Good Gifts

O. T. #1476 "Good Gifts"
July 3, 2019
Proverbs 18
The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear a crushed spirit? Proverbs 18:14

LET IT GLOW

Aren't there days in which it is hard to get out of bed. We have to face what the world slings at us. However, we can have our hearts renewed each morning since God's mercies are new every morning. Great is His faithfulness. We learned that the Lord our strong tower for security Today, He can be our strength and joy. Read on, sweet one.

A spirit of praise often enables a man to rise above the infirmities of the flesh. If that spirit is lost and replaced by a broken spirit, then the defeat of the whole man will quickly ensue. (Falwell)

We can break a bone and recover from it; but when your spirit is broken, you are completely broken. Only God can put you back together again. Let us heed the words of Nehemiah after the walls around Jerusalem were repaired. The people were weeping. He said in 8:10, ...the joy of the Lord is your strength.

Psalm 73:26 says, God is the strength of my heart, my portion forever.

So rise up, friend, and be an overcomer today. Let us yield and follow Jesus wherever He leads. He has a purpose for our lives and His love cannot be put out  like a fire. Start a fire in us, fan the flame, so we shine for Jesus today.


LET IT GROW

Who doesn't like an unexpected gift?

Verse 16 NLT tells us, Giving a gift can open doors; it gives access to important people.

Look at the first part of that verse, where it talks about giving a gift, not the last where that gift is a bribe. Consider a good gift of encouragement, a gift of love, a gift of forgiveness-these are not tangible gifts. They do not cost us, except for pride. They can open doors of a wounded relationship.
Probably, we all could think of someone who needs that kind of gift, one from the heart.

Jesus gives the gift of everlasting life through His sacrifice of life on the cross. There is no better gift.

What kind of gift are we going to give? Will it be a bribe to acquire something for our self or will it be a gift of love for the other person?


LET IT GO

Thank You, Jesus, that you are always putting me back together when I am crushed.
Fill me with Your love so I can love others.

A Strong Tower

O. T. #1475  "A Strong Tower"
July 2, 2019
Proverbs 18
The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
 Proverbs 18:10

LET IT GLOW

Strong towers. Do you recall seeing them in movies-forts, military camps, churches. That is where the watchman or look out man watched for the enemy to approach the city or camp. When they came, people were warned. Until the enemy came, the people could sleep at night because they knew they could trust the watchman to sound the alarm if danger was approaching. Do we need that today!

Look at our key verse for today. Anyone in need of a strong tower today? Broken, worn out, beaten down with criticism, weary of work, worried about the future? Jesus is there. He is our strength to go on, our safety from the meanness in the world, our security for tomorrow. We can count of Jesus. No one can pluck us out of His hands. Find relief, renewal, rest in Him.

Believers are lifted up above their enemies and fortified against them. There is enough in God. He is our comfort. Retire from the world, live above, dwell in God and God in you. (Matthew Henry)



LET IT GROW

Solomon, the wisest man, other than Jesus Christ, continues to contrast wisdom and foolishness. so I was thinking, if we don't want to be foolish, then shouldn't we do the opposite of what the fool does?
If that is so, then the wise person should:

• Be friendly, caring about others and use common sense. (verse 1)
• Seek understanding and keep our opinions to our self. (verse 2) 
• Do right and thus not be disgraced (verse 3)
• Let wisdom flow from us like a bubbling brook. (verse 4)
• Acquit not the guilty, nor deny justice to the innocent. (verse 5)
• Avoid foolish words so you are not involved in quarrels. (verse 6)
• Watch your mouth. (verse 7) 
• Don't be a talebearer wounding others. (verse 8)
• Be not a lazy person. (verse 9)
• Run to the Lord for safety and a strong defense. (verse 10)

Which ones do you and I need to put into practice? It isn't enough to read these instructions, but we need to apply them to our life today.

LET IT GO

Jesus, protect me from temptations of sin, evil, and myself.
Be my strong tower this day.
Zip my mouth when the wrong words try to come out of it.

Rattle, Clang

O. T. #1474  "Rattle, Clang"
July 1,2019
Proverbs 17-Part 4
A merry heart doeth good like medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones. Proverbs 17:22

LET IT GLOW

Yesterday, my sweet granddaughter was here. She helped me make fruit tarts. I put the ingredients for the crust in a bowl and she took over  mixing, rolling and cutting the circles out, plus the stars for the top. Then I placed the crust inside the cupcake holder and we filled them with apple, cherry, and blueberry filling. The tarts are ready for my daughter's family visiting (6 grandchildren). We had a time doing it. A memory was made.

Don't we all like being around a cheerful person? When joy invades the heart of a person, it refreshes the whole person. And this aging body can use all the refreshing it can get. It seems like the joy is catchy, jumps on us as well, when we are around joyful folks. I lifts us up above those problems.
The best medicine for our body and soul is a merry heart. That comes from confessing our sins and asking forgiveness. Mercy is available. Our heart is to rejoice in God. Give thanks to Him for all the things He has provided as we go throughout our daily life. What has He been doing in our lives lately? Then, as we serve Him in a way that pleases God, we have that assurance deep down that we are doing good.
It is the fountain of life that pours on us the joy we need for endurance to complete the little things in life. Are we singing as we do chores? I had flour on the floor, sticky dough on counter, blueberry stains on my shirt, and a sink full of dirty dishes, but it was worth all the scrubbing required for a few moments together with her.

LET IT GROW

A broken spirit dries the bones. So many people around us are heart sick, not physically, but they lack joy.
The sorrows of the mind often contribute very much to the sickliness of the body. Dry bones are in need of marrow, blood, skin, to support a body's skeleton.

Ezekiel has a vision of the Valley of Dry Bones, found in chapter 37 of his book. Rattle, rattle, clang, clang. There he saw the Lord cover the bones with tendons, flesh, and skin. Then He breathed life into them. This illustrated the restoration of Israel and Judah being united again as one nation under one God, Jehovah, which was to come. Ezekiel and 10,000 exiles were living in Babylon (2 Kings 24:14).
God asked Ezekiel, "Can these bones live?"  He replied, "Thou knowest." Then the two sticks becoming one showed this.

Dear ones, let us continue to pray for our loved ones, for God can cause them to be restored spiritually and physically. Nothing is too difficult for the Lord Jesus.

LET IT GO

Revive the joy of thy salvation in my heart with joy.
There ain't nothing going to steal my joy, as the song says.
I have a sweet salvation in Jesus Christ.

True Friends

O. T. #1473  "True Friends"
June 28, 2019
Proverbs 17-Part 3
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

LET IT GLOW

When the chips are down or when trouble hits, through thick and thin, how many friends do you really have? It has been said that people who have 3 good friends in their lifetime are fortunate. So I looked up Scriptures which contained "friends" and most are found in Proverbs.

What does Solomon have to say about friends?

• The rich/wealthy have many friends. (14:20) People can buy their friends, but are they truly friends because  the rich person is loved or because their money is loved and for what it can profit? I call them users.
• A gossiper repeats matters and separates the best of friends. (16:28;17:9) The one who spreads your deep secrets is only going to hurt you and doesn't care about you.
• A friend loves at all times. (17:17) We can choose our friends but not our family, an old cliché.

Genuine friends are loyal. I think of Jonathan and David being the best of friends. When David played music in the palace and when David was running for his life from Jonathan's father, Jonathan remained a faithful friend. A friend loves us at all times and vice versa. So when the chips are down, you find out who really loves you.
Friends are closer than brothers because they are available all the time, not just in the crisis. (McArthur)
Are we that kind of friend?

LET IT GROW

Brothers and sisters often fight when growing up, right? Sadly, sometimes what begins in childhood  continues throughout adulthood. Who knows, we may have been born into such a family for such a time as this.

Christ is a true friend and brother that loves us at all times, even to the end as He did his disciples.  (John 13:1) He even forgave those who put Him on the cross to die.

There we have it-be a loving friend and brother or sister.

LET IT GO

Love as Jesus loved.
Forgive and love those who are unloving toward me.

Separations

O. T. #1472  "Separations"
June 27, 2019
Proverbs 17-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

Folks, I just wanted to let you know that I have 2 crowns. Probably,you didn't know I was such an important person. Actually, I am not. Everyone can have  these two crowns. They are a crown of gray hair (16:31) and grandchildren (17:6). So we ordinary people don't have to wait unto we get to heaven to wear a crown.

Let me tell you, this grandma is excited because I get to see my 6 other grandchildren this weekend. They are staying for a week, so if there are some posts missing next week, you will understand why.
Cookies are baked and in the freezer, and pies are going in the oven tomorrow. I hope the rain holds off, though. Are you seeing your grands this summer? Or perhaps you are going to your grands?


LET IT GROW

Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends. (v. 9)

So we can keep our relationships in the right order, we must forgive. How many times have people said hurtful things and we dwell on those words, keeping us away from them? A division isn't worth it. Don't let time get away from us and hold grudges for years. Things are only things, but people will live eternally. Let's keep people close to us. Let love reign.

LET IT GO

Love, forgive, love more.

A Heart of Gold

O. T. #1471  "A Heart of Gold"
June 26, 2019
Proverbs 17
The fining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold: but the LORD trieth the hearts. 
Proverbs 17:3

LET IT GLOW

Families eating together at the dinner table-is it a norm or unusual today? I recall all families ate supper together when I was growing up. We would sit down and talk about the day's events. It was a tradition not only regarded at holidays, but a daily practice. How about your family?

Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife. (v. 1)

It is better to have a simple meal in peace is better than having a feast with contention. (Falwell)

Conflict does not set well on the stomach. It can cause one's to be upset. Something to think about.

LET IT GROW

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the LORD tests the heart. (v. 3)

In order to separate the impurities of gold and silver, it must be heated at high temperatures. Then the dross can be scraped off and removed. I think of the huge pots used in refineries. In a similar way, it takes the heat of trials for the Christian to be purified. God shows us what is in us and clears out anything that gets in the way of complete trust in Him as He uses trials.
1 Peter 1:7 tells us that trials are testing our faith so it results in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Our faith is more precious than gold. Is our faith lasting like gold? Does our heart need purifying from sin?

So when tough times come our way, remember that God wants to use them to refine our faith and purify our heart.
Have you heart the phrase, "They have a heart of gold?" To me it is one that is pure in motives and right with God, loving and serving others. The good ol' boy or gal that will do whatever to help you.
There is our challenge today-have a heart of gold.

LET IT GO

Show me the impurities in my heart.
Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Hold me as I go through the testing of my faith.
May I turn to you and trust You, Jesus.
May I be quick to help others.

Gray Hair and Patience

O. T. #1470 "Gray Hair and Patience"
June 25, 2019
Proverbs 16-Part 4
Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. Proverbs 16:31NLT

LET IT GLOW

Is this verse a good motto for senior citizens? Do we consider gray hair an honor, a crown of glory?
When you see a person with gray hair, a sign of older age, probably they have been living right. Now that is not to say that when a young person dies they were not living righteously. God has a plan for each of our lives and an appointed time of birth and death. It's what we do between the dashes of those dates that counts.
Are we gray haired folks living right with God? Are we honoring those gray haired or white haired with respect? After all., they just might have some wisdom we could learn. Do we take time to listen to them? Are some of us wearing our crown with integrity?

LET IT GROW

Now, even though we may have gray hair, that does not mean we are patient. Right? Especially when I am driving and people pull out in front of me from a side street. I have to talk to Jesus about them. Ask Him to get them safely where they are going. That seems to help my attitude then.
Slow to anger, patient, self control-are good words, good qualities for a Christian, but hard to put into practice. Amen?

Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. (verse 32 NLT)
He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (KJV)

Just think about how patient God is with us. We may skip Bible study a few days, but He is still there waiting on us to show up. Remember, Jesus walks closer than a brother to us. He never leaves us nor forsakes us.
So there is our challenge today-be patient and have self-control.

LET IT GO

May I live worthy of my crown of glory, gray hair.
Remind me today, Jesus, to be patient and have control of my self.
May I honor You.