Author: Beth Morrison

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 19:1-21, Acts 12:1-23, Psalm 136:1-26, Proverbs 17:14-15

Daily Verse: “The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.” Prov. 17:14

Controlled strife.

The Hoover Dam holds back the water from nearby Lake Meade. If it developed a leak and broke, experts predict the water would cover approximately 10 million acres, about a foot deep. To prevent the dam from bursting, spillways stop the water from rising and overflowing. Bathtubs and sinks have spillways, the hole at the top that doesn’t allow them to overflow.

In the same way, if we choose our battles wisely, we’ll stop the dam of emotions from bursting and causing catastrophic damage to our relationships. Some fights don’t need fighting. When headed down the wrong path, stop before an argument starts. Walk away, if necessary, but don’t let an emotional moment cause irreparable damage.

Play out the scenario in your mind before saying the words. Ask yourself, “Is it worth the fight?” We have control over our thoughts and emotions. Stopping a fight before it starts controls strife in our lives and allows us to live peacefully with others.

Pick your battles wisely. Control the strife in your life.

Lord, forgive us brash words that unleash unhealthy dams of emotions. Please give us the wisdom to choose our battles and stop the strife before it happens. Bless us with self-control to manage our thoughts and emotions. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 18:1-46, Acts 11:1-30, Psalm 135:1-21, Proverbs 17:12-13

Daily Verse: “If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house.” Prov. 17:13

Justice for ingratitude.

Bitter hearts return evil for good. Instead of seeing the kindness in the act, they view the world through a negative lens, looking for the ulterior motive and responding inappropriately. Intentionally evil deeds bring on more disaster and cause bitter roots to grow.

How we treat others often determines how they respond. As the saying goes, hurting people hurts others and usually begins a vicious cycle of pain. People can’t see the trauma hidden behind the actions; they only see the reactions.

During my flight attendant days, while switching planes, I had a memorable conversation with a Bride-to-be. I responded bitterly to her excited talk of the upcoming wedding, thinking of my dead Father and that he couldn’t walk me down the aisle, squashing her joy. My bitter heart hurt many relationships. I could not release the bitterness and have healthy relationships until I dealt with the pain.

Strive to understand the emotions behind the actions. Before responding in kind, look for the hurt, and give love back instead of evil.

Lord, forgive us for responding inappropriately. Please help us healthily deal with our hurts, and when people do good for us, let us respond with love. Let us see others through Your lens and not ours. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 15:25-17:24, Acts 10:24-48, Psalm 134:1-3, Proverbs 17:9-11

Daily Verse: “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.” Prov. 17:9

Discretion in love.

Friendship requires the ability to forget. When someone offends us, we must learn to let it go and speak of it no longer. Ruminating about it and sharing the hurt with others will only make e things worse, alienating people and ending relationships.

Clara Barton, the founder of the American Red Cross, chose forgiveness. When a friend asked about a mean act done to her years before, the nurse responded, “I distinctly remember forgetting it.”

God allows us to choose how we respond and control our thoughts. Clara exercised her actions and mind by deliberately forgetting the offense, and we can too.

Full confession, I have damaged relationships because I couldn’t forget the offense.   Entering the second half of my life, I’m working diligently not to do this anymore.   My phone screensaver says, “Forgiveness is the conscious choice to give up your right to make the other person pay because you trust God to make things right.”

We must choose to forgive and trust God to handle the offense. By doing so, we will develop healthy, loving relationships.

Lord, forgive us for not letting go of offenses. Please help us forgive quickly, cover offenses, and love others well, trusting You with any hurts we have. Keep our hearts soft towards others. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 14:1-15:24, Acts 10:1-23, Psalm 133:1-3, Proverbs 17:7-8

Daily Verse: “A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it;  wherever he turns he prospers.” Prov. 17:8

Bribery works.

Sohad, the original Hebrew word for a bribe, means gift. In today’s verse, the term refers to something that will open doors. When I yell “treat,” my dogs run to the kitchen, knowing something good awaits them.   Using dog biscuits gets my pups to do what I want.

Moms use Cheerios to reward children when potty training them. The promise of rewards encourages positive behavior. Bribes of this nature cause people to prosper because of proper motives.

In Exodus 23:8, the Law prohibits bribes made in secret that pervert the way of justices (Prov. 17:23). Payoffs to get someone out of trouble or promote illegal actions don’t fall into the same category as Sohad.

As always, God measures the heart and its intentions. He knows the difference between a bribe meant for good versus evil. Positive choices have positive outcomes and evil ways get exposed.

Appropriate gifts given at the proper time prosper.

Lord, forgive us for using bribery for the wrong reasons. As we study this verse, it helps us understand its meaning and use it appropriately. Let us use our resources to open the right doors properly. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 12:20-13:34, Acts 9:26-43, Psalm 132:1-18, Proverbs 17:6

Daily Verse: “Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.” Prov. 17:6

Family honor.

Today marks 37 years since God called my father home. Out of his six kids, he had only four grandchildren, one adopted. My sister had an accident as a child, which prevented her from having children. The rest of us without children tried unsuccessfully.

As much as I love traveling with my husband, I miss having children. Watching my friends enjoy their grandchildren brings joy to my heart. Working with kids encourages and uplifts my soul. Why God didn’t bless us with children, I don’t know. Having long accepted His will for our lives, I enjoy the children The Lord brings into my life.

Grandchildren bring joy to the aged, as children honor their parents. The circle of life continues through the ages as people come of age and have their own families. Enjoy the moments with youngsters; they grow fast, becoming parents themselves.

Life continues at a rapid pace. Staying in the moment helps to enjoy it. Respecting grandparents and honoring parents allows us to treasure our family heritage.

Lord, thank You for blessing our lives with children, whether our own or others. Please help us cherish our moments with them, honoring our grandparents and parents as we do. Let us value our family heritage each day. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 11:1-12:19, Acts 9:1-25, Psalm 131:1-3, Proverbs 17:4-5

Daily Verse: “Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.” Prov. 17:5

Unwholesome speech.

Mocking the poor and misfortunate shows contempt for God and His sovereignty. God controls our destiny; material things don’t determine a person’s worth. People’s temporary circumstances don’t indicate their value to the Creator.

In my life, I’ve met people from both ends of the spectrum, incredibly wealthy and extremely poor. The happiest souls and most peaceful hearts didn’t have bank accounts or homes with windows and doors. Singing praise songs in the concrete room in El Salvador, a chicken in the plastic chair beside me, and off-key voices worshipping the Creator ranks as one of the most joyous and educational moments of my life following Christ.

“The rich and the poor meet together; the Lord is the Maker of them all.” Prov. 22:2

Connect with people instead of mocking them. Just because financial circumstances differ doesn’t mean God doesn’t love them. Our Creator made us all for different purposes; only He knows the end game. Don’t mock what the Lord made.

Lord, forgive us for mocking those less fortunate than us. Please help us see people through Your lens. Let us value the lives of those around us, honoring and serving them as You would have us do. In all things, let You receive the glory. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 9:1-10:29, Acts 8:14-40, Psalm 130:1-8, Proverbs 17:2-3

Daily Verse: “The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and the Lord tests hearts.” Prov. 17:3

Divine purification.

Nitric acid purifies silver by mixing it with the dissolved metal; it exposes the undissolvable contaminants, leaving them behind. Then adding silver precipitant crystals (common salt) to the mixture neutralizes the acid, pours it off, and leaves the pure silver behind.

God purifies our hearts with the circumstances of life as we follow Him.  Putting into practice Biblical principles reveals the “undissolvable contaminants” in our lives. Adding the Holy Spirit strengthens us to neutralize our impurities and leaves behind a pure heart.

When I struggled with hatred towards another person, God purified my heart. First, I had to understand why their actions caused such a violent response in me. God showed me impurities in my own life that needed work. Dealing with those issues purified my heart, replaced hatred with love, and helped me overcome the powerful emotion.

God tests the heart in various ways. Allowing Him to purify us leads to a more Christ-like life filled with the Lord’s blessing and peace.

Lord, thank You for purifying our hearts and removing the contaminated parts. Lead us in Your ways, continually refining and making our hearts pure. Let us become more like Christ as we follow You closely, changing daily. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 8:1-66, Acts 7:51-8:13, Psalm 129:1-8, Proverbs 17:1

Daily Verse: “Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.” Prov. 17:1

Value of peace.

Strife comes with the deterioration of moral and ethical standards. Often, the more people have materially or monetarily, the more they can argue and fight over, causing strife. Although I haven’t watched the show “Billions,” the title tells me it’s about people fighting over money and power, strife.

“Poverty with peace is better than prosperity with strife.” Expositor’s Bible Commentary

Living a peace-filled life has more value than money. God’s not against prosperity, but He doesn’t want us fighting over it. The things of this world will pass away, but God’s peace never will. Just because you can afford something doesn’t mean you need it.

Living a quiet life makes me happy. No longer do I want strife. Simple living has many advantages. Not a fan of housework, our small house doesn’t require much upkeep. Easy meals keep us healthy. We have all we need and live strife free in our minimalist lifestyle. 

Value peace above all else; don’t let prosperity steal it.

Lord, forgive us for arguing over temporary things.  Please help us value peace over prosperity.  Thank You for providing all our needs for us.  Let us focus on what we do have instead of what we don’t have. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 7:1-50, Acts 7:30-50, Psalm 128:1-6, Proverbs 16:31-33

Daily Verse: “Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life.” Prov. 16:31

Crown of glory.

In a world full of people trying to hide their gray hair, Solomon describes it as a crown of glory. Living a righteous life gets rewarded with longevity, which comes with gray locks.

Today’s verse makes me think of my mom, who didn’t have time to color her hair, raising three kids, and taking care of a disabled husband—a righteous woman who enjoyed a long life.

Now, I’m “going gray.”  Letting my natural hair color shine also helps me transition into the later part of life, letting go of the mistakes of my youth, forgiving myself of my transgressions, and trusting God more than ever. Realizing I have fewer years ahead of me than behind helps me appreciate each moment more.

Life moves quickly as you begin to talk about decades instead of years. Gray hair signifies the victories and defeats that come with a long life, each day a gift from above.

Wear the crown of glory, gray hair, signifying a long walk with God and anticipation of what will come someday.

Lord, thank You for a long life lived with You.  Forgive us for trying to hide the crown of glory. As we transition into the second part of life, help us accept what comes with aging. Let us see ourselves as You see us. IJNIP. Amen

One minute read.

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 5:1-6:38, Acts 7:1-29, Psalm 127:1-5, Proverbs 16:28-30

Daily Verse: “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.” Prov. 16:28

Divisive speech.

Lies cause problems. When trust doesn’t exist, having a relationship proves troublesome. I still haven’t solved the mystery of how to interact with a person who constantly tells false tales. Knowing they won’t tell the truth makes it difficult and feels like a waste of time.

What I have learned about liars, they lie to themselves more than anyone else. Because of their inability to honestly assess their own lives, they can’t tell the truth to others. Understanding this fact helps me keep a soft heart and tells me how to pray for them.

“The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.” Prov. 20:12

When dealing with dishonest people, pray for God to open their eyes and ears. Often, they see their need for Jesus first and foremost. Truth comes through the Savior; giving our lives to Him allows the Holy Spirit to open our eyes to the truth.

Pray for those who spread lies, and ask the Lord to give them the gifts of eyes to see and ears to hear.

Lord, forgive us for telling false tells. Please helps us see and hear the truth always. As we deal with untrustworthy people, soften our hearts and guide us on how to pray for them. IJNIP. Amen