Spiritual Thoughts

Landscape Your life's like a landscape and God has the brush. The work is in progress, He's not in a rush. Each stroke has a purpose, nothing's by chance. To see all His wisdom takes more than a glance. Notice the sunbeams that shine on the dew – Even the clouds can't keep them from view. Look at the pathway that turns at the hill – Its course will reveal what's next in His will. The stream that's flowing with water so blue Is bringing down blessings meant just for you. The trees that are planted close to the stream Will bring forth more fruit than you've ever seen. The bird in the nest with mouth opened wide Is just a reminder that God will provide. Now look at the sheep in the meadow that's near And notice the Shepherd that keeps them from fear. He's brought them to pastures which give forth the best, That cool and refresh, and keep them in rest. The eagle above, that soars o'er the gale Is God's way of saying, ...

"It is better to be prepared for an opportunity and not have one than to have an opportunity and not be prepared." - Whitney Young, Jr. It's like a man going away: He leaves his house and puts his servants in charge, each with his assigned task, and tells the one at the door to keep watch. Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back - whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. What I say to you, I say to everyone: 'Watch!' Mark 13:34-37

"Practice is the price of mastery. Whatever you practice over and over again becomes a new habit of thought and performance." - Brian Tracy Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. Matthew 7:24-25

"Your life is a reflection of your thoughts. If you change your thinking, you change your life." - Brian Tracy Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

One Day at a Time Anyone can carry his burden, however heavy, until nightfall. Anyone can do his work, however hard, for one day. Anyone can live sweetly, patiently, lovingly, purely, till the sun goes down …. Robert Louis Stevenson Give us day by day our daily bread. Luke 11:3

'The clock of life is wound but once, And no man has the power To tell just when the hands will stop At late or early hour.. Now is the only time you own. Live, love, toil with a will. Place no faith in time, For the clock may soon be still.' Unknown Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, "If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that." James 4:14-15

At the end of each day, you should play back the tapes of your performance. The results should either applaud you or prod you. - Jim Rohn 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

"Keep your chin up and you will see the clouds in the sky. Keep your chin down and all you will see is the dirt on the floor." - Shelley L. Young My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up. Psalm 5:3

"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies, for the hardest victory is over self." -- Aristotle He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. Proverbs 16:32

Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have. - Louis E. Boone My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:26 By faith Sarah herself received power to conceive, even when she was past the age, since she considered him faithful who had promised. Hebrews 11:11

It Takes Courage It takes strength to be firm, It takes courage to be gentle. It takes strength to conquer, It takes courage to surrender. It takes strength to be certain, It takes courage to have doubt. It takes strength to fit in, It takes courage to stand out. It takes strength to feel a friend's pain, It takes courage to feel your own pain. It takes strength to endure abuse, It takes courage to stop it. It takes strength to stand alone, It takes courage to lean on another. It takes strength to love, It takes courage to be loved. It takes strength to survive, It takes courage to live. Author Unknown Jesus said, "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." John 16:33

Don't spend your precious time asking 'Why isn't the world a better place?' It will only be time wasted. The question to ask is 'How can I make it better?' To that there is an answer. Leo F. Buscaglia Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed…. 2 Timothy 2:15

Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps, if you are not willing to move your feet. -Anonymous Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Psalm 51:12-13

For flowers that bloom about our feet; For tender grass, so fresh, so sweet; For song of bird, and hum of bee; For all things fair we hear or see, Father in heaven, we thank Thee! -- Ralph Waldo Emerson I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:30

The great man is he who does not lose his child's heart. -- Mencius (371-291 B.C.) And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:3-4

Since the early bird catches the worm, it's a good idea to begin your day as soon as you can (unless, of course, you happen to be a worm). Edwin Bliss And all the people would get up early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Jesus. Luke 21:38

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested. --Francis Bacon How sweet are Your words to my taste, O Lord God! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth! Psalm 119:103

"Many people may listen, but few people actually hear." - Harvey Mackay A wise man will hear and increase in learning, And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel. Proverbs 1:5

"One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine with only interests." - John Stuart Mill If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, "One person with a belief is equal to a force of ninety-nine with only interests." -- John Stuart Mill If you follow my decrees and are careful to obey my commands, You will pursue your enemies, and they will fall by the sword before you. Five of you will chase a hundred, and a hundred of you will chase ten thousand, and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. Leviticus 26:3, 7-9 and your enemies will fall by the sword before you. I will look on you with favor and make you fruitful and increase your numbers, and I will keep my covenant with you. Leviticus 26:3, 7-9

"I think the one lesson I have learned is that there is no substitute for paying attention." -- Diane Sawyer Come and listen, all you who fear God; let me tell you what He has done for me. I cried out to him with my mouth; his praise was on my tongue…. but God has surely listened and heard my voice in prayer. Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! Psalm 66:16-20

THE MAN WHO THINKS HE CAN If you think you are beaten, you are, If you think you dare not, you don't. If you like to win, but you think you can't, It is almost certain you won't. If you think you'll lose, you're lost, For out in the world we find, Success begins with a fellow's will. It's all in the state of mind. If you think you are outclassed, you are, You've got to think high to rise, You've got to be sure of yourself before You can ever win a prize. Life's battles don't always go To the stronger or faster man. But soon or late the man who wins, Is the man WHO THINKS HE CAN.