W.I.S.E. Bible Study

 Yesterday a crop of mint was picked and put in the dehydrator. I also had some green beans. However, my plants are not as healthy as I would like to see. Gardening can be tricky. You can have summer squash and zucchini plants with tons of blossoms and no fruit. Apples are being raided by beetles. The joys of gardening. Faith can be tricky as curve balls, decisions and events can challenge the soul. Micah 6:8 helps to guide: “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Justly, mercy and humility are part of the garden of faith. Justly: exactly, precisely, fairly, correctly, properly, rightly, fittingly, accurately are all synonyms of Justly. Look at each word carefully and fill your soul’s garden with them. They will grow properly fertilized, with enough light and water.  Morning light, use it to further justly, mercy and humility in your heart on the path…

  Sometimes we don’t want to pray because we feel our prayers are inadequate or we don’t know what to say. I like Romans 8:26-27 as it reminds us that as we pray, and perhaps our words fall short it is the Spirit who knows the heart and will. The Spirit will take your hearts longings to God, just open your heart and pray. “In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings. And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will.” The day has just begun. Find personal time for the Lord. Don’t hide behind people or crowds, meet God alone. God will be happy, loving and embrace you. Your needs, desires will become Gods on the path…

 Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.” Plans. We all make plans. Yet as we do, we must remember that at the end of the day, the Lord will establish our steps. First breath, first thankfulness for another day. Second breath, the prayer, and then breaths to focus on the steps of the day. I can’t believe it’s mid-July. I haven’t done much writing as I planned. Instead, life just unfolds. Littles who love sprinklers, pool, and summer play. I think life should unfold organically, yet I am a planner. I need to pick green beans and peppers. Spending time with family and always remembering that the Lord establishes all the steps I take today on the path…

 Job 33:4 “   The Spirit of God has made me;  the breath of the Almighty gives me life.”  The breath…I think everyone can appreciate breathing during the recent smoky air. As a person with asthma, I am always acutely aware of breathing. Being on the rescue squad gave me an insight into the breath of life. It is profound. We all need to cherish our breath of life. The best way to do this is to pay homage and express thankfulness to the creator who breathes that breath into us and receives it back at the end of life. Today, take care of the precious gift; don’t think you are invincible… wear the mask, as caution is a way to acknowledge the sacredness of the gift of breathing on the path…

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23. Whispering to me today is the reminder of what my spirit should be filled with. Love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control should fill my being. As I watch the news I ponder which of these I need to work on. Prayer can feed these qualities and a reminder sprinkled around to reenforce the focus of my spirit. Today think about these qualities, which on do you need to work on or incorporate more on the path…

“Nevertheless, I will bring health and healing to it; I will heal my people and will let them enjoy abundant peace and security.” Jeremiah 33:6 I think all of us have remnants of wounds that need healing. Even if you don’t think you do, today’s scripture verse is about hope. They say laughter is the best medicine, but I think hope should fill our lives as a medicine that reigns supreme. My garden is growing, weeds and plants but it is growing. It is wonderful to see damselflies, bees and kids filled with joy catching lightning bugs. Gus will announce that the lightning bugs are out like an alarm going off. The littles gather their nets and jars and off they go! From flowers to weeds, the yard is a haven for wild life. We filled an old boot tray for water for the birds. Hopefully today the littles can paint rocks for the boot tray. Hope. Hope is something that fills our hearts and enables us to look at weeds and see a purpose for them too. Today, latch onto hope, bring it into your hear...