Guarding our thoughts....

May 14, 2020

I was reading in Proverbs 14 today and verse 30 caught my attention: A tranquil[a] heart gives life to the flesh, but envy[b] makes the bones rot.  Beside the verse I had written  that a tranquil heart is a sound mind and envy is runaway emotions.   What do we want for our lives?  A tranquil heart/sound mind ..... or envy/runaway emotions?  

It is so very easy for our minds to take off with us and think all kinds of things.  It takes discipline to keep our minds where they need to be. We are given instruction in the Bible on how to think and what to think about.  


Col. 3:2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Rom. 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Phil. 4:8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

May I encourage you today to guard your thoughts, to think good and lofty thoughts so that you may have a tranquil heart and sound mind.  Listen to the prompting of the Holy Spirit and yield to Him to say close to God and to live Godly lives. 


AND you will have a good day!~!

Does prayer matter?

 Does it matter if we pray?  Doesn't God know our needs without praying about them?  Does He care?

Sometimes those are our thoughts whether we actually verbally say them. 

I was encouraged this morning as I read the In Touch Daily Devotional about prayer.  I will sum it up here.

In 2 Kings 20:1-6 Hezekiah prayed to God and asked God to save and heal him.  God heard the  prayers of Hezekiah and God spared the life of Hezekiah.

James 5:13-18 says to pray if there is suffering or sickness.  It also says to pray if you have sinned so you will be healed. It said Elijah prayed it would not rain and it didn't for 3 1/2 years.  Then he prayed it would rain and it did.

Now the verse that really impacted me.......

James 5:16b says:  Tremendous power is made available through a good man’s earnest prayer.

OK!!  If that is what the Bible says ( and it does) then prayer is very important! God has asked us to pray.  If He asks then we should do it!!  AND He gave us examples to show that PRAYER DOES WORK!! 

So let's get after it!!!!! There is plenty to pray about!!!

Wisdom ...

Most of you know that one good way to read the Bible daily is to read a chapter of Proverbs every day.  I was excited today as I read Proverbs 9.  It talks about wisdom and folly.  Both are calling out to us with the same invitation.  Verse 4 (with wisdom calling out) and verse 16 (with folly calling out) both say the same thing - "Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!"  To him who lacks sense she says...  Both are calling out but the paths to obtain wisdom and folly are very different, as are the outcomes.

I have heard if you want to know what counterfeit money looks like you study hard the real bill to know what it looks like and then you can recognize the counterfeit one. So let's look at wisdom rather than folly.

In Pv. 9 we are invited to come to her banquet table.  If we come and learn from wisdom we WILL be wiser still, we will LIVE, and walk in the way of insight.   Dr. Jeremiah says "wisdom begets more wisdom."

Verse 10 says, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight." So we are to fear the Lord.  What does this mean? I have written in my Bible what this means.(I did not write where I got the information from - sorry.)

FEAR OF THE LORD
- to respect Him
- to know who He is and what He has done
- to know His character and rule
- to come before Him humbly in surrender.

We MUST search for wisdom - search for God and who He is - know His ways and come in surrender to Him.

Lord - may we KNOW and LOVE YOU and FEAR YOU. May we come SURRENDERED to YOU with our lives! May we have Your wisdom for our lives!

Continue on...

May 8, 2020

Yesterday was the National Day of Prayer.  Life is busy but I hope you all were able to pray a little 'extra' for our nation.

There are lots of pressures on us in the world, especially at this time with the covid virus and the shutdowns/and stay in orders!   We read articles and hear 'news' that tend to keep us unsettled.

Today I came across a prayer card with directions for life from Hebrews 13: 1-17

Let brotherly love continue....show hospitality to strangers...let marriage be held in honor...keep your  life free from love of money...be content with what you have...continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God...do not neglect to do good... share what you have...obey your leaders and submit to them.

So TODAY lets not worry about things in this life but let us reflect on these verses for what we ought to be doing. Let us continue on in prayer for our nation and our leaders.  We don't always know if what we read in the news is true and right BUT WE DO KNOW God has given us directions as to how we ought to live.  So thankful for that!

May 7 - Today is National Day of Prayer

May 7, 2020

Hi all!!  Just a quick note to say TODAY is National Day of Prayer.  It was set by President Reagan to be on May 7 of every year so that we might pray for our nation. 

So.... can I encourage you to pray in a special way today?  I have copied to this blog some prayers suggestions from the National Day of Prayer website. 

Also this evening EASTERN time there will be a service sponsored by Billy Graham Evangelical Association from 8 to 10 pm.  There is also a service put on by the National Day of Prayer in Lancaster, PA from 6 to 8 pm.  Mountain Time.  So I 'think' these are both at the same time for us but either one will be good.  Hope you can tune in. 

How to Pray for America

WHY PRAY FOR AMERICA?

God is sovereign and nothing comes as a surprise to Him. Whether we face fluctuating economics, threats from abroad, unrest at home, or other troubling circumstances, our Heavenly Father is not caught unaware. Through prayer, we are able to tap into His wisdom, strength, protection, and peace. He stands ready to respond to our needs when we humbly ask for divine intervention in the affairs of men.

As we Pray for America whose pledge of allegiance recounts that we are “one nation under God,” and whose currency states that it is “in God we trust,” we want Americans to encounter the God who rules over their country. “He who forms the mountains, creates the wind, and reveals His thoughts to man, He who turns dawn to darkness, and treads the high places of the earth—the LORD God Almighty is His name.”
—Amos 4:13 NIV

He is the One who gave us this promise in 2 Chronicles 7:14: “If my people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” As we humbly and diligently seek Him, we’ll be changed, and we’ll see transformation in America through prayer!

HOW TO PRAY FOR AMERICA - BY PRAYING INTO SEVEN CENTERS OF INFLUENCE IN OUR NATION

GOVERNMENT

Pray for your leaders, as well as the judges in our courts. Ask God to grant them wisdom to act with integrity.

(I Kings 3:28; I Timothy
2:1-2; Exodus 18:21; Proverbs 11:3;
Romans 13:1-2)

Federal Government

Consider praying for our President, Vice President, Cabinet Members, Congressional Leaders, Supreme Court Justices

State Government

Consider praying for your Governor, Executive Leaders, Legislative Leaders, Judicial Leaders

Local Government

Consider praying for your Mayor, City Counsel, Police Chief, Fire Chief, Judges, County Officials

MILITARY

“He appointed military officers over the people and assembled them...and encouraged them with these words: ‘Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged because of the king of Assyria and the vast army with him. With him only is the arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles...’” (2 Chronicles 32:6-8)

MEDIA

“...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)

The decision makers within the media to realize they can make a profit by producing family-friendly projects (Proverbs 8:10-11)

Christians in media to find favor and be filled with creative ideas that bring kingdom principles and life-giving messages to the public  (Proverbs 2:1-15)

Celebrities to be provided with repeated opportunities to hear and receive salvation (Proverbs 8:35)

BUSINESS

“I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. He is a master craftsman, expert in working...” (Exodus 31:3-4)

Integrity among Christian workers so that they win the right to be heard (I Chronicles 29:17)

Impartation of ideas and resources to open principled businesses, especially in areas that need an economic boost (Psalm 132:15)

Christian workers to display Christ-like humility and service to their co-workers (Philippians 2:3)

EDUCATION

“If you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:3-6)

A return to truth and Judeo-Christian ethics (Psalm 1:1-2)

A safe atmosphere conductive to learning

Excellence in educators (Exodus 18:20-21)

Equal opportunities for every student to achieve their full potential (Philippians 1:9)

CHURCH

“So then, just as you received Jesus Christ as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:6-8)

The church would find a new zeal and commitment to the mission and purpose of Jesus Christ (Matt 22:37)

Unity with and among churches that reveal God’s love to the world (John 17:23)

A return to the absolutes of God’s Word (Psalm 1:1-3)

Integrity–that God’s people look and act differently from the world (I Peter 2:11; 1 Corinthians 13:6)

A holy fear of the Lord released in the heart of God’s people (Proverbs 9:10)

FAMILY

“If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:25)

Unity and love in individual families that reach out in hospitality toward others (Romans 12:9-13)

The re-establishment of relationships between parents and children (Malachi 4:5-6)

A return to family values that serve the nation as a whole (Job 22:21-22)

A return to the biblical mandate to train their children at home in the fear of the Lord and not leave the responsibility to others (Proverbs 22:6)

Another quick easy main dish meal....

I am all about fixing main dishes in quantity in a quick order.  This one is from our daughter, Lindy Sharon.  She calls it

Cheesy Goulash

1 to 1 1/2 lb. hamburger - browned and chopped up

Two (ish) cups macaroni or shell macaroni noodles cooked in hot water and drained. Don't overcook them.  It may be best to undercook a little.  

Add the hamburger and drained noodles.  

Stir in about 16 ounces of spaghetti sauce.  

Warm through - Top with shredded cheese before serving.

I made this in my electric skillet.  I added the cooked noodles and spaghetti sauce to the hamburger, warmed it up good, added the cheese and served it in the skillet.   

You can sure adjust the ingredients.  You can vary it and use some form of tomatoes, hot sauce, or tomato sauce depending on what you have.   The more cheese the better.  

The nice thing is that you can make lots of it very quickly and easily.  

Enjoy!

My momma's smiling now....

May 2, 2020

I just had to come in and write a quick blog....couldn't even finish the job I was doing!! (You'll figure it out in a minute.)

My mom always kept her front porch and entry way to the door swept up and clean.  I can picture her right now in her older years, when she couldn't do much else, out sweeping in front of her house.  She said if it looked good outside it made people much more relaxed to come to the door and perhaps come in for a visit.

I also remember going to Mexico on a missions trip.  The first thing the women did there every morning was to go outside and sweep their entry.  Sometimes it was just a dirt entry but it was swept.  AND it did look neat and tidy.  I think I could have gone into any of their homes and felt comfortable.

So just a quick encouragement for you to keep your entrance to your home neat and tidy.  It make you feel good too!!  Back to work......