Cheating

We didn't talk much about cheating, but we all know we can be caught up in this kind of crooked behavior. Here are our two lessons from Scripture.

"The eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good." (Proverbs 15:3)

It seems we tend to forget that even when no one else sees what we are doing, God still sees! And he's the only one we need to fear.

"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much." (Luke 16:10)

So even in the smallest matters, we need to show we are worthy of the trust others have placed in us. Husbands, children, bosses, co-workers, friends...they all need to be able to trust us in everything.

Complaining

This one sepakes for itself. "Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe." (Philippians 2:14-15)

Attitude

"All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast." (Proverbs 15:5)
"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22)

Out of the heart, we act. Attitude is our heart's preparation for action or for our words. It was wonderful to hear from everyone this morning how much we all desire that God works on our attitudes. We need to give others more grace, ask for forgivness when we err, and place our hope and trust in Christ--not in the things of this world, in our circumstances.

Attentiveness

A farmer who tends his fields will get much more for the harvest than a man who simply allows the field to grow without attention to water, fertilizer and weed control! Think of how this will apply to raising our children. Watching, listening, and teaching are essential for strong, healthy children!

Proverbs 12:11--"He who works his land will have abundant food, but he wo chases fantasies lacks judgment."
Proverbs 4:20--"My son, pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words."

Keep studying. KP

Stirring Up Strife

We talked this morning about how easy it is to add to quarreling and strife--but how important God's instruction is. Here are the verses we read to help us NOT to add to strife.

Proverbs 15:18--"A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel."
Proverbs 10:12--"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all sins."
Proverbs 26:21--"As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife."

Patience and love. That's what we need more of. Love covers (protects, extinguishes, turns our eyes away from) all sins. It is good to help others be protected--and that we not add fuel to sins, but to help them disappear!

God bless and strengthen you all in His Word! KP