Joyful In Hope

“Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs‬ ‭16:24‬ ‭

[lovecatalog]

MY TESTIMONY

MAY 2020.

Before I met Jesus, although outwardly I looked like an ordinary regular girl, inwardly my life was a mess. When I was 9, my parents filed for divorce, since then my dad never really came home. When I was 10, my family sold our flat and had nowhere to stay except my aunty’s house. We moved house to house, living temporarily under somewhere we could not call home. When I was 11, we rented a flat, time and again, we had no electricity or enough food and money to survive. When I was 12, i quarrelled with my classmates and went through a bit of cyber-bullying, even teachers approached me back then.

At that age, I felt so helpless as I watched my family fall apart, my friends drifting away from me. I thought the best thing I could do was to work hard in my studies and escape to secondary school and try to have a positive mindset. In secondary school, no matter how well I did, I still felt empty. I looked for various ways to fill up my heart temporarily, compliments from people, the approval of people, friends, their opinions on me and relationships but that only left me even more torn. And then someone invited me to church. Church? I thought I knew who Jesus was but I really had no idea. I was so bored and had nothing better to do at home so I agreed.

There I experienced an unexplainable peace and I knew it was God. I rededicated my life to God once again and became a Christian. As I continued going to church, the love of God healed me of my hurts. In one service, God spoke to me that regardless of my background, He has a great purpose for my life. God showed me that He loves me even at my lowest point and my life was precious to Him, so I couldn’t just waste it away by fooling around with my life, seeking happiness in things that would only fill my heart temporarily, since it would leave me in more hurt than before. After knowing God and my church friends, I found a place of refuge, a place I know I belong, a place where I feel loved. A place I cherish the time spent more than any other place. I am able to share all my problems and people would encourage me, my leader never fails to provide a listening ear and be there for me. When I needed a nudge to grow in my character, they spoke the truth in love to me, my church was my spiritual family. Church became the home I never felt like I really had.

Being a “Christian” isn’t about just doing good works. He made it clear that I do not have to earn my salvation or His love, I am far from perfect today, but I know that God will forgive me, and I am grateful. Now, I have a greater purpose in being a leader in church and living for others! I spend my time bonding with my youths and ceegee members, being by their side and journeying with them, helping them grow in their faith and their character and mine as well! Today, I lead and believe in others just like how my leaders led and believed in me. 

Living for something greater than myself filled the emptiness in my heart. Till today, I am still in awe of how God found me and led me to church, even before I became a Christian, I am very sure that God has a destiny for me here. My past does not define my future, and who I am. I’m thankful to see how far I’ve came to in this journey which I definitely could not have done it without God in my life.

[lovecatalog]

2020, August 13

Day 1 of recalibrating and reconnecting with God again. Although I believe that what has happened was God’s protection and I’m ever thankful, I’ve still been feeling broken for quite some time and I still feel sad over it. To some extent, I find myself filling the emptiness that I feel from time to time myself with moments of happiness and lukewarm intimacy with God. But I know that amidst all the worldly pleasures, that disappoints, what I desperately need is to seek God wholly in this season. I don’t want to treat God as my doctor, looking to Him just for the antidote to pain, but I want to be wholly bound to Him, I want to be with Christ.

Today’s devotion talks about:

How Faith Fulfils Good Resolves

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power. (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

When Paul says that God fulfills our good resolves by his power through faith (he calls our acts “works of faith”), he means that we defeat sin and we do righteousness by faith, that is, by being satisfied with all that God promises to be for us in Christ in the next five minutes, five months, five decades, and into eternity.

What resonates with me is the message:

If you set your heart to… the power of God to fulfil this resolve will come to you as you trust his future grace in the promise.

“My God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19)

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God” (Matthew 5:8).

May God increase my daily faith in the precious promises of God — promises of his inexhaustible, blood-bought, Christ-exalting future grace, and this grace will guide and direct me in this season of my life.

[lovecatalog]

A Life Full of Blessings

Nick Harrison

The Truth according to God’s Word

The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land He is giving you. 

— Deuteronomy 28:8

May Your blessing be on Your people. 

— Psalm 3:8

Blessed are those who keep My ways. 

— Proverbs 8:32

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 

— Ephesians 1:3

The Truth

Inherent in the idea of God “blessing” a person is that the result will be happiness — and indeed that’s the case. But this is a happiness from within that comes from God giving us Himself as a blessing. And the wonderful thing is that God is a God who delights in giving Himself to His people.

We were built for knowing and loving God.

Blessings

When we accept by faith God’s presence in our lives, we are blessed with happiness.

Not only does God delight in blessing us, but He wants to give a blessing that exceeds our expectations. Indeed, in Christ, God has “blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing.”

We live a blessed life. May God grant us the eyes to see just how blessed we are.

Tell Myself the Truth

“I am a blessed person! My life is filled with the blessings of God! God delights to pour His blessings on me. He has redeemed me in order to show me His blessing. He has given me Himself that I might be blessed. He has blessed me with His riches so that I can benefit others around me. I am blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. As I live out my earthly life, those spiritual blessings impact everything I do. Whatever I put my hand to in my walk with Him is blessed of God because it originates in God. Because of God’s blessing, I cannot fail in life. That’s His promise!”

Pray the Promise

Lord, please know that You and You alone are the chief blessing in my life. Nothing else satisfies me like You do. Praise You for revealing Yourself and Your salvation to me. Wonderful, You are! What a blessed person I am! Thank You, thank You, thank You!

“However many blessings we expect from God, His infinite liberality will always exceed all our wishes and our thoughts.” — John Calvin

* * *

Take some time to list down your blessings — everything you can think of! Now, thank the Lord for His goodness! What are some of the thinks you are thankful for today?

[tammiam]

SINCERE LOVE - Without a single word, the sincere love of God can settle on a person as they look into your eyes. The presence of God will rest upon them in power to dissolve the walls in their hearts. Which in turn gives place for the Spirit of God to work.

Allow the sincere love of God to settle in power. Perfect peace will be a witness.

When people encounter deep sincere love that is directed towards them personally, it opens Supernatural doors in their hearts. That’s what God wants more than anything.

Sincere love is not a wrecking ball...

It’s more like a dissolver, a dissipator, a dispeller of dark oppression and the bondage of lies. Like the Sun dawning on a darkened landscape, illuminating its beauty...

Light...

Love dispels fear...

Love dispels dark lies...

Love dispels dark hate...

Love dispels dark depression...

Love illuminates our darkened hearts and sets us free in the light of Truth and sincere True Love...

Turning to True Love is the only wise option for those who desire true freedom.

*Troi Cockayne*

[shinspace]

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[ancientsstudies]

Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees.

[timhatchlive]

When friends let Job down, he doesn’t turn from God. That’s perhaps one of the special skills Job possesses that many professing Christians do not. I have heard many people talk about the harm they have suffered at the hands of other humans being the reason they do not believe in God. Most notably, I have heard many claim their unbelief is justified because of the ill-treatment they have received or experienced at the hands of other professing Christians. 

Why don’t these people ever read the Bible? 

Job has been viciously attacked by professing believers at every turn in the midst of his misery and pain. Instead of concern, prayer, and ministry, he has received accusation, animosity and superiority. YET, there is no breaking his steadfast trust in God’s ultimate redemption. Consider how he ends his response to Eliphaz’s second speech:

Job 16:19–22 (NLT) Even now my witness is in heaven. My advocate is there on high. 20 My friends scorn me, but I pour out my tears to God. 21 I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends. 22 For soon I must go down that road from which I will never return.

He is in pain, he is suffering, he is being unjustly attacked and he doesn’t give up faith - instead, he sinks himself further into it. Job is modeling for us a steadfast trust in God in spite of what those who claim to speak for Him do to him.

Do you have that same kind of faith?

Or do you look to discredit the faith based on the behavior of others? Do you doubt God is real by the behavior of His adherents? Is your faith then in God or in man? I would caution you to listen to the words of Jeremiah:

Jeremiah 17:5 (ESV) Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man and makes flesh his strength, whose heart turns away from the LORD.

Do you see it? Cursed are those who trust in man rather than God. Let me be clear: man will let you down. Even believing men will do unbelievable evil at times. Why? Because man still is flesh and flesh is sold to sin and sin is a stench in the life of faith. But God is faithful and true and Job relies on Him alone, not simply in a generic sense, but in the way we can rely on Him in Christ Jesus. 

Look at what Job longs for in verse 21: I need someone to mediate between God and me, as a person mediates between friends.

He needs this mediator before the end of his life as stipulated in verse 22. Here’s the Gospel on the lips of Job himself: You and I need someone to stand between God and us before we take our final breath. We need Jesus Christ, who bore our sins on the tree to bring us back to God in peace. We need someone who will undo the mess we made here so that we can arrive safely in heaven before the Father. Without that mediator we have only suffering and pain, doubt and shame to bear. 

Now when men let you down, remember they cannot do any of what Christ has done for you. They need Him as well. And the good news is that He is available to do for them what He has done for you. Which makes us all the same - sinners in need of a Savior - who is Christ, the Lord. 

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[recoverr-a-deactivated20210530]

meaningful and deep relationships require difficult conversations. often unpleasant conversations about how we can improve and how we can be better friends, siblings or partners to the people around us. special bonds aren’t entirely made of good moments, but the moments that were hard and yet you still made it through because you care about the other person.

[stef-amore]

I’m trying to trust God.

Trying to accept that I don’t have to understand everything.

If he says everything will work out for my good, then it will.

[julia-the-keeper]

[alwaysguardyourheart]

On my rest days, I’m reminded I still need God just as much as I need Him on my work days.

Every day, I need to surrender to God, and ask Him for His guidance so that I may be a vessel of His love to those around me, and be the person He made me to be.

[worshipgifs]

““At first it may feel like freedom and fun to skimp on prayer and neglect the Word. But then we pay: shallowness, powerlessness, vulnerability to sin, preoccupation with trifles, superficial relationships, and a frightening loss of interest in worship and the things of the Spirit.””

— John Piper (via craigtowens)

[lovecatalog]

CULTIVATE D-16

PROVERBS 17 (New International Version)

1 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet than a house full of feasting, with strife. 2 A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son and will share the inheritance as one of the family. 3 The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but the Lord tests the heart. 4 A wicked person listens to deceitful lips; a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. 5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. 6 Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. 7 Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! 8 A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. 9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends. 10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person more than a hundred lashes a fool. 11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God; the messenger of death will be sent against them. 12 Better to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than a fool bent on folly. 13 Evil will never leave the house of one who pays back evil for good. 14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out. 15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent— the Lord detests them both. 16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom, when they are not able to understand it? 17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. 18 One who has no sense shakes hands in pledge and puts up security for a neighbor. 19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction. 20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper; one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble. 21 To have a fool for a child brings grief; there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool. 22 A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones. 23 The wicked accept bribes in secret to pervert the course of justice. 24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. 25 A foolish son brings grief to his father and bitterness to the mother who bore him. 26 If imposing a fine on the innocent is not good, surely to flog honest officials is not right. 27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. 28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues.

1. Think about your interactions with people. Do the things you say often get others worked up or agitated? Do your words tend to lead to quarrels or do they help to preserve peace?

I hope not!! But I do know that in the past, I would always love to talk in such a way where I’ve brought people down to make myself feel better. Even now, I sometimes find release in ranting when i get agitated over a situation in my life/over how I was treated in a certain circumstance. I try to preserve peace but sometimes inevitably as I rant to others, gossips may form and quarrels may arise, SO I TRY MY BEST NOT TO ACCIDENTALLY FALL INTO THE TRAP OF GOSSIP when i’m sharing my feelings with someone or to only tell someone who I know i can trust and will be wise to handle my emotions and advice me. (: 2. How can you change the way you talk to people so that it does not lead to quarrels but instead lead to peaceful resolution of conflicts and issues? How can you foster love in your heart for people?

Think before I comment, process my emotions and the words I want to say, judge if those are edifying words and if God will be pleased to hear me say it out of the very same mouth i use to praise God. 

I can foster love in my heart for people when I choose to give space for people to make mistakes, and extend grace and a patient love in that very time so that I would not grow to be critical and deem someone as “no hope”, “aiya we all know she/he is liddat one la”. I would never want to judge someone this way and I wouldn’t like it either if someone were to say those things about me so I try to imagine myself in the person’s shoes before criticising or be too rash with my words.

[lovecatalog]

CULTIVATE D-15

PROVERBS 19 (New International Version)

1 Better the poor whose walk is blameless than a fool whose lips are perverse. 2 Desire without knowledge is not good— how much more will hasty feet miss the way! 3 A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord. 4 Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them. 5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will not go free. 6 Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts. 7 The poor are shunned by all their relatives— how much more do their friends avoid them! Though the poor pursue them with pleading, they are nowhere to be found. 8 The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper. 9 A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish. 10 It is not fitting for a fool to live in luxury— how much worse for a slave to rule over princes! 11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense. 12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass. 13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin, and a quarrelsome wife is like the constant dripping of a leaky roof. 14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. 15 Laziness brings on deep sleep, and the shiftless go hungry. 16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life, but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die. 17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done. 18 Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death. 19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty; rescue them, and you will have to do it again. 20 Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. 21 Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails. 22 What a person desires is unfailing love; better to be poor than a liar. 23 The fear of the Lord leads to life; then one rests content, untouched by trouble. 24 A sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not even bring it back to his mouth! 25 Flog a mocker, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke the discerning, and they will gain knowledge. 26 Whoever robs their father and drives out their mother is a child who brings shame and disgrace. 27 Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28 A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil. 29 Penalties are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.

1. What is your attitude and approach towards planning? What is the Lord teaching you about it?

I’m a firm believer of planning!! Knowing that every single day i have to live out different plans and serve different roles in school, church, family, with friends or even at work, seeing things as such tend to cause me to be stressed and often anxious because there are many things i need to attend to. I believe i can’t live without my planner, because without my planner, i am out of control — my life would be in a mess and i wouldn't know when i have to start doing work to get it done by a specific dateline, i wouldn't be able to prepare and achieve personal or ministry goals. With that, my planner also helps me to get my priorities right, i am able to see the free slots that i have for my friends and family without having to compromise my weekly meetings with my cellgroups — which i cherish.

As i grow older and am in a new phase of life in uni and in YA, more things are added into my plate and i learnt that truly being faithful in planning is not about control, It is not just about stuffing my schedule packed and making my life more purposeful by doing many things to gain control over my future’s achievement and success in life. But it is about worship and God, with these many things on my plate, will my relationship be affected and neglected(?).

The biggest lesson i’ve learnt is learning to be wise as i plan, _sometimes we got to let go of certain things when we know it will get in the way of our walk with God and take on certain things in courage and boldness when we know that is what God wants us to do. _

2. What are some plans that you are making about work, relationships, family, spiritual life or ministry? How can you entrust these plans to God?

For work plans, i believe i’m not the most well verse in the area haha but i want to experience more internships in the HR industry to gain more exposure while keeping my career options open to change. Relationship wise, i’m still on the path of preparing myself for the one that God has plan for me. In the area of my family, i hope to rekindle my relationship with my mom before my dad comes out from prison and i hope that will ease the tension and change that is about to happen in the future. For my spiritual life, i want to read some Christian books to strengthen my knowledge on the bible, making references back to the bible and cross referencing w the content of the bible to learn and remember the stories!! Lastly, for my ministry, i plan to come up with a yearly plan that i can keep track of (ministry is such a broad topic so i definitely have to put some form of structure and flexibility in it and not let things just go from my feels)

I think while i plan, i make sure to remember that God is in control of my life so if my plans were to change, i believe when God closes my door, He opens another that is the best for me & i’ll trust and follow. (:

[preciousdaughterofjesus]

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

 I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

 I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3 

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

 For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27 

In me you live and move and have your being.Acts 17:28

 For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28 

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

 I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12 

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

 I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26 

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

 I knit you together in your mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13

 And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

 I have been misrepresented by those who don’t know me.John 8:41-44

 I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

 And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

 Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1 

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

 For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48 

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

 For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

 My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

 My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore.Psalms 139:17-18

 And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

 I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

 For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

 I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul.Jeremiah 32:41 

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3 

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

 Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

 For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

 I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20 For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

 I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18 

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11 

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

 And I’ll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth.Revelation 21:3-4 

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus.John 17:23

 For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

 He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3 

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

 And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.2 Corinthians 5:18-19 

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19 

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

 I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32 

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23 

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again.Romans 8:38-39 

Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen.Luke 15:7 

I have always been Father, and will always be Father.Ephesians 3:14-15

 My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13 

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32 

Love, Your Dad

Almighty God 

[lovecatalog]

Reposted this in 2018, but it’s such a great reminder that God crafted my every flaw and imperfections and even in them, it is made to glorify Him.

[lovecatalog]

CULTIVATE D-6

PROVERBS 22 (New International Version) 1 A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. 2 Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. 3 The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. 4 Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches and honor and life. 5 In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls, but those who would preserve their life stay far from them. 6 Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it. 7 The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender. 8 Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity, and the rod they wield in fury will be broken. 9 The generous will themselves be blessed, for they share their food with the poor. 10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. 11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend. 12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful. 13 The sluggard says, “There’s a lion outside! I’ll be killed in the public square!” 14 The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit; a man who is under the Lord’s wrath falls into it. 15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away. 16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty. Thirty Sayings of the Wise Saying 1 17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. 19 So that your trust may be in the Lord, I teach you today, even you. 20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, 21 teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth, so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve? Saying 2 22 Do not exploit the poor because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court, 23 for the Lord will take up their case and will exact life for life. Saying 3 24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, 25 or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. Saying 4 26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge or puts up security for debts; 27 if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you. Saying 5 28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone set up by your ancestors. Saying 6 29 Do you see someone skilled in their work? They will serve before kings; they will not serve before officials of low rank.

Reflect on how you work (or don’t work) to build a good reputation – in school, at work, at home, amongst your family, in-laws or extended family and friends.

I work!!! To build a good reputation, in school, at work, with my friends and recently in my family because I want to show the good examples of a Christian. I mostly work very practically by doing things and to me doing things in the different areas of my life - family, friends and church, shows the effort and how much i care for each one. While i often start out with the right purpose, i often find myself losing sight of it in the midst of it. Many times, i may find myself feeling unappreciated and i become aware that i have lost sight and have subconsciously replaced it with the temporary purpose in the things i do, in my service and not in God.

Ask God to reveal to you the areas of your character that you need to change in. What are some practical steps you could take to spend more time with God (reading the Bible, in prayer and worship) and His church to build your character?

This awareness helps me to realise that at times i may be doing things to satisfy my need of being involved, included and needed. Practical steps for me is to be aware and take action - praying to align my heart with God’s heart as the day goes and as i carry out my tasks or do His work in the church so that at the end of the day, i can say with a pure heart that all glory is to God (“:

[lovecatalog]

CULTIVATE D-5

PROVERBS 18 (New International Version) 1 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. 2 Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. 3 When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes reproach. 4 The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. 5 It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice. 6 The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. 7 The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. 8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. 9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. 10 The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. 11 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city; they imagine it a wall too high to scale. 12 Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor. 13 To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. 14 The human spirit can endure in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear? 15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out. 16 A gift opens the way and ushers the giver into the presence of the great. 17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. 18 Casting the lot settles disputes and keeps strong opponents apart. 19 A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. 20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. 21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22 He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. 23 The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly. 24 One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

1. Can you remember a time when you weren’t wise with your words? What could you have said differently in that situation? Many times in the past I used to scream back at my mom as a response and in expression of my anger. Little did I know it has much impact in the way my mom is acting around me now, cautious and afraid. Now, i would love to converse with her in normal ways, except she often complains that she can’t hear me and i’d be forced to have to scream...

Other than that, I also remember responding to things that I could have made some wise thinking before answering. I believe it comes with wisdom to answer different kinds of questions or to even stop and think before answering or saying meaningless things, and i also do think that it would help if i have a level of preparedness for such a time as that. If given a chance to change what I say to my mom, i would say whatever nasty things in my brain that my emotions steered me to feel and want to say, and respond to her in a nicer tone. I believe it is not worth ruining the relationship for emotions, or moment righteousness that i get out of anger. 2. What are some examples of how the Lord directs us to use our words in Proverbs 18? Who or what situation could you apply it to?

8 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. To not gossip, i have the tendency to gossip about someone when someone wronged me or did something to me that i do not deserved. I should find my need and justification in Christ who has already set me free instead of seeking it in justification from man.