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Sunday, November 25, 2018
A Man's Way
Jeremiah 10: 23-24
I know, O Lord, that a man's way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but with justice; not with Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing.
O my Father, I know that my own way in which I walk is not in my power, my ability, to walk and direct my steps aright. I know that my own heart is deceptive, and I am vulnerable to its deceit.
Correct me, Father, gently, with compassion and mercy; reveal to me the wickedness of my own heart, that I may confess and forsake the sin that still lurks there; and live each moment of this day (and every succeeding day, one day at a time) according to Your ways of justice and righteousness, sheathing that iron fist in the velvet glove of Your grace, compassion, and mercy.
I know that Your anger is righteous and holy; I pray that You would reveal it in Your wrath poured out only on Your vessels that are made for destruction, and the glories of Your favor rest upon Your chosen ones.
Bring in all Your lost sheep, Lord, and heal us, fit us for Your service, and to live with You forever where You are.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
I know, O Lord, that a man's way is not in himself; nor is it in a man who walks to direct his steps. Correct me, O Lord, but with justice; not with Thine anger, lest Thou bring me to nothing.
O my Father, I know that my own way in which I walk is not in my power, my ability, to walk and direct my steps aright. I know that my own heart is deceptive, and I am vulnerable to its deceit.
Correct me, Father, gently, with compassion and mercy; reveal to me the wickedness of my own heart, that I may confess and forsake the sin that still lurks there; and live each moment of this day (and every succeeding day, one day at a time) according to Your ways of justice and righteousness, sheathing that iron fist in the velvet glove of Your grace, compassion, and mercy.
I know that Your anger is righteous and holy; I pray that You would reveal it in Your wrath poured out only on Your vessels that are made for destruction, and the glories of Your favor rest upon Your chosen ones.
Bring in all Your lost sheep, Lord, and heal us, fit us for Your service, and to live with You forever where You are.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Saturday, November 24, 2018
The Need Of The Moment
Ephesians 4: 29, 32
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. ... And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
This is good advice. How often have I reacted to some slight or unpleasantness with a sharp barb! And pushed someone away.
How much better to pause a moment to take a breath and consider a more positive response, one that will encourage and build up (edify) the hearer.
This is not easy to do, when I've formed the habit of reacting. It's a whole turn-around of my attitude, and it helps to remember that I care for this person.
They are coming from some background I may not be aware of, that has them upset and off-kilter. So it's not directed at me, I've just gotten in the way of their outburst.
This person needs to know that they're valuable and worth respect and honor, even though they're not acting like it.
God loves us even when we're His enemies. When I was living my life totally against what I knew were His standards, He came to me and loved me more than anyone else ever had. He turned my life around that day.
Now He lives in me, and gives me the ability to give His love to others. So I can learn to stop and consider my response to others.
Whenever I have been able to put this into practice, the result has been very positive: it diffused the negativity and strengthened my relationship with that person.
So I want to learn this new way, God's way, instead of my own, natural way.
His ways are always better than my ways.
O my Father, I pray that You continue to work in me to teach me Your ways. And I pray for my loved ones, that their relationships with one another may be strengthened and encouraged.
Father, help all Your children to live their everyday lives in the Love with which You have loved them, showing one another kindness and patience. Giving grace over their lives, flavored with kindness from a tender heart, with forgiveness, and love covering over all the irritations that result from our past woundings and sinfulness.
Help us to be ever mindful of Your kindness to us in loving us, seeking us, rescuing us, forgiving us, cleansing us, showing us Your ways to replace our ways, and redeeming us.
O Father, continue to mold us and make us into the very image and likeness of the character of Your Son, our Lord and King.
Even so, come. Lord Jesus!
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear. ... And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.
This is good advice. How often have I reacted to some slight or unpleasantness with a sharp barb! And pushed someone away.
How much better to pause a moment to take a breath and consider a more positive response, one that will encourage and build up (edify) the hearer.
This is not easy to do, when I've formed the habit of reacting. It's a whole turn-around of my attitude, and it helps to remember that I care for this person.
They are coming from some background I may not be aware of, that has them upset and off-kilter. So it's not directed at me, I've just gotten in the way of their outburst.
This person needs to know that they're valuable and worth respect and honor, even though they're not acting like it.
God loves us even when we're His enemies. When I was living my life totally against what I knew were His standards, He came to me and loved me more than anyone else ever had. He turned my life around that day.
Now He lives in me, and gives me the ability to give His love to others. So I can learn to stop and consider my response to others.
Whenever I have been able to put this into practice, the result has been very positive: it diffused the negativity and strengthened my relationship with that person.
So I want to learn this new way, God's way, instead of my own, natural way.
His ways are always better than my ways.
O my Father, I pray that You continue to work in me to teach me Your ways. And I pray for my loved ones, that their relationships with one another may be strengthened and encouraged.
Father, help all Your children to live their everyday lives in the Love with which You have loved them, showing one another kindness and patience. Giving grace over their lives, flavored with kindness from a tender heart, with forgiveness, and love covering over all the irritations that result from our past woundings and sinfulness.
Help us to be ever mindful of Your kindness to us in loving us, seeking us, rescuing us, forgiving us, cleansing us, showing us Your ways to replace our ways, and redeeming us.
O Father, continue to mold us and make us into the very image and likeness of the character of Your Son, our Lord and King.
Even so, come. Lord Jesus!
Friday, November 23, 2018
Press On!
Philippians 3: 13-14
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
My dear Reader, you are precious to me. I want God's best for you. So don't let what is clinging to you from your past hold you back from that high goal of what your Heavenly Father has prepared to give you as a reward.
Do not focus on what is in the past--leave it behind you, not looking back; don't let it distract you from stretching and reaching, pressing on hard toward what lies ahead of you--that upward call of God in Jesus Christ.
O my Father, I pray for myself and all those You have called into Your own Family: continue to draw us ever closer to Yourself, continue to strengthen us to press hard each step toward that high calling each day.
Make our feet like hinds' feet for those high places in Christ Jesus; hold fast our hand, never letting go, never letting us slip away; strengthen our steps to run hard on Your heels, seeking Your Face.
So that others whose lives touch ours, seeing Christ in us, would be drawn to You, and that our words would be Your sweet, wise, healing words, carrying Your sweet fragrance!
And accomplishing all Your Purposes that You have purposed for each of us according to our places in Your great Plan of the Ages.
Father, continue to mold us and shape us into the very image and likeness, the character, of Your Son, retaining all of our varied and sundry personalities.
You are so Wonderful, my dear Daddy! Thank You for Your varied and sundry sides to Your Person and Personality! Even though there is never any shadow of turning in Your Light!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
My dear Reader, you are precious to me. I want God's best for you. So don't let what is clinging to you from your past hold you back from that high goal of what your Heavenly Father has prepared to give you as a reward.
Do not focus on what is in the past--leave it behind you, not looking back; don't let it distract you from stretching and reaching, pressing on hard toward what lies ahead of you--that upward call of God in Jesus Christ.
O my Father, I pray for myself and all those You have called into Your own Family: continue to draw us ever closer to Yourself, continue to strengthen us to press hard each step toward that high calling each day.
Make our feet like hinds' feet for those high places in Christ Jesus; hold fast our hand, never letting go, never letting us slip away; strengthen our steps to run hard on Your heels, seeking Your Face.
So that others whose lives touch ours, seeing Christ in us, would be drawn to You, and that our words would be Your sweet, wise, healing words, carrying Your sweet fragrance!
And accomplishing all Your Purposes that You have purposed for each of us according to our places in Your great Plan of the Ages.
Father, continue to mold us and shape us into the very image and likeness, the character, of Your Son, retaining all of our varied and sundry personalities.
You are so Wonderful, my dear Daddy! Thank You for Your varied and sundry sides to Your Person and Personality! Even though there is never any shadow of turning in Your Light!
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Thursday, November 22, 2018
Thanksgiving Day
Nehemiah 12: 46
Speaks of how David and Asaph led in singing "songs of praise and hyms of thanksgiving to God."
Psalm 26 and Psalm 69 - of David
Psalm 50 - of Asaph
Psalm 95
Psalm 100
Psalm 107
Psalm 116
Psalm 147
All these Psalms mention Thanksgiving.
Isaiah 51:3; Jeremiah 30:19; Amos 4:5; and even Jonah 2:9 all employ Thanksgiving.
And in the New Testament:
II Corinthians 4:15, 9:11; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 2:7, 4:2; I Timothy 4:3, 4 all mention Thanksgiving.
And Revelation 7:12 says that all the Angels and the Four Living Creatures in Heaven worship before the Throne of God with Thanksgiving.
I'm not mentioning all the other verses that use the words: thank, thanked, thankful, thankfulness, thanks, and thankworthy. Or the thank-offerings.
God repeated this concept so often in His Word to show us how important it is for us to do. To have an attitude of Thanksgiving as a hallmark of our everyday lives.
For Americans to observe as a Holiday, Thanksgiving, is a testament to our Christian, Bible-believing Founders, as well as the importance for our Nation to give God thanks for all He has given us, acknowledging that He is our Source.
Here's something to think about: What if you woke up tomorrow morning with only what You thanked God for today?
I'm glad God's not that petty! But it is to our benefit, our good health, and our National good to remember to give God Thanksgiving every day. He is good every day, and He blesses us every day. Because He is Good.
Thank You, God.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
Speaks of how David and Asaph led in singing "songs of praise and hyms of thanksgiving to God."
Psalm 26 and Psalm 69 - of David
Psalm 50 - of Asaph
Psalm 95
Psalm 100
Psalm 107
Psalm 116
Psalm 147
All these Psalms mention Thanksgiving.
Isaiah 51:3; Jeremiah 30:19; Amos 4:5; and even Jonah 2:9 all employ Thanksgiving.
And in the New Testament:
II Corinthians 4:15, 9:11; Philippians 4:6; Colossians 2:7, 4:2; I Timothy 4:3, 4 all mention Thanksgiving.
And Revelation 7:12 says that all the Angels and the Four Living Creatures in Heaven worship before the Throne of God with Thanksgiving.
I'm not mentioning all the other verses that use the words: thank, thanked, thankful, thankfulness, thanks, and thankworthy. Or the thank-offerings.
God repeated this concept so often in His Word to show us how important it is for us to do. To have an attitude of Thanksgiving as a hallmark of our everyday lives.
For Americans to observe as a Holiday, Thanksgiving, is a testament to our Christian, Bible-believing Founders, as well as the importance for our Nation to give God thanks for all He has given us, acknowledging that He is our Source.
Here's something to think about: What if you woke up tomorrow morning with only what You thanked God for today?
I'm glad God's not that petty! But it is to our benefit, our good health, and our National good to remember to give God Thanksgiving every day. He is good every day, and He blesses us every day. Because He is Good.
Thank You, God.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
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