To look, to feel, to do

Instead of the usual Verse of the Day, let us take a look at the Quote of the Day for May 6, 2017. This statement is attributed to the late Kim Clement, and I have used it as a personal mini-motivational speech, as I look into the mirror while preparing for the day on many a-morning.

“I see myself somewhere in the future, and I’m looking so much better than I look right now.”

Later I added this response: “But right now I’m looking good!”

Not only am I looking good, but I’m feeling good as well.

After a recent appointment with my urologist, he asked how I was feeling, and I commented “I’m feeling great!” After looking over my records, he confirmed my state of well-being and said, “Whatever you’re doing, keep on doing it. It’s working. See you in six months.”

In reflecting on his remarks, I happened to think of the Biblical expression “to do good” which I am ever striving to practice. Throughout the Bible, we are encouraged to follow after, to pursue, to practice or do that which is right, or just, or good.

We always have a choice to do good or to do evil, but the Word of God reminds us that despite the sinful nature of humanity, our ultimate purpose is to do good:

Ecclesiastes 3:12 (AMP):

I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good as long as they live;

Psalm 34:14 (AMP) exhorts believers to

Turn away from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.

Similarly in Psalm 37:3 (AMP) we are encouraged to

Trust [rely on and have confidence] in the Lord and do good; Dwell in the land and feed [securely] on His faithfulness.

This verb brings to mind a similar exhortation from Galatians 6:10:

So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers

Finally, Hebrews 13:16 provides these words of encouragement:

Do not neglect to do good, to contribute [to the needy of the church as an expression of fellowship], for such sacrifices are always pleasing to God.

These reminders to do justly or to do good are echoed in the words of John Wesley, who said:

“Do all the good you can. By all the means you can. In all the ways you can. In all the places you can. At all the times you can. To all the people you can. As long as ever you can.”

As we practice or become adept at “doing good,” we will reap the benefits that abound toward us in return. These thoughts brought to mind this poem of celebration:

I Sing in My Garden

Oh, sing unto the LORD a new song!

Sing to the LORD, all the earth.

Sing to the LORD, bless his name;

Proclaim the good news from day to day.

Psalm 96:1-2

 

I sing in my garden and reap the good,

The bounty of living seventy-four years.

Each note seems to evoke a stream of tears

That fall, not because of some somber mood

But flow from a heart filled with gratitude.

The folk song of the farmer thrills my ears

Each time plowing, planting or harvest nears.

I compose my song, having understood

Lyrics I did not know when I was young,

When life was uncertain, my song unsure.

Now from my green garden I garner truth.

A song of conviction flows from my tongue.

I am seasoned and strengthened to endure,

Knowing the best lines are yet to be sung.

We conclude with this musical expression of how I feel at this time in life: “Feeling Good” by Michael Buble:

 

“Words of Wisdom”—a daily dose of “words to the wise”–Day 11

This blog entry is another in a series featuring a daily dose of “words to the wise,” poetically expressed from the Book of Proverbs.

Each morning as I rise to use the bathroom and refresh myself to start the day, I often recite a statement made by Prophet Kim Clement, as I look in the mirror and wash my hands: “I see myself somewhere in the future, and I’m looking so much better than I look right now. . .” I go on to attach this personal addendum: “But right now, I’m looking good!”

While looking in the mirror, many times I think of my true identity, as I continually attempt to assess who I am and who I desire to be, as I seek to do the will of God. Some time ago, I posted a blog entry entitled “My New Identity Kit” which contained a poem with a reference to wisdom as well as to knowledge. Here are “Words of Wisdom”—a daily dose of “words to the wise” for Day 11:

My True Identity

 

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord,

are changed into the same image from glory to glory,

even as by the Spirit of the Lord.

II Corinthians 3:18

I look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see,

Not the man I am but the man I shall become,

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

Released from shackles of a slave mentality,

The bondage of Egypt I have now overcome.

I look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see.

 

I smile as I keep singing of “A Brand New Me.”

In my heart I have prepared for God a new home,

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

“I am what I am” is my new reality:

A first-born son, model of the Father’s Kingdom.

I look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see.

 

God’s blessings in double measure overtake me,

Flowing by the spirit in knowledge and wisdom,

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

I live to fulfill my prophetic destiny,

As joys unfold with even greater joys to come.

I  look in the mirror of God’s Word and I see

Reflected in my eyes, my true identity.

 

As I begin to understand more fully who I am and who God intended for me to be, not only am I looking good, but I am also “feeling good” as this YouTube video by Michael Buble makes known: