Tuesday November 30, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You alone are responsible for your feelings-

2-To resolve a conflict, focus on the problem and not who is at fault-

3-Anger is a solution of choice to a problem you face-

4-Sharing anger in a loving way expresses love-

5-Unresolved conflict causes frustration which causes anger-

STRANGE THOUGHT-When a person is in love for the first time, they think they invented it-

I'VE LEARNED-God is never in a hurry but he is always on time-

DID YOU KNOW-An anthropophagite eats people

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW-

1-How long a trip in distance and time did the wise men travel?

2-Could there have been other wise men who started out but didn't finish the trip?

3-How were the wise men able to purchase such expensive gifts?

4-Could the wise men have been angels instead of humans?

5-Wouldn't the wise men have faced robbers along the way wanting to take their expensive gifts?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king repented because of the preaching of the prophet Jonah?

Yesterday's answer-Josiah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 20:1-8

Jewish Leaders Question Jesus

¹ One day Jesus was in the Temple, teaching the people and telling them the Good News. The leading priests, teachers of the law, and elders came up to talk with him, ² saying, "Tell us what authority you have to do these things? Who gave you this authority?"

³ Jesus answered, "I will also ask you a question. Tell me: ⁴ When John baptized people, was that authority from God or just from other people?"

⁵ They argued about this, saying, "If we answer, 'John's baptism was from God,' Jesus will say, 'Then why did you not believe him?'⁶ But if we say, 'It was from other people,' all the people will stone us to death, because they believe John was a prophet."⁷ So they answered that they didn't know where it came from.

⁸ Jesus said to them, "Then I won't tell you what authority I have to do these things."

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

Monday November 29, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Attitude is an outward expression of an inward feeling-

2-Friday can only be called good because of what happened on Sunday-

3-Anger is an alarm system saying "You have a problem"-

4-The love we give one person does not take away from the love we have to give others-

5-Different does not mean wrong-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Love is like an hour glass, with the heart filling up as the brain empties-

I'VE LEARNED-Believe God is working in your life even when you don't feel like it-

DID YOU KNOW-A sultan's wife is called a sultana-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How many wise men followed the star seeking baby Jesus?

2-Why was gold, frankincense and myrrh chosen as gift by the wise men?

3-Was there a symbolic meaning in the gifts given to baby Jesus by the wise men?

4-Why did the wise men bring gifts with them?

5-How did the wise men know they were to follow the star?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Judah was killed at the battle of Megiddo by the forces of Egypt?

Yesterday's answer-Hezekiah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 19:41-48

Jesus Cries for Jerusalem

⁴¹ As Jesus came near Jerusalem, he saw the city and cried for it, ⁴² saying, "I wish you knew today what would bring you peace. But now it is hidden from you. ⁴³ The time is coming when your enemies will build a wall around you and will hold you in on all sides. ⁴⁴ They will destroy you and all your people, and not one stone will be left on another. All this will happen because you did not recognize the time when God came to save you."

Jesus Goes to the Temple

⁴⁵ Jesus went into the Temple and began to throw out the people who were selling things there. ⁴⁶ He said, "It is written in the Scriptures, 'My Temple will be a house for prayer.' But you have changed it into a 'hideout for robbers'!"

⁴⁷ Jesus taught in the Temple every day. The leading priests, the experts on the law, and some of the leaders of the people wanted to kill Jesus.⁴⁸ But they did not know how they could do it, because all the people were listening closely to him.

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

Sunday November 28, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If you didn't have a problem you wouldn't know that God could solve it-

2-Your attitude can turn a problem into a blessing-

3-The only person that can make you happy is yourself, others can only add to your happiness-

4-It is not what happens to you, it is what happens in you that makes a difference-

5-Your attitude determines your approach to life-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you don't risk anything you risk even more-

I'VE LEARNED-You won't find what you purposefully avoid looking for-

DID YOU KNOW-A phrenologist feels and interprets skull features-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-When prayers are answered, what part of the Trinity did it?

2-Is the "Spirit of God" of the old testament the same as the "Holy Spirit" of the new testament?

3-Do the members of the Trinity work independently of each other?

4-Does God give people skills and abilities to accomplish his will?

5-What happened to the gifts given to baby Jesus by the wise men?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king reinstituted the celebration of Passover in Judah and invited the people of Israel to participate?

Yesterday's answer-Nebuchadnezzar

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE19:28-40

Jesus Enters Jerusalem as a King

²⁸ After Jesus said this, he went on toward Jerusalem.²⁹ As Jesus came near Bethphage and Bethany, towns near the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent out two of his followers. ³⁰ He said, "Go to the town you can see there. When you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here to me. ³¹ If anyone asks you why you are untying it, say that the Master needs it."

³² The two followers went into town and found the colt just as Jesus had told them.³³ As they were untying it, its owners came out and asked the followers, "Why are you untying our colt?"

³⁴ The followers answered, "The Master needs it."³⁵ So they brought it to Jesus, threw their coats on the colt's back, and put Jesus on it.³⁶ As Jesus rode toward Jerusalem, others spread their coats on the road before him.

³⁷ As he was coming close to Jerusalem, on the way down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of followers began joyfully shouting praise to God for all the miracles they had seen. ³⁸ They said,
"God bless the king who comes in the name of the Lord! — Psalm 118:26

There is peace in heaven and glory to God!"

³⁹ Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, "Teacher, tell your followers not to say these things."

⁴⁰ But Jesus answered, "I tell you, if my followers didn't say these things, then the stones would cry out."

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

Saturday November 27, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If we act like an overcomer we will become one

2-Surrendering to God is not so much an act of giving up as simply letting God have his way in your life-

3-You can't have holiness without obedience-

4-Surrendering anything in order to obey God always results in spiritual growth and added blessings-

5-Every miracle begins with a problem-

STRANGE THOUGHT-My artificial plants died because I didn't pretend to water them-

I'VE LEARNED-The truth will set you free but it often will make you feel miserable first-

DID YOU KNOW- A librocubicularist is someone who reads in bed-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Can God use a doubter?

2-Did God create everyone for a purpose?

3-Can you know the heartbeat of God?

4-When did Moses know he was different from the Egyptians?

5-Do all members of the Trinity work at the same time?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who had a dream about a statue composed of different materials?

Yesterday's answer-Josiah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 19:11-27

A Story About Three Servants

¹¹ As the people were listening to this, Jesus told them a story because he was near Jerusalem and they thought God's kingdom would appear immediately. ¹² He said: "A very important man went to a country far away to be made a king and then to return home. ¹³ So he called ten of his servants and gave a coin to each servant. He said, 'Do business with this money until I get back.' ¹⁴ But the people in the kingdom hated the man. So they sent a group to follow him and say, 'We don't want this man to be our king.'

¹⁵ "But the man became king. When he returned home, he said, 'Call those servants who have my money so I can know how much they earned with it.'

¹⁶ "The first servant came and said, 'Sir, I earned ten coins with the one you gave me.' ¹⁷ The king said to the servant, 'Excellent! You are a good servant. Since I can trust you with small things, I will let you rule over ten of my cities.'

¹⁸ "The second servant said, 'Sir, I earned five coins with your one.' ¹⁹ The king said to this servant, 'You can rule over five cities.'

²⁰ "Then another servant came in and said to the king, 'Sir, here is your coin which I wrapped in a piece of cloth and hid. ²¹ I was afraid of you, because you are a hard man. You even take money that you didn't earn and gather food that you didn't plant.'²² Then the king said to the servant, 'I will condemn you by your own words, you evil servant. You knew that I am a hard man, taking money that I didn't earn and gathering food that I didn't plant. ²³ Why then didn't you put my money in the bank? Then when I came back, my money would have earned some interest.'

²⁴ "The king said to the men who were standing by, 'Take the coin away from this servant and give it to the servant who earned ten coins.' ²⁵ They said, 'But sir, that servant already has ten coins.'²⁶ The king said, 'Those who have will be given more, but those who do not have anything will have everything taken away from them. ²⁷ Now where are my enemies who didn't want me to be king? Bring them here and kill them before me.' "

(This is a strange ending to this story Jesus told. I don't understand verse 27)

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

Friday November 26, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Someone's negative opinion of you does not have to become your reality-

2-Circumstances don't change God's plan or purpose-

3-Get your eyes off your circumstances and set them on God-

4-You can be busy serving God and still be out of his will-

5-Stop focusing on what is wrong with your marriage and start focusing on what is right-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Without imagination we go nowhere-

I'VE LEARNED-You cannot grow without a teachable attitude-

DID YOU KNOW-A klazomaniac is someone who feels like shouting-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does Israel have four seasons of weather as we know the year to have?

2-Did Old Testament people know what year it was?

3-Before the serpent came to Eve, did Adam/Eve know what sin was?

4-Why do you do what you do?

5-Is God looking for perfect people to use?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Godly king began his reign at eight and led a major reform movement in Judah?

Yesterday's answer-Amon

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Luke 19:1-10

Zacchaeus Meets Jesus

¹ Jesus was going through the city of Jericho.² A man was there named Zacchaeus, who was a very important tax collector, and he was wealthy.³ He wanted to see who Jesus was, but he was not able because he was too short to see above the crowd.⁴ He ran ahead to a place where Jesus would come, and he climbed a sycamore tree so he could see him. ⁵ When Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down! I must stay at your house today."

⁶ Zacchaeus came down quickly and welcomed him gladly.⁷ All the people saw this and began to complain, "Jesus is staying with a sinner!"

⁸ But Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "I will give half of my possessions to the poor. And if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times more."

⁹ Jesus said to him, "Salvation has come to this house today, because this man also belongs to the family of Abraham. ¹⁰ The Son of Man came to find lost people and save them."

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

Thursday November 25, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You can learn to love your spouse even if you didn't love them when you married them-

2-Love is a renewable resource-

3-School grades don't determine who you are or who you will become-

4-No one rises to low expectations-

5-Perceive a man the way he could be and he will become who he should be-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Men mask their hurt by expressing anger-

I'VE LEARNED-The longer I live the more I appreciate those who came before me-

DID YOU KNOW-A horologist measures time-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How many people have passed from life who didn't die?

2-When did Enoch start his walk with God?

3-What is "walking with God"?

4-Why was Enoch taken from this life without dying and not others as well?

5-Did the word "year" mean the same in the Old Testament as it does today?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Judah reigned for only two years and was murdered by his court officials?

Yesterday's answer-Manasseh

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 18:31-43

Jesus Will Rise from the Dead

³¹ Then Jesus took the twelve apostles aside and said to them, "We are going to Jerusalem. Everything the prophets wrote about the Son of Man will happen. ³² He will be turned over to those who are evil. They will laugh at him, insult him, spit on him, ³³ beat him with whips, and kill him. But on the third day, he will rise to life again." ³⁴ The apostles did not understand this; the meaning was hidden from them, and they did not realize what was said.

Jesus Heals a Blind Man

³⁵ As Jesus came near the city of Jericho, a blind man was sitting beside the road, begging.³⁶ When he heard the people coming down the road, he asked, "What is happening?"

³⁷ They told him, "Jesus, from Nazareth, is going by."

³⁸ The blind man cried out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"

³⁹ The people leading the group warned the blind man to be quiet. But the blind man shouted even more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"

⁴⁰ Jesus stopped and ordered the blind man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹ "What do you want me to do for you?"

He said, "Lord, I want to see."

⁴² Jesus said to him, "Then see. You are healed because you believed."

⁴³ At once the man was able to see, and he followed Jesus, thanking God. All the people who saw this praised God.

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

Wednesday November 24, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Humility is servant hood, not low self esteem-

2-God sees you as you are and who you are going to be-

3-Live everyday as if it is your last day to live for someday it will be-

4-The spiritual condition of Christians will depend on how hungry they are for God-

5-Silence can be a form of anger turned inward-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The farther away the future is, the better it looks-

I'VE LEARNED-It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser-

DID YOU KNOW-A funambulist is a tight rope walker-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What is the qualifications for God to love you?

2-Could Cain and Abel have been twins?

3-Where did the names Adam, Eve, Cain, Abel come from?

4-Did the first family have names or did the Hebrew people later give them names?

5-Did Can ever repent over his sin of killing his brother?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Judah had the worst reputation for killing innocent people?

Yesterday's answer-Herod

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 18:15-30

Who will enter God's Kingdom?

¹⁵ Some people brought even their babies to Jesus so he could touch them. When the followers saw this, they told them to stop. ¹⁶ But Jesus called for the children, saying, "Let the little children come to me. Don't stop them, because the kingdom of God belongs to people who are like these children. ¹⁷ I tell you the truth, you must accept the kingdom of God as if you were a child, or you will never enter it."

A Rich Man's Question

¹⁸ A certain leader asked Jesus, "Good Teacher, what must I do to have life forever?"

¹⁹ Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? Only God is good. ²⁰ You know the commands: 'You must not be guilty of adultery. You must not murder anyone. You must not steal. You must not tell lies about your neighbor. Honor your father and mother.' "

²¹ But the leader said, "I have obeyed all these commands since I was a boy."

²² When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "There is still one more thing you need to do. Sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me." ²³ But when the man heard this, he became very sad, because he was very rich.

²⁴ Jesus looked at him and said, "It is very hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of God. ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God."

Who Can Be Saved?

²⁶ When the people heard this, they asked, "Then who can be saved?"

²⁷ Jesus answered, "The things impossible for people are possible for God."

²⁸ Peter said, "Look, we have left everything and followed you."

²⁹ Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, all those who have left houses, wives, brothers, parents, or children for the kingdom of God ³⁰ will get much more in this life. And in the age that is coming, they will have life forever."

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

Tuesday November 23, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You never know how soon it will be too late-

2-If we want to be heard, we must speak in a language the listener can understand-

3-Forgiveness can be given but the damage cannot be undone-

4-Unconfessed sin will harden your heart-

5-Pride is overestimating ourselves and underestimating others-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The problem with being punctual is that nobody is there to appreciate it-

I'VE LEARNED-Men tend to talk when they are in a shared activity and women see talking as a shared activity-

DID YOU KNOW-A fingerprint is also know an a dactylogram-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did Rahab have a fear of or faith in the Israelite God?

2-How did Rahab end up in the "Hall of Faith"?

3-How could the 2 spies have gotten into Jericho as Israelites when it was a gated, wall city?

4-Why would Rahab trust the word of the 2 spies?

5-Could Rahab have been an innkeeper?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What cruel king lied to the wise men about his desire to worship the infant Jesus?

Yesterday's answer-Sennacherib

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 18:1-14

God Will Answer His People

¹ Then Jesus used this story to teach his followers that they should always pray and never lose hope. ² "In a certain town there was a judge who did not respect God or care about people.³ In that same town there was a widow who kept coming to this judge, saying, 'Give me my rights against my enemy.'⁴ For a while the judge refused to help her. But afterwards, he thought to himself, 'Even though I don't respect God or care about people, ⁵ I will see that she gets her rights. Otherwise she will continue to bother me until I am worn out.' "

⁶ The Lord said, "Listen to what the unfair judge said. ⁷ God will always give what is right to his people who cry to him night and day, and he will not be slow to answer them. ⁸ I tell you, God will help his people quickly. But when the Son of Man comes again, will he find those on earth who believe in him?"

Being Right with God

⁹ Jesus told this story to some people who thought they were very good and looked down on everyone else: ¹⁰ "A Pharisee and a tax collector both went to the Temple to pray.¹¹ The Pharisee stood alone and prayed, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other people who steal, cheat, or take part in adultery, or even like this tax collector. ¹² I fast twice a week, and I give one-tenth of everything I get!'

¹³ "The tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even look up to heaven. But he beat on his chest because he was so sad. He said, 'God, have mercy on me, a sinner.' ¹⁴ I tell you, when this man went home, he was right with God, but the Pharisee was not. All who make themselves great will be made humble, but all who make themselves humble will be made great."

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

Monday November 22, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Where the glory of God dwells, the voice of God is heard-when the glory of God leaves, the voice of God is silent-

2-Love is vulnerability at its greatest-

3-It is our job to catch the fish, it is God's job to clean them-

4-Believe God for the increase-

5-By looking only to the past, you will miss the future-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The cemetery is full of dead dreams-

I'VE LEARNED-There is a difference in being broke and being out of money-

DID YOU KNOW-A deltiologist collects postcards-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is all lying always wrong?

2-Can God ever bless a lie?

3-Was it okay that Rahab lied to the Jericho king?

4-Was Rahab fearful of the Israelites?

5-Who were the 2 spies Joshua sent to Jericho?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Assyria had his army of 185,000 soldiers destroyed by the angel of the Lord?

Yesterday's answer-Tiglath-Pileser

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 17:24-37

When Jesus Comes Again

²⁴ "When the Son of Man comes again, he will shine like lightning, which flashes across the sky and lights it up from one side to the other. ²⁵ But first he must suffer many things and be rejected by the people of this time.²⁶ When the Son of Man comes again, it will be as it was when Noah lived.²⁷ People were eating, drinking, marrying, and giving their children to be married until the day Noah entered the boat. Then the flood came and killed them all.²⁸ It will be the same as during the time of Lot. People were eating, drinking, buying, selling, planting, and building.²⁹ But the day Lot left Sodom, fire and sulfur rained down from the sky and killed them all. ³⁰ This is how it will be when the Son of Man comes again.

³¹ "On that day, a person who is on the roof and whose belongings are in the house should not go inside to get them. A person who is in the field should not go back home. ³² Remember Lot's wife. ³³ Those who try to keep their lives will lose them. But those who give up their lives will save them.³⁴ I tell you, on that night two people will be sleeping in one bed; one will be taken and the other will be left. ³⁵ There will be two women grinding grain together; one will be taken, and the other will be left. [ ³⁶ Two people will be in the field. One will be taken, and the other will be left.]"

³⁷ The followers asked Jesus, "Where will this be, Lord?"

Jesus answered, "Where there is a dead body, there the vultures will gather."

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

Sunday November 21, 2010 thought for the day-

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Happiness is not somewhere other than where I am currently at-

2-Are we making this decision based on fear or faith?

3-Necessity is a hard mother, but she raises strong children-

4-When we are broken, God can get ahold of us-

5-Sometimes God has to allow us to be broken so he can remake us-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Silence is often misinterpreted, but never misquoted-

I'VE LEARNED-A "saved" heart I one that wants to serve-

DID YOU KNOW-A conchologist studies mollusks and shells-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is there any separate identity left today of the 12 tribes if Judah?

2-Just what does the 144,000 in Revelations refer to?

3-Is the 144,000 in Revelations to be taken literally or symbolically?

4-Why was Rahab willing to hide the 2 Hebrew spies from the Jericho king?

5-Why did the 2 Hebrew spies go to Rahab's house?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Assyrian king received thirty eight tons of silver as tribute money from Menahem of Israel?

Yesterday's answer-Rezin

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 17:11-23

Be Thankful

¹¹ While Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem, he was going through the area between Samaria and Galilee.¹² As he came into a small town, ten men who had a skin disease met him there. They did not come close to Jesus¹³ but called to him, "Jesus! Master! Have mercy on us!"

¹⁴ When Jesus saw the men, he said, "Go and show yourselves to the priests."

As the ten men were going, they were healed. ¹⁵ When one of them saw that he was healed, he went back to Jesus, praising God in a loud voice.¹⁶ Then he bowed down at Jesus' feet and thanked him. (And this man was a Samaritan.) ¹⁷ Jesus said, "Weren't ten men healed? Where are the other nine? ¹⁸ Is this Samaritan the only one who came back to thank God?" ¹⁹ Then Jesus said to him, "Stand up and go on your way. You were healed because you believed."

God's Kingdom Is Within You

²⁰ Some of the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the kingdom of God come?"

Jesus answered, "God's kingdom is coming, but not in a way that you will be able to see with your eyes. ²¹ People will not say, 'Look, here it is!' or, 'There it is!' because God's kingdom is within you."

²² Then Jesus said to his followers, "The time will come when you will want very much to see one of the days of the Son of Man. But you will not see it. ²³ People will say to you, 'Look, there he is!' or, 'Look, here he is!' Stay where you are; don't go away and search.

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

Saturday November 20, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Who I am is not determined by what I do but by what Jesus has done for me-

2-Guilt is useful as a motivator to change--but it is useless and destructive when it paralyzes the person with a sense of unworthiness and unloveability-

3-You can suffer without sinning, but you can't sin without suffering-

4-We must do the opposite of what fear is telling us to overcome the circumstances-

5-You can love completely without completely understanding-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Easy street comes to a dead end-

I'VE LEARNED-If you beef enough, you will end up in a stew-

DID YOU KNOW-A prestidigitator is another word for magician-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How was Jesus able to teach in the synagogue when he was not an accepted priest?

2-Should Jews who convert to Christianity remain in their synagogue or change to a Christian worship style?

3-Does the phrase "anti-Christ" as used in the Bible refer to a person?

4-Is the "mark of the beast" really 666 or is that the numerical value of the beasts name?

5-The Hebrew translation of the Greek for Caesar Nero adds up to 666--so was he the anti Christ or a forerunner to the coming antichrist?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Syria joined the king of Israel in attaching Judah?

Yesterday's answer-Hezekiah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 17:1-10

Sin and Forgiveness

¹ Jesus said to his followers, "Things that cause people to sin will happen, but how terrible for the person who causes them to happen! ² It would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large stone around your neck than to cause one of these little ones to sin. ³ So be careful!

"If another follower sins, warn him, and if he is sorry and stops sinning, forgive him. ⁴ If he sins against you seven times in one day and says that he is sorry each time, forgive him."

How Big Is Your Faith?

⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, "Give us more faith!"

⁶ The Lord said, "If your faith were the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, 'Dig yourself up and plant yourself in the sea,' and it would obey you.

Be Good Servants

⁷ "Suppose one of you has a servant who has been plowing the ground or caring for the sheep. When the servant comes in from working in the field, would you say, 'Come in and sit down to eat'? ⁸ No, you would say to him, 'Prepare something for me to eat. Then get yourself ready and serve me. After I finish eating and drinking, you can eat.'⁹ The servant does not get any special thanks for doing what his master commanded. ¹⁰ It is the same with you. When you have done everything you are told to do, you should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done the work we should do.' "

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

Friday November 19, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-God wants to reveal himself in you to others-

2-What God has done for you and in you ought to be observable in your way of life or behavior-

3-There should be some observable relationship between who we say we are in Jesus and how we live-

4-Winners find reasons to--losers find excuses to-

5-Patience is the child of faith-

STRANGE THOUGHT-You can't have a testimony until you have a test-

I'VE LEARNED-Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present has meaning, and our future is secured-

DID YOU KNOW-A fable says that Truth and Falsehood went bathing. Falsehood came first out of the water and dressed herself in Truth's garments. Truth, unwilling to take those of Falsehood, went naked-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What most likely was the illness Paul had?

2-Was Jesus ever sick or injured while growing up?

3-Paul evidently had vision problems, so could this have been his "thorn in the flesh"?

4-If Paul's "thorn in the flesh" was a vision problem, could it have come from his conversion experience on the Damascus Road?

5-Old Testament Jews were to go to the temple to worship, so when did the synagogues start?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king was criticized by the prophet Isaiah for showing Judah's treasure to Babylonian ambassadors?

Yesterday's answer-Sennacherib

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 16:19-31

The Rich Man and Lazarus

¹⁹ Jesus said, "There was a rich man who always dressed in the finest clothes and lived in luxury every day. ²⁰ And a very poor man named Lazarus, whose body was covered with sores, was laid at the rich man's gate.²¹ He wanted to eat only the small pieces of food that fell from the rich man's table. And the dogs would come and lick his sores.²² Later, Lazarus died, and the angels carried him to the arms of Abraham. The rich man died, too, and was buried.²³ In the place of the dead, he was in much pain. The rich man saw Abraham far away with Lazarus at his side.²⁴ He called, 'Father Abraham, have mercy on me! Send Lazarus to dip his finger in water and cool my tongue, because I am suffering in this fire!'²⁵ But Abraham said, 'Child, remember when you were alive you had the good things in life, but bad things happened to Lazarus. Now he is comforted here, and you are suffering.²⁶ Besides, there is a big pit between you and us, so no one can cross over to you, and no one can leave there and come here.'²⁷ The rich man said, 'Father, then please send Lazarus to my father's house.²⁸ I have five brothers, and Lazarus could warn them so that they will not come to this place of pain.'²⁹ But Abraham said, 'They have the law of Moses and the writings of the prophets; let them learn from them.'³⁰ The rich man said, 'No, father Abraham! If someone goes to them from the dead, they would believe and change their hearts and lives.' ³¹ But Abraham said to him, 'If they will not listen to Moses and the prophets, they will not listen to someone who comes back from the dead.' "

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

Thursday November 18, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-A marvelous past does not guarantee a splendid future-

2-What we fail to repent of, we are destined to repeat-

3-Real faith is riding out the storm with Jesus in your boat-

4-My life is not about me, it is about Jesus living in me-

5-I've got as much on my plate as I can say grace over-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The word cooperation is spelled we-

I'VE LEARNED-Don't serve God out of guilt, fear or duty but out of joy and deep gratitude for what he has done for you-

DID YOU KNOW-Influenza got its name from the fact that people believed the disease was because of the evil "influence" of stars-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW-

1-Who was the first disciple to die and how?

2-Did the disciple Thomas go to India as is claimed?

3-Paul had been instrumental in healing many, so why didn't he heal Timothy who had stomach problems?

4-Why could Paul heal others and yet not himself?

5-Why didn't Paul say what his thorn in the flesh was?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Assyrian king was killed by his sons while worshiping in the temple of his god Nisroch?

Yesterday's answer-Horam

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 16:14-18

God's Law Cannot Be Changed

¹⁴ The Pharisees, who loved money, were listening to all these things and made fun of Jesus. ¹⁵ He said to them, "You make yourselves look good in front of people, but God knows what is really in your hearts. What is important to people is hateful in God's sight.

¹⁶ "The law of Moses and the writings of the prophets were preached until John came. Since then the Good News about the kingdom of God is being told, and everyone tries to enter it by force. ¹⁷ It would be easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for the smallest part of a letter in the law to be changed.

Divorce and Remarriage

¹⁸ "If a man divorces his wife and marries another woman, he is guilty of adultery, and the man who marries a divorced woman is also guilty of adultery."

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

Wednesday November 17, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Truth is truth whether or not you believe it-

2-Following Jesus requires faith--but not blind faith-

3-Faith and obedience are inseparable, unbelief and disobedience are also inseparable-

4-What life is all about-it is who you love, who loves you, and what you create together-

5-If you want to lead the orchestra, you must turn your back to the crowd-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Bald spot? No, that is a solar panel for brain power-

I'VE LEARNED-Whenever you are serving others in any way, you are actually serving God-

I'VE LEARNED-The word cop from the English term "Constable on Patrol"

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Were angels created in God's image?

2-If angel's can fall from being holy, don't they need to be able to chose good or evil?

3-How does Satan disguise himself as an angel of light?

4-Are demons fallen angels?

5-If Satan can disguise himself an an angel of light, can't his fallen angels do so also?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Gezer opposed Joshua's army and was totally defeated, with no soldiers left alive?

Yesterday's answer-Hezekiah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 16:1-13

True Wealth

¹ Jesus also said to his followers, "Once there was a rich man who had a manager to take care of his business. This manager was accused of cheating him. ² So he called the manager in and said to him, 'What is this I hear about you? Give me a report of what you have done with my money, because you can't be my manager any longer.'³ The manager thought to himself, 'What will I do since my master is taking my job away from me? I am not strong enough to dig ditches, and I am ashamed to beg. ⁴ I know what I'll do so that when I lose my job people will welcome me into their homes.'

⁵ "So the manager called in everyone who owed the master any money. He asked the first one, 'How much do you owe?' ⁶ He answered, 'Eight hundred gallons of olive oil.' The manager said to him, 'Take your bill, sit down quickly, and write four hundred gallons.'⁷ Then the manager asked another one, 'How much do you owe?' He answered, 'One thousand bushels of wheat.' Then the manager said to him, 'Take your bill and write eight hundred bushels.' ⁸ So, the master praised the dishonest manager for being clever. Yes, worldly people are more clever with their own kind than spiritual people are.

⁹ "I tell you, make friends for yourselves using worldly riches so that when those riches are gone, you will be welcomed in those homes that continue forever. ¹⁰ Whoever can be trusted with a little can also be trusted with a lot, and whoever is dishonest with a little is dishonest with a lot.¹¹ If you cannot be trusted with worldly riches, then who will trust you with true riches? ¹² And if you cannot be trusted with things that belong to someone else, who will give you things of your own?

¹³ "No servant can serve two masters. The servant will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and worldly riches."

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

Tuesday november 16, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Worry splits our energy between today's priorities and tomorrow's problems-

2-Worry is the beginning of burdens-

3-Don't concentrate on the dark Fridays of crucifixion but on the bright Sundays of resurrection-

4-When we surrender to God the baggage of discontent, we don't just give up something, we gain something--gratitude-

5-You don't have to believe something for it to be true-

STRANGE THOUGHT-No man is truly married until he truly understands every word his wife is not saying-

I'VE LEARNED-It is better to be patient than to become one-

DID YOU KNOW-The word kangaroo means "I don't know" in the language of Australian Aborigines. When Captain Cook approached natives of the Endeavor River tribe to ask what the strange animal he spotted was, he got "kangaroo" for an answer.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Was hanging used as a form of execution in Jesus' day?

2-Why did Judas choose to hang himself instead of some other method?

3-Can the writings of Josephus be trusted as being truthful and accurate?

4-What exactly are angels and their role in relation to humans?

5-The apostle Paul said we are to judge angels--how and why?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What godly king of Judah tore down the idols in the country and broke the power of the Philistines?

Yesterday's answer-Shalmaneser

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 15:11-32

The Son Who Left Home

¹¹ Then Jesus said, "A man had two sons. ¹² The younger son said to his father, 'Give me my share of the property.' So the father divided the property between his two sons.¹³ Then the younger son gathered up all that was his and traveled far away to another country. There he wasted his money in foolish living.¹⁴ After he had spent everything, a time came when there was no food anywhere in the country, and the son was poor and hungry.¹⁵ So he got a job with one of the citizens there who sent the son into the fields to feed pigs.¹⁶ The son was so hungry that he wanted to eat the pods the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.¹⁷ When he realized what he was doing, he thought, 'All of my father's servants have plenty of food. But I am here, almost dying with hunger. ¹⁸ I will leave and return to my father and say to him, "Father, I have sinned against God and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son, but let me be like one of your servants." ' ²⁰ So the son left and went to his father.

"While the son was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt sorry for his son. So the father ran to him and hugged and kissed him. ²¹ The son said, 'Father, I have sinned against God and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' ²² But the father said to his servants, 'Hurry! Bring the best clothes and put them on him. Also, put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.²³ And get our fat calf and kill it so we can have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ My son was dead, but now he is alive again! He was lost, but now he is found!' So they began to celebrate.

²⁵ "The older son was in the field, and as he came closer to the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. ²⁶ So he called to one of the servants and asked what all this meant.²⁷ The servant said, 'Your brother has come back, and your father killed the fat calf, because your brother came home safely.'²⁸ The older son was angry and would not go in to the feast. So his father went out and begged him to come in.²⁹ But the older son said to his father, 'I have served you like a slave for many years and have always obeyed your commands. But you never gave me even a young goat to have at a feast with my friends.³⁰ But your other son, who wasted all your money on prostitutes, comes home, and you kill the fat calf for him!'³¹ The father said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that I have is yours. ³² We had to celebrate and be happy because your brother was dead, but now he is alive. He was lost, but now he is found.' "

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

Friday November 5, 2010 thought for today

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY 1-God's wrath is directed against all sin and he will deal with it righteously, justly with love and grace- 2-Without a sense of awe, it is too easy to use God's name without a sense of reverence- 3-Our relationship with God is not about us, it is all about God- 4-You cannot hold God for a ransom- 5-We will stand before God on his terms, not ours- STRANGE THOUGHT-Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time for you will not have a leg to stand on- I'VE LEARNED-With God, a delay is not a denial- DID YOU KNOW-The word accordion comes from the German word akkord, which means "agreement, harmony." 5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW 1-How long did it normally take for death to occur in a crucifixion? 2-Were the Jews and the authorities surprised that Jesus' death came so soon? 3-When did the two criminals crucified with Jesus die? 4-Did the two criminal crucified with Jesus have anyone mourning their death? 5-What was the "gall" that was offered in a wine drink to Jesus while he was on the cross? BIBLE TRIVIA-What evil king of Judah sacrificed has son as a burnt offering and built a Syrian style altar in Jerusalem? Yesterday's answer-Pekah SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 14:25-33 The Cost of Being Jesus' Follower 25 Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and he turned and said to them, 26 "If anyone comes to me but loves his father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—or even life—more than me, he cannot be my follower. 27 Whoever is not willing to carry his cross and follow me cannot be my follower. 28 If you want to build a tower, you first sit down and decide how much it will cost, to see if you have enough money to finish the job.29 If you don't, you might lay the foundation, but you would not be able to finish. Then all who would see it would make fun of you, 30 saying, 'This person began to build but was not able to finish.' 31 "If a king is going to fight another king, first he will sit down and plan. He will decide if he and his ten thousand soldiers can defeat the other king who has twenty thousand soldiers. 32 If he can't, then while the other king is still far away, he will send some people to speak to him and ask for peace. 33 In the same way, you must give up everything you have to be my follower. I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Thursday November 4, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-When you share your strength you build competition, when you share your weakness you build relationships-

2-When in the presence of others, we tend to be who they think we are-

3-God can do anything his Holiness and love lead him to choose to do-

4-God's only restraints are those He imposes on himself-

5-Holiness and love are not attributes of God, but are the very essence of his being-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Lying is the truth of one's character-

I'VE LEARNED-You cannot move in faith and hold onto the past at the same time-

DID YOU KNOW-In French, essay means "to try, attempt."

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Pilate and the Jews hated each other, so why would he agree to their demands Jesus be crucified?

2-Could Jesus' cross have been used in a prior crucifixion or in a later one?

3-Why was Jesus crucified on Golgatha?

4-What finally caused Jesus death on the cross?

5-Were all crucified criminals scourged?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Israel had much of his territory taken away by the Assyrian king?

Yesterday's answer-So

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 14:15-24

A Story About a Big Banquet

¹⁵ One of those at the table with Jesus heard these things and said to him, "Blessed are the people who will share in the meal in God's kingdom."

¹⁶ Jesus said to him, "A man gave a big banquet and invited many people. ¹⁷ When it was time to eat, the man sent his servant to tell the guests, 'Come. Everything is ready.'

¹⁸ "But all the guests made excuses. The first one said, 'I have just bought a field, and I must go look at it. Please excuse me.' ¹⁹ Another said, 'I have just bought five pairs of oxen; I must go and try them. Please excuse me.'²⁰ A third person said, 'I just got married; I can't come.'²¹ So the servant returned and told his master what had happened. Then the master became angry and said, 'Go at once into the streets and alleys of the town, and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame.'²² Later the servant said to him, 'Master, I did what you commanded, but we still have room.'²³ The master said to the servant, 'Go out to the roads and country lanes, and urge the people there to come so my house will be full. ²⁴ I tell you, none of those whom I invited first will eat with me.' "

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

Wednesday November 3, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY 1-A person with a vision but no direction is only a dreamer- 2-God is what he is and what he has always been- 3-God will not treat you better than what you treat others- 4-What people do with their weaknesses determines their credibility- 5-Leadership is all about influence- STRANGE THOUGHT-The great challenge of adulthood is holding on to your innocence while learning idealism- I'VE LEARNED-Faith is a verb. It is active, not passive. It is something you do. DID YOU KNOW-The word corduroy comes from the French cord du roi or "cloth of the king." 5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW 1-Why was Herod the Great called that? 2-Why did Jesus chose Capernum to live in? 3-After Jesus' rejection in Nazareth, did he ever return there? 4-With all the miracles which Jesus did, why weren't there more people wanting to follow Him? 5-Why is there no record of the exact date of Jesus crucifixion? BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Egypt received an appeal for help from Hoshea of Israel, who wanted to throw off the Assyrian yoke? Yesterday's answer-Menahem SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKIE 14:12-14 You Will Be Rewarded 12 Then Jesus said to the man who had invited him, "When you give a lunch or a dinner, don't invite only your friends, your family, your other relatives, and your rich neighbors. At another time they will invite you to eat with them, and you will be repaid. 13 Instead, when you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind. 14 Then you will be blessed, because they have nothing and cannot pay you back. But you will be repaid when the good people rise from the dead." I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Tuesday November 2, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If your ship never comes in, if your dream never comes true, if your situation never changes-you can still be content-

2-Your life is never defined by what you have even if you have a lot-

3-What we have in God is greater than what we don't have in life-

4-If the Lord is my shepherd, I am his sheep-

5-Counselors can comfort you in your storm but only God can still your storm-

STRANGE THOUGHT-An idea is a funny thing, it won't work unless you do-

I'VE LEARNED-You don't reap what you sow, you reap the fruit of what you sow-

DID YOU KNOW-The word curfew originates from an old French word that means "cover fire"-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Was the Star of Bethlehem a part of a miraculous event separate from natural phenomena?

2-What route did the wise men take to get to Bethlehem?

3-Would the wise men have stayed in places along the way to find rest, feed the animals, get supplies, etc.-

4-Did the wise men go across the desert or go around it?

5-Why did people put cut palm branches on the road ahead of Jesus riding into Jerusalem?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What cruel king of Israel assassinated King Shallum?

Yesterday's answer-Zechariah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 14:7-11

Don't Make Yourself Important

⁷ When Jesus noticed that some of the guests were choosing the best places to sit, he told this story: ⁸ "When someone invites you to a wedding feast, don't take the most important seat, because someone more important than you may have been invited.⁹ The host, who invited both of you, will come to you and say, 'Give this person your seat.' Then you will be embarrassed and will have to move to the last place.¹⁰ So when you are invited, go sit in a seat that is not important. When the host comes to you, he may say, 'Friend, move up here to a more important place.' Then all the other guests will respect you. ¹¹ All who make themselves great will be made humble, but those who make themselves humble will be made great."

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

Monday November 1, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-None of us can avoid life's Gardens of Gethsemane, just don't enter them alone-

2-Rather than focusing on our fear, focus on the solution-

3-Fear is worry's big brother-

4-God will lead you through, not around, the valley of the shadow of death-

5-Denial and dismissal are not a part of God's grief therapy-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you at first don't succeed, read the instructions-

I'VE LEARNED-Live simply,love seriously, care deeply, speak kindly,leave the rest to God-

DID YOU KNOW-The word constipation comes from a Latin word that means "to crowd together"

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW-

1-Were the wise men wealthy people?

2-How did the wise men know the star meant a baby was born?

3-Isn't it rather mysterious that wise men would go on a long journey, not knowing where they were going or how long they would be gone?

4-Isn't it probable that the wise men traveled in a caravan for safety reasons instead of alone?

5-Why did men of a different culture want to pay homage to a Hebrew baby?

BIBLE TRIVIA- What king of Israel was assassinated by Shallum after a six month reign?

Yesterday's answer-Uzziah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY LUKE 14:1-6

Healing on the Sabbath

¹ On a Sabbath day, when Jesus went to eat at the home of a leading Pharisee, the people were watching Jesus very closely.² And in front of him was a man with dropsy. ³ Jesus said to the Pharisees and experts on the law, "Is it right or wrong to heal on the Sabbath day?" ⁴ But they would not answer his question. So Jesus took the man, healed him, and sent him away. ⁵ Jesus said to the Pharisees and teachers of the law, "If your child or ox falls into a well on the Sabbath day, will you not pull him out quickly?" ⁶ And they could not answer him.

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