Wednesday November 30, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Every generation needs regeneration-

2-There is no such thing as second generation faith-

3-The resurrection made Jesus the Savior-

4-We need to stop talking to God about our great mountain and start talking to the mountain about our great God-

5-Christian happiness comes from obedience-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Life is not about how fast you run or how high you climb, but how well you bounce-

I'VE LEARNED-Time is the most perishable of all our possessions-

DID YOU KNOW-Women on average consume six pounds of lipstick in their lifetime-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What had Judas planned to do with the 30 pieces of silver?

2-If Jesus had used his divine powers to keep the soldiers from taking him, would it have changed the crucifixion story?

3-When Jesus was taken captive by the soldiers, why did the disciples run away and desert him?

4-When on the cross Jesus said "Why have you forsaken me." Did he feel abandoned by God?

5-Could Jesus really have chosen a different response to the cross?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who told Laban he had gone twenty years without a decent sleep?

Yesterday's answer-Jairus' daughter Luke 8:52

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 14:13-17

¹³ The one who has the gift of speaking in a different language should pray for the gift to interpret what is spoken.¹⁴ If I pray in a different language, my spirit is praying, but my mind does nothing.¹⁵ So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind.¹⁶ If you praise God with your spirit, those persons there without understanding cannot say amen to your prayer of thanks, because they do not know what you are saying.¹⁷ You may be thanking God in a good way, but the other person is not helped.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, when I get overly anxious about having the latest gadget or the newest fashion I usually overlook the fact that I have so much already at my disposal. So much, in fact, that I struggle to properly manage my possessions and can be overwhelmed with clutter. Thank you for the people who live with less so that others can have more; more of the basics of life and the provisions needed to reach others with the Gospel message. Contentment from You cannot be packaged and sold, but it can be a way of life as we align our priorities in accordance to Your will. Teach us the great gain we experience by setting our heart’s affections not on this world’s changing and peril-stricken economy, but by storing up treasures in heaven’s economy where eternal riches never perish, spoil or fade. May that precious truth help us find contentment in a non-content society. In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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

Tuesday November 29, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Don't become bitter, become better-

2-It is not our rightness but our righteousness that counts-

3-It is one thing to believe the gospel but another thing to behave the gospel-

4-We don't need to reform, we need to be transformed-

5-Believers are sanctified in a moment but it takes a life time to be holy-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Life is not like a roller coaster for a roller coaster is fun going down-

I'VE LEARNED-Perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things but in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well-

DID YOU KNOW-The average pencil can draw a line thirty five miles long or write approximately fifty thousand English words-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-When Jesus prayed in Gethsemane was he truly afraid of what was coming the next day?

2-How did Jesus endure the terror and suffering of the crucifixion?

3-Was Jesus' agony of the crucifixion any worse than that of all the others who had been crucified?

4-Should we have the same attitude as Jesus did when we enter our own Gethsemane?

5-Did Judas ever come to believe that Jesus was the messiah?

BIBLE TRIVIA-According to Jesus, this person was not dead but only sleeping. Who was it?

Yesterday's answer-The Philippian jailor Acts 16:27

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 14:6-12

⁶ Brothers and sisters, will it help you if I come to you speaking in different languages? No! It will help you only if I bring you a new truth or some new knowledge, or prophecy, or teaching.⁷ It is the same as with lifeless things that make sounds—like a flute or a harp. If they do not make clear musical notes, you will not know what is being played.⁸ And in a war, if the trumpet does not give a clear sound, who will prepare for battle?⁹ It is the same with you. Unless you speak clearly with your tongue, no one can understand what you are saying. You will be talking into the air!¹⁰ It may be true that there are all kinds of sounds in the world, and none is without meaning. ¹¹ But unless I understand the meaning of what someone says to me, we will be like foreigners to each other. ¹² It is the same with you. Since you want spiritual gifts very much, seek most of all to have the gifts that help the church grow stronger.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, help us to prayerfully apply Your Scriptures so that we can learn to be content in any and every situation. A godly contentment will fill our hearts with peace in place of an anxious heart that keeps us in angst as we struggle to obtain the newest or latest gadget or comfort. Help us to fix our eyes on You, not others as we pursue holiness. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

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

Monday November 28, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Guilt is about our behavior, shame is about our relationship with people-

2-Living for Jesus is not a self help program-

3-Time may be money but money is not time-

4-We all will be judged-the saved for their works, the lost for their sins-

5-We hinder or future progress when we become enslaved to recollections of the past-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Parents who are afraid to put their foot down have children who step on their toes-

I'VE LEARNED-Why wait for the weekend to have fun-

DID YOU KNOW-The average person looks at 8 houses before buying one-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-When Jesus healed he deaf and dumb person, why did he sigh?

2-The woman caught in adultery never asked Jesus for forgiveness or repented of her past sins, yet Jesus forgave her. Why?

3-Is repentance and confession necessary to become a Christian or only turning away from and stopping your sinning?

4-Why did Jesus say "If I don't wash your feet, you are not one of mine."

5-When we pray and ask something of God, should we always say "If it is your will!"

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was awakened from a deep sleep by an earthquake that toppled a prison?

Yesterday's answer-Peter Acts 12:6-7

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 14:1-5

¹ You should seek after love, and you should truly want to have the spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.² I will explain why. Those who have the gift of speaking in different languages are not speaking to people; they are speaking to God. No one understands them; they are speaking secret things through the Spirit.³ But those who prophesy are speaking to people to give them strength, encouragement, and comfort.⁴ The ones who speak in different languages are helping only themselves, but those who prophesy are helping the whole church.⁵ I wish all of you had the gift of speaking in different kinds of languages, but more, I wish you would prophesy. Those who prophesy are greater than those who can only speak in different languages—unless someone is there who can explain what is said so that the whole church can be helped.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we want to bless You at all times allowing praises to spring from our hearts and express themselves in our words and actions. We magnify Your name and exalt You, Almighty God, for You are our great Deliverer. As we celebrate our thanks to You we tell of Your mighty power and miracles in our lives. We teach these to our children so the next generation might know them, even the children not yet born, that they in turn might teach their children. We want each generation to set their hopes anew on God, remembering His glorious and miraculous provisions, as they turn their hearts toward You. Thank You, Father, for everything! For apart from You we have nothing! Amen.

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

Sunday November 27, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Diamonds come from good material being under pressure for a long period of time-

2-We want deliverance, God wants development-

3-God uses problems to change us and get us to grow-

4-Optimist is one who sees a light when there is none,

Pessimist is one who tried to blow it out-

5-It is easier to quit than to not give up-

STRANGE THOUGHT-God did not see your problem and say "oops!"

I'VE LEARNED-Dream as if you will live forever, live as if you'll die today-

DID YOU KNOW-Approximately 30 billion cakes of Ivory Soap had been manufactured by 1990-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why did Jesus ask the paralytic by the pool of Bethesda if he wanted to be healed?

2-Did Jesus heal any others at the Bethesda Pool and if not why not?

3-Why was it necessary to have a God-man savior?

4-Where did the woman who had a blood issue for 12 years get the faith to believe Jesus could heal her?

5-Why did Jesus use his spit to heal eyes and tongues?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was sleeping between two soldiers when an angel came to release him?

Yesterday's answer-Eutychus Acts 12:9-12

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

⁸ Love never ends. There are gifts of prophecy, but they will be ended. There are gifts of speaking in different languages, but those gifts will stop. There is the gift of knowledge, but it will come to an end.⁹ The reason is that our knowledge and our ability to prophesy are not perfect.¹⁰ But when perfection comes, the things that are not perfect will end.¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I stopped those childish ways.¹² It is the same with us. Now we see a dim reflection, as if we were looking into a mirror, but then we shall see clearly. Now I know only a part, but then I will know fully, as God has known me.¹³ So these three things continue forever: faith, hope, and love. And the greatest of these is love.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

“My God, I have never thanked You for my thorns. I have thanked You a thousand times for my roses, but never once for my thorns. Teach me the glory of the cross I bear; Teach me the value of my thorns. Show me that I have climbed closer to You along the path of pain; Show me that, through my tears, the colors of Your rainbow look much more brilliant.”

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

Saturday November 26, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Pray for others the way you would for your own child-

2-Problems should drive us to the Word of God-

3-Self examination is a healthy thing-

4-God wants us to live in a place of complete obedience-

5-Problems can be the result of disobedience-

STRANGE THOUGHT-We need to learn how to fail successfully-

I'VE LEARNED-If you have a friend, you have a treasure-

DID YOU KNOW-Ivory soap floating was the result of a mistake-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did Jesus ever leave anyone unhealed when he knew about their illness?

2-Did Jesus ever pray for healing for himself?

3-Was Jesus invitation to Matthew to "follow me" an invitation to be a disciple or just to leave his tax collecting?

4-Why did Jesus ask Matthew to "follow me" when he was a known thief?

5-Had Matthew been desirous to meet and know about Jesus?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who fell asleep during Paul's sermon and was later raised from the dead by Paul?

Yesterday's answer-Jesus Luke 8:23-24

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 13:4-7

⁴ Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.⁵ Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. ⁶ Love takes no pleasure in evil but rejoices over the truth. ⁷ Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always endures.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, You have poured out Your abundance on us from the heavenly realms in all manner of blessings. You forgave our sins and broke the chains that once enslaved. You brought fulfillment in our lives as You gave us a sense of purpose. You provided for us a roadmap through the Holy Scriptures that leads ultimately to heaven. You’ve promised us eternal life. We experience peace that surpasses human understanding and the list is unending. For this and so much more we are eternally grateful. We deserve none of Your blessings and yet we receive them all, not only in this life but we lay hold of future blessings in the life to come. Prompt us to focus on our blessings since they far outweigh our troubles. Even when shadows darken the view of our blessings may they visibly surface as the indwelling Holy Spirit brings them to our remembrance. May it be our heart’s desire to refresh others whom we meet from day to day in life’s journey as we walk in the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

LIVE SIMPLY! LOVE GENEROUSLY! CARE DEEPLY! SPEAK KINDLY! LEAVE THE REST WITH GOD!!

Friday November 25, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-God cannot restore broken dreams unless he has all the pieces-

2-Keep on believing that God really is in charge-

3-We need to bury our pride before our pride bury's us-

4-We cannot live successfully by looking at the rear view mirror of our lives-

5-It is not what happened to you in the past (as bad as it was), it is the future that counts-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If a book about failure doesn't sell, is it a success?

I'VE LEARNED-It is always better to be wise than to be smart-

DID YOU KNOW-The end of a hammer, opposite the striking end, is called a peen-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did Jesus ever try to impress his brothers like Joseph did his brothers?

2-Would Jesus' divinity have affected his childhood?

3-Would Jesus have been more intelligent than the other boys his age?

4-Would Jesus have had playmates in his childhood?

5-When did Jesus know that he had to be "about his father's business"?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who slept during a storm on the Sea of Galilee?

Yesterday's answer-Samson Judges 16:19

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 13:1-3

¹ I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am only a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal. ² I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge, and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing. ³ I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Ember 18, 2011

Father, as we live in daily communion with You, our presence will make a difference in a classroom, in a workplace, in a neighborhood, in a community and most especially in our families. With Your sanctifying seal upon our lives we no longer live according to the lust of the flesh, but the life of the Son who resides in us. May we see our world turned upside down as people walk away from evil while being transformed by Christ’s redemptive power. It is in His name that we pray, Amen.

LIVE SIMPLY! LOVE GENEROUSLY! CARE DEEPLY! SPEAK KINDLY! LEAVE THE REST WITH GOD!!

Thursday November 24, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Our children are our only possession we can take to heaven-

2-Wrong is still wrong even if you get away with it-

3-As a man thinketh so is he-

4-A happy Christian is an active Christian-

5-Being sanctified is not getting more of God, it is God getting more of us-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Some people pin ribbons on their dogs and hogs and let their children go to hell-

I'VE LEARNED-Live as if what you do makes a difference for it does-

DID YOU KNOW-The side of a hammer is called a cheek-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How did the gospel writers know what happened to Jesus during his desert testing?

2-Why is there a difference in Matthew and Mark's version of Jesus' desert testing? Matthew said he fasted 40 days and then was tested while Mark said he was tempted during the 40 days.

3-Why did Jesus first take his disciples to a wedding?

4-Was Jesus born into a perfect sinless family?

5-Did Jesus' siblings think he was the messiah or a lunatic?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who slept through a haircut?

Yesterday's answer-King Darius Daniel 6:18

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 12:21-26

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, "I don't need you!" And the head cannot say to the foot, "I don't need you!"²² No! Those parts of the body that seem to be the weaker are really necessary.²³ And the parts of the body we think are less deserving are the parts to which we give the most honor. We give special respect to the parts we want to hide.²⁴ The more respectable parts of our body need no special care. But God put the body together and gave more honor to the parts that need it²⁵ so our body would not be divided. God wanted the different parts to care the same for each other.²⁶ If one part of the body suffers, all the other parts suffer with it. Or if one part of our body is honored, all the other parts share its honor.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we count among our rich blessings the bounty of Your handiwork – whether it’s that which we can observe only at a distance or that which we can examine closely, touch with our hands, smell or taste. You are a benevolent Father, giving us so much to enjoy. Creation declares Your glory causing us to delight in Your creativity, in all its bountiful and varied displays. We give You thanks for it all. Amen.

LIVE SIMPLY! LOVE GENEROUSLY! CARE DEEPLY! SPEAK KINDLY! LEAVE THE REST WITH GOD!!

Wednesday November 23, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-What we do in private will be revealed in public-

2-You cannot go through a fire and not get burned unless God is there with you-

3-God does his best work where there seems to be no way-

4-God doesn't heal us just because we need it but for his own glory-

5-God never fails to honor the name of Jesus-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Mothers are guinea pigs in a scientific experiment-

I'VE LEARNED-Take advice from those who have succeeded where you wish to succeed-

DID YOU KNOW-Scotch tape has been used as an anti corrosive shield on the Goodyear Blimp-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Was Jesus 40 days of desert fasting done without any food to eat or water to drink?

2-How was it possible for Jesus to fast for 40 days in the desert testing when we would not live past 7-10 days with no water?

3-Was Jesus testing in a desert as we know it to be or was it a wilderness?

4-Did Jesus need his baptism in order to endure the desert testing?

5-What was the hardest temptation for Jesus?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who did not sleep while Daniel was in the lions den?

Yesterday's answer-God Genesis 15:12-16

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 12:14-20

¹⁴ The human body has many parts.¹⁵ The foot might say, "Because I am not a hand, I am not part of the body." But saying this would not stop the foot from being a part of the body.¹⁶ The ear might say, "Because I am not an eye, I am not part of the body." But saying this would not stop the ear from being a part of the body.¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, it would not be able to hear. If the whole body were an ear, it would not be able to smell.^18-19 If each part of the body were the same part, there would be no body. But truly God put all the parts, each one of them, in the body as he wanted them.²⁰ So then there are many parts, but only one body.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we’re so thankful that when our earthly tent is destroyed, we have a building from You, an eternal house in heaven. We make it our life long goal to remain strangers in this world as we maintain friendship with You, our Heavenly Father. Like the Apostle Paul we strain toward that which is ahead as we press toward the goal to win the prize for which You have called us heavenward in Christ Jesus. In Your appointed hour our bodies will be transformed so that they will be like Your glorious body. We eagerly await that transformation when anticipation becomes reality for the faithful! Amen.

LIVE SIMPLY! LOVE GENEROUSLY! CARE DEEPLY! SPEAK KINDLY! LEAVE THE REST WITH GOD!!

Tuesday November 22, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Our will alone will not stand up to satan-

2-If you cannot hear the voice of God in calm times, you will not hear it when you are in a storm-

3-God has called Christians to be soldiers not settlers-

4-The most terrifying threat to our society is a crime without a conscience-

5-What have we gained if we win a child to Jesus on the other side of the world and lose our own?

STRANGE THOUGHT-How much deeper would the ocean be without the sponges?

I'VE LEARNED-Good habits are as easy to form as bad ones-

DID YOU KNOW-The holes in fly swatters are use to lower air resistance-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Since Jesus is part of the Trinity, is the Holy Spirit a part of Jesus?

2-Since Jesus is part of the Trinity, is he then a part of the Holy Spirit sent to us after his ascension?

3-If God is a Trinity, who should we pray to , or doesn't it make any difference?

4-In Jesus desert testing, is there a significance in 40 days?

5-In Jesus desert testing, was he deprived of sleep?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who spoke to Abram while he was in a deep sleep?

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

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 12:12-13

¹² A person's body is one thing, but it has many parts. Though there are many parts to a body, all those parts make only one body. Christ is like that also. ¹³ Some of us are Jews, and some are Greeks. Some of us are slaves, and some are free. But we were all baptized into one body through one Spirit. And we were all made to share in the one Spirit.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I know that godliness with contentment is of great benefit. It gives me a state of mind that is calm and satisfied; free from murmuring and complaining. I’m reminded that it takes little of this world’s goods to satisfy one whose citizenship is of another country. Help me to hold loosely to that which does not last beyond this life, and to clasp tightly that which has eternal significance. May the character of my soul and the fruit of my actions be of much greater importance than the perishable items that are alluring to me. I look to You for proper balance in the things You have blessed me with and the attitude in which I receive these good things from Your hands.

LIVE SIMPLY! LOVE GENEROUSLY! CARE DEEPLY! SPEAK KINDLY! LEAVE THE REST WITH GOD!!

Monday November 21, 2011 thought for the dqy

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-We need to have aggressive faith-

2-Being Spirit filled is being faith filled-

3-Being filled with the Holy Spirit is different from speaking in tongues-

4-Sympathy--two hearts tugging at the same load-

5-There is a difference in being filled with the Spirit and living in the Spirit-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Some people won't rise to the occasion but they will slide over to it-

I'VE LEARNED-Life is a song, love is the music-

DID YOU KNOW -Scotchgard is a combination of the words Scotch, meaning "Scotsman," and a misspelling of guard, meaning to protect-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why did Jesus' desert testing come right after his baptism?

2-Was Jesus' desert testing a physical, mental or emotional testing and would he have suffered pain?

3-Could Jesus have possibly faced all the temptations we do today as so stated in scripture?

4-If Jesus was fully God and also fully human, did he have power to overcome temptation we don't have?

5-Since Jesus is part of the Trinity, did he need the Holy Spirit for anything?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who sneaked into Saul's camp while he was sleeping?

Yesterday's answer-The disciples Luke 22:45

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 12:4-11

⁴ There are different kinds of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit.⁵ There are different ways to serve but the same Lord to serve.⁶ And there are different ways that God works through people but the same God. God works in all of us in everything we do.⁷ Something from the Spirit can be seen in each person, for the common good.⁸ The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak with wisdom, and the same Spirit gives another the ability to speak with knowledge.⁹ The same Spirit gives faith to one person. And, to another, that one Spirit gives gifts of healing.¹⁰ The Spirit gives to another person the power to do miracles, to another the ability to prophesy. And he gives to another the ability to know the difference between good and evil spirits. The Spirit gives one person the ability to speak in different kinds of languages and to another the ability to interpret those languages.¹¹ One Spirit, the same Spirit, does all these things, and the Spirit decides what to give each person.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Daily Prayer: Father, we pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters. They suffer, not as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. They are guilty of being a Christian believer, guilty of loving You more than their very lives; guilty of wanting to gather with their family of believers week after week; guilty of spreading Your Gospel though their government suppresses their message. They are found guilty as charged of doing that which brings honor to You. They suffer according to Your will and commit themselves to You, their faithful Creator as they continue to do good. May we follow in their courageous footsteps through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

LIVE SIMPLY! LOVE GENEROUSLY! CARE DEEPLY! SPEAK KINDLY! LEAVE THE REST WITH GOD!!

Sunday November 20, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Present pain brings up past pain-

2-Every problem can be an opportunity for growth-

3-"No" is a complete sentence-

4-Where your talents meet the needs of people is where God wants you to be-

5-God may make you wait but he won't be late-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If evolution really works, why do mothers only have two hands?

I'VE LEARNED-The process of healing can be painful-

DID YOU KNOW-Mosquito repellents do not repel. They hide you. The spray blocks the mosquito's sensors

so they do not know you are there-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-If a baptized Christian falls away from his relationship with God and then later returns, does he need to be rebaptized?

2-Can we today successfully resist all forms of temptation?

3-Does temptation only come from satan?

4-Do we create our own temptations by the choices we make?

5-What was the purpose of Jesus' desert testing?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who slept while Jesus prayed in Gethsemane?

Yesterday's answer-Joseph Matthew 2:13

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 12:1-3

¹ Now, brothers and sisters, I want you to understand about spiritual gifts.² You know the way you lived before you were believers. You let yourselves be influenced and led away to worship idols—things that could not speak.³ So I want you to understand that no one who is speaking with the help of God's Spirit says, "Jesus be cursed." And no one can say, "Jesus is Lord," without the help of the Holy Spirit.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, it is Your desire that we stay faithful to Your teachings. Scripture gives many examples of those who knew to do right, but chose to do wrong. The consequences of their wrong actions inflicted a great deal of loss, life-long regret and emotional pain, not only for themselves but often inflicting others as well. Help us to avoid the traps Satan has set for the believers by not only reading the Word, but applying its truth to our lives, and standing firm when the temptation to do wrong is ever before us. Help us *to control our own body in a way that is holy and honorable, not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know You. We pray for this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

LIVE SIMPLY! LOVE GENEROUSLY! CARE DEEPLY! SPEAK KINDLY! LEAVE THE REST WITH GOD!!

Saturday November 19, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-We need diversity on unity-

2-Unless you tell the truth in love, it is not the whole truth-

3-Religious ritual is not more important than ministry-

4-Under your power struggle is all your unresolved issues-

5-Don't try to take away someone else's pain, just be there for them-

STRANGE THOUGHT-At the dairy, how much is half and half?

I'VE LEARNED-Laughter is the medicine of life-

DID YOU KNOW-Camera shutter speed B stands for "bulb"

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Why did Jesus permit satan to tempt him for 40 days?

2-Was Jesus alone in the desert when tempted by satan?

3-Was Jesus impacted in any way by Satan's desert testing?

4-How can our hearts have the endurance as Jesus did in the desert testing?

5-When Jesus was tempted by Satan was it a real testing (was there ever a thought or desire to give in to it)?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was visited by an angel of the Lord while sleeping?

Yesterday's answer-Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 2:1

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 11:27-34

²⁷ So a person who eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in a way that is not worthy of it will be guilty of sinning against the body and the blood of the Lord.²⁸ Look into your own hearts before you eat the bread and drink the cup,²⁹ because all who eat the bread and drink the cup without recognizing the body eat and drink judgment against themselves. ³⁰ That is why many in your group are sick and weak, and some of you have died. ³¹ But if we judged ourselves in the right way, God would not judge us. ³² But when the Lord judges us, he disciplines us so that we will not be destroyed along with the world.

³³ So my brothers and sisters, when you come together to eat, wait for each other.³⁴ Anyone who Is too hungry should eat at home so that in meeting together you will not bring God's judgment on yourselves. I will tell you what to do about the other things when I come.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, when we gave you our heart, we made the willful choice to no longer conform to the trends and philosophies of this world. Instead we ask You to daily renew our minds so that we see this world and its philosophies through the eyes of Christ. We are put to the test daily in deciding what is truth and what is error. May Your Holy Word be our reference point and Your Spirit be our Guide as we are exposed to countless philosophies based on human understanding and the basic principles of this world rather than Your eternal foundational truths. Sharpen our discernment and grant us courage so that we readily know truth from error and are fearless in saying so. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

LIVE SIMPLY! LOVE GENEROUSLY! CARE DEEPLY! SPEAK KINDLY! LEAVE THE REST WITH GOD!!

Saturday November 12, 2011 thought for the day

There will be no further postings until November 19, 2011. Thanks. See you then.

Friday November 11, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If God is not the God of your valleys he cannot be the God of your mountaintop-

2-It is hard to fly with the eagles in the morning if you've hooted with the owls all night-

3-God's love is free but it isn't cheap-

4-There is healing power in good memories-

5-Adversity can often be a blessing in disguise-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Don't answer questions that no one is asking-

I'VE LEARNED-Shut out all of your past except that which will help you weather your tomorrows-

DID YOU KNOW-In the 1985 Boise, Idaho, mayoral election, there were four write in votes for Mr. Potato Head-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW-

1-Scripture says "The spirit led Jesus into the desert where Satan tempted him for 40 days". Does that mean he didn't want to go but willing went anyway?

2-Why did the spirit have to lead Jesus into the desert?

3-Was Jesus tested in the desert only one time?

4-Was Jesus tested in the desert 24/7 for 40 days?

5-Was Jesus actually tempted by Satan's testing?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who had troublesome dreams that kept him from sleeping?

Yesterday's answer-King Ahasuerus Easter 6:1

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 11:23-26

²³ The teaching I gave you is the same teaching I received from the Lord: On the night when the Lord Jesus was handed over to be killed, he took bread ²⁴ and gave thanks for it. Then he broke the bread and said, "This is my body; it is for you. Do this to remember me." ²⁵ In the same way, after they ate, Jesus took the cup. He said, "This cup is the new agreement that is sealed with the blood of my death. When you drink this, do it to remember me." ²⁶ Every time you eat this bread and drink this cup you are telling others about the Lord's death until he comes.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, You make Your will known to us through the authority of the Holy Scriptures. And yet each day we are exposed to opinions and lifestyles that are a direct contrast to Your teaching through Scripture and the life of Jesus. It helps us deal with such conflict when we remember that though we must be in the world we are not to partake of the world’s ways. We recall the temptations of Jesus over the 40 days He spent in the wilderness fasting and praying. Matthew writes that it was Your Spirit that led Jesus into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Was that to show us that even Jesus could be tempted by the evil one? Did Jesus go through this testing to show us how to resist the devil’s crafty lies by responding with Scripture? Was it to show us that being prayed up helps us to resist the evil one? Thank You for this inspiring and instructive Scripture passage that helps us in our own wilderness journeyings that are filled with baited traps along the way. We want to be prayed up and read up so that we will not give the devil a foothold in our lives. We want to be victorious through Christ Jesus our Lord in whose name we pray. Amen.

I WISH YOU ENOUGH---

Thursday November 10, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Take advantage of your adversities-

2-We grieve most for those we love the most-

3-If people can see Jesus in you, will they want him?

4-Freedom without purpose produces irresponsibility-

5-Know what you believe then believe in what you know-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Every exit is an entry somewhere else-

I'VE LEARNED-Count your blessings not your problems-

DID YOU KNOW-The hundred billionth crayon made by Crayola was Periwinkle Blue-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Where and when did baptism originate?

2-Might there have been more to John the Baptist life than what is recorded in scripture?

3-Prior to John The Baptist who would have been baptized?

4-What happens to the one being baptized when they are baptized?

5-Was Jesus mother or siblings ever baptized?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who could not sleep on the night Haman built a gallows for hanging Mordecai?

Yesterday's answer-Uriah 2 Samuel 11:9

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 11:17-22

The Lord's Supper

¹⁷ In the things I tell you now I do not praise you, because when you come together you do more harm than good.¹⁸ First, I hear that when you meet together as a church you are divided, and I believe some of this.¹⁹ (It is necessary to have differences among you so that it may be clear which of you really have God's approval.) ²⁰ When you come together, you are not really eating the Lord's Supper. ²¹ This is because when you eat, each person eats without waiting for the others. Some people do not get enough to eat, while others have too much to drink.²² You can eat and drink in your own homes! You seem to think God's church is not important, and you embarrass those who are poor. What should I tell you? Should I praise you? I do not praise you for doing this.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, how thankful we are that You are in the restoration business. We, as the redeemed, are acutely aware that we have fallen short in so many areas of our life. We have experienced multiple disappointments and sorrowful trials because of our mistakes and willful disobedience. But we are not without hope because You restore those who acknowledge their sin, call on You for help, and look to the Scripture for guidance. We pray that You would restore the relationships of those whose bonds are broken. May both parties generously apply forgiveness like an adhesive is used to bond fragments together. How wonderful that You restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers as they look to You for forgiveness, healing, guidance, and renewal of their love and respect for one another. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

I WISH YOU ENOUGH---

Wednesday November 9, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Don't wait for a crises to discover what is important in your life-

2-God has not promised a comfortable journey only a safe landing-

3-Nails didn't hold Jesus to the cross-love did-

4-Sometimes life is hardest when people choose to take control rather than taking God's forgiveness-

5-Failure isn't final, it opens doors to start again-

STRANGE THOUGHT-When you make a mistake, don't treat yourself as thought you were the mistake-

IVE LEARNED-The worth of our lives comes not in what we do or who we know,but by who be are-

DID YOU KNOW-When the divorce rate goes up in the United States, toy makers say the sale of toys also rises-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does baptism play a role in salvation?

2-Will a believer in Jesus make it to heaven without being baptized?

3-At what point in the life of a Christian should they be baptized?

4-Does an ordained Christian leader have to do the baptism to be recognized by God?

5-Can you baptize yourself?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who slept at David's door while home on furlough?

Yesterday's answer-Jacob Genesis 28:11-15

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 11:11-16

¹¹ But in the Lord women are not independent of men, and men are not independent of women.¹² This is true because woman came from man, but also man is born from woman. But everything comes from God.¹³ Decide this for yourselves: Is it right for a woman to pray to God with her head uncovered?¹⁴ Even nature itself teaches you that wearing long hair is shameful for a man.¹⁵ But long hair is a woman's glory. Long hair is given to her as a covering.¹⁶ Some people may still want to argue about this, but I would add that neither we nor the churches of God have any other practice.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, though Satan has a sinister and deceitful scheme for my life I will not fear. Your guidance for me in discerning his evil schemes is revealed throughout the entire Bible. Not only do we receive warning through the prophets, the disciples and other people of faith, but we see Jesus as the supreme example of One who resisted the temptations of the evil one. His time of testing in the wilderness and in the garden of Gethsemane reveal that resistance to temptation brings present and future reward. Though Satan wants me so that he can destroy me, You want me so that You can save me, here and now, and for the hereafter. Thank You for the spiritual armor that protects me from the evil one.

I WISH YOU ENOUGH---

Tuesday November 8, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Time by itself is not a healer, it is how you use that time that is important-

2-Your life may be full of cactus but you don't have to sit on it-

3-The passage of time does not make it easier, it makes it less hard-

4-Without God noting is sacred so everything is meaningless-

5-Failures are a normal part of your life but they are not disasters-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Criticizing another's garden does not keep the weeds out of your own-

I'VE LEARNED-We become what we pursue-

DID YOU KNOW-The yo-yo originated in the Philippines, where it is used as a weapon in hunting-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-When did infant baptism start?

2-Does infant and adult baptism have the same meaning-

3-Can you be truly baptized without going under the water?

4-Are sprinkling and pouring of water on your head an official God ordained method of baptism?

5-Should someone who was baptized as a child or young teen do it again later as an adult?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who slept at Bethel and dreamed about angels?

Yesterday's answer-Elijah 1 Kings 18:27

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 11:2-10

Being Under Authority

² I praise you because you remember me in everything, and you follow closely the teachings just as I gave them to you.³ But I want you to understand this: The head of every man is Christ, the head of a woman is the man, and the head of Christ is God.⁴ Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered brings shame to his head.⁵ But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered brings shame to her head. She is the same as a woman who has her head shaved.⁶ If a woman does not cover her head, she should have her hair cut off. But since it is shameful for a woman to cut off her hair or to shave her head, she should cover her head.⁷ But a man should not cover his head, because he is the likeness and glory of God. But woman is man's glory.⁸ Man did not come from woman, but woman came from man.⁹ And man was not made for woman, but woman was made for man.¹⁰ So that is why a woman should have a symbol of authority on her head, because of the angels.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, as we faithfully serve You it is not for our fulfillment but for the fulfillment of the Great Commission that the Gospel message be delivered at home and abroad to the outermost parts of the earth. No matter our Christian service, whether great or small, when it is offered in Your name it brings reward, often visible here and now but at times unseen by the human eye. Help us to go forth in confidence and walk in obedience as we seek to glorify Your name. Amen.

I WISH YOU ENOUGH---

Monday November 7, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-We live by encouragement and we die without it-

2-Our job is to accept others, it is God's job to direct them-

3-It is inner decisions, not outer influences that make us the kind of people we are-

4-A desire fulfilled unexpectedly is valued and recalled long after a desire that is gratified immediately-

5-God can take your test and make it a testimony-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Losing an illusion makes you wiser than finding a truth-

I'VE LEARNED-A smile is understood in any language-

DID YOU KNOW-The hula hoop was the biggest selling toy in 1957-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Were any or all of the disciples baptized?

2-Did all the disciples baptize others?

3-Was baptism always done in a body of water?

4-When should a person be baptized?

5-What is the meaning of infant baptism?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who suggested to Jezebel's priests that Baal was sleeping on duty?

Yesterday's answer-Jonah 1:5

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Corinthians 10:27-33

²⁷ Those who are not believers may invite you to eat with them. If you want to go, eat anything that is put before you. Do not ask questions about it. ²⁸ But if anyone says to you, "That food was offered to idols," do not eat it. Do not eat it because of that person who told you and because eating it might be thought to be wrong.²⁹ I don't mean you think it is wrong, but the other person might. But why, you ask, should my freedom be judged by someone else's conscience?³⁰ If I eat the meal with thankfulness, why am I criticized because of something for which I thank God?

³¹ The answer is, if you eat or drink, or if you do anything, do it all for the glory of God.³² Never do anything that might hurt others—Jews, Greeks, or God's church—³³ just as I, also, try to please everybody in every way. I am not trying to do what is good for me but what is good for most people so they can be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus, You are a friend that sticks closer than a brother. We thank You also for our brothers and sisters in the faith who are often closer than our blood relations because we are joined together as a family of believers sharing common experiences and spiritual goals. So many times we find strength and encouragement from those who bear our burdens, lend a hand, and hold us accountable for our attitudes and actions. Thank You for loving, supportive, and reliable friends who draw us to our true source of hope and strength, especially in times of trouble. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

I WISH YOU ENOUGH---