Handfuls On Purpose❤️ *See Ruth chapter 2

Let's try this today: Instead of resisting, we can flow with the blessings and notice the gifts. 💛 Instead of controlling, we can open our hand and heart. Instead of holding on to darkness, we can release it and make room for light. Instead of assuming the worst, we can expect abundant blessings. Instead of being rigid, we can be flexible in our expectations. Today, let’s believe in a world where we are constantly, relentlessly blessed. Let's not wait for everything to be perfect to be content. It's always sweeter in the flow of gratitude and grace. I’ll meet you there. 💛 💛 Let's light a candle and raise a prayer for all those who are suffering - from illness, injustice, poverty, grief. Let's bless all those who are far from contentment today. ~Mary Davis

"It's a funny thing about life, Once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, You begin to lose sight of the things that you lack." ~Germany Kent 🌻 Artist : Emma Allen "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Philippians 4:11-13

*The Inklings: Lewis, Tolkien, Williams, Barfield, Fox CONQUERING THE FEAR OF BEING AN “OUTSIDER” C.S. Lewis wrote in 1944 that one of the biggest temptations in life was the desire to be part of an “inner ring” and the fear of being an “outsider”. In fact, he said this temptation was stronger than sexual desire. He said, “I believe that in all men's lives at certain periods, and in many men's lives at all periods between infancy and extreme old age, one of the most dominant elements is the desire to be inside the local Ring and the terror of being left outside.” We can all relate to this to some some degree; sitting at the “cool” table at lunch in high school, being accepted into the right sorority or fraternity in college, endless pursuit of networking and platform building, compromising a conviction or two to get ahead in our callings, or staying silent in order to not get cancelled or ostracized by our own subcultures. Lewis said we must take measures to check ourselves from these desires or “the passion for the Inner Ring … will make a man who is not yet a very bad man do very bad things.” This character slippage does not happen instantly but in small compromises over time. Lewis says the pursuit of the Inner Ring may “end in a crash, a scandal or penal servitude: it may end in millions, a peerage, and giving prizes at your old school”. But either way, “you will be a scoundrel.” He said, “The quest for the Inner Ring will break your hearts, unless you break it.” How do we break this desire? 1. Be faithful. One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. (Luke 16:10) 2. Do not ransom our integrity for popularity. 3. Do not trade loving relationships for transactional ones. 4. Focus on our work and true friendships. Lewis says when we do this we end up creating our own Inner Ring. He knew all about being the outsider in the Oxford crowd. He was treated with open contempt and out of spite denied ever being a Professor. Yet, his literary close friends like J.R.R. Tolkien ended up inspiring and shaping our culture and creating the famous Inner Ring called the “Inklings”. 5. Remember Jesus was the ultimate Outsider. We are to seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness. In renouncing the necessity to be well-liked and to be in ever more elusive Inner Circles we may just find our soul at greater rest. As we try and save our life we end up losing our life but as we lose our life for Jesus’ sake we end up finding life. Indeed, what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but lose his very own soul? ~Michael William Sprague

Proverbs 12     1 Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid. 2 A good man obtains favor from the LORD, but a man of evil devices he condemns. 3 No one is established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous will never be moved. 4 An excellent wife is the crown of her husband, but she who brings shame is like rottenness in his bones. 5 The thoughts of the righteous are just; the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. 6 The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. 7 The wicked are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous will stand. 8 A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. 9 Better to be lowly and have a servant than to play the great man and lack bread. 10 Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel. 11 Whoever works his land will have plenty of bread, but he who follows worthless pursuits lacks sense. 12 Whoever is wicked covets the spoil of evildoers, but the root of the righteous bears fruit. 13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. 14 From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him. 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. 16 The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult. 17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. 18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy. 21 No ill befalls the righteous, but the wicked are filled with trouble. 22 Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight. 23 A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly. 24 The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor. 25 Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. 26 One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 Whoever is slothful will not roast his game, but the diligent man will get precious wealth. 28 In the path of righteousness is life, and in its pathway there is no death.

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9 KJB 🙏🏻🕊 Daily Armour of God

::: Morning Scriptures ::: Fri., July 12, 2024 "I am Blessed" 46 of 90 ... 10 Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the Lord of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it. 11 “And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground, Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,” Says the Lord of hosts; 12 “And all nations will call you blessed, For you will be a delightful land,” Says the Lord of hosts. Malachi 3:10-12 (NKJV) ... [( 3:12 a delightful land: Faithfulness to God would lead to fruitfulness in the land. (Thomas Nelson's NKJV Study Bible 1997)]