Son, don’t forget what I teach you.  Always remember what I tell you to do.  My teaching will give you a long and prosperous life.
                                                                                                            Proverbs 3:1 ( Good News)
Hello Friend,
            You may have already made (and broken) your New Year’s resolutions.  But this morning, I am suggesting a new list—it’s not too late to start.  This list was written by the wisest man who ever lived; not, it’s not Jim.  The resolutions are written by Solomon and can be found in Proverbs 3:1-32.  I often say that you and I can find answers to any situation in life if we would just look in God’s Word.  These precepts are not called resolutions, but I don’t think you could find any guidelines for living that are better if you tried.  Here goes:

1.  Let love and faithfulness never leave you (vv.3-5).
2. Trust in the Lord with all your heart (vv. 5-6).
3. Do not be wise in your own eyes (vv. 7-8).
4. Honor the Lord with your wealth (vv. 9-10)
5. Do not despise the Lord’s discipline (vv. 11-12).
6. Search diligently for wisdom and find it (vv. 13-14).
7. Have no fear (vv.25-26).
8. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it (vv.27-28).
9. Do not plot harm against your neighbor (vv.29-30).
10. Do not envy a violent man or chose any of his ways (vv.31-32).

Challenge:  Let’s you and I resolve to live by these principles and anticipate and delight in what God will do in our lives. 
Prayer:  Lord give me a backbone and a wishbone.  Strengthen my will to follow your teachings.    Amen
                                    Resolving to make wise choices in 2018,                                                                                                                                                    Linda
 

At Gideon the Lord appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream and God said, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”
                                                                                                                        I Kings 3:5
 
Hello Friend,
 
       Don’t you wish God had appeared in a dream to you last night and said to you, “Ask me for whatever you want and I’ll give it to you.”  What would your big wish be—money to pay off debts—a promotion at work—a loving relationship.  Solomon could have asked for money or power, yet he chose wisdom.
 
 I’ll bet if you are honest, wisdom was not the first thing to pop into your mind. Yet, if we have wisdom, we are much more likely to have the above wishes.  If you have wisdom, you’ll make right choices regarding your finances.  You’ll listen to God’s still small voice telling you that you don’t need that new car right now.  You might choose to cook a meal at home instead of eating out at twice the cost.  God will help you manage your finances.  We need the wisdom to listen to that nudging within, not a win at the lottery.
 
God was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom and gave to him riches and respect.  God wants to bless you and give you the desires of your heart.  In your day-to-day-dilemmas, do you seek God’s wisdom?  God will not hit you over the head with the right answer, but he will speak in a still, small voice whispering to you words of wisdom. Are you listening? 
 
Prayer:  Lord, I long to hear your voice.   Grant me wisdom!
 
                                              May all your dreams come true,     Linda
                                                                                                                                                                                     Li

Oh Lord, you have searched me and you know me. . .you perceive my thoughts from afar.                                                                                                                                         Psalm 139:1
 
Hello Friend,
 
Wake up, get your coffee, and spend a few minutes contemplating the above scripture.   God knows you.  God knows your thoughts.  The psalmist goes on to say
”You see me, whether I am working or resting; you know all my actions.  Even before I speak, you already know what I will say.”  How does it feel to know that God knows everything about you?  For some of us, it might feel a bit uncomfortable.  Many of us think that God is up in heaven with a giant scorecard keeping a record of all our sins and omissions.  Oh no, Mary was a little short with her husband yesterday—1 demerit.  Catharine was watching a movie with some nudity in it—3 demerits.  Joann took her elderly neighbor grocery shopping—3 gold stars. 

            Would it make you feel better to know that God does not expect you to be perfect?  He knows that we are a work in progress.  Don’t go around feeling guilty and condemned.  We shouldn’t be flippant in our attitude toward sin.  When we make a mistake, repent, shake it off, and move on.  The enemy (satan) is called “the accuser of the brethren.”  We hear voices in our head that tell us that we are not good enough.  Quit believing that junk!!   God loves you.  You are the apple of God’s eye.  God approves and accepts you just as you are.
 
            Psalm 139 is meant to be read as assurance that God knows you personally—that he created you and keeps watch over you.  Listen to the next few verses.
                        I look behind me and you’re there
                        Then up ahead and you’re there, too--
                        Your reassuring presence, coming and going,
                        If I settle on the far side of the sea,
                        Even there your hand will guide me,
                        Your right hand will hold me fast.
 
How might your day be different if you started it by thinking, “I am approved by Almighty God.  I am wonderfully made.  I am chosen and accepted.  No matter where I am, God is holding my hand.”  Just feel the joy welling up inside!  Have a great week and share the good news of God’s love with a friend.
 
Affirmation:  I am the beloved child of the Most-High God.  
                                                                                           Linda