VERSE OF THE DAY!

Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
—Ephesians 6:12-13

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
How often do you forget that we are in a spiritual war? Our enemy is deceptively cunning — take away the immediacy of a threat and the danger appears gone. But he's there, always. But rather than try to guess his plans and counter all of his moves, Paul reminds us to simply take up the tools God has given us and stand up to the evil one.

My Prayer...
Lord of Hosts, my Great Deliverer, protect me from the evil one by your great power. Give me a sense of urgency as I face Satan and his schemes on a daily basis, but also give me confidence that Jesus has already defeated my foe. Help me to stand against this foe and show myself faithful to you. Through Jesus my Lord and Savior I pray. Amen.

COCKTAILS :) PT II

Just a reminder...

THE GRAMMY'S ARE TONIGHT

@ 8PM ON CBS!!

NUBIAN BEAUTY!

Proverbs 26

New Living Translation (NLT)

1 Honor is no more associated with fools
    than snow with summer or rain with harvest.
2 Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
    an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.
3 Guide a horse with a whip, a donkey with a bridle,
    and a fool with a rod to his back!
4 Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools,
    or you will become as foolish as they are.
5 Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools,
    or they will become wise in their own estimation.
6 Trusting a fool to convey a message
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison!
7 A proverb in the mouth of a fool
    is as useless as a paralyzed leg.
8 Honoring a fool
    is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot.
9 A proverb in the mouth of a fool
    is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk.
10 An employer who hires a fool or a bystander
    is like an archer who shoots at random.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,
    so a fool repeats his foolishness.
12 There is more hope for fools
    than for people who think they are wise.
13 The lazy person claims, “There’s a lion on the road!
    Yes, I’m sure there’s a lion out there!”
14 As a door swings back and forth on its hinges,
    so the lazy person turns over in bed.
15 Lazy people take food in their hand
    but don’t even lift it to their mouth.
16 Lazy people consider themselves smarter
    than seven wise counselors.
17 Interfering in someone else’s argument
    is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.
18 Just as damaging
    as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
19 is someone who lies to a friend
    and then says, “I was only joking.”
20 Fire goes out without wood,
    and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.
21 A quarrelsome person starts fights
    as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.
22 Rumors are dainty morsels
    that sink deep into one’s heart.
23 Smooth words may hide a wicked heart,
    just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.
24 People may cover their hatred with pleasant words,
    but they’re deceiving you.
25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.
    Their hearts are full of many evils.
26 While their hatred may be concealed by trickery,
    their wrongdoing will be exposed in public.
27 If you set a trap for others,
    you will get caught in it yourself.
If you roll a boulder down on others,
    it will crush you instead.
28 A lying tongue hates its victims,
    and flattering words cause ruin.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.
—James 4:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Humble yourselves. That sounds obscene. At least to the "get ahead at all cost" and "don't look back the competition is gaining on you" culture of self-promotion it sounds obscene. Humility is a forgotten virtue. Often confused with weakness or timidity, humility is about knowing our proper place in the world without flaunting it. Only God can exalt in a permanent way, so the key is to know our place before him and let him put us in the place he chooses to honor him.

My Prayer...
Abba Father, Most Holy God, thank you for allowing me into your presence. When I think of all that you have done, the incredible universe you have made and hold together by your word, I am amazed you invite me into your presence. I am amazed that you even care about my choice of words. Thank you for knowing me and having a plan for my life. Help me this day to live with humility and grace before others as I seek to glorify you in all things. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

DONUTS!

EFFECT vs AFFECT

EFFECT
: a change that results when something is done or happens 

: an event, condition, or state of affairs that is produced by a cause

: a particular feeling or mood created by something

: an image or a sound that is created in television, radio, or movies to imitate something real

vs

AFFECT
: obsolete

: feeling, affection

:  the conscious subjective aspect of an emotion considered apart from bodily changes; also :  a set of observable manifestations of a subjectively experienced emotion

COCKTAILS :) PT I

Ashanti - The Way That I Love You

"The Way That I Love You"

[Chorus:]
After all of the times that we tried,
I found out we were living a lie
And after all of this love that we made,
I Know Now you don't love me the same

The way that I love
(The way that I love you)

The way that I love
(The way that I love you)

The way that I love
(The way that I love you)

[Verse 1]
I woke up kinda early today, and something told me from that moment it wouldn't be the same
Felt like you were hidin' something, but I didn't push it,
I didn't complain or say nothing
I tried to act like I didn't see it,
'cause deep down I know I didn't wanna believe it
There it was, it was you and her,
you left your sidekick on the night stand and I read

[Pre-Hook]
Everything you did and everything you said,
now I'm standin' here lookin' like damn
I thought it was you and I,
now all I gotta say is why

[Chorus]

[x3]
The way that I love
(The way that I love you)

[Verse 2]
I noticed now that when I'm around, you be tryin' to lock the door, whispering on the phone
Now wait a minute,
since we been in this house you ain't never did this before, tell me what's this about..
(What's this about)
I tried to sit and say to myself,
this here is too good, he don't want nothin' else

There it was, it was you and her,
you left the credit card receipt inside the beamer with

[Pre-Hook]
Everything you bought
And everything you spent, now I'm standing here
once again I thought it was you and I,
now all I have to say is why

[Chorus]

[x3]
The way that I love
(The way that I love you)

Oh Oh
You lied
You lied
Oh why
Why
Yes
Why'd you have to lie to me
Why'd you have to lie to me-e
Why'd you have to lie to me
Why, why, why, why
You lied, you lied, you lied
We made, we made, we made
Oh

Proverbs 25

New Living Translation (NLT)

More Proverbs of Solomon

1 These are more proverbs of Solomon, collected by the advisers of King Hezekiah of Judah.
2 It is God’s privilege to conceal things
    and the king’s privilege to discover them.
3 No one can comprehend the height of heaven, the depth of the earth,
    or all that goes on in the king’s mind!
4 Remove the impurities from silver,
    and the sterling will be ready for the silversmith.
5 Remove the wicked from the king’s court,
    and his reign will be made secure by justice.
6 Don’t demand an audience with the king
    or push for a place among the great.
7 It’s better to wait for an invitation to the head table
    than to be sent away in public disgrace.
Just because you’ve seen something,
8     don’t be in a hurry to go to court.
For what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?
9 When arguing with your neighbor,
    don’t betray another person’s secret.
10 Others may accuse you of gossip,
    and you will never regain your good reputation.
11 Timely advice is lovely,
    like golden apples in a silver basket.
12 To one who listens, valid criticism
    is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.
    They revive the spirit of their employer.
14 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
    is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15 Patience can persuade a prince,
    and soft speech can break bones.
16 Do you like honey?
    Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!
17 Don’t visit your neighbors too often,
    or you will wear out your welcome.
18 Telling lies about others
    is as harmful as hitting them with an ax,
wounding them with a sword,
    or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
19 Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble
    is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.
20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart
    is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather
    or pouring vinegar in a wound.
21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.
    If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
    and the Lord will reward you.
23 As surely as a north wind brings rain,
    so a gossiping tongue causes anger!
24 It’s better to live alone in the corner of an attic
    than with a quarrelsome wife in a lovely home.
25 Good news from far away
    is like cold water to the thirsty.
26 If the godly give in to the wicked,
    it’s like polluting a fountain or muddying a spring.
27 It’s not good to eat too much honey,
    and it’s not good to seek honors for yourself.
28 A person without self-control
    is like a city with broken-down walls.

MEATLOAF RECIPE

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 pounds ground beef
 1 egg
 1 onion, chopped
 1 cup milk
 1 cup dried bread crumbs
 salt and pepper to taste
 2 tablespoons brown sugar
 2 tablespoons prepared mustard
 1/3 cup ketchup

HOW TO PREP
`Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

`In a large bowl, combine the beef, egg, onion, milk and bread OR cracker crumbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste and place in a lightly greased 5x9 inch loaf pan, OR form into a loaf and place in a lightly greased 9x13 inch baking dish.

`In a separate small bowl, combine the brown sugar, mustard and ketchup. Mix well and pour over the meatloaf.

`Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour.

VERSE OF THE DAY!

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.
—Philippians 4:8

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Our actions follow our thoughts like a heat seeking missile follows the exhaust of a jet fighter's engine. So in a day when so much around us trains us to find the negative in life, we must aggressively think and pursue the character, the qualities, and the things of God's goodness.

My Prayer...
Holy and Magnificent God, thank you for being better than anything my world can offer me. Thank you for calling me to a higher standard than the world accepts. Thank you for giving me the promise of a better future than any human can imagine. Thank you for giving me a high calling to live up to you. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen.

PROVERBS 24

New Living Translation (NLT)

1 Don’t envy evil people
    or desire their company.
2 For their hearts plot violence,
    and their words always stir up trouble.
3 A house is built by wisdom
    and becomes strong through good sense.
4 Through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with all sorts of precious riches and valuables.
5 The wise are mightier than the strong,
    and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger.
6 So don’t go to war without wise guidance;
    victory depends on having many advisers.
7 Wisdom is too lofty for fools.
    Among leaders at the city gate, they have nothing to say.
8 A person who plans evil
    will get a reputation as a troublemaker.
9 The schemes of a fool are sinful;
    everyone detests a mocker.
10 If you fail under pressure,
    your strength is too small.
11 Rescue those who are unjustly sentenced to die;
    save them as they stagger to their death.
12 Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.”
    For God understands all hearts, and he sees you.
He who guards your soul knows you knew.
    He will repay all people as their actions deserve.
13 My child,[b] eat honey, for it is good,
    and the honeycomb is sweet to the taste.
14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul.
    If you find it, you will have a bright future,
    and your hopes will not be cut short.
15 Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly,
    and don’t raid the house where the godly live.
16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again.
    But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked.
17 Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall;
    don’t be happy when they stumble.
18 For the Lord will be displeased with you
    and will turn his anger away from them.
19 Don’t fret because of evildoers;
    don’t envy the wicked.
20 For evil people have no future;
    the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
21 My child, fear the Lord and the king.
Don’t associate with rebels,
22     for disaster will hit them suddenly.
Who knows what punishment will come
    from the Lord and the king?

WINE ANYONE?!