Pocket Share Jesus

Do you have a dear friend who can always make you laugh, no matter how tough or challenging your shared circumstances? I do, but unfortunately I don’t get to hang out often with them these days. Their cheerful spirit IS good medicine, as Solomon noted many centuries ago.

Proverbs 17:22 NLT

“A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Prov17.22.NLT

This is a good theme verse from Proverbs for “Eyes Right.”

Proverbs 17:24, 28 NLT

“Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom, but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth. Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Prov17.24.NLT

This verse reminds me vividly of a situation I experienced working at Texas Tech about seven years ago.

When people speak they can not only reveal their levels of knowledge and understanding, they also can reveal the condition of their heart.

Proverbs 17:28 NLT

“Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Prov17.28.NLT

True words, although I’d have said “strongly dislike” instead of “hate.” I think that follows with Jesus’ exhortation to love the sinner but hate the sin. I think we are called to hate sin, not hate people. Hatred of other people is an evil root of many wrongs.

Proverbs 15:17 NLT

“A bowl of vegetables with someone you love is better than steak with someone you hate.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Prov15.17.NLT

Good advice here about advice to avoid at all costs.

Proverbs 9:13-18 NLT

“The woman named Folly is brash. She is ignorant and doesn’t know it. She sits in her doorway on the heights overlooking the city. She calls out to men going by who are minding their own business. “Come in with me,” she urges the simple. To those who lack good judgment, she says, “Stolen water is refreshing; food eaten in secret tastes the best!” But little do they know that the dead are there. Her guests are in the depths of the grave.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Prov9.13.NLT

I love these verses from the psalmist. They resonate with me more deeply than ever now as I see my own children growing up so fast and transforming into young adults before our very eyes. I do think in a very tangible sense our children are like arrows we fit to the string and loose upon a dangerous world filled with perils. We are each called to do God’s work which He has prepared for us in advance. It is challenging to listen to His voice and discern His call amidst the cacophony of noises around us.

I pray our children will discern their own gifts and flight path in life, and continue to look to God for direction as their true “GPS” navigator.

Psalm 127:3-5 NLT

“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him. Children born to a young man are like arrows in a warrior’s hands. How joyful is the man whose quiver is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Ps127.3.NLT

At the close of John’s gospel, Jesus exhorts Peter to move beyond his feelings of love for Him to actions and deeds of love. If we truly love Jesus, we seek to be his hands and feet in the world, doing his work.

John 21:17 NLT

“A third time he asked him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt that Jesus asked the question a third time. He said, “Lord, you know everything. You know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Then feed my sheep.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/John21.17.NLT

These verses are an exhortation to us regarding the things we choose to look at. These commands have been important and relevant throughout all time. In our era of multiple, Internet connected screens, perhaps these challenges are greater than ever before?

Psalm 101:2-4 NLT

“I will be careful to live a blameless life— when will you come to help me? I will lead a life of integrity in my own home. I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar. I hate all who deal crookedly; I will have nothing to do with them. I will reject perverse ideas and stay away from every evil.”

See it at YouVersion.com:

http://bible.us/Ps101.2.NLT