Thursday... So where does peace come from?

Now it doesn't seem to be something that we see around us. We don't seem to be living in a world of peace, do we? I mean, there is that war over in Europe and the unrest in China. What about the unrest in our relationships?

So what does the writer of Proverbs 1:33 (NLT) mean when he says, "But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm." We want that don't we?

The Amplified Bible says it this ways, "But whoever listens to me (Wisdom) will live securely and in confident trust and will be at ease, without fear or dread of evil."

So this peace comes from something that I do.

Solomon starts this book, this chapter by saying in verses 1-4 (NLT), "These are the proverbs of Solomon, David's son, king of Israel. There purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives; to help then do what is right, just and fair." Now if this was the way the world lived then there would be, undoubtedly, peace. And the same would be true in our relationships.

However, there are consequences that come if we don't listen. Verses 29-33 (MSG) says, "Because you hated knowledge and had nothing to do with the Fear-of-God, because you wouldn't take my advice and brushed aside all my offers to train you, well, you've made your bed - now lie in it; you wanted your own way - now, how do you like it? Don't you see what happens, you simpletons, you idiots? Carelessness kills, complacency is murder." And verse 33, "First pay attention to me, and then relax. Now you can take it easy - you're in good hands." You can be at peace, you can relax.

Again, "But all who listen to me will live in peace, untroubled by fear of harm." It starts with us listening.

Now that is a great introduction to this book. That's why I read it every day. Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

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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...

Wednesday... Our unless can turn into useless.

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Todays Beginning

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