TODAY'S WORD WITH MARIA FULCHER

TODAY’S WORD WITH MARIA FULCHER

Today, I asked God to lay a verse on my heart and He did (imagine that). J   So, today we enter into Proverbs.

Proverbs Day 13 (KJV): Proverbs 2:10-15(KJV): "When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 11 Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee: 12 To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things; 13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness; 14 Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked; 15 Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths."

Thoughts for the Day These verses tell us that when we have God's wisdom and His Word in our hearts and when His knowledge has become pleasant to us, that we will receive the discretion and the understanding that will keep us in a variety of ways.   First of all, God's Word that gives us wisdom will deliver us from evil men.  One of these ways is that we no longer desire to hang out with those that have wickedness in their hearts or speak froward things.  What does "froward" mean' It means contrary, adverse or unfavorable. Verse 12 tells us, if we listen to the wisdom of God and obey His Word, even men that speak froward (contrary, adverse, or unfavorable) words against us, will not be able to hurt us. One of the temptations when men speak against us, is to retaliate with ugly words.  In fact, one of the things that destroys many marriages is couples that continually argue with railing words for railing words.  What is the wisdom of God in circumstances of accusations made against us' Let us look at 1 Peter 3:8-12: "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil." The only way any of us can obey these scriptures is to ask the Lord to empower us to do so.  We must have the Holy Spirit to help us be kind to those that are unkind to us and to overcome evil with good. If we do not choose to obey God in situations where we are tempted to enter into strife, we will end up just as mean and evil, as those who would persecute us.  Verses 13-15 describe those kind of people who leave the right path of God's love and begin walking in darkness.   Then, they become blinded to the truth.  This takes them the next step into evil -- they begin to rejoice in their evil ways and delight in the way of the wicked. Their ways become crooked.  Today we call them crooks.  They end up going down the wrong path and are lost. We must pray for all those that we know who are walking in the wrong ways.   And we must especially pray for our brothers and sisters in the Lord who fall into the trap of railing, or speaking wrongly against us. We must attempt to keep the peace and walk in kindness regardless of where they are walking. They may be guilty for what they are saying against us, but we will become guilty in a different way if we retaliate. We must choose to walk in love.

Prayer for the Day Dear Father, I come to you today in Jesus' name and I really desire to have your wisdom and knowledge. I honestly want to walk in such a way that I can be kind to those who speak against me, and I truly want to seek their good.' I know that without the Holy Spirit I cannot do this, so fill me with your Spirit today.' Let me be kind and loving;' and change my heart from being defensive and argumentative, to being loving and kind.' Help me speak the truth in love, yet without an angry tone. Help me to remember that you will defend me.' Lord, when I see faults in others, help me to also check my own heart and motives for faults. Then Lord, deliver us all from those things that are not pleasing in your eyes. I choose to be a peacemaker today, not a trouble maker. I am trusting you to change those around me, as well as change those things in me that would cause us to engage in any unkind speaking. Amen. Dalton, 15 & Reagan, 13 Christmas Day (night) headed to Dewayne & Alisha's for Christmas Dinner.  :-)

TODAY'S WORD WITH MARIA FULCHER

TODAY’S WORD WITH MARIA FULCHER

MATTHEW 6:33

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Darrell & I have been incredibly blessed.  We whole-heartedly believe it is because we seek God each and every day of our lives.  Some days, it’s harder than others with all of the outside influences we have.  So, if you are feeling this way, you are NOT alone.  Do not let outside influences define how you seek God.  Don’t let others “decide” if you are a good Christian or not.  It is not up to them.

Matthew 7:1-5

Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

Romans 2:1-29

Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God? Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God's kindness is meant to lead you to repentance? But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed. ...

 It is between you & God & no one else.  God knows your heart & He knows how much (or how little) you seek Him daily.  God will reward you for every effort you make to seek Him.  It will be given to you as you seek Him.  Every day, seek His kingdom and it will be given to you.

Stick with what you are doing and lean on those who truly care about you and support in all that you do.

NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTIONS!!!!!!!!

Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions

Below, you will find the top ten New Year’s Resolutions.  What are your resolutions?  Let’s hear what they are….whether they are on this list or not…..and why????

1. Spend More Time with Family & Friends

Recent polls conducted by General Nutrition Centers, Quicken, and others shows that more than 50% of Americans vow to appreciate loved ones and spend more time with family and friends this year. Make plans to meet up with friends for an evening of camaraderie.

2. Fit in Fitness

The evidence is in for fitness. Regular exercise has been associated with more health benefits than anything else known to man. Studies show that it reduces the risk of some cancers, increases longevity, helps achieve and maintain weight loss, enhances mood, lowers blood pressure, and even improves arthritis. In short, exercise keeps you healthy and makes you look and feel better.

3. Tame the Bulge

Over 66 percent of adult Americans are considered overweight or obese by recent studies, so it is not surprising to find that weight loss is one of the most popular New Year's resolutions. Setting reasonable goals and staying focused are the two most important factors in sticking with a weight loss program, and the key to success for those millions of Americans who made a New Year's commitment to shed extra pounds.

4. Quit Smoking

If you have resolved to make this the year that you stamp out your smoking habit, over-the-counter availability of nicotine replacement therapy now provides easier access to proven quit-smoking aids. Even if you've tried to quit before and failed, don't let it get you down. On average, smokers try about four times before they quit for good. Start enjoying the rest of your smoke-free life! Even Allegheny County is trying to go smoke-free, and it's taken them a few tries as well. Locally, there are a variety of free support services, hotlines and smoking cessation classes to help you kick the smoking habit.

5. Enjoy Life More

Given the hectic, stressful lifestyles of millions of Americans, it is no wonder that "enjoying life more" has become a popular resolution in recent years. It's an important step to a happier and healthier you!

6. Quit Drinking

While many people use the New Year as an incentive to finally stop drinking, most are not equipped to make such a drastic lifestyle change all at once. Many heavy drinkers fail to quit cold turkey but do much better when they taper gradually, or even learn to moderate their drinking. If you have decided that you want to stop drinking, there is a world of help and support available.

7. Get Out of Debt

Was money a big source of stress in your life last year? Join the millions of Americans who have resolved to spend this year getting a handle on their finances. It's a promise that will repay itself many times over in the year ahead.

8. Learn Something New

Have you vowed to make this year the year to learn something new? Perhaps you are considering a career change, want to learn a new language, or just how to fix your computer? Whether you take a course or read a book, you'll find education to be one of the easiest, most motivating New Year's resolutions to keep.

9. Help Others

A popular, non-selfish New Year's resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at your local library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help. The Pittsburgh Cares organization makes it easy by connecting volunteers with projects to fit practically any schedule. Or if your time is really in short supply, maybe you can at least find it in you to donate the furniture, clothing and other household items that you no longer need, rather than leaving them out by the curb to fill up our landfills.

10. Get Organized

On just about every New Year resolution top ten list, organization can be a very reasonable goal. Whether you want your home organized enough that you can invite someone over on a whim, or your office organized enough that you can find the stapler when you need it, these tips and resources should get you started on the way to a more organized life.