Nuggets of Truth

“All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.” Proverbs 15:15

I want each day to be a feast. I want to be happy and you can’t be sad if you are always smiling and believing good things. That’s why being grateful will change your mood quickly.

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

Every word out of our mouth says something about us. Are we bringing life to those around us or are we bringing death. It starts with your thoughts. Take control over your thoughts don’t listen to the enemies ranting, be your own cheerleader and speak God’s words over yourself. Then you can be strong to speak life to others.

“Start children off in the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6

It is important to teach your kids about God. But it is more important to teach a child how to live a Godly life. Actions speak louder than words. It should not end when they grow older. Continue to speak the goodness of God and continue to grow with God so they see it.

“My son, give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways.” Proverbs 23:26

Don’t just get head knowledge of God, get to know him and his ways. And then keep his ways and make him the apple of your eye. Your best friend and confidant. One you never want to let down.

“Lord, I know that peoples lives are not their own, it is not for them to direct their steps.” Jeremiah 10:23

We need great wisdom to know God’s will for our lives. On our own we tend to make a mess. We cannot see the big picture and don’t understand God’s ways.

“…the terms I commanded your ancestors when I, brought them out of Egypt, out of the iron-smelting furnace,” I said, “obey me and do everything I command you, and I will be your people, and I will be your God.” Jeremiah 11:4

This was very simple and easy to understand. But do you think they obeyed? NO! I have been reading in the prophets, such as Jeremiah and Ezekiel lately and he is really letting them have it. They have done so much and really deserve to be punished but I would not choose to be in their shoes. To hurt the Lord so badly and be such a disappointment. And they had a chance for great things.

“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:11

Thank you Lord, that you know my heart. You know why I do as I do and you will show me the errors of my ways so I can turn from them. I often can not see my sin but I don’t wish to continue in my sin.

“Lord, you are the hope of Israel; all who forsake me will be put to shame. Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord, the spring of living water. Heal me, Lord, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.” Jeremiah 17:13-14

Lord you are my hope, my healing, my refuge, there is none but you and you offer so much.

Nuggets of Truth

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.” Psalms 139:13-14

No one is a mistake. You were well thought out beforehand. God only makes perfect people. His plans for you are only good. Even if you only live for one hour your life matters and does make a difference. All life matters.

“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.” Psalms 141:3-4

It is so important that we watch what we do and say. Especially words because once they leave our mouth the damage has been done. They are life and they are death. God sees everything we do, say and think. I do not wish to hurt my father or his dear children.

“Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom.” Psalms 145:3

God is so good! I pray for needs in the church and I am so blessed by some of the amazing answers to prayer. I also see all that God is doing just in my church. We are but a speck of dust compared to all the churches and prayers coming to him.I can just imagine how busy God is throughout the world.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. But fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

If you fear and respect the Lord you will keep his commands, and never do anything to harm one of his children. He has asked first to think of others before ourselves. I have a problem with “black lives matter”, sure they do but so does every life. Red, yellow, black, white they are all precious in his sight. So are babies in the womb and the elderly. No one is expendable.

“For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.” Proverbs 2:6

Wisdom comes from the Lord, that’s why reading his words every day is the only way to know what is right and to follow his commands. You don’t have time? I don’t have time to waste if my life and prosperity depends on making wise decisions. I don’t want to pay the consequences.

“My son, forget not my law; but let thy heart keep my commandments: for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to thee.” Proverbs 3:1-2

See that keeping his commandments leads to a long and peaceful life. What everyone is looking for but very few find. It is so very easy. But we try to make it difficult.

“Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not on thy own understanding: in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5

I used to always worry about my care and whether someone would do something right for me personally. God confronted me one day that I wasn’t trusting him, and I was leaning on my own understanding not his. This is the day he has already planned out for me and my best. Whatever happens is predestined for my good. So I totally changed my thinking and you will never believe how happy and peaceful my life became.

“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” Proverbs 10:9

One thing very important is integrity. Let your yes mean yes and your no mean no. Never tell a lie. It is hard to keep your stories straight if you are not telling the truth. People should be able to count on your words.

“One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.” Proverbs 11:24

The ways of God are so different than man’s. What makes sense to us is not always how life works. God is the one who provides and what he blesses will be blessed and what he curses will be cursed. You may have no money but it will go far if you share. If you are stingy that money will soon fly away to someone who will share.

“Whoever spares the rod hates their children, but the one who loves their children is careful to discipline them.” Proverbs 13:24

Lord correct me in your great love so that I might live. I know you love me and only want the very best for me. Your wisdom is far above ours.

“Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.” Proverbs 14:7

Who do you hang around with? Is that what you wish to turn into? Spending time around people will rub off on you. Will it bring good or will it bring you down? I choose to be around people I look up to. Whose values are good.

Nuggets of Truth

“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” Psalms 100:1

God should make you want to shout. He has done such awesome and almighty things. Just some amazing miracles he did in the Bible like David, Gideon, Joshua, and Moses, whoa! He is not here to do things simply or logically. He does out of the ordinary and spectacular things. I serve on a prayer chain and used to get discouraged by so many needs. So many times I just think man are you in trouble. Defeated before I even pray, but I have seen some amazing miracles and I know my God is worth shouting on the housetop.

God is mighty, look at all that he has made, on the earth and in the sky. Things we can’t even see with our eyes. The galaxy goes on forever and only God himself knows the extent of it. Just look at the things we can see, and I’ve only seen a fraction of what is out there. Then he made billions of animals and takes care of them making sure they have food and water and keeping them alive from birth till death. His masterpiece, man, made in his image, to be like him and to dwell with him. He is always doing stuff for man. His mercy and grace to those that will never be perfect or have it all together. Sometimes, a lot of times, I just start sobbing when I think how amazing he is, praise God.

“I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part of it. The perverse of heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with what is evil.” Psalms 101:3-4

Covid had me locked in my room and it really bothered me but I enjoy my solitude now. I rule over my space and I can control my environment. I don’t miss all the negative drama that goes on out in the world. I prefer my safe space because it’s my peaceful place. If it doesn’t bring peace I have eliminated it from my life.

“Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all of their heart-.” Psalms 119:1-2

No I am not perfect, but I am forgiven. I seek the Lord always, wanting to do all he has for me. My relationship with him is more precious to me than bars of gold. Those who love the Lord and have put their trust in him know they don’t deserve anything, but Christ gave it freely to anyone who would accept it. It takes great faith to accept it. God respects faith and rewards it.

“Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.I am a stranger on the earth; do not hide your commands from me.” Psalms 119:18-19

I’ve been blind before and I didn’t realize it. It was not a good time. But God has opened my eyes so much in the last few years to his truths and I read so much about him and his ways. Anything to stay strong and clear. Keeping his commandments is important because I strayed when I tried to fulfill life by myself not trusting him.

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow his righteous laws.” Psalms 119:105-106

God’s word is faithful and true. Being in his word every day keeps us straight. We have to read it over and over till it illuminates are paths brightly. Memorizing his words helps us to put it in our hearts.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.” Psalms 127:1

We can spend all of our time and money to get ahead. But if we are not seeking the Lord and his plans then it is in vain. It will not bring happiness or contentment. He wants us happy and successful but we need to seek him first. Then these things follow. If God is not the King of your life, then you are on your own and that’s a dangerous place. God takes care of his own.

“Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, keep a record of sins, Lord, who could stand ? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.” Psalms 130:1-4

There are times that I have realized I sinned and my heart grows heavy and I feel awful. Saying something bad, reading something inappropriate, thinking wrongly about someone. Go right to God and ask forgiveness immediately. That weight will not lift till you do. It can turn instantly peaceful because God does forgive the minute you ask, he won’t hold on like we tend to do. His mercy is never ending.

“How good and pleasant it is when God’s people dwell together in unity.” Psalms 133:1

I had to completely turn my thinking around. I asked God a long time for eyes to see as he sees. Everyone is a beloved child of his made with a unique purpose. Everyone! We are on one team, all of us. We need to do everything we do to support our team. Strive for peace and unity.