The Word of God for wisdom:
Proverbs 11:12-13 (NLT)
12 It is foolish to belittle one's neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet.
13 A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
The Word of God for inspiration:
Psalm 58:11 (NLT)
11 Then at last everyone will say, "There truly is a reward for those who live for God; surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth."
The Word of God for encouragement:
Luke 1:67-70 (HCSB)
67 Then his father Zechariah was filled with the Holy Spirit and prophesied:
68 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has visited and provided redemption for His people.
69 He has raised up a horn of salvation for us in the house of His servant David,
70 just as He spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets in ancient times;
My observation:
I have observed a common theme that runs through this first chapter of Luke. The thing that caught my eye is the people who have a song to sing. When Jesus has done something for you it gives you something to sing about. That was the case of Zechariah, and for the nation of Israel.
You may not think that you have anything to sing about because of your present circumstances. The weight of your problems may be pressing you down, but don't give in, and never give up as long as you have life and breathe.
There was a young Jewish woman who was pregnant, and engaged to a poor Jewish young man. Looking at her condition do you think she had anything to sing about? This was the song that she sang from the depths of her soul.
Luke 1:46-49 (HCSB)
46 And Mary said: My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
47 and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior,
48 because He has looked with favor on the humble condition of His slave. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed,
49 because the Mighty One has done great things for me, and His name is holy.
My prayer:
Our Father in heaven, my dear Father, I am so glad that in the throne room of my life you are in first place.
Father God, I will never cease to praise your most holy and righteous name. Only you are a God who takes nobodies and make them somebody.
Father, you are great, and greatly to be praised. My heart will be singing your praises all the day long. Father, I am taking my umbrella with me today because I am praying for rain. Not the rain storm we got a few days ago, but a pouring out of blessings on your people in answer to their fervent prayers.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (HCSB)
3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort.
4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
--
Mark 4:20 (ESV)
20 But those that were sown on the good soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit, thirtyfold and sixtyfold and a hundredfold."
.
Looking back I see the hand of God preparing me for the next day; the day my wife died (March 15, 2012).
ReplyDelete2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (HCSB)
3 Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God.