A Man of His WordWritten by Joyce C. Lock
Continued from page 1 There's an easy way to not make same mistake twice. Don't make promises you may not be able to keep. We can say, "If Lord be willing …" But, that's about all we can honestly agree to, knowing that none of us knows what tomorrow may bring. It could be that what God is calling us to, today, may not be same tomorrow. All any of us can rightly do is what God is calling us to, until He calls us to move on. Only once we've heard from God can we be 'A Man of HIS Word'. And to walk with Him, we must first be available. For that ye ought to say, If Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. James 4:15 © by Joyce C. Lock http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/ This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.

Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist. In addition, she founded and maintains the e-mail ministries "Heavenly Inspirations" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and "Share a Smile" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/. Joyce's writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other.
| | Greater Than Any StormWritten by Joyce C. Lock
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----------------- No more than Satan has right to ruin our day using weather; same strength can bud amidst dissention. Many turn grouchy, difficult, childish, fearful, foul mouthed, etc., as they get older and some are just miserably unhappy at any age. While it is impossible to control other people's behavior for any length of time, we also cannot change them. All we have power to do is to change ourselves. We can start by refusing to stoop to their level, to not allow backbiting to come out of our mouth. With practice, it gets easier. Our outlook will gradually change wherein we may stand there, thinking, "Are you done, yet?" A little further down road, we might think, "Don't you think God can hear you?" After a point, their behavior is seen for tantrum it is. Nope, Satan does not have right to ruin our day with such childish gestures. And, eventually, we might barely notice their bad behavior at all. Denial? Maybe. But, what does their bad example have to do with us? Except we did something to provoke, it is not our problem ~ just theirs. Sure, we care that others get right with God. But, as long as our motive, in prayer, is for what we will get out of it, we will be back to begging. The bottom line is, when we look to people for our happiness, they will fail us. If we look to people for our self-worth, Satan is sure to send a lie. And though we want to feel loved, there is only one source of absolute perfection. When in need of peace, no matter circumstance, we have a God that is greater than any storm. © 2004 by Joyce C. Lock http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/ This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.

Joyce C. Lock is a published author, poet, and columnist. In addition, she founded and maintains the e-mail ministries "Heavenly Inspirations" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HeavenlyInspirations/ and "Share a Smile" http://groups.yahoo.com/group/smilesharing/. Joyce's writings encourage us in our relationship with God and each other.
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