The Thousand Word Project - Summer Is Coming, Y'all

Did You Meme That? -- Is That Biblical Humility?

 

Proverbs 18:12 Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.

"Humility isn't a low estimation of oneself, but a high estimation of the greatness of God."
Wendy Speake

This quote comes from a Hollywood actress named Wendy Speake, who is also an alleged Bible teacher for women. I know little about her, but having looked at a few things on her site, I see the typical lack of the Bible she is supposed to love and teach. I also see another translation of the Bible that is not faithful to the truth. While it is true that sometimes good people will say or teach things that are off, in this case I'm not surprised at this quote after seeing the fluff and stuff on her web page. We will discuss this quote here apart from its original context because that is how I found it on social media. It was basically "clipped out" and started on its journey as a stand alone thought. I don't remember exactly where I found it being shared, but someone believes it enough to keep spreading it, so let's examine it - because words mean things.

According to this definition of humility, as it stands, we don't have to humble ourselves; we only have to think highly of the greatness of God.

Do you see what she has done there? She has left pride, ego, and self-conceit intact while claiming that we need only think very highly of God's greatness in order to have humility. We are apparently given permission to have whatever high and pompous opinion of ourselves we want, as long as we have a high estimation of the greatness of God. I am not at all sure that this is what she wanted to convey, but the original graphic with this quote is on her own website. What she wrote there seemed to point in another direction, but there is an uncertain sound.

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Evening Song - Count Your Blessings

1 Samuel 12:24 Only fear the LORD, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you. 

Psalm 66:16 Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what he hath done for my soul. 

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Texas Memories - Winter Storms 2021

In February 2021 we had three significant winter storms in central Texas within a couple weeks. We had snow, ice, and snow again, if I remember correctly. It was very cold and a lot more frozen precipitation than we were used to. There was a lot of damage and a lot of people suffering due to power outages and water shortages. However, it was also beautiful. I've posted some photos already over the past few years. Here are some more for your enjoyment.

Psalm 147:16-17 He giveth snow like wool: he scattereth the hoarfrost like ashes. He casteth forth his ice like morsels: who can stand before his cold? 

See, How Rude Winter's Icy Hand

See, how rude winter’s icy hand

Has stripped the trees, and sealed the ground!

But spring shall soon his rage withstand,

And spread new beauties all around.

My soul a sharper winter mourns,

Barren and fruitless I remain;

When will the gentle spring return,

And bid my graces grow again?

Jesus, my glorious sun, arise!

’Tis Thine the frozen heart to move;

Oh! hush these storms and clear my skies,

And let me feel Thy vital love!

Dear Lord, regard my feeble cry,

I faint and droop till Thou appear;

Wilt thou permit Thy plant to die?

Must it be winter all the year?

Be still, my soul, and wait His hour,

With humble prayer, and patient faith;

Till He reveals His gracious power,

Repose on what His promise saith.

He, by whose all commanding word,

Seasons this changing course maintain;

In every change a pledge affords,

That none shall seek His face in vain.

John Newton

Evening Song - Thank You, Lord, for Your Blessings On Me

1 Timothy 6:7-8 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 

Psalm 103:1-5 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle's. 

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Are You Content Today?

 

Quote: Sometimes you have to let go of the picture of what you thought your life
would be like and learn to find joy in the one God has given you.

Today a good portion of the world will be celebrating St. Valentine's Day. It has been romanticized and fantasized about so much that it actually causes some people quite a lot of misery. Discontent, resentment, disappointment, and actual grief will all play their part today in some people's lives. 

But, what has God given you? Are you learning to be content in the life and place that God has you right now? The Apostle Paul wrote, Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11 

To want is to lack. A lot of people will be "wanting" things today that they don't have or won't get. Yet, Paul tells us that he learned to be content in the midst of the lacks in his life - one of which was not being married and with not plans to marry. I know it isn't easy. I was 38 when I got married. But, contentment is a learned virtue, not a gift of the Spirit. It may be a hard lesson, but it can be learned. 

Hebrews 13:5  Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Why can we learn to be content? Because Jesus Christ has said He will never leave nor forsake us. Actually, it says "thee." In the KJV this signifies "you, singular", not "you, the group." If you are His, He has promised to be with You, Yourself, right where you are this moment - whether married, single, in a family, in a group or alone. He is with YOU. That is the basis of our contentment. Jesus Christ Himself. 

And, ...in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Colossians 2:9) Is that not enough?

Oh, wonderful love that takes me,
Though wretched and stained with sin!
Oh, marvelous grace that makes me
All holy and pure within!...

...Oh, matchless mercy that rates me
Joint-heirs with the sinless Son!
Oh, golden glory that waits me
When tempests and clouds are done!

All things are mine, for I am His;
Oh, infinite gifts divine!
God gave His Son, His only one;
And all that He has is mine.

Annie Johnson Flint

Evening Song - I Sing the Mighty Power of God

Luke 9:43 And they were all amazed at the mighty power of God...

Psalm 150:1-6 Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Praise him with the sound of the trumpet: praise him with the psaltery and harp. Praise him with the timbrel and dance: praise him with stringed instruments and organs. Praise him upon the loud cymbals: praise him upon the high sounding cymbals. Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD. Praise ye the LORD. 

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The Thousand Word Project - The Lord's Name Is to Be Praised

Psalm 113:3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the LORD'S name is to be praised.
 

Texas

Lord, Give Me Light To Do Thy Work

 

Lord, Give Me Light To Do Thy Work

 

Lord, give me light to do Thy work,
For only, Lord, from Thee
Can come the light, by which these eyes
The work of truth can see.

The way is narrow, often dark,
With lights and shadows strewn,
I wander oft, and think it Thine,
When walking in my own.

Yet pleasant is the work for Thee,
And pleasant is the way,
But, Lord, the world is dark, and I
Am prone to go astray.

O send me light to do Thy work,
More light, more wisdom give;
Then shall I work Thy work indeed,
While on Thine earth I live.

The work is Thine, not mine, O Lord;
It is Thy race we run;
Give light, and then shall all I do
Be well and truly done.

Horatius Bonar

Ephesians 5:14-16 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

John 1:1-4 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men.