Spiritual Thoughts

The key to everything is patience. You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not by smashing it. - Arnold H. Glasow Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience , gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life. 1 Timothy 6:11-12

"Patience is a bitter plant that produces sweet fruit." - Charles Swindoll My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed we count them blessed who endure. James 5:10-11

" Wisely and slow; they stumble that run fast." - William Shakespeare Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:1-2

No Evidence of Progress At times nothing seems to be happening. So it must be for the bird that sits on her nest. Things are apparently at a standstill. But the bird sits quietly, knowing that in the stillness something vital is going on, and in the proper time it will be shown. It takes faith and patience for the bird, and such faith and patience never seem to waver, day after day, night after night, as she bides the appointed time. Restless and doubtful we wonder why we have nothing to show for our efforts, no visible evidence of progress. Let us remember the perfect egg--unchanged in its appearance from the day it is laid. But while the bird waits faithfully, doing the only thing she is required to do throughout those silent weeks, important things are taking place. I wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in His word I hope; my soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning. -Psalm 130:5, 6 Author: Elisabeth Elliot Source: A Lamp For My Feet

WHY? Psalm 34:9-10 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing. Why? Why doesn't God bless me with that new car? Why doesn't God let me win the lottery? Why doesn't God give me that new high-paying job? It is interesting the psalmist chose to use young lions in this illustration. Young lions are very impatient and careless in their hunting. Because of their inexperience, young lions will often startle their prey and thus lose their opportunity for nourishment. The older, more experienced lions choose their prey wisely and patiently wait for the right opportunity to attack. The older lions adequately provide for the needs of their young. The psalmist uses this illustration to show that God will provide for all of the needs of his children if we take the time to ask of him and wait on him. Verse 10 tells us that those that seek the Lord shall ...

Better are loaves when the heart is joyous, than riches in unhappiness. Amenemope (c. 1000 B.C.) Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 25:24

Be willing to access joy in the face of adversity. C. W. Metcalf 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, because God has poured out his love into our hearts. Romans 5:3-5

APPRECIATION The thought of losing rekindles the joy of having . Tom Payne Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:1-2

FIND YOUR JOY Disregard your complaints and discover your gratitude . Release your trouble and restate your blessings. Author unknown And the ransomed of the LORD will return And come with joyful shouting to Zion, With everlasting joy upon their heads. They will find gladness and joy , And sorrow and sighing will flee away. Isaiah 35:10

Q: How do you keep people from stealing your joy ? A: Give it to them Joshua deKoning May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope. Romans 15:13

Love is like playing the piano. First you must learn to play by the rules, then you must forget the rules and play from your heart. Unknown Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7

Love is an act of endless forgiveness, a tender look which becomes a habit. Peter Ustinov Love does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered. 1 Corinthians 13:5

Those who love in the Lord never see each other for the last time. - German Proverb Love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. 1 Corinthians 13:6

Love will cure more sins than condemnation. Henry Ward Beecher Love does not brag and is not arrogant, Love never fails 1 Corinthians 13:5, 8

If you're angry with a loved one , hug that person. And mean it. You may not want to hug - which is all the more reason to do so. It's hard to stay angry when someone shows they love you, and that's precisely what happens when we hug each other. Walter Anderson Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous. 1 Corinthians 13:4

If God cannot be trusted, then nothing else matters. If God can be trusted, then nothing else matters. - Joey Jeter In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? Psalm 56:4

Circumstances are beyond human control, but our conduct is in our own power. Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881) Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27

Resentment is an extremely bitter diet, and eventually poisonous. I have no desire to make my own toxins. - Neil Kinnock Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. Job 5:2

One moment of patience may ward off a great disaster; one moment of impatience may ruin a whole life. -Chinese Proverb Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. Colossians 3:12-13

Don't go through life, grow through life. Eric Butterworth The righteous man will flourish like the palm tree, He will grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Psalm 92:12 …but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18