Saturday October 30, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-When you know God loves you, you won't desperate for the love of others-

2-Loneliness doesn't come from being alone, it comes from feeling alone-

3-Loneliness is not the absence of faces, it is the absence of friendship-

4-Significance of not the same as prominence-

5-Don't measure the size of your mountain, talk to the one who can move it-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Maybe the brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past. After all, you can't go on successfully in life until you let go of your past mistakes, failure and heart aches-

I'VE LEARNED-The people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money , or the most awards. They are the ones that care for us.

DID YOU KNOW-The U in U-boats stands for "underwater"

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did anyone else follow the star beside the wise men?

2-What was it about the star that was different and unusual?

3-Why did the star mean good tidings to the wise men?

4-Did the wise men know where they would end up?

5-Did the wise men know how long a journey it would be?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Judah was stricken with leprosy?

Yesterday's answer-Uzziah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 13:31-35

Jesus Will Die in Jerusalem

³¹ At that time some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Go away from here! Herod wants to kill you!"

³² Jesus said to them, "Go tell that fox Herod, 'Today and tomorrow I am forcing demons out and healing people. Then, on the third day, I will reach my goal.' ³³ Yet I must be on my way today and tomorrow and the next day. Surely it cannot be right for a prophet to be killed anywhere except in Jerusalem.

³⁴ "Jerusalem, Jerusalem! You kill the prophets and stone to death those who are sent to you. Many times I wanted to gather your people as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you would not let me. ³⁵ Now your house is left completely empty. I tell you, you will not see me until that time when you will say, 'God bless the One who comes in the name of the Lord.' "

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Friday October 29, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-It is our awareness of what we don't have that creates jealousy-

2-God asks us to come to him and make our requests not make our demands-

3-Many of our disappointment in life began as irritations-

4-Most of our deepest hurts come from other people, not from things-

5-Often what is done is secret is best not done at all-

STRANGE THOUGHT-In two days, tomorrow will be yesterday-

I'VE LEARNED-Only a coward boasts that they have never been afraid-

DID YOU KNOW-The old English word for sneeze is fneosam-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why did Joseph leave for Bethlehem if Mary was so close to giving birth?

2-Why didn't the star lead the wise men directly to baby Jesus in Bethlehem?

3-Were the wise men really astrologers?

4-Why did the wise men feel compelled to follow a star?

5-How do you follow a star when it appears stationery?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king ran a beauty contest to pick a bride and wound up marrying a Jewish girl?

Yesterday's answer-Amaziah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 13:22-30

The Narrow Door

²² Jesus was teaching in every town and village as he traveled toward Jerusalem. ²³ Someone said to Jesus, "Lord, will only a few people be saved?"

Jesus said, ²⁴ "Try hard to enter through the narrow door, because many people will try to enter there, but they will not be able.²⁵ When the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you can stand outside and knock on the door and say, 'Sir, open the door for us.' But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'²⁶ Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in the streets of our town.'²⁷ But he will say to you, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Go away from me, all you who do evil!'²⁸ You will cry and grind your teeth with pain when you see Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets in God's kingdom, but you yourselves thrown outside.²⁹ People will come from the east, west, north, and south and will sit down at the table in the kingdom of God. ³⁰ There are those who are last now who will be first in the future. And there are those who are first now who will be last in the future."

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Thursday October 28, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Heaven will be wonderful not because the streets are gold but because our hearts will be pure-

2-Heaven is the place of sinless minds and hearts-

3-God changes the person by changing the mind-

4-When your cup overflows with grace, your heart overflows with gratitude-

5-If God is the shepherd who leads the flock, then goodness and mercy are the two sheep dogs that guard the rear of the flock-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The truth will set you free but it often makes you miserable first-

I'VE LEARNED-Maybe, the happiest people don't necessarily have the best of everything, they just make the most of everything that comes their way

DID YOU KNOW-The words assassination and bump were invented by Shakespeare-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How soon after Jesus' birth did the shepherds and wise men come to see Jesus?

2-How long did the Holy Family stay in the animal shelter?

3-Where did the Holy Family live in Bethlehem?

4-Did Joseph and Mary ever register for the census in Bethlehem?

5-How long had Joseph and Mary traveled to get to Bethlehem?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Judah showed mercy when he executed his father's murderers but spared their families?

Yesterday's answer-Jehoash

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 13:18-20

Stories of Mustard Seed and Yeast

¹⁸ Then Jesus said, "What is God's kingdom like? What can I compare it with? ¹⁹ It is like a mustard seed that a man plants in his garden. The seed grows and becomes a tree, and the wild birds build nests in its branches."

²⁰ Jesus said again, "What can I compare God's kingdom with?

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Tuesday October26, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Trust is the basic bond of all relationships-

2-Praise produces God's presence and His presence produces praise-

3-The practicing of religion is not worship-

4-Choices determine destiny-

5-There are long stretches of darkness, invisibility and silence that separate planting and reaping-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Aspire to inspire before you expire-

I'VE LEARNED-Maybe when the door of happiness closes another one opens, but often we look so long at the closed door we don't even see the new one which has been opened for us-

DID YOU KNOW-German is considered the sister language of English-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Who aided Mary in giving birth?

2-Had Joseph been through a birth before with a prior wife?

3-Since Mary was so young, had she received birthing instructions from her mother, sister, or relatives?

4-Who were Jesus' grandparents?

5-Would Mary have had an easier birth with Jesus than with her other children later?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What good king of Judah was murdered by two of his court officials?

Yesterday's answer-Joash

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 13:6-9

The Useless Tree

⁶ Jesus told this story: "A man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard. He came looking for some fruit on the tree, but he found none. ⁷ So the man said to his gardener, 'I have been looking for fruit on this tree for three years, but I never find any. Cut it down. Why should it waste the ground?'⁸ But the servant answered, 'Master, let the tree have one more year to produce fruit. Let me dig up the dirt around it and put on some fertilizer. ⁹ If the tree produces fruit next year, good. But if not, you can cut it down.' "

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Monday October 25, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-God forgives sin, but the consequences remain-

2-Despair is giving up on God-

3-Victory is praising God during the struggle-

4-We should not praise God because we feel like it but because He is worthy of our praise-

5-Nothing equals the presence of God-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Maybe we were supposed to meet the wrong people before meeting the right one so that , when we finally meet the right person, we would know how to be grateful for that gift-

I'VE LEARNED- Only a coward boasts that they have never been afraid-

DID YOU KNOW-The word toast came from the old French word toste , which has the Latin root meaning "to scorch or burn"-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Where exactly did the Holy Family stay in Bethlehem?

2-Did the inn keeper not know that Mary was about to give birth?

3-Would it have been normal for people to stay in animal shelters as as the Holy Family did?

4-Why was Jesus placed in a manger?

5-Where did the cloth come from in which Mary wrapped baby Jesus?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who set up golden bulls at Dan and Bethel so that his people would not go to Jerusalem to worship?

Yesterday's answer-Jeroboam

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 13:1-5

Change Your Hearts

¹ At that time some people were there who told Jesus that Pilate had killed some people from Galilee while they were worshiping. He mixed their blood with the blood of the animals they were sacrificing to God. ² Jesus answered, "Do you think this happened to them because they were more sinful than all others from Galilee? ³ No, I tell you. But unless you change your hearts and lives, you will be destroyed as they were!⁴ What about those eighteen people who died when the tower of Siloam fell on them? Do you think they were more sinful than all the others who live in Jerusalem? ⁵ No, I tell you. But unless you change your hearts and lives, you will all be destroyed too!"

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Sunday October 24, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

1-The absence of fear is a greater blessing than the absence of want-

2-Other people's feelings do not determine your value-

3-Guilt and blame are no help in moving forward-

4-Taking responsibility for and blaming yourself are not the same thing-

5-Many seemingly sudden tragedies are actually the result of a history of poor choices-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Have a great day unless you have other plans-

I'VE LEARNED-The proof of God's work in us is not always validated by the opinions of those around us-

DID YOU KNOW-The expression "What in tarnation?" comes from the original phrase "What in eternal damnation?"

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did the Gospel writers deliberately not record any information about Jesus prior to his 30th birthday or was there nothing for them to write about? Surely there must have been!

2-In Jesus' day, where would travelers stay while going to another area?

3-Could the guest room used by Jesus and his disciples to celebrate the passover, be the kind of room called the "inn?"

4-When Joseph and Mary went to Bethlehem to register for the census, where were they planning on staying?

5-Could it have been the guest room of relatives in Bethlehem that was the "inn" in which there was no room?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Judah had to be hidden as a boy to protect him from the wrath of wicked Queen Athaliah?

Yesterday's answer-Neco

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 12:57-59

Settle Your Problems

⁵⁷ "Why can't you decide for yourselves what is right? ⁵⁸ If your enemy is taking you to court, try hard to settle it on the way. If you don't, your enemy might take you to the judge, and the judge might turn you over to the officer, and the officer might throw you into jail. ⁵⁹ I tell you, you will not get out of there until you have paid everything you owe."

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Saturday October 23, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Existing and living are not the same?

2-If you live in yesterday, you will never be able to get to where you want to be tomorrow-

3-Lies destroy lives-

4-The money you spend should not be a badge of your success-

5-Truth does not change, no matter how much you wish it would or what you do to obscure it-

STRANGE THOUGHT-When you have nothing to worry about, you worry about nothing-

I'VE LEARNED-Live by what you love, not what you fear-

DID YOU KNOW-The term "Holy Toledo" refers to Toledo, Spain, which became an outstanding Christian cultural center in 1085.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is it likely that Jesus was not born in the winter?

2-Why was December 25th chosen as Jesus birthday and when was it first celebrated?

3-Was Jesus birthday celebrated prior to the December 25th date being chosen?

4-Was Jesus born before Mary and Joseph arrived at the manger place or was he born in the manger place?

5-What did the word "inn" mean in the Bible story of Jesus' birth?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Egyptian king fought against Judah and murdered King Josiah?

Yesterday's answer-Ben-Hadad

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 12:54-56

Understanding the Times

⁵⁴ Then Jesus said to the people, "When you see clouds coming up in the west, you say, 'It's going to rain,' and it happens. ⁵⁵ When you feel the wind begin to blow from the south, you say, 'It will be a hot day,' and it happens. ⁵⁶ Hypocrites! You know how to understand the appearance of the earth and sky. Why don't you understand what is happening now?

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-A diamond is a chunk of coal under pressure-

2-We honor what we cherish-

3-God can never makes a wrong decision, has the wrong attitude, takes the wrong path, says the wrong thing, gives the wrong advice, provides an incomplete salvation, forgives the unconfessed sin-

4-What may be your right may not necessarily be the right thing to do-

5-If our happiness is in the when and ifs we miss out on the joys of blessings of the here and now-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If God only gives us what we can handle, I sometimes wish He didn't trust us so much-

I'VE LEARNED-Learning only begins when we accept the role of student-

DID YOU KINOW-When the "F-word" became considered vulgar is unclear. It was acceptable speech in England until as recently as the seventeenth century-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is tithing an obligation or an offering we give?

2-Is "cheerful giving" referring to tithing or offerings?

3-Why didn't Jesus ask his followers to tithe to to him and his disciples?

4-Was the Law of Moses still in effect during Jesus' ministry?

5-Why does the Bible not tell the time of year of Jesus' birth?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Syrian kind besieged Samaria, causing great famine that led to cannibalism?Ahasuerus, also known as Xerxes

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 12:49-53 "THIS IS A STRANGE SCRIPTURE", HARD TO UNDERSTAND

Jesus Causes Division

⁴⁹ "I came to set fire to the world, and I wish it were already burning! ⁵⁰ I have a baptism to suffer through, and I feel very troubled until it is over.⁵¹ Do you think I came to give peace to the earth? No, I tell you, I came to divide it.⁵² From now on, a family with five people will be divided, three against two, and two against three. ⁵³ They will be divided: father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Thursday October 21, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-A critic is not a servant-

2-God sent Moses with the written word, God sent the prophets to speak the word, God sent the word (Jesus) to be born into the world-

3-God didn't call you to get rewards but to obedience-

4-Obedience qualifies us for greater service-

5-Seek beauty and miss love, seek love and find both-

STRANGE THOUGHT-A pat on the back is only a few inches from a kick in the rear-

I'VE LEARNED-The purpose of life is often obscured by the demands of one's personal agenda-

DID YOU KNOW-Clans long ago who wanted to get rid of their unwanted people without killing them used to burn down their houses--hence the expression "get fired."

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Who provide for Joseph and Mary's funeral and where were they buried?

2-Why are Christians pointed to the Old Testament for a basis of tithing?

3-Were all Old Testament people required to tithe or were certain trades exempt for tithing?

4-Are Christians today to obey everything in the law of Moses?

5-Are Christians today freed from the law of Moses?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king did Esther marry?

Yesterday's answer-Jehu

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 12:41-48

Who Is the Trusted Servant?

⁴¹ Peter said, "Lord, did you tell this story to us or to all people?"

⁴² The Lord said, "Who is the wise and trusted servant that the master trusts to give the other servants their food at the right time? ⁴³ When the master comes and finds the servant doing his work, the servant will be blessed.⁴⁴ I tell you the truth, the master will choose that servant to take care of everything he owns.⁴⁵ But suppose the servant thinks to himself, 'My master will not come back soon,' and he begins to beat the other servants, men and women, and to eat and drink and get drunk. ⁴⁶ The master will come when that servant is not ready and is not expecting him. Then the master will cut him in pieces and send him away to be with the others who don't obey.

⁴⁷ "The servant who knows what his master wants but is not ready, or who does not do what the master wants, will be beaten with many blows! ⁴⁸ But the servant who does not know what his master wants and does things that should be punished will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded. And from the one trusted with much, much more will be expected.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Wednesday October 20, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-What you make happen to others, God will make happen to you-

2-Reasoning should never override divine intervention-

3-Even when you yourself cannot pray, the prayers of others can intercede for you-

4-Christians know far more information than they will ever obey-

5-Jesus was God in human skin-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Relationships of all kinds are like sand held in your hand-

I'VE LEARNED-When looking for God's presence, begin with the details, not the big picture-

DID YOU KNOW-In 1943, Navy officer Grace Hopper found a glitch in her computer. After investigating, she discovered the system had a bug--a real one. It turned out a moth had made its way into Hopper's computer. Though the word bug has meant fault or defect since as far back as the 1870s, Hopper's story is credited with making it the synonym of choice in the computer industry-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Are we to tithe on what we don't have or only on the increase that God gives us?

2-Did Jesus pay tithes to the temple or the priests?

3-Did Jesus ever talk or preach to his followers about giving a tithe?

4-Was Old Testament tithing about giving money or giving from the things that grow in the ground?

5-Was tithing a part of the Law of Moses?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Israel had a reputation as a fast and furious chariot driver?

Yesterday's answer-Lot's

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 12:35-40

Always Be Ready

³⁵ "Be dressed, ready for service, and have your lamps shining. ³⁶ Be like servants who are waiting for their master to come home from a wedding party. When he comes and knocks, the servants immediately open the door for him.³⁷ They will be blessed when their master comes home, because he sees that they were watching for him. I tell you the truth, the master will dress himself to serve and tell the servants to sit at the table, and he will serve them. ³⁸ Those servants will be blessed when he comes in and finds them still waiting, even if it is midnight or later.

³⁹ "Remember this: If the owner of the house knew what time a thief was coming, he would not allow the thief to enter his house. ⁴⁰ So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at a time when you don't expect him!"

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Tuesday October 19, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Change for the worst can make you better if you allow it to-

2-Eyes tell the secrets of the heart even without the lips speaking-

3-Change in itself does not necessarily bring out the best, sometimes it brings out the worst-

4-To get the full value of joy, you must have someone to share it with-

5-Never give up on the people you love!!

STRANGE THOUGHT-It is not love that blinds us, but self love-

I'VE LEARNED-The unpredictable can become the unimaginable-

DID YOU KNOW-"Three dog night" (attributed to Australian Aborigines) came about because on especially cold night, these nomadic people needed three dogs around them to keep from freezing-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why do we know so little of Jesus prior to age 30?

2-Was money ever a titheable commodity?

3-Were converts (new believers) to Jesus in the New Testament instructed to tithe to the church or place of worship?

4-Did the fisherman disciples tithe their earnings from the sea?

5-Did Paul or the disciples ever instruct new believers to tithe money?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What man's daughters involved him in incestuous relations when they believed there were no other men around?

Yesterday's answer-Shelomith

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Luke 12:32-34

Don't Trust in Money

³² "Don't fear, little flock, because your Father wants to give you the kingdom. ³³ Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Get for yourselves purses that will not wear out, the treasure in heaven that never runs out, where thieves can't steal and moths can't destroy. ³⁴ Your heart will be where your treasure is.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Monday October18, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Selfless giving is pleasing to God-

2-Prayer is an audience, not an audition-

3-The supreme happiness in this life comes from knowing you are loved-

4-Ignorance does not produce bliss-

5-Without commitment, the knowledge necessary to make a marriage work is unattainable-

STRANGE THOUGHT-A nation of sheep will beget a government of wolves-

I'VE LEARNED-Nothing is so strong as gentleness and nothing so gentle as real strength-

DID YOU KNOW-The term mayday used for signaling for help (after SOS) comes from the French M'aidez, which is pronounced mayday and means "help me."

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did the disciples regularly attend the synagogue?

2-Would Jesus' friends and neighbors have thought it unusual that Jesus never married?

3-Was Jesus providing for his mother Mary prior to his ministry?

4-Who provided for Mary after Jesus started his ministry?

5-Did Jesus have a best friend before starting his ministry?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Hebrew woman married an Egyptian and later saw their half breed son stoned to death?

Yesterday's answer-Rhoda

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE12:22-31

Don't Worry

²² Jesus said to his followers, "So I tell you, don't worry about the food you need to live, or about the clothes you need for your body. ²³ Life is more than food, and the body is more than clothes.²⁴ Look at the birds. They don't plant or harvest, they don't have storerooms or barns, but God feeds them. And you are worth much more than birds.²⁵ You cannot add any time to your life by worrying about it.²⁶ If you cannot do even the little things, then why worry about the big things?²⁷ Consider how the lilies grow; they don't work or make clothes for themselves. But I tell you that even Solomon with his riches was not dressed as beautifully as one of these flowers.²⁸ God clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today but tomorrow is thrown into the fire. So how much more will God clothe you? Don't have so little faith!²⁹ Don't always think about what you will eat or what you will drink, and don't keep worrying.³⁰ All the people in the world are trying to get these things, and your Father knows you need them. ³¹ But seek God's kingdom, and all your other needs will be met as well.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Sunday October 17, 2010 thought for the day

HELLO EVERYONE!! IT IS GOOD TO BE BACK HOME SAFELY AFTER A WEEK OF ENJOYMENT OF OUR GRANDCHILDREN AND ESPECIALLY HUGGING AND KISSING THE 18 MONTH OLD GREAT GRAND DAUGHTER. BEST OF ALL SHE TOOK UP WITH ME THE FIRST DAY. BEST FEELING IN THE WORLD!!

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-The seven sins of a dying society-

1-Wealth without work

2-Pleasure without conscience

3-Knowledge without character

4-Business without ethics

5-Science without humanity

6-Religion without sacrifice

7-Politics without principle

Does any of this depict our society today in which we live??

2-No amount of sacrifice can get back what was lost in disobedience-

3-Without wealth there is no loss, without health there is some loss, without character all is lost-

4-You cannot shake hands with a clenched fist-

5-The more you trust in God, the more your faith will grow-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Don't insult the alligator until after you have crossed the river-

I'VE LEARNED-Knowledge changes but wisdom remains-

DID YOU KNOW-The term honeymoon is derived from the Babylonians, who declared mead, a honey flavored wine, the official wedding drink, stipulating that the brides's parents be required to keep the groom supplied with the drink for the month following the wedding-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Was Jesus active in his synagogue?

2-Would Jesus have been a leader in his synagogue?

3-Would Jesus' friends, extended family, or neighbors have noticed anything unusual about him?

4-Where did Jesus and his disciples worship?

5-Why didn't the disciples worship Jesus?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What servant GIrl in Jerusalem came to the door when Peter escaped from prison?

Yesterday's answer-The daughters of Phillip-

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 12:13-21

Jesus Warns Against Selfishness

¹³ Someone in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide with me the property our father left us."

¹⁴ But Jesus said to him, "Who said I should judge or decide between you?" ¹⁵ Then Jesus said to them, "Be careful and guard against all kinds of greed. Life is not measured by how much one owns."

¹⁶ Then Jesus told this story: "There was a rich man who had some land, which grew a good crop. ¹⁷ He thought to himself, 'What will I do? I have no place to keep all my crops.'¹⁸ Then he said, 'This is what I will do: I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and other goods. ¹⁹ Then I can say to myself, "I have enough good things stored to last for many years. Rest, eat, drink, and enjoy life!" '

²⁰ "But God said to him, 'Foolish man! Tonight your life will be taken from you. So who will get those things you have prepared for yourself?'

²¹ "This is how it will be for those who store up things for themselves and are not rich toward God."

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Thursday October 7, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You do not have to beg God to heal you-

2-You give permission for God's Spirit to move in your life-

3-God has the power to break the power of Satan?

4-The abundant life is not in getting or having but in giving and sharing-

5-God doesn't shortchange a generous giver-

STRANGE THOUGHT-God does love a cheerful giver but will also take money from a grouch-

I'VE LEARNED-If the mountain was smooth, you couldn't climb it-

DID YOU KNOW-The magic word abracadabra was originally intended for the specific purpose of curing hay fever-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Was the ideal of an anointed king ever fully realized in any of the kings of Israel or Judah?

2-When exactly was the birth of Jesus?

3-How long in time had the wise men followed the star to find Jesus?

4-Could the wise men have been traveling 2 years before Jesus' birth?

5-Did the star appear to the wise men at Jesus' birth or ;prior to his birth?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who were Puah and Shiprah?

Yesterday's answer-Rome

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 12:1-7

Don't Be Like the Pharisees

¹ So many thousands of people had gathered that they were stepping on each other. Jesus spoke first to his followers, saying, "Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees, because they are hypocrites. ² Everything that is hidden will be shown, and everything that is secret will be made known. ³ What you have said in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have whispered in an inner room will be shouted from the housetops.

⁴ "I tell you, my friends, don't be afraid of people who can kill the body but after that can do nothing more to hurt you. ⁵ I will show you the one to fear. Fear the one who has the power to kill you and also to throw you into hell. Yes, this is the one you should fear.

⁶ "Five sparrows are sold for only two pennies, and God does not forget any of them. ⁷ But God even knows how many hairs you have on your head. Don't be afraid. You are worth much more than many sparrows.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Wednesday October 6, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Christianity is either relevant all the time or useless anytime-

2-No matter how much you love someone, you can't fix them-

3-A coincidence is a little miracle in which God chooses to remain anonymous-

4-Heavenly forecast-reign forever-

5-Jesus went to hell so we could be victorious over it-

STRANGE THOUGHT-We will be old friends until we are old and senile and then we will be new friends-

I'VE LEARNED-There are only a few pretty children in the world, and every mother has one-

DID YOU KNOW-The phrase "son of a gun" derives from the days when women were allowed to live on naval ships. The son of the gun was one born on the ship, often near the midship gun, behind a canvas screen. If the paternity was uncertain, the child was entered in the log as "son of a gun."

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How was anointing with oil done?

2-Why was olive oil used in anointing someone?

3-Did Israelite kings ever claim divine honors?

4-Can God's anointing be taken away from a person?

5-What is required to be anointed by God?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What church was the faithful Persis a part of?

Yesterday's answer-Orpah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 11:45-54

Jesus Talks to Experts on the Law

⁴⁵ One of the experts on the law said to Jesus, "Teacher, when you say these things, you are insulting us, too."

⁴⁶ Jesus answered, "How terrible for you, you experts on the law! You make strict rules that are very hard for people to obey, but you yourselves don't even try to follow those rules. ⁴⁷ How terrible for you, because you build tombs for the prophets whom your ancestors killed!⁴⁸ And now you show that you approve of what your ancestors did. They killed the prophets, and you build tombs for them!⁴⁹ This is why in his wisdom God said, 'I will send prophets and apostles to them. They will kill some, and they will treat others cruelly.'⁵⁰ So you who live now will be punished for the deaths of all the prophets who were killed since the beginning of the world— ⁵¹ from the killing of Abel to the killing of Zechariah, who died between the altar and the Temple. Yes, I tell you that you who are alive now will be punished for them all.

⁵² "How terrible for you, you experts on the law. You have taken away the key to learning about God. You yourselves would not learn, and you stopped others from learning, too."

⁵³ When Jesus left, the teachers of the law and the Pharisees began to give him trouble, asking him questions about many things,⁵⁴ trying to catch him saying something wrong.

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Tuesday October 5, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Intimacy means trusting someone enough to give them the power to hurt you-

2-There is no place you have to be tomorrow that is worth dying for today-

3-The most sincere expression of love is attention-

4-We become what we dwell on-

5-Become the change in you, you want to see-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Jumping to conclusions is not half as good exercise as digging for the facts-

I'VE LEARNED-Your behavior is what you believe and all the rest is just talk-

DID YOU KNOW-In the late nineteenth century and earlier years of the twentieth century, when gramophones or phonographs amplified the sound through large horns, woolen socks were often stuffed in them to cut down the noise; hence the phrase "put a sock in it"-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What does the term "where the worm dies not" mean?

2-Is the present state of Israel the fulfillment of the prophecy of Ezekial where people would come back from many nations or is this time still to come?

3-Why is the name of God not mentioned in the book of Esther?

4-Why is the new testament written in Greek instead of Hebrew?

5-Who were the Herodians, Sadducees, Pharisies, Sanhedren, Zeolots, Samaritans?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was Ruth's sister in law?

Yesterday's answer-Nodiah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 11:37-44

Jesus Accuses the Pharisees

³⁷ After Jesus had finished speaking, a Pharisee asked Jesus to eat with him. So Jesus went in and sat at the table.³⁸ But the Pharisee was surprised when he saw that Jesus did not wash his hands before the meal. ³⁹ The Lord said to him, "You Pharisees clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are full of greed and evil. ⁴⁰ You foolish people! The same one who made what is outside also made what is inside.⁴¹ So give what is in your dishes to the poor, and then you will be fully clean.⁴² How terrible for you Pharisees! You give God one-tenth of even your mint, your rue, and every other plant in your garden. But you fail to be fair to others and to love God. These are the things you should do while continuing to do those other things.⁴³ How terrible for you Pharisees, because you love to have the most important seats in the synagogues, and you love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces. ⁴⁴ How terrible for you, because you are like hidden graves, which people walk on without knowing."

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Monday October 4, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Many people prefer known slavery (sin) to unknown freedom (salvation)-

2-The patriarchs of the old testament did some pretty bad deeds yet were blessed of God in spite of their sin-

3-God can bless someone else's life through us-

4-Patience is an important part of faith-

5-God doesn't do alot of arm twisting, but He does reward obedience-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Good enough is never good enough-

I'VE LEARNED-There's no such thing as a perfect adult. If you demand perfection of the people in your life in order to enjoy them, you're going to be miserable for the rest of your life. Nobody's perfect.

DID YOU KNOW-People didn't always say "hello" when they answered the telephone. When the first regular phone service was established in 1878, people said "ahoy."

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What are we to make of the mysterious hidden codes as found in the Bible by using high tech computers?

2-What was the purpose of the mysterious encoding of information in the Bible?

3-What does "the day of the Lord" mean?

4-What is the "balm of Gilead'?

5-Could tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes be part of the dramatic signs in the heavens that come in the last days?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What false prophetess made attempts to keep Nehemiah from rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem?

Yesterday's answer-Naomi

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 11:33-36

Be a Light for the World

³³ "No one lights a lamp and puts it in a secret place or under a bowl, but on a lampstand so the people who come in can see. ³⁴ Your eye is a light for the body. When your eyes are good, your whole body will be full of light. But when your eyes are evil, your whole body will be full of darkness.³⁵ So be careful not to let the light in you become darkness. ³⁶ If your whole body is full of light, and none of it is dark, then you will shine bright, as when a lamp shines on you."

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Sunday October 3, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY 1-Experience is what you have after you need it- 2-Experience has to be earned not learned- 3-Courage faces fear and thereby masters it. Cowardice succumbs to fear and is mastered by it- 4-The Hebrews were comfortable in a foreign land and were content to stay there had it not been they were oppressed- 5-Obedience does not mean things will always go well, but it does bring blessings- STRANGE THOUGHT-When half the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that is the beginning of the end of that nation- I'VE LEARNED-The government cannot give to anybody anything that it first doesn't take from someone else- DID YOU KNOW-In the 1940s, the Bich pen was changed to Bic for fear that Americans would pronounce it "bitch"- 5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW 1-Why did God take more than 40 different writers across a period of about 2000 years to make his holy book the Bible? 2-Are Holy Scriptures exempt from translation and copy errors? 3-Why was Baal worship so tempting to the Israelites? 4-What does the term "pass through the fire" mean? 5-Why are there so many conflicting interpretations of the prophetic scriptures in the Bible? BIBLE TRIVIA-What Israelite woman lived in Moab but returned to Israel after her husband's death? Yesterday's answer-Naamah SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 11:29-32 The People Want a Miracle 29 As the crowd grew larger, Jesus said, "The people who live today are evil. They want to see a miracle for a sign, but no sign will be given them, except the sign of Jonah. 30 As Jonah was a sign for those people who lived in Nineveh, the Son of Man will be a sign for the people of this time. 31 On the Judgment Day the Queen of the South will stand up with the people who live now. She will show they are guilty, because she came from far away to listen to Solomon's wise teaching. And I tell you that someone greater than Solomon is here. 32 On the Judgment Day the people of Nineveh will stand up with the people who live now, and they will show that you are guilty. When Jonah preached to them, they were sorry and changed their lives. And I tell you that someone greater than Jonah is here. I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Saturday October 2, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Words are containers of power-

2-An empty grave does not a resurrection make-

3-God has a "third day" for your life-

4-Making an excuse is our way of justifying our behavior-

5-The door that shuts out one part of the house opens to another-

STRANGE THOUGHT-You cannot legislate the poor into prosperity by legislating the wealthy out of prosperity-

I'VE LEARNED-What one person receives without working for, another must work for without receiving it-

DID YOU KNOW-The grand jury used to write ignoramus on the backs of indictments not found or not to be sent to court. This was often misconstrued as an indication of the stupidity of the jury, hence its present meaning-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Can a Christian live a righteous life without being persecuted?

2-Were all the people who went into the ark righteous people?

3-Can you live a sinless life when filled with the Holy Spirit?

4-If you sin, does the Holy Spirit leave your life?

5-How do you determine God's will for a church when there are good and Godly people who disagree on decisions to be made?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Ammonite woman, a wife of Solomon, became the mother of the royal dynasty of Judah?

Yesterday's answer-Naamah, daughter of Lamech

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 11:24-28

The Empty Person

²⁴ "When an evil spirit comes out of a person, it travels through dry places, looking for a place to rest. But when it finds no place, it says, 'I will go back to the house I left.' ²⁵ And when it comes back, it finds that house swept clean and made neat. ²⁶ Then the evil spirit goes out and brings seven other spirits more evil than it is, and they go in and live there. So the person has even more trouble than before."

People Who Are Truly Blessed

²⁷ As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd called out to Jesus, "Blessed is the mother who gave birth to you and nursed you."

²⁸ But Jesus said, "No, blessed are those who hear the teaching of God and obey it."

I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Friday October 1, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If what you are doing isn't working, it is time you did something else-

2-When you are in pain, it is not always wise to follow your gut instincts-

3-The dawn of a new day comes after the darkest part of the night-

4-Your attitude determines your behavior-

5-To change your behavior, you must first change your thoughts-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Is there a downside to positive thinking?

I'VE LEARNED-An apology is a good way to have the last word-

DID YOU KNOW-"Happy as a clam is from the expression "happy as a clam at high tide." Clams are harvested when the tide is out.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Will the backslider suffer more in eternity than the one who never knew Jesus?

2-Did the fallen angels know there would be no chance of any reconciliation for them?

3-Is the rapture a true Biblical concept?

4-Is the rapture a part of the 2nd coming of Jesus?

5-Is God's perfect will always done?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who is the first daughter mentioned by name in the Bible?

Yesterday's answer-Milcah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 11:14-23

Jesus' Power Is from God

¹⁴ One time Jesus was sending out a demon who could not talk. When the demon came out, the man who had been unable to speak, then spoke. The people were amazed. ¹⁵ But some of them said, "Jesus uses the power of Beelzebul, the ruler of demons, to force demons out of people."

¹⁶ Other people, wanting to test Jesus, asked him to give them a sign from heaven. ¹⁷ But knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom that is divided against itself will be destroyed. And a family that is divided against itself will not continue. ¹⁸ So if Satan is divided against himself, his kingdom will not continue. You say that I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons.¹⁹ But if I use the power of Beelzebul to force out demons, what power do your people use to force demons out? So they will be your judges. ²⁰ But if I use the power of God to force out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

²¹ "When a strong person with many weapons guards his own house, his possessions are safe. ²² But when someone stronger comes and defeats him, the stronger one will take away the weapons the first man trusted and will give away the possessions.

²³ "Anyone who is not with me is against me, and anyone who does not work with me is working against me.