Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter.

Proverbs 24

Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. v11

We are called to be a light to others and to draw others to the light within us - which is Jesus.

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

 

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. Jude 1:22-23

 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  Matthew 28:19-20 

 

My Prayer:  Lord Jesus what an amazing God You are - You are Light, Truth, and You are my God and I am Your son!  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worthy of such a God who loves me so much.  I worry.  Please forgive me and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness. Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.

Proverbs 23

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.  Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone, for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle. v4-5

As I continue to interview with another company, I must remind myself not to chase something that does not have eternal value, that does not glorify God.  I must also remind myself that I did not produce any success to date and I should be a good steward of what God entrusted to me.

See also posts here. 

May [the Lord] give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. Psalm 20:4

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who loves me, even with all of my sin and brokenness.  Thank You Jesus.  I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and everyday.

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22

Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. v6

As a father, I am reassured of my efforts to point Zach and Dustin to Jesus.  But there is more I can do, to demonstrate love of Jesus and a desire to glorify Him.  

Help me Jesus, determine what more I can do, and give me the strength and confidence to obey Your will for my life.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4

 

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who has molded me into a better man, a better father, and a better husband.  Thank You Jesus.  I know You are not done with me.  There is sin You need to remove and more work for me to do.  Please forgive me for my worry and my sloth.  Help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.

Proverbs 19

Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. v21

As I look for a job, I constantly think about and often worry what I want - yet I should be focused on God's purpose for my life.

We exist to glorify God.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who has done many, many great things in my life and who loves me.  I should not worry about the great plans You have for me - because You do have great plans for me.  Yet often I do worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

To answer before listening—that is folly and shame.

Proverbs 18

To answer before listening—that is folly and shame. v13

As a follow up to yesterday's post, I am reminded of how we should be quick to listen and slow to talk and be angry.  In many instances, what we don't communicate says much!

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, what an amazing God You are that You are so patient and You listen to ALL of my prayers and respond as well - it is not always the response I expect or initially desire but I know You love me and have great plans for me - not for harm but to prosper me and for a future.  Thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love and blessings.  I often fail to listen.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and have them choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 17

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. v27

I have often used words to criticize others - including those in my own family.  

James is instructive here as well: 

The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:6 

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. James 1:19-20

I need God to give me restraint.

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an awesome God who loves me and who is SO patient with me - thank You Jesus!  I am not worth such love. I often lack patience with others. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.

Proverbs 16

In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. v9

As I sit here desiring a new job and being to close to one in my estimation - I MUST remember this verse and the many others how I should desire what GOD desires for me.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters[.] Colossians 3:23

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31

I must also remember that God loves me and has great plans for me.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11

My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an incredible God who has done it ALL for me - not because I am deserving but because You love me.  Thank You Jesus!    I am not worth such love.  I worry.  Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You.  Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do.  Help me grow in my faith.  Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength.  Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo.  Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior.  Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin.  Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others.  Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.