Fw: We need a Savior

—– Forwarded Message —– From: Richard Waldschmidt Sent: Monday, October 14, 2024 at 08:50:13 AM EDTSubject: We need a Savior Proverbs 20:9 “Who can say, ‘I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin?” None of us can say–I am–to this question.  None of us lives without a need for our Savior.  Our Father demands perfection and Jesus is our Advocate and only because of Him and His great love for each of us, you and I can raise our hands and say–I am!How we cherish our Savior!

Only because of Jesus

Proverbs 20:7 “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them.” You and I, only because of the sacrificial life, death and resurrection of our Savior are able to appear before our Heavenly Father as the perfection He demands.  This Gospel message of grace is of paramount importance for us to teach our children and grandchildren.  This message is our eternal salvation.  What could be more important? Have a great weekend.

Actions or words

Proverbs 20:6 “Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?” Isn’t it interesting how God defines the difference between phony and real.  One friend only wants something while a true friend gives something.  One type of friend looks to themselves while a true friend looks to the needs of others.  One type of friend makes claims while a true friend performs actions without any claims.  One type of friend is easy to find while a true and faithful friend is rare.   The wisdom of this passage: To have value–be a faithful friend.

The difference

Proverbs 20:4 “Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.” What are the results of ignoring or wasting the individual talents God has given to each of us?  Answer: A life of poverty which is not necessarily only financial.  How can I improve my life, the life of my family, serve God, serve mankind are questions each of us should ask along with the prayer–God, help me use the talents You have given me to accomplish the purpose You have also given me on this earth?  God answers prayer—enjoy a blessed life!

Be calm

Proverbs 20:3 “It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.” Count, breath intentionally and slowly, stand and walk slowly, fold your hands and pray, think a calming phrase like “all is well’, do a short mild exercise–all these suggestions keep a person from exploding with words later regretted and give a person time to leave a volatile temporary environment and control their emotions, avoiding strife and returning to wise thinking.

Alcoholism

Proverbs 20:1 “Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.” In all my years of counseling those who have been former alcoholics and helping those who are receiving the benefits of our Lighthouse Ministry, I have never heard anyone expressing a pride in all that was lost through their time as an alcoholic and the extreme difficulty in regaining the relationships lost through their alcoholism.  And their sense of guilt is difficult to accept forgiveness within themselves.  This passage very mildly expresses the lack of wisdom of an alcoholic.