Psalm 32:8 The Lord says,"I will guide you in the best pathway for your life.
I will advise you
and watch over you."
Sometimes, all ya got is to keep on moving in the direction you think He's leading.
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
brave
Joshua 8:1a Then the Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid or discouraged..."
afraid (from dictionary.com)
1. feeling fear; filled with apprehension: afraid to go.
2. feeling regret, unhappiness, or the like: I'm afraid we can't go on Monday.
3. feeling reluctance, unwillingness, distaste, or the like: He seemed afraid to show his own children a little kindness.
discouraged (from dictionary.com)
1. to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit.
2. to dissuade (usually followed by from ).
3. to obstruct by opposition or difficulty; hinder: Low prices discourage industry.
4. to express or make clear disapproval of; frown upon: to discourage the expression of enthusiasm.
God tells us, like Joshua, to not be afraid or discouraged.
There's not a lot of merit in being brave when it's easy to be brave.
There is when it's hard to be brave when what you're facing scares to to death & you see no way out.
How we are brave in the face of impossibility reveals who we are & how much we REALLY trust Him.
afraid (from dictionary.com)
1. feeling fear; filled with apprehension: afraid to go.
2. feeling regret, unhappiness, or the like: I'm afraid we can't go on Monday.
3. feeling reluctance, unwillingness, distaste, or the like: He seemed afraid to show his own children a little kindness.
discouraged (from dictionary.com)
1. to deprive of courage, hope, or confidence; dishearten; dispirit.
2. to dissuade (usually followed by from ).
3. to obstruct by opposition or difficulty; hinder: Low prices discourage industry.
4. to express or make clear disapproval of; frown upon: to discourage the expression of enthusiasm.
God tells us, like Joshua, to not be afraid or discouraged.
There's not a lot of merit in being brave when it's easy to be brave.
There is when it's hard to be brave when what you're facing scares to to death & you see no way out.
How we are brave in the face of impossibility reveals who we are & how much we REALLY trust Him.
Tuesday, February 26, 2013
oh. my.
James 5:1 Look here, you rich people:
Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.
2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.
3 Your gold and silver have become worthless.
The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire.
This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.
4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay.
The wages you held back cry out against you.
The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.
5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire.
You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
Weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you.
2 Your wealth is rotting away, and your fine clothes are moth-eaten rags.
3 Your gold and silver have become worthless.
The very wealth you were counting on will eat away your flesh like fire.
This treasure you have accumulated will stand as evidence against you on the day of judgment.
4 For listen! Hear the cries of the field workers whom you have cheated of their pay.
The wages you held back cry out against you.
The cries of those who harvest your fields have reached the ears of the LORD of Heaven's Armies.
5 You have spent your years on earth in luxury, satisfying your every desire.
You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter.
6 You have condemned and killed innocent people, who do not resist you.
Monday, February 25, 2013
livin' it out
James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8a Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
13 Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit."
14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?
Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone.
15 What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."
16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.
Lynn & I are trying to live this out right now, as we head toward moving back to Macon.
For the past 13 years I have heard this said, & I have said it to people countless times...
"If you want to know what to be or do, try to pray this way - 'God, if this isn't your perfect will, don't let it happen' - then start walking slowly toward it"
The thinking that has been shared with me, & this same thinking I've shared with tons of people is simply this:
if we pray this way, we've got it covered. If God shuts the door - iow, if something doesn't happen - then there's a good chance it wasn't His perfect will.
But if something does happen, or the doors swing open, then we're moving in the right direction.
Too simple? Too many "what if's" in this kind of thinking & praying? Maybe, maybe not. I seen a lot of people do this kind of praying. I've done it myself before.
So that's what Lynn & I are doing, praying the prayer & walking toward moving back to Macon.
Of course, the devil is flinging everything he's got at us - but how is that any different than what we've faced especially in the last 3 years?!
We'll keep y'all up with what all is happening with us as we walk toward another move in another season for Him in our life together.
8a Come close to God, and God will come close to you.
13 Look here, you who say, "Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit."
14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?
Your life is like the morning fog—it's here a little while, then it's gone.
15 What you ought to say is, "If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that."
16 Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil.
Lynn & I are trying to live this out right now, as we head toward moving back to Macon.
For the past 13 years I have heard this said, & I have said it to people countless times...
"If you want to know what to be or do, try to pray this way - 'God, if this isn't your perfect will, don't let it happen' - then start walking slowly toward it"
The thinking that has been shared with me, & this same thinking I've shared with tons of people is simply this:
if we pray this way, we've got it covered. If God shuts the door - iow, if something doesn't happen - then there's a good chance it wasn't His perfect will.
But if something does happen, or the doors swing open, then we're moving in the right direction.
Too simple? Too many "what if's" in this kind of thinking & praying? Maybe, maybe not. I seen a lot of people do this kind of praying. I've done it myself before.
So that's what Lynn & I are doing, praying the prayer & walking toward moving back to Macon.
Of course, the devil is flinging everything he's got at us - but how is that any different than what we've faced especially in the last 3 years?!
We'll keep y'all up with what all is happening with us as we walk toward another move in another season for Him in our life together.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
remembering
Joshua 3 is about how God made the flooding Jordan River part so the Jews could walk across on dry land.
Joshua 4 is about how they gathered up 12 LARGE rocks & built a memorial to their crossing.
Why would God want them to stack 12 BIG rocks by the side of the river?
He wanted them to remember the miracle He did so they could cross the river.
He wanted them to remember how He took care of them.
Maybe we need to do that?
No, I'm not talking about going around piling up rocks! ;-)
I'm talking about remembering.
Maybe when God does something for us, especially if it's significant, BIG, &/or miraculous, we should figure out a way to always remember that.
Why?
Because when we get in the thick of the next big problem, scary situation, or when we feel really lost & disconnected from God, we can remember that time He came through.
(That's what we really worry about - we don't doubt He can do something; we doubt He'll come through for us.)
Think about this today.
What can we do to help us remember?
I've been writing down in a journal the places I've read in the Bible that day. Sometimes I write in it the things I'm thinking, or the things that are going one in my life. It helps me to go back & read them sometimes.
I'm not suggesting we all start keeping a journal. It's just one way to remember that may work for some folks.
The important thing is for each of us to figure out a way to store away the miracles God pulls off in our lives on a right regular basis. Whatever method we choose to use is fine. We just need to figure out some way. It will help us when tough, scary, or confusing times come.
Think about it today.
Joshua 4 is about how they gathered up 12 LARGE rocks & built a memorial to their crossing.
Why would God want them to stack 12 BIG rocks by the side of the river?
He wanted them to remember the miracle He did so they could cross the river.
He wanted them to remember how He took care of them.
Maybe we need to do that?
No, I'm not talking about going around piling up rocks! ;-)
I'm talking about remembering.
Maybe when God does something for us, especially if it's significant, BIG, &/or miraculous, we should figure out a way to always remember that.
Why?
Because when we get in the thick of the next big problem, scary situation, or when we feel really lost & disconnected from God, we can remember that time He came through.
(That's what we really worry about - we don't doubt He can do something; we doubt He'll come through for us.)
Think about this today.
What can we do to help us remember?
I've been writing down in a journal the places I've read in the Bible that day. Sometimes I write in it the things I'm thinking, or the things that are going one in my life. It helps me to go back & read them sometimes.
I'm not suggesting we all start keeping a journal. It's just one way to remember that may work for some folks.
The important thing is for each of us to figure out a way to store away the miracles God pulls off in our lives on a right regular basis. Whatever method we choose to use is fine. We just need to figure out some way. It will help us when tough, scary, or confusing times come.
Think about it today.
Friday, February 22, 2013
stepping out
Joshua 3 is about Joshua leading the children of Israel into the promised land for the first time.
They had to cross the Jordan River, which was in flood.
God told Joshua to tell the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant into the river & they water would "pile up" behind them.
So, the priests carried the Ark into the flooded Jordan River, the water piled up, & the children of Israel walked through the river on dry land.
When they had passed, the priests came up out of the riverbed & the water flowed on down the river..
Read the whole account in Joshua 3.
Now let's think about this for a minute...
What if you or I were one of the priests.
We're carrying the Ark into the river.
Joshua tells us the water won't part until we walk into it.
So the miracle of the parting of the Jordan River ain't gonna happen until we walk into the river.
And we don't know at what point we've walked into the river that the water will part - whether it's at ankle depth, waist deep, or over our heads.
I don't believe it indicates how deep the water was when it finally parted.
But how would you have felt if you'd been one of the priests?
Yeah... I'd have felt the same way.
I remember Pastor John Wood that sometimes we have to take a step of faith (big or small) & walk into the difficult waters we're facing before we experience the miracle God has for us.
Think about that.
Who does that speak to this morning besides me?
They had to cross the Jordan River, which was in flood.
God told Joshua to tell the priests to carry the Ark of the Covenant into the river & they water would "pile up" behind them.
So, the priests carried the Ark into the flooded Jordan River, the water piled up, & the children of Israel walked through the river on dry land.
When they had passed, the priests came up out of the riverbed & the water flowed on down the river..
Read the whole account in Joshua 3.
Now let's think about this for a minute...
What if you or I were one of the priests.
We're carrying the Ark into the river.
Joshua tells us the water won't part until we walk into it.
So the miracle of the parting of the Jordan River ain't gonna happen until we walk into the river.
And we don't know at what point we've walked into the river that the water will part - whether it's at ankle depth, waist deep, or over our heads.
I don't believe it indicates how deep the water was when it finally parted.
But how would you have felt if you'd been one of the priests?
Yeah... I'd have felt the same way.
I remember Pastor John Wood that sometimes we have to take a step of faith (big or small) & walk into the difficult waters we're facing before we experience the miracle God has for us.
Think about that.
Who does that speak to this morning besides me?
Thursday, February 21, 2013
coming through
Romans 16:25a God is able to make you strong...
Written by the apostle, Paul.
If anyone knew what he was talking about in this area, it was Paul. Considering all the tough things he had to face during his life, he had to have depended on this basic axiom - God is gonna make you strong when you need it.
The operative words in that sentence may be "when you need it".
Think about it...
We don't really deny the fact that we believe God can take care of things & people.
What we really don't believe is that God will come through FOR US when we need Him most; or that He won't come through like we think He needs to, or how we want Him to.
Oooo... that last sentence was a good one! ;-)
Think about that today, & let's ask ourselves if we REALLY think God's gonna come through for us.
Written by the apostle, Paul.
If anyone knew what he was talking about in this area, it was Paul. Considering all the tough things he had to face during his life, he had to have depended on this basic axiom - God is gonna make you strong when you need it.
The operative words in that sentence may be "when you need it".
Think about it...
We don't really deny the fact that we believe God can take care of things & people.
What we really don't believe is that God will come through FOR US when we need Him most; or that He won't come through like we think He needs to, or how we want Him to.
Oooo... that last sentence was a good one! ;-)
Think about that today, & let's ask ourselves if we REALLY think God's gonna come through for us.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
word
As many of you know, the last few weeks have been pretty tough,&
the days ahead will be challenging. As a result, knowing what to be
& do has been kinda iffy.
So you can imagine how this section presented itself to me this morning.
It's always interesting to me how God strongly speaks to me through reading the Bible each day, speaking through whatever sections I'm scheduled to read in the kinda of sequential reading I do.
Here's what stood out this morning...
Joshua 1
1 After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant.
He said,2 "Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.
3 I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea* in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.'
5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live.
For I will be with you as I was with Moses.
I will not fail you or abandon you.
6 "Be strong and courageous,
for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.
7 Be strong and very courageous.
Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you.
Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left.
Then you will be successful in everything you do.
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually.
Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.
Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
9 This is my command—be strong and courageous!
Do not be afraid or discouraged.
For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
So you can imagine how this section presented itself to me this morning.
It's always interesting to me how God strongly speaks to me through reading the Bible each day, speaking through whatever sections I'm scheduled to read in the kinda of sequential reading I do.
Here's what stood out this morning...
Joshua 1
1 After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant.
He said,2 "Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them.
3 I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—4 from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea* in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.'
5 No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live.
For I will be with you as I was with Moses.
I will not fail you or abandon you.
6 "Be strong and courageous,
for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them.
7 Be strong and very courageous.
Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you.
Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left.
Then you will be successful in everything you do.
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually.
Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it.
Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
9 This is my command—be strong and courageous!
Do not be afraid or discouraged.
For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
life & death
Romans 14
7 For we are not our own masters when we live or when we die.
8 While we live,we live to please the Lord.
And when we die, we go to be with the Lord.
So in life & in death, we belong to the Lord.
9 Christ died & rose again for this very purpose,
so that He might be Lord of those who are alive & of those who have died.
So, what is this saying?
Don't just think about is the obvious meaning.
What is the overarching meaning?
How does the truths expressed here affect the way we live each day?
And how does this speak to end of life issues?
7 For we are not our own masters when we live or when we die.
8 While we live,we live to please the Lord.
And when we die, we go to be with the Lord.
So in life & in death, we belong to the Lord.
9 Christ died & rose again for this very purpose,
so that He might be Lord of those who are alive & of those who have died.
So, what is this saying?
Don't just think about is the obvious meaning.
What is the overarching meaning?
How does the truths expressed here affect the way we live each day?
And how does this speak to end of life issues?
Sunday, February 17, 2013
chock full
Sometimes it's just impossible to cut anything from a chapter I've
read. This chapter is SO full of all kinds of good stuff. Every once in a
while, it's like Paul gets t writing & just can't stop!
Ok, brace yourselves - here we go!
Romans 12
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.
Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable.
This is truly the way to worship him.
2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world,
but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning:
Don't think you are better than you really are.
Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,5 so it is with Christ's body.
We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.
So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.
7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well.
If you are a teacher, teach well.
8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.
If it is giving, give generously.
If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.
And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them.
Hate what is wrong.
Hold tightly to what is good.
10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
12 Be glad for all the things God is planning for you.
Be patient in trouble,
and keep on praying.
13 When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you.
Don't curse them;
pray that God will bless them.
15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with each other.
Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.
And don't think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil.
Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
"I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,"*
says the LORD.
20 Instead,
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads."*
21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Ok, brace yourselves - here we go!
Romans 12
1 And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you.
Let them be a living and holy sacrifice - the kind he will find acceptable.
This is truly the way to worship him.
2 Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world,
but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.
Then you will learn to know God's will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
3 Because of the privilege and authority God has given me, I give each of you this warning:
Don't think you are better than you really are.
Be honest in your evaluation of yourselves, measuring yourselves by the faith God has given us.
4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,5 so it is with Christ's body.
We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other.
6 In his grace, God has given us different gifts for doing certain things well.
So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out with as much faith as God has given you.
7 If your gift is serving others, serve them well.
If you are a teacher, teach well.
8 If your gift is to encourage others, be encouraging.
If it is giving, give generously.
If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously.
And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly.
9 Don't just pretend to love others. Really love them.
Hate what is wrong.
Hold tightly to what is good.
10 Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.
11 Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically.
12 Be glad for all the things God is planning for you.
Be patient in trouble,
and keep on praying.
13 When God's people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you.
Don't curse them;
pray that God will bless them.
15 Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with each other.
Don't be too proud to enjoy the company of ordinary people.
And don't think you know it all!
17 Never pay back evil with more evil.
Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable.
18 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say,
"I will take revenge;
I will pay them back,"*
says the LORD.
20 Instead,
"If your enemies are hungry, feed them.
If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap
burning coals of shame on their heads."*
21 Don't let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
Friday, February 15, 2013
go
Romans 10:9 If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God,
and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
11 As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."
12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect.
They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.
13 For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."
(dan note: ok, here comes the power statement of the morning...)
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?
And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?
And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?
That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"
so I guess this is another example of God telling us to let go of our prissy, precious little lives & tell people about Him & what He's done for us.
and that doesn't mean just mean to go to "deepest, darkest Africa"
it means in our home,
our workplace,
our school,
at the gym,
our neighborhood,
our town,
or a town close by,
or another state,
or another country.
It means that wherever we are, nearby or far off, that we are called to be who we are in Him, & to love the people around us with His love.
And consider this...
What if the person who touched our life with His love has been a reticent or lazy as we are & not reached out to us?
Yeah... not a pretty thought.
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.
10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God,
and it is by confessing with your mouth that you are saved.
11 As the Scriptures tell us, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced."
12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect.
They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him.
13 For "Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved."
(dan note: ok, here comes the power statement of the morning...)
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him?
And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him?
And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?
That is why the Scriptures say, "How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!"
so I guess this is another example of God telling us to let go of our prissy, precious little lives & tell people about Him & what He's done for us.
and that doesn't mean just mean to go to "deepest, darkest Africa"
it means in our home,
our workplace,
our school,
at the gym,
our neighborhood,
our town,
or a town close by,
or another state,
or another country.
It means that wherever we are, nearby or far off, that we are called to be who we are in Him, & to love the people around us with His love.
And consider this...
What if the person who touched our life with His love has been a reticent or lazy as we are & not reached out to us?
Yeah... not a pretty thought.
Thursday, February 14, 2013
no let down
Romans 9:33c anyone who believes in Him (Jesus) will not be disappointed.
********
disappointed (from dictionary.com)
adjective
1. depressed or discouraged by the failure of one's hopes or expectations: a disappointed suitor.
2. Obsolete . inadequately appointed; ill-equipped.
verb (used with object)
1.
to fail to fulfill the expectations or wishes of: His gross ingratitude disappointed us.
2.
to defeat the fulfillment of (hopes, plans, etc.); thwart; frustrate: to be disappointed in love.
Synonyms
1. sadden, disillusion, dishearten, disenchant.
********
How many of us have been disappointed by things, events,or people?
Probably all of us.
But the apostle Paul says here that if we believe & trust in Jesus, that's never gonna happen in our relationship with Him.
Think about the overarching ramifications of that statement...
********
disappointed (from dictionary.com)
adjective
1. depressed or discouraged by the failure of one's hopes or expectations: a disappointed suitor.
2. Obsolete . inadequately appointed; ill-equipped.
verb (used with object)
1.
to fail to fulfill the expectations or wishes of: His gross ingratitude disappointed us.
2.
to defeat the fulfillment of (hopes, plans, etc.); thwart; frustrate: to be disappointed in love.
Synonyms
1. sadden, disillusion, dishearten, disenchant.
********
How many of us have been disappointed by things, events,or people?
Probably all of us.
But the apostle Paul says here that if we believe & trust in Jesus, that's never gonna happen in our relationship with Him.
Think about the overarching ramifications of that statement...
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
oh. my. goodness.
I know this is long - just read it - wow!
Romans 7:14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life - that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God's law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. 8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don't need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 7:14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don't really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don't do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
18 And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can't. 19 I want to do what is good, but I don't. I don't want to do what is wrong, but I do it anyway. 20 But if I do what I don't want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
21 I have discovered this principle of life - that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. 22 I love God's law with all my heart. 23 But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me. 24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin and death? 25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.
Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin's control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit.
5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. 8 That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.
9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you.
12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
15 So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God's Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, "Abba, Father." 16 For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God's children. 17 And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God's glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering.
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us. 24 We were given this hope when we were saved. (If we already have something, we don't need to hope for it. 25 But if we look forward to something we don't yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.)
26 And the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don't know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. 27 And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God's own will. 28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. 29 For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.
31 What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? 32 Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won't he also give us everything else? 33 Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. 34 Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God's right hand, pleading for us.
35 Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? 36 (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") 37 No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.
38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
my source
In Christ alone will I glory
Though I could pride myself
In battles won
For I've been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone, I overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hands
But these trophies could not equal
To the grace, by which I stand
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone
In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace
I am redeemed
And only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness
To my need
Now I seek no greater honor
Than just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses
And to the glory of my Lord
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone
Though I could pride myself
In battles won
For I've been blessed beyond measure
And by His strength alone, I overcome
Oh, I could stop and count successes
Like diamonds in my hands
But these trophies could not equal
To the grace, by which I stand
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone
In Christ alone will I glory
For only by His grace
I am redeemed
And only His tender mercy
Could reach beyond my weakness
To my need
Now I seek no greater honor
Than just to know Him more
And to count my gains but losses
And to the glory of my Lord
In Christ alone
I place my trust
And find my glory
In the power of the cross
In every victory
Let it be said of me
My source of strength
My source of hope
Is Christ alone
Monday, February 11, 2013
therefore, since
Romans 5
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand,
and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials,
for we know that they help us develop endurance.
4 And endurance develops strength of character,
and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners
.7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person,
though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.
8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
9 And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation.
10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
1 Therefore, since we have been made right in God's sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.
2 Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand,
and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God's glory.
3 We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials,
for we know that they help us develop endurance.
4 And endurance develops strength of character,
and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation.
5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment.
For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
6 When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners
.7 Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person,
though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good.
8 But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.
9 And since we have been made right in God's sight by the blood of Christ, he will certainly save us from God's condemnation.
10 For since our friendship with God was restored by the death of his Son while we were still his enemies, we will certainly be saved through the life of his Son.
11 So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
Saturday, February 9, 2013
made right
Just a thought...
Romans 4:20 Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise.
In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.
21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
22 And because of Abraham's faith, God counted him as righteous.
23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn't just for Abraham's benefit.
It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too,
assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him,
the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
25 He was handed over to die because of our sins,
and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
Romans 4:20 Abraham never wavered in believing God's promise.
In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God.
21 He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.
22 And because of Abraham's faith, God counted him as righteous.
23 And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn't just for Abraham's benefit.
It was recorded 24 for our benefit, too,
assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him,
the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.
25 He was handed over to die because of our sins,
and he was raised to life to make us right with God.
Friday, February 8, 2013
what we have thru Jesus
Romans 3:21 But now God has shown us a way to be
made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was
promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago.
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.
And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned;
we all fall short of God's glorious standard.
24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous.
He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.
People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.
This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,
26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time.
God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God?
No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law.
It is based on faith.
28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn't he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is.
30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.
31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law?
Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ.
And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.
23 For everyone has sinned;
we all fall short of God's glorious standard.
24 Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous.
He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin.
People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood.
This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past,
26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time.
God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.
27 Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God?
No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law.
It is based on faith.
28 So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.
29 After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn't he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is.
30 There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles.
31 Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law?
Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
stand outs
If you haven't read Proverbs, or haven't read it lately, pick up your
Bible & read some of it. The first few chapters are long talks
about Wisdom. Keep at it.You'll get to the single verse individual wise
thoughts. It's worth the read.
spoiler alert: God will mess with you if you read it.
Here's some verses that stood out this morning...
Proverbs 20
4 If you are too lazy to plow in the right season, you will have no food at the harvest.
dan note: look beyond the obvious & think about the implications of this in our lives - if we don't be or do something, how can we expect anything to come of it?
6 Many say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful?
dan note: we all know the answer here: not many.
12 Ears to hear & eyes to see - both gifts from the Lord.
dan note: again, look beyond the obvious - any ability we have to hear or see what's REALLY is going on ain't comin' from us - it's coming from God.
22 Don't say, "I will get even for this wrong." Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
dan note: oh my... this one is SO hard for me... SOOOOOOOO hard.
24 How can we understand the road we travel? It is the Lord who directs our path.
dan note: I've come to the point where it's kinda futile to try & understand. I'm to close to it to see the big picture yet.
27 The Lord's searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.
dan note: it's all about motive, isn't it?
I've just finished reading through 1 Thessalonians. This was the verse I read on December 23, 2009 that God used to start a restlessness in me that ended up with us moving to Blairsville.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
If you want more info on that, just ask.
spoiler alert: God will mess with you if you read it.
Here's some verses that stood out this morning...
Proverbs 20
4 If you are too lazy to plow in the right season, you will have no food at the harvest.
dan note: look beyond the obvious & think about the implications of this in our lives - if we don't be or do something, how can we expect anything to come of it?
6 Many say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is really faithful?
dan note: we all know the answer here: not many.
12 Ears to hear & eyes to see - both gifts from the Lord.
dan note: again, look beyond the obvious - any ability we have to hear or see what's REALLY is going on ain't comin' from us - it's coming from God.
22 Don't say, "I will get even for this wrong." Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.
dan note: oh my... this one is SO hard for me... SOOOOOOOO hard.
24 How can we understand the road we travel? It is the Lord who directs our path.
dan note: I've come to the point where it's kinda futile to try & understand. I'm to close to it to see the big picture yet.
27 The Lord's searchlight penetrates the human spirit, exposing every hidden motive.
dan note: it's all about motive, isn't it?
I've just finished reading through 1 Thessalonians. This was the verse I read on December 23, 2009 that God used to start a restlessness in me that ended up with us moving to Blairsville.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 No matter what happens, always be thankful, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
If you want more info on that, just ask.
Monday, February 4, 2013
there you have it
1 Thessalonians 4:1b ...live in a way that pleases God...
There you have it.
And what would a way to live that pleases God?
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
(btw, it's also recorded in Luke 10 & Mark 12. Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 6:5)
If we're motivated by love, our lives will become more & more in line with what Our Lord wishes us to be, & it will spill over into our relationships with each other.
Too simple? Maybe... but try livin' it! ;-)
There you have it.
And what would a way to live that pleases God?
Matthew 22:37 Jesus said, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”
(btw, it's also recorded in Luke 10 & Mark 12. Jesus was quoting Deuteronomy 6:5)
If we're motivated by love, our lives will become more & more in line with what Our Lord wishes us to be, & it will spill over into our relationships with each other.
Too simple? Maybe... but try livin' it! ;-)
Sunday, February 3, 2013
growing
Proverbs 18:15 Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.
It's so easy to become content with what we know & what we have.
How often does our culture undergo a change - every 3 years.
Think about the shifts that have occurred in the last few years that have impacted our culture.
And then think about how those occurrences have influenced our culture here in America.
When I was a little boy in the 50's, life was slow then, very slow.
But since the coming of the Internet, life seems to have picked up exponentially.
The trick to being current with our culture is to never quit watching it, never quit listening to what's happening.
Never become content w/ staying the same.
I grew up on a farm. There is a general, overriding principle in farming...
You either grow & live, or you die.
There's no other choices.
So it is in life.
It's so easy to become content with what we know & what we have.
How often does our culture undergo a change - every 3 years.
Think about the shifts that have occurred in the last few years that have impacted our culture.
And then think about how those occurrences have influenced our culture here in America.
When I was a little boy in the 50's, life was slow then, very slow.
But since the coming of the Internet, life seems to have picked up exponentially.
The trick to being current with our culture is to never quit watching it, never quit listening to what's happening.
Never become content w/ staying the same.
I grew up on a farm. There is a general, overriding principle in farming...
You either grow & live, or you die.
There's no other choices.
So it is in life.
Saturday, February 2, 2013
more proverbs stuff
Proverbs 17
1 A dry crust eaten in peace is better than a great feast with strife.
3 Fire tests the purity of silver & gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
27 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even tempered.
28 Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, the seem intelligent.
(dan note: I tried this - it's true. ;-) LOL)
1 A dry crust eaten in peace is better than a great feast with strife.
3 Fire tests the purity of silver & gold, but the Lord tests the heart.
27 A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even tempered.
28 Even fools are thought to be wise when they keep silent; when they keep their mouths shut, the seem intelligent.
(dan note: I tried this - it's true. ;-) LOL)
Friday, February 1, 2013
good stuff
There's all kinds of good stuff in Proverbs. Here's just some of what's in chapter 16...
Proverbs 16:1 We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer.
3 Commit your work to the Lord, & then your plans will succeed.
8 It is better to be poor & godly than rich & honest.
9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
18 Pride goes before destruction, & haughtiness before a fall.
19 It is better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
25 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.
32 It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than conquer a city.
33 We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.
Proverbs 16:1 We can gather our thoughts, but the Lord gives the right answer.
3 Commit your work to the Lord, & then your plans will succeed.
8 It is better to be poor & godly than rich & honest.
9 We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.
18 Pride goes before destruction, & haughtiness before a fall.
19 It is better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
25 There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
31 Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.
32 It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than conquer a city.
33 We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall.
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