Spiritual Thoughts

Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly and if you speak, speak accordingly. Benjamin Franklin There is deceit in the hearts of those who plot evil, but joy for those who promote peace. Proverbs 12:20 Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, 1 Peter 2:1-2

Forgiveness is unlocking the door to set someone free and realizing you were the prisoner! -Max Lucado ...to give his people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace." Luke 1:77-79

It's never crowded along the extra mile. -Wayne Dyer Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two . Give to him who asks of you, ........ love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you , so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:41, 42, 44-45

Step by step. I can't think of any other way of accomplishing anything. Michael Jordan Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

"Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set." - Denny J. Brake Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls." But they said, 'We will not walk in it .' Jeremiah 6:16

"It is impossible for that man to despair who remembers that his Helper is omnipotent." - Jeremy Taylor Let your conduct be without covetousness, and be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?" Hebrews 13:5-6

"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." -Denis Waitley Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. Psalms 20:7

He who created us without our help, will not save us without our consent. ~Augustine As for me, I shall call upon God, And the LORD will save me. Psalm 55:16

Be a good listener. Your ears will never get you in trouble. -Frank Tyger He whose ear listens to the life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.He who neglects discipline despises himself, But he who listens to reproof acquires understanding. Proverbs 15:31-32

An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep. - Arab proverb 2 Chronicles 19:11 Act with courage, and may the LORD be with those who do well." 2 Chronicles 20:2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in ... En Gedi...... Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the LORD, and .... The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him. 2 Chronicles 20:21-22, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the LORD and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the LORD, for his love endures forever." As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.

The greatest thing is to be found at one's post as a child of God, living each day as though it were our last, but planning as though our world might last a hundred years. -C.S. Lewis 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. Matthew 6:33-34

For me, goals are my road map to the life I want. They have helped me accomplish things I once thought were impossible. Catherine Pulsifer I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Don't hesitate: "Procrastination is opportunity's assassin." --Victor Kiam No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth. Matthew 6:24

Don't hesitate: "If you want to do something, do it!" --Plautus "Why always, 'not yet?' Do flowers in spring say, 'not yet?'" --Norman Douglas Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him." But the people did not answer him a word. 1 Kings 18:21 Numbers 13:30 - 14:8 - don't hesitate to trust the LORD!

HOPE Long ago, in the days of sailing ships, a terrible storm arose and a ship was lost in a deserted area. Only one crewman survived, washed up on a small uninhabited island. Each day he looked for a passing ship but saw nothing. Eventually he managed to build a crude hut, in which he stored the few things he had recovered from the wreck and those things he had made to help him. One day, as the sailor was returning from his daily search for food, he saw a large column of smoke. As he ran toward it, he saw his small hut in flames. All was lost. Although slightly stunned, he quickly began to search the island for material to build a new hut. That night, he worked diligently to construct a better dwelling than that which he had before, and he remained hopeful that one day he would finally be discovered. He spent an almost sleepless night thinking of constructive ways in which to make his time on the island more comfortable. The next morning, he rose early and went...

When you get into a tight place and everything goes against you, till it seems as though you could not hold on a minute longer, never give up then, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn. - Harriet Beecher Stowe Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up. Luke 18:1

If you don't know where you're going , it doesn't matter if your alarm doesn't go off in the morning." -Denis Waitley I press toward the goal to win the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

"Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow." -- Swedish proverb And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. And the one on whom seed was sown on the good soil, this is the man who hears the word and understands it; who indeed bears fruit and brings forth, some a hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty. Matthew 13:22-23

"To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom." --Bertrand Russell The fear of the LORD is the instruction for wisdom, And before honor comes humility. Proverbs 15:33

Let them fear bondage who are slaves to fear; the sweetest freedom is an honest heart. -John Ford Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bond slaves of God. 1 Peter 2:16 But the seed in the good soil, these are the ones who have heard the word in an honest and good heart, and hold it fast, and bear fruit with perseverance. Luke 8:15

Character is built, you don't just reach up and grab it. ~Robert Rowe More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts. Romans 5:3-5

Do More ======= Do more than exist...live. Do more than touch...feel. Do more than look...observe. Do more than read...absorb. Do more than hear...listen. Do more than think...ponder. Do more than talk...say something. ~John H. Rhoades To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. Proverbs 21:3