Wise up!

We look to our devices for immediate information, knowledge and instruction in just about everything. Wisdom, however, is not searchable or clickable at a moment’s notice. You have to request it straight from the supplier—not Google, but God.

And if anyone longs to be wise, ask God for wisdom and he will give it! He won’t see your lack of wisdom as an opportunity to scold you over your failures but he will overwhelm your failures with his generous grace. James 1:5 (TPT)

Photo: Chris Barbalis from Unsplash.com

Visions & Ventures

Don’t let fear paralyze you into inactivity. A true vision from God is not attainable purely by your own efforts anyway. He crafted its success to require His input.

Havner, V. Retrieved from https://www.passiton.com/inspirational-quotes/3562-the-vision-must-be-followed-by-the-venture-it

Photo by John T on Unsplash. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://unsplash.com/photos/C7h_31Lz16Y

Who is Wise?

James Chapter 3 goes on to say in verses 17 & 18: “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness (New International Version).”

Many of the qualities that are celebrated on the big stages of this life will not endure in eternity. Often, you and I have to be the ones cheering ourselves on—because no one else will.

An ever vigilant God

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast (Psalm 139:7-10, New International Version).

God is always with us. When we feel abandoned, maybe instead of asking, “Where are you, God?” we should ask, “Where am I?”

Choose Joy!

One of my all-time favorite Christian artists, Larnelle Harris, wrote a song I love called “I Choose Joy”. To tell the truth, this world is full of trouble / And if we live long enough it’s sure to come our way / We’ve a choice to walk in fear and trembling / Or claim the victory that’s already ours this very day / I choose joy (Harris, 1992).

Until, I heard this song, I didn’t know joy was a choice. Then I tried it, and it’s true for those who trust the God of All Creation. Choose both—trust and joy!

Harris, L. (1992). I Choose Joy. On I Choose Joy [CD, Album]. Nashville, Tennessee: Benson.

The real test of Love

This is sound advice from my Pastor, Gaspar Anastasi, in a post I created for my church’s social media accounts last year. It’s close in meaning to this scripture passage:

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others (Philippians 2:3 & 4, New International Version).

Anastasi, G. (2018, June 5). Honor people for who they are. [Facebook post]. Retrieved from https://www.facebook.com/WOLMFortMyers/

All things are possible.

Jesus said to him, “What do you mean ‘if’? If you are able to believe, all things are possible to the believer” (Mark 9:23, The Passion Version). This scripture gives me such courage in the face of all the things to fear in this life. Failure is all around us, yet here is One who hands me a blank canvas and says, “Fill it!” He—and, with faith in Him, I—cannot fail.

Myles Munroe Quotes. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.azquotes.com/author/19226-Myles_Munroe

Ralston, C. Person standing on rock formation. [Photo]. Retrieved from https://unsplash.com/photos/6xHuEXwKEII