Perfect Love

15If anyone confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. 16And we have come to know and believe the love that God has for us. God is love; whoever abides in love abides in God, and God in him. 17In this way, love has been perfected among us, so that we may have confidence on the day of judgment; for in this world we are just like Him.

18There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love. 19We love because He first loved us.

20If anyone says, “I love God,” but hates his brother, he is a liar. For anyone who does not love his brother, whom he has seen, cannot love God, whom he has not seen. 21And we have this commandment from Him: Whoever loves God must love his brother as well. 1 John 4

Hate the sin

Love the sinner

Sinner, sinner

Of whom I am the worst

But for Jesus Christ

Lover of my soul

~

I confess

Jesus is the Son

God is in me

And I am in God

I am learning of God’s love

For He is love

~

I am in love

And I am in God

God is love

God is in me

This is love

Perfected in me

That I may be confident,

I, a sinner

For I confess Jesus

God is in me

And I am in God

~

Where is there fear

In perfect love?

Perfect love drives out fear.

Fear is punishment

Fear is imperfect love

And yet I am confident,

I, a sinner

For I confess Jesus

And God is in me

And I am in God

God is love

~

I am in love

With the LORD

He commands I love

My brother

I will not despise him

I will not cast him aside

Because if I do

I am liar, I am not in love

With the sinner, my brother

~

But I confess Jesus

God is in me

I am in God

God is love

Love is in me

I am in love

I am confident,

I, a sinner

Of whom I am the worst

I love the LORD

He commands I love my brother

My brother, the sinner

Of whom I am the worst

Perfect love drives out fear

I am not afraid of my brother, the sinner

~

I love you LORD

I love you, my brother

No matter the sin

For I am the worst of the sinners

~

~

Thought: How can I expect the unbeliever to believe as I do? I cannot and I do not expect it. I am not afraid of it. I only long and pray that God one day brings the unbeliever to Himself, and after that, the Spirit will work as He sees fit in my brother’s life. Who am I to stand as judge against my brother? I am not to judge him but to love him, as God has commanded. If I was able to come to God exactly as I was and was accepted by Him, then that is true of my brother too.

~

James 2, “8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” ^a you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” ^b also said, “You shall not murder.” ^c If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

James 4, “4You adulterous people, ^a don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. 5Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us ^b ? 6But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says:

“God opposes the proud, but shows favor to the humble.” 

7Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.

11Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister ^d or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?”

Matthew 22, “34Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. 35One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: 36“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?”

37Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ ^c 38This is the first and greatest commandment. 39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ^d 40All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

How Do I Feel This Christmas?

JOHN 1: 9The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. 10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. 12Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

15(John testified concerning him. He cried out, saying, “This is the one I spoke about when I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ ”) 16Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and ^b is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

How do I feel

This Christmas?

I don’t feel cheerful

But not quite blue

Sometimes I’m friendly

Sometimes grumpy too

Mostly I’m tired

When I should be thinking

Of You

.

Remember 

The star in the sky

Remember

The angels singing

On high

Remember

The Virgin Mary

She gives birth to You

I can’t remember

Cause I didn’t see

But You remember

Please remember for me

.

Show me the angel

Announcing glad tiding of joy

Show me the shepherds

Standing in awe 

Listening to heaven’s song

Show me the three kings

As they bow down before

The child king

Show me the joy of 

You coming down to set us free

.

Please remember for me

Cause I didn’t see

Sweet Virgin Mary 

Holding You close to herself

Remember Joseph

Who did all he could

To keep You safe

Obeying every angel

That came in his dreams

.

So how do I feel

This Christmas?

When I think of You

I’m cheerful

Even when I’m blue

When people aren’t friendly

Help me not get angry

Although I’m tired

I’ll think of You

Sweet Jesus, my Savior

Help me think of You

~

~

LUKE 1: 26In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.”

29Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.”

34“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”

35The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called ^b the Son of God. 36Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37For no word from God will ever fail.”

38“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.

~

MATTHEW 1:  18This is how the birth of Jesus the Messiah came about ^d : His mother Mary was pledged to be married to Joseph, but before they came together, she was found to be pregnant through the Holy Spirit. 19Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet ^e did not want to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.

20But after he had considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. 21She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus, ^f because he will save his people from their sins.”

22All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 23“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” ^g (which means “God with us”).

24When Joseph woke up, he did what the angel of the Lord had commanded him and took Mary home as his wife. 25But he did not consummate their marriage until she gave birth to a son. And he gave him the name Jesus.

~

 LUKE 2:  8And there were shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night. 9An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified. 10But the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. 11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. 12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.”

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14“Glory to God in the highest heaven,

and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.”

~

MATTHEW 2: 9After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.

13When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.”

14So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt, 15where he stayed until the death of Herod. And so was fulfilled what the Lord had said through the prophet: “Out of Egypt I called my son.”. . . 

19After Herod died, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt 20and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who were trying to take the child’s life are dead.”

21So he got up, took the child and his mother and went to the land of Israel. 22But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning in Judea in place of his father Herod, he was afraid to go there. Having been warned in a dream, he withdrew to the district of Galilee, 23and he went and lived in a town called Nazareth. So was fulfilled what was said through the prophets, that he would be called a Nazarene.

Love Thankfully

 

Fathers

Sisters

Mothers

Brothers

Here is the day

We gather to say

A special ‘thank you’

Although tomorrow

I’m still angry with you

 

This is the day 

When we gather to pray

Although we never pray ever

We’ll say the words together

This is the day

When we smile with shining teeth

Although we are dying

Inside we are fighting

 

What good is the turkey

If our bellies are never full?

What good is the family

If hatred is in our hearts?

What good is the prayer

If God doesn’t exist?

What exactly are we thankful for?

What if this day didn’t exist?

 

And although my spirit is choking

On the blood of the world

Still the Spirit is insisting

I’m the Lord’s little girl

And I want to forgive all 

The hurt done to me

Lord God please forgive me

Lord God please help me

To be thankful

To be grateful

For all You’ve given me

 

The life rushes back

To burn in my cheeks

And I see the life in us

We aren’t only breathing dust

In God we trust

In God we trust

 

It isn’t just a holiday

It isn’t just today

We aren’t fighting to be fake

We aren’t dying to stay awake

Yes all seems bleak around us

And sometimes we are choking inside

But God is with us

God is for us

It is God who helps us

To forgive

And I am thankful

 

Philippians 4

4Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8Finally, 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. 9Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

 

John 15

1“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes a so that it will be even more fruitful. 3You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. 8This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

9“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you. 17This is my command: Love each other.

 

 

1 John 2

1My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. 2He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.

3We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5But if anyone obeys his word, love for God a is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

7Dear friends, I am not writing you a new command but an old one, which you have had since the beginning. This old command is the message you have heard. 8Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and in you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.

9Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister b is still in the darkness. 10Anyone who loves their brother and sister c lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. 11But anyone who hates a brother or sister is in the darkness and walks around in the darkness. They do not know where they are going, because the darkness has blinded them.

12I am writing to you, dear children,

because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name.

13I am writing to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I am writing to you, young men,

because you have overcome the evil one.

14I write to you, dear children,

because you know the Father.

I write to you, fathers,

because you know him who is from the beginning.

I write to you, young men,

because you are strong,

and the word of God lives in you,

and you have overcome the evil one.

Spirit of Fear

Romans 8: “12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation, but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.  15For you did not receive a spirit of slavery that returns you to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. 17And if we are children, then we are heirs: heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ—if indeed we suffer with Him, so that we may also be glorified with Him.

The darkness

The Monster

The anger

The danger

The hatred

The laziness–

I know your face

I know your name

Spirit of Fear

In me you have no place

God’s child

 

Spirit of Strength

Jesus, Savior and King

Please help me

I am plagued

By the demon of fear

And I have never

Ever broken free of the chains.

Perhaps if I did

I’d think I was self reliant

And I know that is wrong.

But it is hurting me.

 

I need Your help

Spirit of Courage

Spirit of Strength

Please help me LORD

Fight for me

Against this demon

The Spirit of Fear.

The fearful me

Hides in the shadows

Wears every ugly

And self righteous mask.

But I cannot stand

On this sinking sand

Come Father Come!

Encourage me.

 

Come Savior Come!

Remind me of grace

How You’ve paid the price

To redeem me

From the Spirit of Fear.

LORD I still shiver in my cage.

Fight for me, Christ!

Fight for me.

 

Come Spirit Come!

Spirit of God, Come!

You who raised my Savior

You who taught me the gospel

You who lights the Children on fire–

Come Spirit Come!

Anoint me!

For I am very much afraid

And I need You!

 

I need You.

Meditation Verses

Romans 8:26

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know how we ought to pray, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groans too deep for words.

 

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear involves punishment. The one who fears has not been perfected in love.

1 Corinthians 12:7b-10

So to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. That is why, for the sake of Christ, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Peter 1:5-9

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities and continue to grow in them, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever lacks these traits is nearsighted to the point of blindness, having forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.

Matthew 7:24-27

Therefore everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because its foundation was on the rock.

But everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not act on them is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, the torrents raged, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its collapse!”

Meditation Songs

 

 

Boast in the LORD

Romans 5: 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.

Who boasts in the LORD?

Is it not I, oh my soul?

Does not my tongue rejoice

In His promises, blessing, and grace?

Is it not I who has been redeemed?

Is it not I who has been freed of fear?

Where now is the sting of death?

Why now be anxious of the day?

Why lose sleep in the guilt of the night?

Is it not I who am never left alone?

Does not His Spirit dwell in me?

Will He ever be ashamed of my hope in Him?

Who boasts in the LORD?

Is it not I, oh my soul?

Psalm 27: 1The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 27: 1The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

2When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.  3Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.  

4One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.  5For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

6Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.  

7Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.  8My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”  Your face, Lord, I will seek. 9Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper.  Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior. 10Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.  11Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.  12Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

13I remain confident of this:  I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.  14Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.

Romans 5: 1Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

9Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! 10For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Meditate On the Glory

MEDITATION: 2 CHRONICLES 36, EZRA 1

The LORD God is faithful. He will not leave His people abandoned for He loves them. When His Name is defiled, He removes it from the people and removes the people from the promise. But His wrath will not last forever. His promise will rest and await the fulfillment of promise (the land rested from the wickedness for seventy years. And every Sabbath during that time was honored). Always there is a remnant that He will draw back to Himself. He Himself stirs in them His spirit that they may honor Him and desire to return to His promise and rebuild His glory. And when they are faithful, they are given all they need.

Oh, Faithful Ones,

Where is your spirit?

Oh, Righteous Ones,

Where is your God?

We are the temple

In us is the Name

So honor Him

He will be faithful

So honor Him

You will see Him

The promise is coming

Do not be afraid

.

Oh, Chosen Ones,

What is your gift?

Oh, Glorious Ones,

Where are your eyes?

We are the temple

In us is the Name

So praise Him

He has stirred you to this

So praise Him

You will know Him

When He comes to you waiting

Waiting for the promise

Do not be afraid

~

2 Corinthians 3:12, 16-18

“12Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold… 16But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. 17Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”

 

Joshua 1

“8Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 31

“’6Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.’

“7Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, ‘Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’”

Isaiah 41:10

“Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”

2 Chronicles 15

“1The Spirit of God came on Azariah son of Oded. 2He went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The Lord is with you when you are with him. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you. 3For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. 4But in their distress they turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them. 5In those days it was not safe to travel about, for all the inhabitants of the lands were in great turmoil. 6One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. 7But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded.’

“8When Asa heard these words and the prophecy of Azariah son of Oded the prophet, he took courage. He removed the detestable idols from the whole land of Judah and Benjamin and from the towns he had captured in the hills of Ephraim. He repaired the altar of the Lord that was in front of the portico of the Lord’s temple.”

Proverbs: Again I say: Remember

I’m sorry I haven’t written anything for a while.  My schedule got very crazy, but it was for a good reason.  The Lord saw fit to provide me with a new job!  I’m excited and scared at the same time, but I’m glad for the opportunity.  As a result, however, I probably won’t be able to post on Tuesday’s, or at least not in the mornings.  But I hope it can still remain regular.  In any case, I hope I’m still able to bless you!

“10Listen, my son, accept what I say, and the years of your life will be many. 11I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. 12When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble. 13Hold on to instruction, do not let it go; guard it well, for it is your life. 14Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. 15Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. 16For they cannot rest until they do evil; they are robbed of sleep till they make someone stumble. 17They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.” ~Proverbs 4

Remember.

Again I say: Remember.

Remember Wisdom’s Way.

Remember all the ways

You’ve been trained

In Your younger days.

Remember them and do not stray

For the wicked time is coming

And surely your blue skies

Will turn grey.

.

Remember it, I say

Do not ever stray

For His Name’s Sake

The Lord has led your way

Though the world turn to chaos

Falling to pieces before your eyes

Yet He is the LORD

Yet He remains steadfast

Remember Wisdom’s Way

The LORD’s Way

.

And when you walk that Way

You can run without fear

Though devils draw near

And your heart forsakes all you hold dear,

Yet you need not ever fear

For the LORD is here

The LORD is here

.

Surely your blue skies

Will turn grey.

Yet, though the wicked time is coming,

Remember and do not stray.

Remember your younger days;

Remember all the ways you were trained.

Remember Wisdom’s Way.

Again I say: Remember.

Remember.

~

“16Be careful, or you will be enticed to turn away and worship other gods and bow down to them. 17Then the Lord’s anger will burn against you, and he will shut up the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the Lord is giving you. 18Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 19Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 20Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, 21so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.” ~Deuteronomy 11

“22For the sake of his great name the Lord will not reject his people, because the Lord was pleased to make you his own. 23As for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by failing to pray for you. And I will teach you the way that is good and right. 24But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you.” ~ 1 Samuel 12

“1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23

“31For who is God, but the Lord? And who is a rock, except our God?— 32the God who equipped me with strength and made my way blameless. 33He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights. 34He trains my hands for war, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze. 35You have given me the shield of your salvation, and your right hand supported me, and your gentleness made me great. 36You gave a wide place for my steps under me, and my feet did not slip.” ~Psalm 18

Proverbs: Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

“1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”~Proverbs 4

Wisdom, the Spirit in me

Given by the Lord far above me

Wisdom, the majesty of my King

Clothing me in glory

.

Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

I must have her now

Adopt her as my mother

Keep her as my prize

Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

Who shows me the Way of the King

She is not mine to hide

But I am hers to display

.

Wisdom, the Light of Heaven and Earth

That does not shrink from the truth

Wisdom, the Door to understanding

By which we enter into Paradise

.

Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

She tells me of the coming glory

And urges me to endure to the end

Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

She reminds me of the price of sin

And assures me of the Lord’s faithful grace

Wisdom, yes, Wisdom!

She’s waiting for me at the wedding feast

And there will present it to me,

The Glory Crown.

.

And on that day that I receive her gift

I will cast it down at my Lord’s feet

My King whom I serve

My Husband who I praise

Whose path I follow today

It’s Wisdom’s Way

~

“11For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12What we have received is not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, explaining spiritual realities with Spirit-taught words. 14The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness, and cannot understand them because they are discerned only through the Spirit.” ~1 Corinthians 2

14“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~Matthew 5

“22What if God, although choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath—prepared for destruction? 23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory— 24even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles? 25As he says in Hosea: “I will call them ‘my people’ who are not my people; and I will call her ‘my loved one’ who is not my loved one,” 26and, “In the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the living God.’ ” ~Romans 9

“9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives forever and ever, 10the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives forever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say: 11“You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” ~Revelation 4

“6Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 7Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.” (Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of God’s holy people.) 9Then the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!” And he added, “These are the true words of God.” ~Revelation 19

Proverbs: Wisdom’s Way

“1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”~Proverbs 4

I said in my heart

“I know the way”

And it looked good in my eyes

But the Spirit of Wisdom

Spoke words to me

Telling me of the lie

But I forsook its words

I went my own way—

And now am I surprised

By the pit?

This pit of darkness

Into which I have fallen?

Deeply I am ashamed

I ignored Wisdom’s Way

.

For surely it is true

That “1Blessed are those whose ways are blameless,

Who walk according to the law of the Lord.”

They see what others do not see

They walk with straight feet

No fear assails them

For Wisdom is their light

No guilt overcomes them

For they do not forsake the right

“5Oh, that my ways were steadfast

In obeying your decrees!

6Then I would not be put to shame

When I consider all your commands.”

But I fell and strayed

And here am I in this darkness

.

I am so ashamed

Of what I have done

Surely Wisdom will not have me

Me a fool, who forsook the Wise Way

Won’t the one who was denied

Also deny me?

I shiver at the thought

Surely there is no love for me

Who felt no love

.

But there is truth to be found

Even for the broken and lost

For The LORD does not abandon

The sheep of His flock

For, “If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

12if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us;

13if we are faithless, he remains faithful”

So the Spirit of Wisdom speaks to me

While I am in the darkness

My sin is revealed to me

And given me is the grace of repentance

So I repent my sins

Remembering the kindness of His blood

Of His reconciliation

And removed from me is the darkness

For He is ever faithful

.

I said in my heart

“I know the way”

And it looked good in my eyes

But the Spirit of Wisdom

Spoke words to me

Telling me of the lie

I cried out to Wisdom, “Save me!”

And the Spirit heard my cry

Into Your arms I run

And there I am safe;

Here there is no shame

There is only joy

~

(Excerpts from Psalm 119 and 2 Timothy 2)

“13With my lips I recount all the laws that come from your mouth. 14I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches. 15I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways. 16I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word.” ~Psalm 119

“6For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die—but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. 10For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. 11More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

1Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoiced in hope of the glory of God. 3Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” ~Romans 5

“89Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. 90Your faithfulness continues through all generations; you established the earth, and it endures. 91Your laws endure to this day, for all things serve you. 92If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. 93I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have preserved my life. 94Save me, for I am yours; I have sought out your precepts.” ~Psalm 119

Matthew 13:15

For this people’s heart has grown callous; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I would heal them.’

“105Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. 106I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws… 111Your statutes are my heritage forever; they are the joy of my heart. 112My heart is set on keeping your decrees to the very end.” ~Psalm 119

Deuteronomy 4:9

“Only give heed to yourself and keep your soul diligently, so that you do not forget the things which your eyes have seen and they do not depart from your heart all the days of your life; but make them known to your sons and your grandsons.

Proverbs: Spirit of Wisdom

“1Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. 2I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching. 3For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother. 4Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live. 5Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them. 6Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. 7The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. 8Cherish her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. 9She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.”~Proverbs 4

It is not enough

To merely hear it

It is not enough

To merely listen

Take hold of the words

Make them actions

Take hold of it

Make it yours

.

Wisdom’s ways

Are just around the corner

Understanding

In the pages I read

And I wander

All the time

Forgetting to drink from

Still waters

.

I cry out

“LORD please!

In Your infinite wisdom

Grant it to me.”

“Oh, Jesus!

Have mercy on me!

In Your Great Love

Water me.”

And His Spirit of Truth

His Spirit of Love

His Spirit of Wisdom

Washes over me

.

To those who obey

The Word of the Father

Wisdom will be granted

To those who remain

In His Love

Assurance of faith is rewarded

‘Keep My commands

Love one another’

Is not so scary a prospect

And the Spirit is there

To help

.

We reap what we sow

So let it be love

And wisdom will come too

Only ask

~

Psalm 119:168

I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, For all my ways are before You.

Luke 11:

11“Which of you fathers, if your son asks forf a fish, will give him a snake instead? 12Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? 13If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

John 15:

9“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command.”

James 1:

22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Galatians 6:

8Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.