ONE MAN'S TRASH IS ANOTHER MAN'S TREASURE

We have all heard the saying that "One man's trash is another man's treasure". I am finding this more and more to be true as I am starting a new business - an online flea market. I have gone around to different garage sales, flea markets, thrift stores to find items to put on my new website. It is amazing the items that you can find - some are fantastic! I don't think some people realize what they have! And others make you wonder "What were they thinking when they bought that? That is junk!" But I have actually purchased some of this junk and turned it into something wonderful for my home or to sell. You just never know what you could do when you turn your mind to it.

Sometimes we feel like we are junk in God's eyes. We make mistakes. We sin. How could God possibly love us and our junk? But everyday, He takes rebellious sinners and transforms them by His power into something beautiful and valuable!!

Before you give up on yourself or someone else, before you get too discouraged about how your life has turned out, always remember that you have the potential in the hands of God to be turned into something wonderful and valuable!!

He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.
Proverbs 21:21

SO TRULY BLESSED!!!!

Sometimes it is so hard to be faithful. Sometimes the circumstances of life make you just want to give up. They make you wonder why you should be faithful and good if only to find yourself in the bad circumstances you are in - bad health, poor finances, lack of relationships.

But then you have one of those days like I have had today where everything seems to be right. I have to admit I haven't felt very well but that just hasn't seem to matter today. I have talked to a friend who is out of town whom I miss a lot when I don't see her. I have done some redecorating of my house - didn't spend much money, must changed things around and it truly feels like home. And I had a truly great financial surprise today - to my benefit. God has truly blessed me!!

While things over the last few years have not been easy, while keeping a good attitude has not always been easy, I have been so richly blessed and instead of giving up, my faith has truly grown stronger. I am a much better and stronger person than I was when this journey that I have been on began. I am so grateful for a God who never gives up on me and blesses me in ways that I don't even see at the time!!

Thank you, Lord, for all your blessings! Help me to keep growing in my faith and in Your word!


A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished. Proverbs 28:20


How Great is Our God, My Savior My God, Wonderful Maker

THE RIGHT WORDS TO SAY

A friend of mine is going through a really trying time. I don't even know all of the circumstances but I do know that she is hurting. I have tried so hard to be there for her through it all but sometimes I feel like I just don't say the right things, that I sound more like I am preaching.

Lord, give me the right words to say to her. Help me to let her know that even though I am not right beside her physically, I am beside her with my arms around her. Let me be able to show her how much I love her and how much You love her. Give me for the wisdom to know when to speak, what to say, and how to say it.

Lord, thank you for Your love, for your wisdom, for your patience. Help us to remember that no matter what we do, You are always there for us. Help us to show your love and patience to others when they are in need. Help us to always be a friend to others and not judge them, just love them.

A friend is a friend for all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

WISDOM OR WEALTH???

My daughter is in search of a new car. She loves her truck and will never get rid of it but in light of the high gas prices we are facing, getting about 9 miles to a gallon is getting a little old! She wants to find a cheap car just to get her around her college campus.

I was looking in the AutoTrader for her today and there were lots of cars to choose from. But it is so hard to pick which one would be better for her! Would a Honda, Ford, Chevrolet be the best? Would an older car with low miles or a newer car with more miles? So many choices! Which one would be best??

We are constantly examining items in our lives trying to decide which is better - which is the best fruit to buy at the market, which is the best house to buy, which is the best pair of jeans? We are always having to make decisions and try to make these decisions based on what we believe is bettter. I can't imagine anyone every saying "I am sure this is the worst item, so I'll take it!"

The book of Proverbs is filled with comparisons that point us toward the right things to do in life. The book was written to give us knowledge and wisdom based on the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 1:2 says: "for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;" and Proverbs 1:7 says: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

We should always seek what is better in God's eyes! Proverbs 16:16 says: How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding than silver and Proverbs 16:19 says: Better to be lowly in spirit and among the oppressed than to share the plunder with the crowd. Some people may be able to be both wise and wealthy, but if forced to choose between the two, it is clear that we should choose wisdom.

When God's word shapes our thinking and guides our choices, we will discover that His way is always better!

Lord, help us to look for the signs that You give us that say "This is better!" Help us to make the better choices You would have us make in every aspect of our lives!

TRUE FRIENDS

Oh, the comfort, the inexpressible comfort of feeling safe with a person; having neither to weigh thoughts nor measure words, but to pour them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with the breath of kindness, blow the rest away.

--George Eliot


Do you have such a friend? Are you such a friend??

Thank you, Lord, for the dear friends I have, both near and far, who make me feel safe and loved. Help me to be a true friend to others.

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24

FRIENDS - MICHAEL W. SMITH