Spiritual Thoughts

"Only one life, 'twill soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last." - C. T. Studd What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ. Philippians 3:8

Always a valley before a hill. -American Proverb Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Adversity is the stuff that shows whether you are what you thought you were. -American Proverb Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. Psalm 119:67

The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust. Psalm 103:13-14 Psalm 103 underscores our dustiness, but with good news. This psalm celebrates God’s multifaceted goodness to us. He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases (103:3). He redeems us from death (103:4). He fills our lives with good things (103:5). He gives justice to the oppressed (103:6). He is “compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love” (103:8). God does not deal harshly with us, though we are sinners (103:10). His love for us is great and his forgiveness broad (103:11-12). Then Psalm 103 adds, “The LORD is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him. For he knows how weak we are; he remembers we are only dust” (103:13-14). Knowing our weakness and dustiness, God is tender and compassionate. God’s love for us means that He does not abandon ...

"You need to be following your Rabbi so closely that your feet get covered in His dust." Jewish proverb To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. 1 Peter 2:21

WITHOUT GOD...our week would be Sinday,     Mournday,       Tearsday,            Wasteday,               Thirstday,                  Fightday, & Shatterday...     Seven days without God, makes one WEAK. Unknown . . . remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, … foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:12-13

"You may delay, but time will not." - Benjamin Franklin For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay.” Hebrews 10:37

Most people spend their entire lives on a fantasy island called "Someday I'll. . .". - Denis Waitley I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. Psalm 119:60

After winter comes the summer. After night comes the dawn. And after every storm, there comes clear, open skies. Samuel Rutherford (1600-1661) For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth her green figs, and the vines with the tender grapes give a good smell. Song of Solomon 2:11-13

I can elect to change all thoughts that hurt. Unknown 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… Ephesians 4:22-24

"Burdens become light when cheerfully borne." - Ovid "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 (with Hebrews 12:1-2)

"You can't escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today." - Abraham Lincoln Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Proverbs 27:1

TRUTH It takes two seconds to tell the truth and it costs nothing. A lie takes time and it costs everything. Randi Rhodes LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart…. Psalm 15:1-2

Blessed is the man who, having nothing to say, abstains from giving wordy evidence of the fact. George Eliot (1819-1880) Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:2

One man can be a crucial ingredient on a team, but one man cannot make a team. Unknown Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:4-5

Everyone must row with the oars they have. English Proverb Do the best you can where you are with what you have. Bob Lloyd Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

A wise man, when asked how he had learned so much about everything, replied: "By never being ashamed or afraid to ask questions about anything of which I was ignorant." John Abbott 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

Every worthwhile accomplishment, big or little, has its stages of drudgery and triumph: a beginning, a struggle, and a victory. Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) For whoever is born of God can overcome the world; and this is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith. 1 John 5:4

Take a Walk Around Yourself When you’re criticizing others and are finding here and there A fault or two to speak of, or a weakness you can tear; When you’re blaming someone’s meanness or accusing one of self – It’s time that you went out to take a walk around yourself. There’s lots of human failures in the average of us all, And lots of grave shortcomings in the short ones and the tall; But when we think of evils men should lay upon the selves, It’s time we all went out to take a walk around ourselves. We need so often in this life this balancing set of scales, Thus seeing how much in us wins and how much in us fails; But before you judge another – just to lay them on the self – It would be a splendid plan to take a walk around yourself. - Helen Welshimer Let us examine our ways and test them, and let us return to the LORD. Let us lift up our hearts and our hands to God in heaven. Lamentations 3:40-41

“ A smile is often the most essential thing. One is repaid by a smile. One is rewarded by a smile. One is animated by a smile.” -Antoine de Saint-Exupery A merry heart makes a cheerful countenance. Proverbs 15:13

If you are going to achieve excellence in big things, you develop the habit in little matters. Excellence is not an exception, it is a prevailing attitude. Colin Powell "His master said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.' Matthew 25:21

Courage is not the towering oak that sees storms come and go; it is the fragile blossom that opens in the snow. Alice Mackenzie Swaim "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." [Jesus] John 16:33

If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much. Jim Rohn Do not those who plot evil go astray? But those who plan what is good find love and faithfulness. Proverbs 14:22

Be careful the environment you choose for it will shape you; be careful the friends you choose for you will become like them. W. Clement Stone Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character." 1 Corinthians 15:33