Blessed are the....

Scripture: Proverbs 31:28

Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: (NASB)

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. (NKJ)

Observation:

The word rise up could mean to stand (excitedly). Blessed is the Hebrew word Ashar which means to  be happy, blessed. It also means .go straight, walk, go on, advance, make progress, and to be led on.

1.  Her children take a stand and they bless their Mother

2. It appears that blessings are observed and given based on what the children see 

Application

 When I hear Proverbs 31: 28, I am reminded of Matthew 5:3-11
(Beatitudes) and the blessed are the ___________. The first one is “Blessed are the poor in spirit,for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Without being poor in spirit and knowing and receiving everything from God, we cannot be the Proverbs 31 woman. We have to be spiritually bankrupt before God. All of our doing is like filthy rags before God. Everything comes from His hand.  The character mentioned in Matthew 5 speaks of why one would be called Blessed which include: poor in spirit, one who mourns, one who is meek,  one who hungers and thirsts for righteousness, one who is merciful, one who is pure in heart, one who is a peacemaker, and who who is persecuted because of righteousness. 
      

My son is only 3 ½ so he is not grown, but I already see fruits of him blessing me. He spontaneously will tell me “You are lovely and beautiful”, “I love you”, “You are the best Mommy”. When I asks him how he knows something that I was surprised that he knew he says “you do that”. There are so many things that my son observes about me that I am not aware. I love how he is attentive and speaks out what he sees. His first reaction when he sees my husband and I not agreeing is to pray for us. If he notices anything that is not love, he prays.  Likewise, Nehemiah sees his Father blessing me and praising me and him. Nehemiah does not speak the words we speak as a blessing but his words of love and praise pour out. I love how they are spontaneous and a true reflection of love. 

Of course when children are grown, you see even more fruit but I don't think children have to be all grown to be a child after God's own heart. Jesus says let the children come to Him. When trained early and God's spirit comes into their life early, they are easily trainable and malleable. This does not mean that there are not frustrating moments and moments of sin. We still have those moments in our own life. However, life is not characterized by those moments in which discipline and correction is needed according to God's word. Sometimes we as parents see something as "sin" or frustrating but we don't take the time to see what our attitudes were like that day. Also, sometimes the child just needs training in that area and we need to do it. Sometimes it truly is sin but it is not personal toward us. They are sinning against God and we have the authority to train and correct. Grace is also important.  I have seen prayer work with regard to peace in our homes. When we put on the armor of God and engage in the battle of prayer, God works His Fruit of Love into our homes and lives.

My husband praises me as well. I have been having strangers coming up to me and praising me too. Many times, I need to let this sink in as there were many years of a critical spirit in our home. God is so good to know what we need before we ask. He is so good to provide a good word in due season to encourage us.

I try not to live on praises of my child, husband or others but on what God thinks of me. It is good to be praised by others and it is encouraging but I don’t want to lose heart just because I am not getting outward praise.  I want to be blessed because of the things that God says we are blessed for in Matthew 5.

Prayer: Lord, nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling. I pray that I am a Mother that clings to the cross. May I be blessed because I follow hard after you. Lord, may I continue to do everything heartily onto you.

Perservering Application

Persevering Application

This week’s character or virtue was diligence, the opposite of laziness, slothfulness or idleness. The term diligence is derived from Latin phrases meaning "to choose," and "to love earnestly." To be diligent is to choose to start a project, finish a project, make preparations, follow through and work heartily onto the Lord with whatever work has been assigned or whatever work you see that needs to be done. I didn’t come from a wealthy family in terms of money nor did I grow up in Church, but my family showed me character. We didn’t go on expensive vacations. We camped a couple of times per year. . We spent time at our local river swimming, playing in the sand, we watched the town baseball game between locals, we spent time talking to people in town , we helped others, we played board games together,  we did crafts together, we liked town fairs and town functions.  

One area I became very diligent in was my studies at school because I thought that was an area to help others and to not worry about money. I didn’t wait for others to teach things to me or do it for me, I jumped right in to learn. I became a lawyer and so the word “due diligence” was easy for me. I would always check, research, try, explore, research again everything I read or a client would say. I would use and invest my energies, talents and gifts to complete tasks. God has given me perseverance to withstand troubles and continue at places that are difficult.  Now, I a stay at home mostly and pick up legal work occasionally. Finally, I am back into a mode of working hard in whatever I do for God not to look good, get more, earn more or anything more. I work hard in my home and outside for God’s glory and because he says to. I am learning to be content with what God gives.

Today, I was listening to the rooms of a woman’s heart. I liked how an analogy of building was made to our spiritual home. The first room discussed was the basement and foundation. Many people want to talk about all the precious things and beautiful things we fill our home with to make it “beautiful” but the most important part of a house is the foundation. Without Jesus Christ, we don’t have a firm foundation. God tells us in His word that those that build on sandy foundations are those people who hear the word of God but then do not do what it says. The people who build on the rock of Christ do what he says in His Word. All people experience “storms’ in their life but the one who perseveres and withstands is the one who does what God says to do.

This week, I am pondering many things including building the Church, our spiritual homes inside of us/heart/God’s Spirit residing in us, building our family homes where we live, building my son up to be a warrior for Christ, and building our church up. I am trying to learn more about working on projects more communally with everyone doing their part.

Though None Go With Me

The two books that came to my mind today were The Little Red Hen and The Three Little Pigs. The Little Ren Hen has a very good moral although many in the politically correct/socially acceptable movement may disagree. My only complaint is that we can carry independent overboard and be too independent. God did make us to live in community and work together. God said it was not good to be alone. I am starting to see that doing a lot on your own does not mean you are alone. We meet and work with people as we go. I don’t wait or depend on others where I can do it myself unless the Word  of God says not to do it.
The Little Red Hen
“In the tale, The Little Red Hen finds a grain of wheat, and asks for help from the other farmyard animals to plant it. However, no animal will volunteer to help her.
At each further stage (harvest, threshing, milling the wheat into flour, and baking the flour into bread), the hen again asks for help from the other animals, but again she gets no assistance.
Finally, the hen has completed her task, and asks who will help her eat the bread. This time, all the previous non-participants eagerly volunteer. However, she declines their help, stating that no one aided her in the preparation work, and eats it with her chicks, leaving none for anyone else.
The moral of this story is that those who show no willingness to contribute to an end product do not deserve to enjoy the end product: "if any man will not work, neither let him eat."^[

The Three Little Pigs

• The moral of the story is pretty obvious. when building your future be wise and take your time to build it up right. A good solid foundation and well structured plan can help in times of a storm to prevent financial difficulties. Such as a good savings plan, reliable investments, etc.
• Hard work and enterprise triumphs over evil forces and misfortune
• Don't give up when it comes to your life.
• Prior Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
• Take the time and expense necessary to do things the right way. You may get by for awhile with shortcuts and shoddy work, but in the long run it will cost you.

.

The Bible has many verses like the Little Red Hen saying if you don’t work, you don’t eat. However, the politically correct, socially acceptable story today is that the Red Hen is being unfair by not sharing. I am all for sharing and giving. In fact the verse my son worked on yesterday while we wrote it on lasagna noodles was Proverbs 21:26 – All day long he craves for more, but the righteous give without sparing. We should give to others. However, in this story the animals had a chance to have food and help and they wanted to play and do what they wanted to it. We are not talking about the disabled, injured, poor who are taking care of young or for other reasons that would prevent someone from working.  Many parents would disagree with me but I did teach my son to work hard, be helpful and take responsibility and care for his belongings. The sharing will come as we work on contentment with what God gives and trusting that God provides and we do not need to worry if someone steals or breaks our things. Sharing comes out of realizing the great gifts our God has given us.

Scriptures for Proverbs 31 Study:

Proverbs 12:24 - The hand of the diligent shall bear rule: but the slothful shall be put to forced labor.

Proverbs 19:15 - Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger.

Proverbs 20:4 - The sluggard will not plow by reason of the cold; therefore shall he beg in harvest, and have nothing.

Observations:

1.    Slothful, lazy and idle are interchangeable

2.    Slothful/Lazy/Idle person shall be put to forced labor, suffer hunger and have nothing in the harvest.

3.    The diligent on the other hand will be in places of authority and will be filled.

Applications:

Since a young teenager, I have been identified as a “leader” or one that rules. I would come up with ideas and plans and go forward. I have been called “tenacious”. This quality of endurance that I give praise to God for is not a bad thing. It is a good thing.  Following what God says has kept me from being hungry in the spiritual and physical sense. Proverbs 10: 3 says “The LORD will not allow the righteous to hunger, But He will reject the craving of the wicked.” Righteousness comes from being clothed with Jesus Christ’s righteousness. We then fear God and depart from evil ways. We are full of thanks for His sacrifice and our lives become the living sacrifice of saying “Yes Lord.”  When I think of a deep sleep, I think of a person with no or little discernment. Their conscious  has been darkened and they can not see right from wrong many times. They are on auto pilot. Their minds, hearts and emotions are not engaged. They are lifeless devoid of the Spirit of God. A person like this will crave, crave and crave and never have.  Also, people that are cast into a deep sleep and have nothing will eat off other people’s emotions, work, and kindness. The sluggard can drain everyone not just of material blessings but of spiritual blessings.

Before becoming a Mother, I was constantly helping everyone. I would work all day, have prayer and accountability groups 3 times a week. I served faithfully in Church as a counselor and small group  leader. After becoming a Mother and sensing my true purpose, I gave up a lot of work outside the home. I didn’t have the stamina to do it all. I wanted to train my son as God directed me. During these three and a half years, I have learned a lot. I have learned that I did many things for people that they could have done for themselves. Many times, I helped people come up with plans and directions from the Word of God that were never implemented. This use to upset me but now I do not take it personally. I am learning to ask questions when they come again for help. I ask what they have done since the last time I spoke. I ask them what plan they have for the future.

I think many times I think summer is for fun, camping and trips. I forget that a lot of projects need to do be done in the summer like certain pain jobs, cleaning the garage, planting crops. I have not been diligent in summer time many times. I still think it is the time we should have off for relaxing. I think this applies to spiritual harvest as well. It is important to be investing into lives of others. It doesn’t always have to be a formal role. It can be when we are at the store, at a museum, getting a haircut. Seeds are planted by the lives we live. I am trying to be diligent in teaching my son about God and it is amazing for me to hear account after account of how he stands out. I believe God has a calling on all of our lives and he created us for a purpose to glorify Him in the gifting He gives us. We are not to hide these talents or just spend them on ourselves but to work hard unto Him with every gift He gives.

I am thinking of the song


Verse 1
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
I have decided, to follow Jesus,
No turning back, no turning back.

VERSE 3
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
Though none go with me, still I will follow,
No turning back, no turning back!

Prayer:

Lord, thank you that you give us eternal perspectives. I hear you saying the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Lord, I do want to be a worker but with the right motives. I don’t want to work to look good but unto you for your Glory. Lord, I thank you that knowing you and having others come to know you intimately is a desire on my heart. Lord, use our family and my life wherever I am and whatever I do. God may we work together in and for You. I have decided that even if none want to make break or help with the bread (though none go with me), I still will follow. You are the bread of life and I want to follow you all my days.

Filled with Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge

We are being fashioned for a palace. We are God's spiritual house. Psalm 144:12 -  Let our sons in their youth be as grown-up plants, And our daughters as corner pillars fashioned as for a palace. God is growing us priests in His Kingdom to accomplish His purposes not our own purposes.

Scripture for Week 10, Day 3 is: Proverbs 24:3-4 - Through wisdom a house is built; and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.

Observations:

1.      Built – Hebrew word banah means fashioned, fortifying, have children, restored.  Some say it is the same word God uses when he took the rib from Adam to fashion Eve. Wisdom is seeing with God’s discernment.God’s wisdom restores physical and spiritual house. The verbal root for this word is חכם (hhakham) and means to separate between good and bad, right and wrong, left and right, up and down, etc.

2.      Established – Hebrew word I believe is amad meaning to set up or lay the groundwork for, establish the validity of something, as by an example, explanation or experiment. Also it means to set in order that which is cluttered and to set up straight that which is fallen down. It can also mean to remain or endure.  God brings Order out of chaos.

3.      3. Filled – Hebrew word male or mala meaning consecrated, dedicated, completed, accomplished. We as a spiritual house are consecrated, dedicated to God. Likewise our house (family) is too.

Application:  If you read through all the Proverbs starting with Proverbs 1, God shows us the difference between wisdom and foolishness. Just as an example, to be wise is to hear and increase learning, to fear the Lord, keep God’s commands, restrain lips, listens and heeds instruction, uses knowledge rightly and attains Godly counsel. The foolish person does not listen to instruction, does not like counsel, pours forth foolishness from lips; despises wisdom and instruction, hates knowledge, does not seek God diligently and does not fear God.  I like how in Proverbs 3:13-15 we see why the Proverbs 31 is far more precious than rubies because this same wording is used for wisdom. In Proverbs 3:13-15 it says “happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding; for her proceeds are better than the profits of silver and her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies and all the things you may desire can not compare with her.”  We are told in Proverbs 2 that we are to receive God’s word, treasure His commands, incline our ear to wisdom, apply your heart to understanding, cry out for discernment, lift up voice for understanding, seek for wisdom as silver, search for as hidden treasures then we will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom and From His mouth comes knowledge and understanding. Apart from Jesus Christ and his death on the cross, we can not be wise. Foolish are wise in their own eyes but God says that “There is no wisdom or understanding or counsel against the Lord.” Proverbs 21:30. A fool has no delight in understanding but in expressing his own heart (Proverbs 18:2).

Some Scriptures in addition to those mentioned in Application:

 Colossians 1:9 – For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;

1 Peter 2:5 - You also, as living stones, are built up into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.

Isaiah 11:2 - the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD;

And I have filled him with the spirit of God, in wisdom, and in understanding, and in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship," (-- Exodus 31:3)  

Prayer: Lord, thank you for building us up a spiritual house to bring praises to you. Thank you that if our homes on not built on you and your word with Christ being Lord and Savior over all of it that it will be like building on sinking sand. I pray that you make what is fallen and crooked stand upright and straight. Fill our family, home and individual temple of our body and life as a living sacrifice to you. Thank you for the great work you are doing.

Watching the Ants

Above link copied from:
http://heartofwisdom.com/blog/go-to-the-ant-lesson-plan/

We started the ABC I Believe curriculum in September, two months before my son's Third Birthday. The first lesson was the ANT and the verse from today. Ten months later he still recalls the verse and the whole lesson.

Proverbs 9:1-2 - Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn out its seven pillars. She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table

Proverbs 6:6-11 - Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep? Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.

Observations:
1. Proverbs 9:1-2 - It is important to build on wisdom. Seven Pillars providing stability. It involves preparations and then setting everything in order.
2. Proverbs 6:6-11
a. one way to be wise is to observe the ants
b. they don't have a guide or ruler telling them to do their work. They just do it.
c. they don't take summers off  - they work in summer so they can gather in harvest
d. sleep leads to poverty

Applications: In the May 21, 2012 post, I wrote about the possible seven pillars mentioned in Proverbs 9:1-2. As for Proverbs 6:6-11, I am learning that it is step by step. The ants just keep going forward carrying their food, carrying one piece of dirt at a time. Diligence does not mean we get it all done in one day. I was reminded this weekend of the important of looking to the future and not just day after day of what was accomplished. We can become discouraged if we think everything has to be instantly done.

One way that I am idle and not like the ants is that I start things I don't finish. I start projects, crafts, binders for preschool, Bible studies and many other things that sometimes I start and then stop. I then do it years later as I had to many things started. I am reminded in Proverbs 14:23 that we should do what we say we are going to do rather than just talk about doing it.
I am also realizing the importance of preparation. The Ants don't just wait until winter harvest and say "let's get to work". They work all summer. Many times, I want to accomplish everything all at once. I play all at once. Then I want to work all at once.  Instead of step by step preparations.  For me, I love to camp in the Summer but then Winter comes and we didn't do many things that are needed in the Summer.  Many times I see house projects and I get overwhelmed. We need new cabinets, new counter tops, new roof, bathroom walls falling in, shower area is duct taped, sidewalk falling apart, basement floor not finished, walls need insulation, things need painting, windows need replacing, attic needs help and the list goes on. This is just our house and not my Mom's house that we take care of and our rental property. It is important to lay out the preparations and do each step by step as we saved money and work toward each project.

These projects lead me to my next issue that I learn from the ants. My husband has wanted "barn raising" in our community where people gather and redo our roof. Then we go to their house and do a project. We all pitch in serving where we can. Some may be good at roofs while others can clean up the mess and make food for the workers. Some of us can take care of the children and go buy supplies if we run out. The ants live in a community. They are communal workers. They each have a job to do it and they do it for all the other ants. I, on the other hand try to accomplish everything on my own. I tend to have an independent mindset rather than how can we accomplish this together.

I could write on and on about observing the ants like the army ants who fight the common enemy. My son likes army ants. I could talk about how ants can lift way more than their size. I could write about their not giving up even though they can only take a grain of sand at a time to build their colony. What about the oldest ants sent to battle while the young ones stay home to take care of food and the young babies?

Many times I give in to hopelessness and despair when I don't see everything done. Many times I forget to wait on the Lord and just keep doing what I know He told me to do one step at a time.

Prayer: Lord thank you that you want us to be diligent like the ants rather than like sluggards. Thank you that you are our strength. Lord, I pray I finish the tasks you give and that I learn to love being with others as we accomplish your work together.

Bread of Idleness

Bread. The Bible speaks figuratively, as a term for something of which people “partake.”  Here are examples of The types of Bread we can partake of:

Partake of                                                    Scripture Reference

Bread of Adversity                                        Isaiah 30:20

Bread of Sorrows                                          Psalm 127:2

Bread of Wickedness                                    Proverbs 4:17

Bread of Affliction                                       1 Kings 22:27

Bread of Tears                                               Psalm 80:5

Bread of Idleness                                         Proverbs 31:27

Bread of Deceit                                             Proverbs 20:17

Bread of Life                                               John 6:35

Scriptures for Proverbs 31 Study (Week 10)
Prov. 31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Prov. 13:1 A wise son heeds his father’s instruction, but a mocker does not respond to rebukes.
Observations:
1. When we don't watch over the affairs/ways of our household, we are eating the bread of idleness.
2. Heeding what God says is important in wise living.

Application:  When I think of bread of idleness, I think of its opposite which is eating the bread of life which is Jesus Christ. When I think of idle, I think of lazy, opposite of diligent, using time for unproductive, useless activities. God's Word directs our steps.

There are many who say that if you are outside your home for errands or fun activities for your children more than once a week that you are being idle. I would say that there are many women who are staying home all day that are idle too. Either account could be idle. I am still growing in being a homemaker/nest builder. There are weeks, I do too much outside the home with our son. There are weeks, I am home too much. It is not whether or not you are home or not at home that makes you idle.

We have found for us that if we have a set routine for when we are outside the home it works best. For me, it is usually around 10:30-1:30. We pack a picnic lunch and go to our zoo, discovery center, musical program, reading programs.  This time is intentional for many reasons: (1) to have really focused play time outside the home with my child; (2) for my son to be in the community with others; (3) meeting others and sharing the light of Christ in the way we live and speak. We are making relationships and sharing love. (4) to expose my son to activities and learning experiences that he may have an interest in. We also practice Bible verses and discuss lessons as we walk through our Discovery Center or Zoo. We do educational activities based on programs we attended in our Community. More importantly, we are building relationships and letting Jesus' light shine wherever we go.

 However, if things in my house are not getting done, then it is important for me to decrease activities for a time. If I am outside the house and not using things as learning experiences but always just for entertainment the I know I have turned to bread of idleness. Another area for me that is idleness is reading facebook updates. I try to do that only once or twice a week and set a very short time limit. I mostly go on to send a message or post something.  Lately, I stopped reading so many books as I realized I just want to keep learning and then I stop doing. I also tend to type schedules and search for new activities so I try to set limits as too much time starts to make it the bread of idleness.

Prayer:  Lord let me make good use of the time allotted as time is short. May I learn to number my days and rejoice in them. May my days be fruitful and may you be glorified. Thank you Lord that you are the bread of life that gives abundant life in Jesus.

Fruit of Wisdom

" But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy." James 3:17
The fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self control. God says that against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 

God uses "fruit" many times in the Scriptures. Jesus tells us that if we do not abide in Him that we will not produce fruit. A branch cannot produce fruit without the vine.

Today as I think upon God's Word about the words we use, I am asking Him to produce His Godly fruit out of my mouth so that others can feast abundantly.

SCRIPTURE:
~Prov 10:31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.
~Prov 4:24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
... ~Prov 10:19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.

OBSERVATIONS:
1. When we are right with God with His breastplate of Righteousness over our hearts (His Righteousness and not our own), the fruit of wisdom will come out of our mouth.
2. We are not to use our mouth for perverse and corrupt talk
3. To be prudent is to exercise good judgement; and showing care and thought for the future.
.

APPLICATION:
A prudent person does not just show care for today and what is happening. Many times the words we speak today produce a bad harvest in the future. We many not see the effects today. As Women of God, we need to not do and say whatever we feel today. We are told that what we sow, we will reap. Many times I am sowing "wheat and tares" at the same time. God says that we should not bless Him and curse our fellow brother. There have been times, I have not spoken well of my husband or others. God's Holy Spirit has convicted me, I repent and God produces His fruit in my life as I obediently remain in Him.

There are times, I see fruit that is the direct result of things I said and did. Of course, it brings me pain when I see that a good harvest didn't come in. Many times, I have to confess that my motive was to have a good harvest rather than just being obedient and loving God with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.

Questions to ask before I speak - Fruit of Wisdom
Is what I am speaking full of love?
Is what I am about to speak full of purity/cleanness?
Is what I am about to speak showing joy?to pass on?
Is what I am about to speak showing patience?
Is what I am about to speak kind?
Is the manner in which I am about to speak gentle?
Is what I am about to speak showing God's goodness?
Is what I am about to speak contain self control in amount of words and content to be spoken? Is this the right time and place?
Is what I am about to speak showing God's faithfulness?
Is what I am about to speak hypocritical? Do I think one thing and say another? Resolve this with God first.

Questions to ask before I speak - Perversity
Definition of Perverse -

1. Directed away from what is right or good; perverted.

2. Obstinately persisting in an error or fault; wrongly self-willed or stubborn.

3.

a. Marked by a disposition to oppose and contradict.

b. Arising from such a disposition.

4. Cranky; peevish.

---

Is what I am about to speak full of envy, jealousy?
Is what I am about to speak boasting?
Is what I am about to speak full of confusion?
Is what I am about to speak contradicting someone? Pray first
Is what I am about to speak spreading a cranky attitude?
Is what I am about to speak full of self?

Examples of Corrupt Talk
Is what I am about to speak showing a lack of moral values?
Is what I am about to speak destructive?


Prayer:  Lord, may I be found faithful in abiding with you. I can not produce the good fruit without you. You, Spirit of Truth, examine my heart and reveal any wicked way that is in me. Remove transgression, corrupt talk and perverse talk from me. Thank you that you took these unclean lips and made them pure to declare your praises.