Eternity Bound

     Eternity is in our hearts. God placed a longing for and a knowledge of eternal life within each one of us.

                                                                                      

He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end. Ecclesiastes 3:11

     He created your spirit to live forever. He wants each of us to live with Him, but because of sin on the earth He can’t reach us. He is a perfect, just and holy God. He cannot look at sin.

Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Habakkuk 1:13a

     God Himself had to take the punishment for the fall of man. Jesus fulfilled the punishment for all sin, as the perfect sacrifice. Now God the Father, when we have Jesus as Savior, sees us through the righteousness of Christ.

     Remind yourself, not only of the man Jesus, the humble and kind servant of all, willing to sacrifice Himself for us. Think of Him as He has always been; Lord of Lords, King of Kings, the Beginning and the End. Thank your God. You are heaven bound because of our glorious Messiah!

Father,

Whether we want to admit it or not, eternity is in our hearts. We pray for those that do not know You. Help us to spread the gift of good news that brings great joy. The Gospel of our salvation is for everyone.

In Jesus Almighty name,

Amen

Godly Wisdom

     Idon’t know about you, but even on a bad day, or a day of suffering, just knowing Jesus is brings deep joy. Knowing this life is temporary and what is to come will be paradise beyond measure brings hope. God wants us to keep a cheerful and a hopeful heart. Solomon reminds us; it is good for our health.

A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:13

A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. Proverbs 17;22

     Having a happy heart shows. We all know those with a cheerful heart. And we all know those with unhappy hearts. It shows. Shine with the radiance of God today. Bring cheer to someone around you. Being critical, negative or crabby dries up the bones. A healthy heart is a cheerful heart and that comes from knowing Jesus.

Jesus,

Thank you for the delight You bring to our lives. If we show Your hope and joy, others will want to know about You. Make us different as we find joy in Your presence.

Amen

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Godly Wisdom

     God delights in a humble heart. Pride is behind both the fall of the angels and the fall of mankind. Jesus humbled Himself to become a man and went willingly to a cross for us. Humility before God allows Him to build us up in our faith.

When pride comes, there comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2

Before a downfall, the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. Proverbs 18:12

     When we come before God in all humility, asking for His guidance and surrendering to His will, we will receive His riches.

Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. Proverbs 22:4

Father,

Take away our pride and control. You know what is best. Discipline and guide us until we come to our knees in humility before You. You promise us life in You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

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Godly Wisdom

     The New Testament reminds us not to let the sun go down on our anger. It may give the devil a foothold. (Ephesians 4)  Solomon rebukes the hot-tempered person and warns us to stay away. Anger must be dealt with and God teaches us how to become more patient, loving and kind as He transforms us.

A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty. If you rescue them, you will have to do it again. Proverbs 19:19

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person; do not associate with one easily angered. Or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. Proverbs 22:24-25

     Sometimes we want to excuse anger in those we love. All anger is not evil and we all feel and become angry. The anger may be justified. Jesus became justly angered when He saw the temple of God being used for evil. Abusive anger needs to be punished and dealt with. Or it will return. Anger can be damaging and hurtful.

     We have all seen or heard stories of increasing abuse. Anger can escalate and harm both emotionally and physically. If you are concerned about someone in an abusive relationship speak out. A relationship with an abuser can entangle and ensnare as the Proverb above reminds us. We can help rescue and remove those entangled in dangerous situations.

Father,

There is rampant abuse and violence in our culture today. Help us to rescue and help those suffering at the hands of anger and harm. Reach in and protect. We pray for the abusers that their hearts may be changed to follow You.

In Jesus name,

Amen                                                                                                 

     

Godly Wisdom

     Solomon speaks often of the value of discipline when training our children. Acquainting them with Jesus and His love will give them security, faith and a firm foundation.

                                                                                                     

Start children off in the way they should go and even when they are old they will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6

     The Amplified Bible adds the words, “in keeping with their bent or gift.” One of the best gifts we can give our children is to see them in their uniqueness. We can’t form them into our own image or coax them into a certain path. God has a purpose and a plan for each one of us and each one of our children. Each has their own gifts. Each will react to the world in different ways.

     Some will be extroverted, some introverted. Some will want to follow a detailed plan and others will want to forge their own way. Some react from emotion and others from logic. Some work best with their five senses, others from intuition. Their passions and values will be their own. What a remarkable creation God has made in all of its diversity. Introduce your children to Jesus and in growing old they will not depart from Him. It is the greatest gift you can give to your one-of-a-kind child.

Father,

You love and know our children even better than we do. Teach us to see them with the loving kindness in which you created them. They belong to You and we are grateful for the way you have made each of us. Help us to see each other through Your eyes.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Godly Wisdom

     A Proverb a day keeps the doctor away. Or is it an apple? Just read through Genesis to see what happens when you take a bite from the wrong type of fruit! King Solomon is known as the wisest man who ever lived. When God asked him for his wish, he asked for wisdom from God. What a request! May we all ask for God’s wisdom.  He promises to give it to us.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James 1;5

     If any of you lack wisdom? That could be said of all of us couldn’t it? Especially when compared to the wisdom of our Creator. This week we will look at a few of the Words of King Solomon as he gives Godly advice to his son and to us. Reading just one Proverb a day moves us into the realm of God. They are filled with wisdom for each one of us. A good place to begin in asking God for wisdom is to have a fear of the Lord, not “afraid” but a reverential awe.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:10

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Proverbs 1:7

Father,

We ask for Your wisdom as we bow before You in reverential awe and fear. You promise to give to us generously. Your Spirit gives us Godly wisdom and teaching from Your Word. Be with us this week as we seek You.

In Jesus name,

Amen

Spirit-led, Spirit-filled

     The Holy Spirit fills us with confidence, with peace, and with the knowledge of Jesus. We are filled with His joy. The joy of Jesus never leaves us. He walks with us, talks with us and loves us forever. Remember His goodness and light. He has saved you from eternal darkness. Be filled with joy.

The Lord has done great things for us and we are filled with joy. Psalm 126;3

     Love Him. Believe in Him.

Though you have not seen Him, you love Him, and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. 1 Peter 1:8

     Be strong in Him.

Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10b

Father,

We believe You. We love You. Your joy gives us strength to face the day. Fill us and lead us out in joy.

In Jesus name,

Amen