Wisdom tells us that community is the best way to tackle the problems of life. It is not one point of view, but many that help us arrive at a wise solution. This of course assumes that we are wise enough to listen to a different way of seeing things.
“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors there is safety” Prov.14.11 Conversations Within” ts 9/20/
Faith, hope and love provide us with all we need to live a fruitful, enjoyable and God pleasing life. Measure the worth of every thought, word and action in keeping with them.
Now remain these three, faith, hope and love. 1Cor.13
Conversations Within” ts 9/26/2024
It is sobering for me to realize the power of our inner life. No matter what is going on around us, God has given us the power to choose what will go on inside us. Why live with hellish thoughts, when Heaven is offered to us every single day? Let His love shape how you see life.
“Come to me and I will give you rest.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 9/18/
Faith, hope and love are the governing dynamics I would choose, and for obvious reasons, they produce the fruit of goodness. Why would I choose any attitude, action or desire that does not produce health, or doesn’t promote goodness? I am grateful for the privilege to choose which direction my energy flows?
“Now abide these three, faith, hope and love, but the greatest of these is love.” Conversations Within” ts 9/17/
I often find it hard to make some of the simplest decisions. It helps to remind myself that there are some foundational decisions that lend guidance and direction to all other decisions. Returning to my core decision, my worldview choice, helps me decide day to day choices.
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and all these things will be added to you.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 9/16/
Edit me Lord, before I publish. He does you know. His Spirit inwardly reminds me not to speak, at least not before I consider the goodness of what I am wanting to say or do. Before I let my thoughts loose on the world, let me at least consider if I will
“Search me O God and know my thoughts…” Ps.139 Conversations Within” ts 9/15/2024
I am encouraged in the Good Book to “Take every thought captive.” To put it another way, I should hold my thoughts in check, and question if they are consistent with the fruit of peace and goodness.
“Take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” 2Cor.10
To ask God to “let” something happen, is to ask for more than just that He allows us to do it. We are asking Him to give us a hand up. We are saying, "Without your help, it ain't going to happen." Like a young child we say, “Daddy, Please help me up.” I can’t do it by myself, but with you I can do all things.
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.” Ps.19.14 Conversations Within” ts 9/11/
When you are on the path of goodness, don’t forget to remind yourself that you can walk it. Whatever you are facing, Heaven’s host faces it with you. Remind yourself ten times a day if necessary. Take up your bed and walk.
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” Conversations Within” ts 9/10/2024
For the most part it really does come down to attitude. This is why self talk is such an important skill to nurture. I do not need to listen to myself. I need to talk to myself. I need to tell myself the truth, then use the faith God supplies to take that needed step.
“Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my
I have many reasons to be happy. My relationships enrich my joy. My faith gives me both, direction and energy to meet the challenges of the day. My hope dissolves any anxieties I may have about tomorrow. To love and be loved is reason enough to rise each day with song and dance.
“You thrill me, LORD, with all you have done for me! I sing for joy because of what you have done.” Ps.92.4 Conversations Within” ts 9/9/2024
The fear of the Lord may start out as a fear of punishment if we do something wrong, but over time and with proper instruction it matures into a loving respect for Him as our Father. The fear of the Lord matured by love is a loving respect and humble acceptance of His directives.
“Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the duty of all mankind.” Ecc.12.13 Conversations Within” ts 9/8/
There is nothing wrong with my desire to be happy so long as I find my happiness in all that Father has approved. God is well versed in joy. He only approves the path of superior delights.
‘so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.” 1Tim.6 Conversations Within” ts 9/8/
I have discovered that I can look for happiness in all the wrong places. I have sought it outside myself by changing my circumstances. I have looked at various pleasures, and realized that each one did not, could not satisfy. I guess when you taste genuine happiness served at the Lord’s diner nothing else will do.
“Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!” Ps.34.8 Conversations Within” ts 9/1/2024
I am encouraged that it is God’s will for me to be joyous and happy. It is His expressed will that every day be an adventure in joy. When I think about it, I am never happy when I am angry, or critical or complaining. It makes perfectly good sense to avoid living this way. I am amazed that it took so long to figure this out.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Heavenly
It may be hard on the ears, but if I am not happy, I alone can choose the attitudes that nurture it in my soul. One, and perhaps the first, is humility. I must assume ownership of the joy, or the lack of it, in my life. Humility teaches us how to look with honesty in a mirror.
“God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.” 1Pet.5.5 Conversations
There are things I know I can do that will make my wife smile. I love to please her. She brings such joy to me. I feel the same way about my Father in Heaven. I make it my daily aim to please them both. I know He smiles at every expression of faith that expresses love. Truly!
“The only thing that matters is faith expressing itself in love.” Gal.5.6 Conversations Within” ts 8/31/
I sometimes start eating, and then, with a mouth full of food, remember that I haven’t said “the blessing.” I don’t want the giving of thanks to be an afterthought; I want it to permeate my every thought. I want gratitude to be as natural as breathing.
“The cheerful of heart has a continual feast.”
Very little is as I imagine when it arrives. It is best for me to nurture a grateful heart right now, rather than feed expectations about what comes. Don’t just be where you are, be there gratefully.
“Enter His gates with thanksgiving…” Ps.100 Conversations Within” ts 8/30/
I believe Jesus. I believe what He says; what He stands for; what He did, and what He says He is going to do. I may not understand all the mechanics. but I trust Him.
“Very truly I tell you, the one who believes has eternal life.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 8/24/
I wish my children had never heard me speak an unkind or critical word about another. Sadly they cannot. Let me at least make sure they never hear another one. I pray only words that build up and reflect beauty come from my lips.
“...speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people.” Titus 3:2 Conversations Within” ts 8/24/
What is there left to us but rise each day and get to it. The work is never done. We will never arrive in this place. This is one of the reasons we respond “Rest in Peace” when someone passes. The business of the Kingdom of love and light must continue each day till we transition to our final rest.
“I must work the
It dawns on me what a gift stress can be. Like pain, it calls attention to us that something is not as it should be. Of course the opposite of stress is peace, and when we bask in its warmth, the aim is to abide there. The absence of peace calls us to return, and the first step may simply be to give thanks for the reminder to come home.
"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." Col.3.15 Conversations Within” ts 8/19/
Understanding and applying the teaching of the Bible to my life has its challenges. Jesus is the reason I work at this so and I am confident that one attitude and one attitude only, will apply Scripture properly. It is the very same attitude revealed in Jesus when He humbly emptied Himself and said, “Not my will but your will be done.”
“Have this same attitude in yourselves that was also in
I question many of the things I have written. I never question God’s word. I may question my understanding of it, but why would I question anything the Creator has told us. I live in His house, therefore I abide by His rules. I may not be comfortable with them, but when have I ever felt comfortable when I need transformation?
“Set them apart by Your truth. Your word is true.” Jesus Conversations Within” ts 8/18/
