Today's Bible Verse

But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

James 4:6

Colossians 3:12

Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering.

Colossians 3:12 (New King James Version)

Proverbs 22:24-25

God tells us to not make friends with quick-tempered

people or spend time with those who have bad tempers. If we

do, we might become like them. Then we will

be in real danger.

Read - Proverbs 22:24-25

Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:14

Ecclesiastes 11:9—12:14

God’s Word Goes Forth:

Grow in God’s Wisdom

Ecclesiastes 11:9—12:14: The book of Ecclesiastes contains the thoughts of “the Philosopher” concerning the contradictory nature of human life. Today’s reading is the conclusion to the book. While Ecclesiastes reflects the author’s struggle to find the meaning of life, the closing section is a reminder that respecting and obeying God is at life’s core.

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Today’s Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13

After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because this is all that we were created for.

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Today’s Reading

⁹ Young people, enjoy your youth. Be happy while you are still young. Do what you want to do, and follow your heart's desire. But remember that God is going to judge you for whatever you do. ¹⁰ Don't let anything worry you or cause you pain. You aren't going to be young very long. ¹ So remember your Creator while you are still young, before those dismal days and years come when you will say, “I don't enjoy life.” ² That is when the light of the sun, the moon, and the stars will grow dim for you, and the rain clouds will never pass away. ³ Then your arms, that have protected you, will tremble, and your legs, now strong, will grow weak. Your teeth will be too few to chew your food, and your eyes too dim to see clearly. ⁴ Your ears will be deaf to the noise of the street. You will barely be able to hear the mill as it grinds or music as it plays, but even the song of a bird will wake you from sleep. ⁵ You will be afraid of high places, and walking will be dangerous. Your hair will turn white; you will hardly be able to drag yourself along, and all desire will be gone. We are going to our final resting place, and then there will be mourning in the streets. ⁶ The silver chain will snap, and the golden lamp will fall and break; the rope at the well will break, and the water jar will be shattered. ⁷ Our bodies will return to the dust of the earth, and the breath of life will go back to God, who gave it to us. ⁸ Useless, useless, said the Philosopher. It is all useless. ⁹ But because the Philosopher was wise, he kept on teaching the people what he knew. He studied proverbs and honestly tested their truth. ¹⁰ The Philosopher tried to find comforting words, but the words he wrote were honest. ¹¹ The sayings of the wise are like the sharp sticks that shepherds use to guide sheep, and collected proverbs are as lasting as firmly driven nails. They have been given by God, the one Shepherd of us all. ¹² My child, there is something else to watch out for. There is no end to the writing of books, and too much study will wear you out. ¹³ After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because this is all that we were created for. ¹⁴ God is going to judge everything we do, whether good or bad, even things done in secret.

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Reflect

Reread verses 8 and 13. Do you think they contradict each other? Why or why not? What advice is given to young people? How does the Philosopher describe old age? Do you agree with what the Philosopher says in verse 13? Why or why not? How would you summarize your own view of life?

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Pray

Lord God, may I have reverence for you each day. Teach me to obey your commands so that my life is one of loving service. It is you, Lord God, and you alone, who gives meaning to my life. Amen.

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Prayer Concern

Young people discerning their future

Break Destructive Habits

by Jane Powell

“Change the way you think and you’ll change the way you feel.”

Breaking the habit of negative thinking and replacing it with an “I can and I will” attitude is the change called for by inner confidence.

Negative thinking can be so interwoven in the fabric of whom you are that it is natural to assume it’s normal. It’s not! Breaking the cycle of negative thinking means you must acknowledge and face your harsh inner critic.

You have strengths, skills and talents. Recognizing and believing in them is what confidence is all about. When you are confident, it’s easy to feel great, because your inner critic becomes your inner champion!

You’re only a moment away from making real progress. One
Small effort can get you started.

It’s nice and comfortable to stay where you are, without
Taking action, without making progress. Yet after a while
That comfort turns into stagnation, and you’ll feel painful
Regret for not moving forward.

Now, however, you have the opportunity to avoid that regret.
Now, you have the chance to make valuable use of this very
Moment.

It really doesn’t take much to get started, and the payoff
Can be enormous. Once you make that first small effort, the
Next one comes more easily, and the one after that even more
Easily.

Soon, you’ll have real, solid momentum. And before long,
You’ll have a real, valuable achievement.

Life is yours right now to live. Start with one small
Effort, and fulfill your greatest possibilities.

Matter of choice

Life is always a matter of choice. Whatever the circumstances may be, you can choose the level at which you live.

You can choose what to think about the various events that play out in front of your eyes. You can choose how to respond to the challenges and opportunities that come into your life.

When you choose to consistently and persistently follow a particular purpose, you will manifest that purpose in the world around you. When you choose to focus your thoughts and efforts on things of meaningful value, you will create more value.

In the next few hours, or in the next few moments, anything can happen. It may be what you planned or it may be a total surprise.

Yet whatever may happen, you can choose what to do about it. Though you are subject to many powerful forces and influences, you can choose the way you deal with them.

The life you live is a matter of choice. Choose wisely, and live richly.

Ralph Marston

Always remember ...

Jesus
Loves
You!

Jesus died for YOU!