Thursday June 30, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You are what you repeatedly do-

2-No matter how sad you are today, happiness and laughter are distinct possibilities for tomorrow and if not then, the day after-

3-Don't let your history determine your destiny-

4-Your human will cannot change God's divine will-

5-Nothing just happens-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If it doesn't matter who wins or loses, then why do we keep score?

I'VE LEARNED-Be yourself, everyone else is taken-

DID YOU KNOW-The only food that does not spoil is honey-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why did Jesus say to some people "Your sins are forgiven" when they had never asked for that?

2-If God and Jesus are one, did God give himself for our sins?

3-How does the death of Jesus mean life for us?

4-Why is our generation so silent about sin?

5-Do Christians have to do more than "believe" for eternal life?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What woman gave up her son to the household of an Egyptian but came to raise him in her own home anyway?

Yesterday's answer-Jochebed Exodus 6:20

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 4:17-24

The Way You Should Live

¹⁷ In the Lord's name, I tell you this. Do not continue living like those who do not believe. Their thoughts are worth nothing.¹⁸ They do not understand, and they know nothing, because they refuse to listen. So they cannot have the life that God gives.¹⁹ They have lost all feeling of shame, and they use their lives for doing evil. They continually want to do all kinds of evil.²⁰ But what you learned in Christ was not like this.²¹ I know that you heard about him, and you are in him, so you were taught the truth that is in Jesus.²² You were taught to leave your old self—to stop living the evil way you lived before. That old self becomes worse, because people are fooled by the evil things they want to do.²³ But you were taught to be made new in your hearts,²⁴ to become a new person. That new person is made to be like God—made to be truly good and holy.

PRAYER FOR TODAY (For those who need God's healing touch today)

Lord Jesus, you came into the world to heal our infirmities and to endure our sufferings. You went about healing all and bringing comfort to those in pain and need. We come before you now in this time of illness asking that you may be the source of our strength in body, courage in spirit and patience in pain. May we join ourselves more closely to you on the cross and in your suffering that through them we may draw our patience and hope.

Assist us and restore us to health so that united more closely to your family, the Church, we may give praise and honour to your name.

Amen.

WISHING YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART.....PEACE IN YOUR SOUL.....AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE.....ALWAYS!!!

Wednesday June 29, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You can't take someone where you've never been-

2-Test the rocks before you put your full weight on them for even the big rocks move-

3-Be careful who you let name you-
4-Even the greatest saints have flaws-

5-Forbidden fruits create bad jams-

STRANGE THOUGHT-What happens when you plug a power strip into itself?

I'VE LEARNED-We hate some people because we do not know them and we will not know them because we hate them-

DID YOU KNOW-Pound cake is so called because the original recipe required one pound of butter-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW
1-Did Jesus give to us his followers the ability to lay hands on people and pray for their healing and see them immediately healed?

2-Jesus cast out alot of demons from people of his day, does he still do that today?

3-Was leprosy in bible days a form of skin cancer?

4-Does Jesus always look at us with compassion?

5-Wouldn't we want to follow someone today who healed terminal illiness and brought people out of their caskets?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What was Moses' mother's name?

Yesterday's answer-Deborah Judges 4:4

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 4:14-16

⁴ Then we will no longer be babies. We will not be tossed about like a ship that the waves carry one way and then another. We will not be influenced by every new teaching we hear from people who are trying to fool us. They make plans and try any kind of trick to fool people into following the wrong path.¹⁵ No! Speaking the truth with love, we will grow up in every way into Christ, who is the head.¹⁶ The whole body depends on Christ, and all the parts of the body are joined and held together. Each part does its own work to make the whole body grow and be strong with love.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

You are ushering in another day, untouched and freshly new,
So here I come to ask You God if You'll renew me too?

Forgive the many errors, that I made yesterday,
And let me try again dear God, to walk closer in Thy way.

But Father, I am well aware, I can't make it on my own.
So take my hand and hold it tight, for I can't walk alone.

Amen.

WISHING YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART.....PEACE IN YOUR SOUL.....AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE.....ALWAYS!!!

Tuesday June 28, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Failure is the opportunity to start over more intelligently-

2-The Bible is a banquet table not a snack tray-

3-Happiness is the trip, not the destination-

4-God's blessings will continue only so long as you allow them to flow through you-

5-If you block up the outflow, the inflow will stop-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you lose your mood ring, how will you know how you feel about losing it?

I'VE LEARNED-Happy wife, happy life-

DID YOU KNOW-There are more donut shops per capita in Canada than in any other other country-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why was Jesus allowed to teach in the synagogue on the Sabbath?

2-Why did Jesus call unlearned men to be his disciples?

3-Did all the disciples know each other prior to being called to be Jesus' disciples?

4-Were all the disciples married men?

5-Did Jesus heal all those who came to him for healing?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What famous woman judge was married to the obscure man named Lapidoth?

Yesterday's answer-Miriam Numbers 12

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 4:11-13

¹¹ And Christ gave gifts to people—he made some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to go and tell the Good News, and some to have the work of caring for and teaching God's people.¹² Christ gave those gifts to prepare God's holy people for the work of serving, to make the body of Christ stronger.¹³ This work must continue until we are all joined together in the same faith and in the same knowledge of the Son of God. We must become like a mature person, growing until we become like Christ and have his perfection.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Almighty God, I thank you for the life and teachings of your only Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is amazing to me that he lived and walked among us, one of us, a mortal man who bled and felt pain, who felt anger and love, who would become tired and hungry. Your love in showing us that you would share the burdens of mortality is great. Although the terrible beating and torture, and long painful death, that He suffered at the hands of the state was a terrible thing, his ultimate victory in overcoming that death was the greatest victory in the history of mankind. I praise you for Christ's resurrection and victory, and for His promise to all people, that he will intercede for them at their death, and bring them to eternal life. Today we remember and celebrate His resurrection, giving all glory to Father, Son and Holy Spirit for this miracle and the redemption of our own lives. Through Christ I pray,

Amen.

WISHING YOU L0VE IN YOUR HEART.....PEACE IN YOUR SOUL...AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE.....ALWAYS!!!

Monday June 27, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God-

2-Where death finds you, eternity keeps you-

3-Only after you experience the depths of great grief can you truly understand great joy-

4-Desperate people pray desperately-

5-Faith is your heart looking past what your eyes can see-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague-

I'VE LEARNED-Being an old dog is better than being a dog gone-

DID YOU KNOW-As much as 50 gallons of maple sap are used to make a single gallon of maple sugar-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is there anyone in this world that God does not love?

2-Why does God hate sin?

3-What was the "kingdom of God" that Jesus said had come?

4-Does repentance always precede becoming a follower of Jesus?

5-What did the fishermen's families think about them walking off their boats to follow Jesus?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was stricken with leprosy for speaking out against her brother?

Yesterday's answer-Ahinoam 1 Samuel 14:50, 25:43

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 4:1-10

The Unity of the Body

¹ I am in prison because I belong to the Lord. Therefore I urge you who have been chosen by God to live up to the life to which God called you. ² Always be humble, gentle, and patient, accepting each other in love.³ You are joined together with peace through the Spirit, so make every effort to continue together in this way.⁴ There is one body and one Spirit, and God called you to have one hope.⁵ There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism.⁶ There is one God and Father of everything. He rules everything and is everywhere and is in everything.

⁷ Christ gave each one of us the special gift of grace, showing how generous he is. ⁸ That is why it says in the Scriptures,
"When he went up to the heights,
He led a parade of captives,
And he gave gifts to people." — Psalm 68:18

⁹ When it says, "He went up," what does it mean? It means that he first came down to the earth.¹⁰ So Jesus came down, and he is the same One who went up above all the heaven. Christ did that to fill everything with his presence.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

ALMIGHTY God, whose loving hand has given us all that we possess; Grant us grace that we may honor you with our substance, and remembering the account which we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

WISHING YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART.....PEACE IN YOUR SOUL.....AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE.....ALWAYS!!!

Sunday June 26, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Acute morality is not necessarily a symptom of godliness-

2-Faith is believing before seeing-

3-Spiritual pride replaces trust-

4-The praise of men is not necessarily God's approval-

5-Following the American dream is not the same as following the way of the cross-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Does a one armed man shop at a 2nd hand store?

I'VE LEARNED-It can be wrong when it feels so right-

DID YOU KNOW-The top layer of a wedding cake, known as the groom's cake, is usually a fruit cake so it will last until the couple's first anniversary, when they will eat it-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why have Christians throughout all of history been willing to die for their faith?

2-Is it really important which day of the week is our "Sabbath" day as long as we keep it every seven days?

3-Is there truth in the statement-"As the Sabbath goes, so goes the nation"?

4-Where did the term "personal relationship with Jesus" come from?

5-Can you be "radical" for Jesus?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What name was shared by one of David's wives and one of his mothers-in-law?

Yesterday's answer-Abishag 1 Kings 1:3, 15

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 3:14-21

The Love of Christ

¹⁴ So I bow in prayer before the Father¹⁵ from whom every family in heaven and on earth gets its true name.¹⁶ I ask the Father in his great glory to give you the power to be strong inwardly through his Spirit.¹⁷ I pray that Christ will live in your hearts by faith and that your life will be strong in love and be built on love.¹⁸ And I pray that you and all God's holy people will have the power to understand the greatness of Christ's love—how wide and how long and how high and how deep that love is.¹⁹ Christ's love is greater than anyone can ever know, but I pray that you will be able to know that love. Then you can be filled with the fullness of God.

²⁰ With God's power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine.²¹ To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus for all time, forever and ever. Amen.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, give me the strength to greet the coming day in peace. Help me in all things to rely on Your holy will. Reveal Your will to me every hour of the day. Bless my dealings with all people. Teach me to treat all people who come to me throughout the day with peace of soul and with firm conviction that Your will governs all. In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings. In unexpected events, let me not forget that all are sent by you.

Teach me to act firmly and wisely, without embittering and embarrassing others. Give me the physical strength to bear the labors of this day. Direct my will, teach me to pray, pray in me.

Amen.

WISHING YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART.....PEACE IN YOUR SOUL.....AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE.....ALWAYS!!!

Saturday June 25, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-What you think about you do, and what you do you become-

2-When you can do no wrong, do what is right-

3-Forgiveness is giving up the hope that the past could be different-

4-Love is what makes life worth living-

5-Money and numbers are not necessarily the evidence of God's blessing-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If your car could travel at the speed of light, would your headlights work?

I'VE LEARNED- A duck's quack doesn't echo and no one knows why-

DID YOU KNOW-There are more brown M&Ms in plain M&Ms than in peanut M&Ms-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did Mary and Joseph have to instruct and train the child Jesus when she knew he was the son of God?

2-What is the difference in leaving and losing Jesus in our lives?

3-How do you live for others?

4-What business is the Christian in?

5-Where can you find Jesus?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What young girl was brought in to warm the cold bones of old king David?

Yesterday's answer-Michal 1 Samuel 18:27

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 3:7-13

⁷ By God's special gift of grace given to me through his power, I became a servant to tell that Good News.⁸ I am the least important of all God's people, but God gave me this gift—to tell those who are not Jews the Good News about the riches of Christ, which are too great to understand fully.⁹ And God gave me the work of telling all people about the plan for his secret, which has been hidden in him since the beginning of time. He is the One who created everything.¹⁰ His purpose was that through the church all the rulers and powers in the heavenly world will now know God's wisdom, which has so many forms.¹¹ This agrees with the purpose God had since the beginning of time, and he carried out his plan through Christ Jesus our Lord.¹² In Christ we can come before God with freedom and without fear. We can do this through faith in Christ.¹³ So I ask you not to become discouraged because of the sufferings I am having for you. My sufferings are for your glory.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Lord, teach me to number my days aright, that I may gain wisdom of heart.

Help me do today the things that matter, not to waste the time I have.

The moments I have are precious, Lord, see that I count them dear. Teach me to number my days aright. Fill me this day with your kindness, that I may be glad and rejoice all the days of my life. Through Christ I pray, Amen.

WISHING YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART.....PEACE IN YOUR SOUL.....AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE.....ALWAYS!!!

Friday June 24, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-We have no right to withhold from God what is already his-

2-It is easier to resist than to recover-

3-Christians never meet for the last time-

4-Give what you need and your need will be supplied-

5-The happiest people make the most of what they have, not the ones who have the most-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Often there is so much good in bad and bad in good that it is hard to tell the difference-

I'VE LEARNED-You can't get to where you need to be until you first know where you are-

DID YOU KNOW-M&Ms stand for the last names of Forest Mars Sr., the sweet maker, and his associate, Bruce Murrie. The candy was developed so soldiers could eat sweets without getting their fingers sticky-

5 THINGS I W ANT TO KNOW

1-Can we ever understand how much Jesus loves us?

2-If the church has the answers to life's questions, why is it so ineffective at reaching people who need them?

3-Can we lose Jesus and not know he is gone?

4-Can we leave Jesus and not know it?

5-Where and how did Jesus live the 3 days his parents had left him behind in Jerusalem?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was David's first wife?

Yesterday's answer-Hannah 1 Samuel 1:13-14

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 4:1-6

Paul's Work in Telling the Good News

¹ So I, Paul, am a prisoner of Christ Jesus for you who are not Jews. ² Surely you have heard that God gave me this work to tell you about his grace. ³ He let me know his secret by showing it to me. I have already written a little about this.⁴ If you read what I wrote then, you can see that I truly understand the secret about the Christ.⁵ People who lived in other times were not told that secret. But now, through the Spirit, God has shown that secret to his holy apostles and prophets.⁶ This is that secret: that through the Good News those who are not Jews will share with the Jews in God's blessing. They belong to the same body, and they share together in the promise that God made in Christ Jesus.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Prayer for the Morning

I call upon you, O Lord. In the morning you hear me; in the morning I offer you my prayer, watching and waiting.

I lift my heart to you, O Lord, to be strengthened for this day. Be with me in all I do, my God; guide me in all my ways.

I will carry some burdens today; some trials will be mine. So I wait for your help, Lord, lest I stumble and fall.

I will do my work, Father, the work begun by your Son. He lives in me and I in him; may his work today be done.

Amen.

WISHING YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART.....PEACE IN YOUR SOUL.....AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE....ALWAYS!!!

Thursday June 23, 2011 thought for the day-from jasper

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY-

1-Successful people think about what they want to be, unsuccessful people think about what they don't want-

2-The act of gratitude creates a ripple effect of blessings-

3-Sin separates you from God but not from God's love-

4-If we get what we really deserve, we wouldn't want it-

5-God is more concerned with our character than our conflict-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Some days you are the bug and other days you are the windshield-

I'VE LEARNED-The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket-

DID YOU KNOW-There is no such thing as blue food--even the blueberries are purple-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why didn't God rescue the early Christian disciples who were martyred?

2-Why doesn't God rescue Christian martyrs today?

3-Why has God through all of history allowed his followers to suffer so terribly?

4-Why are Americans so blessed with material things while other peoples have so little?

5-What would your life be like if you consciously took Jesus everywhere you went?

BIBLE TRIVAI-What woman was suspected of drunkenness as she prayed in the sanctuary at Shiloh?

Yesterday's answer-Miriam, who sang a patriotic song after the crossing of the Red Sea Exodus 15:21

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 2:19-22

¹⁹ Now you who are not Jewish are not foreigners or strangers any longer, but are citizens together with God's holy people. You belong to God's family.²⁰ You are like a building that was built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Christ Jesus himself is the most important stone in that building,²¹ and that whole building is joined together in Christ. He makes it grow and become a holy temple in the Lord.²² And in Christ you, too, are being built together with the Jews into a place where God lives through the Spirit.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who sets the solitary person in the comfort of families; I commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them, I beseech you, every root of bitterness, the desire of boastful vanity, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy wedlock, have been made one flesh; turn the heart of the parents to the children, and the heart of the children to the parents; and fill us all with true love and charity, so that we put aside petty differences and act with kind affection and the sympathy of brotherly love; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

WISHING YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART.....PEACE IN YOUR SOUL.....AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE.....ALWAYS!!!

Wednesday June 22, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Treat yourself as though you were someone with whom you were madly in love with-

2-God will never love you more than he does today-

3-If you always tell the truth you don't have to remember what you said to whom-

4-Never test the depth of the water with two feet-

5-God relates to us with grace-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The sooner you fall behind, the more time you will have to catch up-

I'VE LEARNED-A closed mouth gathers no foot-

DID YOU KNOW-A chili pepper isn't a pepper. In fact, more than two hundred kinds of chili peppers aren't peppers-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why did Jesus have to stay in the wilderness for 40 days, and not more or less time?

2-Did Jesus know why he was being sent to the wilderness?

3-What was the purpose of Jesus' testing in the wilderness?

4-Did Satan really think he could cause Jesus to fail in the wilderness testing?

5-How did the human part of Jesus survive in the wilderness for 40 days?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was the Kate Smith of the Hebrews?

Yesterday's answer-Ruth Ruth 1:2-5

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 2:11-18

One in Christ

¹¹ You were not born Jewish. You are the people the Jews call "uncircumcised." Those who call you "uncircumcised" call themselves "circumcised." (Their circumcision is only something they themselves do on their bodies.) ¹² Remember that in the past you were without Christ. You were not citizens of Israel, and you had no part in the agreements with the promise that God made to his people. You had no hope, and you did not know God.¹³ But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away from God are brought near through the blood of Christ's death.¹⁴ Christ himself is our peace. He made both Jewish people and those who are not Jews one people. They were separated as if there were a wall between them, but Christ broke down that wall of hate by giving his own body.¹⁵ The Jewish law had many commands and rules, but Christ ended that law. His purpose was to make the two groups of people become one new people in him and in this way make peace.¹⁶ It was also Christ's purpose to end the hatred between the two groups, to make them into one body, and to bring them back to God. Christ did all this with his death on the cross.¹⁷ Christ came and preached peace to you who were far away from God, and to those who were near to God.¹⁸ Yes, it is through Christ we all have the right to come to the Father in one Spirit.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Now, oh heavenly Father, I ask to be called as a witness to your love by the love I extend to others; a precursor of your justice by my unfailing commitment to what is right and good; a lamp set on a hill, reflecting the light of Christ in my forgiveness, mercy and compassion; and a harvester of souls through my humble and dedicated servant hood. In Jesus' name, I pray,

Amen.

WISHING YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART.....PEACE IN YOUR SOUL.....AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE.....ALWAYS

Tuesday June 21, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You are more than the labels of your life-

2-The world would not have been complete if you had not been born-

3-If you are lonely when you are alone, you are not very good company-

4-God, help us become what we are and you see us to be-

5-God loves us thoroughly and unreservedly-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The problem with the gene pool is that there is no life guard-

I'VE LEARNED-A car's windshield is so large and the rear view mirror is so small because our past is not as important as our future-

DID YOU KNOW-In Turkey in the 16th and 17th centuries, anyone caught drinking coffee was put to death-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Were all parts of the trinity involved in Jesus' baptism?

2-Is God three in one or one in three?

3-Is God a person or a spirit?

4-To what degree is the trinity separate from each other?

5-Why was Jesus sent to the wilderness right after his baptism?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What famous Moabite woman was married to Chilion of Israel?

Yesterday's answer-The high priest's Matthew 26:69-71

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 2:1-10

We Now Have Life

¹ In the past you were spiritually dead because of your sins and the things you did against God.² Yes, in the past you lived the way the world lives, following the ruler of the evil powers that are above the earth. That same spirit is now working in those who refuse to obey God. ³ In the past all of us lived like them, trying to please our sinful selves and doing all the things our bodies and minds wanted. We should have suffered God's anger because we were sinful by nature. We were the same as all other people.

⁴ But God's mercy is great, and he loved us very much.⁵ Though we were spiritually dead because of the things we did against God, he gave us new life with Christ. You have been saved by God's grace.⁶ And he raised us up with Christ and gave us a seat with him in the heavens. He did this for those in Christ Jesus⁷ so that for all future time he could show the very great riches of his grace by being kind to us in Christ Jesus.⁸ I mean that you have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God.⁹ It was not the result of your own efforts, so you cannot brag about it.¹⁰ God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us to do good works, which God planned in advance for us to live our lives doing.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Dear Lord, I give you my hands to do your work; I give you my feet to go your way; I give you my eyes to see as you see; I give you my tongue to speak your words; I give you my mind that you may think in me; I give you my spirit that you may pray in me. Above all, I give you my heart that you may love in me. I give you my whole self, Lord, that you may grow in me, so that it is you who lives, works and prays in me.

Amen.

WISHING YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART.....PEACE IN YOUR SOUL.....AND JOY IN YOUR LIFE....ALWAYS!!!

Monday June 20, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-God doesn't reveal his master plan but he does reveal himself-

2-To be successful you need one blind eye and one deaf ear-

3-Courage is not stored-

4-How would Jesus do your job?

5-My identity is formed by my being a child of God-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The hardness of the butter is proportional to the softness of the bread-

I'VE LEARNED-Life is empty without friendships-

DID YOU KNOW-Too much caffeine can cause heart palpitations-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why did Joseph believe the angel of God concerning Mary and the baby Jesus?

2-Can you practice righteousness and holiness?

3-Is there a difference in swearing and cursing?

4-Is suffering the cost of discipleship?

5-What is most important--what Jesus said or what Jesus did?

BIBLE TRIVIA-At whose house did Peter confront maids who asked him if he was one of Jesus' disciples?

Yesterday's answer-Delilah Judges 16:5

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 1:15-23

Paul's Prayer

¹⁵ That is why since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God's people,¹⁶ I have not stopped giving thanks to God for you. I always remember you in my prayers,¹⁷ asking the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, to give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation so that you will know him better.¹⁸ I pray also that you will have greater understanding in your heart so you will know the hope to which he has called us and that you will know how rich and glorious are the blessings God has promised his holy people.¹⁹ And you will know that God's power is very great for us who believe. That power is the same as the great strength²⁰ God used to raise Christ from the dead and put him at his right side in the heavenly world.²¹ God has put Christ over all rulers, authorities, powers, and kings, and every title that can be given, not only in this world but also in the next.²² God put everything under his power and made him the head over everything for the church,²³ which is Christ's body. The church is filled with Christ, and Christ fills everything in every way.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Prayer for Grace and Strength

Lord God, I pray that you will fill my heart with the blessing of your Holy Spirit. Grant me this day the strength to be temperate in all things, diligent in my duties, and patient under my afflictions. Direct me in all my ways. Give me grace to be just and upright in all my dealings; quiet and peaceable; full of compassion; and ready to do good to all people, according to my abilities and opportunities. For the sake of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,

Amen.

GREATLY BLESSED, HIGHLY FAVORED, IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD!!!

Sunday June 19, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If life seems like it is all uphill, you must be reaching your peak-

2-The journey is the reward-

3-If Satan can't get you to sin, he will get you to be overly busy-

4-We are not to love God and trust people, we are to love people and trust God-

5-God's ways are not circular logic-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

I'VE LEARNED-There is only one beautiful child in the world and every mother has it-

DID YOU KNOW-Coffee does not help sober up a drunk person. In many cases, it may actually increase the adverse effects of alcohol-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-When people says "God told me...", what do they mean?

2-Can you know if you are humble?

3-Can a person be arrogant and still be a Christian?

4-How do you display gentleness?

5-Can you value something as sacred and not worship it?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who brought down Samson for the price of 1,199 pieces of silver from each of thePhilistine chieftains?

Yesterday's answer-The Levite's concubine Judges 19-20

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 1:11-14

¹¹ In Christ we were chosen to be God's people, because from the very beginning God had decided this in keeping with his plan. And he is the One who makes everything agree with what he decides and wants.¹² We are the first people who hoped in Christ, and we were chosen so that we would bring praise to God's glory.¹³ So it is with you. When you heard the true teaching—the Good News about your salvation—you believed in Christ. And in Christ, God put his special mark of ownership on you by giving you the Holy Spirit that he had promised.¹⁴ That Holy Spirit is the guarantee that we will receive what God promised for his people until God gives full freedom to those who are his—to bring praise to God's glory.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to me your servant grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep me steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring me at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

GREATLY BLESSED, HIGHLY FAVORED, IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD!!!

Saturday June 18, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Repentance is a change of understanding-

2-God is concerned about our listening-

3-Reading the scriptures is not the same as listening to the scriptures-

4-The listening we do depends on what we want to hear-

5-The most successful people don't get to the top because of what happens to them, rather because of how they respond to what happens to them-

STRANGE THOUGHT-How do you know when you are out of invisible ink?

I'VE LEARNED-As you cherish the things most worthwhile in your life, you find it all comes back to family-

DID YOU KNOW-There are more than 100 chemicals in one cup of coffee-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Should our conscience be our guide?

2-What is "separation from the world" and what does it mean?

3-What part does sanctification play in showing the fruits of the spirit?

4-How can we love God whom we cannot see?

5-How do you know if the thoughts that come to mind are from God?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What unfortunate woman was gang raped, then cut into twelve pieces and sent to the tribes of Israel?

Yesterday's answer-Rahab Joshua 6:17

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Ephesians 1:1-10

God Unites His People

¹ From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus. I am an apostle because that is what God wanted.

To God's holy people living in Ephesus, believers in Christ Jesus:

² Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Spiritual Blessings in Christ

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Christ, God has given us every spiritual blessing in the heavenly world.⁴ That is, in Christ, he chose us before the world was made so that we would be his holy people—people without blame before him.⁵ Because of his love, God had already decided to make us his own children through Jesus Christ. That was what he wanted and what pleased him,⁶ and it brings praise to God because of his wonderful grace. God gave that grace to us freely, in Christ, the One he loves.⁷ In Christ we are set free by the blood of his death, and so we have forgiveness of sins. How rich is God's grace,⁸ which he has given to us so fully and freely. God, with full wisdom and understanding,⁹ let us know his secret purpose. This was what God wanted, and he planned to do it through Christ.¹⁰ His goal was to carry out his plan, when the right time came, that all things in heaven and on earth would be joined together in Christ as the head.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Oh God the King eternal, who divides the day from the darkness, and has turned the shadow of death into the light of morning; I pray that this day you will incline my heart to keep your commandments, driving temptation from my mind. Guide my feet into the way of peace; that having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, I may, when the night comes, rejoice in giving you thanks for a day lived in your presence; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

GREATLY BLESSED, HIGHLY FAVORED, IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD

Friday June 17, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Today's peacock ends up in tomorrows feather duster-

2-Our greatest victories come through surrender-

3-It is okay if you have nothing to say, unless you insist on saying it-

4-A friend is one who when you have made a fool of yourself likes you anyway-

5-To forgive to let bygones be bygones just doesn't work-

STRANGE THOUGHT-There is only one exceptional child in the world, and every mother has one-

I'VE LEARNED-Laugh when you can, cry when you must-

DID YOU KNOW-Coffee is the second largest item of international commerce in the world-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-When God is ignored, why should he bless you?

2-How do we know for certain when God is speaking to us or directing us?

3-Does "thy kingdom come" of the Lord's prayer really mean "my kingdom go"?

4-The Lord's prayer starts "our father..". Does this indicate we are to pray this prayer as a group rather than as individuals?

5-How do "we walk in the spirit?"

BIBLE TRIVIA-What woman of Jericho was spared when Joshua's men took the city?

Yesterday's answer-the five daughters of Zelophehad Numbers 26-27

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Colossians 4:7-18

News About the People with Paul

⁷ Tychicus is my dear brother in Christ and a faithful minister and servant with me in the Lord. He will tell you all the things that are happening to me. ⁸ This is why I am sending him: so you may know how we are and he may encourage you. ⁹ I send him with Onesimus, a faithful and dear brother in Christ, and one of your group. They will tell you all that has happened here.

¹⁰ Aristarchus, a prisoner with me, and Mark, the cousin of Barnabas, greet you. (I have already told you what to do about Mark. If he comes, welcome him.)¹¹ Jesus, who is called Justus, also greets you. These are the only Jewish believers who work with me for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.

¹² Epaphras, a servant of Jesus Christ, from your group, also greets you. He always prays for you that you will grow to be spiritually mature and have everything God wants for you.¹³ I know he has worked hard for you and the people in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.¹⁴ Demas and our dear friend Luke, the doctor, greet you.

¹⁵ Greet the brothers and sisters in Laodicea. And greet Nympha and the church that meets in her house. ¹⁶ After this letter is read to you, be sure it is also read to the church in Laodicea. And you read the letter that I wrote to Laodicea.¹⁷ Tell Archippus, "Be sure to finish the work the Lord gave you."

¹⁸ I, Paul, greet you and write this with my own hand. Remember me in prison. Grace be with you.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

O Lord God of Israel and God of the nations, you are the only God in heaven above or the earth below. I walk before you with all my heart. I bless your name in the morning when I rise and in the evening when I sleep, and all the day when your creation fills my eye. Bless me to remember you this day; when I see and hear the thousand miracles of your creation, let me see them anew, recalling that you have made them, and no other; that I may live in your presence among the common miracles I take for granted. Through Christ I pray,

Amen.

GREATLY BLESSED, HIGHLY FAVORED, IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD!!!

Wednesday June 15, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-We need to be open to the Godward side of things-

2-There is a difference in what we pray for God to do and what we are willing to endure-

3-Without the ability to chose you could never prefer-

4-Everybody is somebody's impossible person some of the time but rarely is somebody's impossible person all the time-

5-The best vitamin for a Christian is-B 1-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Germinate is to become a naturalized German-

I'VE LEARNED-Good instincts often tell you what to do before your head has figured it out-

DID YOU KNOW-More than two hundred varieties of watermelon are grown in the United States-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is the church guilty of ignoring God's moral laws?

2-What is the difference in faith and trust?

3-If you got what you deserved, would you want it?

4-How does a Christian live in a world of injustice?

5-What entitlements does the Christian have?

BIBVLE TRIVIA-What singer was shut out of the Israelite camp for seven days when she was stricken with leprosy?

Yesterday's answer-Abigail 1 Samuel 25:23-25

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Colossians 3:18-25

Your New Life with Other People

¹⁸ Wives, yield to the authority of your husbands, because this is the right thing to do in the Lord.

¹⁹ Husbands, love your wives and be gentle with them.

²⁰ Children, obey your parents in all things, because this pleases the Lord.

²¹ Fathers, do not nag your children. If you are too hard to please, they may want to stop trying.

²² Slaves, obey your masters in all things. Do not obey just when they are watching you, to gain their favor, but serve them honestly, because you respect the Lord.²³ In all the work you are doing, work the best you can. Work as if you were doing it for the Lord, not for people.²⁴ Remember that you will receive your reward from the Lord, which he promised to his people. You are serving the Lord Christ.²⁵ But remember that anyone who does wrong will be punished for that wrong, and the Lord treats everyone the same.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Blessed are You, loving Father, For all your gifts to us. Blessed are You for giving us family and friends To be with us in times of joy and sorrow, To help us in days of need, And to rejoice with us in moments of celebration.

Father, We praise You for Your Son Jesus, Who knew the happiness of family and friends, And in the love of Your Holy Spirit. Blessed are you for ever and ever.

Amen.

GREATLY BLESSED, HIGHLY FAVORED, IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD!!!

Tuesday June 14, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-It is easy to be brave from a distance-

2-Being kind is more important than being right-

3-Peace is like a baby falling asleep in your arms-

4-Don't give up-Moses was once a basket case-

5-Having one person say to me "You've made my day" makes my day-

STRANGE THOUGHT-A fossil is an extinct animal. The older it is the more extinct it is-

I'VE LEARNED-Never ignore a gut feeling, but never believe it is enough-

DID YOU KNOW-Tomatina is the legendary Spanish tomato throwing festival-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW-

1-SWhat does it mean "Jesus in my heart"?

2-Where is a person's spiritual heart?

3-Are you ever too old to learn or grow?

4-Have we lost our shame and guilt over our sins?

5-Does the church have a special responsibility to be holy in our sinful culture?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What woman was married to a fool with a name that meant "fool"?

Yesterday's answer-Miriam

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Colossians 3:12-17

¹² God has chosen you and made you his holy people. He loves you. So you should always clothe yourselves with mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other, and forgive each other. If someone does wrong to you, forgive that person because the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ Even more than all this, clothe yourself in love. Love is what holds you all together in perfect unity. ¹⁵ Let the peace that Christ gives control your thinking, because you were all called together in one body to have peace. Always be thankful.¹⁶ Let the teaching of Christ live in you richly. Use all wisdom to teach and instruct each other by singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs with thankfulness in your hearts to God.¹⁷ Everything you do or say should be done to obey Jesus your Lord. And in all you do, give thanks to God the Father through Jesus.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

I bless you for the day you have made, Mighty Lord God, and pray that I may spend this day rejoicing in your creation. I pray for your Holy Spirit to fill me with the joy of my salvation, so that your light may shine through me into the world, that your honor and glory may be known to all people.

Remind me of your blessings, I pray, with every tribulation I may face, so that I may act with energy, forgiveness and love, ever mindful of the grace You have shown to me. Through Christ I pray,

GREATLY BLESSED, HIGHLY FAVORED, IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD!!!

Monday June 13, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Sometimes we should be thankful that God doesn't give us what we ask for-

2-If you want to sail big ships, you must get into deep water-

3-You can go somewhere from nowhere-

4-Life is like a roll of paper towels, the closer it gets to the end the faster it goes-

5-Sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The pistol of a flower is its only protection against insects-

I'VE LEARNED-Failure is success if we learn from it-

DID YOU KNOW-Pineapples do not ripen after they have been picked-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What is the proper balance of God and material things for the Christian?

2-Was Jesus a soft spoken, meek and mild mannered person?

3-Why do we use adjectives to describe the word "Christian"?

4-What does it mean "Christ with me"?

5-Why did God create man without a pair of eyes in the back of his head?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who is the first female singer mentioned in the bible?

Yesterday's answer-Ruth 4:17

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Colossians 3:1-11

Your New Life in Christ

¹ Since you were raised from the dead with Christ, aim at what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God.² Think only about the things in heaven, not the things on earth.³ Your old sinful self has died, and your new life is kept with Christ in God. ⁴ Christ is your life, and when he comes again, you will share in his glory.

⁵ So put all evil things out of your life: sexual sinning, doing evil, letting evil thoughts control you, wanting things that are evil, and greed. This is really serving a false god. ⁶ These things make God angry. ⁷ In your past, evil life you also did these things.

⁸ But now also put these things out of your life: anger, bad temper, doing or saying things to hurt others, and using evil words when you talk.⁹ Do not lie to each other. You have left your old sinful life and the things you did before.¹⁰ You have begun to live the new life, in which you are being made new and are becoming like the One who made you. This new life brings you the true knowledge of God.¹¹ In the new life there is no difference between Greeks and Jews, those who are circumcised and those who are not circumcised, or people who are foreigners, or Scythians. There is no difference between slaves and free people. But Christ is in all believers, and Christ is all that is important.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Blessed are you, Lord God of my salvation, to you be praise and glory for ever. As once you ransomed your people from Egypt and led them to freedom in the promised land, so now you have delivered me from the dominion of darkness and brought me into the kingdom of your risen Son. May I, the fruit of your new creation, rejoice in this new day you have made, and praise you for your mighty acts. Blessed be God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

GREATLY BLESSED, HIGHLY FAVORED, IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD!!!

Sunday June 12, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Healing often takes place in ourselves as we pray for the healing of others-

2-Losing can be a great motivator-

3-The more you love, the more loss hurts-

4-Love has nothing to do with what you get, only with what you give-

5-Money doesn't buy class-

STRANGE THOUGHT-A super saturated solution is one that holds more than it can hold-

I'VE LEARNED-Prayer is not a "spare wheel" that you put on when in trouble, it is a "steering wheel" that directs you in the right path throughout life-

DID YOU KNOW-More than a third of all pineapples come from Hawaii-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What should a Christian's standard of living be?

2-Should a Christian with great wealth live like one who has no wealth and be content with life's basic necessities?

3-Should Christians always be wanting new clothes, new homes, new vehicles, new electronics, etc.?

4-To the Christian, what is the purpose of wealth?

5-How can a Christian find true contentment?

B IBLE TRIVIA-What Moabite was an ancestor of Jesus?

Yesterday's answer-Zipporah Exodus 2:21

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Colossians 2:16-23

Don't Follow People's Rules

¹⁶ So do not let anyone make rules for you about eating and drinking or about a religious feast, a New Moon Festival, or a Sabbath day.¹⁷ These things were like a shadow of what was to come. But what is true and real has come and is found in Christ.¹⁸ Do not let anyone disqualify you by making you humiliate yourself and worship angels. Such people enter into visions, which fill them with foolish pride because of their human way of thinking.¹⁹ They do not hold tightly to Christ, the head. It is from him that all the parts of the body are cared for and held together. So it grows in the way God wants it to grow.

²⁰ Since you died with Christ and were made free from the ruling spirits of the world, why do you act as if you still belong to this world by following rules like these: ²¹ "Don't handle this," "Don't taste that," "Don't even touch that thing"? ²² These rules refer to earthly things that are gone as soon as they are used. They are only human commands and teachings. ²³ They seem to be wise, but they are only part of a human religion. They make people pretend not to be proud and make them punish their bodies, but they do not really control the evil desires of the sinful self.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Grant me, I pray, your divine helping grace; endow me with patience and strength to endure my tribulations with complete submission to your will. You know my misery and suffering and to you, my only hope and refuge, I flee for relief and comfort; trusting your infinite love and compassion, that in due time, when you know it is for the best, you will deliver me from my troubles, and turn my distress into comfort, and I will rejoice in your mercy, and exalt and praise your Holy Name, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

Amen.

GREATLY BLESSED, HIGHLY FAVORED, IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD!!!

Saturday June 11, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-It is love, not time that heals all wounds-

2-When you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you-

3-To ignore the facts does not change the facts-

4-If you want to enjoy the rain you have to put up with the rain-

5-Under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be loved and appreciated-

STRANGE THOUGHT-When we agree with a fool, they do too-

I'VE LEARNED- It is not what you know, it is not who you know, it is what you know about who you know-

DID YOU KNOW-The most common pear worldwide is the Bartlett-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What happens when our faith doesn't bring about the desired results?

2-Is there as much demon possession today as in Jesus' day or is it called by other names?

3-How does God's will play a part in our faith?

4-Should Jesus' statement "Everything is possible to him who believes" be taken as an unqualified promise?

5-Can a person who has great wealth be a Christian?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Midianite woman married Moses?

Yesterday's answer-The wife of Potiphar Genesis 39:7-20

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Colossians 2:6-15

Continue to Live in Christ

⁶ As you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so continue to live in him.⁷ Keep your roots deep in him and have your lives built on him. Be strong in the faith, just as you were taught, and always be thankful.

⁸ Be sure that no one leads you away with false and empty teaching that is only human, which comes from the ruling spirits of this world, and not from Christ. ⁹ All of God lives fully in Christ (even when Christ was on earth), ¹⁰ and you have a full and true life in Christ, who is ruler over all rulers and powers.

¹¹ Also in Christ you had a different kind of circumcision, a circumcision not done by hands. It was through Christ's circumcision, that is, his death, that you were made free from the power of your sinful self.¹² When you were baptized, you were buried with Christ, and you were raised up with him through your faith in God's power that was shown when he raised Christ from the dead.¹³ When you were spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were not free from the power of your sinful self, God made you alive with Christ, and he forgave all our sins.¹⁴ He canceled the debt, which listed all the rules we failed to follow. He took away that record with its rules and nailed it to the cross.¹⁵ God stripped the spiritual rulers and powers of their authority. With the cross, he won the victory and showed the world that they were powerless.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

May the forgiving spirit of Him to whom we dedicate our lives prevail again on earth.

May hunger disappear and terrorists cease their senseless acts.

May people live in freedom, worshiping as they see fit, loving others.

May the sanctity of the home be ever preserved.

May peace, everlasting peace, reign supreme.

Amen.

GREATLY BLESSED, HIGHLY FAVORED, IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD!!!

Friday June 10, 2011 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-A smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks-

2-When you harbor bitterness, happiness goes elsewhere-

3-Opportunities are never lost, someone else will take the ones you miss-

4-No one is perfect until you fall in love with them-

5-The best way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with friends who are smarter than I am-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Water is made up of two gins-oxygen and hydrogen-

I'VE LEARNED-Worry does not take away tomorrow's troubles, it takes away today's peace-

DID YOU KNOW-Orange juice helps the body absorb iron easily when consumed with a meal-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-When does God lose his patience?

2-When you don't show "the fruits of the Spirit" do you sin?

3-Does faith alone move mountains?

4-Does real faith ever have any real doubt?

5-Jesus said "Everything is possible to him who believes". But is everything probable?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Egyptian wife caused Joseph to be thrown into prison?

Yesterday's answer-Tamar Genesis 38

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Colossians 2:1-5

¹ I want you to know how hard I work for you, those in Laodicea, and others who have never seen me.² I want them to be strengthened and joined together with love so that they may be rich in their understanding. This leads to their knowing fully God's secret, that is, Christ himself.³ In him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are safely kept.

⁴ I say this so that no one can fool you by arguments that seem good, but are false.⁵ Though I am absent from you in my body, my heart is with you, and I am happy to see your good lives and your strong faith in Christ.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

You usher in another day, untouched and freshly new, So here I come to ask You God, if You'll renew me too.

Forgive the many errors, Lord, that I made yesterday, And let me try again, dear God, to walk close in Thy way.

But Father, I'm aware that I can't make it on my own. So take my hand and hold it tight, for I can't walk alone.

Amen.

GREATLY BLESSED, HIGHLY FAVORED, IMPERFECT BUT FORGIVEN CHILD OF GOD!!!