Spiritual Thoughts

Friday Tale: Look Up W hen you have been falsely accused- Look up, for so was Jesus. When people twist what you say for their own selfish motives- Look up, for so was Jesus. When you have been betrayed - Look up, for so was Jesus. It is written Jesus will bring everything hidden in the darkness into the light for all to see. He will bring justice, he will vindicate the right. Shake the dust off your feet. Forgive and move on. ~ Abby B lessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely, rejoice and be glad, for great your reward is in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. ~ Matthew 5:11-12

K nowledge of God's word is a bulwark against deception, temptation, accusation, even persecution. ~ Edwin Louis Cole W e rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance and endurance produces character and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts. ~ Romans 4:3-5

I t is unjust [ unfair ] BUT only Christ-like to suffer persecution for doing what is right. ~ Joyce Rachelle G ive a kind and respectful answer and keep your conscience clear. This way you will make people ashamed for saying bad things about your good conduct as a follower of Christ. You are better off to obey God and suffer for doing right than to suffer for doing wrong. ~ 1 Peter 3:16-17 (CEV)

B y casting all of our cares on God, we release the unfairness of our situation and find renewed peace in the Lord. ~ John Milton W hen the cares of my heart are many, Your consolations cheer my soul. ~ Psalm 94:19

T he best apology against false accusers is silence and sufferance, and honest deeds set against dishonest words. ~ John Milton F or to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, BUT continued entrusting himself to Him who judges justly. ~ 1 Peter 2:21, 23

Friday Tale - Thermometer or   Thermostat??? A re you a thermometer or a thermostat? A thermometer only reflects the temperature in its environment, adjusting to the situation. BUT a thermostat initiates action to change the temperature in its environment. Are you a thermometer or a Thermostat? ~ From Positive Thinking T herefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11

W ith everything that has happened to you, you can either feel sorry for yourself, or treat what has happened as a gift. Everything is either an opportunity to grow or an obstacle to keep you from growing. YOU get to choose. ~ Wayne Dyer L et Your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen Your precepts. ~ Psalm 119:173

Y ou can't undo the past..... BUT you can certainly not repeat it. ~ Bruce Willis P ut off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and... be renewed in your minds, and put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true right-ness and holiness. ~ Ephesians 4:22-24

W hen everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it. ~ Henry Ford F or this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison. ~ 2 Corinthians 4:17

D on't ruin a good day today by thinking about a bad yesterday.              Let it go. ~ Grant Cardone I f you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples,  and you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. ~ John 8:31-32,36

Friday Tale - Promise I n the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody; There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me. From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity; In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity, In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory, Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. ~ Natalie Sleeth T ruly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain  of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone;  BUT if it dies, it bears much fruit. ~ John 12:24-25

M ay you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night, and the road downhill all the way to your door. ~ Irish Blessing L et Your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to Your servant. ~ Psalm 119:76

W e cannot predict what will happen tomorrow, BUT we can prepare ourselves to face it. ~ Ophelia Callens B e glad for the chance to suffer as Christ suffered. It will prepare you for even greater happiness when he makes his glorious return. ~ 1 Peter 4:13

T he things you say about others, also say a lot about you. ~ Mark Amend A good reputation and respect are worth much more than silver and gold. ~ Proverbs 22:1

W arm words spoken from the heart can  instantly melt away feelings of trepidation and intimidation. ~ Orly Wahba T his is my comfort in my affliction, that Your promise gives me life. ~ Psalm 119:50

Friday Tale - Welcome I will greet this day with love in my heart. And how will I do this? Henceforth will I look on all things with love and be born again. I will love the sun for it warms my bones; yet I will love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. I will love the light for it shows me the way; yet I will love the darkness for it shows me the stars. I will welcome happiness as it enlarges my heart; yet I will endure sadness for it opens my soul. I will acknowledge rewards for they are my due; yet I will welcome obstacles for they are my challenge. ~ Og Mandino T herefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. ~ Romans 15:7

M istakes are a fact of life. It is the response to error that counts. ~ Nikki Giovanni T ruly, truly, I say to you, he who hears my word and believes Him who sent me, he does not come to Judgment, BUT has passed from death to life. ~ John 5:24

T here will come a time when you believe everything is finished. That will be the beginning. ~ Louis L'Amour A nd He said to me, "It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give from the fountain of the water of life without payment. He who conquers will have this heritage, and I will be His God and he shall be my son. ~ Revelation 21:6-7

I t is our attitude at the beginning of a difficult task which, more than anything else, will affect its successful outcome. ~ William James L et what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you will abide in the Son and in the Father. ~ 1 John 2:24

A life without purpose is a languid, drifting thing. Every day we ought to review our purpose,  saying to ourselves: "This day let me make sound beginning!" ~ Thomas A. Kempis F or He has made known to us in all wisdom and insight the mystery of His will, according to His purpose which He set forth in Christ. ~ Ephesians 1:9

Friday Tale - Tiny Stories with Great Meanings: {1}     Once all villagers decided to pray for rain,  on the day of prayer all the people gathered,  but only one boy came with an umbrella.             That's FAITH {2}    When you throw a baby in the air, she laughs because she knows you will catch her.             That's TRUST {3}    Every night we go to bed, without any assurance of being alive the next morning but still we set the alarms to wake up.             That's HOPE {4}    We plan big things for tomorrow in spite of zero knowledge of the future.            ...

This New Year, be filled with an attitude of gratitude – appreciation for friends and family, thankfulness for special gifts & everyday blessings, and gratefulness to God for His unyielding love and His greatest gift, Jesus. Do this whether sending a message of thanks or giving a gift of gratitude. ~ Dayspring Blessings With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.  And you will say in that day: "Give thanks to the LORD, call upon His name, make known his deeds among the peoples, proclaim that His name is exalted.”  ~ Isaiah 12:4

I said to the man who stood at the Gate of the Year, "Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown." And he replied, "Go out into the darkness,  and put your hand into the hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light, and safer than a known way." May that Almighty Hand guide and uphold us all. ~ Minnie Louise Haskins Y ou are my God, teach me to do Your will. Be good to me and guide me on a safe path. ~ Psalm 143:10