Spiritual Thoughts

Friendship consists in forgetting what one gives and remembering what one receives. Alexandre Dumas the Younger (1824-1895) Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends.” John 15:13

When you are DOWN to nothing... God is UP to something! Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and receives the impossible! Unknown Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." Matthew 19:26

"Rare is the person who can weigh the faults of others without putting his thumb on the scale." - Byron J. Langnefield Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Philippians 2:3

It is less difficult to bear misfortunes than to remain uncorrupted by pleasure. Publius Cornelius Tacitus By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. Hebrews 11:24-26

My life is in the hands of any fool who makes me lose my temper. -- Joseph Hunter Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper   than one who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32

He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying. Friedrich Nietzsche Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:15-16

When you blame others, you give up your power to change. Robert Anthony And Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change, and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18:3

God has two dwellings: one in heaven, and the other in a meek and thankful heart. Izaak Walton For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: "I dwell in the high and holy place, AND with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones. Isaiah 57:15

Don't just read the easy stuff. You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it. Jim Rohn The place in the Scripture which he read was this: "He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb silent before its shearer, so He opened not His mouth….” …. So the eunuch answered Philip and said, "I ask you, of whom does the prophet say this, of himself or of some other man?" Acts 8:32, 34, 37, 38

Enthusiasm, like measles, mumps and the common cold,  is highly contagious. Emory Ward 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

On no account brood over your wrongdoing. Rolling in the muck is not the best way of getting clean. Aldous Huxley [“brood” – fret, worry] Do not fret because of evildoers, Be not envious toward wrongdoers. Rest in the LORD and wait patiently for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way… Cease from anger and forsake wrath; Do not fret; it leads only to evildoing. Psalm 37:1, 7-8

Leave A Mark Live life to the fullest. True and honest, begin with yourself and extend it to others. Use your words wisely. Words have power and create influence, do not spread them carelessly. Negative words create negative energy and repel those around you. Live in the positive. Leave your 'stamp' on everything you do. Make yourself an icon to be admired and respected. Become an inspiration to others-so think carefully before you speak and act. Every action, every word carries a consequence. Create a genuineness about you that is addictive to all those who meet you. And finally, leave a mark on those you meet that couldn't have been left if you weren't in their lives. Author Unknown In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach…. Titus 2:7-8

“My interest is in the future because I am going to spend the rest of my life there.” Charles F. Kettering Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. 1 Timothy 6:18-19

THE FUTURE “I am not afraid of tomorrow, for I have seen yesterday and I love today.” - William Allen White …In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

Make it a rule of life never to regret and never to look back. Regret is an appalling waste of energy; you can't build on it; it's only good for wallowing in. -Katherine Mansfield But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Genesis 19:16 I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14

It is easy to dodge our responsibilities, but we cannot dodge the consequences of dodging our responsibilities. Anonymous Whatever you do, do your work heartily,       as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will     receive the reward of the inheritance. For he who does wrong will receive the      consequences of the wrong which he has done… Colossians 3:23-25

Jesus Christ didn't commit the gospel to an advertising agency; He commissioned disciples. And He didn't command them to put up signs and pass out tracts; He said that they would be His witnesses. -Joe Bayly And you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth." Acts 1:8

To be proud of virtue is to poison yourself with the antidote. Benjamin Franklin A man's pride will bring him low, But the humble in spirit will retain honor. Proverbs 29:23

"Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent." - Maryilyn vos Savant But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7

Concentrate on three things and you will not fall into the grip of sin. - Know from where you came, - where you are going, and - before Whom you will have to give account and reckoning. - Pirkei Avot Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13

Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen. Winston Churchill Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage ; Yes, wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter days. Proverbs 19:20