“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”
Psalm 46:10
“Be still and know that I am God”
Have a lovely day filled with peace and the wisdom that comes from heaven.
My friend, Lilie, posted a comment today touting her belief in “fairness to all, and justice.” I responded in affirmation. Wouldn’t our world be a better place if everyone practiced fairness to all, and justice?
Fair to all!Celebrate fairnessWhat’s not fair in your life right now?What can we do to promote fairness?Speak up!
Promote fairness for all. Exhibit unconditional (Agape) love!
As usual, I took notes during the sermon at church this morning. Brian Conklin’s message about faith spoke to me. I hope you find encouragement here, too.
Faith is assurance and conviction
Faith is a settled confidence
Faith is conviction – a deep certainty
Faith is grounded in reality
Faith is evidence of things not seen
Change is hard – Uncertainty is difficult
What will come next? We wonder.
We trust the Lord who knows the future.
Living in the present as if God’s future
Is already here… we can trust Him
Step into the light of God’s promises
Faith gives us the courage to obey when the road ahead is unclear
In today’s Ever Faithful365 day devotional by David Jeremiah, he asked his readers, “Have you heard about the man who smelled good no matter where he was or what he was doing?”
His skin and clothing and very being seemed to exude a pleasant fragrance. He worked in a perfume factory and breathed its aromas every day.
The aromas filtered into his clothing, penetrated his skin, and even filled his lungs. He became a walking perfumery.
David Jeremiah said, “That’s the way we should be as Christians.”
The Bible says, “For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.” 2 Corinthians 2:15
“We exude the aroma of joy, for in His presence is fullness of joy.” Psalm 16:11
You might have heard that “Jesus wept” (John 11:35) is the shortest verse in the Bible, but that’s only true in English. In the original New Testament Greek, 1 Thessalonians 5:16 is shorter – “Rejoice always.” The two verses are related. Because Jesus wept, we can rejoice.
In today’s world with all the hate, divisiveness, floods, hurricanes, and wars it’s easy to get bogged down. But, David Jeremiah reminds us, “Jesus doesn’t want us to live in perpetual discouragement, sadness or doubt.”
“The joy of the Lord is the strength of our days,” Nehemiah 8:10
We have reason to rejoice. Count your blessings, my friends. Be a walking perfumery! Exude the aroma of joy. I pray that you will let the love, joy, and peace of Christ shine through your face and radiate from your clothing everyday! Let your fragrant scent invite others in to the love, joy and peace that can be theirs, too.
You are lovely. You are loved. You smell good! God bless you!
One of the devotionals I read every day is from “The Upper Room,” a book of daily devotionals printed every other month, and a gift many churches provide for their members and guests. In today’s message, the topic was “Words of Love.”
I can think of no better way to “Take & Spread Joy” than to speak and read and hear WORDS OF LOVE. How about you?
“Pleasant words are like honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
Proverbs 16:24
In the Upper Room, the thought for today is: “With God’s help, I will speak words that build others up.”
The Upper Room devotional reminded me that “Words carry weight. How we use them deeply impacts the people around us.”
But, I am aware that my words also deeply impact me! I can speak words of love to myself… or I can speak disparaging words that discourage me!
The devotional ended with this prayer: “Loving God, we pray that You will empower us to speak love and life to those around us. Give us compassionate and encouraging words.”
My word for 2024, some of you may recall, is the acronym SIFT. The T stands for “Take time to think” (and pray) before I speak or act. I carry that “T” thought with me every day. And I hope you, too, will be inspired to use compassionate and encouraging words directed at yourself as well as others.
Your caring and thoughtful words will lift your spirits as they lift the hearts of all you meet.
I hope that link opened for you – and I hope you were inspired to sing along!
What does the Bible say about singing?
Singing is part of our human experience. Songs have been used to express some of the deepest human joys and sorrows from the beginning of time. Of course, the Bible has a lot to say about music and singing. You may wonder what God thinks about that toe tapping song you sing every Sunday morning. What does the Bible actually say about singing? Here are a couple of m favorite scriptures:
“Sing to him, sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works!”
Do go back up to that youtube link, if you didn’t click on it before… and this time, do sing along! Nothing will lift your spirits quite like that! Sing to the Lord… He’ll lift you up and you’ll smile in spite of yourself. Really!! Try it!
This is “Tenacity Personified”. Watching it is “Patience Personified”. Mama Bear is “Confident Parenting” personified.
Would I have been that confident?
Would I have had the tenacity to hang in there long enough to let my child succeed on his/her own?
Nope, probably not!
I’d no doubt have rushed down to rescue.
How about you?
Have a Marvelous Monday!
Love, JanBeek
This picture of us was taken yesterday on Mother’s Day by our friend Ted. He is a 95-year-old retired photographer who is temporarily at the Manor Nursing Home recovering from a broken back. It’s good of Bob, don’t you think? Usually when I get a picture of him smiling, his eyes are closed! Thank you, Ted!
I first posted this message 4 years ago, but it is timeless – – – and it is worth reposting as February 14th is tomorrow and we all are thinking seriously about the topic of LOVE, right?
What is TRUE love? And how do we exhibit it? How do we receive it? What is its origin? Poets have written of love for centuries. None resonates more perfectly to me than the words of love in the Bible, like Romans 12.
“Love must be sincere.
Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
Share with God’s people who are in need.
Practice hospitality.”
…. Romans 12:9-13
No better Valentine’s message of love ever has been written. To add to it, go to your Bible and read the next few verses, Romans 12:14-16 … and get caught up in the wonderful message of Jesus’ love!
Of course, the scripture that often is read at weddings is also one that must not be forgotten:
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 New International Version
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.
My blogging friend, Sue Dreamwalker, wrote today, “So, keep love in your hearts for each other and all living creatures. And remember to love yourself…”
This was popular in the 50’s when I was growing up. It is one of my all-time favorites!
Love is more than just a game or two. Two in love can make it… Take my heart and please don’t break it!
Have a wonderful, love-filled Valentine’s Day!
Hugs to you and your loved ones, JanBeek (& Bob, too)
Today we received a thank you letter from Intermountain. We get a personalized letter from them every month. The letter provides a great source of encouragement. It motivates us to continue to give gladly because we know it is received and used meaningfully.
Intermountain Development
Our gift to Intermountain is a small donation. I have it taken out automatically from my monthly retirement income. I don’t even miss it… but I know it is pooled with other small gifts and together, they matter. Intermountain helps hundreds of children increase their mental health.
The thank you letter we receive each month lets us know our gift was received, and it tells us, “Your support, combined with the tireless efforts of our direct care staff, provides transformative outcomes in the lives of the children we serve.” Thanks! We believe it!
The academic and counseling programs at Intermountain, the recreational opportunities and clinical integrity are superb. We are encouraged to continue to support their efforts and to spread the word so others are encouraged to donate to them also. They are an excellent Montana-based 501(c) organization Check out their school, cottages, counseling, and community outreach programs at intermountain.org
How do you choose to share encouragement?
Donations are one way – but there are so many others: cards, letters, phone calls, texts, e-mails, home visits, hugs, volunteering time, you name it …
We all need encouragement, you know.
Choose ways to be an encourager!
Thanks for visiting JanBeek See ya tomorrow (God willing)
