Proverbs 4:23-27 - Tim

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”

Proverbs 4:23-27 NIV

http://bible.com/111/pro.4.23-27.niv

When most people think of their heart they think of their "Valentine" heart or maybe the organ within their body.  In the Bibile it says it's the source of our life and that we should protect it.  

If we guard our "heart" (that source) above all else.... with scripture ... We will live a life of honor to our God. 

 

Isaiah 40:28 - Gina

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 NIV

http://bible.com/111/isa.40.28-31.niv

Need we say more!?

Run and not grow weary 

.....Walk and not be faint.

Teach me Lord to wait. 

Psalm 68 - Gina

Psalm 68 says "Praise be to the Lord to our God our savior- who daily bears our burdens....our God is a God who saves!!!" 

We talked about how shame in our life can hold us back from growing in Christ. When we fail, and we will - we ask God for forgiveness and he restores us but sometimes we carry this burden of failure with us and unless we ask God to take that from us too we stop and live there for a while.   I don't want to live there anymore - freedom in Christ is real and I receive it. 

This song , Holy Spirit has captivated me...it's my heart cry right now to be overwhelmed by God. 

Take a listen-

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UvBBC7-PSHo

1 Corinthians 10:13. Livia

“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 NIV

http://bible.com/111/1co.10.13.niv

Temptation can come in any different forms.  We are fallible and are tempted to sin.  Sometimes we forget that God is always with us and we can overcome!!!!  

For me I am paying attention in my conversations.  Who I talk about , what I say in order to fit in and being faithful to my God.  

 

We must hold our ground and stay true to God who always provides a way out and then we will have victory!!!  Jesus used scripture against satan every time he was tempted so I am going to do the same!!! 

Get my Glorious victory!!!

Matthew 20:27-28

“and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Matthew 20:27-28 NIV

http://bible.com/111/mat.20.27-28.niv

"To lead people, walk behind them!"

Leadership and respect is gained by the way we care for and have compassion for others.  The most thriving leader promotes service to gain the respect of followers.  

Jesus was the best example of a great leader.  He washed his disciples feet.  He did everything in love.

  

Leviticus 19:32 Devin

““ ‘Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the Lord.”

Leviticus 19:32 NIV

http://bible.com/111/lev.19.32.niv

Our elders have had experiences that us young peps cannot touch.  We must understand that our parents are there to keep us from doing dumb stuff. LOL 

I talked to my parents last night about a vehicle and during some of the conversation I wasn't on board with some of their reasoning .... But I'm realizing this morning that they are wise and know more than I do on the subject so I'm gonna trust them!!!

Trip Lee suggested in his book to pick wise mentors in your life.   My parents asked 6 men to speak into my life since I was 13.  Of course my Dad, Papa (JoeDaddy), uncle Roger , Uncle Ryan, Uncle Marshal and Coach Vance. My life is rich because of these men. Im gonna choose to yield to their instruction.  

“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.”

1 Peter 5:5-6 NIV

http://bible.com/111/1pe.5.5-6.niv 

Romans 5:8 - Kadin

“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 NIV

http://bible.com/111/rom.5.8.niv

Have you ever known someone hard to love?  

How do we love them anyway?

Think about yourself....and what Christ did for you on the cross.  To treat others as you'd like to be treated and for sure pray!!!!Ask God to help you love them!!!

Psalm 130:4 - Devin

“But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”

Psalm 130:4 NIV

http://bible.com/111/psa.130.4.niv

Forgiveness is a very special thing.  Jesus gave his life for us.  We need to be reminded that we should offer that same forgiveness to others no matter what they have done to us.  70x70 is the standard which means always!  Amen?  If we don't forgive we become bitter and we hold anger and grudges and it makes us miserable.  Then the relationships are ruined and no one is happy!!!

Offer forgiveness freely!!

Our family creed says "forgive quickly, apologize quickly and love unconditionally."

Let it be for all of us today. 

Zechariah 9:13 - Livia

“I will bend Judah as I bend my bow and fill it with Ephraim. I will rouse your sons, Zion, against your sons, Greece, and make you like a warrior’s sword.”

Zechariah 9:13 NIV

http://bible.com/111/zec.9.13.niv

Christianity is a battle not a war. 

Learning that there is a real enemy for our soul brought some fear to my heart. He has his aim toward you...but he's not like God he's NOT all knowing or ALL present so we are greater than he who is living in the world because Jesus lives in us. 

The attacks you experience can be more about who you will be in the future rather than who you were in the past!!! So fight!!!

We are like warrior swords .... We need to wake up every morning and put our armour on and fight!!!!

For Such a Time as This - Devin

“For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?””

Esther 4:14 NIV

http://bible.com/111/est.4.14.niv

God puts us in situations at certain a times for a specific reason.  Sometimes it is total hindsight for us.  We have no  idea , but God works His plan anyway!!!

You are where you are for a reason.  You are in this state, this community, your school, your church, your home FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS!!!

Lean into HIS purpose for you. It's unique and it's good!!!   Live each day in a way that understands this.... So you can enjoy His work around you. 

Matthew 7:7 Livia

““Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

Matthew 7:7 NIV

Many times in life we "want" stuff.  Consider this scripture ....and keep in mind that our first and most important ask should be God's will and plan for our lives ....then He will provide all our NEEDS not our "wants". 

Too often we think we need to keep up with others ........and the truth is we are rich.  It's only because we live in such a lavished wealthy country that we get the temptation to compare or feel bad for ourselves because we don't have what others have in things.  Be bold and be different! 

 God supplies all that we need. 

 

2 Cor. 12:9 In my Weakness....

“Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

2 Corinthians 12:8-10 NIV

http://bible.com/111/2co.12.8-10.niv

This verse is Gina's life verse, it's kind of cool how when you just hear it read or you come across it you feel your soul resound with it.  Thank you Lord.  

God is strong in my anxiety.  God is courageous and makes up for my fear. I did not earn my salvation and I can't keep it on my own.  He gives me faith to believe and he gives us strength to carry on no matter what. 

In my weakness I will boast in it so that God's power my rest on me!!!  

First full day - back to school! Words of Wisdom

Proverbs 2

Turn your ear to wisdom!!!

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding— indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways. Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God. Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead. None who go to her return or attain the paths of life. Thus you will walk in the ways of the good and keep to the paths of the righteous. For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it.”