Elizabeth

The people who tell you not to impose your religious beliefs on them have no problem imposing their irreligious beliefs on you. 🤔

The Lord is directing all our concerns better than we can ourselves, for He sees the end from the beginning, while we see not a step before us. And yet our folly would often presume to dictate to Him what would be the best way to take with us; and thus how soon we should ruin ourselves altogether. Be patient, and put your trust in the Lord your God, the living God. We need not fear that our best Friend can ever die. He has promised never to leave nor forsake us. What are all earthly friends when compared to that precious Friend that sticketh closer than a brother?… Blessed be God for the gift of His beloved Son to die for sinners. I should be forever lost did not His blood cleanse from all sin. Look to Him continually, and although the answer tarry, it will not fail, but will come just at the right time. Only seek His glory first in all you do and say, and He will not withhold that which will really be for your good. Faith must be tried, and the more it is tried the more it grows, and the more we know of God, not only what He is in Himself, but what He is to us as a reconciled Father. - Mary Winslow

Hear my voice according to your steadfast love; O LORD, according to your justice give me life. Psalms 119:149

Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration) and profitable for instruction, for reproof and conviction of sin, for correction of error and discipline in obedience, for training: in righteousness (in holy living, in conformity to God’s will in thought, purpose, and action), So that the man of God may be complete and proficient, well fitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17

Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5

What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? —Ecclesiastes 1:3 “ The question, “What does a man gain?” sets the agenda. What remains after all our hard work? The question is not really about the meaning of life, but rather what is the benefit of hard work. The brevity of life demands the question and begs for an answer. If life is so short and it is filled with toil, what is left over? What is the benefit? The answer will appear to be, at first, “there is no benefit!” But that will not be Qoheleth’s final answer. The question itself, “What advantage or benefit or profit does a man have in all his work?” is not a philosophical question, but rather it is a practical one. It is focused on the reality that in this vaporous life we labor and then ask, “will it last?” Again, we ask, “Did it matter?” These questions are based on the dignity of labor (Gen. 2:15–17) and the curse (Gen. 3:17–19). Why spend a life toiling away when it is so short and nothing we do appears to last? Doesn’t the curse and the reality of hebel nullify any advantage in our labor? This life of labor under the sun seems like building sandcastles. We work, and work, and work. Then comes a wave! “How long do sandcastles last? And how much control do we have over the castle we have constructed? We build for a short time only, and always subject to forces beyond our control. That is what our lives are like.” While we are toiling, we feel like we are accomplishing something, that we are in control. But it is an illusion. The next wave proves it. Qoheleth wants that to lie heavy on us for a while. He won’t give an easy answer. He wants us to feel his pain. To twist the knife a little deeper, he gives us a poem about the cyclical nature of this world. Nature is teaching us something. —Brian Borgman “Don’t Waste Your Breath”

Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. Proverbs 31:30

Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” Proverbs 31:10-12, 17, 25-29

Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. Proverbs 31:8-9

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority. Colossians 2:6-10

Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. Colossians 1:15-17

If you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil, cover your mouth in shame. Proverbs 30:32

The eye that mocks a father and despises a mother’s instructions will be plucked out by ravens of the valley and eaten by vultures. Proverbs 30:17

There is a generation that is pure in its own eyes, yet is not washed from its filth. Proverbs 30:12

Every word of God proves true. He is a shield to all who come to him for protection. Do not add to his words, or he may rebuke you and expose you as a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6

Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know! Proverbs 30:4

I am weary, O God; I am weary and worn out, O God. Proverbs 30:1

Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe. Proverbs 28:26

Showing partiality is never good, yet some will do wrong for a mere piece of bread. Proverbs 28:21

A murderer’s tormented conscience will drive him into the grave. Don’t protect him! Proverbs 28:17