Handmade by God

In Psalms 139:13-16 you are described as hand made by God himself.  His workmanship in making you is marvelous. God scheduled each day of your life before you were even born.  Time spent meditating on verses like this is a powerful way to elevate self talk and outlook.

Psalms 139:13-16 (TLB) 13 You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit them together in my mother’s womb. 14 Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! It is amazing to think about. Your workmanship is marvelous—and how well I know it. 15 You were there while I was being formed in utter seclusion! 16 You saw me before I was born and scheduled each day of my life before I began to breathe. Every day was recorded in your book!

4/28/2019

Like a Tree along a Riverbank

When you let God show you his ways, you find and experience an effortless wellspring of joy and power. Psalms 1:1-3 is a metaphoric example of how you become like a tree along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail...and all they do shall prosper. 

Psalms 1:1-3 (TLB) 1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at the things of God. 2 But they delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on his laws and thinking about ways to follow him more closely. 3 They are like trees along a riverbank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper.

4/24/2019

Heaven and Earth

Some say they don’t agree with everything in the Bible. You don’t agree with God? They won’t admit that. What they don’t agree with usually are the interpretations of others, nor do they understand and accept the divine inspiration and sovereignty of God’s word.

Hebrews 1:10-12 (TLB) 10 “...Lord, in the beginning you made the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 11 They will disappear into nothingness, but you will remain forever. They will become worn out like old clothes, 12 and some day you will fold them up and replace them. But you yourself will never change, and your years will never end.”

4/21/2019

A Proverbs Wife

It appears a Proverbs 31 wife is beyond achievement, but actually each task represents wisdom and kindness: She helps her husband and doesn’t hinder him, lovingly manages her household, seeks opportunities, is a hard worker, has a reverence for the Lord and helps those in need.

Proverbs 31:10-31 (TLB)  10 If you can find a truly good wife, she is worth more than precious gems! 11 Her husband can trust her, and she will richly satisfy his needs. 12 She will not hinder him but help him all her life. 13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. 14 She buys imported foods brought by ship from distant ports. 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plans the day’s work for her servant girls. 16 She goes out to inspect a field and buys it; with her own hands she plants a vineyard. 17 She is energetic, a hard worker, 18 and watches for bargains. She works far into the night! 19-20 She sews for the poor and generously helps those in need. 21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for she has made warm clothes for all of them. 22 She also upholsters with finest tapestry; her own clothing is beautifully made—a purple gown of pure linen. 23 Her husband is well known, for he sits in the council chamber with the other civic leaders. 24 She makes belted linen garments to sell to the merchants. 25 She is a woman of strength and dignity and has no fear of old age. 26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and kindness is the rule for everything she says.  27 She watches carefully all that goes on throughout her household and is never lazy. 28 Her children stand and bless her; so does her husband. He praises her with these words: 29 “There are many fine women in the world, but you are the best of them all!” 30 Charm can be deceptive and beauty doesn’t last, but a woman who fears and reverences God shall be greatly praised. 31 Praise her for the many fine things she does. These good deeds of hers shall bring her honor and recognition from people of importance.

4/14/2019

Prodigal Son

Luke 15:17-20 is the story of the Prodigal Son. Many have such children they chase after, heading off their failures or trying to keep them out of trouble. Like God, this father saw his son had to come to know the effects of his sin himself and in faith set him free to learn.

Luke 15:17-20 (NIV) 17 “When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired servants have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! 18 I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ 20 So he got up and went to his father…...

2/27/2019

Masculine Mandate

The masculine mandate starts early in the Bible: Genesis 2:15. God gave man two things to do: 1) Tend the garden, which is to work and cultivate the people and fields God puts you in and  2) Guard it - protect those good things from evil and unrighteousness.

Genesis 2:15 (GNT)  15 Then the Lord God placed the man in the Garden of Eden to cultivate it and guard it.

4/10//2019

Power, Love, Sound Mind

2 Timothy 1:7 is an excellent reminder of how God created you: ...of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.  Fear doesn’t come from God. When you are afraid, confused, feeling powerless or scattered, repeat this as an affirmation to see if your energy and focus improves.

2 Timothy 1:7 (YLT)  7...for God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind;

4/7/2019