This Day
As I wrestle with a personally painful truth and the best way to present it, we will take an interlude.
This may seem trite at first, but if one considers these things as ‘instructions’ - they make a difference.
Interlude:
1. Wake Up!
“Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” Psalms 118:24
Decide to have a good day. You choose whether you will have a good day or you will let the stress, and problems of the day depress you.
2. Dress Up!
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” How does someone know if you have hope unless they see the inner heart in the outward appearance?
3. Shut Up!
“He who guards his lips guards his soul.” Proverbs 13:3 Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. How many times have you heard, “If you can not say something nice, do not say anything at all”? How about this, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue...” Proverbs 18:21a
4. Stand Up!
“Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good...” Galatians 6:9-10 Stand up for what you believe in. Stand for the ‘Word’ (again 1 Peter 3:15). We have talked in previous articles about what the ‘good’ is. See “What Good?”
5. Look Up!
“I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
6. Reach Up!
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Always reach up first. “If you think God is far away, guess who moved.”
7. Lift Up!
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 How about, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” Ephesians 6:18. Additionally, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11
God answers Knee-Mail.
This may seem trite at first, but if one considers these things as ‘instructions’ - they make a difference.
Interlude:
1. Wake Up!
“Today is the day the Lord hath made; let us rejoice and be glad in it” Psalms 118:24
Decide to have a good day. You choose whether you will have a good day or you will let the stress, and problems of the day depress you.
2. Dress Up!
“The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at outward appearance; but the Lord looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7 The best way to dress up is to put on a smile. A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. 1 Peter 3:15 says, “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” How does someone know if you have hope unless they see the inner heart in the outward appearance?
3. Shut Up!
“He who guards his lips guards his soul.” Proverbs 13:3 Say nice things and learn to listen. God gave us two ears and one mouth, so He must have meant for us to do twice as much listening as talking. How many times have you heard, “If you can not say something nice, do not say anything at all”? How about this, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue...” Proverbs 18:21a
4. Stand Up!
“Let us not be weary in doing good; for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good...” Galatians 6:9-10 Stand up for what you believe in. Stand for the ‘Word’ (again 1 Peter 3:15). We have talked in previous articles about what the ‘good’ is. See “What Good?”
5. Look Up!
“I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13
“I will lift up my eyes to the hills— From whence comes my help? My help comes from the Lord, Who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2
6. Reach Up!
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways, acknowledge Him, And He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5-6 Always reach up first. “If you think God is far away, guess who moved.”
7. Lift Up!
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 How about, “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” Ephesians 6:18. Additionally, “If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” Matthew 7:11
God answers Knee-Mail.
posted by Unchained Slave at 12:41 PM
1 Comments:
It's good to see another post with such good, basic and sensible advice. We know you've had some rough news; Nancy and I will be praying for you.
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