Let Me Introduce You

          I have a friend I'd like to introduce you to. Everyone should want to know her. My life is going nowhere but up since I've become acquainted with her. Her name is Wisdom.

     Wisdom can help you. If you will hear her, you will increase in learning and discretion. She will tell you what to do and what not to do, when (and where) to go and when to stay; what to say and what not to say. She will cause you to profit and show you how to live a long life.

     If you've ever asked yourself "What was I thinking?" when you made poor decisions in the past, then you need Wisdom. If you've done things that have produced death in your life, if you let her in, she can be a tree of life to you. She will give you understanding which will preserve you and keep you. She will help you see why you made the choices you have made and show you how to avoid the same pitfalls next time. With Wisdom as your friend, your path will get brighter and brighter with her.

     All the things you desire in life will never compare to having a relationship with Wisdom, for she will show you what you really need. 

     Get to know her.

Scripture Links: James 1:5; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 3:16, 18; Proverbs 2:10, 11; Proverbs 4:18

To Receive Jesus as Lord ad Savior:(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.

To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

A True Friend

       The word “friend” is used very loosely these days. I can think of several phrases to describe a friend in its truest form, but here are my top six. A true friend: 

Friends since elementary school.

• Is honest - Many forego candor these days and either say nothing or glaze over the truth when it comes to dealing with people. How else do we help one another than by telling the truth, even when it hurts? If I am “trippin,’” would somebody please tell me rather than letting me make a fool of myself?
• Shows unconditional love and unwavering loyalty - It blesses me to know my friends will stick by me, no matter what I am going through and will love me and pray for me when I am unlovable or in trouble. I need to know they are there for me regardless, even when it is inconvenient. A friend loves at all times and stands the test of time. 
• Is a good listener - Sometimes we are so tempted to say to certain people,”Would you please be quiet?” Everybody needs a good listener in a friend. All too often we become self consumed and just can’t stop talking about ourselves! What a way to turn people off. One of the easiest ways to make friends is simply to listen to them. 
• Makes you better - If no one else does, your friend should be the one who challenges you and motivates you to be your best and to follow your dreams. If you find yourself the rescuer in all your relationships, then it's time to reevaluate who you call friends.
• Shares common interests - You should be able to connect with your friend first on a spiritual level, because two people who walk together will end up agreeing on matters of the heart. (So, make sure you agree with what your friend stands for.) Whether it is a hobby, a work ethic, a skill or a personal characteristic, friends share something unique that binds them. 
• Celebrates who you are - True friends are never envious or jealous, because they appreciate your uniqueness and realize God manifests himself differently in the lives of each individual. They rejoice with you in victory and stick by you when you lose. 

       Jesus was the perfect example of a friend. He laid down His life for us. That's the highest form of friendship. It’s a beautiful thing to have a good friend, but it's even better to be one, because you will always get back what you give!

Scripture Links: John 15:13; Proverbs 17:17;  Proverbs 18:24; I Corinthians 13:4; Proverbs 27:17; Galatians 6:7

To Receive Jesus as Lord ad Savior:(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.

To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

We Decide....We Choose

     Early in my career, I worked in a financial services organization where management used a variety of techniques to keep our sales team motivated. One day I noticed a large banner on the wall of our computer room that said, “We decide.....we choose.....and as we decide and choose so are our lives formed." 

     My takeway from that statement was whatever we decide to do or not to do in life, and whatever our choices are, good or bad, they are not just choices. Most of the time they are actually life-changing decisions that mold and shape who we will become.

     When we are faced with dilemmas, our decisions are often shrouded by emotion and short sightedness. Looking at the big picture and counting the cost of our actions may not be considerations at the time, because we are living in the moment.

     Think about the teenager who chose to drive while impaired and caused the death of his younger brother. Or, how about the business woman who compromised her professional integrity by pilfering money from her company, lost her job and went to jail?

     These examples seem to be clear lapses in judgement, but how about the small, less obvious decisions we make on a daily basis? For example, what can a continual display of poor work habits ultimately do to our chances for promotion? How about the unhealthy relationships we maintain in our lives that slowly erode our moral fibers and damage our self esteem?

     Our decisions to choose life by carefully contemplating our decisions can't do anything but take us up. It leaves the way open for us to receive the wisdom of God and helps us avoid setbacks on life. The next time you're faced with a decision (major or minor), stop, pray, listen and then act. You will begin to experience fewer regrets, more victories and a higher quality of life!

Scripture Links: Deuteronomy 30:19; Proverbs 4:26; Proverbs 4:7; Haggai 1:7; Luke 14:28 

To Receive Jesus as Lord ad Savior:(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.

To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.

Olympians

Team U.S.A. -  Women's Gymnastics

        Many of us were glued to our televisions in July and August, watching the 2012 London Olympics. What a spectacular event! After watching day after day of grueling competitions and stellar performances, you have to wonder, how did these athletes come to realize their dreams? And, what does it really take to become an Olympian?

        Some qualities that come to mind are a spirit of excellence, resilience, perseverance, relentless determination, total commitment and faith in God. Ability must also be considered, but in my estimation, the difference between a gold medalist and a non-Olympic qualifier is not in ability but rather in the mind, because as a person believes in his heart, so is he. An Olympian has decided in his heart that he is one and simply does what it takes to bring it to pass. Almost any person can be taught a sport, so obviously, something more is required. 
        Why is it that some athletes are able to qualify for Olympic competition while others do not? Olympians possess an uncommon resolve---they accept no less than being the very best at what they do. 
        They refuse to compare themselves among themselves, and they compete only against themselves. They never lose sight of their goals. Their visions, (probably written down), are far beyond what they can see with their natural eyes. 
        We can apply these same principles and become Olympians in our own personal lives. Let's allow God to bring out the olympian in us! He did all things well, and so can we.

Scripture Links: Matthew 19:26; Proverbs 23:7;  II Corinthians 10:12;  Mark 7:37;  Habakkuk 2:2

To Receive Jesus as Lord ad Savior:(Sinner's Prayer) Dear God, I am a sinner. I need a savior. I need Jesus. I believe Jesus died for my sins and rose on the third day. I ask Jesus now to come into my heart and to become Lord over my life. Satan has no more power over me. I say with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Father, help me to live for you, and thank you for saving me. John 3:16.

To Rededicate Your Life to the Lord (after falling away):Dear Heavenly Father: I confess to you that I have sinned. You said if I confess my sin you are faithful and just to forgive me and to cleanse me from all unrighteousness. I turn away from sin and turn to you, and I ask you to forgive me. I forgive myself also. Father, thank you for forgiving me, remembering my sin no more and allowing me to have right standing with you again. In Jesus' name, AMEN.