07/15/15

Job 28: In Praise of Wisdom GNV

Job 28: 1-28

What is of more value than wisdom? We all strive throughout our lives to attain true wisdom, and just when we think that we have found it, we realize that there is more to seek, and more to learn. Ultimate wisdom is found in GOD, the Father of Lights, who illuminates the path to total understanding.

Wisdom is a priceless commodity. As the scripture states, “Wisdom is not found among men; No one knows its true value”.  Job 28: 13

 

 

 

Charlene

 

 

In Praise of Wisdom

 

 

28 There are mines where silver is dug;
There are places where gold is refined.
2 We dig iron out of the ground
And melt copper out of the stones.
3 Miners explore the deepest darkness.
They search the depths of the earth
And dig for rocks in the darkness.
4 Far from where anyone lives
Or human feet ever travel,
They dig the shafts of mines.
There they work in loneliness,
Clinging to ropes in the pits.
5 Food grows out of the earth,
But underneath the same earth
All is torn up and crushed.
6 The stones of the earth contain sapphires,
And its dust contains gold.
7 No hawk sees the roads to the mines,
And no vulture ever flies over them.
8 No lion or other fierce beast ever travels those lonely roads.

 

 

9 Miners dig the hardest rocks,
Dig mountains away at their base.
10 As they tunnel through the rocks,
They discover precious stones.
11 They dig to the sources of[rivers
And bring to light what is hidden.
12 But where can wisdom be found?
Where can we learn to understand?

 

 

13 Wisdom is not to be found among mortals;
No one knows its true value.
14 The depths of the oceans and seas
Say that wisdom is not found there.
15 It cannot be bought with silver or gold.
16 The finest gold and jewels
Cannot equal its value.
17 It is worth more than gold,
Than a gold vase or finest glass.
18 The value of wisdom is more
Than coral or crystal or rubies.
19 The finest topaz and the purest gold
Cannot compare with the value of wisdom.

 

 

Where, then, is the source of wisdom?
Where can we learn to understand?
21 No living creature can see it,
Not even a bird in flight.
22 Even death and destruction
Admit they have heard only rumors.

 

 

23 God alone knows the way,
Knows the place where wisdom is found,
24 Because he sees the ends of the earth,
Sees everything under the sky.
25 When God gave the wind its power
And determined the size of the sea;
26 When God decided where the rain would fall,
And the path that the thunderclouds travel;
27 It was then he saw wisdom and tested its worth—
He gave it his approval.

 

 

God said to us humans,
“To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord.
To understand, you must turn from evil.”

 

 

Good News Translation (GNT)

 

 

Copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society

06/12/15

Julie is now rejoicing…

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.”  Isaiah 53: 5

 

 

 

I am writing this as a personal request for prayer for my friend and fellow warrior in Christ, Julie Miller. Julie is fighting, literally, for breath and life. She is a fervent worker in the church and the community who constantly shows her love and compassion to others. I have personally been a grateful recipient of her time and attention, and I am depending on the LORD to grant her healing in His Name.

 

 

 

Julie is presently hospitalized with pulmonary distress due to a fungal infection in her lungs. This is affecting her whole body, and I am asking that those who read this would send up fervent prayers for her and her family. There have been many weeks of fighting to get her health back, and it will take many more to recover. I am asking GOD to heal her quickly and completely in Jesus Name.

 

Addendum:  The Lord heals in His own way; in His own timing.  Julie passed from this life to be with her Lord on Sunday, June 28th, 2015. We can only bow to His will with the knowledge that healing takes many forms including being gathered into Jesus’ arms. Thank you for all of your prayers and I ask now for prayer for her bereaving family.

 

 

Julie, you are truly loved. 

 

 

Charlene

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06/3/15

Community and Fellowship

I was thinking about the term fellowship. It’s purest reference is to men gathered together to pursue similar goals. In today’s climate fellowship has no specific gender reference. It is a group of individuals gathered together to pursue similar goals.

 However, if you truly wanted a term to describe a group of women in Godly relationship with one another,  possessing  common goals and aspirations in Christ,  I believe the purest representative term would be community. In community there is support and caring. There is awareness of each others needs and wants and a desire to meet those needs through Christ Jesus. Encouragement and a sense of humor is needed to keep everyone buoyant and feeling alive.

Here are some scriptures to encourage your heart today and forever:

“Only the Lord Jesus can give them this hunger for spiritual things and more of Him.”  Matthew 5:6 

“And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear” Isaiah 65:24

“Nothing is impossible with GOD”  Luke 18:27

“Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved”  Psalm 55:22

“He staggered not at the promise of GOD through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to GOD; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able to perform” Romans 4:20-21

                           Peace passing all understanding, for He cares for you

                                                                                             Charlene

 

King James Version  Public Domain

Digiprove sealCopyright secured by Digiprove © 2015 Charlene Kirst
02/27/15

Constructive vs Destructive Criticism

Revised February 27th, 2015

 

What is criticism? The base meaning of the word is critic or critique–the process of reviewing and expressing a negative, positive, or mixed opinion. Criticism has its purpose– it is designed to help people to grow, and to expose areas that need to be purged or at least improved in their lives. Positive criticism encourages the recipient to do more; to improve on what they already possess. It can be a mixed critique pointing out good and bad elements, and is the most revealing of all. When people are faced with negative criticism designed to tear down and discourage, the end result can be devastation and pain.

There is another form of criticism that may appear to be negative, yet upon close perusal will reveal itself as positive. This is a critique designed to point out things that can be changed to produce a positive result. This type of criticism is embodied in the teachings of Jesus Christ our Lord.

After many efforts to teach the disciples how to use the power given them to heal the sick, Jesus had to address their lack of faith. All through The Gospels we can see examples of times when Jesus had to admonish His disciples and to point out their lack of belief.

Was Jesus critical of His disciples? Yes, he was. Example: Matthew 17:15, 16  KJV revised.

There is a man whose son is plagued with seizures. The disciples, despite all of Jesus’ teachings, cannot heal him.

“LORD, have mercy on my son; for he is lunatic (luna-moon) and sore vexed; for oftentimes he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to Your disciples and they could not cure him.” 

Verses 17, 18, 19, and 20: Then Jesus answered and said, “O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be with you? How long shall I suffer you? Bring him hither to me”. And Jesus rebuked the devil; and he departed out of him; and the child was cured from that very hour. Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, “Why could we not cast him out”? And Jesus said unto them, “Because of your  unbelief: for verily I say unto you, if ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove, and nothing shall be impossible unto you.”

This was an example of criticism. What was Jesus’ intention in telling them of their unbelief? To strengthen their belief. To inspire the disciples to embrace all that He was teaching them, and to recognize the power they possessed through Him. This was positive or constructive criticism. It was designed to promote growth.

Destructive criticism is designed to hurt and tear down. Pray that you can distinguish between the positive and the negative, for you do not want to discourage GOD’s people through tearing their spirits apart and leaving them in despair.

Have a criticism? Intend for it to help someone to grow, and make sure that the Voice of The LORD has uttered the words.

Likewise, try the Spirit if you have a tendency to interpret all criticism as negative. There are those lead by GOD to deliver you and me from error.

                                                             In His Name,

                                                                      Rev. Charlene

12/23/14

Can God Trust You? Sermon by Bishop T.D. Jakes

If everyone understood every aspect of GOD’s will there would be no need for redemption. It is because we all struggle for understanding and enlightenment that this sermon resonates to receptive hearts. We are GOD’s chosen people. He uses us in our imperfectness to do a perfect work…

credit: Mr. Kkyham

Charlene’s Source: youtube

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