The wisdom that is from above is... peaceable.James 3:17 NKJVHave you ever got into an argument before church and felt like a hypocrite during the entire service? Understand this: the devil knows that God's Word can only be "sown in peace" (James 3:18 NKJV), so he will do everything he can to keep you from receiving it and being blessed by it. That's why you must do whatever it takes to keep your peace. There's power in peace! If the Devil can't get you upset he has no power over you. He only gains control when you 'lose it'. He plans to get you upset in order to steal your peace, confuse you and make you run in circles. Don't let him.James writes, "The wisdom that is from above is… peaceable" (James 3:17 NKJV). In The Message Eugene Peterson paraphrases this Scripture: "Real wisdom, God's wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoys its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor" (James 3:17-18 TM). Notice, getting along with others can be "hard work".So next time you get worked up about some issue, ask yourself, "What's the enemy trying to do here? If I give in to these emotions what will the result be?" When you're stressed out you lose your joy, and when you lose your joy you lose your strength because "the joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10 NKJV). So today, pray, exercise self-control, and keep your peace.
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2 Timothy 2:23-3:5Gossip is often regarded as a relatively harmless pastime, particularly whencompared to wrongs like murder or adultery. Satan has painted talebearing asinnocuous, but if we peel away that deception, we see the ugly truth. In theBible, God lists gossip among the most depraved sins (Rom. 1:28-31).Nothing about gossip is harmless. Whether the talk is intentionally hurtfulor simply some idle musing, the subject can be hurt or embarrassed. A friendof mine decided to trace a damaging story about himself back to its source.He asked one man after another, "Where did you hear this?" Seventeen pastorslater, he finally found the person who had originated the tale. This fellowadmitted he had speculated aloud regarding a situation about which he knewlittle. A destructive chain reaction began with just one man jumping to afalse conclusion while chatting with a friend.Even if the victim never learns of the chitchat going on behind his or herback, gossip still has consequences. The people who spread a tale revealtheir inner thinking: "For the mouth speaks out that which fills the heart,"(Matt. 12:34). A poisonous tongue flows with the jealousy, resentment, orpride residing inside.Gossip has the power to hurt feelings, destroy reputations, and dividechurches. We do not have the right to bring such damage into anyone's life.In fact, God is the only One we should turn to when we hear a story. Thosefacing trials need prayer rather than tongues wagging over their misfortunes(Gal. 6:2).
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Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, "Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?" 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. 4 I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. 5 Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.If we remember the basic message of Revelation, it will help clear up what is happening in this part of the vision. John was promised that he would see visions of what was to come -- visions, we will see, that describe the entire history of the Christian Church until the Last Day. Now, imagine being John as he sees this unfold. Here is a scroll -- THE scroll -- the very document on which are written the things John has been promised a glimpse of, and no one can open it. No one is worthy.John broke down and began to weep openly (the Greek tells us that he was weeping loudly much like the way people were paid to wail at funerals). Either he was upset that no one could show him the vision, or else (some think) he had some idea of the disasters to come and wept because of how bad things were going to get.Sometimes in Revelation (as in Daniel) an angel comforts the author. But here it is one of the elders.The comfort that the elder gives him is the final comfort for us all. No one is worthy to unseal the mysteries of God, whether plagues or blessings or prophecies. No one, that is, except the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah," Jesus himself. His title here (it's from Genesis) reminds us that he was prophesied all along. There was never any question about who the Savior would be. There was never any question that it would be Jesus Christ who paid for our sins, and who is the one who is able to open the scroll that will show the plagues that will be let loose on the earth from John's day until the last day.But whether plagues come upon us or worse, the Lamb has rescued us. Our sins are forgiven in Jesus. We are at peace with God.
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To be strong, remind yourself that you can be. To be strong, remind yourself of why you choose to be. To be strong, remind yourself of what your strength, focus and discipline have already brought you. To be strong, remind yourself that your commitment can be just as powerful as any excuse or rationalization. To be strong, have a well-understood purpose and a well-defined plan. To be strong, be sincerely thankful for all that you have and for all that you are able to do. To be strong, begin with your thoughts. When your thoughts are of strength and of positive possibilities, your actions will follow along. Each day the world will send you all sorts of challenges, difficulties, temptations and distractions. Know that these things are surely coming your way, and choose in advance to be strong. As the ups and downs of life arrive, remind yourself that you have chosen to be strong. Then as each moment passes, you'll naturally follow through on that choice.Be Blessed,Terri
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Whatever way this day is going, you can make it better. You have the power, the ability and the opportunity to do so.If you find yourself in a good and useful situation, you can make it even better. When you encounter a difficult and troubling situation, you can make that better as well.Accept the reality of what is. Then get busy making your own unique positive contribution using whatever you have to work with.Look at the events and circumstances of life not as things to fight against or to attempt to grab. See them as opportunities to build and grow.Be truly thankful for whatever comes your way. For within all of it, there is room for you to add as much real, meaningful value as you wish.See the possibilities in every moment, and find ways to give your best to life. Always, you can make it better, and by continuing to do so, you make it great.
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As I made my way to work this morning, in the sub zero cold, I couldn't stop thinking about those who are homeless...and praying for them. I thought of how I take for granted my nice warm bed, my warm clothes...even my pair of gloves. In this materialistic, "me, myself, and I", world, it's so easy to lose sight of all our Father has blessed us with. Today, let's pray for those who are less fortunate, those who are in the cold...and let's give thanks and praise to our Father who has blessed us more than we can even imagine.Scripture for the Day:Psalm 1481 Praise the LORD.Praise the LORD from the heavens,praise him in the heights above.2 Praise him, all his angels,praise him, all his heavenly hosts.3 Praise him, sun and moon,praise him, all you shining stars.4 Praise him, you highest heavensand you waters above the skies.5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,for he commanded and they were created.6 He set them in place for ever and ever;he gave a decree that will never pass away.7 Praise the LORD from the earth,you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,stormy winds that do his bidding,9 you mountains and all hills,fruit trees and all cedars,10 wild animals and all cattle,small creatures and flying birds,11 kings of the earth and all nations,you princes and all rulers on earth,12 young men and maidens,old men and children.13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,for his name alone is exalted;his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.14 He has raised up for his people a horn,the praise of all his saints,of Israel, the people close to his heart.Praise the LORD.Point to PonderI am blessed...I have more than I need.Prayer for the day:"Father, forgive me for not taking the time each day to give You thanks for those things that I take for granted. I praise You, Lord, and thank You for all You have blessed me with."Be Blessed,Terri
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Being a woman in our current society is tough. TV shows, magazines, movies, and other media outlets attempt to convince women to measure themselves according to society's standards. However, doing so limits the beauty of a woman. According to the world, you have to be a certain size, height, skin tone and have a certain type of hairstyle or clothing style to be considered beautiful. What does a woman do to uphold her self-image in a world where advertisements are flooded with influences that promote worldly beauty? That's where she draws the line by refusing to conform to society's image of beauty and renews her mind with the Word of God.Due to impossible worldly standards, countless women have developed a poor self–image. Fear of not measuring up has caused them to develop harmful habits to prove their beauty and self—worth. For example, some women may spend all their money trying to keep up with the latest styles in beauty, fashion, and nearly starving themselves just to be thin. However, this type of behavior almost always leads to self destruction.Women who have problems with their self–image are often bitter, angry and attitudinal. When a woman doesn't know how to treat herself, she will most likely mistreat others. The Bible tells us to love our neighbors as ourselves. However, if you've never learned to love yourself, you can't possibly love anyone else.Proverbs 31 is an excellent guide for all women, because this woman doesn't suffer from a poor self—image. Interestingly, the proverb doesn't describe this woman's physical appearance, yet by her works we see her beauty radiated from within. I'm not saying run yourself into the ground trying to do everything this woman did! However, take note of how she lived her life and became a woman who was celebrated above all women. She was a woman of elegance and extraordinary intelligence because she honored God.Proverbs 31:10 says the price of a virtuous woman is far above rubies. She is rare, precious, and esteemed above treasured jewels. As a woman, you have to understand your worth according to God's Word. You can be the woman you've always wanted to be when you begin to see yourself as God sees you.Make a quality decision to define your standard of beauty by the Word of God. When your self–confidence comes as a result of a personal relationship with God, you'll realize that you're loved, precious, and beautiful in His sight!Be Blessed,Terri
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