Priorities

Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.

Proverbs 10:2

I can hear my Grandmother now, "Don't be wasteful". For some reason we find it much easier to focus on worries of this life rather than what lasts for eternity. This life is short, eternity is eternal. Don't be like Esau who sold his birthright for a bowl of stew (Hebrews 11). Take some time today and invest in eternity. Give eternity some thought.

Purpose

Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established

Proverbs 16:3

Who or what are you working for today? Some work for a paycheck and others work to feed the family. There are a few who discover something they really enjoy and it happens to be something that pays. Nevertheless, it seems that thing called "work" should have some special meaning since we spend so much time at it.

How about this; Commit your work to the Lord. Whatever you do day to day just do it the best you can for Him. There is a strange satisfaction that follows because we are placed here on this earth to bring Him glory. Whatever we do, if we do our best for Him, He is glorified. Talk about an attitude change! Give it some thought, actually give it a try and see if the old workin man blues don't fade.

Power!

Gracious words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

Proverbs 16:24

Most of us do not realize the power we have over the lives of people around us. It is a power that used for good or bad, and there really isn't an in between. Another Proverb says the tongue has the power of life and death, and above we see the sweetness and health potential in the simple words we speak.

So, as you go about you day be careful what you say. Use your words for good and lift up those around you, and you will have much more pleasant people to work with. Give it some thought.

A Brand New Day

"Therefore we do not lose heart. though outwardly we are wasting away,

yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day"

2 Corinthians 4:16

Ever thought of writing a book? In a way we all are writing the book of our life one day at a time. Each day begins with a blank page and at the end of the day it is filled. Such renewal comes only because God provides us with a clean page each day. Give it some thought today, be careful what you write, and be thankful that even if you fail today tomorrow God offers you a brand new start.

Actions Matter

In this political time frame it's good to be reminded that what a person does really matters regardless of their words. Proverbs 14:2 says whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises Him (ESV). The way a person "walks" or goes about "in his ways" defines that person's relationship with God.
The old adage "actions speak louder than words" is as true today as always. So, as you go out today remember to do your best to speak good things by what you do. There is nothing quite so gruesome than one who speaks different from what one does. Mull on it a while.

Friends

Good friends, I mean real good friends, are hard to come by. In fact, they say you'll only have about six in a life time. We have many acquaintances, but only a handful of friends. Proverbs 13:20 says, whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. So, be sure to choose your friends and acquaintances wisely. And, by the way, be sure to be a wise friend yourself.
Most people fail to realize the impact they have on people around them. Your actions, words, attitudes, and even expressions all have an impact on your surroundings. As you go about your day keep this in mind and take notice of how you can keep mole hills from becoming mountains with a simple word or expression. Notice how anger can be channelled toward sympathy as you listen and react calmly to a complaint from a co-worker. Give it a try, and you will be surprised at how much better your day will be, and your friends.

The First Day

"Today is the first day of the rest of your life" - heard that one before haven't you, but it really is a true statement. Whether you realize it or not the rest begins here, and you have more control over the future than you probably realize. Now, granted, there are many things that are beyond our control that may happen to us but the choice we have is how we handle these uncertainties.
Proverbs 12:25 says 'anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad'. The more positive outlook you have on today being the first day of the rest of your life the less anxiety you will have weighing you down. The opposite of anxiety is peace, and real lasting authentic peace comes only from God so spend a little time with these two passages - Philippians 4:4-8 and 1 Peter 5:7 and start today in a good way for the rest of your life.

Flying High

Flying these days is quite different. Planes and airports are packed due to fewer flights, and every passenger stands the chance of getting lost in the shuffle. Maybe not everyone, that just makes me feel better since it happened to me. Something did occur to me during the one flight we actually made - when on a plane you can only see where you are through those small round windows. You can't see where you are going - only the Pilot can see that. And you can't really see where you've been - you just have to rememer best you can.
Flying is much like life - you can't really see where you are going. If you have the right Pilot you can be assured you'll end up in a good place, and if you actually trust the Pilot you will have peace even though you can't actually see what's ahead. So be careful who your Pilot is - there are only two Pilots of life and you determine your pilot according to the priniciples and values you choose to adopt. Oh, don't forget somehing else - be sure to soak in the present because it becomes the past in a split second never to return again.
Mull on it awhile.