causing anger... or not. Prob30:33,

Proverbs30:33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

Romans12:18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.

This is how the Lord spoke to me today as I had begun to write letters to people which I cannot write to and cause no anger to be stirred up. So, I hold my tongue.

More over, I shall do as I am able as it says in Galatians 6:10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who of the household of faith.

hymns.

In the worst times in my life, even before I was saved by grace, hymn would come to mind and comfort.
"Count your blessings"
"Everything's Under Control"
"Rejoice in the Lord alway"
"In my heart there rings a melody"
"Written in Red"
and so many others also.

Eph5:19-20 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ

Col3:15-17 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

These are the words to Everything's Under Control" by John Stallings.

1.Men's hearts today are failing for fear; It seems the the end is so very near; Our ship is leaning and the storms they roll; But God has everything under control.

C.Under control tho' the night be cold; Tho' the earth be shaken and the billows, they may roll! I heard God whisper to my Trembling soul: "Fear not, I have everything under control!"

2.I'm safe and secure in my Father's hand; And He is with me as I walk through this land; His love surrounds me in His Word I'm told I know He has everything under control.

The Christmas story.

We know that in Luke chapter 2 starts the story we read every year.
"And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Ceasar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed..." And thus Christ was born in Bethlehem.

But that was not the beginning of Christ's existence. John 1:1-4
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

 "The Word" is Jesus Christ. He is the Word of Truth, the Bread of Life, the Light of the world, the Creator of all things, and the Savior of all who believe and follow.

We remember at Christmas how he came down from Heaven to be born into human flesh yet sinless. But this is only a chapter in the story of Christ. John 1:1-4 tells us the beginning, as well as Gen1:1 "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth." 

In the time between "God created" and "she brought forth her first born son" God was not idle; Nor was He idle the days after. God is active in His creation. After 30 years of growing up, Jesus Christ was the age of adult set in those times, and went about His Father's business, and began to preach and teach. 3 years later He was crucified on the cross and took on our sins and died for us.

But that's not the end either.

On the third day He arose from the grave, and even this is not the end of the story. He still to this day is making intercession for us. He is walking our lives with us, when we let Him.

This is the Christmas story, that we exist because He wants us to, and that He wants fellowship with us so much that He took the price of our sin upon Himself so that we may be spared of hell, and have that fellowship with Him for all eternity.

We all know Christmas is about family, don't forget to include your Heavenly Father.

love. Isa41:10

Isa41:10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.


At this point you may be wondering what that title has to do with that verse... or maybe you didn't even notice they don't typically go together. Well, Something happened to day that includes both.


Once we got off the cruise ship, we went to get breakfast. (since it was about 7am, and we'd been up since 5) We had just cleared our plates, and I went to go to the bathroom before we hit the road for the drive home. I come back to Granny and Papa arguing as is not unusual. Papa gets up to pay, and Granny and I begin to head to the car where I am informed He was miffed because I hadn't said thank you. This baffled me as I have always waited until the end of the meal, and once it's paid for, to say thank you so I know who I am thanking. I did not say thank you at all for that meal as I was rather upset myself that he was mad for something he didn't give me a chance to do. (still wondering where the verse comes in? keep reading..)

As I am trying to make sense of it all (and complaining in my head about how unreasonable and stupid he usually is) I realized though, it was unreasonable for him to be upset at that point, my attitude then was not any better.

I know the love of God is unconditional. I know love is an action, and an attitude. My pride had burst forth, and then my heart weighed heavy with knowing I had once again failed in being what I ought to be as a child of God. I wondered in my heart and in my very soul, how could God love me like he does? I can not even love my grandfather as I ought to, I know I fail in loving God. I asked God why He made me when He knew I would always fail and be no good to Him. He replied with that verse.

I know a few purposes of my life are to serve Jesus Christ, to love people enough to tell them of Him, and to have a relationship with Him myself.




I know I can never be righteous. I can not do as I ought all my life, though I may try, and am to do all in my power to do all to His glory and honor. He will hold me up in His righteousness-He made me righteous in the eyes of the Father with His death on Calvary. He will help me, and strengthen me as I work and live for Him. He is with me, and I can depend on Him to fill in where I fail.

Service. (Gal5:13, Rom12:1-2, 1Pet2:13-17)

Gal5:13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Rom12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
1Peter2:13-17 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; Or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the praise of them that do well. For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the king.

In many places in the Bible it speaks of serving and submitting. These both go hand in hand. Not only am I to serve, but I am to serve joyfully as unto the Lord. 1Cor10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God. I don't mind serving people in general. I don't always really want to, but I am willing when asked. Some people I really don't want to serve. Those that I feel have wronged me I simply wish to cut from my life. That seems impossible to do in this world we live in. I have not studied to see what the Lord says on dealing with those people, but I know He says to forgive, and to do good to them which would include serving them.


To serve someone is to do things for them.


I will have anger boil from my heart when someone I dislike asked me to serve them. I know this is one of many areas I must work on letting the Lord change. I am very pleased to serve those I love and like, I just need to remember I am to serve all mankind the same; as unto my Lord.

to speak, or not to speak... (Phil4:7-9, Titus3:2-3)

Philippians4:7-9 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.


Titus3:2-3 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.


I often wonder how much I should say of things I dislike that people do, and how much I should simply take. I know a lot of it is less of what I say, but how I say it. As the verses above say I am not to dwell on those things, and I am not to go telling everyone of all the "bad" things they do/have done.


I am to say those things that are "of good report", and not things of evil.


I pray I will always remember this before I open my big mouth.






Psalm15:2-4 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour. In whose eyes a vile person is contemned; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord. He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.


Psalm34:13-14 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.


James3:7-10 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.


1 Peter3:9-11 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

praise. (Psalm135:1, Psalm138:1-3)

Psalm135:1 says "Praise ye the Lord. Praise ye the name of the Lord; praise Him, O ye servants of the Lord."
Psalm138:1-3 says "I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee. I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise they name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. In the day when I cried thou answeredest me, and strengthenest me with strength in my soul."

I realized today many blessings of the Lord in my mind and my health. He had blessed me as I work to follow Him. He has filled my heart with joy, and my soul with singing. I praise the Lord even when I am not as well as I am today. My mind thinks less on the sins of the world, and the bad things of life; and it thinks more on the wonders of the Lord. When my mind melts from any current time, it goes to the courts of my Lord with song and hymns. I sing praises, and I sing of His power and faithfulness. I am thankful to Him, I am thankful for Him, I am thankful in Him.

Great is my Lord, and great is His faithfulness unto me.

delight, rest, trust. (Psalm37)

Psalm 37 (KJV)
Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the Lord upholdeth the righteous. The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the Lord shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away. The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the Lord loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The Lord will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged. Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.

God is faithful to those committed to Him. He will hold and protect those that follow Him, and He lets all other perish as it is their choice.

1 Corinthains 1:9 says "God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of His Son Jesus Christ our Lord." 

This psalm applies to every day of my life forever and ever. It says for me to not fret (or worry) because of "bad" people. It says to trust in the Lord. To not be angry, and not to even think to do evil. It says to delight in Him. It says to Commit my way of life to Him, and again says to trust Him. He will make my righteousness as light. It says to rest in the Lord, and wait on Him. It says God loves judgment, and He wont leave His children. He will exalt me. Those that don't follow Him die and are in forever loneliness and pain.

As one that is following Christ there are many wonderful comforts in this passage. There are also commandments and warnings. Read it, and take it to heart.