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THE FINER THINGS OF LIFE
Isaiah 32:8 (NIV) - But the noble man makes noble plans, and by noble deeds he stands.
Job 28:12-19 (NIV) -“But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living. The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’ It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed in silver. It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires. Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.
THE FINER THINGS OF LIFE ARE THE INVISIBLE THINGS OF LIFE, RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!
The finer things of life often evade us as we are looking elsewhere for happiness.
Psalms 81:16 (KJV) - He should have fed them also with the finest of the wheat: and with honey out of the rock should I have satisfied thee.
Psalms 147:14 (KJV) - He maketh peace in thy borders, and filleth thee with the finest of the wheat.
Proverbs 8:19 (KJV) - My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
Psalms 19:10 (KJV) - More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
To enjoy the FINER THINGS OF LIFE, learn to EXTRACT IMMENSE PLEASURE from the SIMPLE THINGS, the FREE THINGS in life like the presence of God, the Word of God, the innocence of a child, the smile of a family member or friend, the laughter of warm fellowship, a beautiful sunset, a refreshing breeze, or the smell of ozone while it rains. As you experience these things, vocalize your thanks to your Heavenly Father at the same time! YOU ARE RICH, MAN, I MEAN RICH! You are soooo blessed!
The BOOK OF ECCLESIASTES is all about the vanity of STUFF! Stuff cannot satisfy - the richest man in the universe said so, and he ought to know. Solomon had more possessions, more sex, more education, more degrees, more pleasures, more accomplishments, more achievements, more success, more money, and more big-boy-toys than anyone born, yet in the end he summarized it all as VANITY, mere FLUFF. He defined STUFF as mere FLUFF!
The Book of Ecclesiastes is a good book to read to keep your priorities straight, as long as you don't read it's content out of context with the rest of scriptures. It is meant to be a literary expression called an EXAGERRATION on purpose. It takes a bit of maturity and understanding of figures of speech to draw the right conclusions from this book, and not to let it depress you.
The only thing you and I can take with us to Heaven is PEOPLE! RELATIONSHIPS! SOULS! FAMILY!
Proverbs 4:7 (KJV) - Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
Pursue QUALITY OF LIFE and STANDARD OF LIVING will pursue you.
The Bible says GODLINESS WITH CONTENTMENT IS GREAT GAIN!
There is way, way too much to enjoy all around you to get stuck on the negative!
Time to count my blessings, not my liabilities!
Every marriage has handicaps of some kind. Work to overcome them, manage them or at least cope with them. No excuses, really! Out of weakness a marriage is made strong!
God, husband and wife: "A threefold cord is not easily broken!"
My wife, Marilyn, is the single most awesome gift of God to me besides the Lord Himself! She really is! I am a blessed man! And I CHOOSE to keep that my attitude forever! I choose, and I choose again! CHOOSE YOUR ATTITUDE TOWARDS YOUR SPOUSE! DECIDE your feelings! The devil is a BIG FAT LIAR! Indeed, the grass is NOT GREENER on the other side! All temptations other than loyalty to your spouse are MIRAGES!
There is a price to pay for an immoral stray!
1/10 of the content of the Book of Proverbs is warnings against fornication and adultery. 1/10 of this book of wisdom then, discusses your sexuality. Could it be that 1/10 of your struggles or 1/10 of your blessings are tied to your manhood or womanhood?
Wealth without happiness and character development is DESTRUCTIVE! Wealth gained while pursuing God is CREATIVE!
I'd rather be SIGNIFICANT OVER THE LONG HAUL than to be SENSATIONAL IN THE SHORT TERM.
I'd rather be a SIMPLE SERVANT than a SHOOTING STAR! (Meteors, although bright, eventually flame out!)
Mother Teresa is NOT REMEMBERED for being a bright star, but for her selfless SERVANTHOOD. Servants are remembered fondly. People often roll their eyes when remembering stars. WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE AFTER YOU'RE LONG GONE, IN THE MINDS OF FUTURE GENERATIONS? What will your children and your grandchildren remember the most about you? What example and model will you have left them to follow?
I think the real definition of success is KNOWING THE WILL OF GOD, BEING IN THE WILL OF GOD, and DOING THE WILL OF GOD!
Someone has wisely noted: GODS WILL - NOTHING LESS, NOTHING MORE, NOTHING ELSE!
The safest place in the universe is the center of Gods Will.
The happiest place in the universe is the center of Gods Will.
The wealthiest place in the universe for you is in the center of Gods Will for your life, not another.
God trusts a generous man!
God trusts a grateful man!
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