Best Rules For Life Since The 10 Commandments

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I certainly can’t say it any better than Eugene Peterson in The Message. Read these words!  Memorize them!  Use them!  It matters!

And so I insist—and God backs me up on this—that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They’ve refused for so long to deal with God that they’ve lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can’t think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.

 But that’s no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything—and I do mean everything—connected with that old way of life has to go. It’s rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you.

 What this adds up to, then, is this: no more lies, no more pretense. Tell your neighbor the truth. In Christ’s body we’re all connected to each other, after all. When you lie to others, you end up lying to yourself.

 Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.

 Did you use to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work.

Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.

Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

Whispers On The Breeze

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Butch is one of my top 10 writers. His work is thought-provoking and relevant. Hop over and follow his blog. It’s worth it.

Butch Dean's avatarWordsmith's Desk

Misty morning’s soft caress,

Sunlight through the trees.

Songbird singing in the air,

Whispers on the breeze.

 +++

Each new morning is a new opportunity

to improve upon yesterday,

while hoping for tomorrow.  

 

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A Prayer For Today

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Abba, Father,

You know me! You know what I’m doing, how I’m doing, what I’m thinking, you know every minute of every day.

You know I don’t, can’t, tolerate evil. Especially those who lie, manipulate, and control. Grant me a discerning frame of mind, the ability to recognize sin in both my life and the world around me. Give me patience and a clear mind in all of today’s challenges and situations.

Let my love for You grow and deepen. Keep me humble and always mindful of Your grace and forgiveness.

Show me where You are working and let me join You there.

Strengthen, guide, and protect me, my family, friends, government leaders and all who are in harms way.

Make it so because of Jesus and in His Great Name!

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Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

 

 

 

Pray & Listen

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For many years I have written my prayers.  I have notebooks and journals filled with them. Why? My mind likes to wander and I lose my primary focus – God. So, I write to keep my thoughts centered on the One I am speaking to.

Several years ago my pastor’s wife and still dear friend (They have since moved on.) suggested I use the acronym A.C.T.S.  Acclimation. Contrition. Thanks. Supplication. I still use it but have always sensed something was missing.

As I was reading the book for my next review (L.E.A.R.N. Evangelism Handbook by Dr. Marshall M. Windsor) I found the missing piece. I need to add LISTEN. (Of course, now I’ll have to change the letters of the acronym.) In all the years I’ve been talking with and listening for God’s voice I’ve never included a set aside time for listening in my prayers. Time in every prayer where I say, Holy Spirit speak into my heart. Don’t get me wrong, I do listen and expect answers, I just haven’t been specifically listening during prayer. So, When He speaks, and I know He will, I’ll intentionally listen, and write what He says in my prayer journal.

Will I act on His words? Will I share? In trusting Him and keeping the faith, I have learned if I don’t respond or follow through I lose the blessing He had planned for me.  Things like:

I did come up with a new acronym… G.R.O.W.L. Gratitude (Thanks). Requests. Offense (Forgiveness), Worship, Listen.  The word kind of fits as our prayers go up with ‘utterings and groanings’ before the Lord that might sound like growls if we heard them.

Here’s the bottom line. No matter what or how just keep on praying.

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

 

Disappointment God’s Way

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Have you found yourself in a state of disappointment at times during this unusual season? Are events and normal daily occurrences being postponed or rescheduled starting wear on you? Me, too! So how should we deal with this?

First, and foremost, stay connected to God. How? Read His Word. Pray. Talk to other Believers by calling, writing to them, videos, podcasts… Enjoy His creation by walking, biking, just getting out in some way and focusing on Him.

Are there things happening that you cannot control which lead to a sense of disappointment? Of course there are. Stop trying! Make a list of what is in your control. Be creative! The things I can control, with God’s help are:

  • My thoughts – Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8
  • My words – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29
  • My actions –“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:37-38

Above all focus on how much God loves you! Commit this verse to memory!

“And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us.” – Romans 5:5 

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie