- MONDAY -

Good morning forever family,

Our bible holds many stories that can guide us, strengthen us, encourage us, or warn us. One such story is that of Solomon. Solomon started off with an excellent relationship with God. We all know the story. Solomon asked God for wisdom and that pleased God. Solomon had wanted wisdom to rule his people correctly and he did --- for awhile. Solomon had been warned to not intermarry with women from different places and religions as they would lead him astray. Solomon disregarded that directive much to his demise. He took his eyes off God. Verse 6 below is a sad one.

I know the feeling. When I keep my eyes on Jesus I actually feel He uses me for good. When I take them off Jesus I fail and I fail quickly. The older I get the more I recognize that simple truth. Still, as easy as it sounds to do good... it isn't. This sinful world holds a lot of allure. For Solomon it was about 1000 different women. For me it seems about 10,000 other reasons.

One thought I hold dear. In heaven there will be NO enemy like Satan tempting me all the time. No sin. No tears. Only joy inexpressible because my Jesus will be there and God's light will replace the sun! My mind will be fully renewed and I won't even think about anything sinful. We need to think about heaven more!

King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. ² They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. ³ He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. ⁴ As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. ⁵ He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. ⁶ So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.  1 Kings 11:1-6 NIV 

Be blessed, be a blessing,

Randy

- TUESDAY -

Good morning forever family,

I must admit. I like to kick back sometimes and watch some TV. The problem is it seems as though there are fewer and fewer wholesome shows one can watch nowadays. I use a streaming service so I can choose. Otherwise there would be nothing I would watch.  As I read today's Scripture passage, I realized most everything out of Disney or Hollywood today is mentioned here... 

³ But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. ⁴ Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. ⁵ For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ⁶ Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. ⁷ Therefore do not be partners with them.  Ephesians 5:3-7 NIV 

While it is true that our culture lifts up and up holds that which is evil doesn't mean we should. We are to be "salt." We are to encourage what is good not what is just plain wrong.

Be blessed, be a blessing,

Randy

- WEDNESDAY -

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- THURSDAY -

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- FRIDAY -

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