Proverbs 10:7

The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot.

Short and sweet.  I think of my Grandpa and Grandma when I read this and know that I want to do my best to continue their legacy.  They didn't live a life that you might consider to be super memorable or impactful in the small town of Treynor.  Yet all these years later they have a few dozen grandkids and great grandkids not to mention people in their community that still remember how they lived as a blessing.  Simple, friendly and following God.  

be a blessing.

knut

Psalm 36:6-7

36:6-7 Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Thoughts on Today's Verse...

"Chill out!" we hear heaven say to us. Come into God's presence with dependent, yet confident, patience. But how can we? We know God will do what is right for us over the passage of time. The Bible is God's story (HIS-story); it is the great testimony that he is always faithful to his promises, gracious in his power to redeem, and generous with his love shared with his children. So come into his presence and be willing to be still... and patient... and trusting… and hopeful!

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Kind of funny, I read/responded to your last comments then opened verse of the day and thought this is a good continuation of thought without realizing it was literally a couple verses later in the same book.  Just coincidence I guess ;)   

I think the comments say it well--come into his presence let his face shine on our faces and trust his plan.  So be still and keep listening.  Maybe God will reveal a direction for you with work whether it be to do something different or find a way where you are at to have the impact you want for Him.

knut

Psalm 37:4

 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

The closer I get to God the more fulfilled I will feel because my desires will be aligned with what God desires not what man desires.  

Can be a scary thought because maybe its giving up something like a great paying career which enables lots of other fun stuff I desire--but if that were true it wouldn't feel like a sacrifice because it would be replaced with some new desire that God is promising to fulfill.  So really if being content and fulfilled is a feeling I desire this is the road to travel.

knut

Galatians 5:22-23

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

This entire chapter is great and this simple versus tells the gift of fruits in our lives or our character we get from having the Spirit in us--maybe it also can help identify when we aren't as close to the Spirit.  If my character or behavior is not mirroring these fruits I may  be drifting the wrong way in life.

knut

Romans 8:3-4

 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man, in order that the righteous requirements of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the sinful nature but according to the Spirit.

If we all found Jesus and let the Spirit into our hearts our world would harmonize.  I always say you can't legislate values, this verse kinda of says that too--our human laws are flawed and/or collectively our sinful nature will prevent the essence of even a good law we write from changing our behavior.

So as Christians we should maybe focus less on changing laws or creating fights about laws and more on loving others and sharing about Jesus and letting God do the work of changing hearts.  Its not to say some of our fights we tend to have with society aren't noble--like protecting babies but maybe a more effective strategy is to reach more people with God's word and promises.

knut

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John 14:23

 23 Jesus replied, “Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching.d My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them.e

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Simple stuff but the more I obey God's teaching the more the Trinity comes into my life and gets closer to me---making their home with me.  So to obey his teachings I have to know the teach so I must be in His word more. 

 Other than these daily (or every few week efforts)  and Sunday mornings I'm not in His Word--Gina is good about this she is in it every day and in depth.  This will likely always be a weakness for me that I have to be intentional to overcome.

knut

Numbers 6 24-26

24 “‘“The Lord bless you
    and keep you;
25 the Lord make his face shine on you
    and be gracious to you;
26 the Lord turn his face toward you
    and give you peace.”’

As an elder I had to do the sermon one time at our church.  For the benediction my pastor said do this--hold your hands up and say these versus.  I had heard it a million times.  But it will forever be a joke in our family and I can't hear it without smiling or getting a look from my kids in church.

I was nervous.  Not huge on public speaking and even less on preaching.  Made it through my sermon, did a pretty nice job if I do say so.  I don't like to use notes during speaking including the benediction.  Well I blew this up, I held my hands high and said a bunch of mumbo jumbo maybe not even words sometimes.  Something about my face shine upon your face.......Amen go in Peace

So the message of these verses is great---I just often can't even focus on the saftey net he offers in the prayer of blessing---on that day I think he was getting a little chuckle while he watched me obliterate his word.

Good day brother---go in peace!

Knut