Spiritual Thoughts

"Year's end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us." - Hal Borland The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow His precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise. Psalm 111:10

PURPOSE "Your purpose explains what you are doing with your life. Your vision explains how you are living your purpose. Your goals enable you to realize your vision." - Bob Proctor I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who does nothing because he could only do a little. Edmund Burke (1729-1797) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! Revelation 3:15

Where we love is home – home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts. - Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:23

When Christ entered our world, he didn't come to brighten our Decembers, but to transform our lives. -Rich Miller And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2

Gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To yourself, respect. To God, everything. Oren Arnold Save us, O LORD our God, and gather us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name and glory in your praise. Psalm 106:47

God asks no man whether he will accept life. That is not the choice. One must take it. The only choice is how . - Henry Ward Beecher Now therefore fear the LORD, and serve him in sincerity and in truth: …. And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD . Joshua 24:14-15

It is better to deserve without receiving, than to receive without deserving. Robert Ingersoll (1833-1899) Since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful , and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, Hebrews 12:28

To know what is right and not to do it is the worst cowardice. - Confucius Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins. James 4:17

Nodding the head does not row the boat. - Irish Proverb 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

GROWTH You will never be the person you can be if pressure, tension, and discipline are taken out of your life. James G. Bilkey No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11

GROWTH begins when we start to accept our own weakness. Jean Vanier As a result, we are no longer to be children, ….. but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ. Ephesians 4:14-15

People are like grass in the field: some blossom, some wither. - Jewish Proverb … but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18

"It's good to have money and the things money can buy, but it's good, too, to check up once in a while and make sure that you haven't lost the things money can't buy." - George Horace Lormier Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! …. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. Isaiah 55:1-3

"The simplest and commonest truth seems new and wonderful when we experience it for the first time in our own life" Marie von Ebner-Eschenbach You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 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

"Watch your manner of speech if you wish to develop a peaceful state of mind. Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful." - Norman Vincent Peale And the peace of God , which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable , whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:7-8

"Good habits are hard to form and easy to live with. Bad habits are easy to form and hard to live with. Nothing is neutral. Everything counts." - Brian Tracy 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. Jeremiah 6:16

"The only way to live is to accept each minute as an unrepeatable miracle, which is exactly what it is - a miracle and unrepeatable." - Margaret Storm Jameson “Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again .'” John 3:7 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16

[T]he biggest challenge that any of us will ever have: to really get up in the morning and say, "OK God, what can I do to help somebody else today, how can I be a blessing to somebody else?" -Joyce Meyer You shall not see your brother's donkey or his ox fall down along the road, and hide yourself from them; you shall surely help him lift them up again. Deuteronomy 22:4 And I urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Philippians 4:3

Resentment is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die. -- Carrie Fisher Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. Job 5:2

"I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me." 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 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13

"You have not lived a perfect day, even though you have earned your money, unless you have done something for someone who will never be able to repay you." -R. Smeltzer Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. But do not forget to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. Hebrews 13:15

Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel. Author Unknown Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16