Daily Spiritual Meditations - March 17

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Proverb A Day – Day 17 by SGLY Ministry

Today’s Proverb:
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
Proverbs 17:17 [NKJV]

Today’s Thought:
There are many different thoughts on this verse.
Some say that a true friend will love you at all times, good and bad, and becomes like a brother to you during times of adversity, one who sticks by you and helps you through your troubles, either by listening, praying, counseling or whatever, they are there for you–no matter what.

I have seen that to be true in my own life, as often, in the rough times, God has provided me with another believer to be a true friend to me. Their love and care helped me make it through my time of distress and what a blessing that was to me!
Other times, I believe I have been the one sent as a friend, to help someone else in their time of need.

However, the other thought is, that as believers, we always have a friend who sticks closer than a brother. This is One who will never leave us nor forsake us. That friend is Jesus Himself. It is He who loves us at all times and helps us in our time of need. He is always with us to guide, provide and protect–24/7.
Personally, I love the hymn titled “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” It is a Christian hymn originally written by Joseph M. Scriven. He wrote it as a poem in 1855 to comfort his mother who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada and it’s words often comfort me as I sing it during times of distress.

Today’s Action:
Today:
I will be a friend to someone–perhaps I am the brother born to help in a time of adversity.
I will pray for my friends and family to know the One who “sticks closer than a brother”[Proverbs 18:24]
I will thank the Lord for His provision and for His constant care “For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” [Hebrews 13:5]

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The Lord is in control of all things

Psalm 93:4 ‘Mightier than the violent raging of the seas, mightier than the breakers on the shore - the LORD above is Mightier than these!’

- The Lord reigns and He is in control of all things.
- When we look around, things may seem out of control.
- But when we focus our eyes on Him, we will know that everything is ok.
- Above all the noise and drama, the Lord is there, Mightier than these!

PRAYER: Lord, I want to lift up my eyes above the troubles and issues, and I want to fix my eyes on You. You are Mightier than all of these things that surround me, so I will have confidence. Amen.

Kind Regards
Pastor Andrew Roebert

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People Are More Important Than Things

Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. —1 John 2:15

One day my previous housekeeper was cooking a roast for us in the pressure cooker. She did something wrong and the valve blew off the top, shooting steam, roast, grease, potatoes, and carrots straight up into the air. The ceiling fan above the stove was on full speed. It caught the food and grease and sent them flying all over the kitchen walls, ceiling, floor, furniture—and the housekeeper. When I came home from work, she was sitting in a corner of the kitchen, crying. She looked so bad I thought she had received some tragic news. I finally got her to tell me what had happened; and when she did, I started laughing. By the time Dave came in, she and I were both laughing hysterically. She said, "I've destroyed your kitchen!"

I remember telling her, "The kitchen can be replaced, but you can't. You're more important than the kitchen. Thank God you're not hurt." There was a time in my life when that would not have been my response. Before I learned that people are more important than things, I would have become angry and said things to make the housekeeper feel stupid and guilty.

If we love people, God can replace things; but if we love things excessively, we may lose people who cannot be replaced.

From the book New Day, New You by Joyce Meyer.

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Don't People Please

Thought for the Day

"Are you more concerned with how others see you and making everyone else happy to gain their approval? If so, the only one you may not be making happy is yourself. Draw close to God and do what is right for Him and you. Be a people helper - not a people pleaser."

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Today's Word

"Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10 NIV)

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Today's Prayer

Lord, let me seek Your approval not that of those around me. Let me try to do what is right in Your eyes even though it may not be the popular or "in thing" with others. Amen

The Whisper Of God

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A Bible Devotion

Leave Your Case With God

ROMANS 12:19 NLT 19 Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the LORD.

When people do us wrong, not taking revenge is difficult. It seems natural to fight back when someone attacks us.

But the Bible tells us to let God judge them.

This is not saying you should never defend yourself, or what belongs to you. But do not seek revenge after you have been wronged. Instead, let God handle it.

People who try to take revenge, usually end up committing more injustice. Often a deadly cycle develops. Instead of taking revenge, God's Word tells us to bless our enemies.

PROVERBS 25:21 NKJ 21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; And if he is thirsty, give him water to drink;

MATTHEW 5:44 NKJ 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,

God is aware of every injustice. And God promises to right every wrong, eventually. God is a righteous judge, but all judgment is not instant, or even in this life.

1 PETER 2:21,23 NLT 21 For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. 23 He did not retaliate when he was insulted, nor threaten revenge when he suffered. He left his case in the hands of God, who always judges fairly.

SAY THIS: I will not take revenge but trust God to bring justice