Change

because while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. 

History makers. Disciples. Level-Up. Committed.

Higher Standards. Leaders. Nations. Warriors. 

#grace 

Proverbs 28

The wicked are edgy with guilt, ready to run off
    even when no one’s after them;
Honest people are relaxed and confident,
    bold as lions.

    When the country is in chaos,
    everybody has a plan to fix it—
But it takes a leader of real understanding
    to straighten things out.

(It takes wisdom! Ask from God! There is a need for me to wise up. To stand up and take the lead. I cannot fix myself. I need the help of my leader. My would-be disciples also need my to help. So this is not a one man show. Discipleship creates unity.) 

The wicked who oppress the poor
are like a hailstorm that beats down the harvest.

If you desert God’s law, you’re free to embrace depravity;
if you love God’s law, you fight for it tooth and nail.

(I must fight for my mornings. The cost is everything I have and more...which is not enough of what I awe Jesus. I can not make any more excuses... If I love God, it should show that I commune with Him through His LIFE-CHANGING WORD. I desire that His word would be saturated in my heart so that what is abundant would overflow on my lips.)

Justice makes no sense to the evilminded;
those who seek God know it inside and out.

It’s better to be poor and direct 

(I need to be more direct...under promise but over deliver)
    than rich and crooked.

Practice God’s law—get a reputation for wisdom;

(Its not easy to have a reputation that is admired by people esp your family. Nevertheless, the challenge is to practice...until you are approved. Never stopping for a minute.)
    hang out with a loose crowd—embarrass your family.

Get as rich as you want
    through cheating and extortion,
But eventually some friend of the poor
    is going to give it all back to them.

God has no use for the prayers
    of the people who won’t listen to him.

(Its no use just to pray... Prayer is a communication. SO pray and LISTEN. Because from listening you will learn to OBEYING.)

Lead good people down a wrong path
    and you’ll come to a bad end;
    do good and you’ll be rewarded for it.

The rich think they know it all,
    but the poor can see right through them.

When good people are promoted, everything is great,
    but when the bad are in charge, watch out!

You can’t whitewash your sins and get by with it;
    you find mercy by admitting and leaving them.

(Ask forgiveness... repent. I cannot cover up my sins with good works. They are filthy rags.)

A tenderhearted person lives a blessed life;
    a hardhearted person lives a hard life.

Lions roar and bears charge—
    and the wicked lord it over the poor.

Among leaders who lack insight, abuse abounds,
    but for one who hates corruption, the future is bright.

A murderer haunted by guilt
    is doomed—there’s no helping him.

Walk straight—live well and be saved;
    a devious life is a doomed life.

Doing Great Harm in Seemingly Harmless Ways

Work your garden—you’ll end up with plenty of food;
    play and party—you’ll end up with an empty plate.

Committed and persistent work pays off;
    get-rich-quick schemes are ripoffs.

Playing favorites is always a bad thing;
    you can do great harm in seemingly harmless ways.

A miser in a hurry to get rich
    doesn’t know that he’ll end up broke.

In the end, serious reprimand is appreciated
    far more than bootlicking flattery.

Anyone who robs father and mother
    and says, “So, what’s wrong with that?”
    is worse than a pirate.

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.

Be generous to the poor—you’ll never go hungry;
    shut your eyes to their needs, and run a gauntlet of curses.

When corruption takes over, good people go underground,
    but when the crooks are thrown out, it’s safe to come out.

Of David

Psalm 145

The Message

I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King!
    and I’ll bless your name into eternity.

I’ll bless you every day,
    and keep it up from now to eternity.

God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough.
    There are no boundaries to his greatness.

Generation after generation stands in awe of your work;
    each one tells stories of your mighty acts.

Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking;
    I compose songs on your wonders.

Your marvelous doings are headline news;
    I could write a book full of the details of your greatness.

The fame of your goodness spreads across the country;
    your righteousness is on everyone’s lips.

God is all mercy and grace—
    not quick to anger, is rich in love.

God is good to one and all;
    everything he does is suffused with grace.

Creation and creatures applaud you, God;
    your holy people bless you.

They talk about the glories of your rule,
    they exclaim over your splendor,

Letting the world know of your power for good,
    the lavish splendor of your kingdom.

Your kingdom is a kingdom eternal;
    you never get voted out of office.

God always does what he says,
    and is gracious in everything he does.

God gives a hand to those down on their luck,
    gives a fresh start to those ready to quit.

All eyes are on you, expectant;
    you give them their meals on time.

Generous to a fault,
    you lavish your favor on all creatures.

Everything God does is right—
    the trademark on all his works is love.

God’s there, listening for all who pray,
    for all who pray and mean it.

He does what’s best for those who fear him—
    hears them call out, and saves them.

God sticks by all who love him,
    but it’s all over for those who don’t.

My mouth is filled with God’s praise.
    Let everything living bless him,
    bless his holy name from now to eternity!