I knew the moment I read the opening Scripture that it was new and fresh and for me.
Proverbs 14:4New Living Translation (NLT) 4 Without oxen a stable stays clean, but you need a strong ox for a large harvest. source
I am not well familiar with oxen, but I am familiar with messy. And today I am grateful for the reminder that messy is a necessity. What else does the Text say? A large harvest. When we want a large harvest — some messy is inevitable. So, I can fuss at the mess (and the ones who made it) or I can rejoice by lifting my eyes
Psalm 121:1King James Version (KJV) 121
1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. source
Earlier today I posted the following to my Facebook feed; perhaps exposure here will land on a couple more screens. :)
Today. August 1. Often I look at this world and the people in it beginning with family and friends and I feel overwhelmed. Overwhelmed with the needs, the loss, the lack, the too much, the illness, the disease, death, and life, too often just utter chaos swirling around many. And I would despair was it not for our GOD.
PSALM 27:13 I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord. source
And so I pray. What can I do for my world of people? How can I encourage them? How can I help them love You first? How can I help them yield to You? How can I help them live holy? How can I help them embrace their potential in this world and Your Eternity?
And then I know the first step is to yield myself in all these things.
Psalm 73:1 Truly God is good to Israel, To those who are pure in heart. 2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, My steps had almost slipped. source
And I asked: as for me, my feet came close to stumbling, my step had almost slipped — why? Why had I come close to stumbling? Why had I almost slipped?
Verse 3 For I was envious of the arrogant as I saw the prosperity of the wicked. source
Every time!
Envious!
Never good!
How does it happen?
Taking our focus from GOD and His goodness TO US onto people, especially people who seem to be doing all kinds of wickedness, will pollute our hearts and our feet will start slipping and sliding. Every time!
We are glad you are here; stay a while, look around, and be encouraged. We estimate there to be over 3,000 posts here at The White Stone Blog. Please know my hope is ALWAYS to help and NEVER harm. I have voiced many opinions and thoughts here since 2007 and by now I MAY NOT EVEN AGREE with all of them and some of my grammar and punctuation likely needs editing. But this is changeless: JESUS is our ONLY Savior and Hope. Do you KNOW Him?
