Wednesday August 31, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-No matter how hard it may be, keep a positive attitude-

2-It is on the darkest night that the stars are seen best-

3-How do you know what you are capable of if you don't give it your all-

4-Life is not now or ever will be fair-

5-To achieve what you want you must do what you have to do-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Action requires traction but the enemy brings distraction-

I'VE LEARNED-Time can be your worst enemy or your closest allie-

DID YOU KNOW-More than half of the different types of cheese in the world come from France-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did Jesus' hometown have any revelation as to who Jesus really was?

2-Why was Jesus considered a prophet by some people?

3-What are "evil spirits" which the Bible refers to?

4-Did Jesus instruct his disciples to anoint people with oil for their healing?

5-Was there any significance in 5 loaves and 2 fish equaling 7 (the perfect number)?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What New Testament character was the "voice crying in the wilderness"?

Yesterday's answer-Jesus, when he walked on the lake Mark 6:48

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 10:5-13

⁵ Moses writes about being made right by following the law. He says, "A person who obeys these things will live because of them."⁶ But this is what the Scripture says about being made right through faith: "Don't say to yourself, 'Who will go up into heaven?' " (That means, "Who will go up to heaven and bring Christ down to earth?")⁷ "And do not say, 'Who will go down into the world below?' " (That means, "Who will go down and bring Christ up from the dead?") ⁸ This is what the Scripture says: "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart." That is the teaching of faith that we are telling. ⁹ If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ We believe with our hearts, and so we are made right with God. And we declare with our mouths that we believe, and so we are saved. ¹¹ As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed."¹² That Scripture says "anyone" because there is no difference between those who are Jews and those who are not. The same Lord is the Lord of all and gives many blessings to all who trust in him,¹³ as the Scripture says, "Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved."

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Father, it has been written that he who stands for nothing will fall for anything. Most within our generation stand for very little that has eternal value though we have been given thorough instruction from Your Holy Word to guide our lives, teach us right from wrong, and how to prepare for eternity. We are convinced of these teachings by the Holy Spirit, by men and women of deep faith, and by our own defining experiences in life. Help us to stand unashamedly and fearlessly as people of deep conviction we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I WISH YOU ENOUGH----

Tuesday August 30 , 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Just because an assumption is logical doesn't mean it is true-

2-Failure is succeeding in a way that doesn't matter-

3-Even if you pay the price, there is no guarantee of achievement-

4-There is always a price to pay to achieve your dreams-

5-Your mind is the strongest part of your body-

STRANGE THOUGHT-I hate this but I don't want to waste this-

I'VE LEARNED-In the critical areal of life, you cannot make up for lost time-

DID YOU KNOW-France has the highest per capita consumption of cheese-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does becoming a Christian make Jesus your Savior as well as your Lord-

2-When Jesus cast out demons from a man into a herd of pigs, they ran into a lake and were drowned. Did the demons die also?

3-Did Jesus ever compensate the owners of the pigs who drowned themselves in a lake?

4-Did Jairus the synagogue ruler, whose daughter Jesus healed, become a believer and follower of Jesus?

5-Who were Jesus brothers and who were his sisters?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who frightened his followers, who thought he was a ghost when he passed by them late at night?

Yesterday's answer-The Lord 1 Samuel 4:1-14

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 10:1-4

¹ Brothers and sisters, the thing I want most is for all the Jews to be saved. That is my prayer to God.² I can say this about them: They really try to follow God, but they do not know the right way.³ Because they did not know the way that God makes people right with him, they tried to make themselves right in their own way. So they did not accept God's way of making people right.⁴ Christ ended the law so that everyone who believes in him may be right with God.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we thank You for the powerful God that You are. Even the winds and waves recognize You as Creator and obey Your voice. Your Word is a lighthouse that directs us safely toward heaven when the furious waves swirl about us and the water rises up to our necks. Keep us firmly anchored in Your ways so that we stay above the waters and endure to the very end. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I WISH YOU ENOUGH----

Monday August 29, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-The greater the heat, the greater the expansion-

2-God gives us faith as generously as he gives us his love-

3-Some people die at 24 but aren't buried until 74-

4-You have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your handsome prince-

5-There is no such thing as an overnight success-

STRANGE THOUGHT-I am not sure how ambivalent I should be-

I'VE LEARNED-You cannot save up time-

DID YOU KNOW-If China imported just 10 percent of its rice needs, The price on the world market would increase by 80 percent-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is there anything God will not or cannot forgive you of?

2-Why did Jesus appoint his apostles from his 12 disciples?

3-Did Jesus have more than 12 men who were his disciples?

4-If a parable is confusing to those who don't understand it, why didn't Jesus speak so everyone would understand what he was saying-

5-Was Jesus more critical of his day's religious leaders than ordinary people?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who paid the young Samuel a late night call?

Yesterday's answer-Gideon and his men Judges 7:19

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 9:26-33

²⁶ "They were called,
'You are not my people,'
But later they will be called
'children of the living God.' " — Hosea 1:10

²⁷ And Isaiah cries out about Israel:
"The people of Israel are many,
Like the grains of sand by the sea.
But only a few of them will be saved,
²⁸ because the Lord will quickly and completely punish the people on the earth." — Isaiah 10:22–23

²⁹ It is as Isaiah said:
"The Lord All-Powerful
Allowed a few of our descendants to live.
Otherwise we would have been completely destroyed
Like the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah." — Isaiah 1:9

³⁰ So what does all this mean? Those who are not Jews were not trying to make themselves right with God, but they were made right with God because of their faith.³¹ The people of Israel tried to follow a law to make themselves right with God. But they did not succeed,³² because they tried to make themselves right by the things they did instead of trusting in God to make them right. They stumbled over the stone that causes people to stumble. ³³ As it is written in the Scripture:
"I will put in Jerusalem a stone that causes people to stumble,
a rock that makes them fall.
Anyone who trusts in him will never be disappointed."

— Isaiah 8:14; 28:16

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, during life’s testings You are providing us opportunities to examine our spiritual condition. It’s far too easy to make faulty assumptions. When we fail we often cast blame on others, on circumstances, or sometimes we even question Your hand in the matter. Give us the courage and thoroughness to turn the search light on our own hearts rather than shining the spotlight on others. We invite the spiritual scrub brush of Your Holy Word to do the needed cleansing and purging. Your love is ever before us and will lead us in the way we should go! It’s not by our strength or power, but by walking in Your Spirit that we cast out wrong attitudes and stop undesirable behavior. Thank You for never giving up on us and for Your Spirit’s conviction in our life! Amen.

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

Sunday August 28, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-We have no idea of the consequences that our disobedience brings-

2-In necessary things-unity, in doubtful things-liberty, in all things-charity--

3-Jesus became a man to understand man-

4-If you are successful at work and a failure at home, you are a failure-

5-If you answer before hearing, you aren't listening-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Due to recent cutbacks and until further notice, the light at the end of the tunnel has been turned off-

I'VE LEARNED-You can run out of stuff and still have time left, but you cannot run out of time and have life left-

DID YOU KNOW-China's Beijing Duck Restaurant can seat nine thousand people at one time-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why was Jesus crucified and not stoned to death?

2-Was Mark the first New Testament book written?

3-How do we know that some of the non canonical books written about Jesus' life are not accurate or authentic and helpful to the Christian?

4-Did Jesus ever anoint anyone with oil for their healing?

5-Did Jesus ever teach his disciples to tithe?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who attacked a Midianite camp late at night?

Yesterday's answer-Saul 1 Samuel 28:8

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 9:19-25

⁹ So one of you will ask me: "Then why does God blame us for our sins? Who can fight his will?"²⁰ You are only human, and human beings have no right to question God. An object should not ask the person who made it, "Why did you make me like this?"²¹ The potter can make anything he wants to make. He can use the same clay to make one thing for special use and another thing for daily use.

²² It is the same way with God. He wanted to show his anger and to let people see his power. But he patiently stayed with those people he was angry with—people who were made ready to be destroyed.²³ He waited with patience so that he could make known his rich glory to the people who receive his mercy. He has prepared these people to have his glory,²⁴ and we are those people whom God called. He called us not from the Jews only but also from those who are not Jews. ²⁵ As the Scripture says in Hosea:
"I will say, 'You are my people'
To those I had called 'not my people.'
And I will show my love
To those people I did not love." — Hosea 2:1, 23

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, when You compel me like you did Esther to do or say something that’s not within my comfort zone I become fearful of the outcome which prevents me from stepping out in faith and following through with an obedient heart. Would You remind me that there is great blessing when I follow Your leading. Help me not to fear the outcome, for that is in Your hands. My part is simply to be obedient to Your inner voice speaking to me. Thank You for Your prompting and for entrusting me to be a part of your grand purpose.

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

Saturday August 27, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-God did not call us to peace but to battle-

2-Don't be the father you want to be, be the dad your children need you to be-

3-The Christian life is not a dream, it is a reality-

4-What you believe determines how you behave-

5-Self pride drives out the presence of God-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Truth may be stranger than fiction, but it is never as strange as lies-

I'VE LEARNED-Knowing how you spend your time is more important than knowing what time it is-

DID YOU KNOW-China produces more than 280 billion eggs a year-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What is the baptism water symbolic of?

2-Is baptism necessary for forgiveness of sins?

3-Was the Gospel of Mark the main source of information of Jesus for the early church?

4-Were the books of the Bible each written all at one time or in separate times and later combined together?

5-Why were people attracted to John the Baptist's preaching?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who visited a medium at night?

Yesterday's answer-David and Abishai 1 Samuel 26:7-12

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 9:14-18

¹⁴ So what should we say about this? Is God unfair? In no way.¹⁵ God said to Moses, "I will show kindness to anyone to whom I want to show kindness, and I will show mercy to anyone to whom I want to show mercy."¹⁶ So God will choose the one to whom he decides to show mercy; his choice does not depend on what people want or try to do.¹⁷ The Scripture says to the king of Egypt: "I made you king for this reason: to show my power in you so that my name will be talked about in all the earth."¹⁸ So God shows mercy where he wants to show mercy, and he makes stubborn the people he wants to make stubborn.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, it is easy to judge the Israelites in their wilderness wanderings as they were continually drawn into idol worship. And yet we ourselves must daily resist the temptation to make people or things more important than You, our heavenly Father. These idols will capture our hearts, our intellect, our passion, our time, and our finances so that the kingdom of God is no longer that which we seek first. All glory, honor, and worship belongs to You and You alone. Amen

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

Friday August 26, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Valleys make us appreciate mountain tops-

2-Without darkness you can't appreciate light-

3-Isn't it strange that on Jesus' birthday we buy ourselves gifts instead of giving to him-

4-The real tests of masculinity are the feminine traits-

5-If Christianity is not working in your home, it is not working in your life-

STRANGE THOUGHT-I'm not bossy, I just know what you should be doing-

I'VE LEARNED-Prayer is the original wireless communication-

DID YOU KNOW-The world's number one producer and consumer of fresh pork is China-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is the old testament "Spirit of God" the new testament "Holy Spirit"?

2-Is the Holy Spirit the spirit of God or also the spirit of Jesus?

3-During the earthly life of Jesus, was the Holy Spirit present or absent from the earth?

4-Did the first 30 years of Jesus' life have any important significance?

5-Should baptism be apart of or separated from being "saved"?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who took Saul's spear after sneaking into his camp late one night?

Yesterday's answer-Near Bethlehem Luke 2:8-16

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 9:6-13

⁶ It is not that God failed to keep his promise to them. But only some of the people of Israel are truly God's people,⁷ and only some of Abraham's descendants are true children of Abraham. But God said to Abraham: "The descendants I promised you will be from Isaac."⁸ This means that not all of Abraham's descendants are God's true children. Abraham's true children are those who become God's children because of the promise God made to Abraham.⁹ God's promise to Abraham was this: "At the right time I will return, and Sarah will have a son."¹⁰ And that is not all. Rebekah's sons had the same father, our father Isaac.^11-12 But before the two boys were born, God told Rebekah, "The older will serve the younger." This was before the boys had done anything good or bad. God said this so that the one chosen would be chosen because of God's own plan. He was chosen because he was the one God wanted to call, not because of anything he did. ¹³ As the Scripture says, "I loved Jacob, but I hated Esau."

_Do you find this scripture hard to understand as I do_

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, the commandments that You give are to be impressed upon our hearts. Your love motivates us to obey Your commands and Your holiness teaches us to align our desires with Your own. Help us to be extremely cautious about new teachings that are pleasing to the ear and popular with our present generation, but do not bear witness with our spirit or Scripture. As we study Your Holy Word, from cover to cover, and meditate upon Your principles we will hold on to that which is of most importance and pass on to those who come behind the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints of all generations. Amen.

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

Thursday August 25, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-God created things by saying "let there be" but he created man by saying "let us make"-

2-When sunrise begins, small things cast big shadows-

3-Life's greatest joy comes to those who have come through life's greatest difficulties-

4-Contentment is letting God transform your discontent-

5-Vocational contentment is a happy match between what you have to do and what you enjoy doing-

STRANGE THOUGHT-When you stop to think, remember to start again-

I'VE LEARNED-Don't dance on the edge-

DID YOU KNOW-In Australia, the number one topping for pizza is eggs, in the United States it is pepperoni-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why did John the Baptist wear the clothes he did and eat the food he did?

2-Why did John the Baptist go into the wilderness?

3-What did "Jesus the Nazarene"mean?

4-What is the "baptism with the Holy Spirit" that John the Baptist spoke of?

5-When was John the Baptist killed-before, during or after Jesus' ministry?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Where did shepherds receive angels as late visitors-

Yesterday's answer-The angel of death Exodus 12:29-31

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 9:1-5

God and the Jewish People

¹ I am in Christ, and I am telling you the truth; I do not lie. My conscience is ruled by the Holy Spirit, and it tells me I am not lying.² I have great sorrow and always feel much sadness.³ I wish I could help my Jewish brothers and sisters, my people. I would even wish that I were cursed and cut off from Christ if that would help them.⁴ They are the people of Israel, God's chosen children. They have seen the glory of God, and they have the agreements that God made between himself and his people. God gave them the law of Moses and the right way of worship and his promises.⁵ They are the descendants of our great ancestors, and they are the earthly family into which Christ was born, who is God over all. Praise him forever! Amen.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus, just as You called the fishermen, tax collectors, and other commoners to be “fishers of men” You also call and equip us to reach the lost men and women of our day. May our hearts be filled with compassion and our spirits charged with faith as we prayerfully seek to make a difference in our own generation. It Is not by our own might, our talents, or our power, but it is by Your Spirit that we can effectively reach the lost. Help us to be faithful in doing so. We pray in Your name. Amen.

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

Wednesday August 24, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY-

1-Obedience is better than working miracles or giving sacrifices-

2-Doubt is the erosion of confidence we can face fear-

3-Worry is the constant rehearsal of what we fear-

4-Only Christianity has a savior-

5-Grass is not greener on the other side of the fence, it is greener where it is watered-

STRANGE THOUGHT-A thief who sold a calendar got 12 months-

I'VE LEARNED-If you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there-

DID YOU KNOW-Yogurt intake among North Americans has quadrupled in the past 20 years-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Could Jesus have hastened his death?

2-Was Jesus crucifixion more painful than that of the two thieves crucified along with him?

3-Was Jesus tomb in the ground or in a hill side?

4-In Jesus' day, people who died without a tomb to be buried in, what happened to their body?

5-Did Jesus touch or hug anyone after his resurrection?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who came through Egypt on a late night visit to almost every household?

Yesterday's answer-Jacob Genesis 32:22-31

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 8:31-39

God's Love in Christ Jesus

³¹ So what should we say about this? If God is for us, no one can defeat us. ³² He did not spare his own Son but gave him for us all. So with Jesus, God will surely give us all things.³³ Who can accuse the people God has chosen? No one, because God is the One who makes them right. ³⁴ Who can say God's people are guilty? No one, because Christ Jesus died, but he was also raised from the dead, and now he is on God's right side, appealing to God for us. ³⁵ Can anything separate us from the love Christ has for us? Can troubles or problems or sufferings or hunger or nakedness or danger or violent death? ³⁶ As it is written in the Scriptures:
"For you we are in danger of death all the time.
People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed." — Psalm 44:22

³⁷ But in all these things we are completely victorious through God who showed his love for us. ³⁸ Yes, I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor ruling spirits, nothing now, nothing in the future, no powers,³⁹ nothing above us, nothing below us, nor anything else in the whole world will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we’re grateful for those throughout history who chose to be men and women of faith, whose hearts were fashioned in Your image, and who served Your purpose in their generation. We also want to serve Your purpose in our generation. Help us to stay steadfast and strong as we run this race set before us. Thankfully, in this race, we’re not in competition to be the only prizewinner. Instead we take hold of the hands of those who run with us and invite those on the sidelines to join us. We want to cross the finish line together so that we will all receive the grand prize of life eternal with You. May we never give up! Amen.

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

Tuesday August 23 , 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY-

1-Loneliness is not caused by another person's absence-

2-When you have love, you have forgiveness-

3-Walk is more important than talk-

4-We don't pay our tithe, God gives us the ability to give it-

5-God cannot trust someone who is disobedient-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Salad is what you feed your food-

I'VE LEARNED-Most people succeed because they are determined to-

DID YOU KNOW-The Southern dish "chitlins" is made up of pig's small intestines-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Have all Christians asked God if they can come home?

2-Did the loving father and his two sons live happily ever after?

3-Is covetousness ever satisfied?

4-Is there any difference in the "truth" and in the "honest" truth?

5-Is it about how you live or how you die?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who met a man with whom he engaged in an all night wrestling match?

Yesterday's answer-Nicodemus John 3:1-2

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 8:28-30

²⁸ We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him. They are the people he called, because that was his plan. ²⁹ God knew them before he made the world, and he chose them to be like his Son so that Jesus would be the firstborn of many brothers and sisters. ³⁰ God planned for them to be like his Son; and those he planned to be like his Son, he also called; and those he called, he also made right with him; and those he made right, he also glorified.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we thank You for the diligent farmers who work the soil, plant the seeds, and then await the germination and growth of the seeds planted. It’s all a work of faith since there is so much out of their control; too much rain or lack thereof, the proper growing temperatures, disease and harmful insects can make or break the harvest. So we thank you for those who year after year toil in the fields to provide healthy, vibrant and delicious foods to fill our plates. It’s generally a family effort so we pray Your blessings upon the entire family as they work together to make a very productive contribution to our well being. We also give thanks for our spiritual leaders who contribute to our spiritual well-being, who work hard at feeding our souls. They, too, deal with troubling elements out of their control following their seed planting, so faith and persistence are key tools in the results of their labor and future harvest. Bless them, their families, and give them fruit for their labor, we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Monday August 22, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You need to know where to go when you don't know what to do-

2-Don't put limitations on God's ability to provide-

3-If you don't respond to God's leading, nothing happens-

4-Practice what you preach, but you are preaching what you practice-

5-A broken heart is one that has a chance to become stronger-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The fact that no one understands you doesn't mean you are an artist-

I'VE LEARNED-How you play a game shows something of your character, how you lose shows it all-

DID YOU KNOW-It is estimated that Americans consume ten million tons of turkey on Thanksgiving Day.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did the returned prodigal son get a second inheritance?

2-Was the prodigal son a better son after returning home?

3-Did the father treat the returned prodigal son any different than before he had left?

4-Does God have any special children?

5-Should we so live knowing that God gives second chances and new beginnings?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Pharisee came to Jesus late at night?

Yesterday's answer-Judas John 18:3, 12

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 8:26,27

²⁶ Also, the Spirit helps us with our weakness. We do not know how to pray as we should. But the Spirit himself speaks to God for us, even begs God for us with deep feelings that words cannot explain.²⁷ God can see what is in people's hearts. And he knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit speaks to God for his people in the way God wants.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father God, You are awesome in power; You established Your throne in the heavens, and yet Your Spirit resides within my frail heart. I witness Your unfathomable power daily when I see the sun rise in the east and set in the west; when I witness the change of the seasons and when I witness the change in a redeemed life. You are the King of kings and the Lord of lords and You are my King and the Lord of my heart. I honor You and exalt Your name above all other names, my King and my Lord. Amen.

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

Sunday August 21, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-There is a difference between being blameless and not guilty-

2-When God puts you in a waiting room, it is for a reason-

3-You can be sad and glad at the same time-

4-How we treat money and what it buys is how we treat ourselves and others-

5-To plan where you want to go you need to know where you are-

STRANGE THOUGHT-I know you think you understand what you thought I said, but I'm not sure that what you heard is what I actually meant-

I'VE LEARNED-Ideas not coupled with action never become bigger than the brain cells they occupied-

DID YOU KNOW-Each year, Americans spend more on cat food than on baby food-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is it possible to live a life with no regrets?

2-Is there forgiveness without repentance?

3-If God would sit down to talk with you, what would He say?

4-What did the prodigal son do after he returned home?

5-Did the prodigal son and his brother ever reconcile?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who led some officers of the chief priests to pay a late night call on Jesus?

Yesterday's answer-Paul Acts 27:23-24

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 8:22-25

²² We know that everything God made has been waiting until now in pain, like a woman ready to give birth.²³ Not only the world, but we also have been waiting with pain inside us. We have the Spirit as the first part of God's promise. So we are waiting for God to finish making us his own children, which means our bodies will be made free.²⁴ We were saved, and we have this hope. If we see what we are waiting for, that is not really hope. People do not hope for something they already have.²⁵ But we are hoping for something we do not have yet, and we are waiting for it patiently.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we can be devoured by the evil that surrounds us if we don’t walk in the light of Your truth. We want to walk in the true wisdom that comes from heaven, not in the flawed wisdom that comes from the world. Help us to make the most of every opportunity to stand up for divine truth in our speech and in our actions. We want to be the light that shines forth revealing the creeping darkness of our land so that we can show others the way to eternal life. In the name of Your dear Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen.

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

Saturday August 20, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If you carry a bad attitude you have no chance of being happy-

2-Satan operates from a foothold to a choke hold to a strangle hold-

3-Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results-

4-You may be the only Jesus someone will ever see-

5-A problem in your life may be God's way of trying to get your attention-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Old age is when you still have something on the ball but are too tired to bounce it-

I'VE LEARNED-Don't let what you can't do stop you from doing what you can do-

DID YOU KNOW-In eighteenth century France, visitors to the royal palace in Versailles were allowed to stand on a roped off section of the main dining room, and watch the king and queen eat-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is anyone expendable or disposable?

2-Is anyone incapable of loving or being loved?

3-What does "the way of the cross" mean?

4-Did the disciples abandon their families to follow Jesus?

5-Why do Christian cling to this life so much?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who had a late night visit from an angel, who assured him that he would be safe aboard a storm tossed ship?

Yesterday's answer-An angel Acts 12:6-17

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 8:18-21

Our Future Glory

¹⁸ The sufferings we have now are nothing compared to the great glory that will be shown to us.¹⁹ Everything God made is waiting with excitement for God to show his children's glory completely.²⁰ Everything God made was changed to become useless, not by its own wish but because God wanted it and because all along there was this hope:²¹ that everything God made would be set free from ruin to have the freedom and glory that belong to God's children.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we’re grateful for the supernatural work You perform in our lives. Help us to follow Your leading in the small day to day promptings we receive from Your Spirit as we go about our activities. The miraculous way You provided for a crowd of thousands from one youngster’s lunch is a great reminder that You take what we offer, multiply it, and use it for Your intended purpose. All glory be Yours in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Friday August 19, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Pain is real but so is hope-

2-Fear comes from feeling out of control, hope comes from knowing God is in control-

3-Don't be satisfied with a temporary fix-

4-When it comes to die, make sure that all you have to do is die-

5-The person who has the experience is never at the mercy of the one who has the argument-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Death is more universal than life for everyone dies but not everyone lives-

I'VE LEARNED-Expect to be treated by others as you have treated others-

DID YOU KNOW-Dinner guests during the medieval times in England were expected to bring their own knives to the table-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does violence always lead to retaliation, revenge and further violence?

2-What are we to make of the seeming violence in the old testament?

3-Have some people used Christianity in a way that sought to dominate others?

4-What if every person believed in nonviolence?

5-Can anyone for whom Christ died, be to us an enemy?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who came to Peter late at night and released him from prison?

Yesterday's answer-Solomon Ecclesiastes 2:4-5

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 8:12-17

¹² So, my brothers and sisters, we must not be ruled by our sinful selves or live the way our sinful selves want.¹³ If you use your lives to do the wrong things your sinful selves want, you will die spiritually. But if you use the Spirit's help to stop doing the wrong things you do with your body, you will have true life.

¹⁴ The true children of God are those who let God's Spirit lead them.¹⁵ The Spirit we received does not make us slaves again to fear; it makes us children of God. With that Spirit we cry out, "Father."¹⁶ And the Spirit himself joins with our spirits to say we are God's children.¹⁷ If we are God's children, we will receive blessings from God together with Christ. But we must suffer as Christ suffered so that we will have glory as Christ has glory.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

From the rising of the sun until the time that it sets I praise You, Almighty God! Your name is to be praised when the day is before me, in the middle of the afternoon, and when the day comes to an end. Your faithfulness reaches to the heavens, spreads throughout the earth, and is personally experienced in my life daily. As high as the heavens above, so great is the measure of Your wondrous love. You are great and greatly to be praised. Amen.

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

Thursday August 18, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-The experience of anger is different from the expression of anger-

2-What is learned can be unlearned-

3-No one can make you respond inappropriately when you feel angry-

4-No one can make you angry-you chose to be angry-

5-Remember beforehand the consequences of an angry response-

STRANGE THOUGHT-A positive attitude may not solve all your problems but it will annoy enough people to make it worth the effort-

I'VE LEARNED-It is our choices that show what we really are, far more than our abilities-

DID YOU KNOW-The largest ketchup bottle is a 170 foot high water tower-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Do all Christians need a personal Jerusalem and Gethsemane?

2-If we can't love each other, how can we love God?

3-Are we guilty of being preference people?

4-Is there ever an appropriate time for a Christian to resort to violence?

5-How should a Christian respond to a terrorist seeking to harm our country?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king famous for his building projects, also planted vineyards, gardens, and orchards?

Yesterday's answer Joab 2 Samuel 14:30

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 8:5-11

⁵ Those who live following their sinful selves think only about things that their sinful selves want. But those who live following the Spirit are thinking about the things the Spirit wants them to do.⁶ If people's thinking is controlled by the sinful self, there is death. But if their thinking is controlled by the Spirit, there is life and peace.⁷ When people's thinking is controlled by the sinful self, they are against God, because they refuse to obey God's law and really are not even able to obey God's law.⁸ Those people who are ruled by their sinful selves cannot please God.

⁹ But you are not ruled by your sinful selves. You are ruled by the Spirit, if that Spirit of God really lives in you. But the person who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ.¹⁰ Your body will always be dead because of sin. But if Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life, because Christ made you right with God. ¹¹ God raised Jesus from the dead, and if God's Spirit is living in you, he will also give life to your bodies that die. God is the One who raised Christ from the dead, and he will give life through his Spirit that lives in you.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, it is because of Your wise, loving ways that You teach us about the wiles of our adversary, the devil, and his cunning ways. We are not caught unaware but recognize his strategy as we regularly read Your Word and store it up in our hearts. Your knowledge is powerful as it opens the eyes of our hearts. Your precepts are right and because of that we hate every wrong path. Direct our footsteps according to Your Word so that we are in pace with You, observing the yellow lights of caution and stopping at the red lights of danger. As we do so we will not allow sin to rule over us. Amen.

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

Wednesday August 17, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Truth does not change according to our ability to accept it-

2-Whining is self centered self pity-

3-You don't pay attention to the people who don't like you-

4-Rebuke from a friend is an act of love-

5-We do not have to sin that grace may abound, we only need to repent that grace may abound-

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

I'VE LEARNED-The hardest thing to keep is to keep still-

DID YOU KNOW-The largest hamburger in the world weighed in at 5,520 pounds-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does God work in spite of us as well as through us?

2-What makes a Christian witness authentic?

3-When Jesus died and went into hell, was the Spirit of God removed from the earth?

4-Was hell sanctified when Jesus went there between his crucifixion and resurrection?

5-Why is there no response to Mary's response to Jesus' resurrection?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What lieutenant of David had his barley fields destroyed by Absalom?

Yesterday's answer-Isaac Genesis 26:12

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 8:1-4

Be Ruled by the Spirit

¹ So now, those who are in Christ Jesus are not judged guilty. ² Through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit that brings life made you free from the law that brings sin and death. ³ The law was without power, because the law was made weak by our sinful selves. But God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son to earth with the same human life that others use for sin. By sending his Son to be an offering for sin, God used a human life to destroy sin.⁴ He did this so that we could be the kind of people the law correctly wants us to be. Now we do not live following our sinful selves, but we live following the Spirit.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Daily prayer: Almighty God, all the universe declares Your glory who creates, sustains, and watches over Your creation. Though the earth will someday be destroyed You created within us a soul that will exist eternally. While the foundations are being destroyed here on earth we, the redeemed, find great comfort and immense hope in Your eternal foundation. It is from
Eternity past and will exist in eternity future, with no beginning and no end! Only a loving God like You would choose to include us in Your vast plan and find delight in us, in all our humanness. You are worthy to receive glory, honor, and praise in this life and for all eternity. Amen.

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

Tuesday August 9 , 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-There are blessings in every season of life-

2-Act like you expect to hit a home run-

3-Persistence beats talent and looks every time-

4-Love grows when it is shared-

5-The more love we share, the more love we have to give away-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If love is blind, why is lingerie so popular?

I'VE LEARNED-All things come to those who wait, except the precious time lost while waiting-

DID YOU KNOW-The largest apple pie on record ever baked was 40' by 23'

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does God speak to our conscience or subconscience?

2-Does God speak to us through our heartaches and painful experiences?

3-Can God's voice sound like that of your spouse, friend, speaker, etc.?

4-Do we have to earn the right to share our faith?

5-Are our lives ever good enough to bear adequate witness for Jesus?

BIB LE TRIVIA-What patriarch farmed in Gerar and received a hundred fold harvest?

Yesterday's answer-Naboth 1 Kings 21:1-2

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 7:21-25

²¹ So I have learned this rule: When I want to do good, evil is there with me.²² In my mind, I am happy with God's law.²³ But I see another law working in my body, which makes war against the law that my mind accepts. That other law working in my body is the law of sin, and it makes me its prisoner.²⁴ What a miserable man I am! Who will save me from this body that brings me death?²⁵ I thank God for saving me through Jesus Christ our Lord!

So in my mind I am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful self I am a slave to the law of sin.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Daily prayer: Father, we're reminded in the wise words of Solomon that "there is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." You have made everything beautiful in its time and You set eternity in the hearts of people. None of us can fathom what You have done from beginning to end. That everyone may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil - this is a gift from You! What great fulfillment when we are productive people and do good works in Your name. May it bring honor to You, may it bless our family, and may it be a good model for those who follow. In the precious name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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

Monday August 8, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY-

1-When we walk through the valley of the shadow of death we are not walking alone in the darkness-

2-We are only a steward of what we have-

3-Consistent obedience is the key to successful living-

4-You can't have unforgiveness and also be obedient to God-

5-Sometimes God comes along and scrambles our eggs-

STRANGE THOUGHT-I'd give you a piece of my mind but I am on my last one-

I'VE LEARNED-To kill time is to injure eternity-

DID YOU KNOW-The hottest chilli in the world is the habanero-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-After Adam and Eve's first sin of disobedience, when did they sin again?

2-By definition, is murder always pre meditated?

3-What does stealing say about your character?

4-How was Eli (an old man) to take care of Samuel (a young boy) when his mother left him with Eli?

5-Does God still "speak" to us today outside the Bible?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who had a vineyard that Ahab coveted?

Yesterday's answer-Mephibosheth, Saul's grandson 2 Samuel 9:9-10

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 7:14-20

The War Within Us

¹⁴ We know that the law is spiritual, but I am not spiritual since sin rules me as if I were its slave.¹⁵ I do not understand the things I do. I do not do what I want to do, and I do the things I hate.¹⁶ And if I do not want to do the hated things I do, that means I agree that the law is good.¹⁷ But I am not really the one who is doing these hated things; it is sin living in me that does them.¹⁸ Yes, I know that nothing good lives in me—I mean nothing good lives in the part of me that is earthly and sinful. I want to do the things that are good, but I do not do them.¹⁹ I do not do the good things I want to do, but I do the bad things I do not want to do.²⁰ So if I do things I do not want to do, then I am not the one doing them. It is sin living in me that does those things.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, as we humbly receive the Word planted in us through Your Spirit we put off the old self. Help us to get rid of anything that stimulates our old way of thinking. Help us to reject that which is detrimental to our spiritual growth and to embrace that which saves us from the evil that is so prevalent in our world. Keep our hearts soft so that we are quick to confess and repent of that which dishonors You. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

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