Spiritual Thoughts

The will of God will never take you to where the grace of God will not protect you. To gain that which is worth having, it may be necessary to lose everything else. -Bernadette Devlin Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. May God's blessings and guidance surround you in your daily live in the coming year!

Peace with God brings the peace of God. It is a peace that settles our nerves, fills our minds, floods our spirits and, in the midst of the uproar around us, gives us the assurance that everything is all right. Bob Mumford Philippians 4:6-7 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

No man is capable of self-improvement if he sees no other model but himself." --Conrado I. Generoso 1 Peter 2:21-22 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps, He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 The man who believes this has calm quiet confidence, but because his confidence is based upon God's power and not his own power, there is never the slightest speck of egotism. Clinton Davidson

Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet. -Anonymous Psalms 119:133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

GIFTS THAT DON’T COST YOU ANYTHING!!! Give the gift of affection – be generous with appropriate hugs, kisses, pats on the back and handholds. Let these small actions demonstrate the love you have for family and friends. Give the gift of laughter – clip cartoons, share articles and funny stories. Your gift will say, “I love to laugh with you.” Give the gift of a written note – it can be a simple “Thanks for your help” note or a full letter. A brief, handwritten note may be remembered for a lifetime and may even change a life. Give the gift of a compliment – a simple and sincere “You look great in red,” “You did a super job on tidying up.” Or “That was a wonderful meal - it had great flavor” can make someone’s day. Give the gift of listening – but you must really listen. No interrupting, no daydreaming, no planning your response. Just listening. Give the gift of a favor – everyday, go out of your way to do something kind. Give the gift of solitude – there are times when we want noth...

Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town Not a sign of Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found. The people were all busy with Christmas time chores Like decorating, and baking, and shopping in stores. No one sang "Away in a manger, no crib for a bed." Instead, they sang of Santa dressed-up in bright red. Mama watched Martha Stewart, Papa drank beer from a tap. As hour upon hour the presents they'd wrap. Then what from the TV did they suddenly hear? 'Cept an ad. Which told of a big sale at Sears. So away to the mall they all flew like a flash... Buying things on credit... and others with cash! And, as they made their way home from their trip to the mall, did they think about Jesus? Oh, no ... not at all. Their lives were so busy with their Christmas time things No time to remember Christ Jesus, the King. There were presents to wrap and cookies to bake. How could they stop and remember who died for their sake ? To pray to the Savior... they had n...

How wonderful is our God! So wonderful, that he sent His only Son, to be born in a dirty stable amongst farm animals. Yet, this special child would grow and be loved, adored, rejected, hated and despised. This special child would eventually be brutally killed upon a wooden cross and victoriously rise again on the third day! This was so that we may have the opportunity to obtain eternal salvation. THAT is how wonderful OUR GOD is! For those of you who celebrate Christmas (and even if you don't!), during these final days to Christmas, please, make each day a remembrance of how wonderful our God is. Don't let yourself get so caught up in the "things" of Christmas that you miss the real reason that we celebrate life every day. It's not the day that matters, but our God and His Son, and their love. " For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his...

"It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent." - Jeremy Taylor Isaiah 40:25-31 "To whom will you compare me? Or who is my equal?" says the Holy One. Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

If your efforts are sometimes greeted with indifference, don't lose heart. The sun puts on a wonderful show at daybreak, yet most of the people in the audience go on sleeping. --Ada Teixeria MAR 16:2 -6 Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb and they asked each other, "Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?" But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. "Don't be alarmed," he said. "You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.

People are very interested in diets. Always a popular subject, an ice breaker when you meet someone new, and of course fun to discuss with old friends. Have you lost weight? I tried this new diet! I cannot eat 'that' because it's not on my diet. Too much protein. Not enough protein. Too much fat. Not enough fiber. Too many carbs. Too many calories. Even though these issues are important, God is much more interested in what comes out of our mouth, than what goes into our mouth. "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

It is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure. Publius Cornelius Tacitus Hebrews 11:24-26 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.

Psalm 127:1-2 Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman stays awake in vain. It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep. This psalm was written by Solomon, David's son, who was noted for his wealth and wisdom. In Solomon's wisdom, he writes this psalm to give us a better perspective on the purpose of our life. In Solomon's time watchmen were kept around the city to guard it against enemy attacks. However, Solomon tells us that it is useless to put guards around the city if God is not watching over it. We spend most of our waking hours "building" and "guarding" our lives. Most of our days are spent working to make ends meet and to make our lives better. It is so easy to get so caught up in this "building" process that we begin to miss the joy of living. Solomon tells us that unless we let God build our...

A pound a fret can't pay an ounce a debt. Jamaican Proverb Matthew 6:31-34 "Do not worry then, saying, 'What will we eat?' or 'What will we drink?' or 'What will we wear for clothing?' "For the Gentiles eagerly seek all these things; for your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. "But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. "So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

It's never crowded along the extra mile. -Wayne Dyer Romans 12:11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.

Psalms 34:9-10 Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing. The young lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing. Why? Why doesn't God bless me with that new car? Why doesn't God let me win that sweepstakes? Why doesn't God give me that new high-paying job? Young lions are used in Psalm 34. Why? Young lions are very impatient and careless in their hunting. Because of their inexperience, young lions will often startle their prey and thus lose their opportunity for nourishment. The older, more experienced lions choose their prey wisely and patiently wait for the right opportunity to attack. The older lions adequately provide for the needs of their young. The psalmist uses this illustration to show that God will provide for all of the needs of his children if we take the time to ask of him and wait on him. Verse 10 tells us that those that seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing. God will provide his children wi...

If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome. -Anne Bradstreet Psalms 94:12-14 Blessed is the man you discipline, O LORD, the man you teach from your law; you grant him relief from days of adversity, till a pit is dug for the wicked. For the LORD will not reject his people; he will never forsake his inheritance. Psalms 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word.

When I am hungry, give me someone that I can feed. And when I am thirsty, give me someone who needs a drink. When I'm cold, give me someone to keep warm. And when I grieve, give me someone to console. Unknown Matthew 25:37-40 "Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed You, or thirsty, and give You something to drink? 'And when did we see You a stranger, and invite You in, or naked, and clothe You? 'When did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "The King will answer and say to them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me.'

Live in such a way that those who know you but don’t know God will come to know God because they know you. -Unknown 1 Corinthians 9:16, 22-23 Yet when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, for I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel! Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

STEWARDSHIP "Use what talents you possess; the woods would be very silent if no birds sang except those that sang best." -- Henry Van Dyke Matthew 25:19-21 "After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. 'Master,' he said, 'you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.' "His master replied, 'Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

Psalms 90:10-12 The length of our days is seventy years - or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. How much time do you have left? If you could know, would you really want to know? This psalms reminds us to number our days. It is a fact that our days are numbered. Many of us prefer to file that simple fact away in the back of our mind so that we don't have to think about it. Have you numbered your days lately? If you knew that you only had two weeks left on this earth, what would you do differently? Would those petty problems that seem to consume all of your time matter anymore? Would those arguments and fights within your family continue? The fact is, our days our numbered. We should use them wisely. Number your days, live your life to...

"I am only one; but still I am one. I cannot do everything, but still I can do something. I will not refuse to do the something I can do." -- Helen Keller Colossians 3:23-24 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.