Thursday... It's a way to keep safer.

Do you remember the day when we had front porches? We now push a button in our car and our garage door opens and we drive in and then closed the door behind us.

I was reading this week of a study that showed where there is less crime in neighborhoods where there is interaction and involvement between neighbors. Friendly neighborhoods are safer.

Do you know your neighbors? In one of our neighborhoods our neighbor went through a divorce and she needed her house painted, so I painted it.

I said all of that to say this. Proverbs 14:21 (NIRV) says, "It is sin to hate your neighbor. But blessed is the person who is kind to those in need."

We live in a brand new neighborhood and we have done all we can to reach out to each other. When Margaret and I had Covid our neighbors brought food and left it at our door. When we were gone one of our neighbors picked up my newspapers and when they were gone we went down and check on their home every night. We are a very friendly neighborhood. And we feel safe.

God wants to bless us and He wants to use us. The Amplified Bible says, "He who despises his neighbor sins [against God and his fellow man]. But happy [blessed and favored by God] is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor."

May dad used to say that people will give their money to send missionaries to go across the world but won't walk across the street to reach out to their neighbor. God wants to use us where we live. He wants us to build lasting relationships with those he has put into our lives.

Peter over in Acts 10:28 & 29 (NLT) said while meeting with some gentiles, "You know it is against our laws for a Jewish man to enter a Gentile home like this or to associate with you. But God has shown me that I should no longer think of anyone as impure or unclean. So I came without objection as soon as I was sent for." And then verse 34, "Then Peter replied, 'I see very clearly that God shows no favoritism.'"

Back to Proverbs 14:21 (MSG), "It is criminal to ignore a neighbor in need, but compassion for the poor - what a blessing."

Being good neighbors can make such a great difference in our lives and in their lives and we will be blessed for it. 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

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

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Todays Beginning

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