Confide in her?????

Can you think of someone in your life who is dependable, reliable and completely trustworthy? Someone you can count on day or night, regardless of the circumstances. Someone you can confide in. Someone, who at the very sound of their voice, brings immediate comfort and calmness.

Would others describe you as dependable, fully trustworthy and someone they can confide in?

The following verses in Proverbs give us MUCH food for thought.

"A man (woman) who lacks judgment derides his (her) neighbor, but a man (woman) of understanding holds his (her) tongue. A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man (woman) keeps a secret." Proverbs 11:12-13

"He who conceals his hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment." Proverbs 10:18-21

"A wise man's (woman's) heart guides his mouth, and his (her) lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones." Proverbs 16:23-24

Our words either build others up or tear them down. Remember that once words are spoken, they can NEVER be taken back. James 1:19 says, "My dear brothers (sisters), take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry." Do your words draw others to you or push them away? The Proverbs 31 woman, "speaks with wisdom, and has "faithful instruction on her tongue." She carefully weighs her words and thinks before she speaks. Do you?

"If anyone considers himself (herself) religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his (her) tongue, he (she) deceives himself (herself) and his (her) religion is worthless." James 1:26

James goes on to say in chapter 3, verse 5 "Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." Been setting any fires lately. It's time to put them out, stop making excuses, and seek the Lord's help. Ask His forgiveness (1 John 1:9), let Him do a new work in you and move forward with Him.

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"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland."
Isaiah 43:18-19

For further reading see:
Psalm 19:14
Psalm 39:1
Psalm 141:3
Proverbs 16:23
Ecclesiates 5:2
Matthew 12:33-37
Ephesians 4:29

Woman of Strength

"Wealth and honor come from You;

You are the ruler of all things.
In Your hands are strength

and power to exalt and give strength to all."
1 Chronicles 29:12

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Do you find yourself focused on your weaknesses most of the time rather than the strength that is yours in Christ Jesus? This morning I was reading some thoughts from a missionary, named Anita, who lives in South America. "'Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28 NIV). Jesus said to me, Trust Me. Live and breathe in My love. Do lifes stresses and heartaches have you disturbed and defeated? Don't get lost in the feelings. Hang on to the truth in God's Word. Trust Him with whatever comes, because remember -- He's working it all together for your good!" (quoted from page 114 in Beth Moore's book entitled "Voices of the Faithful")

Here are a few verses for you to claim to focus on His strength rather than your weakness.

"The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." Proverbs 18:10
Lord, thank you that You are my strong tower and that when I run to You I am kept safe.

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"She sets about her work vigorously and has arms strong for her tasks." Proverbs 31:17
Lord, give me strength to do the mundane things today ~ washing, folding the clothes, cooking, cleaning, dusting the cob webs for the "hundreth" time, all the while remembering that I do these things because I love You and the family You've entrusted to my care.

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"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come." Proverbs 31:25
Lord, clothe me with Your strength and dignity to hold my shoulders high, so that I can laugh and be joyful regardless of what comes on my plate today.

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"But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'"
2 Corinthians 12:9
Lord, I confess my weak areas to You today and TRUST You to give me the strength I need to accomplish the tasks that lie before me.

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"Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we don't give up." Galatians 6:9
Lord, I admit that I want to give up, I'm tired of doing the same things over and over again. Help me to focus, not on the things, but on my family and pray for them as I go about my routine.

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"And whatever you do, whether in word of deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." Colossians 3:23-24
Lord, as I go about my day, help me to please You then my family will be pleased. I thank You for the eyes to see, hands to feel with, feet to take me where I need to go, etc.

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"Finally, be strong in the LORD and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes." Ephesians 6:10-11
Lord, I choose to be strong in You and in Your MIGHTY power today. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead (Ephesians 1:18-20). I choose to put on Your armor that I might stand strong today. I know that no weapon forged against me will stand, because I am kept safe and secure in You. (Isaiah 54:17)

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I close with the words of Chuck Swindoll, "Today is unique! it has never occurred before, and it will never be repeated. At midnight it will end -- quietly, suddenly, totally. Forever. But the hours between now and then are opportunites with endless possibilities. With God's enablement, live this day to the full -- as if it were your last day on earth." (quoted from page 1252 of The Living Insights Study Bible)