Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
 
Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.
 
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

So now you are not a slave; you are God's child, and God will give you the blessing he promised, because you are his child. Galatians 4:7

Maybe your past isn't much to brag about. Maybe you've seen raw evil. And now you … have to make a choice. Do you rise above the past and make a difference? Or do you remain controlled by the past and make excuses? …

Many choose the convalescent homes of the heart. Healthy bodies. Sharp minds. But retired dreams. Back and forth they rock in the chair of regret, repeating the terms of surrender. Lean closely and you will hear them: "If only."

"If only I'd been born somewhere else …"

"If only I'd been treated fairly …"

Maybe you've used those words. Maybe you have every right to use them… If such is the case … go to John's gospel and read Jesus' words: "Human life comes from human parents, but spiritual life comes from the Spirit" (John 3:6).

When God Whispers Your Name (Max Lucado)

Your words either work for you or against you. The Bible says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit." The old saying, "You'll eat your words", is more than a meaningless cliche, it's the truth! Jeremiah the prophet writes, "Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart..." (Jeremiah 15:16 NKJV). The Psalmist writes, "They cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses (worries). He sent His word and healed them..." (Psalms 107:19-20 NKJV). God's Word is the medicine that heals worry. So what God has to say about the issue must be what you have to say about it too, otherwise you're contradicting Him and disconnecting yourself from the source of all blessing. If you're wise, you will surround yourself with like-minded people who speak God's Word into your life, and limit your time with those who have no interest in it. If you want to grow the right kind of fruit, you must have the right climate. And the words you speak (and listen to) determine the climate of your life, the direction in which it goes, and the results you get. There is no "secret" to success. The Bible says that when you learn to "meditate day and night" in God's Word, you will "prosper in all you do" (Psalms 1:1-3). So the answer to your worries is in God's Word!

Soul food: 2 Sam 22:31-24:25; Lk. 8:26-39; Ps 140; Prov. 18:21-22

If you are a senior you will understand this one; if you deal with
seniors, this should help you understand them a little better, and if
you are not a senior yet... God willing, someday you will be.

The 2.99 Special
We went to breakfast at a restaurant where the 'seniors' special' was
two eggs, bacon, hash browns
and toast for $2.99.

'Sounds good,' my wife said. 'But I don't want the eggs..'

'Then, I'll have to charge you $3.49 because you're ordering a la
carte,' the waitress warned her.

'You mean I'd have to pay for not taking the eggs?' my wife asked
incredulously.

'YES!' stated the waitress..

'I'll take the special then,' my wife said.

'How do you want your eggs?' the waitress asked.

'Raw and in the shell,' my wife replied. She took the two eggs home and
baked a cake.

DON'T MESS WITH SENIORS!
WE'VE been around the block more than once!

Send this to the Seniors in your life. I'm sure they'll appreciate it!
Always laugh when you can - it's cheaper than medicine!

Psalm 34:5

'Those who look to Him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.'

- Who are you looking to for your help today?
- Remember, your help comes from the Lord and no one else.
- He will come through for you.
- You will be able to rejoice and your face will show it!

PRAYER: Lord, I declare that You are my source. I look to You for the help that I need, knowing that You have my best interests at heart. Amen.