Month: May 2022

Loving Pain from Biblical Rebuke

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I’m guessing I won’t find many people who enjoy rebuke.  I certainly don’t.  Any rebuke causes pain.  The verse I chose today talks about reproof as a way of life.  If we were perfect, we wouldn’t need discipline.  Right choices would come automatically.  We need help to stay on the right path.  I am so thankful for fellow believers who have spoken truth to me.  I am thankful for opportunities to be under the teaching of God’s word.  The Bible is the basis for helpful rebuke.

The beginning of today’s verse gives a bright illustration.  The commandments and teaching we get from Scripture are forms of light.  They illuminate the path we need to walk.  While reproof brings pain, it helps us walk the right direction.  There is no better life than walking God’s way.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing the light we need to walk the right path.  Please continue to teach me from Your word.  I want my life to reflect the truth of who You are.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Why is Hard Work so Hard?

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This picture is an ant working hard to navigate the mote on a hummingbird feeder.

When I first read this verse, I think about my job.  I work smack dab in the middle of supply chain as a production planner.  Like others, we have fought the many challenges over the last two years.  Work can be very hard.  However, God has been showing other areas of my life that are hard work.

Relationships can be challenging.  I know that close friendships can seem like less work (they do get easier in one sense when Christ is the center), but all relationships take effort.  The Bible gives commands in many places about our relationships.  Galatians 6 and Ephesians 5 and 6 are good examples.

I know the challenges can cause us to back away from the difficulties of relationships.  My Type A personality sometimes scares me (and probably others) with the intensity of my feelings.  However, God is bigger than all the challenges.  He will continue to work in my life (Philippians 1:6).  He will bring the changes I need to work as hard as the ant.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing examples like the ant to show me what I need to do.  Please help me to work hard in all areas of my life to honor and glorify You.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.God is so good

God is Watching

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Sadly, in our society today there is too much ignoring God and His ways.  Some don’t know anything about God.  As a Christian who has studied God’s Word, I am thankful that God watches and “will make our paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6).  I find great comfort in God’s eyes being on me.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for keeping Your eyes on me.  I want to follow the path You have laid out in Your Word.  Please help me to cling to Your Word and Your ways and encourage others to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Guard Your Heart

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I like the strength of words the book of Proverbs uses for holding on to wisdom.  Proverbs 4:21 is one of those.  “Let them not escape” and “keep them” are similar to other statements repeated through the book.  Verse 23 gives us the reason – to guard our hearts. 

The heart is at the core of who we are.  The condition of our heart will affect everything in our lives.  That is why we teach children (teens especially) to be careful when they chose friends.  I wonder if as adults we remember that.  Those we are close to often fill our hearts.  If we make poor choices, God’s wisdom will not be a part of the relationship.  The springs of life are dirty and bitter when God is not involved.  I have found the closest friendships to be people who can easily talk about Scripture.  Those who want to serve and honor their Heavenly Father out of love and gratitude for what Jesus did on the cross.  I do not know of a better way to guard my heart than to spend time with others who want to do the same thing.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminders to hold to wisdom.  Please help me to hold tight to the truth of Your word and encourage others to do the same.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.