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From high in the skies God looks around,
he sees all Adam’s brood.
From where he sits
he overlooks all us earth-dwellers.
He has shaped each person in turn;
now he watches everything we do.

Psalm 33:13-15 (The Message)

From heaven the LORD looks down
and sees all mankind;
from his dwelling place he watches
all who live on earth-
he who forms the hearts of all,
who considers everything they do.

Psalm 33:13-15 (New International Version)

The Lord looks down from heaven
and sees the whole human race.
From his throne he observes
all who live on the earth.
He made their hearts,
so he understands everything they do.

Psalm 33:13-15 (New Living Translation)

Mixed motives twist life into tangles;
pure motives take you straight down the road.

Proverbs 21:8 (The Message)

The way of the guilty is devious,
but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

Proverbs 21:8 (New International Version)

The guilty walk a crooked path;
the innocent travel a straight road.

Proverbs 21:8 (New Living Translation)

For the Kingdom of God is not just a lot of talk; it is living by God’s power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 (New Living Translation)

For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.

1 Corinthians 4:20 (New International Version)

God’s Way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s an empowered life.

1 Corinthians 4:20 (The Message)

***After my daughter’s car got smashed yesterday by a huge tree and
she was not in it we are claiming this promise… ***

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Romans 8:28 (New Living Translation)

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Romans 8:28 (King James Version)

That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.

Romans 8:28 (The Message)

What a statement of trust! Whatever you want me to have is all I want. Some days the plate runs over. God keeps bringing out more food and we keep loosening our belt. A promotion. A privilege. A friendship. A gift. A lifetime of grace. An eternity of joy. There are times when we literally push ourselves back from the table, amazed at God’s kindness. “You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup fills with blessing” (Ps. 23:5 MSG).

And then there are those days when, well, when we have to eat our broccoli. Our daily bread could be tears or sorrow or discipline. Our portion may include adversity as well as opportunity.

This verse was on my mind last night during family devotions. I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables and some Oreo cookies. “Every day,” I explained, “God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?”

The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren’t they? Some days are “three cookie days.” Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables—twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn’t it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all. Vegetables, which are healthy but dull. Fruit, which tastes better and we enjoy. And even an Oreo, which does little for our nutrition, but a lot for our attitude.

All are important and all are from God.

The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did. In the garden of Gethsemane his Father handed him a cup of suffering so sour, so vile, that Jesus handed it back to heaven. “My Father,” he prayed, “if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matt. 26:39).

Even Jesus was given a portion he found hard to swallow. But with God’s help, he did. And with God’s help, you can too.

by Max Lucado

There are “friends” who destroy each other,
but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24 (New Living Translation)

A man of many companions may come to ruin,
but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:24 (New International Version)

Friends come and friends go,
but a true friend sticks by you like family.

Proverbs 18:24 (The Message)

Observe people who are good at their work-
skilled workers are always in demand and admired;
they don’t take a backseat to anyone.

Proverbs 22:29 (The Message)

Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings;
he will not serve before obscure men.

Proverbs 22:29 (New International Version)

Do you see any truly competent workers?
They will serve kings
rather than working for ordinary people.

Proverbs 22:29 (New Living Translation)