Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Thankful for Books
Saturday, July 8, 2023
A Dog's Wisdom
James 3:17-18
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all
pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and
good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow
in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Let's make common sense more common.
When our dog, Rosie May, was a puppy, we took her
for training. She learned to sit, lay down, stay off (well, kind of) and shake.
She still doesn't get the concept of stay, but at least she sits when she needs
to. The good thing about dogs is they have great instincts. She knows when I
don't feel well, and she wants to comfort me. Rosie May loves kids and wants to
friend them. She senses when someone is outside and goes to the windows to see
if she needs to protect us. Dogs listen to their gut. They hear things we don't
and respond accordingly. In their own way, dogs have an internal wisdom.
When I think of wisdom, I also consider common
sense. The innate instinct to do the right thing. I love how James shares his
understanding of wisdom. Wisdom comes from God and loves peace. It's
considerate (thinks of others) submissive to God's guidance, merciful, filled
with the fruit of the Spirit, fair and discerning, and sincere and truthful. If
there is any doubt as to whether something is a wise choice, measure the wisdom
against James 3:17. The wisdom of a believer comes from the Holy Spirit. When I
make decisions, I want to check my judgement against the wisdom that comes from
God.
While Rosie May has instincts, I have the Holy
Spirit to guide me in decisions. His voice speaks to my heart to be a
peace-loving person who is kind to others, submissive to God, and considerate
of situations.
Seek God's wisdom and use His common sense as you navigate life.
Saturday, November 12, 2022
Walking With God
James 4:7-10
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you. Come
near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you
sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your
joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord,
and he will lift you up.
Have you ever walked away from God?
There was a time, years ago, when I inched
farther and farther away from God. Let me tell you—it was a dark and lonely
place. I went through the motions—going to church, praying empty prayers, and
smiling when I didn’t feel like it, then God pounded on the door of my heart
and called me to come back home. He pursued me, and I answered. I grieved over
the distance I’d placed between God and me, over the sins in my life, and the
sorrow in my heart. You know what? God opened His great big, beautiful arms to
me and welcomed me back to Him. Ever since that day, I’ve not stepped away
again. Instead, I’ve found comfort, peace, strength, joy, and hope in the arms
of the Lord, and He has blessed me with opportunities to share His great love.
The book of James holds many nuggets of wisdom
and truth. “Come near to God and He will come near to you,” is a promise I can
count on. I’ve experienced His closeness in my life, and I’m thankful for God’s
constant presence. I’m also thankful for Jesus and His grace, for forgiveness
and His unfailing love.
In this month of Thanksgiving, I’m grateful for
the Bible which gives me wisdom, God who holds me close, and Jesus who gave His
life for my sins so I can someday meet Him in heaven.
This world is not an easy place, but with the
Lord by our side, we will thrive.
Draw close to God and He will draw close to you.
Saturday, September 10, 2022
Knowledge and Wisdom
Philippians 1:9-11
And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in
knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best
and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit
of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise
of God.
I’m a life-long learner.
I confess, I didn’t like school. Elementary school was okay,
but by the time I reached junior high and high school, I wasn’t a fan. Not
being a social butterfly, I was quiet and everything kind of overwhelmed me. I
did like having friends and going to basketball games, but I preferred to stay
home and read or wander outside.
The funny thing is, I loved learning and I still do. After
high school, I attended college for two years, but it took me until I was
forty-eight years old to complete my bachelor’s degree. In the meantime,
ironically, I worked in education. In the library of the elementary school and
in a college library, I encouraged students to read and learn.
Even though I wasn’t a fan of school, I loved gathering
knowledge and wisdom, and I do believe school is extremely important. As I tell
my grandchildren, whether you enjoy school or not, you need to do your best.
The apostle Paul is writing to the Philippian church and
reminding them to keep learning. He prayed they would grow in knowledge and
insight. Knowledge of God’s word and insight into the people God called them to
love. He encouraged the people to discern or consider what was best when it
came to loving people as Jesus loved them, and he reminded them they would grow
in the fruit or righteousness, or the fruit of the Spirit.
God wants me to keep learning and use what I learn to love
people better. As I seek the truth in His word, I grow in His love for other
people. As a result, I glorify my heavenly Father through my actions.
Are you learning more about Jesus every day?
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness
and self-control.
Saturday, September 3, 2022
The God-breathed Word
1 Thessalonians 4:11-12
...and to
make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business
and work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may
win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on
anybody.
The Bible
speaks to our hearts.photo from pixaby
In a book
launch team I am part of, I was asked which of the four seasons is my favorite.
For anyone who knows me well, you know I answered winter. I also love spring
when beautiful flowers bloom, summer when I swim with my grands, and of course
fall, a gorgeous time to be outside appreciating the colorful leaves.
Yet, winter
remains my favorite because it is a time of peace. When snow blankets the
ground and the nothing has touched the pureness, I’m reminded of 1 Thessalonians—my life verse. I love quiet, and strive to lead a quiet life.
I try to mind my own business, unless God lays on my heart to speak up. I work
with my hands, either on the computer, with arts and crafts or around the
house. Tim and I depend on God, daily. He is the one who provides us
opportunities to work and grow.
Do you have a life verse, a scripture that speaks to your heart about everyday life? Is there a scripture God has placed on your heart? One you strive to follow? There are many verses in the Bible I rely on for wisdom and guidance. Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord..., “ John 3:16, the book of James, the Psalms.
We have so many
wonderful, life-changing scriptures at our fingertips.
God has
given us the gift of the Bible. Have you read any scripture today?
2 Timothy
3:16-17
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the
servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
The Next Chapter
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Be Still and Listen
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Winter Season or Season of Winter
Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
I love winter, but not so much the winter seasons of life.
About a year ago, not knowing a pandemic was hurdling toward us, my siblings and I fretted over where our mom would live. After hospital stays and time spent in a nursing home, we pondered whether she should remain in the nursing facility, return to her current apartment, or live in an apartment next to our brother. The ultimate decision was up to Mom.
On Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, my siblings and several of our children and grandchildren gathered at the apartment she lived in before the hospitalization. As we prayed for guidance, we packed all her earthly possessions and moved them to my brother’s home, still not knowing her final decision.
Thankfully, Mom moved to the apartment beside my brother just before the pandemic locked down the nursing home. God led us through this difficult winter season just as the door closed on any other possibilities.
In 2 Corinthians, Paul wrote about the thorn in his flesh. In his winter season of life, something difficult plagued him. We aren’t told what the thorn was, only that he had something he referred to as a weakness and hardship. For Paul this must have weighed on him because he wanted nothing more than to serve Jesus. But even in his despair, he thanked God for his trials and claimed delight in his difficult times.
We all go though winter seasons in life. Being with mom through those difficult times of illness and decisions left us all worn and concerned. But Mom pulled through and celebrated her 94th birthday in January, in her new apartment.
The pandemic has been one long winter season for many of us. Prompted by Ann Voscamp’s book, I’ve been writing a list of 1,000 blessings. It’s a bit harder right now, but the list keeps me focused on my journey of gratitude for 2021.
Won’t you join me and seek the blessings, even in the seasons of winter.
Saturday, January 30, 2021
Wisdom to Make a Choice
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.
Decisions can be
difficult. How do I know the best thing to do, the best choice to make?
I’m slow when it comes to shopping for most anything.
And I try not to be an
impulse buyer (except for maybe that tempting chocolate bar by the counter.)
If I’m
considering a big purchase, I want every detail about the item before I make
the final decision. I haven’t always been this way. But the older I get, the
more I realize I need to weigh my options with care.
If I’m that mindful
of the value of material items, how much more cautious should I be of life
decisions?
The ones that
affect my family and friends require great consideration. But where does the
wisdom to make a choice come from?
True wisdom originates
with God. Easy answer, but how do we as humans recognize our heavenly Father’s wisdom?
Jesus’ brother James says heaven’s wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate,
submissive, merciful, kind, impartial, and sincere. In other words, God’s
wisdom does no harm. His measuring stick has a bi-product of peace,
consideration, and mercy.
Facts and
information are great indicators that help weigh the pros and cons. But as a
believer, I know God offers wisdom and understanding that’s more precious than
any gold or silver. He wants me to make my choices with his input, through
prayer and petition.
When you
need to make a decision of any kind seek God’s wisdom and guidance.
tweetable: How do I make a choice?
Wednesday, January 27, 2021
The Hope of Wisdom
Saturday, August 29, 2020
The Joy of Discovery
and store up my commands within you,
turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.
Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Help Comes From the Lord
Saturday, May 23, 2020
Am I my Words?
Saturday, August 10, 2019
Knee-deep
and let the discerning get guidance—
for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
What have you learned today?
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Saturday, September 26, 2015
Lack Wisdom?
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. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.
Saturday, August 1, 2015
What Do Ants, Hyraxes, Locusts, and Lizards Have in Common?
Four things on earth are small,
yet they are extremely wise:
Ants are creatures of little strength,
yet they store up their food in the summer;
hyraxes are creatures of little power,
yet they make their home in the crags;
locusts have no king,
yet they advance together in ranks;
a lizard can be caught with the hand,
yet it is found in kings’ palaces.