Spiritual Thoughts

LIGHT BEYOND THE CLOUD I often used to murmur, And on my sorrows dwell, Until a mite-like trifle Would to a mountain swell; And when its misty shadows My pathway would enshroud, I did not dream of brightness Behind the darksome cloud. At length a soft voice whispered; Thy daily mercies count," I did, and was astonished, So great was the amount! I placed both in the balance, My trials upward flew, And then the silver lining From the dark cloud broke through. Like a bright ray of sunshine Across my path it fell, Again the same voice whispered "God doeth all things well. Faint not nor be discouraged, Tho' darkness should enshroud, His mercy is unfailing, There's light behind the cloud." The Christadelphian Magazine 1885 I will sing of the mercies of the LORD forever; With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness to all generations. For I have said, "Mercy shall be built up forever; Your faithfulness You shall establish in the very heavens." Psalm...

Let God's promises shine on your problems. -Corrie Ten Boom For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, …. For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us. 2 Corinthians 1:19-20

"While enormous strides have been made in communications in recent years, there's still a lot to be said for a smile ." - Franklin P. Jones Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen . Ephesians 4:29

"When we look back at the faithfulness of God, we praise Him. When we look forward to God's faithfulness, we trust Him." - Ken Watters Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD'S great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." Lamentations 3:21-24

When the future is not clear , there's always HOPE " Hope is faith holding out its hand in the dark." -George Iles Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope …. Romans 15:13

"Often the clouds of sorrow reveal the sunshine of His face." - Hilys Jasper Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy , carrying sheaves with him. Psalm 126:5-6

The Three Looks To look around is to be distressed. To look within is to be depressed. To look above is to be blessed. When we look around we see anxiety, unrest and uncertainty and nothing that can bring comfort, hope and peace to us. The world is upside down with problems and troubles the greatest and wisest of men cannot solve - the days are evil. (Eph.5:16). For the most part the world rejects Christ and the Scriptures foretold "perilous times shall come". 2 Tim.3:1. Now when we look within we might just see what God sees: "The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked-who can know it?" Jer. 17:9. To look within is to be depressed. But to look above where Christ sits at the right hand of God, His Father, is to be blessed. We have been accepted in the beloved, in Christ we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins (Eph.1:6,7), we have hope for the future, and we have been blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenly places in Christ. (Eph....

Without the Way there is no going; without the Truth there is no knowing; without the Life there is no living. Thomas a Kempis Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me.” John 11:6

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: Kindness in your face, Kindness in your eyes, And kindness in your smile. Unknown He who pursues righteousness and kindness will find life and honor. Proverbs 21:21

God is the only one who can make the valley of trouble a door of hope. -Catherine Marshall Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:13

The Lord is my Shepherd That's Relationship I shall not want That's Supply He makes me to lie down in green pastures That's Rest He leads me beside the still waters That's Refreshment He restores my soul That's Healing He leads me in the paths of righteousness That's Guidance For His name sake That's Purpose Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death That's Testing I will fear no evil That's Protection For Thou art with me That's Faithfulness Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies That's Hope Thou anoints my head with oil That's Promise My cup runs over That's Abundance Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life That's Blessing And I will dwell in the house of the Lord That's Security Forever That's Eternity Psalm 23

God will answer all our prayers. It is just that God does this in His time not ours. We can give our tears to God because He is our COMFORTER Our disappointments because He is our CONFIDENCE Our pains because He is our HEALER Our stress because He is our PEACE Our heaviness because He is our JOY Roy Lessin Therefore, having been justified by FAITH, We have PEACE with God through our Lord Jesus Christ… And REJOICE in the HOPE of the GLORY of GOD. Romans 5:1

A day you waste is one you can never make up. George Allen So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

It is better to wear out one's shoes than one's sheets. - Genoese Proverb Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest. Proverbs 6:6-8

DEVELOP AN ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE Even when you are experiencing tough times, remember the blessings in your life. It’s like sprinkling sunshine on a cloudy day . Alice Gray Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16

Prayer is not asking for what you think you want, but asking to be changed in ways you can't imagine. -Kathleen Norris Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition , with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Philippians 4:6

Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still. -Chinese Proverb And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God. Colossians 1:10

SHARE YOUR FAITH You can wish someone joy and peace and happy things, but when you share your faith – you’ve wished them everything. Alice Gray We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us . 1 Thessalonians 2:8

GIVE THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS Forgiveness is a blessing for the one who forgives as well as for the one who is forgiven. Alice Gray Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners – of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me , the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:15-16

Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless. unknown Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort , who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5

Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare. - Japanese Proverb Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18

Don't cut your conscience to fit this year's fashions. -Lillian Hellman This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. Acts 24:16

"The one resolution, which was in my mind long before it took the form of a resolution, is the key-note of my life. It is this, always to regard as mere impertinences of fate the handicaps which were placed upon my life almost at the beginning. I resolved that they should not crush or dwarf my soul, but rather be made to blossom, like Aaron's rod, with flowers." - Helen Keller Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James 1:12

HAPPY NEW YEAR H ow swiftly flies by the time, A new year with hopes and challenges. P lan thoroughly and be P repared for joy in living Y ou will achieve joy. N othing fearing, E xpect all things possible W ith God Y earning true E xcellence in character A im for nothing less than the best you can R ise up and shine, ready for loving and serving our God! (compilation) Sing to the LORD a new song ; sing to the LORD, all the earth. Sing to the LORD, praise his name; proclaim his salvation day after day. Psalm 96:1-2