Having eyes, may we see

The Pharisees (religious leaders) couldn't know the liberty or soul prosperity of practicing Christ's teachings because they had no room for Christ's words (crowded hearts yearning for men's praise, filled with their own ways); they were plain unable to hear what Christ had to say-God help this not be said of us.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." I know that you are Abraham's descendants. Yet you are looking for a way to kill me, because you have no room for my word. Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say. (John 8:12, 31, 32, 37, 43 NIV)

So don’t make judgments about anyone ahead of time—before the Lord returns. For he will bring our darkest secrets to light and will reveal our private motives. Then God will give to each one whatever praise is due.
For what gives you the right to make such a judgment? What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift? (1 Corinthians 4:5, 7 NLT)

So here's what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You'll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you. (Romans 12:1 MSG)

I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. (Romans 10:2, 3 NLT)

he calls people, but not according to their good or bad works.) She was told, “Your older son will serve your younger son.” In the words of the Scriptures, “I loved Jacob, but I rejected Esau.”
What does all this mean? Even though the Gentiles were not trying to follow God’s standards, they were made right with God. And it was by faith that this took place. But the people of Israel, who tried so hard to get right with God by keeping the law, never succeeded. Why not? Because they were trying to get right with God by keeping the law instead of by trusting in him. They stumbled over the great rock in their path. God warned them of this in the Scriptures when he said,
“I am placing a stone in Jerusalem that makes people stumble,
a rock that makes them fall.
But anyone who trusts in him
will never be disgraced.” (Romans 9:12, 13, 30-33 NLT)

Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory.
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. (Romans 5:2-5 NLT)

Stay sheltered

Yet I still belong to you;
you hold my right hand. You guide me with your counsel,
leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you?
I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak,
but God remains the strength of my heart;
he is mine forever. But as for me, how good it is to be near God!
I have made the Sovereign LORD my shelter,
and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do. (Psalm 73:23-26, 28 NLT)

Believe!

Abraham never wavered in believing God’s promise. In fact, his faith grew stronger, and in this he brought glory to God. He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises. And because of Abraham’s faith, God counted him as righteous. And when God counted him as righteous, it wasn’t just for Abraham’s benefit. It was recorded for our benefit, too, assuring us that God will also count us as righteous if we believe in him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. (Romans 4:20-24 NLT)

Rebel, Revolutionary-No, Righteous, Risen One

For the time has come for this prophecy about me to be fulfilled: ‘He was counted among the rebels.’ Yes, everything written about me by the prophets will come true.”
Then Jesus spoke to the leading priests, the captains of the Temple guard, and the elders who had come for him. “Am I some dangerous revolutionary,” he asked, “that you come with swords and clubs to arrest me? Why didn’t you arrest me in the Temple? I was there every day. But this is your moment, the time when the power of darkness reigns.” (Luke 22:37, 52, 53 NLT)
Then a mighty roar rose from the crowd, and with one voice they shouted, “Kill him, and release Barabbas to us!” (Barabbas was in prison for taking part in an insurrection in Jerusalem against the government, and for murder.) So Pilate sentenced Jesus to die as they demanded. When they came to a place called The Skull, they nailed him to the cross. And the criminals were also crucified—one on his right and one on his left.
One of the criminals hanging beside him scoffed, “So you’re the Messiah, are you? Prove it by saving yourself—and us, too, while you’re at it!”
But the other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then Jesus shouted, “Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!” And with those words he breathed his last.
When the Roman officer overseeing the execution saw what had happened, he worshiped God and said, “Surely this man was innocent.” (Luke 23:18, 19, 24, 33, 39-41, 46, 47 NLT)
But very early on Sunday morning the women went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared. They found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again on the third day.” (Luke 24:1, 2, 6, 7 NLT)

God in a grave?!

He died a criminal's death, hanging on a creep's cross from 9-12 noon. On his death, darkness knifed the noonday sky as if to celebrate the death of Christ; thunder clapped in anticlimax as if baffled by the paradox of Jesus now dead. I'm overtaken here at 6 pm that at this time years before-Good Friday-Christ was either already buried or about to be buried. The Son of God was God enough to endure death for a few days. Jesus, very God, willingly confined Himself to the grave, dismissing His Spirit. The silence in heaven must have been deafening, the forgetful panic among his close ones-frightening, the riot in hell none short of troubling. Jesus' dare to endure a sinner's death was a living statement of total confidence that His Father had His back. Not even the grip of the grave could usurp His untethered rule over death's sting-Hell, itself could not hold Him. He would drink the cup of God's fury so that we could drink the living water He died to secure us. His drink was judgment: ours-forgiveness, redemption, and restoration. If Jesus were willing to know the TKO of death; we need ask ourselves how much are we willing to take. His burial stood in stark contrast to the victory He donned in death. His death was the ultimate Judo victory over Satan and His minions, for in dying He brought life. Yet after such a stellar conquest, He'd be wrapped thick and thrown in a hollow tomb? Was it all worth it? Was this the way of the King? Yes, even Jesus-God-would know life in its disquieting diversity-flying high He was laid low, He gave life only to lose His own. And the lesson is telling though disturbing. We must be willing to embrace life in its cheers and strain, its victory and pain. Life's diversity is key to our attaining to the individuals God birthed us to be. Our mountaintops are meant to sustain us through life's valleys; our lows somehow help us better enjoy life's highs. God was sealed off-dead in a grave? Yes, our lives will be interwoven with threads dark and bright, alike; but we must never lose our confidence of Who we are. As children of the King, we have the quiet trust that Sunday's always coming. Satan's swag will soon be replaced by the hangover Sunday tends to bring Him.

What a Savior

He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. (Colossians 2:14, 15 NLT)
He was despised and rejected—
a man of sorrows, acquainted with deepest grief.
We turned our backs on him and looked the other way.
He was despised, and we did not care. Yet it was our weaknesses he carried;
it was our sorrows that weighed him down.
And we thought his troubles were a punishment from God,
a punishment for his own sins! But he was pierced for our rebellion,
crushed for our sins.
He was beaten so we could be whole.
He was whipped so we could be healed. All of us, like sheep, have strayed away.
We have left God’s paths to follow our own.
Yet the LORD laid on him
the sins of us all. He was oppressed and treated harshly,
yet he never said a word.
He was led like a lamb to the slaughter.
And as a sheep is silent before the shearers,
he did not open his mouth. Unjustly condemned,
he was led away.
No one cared that he died without descendants,
that his life was cut short in midstream.
But he was struck down
for the rebellion of my people. He had done no wrong
and had never deceived anyone.
But he was buried like a criminal;
he was put in a rich man’s grave. But it was the LORD’s good plan to crush him
and cause him grief.
Yet when his life is made an offering for sin,
he will have many descendants.
He will enjoy a long life,
and the LORD’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish,
he will be satisfied.
And because of his experience,
my righteous servant will make it possible
for many to be counted righteous,
for he will bear all their sins. I will give him the honors of a victorious soldier,
because he exposed himself to death.
He was counted among the rebels.
He bore the sins of many and interceded for rebels. (Isaiah 53:3-12 NLT)

The only viable pass into heaven

“God overlooked people’s ignorance about these things in earlier times, but now he commands everyone everywhere to repent of their sins and turn to him. For he has set a day for judging the world with justice by the man he has appointed, and he proved to everyone who this is by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30, 31 NLT)

Halle...

“He is the God who made the world and everything in it. Since he is Lord of heaven and earth, he doesn’t live in man-made temples, and human hands can’t serve his needs—for he has no needs. He himself gives life and breath to everything, and he satisfies every need. “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us. For in him we live and move and exist. As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’ (Acts 17:24, 25, 27, 28 NLT)

Confidence

Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!
May your glory shine over all the earth. My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises! Wake up, my heart!
Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song. I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations. For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth. (Psalm 57:5, 7-11 NLT)

The soul freedom a relationship with God gives

One of the more touching aspects of God's dealings with us, who by faith have begun a binding relationship with Him, turning from our sin, is that God is as close to us as we wish Him to be.
In our relationship with God He never moves; we, by our selfishness and sin, distance ourselves from Him. A loving Father, He chooses to remain ready to walk and talk with us. Our need is His priority. I'm so glad He does deal with us as children. We don't gain merit with Him for our performance-His concept of us is the same, we're cherished and welcomed. He relates to us on the basis of love. His passion is that we stay on path-inclined to live and breathe in all He has for us. As this is the general direction of our lives, He's pleased to look beyond our intermittent slip ups. Yes, these are violations of His law and love; but even these tend to make us more prone to please Him more consistently. The joy of reaching the secure realization that God deals with us on the basis of love, not our faithfulness to Him is no pass into sin. A truth so stabilizing and freeing is one that should makes us run in the way and worth of His steps; dying to reciprocate His love and not spit in His face by our fallen conduct. Yes, you'll stumble from time to time; but walking In His ways; you'll even start forgiving yourself and forgetting the times you've fallen for that is how He is with you.

But you are always the same;
you will live forever. The children of your people
will live in security.
Their children’s children
will thrive in your presence.” (Psalm 102:27, 28 NLT)

Seeing others changed starts with changing-yourself

Of all the challenges in marriage, being on the same page generally is probably one of the triggers of greatest friction between partners. I am so stocked to speak helpfully after having come together unitedly on a matter with my spouse. There is no better feeling than to feel your spouse experience breakthrough and experience being on the same page with your spouse in matters spiritual, parental, relational or other. Usually the wife tends to be the more spiritual of the two marriage partners. When this is the case, she usually lives waiting for her husband to come to breakthrough on matters important in their relationship. If the opposite is the case, the husband at times will wait for his wife to come to realizations which are important to their maintaining true union as a couple. Whatever the case, life in marriage can tend to tension and strain until one partner experiences a breakthrough realization. Until realized, marital communication between partners seems shallow and forced. While waiting for breakthrough in your partner-assuming you've come to a understanding you know your spouse must come to as well-it's important that you practice a few things. First, be the change that you desire in your spouse. Your example couple with timely, helpful words may be used of the Spirit to draw your spouse into God's better for them. Life is comprised of stages. Each of us are in different places. Your sensitivity to each other's timeline and potential for change in time will have great bearing on your marital relationship. Second, know your spouse doesn't resist change but does resist your changing them. As you live the reality God has morphed your heart with, your spouse may be wooed into living that reality too. Third, pray for grace to be humble and thankful for the change God's brought to you; but commit to embracing the slow, sure change God alone can bring to your spouse's heart. When we realize that God does a much better God of changing our friends than we do; we free God to do something that brings renown to His Name and real time change to them.

Yes, Lord, walking in the way of your laws,
we wait for you;
your name and renown
are the desire of our hearts. (Isaiah 26:8 NIV)

Peter put the widows all out of the room. He knelt and prayed. Then he spoke directly to the body: "Tabitha, get up." (Acts 9:40 MSG)

It wasn't just Tabitha singing "You raise me up" to God here but Peter as well. He was denying Jesus no more; now, he was raising others to life by Jesus' great name. God's highest joy is using weak people to man the unimaginable; it's time to rethink impossible.

And I'm an olive tree, growing green in God's house. I trusted in the generous mercy of God then and now. I thank you always that you went into action. And I'll stay right here, your good name my hope, in company with your faithful friends. (Psalm 52:8, 9 MSG)

A greater love

Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life. (James 1:12 MSG)

Our hearts must throb with such love for God that when life throws its poison candy of lust, hate, and pride at us, pulling us to sin-we stand true. In these times, our heart must cry, "I love Him, I cannot allow this to come between me and Him and mute the sweet whispers of His love and plan for me."

Operation: Shape worshiper

Life is preparation for God-worthy worship here and in heaven. God uses life to teach us how distraught and without we are apart from living in Him and through Him. He allows us to shipwreck when we sidestep Him, so our desire is always to Him and for Him. Today, He's mulling you more into the worshiper He's always imagined you'd be.

What you're after is truth from the inside out. Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life. Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean, scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life. Tune me in to foot-tapping songs, set these once-broken bones to dancing. God, make a fresh start in me, shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life. Don't throw me out with the trash, or fail to breathe holiness in me. Bring me back from gray exile, put a fresh wind in my sails! Give me a job teaching rebels your ways so the lost can find their way home. Unbutton my lips, dear God; I'll let loose with your praise. Going through the motions doesn't please you, a flawless performance is nothing to you. I learned God-worship when my pride was shattered. Heart-shattered lives ready for love don't for a moment escape God's notice. (Psalm 51:6-8, 10-13, 15-17 MSG)

The secret to tireless service

God would rather our love for Him not our of sense duty motivate us to serve Him tirelessly.
From the dazzle of Zion, God blazes into view. Our God makes his entrance, he's not shy in his coming. Starbursts of fireworks precede him. He summons heaven and earth as a jury, he's taking his people to court: "Round up my saints who swore on the Bible their loyalty to me." The whole cosmos attests to the fairness of this court, that here God is judge. "Are you listening, dear people? I'm getting ready to speak; Israel, I'm about ready to bring you to trial. This is God, your God, speaking to you. I don't find fault with your acts of worship, the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer. But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull, or more and more goats from your herds? Every creature in the forest is mine, the wild animals on all the mountains. I know every mountain bird by name; the scampering field mice are my friends. If I get hungry, do you think I'd tell you? All creation and its bounty are mine. Do you think I feast on venison? or drink draughts of goats' blood? Spread for me a banquet of praise, serve High God a feast of kept promises, And call for help when you're in trouble-I'll help you, and you'll honor me." (Psalm 50:2-15 MSG)

Grab your chance

Philip is a case study in being an effective witness. Walking in sync with the Spirit, he ran at available opportunities to promote Jesus. Whisked along by the Spirit's wind, he was ready-in place-to win the Ethiopian eunuch to Christ. Listen, run, and grab your chance to herald Christ today.
Forced to leave home base, the Christians all became missionaries. Wherever they were scattered, they preached the Message about Jesus. Later God's angel spoke to Philip: "At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza." He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah. The Spirit told Philip, "Climb into the chariot." Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, "Do you understand what you're reading?" He answered, "How can I without some help?" and invited Philip into the chariot with him. The passage he was reading was this: As a sheep led to slaughter, and quiet as a lamb being sheared, He was silent, saying nothing. He was mocked and put down, never got a fair trial. But who now can count his kin since he's been taken from the earth? The eunuch said, "Tell me, who is the prophet talking about: himself or some other?" Philip grabbed his chance. Using this passage as his text, he preached Jesus to him. (Acts 8:4, 26-35 MSG)

As all those who sat on the High Council looked at Stephen, they found they couldn't take their eyes off him-his face was like the face of an angel! (Acts 6:15 MSG)

Wear God's glow today; it's your first and greatest beacon of God's work in your heart-your ultimate witness.

I've seen the agony of my people in Egypt. I've heard their groans. I've come to help them. So get yourself ready; I'm sending you back to Egypt.' (Acts 7:34) MSG

Although delivering you is important to God; delivering others through you is even higher on His priority list; He knows being used of God brings us the highest joys.

"Without a sacred text to reveal the greater meaning and significance of our life, we can become trapped in our own very small story. And in that limited story, without any larger perspective, our wounds can make us into embittered victims. We just keep repeating the story line to ourselves over and over, and soon it ...suffocates us like a python. The Jesus way is to embrace our wounds and accept them as the price of the journey. We can choose to carry our wounds with dignity until the time comes when we forget why they were so important or debilitating to begin with. The wounds in Jesus’ hands, feet and side are still carried in his resurrected body—this is quite significant! I think we carry our wounds until the end; they do not fully go away but keep us humble, patient and more open to trust and intimacy. The healing lies in the fact that those same wounds no longer defeat us or cause us to harm ourselves or others." -Richard Rohr

And whoever calls out for help to me, God, will be saved." David said it all: I saw God before me for all time. Nothing can shake me; he's right by my side. I'm glad from the inside out, ecstatic; I've pitched my tent in the land of hope. I know you'll never dump me in Hades; I'll never even smell the stench of death. You've got my feet on the life-path, with your face shining sun-joy all around. (Acts 2:21, 25-28 MSG)

Honesty is prelude to happiness

"What am I doing in the meantime, Lord? Hoping, that's what I'm doing-hoping You'll save me from a rebel life, save me from the contempt of dunces. I'll say no more, I'll shut my mouth, since you, Lord, are behind all this. But I can't take it much longer. When you put us through the fire to purge us from our sin, our dearest idols go up in smoke. Are we also nothing but smoke? "Ah, God, listen to my prayer, my cry-open your ears. Don't be callous; just look at these tears of mine. I'm a stranger here. I don't know my way-a migrant like my whole family. (Psalm 39:7-12 MSG)

A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds. Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it. When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly. Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise: "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!" Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God. Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises! (Proverbs 31:10, 11, 26, 28-31 MSG)

God's love is meteoric, his loyalty astronomic, His purpose titanic, his verdicts oceanic. Yet in his largeness nothing gets lost; Not a man, not a mouse, slips through the cracks. How exquisite your love, O God! How eager we are to run under your wings, To eat our fill at the banquet you spread as you fill our tankards with Eden spring water. You're a fountain of cascading light, and you open our eyes to light. Keep on loving your friends; do your work in welcoming hearts. (Psalm 36:5-10 MSG)

Justice makes no sense to the evilminded; those who seek God know it inside and out. It's better to be poor and direct than rich and crooked. Practice God's law-get a reputation for wisdom; hang out with a loose crowd-embarrass your family. God has no use for the prayers of the people who won't listen to him. Lead good people down a wrong path and you'll come to a bad end; do good and you'll be rewarded for it. You can't whitewash your sins and get by with it; you find mercy by admitting and leaving them. A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life; a hardhearted person lives a hard life. Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds, but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright. Walk straight-live well and be saved; a devious life is a doomed life. Doing Great Harm in Seemingly Harmless Ways In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated far more than bootlicking flattery. A grasping person stirs up trouble, but trust in God brings a sense of well-being. If you think you know it all, you're a fool for sure; real survivors learn wisdom from others. When corruption takes over, good people go underground, but when the crooks are thrown out, it's safe to come out. (Proverbs 28:5-7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 18, 23, 25, 26, 28 MSG)

God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears. Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him. When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot. God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray. Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see-how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him. Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness. God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan. Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you. If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath. Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time. He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken. God pays for each slave's freedom; no one who runs to him loses out. (Psalm 34:4-9, 15, 17-20, 22 MSG)

Poem from movie "Act of Valor"

Go see this movie Act of Valor to get the the real life tale this poem inspired.
"Live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.
Trouble no one about his religion.
Respect others in their views and demand that they respect yours.
Love your life, perfect your life, beautify all things in your life.
Seek to make your life long and of service to your people.
Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.
Always give a word or sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend,
or even a stranger, if in a lonely place.
Show respect to all people, but grovel to none.
When you rise in the morning, give thanks for the light,
for your life, for your strength.
Give thanks for your food and for the joy of living.
If you see no reason to give thanks, the fault lies in yourself.
Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools
and robs the spirit of its vision.
When your time comes to die,
be not like those whose hearts are filled with fear of death,
so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time
to live their lives over again in a different way.
Sing your death song, and die like a hero going home." -
-- Tecumseh

Thrive for depending on God

Good people, cheer God! Right-living people sound best when praising. Use guitars to reinforce your Hallelujahs! Play his praise on a grand piano! For God's Word is solid to the core; everything he makes is sound inside and out. Earth-creatures, bow before God; world-dwellers-down on your knees! God takes the wind out of Babel pretense, he shoots down the world's power-schemes. God's plan for the world stands up, all his designs are made to last. Blessed is the country with God for God; blessed are the people he's put in his will. Horsepower is not the answer; no one gets by on muscle alone. Watch this: God's eye is on those who respect him, the ones who are looking for his love. He's ready to come to their rescue in bad times; in lean times he keeps body and soul together. We're depending on God; he's everything we need. Love us, God, with all you've got-that's what we're depending on. (Psalm 33:1, 2, 4, 8, 10-12, 17-20, 22 MSG)

Words to the wise

You grab a mad dog by the ears when you butt into a quarrel that's none of your business. When you run out of wood, the fire goes out; when the gossip ends, the quarrel dies down. A quarrelsome person in a dispute is like kerosene thrown on a fire. Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy; do you want junk like that in your belly? Smooth talk from an evil heart is like glaze on cracked pottery. Your enemy shakes hands and greets you like an old friend, all the while conniving against you. When he speaks warmly to you, don't believe him for a minute; he's just waiting for the chance to rip you off. No matter how cunningly he conceals his malice, eventually his evil will be exposed in public. Malice backfires; spite boomerangs. (Proverbs 26:17, 20-27 MSG)

Safe in His arms

Get down on my level and listen, and please-no procrastination! Your granite cave a hiding place, your high cliff aerie a place of safety. You're my cave to hide in, my cliff to climb. Be my safe leader, be my true mountain guide. Free me from hidden traps; I want to hide in you. I've put my life in your hands. You won't drop me, you'll never let me down. Desperate, I throw myself on you: you are my God! Warm me, your servant, with a smile; save me because you love me. What a stack of blessing you have piled up for those who worship you, Ready and waiting for all who run to you to escape an unkind world. Blessed God! His love is the wonder of the world. I panicked. "Out of sight, out of mind," I said. But you heard me say it, you heard and listened. Love God, all you saints; God takes care of all who stay close to him, But he pays back in full those arrogant enough to go it alone. Be brave. Be strong. Don't give up. Expect God to get here soon. (Psalm 31:2-5, 14, 16, 19, 21-24 MSG)