I often find myself reflecting on how things used to be, my mind flashing back to what felt like a “simpler” time. But when I step back and really examine it, were things actually simpler back then—or is that just distance talking?
The Frenzied Mind
So often, our minds race without a pause:
Is there enough time?
Am I doing enough at work and at home?
Am I making a difference in the world—or even in my own life?
At times, it feels like the answer is no. It is incredibly difficult to remain anchored in the present. We spend our lives either ruminating on the past or trying to instigate the future. We live constantly in a rush, rarely taking a moment to appreciate where we are right now.
Steering Our Thoughts
How do we reign in these frenzied thoughts?
Our initial instinct might be to try to stop thinking altogether, but that is impossible—our minds are built for thought. The goal isn’t to erase our thoughts, but to anchor them in the present moment.
Letting Go of the Past
We waste so much vital energy rehashing the past:
Obsessing over a comment someone made days or years ago
Berating ourselves for what we think we “should” have done
Carrying the heavy weight of past mistakes
The truth is simple: we cannot change what has already happened. While we can make amends, apologize, and commit to doing better going forward, the past is entirely out of our hands. Real peace begins when we choose to focus our energy on the only place where we actually have power—right here, right now.
2 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins,
Greek word for Sin = Harmartia = missing the Mark
2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
Cravings of the flesh =
4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,
5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
1st time saved by Grace is mentioned in Chapter 2
6 And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
Our purpose is beyond ourselves
10 For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
The Voice translation of V. 10
The Voice translation: 10 For we are the product of His hand, heaven’s poetry etched on lives, created in the Anointed, Jesus, to accomplish the good works God arranged long ago.
20 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler; whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 A king’s wrath strikes terror like the roar of a lion; those who anger him forfeit their lives.
3 It is to one’s honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel.
4 Sluggards do not plow in season; so at harvest time they look but find nothing.
5 The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out.
Purposes in Proverbs 20:5
etsah: Counsel, advice, purpose, plan
Original Word: עֵצָה Part of Speech: Noun Feminine Transliteration: `etsah Pronunciation: ay-tsaw’ Phonetic Spelling: (ay-tsaw’) Definition: Counsel, advice, purpose, plan Meaning: advice, plan, prudence
Word Origin: Derived from the root verb יָעַץ (ya’ats), meaning “to advise” or “to counsel.”
Corresponding Greek / Hebrew Entries: – G1012 (boulē): Often translated as “counsel” or “purpose,” reflecting similar themes of divine or human planning and advice.
– G4823 (symboulion): Meaning “counsel” or “advice,” used in contexts of deliberation or strategic planning.
Usage: The Hebrew word “etsah” primarily refers to counsel or advice, often in the context of guidance or strategic planning. It can denote both human and divine counsel, reflecting the wisdom or plans of individuals or God. In the biblical narrative, “etsah” is frequently associated with the wisdom literature, where it underscores the importance of seeking wise counsel and the consequences of ignoring it.
Cultural and Historical Background: In ancient Israelite society, counsel was highly valued, especially from elders, prophets, and wise individuals. The concept of “etsah” is deeply embedded in the communal and covenantal life of Israel, where decisions were often made collectively and with divine guidance. The wisdom literature, such as Proverbs, emphasizes the pursuit of wise counsel as a path to righteous living and success.
3 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the wilderness of Judea 2 and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
4 John’s clothes were made of camel’s hair, and he had a leather belt around his waist. His food was locusts and wild honey. 5 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. 6 Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River.
7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? 8 Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not think you can say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. 10 The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.
11 “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”
The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. 14 But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. 16 As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”
2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”
Look for something outside ourselves
3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:
6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’”
7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.”
Seek Your Purpose
9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed.
Be Overjoyed – We know we are living our purpose when the Holy Spirt won’t let us do anything else.
11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him.
Worship God
Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Offer our Gifts
12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
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