Brenda Proulx writes about life with words from the Author of Life…
Author: Brenda Proulx
Wife, mother and grandmother, educator and someone who thinks about the things I observe. I am the daughter of a writer; my dad's career was in the field of journalism. More significantly, I am God's child, a person believing in Jesus Christ and in His timeless Word. Blogging is new to me but I feel like I've always had a pen in my hand. I jot notes in my planner, mark papers, underline verses, write many letters, and occasionally draft articles for work or church. When I am not holding a pen, I am probably cuddling a mug of coffee.
What do the lyrics “fully known and loved” imply? God relates to us from a unique perspective. He created us and knew us individually even as we developed before birth (Psalm 139:13). God hears our words before we say them (Psalm 139:4). He knows the motives in our hearts, pure and impure (1 Chronicles 28:9, Matthew 9:4). We cannot escape Him, anywhere (Psalm 139:7-10, Romans 8:38-39)! Yet with all this insight into our personhood, which is often very unattractive, God loves us completely and unconditionally.
Last month as I prepared to serve an evening meal, my husband reached for his phone to make a call. I suggested that he wait until after dinner since I was nearly ready to put the food out. He went ahead with the call saying, “it won’t take long.” Twenty minutes later the call finally ended. The meal had gone cold as my irritation heated up. A perfectly nice dinner now needed rewarming and I was frustrated over wasted time.
Although my demeanor surely indicated my displeasure in the situation, I did not call him out on this inconvenience. The day had been a snow day off work for us. We had taken a beautiful walk around a nearby lake and enjoyed coffee together afterward. Additionally, my husband had helped a neighbor with a broken snowblower. I had heard that the neighbor needed a part or service recommendation and I knew my husband’s knack for fixing stuff. I sent him over and he soon got the machine running again to the great delight and relief of our neighbor! So, in my heart, I pardoned the delayed dinner for the previous goodnesses earlier in the day.
Human grace provides a dim glimpse of the lavish grace God grants us though we are completely undeserving of it. Tauren Wells calls it “ridiculous grace.” “Fully known and loved” encapsulates the extreme nature of God’s affection for us as the song “Known” conveys beautifully; I hope you will listen and enjoy. Today is a great day to accept God’s love and grace for you.
In part 2 of this blog series, I laid out some options for making regular Scripture reading part of your life routine (“Speak Your Truth, Really? A Plan” January 3, 2019). I shared that many types of Bible reading plans exist and they can be adapted to one’s available time and one’s familiarity with Scripture. I also explained that several years ago, I began a Bible reading plan that incorporates different sections of the Bible into a single reading. It is a self-paced plan and I included in that post a photo of the lovely bookmarks my daughter made for me, to keep my four places.
Last summer, as I was following along in this reading routine, I came across specific references to God’s concern for prisoners or “captives” in three of my four passages. This kind of thing has happened before. One passage quotes another that I’ve just read, or a previous event is referenced in a following passage. These are not coincidences; they are proof that God’s Word is a unified message from Him, and that God powerfully works through His Words. As I read the Bible that day trusting it as True, I came to a crossroads. How would I follow-through on God’s concern for the incarcerated?
For years I have known about an organization that provides Bible study materials to prisoners. Volunteers check the lessons and return them to the prisoners with a letter of encouragement. I had always thought it would be a great opportunity. With the clear reminders in Scripture that day, I knew that’s what I must do. I hesitate to share my commitment with you because Jesus said to keep our good works to ourselves since He knows what we’re doing (Matthew 6:1-6). We are told not to boast (Matthew 23:1-12). But as this pertains to how Bible readers must respond, I cautiously tell you this story.
After scoring the Bible lesson, I write a letter. I ended this letter by composing a prayer for both of us.
Crossroads Prison Ministry developed a Bible study program designed specifically for those in prison. It’s a leveled series broken into weekly lessons. Prisoners sign up to become a Bible student and Crossroads Ministry sends them lessons. Students mail the finished lessons back to Crossroads who document completion and pass it on to a mentor like me. Mentors receive one lesson each week. We check the answers with an answer key and then write a letter encouraging them, based on thoughts they share through the lessons. Mentors return the graded lesson and letter to the prisoner in a Crossroads envelope, signing only our first name. Thousands of incarcerated individuals are doing these lessons and Crossroads Ministry needs more mentors. This is why I wanted to tell you my story about obeying Scripture. Crossroads Prison Ministry can be found at http://www.cpministries.org
I can’t leave you with the false impression that I always follow-through fully on everything God challenges me to obey in Scripture. There is much that I neglect or violate. Such is sin and needs correction. You may have heard the expression, “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.” That’s how it is. Believers trust Jesus to accomplish redemption because we can’t accomplish that on our own. The life of a Christian seeks to walk more fully in God’s ways each day (Colossians 1:10, 2:6).
My blog post from December 31, 2018 focused on truth, as demonstrated by the life and words of Jesus. I would like to continue briefly on the subject of truth.
Jesus spoke to us about acknowledging Him and the truth He taught. All the Bible contains God’s words to us. In fact, the Bible is commonly referred to as “The Word of God.” In describing the Bible, a simple comparison illustrates its function well. The Bible is like an owner’s manual. God created the world and mankind. He also wrote the guide that explains how it all works. To figure out life, the world, truth and purpose we should read the directions, the Bible.
At New Year’s you may be thinking about trying to read the Bible more. There are many ways to approach Bible reading. Several years ago, I began a method of daily Bible reading that works well for me. On most days I read an Old Testament passage, a Gospel chapter, a New Testament selection plus a Psalm. I certainly miss days, even several days frequently, but it’s my plan. There are two reasons that I like this approach: 1) it is well-rounded, giving me the full flavor of Scripture in a sitting; 2) I don’t worry about getting behind and trying to catch up. My method may be a bit much for you so do something that works for you. Also, if you’re just getting started in Bible reading get a Bible version that is easy to understand such as The New Living Translation or The Message.
Here is a link to some ideas on Bible reading: https://kenboa.org/biblical/bible-reading-guide/. In February my church will start a chronological reading plan covering the whole Bible. I will be happy to share that later with anyone who asks.
For the New Year, Isaiah 55:11 is the Lord’s great promise about His Word. It is below first in the classic King James version and then in the modern Good News Translation:
11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
11 So also will be the word that I speak—
it will not fail to do what I plan for it;
it will do everything I send it to do.
My daughter inscribed bookmarks for me, with hand drawn verses for each section of Scripture.
Speak Your Truth, Really? Part 1
This fall I attended an all-day workshop for teachers. As is often the case, one of the first slides of the PowerPoint displayed the norms for the day. One expectation out of the fairly short list stated “Speak your truth.” That jolted me awake! As educators, I expected a better understanding of the English language!
Truth is something that is veritable in all situations. Truth is not dependent on circumstances or personality. Truth stays the same; is absolute. I am not a grammar expert but putting the possessive pronoun “your” before “truth” is an oxymoron, a faux pas or just plain poor writing. Pairing “your” with “truth” suggests that a colleague’s truth could be different than my truth. If that is the case, that there are multiple versions of truth, then the topic is no longer truth but experiences, feelings or opinions.
Sadly, the presenters didn’t miscommunicate their intentions. They, like many, believe that truth is relative and that kindness, respect and peace are best achieved by accepting all ideas equally. Nothing in the workshop was particularly controversial. Conflict was unlikely during the training but expecting tolerance is admirable and may be necessary in this day and age, especially in a region that is extremely diverse. Of course every participant’s contributions are valued! Unfortunately, the presenters missed the point by misusing the term ‘truth.’
As we come to the end of the Christmas season and look ahead to the New Year, we can reflect on Jesus’ words about his own coming to Earth. To his interrogator Pilate Jesus said, “In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” (John 18:37) Jesus was born as a baby, leaving behind His heavenly privilege, so we could experience truth. Jesus spoke the truth and He talked about true things and unchanging principles. He even called Himself truth when He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)
Christmas cards artfully portray Jesus and His various names. Christmas carols include His names too. He is called Prince of Peace, Light of the World, and Lamb of God, to list just a few. Each of these names and His many others represent something true about Jesus the Savior, the Son of God. May you be greatly encouraged that Jesus’ birth and purpose are true and real; may you not fall prey to believing that there is any other Truth.
There is a funny story about this photo. I saw this nativity scene in a nursing home, while visiting a family member. On our first visit, the manger was empty with no baby Jesus. I joked with someone that possibly one of the residents had picked up the baby Jesus; some of them like to carry doll babies and often mistakenly take things. It turns out that the Catholic tradition is to leave the manger empty until Christmas Day. Happily, baby Jesus arrived on Christmas!
This fall I attended an all-day workshop for teachers. As is often the case, one of the first slides of the PowerPoint displayed the norms for the day. One expectation out of the fairly short list stated “Speak your truth.” That jolted me awake! As educators, I expected a better understanding of the English language!
Truth is something that is veritable in all situations. Truth is not dependent on circumstances or personality. Truth stays the same; is absolute. I am not a grammar expert but putting the possessive pronoun “your” before “truth” is an oxymoron, a faux pas or just plain poor writing. Pairing “your” with “truth” suggests that a colleague’s truth could be different than my truth. If that is the case, that there are multiple versions of truth, then the topic is no longer truth but experiences, feelings or opinions.
Sadly, the presenters didn’t miscommunicate their intentions. They, like many, believe that truth is relative and that kindness, respect and peace are best achieved by accepting all ideas equally. Nothing in the workshop was particularly controversial. Conflict was unlikely during the training but expecting tolerance is admirable and may be necessary in this day and age, especially in a region that is extremely diverse. Of course every participant’s contributions are valued! Unfortunately, the presenters missed the point by misusing the term ‘truth.’
As we come to the end of the Christmas season and look ahead to the New Year, we can reflect on Jesus’ words about his own coming to Earth. To his interrogator Pilate Jesus said, “In fact, for this reason I was born, and for this I came into the world, to testify to the truth.” (John 18:37) Jesus was born as a baby, leaving behind His heavenly privilege, so we could experience truth. Jesus spoke the truth and He talked about true things and unchanging principles. He even called Himself truth when He said, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” (John 14:6)
Christmas cards artfully portray Jesus and His various names. Christmas carols include His names too. He is called Prince of Peace, Light of the World, and Lamb of God, to list just a few. Each of these names and His many others represent something true about Jesus the Savior, the Son of God. May you be greatly encouraged that Jesus’ birth and purpose are true and real; may you not fall prey to believing that there is any other Truth.
There is a funny story about this photo. I saw this nativity scene in a nursing home, while visiting a family member. On our first visit, the manger was empty with no baby Jesus. I joked with someone that possibly one of the residents had picked up the baby Jesus; some of them like to carry doll babies and often mistakenly take things. It turns out that the Catholic tradition is to leave the manger empty until Christmas Day. Happily, baby Jesus arrived on Christmas!
Did you read the classic James Herriott stories retelling the experiences of an English country veterinarian? I thoroughly enjoyed reading the detailed, even graphic accounts of treating farm animals and working among simple folks in rural Yorkshire. The veterinarian turned author wrote a series of four books and he gave each a title from an English hymn: All Creatures Bright and Beautiful, All Creatures Great and Small, All Creatures Wise and Wonderful, and The Lord God Made Them All.
This delicate flower named Toad Lily is blooming in my yard now.
Cecil Frances Alexander wrote those words in 1848. Her lyrics reflected tenants of The Apostles Creed and may have been inspired by Psalm 104. The poem’s wording also echoed a stanza from Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s “Rime of the Ancient Mariner.” Whatever her inspiration, the concept of God’s creatures is now well-established in the English lexicon.
Amazing how the moth perfectly mimics the leaf.
All God’s creatures, great and small, amaze me. I’m not a biologist (that’s my husband and daughter) but I appreciate the order, complexity, beauty, and creativity of living things, especially little things like flowers and insects. Field botany and biology courses in college piqued my interest in God’s tiniest creatures, starting with microscopic algae! My classmates and I collected, preserved and identified an assortment of plants and bugs. We became quite competitive regarding the varieties and sizes of our specimens, which would partially determine our course grade. I give much credit to one of my professors, Dr. Dorothy Chappell, who always pointed the origins of our amazing world to its amazing Creator.
Never did figure out what insect this was. It was about 4 inches long; maybe an unusual dragonfly variety.
God’s created organisms can all rightly be called God’s creatures, but another phrase is not so accurate. “God’s children” is an expression that some use to refer to all people. This is a misnomer. God’s children are those who have joined God’s family by means of repentance of their self-sufficiency, claiming instead dependence on God’s forgiving work through Jesus alone. Those are the only ones who can rightly be called “God’s children.” John 3:16 tells us that this opportunity is open to all, but the choice is ours.
The ‘walking stick’ and the featured praying mantis are two of my favorite insects. I see the incredible uniqueness of God’s handiwork in them.
The letter or epistle of First John (not the Gospel of John) uses the expression “children of God” several times. My pastor, David Platt, is currently preaching a sermon series on this book of the Bible. His sermons on First John can be found on-line at www.mcleanbible.org/sermons.
With all the rain that soaked our area in August and September and then Hurricane Florence that walloped the Carolinas, it seemed apropos to share about clouds and a gray spirit.
There are times when zest for life eludes us. Continuing dull weather or an endless ‘to do’ list or another day of feeling alone deprive us of joy and energy. Paul Tripp writes that we lose sight of the amazing awe of God (Awe, 2015).
One of our many recent storms, taken by my friend Carla.
I experienced that kind of day; a day when the glumness never subsided. But as Broadway’s Annie crooned, “The sun’ll come out tomorrow” and it almost did. Dark clouds parted slightly the next day. The early morning also brightened with some hearty laughter over a family text. My morning progressed with successful errands and we fixed a comfort lunch of grilled cheese and tomato soup. The afternoon gave way to household chores fueling a satisfaction in accomplishment. We planned on our usual after-dinner walk but got an unexpected downpour instead. As the heavy deluge persisted, my husband and I decided to knock off one more errand.
Specialty summer drink at my “go to” coffee shop, Jireh, in Centreville, VA.
We drove to a store and dashed from our car to the store entrance in drenching rain. Once inside we continued to hear the downpour pelt the roof. We finished our quick purchase and as we exited, found a glorious sky unfolding! Dense pure white puffball clouds billowed out of streaming silver storm skies. Clear, dazzling azure-blue filled the rest of the infinite skyscape expanse! I considered taking a picture but knew the beauty couldn’t be captured in a photograph, just as my words don’t adequately convey the brilliance of that scene.
Sunny October days now shine regularly for us and we pray for the on-going hurricane recovery in the Carolinas. As you may face clouds and gray monotony in life, don’t give up. Instead, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14 KJV
Postscript – I recently published a blog acknowledging the two-year anniversary of “A Writer’s Daughter.” I sent it only to my blog subscribers and did not post it on social media. You’re welcome to look back at it, enjoy the link to Josh Wilson’s song “Dream Small,” and I hope you’ll become one of my subscribers. Thank you.
This is a favorite photo of my son. I love the joy and energy and also the cool cloud background.
August marked the two-year anniversary of my blog. I enjoy the discipline of writing and posting. Ideas and topics come to me regularly and I pair them with what I pray are appropriate Scriptures. For me, the challenges of blogging include technical issues and the pictures. I can’t always navigate the WordPress software and ‘sharing’ through social media sometimes goes awry. Last spring, I attempted to strengthen my photography skills by enrolling in a class. Then our daughter got engaged and we plunged into wedding planning for her July wedding. I flunked the class because I couldn’t complete the homework; so much for the teacher being a student!
Thank you for subscribing to my blog. If I had a goal for my blog, it would be to increase the number of subscribers, however I am not fussing over my statistics. I write in response to God’s prompting. When I introduced my blog, a friend expressed her hope that it would reach millions. Such success is unlikely, but I will follow through faithfully. The Bible tells us to be faithful in the small things (Luke 16:10), so I plan to continue posting. The song “Dream Small” by Josh Wilson captures this message. He says, “simple moments change the world … find little ways.” Many amazing things happen in the world because of the obedience of ordinary people in seemingly insignificant ways. Watch the song below.
I snapped this as Dad sweetened his Dunkin coffee.
As I created my blog two years ago, two parallel ideas emerged in my mind: God as The Author and my father’s writing career. My blog is not meant to be a tribute to my Dad but I am happy to acknowledge his wonderful influences. I had a special chance to spend time alone with him this summer while my mother was out of town for a funeral. Though my dad is experiencing some age-related declines we enjoyed the extended visit. He shared an idea he has for a new book and he asked about my writing. We discussed gardening and he kept me company on errand running. Dunkin Donuts is a favorite spot for us and we discovered a Russian gourmet store in the same shopping center. We stopped in to eye all the Slavic goodies. I asked the clerk to speak to my Dad. Dad responded with a robust Ukrainian phrase, sounding quite authentic!
I look forward to writing on as I continue being blessed by the presence of my earthly father* and my Heavenly Father. Thank you for your part in this calling.
*My friend Seth Barnes recently shared blogs of time with his aging dad. www.sethbarnes.com
The Master Teacher, Jesus, taught a lesson on humility and children:
” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: ‘Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.’ ” portions of Matthew 18:2-11
This object lesson strongly cautions those of us who work with children. With the little one before Him, Jesus warned us not to mislead children or cause them to sin. One of my saddest days of teaching was the day I witnessed a teacher compel some students to be dishonest. The kids were working on a project and realized it was time to go to another school activity. When they reminded their teacher that it was time to go, the teacher said, “No, we’ll just tell them we forgot.” I watched the children react in bewilderment as they realized their teacher suggested that they tell a lie. It broke my heart but I could not intervene. All of us err; every teacher, including me, has said or done something we later regret. It is encouraging to see that God protects young hearts and minds with His angels.
In my classroom preparation this week, I had to reread the school handbook. It states that school personnel shall not impose their “biases” on students. At times, teachers may sense a conflict between covering required curriculum and misleading students into ideas and behavior contrary to God’s standards and Biblical truth. Teachers of faith who have given Jesus charge of their lives can trust God to help them navigate that struggle. All of us can shine wherever God places us.
Teachers, have a great year!
The flag picture on the far left is a collage a sixth-grade student made for me 10 years ago. I have kept it all this time because it is a sweet reminder of her.
NOTE: I am annexing this post to a previous post. Both posts start with a longer portion of Scripture and both address the Christian and culture.
One Nation Under God
My usual writing process is to share an experience and some thoughts, ending with an appropriate Scripture quote. Today on America’s birthday, I will let Scripture speak for itself. This passage, though addressed to God’s people as they inhabit their new land, parallels modern life in Western culture. In affluence and intelligence, God can be forgotten and society credits itself for its success.
1”Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.
6“So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. 8 It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. 9 It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. 10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.
11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.
19 “But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. Deuteronomy 8: 1, 6 -14, 18 – 19 New Living Translation
These last weeks have been a needed time of rest and reflection for me as well as joyful remembering! In May our son and his bride married in a beautiful Southern wedding in Florence, South Carolina. Seven weeks later, we hosted our daughter’s wedding in Virginia’s historic Piedmont region. With some trepidation but much excitement we experienced a double season of engagements, showers, guest lists and invitations, rehearsal dinners, and beautiful ceremonies surrounded by family and friends. There is the expression “showers of blessing” but we had a deluge!
Showers for the brides.And fun to be Mother of the Bride!
Weddings are joyful celebrations but they require a great deal of planning, taking a great deal of time. Our daughter-in-law and her family took on the first wedding but the second one was ours to coordinate in just three and a half months. I credit the groom and bride and others for their extensive efforts but I knew a lot of the wedding work was my responsibility and it was a daunting task. Several perspectives kept us sane and upbeat in those busy planning days.
First of all we focused on the reason for our work: a young couple had found each other and committed to a future together. Many prayers had preceded this finally happening and it was the happiest of events for us. It was important to see this as a marriage more than a wedding. We wanted a fun party, but the priority was to launch a lasting marriage; Scripture tells us that God hates divorce (Malachi 2:16).
And if you’ve been in a wedding season recently yourself you know there is no end to the trimmings for today’s weddings. Pinterest, Etsy and Amazon, bridal magazines and The Knot and Zola have advertised every detail you’ve never thought of! Together with the bride and groom, we purposed to plan a lovely event without overdoing it. As the saying goes, our intent was to bless, not impress.
Personally, I had to get serious to accomplish a lot of tasks quickly. Though I like organizing and planning, I knew a wedding in three months required laser-like focus, which is not my natural style. I had my teaching job, home/family responsibilities and other commitments but I dropped all optional activities and pastimes to get going. I also encouraged myself that since this was God’s plan, it could be done in time. I could think of the two weddings a few different ways: a spring wedding, then a summer wedding; about three months apart (May, June, July); or I could say less than three months apart; just seven weeks between them. Maintaining perspective kept me positive. For the most part we all did pretty well working together, being patient, and coming to agreement on many decisions.
A candid from her ‘dry run’ and portrait day.
As the main details came together, we enjoyed wonderful moments of celebration and beauty. Gift giving, creating and decorating, parties and getting pretty filled many hours with joy, togetherness and prayer. My husband and I continued with life beyond wedding planning too. It gets old when every dinner conversation covers the latest wedding expenses and selections. In the course of our wedding season, we managed to get out to two local car shows and host a campaign event. There were hospital visits and a funeral to attend as well. While we experienced joy others faced pain.
He entitled this photo “real men wear pink.”
Gratitude best sums up this season of weddings. We are thankful to God for the gift of spouses for our children. We have witnessed their Christian marriage according to God’s design. From the very beginning God established marriage with the words, “A man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh,” (Genesis 2:24). Be assured that we realize life will have its challenges for them and for us, but we have been glad, very “glad, in the day the Lord has made,” (Psalm 118:24)!
My usual writing process is to share an experience and some thoughts, ending with an appropriate Scripture quote. Today on America’s birthday, I will let Scripture speak for itself. This passage, though addressed to God’s people as they inhabit their new land, parallels modern life in Western culture. In affluence and intelligence, God can be forgotten and society credits itself for its success.
Folks find creative ways to display the flag.
1”Be careful to obey all the commands I am giving you today. Then you will live and multiply, and you will enter and occupy the land the Lord swore to give your ancestors.
6“So obey the commands of the Lord your God by walking in his ways and fearing him. 7 For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land of flowing streams and pools of water, with fountains and springs that gush out in the valleys and hills. 8 It is a land of wheat and barley; of grapevines, fig trees, and pomegranates; of olive oil and honey. 9 It is a land where food is plentiful and nothing is lacking. It is a land where iron is as common as stone, and copper is abundant in the hills. 10 When you have eaten your fill, be sure to praise the Lord your God for the good land he has given you.
Another Old Glory display.
11 “But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today.12 For when you have become full and prosperous and have built fine homes to live in, 13 and when your flocks and herds have become very large and your silver and gold have multiplied along with everything else, be careful! 14 Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, He did all this so you would never say to yourself, ‘I have achieved this wealth with my own strength and energy.’ 18 Remember the Lord your God. He is the one who gives you power to be successful, in order to fulfill the covenant he confirmed to your ancestors with an oath.
19 “But I assure you of this: If you ever forget the Lord your God and follow other gods, worshiping and bowing down to them, you will certainly be destroyed. Deuteronomy 8: 1, 6 -14, 18 – 19 New Living Translation
