Spiritual Thoughts

He who would go a hundred miles should consider ninety-nine as halfway. -- Japanese Proverb By perseverance the snail reached the ark. - Charles Haddon Spurgeon "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 (NASB) (other versions say "patience" for "perseverance")

If Jesus came back today, what would you be doing tomorrow??? "But be sure of this, that if the head of the house had known at what time of the night the thief was coming, he would have been on the alert and would not have allowed his house to be broken into. For this reason you also must be ready ; for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you do not think He will." Matthew 24:43-44

A gossip is one who talks to you about other people. A bore is one who talks to you about himself. A brilliant conversationalist is one who talks to you about yourself. -Dr. William King Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15

"Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17 This should include praying for husbands, wives, children, parents, siblings, friends, neighbors, anyone and everyone that surrounds you within praying distance! If you are worried, that is a sure signal to pray ! If you can't sleep, it is a great time to pray . If you are afraid, ashamed, depressed, those are all urgent times to pray . If you are happy, rejoicing, thankful, content, what better time to pray ? " Pray without ceasing ," for in doing so we are obedient to the Word of God and pleasing to our Heavenly Father.

There are no hopeless situations; there are only people who have grown hopeless about them. - William Barclay Deliver me, O my God, out of the hand of the wicked, Out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. For You are my hope, O Lord GOD ; You are my trust from my youth. Psalms 71:4-5 We never need to be without hope, for God is our hope and we are never without God. No matter how dark things may look, we have the comfort that God is with us and He will never leave or forsake us.

Look outward and be distressed, Look inward and be depressed, Look upward and be at rest. - Corrie Ten Boom Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. or our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:16-17

Happiness can be the result of circumstances, but joy endures in spite of circumstances. Unknown Author You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. Psalm 16:11 We have the freedom to choose our attitude in any and every circumstance of life. We can choose to let trouble leave us depressed and weak, or we can choose to be happy and strong in spite of our trials. When we choose to have joy, our worst moments can be turned into our greatest triumphs.

Encouragement I read about a man who had become so depressed and despondent that he decided to take his life by jumping off a bridge. As he walked toward the bridge, he made the decision that if he went by just one person who would smile and seem friendly, that he would not jump. How did the story end? You to finish it. What would have happened if that man had passed you on his way to that bridge. Would he have turned around and chosen life over death? Or would he have gone through with his desperate plan? The reality is that everyday we can come in contact with many people who are carrying heavy burdens, facing trials of every kind, or are full of worry about the future. Every one of them longs for a kind word or two, a sympathetic ear, or just a warm smile. They are looking for someone who cares. Be a person who is ready with a big smile that reflects the love of Christ. Be the kind of person that would have caused that desperate man to turn around and walk off that bridge. Encourag...

Colossians 4:5 "Redeem the time" .... Have you heard of the man who didn't have time? He hadn't have time to greet the day, he hadn’t have time to laugh or play; He hadn't time to wait a while, he hadn't time to glean the news, He hadn't time to dream or muse; He hadn't time to train his mind; He hadn't time to see a joke, he hadn't time to write his folks; He hadn't time to read a book, he hadn't time to deeply feel, He hadn't time to take a rest, he hadn't time to do his best; He hadn’t time to help a cause, he hadn't time to make a pause; He hadn't time to pen a note, he hadn't time to say a prayer; He hadn't time to sing a song, he hadn't time to right a wrong; He hadn't time to send a gift, he hadn't time to read God's word; He hadn't time to exercise, he hadn't time to say good-bye; He hadn't time to enjoy love, he hadn't time to repress noise; He hadn't time to serve hi...

A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts. You cannot change your thoughts without changing your life in the process – either for good or for bad. Immerse yourself in the right thoughts and you will become the person you long to be, just as surely as the planting of an acorn yields an oak tree and not a pine tree. Unknown "As a man thinks in h is heart, so he is." Proverbs 23:7

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. ~ John Wesley ~ (1703-1791) Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Colossians 3:12

" Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." unknown But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness , goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Galatians 5:22

A Friend – A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 A Friend – (A) ccepts you as you are (B) elieves in "you" (C) alls you just to say "Hi" (D) oesn't give up on you (E) nvisions the whole of you (even the unfinished parts) (F) orgives your mistakes (G) ives unconditionally (H) elps you (I) nvites you over (J) ust enjoys being with you (K) eeps you close at heart (L) oves you for who you are (M) akes a difference in your life (N) ever stops trusting you (O) ffers support (P) icks you up (Q) uiets your fears (R) aises your spirits (S) ays nice things about you (T) ells you the truth when you need to hear it (U) nderstands you (V) alues you (W) alks beside you (X)- plain things you don't understand (Y) ells when you won't listen, and (Z) aps you back to reality Author Unknown

Live as you will wish to have lived when you are dying. -- Christian Furchtegott Gellert I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day - and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:7-8

"A day hemmed in prayer is less likely to unravel." Unknown 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 comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7

"Faith . . . Hope . . . Love . . ." 1 Corinthians 13:13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. L ------ Looking to God and Jesus all the time O ------ Opening my heart to His ways only V ------ Verifying everything in God's Holy Word E ------ Extending myself to help others in their walk with the Lord. (Unknown Author) By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and observe His commandments. 1 John 5:2

"Faith . . . Hope . . . Love . . ." 1 Corinthians 13:13 “But now faith, hope, love abide these three, but the greatest of these is love H ------ Helping others see Jesus Christ O ------ Offering my life to the service of Jesus Christ P ------ Praying always for others, lost or not, to see Jesus Christ E ------ Encouraging others to follow God and Jesus Christ to God's Kingdom (Unknown Author) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope. Romans 15:13

"Faith . . . Hope . . . Love . . ." 1 Corinthians 13:13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love. F ------ Fervently Praying A ------ Accepting whatever outcome from prayer I ------- In tune with Jesus Christ T ------ Teaching others about Jesus Christ H ------ Hope keeps me going in my daily walk (Unknown Author) For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world - our faith. 1 John 5:4 (“Hope” tomorrow)

All time spent angry, is time lost being happy. -- Mexican Proverb An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins. Proverbs 29:22

When you blame others you give up your power to change. ~ Author Unknown ~ Take responsibility for your own actions, and do your best for God. Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 1:22 (also, read Job 42:1-6)

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. - Leo Buscaglia So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other. Colossians 3:12-13

You are never so high as when you are on your knees. Unknown Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2

Character is a long standing habit. - Plutarch Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us. Romans 5:3-5