Christians can have great joy during times of sufferings

 Christians can have great joy during times of sufferings




Even in the midst of trials and suffering, Christians can have great joy that may perplex those who don’t know the Lord. Because we know the Creator of the universe loves us, has saved us from our sins, and is preparing the perfect home for us after we leave this world, we can endure temporary suffering now, even with joy and contentment.
One man who exemplifies this joy in Christ during trials is the apostle Paul, and we can see this very clearly in his letter to the Philippians. He wrote this letter while locked in a prison cell (Philippians 1:7), yet his message is bewilderingly jubilant. In fact, this letter he wrote during his time of suffering contains essential teaching on what it means to be happy. The apostle tells his audience that he has discovered the secret of contentment and joy in all things (4:11), and explains that this secret is (1) anchored in union with Christ and his work (1:18-20; 3:10-11) and (2) amplified by his partnership and solidarity with other believers in the work of the gospel (1:3-5, 25; 2:1-2;4:1). These two ingredients of joy and contentment are the bulwarks which support Christian contentment in spite of difficult circumstances, and they are precisely what gave Paul the courage to say “I will rejoice” (1:18) while suffering worldly ruin for Jesus.
A biblically robust understanding of Christian contentment and joy is essential for the practice of true generosity and stewardship. Without such understanding, we will be tempted to despair because Christian generosity is a serious matter that leads to the sacrifices of Christ’s cross. However, Paul’s example in the letter to the Philippians teaches us that the aches and pains of this world can be obliterated by the joy of solidarity we have through union with Christ and fellowship in the labors of kingdom work.
One final point should be emphasized regarding Christian contentment and joy. When Paul speaks about his ability to rejoice in all things, he connects his contentment with his sacrificial labor and work. This should make us ask ourselves a very serious question: “Am I seeking happiness apart from Christ’s work?” If this is the case, there is no chance in the world that we can be happy or content. However, the Scriptures teach us that true joy and gladness can be ours through sacrificial labor and generosity (2 Corinthians 8:2, 9:8; Nehemiah 10:39, 12:44; 2 Chronicles 35:8). When we believe and act upon these beliefs, we will be able to say with Paul, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me” (Philippians 1:21-22).

God Bless to all,,

Thank God in advance for the GREAT day

May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us- yes, establish the work of our hands. -Psalm 90:17

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” -Jesus, Matthew 6:33

Life without God at the center is absurd. It’s meaningless. It’s empty. It’s frustrating. Eating, working, relationships, any part of life, none of it makes sense and none of it provides any true satisfaction apart from God.

What we do or what happens to us FIRST thing in the morning affects the rest of our day… so common sense would tell us we should aim to start our day off on a positive, friendly or perhaps energetic way… if we want the rest of our day to be good!

By seeking God first in the morning… we are tuning into our Creator and the one who made us, formed us and created us in His image and in His likeness.

And when we tune into Him and seek him in the first part of our day… we are taking hold and claim of the peace, the joy, the energy, the positiveness, and the warmth that only God can provide to us… and this will last us the rest of our day!

For the next 30 days, I challenge you to try seeking God first in the morning. Take at least 5 minutes in the morning and devote it to God…for sure that the other 1,435 minutes that are left in your day will be the BEST minutes of your life!

Wake up in the morning… and put your mind on Him and thank Him for all that He has blessed you with (a roof over your head, good health in your body, your family, the fact that you can lay your head down in peace).

After you

that you will have.

Have a GREAT and an AWESOME day, and see you tomorrow!

GOD BLESS TO ALL

Forgiveness

Matthew 27:3; "When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was siezed with remorese and returned the 30 [regenerations of shame] silver coins to the chief priests and the elders." Matthew 26:75; "Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken: 'Before the rooster crows, you will dowown me 3 times [regenerations of shame].' And he went outside and wept bitterly"

Judas saw that they had decided to kill Jesus. Judas was the one that gave Jesus {to his enemies}. When Judas saw what happened, he was very sorry for what he did. So he took the 30 silver coins back to the priests and the leaders. Judas said, "I sinned. I gave you an innocent man to be killed." The Jewish leaders answered, "We don't care! That's a problem for you, not us." So Judas threw the money into the temple. Then Judas left that place and hanged himself. The leading priests picked up the silver coins in the temple. They said, "Our law does not allow us to keep this money with the temple money, because this money has paid for a man's death." So they decided to use the money to buy a field called Potter's Field. This field would be a place to bury people that died while visiting {in Jerusalem}. That is why that field is still called the Field of Blood. So the thing happened that Jeremiah the prophet said: "They took 30 silver coins. That was how much the Jewish people decided to pay for his life. They used those 30 silver coins to buy the potter's field, like the Lord commanded me."

Key Thought


What is Jesus worth to you? You remember the line in the famous old hymn When I Survey the Wondrous Cross? "Love so amazing, so divine, demands my life, my soul, my all." While there has been much speculation about why Judas did what he did, the bottom line is simply this: He sold his Master out for thirty pieces of silver! Nothing can make that right except Jesus' love and forgiveness. The fact that Judas took his life for betraying Jesus indicates that he missed the whole point: Jesus died so we don't have to die in our sin. While Peter got the message, received forgiveness, and was called back into ministry, Judas could not see beyond his own horrible deed. He couldn't see the Lord's victory over death. He couldn't see the Lord's love for him. He couldn't see the possibility of forgiveness. He couldn't see beyond his own horrible failure. Incredibly, Jesus called one of his greatest opponents to be his missionary to the Gentiles when he confronted Saul on the road to Damascus. What a shame that Judas died as a trait

Today start this prayer,

Holy God, I must confess that I am often tempted to hate Judas. What he did to your Son and my Savior is unconscionable. But in my heart, I find myself mourning for him today as I think you did. To be so close to the Savior and miss salvation, to be so close to the seat of mercy and die unreconciled, to see Jesus' compassion and kindness and yet bring such a cruel and self-inflicted fate is tragic. Help me to be an agent of your mercy so that those around me who have had horrible moments of failure can find their way back to Jesus, and to you! In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

God Bless to all,,,

 What are the health benefits of Laban & yougart,

The benefits found in Laban are similar to those in milk. It rich in protein, calcium, and other bone strengthening vitamins. The advantage of Laban is that if your moderately lactose intolerant (such as me) it doesn't bother you, or get you bloated, which happens when you drink milk. Its also tasty!

                                                                         

     Labneh with fresh Lebanese mint and tomatoes from the     garden

                                            

First off, your body needs to have a healthy amount of ''good'' bacteria in the digestive tract, and many yogurts are made using active, good bacteria. One of the words you’ll be hearing more of in   relation to yogurt is ''Probiotics.'' Probiotic, which literally means ''for life,'' refers to living organisms that can result in a health benefit when eaten in adequate amounts. (Keep in mind that the only yogurts that contain probiotics are those that say "live and active cultures" on the label.)
And let us not forget that yogurt comes from milk. So yogurt eaters will also get a dose of animal protein (about 9 grams per 6-ounce serving), plus several other nutrients found in dairy foods, like calcium, vitamin B-2, B-12, potassium, and magnesium.
In fact, the health benefits of yogurt are so impressive that many health-conscious people make it a daily habit. Here are five possible health benefits of having a yogurt a day:
Benefit No. 1: Yogurt May Help Prevent Osteoporosis
Benefit No. 2: Yogurt May Reduce the Risk of High Blood Pressure
A recent study, which followed more than 5,000 Spanish university graduates for about two years, found a link between dairy intake and risk of high blood pressure
Benefit No. 3: Yogurt with Active Cultures Helps the Gut
Yogurt with active cultures may help certain gastrointestinal conditions, including:
· Lactose intolerance
· Constipation
· Diarrhea
· Colon cancer
· Inflammatory bowel disease
· H. pylori infection
Benefit No. 4: Yogurt with Active Cultures May Discourage Vaginal Infections
Benefit No. 5: Yogurt May Help You Feel Fuller

Christian Views about our health,

The Bible gives us the foundational key to physical and mental health. That key is simply this: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity . . . This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones” (Proverbs 3:1-2, 8). It should not surprise us that obedience to God’s commandments and other laws would promote health. When we obey them, we operate in accordance with His instructions. As our Creator, He knows what’s best for us: “Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

Some biblical statements about health are specific, such as: “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you” (Exodus 15:26). The ancient Egyptians suffered from the kinds of diseases that have ravaged mankind throughout history. Autopsies on Egyptian mummies have revealed evidence of cancer, arteriosclerosis, arthritis, tuberculosis, gallstones, bladder stones, parasitic diseases and smallpox. They suffered many diseases because they did not understand the health principles God gave to Moses.

The biblical instructions regarding health, maintenance, and recovery from illness involve application of cause-and-effect principles—based on true science—that were given thousands of years before scientists developed the technology that enabled them to discover germs, bacteria, viruses, genes and the like. Modern medical science has discovered many principles of good health, but they originated with God who designed and created the miracle that is the human body.

What the Bible says about health is that those who follow God will generally be healthy. That does not necessarily mean that those who don’t follow God will always be sick. Nor does it mean that God’s people will be absolutely free of disease. The Bible says: “I pray that you may enjoy good health and that all may go well with you, even as your soul is getting along well” (3 John 1:2). Obviously, God is more interested in our spiritual health than our physical well-being, but He does want us to be physically healthy as well.

GodBless to all Have a healthy life,

Our God is our Insurance

PHOTOGRAPHER

  

In November 2003, I broke my foot. 


Throughout the entire ordeal, I saw how God basically took care of me and all of my needs in such a wonderful way. 


First to say I work as a photo assistant. I work for a photographer and I set up studio lighting situations so all the photographer has to do is take the pictures.


Well on this morning in November, we had some sets. The set designer had placed 2 boards on the ground to be painted. The boards were lying next to each other, but 2 corners were touching each other so one couldn’t just walk between them to get to the other side. I was thinking to myself as I walked by them, that I should really move them before someone gets hurt. I didn’t realize that someone would be me.
 
Well, I should have walked around the boards, but instead, I jumped over the 2 corners and because I had taken my shoes off and was wearing only socks…(I removed my shoes so I would not leave footprints on the seamless set paper)…I slipped and fell on my right foot. I felt a crack and I knew the ankle bone had broken.


But there wasn’t any pain. Rather, my foot was numb, much like when you fall asleep on your hand and it has a heavy, tingling, numb feeling…but no pain.


The crew was kind of astonished that I wasn’t screaming in pain or something (they thought I was in shock.) But I knew what had happened and there was nothing else I could do but wait for the ambulance.
Well the ambulance driver, the X-ray technician, the doctor and the surgeon all asked me, “Aren’t you in pain?” “Well...” I said, “My foot is numb and it is very uncomfortable, but no, I’m not in pain.”


Mind you, they are looking at my foot, which was basically pointing in another direction. YUCK.
It seems they have seen people who have had less awful injuries than me…who were screaming in pain. But I was not in pain. Even as the doctor was straightening out my foot to realign the bones (I declined any painkiller)…I only felt 2 “strings” of sharp pain that ran up the nerves of my leg for a split second and that was it. 


That’s the worst it ever got. Yes, it was very uncomfortable, but it was never excruciating or unbearable.


That was miracle number 1. God spared the pain from me.
The second miracle about this situation was that I was insured. Now, that may not seem like a big deal because most people are insured through their job. But because of my chosen profession, I am self-employed. And money goes up and down for me. Some years I would make a lot and some years I don't. The point is, I cannot afford health insurance.


I remember several years back in the early 90’s worrying over the fact that I was uninsured…that if I ever had an injury, I would be in huge financial trouble. That day, I prayed to God about it and God gave me a peace. I had to trust that God was BIGGER than NOT having health insurance and that if I ever needed health insurance, He would provide it.
Well I met my partner who is also a Christian in 1995 and he knew I was uninsured. I told him that I trusted God to take care of me if I ever needed insurance. He said, “Well…you shouldn’t test God.” And I said, “I know, but the fact remains, I can’t afford health insurance right now.”
Basically I had been uninsured for 20 years, since 1982, the last time I worked for a company that paid benefits.
Well many, uninsured years passed without any injuries or medical problems.
My partner then got a new job in November 2002 and this company offered health insurance for gay people and their partners.

So he decided to get health insurance for me.
My first thought was “Uh, oh”… because I remembered my prayer to God, and His assurance that if I needed insurance, He would provide it. And my first reaction was…“Is something going to happen to me?” Mind you, I have been in perfect health most of my life and before my accident I was like, “Wow, I’m lucky to be one of those people who has NEVER been in the hospital.”
Well I had my accident a year later after my partner got insurance for me.
After 20 years of being uninsured and nothing happening…I was insured at the time of my accident. That is miracle number 2.


After my foot surgery, I needed 6 months for rehabilitation, so I couldn’t work because my job requires me to be on my feet all day long. After my accident my employer gave me a huge Christmas bonus and I had enough money to hold me over through out the entire 6 months. By the time April came around…my money had run out.


So when I returned to work…it was when I needed to go back to work. That was miracle number 3.
I had no debt. No bills. Everything was financially fine. God had taken care of everything. I was healed and could now return to my life.
And during that time, I had a partner who took care of me, friends who visited me, prayed and blessed me.
So in this event. I experienced no pain from my injury, my medical expenses were taken care of, I had no financial burden whatsoever and God confirmed that I could trust my life completely to Him and He would take care of me no matter what.
God has been amazing to me and I love Him even more for that.




God Bless To all,

The Biblical Concept of Sleep(Sleep and Stress Relief are Essential for Health)

Sleep and Stress Relief
are Essential for Health

Deep rest, sleep and stress relief go hand in hand.

Ever notice how the day seems to go better when you’ve gotten enough sleep the night before?

When we get enough sleep, even if things don’t happen exactly as planned, we take it in stride more easily.

Getting enough sleep is such a blessing.

Research shows sleep essential
for stress reduction and well-being:

• Sleep deprivation impairs the functioning of human cognitive and motor abilities.
• It also has a powerful influence on mood.
• Problems with sleeping are often associated with symptoms of depression and a feeling of diminished health.
• Insomnia can mean increased emotional distress, daytime fatigue and diminished productivity.
• Studies also suggest a sleep deficit may put the body into a state of high alert, increasing the production of stress hormones and driving up blood pressure.

Tips to enhance sleep and stress relief:

1. Go to bed at the same time every night. Your body will then get into the habit of winding down in the evening.
2. Try to be in bed and asleep before 10pm. Some experts say the sleep you get before midnight is especially valuable for rejuvenation. That way you are likely to be in deep sleep between midnight and 3 am when your body can optimally take advantage of human growth hormone.
3. Let yourself relax in the evening. It’s a great time to share with family members.
4. Try to avoid computer work or TV past 8pm. The bright light from computer screens and TVs will send a message to your body’s time clock which says "stay awake".
5. Get a comfortable mattress made of natural materials which will not outgas.
6. Keep your bedroom a comfortable temperature. Get a little space heater for the winter if necessary.
7. Eliminate clutter and distractions from your bedroom so that it feels more peaceful.
8. Keep the bedroom very dark at night. This may mean getting lined curtains, or eliminating extraneous equipment with additional little lights, or getting a clock without a luminous display.
9.  A few drops of lavender essential oil on your pillow case before bed may help relaxation. I sometimes put a few drops of lavender on my head and forehead. It seems to calm my mind. (Make sure your skin isn't sensitive to lavender before you try this.)
10. A cup of warm green tea or passion flower tea can also help bring on sleep.
11. Some people find a cup on warm milk and honey before bed is helpful.
12. Many people find avoiding caffeine in the late afternoon and evening helps to insure a good night’s sleep.
13. Daily exercise  help insure good sleep. Even a 30 minute walk may be all you require.
14. Try breathing for stress relief  My favorite naturopath recommends 20 minutes of slow deep breathing before bed to boost melatonin levels and improve sleep and stress relief.

Deep breathing can also help soothe my minor aches and pains which might keep me awake.

One of my friends suggests "count 100 slow deep breaths, emphasizing the exhale, and you will probably be asleep long before you reach 100." Boring.... but it works.

(Sometimes I find it hard to concentrate on my breath that long so I combine 20 to 30 minutes of gentle walking with deep breathing to relax me before bed.)

15. Doing a 5 minute foot massage before bed can often help me unwind and get ready for sleep.
16. Some people like to write in their journal before bed. It helps them to get things off their mind and feel more peaceful with the day’s events.
17. My husband likes to spend a few minuets in the evening to write his plans for the next day. It helps him get it off his mind so he can sleep more peacefully.
18. Spending some quiet time in prayer or meditationor reflection before bed can also be a calming influence.

Sleep is when our bodies have a chance to recharge repair and rejuvenate. So it makes sense that sleep and stress relief is essential for our optimum health and well being.

Getting sufficient sleep and stress relief is an invaluable investment in the next day’s productivity and in our health in general.

  Overwork & fatigue are some of the main causes of stress
 So resist the temptation to overwork and be willing to allow your body the time for rest and recharge.

Since sleep is such a significant part of the human experience, it is no surprise that biblical writers should allude to it frequently. There are a variety of ways in which this term is employed in the literature of scripture.

 

The Biblical Concept of Sleep

 

Literal Sleep

The word “sleep” is used literally of the state of the body in normal, unconscious repose. On one occasion when Jesus and his disciples were crossing the Sea of Galilee, the Lord was sleeping on a cushion in the stern of the boat (Mk. 4:38). This is but one of the many evidences which argue for the true humanity of the Savior.
It is interesting that the Scriptures refer to different levels of sleep. At Troas, Eutychus, in a late-night church service, was borne down with “deep sleep,” and fell from an upstairs window to the ground (Acts 20:9). Science makes a distinction between a lighter sleep (REM = Rapid Eye Movement, i.e., the dream stage) and a deeper sleep (non-REM). This is determined by the measurement of brain waves on an electroencephalograph (EEG). In adults, deep slumber represents about 75% of one’s sleeping time.

Sleep as a Symbol

The term “sleep” is used symbolically in several different senses in the Bible. A consideration of these makes a fascinating study.

1. The concept of sleeping is biblically employed to stress certain truths about God. In emphasizing the fact that the Lord is ever watchful of our needs, a psalmist wrote: “He will not allow your foot to slip; he who keeps you will not slumber. Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep” (Psa. 121:3-4). As a result of the Lord’s providential care, the faithful saint takes consolation. “In peace will I both lay me down and sleep; for you, Jehovah, alone make me dwell in safety” (Psa. 4:8).
   
   On the other hand, when the Hebrew people drifted into sin, and the Lord allowed them to suffer the consequences of their rebellion, it was as if he was asleep, i.e., he did not intervene to deliver them from certain calamities. They exclaimed: “Awake. Why do you sleep, O Lord? Arise, do not cast us off forever” (Psa. 44:23).
2. Sometimes sleep is used as the equivalent of being lazy. “Do not give sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids …. Go to the ant, O sluggard. Observe her ways and be wise …. How long will you lie down, O sluggard? When will you arise from your sleep? A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest. And your poverty will come in like a vagabond, and your need like an armed man” (Prov. 6:4-11).
3. Sleep can portray the utter and final punishment of a wicked power that has stood in opposition to God. The prophet Jeremiah foretold the complete destruction of the evil Babylonian regime. “… Babylon shall become heaps, a dwelling-place for jackals, an astonishment, and a hissing, without inhabitant …. When they are heated, I will make their feast, and I will make them drunken, that they may rejoice, and sleep a perpetual sleep, and not wake, saith Jehovah” (51:37-39). (For a full discussion of precisely how this was accomplished, see the author’s commentary, {glossSub (“Courier Publications”,“Jeremiah & Lamentations”)}, 175-86.)
4. Sometimes spiritual lethargy is represented as a sleep. To the brethren in Rome Paul wrote: “And this, knowing the season, that already it is time for you to awake out of sleep: for now is salvation nearer to us than when we first believed” (Rom. 13:11). The apostle subsequently amplifies the significance of the figure by suggesting that the pursuit of an ungodly lifestyle is tantamount to a spiritual coma (v. 13).
   
   A similar thought is suggested in Paul’s letter to the Ephesians: “Awake, you who are sleeping, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall shine on you” (Eph. 5:14).
5. Sleep can suggest the notion of being unprepared to meet the Lord at the time of his return. Jesus warned: “Watch therefore: for you do not know when the lord of the house is coming … lest he come suddenly and find you sleeping” (Mk. 13:35-36). When Paul corresponded with the brothers in Thessalonica, he warned about a false sense of security. Folks will be relaxing in a delusional state of “peace and safety,” when suddenly destruction will come upon them. And so he admonished: “… let us not sleep, as do the rest, but let us watch and be sober” (1 Thes. 5:3-6). To be awake is thus to be vigilant, ever prepared.
6. Sleep is commonly used as a designation for death, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament. David petitioned the Creator: “Consider and answer me, O Jehovah my God: Lighten my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death” (Psa. 13:3).
   
   When Lazarus of Bethany died, Jesus informed the disciples: “Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep ….” The Master’s men did not comprehend the nature of his language. They initially thought that Christ spoke of natural sleep; he therefore had to tell them plainly: “Lazarus is dead” (Jn. 11:14).
   
   Why is death figuratively depicted as sleep? First, there is a common appearance between a sleeping body and a corpse. The analogy is thus quite natural.
   
   Second, just as the soul of the sleeper still exists, though oblivious to its material surroundings, even so, in death the soul of man is not extinct; rather, it is only unaware of earth’s environment. Solomon asserted that the dead have neither knowledge of, nor reward for, anything transpiring “under the sun,” i.e., on earth (Eccl. 9:5-6).
   
   Third, as the sleeping person awakes and rises from his bed, just so, the dead will rise from their graves at the time of the Lord’s return. We must briefly pause and comment further about these final two points.
   
   It is not the case, as alleged by some, that the dead are unconscious, i.e., they are in a state of mindless sleep, awaiting the day of judgment. There is ample evidence that the dead are entirely conscious in their own realm of existence. Both the rich man and Lazarus were cognizant (Lk. 16:23-25), and so were the martyred souls in John’s heavenly vision (Rev. 6:9-11). (For a more detailed discussion of this theme, see “Are the Dead Conscious?”)
   
   Whenever the Bible describes death as a “sleep,” it is only the body that is under consideration. For example, Daniel referred to those who “sleep in the dust of the earth” (12:2). Note that the part of man which sleeps is that part which is planted in the dust. A common Greek word for the “sleep” of death is koimaomai (cf. Mt. 27:52), a kindred term to koimeterion, from which derives our word “cemetery,” the abode of dead bodies (see “Asleep,” W.E. Vine, Expository Dictionary).
7. Finally, as suggested above, the term “sleep” implies the future resurrection of the human body. In spite of the fact that there are some who say, “there is no resurrection of the dead” (cf. 1 Cor. 15:12), e.g., the advocates of “realized eschatology,” the Bible unequivocally teaches this doctrine.
   
   Paul argues that Christ “is the firstfruits of them that are asleep” (1 Cor. 15:20). This is a clear affirmation that Christ’s bodily resurrection is Heaven’s pledge that we shall be raised similarly – the firstfruits being the initial harvest (cf. Ex. 23:16), and the guarantee of that which is to follow. As the Lord awoke from the dead, so shall we.

“Sleep” is an intriguing study – both from the literal and figurative perspectives. May we be enriched by an investigation of this theme.

GOD BLESS TO ALL,

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”  

This is now the third time “heart” has been mentioned in this chapter. Head faith is not a saving faith, but a heart belief is, (Rom. 10:9-10), for it is a trust in the Lord; i.e., a dependence upon Him to save. “He guards against his recommendation of ‘good understanding’ in verse 4 being perverted into a ground for self-reliance,” [Faussett]. This is to be a total trust “with all thine heart.” Divided hearts are faulty in their faith toward God, (Hosea 10:2). Hence, David prayed for his heart to be united to fear the Lord, (Ps. 86:11-12). This, however, does not apply solely to salvation, for many heresies have been brought in because men tried to reason out doctrinal truth—leaning unto their own wisdom—instead of simply believing God’s Word in all that is says.

Proverbs 3:6

 “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” “‘Acknowledge Him’ by referring all thy ways to His will, trusting in His power, wisdom, providence, goodness, righteousness, and feeling that without Him you can do nothing,” [Faussett]. Most of our failures are due to pride, for we think that our own wisdom, strength and piety are sufficient, and so we do not acknowledge Him as necessary in all things. We need the knowledge that Jeremiah had, (Jer. 9:23-24; 10:23.) We need God’s direction in everything, for this alone is a safe path to tread.

My overview,

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes, fear the Lord and depart from evil. It will be health to your flesh and strength to your bones."

I love these verses because they not only promise me lots of good things like direction, health and strength, but He is teaching me to not depend on what I think. I don't need to know it all or be in control of everything! He knows what's best for me. What's best for me according to the Lord, is to TRUST and REST in Him. Jesus is our rest.
John 3:16 tells us that "God so loved the world that He gave His Only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life."
When we put our faith and trust in God through faith in Jesus Christ we can have eternal life! Jesus is the One who took the punishment for all our sins on the Cross 2000 years ago, and was raised from the dead. When we put our faith and trust in what Jesus did for us and receive Him as our Lord and Savior, the Bible says, we are "born-again". We become a new person and all our sins are forgiven and we can now come into the presence of God without the sense of guilt and shame. We are now able to fellowship with the Lord daily!

God Bless to all