Friday January 21, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-God will provide a well to drink from in the desert of your life-

2-God is in the business of turning tragedy into triumph-

3-God doesn't throw away what he died for-

4-God will change someone's life with the victory he brought in yours-

5-It is easy to throw away something that didn't cost you anything-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Puppy love leads to a dog's life-

I'VE LEARNED-I often miss opportunity because it comes dressed in work clothes-

DID YOU KNOW-A hamlet is a village without a church, and a town is not a city until it has a cathedral-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is the term "a sinning Christian" an oxymoron?

2-What is sin in it's most basic form?

3-When we sin, what part of the Trinity is "grieved"?

4-How does blood cleanse sin?

5-Is our will located in our mind or controlled by the mind?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What cruel king had the infant boys of Bethlehem slaughtered?

Yesterday's answer-Manasseh

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Peter 4:12-19

Suffering as a Christian

¹² My friends, do not be surprised at the terrible trouble which now comes to test you. Do not think that something strange is happening to you.¹³ But be happy that you are sharing in Christ's sufferings so that you will be happy and full of joy when Christ comes again in glory.¹⁴ When people insult you because you follow Christ, you are blessed, because the glorious Spirit, the Spirit of God, is with you.¹⁵ Do not suffer for murder, theft, or any other crime, nor because you trouble other people.¹⁶ But if you suffer because you are a Christian, do not be ashamed. Praise God because you wear that name.¹⁷ It is time for judgment to begin with God's family. And if that judging begins with us, what will happen to those people who do not obey the Good News of God?
¹⁸ "If it is very hard for a good person to be saved,
The wicked person and the sinner will surely be lost!"

¹⁹ So those who suffer as God wants should trust their souls to the faithful Creator as they continue to do what is right.

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

Thursday January 20, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Obeying God does not always seem to make sense but sooner or later it will-

2-God says you don't have to live in fear-

3-Satan tries to make the situation look darker than it is-

4-When a miracle is taking place, God is working at both ends of the situation-

5-God uses a broken spirit-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you are tired of chasing your dream, just ask them where they are going and hook up with them later-

I'VE LEARNED-Give away what you have need of-

DID YOU KNOW-Naked means "to be unprotected" nude means "to be unclothed"-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What is the "abundant life" for the Christian?

2-Do you have to be baptized in the Holy Spirit to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

3-Is being "baptized in" and "filled with" the Holy Spirit the same thing?

4-Can you be a Christian and not be filled with the Holy Spirit?

5-Can the Christian have unconfessed sin in their life?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Judah sacrificed his sons in the fire but later became repentant?

Yesterday's answer-Josiah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Peter 4:7-11

Use God's Gifts Wisely

⁷ The time is near when all things will end. So think clearly and control yourselves so you will be able to pray. ⁸ Most importantly, love each other deeply, because love will cause people to forgive each other for many sins. ⁹ Open your homes to each other, without complaining.¹⁰ Each of you has received a gift to use to serve others. Be good servants of God's various gifts of grace.¹¹ Anyone who speaks should speak words from God. Anyone who serves should serve with the strength God gives so that in everything God will be praised through Jesus Christ. Power and glory belong to him forever and ever. Amen.

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

Wednesday January 19, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-The praise that comes from the deepest valley touches God the most-

2-People who praise the most enjoy life the most-

3-The greater the battle the greater the victory-

4-In the midst of a miracle a crises often comes-

5-Prosperity is God meeting more than my needs-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt-

I'VE LEARNED-Too much taste makes waist-

DID YOU KNOW-The symbol on the pound key is called an anoctothorpe-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Can God's anointing be lost-

2-Does the backslider lose the Holy Spirit from their life?

3-Does any form of sin cause the Holy Spirit to leave the Christian?

4-How is the Holy Spirit ever lost from your life?

5-Is being filled with the Holy Spirit an option or necessity for the Christian or is it automatic?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Judah tore down the pagan shrines and stamped out child sacrifice in Judah?

Yesterday's answer-Darius

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Peter 4:6

Change Your Lives

¹ Since Christ suffered while he was in his body, strengthen yourselves with the same way of thinking Christ had. The person who has suffered in the body is finished with sin.² Strengthen yourselves so that you will live here on earth doing what God wants, not the evil things people want.³ In the past you wasted too much time doing what nonbelievers enjoy. You were guilty of sexual sins, evil desires, drunkenness, wild and drunken parties, and hateful idol worship.⁴ Nonbelievers think it is strange that you do not do the many wild and wasteful things they do, so they insult you.⁵ But they will have to explain this to God, who is ready to judge the living and the dead.⁶ For this reason the Good News was preached to those who are now dead. Even though they were judged like all people, the Good News was preached to them so they could live in the spirit as God lives.

PS-Can anyone explain verse 6 to me?

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

Tuesday January18, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-There are no padded crosses-

2-God's history is our future-

3-If God is your co-pilot, you are in the wrong seat-

4-For every good thing in life, there were those who had to sacrifice for it-

5-Bitterness poisons you from the inside out-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The trouble with living alone is that it is always your turn to do the dishes-

I'VE LEARNED-Take pleasure in the simple things of life-

DID YOU KNOW-The next to last event is the penultimate, and the second to last is the antepenultimate-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW-

1-Why do we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit?

2-What is the concrete evidence someone is filled with the Holy Spirit?

3-What is the "fullness" of the Holy Spirit?

4-Can being filled with the Holy Spirit be imitated?

5-Is there more than one filling of the Holy Spirit?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king ordered Daniel thrown into the lions' den?

Yesterday's answer-Solomon

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Peter 3:15-22

¹⁵ But respect Christ as the holy Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to answer everyone who asks you to explain about the hope you have, ¹⁶ but answer in a gentle way and with respect. Keep a clear conscience so that those who speak evil of your good life in Christ will be made ashamed.¹⁷ It is better to suffer for doing good than for doing wrong if that is what God wants.¹⁸ Christ himself suffered for sins once. He was not guilty, but he suffered for those who are guilty to bring you to God. His body was killed, but he was made alive in the spirit.¹⁹ And in the spirit he went and preached to the spirits in prison²⁰ who refused to obey God long ago in the time of Noah. God was waiting patiently for them while Noah was building the boat. Only a few people—eight in all—were saved by water.²¹ And that water is like baptism that now saves you—not the washing of dirt from the body, but the promise made to God from a good conscience. And this is because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.²² Now Jesus has gone into heaven and is at God's right side ruling over angels, authorities, and powers.

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

Monday January 17, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Sinners cannot save others-

2-Everyone needs a ministry-

3-Real leadership is service-

4-Worship must be expressed-

5-Desperation is a good motivator-

STRANGE THOUGHT-I was struck by an odd thought recently. Fortunately it was only a glancing blow-

I'VE LEARNED-Humor is the sunshine of the soul-

DID YOU KNOW-A group of officers is call a mess.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is the inclination to sin ever removed in the Christian's life?

2-Can you seek the Holy Spirit for the wrong reason?

3-Does the Christian have to seek the Holy Spirit?

4-If you are once filled with the Holy Spirit, does it forever remain with you?

5-Can a disobedient Christian still remain filled with the Holy Sprit?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king made a famous judgment about a baby that two women claimed was theirs?

Yesterday's answer-Nebuchadnezzar

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 PETER 3:8-14

Suffering for Doing Right

⁸ Finally, all of you should be in agreement, understanding each other, loving each other as family, being kind and humble.⁹ Do not do wrong to repay a wrong, and do not insult to repay an insult. But repay with a blessing, because you yourselves were called to do this so that you might receive a blessing. ¹⁰ The Scripture says,

"A person must do these things
To enjoy life and have many happy days.
He must not say evil things,
And he must not tell lies.
¹¹ He must stop doing evil and do good.
He must look for peace and work for it.
¹² The Lord sees the good people
And listens to their prayers.
But the Lord is against
Those who do evil." — Psalm 34:12–16

¹³ If you are trying hard to do good, no one can really hurt you. ¹⁴ But even if you suffer for doing right, you are blessed.
"Don't be afraid of what they fear;
Do not dread those things." — Isaiah 8:12–13

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

Sunday January 16, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Praise makes you look beautiful-

2-If it is of God you can't stop it, but if it is not of God it will die out-

3-We need to be believers, not beggars-

4-When you mess up, fess up and clean up-

5-Knowledge without application is useless-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Words, once they are printed have a life of their own-

I'VE LEARNED-Life is not when or then, it is now-

DID YOU KNOW-The word coward was originally a boy who took care of cows-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How important is money to God?

2-What is the opposite of fear?

3-Who is the "bad shepherd"?

4-What does it mean to be anointed by God?

5-How much of the Holy Spirit do we receive when we are "saved" or "born again"?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Babylon went insane and lived in the fields, where he ate grass and let his hair and fingernails grow long?

Yesterday's answer-Eglon

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 PETER 3:1-7

Wives and Husbands

¹ In the same way, you wives should yield to your husbands. Then, if some husbands do not obey God's teaching, they will be persuaded to believe without anyone's saying a word to them. They will be persuaded by the way their wives live.² Your husbands will see the pure lives you live with your respect for God.³ It is not fancy hair, gold jewelry, or fine clothes that should make you beautiful.⁴ No, your beauty should come from within you—the beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit that will never be destroyed and is very precious to God.⁵ In this same way the holy women who lived long ago and followed God made themselves beautiful, yielding to their own husbands.⁶ Sarah obeyed Abraham, her husband, and called him her master. And you women are true children of Sarah if you always do what is right and are not afraid.

⁷ In the same way, you husbands should live with your wives in an understanding way, since they are weaker than you. But show them respect, because God gives them the same blessing he gives you—the grace that gives true life. Do this so that nothing will stop your prayers.

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

Saturday January 15, 2011 thought fior the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If I have a cause to be angry, that cause needs to be addressed-

2-The spiritual maturity of a Christian can be determined by the things that make them angry-

3-Church divisions are often caused by undetected anger-

4-Anytime you are hurt you are angry-

5-Repentance begins with conviction-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Preconceived notions are the locks on the door of wisdom-

I'VE LEARNED-Good examples are far better than good advice-

DID YOU KINOW-Zorro means "fox" in Spanish-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did God cause the Jewish people to be blind regarding who Jesus was?

2-Could Jesus have more clearly explained himself to the Jewish people?

3-When will the Jewish people understand who Jesus is?

4-What causes some Jewish people of today to recognize who Jesus is?

5-Can you be a Christian and not love the Jews?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What fat king of Moab was murdered by the judge Ehud?

Yesterday's answer-Herod Agrippa

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Peter 2:18-25

Follow Christ's Example

¹⁸ Slaves, yield to the authority of your masters with all respect, not only those who are good and kind, but also those who are dishonest. ¹⁹ A person might have to suffer even when it is unfair, but if he thinks of God and can stand the pain, God is pleased. ²⁰ If you are beaten for doing wrong, there is no reason to praise you for being patient in your punishment. But if you suffer for doing good, and you are patient, then God is pleased.²¹ This is what you were called to do, because Christ suffered for you and gave you an example to follow. So you should do as he did.
²² "He had never sinned,
And he had never lied." — Isaiah 53:9
²³ People insulted Christ, but he did not insult them in return. Christ suffered, but he did not threaten. He let God, the One who judges rightly, take care of him. ²⁴ Christ carried our sins in his body on the cross so we would stop living for sin and start living for what is right. And you are healed because of his wounds. ²⁵ You were like sheep that wandered away, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

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

Friday January 14, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You can't blame someone else for making you angry-

2-In controlling your anger, don't clam up or blow up-

3-God doesn't waste any pain if you give it to him-

4-Definition for boy-restless noise with dirt on it-

5-The less control you have over your anger, the more it will complicate your life-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Habits are first cobwebs, then cables-

I'VE LEARNED-Cause and effect are two sides of the same coin-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How does God show his glory?

2-Are Messianic Jews Christians?

3-Was Jesus a stumbling block to the Jewish people?

4-Should Messianic Jews worship as Christians do?

5-Can people worship God without worshiping Jesus?

DID YOU KNOW-Trabant is the German word for "satellite"-

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king had the apostle James executed with a sword and had Peter arrested?

Yesterday's answer-Isaiah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Peter 2:11-17

Live for God

¹¹ Dear friends, you are like foreigners and strangers in this world. I beg you to avoid the evil things your bodies want to do that fight against your soul.¹² People who do not believe are living all around you and might say that you are doing wrong. Live such good lives that they will see the good things you do and will give glory to God on the day when Christ comes again.

Yield to Every Human Authority

¹³ For the Lord's sake, yield to the people who have authority in this world: the king, who is the highest authority,¹⁴ and the leaders who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.¹⁵ It is God's desire that by doing good you should stop foolish people from saying stupid things about you.¹⁶ Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Live as servants of God.¹⁷ Show respect for all people: Love the brothers and sisters of God's family, respect God, honor the king.

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

Thursday January 13, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Jesus paid a price he didn't owe, I owed a price I couldn't pay-

2-Most of us find in others what we look for-

3-It takes no talent to have a bad attitude-

4-God cannot bless offerings never given or good works never done-

5-Jesus did not command the world to come to church, but did command the church to go into the world-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you want a happy ending, it will depend on where you stop the story-

I'VE LEARNED-Always put off until tomorrow the things you should not do today-

DID YOU KNOW-The word byte is a contraction of "by eight"-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Are some of the names we use for God really just nicknames of our feelings for Him?

2-How do you worship God when in a severe difficulty?

3-What is the "Glory of God"?

4-Can you worship God in all circumstances of life?

5-Does God speak in all the extreme expressions of nature?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What much loved and much quoted prophet was active in the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, and, according to tradition, was executed by Manasseh?

Yesterday's answer-Saul

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Peter 2:8-10

⁸ Also, he is
"a stone that causes people to stumble,
a rock that makes them fall." — Isaiah 8:14
They stumble because they do not obey what God says, which is what God planned to happen to them.

⁹ But you are a chosen people, royal priests, a holy nation, a people for God's own possession. You were chosen to tell about the wonderful acts of God, who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.¹⁰ At one time you were not a people, but now you are God's people. In the past you had never received mercy, but now you have received God's mercy.

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

Wednesday January 12, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing-

2-One evidence of Christian maturity is how we control our speech-

3-Kind words spoken never hurt the hearer-

4-You can give without loving but you cannot love without giving-

5-You don't have to have alot of things to be materialistic-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Life is like photography--we use the negatives to develop-

I'VE LEARNED-The glow of one warm thought is worth more than money-

DID YOU KNOW-The word karate means "empty hand."

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Was there violent weather on earth while Adam and Eve lived in the Garden of Eden?

2-How did Adam and Eve worship God in the Garden of Eden?

3-How intimately can we know God?

4-What did Jesus mean when he called himself "I am!"-

5-Why are there so many names for the persons of the Trinity?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What future king of Israel was out hunting donkeys when Samuel came to anoint him?

Yesterday's answer-Solomon and Lemuel

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Peter 2:1-7

Jesus Is the Living Stone

¹ So then, rid yourselves of all evil, all lying, hypocrisy, jealousy, and evil speech. ² As newborn babies want milk, you should want the pure and simple teaching. By it you can mature in your salvation, ³ because you have already examined and seen how good the Lord is.

⁴ Come to the Lord Jesus, the "stone" that lives. The people of the world did not want this stone, but he was the stone God chose, and he was precious.⁵ You also are like living stones, so let yourselves be used to build a spiritual temple—to be holy priests who offer spiritual sacrifices to God. He will accept those sacrifices through Jesus Christ. ⁶ The Scripture says:
"I will put a stone in the ground in Jerusalem.
Everything will be built on this important and precious rock.
Anyone who trusts in him
Will never be disappointed." — Isaiah 28:16
⁷ This stone is worth much to you who believe. But to the people who do not believe,
"the stone that the builders rejected
Has become the cornerstone." — Psalm 118:22

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

Tuesday January11, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Shine up your neighbors halo-

2-When the ball is over, take off your dancing shoes-

3-Attitudes are a matter of choice-

4-If you can't change the facts, try changing your attitude-

5-Whenever you bad mouth someone, you do Satan's work-

STRANGE THOUGHT-I like long walks, especially when they are taken by people who annoy me-

I'VE LEARNED-We can try to avoid making decisions by doing nothing, but even that is a decision-

DID YOU KNOW-The slash character is called a virgule, or solidus. A URL uses slash characters, not backslash characters-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did God harden Pharaoh's heart after each plague?

2-Does God harden the sinners heart?

3-Why do you have to use non related scriptures to understand the meaning of many Biblical truths?

4-Does scripture always explain itself?

5-Can you interpret scripture by any other means than by scripture itself?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What two kings are mentioned by the author of proverbs?

Yesterday's answer-Solomon

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 Peter 1:22-25

²² Now that your obedience to the truth has purified your souls, you can have true love for your Christian brothers and sisters. So love each other deeply with all your heart. ²³ You have been born again, and this new life did not come from something that dies, but from something that cannot die. You were born again through God's living message that continues forever.²⁴ The Scripture says,
"All people are like the grass,
And all their glory is like the flowers of the field.
The grass dies and the flowers fall,
²⁵ but the word of the Lord will live forever." — Isaiah 40:6–8
And this is the word that was preached to you.

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

Monday January 10, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Miracles happen not when you receive but when you first believe-

2-You learn humility by surviving failures-

3-Tragedy is not what we suffer but what we miss-

4-Whatever you send out ultimately comes back to you-

5-People have a tendency to become what you expect them to be-

STRANGE THOUGHT-I told my family I never want to depend on a machine and fluids to keep me alive...that's when they took away my computer and coffee maker!

I'VE LEARNED-People who change the world don't play follow the leader-

DID YOU KNOW-The slang word crap comes from T. Crapper, the man who invented the modern toilet-(aren't you glad to know that)-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What were the "Dark Ages"?

2-What were the crusades and who were it's participants?

3-How many languages did Jesus speak?

4-Why did God love Jacob and hate Esau?

5-Why did God send the specific plagues on Egypt and not something else?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king is supposed to have written Ecclesiastes?

Yesterday's answer-Xerxes

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 PETER 1:17-21

¹⁷ You pray to God and call him Father, and he judges each person's work equally. So while you are here on earth, you should live with respect for God.¹⁸ You know that in the past you were living in a worthless way, a way passed down from the people who lived before you. But you were saved from that useless life. You were bought, not with something that ruins like gold or silver,¹⁹ but with the precious blood of Christ, who was like a pure and perfect lamb.²⁰ Christ was chosen before the world was made, but he was shown to the world in these last times for your sake.²¹ Through Christ you believe in God, who raised Christ from the dead and gave him glory. So your faith and your hope are in God.

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

Sunday January 9, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-There is no place in the Kingdom of God for its citizens to be looking for opportunities to make a big splash for Him-

2-The praise of men is often mistaken for the approval of God-

3-Kindness is more important than wisdom and the recognition of this is the beginning of wisdom-

4-The best way to repay a kindness shown is to pass it on-

5-The greater the obstacle the greater the joy in overcoming it-

STRANGE THOUGHT-No one can whistle a symphony, you must have an orchestra to play it-

I'VE LEARNED-The truth often hurts, but it is the lie that leaves the scar-

DID YOU KNOW-The Sanskrit word for war means "desire for more cows"-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-When did anti sematism start?

2-How and when did the Jewish and Gentile followers of Jesus become separated?

3-When did the Jews start to become blamed for Jesus death?

4-What is replacement theology and what does it teach?

5-When and where did the term "Christ killers" originate?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king had a sinister prime minister named Haman?

Yesterday's answer-Amaziah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 PETER 1:13-16

Call to Holy Living

¹³ So prepare your minds for service and have self-control. All your hope should be for the gift of grace that will be yours when Jesus Christ is shown to you.¹⁴ Now that you are obedient children of God do not live as you did in the past. You did not understand, so you did the evil things you wanted.¹⁵ But be holy in all you do, just as God, the One who called you, is holy.¹⁶ It is written in the Scriptures: "You must be holy, because I am holy."

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

Saturday January 8, 2011 thought fior the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY-

1-Little is much if God is in it-

2-The antichrist gives you a number, Jesus writes your name down-

3-If we are not praying, we are straying-

4-Money and numbers are not necessarily the evidence of God's blessing on the church-

5-Failure to prepare is preparation for failure-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Promises are like crying babies in church, they should be carried out immediately-

I've learned-Hard work overcomes hard luck-

DID YOU KNOW-The phrase "jet lag" was once called boat lag,back before airplanes existed-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Would God permit the judgement for the sins of a few people to be passed on to a civilization of people?

2-If Jesus forgave his killers, why haven't generations of people been able to?

3-Were the 12 disciples "Christians"?

4-Did the first century Jews and gentiles who followed Jesus have the same religious practices and customs?

5-Should gentile Christians keep the Laws of Moses?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Judah was murdered after he fled to Lachish?

Yesterday's answer-Xerxes

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1Peter 1:3-12

We Have a Living Hope

³ Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In God's great mercy he has caused us to be born again into a living hope, because Jesus Christ rose from the dead.⁴ Now we hope for the blessings God has for his children. These blessings, which cannot be destroyed or be spoiled or lose their beauty, are kept in heaven for you.⁵ God's power protects you through your faith until salvation is shown to you at the end of time.⁶ This makes you very happy, even though now for a short time different kinds of troubles may make you sad.⁷ These troubles come to prove that your faith is pure. This purity of faith is worth more than gold, which can be proved to be pure by fire but will ruin. But the purity of your faith will bring you praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is shown to you.⁸ You have not seen Christ, but still you love him. You cannot see him now, but you believe in him. So you are filled with a joy that cannot be explained, a joy full of glory.⁹ And you are receiving the goal of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

¹⁰ The prophets searched carefully and tried to learn about this salvation. They prophesied about the grace that was coming to you.¹¹ The Spirit of Christ was in the prophets, telling in advance about the sufferings of Christ and about the glory that would follow those sufferings. The prophets tried to learn about what the Spirit was showing them, when those things would happen, and what the world would be like at that time.¹² It was shown them that their service was not for themselves but for you, when they told about the truths you have now heard. Those who preached the Good News to you told you those things with the help of the Holy Spirit who was sent from heaven—things into which angels desire to look.

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

Friday January 7, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-From mourning to morning, the difference is us-

2-Faith is trusting God when you don't have an answer-

3-The question "Why?" will hold you captive-

4-It is easy to get weary in well doing-

5-If you focus on what you don't have, you will lose what you do have-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Words are like eyeglasses, they blur everything they do not make clear-

I'VE LEARNED-Jealousy is all the fun you think they had-

DID YOU KNOW-The name for fungal remains found in coal is sclerotinite-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW-

1-Why did The High Priest Caiaphas want Jesus crucified?

2-Did Rome want Jesus dead?

3-Why didn't the Jewish people come out in opposition to Jesus' crucifixion?

4-Was the living Jesus a threat to anyone?

5-Did most of the Jewish people care whether Jesus lived or died?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Persian king was embarrassed by his disobedient wife?

Yesterday's answer-John

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY 1 PETER 1:1-2

Encouragement for Suffering Christians

¹ From Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ.

To God's chosen people who are away from their homes and are scattered all around Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia. ² God the Father planned long ago to choose you by making you his holy people, which is the Spirit's work. God wanted you to obey him and to be made clean by the blood of the death of Jesus Christ.

Grace and peace be yours more and more.

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

Thursday January 6, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Lukewarmness is caused by moving away from the heat-

2-The giver of the dream is the fulfiller of the dream-

3-It is only in the difficult times that we learn to trust God-

4-Truth is stronger than the facts-

5-In times of famine, you need to plant so you will have times of plenty-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Electricity is really organized lightning-

I'VE LEARNED-Opportunities are usually clothed in hard work-

DID YOU KNOW-The Japanese translation of switch is pronounced suitchi-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How much emotion is there in living the Christian life?

2-If the Jews had not crucified Jesus, would some other people group have had to do it?

3-Did the Jews as a people group have anything to do with Jesus' crucifixion?

4-Was Jesus a Rabbi?

5-Who decided Jesus was to be crucified?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Which Gospel claims that Pilate had the plaque "The KIng of the Jews" fastened on Jesus' cross?

Yesterday's answer-Solomon

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY JAMES 5:13-20

The Power of Prayer

¹³ Anyone who is having troubles should pray. Anyone who is happy should sing praises.¹⁴ Anyone who is sick should call the church's elders. They should pray for and pour oil on the person in the name of the Lord.¹⁵ And the prayer that is said with faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will heal that person. And if the person has sinned, the sins will be forgiven.¹⁶ Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so God can heal you. When a believing person prays, great things happen.¹⁷ Elijah was a human being just like us. He prayed that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years!¹⁸ Then Elijah prayed again, and the rain came down from the sky, and the land produced crops again.

Saving a Soul

¹⁹ My brothers and sisters, if one of you wanders away from the truth, and someone helps that person come back,²⁰ remember this: Anyone who brings a sinner back from the wrong way will save that sinner's soul from death and will cause many sins to be forgiven.

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

Wednesday January 5, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY 1-Give and it shall be given you- 2-You can learn more from your failures than from your success's- 3-You can start again- 4-I cannot bring the fire, but I can prepare the altar- 5-Repentance is not only for the sinner but for the Christian also- STRANGE THOUGHT-When a menu has everything on it, it should be replaced by a clean one- I'VE LEARNED-Don't let what other people think, decide who you are- DID YOU KNOW-The infinity character on the keyboard is call a lemniscate- 5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW 1-Is the Holy Spirit and the Spirit of God the same thing? 2-When a believer is sanctified, who does it-God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit? 3-How is a believer made Holy? 4-What does it mean to be Holy? 5-Does emotion play any part in being filled with the Holy Spirit? BIBLE TRIVIA-Who built pagan temples to please all his foreign wives? Yesterday's answer-David SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY JAMES 5:7-12 Be Patient 7 Brothers and sisters, be patient until the Lord comes again. A farmer patiently waits for his valuable crop to grow from the earth and for it to receive the autumn and spring rains.8 You, too, must be patient. Do not give up hope, because the Lord is coming soon.9 Brothers and sisters, do not complain against each other or you will be judged guilty. And the Judge is ready to come!10 Brothers and sisters, follow the example of the prophets who spoke for the Lord. They suffered many hard things, but they were patient.11 We say they are happy because they did not give up. You have heard about Job's patience, and you know the Lord's purpose for him in the end. You know the Lord is full of mercy and is kind. Be Careful What You Say 12 My brothers and sisters, above all, do not use an oath when you make a promise. Don't use the name of heaven, earth, or anything else to prove what you say. When you mean yes, say only yes, and when you mean no, say only no so you will not be judged guilty. I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Tuesday January 4, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-No surgeon can heal a broken heart, only God can-

2-Fasting is an act of obedience, not an act of manipulation-

3-The right thing at the wrong time is the wrong thing-

4-Praise God anyhow!!

5-Give away what you yourself need-

STRANGE THOUGHT-You never see a hearse with a u-haul trailer-

I'VE LEARNED-Without self discipline, success is impossible-

DID YOU KNOW-The French term bourrage de crane for wartime propaganda means "brain washing"-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What part does the Holy Spirit play in being "born again"?

2-Are Christians to be soul winners or seed sowers?

3-Can you be filled with the Holy Spirit without being baptized in the Holy Spirit?

4-Are the terms "the second blessing" or "second work of grace" found in scripture?

5-What does it mean to be "filled with the holy spirit"?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king, mentioned 1118 times in the Bible, is the second most mentioned man?

Yesterday's answer-Jesus

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY JAMES 5:1-6

A Warning to the Rich

¹ You rich people, listen! Cry and be very sad because of the troubles that are coming to you.² Your riches have rotted, and your clothes have been eaten by moths.³ Your gold and silver have rusted, and that rust will be a proof that you were wrong. It will eat your bodies like fire. You saved your treasure for the last days.⁴ The pay you did not give the workers who mowed your fields cries out against you, and the cries of the workers have been heard by the Lord All-Powerful.⁵ Your life on earth was full of rich living and pleasing yourselves with everything you wanted. You made yourselves fat, like an animal ready to be killed.⁶ You have judged guilty and then murdered innocent people, who were not against you.

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

Monday January 3, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Marriage was not instituted to make you happy, only Jesus can do that-

2-Our desire for God is a spiritual barometer of where we are spiritually-

3-God wants us to love him like he loves us-

4-If we don't like discipline, we should avoid sin that requires it-

5-We are to reach up as far as we can and God will reach down the rest of the way-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old-

I'VE LEARNED-No matter what accomplishment you achieve, somebody helped you-

DID YOU KNOW-the abbreviation for pound, "lb.," comes from the astrological sign Libra, meaning "balance"-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is a miracle God breaking our natural laws?

2-Can our prayers change God's mind?

3-Have we lost the "awe" for God in the church today?

4-Why was Jesus' life so impacted by the Holy Spirit since he himself was God?

5-Is the Trinity a true mystery?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What man is the most mentioned man in the Bible?

Yesterday's answer-Michal

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY JAMES 4:11-17

You Are Not the Judge

¹¹ Brothers and sisters, do not tell evil lies about each other. If you speak against your fellow believers or judge them, you are judging and speaking against the law they follow. And when you are judging the law, you are no longer a follower of the law. You have become a judge.¹² God is the only Lawmaker and Judge. He is the only One who can save and destroy. So it is not right for you to judge your neighbor.

Let God Plan Your Life

¹³ Some of you say, "Today or tomorrow we will go to some city. We will stay there a year, do business, and make money."¹⁴ But you do not know what will happen tomorrow! Your life is like a mist. You can see it for a short time, but then it goes away.¹⁵ So you should say, "If the Lord wants, we will live and do this or that."¹⁶ But now you are proud and you brag. All of this bragging is wrong.¹⁷ Anyone who knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, is sinning.

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

Sunday January 2, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY 1-How we handle our fears will determine the rest of our lives- 2-The older the violin, the sweeter the music- 3-The past is never where you think you lift it- 4-If you want to be loved, be lovable- 5-If you really want to love, be forgiving- STRANGE THOUGHT-Can a hypochondriac suffer in silence? I'VE LEARNED-You can't recycle wasted time- DID YOU KNOW-The abbreviation "e.g." stands for "exempli gratia," or "for example"- 5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW 1-Why did God choose for Jesus to be born a Jew? 2-If God had chosen Jesus to be an Arab, would the Arabs have been hated all of history? 3-Does God need the church to accomplish his will? 4-Are we as Christians crucial to what God is doing in the world? 5-Can/does God break his own rules? BIBLE TRIVIA-Who nagged at David for dancing in the streets? Yesterday's answer-Abigail SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY JAMES 4:1-10 Give Yourselves to God 1 Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that war within you.2 You want things, but you do not have them. So you are ready to kill and are jealous of other people, but you still cannot get what you want. So you argue and fight. You do not get what you want, because you do not ask God.3 Or when you ask, you do not receive because the reason you ask is wrong. You want things so you can use them for your own pleasures. 4 So, you are not loyal to God! You should know that loving the world is the same as hating God. Anyone who wants to be a friend of the world becomes God's enemy.5 Do you think the Scripture means nothing that says, "The Spirit that God made to live in us wants us for himself alone"? 6 But God gives us even more grace, as the Scripture says, "God is against the proud, But he gives grace to the humble." — Proverbs 3:34 7 So give yourselves completely to God. Stand against the devil, and the devil will run from you.8 Come near to God, and God will come near to you. You sinners, clean sin out of your lives. You who are trying to follow God and the world at the same time, make your thinking pure.9 Be sad, cry, and weep! Change your laughter into crying and your joy into sadness. 10 Humble yourself in the Lord's presence, and he will honor you. I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Saturday January 1, 2011 thought fior the day

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF MY E MAIL FRIENDS

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY-

1-What we face in life determines what we become-

2-We are not rich by what we have but by what we can do without-

3-Worse than having no sight is having no vision-

4-When you leave bitterness behind you, you make room for love to grow-

5-The best and most beautiful things in life cannot be seen or touched--they must be felt with the heart-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Bread is square. Why is lunch meat round?

I'VE LEARNED-Life is alot like driving a car. You never see farther than your headlight, but you can make the whole trip that way-

DID YOU KNOW-The third year of marriage is the leather anniversary-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is there a proper way to pray?

2-Should prayers always be specific?

3-Is prayer a mystery?

4-Can you trust God so completely you don't worry at all?

5-Who does the church belong to?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who became David's wife after her husband, Nabal, died?

Yesterday's answer-Saul

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY James 3:13-18

True Wisdom

¹³ Are there those among you who are truly wise and understanding? Then they should show it by living right and doing good things with a gentleness that comes from wisdom.¹⁴ But if you are selfish and have bitter jealousy in your hearts, do not brag. Your bragging is a lie that hides the truth.¹⁵ That kind of "wisdom" does not come from God but from the world. It is not spiritual; it is from the devil.¹⁶ Where jealousy and selfishness are, there will be confusion and every kind of evil.¹⁷ But the wisdom that comes from God is first of all pure, then peaceful, gentle, and easy to please. This wisdom is always ready to help those who are troubled and to do good for others. It is always fair and honest.¹⁸ People who work for peace in a peaceful way plant a good crop of right-living.

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

Friday December 31, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Satan always goes to your point of decision-

2-It is good to be known for what you do best-

3-The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has it's limits-

4-Don't curse your problems, overcome them-

5-Pressure turns carbon into diamond-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you make peaceful revolution impossible, you make violent revolution inevitable-

I'VE LEARNED-The road to a friends house is never long-

DID YOU KNOW-The "You Are Here" arrow on a map is called the IDEO locator-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Will God ask us to do anything we cannot do?

2-What do you do when you don't know how to pray?

3-What does praying cost us?

4-How simple/complex must our prayers be?

5-Can you pray an insignificant prayer?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Rizpah was the wife of what king of Israel?

Yesterday's answer-Bathsheba

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY JAMES 3:1-12

Controlling the Things We Say

¹ My brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.² We all make many mistakes. If people never said anything wrong, they would be perfect and able to control their entire selves, too.³ When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can control their whole bodies.⁴ Also a ship is very big, and it is pushed by strong winds. But a very small rudder controls that big ship, making it go wherever the pilot wants.⁵ It is the same with the tongue. It is a small part of the body, but it brags about great things.

A big forest fire can be started with only a little flame.⁶ And the tongue is like a fire. It is a whole world of evil among the parts of our bodies. The tongue spreads its evil through the whole body. The tongue is set on fire by hell, and it starts a fire that influences all of life.⁷ People can tame every kind of wild animal, bird, reptile, and fish, and they have tamed them,⁸ but no one can tame the tongue. It is wild and evil and full of deadly poison.⁹ We use our tongues to praise our Lord and Father, but then we curse people, whom God made like himself.¹⁰ Praises and curses come from the same mouth! My brothers and sisters, this should not happen.¹¹ Do good and bad water flow from the same spring?¹² My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree make olives, or can a grapevine make figs? No! And a well full of salty water cannot give good water.

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

Thursday December 30, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-God says, I am what I am and will be what I have been-

2-Our job is to love and train our children, it is God's job to change them-

3-The gospel is not something about Jesus, it is Jesus-

4-If we really want to be loved, we must learn to forgive-

5-The highest reward for a person's work is not what they get for it but what they become by it-

STRANGE THOUGHT-We have enjoyed freedom for so long that we may be in danger of forgetting how much freedom costs-

I'VE LEARNED-The same wind that pushes one ship into port may push another out to sea-

DID YOU KNOW-Spain literally means "the land of rabbits"

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Was there a reason that Zachariah's prayers for a baby took so long to be answered?

2-Why does God want us to pray?

3-Does God have to answer our prayers?

4-Why are we so often surprised when God answers our prayers?

5-How much is a prayer worth?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What wife of the soldier Uriah became David's wife and bore him Solomon?

Yesterday's answer-The queen of Sheba

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY JAMES 2:14-26

¹⁴ My brothers and sisters, if people say they have faith, but do nothing, their faith is worth nothing. Can faith like that save them?¹⁵ A brother or sister in Christ might need clothes or food.¹⁶ If you say to that person, "God be with you! I hope you stay warm and get plenty to eat," but you do not give what that person needs, your words are worth nothing. ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself—that does nothing—is dead.

¹⁸ Someone might say, "You have faith, but I have deeds." Show me your faith without doing anything, and I will show you my faith by what I do.¹⁹ You believe there is one God. Good! But the demons believe that, too, and they tremble with fear.

²⁰ You foolish person! Must you be shown that faith that does nothing is worth nothing?²¹ Abraham, our ancestor, was made right with God by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar.²² So you see that Abraham's faith and the things he did worked together. His faith was made perfect by what he did.²³ This shows the full meaning of the Scripture that says: "Abraham believed God, and God accepted Abraham's faith, and that faith made him right with God." And Abraham was called God's friend.²⁴ So you see that people are made right with God by what they do, not by faith only.

²⁵ Another example is Rahab, a prostitute, who was made right with God by something she did. She welcomed the spies into her home and helped them escape by a different road.

²⁶ Just as a person's body that does not have a spirit is dead, so faith that does nothing is dead!

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

Wednesday December 29, 2010 thought for today

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY 1-Too many people are interested in their rights than in the pursuit of God's purpose- 2-If you want the fire of God, you must become the fuel God can use- 3-God's fire doesn't fall on empty altars- 4-God doesn't care about anything you can do for him. He wants to know "do you want me?" 5-False familiarity can give you foolish assumptions- STRANGE THOUGHT-Democracy is two wolves and a lamb voting on what to have for lunch. Liberty is a well armed lamb contesting the vote- I'VE LEARNED-Don't count the days, make the days count- DID YOU KNOW-Scatologists are experts who study feces- 5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW 1-Is a grouchy Christian an oxymoron? 2-Is the reward of the Christian life missing hell? 3-Will those who have been saved and not shared the good news with others make it to heaven? 4-Do we really want all our prayers answered? 5-Should we keep praying until we get an answer? BIBLE TRIVIA-What queen traveled far to meet Solomon face to face? Yesterday's answer-Egypt SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY JAMES 2:1-13 Love All People 1 My dear brothers and sisters, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, never think some people are more important than others.2 Suppose someone comes into your church meeting wearing nice clothes and a gold ring. At the same time a poor person comes in wearing old, dirty clothes.3 You show special attention to the one wearing nice clothes and say, "Please, sit here in this good seat." But you say to the poor person, "Stand over there," or, "Sit on the floor by my feet."4 What are you doing? You are making some people more important than others, and with evil thoughts you are deciding that one person is better. 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters! God chose the poor in the world to be rich with faith and to receive the kingdom God promised to those who love him.6 But you show no respect to the poor. The rich are always trying to control your lives. They are the ones who take you to court.7 And they are the ones who speak against Jesus, who owns you. 8 This royal law is found in the Scriptures: "Love your neighbor as you love yourself." If you obey this law, you are doing right.9 But if you treat one person as being more important than another, you are sinning. You are guilty of breaking God's law.10 A person who follows all of God's law but fails to obey even one command is guilty of breaking all the commands in that law.11 The same God who said, "You must not be guilty of adultery," also said, "You must not murder anyone." So if you do not take part in adultery but you murder someone, you are guilty of breaking all of God's law.12 In everything you say and do, remember that you will be judged by the law that makes people free.13 So you must show mercy to others, or God will not show mercy to you when he judges you. But the person who shows mercy can stand without fear at the judgment. I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Tuesday December 28, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY 1-Integrity is more important than talent- 2-We should develop every talent that God gave us- 3-A successful life is measured by how you live and love in the time you are given- 4-Materialism is a selfish attitude toward things- 5-Sin brings it's own judgement- STRANGE THOUGHT-You can't fix anything before you know what is wrong- I'VE LEARNED-The greatest grief's are those we cause ourselves- DID YOU KNOW-Lead poisoning is known as plumbism- 5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW 1-If Christians believe they are going to heaven when they die, why do they struggle so hard to stay alive? 2-Is it okay for Christians to have a little uncertainty about life after death? 3-How should money, power, status, influence play in the life of a Christian? 4-Can a Christian not keep any of the 10 commandments and still be a Christian? 5-Can a Christian be mean spirited, hard headed, unthankful and grouchy? BIBLE TRIVIA-During the reigns of David and Soloman, Tahpenes was the queen of what country? Yesterday's answer-Jezebel SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY JAMES 1:19-27 Listening and Obeying 19 My dear brothers and sisters, always be willing to listen and slow to speak. Do not become angry easily,20 because anger will not help you live the right kind of life God wants.21 So put out of your life every evil thing and every kind of wrong. Then in gentleness accept God's teaching that is planted in your hearts, which can save you. 22 Do what God's teaching says; when you only listen and do nothing, you are fooling yourselves.23 Those who hear God's teaching and do nothing are like people who look at themselves in a mirror.24 They see their faces and then go away and quickly forget what they looked like.25 But the truly happy people are those who carefully study God's perfect law that makes people free, and they continue to study it. They do not forget what they heard, but they obey what God's teaching says. Those who do this will be made happy. The True Way to Worship God 26 People who think they are religious but say things they should not say are just fooling themselves. Their "religion" is worth nothing.27 Religion that God the Father accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help, and keeping yourself free from the world's evil influence. I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER

Monday December 27, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You grow as a Christian but you are changed by the events of your life-

2-Faith is believing for what you have not seen-

3-If God is not the God of your valley, he cannot be the God of your mountain-

4-Fear drains your faith-

5-Talent may open a door but character keeps it open-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Weather forecast for tonight is-dark-

I'VE LEARNED-Hope is the dream of a person who is awake-

DID YOU KNOW-Koala is Aboriginal for "no drink"-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW-

1-Can life have meaning to the atheist?

2-If you don't worship God, what/who do you worship?

3-Do non Christians have a different sense of right and wrong than do Christians?

4-Does the non Christian have any Godly help in facing the struggles of life?

5-Do atheists still not believe in God when facing death?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What Baal worshiping princess led Ahab into idolatry?

Yesterday's answer-Maacah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY JAMES 1:9-18

True Riches

⁹ Believers who are poor should take pride that God has made them spiritually rich. ¹⁰ Those who are rich should take pride that God has shown them that they are spiritually poor. The rich will die like a wild flower in the grass. ¹¹ The sun rises with burning heat and dries up the plants. The flower falls off, and its beauty is gone. In the same way the rich will die while they are still taking care of business.

Temptation Is Not from God

¹² When people are tempted and still continue strong, they should be happy. After they have proved their faith, God will reward them with life forever. God promised this to all those who love him.¹³ When people are tempted, they should not say, "God is tempting me." Evil cannot tempt God, and God himself does not tempt anyone.¹⁴ But people are tempted when their own evil desire leads them away and traps them.¹⁵ This desire leads to sin, and then the sin grows and brings death.

¹⁶ My dear brothers and sisters, do not be fooled about this.¹⁷ Every good action and every perfect gift is from God. These good gifts come down from the Creator of the sun, moon, and stars, who does not change like their shifting shadows.¹⁸ God decided to give us life through the word of truth so we might be the most important of all the things he made.

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

Sunday December 26, 2010 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY 1-Without a vision the people perish- 2-Envy kills your vision- 3-You can lie to yourself for so long that you believe your own lie- 4-After you have an encounter with God, you can never be the same again- 5-We allow sin in our lives because we like it- STRANGE THOUGHT-The best way to test a persons friendship is to ask them to co-sign on your bank note. If they refuse, they are your friend- I'VE LEARNED-Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out- DID YOU KNOW-Kemosabe means "soggy shrub" in Navajo 5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW 1-Does God show anger or displeasure to the Christian? 2-Does doubting affect answered prayers? 3-Will God answer a selfish prayer? 4-Where does my believing and God's will intersect? 5-Can we be nagging God when we pray? BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was removed from her position as queen mother because she had made an idol? Yesterday's answer-Athaliah SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY JAMES 1:1-8 How to Live as a Christian 1 From James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. To all of God's people who are scattered everywhere in the world: Greetings. Faith and Wisdom 2 My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, 3 because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience.4 Let your patience show itself perfectly in what you do. Then you will be perfect and complete and will have everything you need. 5 But if any of you needs wisdom, you should ask God for it. He is generous to everyone and will give you wisdom without criticizing you. 6 But when you ask God, you must believe and not doubt. Anyone who doubts is like a wave in the sea, blown up and down by the wind.7-8 Such doubters are thinking two different things at the same time, and they cannot decide about anything they do. They should not think they will receive anything from the Lord. I WISH YOU A DAY FILLED WITH LOVE, LAUGHTER, FORGIVENESS AND THANKSGIVING-JASPER