"from tiny seeds  to mighty trees"

May 30-   WISDOM ABOUT FRIENDS

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A gentle answer can turn anger away, but a fierce reply can make things worse.

     Gossip is spread by wicked people. They stir up trouble and break up friendships. 

     It is better to eat bread and water with your friends than to eat a feast with your enemies. 

     If you want people to like you, forgive them when they do something wrong. Remembering wrongs can break up a friendship. 

     If you want to stay out of trouble, be careful about what you say. 

     Don't make friends with people who have hot tempers. You might learn their habits and find it hard to change. 

     A friend means well, even if he hurts you. But if an enemy starts pretending to be your friend, trouble is sure to follow. 

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MAY 31 - WISDOM FOR LIFE

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.Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Don't rely on what you think you know. 

Ask for God's help in all you do, and he will guide you. 

     Do good to those who are in need whenever you can. Don't tell someone you will help them tomorrow if you can help them today. 

     Be careful how you think. Your life is shaped by your thoughts. Speak only the truth, and have nothing to do with lies. 

     Be generous, and you will do well. Help others, and you will be helped. 

     Wise people are careful to stay out of trouble, but foolish people act without thinking. 

     If you want to be happy, be kind to the poor. Never look down on other people. 

     If you mistreat poor people, you insult God, who made them. But kindness to the poor is an act of worship. 

     Do what is right and fair. That pleases God more than any gift you could offer him. 

     Wise people will see trouble coming and avoid it, but a foolish person will walk into trouble and regret it later. 

     Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich. Your money can disappear in an instant, as if it had grown wings and flown away. 

     It is better to have no money and be honest than to be rich and dishonest. 

     You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them, and God will show mercy and forgive you. 

 

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June 1- A TEMPLE FOR GOD (1 Kings 5-8:21)

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While Solomon was king, there was peace in Israel. The time was right for Solomon to build a Temple for God. 

     King Hiram of Tyre had been a friend of King David. When Hiram sent ambassadors to David's son, Solomon sent back a message. 

     "God told my father, David that a Temple would be built after his reign when there was peace in the land. Now that time has come, and I want to build a Temple for God. I want you to chop down the best cedar trees in Lebanon so I can start building. I will pay you whatever you ask." 

     The king of Tyre was happy to make an agreement, and he gave Solomon all the wood he needed. The logs of cedar and pine were made into rafts and were floated down the coast to Solomon. 

     God told Solomon how the Temple should be designed and built. The stones were prepared in the quarry and brought to the chosen site. Solomon had the inside walls lined with beautifully cared wood and covered with gold. The Temple was filled with all the things that God wanted, taken from the tent of meeting. 

     Finally, in front of all Israel's elders, the Ark of the Covenant, which contained the stone tablets with God's laws, was brought to the Temple and put into the Most Holy Place. The cloud of God's presence filled the Temple so that the priests were dazzled by the light. Then Solomon asked God's blessing on the people. 

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June 2- SOLOMON'S PRAYER (1 Kings 8:22-9:9)

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"Lord God of Israel, you are like no one else," prayed Solomon. "No one in heaven above and no one beneath the earth shows such love and kindness. No one else keeps promises as you do.

     "Lord, I have built this house for you, but I know that even heaven cannot contain you, for you are a great God! Let this Temple be a place where your people can come when we need your help. Whether we bow before the altar here, or whether we bot in its direction when we are far away, hear our prayers. 

     "We will come if we fear our enemies. We will come if there is no rain or no food. We will come when we have sinned-for there is no man, woman, or child who does not sin and break your laws-and we will ask your forgiveness. Then Lord, hear us from heaven and have mercy on us. Keep the promises that you made to Moses and our ancestors, that we will be your people and that you will be our God."

     Then Solomon turned to the people and prayed again. "We ask that God will be with us and bless us and help us to keep his laws, so that all people on earth will know that the Lord is God and that there is no other."

     God appeared to Solomon some time after this and spoke to him. "I have heard your prayers, and I will bless you and this house that you have made for me. But if you disobey me and neglect to follow my laws, your children will not be kings, and this Temple will be ruined. People will pass by and know that it is because you did not obey my laws and because you did not love the God who brought you out of Egypt."

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June 3- THE VISIT OF THE Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-13)

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Reports about Solomon's wealth and wisdom were carried to people far from Israel through the traders who passed through his land. 

     Far away, the Queen of Sheba heard stories of Solomon's greatness. She prepared for the long journey across the desert sands of Arabia and along the Red Sea coast. She road by camel on a beautiful chair covered in cushions, with a roof to protect her from the sun. She rode up into the land of Moab and crossed the Jordan River to arrive in Jerusalem. She journeyed for months to see Solomon for herself. 

     Her arrival was greeted with great interest. The queen had brought with her camels, mules, and donkeys, all carrying gifts for King Solomon-gold, precious stones, and exotic spices. 

     The queen saw the magnificent, ornamented palace that Solomon had built with fancy crimson and purple curtains. She walked in his fruitful vineyards and beautiful gardens and by his refreshing pools. She saw his many fine horses and chariots, and she tasted good food and wine. She noticed the expensive clothing his servants wore and listened to singers with exotic musical instruments. 

     She watched Solomon worship God in the Temple and found that he could answer questions about so many things-his wisdom was endless. 

     "I heard all about you in my country," the queen said to Solomon, "but I couldn't believe it was true. Now I know that you are even greater than your reputation. Let me praise your God for making you such a great and wise king!" 

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