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!

WE ARE ALL GOD'S "BABIES"

My "baby" just let here to go out of town for a few days to visit her roommate's family. My "baby" is 21 years old, not really a baby but she will always be my baby! And I worry about her now as much as I did when she was a little baby, just about different things! I pray for her safety, her wisdom in making choices, her happiness, her health.

We are all God's "babies", no matter how old we are! We are all His children and He worries about us, too. He wants us to be happy, safe, healthy, to make good choices, to live according to His word. And He helps us do all that - all we need to do is ask Him for guidance, for strength, for direction, for courage and to search his Word. He is always there for us, just like we are always there for our children.


"I have no greater joy than to hear my children are walking in the truth." 3 John:4