From Me to You

Ecclesiastes 7-12.

 

“Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.” (7:8)

 

“Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, without a whole life before you, is meaningless. Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honour him in your  youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” ” (11:9-12:1)

Happiness is a Warm Gun

Ecclesiastes 1-6

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” (3:1 ESV)

 

“Enjoy what you have rather than desiring what you don’t have. Just dreaming about nice things is meaningless – like chasing the wind.” (6:9)

Run for Your Life

Yesterday’s country was Hungary (I’m half Hungarian!) and today’s is Iceland.

 

Proverbs 25-26; 27-29

“Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.” (27:6)

 

“As a face is reflected in water, so the heart reflects the real person.” (27:19)

 

“To reject the law is to praise the wicked; to obey the law is to fight them.” (28:4)

You Won’t See Me

So, last night I fell asleep while I was reading/praying through this awesome new book I got. It’s called Operation World.

Check it out:

http://www.operationworld.org/

It’s a book with information on every country around the world; it has stats for each country and then issues that the country is facing with opportunities for prayer.  There is a movement going on to pray through this book in a year. Every day corresponds with a specific country to pray for and everyone who is praying through the book will be praying for the same country each day, no matter when you start. It’s really amazing. Not only do you get to learn so much more about the world (which is just going to make me want to travel even more), but you are praying for the whole world. We get so focused on the needs of our family, friends and communities that we lose sight of the global community and its need for prayer. I’m pretty excited.

So yesterday I was praying for the Holy See (Vatican City State) and today is focused on Honduras. In Honduras, socio-economic problems are widespread, mainly due to the poverty which affects 80% of the population! That is ridiculous. Some of the big socio-economic problems include children at risk (when their families cannot provide for them), powerful gangs having a large influence on society, Honduras being home to 60% of Central America’s AIDS cases, and they are still recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Mitch.

 

Bible reading: Psalm 134, 146-150; 1 Kings 9, 2 Chronicles 8.

 

“He takes no pleasure in the strength of a horse or in human might. No, the LORD’s delight is in those who fear him, those who put their hope in his unfailing love.” (147:10-11)

“Let them all praise the name of the LORD. For his name is very great; his glory towers over the earth and heaven!” (148:13)

Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite

2 Chronicles 6-7, Psalm 136

“May you always hear the prayers I make toward this place. May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray toward this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.” (6:20-21)

“Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.” (136:1)

…

1 Kings 8, 2 Chronicles 5.

“Give your people what their actions deserve, for you alone know each human heart. Then they will fear you as long as they live in the land you gave to our ancestors.” (1 Kings 8:39-40)

Wild Honey Pie

1 Kings 5-6, 2 Chronicles 2-3; 1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 4

“This must be a magnificent Temple because our God is greater than all other gods. But who can really build him a worthy home? Not even the highest heavens can contain him! So who am I to consider building a Temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices to him?” (2Chronicles 2:5-6)

Now pair that with:

“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17)

Just a little bit of food for thought…

Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da

Proverbs 22-24.

“Commit yourself to instruction; listen carefully to words of knowledge.” (23:12)

 

“A house is built by wisdom and becomes strong through good sense.” (24:3)

 

“An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship.” (24:26)

Yellow Submarine

Proverbs 19-21

 

“To acquire wisdom is to love oneself; people who cherish understanding will prosper.” (19:8)

 

“The glory of the young is their strength; the gray hair of experience is the splendor of the old.” (20:29)

 

“Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness and honour.” (21:21)

Don’t Pass Me By

Proverbs 10-12; 13-15; 16-18.

“People who accept discipline are on the pathway to life, but those who ignore correction will go astray.” (10:17)

-> No one likes to be told they are wrong; especially in our society. It’s like the absolute extreme of “no judging”; as if you’re never allowed to have an opinion that could possibly in some way, some how, bother someone else. Anyways, constructive criticism is good, correction is good.

“Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a dream fulfilled is a tree of life.” (13:12)

“Fools make fun of guilt, but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.” (14:9)

“Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can fully share its joy.” (14:10)

“In his heart a man plans his course, but the Lord determines his steps.“ (16:9 NIV)

-> This was a favourite of one of my friends. I think it can be shown powerfully through peoples’ lives; but it still requires action on your part. The Lord may change your plans but you will have to actively follow after Him.

“Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life.” (16:31)

“A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.” (17:27)

“The tongue can bring death or life” (18:21)

“The man who finds a wife finds a treasure, and he receives favour from the LORD.” (18:22)