Ann Shorb

WATCH THOSE PHRASES!

When discussing issues with someone, several key words and phrases should be avoided because they intensify already heated emotions, make the other person defensive, and lead to further disagreement. Some of these are: "You always . . ." "You never . . ." "Everybody . . ." "Anybody . . ."

SPEAK FOR YOURSELF!

God's Word clearly indicates that He is willing to give guidance to His children in both the big and the small areas of life (Psalm 32:8; 37:5, 7, 23; Proverbs 3:5-6).

Basing your decisions on just one source of direction can often be risky. It is better to look at several indicators to gain a more balanced perspective when trying to determine God's will in a particular matter. The following five indicators can help you in making that determination.

1. God's Word
"Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel," (Psalm 73:24a).

Major depression can greatly affect a person's ability to function at home and/or at work, and inhibit the enjoyment of life in any way. Some people suffer depression only once but others may experience it several times in their lifetime.

Exodus 33:14
And He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.

Hebrews 13:5
. . . be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

James 1:22-25
But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

John 13:34-35
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Ephesians 4:32
Be ye kind one to another. . . forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

John 15:9 and 13 As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love . . . Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Isaiah 45:3
And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by name, am the God of Israel.

Wow! Ten inches is a lot of snow! That's what we measured in our backyard last week. As I watched it fall I remarked on its beauty. Covering roads, fields, trees and shrubs it adorned the landscape like white velvet draped gently over the landscape. I looked at it and thought, What marvelous beauty!

Hebrews 12:1-2
. . .Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith . . .

Proverbs 18:24
. . . there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

What a Friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry Ev'rything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit, O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry Ev'rything to God in prayer!

Have we trials and temptations? Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged-Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful Who will all our sorrows share?