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Helpful Hints

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 10, 2025 Respond

Here are some suggestions for effective meditation on Scripture.

Set a reachable  goal after picking a passage to memorize—aim for memorizing one verse a day if you  can, or one every two days, or whatever you can handle.
After memorizing 5 verses, spend some days (3) meditating each day through those verses (personalizing and praying them). When I was younger, this took only a few minutes each morning.
Then go on and memorize more verses until you have a whole passage down.
Follow this up by meditating on that passage every day for two weeks and see what insights, new understandings and revelations the Spirit will give you.
Then go on to a new passage.
Here are a few suggestions of passages to memorize and meditate on.
Psalm 23, the “all purpose” passage, useful in every situation.
Ephesians 1: 3-12  Our identity and worth in Christ.
John 15:1-12 What Jesus shares with us.
Romans 12, guidance
Ephesians 6:10-18  Putting on the armor of God
Psalm 62:1-8, our true, ever-present refuge.
This is work, but in the end it yields much fruit, much joy and much help for you and others. It is the best spiritual investment you can make!
Picture: meditation brings much beauty into our lives.
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Powerful Practice

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 9, 2025 Respond

The most important discipline/practice in my life.

Out of this practice has come the majority of my spiritual growth.
It is the source of most of my biblical knowledge.
It is the well spring for many of my sermons.
It is the impetus for all the books I’ve written.
It is the source of much insight for my counseling.
What is this wonderful practice? It is biblical meditation, which is:
1. Memorizing a passage, giving context. bring transformation of my mind.
2. Personalizing it, bring transformation of my  emotions.
3. Praying it, bringing transformation of my will.
Here is an example from Psalm 1, having memorized it, then personalizing and praying it.
Blessed am I when walk not in the counsel of the wicked. Lord, help me to quickly recognize wicked advice and reject it.
Blessed am I when I stand not in the way of sinners. Lord, help me to realize when I am doing this, watching sinners and envying them, wanting to do the same, and help  me instead to move on with you.
Blessed am I when I sit not in the seat of the scornful. Alert me quickly when I am being critical, negative or condemning of others and help me to quickly repent.
Tomorrow  some of the results of practicing this.
Picture: absorbed, being illuminated by the Word.
May be an image of 1 person and studying
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Happiness Secret #7

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 8, 2025 Respond

The 7 Secrets of Happiness .

First a review:

  1. Count your blessings
  2. Compare down
  3. Distinguish between wants and needs
  4. Do what you should
  5. Speak the truth
  6. Forgive others

And now, the best secret of all:

  1. Get to know God better.

As it says in Psalm 62:5,6, “…find rest  my soul in God alone; my hope comes from him.

Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my high tower, I will not be shaken.”

Having a living relationship with God can take us beyond happiness, which is dependent on circumstances, into a deep, broad joy which is dependent upon the character of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ways to know God better. Read your Bible daily, talk with God each morning and through the day.  Be honest with Him about your failures and receive His forgiveness.

Be a regular part of your church, committed to attending not just to get, but to give to others, to be God’s channel of love.

And as you get to know Him, He will be at work transforming you!  Check out the rest of Psalm 62 to see what it has to say about this.

Picture: Joy with Jesus is beyond happiness:

May be an image of 3 people

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Secret Happiness #6

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 7, 2025 Respond

Secret to Happiness #6

Forgive others:

To forgive is freeing, while holding a grudge does more damage to ourselves than to others.

Unforgiveness unnecessarily destroys relationships and brings unhappiness to all.  To refuse to forgive is like taking rat poison and waiting for the other person to die!

If I don’t forgive, I tie myself emotionally to the person who harmed me: then every time I think of him or her my stomach gets into knots; when I see that person I try to avoid them.  Unforgiveness gives them the power to controls me, even if they’ve died!  But, on the other hand, to forgive is to set myself free to better serve God

The problem is we tend to forget how much God has forgiven us (an infinite amount). In addition, Christ died for the sins of everyone, including those of the people who sin against us. So we can forgive just on that basis.

It is the command of our Savior to forgive: “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance ag.ainst someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” Col. 3:13

He calls us to the privilege of being grace receivers as He forgives us, AND grace givers as we forgive others. There is much joy in obeying God!

Picture: Forgive as you have been forgiven.

May be an image of 2 people

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Happiness Secret #5

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 4, 2025 Respond

Secret of happiness # 5

Speak the truth, all the time.

“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” Col. 3:9

Lying leads to confusion for all involved; it destroys trust; it robs the liar and the “lied to” of the dignity we each are given.

To speak the truth in love is freeing.  As Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”  Telling the truth will also set us free.

To lie ensnares. It is hard to remember all your lies and eventually you will be caught.

The Germans have a saying, “Lies have short legs,” meaning they can’t run far and will be caught. Being caught certainly decreases our happiness!

Ask God for wisdom in speaking the truth  in love all the time, and you will be happier!

Picture: lying always leads to shame in the end:

May be art of 1 person

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Secret of Happiness #4

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 4, 2025 Respond

Secrets of Happiness

  1. Count your blessings:
  2. Compare down:
  3. Distinguish between wants and needs:

and today:

  1. Do what you should:

“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray. The one who does what is right is righteous, just as he is righteous.” 1 John 3:7

When we avoid responsibility we may gain temporary happiness, but get long-term unhappiness.  Such avoidance then spills over into other areas  of life, making other people unhappy!

The person who does what he should, even though he feels like doing the opposite, is much happier than the person who indulges himself in some momentary pleasure while avoiding a responsibility.

Avoidance of responsibility is often disguised  in the phrase, “I wasn’t able to get it done.” However, an admission of “I chose not to do it” is more the truth.

I remember one of my students telling me, “I was unable to do my homework.” When I asked why he replied, “I had to go to a football game!”

Do what you know is right, don’t procrastinate, do the hard thing first—and you will be happier.

Picture: the “joy” of procrastination!

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Secret of Happiness #3

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 2, 2025 Respond

Secret of Happiness #3

Distinguish between wants and needs:

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1

Advertising seeks to make us see our wants as needs.

Our true needs are actually few:

food and water,

air,

clothing and shelter,

and meaningful relationships.

Most things beyond that are wants which we can actually do without.

If we know that we have our actual needs met, and that our wants are actually optional, then we should be able to be more content with what we have.

A sign that we have confused the wants with needs is the often-used statement, “I just have to have it!”  In plane language, we are declaring something to be our idol, which is defined as “something I demand to be happy.” Idols never deliver for long, however, and then they become our masters.

One thing my father would say, “Remember, in a few years this is going to end up  on the trash heap!”

Be grateful for your needs being met; accept the extras, but don’t give your heart to them: they will not love you back!

Picture: focusing on wants instead of being thankful leads us here:

May be an image of 1 person and child

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Happiness Hint #2

Published by S.M. Wibberley on July 1, 2025 Respond

Secret of Happiness #2

“…be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

. Compare down, not up.

 

It is natural to compare ourselves with those better off than we are.

–If I have a bicycle, I compare myself to the person who has a car.

–If I have a Chevy, I look at the man who has a Mercedes.

–If I have middle range job, I look to the person who is an executive.

However, if we do the opposite, comparing ourselves with those worse off, then we get a much better perspective.  For instance, when it’s 95 degrees out and we are tempted to complain, think of people in Pakistan where it is 120 degrees with no air conditioning and the electricity often goes off at night, so no fans!

Instead lf complaining about what you can’t get,

–look at those living in Afghanistan or Sudan or Syria who have lost everything.

–Look at the person with no feet, or no sight, or no hearing.

—Look at the person who is dying of cancer and appreciate you health.

Comparing down brings perspective and can stimulate us to be thankful for what we have.

“… I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.”  Phillipians 4:12

Picture: content with little:

May be an image of 1 person, baby and corn

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Secrets of Happiness #1

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 30, 2025 Respond

Everyone wants to be happy; this desire is what naturally drives us through each day.  Most people, however, take the wrong roads and only find fleeting happiness.  For the next seven days we will look at seven simple (although some are not easy) things we can all do which will increase our happiness.

 

  1. Count your blessings:

“Bless the Lord, O my soul and forget not all His benefits.” Psalm 103:2

This is a radical idea in a world where complaining is a full time occupation. To have an attitude of gratitude is going against the flow of the human tide, but it is to move towards what is true and good.

Each of us has many good things in our lives that we never think about: sight, hearing, hands that work marvelously and feet that support us, to name a few.  Each morning the sun comes up; each night it gets dark giving us time to rest.  Most here have clothes to wear and food to eat along with a place to sleep. Most of us can read and write. Most of us have some friends, the ability to share with them. Each of us have something that we are good at. And the list goes on. When you are tempted to complain, tell yourself ten things you ae thankful for.

We reinforce this when we are driving by playing the “alphabet game.” One of us starts with A, naming something we are thankful for that begins with the letter A. Then the other takes B, and so on. We always end up being more positive when we are done.

So stop complaining and start thanking, and watch your happiness increase.

Picture: Being thankful

May be an image of 1 person

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Mercy Abounds

Published by S.M. Wibberley on June 29, 2025 Respond

Some beautiful Truths from Psalm 103 about our Beautiful God, worthy of meditating on.

Note how important fearing God is (revering Him, honoring Him, fearing to disappoint Him).

The LORD is merciful and gracious, 

slow to anger, 

and plenteous in mercy.

 He will not always chide:

 neither will he keep his anger for ever.

 He hath not dealt with us after our sins; 

nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.

For as the heaven is high above the earth, 

sogreat is his mercy toward them that fear him.

As far as the east is from the west, 

so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.

 Like as a father pitieth his children, 

so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.

Picture: Merciful Jesus

 

May be an image of 1 person

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