No More Uncertainties

God is guiding and we are trusting !

We thank Him every day . . . 

We eagerly ask Him what to do

and He shows us the way.

Away with anxiety !

With wisdom He will give

we have no more fear . . . 

He shows us how to live.

The strength we need 

in the LORD we will find,

We can do better. 

Smile, with these words in mind. . . 

I can do better !

            + + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2019

Y O U R Troubles . . . Y O U R Solutions

Those irritations and troubles YOU didn’t deserve

took some of your energy, some of your time.

     Other problems came in your growing up years —

     that brought stress and maybe some tears,

but they taught you a lot in the meantime.

Today’s troubles might give you experience

when you learn to concentrate and pray;

     You accumulate the challenges you had —

     Now, analyze what was good and what was bad,

You’ll decide what to do now and what to say. 

When you merely complain, argue, and fuss

or turn your attention to inventing some fun,

     you miss the point of growing up strong —

     you might slide into doing stuff wrong.

Maybe later you’ll look back on what you’ve done.

David was the youngest of the family,

more attention went to brothers who were older.

     Life wasn’t perfect in those olden days —

     He worked hard and missed getting praise,

but he did a good job, growing strong and bolder.

You can read the facts and details right now.

You can see the outcome for yourself,

     What an example of growing strong and brave —

     These are lessons for you to learn and save.

Find your Bible there at home on the shelf.

Read 1st Samuel chapter 17;

Consider the challenges in David’s young life.

     Then read that Goliath was huge and strong —

     That biggest event really didn’t last long.

Obeying God brought David through the strife.  

                                       * * * 

 by Elaine Hardt ©2018 

                 Also, go to www.Biblegateway.com  to see Psalm 63, written by David. 

                 And see 1st Peter 1:6-8 which tells about trials and faith.

Looking Ahead

Life’s not just a game everyone thinks they’re playing; 

Look back, then look ahead to see what I’m saying.

Drowning in details?  Take a new look today;

Gather the evidence and see what the facts say.

You’re building on accumulations, so keep on track;

Notice the necessities, admit what you lack.

Put those thoughts into words on paper for review;

Set a goal for today and figure out how, too.

        And . . . 

83 Words to Read

This is what you need — so take heed:

“Strong, courageous —not afraid, not dismayed.

Your way will be prosperous — you will have good success.” 

Read it, speak it — meditate on God’s Word;

Remind yourself:  this is what you heard.

“God’s laws you are to obey,

remember this every day.”

This is what he said, take a look; 

read the first chapter of Joshua’s book. 

“Do not be discouraged; God is with you wherever you go.”

Believe it for His Word tells you so.  

+ + + 

by Elaine Hardt ©2016

Helpful Strategy

      Our latest booklet is finished.  "Helpful Strategy:  Take a New Look at YOUR Plan!  YOUR Progress!"  It's number 85, and all of our booklets are FREE.  Just email to edprha and put in the @ and add gmail with the dot and com.  It's a handy half-page size, 12 pages long, with some articles, and a few poems. We think it's food for thought.  You will enjoy that challenge. 

What? A One Minute Prayer . . . Again?

A silly bedtime rhyme came to mind yesterday, “Good night, sleep tight; don’t let the bedbugs bite!”    Along with that childhood prayer,  “Now I lay me down to sleep,” it was a ritual for us little kids.

Lately there’s been a TV commercial about getting a new mattress because an older one might be infected with bedbugs, so no doubt that brought the rhyme to mind yesterday.

And today the big thought of how adults treat prayer as repeating memorized words, reciting them quickly without pause or consideration:  what did I just say to God?  Does the old prayer still mean something?  Am I just being careless, thinking that I did what I was supposed to do?  Do those words make me a believer, a Christian, a good guy?

Memorized prayers recited at home or at church can become useless when our minds are not paying attention.  Why do the leaders say those holy words to quickly?

While we might not be able to bring this problem to the attention of someone in charge, at least we can remedy it at home.  Are you going to pray the “Lord’s Prayer”? Speak slowly, pause between phrases and think about what you’re saying to God.  You are talking to your Maker, and He is listening.  Of course, He sees your attitude.

Now, what is it that you want to say to God?  Here is the “Lord’s Prayer” from the words of the Bible in Matthew 6:9-13  https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+6%3A9-13 

Here are eleven foreign language translations http://www.lords-prayer-words.com/lord_traditional_king_james.html  that also gives details of the phrases, the context, analysis line-by-line, and prayers for important occasions through the year.   

Ask yourself now, is it a “magic formula” ?  Does it keep us close to the LORD? Then take a few minutes to look up the two websites listed here.  

Afterwards ask yourself, what?  What do I want to tell my Creator?  Would this be a good time to confess my weakness, my shortcomings, my sins?  Would it be helpful to put into my own words something to express my faith, my admiration, my thankfulness?

So, is one minute enough today?

By Elaine Hardt ©2016

Encouragement! EnCOURAGEment!

Encouragement is more than a pat on the back,

It’s not just a friendly smile or nod,

Not only some words spoken or written:

It’s a powerful blessing from God.

You can grow in encouragement, speak it to yourself;

Enable it by what you believe!

Find the strength in God, know what His Word promises:

Courage for hard times and testings:  this receive.

In the challenge of life your example can count; 

Look around and you can see

Others need encouragement, too — this you can do;

Pray for them to be set free. 

When you’ve invited Jesus to be your Best Friend

God’s Holy Spirit empowers you,

Now you can experience real faith, hope, and joy,

Encouragement, and EnCOURAGEment, too!

                      + + + 

By Elaine Hardt ©2016

“Encourage” is found 14 times in the Old Testament, 13 times in the New Testament, New King James Version.  “Encouragement” is found 6 times; “courage” is found 28 times in the Bible.    Look up words at www.biblegateway.com 

“Be strong and of good courage, 

do not fear nor be afraid of them; 

for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. 

He will not leave you nor forsake you.” 

 Deuteronomy 31:6

This is for YOU

Your  Faith

Your  Troubles

Your  Endurance

Your  Opportunity

Your  Joy

“Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way,

consider it an opportunity

for great joy.

For you know

when your faith is tested

your endurance has a chance

to grow.

So let it grow,

for when your endurance is fully developed,

you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.”

James 1:2-3

May God “…make YOU complete in every good work to do His will,

working in YOU

what is well pleasing in His sight…”

Hebrews 13:20-21 

 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, 
and in the power of His might,”  
Ephesians 6:10

Roots Are Needed for Life & Strength

Working in the garden, planting . . . or pulling weeds?
Here's something to consider . . . 
        
        Roots, not seen -- but so necessary,
        The life link for flowers, crops, trees;
        I know I need to be rooted in Christ,
        That’s the only way my life will please.

        LORD, root me wide and root me deep   
        in our relationship’s inner place;
        I give all glory to God as I dwell 
        secure from life’s storms, safe in His grace.

        Others are looking for substance and food,
        I want the fruits of the Spirit growing;
        What a blessing to others and to me
        When my love for Jesus is showing. 

Looking Around & Looking Ahead

The LORD has something for you to do,

Maybe not the same, but probably new;

Challenges have been piling up, that’s true,

But perhaps that was a growing point for you.

Setting an example, Paul was steadfast, 

He believed the tough times could not last.

Others were blessed, as things got worse for him,

God gave strength when circumstances looked dim;

Finally, things got worse and then Paul died,

No doubt his friends and colleagues cried;

Sooner or later each of us arrives at death,

Where will we go after we take our last breath?

Pray today that your faith stands strong and true,

Pray that the LORD gives wonderful wisdom to you;

The Purpose of a Problem

Determination makes you strong, 

Apathy makes you weak;

The problem brings a choice to you.

Reject confusion, depression!  

Stand tall inside your heart;

God gives the power to you.

Pray for wisdom, help, protection.  

Analyze, plan, then do;

God means for this to strengthen you.  

          By Elaine Hardt ©2009