Tuesday... This is so hard to do. It really is. But so important.

Proverbs 29:1 (NLT) says, "Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery." We always seem to need to be right and in no way should anyone be critical of us. Pride will get us every time. We love to give it but we can't take it.

So how do you handle criticism, how do I handle it? Now put downs are one thing but within criticism there is always a chunk of truth and that is where we need to go. But it takes humility to accept the fact that someone doesn't think we are perfect, doesn't it? We don't want anyone else to see out faults, do we? But how can we grow or mature if we don't see how others see us, especially those that we know really love us and have our best interest at heart?

Now there is also a problem with the one who is always being critical but can't accept it. That too many times come from pride and God hates pride. He really does. But it can also come from a protection situation. That person is doing all they can from being criticized. They live at a level of low self-esteem and that also is not a good thing. God created us and He doesn't make junk.

The MESSAGE Paraphrase puts it this way, "For people who hate discipline and only get more stubborn, there'll come a day when life tumbles in and they break, but by then it is too late."

And then the NIVR says, "Whoever still won't obey after being warned many times will suddenly be destroyed. Nothing can save them."

Over in Psalm 119:2-8 (NLT) the Psalmist says, "Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. And I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don't give up on me!"

And that is such a good thing to say to God. But it is also a good thing to say to that person who really loves us and who shares with us those things that we need to change. Please don't give up on me and may that person say the same thing to you. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

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Tuesday... It is so worth it. It really is!

Tuesday... It is so worth it. It really is! Look at this, Proverbs 5:21-23 (CEV) says, "The Lord sees everything, and he watches us closely. Sinners are trapped and caught by their own evil deeds. They get lost and die because of their foolishness and lack of self-control." That is true of so many. Now look at this, Luke 15:1-7 says, "Tax collectors and sinners were all crowding around to listen to Jesus. So the Pharisees and the teachers of the Law of Moses started grumbling, 'This man is friendly with sinners. He even eats with them.' Then Jesus told them this story: If any of you has 100 sheep, and one of them gets lost, what will you do? Won't you leave the 99 in the field and go look for the lost sheep until you find it? And when you find it, you will put it on your shoulder and carry it home. Then you will call in your friends and neighbors and say, 'Let's celebrate! I've found my lost sheep.' Jesus said, 'In the same way there is mo...

Friday... Yes, we need them. We really do

Psalm 8:3-4 (NLT), "When I look at the night sky and see the work of your fingers - the moon and the stars you set in place - what are mere mortals that you should think about them, human beings that you should care for them?" Friday... Yes, we need them. We really do. No, not the fact that I can go out my front door and look out at night at the marvels of the sky. I can do that and it is amazing and it takes my breath away each time I see it. Yes, that is a fact but the reality of who did that and the wisdom and the faith that I have to believe that and to marvel that the one who did that cares about me makes such a difference in how I live my life. Yes, God really does. That is so wonderful for us to believe. And that is why faith and wisdom are so important. Now whatever belief you have at how that marvel happened must also be believed through faith. And the sad thing to me is that more and more people have been taught that there is no God and therefore he did not have a h...

Monday... Three ifs and two thens. They go together!

Monday... Three ifs and two thens. They go together! They really do. And this is what caught my attention this morning as I was reading Proverbs 2. Verse 1 (NRSVUE) says, "My child, if you accept my words and treasure my commands within you." Verse 3 (NIV), "Indeed i f you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, Verse 4, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, Verse 5, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God." And verses 9-11, " Then you will understand what is right and just and fair - every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you." There will always be some effort we must do, some ifs for the thens to be realized in our lives. So many of us want to understand without the ifs. But the thens are so worth, so very worth the effort. Verses 5-6 in the Ampli...

Todays Beginning

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