...But a Good Word Maketh it Glad

Proverbs 12:25 "Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad."

In our world today there are a whole lot of things that can make the heart stoop in heaviness. Discouragement and depression are fiery darts thrown by Satan. He knows that if he can get a Christian so discouraged that they quit focusing on the Lord their steps will slide and their fruit for Him will cease. That's what Satan is all about--hindering and trying to thwart the work of God. The irony of discouragement is how often how little it takes to get us there. I'm not downplaying anyone who has problems, but how often I have seen in my own life where one word fitly spoken or one prayer has totally changed my outlook for the better. There have been many times where the Lord used either a card, poem, song, verse, or person to encourage me and redirect my thoughts to Him. I have witnessed countless testimonies, read many books, and heard lots of stories of how someone's life was changed by one person's encouraging word. Sometimes when we're teetering on that precipice of despair all we need is one hand to guide us back to safety. This week I urge you, make a commitment to encourage at least one person in the Lord. Don't delay, someone may be ready to throw in the towel, someone may be getting ready to make a wrong choice because of discouragement, someone even  may be considering taking their own life!

I know of students on a Christian campus who are on antidepressants. As Christians we shouldn't be doing that! How big is your God? He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us. Who's power? God's power! The power that spread the stars out in the sky, the power formed the mountains, the power that can redeem souls from hell.

A very recent study found the following in Americans;

"Twelve percent said they took antidepressants; 8.3 percent took anxiety drugs, sedatives or sleeping pills and 1.6 percent took antipsychotic medication. "

Some of the people making up that number are Christians.

Colassians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 "Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."

This week encourage at least one person in the Lord. Send them a card, a verse with a treat, a little text letting them know you're praying for them. You don't have to take them out to a steak dinner, just show them you love and care about them, and point them to God.

God is near all them that draw near to Him.

Do You Care About Your Country?

I know some Christians don't vote, but I strongly believe it is the right thing to do. Do you care if every year babies are murdered by abortion? Do you care if rapist and crooks can illegally enter our borders? Do you care about the fundamental Bible Truths this nation was first founded on? Well, if you do, you need to vote and pray for this nation. As Christians we're God's hands and feet. He isn't going to strike the ballot box with magic. If He's the Lord of your life than search His will!

Time is running out for registering to vote, if you are not registered in time you will not be able to vote. If you are already registered--great! Get out and vote.

"All might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they should.”
― Samuel Adams

“They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.” ~Franklin

“If we ever forget that we are One Nation Under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” ~Ronald Reagan

1 Timothy 2:1-4 "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth."

I'm Thankful Today....

For getting a task accomplished today that I have been wanting to complete for some time but have not been able to for varying reasons.

For Amazingly Beautiful weather!!! Spending some time this morning drinking coffee and relaxing in our walk-in aviary.

For enough time to put up my hammock beside my sister's and read a book for awhile

For the wonderful smell of the Tea Olive in our front yard

For the mill less than a mile from our house being open today. The apple pies were delicious! Not to mention fresh apple fritters. 😉

For opportunities to be involved in church

For flowers still blooming in our yard

For the old hymns!

What are you thankful for today? Take time to let the Lord know you are grateful.

"Am I Filling Salt Shakers?"

 From my grandma:

PRIORITIES

 

“Am I filling salt shakers?”

     During my second year of college I worked as a cook/waitress in a small drug store near campus.  At closing time, we would clean the grill, mop the floor, and fill all napkin holders and salt shakers.  We couldn’t clean or mop until the last customer left, but often I would fill napkin holders and salt shakers during the last 15 minutes when we rarely had customers.  Occasionally a customer would come in 10 minutes before we closed when I was in the middle of my project.  Instead of interrupting my task I would hurriedly try to finish the last 5 tables before checking on my customer, who waited quietly at a table.  After this happened several times, the lady I worked with took me aside and gently reminded me that I was hired to take care of customers—not fill salt shakers.  I had my priorities wrong and was actually viewing my first priority as an “interruption” to my plans.  It is so easy to miss opportunities to serve God and others because these opportunities are unexpected and unplanned on our part. We view them not as “opportunities” but as “interruptions.”  These “opportunities” are often disguised as people. Sometimes when my plans are changed by others I have to ask myself, “Am I meeting a need or just filling salt shakers?”

 

     Someone once described a priority as something you put on your schedule and nothing can bump it off.  One day I listened to a motivational speaker illustrate time management skills.  He had a small aquarium which he filled with large rocks.

    “Is it full?”  He asked.

We agreed that it appeared to be full. It seemed obvious he could not fit any more of his rocks into it.  He brought out another bowl of smaller rocks and began adding them to the aquarium. We watched the smaller rocks fill in around the larger ones.

     Again he asked if it were full, and again we affirmed it.  Now he produced a bucket of sand and began adding the sand to the aquarium.  Again he repeated his question.  This time we affirmed it with less certainty. He brought out a pitcher of water and proceeded to pour water in until it would hold no more.  “Now it is full,” he announced.  “What principle does this demonstrate?”

     “No matter how full your schedule, there is always a way to fit something else into it, “ someone offered, which was exactly what I was thinking.  Before I could congratulate myself on getting the right answer he bellowed, “No!  That isn’t it at all.  You missed the point.  You have to put the big rocks in first or you won’t get them in at all.  What if I had put the water in first?”

 Prioritize every area of your life.  Schedule the most important things first. As you do, remember that some things are important; some things are urgent; a few things are both; and many things are neither. Line up your priorities with those God gives to us. 

Our actions are the true indicator of our priorities.

“Success is only another form of failure if we forget what our priorities should be.”