Category: Proverbs

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Where Do Your Plans Lead

We have been visiting friends in Idaho for the last few weeks. Last night we had a wonderful time catching up with several couples at a bar-b-q. It was great!

 

We talked about our children, grandchildren, music, work, health and the Lord. Everyone there we have known for over 20 years. Our lives have taken us different directions but our friendship remains strong. That is truly a treasured gift.

 

We all make plans. Some of those are just for the day ahead while others cover the next week or through the end of the year. For us, we are planning our trip back to Arizona. Whatever our plans, whatever course we set for ourselves, we need to seek God’s direction and guidance.

“Trust your work to the Lord, and your plans will work out well…People can plan what they want to do, but it is the Lord who guides their steps...People might throw lots to make a decision, but the answer always comes from the Lord.” Proverbs 16:3, 9, 33

Whether we are traveling the highways and negotiating the freeways or navigating through the locks and channels of large corporations, we can trust the Lord to guide our steps and lead the way.

As we travel I can’t help but think of all those who have traveled these roads before. Those who came on horseback, in covered wagons and those whose only means of transportation were their feet. Looking at the terrain, considering the weather, the elements and the dangers they may have faced causes me to pause. But then thinking of the joy they experienced in seeing new land that no one had ever been to before, the beauty, the grandeur, the vastness of creation, brings an unprovoked smile to my face. We check the Atlas and follow the roads, they followed the dreams of their hearts!

I think  about Abram. At a word from the Lord, he set out for a world unknown. God called him to leave his home and go into a far country.

“The LORD said to Abram:
Leave your country, your family, and your relatives and go to the land that I will show you. 2 I will bless you and make your descendants into a great nation. You will become famous and be a blessing to others. 3 I will bless anyone who blesses you, but I will put a curse on anyone who puts a curse on you. Everyone on earth will be blessed because of you. 4-5 Abram was seventy-five years old when the LORD told him to leave the city of Haran. He obeyed and left with his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the possessions and slaves they had gotten while in Haran.” Genesis 12:1-5 CEV

His obedience birthed a nation. His obedience open the door for Jesus, the Messiah to come. His obedience brought blessing to his life and those who traveled with him.

What road has the Lord asked you to take today? Are you being obedient and bringing blessing to the lives of those around you?   If God gives you a course correction be willing to take it.

“Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way.” Proverbs 3:5-6 ERV

There are new horizons to view, new adventures to experience and new victories to celebrate!

 

 

 

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A Blank Page

Each morning is a blank page and our words and actions are the ink.

How will we fill it?

We have become so accustomed to the advancements of the computer than some have forgotten what it was like before we had a delete button. If we made a mistake with our writing our only choices were to cross out the mistake or get a clean sheet and start over.

I remember how long it took me to write my term paper when I was a Senior in High School. Painstakingly working on the final paper, making sure every word was spelled correctly and the punctuation was right. It had to be perfect…

I am so thankful that the Lord makes allowances for our mistakes. In fact, with each sunrise He gives us new mercy for the day.

“The Lord’s kindness never fails! If he had not been merciful, we would have been destroyed. 23 The Lord can always be trusted to show mercy each morning. 24 Deep in my heart I say, “The Lord is all I need;  I can depend on him!” Lamentations 3:22-24 CEV

Since the Lord is faithful to us, we should extend the same mercy to those around us. We are not only filling our own page but we will be writing on the page of others.

” Intelligent people choose their words carefully. Those who know what they are doing remain calm. 28 Silent fools seem wise. They say nothing and appear to be smart.” Proverbs 17:27-28 ERV

Today we have the opportunity to add value to our life and those around us.

“Saying the right thing at the right time is like a golden apple in a silver setting. 12 Wise advice to a listening ear is like gold earrings or fine jewelry.” Proverbs 25:11-12

We have probably all seen images of redacted government reports,  the ones where the pages are filled with blacked out information and comments. We don’t want our life’s pages looking like that. Instead we fill our pages with kindness.

“Share with God’s people who need help. Look for people who need help and welcome them into your homes.

14 Wish only good for those who treat you badly. Ask God to bless them, not curse them. 15 When others are happy, you should be happy with them. And when others are sad, you should be sad too. 16 Live together in peace with each other. Don’t be proud, but be willing to be friends with people who are not important to others. Don’t think of yourself as smarter than everyone else.

17 If someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. 18 Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone.” Romans 12:13-118 CEV

Let’s choose our words wisely today and if we aren’t sure what to say, say nothing at all.

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Satisfied With Long Life

Today’s my birthday and I am praising the Lord for the life He has blessed me with!

I am twice or three times older than some who know me and to others I’m a youngster. Mom will be 95 this year and to her I’m still just a kid.

This morning my Bible reading took me Psalm 91, Proverbs 3 and Colossians 3. I would like to share with you a few verses that jumped out at me.

“When my followers call to me, I will answer them. I will be with them when they are in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. 16 I will give my followers a long life and show them my power to save.” Psalm 91:15-16 ERV

These verses, in fact all of Psalm 91, have been source of strength for me most of my life. Calling on the Lord in times of trouble has kept me in a place of peace more times than I can count. I have seen Him deliver me and my loved ones from dangerous situations. How I praise Him for his power to save.

Another translation of verse says we will be satisfied with long life. I like that. Satisfied, no regrets, living to our full potential.

Solomon tells us  all through the book of Proverbs that we should seek wisdom, search for it because wisdom is a valuable treasure. This is the instruction I found in chapter 3 this morning.

“In her right hand Wisdom holds a long life, and in her left hand are wealth and honor. 17 Wisdom makes life pleasant and leads us safely along. 18 Wisdom is a life-giving tree, the source of happiness for all who hold on to her. 19 By his wisdom and knowledge the Lord created heaven and earth. 20 By his understanding he let the ocean break loose and clouds release the rain.

21 My child, use common sense and sound judgment! Always keep them in mind. 22 They will help you to live  a long and beautiful life.
23 You will walk safely and never stumble; 24  you will rest without a worry and sleep soundly. 25 So don’t be afraid of sudden disasters or storms that strike those who are evil. 26 You can be sure that the Lord will protect you from harm.” Proverbs 3: 16-26 CEV

WOW! What wonderful blessings there are to us for living a life of wisdom and not foolishness.  Common sense and sound judgement need to be our guide in everything we do and there is no place, no place at all that we will find true wisdom other than the Word of God.

It’s amazing that the Lord is looking to give us a long life. He isn’t trying to destroy us or shorten our life, He wants to see that we are fulfilled and safe.

Then I got to Colossians 3 and this is some of what I read there.

“God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. 14 Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together.

15 Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of ” Colossians 3:12-17 CEV

Once again I find the message that God loves me! It’s like He was sending me a birthday greeting. He loves me and wants my life to be filled with peace, gratitude and wisdom. I take the promises and instruction for the Bible as if they were written just for me.

The Scriptures are like sweet birthday cake and I get to share a slice with each of you.

Thank you Father  for the gift of long life, lived in wisdom, seasoned with peace, joy and love.

 

 

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A Spoonful of Sugar

The lyrics from Mary Poppins are running through my mind today. Can’t really think of those songs without a smile coming to my face.

In my mind’s eye I can see Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke singing and dancing. Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down in a most delightful way.

Have you ever looked to the Scripture for a good dose of medicine? It has healing qualities you know.

I particularly like these verses from Proverbs.

“ Happiness is good medicine, but sorrow is a disease.” Proverbs 17:22 ERV 

“If you are happy, your face shows it. If you are sad, your spirit feels defeated.” Proverbs 15:13 ERV

Happiness is good medicine! Is it any wonder that so many in life today are feeling sick and so their spirits feel defeated? They have lost their joy.

It’s essential that we become ambassadors of joy.

Dave and I love spending time with our little grandson, Sam. He always seems to be happy about something. Dave calls him Smiley Joe and calls his little sister Smiley Josephina. Their smiles come from a happy heart and they carry joy to everyone around them.

If we allow ourselves to stay focused on the things in our world that seem to being going wrong or those events in our lives that are contrary, we will be overtaken by the disease of sorrow.

But a good dose of the medicine of a merry heart will strengthen us and bring us peace.

“Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy the good food and sweet drinks. Give some food and drinks to those who didn’t prepare any food. Today is a special day to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy of the Lord will make you strong.” Nehemiah 8:10 ERV

The word disease interests me. Break it apart, dis – ease. When our hearts are uneasy, worried or distressed we are susceptible to disease. How do we avoid dis ease?

“God cares for you, so turn all your worries over to him.” I Peter 5:7 CEV

Don’t look  at the circumstances  that are beyond our control instead look to God who changes circumstances. Then we can be filled with good medicine.

“I pray that the God who gives hope will fill you with much joy and peace as you trust in him. Then you will have more and more hope, and it will flow out of you by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13 ERV

There’s a song that children sing in pre-school and Sunday School. If You’re Happy and You Know It – the song says if you’re happy and you know it…clap your hands, stomp your feet, say Amen.  And there’s one line in there that says “if you’re happy and you know it then your face will surely show it”, our faces will show it – we’ll smile and our eyes will twinkle and those who look at us will wonder what makes us so happy.

“I will celebrate and be joyful because you, Lord, have saved me.
10 Every bone in my body will shout: “No one is like the Lord!”
You protect the helpless from those in power; you save the poor and needy from those who hurt them.” Psalm 35:9-10 CEV

Dear Father, let our faces show what You have done in our hearts. Let us be ambassadors of joy today.

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Instructions for Fatherhood

What a wonderful, challenging, frustrating, invigorating, demanding and out-right rewarding thing is fatherhood.

I was blessed with a loving and caring father. Not a perfect man by any means but a man who loved me and wanted the best for me. I have also been blessed with a wonderful, godly man who is my husband and father to my children. He, too, isn’t perfect but he is committed to me, his children and his grandchildren.

Men, fathers, have an tremendous responsibility. They are to be living examples of God’s love for us. Our heavenly Father loves unconditionally, protects, leads and instructs us in the ways of right living. Our earthly fathers are instructed to do the same.

The great thing, men, is that you have never been directed to do this on your own. God has given you His word and the Holy Spirit to help in your areas of weakness. Let’s look at a few of the verses given to you as fathers.

The book of Proverbs was written by Solomon as instruction in wisdom for his children. He constantly taught them to pursue wisdom and have reverence for the Lord.

“The reward for not having pride and having the fear of the Lord is riches, honor and life.  5 Thorns and traps are in the way of the sinful. He who watches himself will stay far from them.  6 Bring up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn away from it.” Proverbs 22:4-7 NLV

These verses correctly state that living a life committed to the Lord brings reward. It also gives a directive to avoid traps and pitfalls. Teaching/training a child implies dedication to getting the job done. It doesn’t happen with just one instruction. No, children need repetition, discipline and boundaries as they are growing and learning.

However, all of the above should be done with a loving and compassionate heart.

“Fathers, don’t make your children angry, but raise them with the kind of teaching and training you learn from the Lord.”          Ephesians 6:4 ERV

““Remember these commands I give you. Keep them in your hearts. Write them down and tie them on your hands and wear them on your foreheads as a way to remember my laws. 19 Teach these laws to your children. Talk about these things when you sit in your houses, when you walk along the road, when you lie down, and when you get up. 20 Write these commands on the doorposts of your houses and on your gates. 21 Then both you and your children will live a long time in the land that the Lord promised to give to your ancestors. You will live there as long as the skies are above the earth.”          Deuteronomy 11:18-21 ERV

Our children learn as much from our example as they do from our words. Maybe more.  A good father is someone who lives what they teach.

Joshua was a man like that. He had been Moses assistant and when Moses died it became his job to lead the Israelites into their promised land. This is a charge he gave the nation of Israel. He made it personal when he said “as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord”. He wasn’t just telling his family to follow God but he was determined to follow the Lord himself.

“Then Joshua said to the people, “Now you have heard the Lord’s words. So you must respect the Lord and sincerely serve him. Throw away the false gods that your ancestors worshiped. That was something that happened a long time ago on the other side of the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Now you must serve only the Lord.

15 “But maybe you don’t want to serve the Lord. You must choose for yourselves today. Today you must decide who you will serve. Will you serve the gods that your ancestors worshiped when they lived on the other side of the Euphrates River? Or will you serve the gods of the Amorites who lived in this land? You must choose for yourselves. But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”

16 Then the people answered, “We will never stop following the Lord. We will never serve other gods!” Joshua 24:14-16 ERV

The Apostle Paul gave the same type of fatherly advice to the Christians in Ephesus. Since God is our heavenly Father, as His children, we should follow His example.

“You are God’s dear children, so try to be like him. 2 Live a life of love. Love others just as Christ loved us. He gave himself for us—a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 ERV

Ladies, I know this has been directed at fathers but we need to be praying for our fathers and husbands. They have been given an assignment by God and we need to be supporting them in what they’ve been called to do.

“Thank you Lord for godly men. Thank you for husbands and fathers who have a heart’s desire to see their children become adults who are honest, God loving, leaders in their own homes and communities. Give these men strength, wisdom, compassion and tenderness to lead as You lead. And for those who haven’t had fathers like this I thank you that You have never failed us. “

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A Father’s Day

Folks are thinking about Father’s Day. For over a  decade  I haven’t had my Dad to call but there are so many memories I hold dear in my heart.

And it makes my heart swell when I hear my kids and my husband say I wish Grandpa was here so he could do this or that. That honors his name and it brings a tear to my eye.

“Grandchildren are the pride and joy of old age, and children take great pride in their parents.” Proverbs 17:6 ERV

It also fills me with joy when our kids, adults now, want to spend time with us doing the things  they know really mean something and bring us joy. Just being with our kids is a joy-filled moment. I love when they call and want to talk to Dad, “I need to ask his advice or have him help me with something.”

“Good people live right, and God blesses the children who follow their example.” Proverbs 20:7 CEV

I think it’s every loving father’s desire to see his children grow up to act and look like him.

He teaches them things when they are young and spends time with them as they grow and develop. It’s great when his kids like the things he likes and mirror him in their life decisions. No, he doesn’t want puppets – he wants kids that make good quality decisions and that mature into respectable young people and adults.

You know, our heavenly Father wants the same. So many times we read in the Bible that we are to follow our Father’s example and be like him. This is what Jesus was saying at the Sermon on the Mount.

“You have heard people say, “Love your neighbors and hate your enemies.” 44 But I tell you to love your enemies and pray for anyone who mistreats you. 45 Then you will be acting like your Father in heaven. He makes the sun rise on both good and bad people. And he sends rain for the ones who do right and for the ones who do wrong. 46 If you love only those people who love you, will God reward you for that? Even tax collectors love their friends. 47 If you greet only your friends, what’s so great about that? Don’t even unbelievers do that? 48 But you must always act like your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:43-48 CEV

God, the Father, brings good to all – rain and sunshine. He has offered freely to all new life and desires relationship with everyone.

Let’s model His character today and reach out to all, even those who aren’t as nice to us as we would like. In doing so we are letting the love of the Father shine through us.

“Do as God would do. Much-loved children want to do as their fathers do. 2 Live with love as Christ loved you. He gave Himself for us, a gift on the altar to God which was as a sweet smell to God.” Ephesians 5:1-2 NLV

Make today and every day Father’s Day by honoring our heavenly Father.

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Love Covers

There are some things in life we just want to forget. Things we would feel better not having exposed – it’s wonderful to know that love covers!

A few years back I shared what the Lord was teaching me through these verses and here I am sharing it again.

“The words of good people are like a spring of fresh water, but the words of the wicked only hide their violent plans. 12 Hatred causes arguments, but love overlooks all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:11-12 CEV

In the King James version this verse says that love covers all sins. I’ve been taught if we have a heart of love we won’t expose someone else’s weaknesses or their wrong doing. We cover them. And this is a true teaching but it’s deeper than that.

This has to do with me and the Father. He loves me and His love covers my short comings and my wrong doings. He doesn’t come to you and tell you all the things I’ve done wrong. He doesn’t go to my husband or my kids or my friends and point out how many times I’ve missed it.

“God wiped out (blotted out) the charges that were against us for disobeying the Law of Moses. He took them away and nailed them to the cross.” Colossians 2:14 CEV

In the time when the Bible was written there was no mass production of text. Each page had to be copied by hand using pen and ink. To remove or cover something from that text meant the writer would take ink and dab it on the words that needed to be removed, blotting it out. The mistake or error was covered over.

He covers me – He covers me with His love and in His mercy He forgives and He forgets.

WOW!

Does that mean I don’t have to accept  responsibility for what I do wrong? Not in the slightest. If I drive drunk there are consequences. If I steal there are consequences. If I gossip or lie there are consequences.

However I have the Father’s promise that He will and has covered my sins and He won’t use my past failures to embarrass  or berate me.

“With one sacrifice Christ made his people perfect forever. They are the ones who are being made holy. 15 The Holy Spirit also tells us about this. First he says, 16 “This is the agreement I will make with my people in the future, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts. I will write my laws in their minds.” 17 Then he says, “I will forget their sins and never again remember the evil they have done.”

18 And after everything is forgiven, there is no more need for a sacrifice to pay for sins. 19 And so, brothers and sisters, we are completely free to enter the Most Holy Place. We can do this without fear because of the blood sacrifice of Jesus.” Hebrews 10:14-19 ERV

Since I have been forgiven I am instructed to follow Christ’s example in forgiving others.

“The time is near when all things will end. So keep your minds clear, and control yourselves. This will help you in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, love each other deeply, because love makes you willing to forgive many sins.” I Peter 4:7-8 ERV

As I do this I am keeping the command that Jesus gave to His disciples.

 “I give you a new command: Love each other. You must love each other just as I loved you. 35 All people will know that you are my followers if you love each other.” John 13:34-35 ERV

I am certainly glad that His love covers my sins!

“Now Father, show me how to cover and forget the sins of those who have wronged me.”

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Living in the Sunshine

Now before you think that I am going to wax poetic about the joys of living in the desert, I want to share some thoughts with you that the Lord brought to me yesterday in my quiet time.

I have been dealing with some issues that require decisions and actions on my part. I was telling the Lord that I didn’t want to make a decision based on my own knowledge, fear or a sense of urgency.

It was then that I remembered these verses.

“ Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.” Proverbs 3:5-8 ERV

I don’t want to do things or make decisions based on my own “common sense”. I want everything I do to be God-led and God-directed.  My intelligence and understanding  give me a limited view of the things before me, like a flashlight on a dark night.

But trusting the Lord completely and relying on His understanding of the situation is  comparable to the light of the sun at noonday. Nothing is hidden, everything is revealed. I would much rather walk in the light of the sunshine than with the light of a flashlight.

Remember a few days ago in the story of Saul/Paul. Saul was met on the road to Damascus by a bright blinding light from heaven. That’s God’s light and it’s so much greater than any light we use.  The same light appeared with the angels to the shepherds when they announced the birth of Jesus.

Trusting the Lord and His wisdom is far beyond my own wisdom and understanding.

“ But for you that honor my name, victory will shine like the sun with healing in its rays, and you will jump around like calves at play. 3 When I come to bring justice, you will trample those who are evil, as though they were ashes under your feet. I, the Lord All-Powerful, have spoken!” Malachi 4:2-3 ERV

God caused the sun to stand still for Joshua when he was fighting a battle. The sun represented God’s power and promise working for the Israelites.  As long as it was present they were winning.

“The Lord was helping the Israelites defeat the Amorites that day. So about noon, Joshua prayed to the Lord loud enough for the Israelites to hear:

“Our Lord, make the sun stop
    in the sky over Gibeon,
and the moon stand still
    over Aijalon Valley.”
So the sun and the moon
    stopped and stood still
until Israel defeated its enemies.

This poem can be found in The Book of Jashar. The sun stood still and didn’t go down for about a whole day. 14 Never before and never since has the Lord done anything like that for someone who prayed. The Lord was really fighting for Israel.” Joshua 10:12-14 CEV

So yesterday, after my quiet time I took Glory, our dog, for a walk. While I was on the walk the Lord reassured me to “wait” pursuing my own idea for a solution and to trust Him. After all, His ways are perfect.

This morning I woke refreshed. I plan on living this day in the “Son Shine”!

 

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Like Pieces of A Puzzle

I am one of those people who love to do jigsaw puzzles.

You start out with a thousand pieces and you have an image on a box, let the fun begin. I do think it’s fun. I remember when I was little  my mom and dad would have friends over to visit for pie and coffee and there would always be a card table set up with a puzzle.

They would talk and put the puzzle together. It was a time of building relationship. As I became older and had a family of my own I enjoyed, and still do, putting together puzzles with family and friends. My daughters and I usually start a puzzle when they arrive for the weekend and hopefully finish it before they leave. It’s a great time to talk and share our lives.

I have a friend that shares my love of puzzles and she and I look forward to the time we spend around the table hunting for pieces, working together, and catching up.

The thing you have to remember about a jigsaw puzzle is the image was created first. Then, originally, a jigsaw was used to cut pieces in such a way that they would fit together and recreate the Master Design.

Some people I know think of the Bible as a puzzle. There are thousands of pieces and they think they know what it should look like but often times are surprised by the image that they find. Some think they will find an angry God while others believe they will see a God who is absent and unresponsive. However, quite the opposite is true!

When the pieces come together we find a loving God who is intimately involved in the smallest of details. He works everything out so that the final picture reveals His love and grace.

This morning I was reading in the book of Job. It’s not a book I spend a lot of time in but this morning I was caught up in the intricate way that the Lord described creation. The Lord asks Job:

“How did I lay the foundation for the earth? Were you there?5 Doubtless you know who decided its length and width.6 What supports the foundation? Who placed the cornerstone, 7 while morning stars sang, and angels rejoiced?

8 When the ocean was born,  I set its boundaries9 and wrapped it in blankets of thickest fog. 10 Then I built a wall around it, locked the gates, 11 and said, “Your powerful waves stop here! They can go no farther.” 12 Did you ever tell the sun to rise? And did it obey?… 19 Where is the home of light, and where does darkness live? 20 Can you lead them home?…24 From where does lightning leap, or the east wind blow? 25 Who carves out a path for thunderstorms? 31 Can you arrange stars in groups such as Orion and the Pleiades? 32 Do you control the stars or set in place the Big Dipper and the Little Dipper? 33 Do you know the laws that govern the heavens, and can you make them rule the earth?” Job 38 CEV

You really need to read through Job 38 and 39. The Lord’s planning and thoughtfulness in the act of creation is absolutely amazing! And then my reading took me to Proverbs 3. Watch how the puzzle pieces go together.

“God blesses everyone who has wisdom and common sense. 14 Wisdom is worth more than silver; it makes you much richer than gold. 15 Wisdom is more valuable than precious jewels; nothing you want compares with her…19 By his wisdom and knowledge the Lord created heaven and earth. 20 By his understanding he let the ocean break loose and clouds release the rain. 21 My child, use common sense and sound judgment! Always keep them in mind. 22 They will help you to live a long and beautiful life. 23 You will walk safely and never stumble; 24 you will rest without a worry and sleep soundly. 25 So don’t be afraid of sudden disasters or storms that strike those who are evil. 26 You can be sure that the Lord will protect you from harm.” Proverbs 3:13-24 CEV

God used his wisdom in creation. He set boundaries for the oceans and the seas. He set rules for rain and snow. He set the course of the stars. And now He is blessing us with wisdom so that we can  have a long and beautiful life.

Are you beginning to see the picture? God gave us everything that we need for living on this planet at creation. He thought of every detail and He is blessing us with wisdom which is far more valuable than gold.

Now before I finish up this morning I want you to know that I am far from having all the pieces put together in the puzzle of God’s word but I do know that the more I read it, the more I look at it and study the shape of the pieces I am finding how they all fit together.

The last piece that I want to add to the puzzle this morning comes from Luke. This is a piece of protection that fits nicely with the verses in Proverbs.

“ Five sparrows are sold for just two pennies, but God doesn’t forget a one of them. 7 Even the hairs on your head are counted. So don’t be afraid! You are worth much more than many sparrows.” Luke 12:6-7 

Do you see it? God designed the whole course of creation. It was His wisdom and knowledge that made it all work together. He didn’t create the animals before He made land, they would have drown. He didn’t create plants before light; they would have froze. He created every detail that gives the sparrows their flight. He cares for them no matter how insignificant they seem but He cares for us so much more. It all fits!

From creation until the end of the world God is showing His love and protection for us. Now that’s the big picture.

Our God is an Awesome God!

 

 

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Vocabulary of Silence

Have you ever said something and wished you hadn’t?  I’m sure we all have.

When our kids were little we used to practice the vocabulary of silence. The meaning of this was don’t say something that is unkind, cruel, sarcastic or untrue.  And it wasn’t just a rule for the kids, Dave and I were subject to it as well. Sometimes we would have a very quiet home.

“All of us do many wrong things. But if you can control your tongue, you are mature and able to control your whole body… My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn’t right...Are any of you wise or sensible? Then show it by living right and by being humble and wise in everything you do. 14 But if your heart is full of bitter jealousy and selfishness, don’t brag or lie to cover up the truth. 15 That kind of wisdom doesn’t come from above. It is earthly and selfish and comes from the devil himself. 16 Whenever people are jealous or selfish, they cause trouble and do all sorts of cruel things. 17 But the wisdom that comes from above leads us to be pure, friendly, gentle, sensible, kind, helpful, genuine, and sincere. 18 When peacemakers plant seeds of peace, they will harvest justice.” James 3:2, 9, 10, 13-18

Learning to control what we say is a godly principle. In the book of Proverbs we are told that the tongue has the power to bring life or death. God created the universe and everything in it by His words. Yes, words are powerful.

“God’s Son has all the brightness of God’s own glory and is like him in every way. By his own mighty word, he holds the universe together. After the Son had washed away our sins, he sat down at the right side of the glorious God in heaven.” Hebrews 1:3 CEV

Do you remember the little saying we learned as kids? Sticks and stones can break my bones but words will never hurt me.  Oh but they do! Words leave a lasting hurt that sometimes take years to heal.

“Sharp words cut like a sword, but words of wisdom heal. 19 Truth will last forever; lies are soon found out.” Proverbs 12:18-19 CEV

If God, who is perfect, can forgive and love, not just us but, everyone who is living and has ever lived with all of our sins, our failures, screw ups and out and out vulgar living then we should be able to love and forgive those who live in our home, work on our job and are acquainted with on a daily basis.

God is not just asking us to do this but He is telling us we need to do this to be an example of Him. He’s never tells us to do anything that we aren’t able to do because it’s His strength and His character that are living in us.

He has forgiven us of everything! I know that all of my sins have been forgiven and even, according to Hebrews, forgotten, never to be remembered again – this is so overwhelming. Think about that for a moment.

” God loves you and has chosen you as his own special people. So be gentle, kind, humble, meek, and patient. 13 Put up with each other, and forgive anyone who does you wrong, just as Christ has forgiven you. 14 Love is more important than anything else. It is what ties everything completely together. Each one of you is part of the body of Christ, and you were chosen to live together in peace. So let the peace that comes from Christ control your thoughts. And be grateful. 16 Let the message about Christ completely fill your lives, while you use all your wisdom to teach and instruct each other. With thankful hearts, sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. 17 Whatever you say or do should be done in the name of the Lord Jesus, as you give thanks to God the Father because of him.” Colossians 3:12-17

Because we are a part of the body of Christ, we should work together to be a display of His love to the world around us. Did you notice that this peace we are told to live in comes from Christ when we let him control our thoughts?

I love verse 17 – WHATEVER you say or do, do it in the name of the Lord. If we are going to say or do something that wouldn’t represent the Lord, then we shouldn’t!  I know some days my world is really quiet because I’m holding my tongue until I can say something that would be representative of what Jesus would say if He were speaking through me. Yes, very quiet indeed!  And some days are filled with repentance for saying things before they were filtered with love.

Stop and think where you would be without God’s amazing love. Now let that love and forgiveness flow through you to those around you as His representative.

“But I am giving you a new command. You must love each other, just as I have loved you. 35 If you love each other, everyone will know that you are my disciples.” John 13:34-35 CEV

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