When my boys were young, I’d tell them, “I’m right 100% of the time, and that’s a conservative estimate.”
I was wrong. Nobody’s right 100% of the time.
Romans 12:3 (AMPC)
. . . I warn everyone among you not to estimate and think of himself more highly than he ought [not to have an exaggerated opinion of his own importance], but to rate his ability with sober judgment, each according to the degree of faith apportioned by God to him.
Still overrating myself? Yep. And still wrong.
I was wrong.
I am forgiven.
1 John 1:8-9 (ESV)
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The old is gone, the slate is clean. 
I can be right for the wrong reasons.
1 Corinthians 16:14
Let all that you do be done in love.
What’s my motivation?
Back to the Apostle Paul:
1 Corinthians 13:1,3
If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal . . . If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, have not love, I gain nothing.
“O God, Who are the unsearchable abyss of peace, the ineffable sea of love, the fountain of blessings, and the bestower of affection, Who sends peace to those that receive it; open to us this day the sea of Your love, and water us with the plenteous streams from the riches of Your grace. Make us children of quietness, and heirs of peace.”
A prayer of the early Church, from the Syrian Clementine Liturgy
Just imagine – all the clatter and clamor of our world ceases.
Habakkuk 2:20 (ESV)
The Lord is in his holy temple;
let all the earth keep silence before him.
Awesome!
Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers.
For years, this was the screensaver on my work computer. The computer screen faced me, not the folks on the other side of my desk. I was the one needing the reminder:
Peacemaking —
easier read than done.
Romans 12:18 (AMP)
If possible, as far as it depends on you,
live at peace with everyone.
“Live at peace.”
Don’t pick a fight. Don’t take the bait. Watch your words.
Now would be a good time.
If you’ve had surgery, you’ve probably met up with the dreaded compression stockings. They’re hot, ugly and hard to put on. Punishing.
But these nasty stockings improve circulation, reduce swelling and help prevent blood clots. They reduce risk.
Still, I don’t wanna wear ’em. I do it reluctantly. I exercise self-discipline.
Likewise, spiritual disciplines aren’t meant as punishment. Bible study, prayer and service don’t promise me an easy life. But they do reduce the risk of bad outcomes.
Proverbs 10:17 (EHV)
Whoever practices discipline is on the path to life.
Psalm 12:4 (NIV)
A wife of noble character is her husband’s crown,
but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones.
A badly behaving spouse is like a bad hip.
O Lord, I want to be a spouse of good character,
and not a pain in the hip. Fill me with wisdom.
May my words be kind and my actions helpful.
