PRAYER

Our Heavenly Father,

We thank you for this day,

And, despite all its trials and evils,

life is good--and the trials and evils can even

help make it better as we conquer them.

So help us to be thankful

for this day and every day,

and to treat each one as a precious

vessel to be filled to the full with meaning

and with love and with human service.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Joy of Wisdom

 "Knowledge Comes Wisdom Lingers,"motto of Eliza Miller High School 1964 graduating class. Wisdom is knowing how to use knowledge.

I was immediately touched by these words and they continue to linger(approximately 48 years) with me.     As time passed there were circumstances and situations that caused me to actually  apply these words.  I learned to cope with 'valley' days as well as enjoy the' mountain-top.'  I inadvertantly opened  doors that initiated many unpleasant experiences...while at the same time I just knew what I was doing as well as what I was saying...at least this is what I thought.  You see, having knowledge will not make the cut if you ignorantly misuse it.  This is why  'wisdom' is needed before you do/or say anything that may include and/or involve others.   It's good to know...but careful to speak or show.  

Now during my life's  travels... I'm learning how to use knowledge... and 'wisdom' is a joy.  

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HOW AND WHY?

Some things remain better not spoken,

Moods change,

No thing stays the same;

Emotions take many turns,

Hearts sometimes happy,

Then they're often broken;

Imaginations of intimacy,

Fills the open void,

Short lived, shortly enjoyed,

Increasing desires to be what's not,

A commitment to last

Memories never forgot;

Feelings are real,

Needs protection,

Sincere and focused

In a safe direction;

Keepers of the mind,

Strong...yet humble and kind.
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Reflection/Projection

I was young and now I am old, yet I've never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread. They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed (Psalm 37:25).

God is faithful to keep His promises. It's our responsibility to delight ourselves in Him, believe and obey His word. He is our ever-loving Father and wants to bless us. We walk by faith...not by sight.

Progress and failure are both part of our journey. Let's be reminded that God's grace will help us to find a solution to major problems. We can gain insight from past struggles that will help with issues we're currently facing.

God's faithfulness in the past brings hope for the future.

Be encouraged.

You Too

Sitting alone with head in hands,

Struggling with what might be your life's plan;

Confused by daily fears and pain,

And untrue friends who falsely claim;

They're there for you until the end,

Only to leave when your trials begin;

There's help for all of us,

From someone whom we certainly can trust;

One who will never cease to care,

And will keep us safe regardless to where;

His love is real and will always be,

In Him we're blessed and forever free;

So, we don't have to sit alone,

With head in hands and joy is gone;

You nor I ,

Have to cry;

To feel mistreated,

Depressed and defeated;

Let's reach up during times of stress,

And praise our Lord who continues to bless;

Now is our time,

To rise and shine;

To take our stand,

To worship this Man;

For Him this is the least we can do,

He gave His all for me and you too.

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GUARDING OUR SOUL

GUARDING OUR SOUL

SOUL- Our inner life with which we have ability to believe, to love God, to suffer, to sin, to prosper, and to survive death. The dimension which deals with the mental realm. Our intellect. The sensibilities and will. The part that reasons and thinks. The part that feels; the seat of the emotions, passions, appetites, and desires. Our soul may be considered the battle-ground of the flesh and spirit(Romans 8:1-13; Galatians 5:16-26). Our soul is to be saved, (James 1:19-21; Romans 12:2; Psalm 23). We are to renew our "minds" through the Word.

Guard, according to Webster...is the act or duty of protecting or defending; to protect from danger.

According to our Holy Bible...'guard' is to keep watch.

Now, how are we to guard our soul? The Word of God says that we must seek the Lord(Deut. 4:29), love the Lord(Deut. 6:5), serve the Lord (Deut. 10:12), store God's Word (Deut. 11:18), keep God's law (Deut. 26:16), obey God (Deut. 30:2, 6, 10) and get wisdom.

While on Earth we are to be mindful of our responsibility to protect our soul from the wiles(trickery, lure, and enticements) of Satan (2 Cor. 11:3; 13-15). We are accountable for what we allow to enter our mind gate, our ear gate, and our eye gate. We must allow the Holy Spirit to filter what enters these areas. We must watch as well as pray. We must seek God's will and purpose for our life. Ephesians 6:11 teaches that we must put on the whole armor (truth, righteousness, and the gospel of peace (Ephesians 6:14). We must be sure to take the shield of 'faith' the vital part of our armor. 'Faith' honors God, and God always honor 'faith'. Whatsoever is NOT of 'faith' is SIN (Romans 14:23).

We who are born-again, Spirit-filled Christians are to avoid idleness, gossiping, and using precious time with fruitless acts that only provide selfish gain. Let's not flirt with Satan; whose desire is to steal, to kill and to destroy every thing God has prepared for and promised us.

Satan is NOT our friend,

his only aim is to deceive us,

and to lock us deep in sin;

with wages that result in death..,

(eternal separation from God) in the end.

We MUST keep in mind that Jesus paid the price for our salvation when He gave His life for us, and that He alone deserves our total obedience, praise and worship. Let us guard our soul.