Today’s Worship Walk: Proverbs 10:12

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“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”

Proverbs 10:12

I always admire how sharp a thinker Solomon was. He had a gift of making simple statements that cut to the heart of our thoughts, behaviors and motivations. And what Solomon wrote over 2000 years ago still clearly applies today, because both human nature and God’s Will haven’t changed!

This verse is a great one to meditate on. Look at the first phrase: hatred stirs up conflict. It’s absolutely true, isn’t it? If we let resentments or rivalries fester, they’ll eventually come out in bad behavior towards someone else. But try turning the words around, and you get another caution: conflict stirs up hatred. In other words we can actually create bad feelings between us and others by how we choose to act. 

In his Proverbs, Solomon often used opposites to make a point, and he does just that here. Now, in the second phrase, we see the better way, that: love covers all wrongs. Again, Solomon is talking about decisions – in this case, to plan ahead of time to assume the best about people, and to be ready to forgive. 

Proverbs is full of wisdom, yes, but it also shows a passion for God. Solomon wanted to encourage the Lord’s people to grow into maturity, to truly be a “holy nation,” and he knew that living rightly with one other each day is a vital part of that.

Click here for more info about Heather and Worship Walk Ministries.

 

Christian Quotes: Charles Spurgeon

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 “God has a way of giving by the cartloads to those who give away by shovelfuls.”

Charles Spurgeon

 

“Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe…”

Hebrews 12:28

Christian Quotes: A. W. Tozer

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“An infinite God can give all of Himself to each of His children. He does not distribute Himself that each may have a part, but to each one He gives all of Himself as fully as if there were no others.”

A. W. Tozer

“He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things?”

Romans 8:32

Today’s Worship Walk: James 1:5

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“If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

James 1:5

I believe asking questions is an important skill, one I wish I’d cultivated when I was younger. It wasn’t that I didn’t have much curiosity – I always had LOTS of questions. But because of my timidity, they stayed locked in my head. I often wonder how much more I would have learned, in school or later, if I had raised my hand when I had the chance instead of trying not to draw attention to myself!

That’s why this verse resonates with me. James not only says that it’s okay to ask God for wisdom, but that we should. Better yet, there’s no need for hesitation, or embarrassment – God is already waiting for us to approach Him.

It’s so exciting to me that having curiosity about God is a good thing. And I can trust that He’s delighted to reveal answers to me. When our hearts are seeking Him, our Heavenly Father will always be willing to hear any of our questions and to grow our wisdom.

Click here for more info about Heather and Worship Walk Ministries.

 

Today’s Worship Walk: Psalm 143:10

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“Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.”

Psalm 143:10

I don’t know about you, but the phrase “level ground” sounds so sweet to me. It brings to mind a calmness of spirit that helps a person keep walking steadily through the ups and downs of life. And I’m a person who tends to ride those waves instead.

Some people are born with that sense of emotional balance already in them. I’ve always looked for ways to “get off the roller coaster.” So, discovering this verse was such an encouragement to my dizzy soul!

For a while, I focused on the second half of the passage, because it was such a wonderful promise: God’s Holy Spirit would guide and steady me. But the first part is just as important, maybe more. It’s a request, a prayer really, from a heart that wants to live in a righteous way. It’s saying, “I love you God, I want my life to be pleasing to you – show me how.

That’s a prayer that our Heavenly Father will always answer. He delights in revealing Himself to us, whether through teaching His unchanging commands or providing what we need to follow them. And, we receive the grace to keep going forward, finding that level ground in a shifting and often wobbly world.

 

Click here for more info about Heather and Worship Walk Ministries.

Christian Quotes: C.S. Lewis

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“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.”

C.S. Lewis

 

“The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.”

Psalm 33:5

Christian Quotes: Athanasius of Alexandria

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“For God is good – or rather, of all goodness He is the Fountainhead.”

Athanasius of Alexandria

 

“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

James 1:17

Today’s Worship Walk: 1 Peter 5:8

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“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Peter 5:8

This verse came to mind yesterday in an unexpected way. You see, I just moved from Connecticut to South Carolina a couple of months ago. And one of the newest and neatest things is seeing alligators around our community. Sometimes they are sunning in a marshy spot or on the grass by a lagoon. My husband has even seen them on the golf course.

How does that connect to 1 Peter? Well, as I was driving and alligator watching yesterday, I remembered warnings that we’ve gotten since we moved in – mostly common sense advice, like stay away from them. Then it occurred to me that while the enemy can indeed prowl around like a roaring lion, he can also resemble an alligator.

Alligators often look calm, like they aren’t any threat. But they are almost always looking for food, and when motivated they can move pretty quickly toward their prey. And once their powerful jaws grab hold of something, they start the work of devouring. Sound familiar?

I may get a glimpse of the enemy nearby – a stray negative thought about myself, a bad attitude about work, or a small resentment toward someone. In those moments, I can choose to move toward each one for a closer look, which brings me into dangerous territory. Or, I can move quickly away by giving each one over to God, who will bring me back on the safe and narrow path.

I’m trying to cultivate the habit of being more aware of my surroundings. So whether I’m looking for alligators or attacks from the enemy, I  my can do my best to steer clear of trouble!

Click here for more info about Heather and Worship Walk Ministries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Worship Walk: Psalm 37:37

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“Consider the blameless, observe the upright; a future awaits those who seek peace.”

Psalm 37:37

David starts this Psalm by encouraging his readers (and himself most of all) not to spend a lot of time worrying about wicked people who prosper. Do you ever struggle with that?

He does give some vivid descriptions of them: plotting, gnashing their teeth, even drawing their swords against the upright. We may not deal with swords in our path, but have you been dealt with unfairly? Have you witnessed someone get away with injustice? It can leave us angry and discouraged.

David wants us to stay firmly on the narrow path toward Christ-likeness. And, in verses 3-5, He offers us a glimpse of how to live among those who seem to be flourishing in the midst of their destructive choices.

David lays out a series of commands for us to follow, and then some promises to cling to:

“Trust in the Lord and do good” then “dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.” (v.3)

“Take delight in the Lord” then “he will give you the desires of your heart.” (v.4)

“Commit your way to the Lord…” then “he will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn.” (v. 5,6

David proclaims that those who do evil will soon pass away – but those who remain righteous will have protection and provision for this life, and an eternal inheritance later on. This truth should not only sustain us, but inspire us to pray for those who have been going down the wrong path. Perhaps we can go from anger to compassion, and start looking for ways to show them God’s perspective before it’s too late.

Click here for more info about Heather and Worship Walk Ministries.

 

 

 

 

 

Today’s Worship Walk: Philippians 2:5

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“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus…”

Philippians 2:5

The Apostle Paul taught a great deal about living in a “manner worthy of the Lord,” often giving very specific instructions. Here, he makes a general statement about the attitude we are meant to have.

But the command to have the same mindset as Jesus Himself can sound difficult, even intimidating. It did to me for a while. And the illustration Paul went on to give only added to the feeling:

“…he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant…he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death…” (Philippians 2:7,8)

I wanted to follow Jesus’ example, but didn’t know how to apply it in my own daily life. Thankfully, as I took the time to study these verses a little, I found three practical goals for myself.

1. I can become more ready to serve both my Lord and those around me.

2. I can become more willing to give my own agenda up and follow God’s.

3. I can become more willing to consider and respond to the needs of others.

I’ll never do them perfectly, but if my heart is right, I’ll want to keep trying. And God will definitely honor that desire.

 

Click here for more info about Heather and Worship Walk Ministries.