Monday... It is just so practical and honest.

God's Word tells it like it really is.

Look at these verses in Proverbs 19. Verse 1 (MSG) says, "Better to be poor and honest than a rich man no one can trust." Let's be honest. We think being rich will make us happy. It can if we get it the way God wants us to get it and then to use it the way God wants us to use it.

Here is another practical thought. Verse 2 (NLT) says, "Enthusiasm without knowledge is no good; haste makes mistakes." Now we all make mistake and we many times suffer the consequences of those mistakes. We come up with an idea and we set out to do it without stopping and praying about it and seeking God's guidance or wise advice. The Message says, "Ignorant zeal is worthless; haste makes waste."

And then verse 3 and this is the verse that caught my attention in my first read through this morning. The New Living Translation says, "People ruin their lives by their own foolishness and then are angry at the Lord." We throw out the phrase, it must be God's will, so fast. But did we pray about it, did we seek guidance or did we just have this thought and then ran with it and then get angry with God because it didn't work?

The Amplified Bible says verses 2 & 3 this way. "Also it is not good for a person to be without knowledge. And he who hurries with his feet [acting impulsively and proceeding without caution or analyzing the consequences] sins (misses the mark). The foolishness of man undermines his way [ruining whatever he undertakes]; then his heart is resentful and rages against the Lord [for, being a fool, he blames the Lord instead of himself]." So many times we play the blame game instead of being honest.

Here are two more verses. Verse 8 says, "He who gains wisdom and good sense loves (preserves) his own soul; he who keeps understanding will find good and prosper." The NLT, "To acquire wisdom is to love yourself; people who cherish understanding will prosper."

And verse 23 (NIV) says, "Many are the plans in a person's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails." And it isn't the loud voice but the still small one and we need to stop and listen, really listen to what God's Spirit is telling us.. And if we do we will not be angry and blame God. So let's not be hasty. Let's seek his plan. God's Word is so practical and honest. Yes, yes! #todaysbegnning

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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!

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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