8/26/13

From Jim McGuiggan... DREAMS? BAH HUMBUG!

DREAMS? BAH HUMBUG!

I remember this story that I heard as a kid. I’ll confess that was along time ago but I’m pretty sure I’ve got the main elements of it right.
So there are these two fellows who worked for the most prominent family in the country. They’re in prison, accused of some serious wrong though the facts of the case are a bit hazy. There’s a hint that one of them is guilty as charged and the other has been, if not an innocent bystander, maybe an unsuspecting helper in the crime. In any case, the story as I pieced it together suggests that the entire matter was still under review.
 It happened that there was another prisoner, a good-looking kid with a friendly sort of way, a kid who happened to be trusted by the main man to run things for him. This young guy was making his rounds one morning and there were the two accused looking as miserable as weightlifters with bulging hernias.
“What’s with all the miserable faces?” he asked them. Seems they both had dreams they thought were significant but they didn’t know what to make of them.
“Dreams,” scoffed he young guy, “Dreams—don’t give them another thought. I don’t know what they mean or how it is we have dreams but I can tell you from personal experience that they’re rubbish.
“You don’t say,” one of the miserable ones murmured.
“Yes, I do say,” said the good-looking prison-trusty. “Take me for example. Years ago I had a slew of dreams about how prominent I’d be; how everybody would be bowing and scraping in front of me and what happened? I end up here! That’s dreams for you. And I’ll tell you what else—I’m in here for a crime I didn’t commit. Yes, yes, I know, you’ve heard that everyone here is innocent but I really am. For a while I thought maybe the dreams would come true but day after day, week after week, month after month and year after year of disappointment kills dreams dead as a hammer. You want my advice?”
“Yes, give me your advice, based on your personal experience,” the other miserable one groaned.
“My advice is that you live without dreams. Settle for the world as it is. Be realistic and tough, grab what you can get of what you see, look out for number 1, take control of your life, be the commander of your soul, there’s nothing bigger than you—remember that!”
And they did.
And they all lived unhappily ever after!
I now remember where I heard that. It was in an old book.
“Genes” or “Geniuses”—something like that. The prison-trusty was called Joe, I think. Oh well, what difference does it make. Stories aren’t worth anything. They change nothing. What we need is power, power to get what we want and hang the rest..
Dreams? Bah humbug!
      Hmmm.

©2004 Jim McGuiggan. All materials are free to be copied and used as long as money is not being made.

Many thanks to brother Ed Healy, for allowing me to post from his website, the abiding word.com.

From Mark Copeland... Becoming A Cheerful Giver (2 Corinthians 9:6-15)



                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS"

                   Becoming A Cheerful Giver (9:6-15)

INTRODUCTION

1. In the NT, Jesus and His apostles call us to a high standard of
 "giving"...
   a. The teaching of Jesus - Lk 6:30,34-36; 14:12-14
   b. The example of Paul - Ac 20:33-35; Ga 2:9-10
   c. The teaching of Paul - Ga 6:9-10; Ep 4:28; 1Ti 6:17-19

2. The NT is also filled with notable examples of liberal giving...
   a. Churches in Jerusalem, Antioch, Macedonia, etc.
   b. Individuals like Barnabas, Dorcas, etc.

3. Today, however, it is common for people to give "sparingly", and 
   even then, it is often "begrudgingly"...
   a. But Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive - Ac 20:35
   b. I.e., giving can be a joyful experience, even when one is poor
      himself - cf. 2Co 8:1-5

4. What is the secret to giving joyfully and willingly?  I.e., how can
   we truly become "cheerful givers"?
   a. In 2Co 9:6-15 Paul discusses the matter of giving to help 
      needy Christians
   b. In this passage, we find several principles and truths which, 
      when kept in mind, can help us become "cheerful givers".

[The first principle to remember is...]

I. GOD "LOVES" A CHEERFUL GIVER (2Co 9:7)

   A. SINCE THIS IS TRUE...
      1. A "cheerful giver" can rest assured that God will watch over
         him and provide for his own needs!
      2. Note how God cares for the one who gives to others...
         a. As David taught in Ps 41:1-3
         b. As the LORD spoke through Isaiah in Isa 58:6-11

   B. SINCE THIS IS TRUE...
      1. One who gives in service to God need not worry - Mt 6:30-33
      2. For "God loves a cheerful giver", and watches over those He 
         loves! - cf. Lk 12:6-7

[Understanding this principle should certainly encourage us to give 
more cheerfully!  Here is another principle to keep in mind...]

II. GOD PROVIDES SEED FOR THE SOWER (2Co 9:6,8-11a)

   A. VERSE 6 IS OFTEN MISUSED...
      1. By those who teach "the gospel of health and wealth"
      2. Who seek to motivate people to give (sow) more by saying this
         passage teaches they will receive (reap) more
      3. Implying that if you give more so you can have more for your
         own consumption!

   B. THE CONTEXT TEACHES OTHERWISE...
      1. What's the purpose of reaping "bountifully"?
         a. Look carefully at verse 8...
            1) To have all sufficiency (what you need), yes...
            2) But then to "have an abundance for EVERY GOOD WORK"!
            -- I.e., not to spend the abundance on one's self, but to
               help others!
         b. Now consider verse 9...
            1) This quotation is from Ps 112:9; yet note the context
               - Ps 112:5-9
            2) Paul uses this verse to further confirm that the
               abundance would be for every good work (not self-
               consumption)!
      2. And so in verses 10 and 11...
         a. Paul prays that God will supply and multiply the seed sown
            1) Supply the seed to SOW to begin with
            2) And multiply (REAP bountifully) the seed
         b. Why?
            1) To increase the fruits of their righteousness (to 
               increase their good works!)
            2) To be enriched in everything "FOR ALL LIBERALITY" (so
               they can give even more to others!)

   C. HERE IS THE POINT...
      1. We ought to be willing to give cheerfully...
         a. Because the more we give...
         b. ...the more God will enable us to give!
      2. Now bear in mind that giving is not limited to money
         a. It may be that God may empower us to give, not financially,
            but in other ways
         b. Such as with our talents, time, etc.
      3. But the point remains the same...
         a. The more we give ourselves to others in the service of God
         b. The more He will bless us to be even more useful!

[Indeed, the ability to give (because we have been materially blessed)
is a gift from God, one that should be used liberally (Ro 12:6-8).
Knowing that those who give liberally will be blessed to give even more
should help us become "cheerful givers"!

Here is something else that ought to encourage us...]

III. GIVING PRODUCES THANKSGIVING & GLORY TO GOD (2Co 9:11b-15)

   A. OFFERED BY THOSE WHOSE NEEDS ARE BEING MET...
      1. Not only thanking God, that their own needs were supplied
      2. But also glorifying God, because of His grace at work in the
         lives of the givers
         a. Note that "cheerful giving" is an indication the grace of
            God has been active in one's life
         b. This is point stressed by Paul repeatedly - cf. 2  Col 9:8,
            14; 8:1-2,6-7
      -- Thus the people we help will be moved to thank God and praise
         Him for His working in our lives!

   B. SHOULDN'T THIS HELP US TO GIVE MORE CHEERFULLY?
      1. For what disciple is there who does not want to give glory and
         thanksgiving to God?
      2. Like any good work, we can bring glory to God by our giving!
         - cf. Mt 5:16

[Another thing to remember to be a "cheerful giver" is that...]

IV. GIVING INCREASES AFFECTION (2Co 9:14)

   A. ESPECIALLY WHEN GIVING TO HELP YOUR BRETHREN...
      1. They understand that your giving is a sign of God's grace in
         you
      2. And this causes them to love you and long for you even more
      3. As a case in point, consider Paul and the Philippians - Php 1:
         3-8

   B. BUT IT CAN ALSO HAVE THE SAME AFFECT AMONG NON-CHRISTIANS...
      1. They see the truth of what you teach by your example
         a. We teach a gospel concerning One Who became poor, that we
            might become rich - cf. 2Co 8:9
         b. Who would believe such a story?  Perhaps those who have 
            seen it illustrated in the lives of His disciples, that's 
            who! - e.g. 2Co 8:1-2
      2. They may be more receptive to the gospel when they hear it, 
         even though they may first ridicule you - cf. 1Pe 2:12

[One last point I wish to glean from our text as to how we can become
"cheerful givers"...]

V. PURPOSEFUL GIVING LEADS TO CHEERFUL GIVING (2Co 9:7)

   A. PLANNING ONE'S GIVING IS KEY TO GIVING CHEERFULLY...
      1. They are less likely to give "grudgingly or of necessity"
         a. Because they have already set aside what they want to give
         b. They are not caught off guard when someone asks them to
            give
      2. This is how Paul instructed the Corinthians in their giving
         a. To lay by in store on the first day of the week - 1Co 16:
            1-4
         b. To prepare their gift beforehand, so when it was time to 
            give, the resources were ready - cf. 2Co 9:5
      3. An early Christian apologist, Aristides, wrote of how even
         slaves were able to give cheerfully through purposeful 
         planning:  "And if there is any that is a slave or a poor man,
         they fast two or three days and what they were going to set
         before themselves they send to them (Christians in prison),
         considering themselves to give good cheer even as they were
         called to give good cheer." (Apology 15)
      -- So plan your giving if you wish to give cheerfully!

   B. A PRACTICAL SUGGESTION FOR PLANNED GIVING...
      1. Plan your giving to help needy people the same way we plan our
         giving to provide for the collection for the saints
      2. As you prosper, set so much aside for "individual benevolence"
         a. E.g., start a separate account into which you put aside a
            certain amount each pay period
         c. E.g., or send that amount to some charitable organization
      -- However you plan your giving, it is much easier to give when
         you are PREPARED to give!

CONCLUSION

1. In our text, then, we find the key to "Becoming A Cheerful Giver";
   it involves keeping in mind that...
   a. God loves a cheerful giver
   b. God provides seed for the sower
   c. Giving provides thanksgiving and glory to God
   d. Giving increases affection between giver and recipient
   e. Giving becomes one of generosity when it is planned

2. I hope that I have challenged your thinking in regards to your own
   giving, and how we can become "cheerful givers"

3. To a great extent, what kind of givers we are depends upon what kind
   of recipients we are!
   a. For unless we receive the grace of God in our own lives, we will
      be unlikely to give gracefully to others
   b. With that thought in mind, please remember this warning:

   We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to
   receive the grace of God in vain. For He says: "In an acceptable
   time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped
   you." Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of
   salvation.  (2Co 6:1-2)

Have we received the grace of God "in vain"?  Have you received the 
grace of God "at all"? - cf. Ac 22:16



Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2011

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If you have a refrigerator, you post important information on it; things that you want to remember.  So, you put them in plain sight.  Today's post is just for your encouragement; and to give you very easy access to the important messages that the listed Scriptures convey.

Read the following as you need them...



When in Sorrow

John, Chapter 14


  1  “Don’t let your heart be troubled. Believe in God. Believe also in me.   2  In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you.   3  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and will receive you to myself; that where I am, you may be there also.   4  Where I go, you know, and you know the way.” 

  5  Thomas said to him, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?” 

  6  Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.   7  If you had known me, you would have known my Father also. From now on, you know him, and have seen him.” 

  8  Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.” 

  9  Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you such a long time, and do you not know me, Philip? He who has seen me has seen the Father. How do you say, ‘Show us the Father?’   10  Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? The words that I tell you, I speak not from myself; but the Father who lives in me does his works.   11  Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me; or else believe me for the very works’ sake.   12  Most certainly I tell you, he who believes in me, the works that I do, he will do also; and he will do greater works than these, because I am going to my Father.   13  Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.   14  If you will ask anything in my name, I will do it.   15  If you love me, keep my commandments.   16  I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor,  that he may be with you forever,—   17  the Spirit of truth, whom the world can’t receive; for it doesn’t see him, neither knows him. You know him, for he lives with you, and will be in you.   18  I will not leave you orphans. I will come to you.   19  Yet a little while, and the world will see me no more; but you will see me. Because I live, you will live also.   20  In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.   21  One who has my commandments, and keeps them, that person is one who loves me. One who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him, and will reveal myself to him.” 

  22  Judas (not Iscariot) said to him, “Lord, what has happened that you are about to reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” 

  23  Jesus answered him, “If a man loves me, he will keep my word. My Father will love him, and we will come to him, and make our home with him.   24  He who doesn’t love me doesn’t keep my words. The word which you hear isn’t mine, but the Father’s who sent me.   25  I have said these things to you, while still living with you.   26  But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and will remind you of all that I said to you.   27  Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, give I to you. Don’t let your heart be troubled, neither let it be fearful.   28  You heard how I told you, ‘I go away, and I come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I said ‘I am going to my Father;’ for the Father is greater than I.  29  Now I have told you before it happens so that, when it happens, you may believe.   30  I will no more speak much with you, for the prince of the world comes, and he has nothing in me.   31  But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father commanded me, even so I do. Arise, let us go from here. 



When you have Sinned

Psalm 51


  1  Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness.
According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
  2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity.
Cleanse me from my sin.
  3 For I know my transgressions.
My sin is constantly before me.
  4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned,
and done that which is evil in your sight;
that you may be proved right when you speak,
and justified when you judge.
  5 Behold, I was born in iniquity.
In sin my mother conceived me.
  6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts.
You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
  7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
  8 Let me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
  9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all of my iniquities.
  10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a right spirit within me.
  11 Don’t throw me from your presence,
and don’t take your holy Spirit from me.
  12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
Uphold me with a willing spirit.
  13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways.
Sinners shall be converted to you.
  14 Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation.
My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
  15 Lord, open my lips.
My mouth shall declare your praise.
  16 For you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it.
You have no pleasure in burnt offering.
  17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
  18 Do well in your good pleasure to Zion.
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
  19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness,
in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings.
Then they will offer bulls on your altar.


When you worry

Matthew 6:19-34


 19  “Don’t lay up treasures for yourselves on the earth, where moth and rust consume, and where thieves break through and steal;   20  but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consume, and where thieves don’t break through and steal;   21  for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

  22  “The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is sound, your whole body will be full of light.   23  But if your eye is evil, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! 

  24  “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.   25  Therefore I tell you, don’t be anxious for your life: what you will eat, or what you will drink; nor yet for your body, what you will wear. Isn’t life more than food, and the body more than clothing?   26  See the birds of the sky, that they don’t sow, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns. Your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren’t you of much more value than they? 

  27  “Which of you, by being anxious, can add one moment to his lifespan?   28  Why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They don’t toil, neither do they spin,   29  yet I tell you that even Solomon in all his glory was not dressed like one of these.   30  But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today exists, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, won’t he much more clothe you, you of little faith? 

  31  “Therefore don’t be anxious, saying, ‘What will we eat?’, ‘What will we drink?’ or, ‘With what will we be clothed?’   32  For the Gentiles seek after all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.   33  But seek first God’s Kingdom, and his righteousness; and all these things will be given to you as well.   34  Therefore don’t be anxious for tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient. 



When you are in danger

Psalm 91

  1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
  2 I will say of Yahweh, “He is my refuge and my fortress;
my God, in whom I trust.”
  3 For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler,
and from the deadly pestilence.
  4 He will cover you with his feathers.
Under his wings you will take refuge.
His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.
  5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
nor of the arrow that flies by day;
  6 nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday.
  7 A thousand may fall at your side,
and ten thousand at your right hand;
but it will not come near you.
  8 You will only look with your eyes,
and see the recompense of the wicked.
  9 Because you have made Yahweh your refuge,
and the Most High your dwelling place,
  10 no evil shall happen to you,
neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
  11 For he will put his angels in charge of you,
to guard you in all your ways.
  12 They will bear you up in their hands,
so that you won’t dash your foot against a stone.
  13 You will tread on the lion and cobra.
You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.
  14 “Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him.
I will set him on high, because he has known my name.
  15 He will call on me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him in trouble.
I will deliver him, and honor him.
  16 I will satisfy him with long life,
and show him my salvation.”



When your faith needs stirring

Hebrews, Chapter 11


1 Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, proof of things not seen.  2 For by this, the elders obtained testimony.  3 By faith, we understand that the universe has been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen has not been made out of things which are visible.  4 By faith, Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he had testimony given to him that he was righteous, God testifying with respect to his gifts; and through it he, being dead, still speaks.  5 By faith, Enoch was taken away, so that he wouldn’t see death, and he was not found, because God translated him. For he has had testimony given to him that before his translation he had been well pleasing to God.  6 Without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing to him, for he who comes to God must believe that he exists, and that he is a rewarder of those who seek him.  7 By faith, Noah, being warned about things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared a ship for the saving of his house, through which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.  8 By faith, Abraham, when he was called, obeyed to go out to the place which he was to receive for an inheritance. He went out, not knowing where he went.  9 By faith, he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a land not his own, dwelling in tents, with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise.  10 For he looked for the city which has the foundations, whose builder and maker is God.  11 By faith, even Sarah herself received power to conceive, and she bore a child when she was past age, since she counted him faithful who had promised.  12 Therefore as many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as innumerable as the sand which is by the sea shore, were fathered by one man, and him as good as dead.  13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and embraced them from afar, and having confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.  14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.  15 If indeed they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had enough time to return.  16 But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed of them, to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them. 

  17  By faith, Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had gladly received the promises was offering up his one and only son;  18 even he to whom it was said, “In Isaac will your seed be called”;   19 concluding that God is able to raise up even from the dead. Figuratively speaking, he also did receive him back from the dead.  20 By faith, Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau, even concerning things to come.  21 By faith, Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.  22 By faith, Joseph, when his end was near, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel; and gave instructions concerning his bones.  23 By faith, Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that he was a beautiful child, and they were not afraid of the king’s commandment.  24 By faith, Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter,  25 choosing rather to share ill treatment with God’s people, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a time;  26 accounting the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he looked to the reward.  27 By faith, he left Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 28 By faith, he kept the Passover, and the sprinkling of the blood, that the destroyer of the firstborn should not touch them.  29 By faith, they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land. When the Egyptians tried to do so, they were swallowed up.  30 By faith, the walls of Jericho fell down, after they had been encircled for seven days.  31 By faith, Rahab the prostitute, didn’t perish with those who were disobedient, having received the spies in peace.  32 What more shall I say? For the time would fail me if I told of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets;  33 who, through faith subdued kingdoms, worked out righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,  34 quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, from weakness were made strong, grew mighty in war, and caused foreign armies to flee.  35 Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, not accepting their deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection.  36 Others were tried by mocking and scourging, yes, moreover by bonds and imprisonment.  37 They were stoned. They were sawn apart. They were tempted. They were slain with the sword. They went around in sheep skins and in goat skins; being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated  38 (of whom the world was not worthy), wandering in deserts, mountains, caves, and the holes of the earth.  39 These all, having had testimony given to them through their faith, didn’t receive the promise,  40 God having provided some better thing concerning us, so that apart from us they should not be made perfect. 



When you feel down and out

Romans 8:31

31  What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 



When you want peace and Rest

Matthew 11:25-30

 25  At that time, Jesus answered, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you hid these things from the wise and understanding, and revealed them to infants.   26  Yes, Father, for so it was well-pleasing in your sight.   27  All things have been delivered to me by my Father. No one knows the Son, except the Father; neither does anyone know the Father, except the Son, and he to whom the Son desires to reveal him. 

  28  “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest.   29  Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart; and you will find rest for your souls.   30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” 



When the world seems
 bigger than God

Psalm 90


  1  Lord, you have been our dwelling place for all generations.
  2 Before the mountains were born,
before you had formed the earth and the world,
even from everlasting to everlasting, you are God.
  3 You turn man to destruction, saying,
“Return, you children of men.”
  4 For a thousand years in your sight are just like yesterday when it is past,
like a watch in the night.
  5 You sweep them away as they sleep.
In the morning they sprout like new grass.
  6 In the morning it sprouts and springs up.
By evening, it is withered and dry.
  7 For we are consumed in your anger.
We are troubled in your wrath.
  8 You have set our iniquities before you,
our secret sins in the light of your presence.
  9 For all our days have passed away in your wrath.
We bring our years to an end as a sigh.
  10 The days of our years are seventy,
or even by reason of strength eighty years;
yet their pride is but labor and sorrow,
for it passes quickly, and we fly away.
  11 Who knows the power of your anger,
your wrath according to the fear that is due to you?
  12 So teach us to number our days,
that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
  13 Relent, Yahweh!
How long?
Have compassion on your servants!
  14 Satisfy us in the morning with your loving kindness,
that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.
  15 Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,
for as many years as we have seen evil.
  16 Let your work appear to your servants;
your glory to their children.
  17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be on us;
establish the work of our hands for us;
yes, establish the work of our hands.


If your pockets are empty

Psalm 37


  1  Don’t fret because of evildoers,
neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.
  2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.
  3 Trust in Yahweh, and do good.
Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.
  4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
  5 Commit your way to Yahweh.
Trust also in him, and he will do this:
  6 he will make your righteousness go out as the light,
and your justice as the noon day sun.
  7 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him.
Don’t fret because of him who prospers in his way,
because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.
  8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath.
Don’t fret, it leads only to evildoing.
  9 For evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.
  10 For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more.
Yes, though you look for his place, he isn’t there.
  11 But the humble shall inherit the land,
and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.
  12 The wicked plots against the just,
and gnashes at him with his teeth.
  13 The Lord will laugh at him,
for he sees that his day is coming.
  14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow,
to cast down the poor and needy,
to kill those who are upright on the path.
  15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart.
Their bows shall be broken.
  16 Better is a little that the righteous has,
than the abundance of many wicked.
  17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but Yahweh upholds the righteous.
  18 Yahweh knows the days of the perfect.
Their inheritance shall be forever.
  19 They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil.
In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

  20 But the wicked shall perish.
The enemies of Yahweh shall be like the beauty of the fields.
They will vanish—
vanish like smoke.
  21 The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back,
but the righteous give generously.
  22 For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land.
Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.
  23 A man’s goings are established by Yahweh.
He delights in his way.
  24 Though he stumble, he shall not fall,
for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.
  25 I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor his children begging for bread.
  26 All day long he deals graciously, and lends.
His seed is blessed.
  27 Depart from evil, and do good.
Live securely forever.
  28 For Yahweh loves justice,
and doesn’t forsake his saints.
They are preserved forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
  29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
and live in it forever.

  30 The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom.
His tongue speaks justice.
  31 The law of his God is in his heart.
None of his steps shall slide.
  32 The wicked watches the righteous,
and seeks to kill him.
  33 Yahweh will not leave him in his hand,
nor condemn him when he is judged.
  34 Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land.
When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

  35 I have seen the wicked in great power,
spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.
  36 But he passed away, and behold, he was not.
Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.
  37 Mark the perfect man, and see the upright,
for there is a future for the man of peace.
  38 As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together.
The future of the wicked shall be cut off.
  39 But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh.
He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.
  40 Yahweh helps them, and rescues them.
He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
Because they have taken refuge in him.


When you are lonely and fearful

Psalm 23


  1  Yahweh is my shepherd:
I shall lack nothing.
  2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.
He leads me beside still waters.
  3 He restores my soul.
He guides me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
  4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
Your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
  5 You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil.
My cup runs over.
  6 Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever.


When you grow bitter and critical

1 Corinthians, Chapter 13


 1 If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal.  2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing.  3 If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing. 

  4  Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud,  5 doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil;  6 doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth;  7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with.  9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part;  10 but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with.  11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things.  12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known.  13 But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love. 


For how to get along 
with other men

Romans, Chapter 12


 1 Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service.  2 Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.  3 For I say, through the grace that was given me, to every man who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think reasonably, as God has apportioned to each person a measure of faith.  4 For even as we have many members in one body, and all the members don’t have the same function,  5 so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.  6 Having gifts differing according to the grace that was given to us, if prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of our faith;  7 or service, let us give ourselves to service; or he who teaches, to his teaching;  8 or he who exhorts, to his exhorting: he who gives, let him do it with liberality; he who rules, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 

  9  Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor that which is evil. Cling to that which is good.  10 In love of the brothers be tenderly affectionate one to another; in honor preferring one another;  11 not lagging in diligence; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;  12 rejoicing in hope; enduring in troubles; continuing steadfastly in prayer;  13 contributing to the needs of the saints; given to hospitality.  14 Bless those who persecute you; bless, and don’t curse.  15 Rejoice with those who rejoice. Weep with those who weep.  16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Don’t set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Don’t be wise in your own conceits.  17 Repay no one evil for evil. Respect what is honorable in the sight of all men.  18 If it is possible, as much as it is up to you, be at peace with all men.  19 Don’t seek revenge yourselves, beloved, but give place to God’s wrath. For it is written, “Vengeance belongs to me; I will repay, says the Lord.”   20 Therefore 
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him.
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
for in doing so, you will heap coals of fire on his head.”



If you are depressed

Psalm 27


1  Yahweh is my light and my salvation.
Whom shall I fear?
Yahweh is the strength of my life.
Of whom shall I be afraid?
  2 When evildoers came at me to eat up my flesh,
even my adversaries and my foes, they stumbled and fell.
  3 Though an army should encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear.
Though war should rise against me,
even then I will be confident.
  4 One thing I have asked of Yahweh, that I will seek after,
that I may dwell in Yahweh’s house all the days of my life,
to see Yahweh’s beauty,
and to inquire in his temple.
  5 For in the day of trouble he will keep me secretly in his pavilion.
In the covert of his tabernacle he will hide me.
He will lift me up on a rock.
  6 Now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me.
I will offer sacrifices of joy in his tent.
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to Yahweh.


  7 Hear, Yahweh, when I cry with my voice.
Have mercy also on me, and answer me.
  8 When you said, “Seek my face,”
my heart said to you, “I will seek your face, Yahweh.”
  9 Don’t hide your face from me.
Don’t put your servant away in anger.
You have been my help.
Don’t abandon me,
neither forsake me, God of my salvation.
  10 When my father and my mother forsake me,
then Yahweh will take me up.
  11 Teach me your way, Yahweh.
Lead me in a straight path, because of my enemies.
  12 Don’t deliver me over to the desire of my adversaries,
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
such as breathe out cruelty.
  13 I am still confident of this:
I will see the goodness of Yahweh in the land of the living.
  14 Wait for Yahweh.
Be strong, and let your heart take courage.
Yes, wait for Yahweh.


If people seem unkind

John, Chapter 15


  1  “I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer.   2  Every branch in me that doesn’t bear fruit, he takes away. Every branch that bears fruit, he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.   3  You are already pruned clean because of the word which I have spoken to you.   4  Remain in me, and I in you. As the branch can’t bear fruit by itself, unless it remains in the vine, so neither can you, unless you remain in me.   5  I am the vine. You are the branches. He who remains in me, and I in him, the same bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.   6  If a man doesn’t remain in me, he is thrown out as a branch, and is withered; and they gather them, throw them into the fire, and they are burned.   7  If you remain in me, and my words remain in you, you will ask whatever you desire, and it will be done for you. 

  8  “In this is my Father glorified, that you bear much fruit; and so you will be my disciples.   9  Even as the Father has loved me, I also have loved you. Remain in my love.   10  If you keep my commandments, you will remain in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and remain in his love.   11  I have spoken these things to you, that my joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be made full. 

  12  “This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you.   13  Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.   14  You are my friends, if you do whatever I command you.   15  No longer do I call you servants, for the servant doesn’t know what his lord does. But I have called you friends, for everything that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you.   16  You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain; that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you. 

  17  “I command these things to you, that you may love one another.   18  If the world hates you, you know that it has hated me before it hated you.   19  If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, since I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.   20  Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his lord.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will keep yours also.   21 But all these things will they do to you for my name’s sake, because they don’t know him who sent me.   22  If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have had sin; but now they have no excuse for their sin.   23  He who hates me, hates my Father also.   24  If I hadn’t done among them the works which no one else did, they wouldn’t have had sin. But now have they seen and also hated both me and my Father.   25  But this happened so that the word may be fulfilled which was written in their law, ‘They hated me without a cause.’  

  26  “When the Counselor  has come, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will testify about me.   27  You will also testify, because you have been with me from the beginning. 


Today, I hope that a least ONE of the topics above will help you get through the day.  If so, let me know-- I could use a bit of encouragement myself from time to time...

Your Friend,

Gary