Category: Proverbs

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In Capable Hands

When I was very young, I remember my Dad letting me sit on his lap as he was driving.

Now, before anyone starts to tell me how dangerous that was I will remind them this was 65 plus years ago. It was on dirt roads, with no other cars in sight and for two or three minutes at the most.

What stays in my mind and my heart is the love and laughter that we shared in those moments. I trusted my Dad and I knew he would never do anything that would knowingly harm me.

I was in capable hands. I learned to listen and to trust.

Some days, I still feel like that little girl sitting on my Daddy’s lap. There are new situations, new joys, new adventures, new dangers that present themselves. I find myself reaching for my Father’s hand and wanting to crawl up on His lap, listening to His voice and learning from His words.

Of course, now, I’m not speaking of my natural father but of my Heavenly Father.

“Jesus understands every weakness of ours, because he was tempted in every way that we are. But he did not sin! 16 So whenever we are in need, we should come bravely before the throne of our merciful God. There we will be treated with undeserved kindness, and we will find help.” Hebrews 4:15-16 CEV

We are in capable hands.

We are told to come to the Father WHENEVER we have a need and we will find help! He won’t refuse us. He doesn’t just want us to come when we need something He wants us to come and learn from Him. In this way, He will teach us how to avoid the dangers and pitfalls that are waiting to ambush us.

“With all your heart you must trust the Lord and not your own judgment. 6 Always let him lead you, and he will clear the road for you to follow.” Proverbs 3:5-6 CEV

Trust the Father’s capable hands.

“Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:3 ERV

“I say this because I know the plans that I have for you.” This message is from the Lord. “I have good plans for you. I don’t plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future. 12 Then you will call my name. You will come to me and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will search for me, and when you search for me with all your heart, you will find me.” Jeremiah 29:11-13 ERV

We have the Father’s word that when we turn to Him with a trusting heart He will be there to direct, guide, instruct and provide. He won’t break His word.

There are a few things that I have been talking to the Father about. Things that I need His wisdom and leading in. My knowledge is limited and sometimes I feel like a little kid again, a kid who needs my Father’s help. Maybe you’re experiencing the same kind of thing. I can assure you that when we take these to our Father He will listen and lead us to a good future.

We’re in His capable hands.

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Protection & Sleep

How did you sleep last night?

Mine was interrupted with dreams and not all of them were pleasant. That doesn’t happen very often but when it does my first thoughts after waking are filled with prayers for the people who were in my dreams and then I pray for restored peace in my own heart.

I was a child who was plagued with nightmares. My sleep was anything but restful. In my twenties I read this verse and it became mine.

“When I go to bed, I sleep in peace, because, Lord, you keep me safe.” Psalm 4:8 ERV

That really put an end to bad dreams. Now, when I have a dream that unsettles me I pray. As I said the primary focus of my prayer is for those who were in the dream with me. I can’t know if they are having a difficult time and are worried or afraid so I pray for them to be wrapped in peace and then I pray for my own peace to be restored.

Rest is from God. It is His way of “rest”-oring our strength for the day ahead.

I spend quite a bit of time reading Proverbs. I love the nuggets of wisdom and instruction for daily life that I find there. Chapter three is one of my favorites and the first few verses of that chapter have been my primary focus. They give instruction on trusting and following the Lord’s leading and not depending on my own knowledge and understanding.

But this morning these verses lept from the page:

“My son, don’t ever let wisdom out of your sight. Hold on to wisdom and careful planning. 22 They will bring you a long life filled with honor. 23 As you go through life, you will always be safe and never fall. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. When you rest, your sleep will be peaceful. 25 You have no reason to fear a sudden disaster or the destruction that comes to the wicked. 26 You can trust the Lord to protect you. He will not let you fall into harm.” Proverbs 3:21-26 ERV

Wisdom, honor, safety, sleep, no reason to fear, trust, protection! These verses are packed with expressions of the Lord’s loving-kindness.

I don’t know what situations I will face today, neither do you, but whatever may come these verses promise us the Lord’s protection.

Safety thoughout our day and peaceful sleep. Those are promises I can hold on to!

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Words on a Page

Some times the best composition is short.

Do you remember having to write essays for English class? I do. It started with the two-hundred word writing and worked itself up to twenty-five hundred words. The regrettable thing about adding more words is it opens the door for exaggeration.

Short concise statements leave little room for embellishing the facts. Adjectives and adverbs are meant to define but all too often create deception.

We are called to be people of integrity. People should be able to trust our words. They should be more than just words on a page. They should convey truth. Jesus told his disciples this:

“You have heard that it was said long ago, ‘You must not make a promise you cannot keep. You must carry out your promises to the Lord.’ 34 I tell you, do not use strong words when you make a promise. Do not promise by heaven. It is the place where God is. 35 Do not promise by earth. It is where He rests His feet. Do not promise by Jerusalem. It is the city of the great King. 36 Do not promise by your head. You are not able to make one hair white or black. 37 Let your yes be YES. Let your no be NO. Anything more than this comes from the devil.” Matthew 5:33-37 NLV

Integrity: the act of doing and saying the right thing because it’s right. It’s not doing what’s right because someone is watching, only driving the speed limit because there’s a patrol car behind you.

Someone with integrity does what is right because it’s right!

“Guard my soul and rescue me; Do not let me be ashamed or disappointed, For I have taken refuge in You. 21 Let integrity and uprightness protect me, For I wait [expectantly] for You.” Psalm 25:20-21 AMP

A few years back I read a book by Jon Huntsman, “Winner’s Never Cheat”. Honesty, true honesty, is greatly lacking in our world today. This little book shows how this very successful businessman gained his wealth. He never cheated. He never went back on His word, even when it cost him financially. He protected his integrity at all costs.

Integrity sets a wonderful example for our children.

“Many a man proclaims his own loyalty and goodness, But who can find a faithful and trustworthy man? 7 The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs—How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow].” Proverbs 20:6-7 AMP

Lord let my life be lived in integrity as an example to my children, my grandchildren, my friends and to the world. I desire to keep my words simple, true and without embellishment. I desire to live a life of integrity.

Let your yes be YES. Let your no be NO.

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Joy Is Simple

We were blessed to have had four little ones in our home this last week. Children remind us of the joy to be found in the simple things of life. As adults, we sometimes get too busy to enjoy the things that are around us.

I can still hear the laughter that came from the breakfast table, the giggles on the swing and the squeals of delight in finding a pretty rock in the yard. When was the last time you got excited over bubbles in the bath tub?

Happiness. Simple enjoyment.

The book of Proverbs tells us “Happiness is good medicine, but sorrow is a disease.” Proverbs 17:22 ERV

Think about the word “enjoy” for a moment. The simplest definition is to add joy or find joy. When we enjoy someone’s company we are at a place where we have found joy.

As an adult there are so many things that distract us from finding and experiencing joy. We often forget about the simple things that once brought a smile to our face or a giggle in our hearts.

“Yes, happy are the people whose God is the Lord!” Psalm 144:15 NLV

We find joy when we find the Father and experience His love. Wasn’t that the message the angels brought to the shepherds?

“Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!” Luke 2:9-11 NLT

Great joy!

Find joy in the simple things. Our Father has made the whole of creation for our enjoyment. The old expression “stop and smell the roses” rings true. When we see the beauty and intricacies of the nature we can’t help but recognize the power and greatness of our Father.

The Father’s plan is that we have and enjoy life. Jesus said:

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” John 10:10 AMPC

If anyone is feeling discouraged, disheartened or disillusioned come to the Father and pour out your heart. Ask Him to fill you with joy. He is a faithful Father and He will answer your heart’s cry.

“Until now you have asked nothing in My name. Ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24 NKJV

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It’s Good Tuesday

Today’s title is interchangeable. It can be used any day of the week!

Why?

God is good all the time and He shares His goodness with us. Who among us doesn’t feel that love, trust, hope, wisdom, strength and joy are good things? All of these characteristics are for us and when added to the grace and peace we learned about yesterday make everyday a good day.

“The Lord has done this. We think it is great! 24 This is the day that the Lord has made. Let us be full of joy and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:23-24 NLV

I don’t understand those who get up and consign themselves to a “bad” day. As believers in Christ we can roll all the cares of the day over on Him and take the joy He gives and fill our day with that.

It’s simple but it takes work to change our mindset. Our Father isn’t a genie with magic powers , no. He is God Almighty, our Father, and He promises to take our cares and direct our steps.

“Turn to the Lord for help in everything you do, and you will be successful.” Proverbs 16:3 ERV

This is the message Paul was writing about to the Christians in Colossae and it is just as true today. These people weren’t spiritual giants, they were new Christians who had only recently accepted the gift of Christ but they were having good days. Paul had received word about their faith and love.

It was a Good Day!

Because of their faith and love hope grew in their hearts. Hope of what was waiting for them in heaven. They shared this hope in their community and many were placing their faith in the Good News of the gospel. The love of the Father was spreading and changing lives.

It’s a Good Day for us as well.

The grace of God changes our lives. We have the same hope and can share in this very same love that they did. God’s love has not decreased through the ages nor has His grace (kindness) depleted. When we begin to understand the depth of His love and grace we will rely upon His strength and power, even in the rough times, knowing that He will carry us through.

May I encourage you to read the first chapter of Colossians. What I’ve shared with you today is in the first few verses. It won’t take long to read it. It’s a life changing message and it will certainly make for A GOOD DAY.

This is my prayer for you:

“I pray that you will be giving thanks to the Father. He has made it so you could share the good things given to those who belong to Christ who are in the light. 13 God took us out of a life of darkness. He has put us in the holy nation of His much-loved Son. 14 We have been bought by His blood and made free. Our sins are forgiven through Him.” Colossians 1:12-14 NLV

We are invited to share in the good things that belong to us in Christ and to know that all our sins are forgiven!

It’s a Good Day to have a Good Day!

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My Best Friend

Yesterday while I was out working in my yard I was letting my thoughts run. They took me to memories of friends, new and old. I was reminded of confidences we have shared, places we have gone, encouragement and counsel given and tears that have been shed, joyful and those of heart ache. Happy memories. I miss those times but the memories sustain me until I see each of them again.

But there was a time when I felt friendless and alone. In my lowest time when I felt that no cared, Jesus was there for me and He proved Himself to be the quintessential friend. He filled my heart with His love and my loneliness evaporated!

It was during that time I began to see all the individuals throughout the Bible who had a relationship with the Lord. None of them were perfect but the Lord was faithful to them even in their failures. It was the Lord who initiated the relationships.

The Lord came to Adam, Noah, Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Samuel, David…I think you get the point. He never abandon them and I saw how He has never abandon me. King Solomon wrote “A friend loves at ALL (my emphasis) times” – those words remind me of God’s faithfulness.

Jesus said this: “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command.” John 15:13-14 NLT

That’s exactly what He did – He gave His life for you and me. There is no greater expression of love!

I have one other verse I’d like to share with you. Fifty years ago this verse filled my heart with hope and confidence. All these years later I can honestly say that I have never felt friendless again.

“…for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” Hebrews 13:5b

I hope those words “I will not” impact you the way they did me. God does not lie and He does not change His character. Those words were written nearly 2000 years ago but they are still true today. God’s faithfulness to those He loves will remain forever.

When I was a young girl I remember singing a song about the relationship we can have with Jesus. However, it wasn’t until some time later that the meaning of the words rang true in my own life. “No One Ever Cared for Me” was written in 1932 by an evangelist, Charles Weigel. The words here are only the first verse and chorus, there are two additional verses which I didn’t include here:

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true;
I would tell you how He changed my life completely,
He did something that no other friend could do.

No one ever cared for me like Jesus,
There’s no other friend so kind as He;
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me,
O how much He cared for me.

My greatest joy is to tell you about my best friend, Jesus. There’s no one like Him. I hope you know Him as your friend too.

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Smile & Feel Better

Today’s blog is amazingly practical.

Late yesterday Dave and I were watching a program on television that was dealing with some real life, very emotional issues that face teenagers. They were completely without hope and it left both of us sad and downcast.

I knew I couldn’t let this premeate our evening or we’d both go to bed feeling depressed. I asked him to find something funny we could watch, “I need something to make me laugh”. He switched to YouTube and there we found old clips of Tim Conway and Harvey Korman. We watched a few of those and then Dave found an old Abbott & Costello movie – more laughter.

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” Proverbs 17:22 NLT

“Happiness makes you smile; sorrow can crush you.” Proverbs 15:13 CEV

We went to bed last night with a smile on our faces and our spirits were lifted.

Somedays it’s hard to be joyful. I understand that completely but we must take these verses on joy and happiness for what they are – instructions from the Lord. He wants us to have a glad heart, He wants us to be “care free” and roll all our worries over on Him. When we do He promises to replace our worries with His strength.

“Ezra said to them, “Go, eat and drink what you enjoy, and give some to him who has nothing ready. For this day is holy to our Lord. Do not be sad for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Nehemiah 8:10 NLV

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” I Peter 5:7 NLV

A couple of weeks ago I had to go into the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for my mother. As I was standing in line waiting for the pharmacist the woman at the counter turned and looked at me. Behind her mask, I saw that her eyes were filled with sadness. She turned back and then turned around one more time, we made eye contact and I gave her my biggest smile, behind my mask. She said to me “I can tell you are smiling. Your eyes are twinkling. Thank you I needed that”. I said a simple “God bless you” and our encounter was over.

Lord, I want you to use me and all who read this to bring joy to a hurting world. We have a message to proclaim “Joy to the world, the Lord has come”!

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed… 3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair.” Isaiah 61:1-3 NLT

The words above were written about Jesus. This is why He came – He came to bring God’s favor (His life) to the earth.

The next time you are feeling down ask the Lord to fill your heart with joy. He will! With joy will come strength and with His strength we can do all things!

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A Good Reminder

Some lessons in life aren’t learned the first time or even the second. I needed this reminder this morning.

I shared this a few years back but God is still working in me so that I can be successful every day…What a great way to start the New Year!

You know if God brings something to me, I’m going to share it with you too. So here goes – the other day I found myself complaining about some people and how they were doing something. It wasn’t the first time I had “complained” about this situation so when I finally finished my vent, I heard this in my heart. “Those are my kids and I want you to quit complaining about this. I’m working on them and as their parent, that’s My place – not yours!”

Oooo, I knew I had been rebuked but it didn’t end there. The Lord went on to say “I put you in their life to help them, not criticize and I put them in your life to help you get past being critical of people.”

Ouch!!

So this morning, if this applies to you – if you struggle with being critical of certain people and certain situations accept the correction that the Lord gave me.

“The LORD hates these seven things: 17 eyes that show pride, tongues that tell lies, hands that kill innocent people, 18 hearts that plan evil things to do, feet that run to do evil, 19 witnesses in court who tell lies, and anyone who causes family members to fight.” Proverbs 6:16-19 ERV

You see, I was being prideful and feeling superior, glad I wasn’t like “them” (double ouch) and God hates that. Pride is in some pretty bad company in these verses. It’s linked right in there with murder, perjury, those who plan evil and family discord. God sees them all the same and He hates all those actions.

It’s my job to be loving and helpful not critical and prideful. Yes Lord, I’ll be obedient.

“Do everything without complaining or arguing 15 so that you will be blameless and pure, children of God without any fault. But you are living with evil people all around you, who have lost their sense of what is right. Among those people you shine like lights in a dark world,” Philippians 2:14-15

We’re suppose to be different – we’re suppose to be a light!

So this is my prayer. “LORD, help me control what I say. Don’t let me say anything bad.” Psalm 141:3

Forgive me if I stepped on your toes. God is wanting us to be a light to those who have lost the sense of right and wrong. To do that we need to be different, we need to be godly.

We are to speak out against the evil and ungodliness in our world but we aren’t to speak evil of the people doing it!

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All That Glitters

The last few days I have been thinking alot about where we are in life. Not just our physical location, although that adds to it, but more about our sense of well-being. We’ve been retired for a number of years and life is good.

When we were younger and our children were small I used to imagine going to the grocery store and being able to buy what I needed and some of what I wanted without using a calculator to keep track of my total. That was my idea of being rich.

I also imagined a time when I would be able to go all week without doing laundry because we would still have plenty of clothes to wear. Enough socks and underwear to last the week. Yes, according to my own standards we are rich. Those are the insignificant things in life.

These are the things that now fill my life with richness. God’s love and goodness never ends. Our children and grandchildren love us. Our friends do too. Our home is comfortable. We are healthy, we can travel in our RV. We are content. We have joy. Our lives are richly blessed!

“Devotion to God is, in fact, a way for people to be very rich, but only if it makes them satisfied with what they have.” I Timothy 6:6 ERV

What things in life make you feel rich?

Conversations that are rich with laughter. The presence of family and friends. Surviving 2020 with health and home intact.

“Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking. It is for peace that you were chosen to be together in one body. And always be thankful. 16 Let the teaching of Christ live inside you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and counsel each other. Sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Everything you say and everything you do should be done for Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.” Colossians 3:15-17 ERV

Let’s put it this way. When Christ, who is the word, dwells in us we become rich in wisdom. Wisdom is a commodity that money can’t buy but dwelling in the Word makes wisdom available.

“Wisdom is worth much more than gold. Understanding is worth much more than silver.”
Proverbs 16:16 ERV

“Yes, the Scriptures say, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed.” 12 It says this because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all people. And he richly blesses everyone who looks to him for help. 13 Yes, “everyone who trusts in the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:11-13 ERV

These gifts that we all desire – peace, thankfulness, wisdom, help. A relationship with Christ, the Word, brings the richness of these gifts to our lives. We are rich with God’s goodness.

Merry Christ – mas!

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Open A Gift Early

What do you think will be the best Christmas present you will receive this year? Is it something from your kids, grandkids or your spouse? What will bring the biggest smile to your face and the greatest warmth in your heart?

I was one of those kids who would take a sneak peak at some of the presents under our Christmas tree. I was able to lift the tape without tearing the paper and made sure that all the creases on the wrapping lined up perfectly before I placed it back in the exact spot under the tree. But I always felt guilty.

This year when packages started arriving one label read “Don’t open until December 25th”. Do you think they knew we might be tempted to open them early? Our youngest daughter gave us permission to open her gifts early and Dave happily complied.

Several years ago I began giving my morning readers a “gift” for each day of December. The following year I expanded on those writings and compiled an Advent Book, “The Best Gifts of Christmas”.

There are thirty-one short chapters, one for each day of the month. Each day focuses on a different gift that we have received from our heavenly Father. Each gift is wrapped in His love and has our name on the tag. Each gift is personalized, specifically designed just for us and yet each gift has universal appeal.

This morning I’d like to give you permission to open a gift early and you don’t even have to feel guilty.

It’s something you can enjoy every day of the year; there’s no expiration date. It won’t grow old or go out of style. This is something you can have for all time.

“This is the new agreement I will give the people of Israel. I will give this agreement in the future, says the Lord: I will put my laws in their minds, and I will write my laws on their hearts I will be their God, and they will be my people. 11 Never again will anyone have to teach their neighbors or their family to know the Lord. All people—the greatest and the least important—will know me. 12 And I will forgive the wrongs they have done,  and I will not remember their sins.” Hebrews 8:8-13 ERV

The Lord has put a desire in our hearts to know Him. There’s a drawing to have relationship with Him. This relationship is for everyone and yet it’s specific to each of us. He promises to forgive every wrong we’ve committed and once it’s forgiven He forgets it as well.

“Everything God says is true— and it’s a shield for all who come to him for safety.” Proverbs 30:5 CEV

Since everything God says is true then that means having our sins forgotten, forgiveness extended, and restoration belong to us! Thank you Lord for these wonderful gifts.

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