Lady of Light
As I take a look at Proverbs 24:1-6, I see what kind of attitude we are to have about evil people. In the Psalms, David often asks God why it appears that his enemies are triumphing while he is suffering. But God tells him that he will overcome the enemy and not to worry about evil people who appear to have victory or material wealth and success in this world. Proverbs 24:1-6 states:
"Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth destruction, and their lips talk of mischief. Through wisdom is an house builded, and by understanding it is established. And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, yea, a man of knowledge increaseth strength. For by wise counsel thou shalt make thy war: and in a multitude of counselors there is safety.
So, it is the gift of wisdom, knowledge and understanding from God that really determines our state of well-being - and we are advised that there is safety in many counselors. When you are trying to discern Gpf's will, He will use his word and others to help you - good Christian leaders and friends as well. Many times I have heard someone say "God spoke to me through..." So we are fortunate that as it tells us in the book of James that if you need wisdom, pray and ask God for it and he will give it. This is a wonderful promise for us. I feel blessed when I know that God is working behind the scenes to guide me and establish me.
May God bless you today.
Lady of Light
Friday, July 25, 2008
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Seek God's Wisdom
Lady of Light
Today's reading in Proverbs has a verse that just kind of "jumped out at me."
In Proverbs 23:3, it tells us"
"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."
I don't suppose that means that you can't make alot of money on your job but it does mean that that shouldn't be your main motive. When we seek God's wisdom, he gives us a purpose in all that we do and he gives us the attitude of a servant motivated by love.
He promises in Mathew 6:33:
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."
In today's world, we need to prioritize and stay in the word of God so that we keep our motives pure and our attitudes right.
I don't make lots of money at either one of my jobs right now, but I have a joy knowing that I am serving others and that I do it prayerfully in the Lord's strength.
I work for Senior Corps in a Headstart Program with 3-4 year olds and also have a home-based typing service. I help seniors get jobs providing job searches and resumes as well. I am glad for the opportunity to serve people and to encourage people. I know that my heart is right in what I do. I am also a wife and homemaker and I serve my husband in love and look after my home with love because I am very grateful to God for all he has given me. As the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" says, "All I have needed thy hand hath provided - great is thy faitfulness, Lord unto me."
I hope that you meditate on God's word today and fill your heart with right thoughts and motives as you go about doing whatever it is you do.
God Bless You
Lady of Light
Today's reading in Proverbs has a verse that just kind of "jumped out at me."
In Proverbs 23:3, it tells us"
"Labour not to be rich: cease from thine own wisdom."
I don't suppose that means that you can't make alot of money on your job but it does mean that that shouldn't be your main motive. When we seek God's wisdom, he gives us a purpose in all that we do and he gives us the attitude of a servant motivated by love.
He promises in Mathew 6:33:
"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you."
In today's world, we need to prioritize and stay in the word of God so that we keep our motives pure and our attitudes right.
I don't make lots of money at either one of my jobs right now, but I have a joy knowing that I am serving others and that I do it prayerfully in the Lord's strength.
I work for Senior Corps in a Headstart Program with 3-4 year olds and also have a home-based typing service. I help seniors get jobs providing job searches and resumes as well. I am glad for the opportunity to serve people and to encourage people. I know that my heart is right in what I do. I am also a wife and homemaker and I serve my husband in love and look after my home with love because I am very grateful to God for all he has given me. As the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness" says, "All I have needed thy hand hath provided - great is thy faitfulness, Lord unto me."
I hope that you meditate on God's word today and fill your heart with right thoughts and motives as you go about doing whatever it is you do.
God Bless You
Lady of Light
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
King David's Plea to God
Lady of Light
In Psalm 22:19-22 we see a portion of the plea David is making unto God and what he says he will do in response:
"But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword, my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion's mouth:for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns. I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee."
We can just about imagine that David was having much difficulty and as the
"man after God's own heart" he is known to be, he turned to God and asked him to be near. Also, he mentions the lion's mouth which we know from bible history, that God did deliver Daniel from the lion's den. I know that when I have fallen prey to idle gossip, I have felt as if the lions were trying to devour me but I always remind myself that if God could close the mouths of the real lions, he can quell negative talk and gossip that at times surrounds me or goes on behind my back.
But David is going to then praise God in the midst of the congregation. To me this means that it is important to gather with other believers and participate in praise activity. We are to express our praise in the midst of the congregation. I am going to remember these verses when I am at church or prayer meeting and continue to be freer in expressing my praise to God with other believers. I know that I will be blessed and so will everyone else. I hope that you give yourself the experience of praising God in the church or congregation this week and be a blessing and be blessed. And remember, like David, call on the Lord when you are troubled. He is always there to deliver us.
God Bless You!
Lady of Light
In Psalm 22:19-22 we see a portion of the plea David is making unto God and what he says he will do in response:
"But be not thou far from me, O Lord: O my strength, haste thee to help me. Deliver my soul from the sword, my darling from the power of the dog. Save me from the lion's mouth:for thou hast heard me from the horns of the unicorns. I will declare thy name unto my brethren: in the midst of the congregation I will praise thee."
We can just about imagine that David was having much difficulty and as the
"man after God's own heart" he is known to be, he turned to God and asked him to be near. Also, he mentions the lion's mouth which we know from bible history, that God did deliver Daniel from the lion's den. I know that when I have fallen prey to idle gossip, I have felt as if the lions were trying to devour me but I always remind myself that if God could close the mouths of the real lions, he can quell negative talk and gossip that at times surrounds me or goes on behind my back.
But David is going to then praise God in the midst of the congregation. To me this means that it is important to gather with other believers and participate in praise activity. We are to express our praise in the midst of the congregation. I am going to remember these verses when I am at church or prayer meeting and continue to be freer in expressing my praise to God with other believers. I know that I will be blessed and so will everyone else. I hope that you give yourself the experience of praising God in the church or congregation this week and be a blessing and be blessed. And remember, like David, call on the Lord when you are troubled. He is always there to deliver us.
God Bless You!
Lady of Light
Monday, July 21, 2008
Rejoice in the Salvation of the Lord
Lady of Light
In Psalm 20, there is an interesting song or prayer:
"The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee."
How often do we go about our business until something happens and then call out to the Lord? Just tonight, my husband was choking and I was slapping him on the back, crying to the Lord for help. Everything turned out fine, thank the good Lord but all day long, although I said a few quiet prayers to myself, I didn't need to call out to God until something happened. Isn't it nice to know that the Lord will help us, save us and defend us against all trouble?
In verse 6 of Psalm 20 it says:
"Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed, he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand."
I love verses that say positive things about God in his relationship to me because I know from this verse, that even though it may not feel that way all the time, God does hear us and can save us with his strength.
These verses were a special encouragement to me today and hope they are to you also.
God bless you,
Lady of Light
In Psalm 20, there is an interesting song or prayer:
"The Lord hear thee in the day of trouble; the name of the God of Jacob defend thee."
How often do we go about our business until something happens and then call out to the Lord? Just tonight, my husband was choking and I was slapping him on the back, crying to the Lord for help. Everything turned out fine, thank the good Lord but all day long, although I said a few quiet prayers to myself, I didn't need to call out to God until something happened. Isn't it nice to know that the Lord will help us, save us and defend us against all trouble?
In verse 6 of Psalm 20 it says:
"Now know I that the Lord saveth his anointed, he will hear him from his holy heaven with the saving strength of his right hand."
I love verses that say positive things about God in his relationship to me because I know from this verse, that even though it may not feel that way all the time, God does hear us and can save us with his strength.
These verses were a special encouragement to me today and hope they are to you also.
God bless you,
Lady of Light
Sunday, July 20, 2008
Some of God's Gifts
Lady of Light
Good morning! What better day to restart Lady of Light after vacation! I became aware of several verses in Proverbs 20 that reminded me of the goodness of God and of his generosity. I am asking God to help me to continue to be generous with my resources and time helping others. It is the generosity of God that gives us everything including life. Proverbs 20:12 states:
"The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made both of them."
I am so thankful for my ears. My husband and I just got a wonderful new classical music collection with biographies and interpretation notes included and had a wonderful three hour "concert" of Beethoven. We sat and listened and read the biography and interpretation notes out loud. It speaks about how Beethoven suffered when he lost his hearing and yet, by some miracle, he could still hear music in his head even after that! And, of course, I am thankful for my eyes. I already mentioned the miracle of catarac surgery which gave me new clear lenses. The Lord gave us these wonderful gifts to use for Him. The eye to read his word and the ear to listen to his word.
In Proverbs 20:15, it speaks about something more valuable than everything in your jewelry box or safe deposit box! I appreciate the beauty of jewelry. I stumbled upon a jewelry show at our local hospital when I was there the other day. It was lovely to see all the silver necklaces, bracelets and earrings. My favorites were an amethyst necklace and a turquoise stone necklace. It is amazing what can be done from natural gems. But God reminds us of something different in this verse:
"There is gold, and a multitude of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel."
Think of how great it is when you hear someone speak knowledge. It might be the Pastor on Sunday morning, a professor at your school, or just someone who uses God's gift of knowledge. I thank God for my lips and the lips of others who speak with knowledge and share knowledge with me. The bible doesn't specifically mention this, at least in this Proverb, but I also thank God for fingers that can write and type to share ideas.
I always like to take time out each day to meditate on the goodness of God in some way. Today's Proverb gifted me with gratitude for that which I sometimes take for granted.
God Bless You
Lady of Light
Good morning! What better day to restart Lady of Light after vacation! I became aware of several verses in Proverbs 20 that reminded me of the goodness of God and of his generosity. I am asking God to help me to continue to be generous with my resources and time helping others. It is the generosity of God that gives us everything including life. Proverbs 20:12 states:
"The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made both of them."
I am so thankful for my ears. My husband and I just got a wonderful new classical music collection with biographies and interpretation notes included and had a wonderful three hour "concert" of Beethoven. We sat and listened and read the biography and interpretation notes out loud. It speaks about how Beethoven suffered when he lost his hearing and yet, by some miracle, he could still hear music in his head even after that! And, of course, I am thankful for my eyes. I already mentioned the miracle of catarac surgery which gave me new clear lenses. The Lord gave us these wonderful gifts to use for Him. The eye to read his word and the ear to listen to his word.
In Proverbs 20:15, it speaks about something more valuable than everything in your jewelry box or safe deposit box! I appreciate the beauty of jewelry. I stumbled upon a jewelry show at our local hospital when I was there the other day. It was lovely to see all the silver necklaces, bracelets and earrings. My favorites were an amethyst necklace and a turquoise stone necklace. It is amazing what can be done from natural gems. But God reminds us of something different in this verse:
"There is gold, and a multitude of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel."
Think of how great it is when you hear someone speak knowledge. It might be the Pastor on Sunday morning, a professor at your school, or just someone who uses God's gift of knowledge. I thank God for my lips and the lips of others who speak with knowledge and share knowledge with me. The bible doesn't specifically mention this, at least in this Proverb, but I also thank God for fingers that can write and type to share ideas.
I always like to take time out each day to meditate on the goodness of God in some way. Today's Proverb gifted me with gratitude for that which I sometimes take for granted.
God Bless You
Lady of Light
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Blades of Grass
Lady of Light
Have you ever noticed the near perfection of the landscape often designed by the local Memorial Funeral Home? Each blade of grass is bright green and every flower is positioned evenly with each leaf and petal looking healthy and colorful? Indeed, there is something awesome and refreshing about it. Did you ever wonder how many individual blades of grass comprised that well-manicured lawn?
Let's suppose that each blade of grass represented one of the 150,000 thoughts that travel through your brain each day - hardy, colorful blades of grass.
In the book of Phillipians, Chapter 4, verse eight, the apostle Paul admonishes to think on "whatsoever is good, wholesome, lovely, of good report..." Our thoughts need to be like these blades of grass!
Just imagine what the landscape of your mind, spirit and soul would be like if you were able to completely yield to these positive thought patterns suggested in the scripture. Again, visualize the beauty of that lawn and garden.
That could be you!
Consider, also, the choices you make as being as minute as the particles of grass. The decision to smile, to relax, to be joyful, to look at beautiful things, to eat something healthy, to read something uplifting, to listen to music that is soothing--etc.etc. If all the small choices and decisions you made in a day were positive ones, imagine more about the beauty of the landscape of your life.
Of course, we all have to do some "weeding" to maintain anything like this, but in the strength and power of God, we can all experience love, joy, goodness, peace and happiness.
That could be me and that could be you!!
God Bless You!
Lady of Light
Have you ever noticed the near perfection of the landscape often designed by the local Memorial Funeral Home? Each blade of grass is bright green and every flower is positioned evenly with each leaf and petal looking healthy and colorful? Indeed, there is something awesome and refreshing about it. Did you ever wonder how many individual blades of grass comprised that well-manicured lawn?
Let's suppose that each blade of grass represented one of the 150,000 thoughts that travel through your brain each day - hardy, colorful blades of grass.
In the book of Phillipians, Chapter 4, verse eight, the apostle Paul admonishes to think on "whatsoever is good, wholesome, lovely, of good report..." Our thoughts need to be like these blades of grass!
Just imagine what the landscape of your mind, spirit and soul would be like if you were able to completely yield to these positive thought patterns suggested in the scripture. Again, visualize the beauty of that lawn and garden.
That could be you!
Consider, also, the choices you make as being as minute as the particles of grass. The decision to smile, to relax, to be joyful, to look at beautiful things, to eat something healthy, to read something uplifting, to listen to music that is soothing--etc.etc. If all the small choices and decisions you made in a day were positive ones, imagine more about the beauty of the landscape of your life.
Of course, we all have to do some "weeding" to maintain anything like this, but in the strength and power of God, we can all experience love, joy, goodness, peace and happiness.
That could be me and that could be you!!
God Bless You!
Lady of Light
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Pay Wisdom for Leaders
Lady of Light
In Psalm 2, verse 10-11, it states:
"Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling."
This is not only good advice for kings or leaders, but for us as well. In Romans
it tells us to pray for those in authority. As you read this command in Psalm 2,
you can see that we need to pray that our leaders and those who are running for political office must seek wisdom and follow any leading or instruction with an attitude that they are not only serving man, but God. Included in this is rejoicing or praise which promotes God's blessing.
In our lives, too, wisdom and obedience are important, and a "Serve the Lord, praiseworthy attitude as well. Once in a while, when something negative happens, I get temporarily tangled up and I find that the reason is that I am not being consciously aware that it is the Lord I am serving, so it doesn't make any difference if you get a negative response when you do something good. God certainly knows our hearts, and he "untangles" the knot every time, thank God.
May God Bless You,
Lady of Light
In Psalm 2, verse 10-11, it states:
"Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.
Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling."
This is not only good advice for kings or leaders, but for us as well. In Romans
it tells us to pray for those in authority. As you read this command in Psalm 2,
you can see that we need to pray that our leaders and those who are running for political office must seek wisdom and follow any leading or instruction with an attitude that they are not only serving man, but God. Included in this is rejoicing or praise which promotes God's blessing.
In our lives, too, wisdom and obedience are important, and a "Serve the Lord, praiseworthy attitude as well. Once in a while, when something negative happens, I get temporarily tangled up and I find that the reason is that I am not being consciously aware that it is the Lord I am serving, so it doesn't make any difference if you get a negative response when you do something good. God certainly knows our hearts, and he "untangles" the knot every time, thank God.
May God Bless You,
Lady of Light
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Walk With God
Lady of Light
Since it is the first day of the month, I am beginning my devotional with Psalm One.
In Psalm One it tells us:
"Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate day and night..."
If we take this in the positive, blessed is the man who walks WITH God and abides in godly counsel. In Psalm 33:11, it tells us:
"The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."
In Psalm One, we are warned not to listen to "the world", and in Psalm 33, we are told the quality of God's counsel and its blessings to future generations as well.
In order not to stand in the way of sinners, we have to be careful that our actions and behavior and attitudes do not cause sinners to stumble or prevent them from getting to know God.
Scornfulness speaks of an attitude, needless to say, unfitting for the godly.
We are able to be the kind of people God wants us to be by meditating on the law of the Lord all the time. That should be an encouragement If we do this, we will really be blessed.
In meditating on these verses, I see how important it is to stay with the word, because how can you recognize the counsel of the ungodly in all cases if you don't walk with God and know what his counsel is through his spirit and his word?
God's counsel endures, while the solutions to life that the "world" offers are only temporary. We have all heard the expression "putting a band aid on a problem".
God helps us to go beneath the surface and learn a principle that lives beyond any one situation or dilemma.
I am thankful for the guidance of God and I hope that you too will avail yourself of it as much as you can too.
God Bless You,
Lady of Light
Since it is the first day of the month, I am beginning my devotional with Psalm One.
In Psalm One it tells us:
"Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate day and night..."
If we take this in the positive, blessed is the man who walks WITH God and abides in godly counsel. In Psalm 33:11, it tells us:
"The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations."
In Psalm One, we are warned not to listen to "the world", and in Psalm 33, we are told the quality of God's counsel and its blessings to future generations as well.
In order not to stand in the way of sinners, we have to be careful that our actions and behavior and attitudes do not cause sinners to stumble or prevent them from getting to know God.
Scornfulness speaks of an attitude, needless to say, unfitting for the godly.
We are able to be the kind of people God wants us to be by meditating on the law of the Lord all the time. That should be an encouragement If we do this, we will really be blessed.
In meditating on these verses, I see how important it is to stay with the word, because how can you recognize the counsel of the ungodly in all cases if you don't walk with God and know what his counsel is through his spirit and his word?
God's counsel endures, while the solutions to life that the "world" offers are only temporary. We have all heard the expression "putting a band aid on a problem".
God helps us to go beneath the surface and learn a principle that lives beyond any one situation or dilemma.
I am thankful for the guidance of God and I hope that you too will avail yourself of it as much as you can too.
God Bless You,
Lady of Light
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