Spiritual Thoughts

Let us act on what we have, since we have not what we wish. John Henry Newman (1801-1890) Do the best with what you have, where you are. Bob Lloyd The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any that act wisely, that seek after God. Psalm 14:2

No steam or gas ever drives anything until it is confined. No Niagara is ever turned into light and power until it is tunneled. No life ever grows until it is focused, dedicated and disciplined . Harry Emerson It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons; for what son is there whom his father does not discipline ? Hebrews 12:7

How we think shows through in how we act. Attitudes are mirrors of the mind. They reflect thinking. - David J. Schwartz You were taught… to put off your old self…. to be made new in the attitude of your minds ; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Ephesians 4:22-24

A Smile A smile costs nothing but gives much It takes but a moment, but the memory of it usually lasts forever. None are so rich that can get along without it And none are so poor but that can be made rich by it. It enriches those who receive Without making poor those who give. It creates sunshine in the home, Fosters good will in business And is the best antidote for trouble- And yet it cannot be begged, borrowed, stolen, for it is of no value Unless it is freely given away. Some people are too busy to give you a smile- Give them one of yours- For the good Lord knows that no one needs a smile so badly As he or she who has no more smiles left to give. (Author Unknown) "A merry heart does good like a medicine." Proverbs 17:22

If your difficulties are longstanding, try kneeling. Unknown Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Philippians 4:6

The winds of God are always blowing, but you must set the sails. -Unknown He makes the winds His messengers , Flaming fire His ministers. Psalm 104:4 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? Hebrews 1:14

Words must be weighed, not counted. Polish proverb A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 16:23-24 A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Proverbs 17:27-28

"It has been my philosophy of life that difficulties vanish when faced boldly." - Isaac Asimov Praying always with all prayer and supplication …….. that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Ephesians 6:18-20

The original WWJD saying? To know Christ is the way to grow in holiness. Ask yourself, in the moment of perplexity or temptation, what would He do if He were here? Nothing else will so surely lead us into the way of holy living. George Hodges And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints. 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13

Only those who have the patience to do simple things perfectly will acquire the skill to do difficult things easily. Johann Friedrich von Schiller "He was made king, however, and returned home. Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. "The first one came and said, 'Sir, your ten minas has earned ten more.' "'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.' Luke 19:15-17

Always set a place in your life for the unexpected guest. Unknown Let brotherly love continue. Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Hebrews 13:1-2

You may juggle human laws, you may fool with human courts, but there is a judgment to come , and from it there is no appeal. Orin Philip Gifford "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness through a Man whom He has appointed, having furnished proof to all men by raising Him from the dead." Acts 17:30-31

Worldview If we view the whole world through a lens that is bright, Then the world appears rosy and cheery; Or if viewing the world through a lens that is dark, The whole world will seem weary and dreary. But the world hasn’t changed, for it’s only the lens That’s distorting whatever we see. So abandon the lens and seek truth, pure and free, For God lives in both truth and reality! —Peggy Ferrell, Poems and Prayers Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it – he will be blessed in what he does. James 1:23-25

When a friend is in trouble, don't annoy him by asking if there is any thing you can do. Think up something appropriate and do it. Edgar Watson Howe A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 17:17

It is better to wear out one's shoes than one's sheets. -- Genoese Proverb The way of the slothful man is like a hedge of thorns, but the way of the upright is a highway. Proverbs 15:19 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Romans 12:11-12

Sandwich every bit of criticism between two layers of praise. Mary Kay Ash Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction. 2 Timothy 4:2

"I never failed once. It just happened to be a 2000-step process." - Thomas A. Edison Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong. Not that people will see that we have stood the test but that you will do what is right even though we may seem to have failed. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth. 2 Corinthians 13:7-8

"When faithfulness is most difficult, it is most necessary." - Anonymous Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works. Hebrews 10:23-24

I find that it is not the circumstances in which we are placed, but the spirit in which we face them, that constitutes our comfort . -- Elizabeth T. King Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Psalm 23:4-5

CHALLENGES "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King, Jr. If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with attitude, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2

Let us raise a standard to which the wise and honest can repair; the rest is in the hands of God. —George Washington Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a standard [=banner] for the peoples! Indeed the LORD has proclaimed to the end of the world: "Say to the daughter of Zion, 'Surely your salvation is coming; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.' " Isaiah 62:10