Saturday, June 30, 2007

Lena Journals to Proverbs 18 Today

I was just telling a friend how human nature is somewhat predictable in the area where we send red flags to one another, or S.O.S. signs. We send up signals that help one another to read one another, to help one another, if we are open to be helped.
One such signal in human nature, is seclusion and separation from people, or God, or self.
These are the three main roots systems where, if one is willing to see it as a signal and deal with it in the spirit, every human ailment can be dealt with and even healed.
Do you know sin means - separation?
Humans were created by God to be joined with God and also with other humans.
When humans sin, they suddenly want to be alone or separated. Adam, where are you?
Whether we want to or not, guilt or shame causes us to feel this way.
Do you know separation from God is sin? Also separation from others is a breech in His plan for mankind, and so is separation from self. There’s a disconnecting of the lifeline of relationships. Man was meant by God to relate to God and to others. Relationship is where most human struggle is at.
Can you see why, if it is so important to God’s will? Yeah, that’s because it is under direct attack of the enemy. The enemy knows he can kill man off, if man will separate from God and others.
God is our eternal lifeline, therefore the enemy would love to separate us eternally speaking. If we separate out from others, we do not relate. The Bible clearly states that if we do not love men who we see (with a love which must be demonstrated inside of relationships), then we are liars. If we say we love God, but won’t demonstrate it w/ people, this is the self deceptive lie.
So, we do not love God, if we cannot love others, whom we do see and get the privilege of working out relationships with here, now!
In the purposeful demonstration of love, do your words build others up? Refresh them? Or frustrate and irritate them? Do you murmur, complain and criticize? Or edify, exhort, and build others up, encouraging them in truth and faith, hope, & love?
One must decide to love and to live differently than the world, or than the natural sway.
We decide to use our words for life or for death.
What exactly is humility again? A willingness to be corrected, led, and obedient to the opinion of another. Ouch, that one hurts pride, on purpose. Humility we could call the weaponry against pride! We should use it as a tool in a warrior’s hand to bring the character of God on the temptation to usurp. When one humbles himself, he won’t need to be humiliated.
How much do you give out? Do you give all, wishing nothing in return from people, leaving your provision for God to take care of? How about of your personality, or your love bank? Do you hold some back in case someone sucks you dry? Or do you live on “the edge”, trusting God so much that you can empty yourself of self, regularly and know that your God will always fill an emptied unto Him vessel, full up?
A man who finds a wife…..Finding a wife may seem easier than keeping one. It takes work, purposeful willing work to be willing to please others. The Lord looks favorably upon a man who is willing to give all up everyday of his earth life to cause a woman and children to have and be at peace.
Marriage is more for God than it is for men.
If we look at it in this light, we may be willing to do more to have it, keep it, and nurture it, than we would be if we see it as self satisfying and self serving. God wants two people to decide to agree, to bring power to the earth. God is looking for men to die to self, and live to Him in demonstration and ironing out of daily life. He is looking for women who will love as models of His church, His bride does this, because she gives all, unconditionally and is willing to change and help serve others.
Marriage is God’s design for heaven on earth demonstration. Where two could stay two, but they decide to become one to demonstrate Him.
Our pastor says, a wedding is two funerals and one resurrection!
Two people who lived in whatever way they saw life to be about, and how they desired and said to one another before God, “Hey lets rid ourselves of that self satisfying lifestyle, and give ourselves wholly over to the demonstration of Christ’s kingdom, then let’s reproduce it with family and with being godly examples of it to children who in turn will be raised to see that same vision for the earth!”
The one resurrection is, Christ appearing in two who could be and remain two, but they choose to be as much like Him as is possible for two to be in the earth. It is not about who wins and which one we change to please the other the most. It is about two dying to self, to exemplify Him! How can we together do what His will is so powerfully desirous of showing forth through us?
Man cannot do that alone! He can’t.
It was not good for man to be alone…..God made woman out of the side of man…..

Friday, June 29, 2007

Proverbs 18 Today's Daily Bread

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God Bless You Today, Lena B
Proverbs 18
1A recluse is self-indulgent, snarling at every sound principle of conduct.
2Fools have no interest in understanding; they only want to air their own opinions.
3When the wicked arrive, contempt, shame, and disgrace are sure to follow.
4A person's words can be life-giving water; words of true wisdom are as refreshing as a bubbling brook.
5It is wrong for a judge to favor the guilty or condemn the innocent.
6Fools get into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
7The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips get them into trouble.
8What dainty morsels rumors are—but they sink deep into one's heart.
9A lazy person is as bad as someone who destroys things.
10The name of the LORD is a strong fortress; the godly run to him and are safe.
11The rich think of their wealth as an impregnable defense; they imagine it is a high wall of safety.
12Haughtiness goes before destruction; humility precedes honor.
13What a shame, what folly, to give advice before listening to the facts!
14The human spirit can endure a sick body, but who can bear it if the spirit is crushed?
15Intelligent people are always open to new ideas. In fact, they look for them.
16Giving a gift works wonders; it may bring you before important people!
17Any story sounds true until someone sets the record straight.
18Casting lots can end arguments and settle disputes between powerful opponents.
19It's harder to make amends with an offended friend than to capture a fortified city. Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with iron bars.
20Words satisfy the soul as food satisfies the stomach; the right words on a person's lips bring satisfaction.
21Those who love to talk will experience the consequences, for the tongue can kill or nourish life.
22The man who finds a wife finds a treasure and receives favor from the LORD.
23The poor plead for mercy; the rich answer with insults.
24There are "friends" who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Lena Journals to Proverbs 16 Today *******

It is dangerous when one is left to his own thoughts, opinions, ways, etc. A child left to himself brings his mother to shame (think of mother as church and child as child of God, a supposed to be disciple!)
It is oh so good for one to make himself accountable because he has found safety in it and loves what is right, hating what is wrong in his own life and keeping his soul, which he knows belongs to God, holy!
We must expose our hearts willingly to God and ask Him to search us (Ps139) to see if there are any wicked ways working in a dark hidden part. (Ps 51).
It is us alone who can surrender to the help of the Holy Spirit to expose and deal with what we cannot see. This is another God reason for being a part of the body of Christ and fellowshipping closely with others. The closer we allow godly people to get, the purer our lives become. We have to change. This is why people with no spouse change a little if they at least submit to a body of believers and co-workers and other family members. People with no children, may change only a bit, people with a spouse, more than one child, or are in a family of more than one, or if they have more opportunity to work together regularly with groups of people, are more apt to be changed sooner than those who stay to themselves. These exposures to others is God’s way of helping us to not stay as we are, set in our ways, left alone.
Commitment is very, very hard. After one commits, he wants to quit! Always. There will always be that opportunity to pull out. One who is truly committed does not pull out, he stays pretty much no matter what. (barring abuses) That takes a lifetime of bumps and successes. It never ends.
I heard a person recently speak out of being tired of the “requirements” of this walk of the spirit. They stated what more does God want, what more do I have to do, I’ve already accomplished so much and have gone so far with changes made in my life.
We must remember, God is eternal and change for us will happen for eternity. Every time He moves, even the eternal angels say – Holy, Holy, Holy….They know Him in a far more intimate manner than we do yet, and they stand amazed bowing low to His every move in the forever realm. Every time we learn something that He is, or learn how to change in an area, there are more areas to learn of change in. This an eternal walk. We should be looking to change more and more and more and more, and go from one glory to another glory each and every minute, of everyday. There should be such joy in becoming as He is, no drudgery or judgment in the need for change. Change is the conformity to His very image and likeness. This will never ever end! If I’ve taken one step or 1000, there is still a journey of knowing Him and making Him known - ahead.
Life should be about the embrace of change.
Ok, thank you Lord for showing me that area, now what?
What can I do now to know You more, and how may I make You known more?
Do you ever find yourself on the edge where honesty in business is concerned? The whole taxing deal and avoiding it at every chance is a great temptation for us.
We were just in another country, and there were signs that said “Duty Free”. I had no idea what that meant. I was trying to figure it out. “Duty Free?” Hummm? I picked up a few tourist brochures and found it was about what we call “taxes” here. The sign was saying that customers could make tax free purchases, at so many per day with certain stipulations…Anyway, when I saw that the “duty” was what we call “tax”, it caused me to see taxes differently. I liked how it was stated a “Duty”. I realize there is misuse and mismanagements with tax money and governments, etc, but Jesus knew this also. He was in a day of corrupt governments, as we also are. He believed in His Father in the midst of situations not always so favorable to the community. God is, How great? Great enough to help us inside of our cultural requirements? Yes!
I’ve noticed how it is set up for us many times throughout each week to be able to skirt around the tax or duty issue and how it is and would be so easy to just let certain things go, etc. When a person chooses to trust God and chooses holiness, what is he choosing? To be a witness, that’s what. That I’m in the world, but not of it. That the world may make requirements on my “duties” to it, but God is greater. I’d heard of 60% taxes in other places, that’s a lot, BUT GOD IS Greater! Really, He is big enough to pay that percentage of tax also, if I trust Him , obey Him, and represent Him well.
I like having a “duty” in my community, a type of ownership, participation in what is going on. It sort of makes me a “landowner” and that causes me to have a say in prayer at least!
God is greater and when I pay my “dues”, do my “duty” in my community, it shows I trust God more than men and I believe Him within my circumstances. I refuse to be as the heathen are with No God. I want my God to be proven through my life. The world needs to see people faith walking a faith walk in what is “required as an earth citizen, as well as a kingdom of God citizen. If a man will honor other men, even incorrect men, God will honor Him. God will provide what he needs. Choose holiness and honesty and trust of the Lord today. Do your “duty” to God by serving willingly your government. Talk about establishing the “right” to speak. God will listen to ones who trust Him on behalf of their land!

The fruits of the spirit, such as patience, and self control are the evidences that He lives today, and He is now alive in me! It is evidence of submissive change and of image and likeness treatments! I begin to look like Him when I act as He does. In order to see all of this fruit, one has submitted to change.
Love, Joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, & self-control are who He is and how He looks. Does He appear in your life this way today?

Proverbns 16 Today

Note- IF this e-mail is at all encrypted and is unreadable, scroll down to the end of the passage and click on the underlined blue words "Lena's Discipleship Journalin' For Today ", this will take you straight to the website where you'll enjoy a readable copy
God Bless You Today, Lena B

Proverbs 16
1We can gather our thoughts, but the LORD gives the right answer.
2People may be pure in their own eyes, but the LORD examines their motives.
3Commit your work to the LORD, and then your plans will succeed.
4The LORD has made everything for his own purposes, even the wicked for punishment.
5The LORD despises pride; be assured that the proud will be punished.
6Unfailing love and faithfulness cover sin; evil is avoided by fear of the LORD.
7When the ways of people please the LORD, he makes even their enemies live at peace with them.
8It is better to be poor and godly than rich and dishonest.
9We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
10The king speaks with divine wisdom; he must never judge unfairly.
11The LORD demands fairness in every business deal; he sets the standard.
12A king despises wrongdoing, for his rule depends on his justice.
13The king is pleased with righteous lips; he loves those who speak honestly.
14The anger of the king is a deadly threat; the wise do what they can to appease it.
15When the king smiles, there is life; his favor refreshes like a gentle rain.
16How much better to get wisdom than gold, and understanding than silver!
17The path of the upright leads away from evil; whoever follows that path is safe.
18Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.
19It is better to live humbly with the poor than to share plunder with the proud.
20Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the LORD will be happy.
21The wise are known for their understanding, and instruction is appreciated if it's well presented.
22Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools.
23From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.
24Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
25There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
26It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on.
27Scoundrels hunt for scandal; their words are a destructive blaze.
28A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.
29Violent people deceive their companions, leading them down a harmful path.
30With narrowed eyes, they plot evil; without a word, they plan their mischief.
31Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.
32It is better to be patient than powerful; it is better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
33We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Lena Journals to Provebrs 15 Today

I’m thinking, which do we want: strife & anger, or peace? That’s what we need to give. What we want is what we need to concentrate on giving. We reap what we sow, the golden rule is: do to others, what you want done to you.
Also in the realm of hating to be told what or how to do things by others. We need to be willing to change perceptions. Do you want others to listen to what you have to say, and show you respect by being willing to what you say that will benefit them or cause them to not have to experience what you’ve found to be a wrong direction, to go to a same end? Then listen to others and do what they say also. Love to be told what to do. Love to be saved from a wrong direction that wastes time. Be glad when someone loves you enough to tell you truth that will set you free and save you.
Never ever try to hide from God.
This is the red flag system God set up for each human being alive;
If we feel to hide ourselves in shame - red flag!!!!!
If we want to stay away from others - red flag!!!!
If we want to be separated – red flag!!!
Exposing yourself to God and others who you can trust and who love you enough to help you change, is the way to run when you see the red flags.
God sees and knows everything already. He loves fellowship with us, and finds delight that we’d want pure fellowship restored. He wants us to tell Him what made us feel like hiding or separating and be willing through His strength and power to deal with it as an enemy of our relationship, disallowing it to stand in its threat against us..
Remember wisdom is the practical application of knowledge.
If a person gives you advise such as, tells you it is not good to use credit cards when you can’t pay them every month, you have that knowledge and you may tell someone you know it, have heard it, etc; Now, wisdom applies the knowledge. It does the words of others. If you want to give good advise to others, make sure to check you own life and see if you also practice willingly following the advise of what others suggest to you. See if you allow others to more than just suggest stuff to you, but you go as far to let them tell you what is best without anger rising inside and you actually embrace commands.
God commands us, He does not usually suggest stuff. If we hear it as a suggestion, that is our heart. We do not yet have a healthy fear of God developed in us. The fear of the Lord is the very beginning of wisdom.
12Mockers don't love those who rebuke them…20Sensible children bring joy to their father 22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success... it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time… he delights in pure words…28The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words. .. 31If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. . 32If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
33Fear of the LORD teaches a person to be wise
How much do we love our Father God and Jesus The Son, and the Holy Spirit? It shows in how much we are willing to listen to and obey His Spirit through His word, speaking with us.
How much do we honor His words?
How much do we fear, honor and respect Him?
Enough for all of His words to be the most important points in our lives, the most important pursuit of our life? Do we live to get, hear and do His words and then go for more words we can hear listen and do? Is that how we live?
A great God-man relationship starts with Love and continues with respect and honor.

Proverbs 15 Today

Note- IF this e-mail is at all encrypted and is unreadable, scroll down to the end of the passage and click on the underlined blue words "Lena's Discipleship Journalin' For Today ", this will take you straight to the website where you'll enjoy a readable copy
God Bless You Today, Lena B

Proverbs 15
1A gentle answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.
2The wise person makes learning a joy; fools spout only foolishness.
3The LORD is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.
4Gentle words bring life and health; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.
5Only a fool despises a parent's discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise.
6There is treasure in the house of the godly, but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.
7Only the wise can give good advice; fools cannot do so.
8The LORD hates the sacrifice of the wicked, but he delights in the prayers of the upright.
9The LORD despises the way of the wicked, but he loves those who pursue godliness.
10Whoever abandons the right path will be severely punished; whoever hates correction will die.
11Even the depths of Death and Destruction F24 are known by the LORD. How much more does he know the human heart!
12Mockers don't love those who rebuke them, so they stay away from the wise.
13A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit.
14A wise person is hungry for truth, while the fool feeds on trash.
15For the poor, every day brings trouble; for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.
16It is better to have little with fear for the LORD than to have great treasure with turmoil.
17A bowl of soup with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.
18A hothead starts fights; a cool-tempered person tries to stop them.
19A lazy person has trouble all through life; the path of the upright is easy!
20Sensible children bring joy to their father; foolish children despise their mother.
21Foolishness brings joy to those who have no sense; a sensible person stays on the right path.
22Plans go wrong for lack of advice; many counselors bring success.
23Everyone enjoys a fitting reply; it is wonderful to say the right thing at the right time!
24The path of the wise leads to life above; they leave the grave F25 behind.
25The LORD destroys the house of the proud, but he protects the property of widows.
26The LORD despises the thoughts of the wicked, but he delights in pure words.
27Dishonest money brings grief to the whole family, but those who hate bribes will live.
28The godly think before speaking; the wicked spout evil words.
29The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayers of the righteous.
30A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health.
31If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.
32If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
33Fear of the LORD teaches a person to be wise; humility precedes honor.
FOOTNOTES:
F24: Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon.
F25: Hebrew Sheol.

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Lena Journals to Proverbs 14 Today

In the sense of this word, how does one “build a house”? Compared to “tearing it down”? What is the house anyway?
People, are the house, the house represents people. So a wise woman builds her people and a foolish one tears them down.
It is always so evident in the word of God how black and white God is. How we are either all in, or all out. Yet when we hear Christians talk, we give so much grace to ourselves and we listen to lies and deceptions that try to tell us we can be half in, or some in, and be ok.
Not really ok for God is looking at all in’s and He is not deceived. He knows who’s hearts are completely His, or the ones that belong to a lot of other things!
When I read about the “empty stable” I also think of sparkling clean houses that are not really homes. Houses for show, to show what a person has gained in life, yet no one plays or sits and talks in them, they are show places, museums, but have missed their purposes. Now, I did not say do not keep the house clean, we must clean the house. The work of the house, and main part to work on in a house, are the relationships of the house. That takes more work than cleaning does, but it is God’s design and idea.
An empty house that looks pretty, is of no value or use to His kingdom. That reminds me of churches that people come from a far to gaze at the architecture and stained glass designs, but where are the people? It is not a building that He glories in, it is us. It is a willing people, who could be independent, but choose to join together with others who believe, combining their differences together into one man, the LORD Jesus Christ.
Guilt or shame is like pain. It is a signal to tell us something needs to be attended to, or corrected. To dwell in guilt and shame is sin, for Jesus paid it all to provide blood to cover and forgive.
Yet the blood He shed was for those who’s intent is to change and repent, turn from one way of walking and set on a new pathway, a different journey.
Guilt is a signal for change! Shame is the sting to tell us to pull the stinger out! They are useful, if we heed their warnings.
It amazes me what men excuse themselves in. It seems life is so full of self justification. Everyday a person is trying to make his self right, or prove himself to be right in someone’s eyes. The only one who is good and really right is God. If we seek to do things His way we are made right in Him, no one needs to tell us we are, for we know Him and His rightness. That is the pathway of life. Any other pursuit is futile. We may think it is nice, comfy-cozy or good, but what counts is where it leads us. Does what we are doing or are participating in, lead to eternal life being grown in us or in others? Or is it just a good or nice thing to do or be for now?
I’ve even watched good people do good things out of order, and misalignment is missing life by a smidgen.
One example is there is a call to corporately concentrated prayer. Where two or three of us agree as touching anything that we ask for, it will be given us by our Father in heaven. God has something’s He’d like for two or more of us to gather over and agree with, bringing His will into the earth realm by declarations of faith, just as He did and does, using words to cause things to appear, as when He created the world and formed it out of what did not yet appear.
The person can be a part of it, but they say something like, “I already pray at home”. Or when we culturally know that Sundays are set aside to be a part of the greater body, and are meant by God for a whole lot of people who do different things, to come together in power, doing the same thing, in the same place, on purpose. I’ve heard people say, “I stayed home, watched a preacher on TV and shared the word on the phone with someone who doesn’t go to church”!!!
That could have been done on a day the assembly was not called together, why would we choose to do it that way then? We do what is right in our own eyes and we follow our own path. Rebellion and separation is rooted there. It needs to be plucked out, a new path taken, submission to a body embraced.
Seriously, everyone will receive both now and later of what he gave to God now. How much of Living Sacrifice do we offer? The part we want to give.
When the word says, It is wise for men to prove things before they do them , or they consider matters, or watch words, etc, it is NOT speaking of the words of God. It is speaking of day to day considerations. We are to come to God’s word with open and willing hearts, not one who contests and considers whether we’ll do what God has said or not, if it is good for us, seems right, or is worth our considerations.
We’ve got our guards up before God. There is a problem there, and reason has gotten in the way! Remember reason is an enemy of God.
No reason is needed, with Christ we believe, receive, embrace and do His words. That’s what we go to church and Bible Studies for. To learn what to do, not to see if we want to, or if His words are worthy of our faith. Wrong approach there.
This is a demonstration of the fear of the Lord. If we fear or reverence Him, we’ll come to Him with a heart to do what He says. That is never convenient, Nor is it ever easy in the flesh, ever. The flesh natured man wars against the spirit of the Father. One must learn to tell the flesh to be silent and allow the spirit man to arise and commune with his God.
There is peace in the lives of those who willfully give their selves body, soul, and spirit, to God. When one decides we all, Body, soul, and spirit are going to do His will and follow after Him, learning more and more what to do or say everyday, the struggle and war of the flesh ceases, quiets down, calms the storms within.

Proverbns 14 Today

Note- IF this e-mail is at all encrypted and is unreadable, scroll down to the end of the passage and click on the underlined blue words "Lena's Discipleship Journalin' For Today ", this will take you straight to the website where you'll enjoy a readable copy
God Bless You Today, Lena B
Proverbs 14
1A wise woman builds her house; a foolish woman tears hers down with her own hands.
2Those who follow the right path fear the LORD; those who take the wrong path despise him.
3The talk of fools is a rod for their backs, F21 but the words of the wise keep them out of trouble.
4An empty stable stays clean, but no income comes from an empty stable.
5A truthful witness does not lie; a false witness breathes lies.
6A mocker seeks wisdom and never finds it, but knowledge comes easily to those with understanding.
7Stay away from fools, for you won't find knowledge there.
8The wise look ahead to see what is coming, but fools deceive themselves.
9Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.
10Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.
11The house of the wicked will perish, but the tent of the godly will flourish.
12There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.
13Laughter can conceal a heavy heart; when the laughter ends, the grief remains.
14Backsliders get what they deserve; good people receive their reward.
15Only simpletons believe everything they are told! The prudent carefully consider their steps.
16The wise are cautious F22 and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with great confidence.
17Those who are short-tempered do foolish things, and schemers are hated.
18The simpleton is clothed with folly, but the wise person is crowned with knowledge.
19Evil people will bow before good people; the wicked will bow at the gates of the godly.
20The poor are despised even by their neighbors, while the rich have many "friends."
21It is sin to despise one's neighbors; blessed are those who help the poor.
22If you plot evil, you will be lost; but if you plan good, you will be granted unfailing love and faithfulness.
23Work brings profit, but mere talk leads to poverty!
24Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only folly.
25A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is a traitor.
26Those who fear the LORD are secure; he will be a place of refuge for their children.
27Fear of the LORD is a life-giving fountain; it offers escape from the snares of death.
28A growing population is a king's glory; a dwindling nation is his doom.
29Those who control their anger have great understanding; those with a hasty temper will make mistakes.
30A relaxed attitude lengthens life; jealousy rots it away.
31Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but those who help the poor honor him.
32The wicked are crushed by their sins, but the godly have a refuge when they die.
33Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart; wisdom is not F23 found among fools.
34Godliness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people.
35A king rejoices in servants who know what they are doing; he is angry with those who cause trouble.
FOOTNOTES:
F21: Hebrew a rod of pride.
F22: Hebrew The wise fear.
F23: As in Greek version; Hebrew lacks not.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Lena Journals to Proverbs 13 Today

Children by term are not usually noted as wise. Wisdom is gained in maturity. If a low wisdom level, a low maturity level.
It is actually ok to not be matured or wise, if a child. What is not so ok is being a child for a prolonged amount of time. Notice childhood in the natural stages of growth in human beings is short, very short, according to the whole scheme of the length of days?
There is a deception out there on staying young, foolish, immature, and unwise, as though it is somehow fashionable!
Maturing is what is fashionable with God.
He is our Father and it would be strange that any father would not desire his child to grow up, become a son, and then a man because he learns, applies what he’s learned, and has chosen to become a responsible one.
Immature children at ages of matured ones bring shame and dishonor to the parents. We want God to be proud in our growth and maturing process. Not that we’ve fully arrived and He’s somehow not pleased till we get there. No, He is pleased as any parent would be, that we are going there, growing up in Him.
Wisdom is the practical application of knowledge. That is gotten on purpose, because the one seeking it wants it enough to grab a hold of it and keep it, embrace it, and use it.
Do we like pride? Do we like being right? Do we like feeling justified? Do we argue a lot?
God hates pride and arrogances. He loves and delights in a humble spirit that trusts Him to justify, even if it is not in the here and now. He is looking for ones that trust Him to make things right and reveal truth for us. If (we trust God at His word and know that) God is for us…..why do we have to defend ourselves so much with others? There’s that question again, who do we represent?
How do dreams really come true? Make God’s happen, and you’ll see the one’s He gave to you happen also. We reap what we sow.
Those who only want friends and well wishers do not love with an everlasting love. We really truly love those we are willing to correct. Those who receive correction are wise and true sons. Wow, huh?
This so goes against what our culture is teaching us in our day.
But we are kingdom Of God citizens and we do not follow after the patterns of this world, which is why we study the word of God, to learn kingdom of God ways no matter what culture we live in.
We are a counter-culture.
Representatives of His will and of His ways. When we learn and then apply His words we show Him in the earth.
It cannot be about the majority and popularity. It must be about Loving God and then loving people into eternal life through eternal truth.

Proverbs 13 Today

1A wise child F20 accepts a parent's discipline; a young mocker refuses to listen.
2Good people enjoy the positive results of their words, but those who are treacherous crave violence.
3Those who control their tongue will have a long life; a quick retort can ruin everything.
4Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper and be satisfied.
5Those who are godly hate lies; the wicked come to shame and disgrace.
6Godliness helps people all through life, while the evil are destroyed by their wickedness.
7Some who are poor pretend to be rich; others who are rich pretend to be poor.
8The rich can pay a ransom, but the poor won't even get threatened.
9The life of the godly is full of light and joy, but the sinner's light is snuffed out.
10Pride leads to arguments; those who take advice are wise.
11Wealth from get-rich-quick schemes quickly disappears; wealth from hard work grows.
12Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when dreams come true, there is life and joy.
13People who despise advice will find themselves in trouble; those who respect it will succeed.
14The advice of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.
15A person with good sense is respected; a treacherous person walks a rocky road.
16Wise people think before they act; fools don't and even brag about it!
17An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.
18If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept criticism, you will be honored.
19It is pleasant to see dreams come true, but fools will not turn from evil to attain them.
20Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.
21Trouble chases sinners, while blessings chase the righteous!
22Good people leave an inheritance to their grandchildren, but the sinner's wealth passes to the godly.
23A poor person's farm may produce much food, but injustice sweeps it all away.
24If you refuse to discipline your children, it proves you don't love them; if you love your children, you will be prompt to discipline them.
25The godly eat to their hearts' content, but the belly of the wicked goes hungry.
FOOTNOTES:
F20: Hebrew son.

Monday, June 25, 2007

Lena Journals to Provebrs 12

God has a plan and so does his enemy. If one serves the Lord, they must know as much of God’s plan as possible, and know what comes against it, in order to resist that and thwart those plans, especially when they are based on lies. Being they are based on lies, one must know truth intimately in order to resist lies.
Knowing and then applying the truth, will keep us free!
Amen.
One such plan against God’s kingdom being set up and established and maintained inside of each of our lives is that of not learning in order to do. How can one know God without listening to His words, learning of them and then applying them to solidify their worth in one’s life? The whole kingdom stems on the making of disciples. Those who choose to be disciplined, in order to go all the way in the learning processes of the Lord.
So, for some reason, which should now not seem so foreign to us, the society we live in, hates to be told what to do. For some reason, we like independence, self reliance, self help, and the like. We pat ourselves on the back, if we go it alone and win, as if life is some sort of contest or game to see who can live to the end alone.
Life is so about learning, and to the one who loves to get Godly understanding, the learning process never ends. Never – ever! The wise student, will seek after learning more with intent to change more.
So, in order to come to a place to love discipline, one must just love God. No one naturally loves discipline, and I don’t think people just naturally love God. I believe it takes a revelation of His great love for us first. He loved us, and in turn we respond and love Him. To love discipline, is to love Him.
I believe even that desire should be taught! We as spiritual people, need to tell our body’s and soul’s what we’re gonna do, how we’re gonna think, who we’re gonna hang with, listen to, not listen to, etc .based upon the word of God we study daily. We disciple ourselves into a place where we heed the words of God as our life source and we plug in.
We know in life there are many, many words we could hear and heed! We choose who to tune in to. That’s where the discipline starts. Do we govern this as door keepers of our souls and of our faith, or do we listen to every opportunity?
A man asked me how I felt about a rumor that had risen against the Bible of late? My response was I do not give my ears to it. He looked at me strange, as if one must listen to and weigh every idea available. I again answered, it is poison! He’d not heard someone on guard this way. People are on guard of themselves from allowing others to hurt them, Do we guard our faith in God’s word that that would not be harmed?
Stay away from poison.
Do you keep your word, to God?
Did you ever promise to follow Jesus, no turning back?
Are you following diligently after Him and His word?
Do you use words to heal or comfort or help others, as tools, of God’s righteous kingdom?
What we sow we also reap. Good, bad, ugly or righteous, helpful and Godly.
Work hard. At what? At keeping faith? At demonstrating faith? Yes, at that too.
God Bless you!

Proverbs 12 Today

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God Bless You Today, Lena B
Proverbs 13
1To learn, you must love discipline; it is stupid to hate correction.
2The LORD approves of those who are good, but he condemns those who plan wickedness.
3Wickedness never brings stability; only the godly have deep roots.
4A worthy wife is her husband's joy and crown; a shameful wife saps his strength.
5The plans of the godly are just; the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
6The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly save lives.
7The wicked perish and are gone, but the children of the godly stand firm.
8Everyone admires a person with good sense, but a warped mind is despised.
9It is better to be a nobody with a servant than to be self-important but have no food.
10The godly are concerned for the welfare of their animals, but even the kindness of the wicked is cruel.
11Hard work means prosperity; only fools idle away their time.
12Thieves are jealous of each other's loot, while the godly bear their own fruit.
13The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.
14People can get many good things by the words they say; the work of their hands also gives them many benefits.
15Fools think they need no advice, but the wise listen to others.
16A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted.
17An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.
18Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
19Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed.
20Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
21No real harm befalls the godly, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.
22The LORD hates those who don't keep their word, but he delights in those who do.
23Wise people don't make a show of their knowledge, but fools broadcast their folly.
24Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave.
25Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.
26The godly give good advice to their friends; F19 the wicked lead them astray.
27Lazy people don't even cook the game they catch, but the diligent make use of everything they find.
28The way of the godly leads to life; their path does not lead to death.
FOOTNOTES:
F19: Or The godly are cautious in friendship, or the godly are freed from evil. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Lena Journals to Hebrews 13 Today

Christian love is described in the Greek as affectionate, brotherly, family type love. A love that is considerate as with an endearing friend.
Hospitality is the means to demonstrate this love.
In entertaining strangers, one opens up his doors to allow people to see their lives from an intimate view. This is the exemplification of a genuine faith, the faith that is demonstrated in the home of those who call themselves believers.
If a messenger of God, maybe in the form of an angel, shows up to do a check in on us, do we think they’d come to us and watch us sit in church and see how we act there, or rather come when we are really real with all of our guards and masks down, at home?
In our home for the past 18 years we’ve been members at our local church, many of the families participate in giving $ at our dinner table into a basket so that at the end of the month we can all join in unity as we bring what we’ve collected and take it to church and place it in an offering for the church to send to the various Missions we as a corporate church body support. The purpose of doing it daily at home is to remember these we support daily and not only write them a check one time per month, but to take it a step further, and give them our thoughts and words in prayer before we eat together.
This scripture about feeling the pains of others sufferings or remembering those imprisoned, causes me to think of this action. It is a way to mark a time each day with the family to implement this type of consideration. Come across a scripture that tells us to do so, but here?
It’s like tying a string on the finger. It’s good to remind ourselves of these prayer focuses the word tells us to implement in our Monday-Saturday lives.
Regard for people sits well with God. He desires that men, even undeserving ones, (yes I did say that) are given honor. To acknowledge longevity in a marriage covenant and to encourage those who stay and do righteously should not be overlooked. We have a whole society who complain about what is wrong, but how many encourage those who are choosing what God has chosen?
How much do we trust God? Enough to give money away? To work for Him and His kingdom, rather than the almighty dollar? Working for His kingdom while we make a living to provide for what belongs to Him, our families?
So, what are we working for and on?
His kingdom must be first in all we do, if we are diligently seeking Him. He will add whatever it is we need and even the things we want, if we are after His will first. This is a true sign of Love, trusting Him in our finances.
How much do we tell those who teach us from the words of life, that we appreciate them?
Let me give a hint, the way to “tell” them is to live by what they’ve taught us!
The proof is in the pudding.
If in a training course, how would the instructor know to grade you or know if you listened and got it?
We are in Bible studies which should be called eternal life now studies. We tell out teachers we appreciate their lives given and their time, by what we do with what they’ve said to us.
What we do now has everything to do with where we are going and what will happen for and with us later on in the unseen world.
We have to know this and live our daily life in this light.
And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, F62 please listen carefully to what I have said in this brief letter.
May God's grace be with you all. !!!!! Amen

Hebrews 13 Today's Daily Bread

Note- IF this e-mail is at all encrypted and is unreadable, scroll down to the end of the passage and click on the underlined blue words "Lena's Discipleship Journalin' For Today ", this will take you straight to the website where you'll enjoy a readable copy
God Bless You Today, Lena B
Hebrews 13
Concluding Words
1Continue to love each other with true Christian love. F59 2Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3Don't forget about those in prison. Suffer with them as though you were there yourself. Share the sorrow of those being mistreated, as though you feel their pain in your own bodies.
4Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
5Stay away from the love of money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
"I will never fail you.
I will never forsake you." F60
6That is why we can say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper,
so I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?" F61
7Remember your leaders who first taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and trust the Lord as they do.
8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your spiritual strength comes from God's special favor, not from ceremonial rules about food, which don't help those who follow them.
10We have an altar from which the priests in the Temple on earth have no right to eat. 11Under the system of Jewish laws, the high priest brought the blood of animals into the Holy Place as a sacrifice for sin, but the bodies of the animals were burned outside the camp. 12So also Jesus suffered and died outside the city gates in order to make his people holy by shedding his own blood. 13So let us go out to him outside the camp and bear the disgrace he bore. 14For this world is not our home; we are looking forward to our city in heaven, which is yet to come.
15With Jesus' help, let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming the glory of his name. 16Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.
17Obey your spiritual leaders and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.
18Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do. 19I especially need your prayers right now so that I can come back to you soon. ®MDSU¯20-21And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him. Jesus is the great Shepherd of the sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
22I urge you, dear brothers and sisters, F62 please listen carefully to what I have said in this brief letter.
23I want you to know that our brother Timothy is now out of jail. If he comes here soon, I will bring him with me to see you.
24Give my greetings to all your leaders and to the other believers there. The Christians from Italy send you their greetings.
25May God's grace be with you all.
FOOTNOTES:
F59: Greek with brotherly love.
F60: Deut 31:6, 8.
F61: Ps 118:6.
F62: Greek brothers.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Lena Journals to Proverbs 11 Today

This person works well and receives his wage. He accepts the wage due him in whatever he is doing. If he studies hard for a test, he receives the wage of a better grade than had he not studied. If we works honestly, he receives what is honest in his line of work, his culture, and in his day.
Since life is not about wealth, success, storing and getting more things, or even human happiness, one must decide what living is now about and live accordingly. Life is about eternity, how we invest now will be how we spend it then.
There is a blessing and favor upon those who choose godly living no matter how hard of how anti cultural this way of living is. It costs one his life to not live like the world is saying is ok to live. The cost is in the price we pay in ridicule, discomfort, contest, reputation, etc for choosing what is truly godly and good!
Why would anyone belittle anyone else? Do they not understand who people are? The apples of God’s eye? The very children of His loins and core of His heart?
Usually when someone puts someone else down it is to exalt his own person. “I exalt me” does not go over well with the Lord. That type of behavior is a violation of the commandment of God and one can expect no blessings there!
We do not have to give to or help every person, in every situation. At times a lesson is being learned and the help prolongs the lesson from being taught. If we give in to the pressure of supposed goodness at times we learn the lesson meant for another. One must really listen to the spirit of the Lord leading him and not the soul cry for the person’s self chosen circumstances.
We reap what we sow.
Sow faith, reap faith. Faith must be the substance of every godly action or else the action may merely be a good action, rather than a godly one.
Living righteously does not mean being good. It means living how God deems is right in His power and by His might. He may ask me to do something beyond my own abilities; I live by faith, and can obey Him by faith, in His strength to do what it is He has asked me to do. These are not just good things I think are good, they are God things He wants done. I don’t live good, waiting for God to put a stamp of approval on what I’ve decided to do. I live asking Him what He wants me to do that would bless Him and that I believe for the goodness to accomplish and the will to increase for. That action, is a blessed action. He blesses what He’s asked me to do, He blesses what it is I’m doing to bless Him, and serve and love and represent Him in.
True representation is when I do what someone else wants. I help, by serving them in the manner that would serve them. I become them, an extension of their will, a helper of their plan. Is that not what people who work for other people do? They bear the name of the company they work for. People always ask one another “So, who do you work for?”
They don’t usually ask, “So who allows you to be who you are, as you are without requested change, and who pays you to give them all of your wonderful ideas, whatever you dream up, each and everyday, all day long?” We are usually paid to learn how to represent, and bring increase to another’s work, or ideas that they’d like to see work and they need more hands and feet for the brain of the work they believe God has given them to steward. There are not enough of them to do the big idea they have. It’d be detrimental to their dream to listen to other ways everyday that take them way off of the focus, if the focus has already been decided.
We are here to promote, flesh out and steward God’s ideas in the earth. To give hands, feet, legs mouths etc to His plans.

Proverns 11 Today's Daily Bread

Note- IF this e-mail is at all encrypted and is unreadable, scroll down to the end of the passage and click on the underlined blue words "Lena's Discipleship Journalin' For Today ", this will take you straight to the website where you'll enjoy a readable copy
God Bless You Today, Lena B
Proverbs 11
1The LORD hates cheating, but he delights in honesty.
2Pride leads to disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.
3Good people are guided by their honesty; treacherous people are destroyed by their dishonesty.
4Riches won't help on the day of judgment, but right living is a safeguard against death.
5The godly are directed by their honesty; the wicked fall beneath their load of sin.
6The godliness of good people rescues them; the ambition of treacherous people traps them.
7When the wicked die, their hopes all perish, for they rely on their own feeble strength.
8God rescues the godly from danger, but he lets the wicked fall into trouble.
9Evil words destroy one's friends; wise discernment rescues the godly.
10The whole city celebrates when the godly succeed; they shout for joy when the godless die.
11Upright citizens bless a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.
12It is foolish to belittle a neighbor; a person with good sense remains silent.
13A gossip goes around revealing secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.
14Without wise leadership, a nation falls; with many counselors, there is safety.
15Guaranteeing a loan for a stranger is dangerous; it is better to refuse than to suffer later.
16Beautiful women obtain wealth, and violent men get rich.
17Your own soul is nourished when you are kind, but you destroy yourself when you are cruel.
18Evil people get rich for the moment, but the reward of the godly will last.
19Godly people find life; evil people find death.
20The LORD hates people with twisted hearts, but he delights in those who have integrity.
21You can be sure that evil people will be punished, but the children of the godly will go free.
22A woman who is beautiful but lacks discretion is like a gold ring in a pig's snout.
23The godly can look forward to happiness, while the wicked can expect only wrath.
24It is possible to give freely and become more wealthy, but those who are stingy will lose everything.
25The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.
26People curse those who hold their grain for higher prices, but they bless the one who sells to them in their time of need.
27If you search for good, you will find favor; but if you search for evil, it will find you!
28Trust in your money and down you go! But the godly flourish like leaves in spring.
29Those who bring trouble on their families inherit only the wind. The fool will be a servant to the wise.
30The godly are like trees that bear life-giving fruit, and those who save lives are wise.
31If the righteous are rewarded here on earth, how much more true that the wicked and the sinner will get what they deserve!

Friday, June 22, 2007

Lena Journals to Proverbs 10

Maturity is a lifelong process. The process involves finding out life is not about what we think, or desire, or want to do. It is about representation of others. For children of parents and of the Lord. For workers, of bosses and of the Lord. For spouses, the other spouse and of the Lord.
In all we do, we represent the Lord.
Spiritual and natural children who live only to please themselves have yet to come to maturity.
When one represents and understands representation, he is aware and purposes to represent well. If unaware, then immature, as of yet. Maturity and the willingness to grow and become aware, shows wisdom rather than foolishness. (King James English added)
In maturing, one will desire to be a representative and represent well, not according to their own representation, but in how the other would like to be represented. He brings into great consideration how the other would want to be represented by his life, decisions and actions on a daily basis.
Many times gain is gotten quickly by ill means, honest working seems to take more time to accomplish the goal. That is on purpose. What is important to us we will be willing to give our lives for.
Godly behaviors will last for generations to come, they are eternal investments. Even just mere popularity will only last so long and because the focus is self centered in nature, it is fleeting.
Who do we listen to and heed their words enough to do?
Who’s words to we regard?
Who’s words do you treasure and cannot wait to hear?
Anyone?
This is also a sign of maturity, one listens to and does the words of others, because they want to, because they understand trusting God through following people and because they want to give honor to God by honoring others. It is no longer about rights and wrongs, it is about wealth, wisdom, eternal deposits made by faith, and honor.
One who fears God lives this way, with no struggle of what if the person they follow is wrong. They know how mighty their God is to save and deliver, even if they follow one who makes and wrong turn.
Their God is greater than a mere human mistake. He fixes and makes new, human mistakes. Mistakes are not the concern or focus, representation and honor and trust are.
The Lord is all for a person of this type of understanding.

Proverns 10 Today's Daily Bread

Note- IF this e-mail is at all encrypted and is unreadable, scroll down to the end of the passage and click on the underlined blue words "Lena's Discipleship Journalin' For Today ", this will take you straight to the website where you'll enjoy a readable copy
God Bless You Today, Lena B

Proverbs 10
The Proverbs of Solomon
1The proverbs of Solomon: A wise child F17 brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.
2Ill-gotten gain has no lasting value, but right living can save your life.
3The LORD will not let the godly starve to death, but he refuses to satisfy the craving of the wicked.
4Lazy people are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
5A wise youth works hard all summer; a youth who sleeps away the hour of opportunity brings shame.
6The godly are showered with blessings; evil people cover up their harmful intentions.
7We all have happy memories of the godly, but the name of a wicked person rots away.
8The wise are glad to be instructed, but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.
9People with integrity have firm footing, but those who follow crooked paths will slip and fall.
10People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace. F18
11The words of the godly lead to life; evil people cover up their harmful intentions.
12Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love covers all offenses.
13Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but fools will be punished with a rod.
14Wise people treasure knowledge, but the babbling of a fool invites trouble.
15The wealth of the rich is their fortress; the poverty of the poor is their calamity.
16The earnings of the godly enhance their lives, but evil people squander their money on sin.
17People who accept correction are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore it will lead others astray.
18To hide hatred is to be a liar; to slander is to be a fool.
19Don't talk too much, for it fosters sin. Be sensible and turn off the flow!
20The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.
21The godly give good advice, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
22The blessing of the LORD makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow with it.
23Doing wrong is fun for a fool, while wise conduct is a pleasure to the wise.
24The fears of the wicked will all come true; so will the hopes of the godly.
25Disaster strikes like a cyclone, whirling the wicked away, but the godly have a lasting foundation.
26Lazy people are a pain to their employer. They are like smoke in the eyes or vinegar that sets the teeth on edge.
27Fear of the LORD lengthens one's life, but the years of the wicked are cut short.
28The hopes of the godly result in happiness, but the expectations of the wicked are all in vain.
29The LORD protects the upright but destroys the wicked.
30The godly will never be disturbed, but the wicked will be removed from the land.
31The godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.
32The godly speak words that are helpful, but the wicked speak only what is corrupt.
FOOTNOTES:
F17: Hebrew son; also in 10:1b.
F18: As in Greek version; Hebrew reads but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

We won't post Daily Bread for next few days. here are the scripture passages for next 4 days.........

Proverbs Daily Bread Ahead of Time Chapters for June 18 to 21
6:1-35 June 18th, 2007
1 My child, F12 if you co-sign a loan for a friend or guarantee the debt of someone you hardly know – 2 if you have trapped yourself by your agreement and are caught by what you said – 3 quick, get out of it if you possibly can! You have placed yourself at your friend's mercy. Now swallow your pride; go and beg to have your name erased. 4 Don't put it off. Do it now! Don't rest until you do. 5 Save yourself like a deer escaping from a hunter, like a bird fleeing from a net.
6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise! 7 Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, 8 they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. 9 But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? I want you to learn this lesson: 10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest – 11 and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
12 Here is a description of worthless and wicked people: They are constant liars, 13 signaling their true intentions to their friends by making signs with their eyes and feet and fingers. 14 Their perverted hearts plot evil. They stir up trouble constantly. 15 But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken beyond all hope of healing. 16 There are six things the LORD hates – no, seven things he detests: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, 18 a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, 19 a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord among brothers.
20 My son, obey your father's commands, and don't neglect your mother's teaching. 21 Keep their words always in your heart. Tie them around your neck. 22 Wherever you walk, their counsel can lead you. When you sleep, they will protect you. When you wake up in the morning, they will advise you. 23 For these commands and this teaching are a lamp to light the way ahead of you. The correction of discipline is the way to life. 24 These commands and this teaching will keep you from the immoral woman, from the smooth tongue of an adulterous woman. 25 Don't lust for her beauty. Don't let her coyness seduce you. 26 For a prostitute will bring you to poverty, and sleeping with another man's wife may cost you your very life. 27 Can a man scoop fire into his lap and not be burned? 28 Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? 29 So it is with the man who sleeps with another man's wife. He who embraces her will not go unpunished. 30 Excuses might be found for a thief who steals because he is starving. 31 But if he is caught, he will be fined seven times as much as he stole, even if it means selling everything in his house to pay it back. 32 But the man who commits adultery is an utter fool, for he destroys his own soul. 33 Wounds and constant disgrace are his lot. His shame will never be erased. 34 For the woman's husband will be furious in his jealousy, and he will have no mercy in his day of vengeance. 35 There is no compensation or bribe that will satisfy him.


Proverbs 7:1-27 June 19th, 2007
1 Follow my advice, my son; always treasure my commands. 2 Obey them and live! Guard my teachings as your most precious possession. F13 3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. 4 Love wisdom like a sister; make insight a beloved member of your family. 5 Let them hold you back from an affair with an immoral woman, from listening to the flattery of an adulterous woman.
6 I was looking out the window of my house one day 7 and saw a simpleminded young man who lacked common sense. 8 He was crossing the street near the house of an immoral woman. He was strolling down the path by her house 9 at twilight, as the day was fading, as the dark of night set in. 10 The woman approached him, dressed seductively and sly of heart. 11 She was the brash, rebellious type who never stays at home. 12 She is often seen in the streets and markets, soliciting at every corner. 13 She threw her arms around him and kissed him, and with a brazen look she said, 14 "I've offered my sacrifices and just finished my vows. 15 It's you I was looking for! I came out to find you, and here you are! 16 My bed is spread with colored sheets of finest linen imported from Egypt. 17 I've perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. 18 Come, let's drink our fill of love until morning. Let's enjoy each other's caresses, 19 for my husband is not home. He's away on a long trip. 20 He has taken a wallet full of money with him, and he won't return until later in the month." 21 So she seduced him with her pretty speech. With her flattery she enticed him. 22 He followed her at once, like an ox going to the slaughter or like a trapped stag, 23 awaiting the arrow that would pierce its heart. He was like a bird flying into a snare, little knowing it would cost him his life.
24 Listen to me, my sons, and pay attention to my words. 25 Don't let your hearts stray away toward her. Don't wander down her wayward path. 26 For she has been the ruin of many; numerous men have been her victims. 27 Her house is the road to the grave. F14 Her bedroom is the den of death.


Proverbs 8:1-36 June 20th, 2007
1 Listen as wisdom calls out! Hear as understanding raises her voice! 2 She stands on the hilltop and at the crossroads. 3 At the entrance to the city, at the city gates, she cries aloud, 4 "I call to you, to all of you! I am raising my voice to all people. 5 How naive you are! Let me give you common sense. O foolish ones, let me give you understanding. 6 Listen to me! For I have excellent things to tell you. Everything I say is right, 7 for I speak the truth and hate every kind of deception. 8 My advice is wholesome and good. There is nothing crooked or twisted in it. 9 My words are plain to anyone with understanding, clear to those who want to learn. 10 "Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge over pure gold. 11 For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can be compared with it.
12 "I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment. 13 All who fear the LORD will hate evil. That is why I hate pride, arrogance, corruption, and perverted speech. 14 Good advice and success belong to me. Insight and strength are mine. 15 Because of me, kings reign, and rulers make just laws. 16 Rulers lead with my help, and nobles make righteous judgments. 17 "I love all who love me. Those who search for me will surely find me. 18 Unending riches, honor, wealth, and justice are mine to distribute. 19 My gifts are better than the purest gold, my wages better than sterling silver! 20 I walk in righteousness, in paths of justice. 21 Those who love me inherit wealth, for I fill their treasuries.
22 "The LORD formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. 23 I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began. 24 I was born before the oceans were created, before the springs bubbled forth their waters. 25 Before the mountains and the hills were formed, I was born – 26 before he had made the earth and fields and the first handfuls of soil. 27 "I was there when he established the heavens, when he drew the horizon on the oceans. 28 I was there when he set the clouds above, when he established the deep fountains of the earth. 29 I was there when he set the limits of the seas, so they would not spread beyond their boundaries. And when he marked off the earth's foundations, 30 I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. 31 And how happy I was with what he created – his wide world and all the human family!
32 "And so, my children, F15 listen to me, for happy are all who follow my ways. 33 Listen to my counsel and be wise. Don't ignore it. 34 "Happy are those who listen to me, watching for me daily at my gates, waiting for me outside my home! 35 For whoever finds me finds life and wins approval from the LORD. 36 But those who miss me have injured themselves. All who hate me love death."
9:1-18 June 21st , 2007
1 Wisdom has built her spacious house with seven pillars. 2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. 3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 4 "Come home with me," she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, 5 "Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your foolish ways behind, and begin to live; learn how to be wise." 7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get a smart retort. Anyone who rebukes the wicked will get hurt. 8 So don't bother rebuking mockers; they will only hate you. But the wise, when rebuked, will love you all the more. 9 Teach the wise, and they will be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn more. 10 Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding. 11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
13 The woman named Folly is loud and brash. She is ignorant and doesn't even know it. 14 She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. 15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. 16 "Come home with me," she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, 17 "Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!" 18 But the men don't realize that her former guests are now in the grave. F16

________________________________________
FOOTNOTES:
F12 Hebrew My son.
F13 Hebrew as the apple of your eye.
F14 Hebrew to Sheol.
F15 Hebrew my sons.
F16 Hebrew in Sheol.

Proverbs 9:1-18 June 21st , 2007
1 Wisdom has built her spacious house with seven pillars. 2 She has prepared a great banquet, mixed the wines, and set the table. 3 She has sent her servants to invite everyone to come. She calls out from the heights overlooking the city. 4 "Come home with me," she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, 5 "Come, eat my food, and drink the wine I have mixed. 6 Leave your foolish ways behind, and begin to live; learn how to be wise." 7 Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get a smart retort. Anyone who rebukes the wicked will get hurt. 8 So don't bother rebuking mockers; they will only hate you. But the wise, when rebuked, will love you all the more. 9 Teach the wise, and they will be wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn more. 10 Fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in understanding. 11 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life. 12 If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you will be the one to suffer.
13 The woman named Folly is loud and brash. She is ignorant and doesn't even know it. 14 She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. 15 She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. 16 "Come home with me," she urges the simple. To those without good judgment, she says, 17 "Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!" 18 But the men don't realize that her former guests are now in the grave. F16

________________________________________
FOOTNOTES:
F12 Hebrew My son.
F13 Hebrew as the apple of your eye.
F14 Hebrew to Sheol.
F15 Hebrew my sons.
F16 Hebrew in Sheol.

Lena Journals to 1 Thess 4 Today

I know that the way of thinking the world has and that we’ve all grown up with, is contrary to this way that is presented us in this scripture today, but by what standard are we being guided? Our own or by the standard of the word of God?
We say we live by faith in the Son of God who saved, us paid a price for us, and gave His own life up freely for us. Is this true when the word of God tells us to live in a way that is about pleasing God, rather than what we feel like is right or maybe I should say, what we feel is ok?
One deal that comes up a lot in this walk is, God still loves me, doesn’t mind if I do this or that, and isn’t hung up with laws, rules, or regulations.
True, He is never “hung up” on anything, but He does “care” what we choose to do or not do.
As for love, He loves us even if we choose to go to hell.
As for laws and rules, He made them to keep us from harm. He set up the original guidelines, like day and night, weeks, moths, years, the turning of the earth, seasons, etc, etc.
He’s pretty good at knowing what works and what doesn’t. That’s all rules are about, showing one the way to go that is right.
If we love Him back, we pay Him the respect of letting Him know we care what He thinks about what we choose. So we follow His lead.
If we truly love Him as we say we do, we obey His words.
Live in such a way to please the Lord, do what you’ve bee taught to do, in the word.
Why does sexual sin violate holiness?
Well, who made you? Who do you belong to? Who’d life is yours to live for?
If there is no self respect or self control, there is not really respect or honor for what one truly believes belongs to God. If we are His holy temple, His habitation, then we should keep the temple unto Him holy. If we are his temple and we allow violation and defilement, then we do not really care to take care of what He cares for, right? Right.
The body is for the Lord and the Lord is for the body. Keeping the body for what the Lord deems it should be given unto and for, is respect for the word of God.
We are spirit beings having a human experience. Every human experience will effect how and where we spend eternity. We are a spirit, we have a soul, and we live in a body. The body is the lesser of the three of 3 our part beings. The body is to be governed by the spirit and soul.
The spirit should be the Master, the soul is the servant and the body the slave.
Or rather the spirit should be the head of the body as a man is a head of a family, he provides for makes determinations and leads well, the soul compliments, helps, and serves with loving response, as a wife would her loving and leading husband, the children copy and learn of the parents, the parents teach and train by good example the children or soul. If the child rules the house the house is out of order.
To allow the body to sin sexually is to be out of order and not under the head which is Christ.
Those who live for lust and physical passion in any setting other than covenant marriage, are living for flesh, the temporary realm, it is the lowest of worship forms.
This type of human worship is that which ignores and refuses God’s ways.
Huge, huh?
Christian love is not after the lower order of the flesh, it is after a much higher order, for it sees far beyond the life in the flesh, to the life that will continue eternally. It cares for the salvation of the soul. It is thinking of others rather than itself. It does not fulfill the lust of the flesh, it is not prideful. It does not seek its own, it is not easily provoked, does not think the worst of others, it is patient and kind, even to its own hurt. It does not behave in an unmannerly way, it is not angered easily, it hopes believes and endures all things. It does not look on what it sees, but it looks deeply to the inner potential of a person’s make up. It sees who they can be if they would believe and receive Christ Jesus and surrender their lives to Him.
It knows there is a life far beyond the one we now share here, a resurrection life and the power of that life that can work in us now, for later on. It is not earthy and sensually minded, it is heavenly minded, eternally seeking to love and please the Father God.
Daddy, Abba, Father, we pray today You have a Happy and Blessed Father’s Day!
May You be pleased that Your own children desire to walk in truth.
May You be blessed by who gets up and goes to seek you at Your house today!
May You be glorified in what we do and say, everyday, beginning new today.
Thank you for giving us Your words that we may pick them up, eat them, and learn to walk in Your ways.
We do not take it lightly knowing others do not have this luxury as we do.

1 Thesseloonians 4 Today

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God Bless You Today, Lena B
Live to Please God
1Finally, dear brothers and sisters, F7 we urge you in the name of the Lord Jesus to live in a way that pleases God, as we have taught you. You are doing this already, and we encourage you to do so more and more. 2For you remember what we taught you in the name of the Lord Jesus. 3God wants you to be holy, so you should keep clear of all sexual sin. 4Then each of you will control your body F8 and live in holiness and honor—5not in lustful passion as the pagans do, in their ignorance of God and his ways.
6Never cheat a Christian brother in this matter by taking his wife, for the Lord avenges all such sins, as we have solemnly warned you before. 7God has called us to be holy, not to live impure lives. 8Anyone who refuses to live by these rules is not disobeying human rules but is rejecting God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.
9But I don't need to write to you about the Christian love F9 that should be shown among God's people. For God himself has taught you to love one another. 10Indeed, your love is already strong toward all the Christians F10 in all of Macedonia. Even so, dear brothers and sisters, we beg you to love them more and more. 11This should be your ambition: to live a quiet life, minding your own business and working with your hands, just as we commanded you before. 12As a result, people who are not Christians will respect the way you live, and you will not need to depend on others to meet your financial needs.
The Hope of the Resurrection
13And now, brothers and sisters, I want you to know what will happen to the Christians who have died so you will not be full of sorrow like people who have no hope. 14For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus comes, God will bring back with Jesus all the Christians who have died.
15I can tell you this directly from the Lord: We who are still living when the Lord returns will not rise to meet him ahead of those who are in their graves. 16For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a commanding shout, with the call of the archangel, and with the trumpet call of God. First, all the Christians who have died will rise from their graves. 17Then, together with them, we who are still alive and remain on the earth will be caught up in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and remain with him forever. 18So comfort and encourage each other with these words.
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FOOTNOTES:
F7: Greek brothers; also in 4:10, 13.
F8: Or will know how to take a wife for himself; Greek reads will know how to possess his own vessel.
F9: Greek brotherly love.
F10: Greek the brothers.

Saturday, June 16, 2007

Lena Journals to Proverbs 5 Today

Yesterday we went through some verbs of the proverb we were reading.
Today I was thinking of the actual word “proverb”, what does it mean? Pro - verb.
One definition says, a “word to do, to put action to”! Another definition, says, “in order to rule”, and another says, “wise words compiled for another, through experience”.
We know All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Tim 3:16
All scripture is for doing.
Proverbs are wisdom words for doing. God gave us a wise man who had experience and wrote His words down for us to not have to experience them as he did.
If we are willing to just listen and do them instead.
I believe whenever we go to church services, it is like going to a class we’ve paid money to take. We want to get the most out of the class that we can and take from it things to help change us and make us different than when we came to the class. We could go to church to rest from all of life’s personal learning experiences, or just to rest, as we sit under inspiring words that make us feel a wonderful peace inside. That is what truly should be happening as we sit under an atmosphere of worship and praise and the preaching/teaching of God’s word. Yet we must be careful of what that can try to do to us. If we do get caught up in that awe-inspiring feeling going to church gives us and it is like a tranquilizer, and just sort of an inoculation for us, for us for the rest of our week, we may be deceived and not have happen what church is meant to make happen in us; and that is, to make us disciples of God’s word and workers in His kingdom.
Do you know church going isn’t really for us? Yet it does so benefit us! Church going is learning to implement His kingdom rule and establishment. It is so God gets what is due Him, a people who assemble willingly as students of the word and diligent seekers of his will. It is where a people come to learn to do what God wants done, in the earth!
Many had been taught in the past, that church was a place of motivation and inspiration, a place where we feel the blessing of God over the possible pain we experience all the rest of the week. It is actually easy to do this week in and week out, until we die and go to the eternal place of bliss.
If we live like that, one day we will stand before our Father who will ask us what we did after we learned that Jesus was the Savior of the world, who did we save, who did we do what Jesus did to while He was here on earth? Did we heal or restore anyone, or lead them to be baptized or filled with the Holy Spirit? Did we make disciples of all nations? Did we allow the supernatural power of God to flow through us? Did we learn the ways of the Lord to show and lead others that same way? Did we lay our lives down for others and change in character? Did our faith get bigger, because we implemented what God gave us in His word to cause it to grow? Did we go into intercession for others, and for nations? Did we stop what we wanted in life to give God what He wants?
These wisdom words are given us today for that.
Pay attention, listen carefully, learn to be discreet and store up knowledge (not more worldly ways and worldly knowledge, but the knowledge of the fear of the Lord!)
Ok, remember “woman” in the Bible many a time represents what?
It represents the church, the bride of Christ, the one we can become for Jesus, the one He becomes One with intimate with, for He gave His life for her. It is one who prepares herself to be His. It can also speak of the person of God who is the Holy Spirit.
So stay away from the lips of an immoral woman.
How about stay away from what is trying to join you to become one with it that has nothing to do with the establishment or continuance of God’s kingdom being born and raised up in your life?
Lips are the part that is speaking. What is telling you to do what? What is speaking in your ear, telling you not to do God’s will or walk wholeheartedly in His ways? What is enticing you to stay away from church or Bible Studies and do something else with it instead? What is calling you away from what is important to tell you it is more important?
In life, one must learn to wear eternal spectacles and look through the eyes of eternity, to see how God does, where all we do here has to do with His will and standing accountable for establishing His plan.
If I regularly choose to watch sports on TV rather than be a part of the Body of Christ and whatever activity they are assembling to do, what am I saying to God about His kingdom?
If I work like a dog for money and when it comes time to go to God’s house, I’m way too tired, and of all things that I choose to do to rest, assembling with His body is not one of them, what have I told His spirit about my commitment to His ways and my dedication to the kingdom establishment in my own life?
I do what I deem is important in this life and in the life to come.
Everything we do here is being accounted to there.
Everything, even every word we speak.
One comes to us with the purpose to take people out of the hands and heart of God now that they will stand ashamed before Him later. That one will tell us God understands, He’s ok with us resting, we need rest, He knows. He understands if we don’t dedicate our lives here now, we’ll have eternity to do that.
Be aware it is lying to us. Satan has assigned her to lie to the bride of Christ. He hates God’s bride and his mission is to have her listen to everything but God’s voice.
One must have eternal specs on to see this, or else it will just slip by and later, when it is revealed, everyone who did not purpose to see that way, by studying and living truth, will be sad.
In eternity all will have already been established by what we’ve done here. Here is our challenge, here is where we give proof. In eternity there is nothing to prove, it has all been proven here.
What is important is what we do, here.
Remember wisdom words to us here reveals, she (the liar) does not care about the pathway of life. Why would she study it or want us to?
Rebellion must be seized on the inside of each heart. It is the heart that must see that and do it. No one else can for it. One chooses life and the pathway of it. One chooses to want to hear and heed instruction. One must choose. It does not mean it will be fun or nice, it means it is hard, but I choose it anyway. I wear kingdom and eternal glasses and I choose to keep them on and see this way. I see further than the moment of pleasure, or of rest and recreation. I see how the end will be, if I choose this today.
What/who feeds you, gives you nourishment to get thorough your week? Self help books? Yoga, music to soothe your soul? Who do you listen to with intent of change? Motivational and inspirational speakers? Or the word of God, which is able to save your soul?
Who’s well do you drink from and offer your cup up to? Truly think about it.
Do you follow a compilation of your own life’s experiences and live by them, or do you force yourself to put on God specs and look through the eyes of faith and truth at God’s word no matter what sense it makes to you; and if it is not how you think or does not match what you presently do, do you turn off of the road you are on, and pursue Him, on His road?
Do you do a little God, and a little world? Listen to a little God and do a lot of world?
Who can go deep within your mind and heart, and speak to you about who you really are? Who do you love, by giving the majority of your time, energy and thought to?
Worry? Work? Addictions? TV? Friends? Therapy? Or God’s word?
If we intermingle it or give what intimately belongs to God to others…..
That is spiritual adultery.
Do you know every human by right, belongs to God?
Do you know we truly own nothing, we’re only using it, because God lets us?
21For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes
We absolutely cannot say one thing and do another. God knows all, even the depths of our hearts.

Proverbs 5 Today's Daily Bread

Note- IF this e-mail is at all encrypted and is unreadable, scroll down to the end of the passage and click on the underlined blue words "Lena's Discipleship Journalin' For Today ", this will take you straight to the website where you'll enjoy a readable copy
God Bless You Today, Lena B
Avoid Immoral Women
1My son, pay attention to my wisdom; listen carefully to my wise counsel. 2Then you will learn to be discreet and will store up knowledge.
3The lips of an immoral woman are as sweet as honey, and her mouth is smoother than oil. 4But the result is as bitter as poison, sharp as a double-edged sword. 5Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave. F9 6For she does not care about the path to life. She staggers down a crooked trail and doesn't even realize where it leads.
7So now, my sons, listen to me. Never stray from what I am about to say: 8Run from her! Don't go near the door of her house! 9If you do, you will lose your honor and hand over to merciless people everything you have achieved in life. 10Strangers will obtain your wealth, and someone else will enjoy the fruit of your labor. 11Afterward you will groan in anguish when disease consumes your body, 12and you will say, "How I hated discipline! If only I had not demanded my own way! 13Oh, why didn't I listen to my teachers? Why didn't I pay attention to those who gave me instruction? 14I have come to the brink of utter ruin, and now I must face public disgrace."
15Drink water from your own well—share your love only with your wife. F10 16Why spill the water of your springs in public, having sex with just anyone? F11 17You should reserve it for yourselves. Don't share it with strangers.
18Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you. Rejoice in the wife of your youth. 19She is a loving doe, a graceful deer. Let her breasts satisfy you always. May you always be captivated by her love. 20Why be captivated, my son, with an immoral woman, or embrace the breasts of an adulterous woman?
21For the LORD sees clearly what a man does, examining every path he takes. 22An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him. 23He will die for lack of self-control; he will be lost because of his incredible folly.
FOOTNOTES:
F9: Hebrew to Sheol.
F10: Hebrew Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well.
F11: Hebrew Why spill your springs in public, your streams in the streets?

Friday, June 15, 2007

Lena's Journalin to Proverbs 4 Today

Let’s go over some verbs of Proverbs 4
Listen
Pay Attention & Grow
Don’t turn away
Take My words to heart
Follow
Learn
Develop
Don’t forget
Don’t turn away - don’t turn away
Love
Get good judgment
Prize wisdom - Embrace her
Listen
Live
Don’t limp or stumble
Have a good long life
Run
Carry out instructions
Don’t forsake instruction
Guard them
Do not follow the path of evil doing
Avoid copying them -Turn away from that
Shine
Pay Attention
Listen carefully
Don’t lose sight
Let My words penetrate deeply
Discover their meaning
Guard your heart above all else you do.
Avoid perverse speech
Stay away from cheap talk.
Look straight with focused & fix on the prize and call, eyes
Mark out a straight path
Stay safe
Don’t get sidetracked!
Keep your feet righteous, from following evil.

Verbs are doing words.
Have a blessed day.

James 1:22-25
Said in 4 descriptive ways:
22And remember, it is a message to obey, not just to listen to. If you don't obey, you are only fooling yourself. 23For if you just listen and don't obey, it is like looking at your face in a mirror but doing nothing to improve your appearance. 24You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25But if you keep looking steadily into God's perfect law—the law that sets you free—and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.

22Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! 23Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, 24walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
25But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God--the free life!-even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.

22Do not deceive yourselves by just listening to his word; instead, put it into practice. 23If you listen to the word, but do not put it into practice you are like people who look in a mirror and see themselves as they are. 24They take a good look at themselves and then go away and at once forget what they look like. 25But if you look closely into the perfect law that sets people free, and keep on paying attention to it and do not simply listen and then forget it, but put it into practice---you will be blessed by God in what you do.

22But be doers of the Word [obey the message], and not merely listeners to it, betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].
23For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it, he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;
24For he thoughtfully observes himself, and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.
25But he who looks carefully into the faultless law, the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it, being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys], he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).

Proverbs 4 Today's Daily Bread

Note- IF this e-mail is at all encrypted and is unreadable, scroll down to the end of the passage and click on the underlined blue words "Lena's Discipleship Journalin' For Today ", this will take you straight to the website where you'll enjoy a readable copy
God Bless You Today, Lena B
Proverbs 4
A Father's Wise Advice
1My children, F6 listen to me. Listen to your father's instruction. Pay attention and grow wise, 2for I am giving you good guidance. Don't turn away from my teaching. 3For I, too, was once my father's son, tenderly loved by my mother as an only child.
4My father told me, "Take my words to heart. Follow my instructions and you will live. 5Learn to be wise, and develop good judgment. Don't forget or turn away from my words. 6Don't turn your back on wisdom, for she will protect you. Love her, and she will guard you. 7Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do! And whatever else you do, get good judgment. 8If you prize wisdom, she will exalt you. Embrace her and she will honor you. 9She will place a lovely wreath on your head; she will present you with a beautiful crown."
10My child, F7 listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. 11I will teach you wisdom's ways and lead you in straight paths. 12If you live a life guided by wisdom, you won't limp or stumble as you run. 13Carry out my instructions; don't forsake them. Guard them, for they will lead you to a fulfilled life.
14Do not do as the wicked do or follow the path of evildoers. 15Avoid their haunts. Turn away and go somewhere else, 16for evil people cannot sleep until they have done their evil deed for the day. They cannot rest unless they have caused someone to stumble. 17They eat wickedness and drink violence!
18The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. 19But the way of the wicked is like complete darkness. Those who follow it have no idea what they are stumbling over.
20Pay attention, my child, to what I say. Listen carefully. 21Don't lose sight of my words. Let them penetrate deep within your heart, 22for they bring life and radiant health to anyone who discovers their meaning.
23Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do. F8
24Avoid all perverse talk; stay far from corrupt speech.
25Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. 26Mark out a straight path for your feet; then stick to the path and stay safe. 27Don't get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
FOOTNOTES:
F6: Hebrew My sons.
F7: Hebrew My son; also in 4:20.
F8: Hebrew for from it flow the springs of life.