Chalice of Knowledge

God’s Word:  Proverbs 20:12-20

God’s Message to Me:

Drinking from the beautiful chalice of knowledge is better than adorning oneself with gold and rare gems.  Ignorance is not bliss, it is amiss.  Knowledge opens up new worlds of understanding.  But, I must caution you, not all knowledge is beneficial.  If you will follow my advice in Philippians 4:8 you will open the beautiful chalice of knowledge. “Summing it all up, friends, I’d say you’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.”

There is a vast world of knowledge at your fingertips. You have the right to explore whatever your heart chooses.  But always keep in mind that not all knowledge is beneficial or constructive.  I have created you with your passions and desires with the bottom line to use those abilities to make the world a better place for your fellow travelers.  It’s not all about adorning yourself with gold and rare gems.

Your knowledge can be as gold and rare gems as it goes about the world, sparkling into the lives of others.    Unless you are blessing others by using your knowledge it is fruitless.  The world seeks knowledge but to what end?  To benefit self.  Drink from my beautiful chalice of knowledge found in My Word and be a blessing to others and you yourself will find the blessing that satisfies completely.

God’s Question to Me:   Are you drinking from My beautiful chalice of knowledge—My Word—and using that knowledge to bless others?

God’s Promise to Me:  My Word added to the passions and desires I have give you creates a chalice you can offer your world that will bless and benefit their lives.

 My Song to God:   Open My Eyes   by Clara H. Scott 1895

Open my eyes, that I may see
Glimpses of truth Thou hast for me;
Place in my hands the wonderful key
That shall unclasp and set me free.

Refrain

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Open my ears, that I may hear
Voices of truth Thou sendest clear;
And while the wave notes fall on my ear,
Everything false will disappear.

Refrain

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

Open my mouth, and let me bear,
Gladly the warm truth everywhere;
Open my heart and let me prepare
Love with Thy children thus to share.

Refrain

Silently now I wait for Thee,
Ready my God, Thy will to see,
Open my eyes, illumine me,
Spirit divine!

The Well Within

God’s Word:  Proverbs 20:1-11

God’s Message to Me:

Knowing what is right is like deep water in the heart; a wise person draws from the well within. The life of the individual demonstrates the quality of water in their inner well.  The digging of this well of life begins with the child.  Parents who train up a child in the way they should go prevent themselves, and their child, a world of hurt.  The earlier you begin digging the well within—the better.

A wise person not only knows what is right, but chooses to do what is right.  God-loyal people, living honest lives, make it much easier for their children.  Children perceive right and wrong by the actions of the parents.  You teach more by what you do than what you say.  Let your children observe you drawing deep from the well of right-living within.

Ignore the quality of water in your well within and live and die to regret it.  Future generations are affected by your care for your own well within.  I’ve provided you with the instructions for drilling your well of living water—the Bible can be depended upon to provide you and future generations plenty of pure living water to draw from and bless all those around you.

God’s Question to Me:  Is your well within stagnant, bitter or sweet life giving?

God’s Promise to Me:  I will preserve your well within if you see your enemy hungry and go buy him lunch; or if he’s thirsty, you bring him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness, and I will keep your well within flowing sweet and pure.

My Song to God:      I’ve got a River of Life    by L. Casebolt

I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me!

Makes the lame to walk, and the blind to see.

Opens prison doors, sets the captives free!

I’ve got a river of life flowing out of me!

Spring up, O well, within my soul!

Spring up, O well, and make me whole!

Spring up, O well, and give to me

That life abundantly.

Loan To God

God’s Word:  Proverbs 19:17-29

God’s Message to Me:

Showing mercy to the needy is like giving a loan to Me.  And I pay back those loans in full! When you stifle the “what’s in it for me” attitude and think simply about the person in need, you become my right hand helper.  And believe me, those kind of helpers are few and far between now days.

Who are the needy in your life?  If you have a spouse then you are their help-meet.  They need your help, encouragement and support.  If you have children at home still, on loan from Me, I am depending upon you to train them up in the way they should go.  Training includes discipline for if you indulge them you destroy them.  Who in your extended family has needs that you can meet—your neighborhood—at work—or in your community.

You can be sure that I always pay My loans in full, even with the cup heaping up and overflowing.  Give and you shall be given. Forgive and you shall be forgiven.  Share and you will have plenty.  As you sow, so shall you reap.  This is living in the “fear of God” and this is the highest plane of living—a full life and serene—where everyone wishes to live.  But few are willing to pay the price of giving up themselves for the sake of others.  Wisdom calls—will you answer?

God’s Question to Me:  Will you take off your “what’s in it for me” glasses and reach out to the needs of others as giving a loan to Me?

God’s Promise to Me:  As you sow so shall you reap!

My Song to God:   Seek Ye First

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu, alleluia

Man does not live by bread alone
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God
Allelu, alleluia

Ask and it shall be given unto you
Seek and ye shall find
Knock and the door shall be opened unto you
Allelu, alleluia

Seek ye first the kingdom of God
And His righteousness
And all these things shall be added unto you
Allelu, alleluia

Man does not live by bread alone
But by every word
That proceeds from the mouth of God
Allelu, alleluia

How to Forgive?

God’s Word:  Proverbs 19:1-16

God’s Message to Me:

Smart people know how to hold their tongue; their grandeur is to forgive and forget.  Needless pain results when you refuse to forgive and forget.  But, where you say, is the limit to what can be forgiven?  Well. . . .where do you wish to place the stop on My forgiveness of you?  You get from Me what you give to others!

Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life.  Wisdom tells you to remove yourself from the person who is continually harming you.  A mean tempered person is to be avoided like a mad dog.  A wise person get’s rid of the mad dog and walks away from the mean tempered person.  It is hard to forgive when you are being abused continually.

How, you ask, can you forgive a person who is unrepentant and bull-headed?  Jesus set the example as he hung dying on the cross in great agony—He said “Father forgive them for they don’t realize what they are doing.”  You can say that same prayer for your abuser.  When turning the other cheek and seeking to please no longer works—it is time to walk away and pray this prayer of Jesus and choose to forget the pain.  You can do it—I will help you.

God’s Question to Me:  Have you been called upon to forgive anything as horrible as what Jesus endured?

God’s Promise to Me:  My forgiveness is given to you in direct proportion to your forgiveness of others.

My Song to God:  Cleanse Me

Search me O God and know my heart today;
Try me, O Lord, and know my thoughts I pray:
See if there be some wicked way in me,
Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.

I praise Thee, Lord, for cleansing me from sin;
Fulfil Thy Word, and make me pure within;
Fill me with fire, where once I burned with shame
Grant my desire to magnify Thy name.

Lord, take my life, and make it wholly Thine;
Fill my poor heart with Thy great love divine;
Take all my will, my passion, self and pride;
I now surrender- Lord, in me abide.

O Holy Ghost, revival comes from Thee;
Send a revival- start the work in me:
Thy Word declares Thou wilt supply our need;
For blessing now, O Lord, I humbly plead.

Good Words

God’s Word:  Proverbs 18:14-24

God’s Message to Me:

Wise men and women are always learning, always listening for fresh insights.  They know that the first speech in a court case is always convincing—until the cross-examination starts.  They know that words can reveal and words can conceal and it isn’t always easy to tell the difference—especially if you don’t personally know the one speaking.

Out of the heart the mouth speaks.  And those words can kill or those words can heal.  Examine your motives before speaking.  You should never speak words that can kill only words that will encourage a person to step up to a higher level of living.  If you find yourself speaking words that kill it is time to examine your own heart.

The sweetest words to any ear are loving words of forgiveness and acceptance.  Please, I beg of you, look for the good in others and nurture those attributes by extolling those virtues verbally.  When a person hears honest praise they triple their efforts to be worthy of that praise.  Plus, all those who are listening will double their efforts of being worthy of that same praise.  Words that kill only destroy initiative—never build it.

God’s Question to Me:  Will you examine your words and speak only those that you would appreciate hearing from others?

God’s Promise to Me:  The words you speak to others—whether they be words that kill or words that heal—you are also speaking to Me—for I take your treatment of others personally.

My Song to God:   Wonderful Words of Life        by Philip P.  Bliss    1874

Sing them over again to me, wonderful words of life,
Let me more of their beauty see, wonderful words of life;
Words of life and beauty teach me faith and duty.

Refrain

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Christ, the blessèd One, gives to all wonderful words of life;
Sinner, list to the loving call, wonderful words of life;
All so freely given, wooing us to heaven.

Refrain

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Sweetly echo the Gospel call, wonderful words of life;
Offer pardon and peace to all, wonderful words of life;
Jesus, only Savior, sanctify us forever.

Refrain

Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life,
Beautiful words, wonderful words, wonderful words of life.

Safety-Net

God’s Word:  Proverbs 18:1-13

God’s Message to Me:

What are you using as your safety-net in life?  Some think they can hide behind their wealth for protection.  Others think they can talk themselves out of or into anything.  Some think they are immune from even needing a safety-net.  Others are planning to let the government care for their needs.

It is foolish to not plan to care for your own needs.   A nation of free-loaders will cause the very fabric of society to unravel.  To always be looking for a free hand-out, caring not about who suffers because of your lack, is to spit on the common good of society.  A lazy person is a wicked person.  For it is a violation on society when members do not help carry the load.

It is not right for a nation to allow free-loaders to be rewarded.  Yet that is what happens when these people receive public benefits to meet their needs.  A strong nation is made up of people with a strong work ethic.  Every person contributes to the common good by caring for their own needs and helping out those who are unable to care for their needs. One person helping another, truly in need, is putting My safety-net for the world into action.  Call unto me in your time of need and I will send another person to care for and comfort you.

God’s Question to Me:  Are you making every effort to care for your own needs and serving as My safety-net for others, truly in need?

God’s Promise to Me:  I have blessed you so that you can be a blessing to others I have placed in your path.

My Song to God:    A Shelter in the Time of Storm    by Vernon J. Charlesworth  1880

The Lord’s our Rock, in Him we hide,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Secure whatever ill betide,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

A shade by day, defense by night,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
No fears alarm, no foes afright,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

The raging storms may round us beat,
A Shelter in the time of storm
We’ll never leave our safe retreat,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

O Rock divine, O Refuge dear,
A Shelter in the time of storm;
Be Thou our Helper ever near,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Refrain

Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A weary land, a weary land;
Oh, Jesus is a Rock in a weary land,
A Shelter in the time of storm.

Great Health Tips

God’s Word:  Proverbs 17:17-28

God’s Message to Me:

Good health is a result of a balanced life.  It is so much more than what you consume and the exercise you give your body—though that is of great importance.  When I created your physical body I gifted you with five dimensions.  Your emotions/mental well-being fit you to live in harmony with others.  Your intellect fits you to learn and grow and explore life.  You were created  a social being to need interactions with other people.  And the tie that binds them all together is the spiritual connection with Me.

True health is the intertwining of these five dimensions.  If any are lacking—the whole is lacking.  As with the senses, when one is damaged or ceases to exist, the others step in quite eagerly to help out.  So too with these five dimensions of your life.  If your body is suffering in pain your emotions can ease that suffering by adopting a cheerful disposition.  A world of ills is made better by a cheerful disposition.  You can’t always change your situation but you can always choose a cheerful disposition.

There is a path to peace of mind when all else seems to fall apart.  If you ignore your spiritual connection with Me you will always feel like something is missing.  Your life will consist of a search for that elusive peace of mind.  I created you for fellowship with Me.  If you ignore that fellowship by ignoring My Word—peace of mind will elude you.  Draw near to Me and I will draw near to you and give perfect balance to your life.

God’s Question to Me:  Will you invite Me into your life to help bring your life into perfect balance?

God’s Promise to Me:  I will be with you.  I will never leave nor forsake the one who draws near to Me.

My Song to God:       Wonderful Peace      by W. George Cooper  1889

Far away in the depths of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial strains it unceasingly falls
O’er my soul like an infinite calm.

Refrain

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

What a treasure I have in this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away,
While the years of eternity roll!

Refrain

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

I am resting tonight in this wonderful peace,
Resting sweetly in Jesus’ control;
For I’m kept from all danger by night and by day,
And His glory is flooding my soul!

Refrain

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

And I think when I rise to that city of peace,
Where the Anchor of peace I shall see,
That one strain of the song which the ransomed will sing
In that heavenly kingdom will be:

Refrain

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!

Ah, soul! are you here without comfort and rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your Friend ere the shadows grow dark;
O accept of this peace so sublime!

Refrain

Peace, peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above!
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray
In fathomless billows of love!