Rejoice and Persevere

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the hope You give. We rejoice in the comfort hope provides. Please help us to persevere though the difficulties we face. We come to You in prayer. Please help us to remain dedicated to prayer as You have commanded. We know Your commands are always right.

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.

Smart vs. Stupid

I know in many settings (frequently with children), the word stupid has been outlawed.  I understand.  I still remember as a child giving and receiving that word in hurtful ways.  While the word can be abused, I think we need to seek to use the word stupid in its proper context.

Proverbs 12:1 tells us that “he who hates reproof is stupid”.  According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary stupid means “given to unintelligent decisions or actsacting in an unintelligent or careless manner” and “lacking intelligence or reason”.  

Discipline is not fun (Hebrews 12:11).  However, the Bible tells us that the love of discipline is the love of knowledge.  Discipline is a teaching tool.  We need to be willing to learn what sin issues are in our lives.  We need to be willing to make changes.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for providing discipline to help us change our lives.  Please help us to encourage one another towards wisdom and knowledge. 

I pray this in Jesus’ name.

God is so good.