“For upon the first day of the first month began he to go up from Babylon, and on the first day of the fifth month came he to Jerusalem, according to the good hand of his God upon him. For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.” Ezra 7:9-10 My mother penned these verses on the inside cover of a Bible she gave me upon my graduation from high school. I am certainly thankful for “the good hand of (my) God upon (me!)” While I often fail the Lord in faithlessness, I want it to be known that it is my heart’s desire to “prepare (my) heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach…statutes and judgments.” The Lord has been so merciful and gracious to Amanda and I, and we are so humbled to think that He would choose to use [...]

Blessings upon the Upright Proverbs 11 Many examples in the Scriptures show forth a righteous life. Joseph the earthly father of Jesus, was such a man. Matthew 1   God is looking for the man who has a heart that is right with Him. This man will reap the blessings from the Lord upon his life. On the contrary the person who does not live right will miss out upon the blessings of the Lord.   One must have the right character before the Lord before he can expect God’s blessings upon his life.   Honesty—vs. 1 A life characterized by truthfulness in life and lips(Honesty starts in the heart) I won’t tell I lie from my lips if the truth is in my heart! The faulty balance was built by a deceitful heart. The deceitful heart is known by its treachery or transgressing—vs. 3 Humility—vs. 2 Pride invites shame upon my own life. If I am too proud to admit my own faults and [...]