For the next few weeks we will be looking at one word and one verse each day to see what truths we can glean.
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Ponder …
“But Mary treasured all these things, pondering them in her heart.” (Luke 2:19, NASB)
Ponder means to consider deeply or to weigh carefully.
Mary carefully meditated upon, reviewed, and took to heart all the words the angel was saying to her.
In pondering, we should find ourselves moved to action – actions which both honor God and bring Him glory.
Pondering helps us to make wise decisions and better choices. We think a situation through from all sides, especially from God’s viewpoint.
Are you faithful to ponder? How has pondering a perplexing situation helped you?
Slowing down and pondering can often help me to diffuse a situation, approach it less emotionally, and make wiser choices.
What came to your mind as you pondered?
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Cheerful …
“All the days of the desponding and afflicted are made evil [by anxious thoughts and forebodings], but he who has a glad heart has a continual feast [regardless of circumstances].” (Proverbs 15:15, AMPC)
We can have “a continual feast regardless of circumstances.” Those words struck my heart and made me realize that being cheerful is a choice we make.
We are all going to have difficult and painful days. Scripture tells us we will have trials and tribulations. But we choose how we will go through them.
Cheerful is defined as “in good spirits; promoting or inducing cheer” (dictionary.com).
If the definition is correct then when we choose to be cheerful, we induce or bring on more cheer. We spread it around us.
When you have chosen to be cheerful regardless of how you felt, what has been the result?
How can you spread cheer today? Who will you spread it to?
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Courage …
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.”
(Deuteronomy 31:6, NASB)
I have to admit … I am pretty much a scaredy cat. I am a put my tail between my legs and run kind of person. I jump easily, even in my own house.
But look what I discovered this morning. Courage means “the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear” (from dictionary.com).
It’s a quality of mind!!!
This made me jump inside not because of lack of courage but in excitement. Scripture tells us:
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he will instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16, NASB).
If we have the mind of Christ then we have the quality of mind, His mind, which will enable us to face difficulties, dangers, and pains without fear.
We can do so because we know that He has promised to go with us. He won’t leave us. He is on our side.
What has God asked you to do that is demanding courage of you? Where in your life do you most need courage?
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When we take time to ponder God’s Word,
He will fill our hearts with cheer and
courage to do the hard and demanding.
Photo 1: by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
Photo 2: by Nick Page on Unsplash
Photo 3: by Sammie Chaffin on Unsplash
Today I am joining …
