Friday January 11, 2019 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

1-Only when we move from the safety of theory to the risky world of reality can we actually make a difference.

2-No one is born prejudiced, courageous or with a sensitive conscience.

3-Things are often not what they seem.

4-When all seems lost, it isn’t.

5-When it seems things can get no worse, they often can.

STRANGE THOUGHT

The gleam in your eye is from the sun hitting your bifocals

I’VE LEARNED

If your mother says “you will regret it” you probably will.

DID YOU KNOW

Queen Victoria was the first woman to use chloroform during childbirth.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What would you do if you weren’t afraid or making a mistake, feeling rejected, looking foolish or being alone?

2-Does true love ever hurt?

3-If your life ended tomorrow, what would you regret?

4-Who could you be if you did the things you always wanted to do?

5-Do we ascribe too much or too little to what God wants?

BIBLE TRIVIA

According to Matthew’s Gospel, an earthquake occurred when Jesus died on the cross.  What other spectacular event occurred at the time in the temple?

Answer for today          Th temple veil (curtain) was torn in half from top to bottom     Matthew 27:51

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY

Matthew 5:1-2     When Jesus saw his ministry drawing huge crowds, he climbed a hillside. Those who were apprenticed to him, the committed, climbed with him. Arriving at a quiet place, he sat down and taught his climbing companions.

PRAYER FOR THE DAY

Father thank you for teaching us what true happiness really means.

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE LOVE TO SHARE, HEALTH TO SPARE, AND FRIENDS THAT CARE

Thursday January 10, 2019 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

1-Those things that hurt instruct.

2-When righteousness rules, justice reins.

3-There will always be someone who resents your love of God.

4-Helplessness erodes into hopelessness.

5-Not until we believe one person can make a difference will we be willing to take risks.

STRANGE THOUGHT

Everything hurts and what doesn’t, doesn’t work.

I’VE LEARNED

Seek respect rather than popularity, quality rather than luxury.

DID YOU KNOW

All babies of the royal family are baptized with water brought from the River Jordon.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Should we forgive when one who offends us knows we will forgive them?

2-Should we be concerned how we look to other people?

3-Does everything happen for a reason?

4-If our ancestors survived with so little, why can’t we, who have so much?

5-Do you have to love yourself first in order to love another person?

BIBLE TRIVIA

An earthquake during King Uzziah’s reign was so remarkable that one of the Hebrew prophets dates his book “two years before the earthquake.”  Which prophet?

Answer for today           Amos        1:1

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY   

Matthew 4:19-20    Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, “Come with me. I’ll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I’ll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass.” They didn’t ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, speak to me so I can clearly hear and understand you.

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE LOVE TO SHARE, HEALTH TO SPARE, AND FRIENDS THAT CARE-

Wednesday January 9, 2019 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

1-There is no better teaching tool in the life of a child than the model of a parents life surrendered to God.

2-When a man of God dies, nothing of God dies.

3-God’s presence is not as intriging as his absence.

4-Never doubt the presence of God.

5-Education is going from an unconscience to a conscience awareness of your own ignorance.

STRANGE THOUGHT

Never miss a good chance to shut up.

I’VE LEARNED

Believe in miracles but do not depend on them.

DID YOU KNOW

The bishop of London had one of his own sound teeth extracted to show Queen Elizabeth I how easily one of her own rotten teeth could be removed.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does forgiveness mean you and the offender are friends?

2-Is forgiving the most God like thing you can do?

3-Was the crucifixion the ultimate act of forgiveness?

4-What happens to us when we don’t forgive another?

5-Can we offer a cheap or false forgiveness?

BIBLE TRIVIA

Which Gospel mentions an earthquake in connection with the resurrection of Jesus?

Answer for today         Matthew 28:2

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Matthew 4:23   From there he went all over Galilee. He used synagogues for meeting places and taught people the truth of God. God’s kingdom was his theme.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, help me to be Jesus’ faithful witness every day.

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

Tuesday January 8, 2019 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

1-Holiness will be the oxygen of heaven.

2-God will never do anything that is not morally perfect.

3-The best Christian witnessing happens when our hearts are full of appreciation for what God has done for us.

4-If you love God, you will hate evil.

5-Every person has a purpose for living.

STRANGE THOUGHT

The quickest way to double your money is to fold it over and put it back in your pocket.

I’VE LEARNED

Say something positive as early in the day as possible.

DID YOU KNOW  

Queen Elizabeth I had more than two thousand dresses.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Can you be forced to forgive?

2-What point do you have to get to before you can forgive? 

3-How do you know if your forgiveness of others is real?

4-Can you demand forgiveness?

5-What does forgiveness do for the offender-the offended?

BIBLE TRIVIA

An earthquake at Philippi eventually led to the release of two Christians from prison there.  Who were they? 

Answer for the day        Paul and Silas         Acts16:25-27   

SCRIPTURE FOR THE DAY

Matthew 4:17    This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, grant that all who spread your message receive it from the Source, and that those who receive it will accept it.

MAY YOU HAVE ENOUGH HAPPINESS TO MAKE YOU       

SWEET, ENOUGH TRIALS TO MAKE YOU STRONG,

ENOUGH SORROW TO KEEP YOU HUMAN AND ENOUGH HOPE TO MAKE YOU HAPPY-

Monday January 7, 2019 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

1-Growing strong in God’s presence is often preceded by going through difficult times in our lives.

2-No matter how we feel, we can always take our problems to God and express our anguish to him.

3-There is no indication in scripture that one angel is assigned to each believer in God.

4-Thanks should be in our heart and on our lips every day.

5-You can never say “thank you” enough.

STRANGE THOUGHT

Always take a good look at what you are about to eat.  It is not so important to know what it is, but it is critical to know what it was.

I’VE LEARNED

We must never treat God as common or ordinary.

DID YOU KNOW

Queen Elizabeth I banned all mirrors from the royal apartments during the last decade of her life.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-When are you to hold someone accountable for their actions and not release them through your forgiveness?

2-Does forgiveness release the wrongdoer from the consequences of their actions?

3-Can Christians not forgive someone for their actions?

4-Can our own sins remain forgiven if we are not forgiving of others?

5-Is forgiveness really divine mercy?

BIBLE TRIVIA

What famous mountain smoked like a furnace and quaked greatly?

Answer for today       Sinai         Exodus 19:17-18

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Matthew 4:17   This Isaiah-prophesied sermon came to life in Galilee the moment Jesus started preaching. He picked up where John left off: “Change your life. God’s kingdom is here.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank you that the message of Jesus also reached my ears and irrevocably changed my life.

MAY YOU HAVE ENOUGH HAPPINESS TO MAKE YOU SWEET, ENOUGH TRIALS TO MAKE YOU STRONG, ENOUGH SORROW TO KEEP YOU HUMAN AND ENOUGH HOPE TO MAKE YOU HAPPY.

Sunday January 6, 2019 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Wealth, honor, power or prestige add nothing to our value in God’s eyes, but the faithful works we do for him have eternal value.

2-Prayer is human communication with God.

3-When praying, don’t let the absence of an immediate answer cause you to doubt or resent God.

4-Don’t take God for granite and treat him as a vending machine.

5-From our perspective, God sometimes seems slow to intervene on our behalf, but what might appear slow to us is good timing from God’s perspective.

STRANGE THOUGHT

Letting the cat out of the bag is a whole lot easier than putting it back in.

I’VE LEARNED

While romance keeps a marriage interesting, it is commitment that keeps romance from dwindling away.

DID YOU KNOW

Princess Diana was a very enthusiastic tap dancer.

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Are we to cut off our hands or feet if they cause us to sin?

2-Do our eyes, hands and feet cause us to sin or is it our heart (desires).

3-Were all tax collectors in Jesus day evil people?

4-Does it always work out that when two of us agree on things and we ask God for it, he does it?

5-Are you to forgive someone who continually and willfully does wrong to you?

BIBLE TRIVIA

What two herbs does Jesus say the Pharisees would tithe?

Answer for today        mint and rue          Luke 11:42

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Matthew 4:8-10      For the third test, the Devil took him to the peak of a huge mountain. He gestured expansively, pointing out all the earth’s kingdoms, how glorious they all were. Then he said, “They’re yours—lock, stock, and barrel. Just go down on your knees and worship me, and they’re yours.”

¹⁰ Jesus’ refusal was curt: “Beat it, Satan!” He backed his rebuke with a third quotation from Deuteronomy: “Worship the Lord your God, and only him. Serve him with absolute single-heartedness.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, thank you for Jesus’s example of no compromise with evil.

I WISH YOU LOVE IN YOUR HEART-PEACE IN YOUR SOUL-  JOY IN YOUR LIFE -ALWAYS-

Saturday January 5, 2019 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

1-God’s greatest joy comes from genuine worship and trust from his people-

2-Most of the Psalms are prayers and most prayers include praise to God-

3-Praise expresses admiration, appreciation and thanksgiving-

4-There is a vast difference between knowledge (having facts) and wisdom (applying facts to life)-

5-Without wisdom our knowledge is useless-

STRANGE THOUGHT

When you are throwing your weight around, be ready to have it thrown around by somebody else-

I’VE LEARNED

Those who pursue money’s empty promises will one day discover that they have nothing because they are spiritually bankrupt-

DID YOU KNOW

Princess Diana was the first royal bride not to use the word obey in her marriage vows-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What is the difference in faith and believing?

2-Did Jesus mean we could move physical mountains with faith?

3-What was Peter’s reaction to finding the fish with a coin in its mouth as Jesus said he would?

4-How do you humble yourself as a little child to get into the kingdom of heaven?

5-Are we to gouge out our eyes if they look at things we shouldn’t?

BIBLE TRIVIA

What wood was used for building the temple after the exile in Babylon?

Answer for today          Cedar           Ezra 3:7

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Matthew 4:5-7     For the second test the Devil took him to the Holy City. He sat him on top of the Temple and said, “Since you are God’s Son, jump.” The devil goaded him by quoting Psalm 91: “He has placed you in the care of angels. They will catch you so that you won’t so much as stub your toe on a stone.”

 Jesus countered with another scripture from Deuteronomy: “Don’t you dare test the Lord your God.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank you that I can rejoice in the fact that my faith in you is based on you and not on sensationalism-

TODAY WILL NEVER COME AGAIN.  BE A BLESSING, BE A FRIEND, ENCOURAGE SOMEONE, TAKE TIME TO CARE.  LET YOUR WORDS AND ACTIONS HEAL AND NOT WOUND-

Friday January 4, 2019 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

1-You take on characteristics of whatever you worship-

2-God’s love includes kindness, mercy, faithfulness and forgiveness-

3-Our sorrow makes it difficult to imagine singing joyful songs again, but the time does come-

4-Don’t be guilty of taking God’s provision and answered prayer for granted-

5-Evil acts begin with evil desires-

STRANGE THOUGHT

When you give a lesson in meanness to a critter or person, don’t be surprised if they learn their lesson-

I’VE LEARNED

The love of money is sinful because we trust money rather than God to solve our problems-

DID YOU KNOW

Prince Philip wears contact lenses-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What does God do when we sin?

2-Do most Christians blindly accept their church’s doctrines?  Should we?

3-Whenever we do something wrong, is it always sin?

4-Jesus said “Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to sin”.  What things cause people to sin?

5-In the parable of the lost sheep, Jesus referred to the children’s angels in heaven.  Are they guardian angels?  Do adults have them also?

BIBLE TRIVIA

What wood was used to make the table in the tabernacle for holding the sacred bread?

Answer for today          Acacia          Exodus 25:23-30

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

 “Since you are God’s Son, speak the word that will turn these stones into loaves of bread.” Jesus answered by quoting Deuteronomy: “It takes more than bread to stay alive. It takes a steady stream of words from God’s mouth.”

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus, I praise your name for your victory over satan-

I PRAY THAT GOD GIVES YOU STRENGTH IN YOUR STRUGGLE, PEACE IN YOUR PAIN, AND VICTORY IN YOUR VALLEY-

Thursday January 3, 2019 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

1-God is able to bring good out of tragedy-

2-Work while trusting God and also rest while trusting God-

3-God doesn’t keep a record of our sins for when he forgives, he forgives completely-

4-Pride results from over valuing ourselves and undervaluing others-

5-Honor God by the quality of your work and the attitude of service you  bring to it-

STRANGE THOUGHT

If you a riding ahead of the herd, take a look every now and then to make sure it is still there-

I’VE LEARNED

Most people agree we learn more about God from difficult times than from happy times-

DID YOU KNOW

Within minutes of delivering a speech on road safety in 1957, Prince Philip crashed his car-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-What was the significance of the transfiguration?

2-What conversation did Moses and Elijah have with Jesus at the transfiguration?

3-Why didn’t other Old Testament people appear at Jesus’ transfiguration?

4-When did the disciples get the faith to perform miracles?

5-Who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?

BIBLE TRIVIA

What leaves were thrown down in front of Jesus on his entry into Jerusalem?

Answer for today         Palm leaves         John 12:13

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Matthew  4:1-2    Next Jesus was taken into the wild by the Spirit for the Test. The Devil was ready to give it. Jesus prepared for the Test by fasting forty days and forty nights. That left him, of course, in a state of extreme hunger, which the Devil took advantage of in the first test: 

  

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank you for those holy and uplifting moments alone with you-

MAY YOU ALWAYS HAVE LOVE TO SHARE, HEALTH TO SPARE, AND FRIENDS THAT CARE-

Wednesday January 2, 2019 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

1-The Bible is like medicine, it goes to work only when we apply to the affected area-

2-Your attitude toward God will determine your view of worship-

3-To find peace of mind and peace with others, you must find peace with God-

4-Human sinfulness often ruins God’s ideal on earth, but that doesn’t mean God has lost control-

5-Evil prevails only as long as God allows it-

STRANGE THOUGHT

Never drop your gun to hug a grizzly-

I’VE LEARNED

Money talks and it can confuse those who would otherwise judge fairly-

DID YOU KNOW

The Queen of England always writes with a fountain pen that belonged to her father, King George VI-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How do we deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow Jesus?

2-What is the cross we must bear to follow Jesus?

3-What can a person give in exchange for his soul?

4-Are a Christians actions and deeds important?

5-Why did Jesus refer to John the Baptist as Elijah?

BIBLE TRIVIA

What tree’s fruit was symbolically represented on the clothing of Israel’s high priest?

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Matthew 3:16-17     The moment Jesus came up out of the baptismal waters, the skies opened up and he saw God’s Spirit—it looked like a dove—descending and landing on him. And along with the Spirit, a voice: “This is my Son, chosen and marked by my love, delight of my life.”   

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Thank you Jesus that you chose the path of the cross so that my sins could be forgiven-

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

Tuesday January 1, 2019 thought for the day

THOUGHTS FOR THE DAY

1-It is difficult to know when God is disciplining us until we look back on the situation later-

2-Be as eager to do good as you are to have good done to you-

3-To fear God means to respect and revere him as the almighty God-

4-In God’s eyes, a person’s value has no relationship to their wealth or position on the social ladder-

5-Worship is a thankful response, not a repayment for what God has done-

STRANGE THOUGHT

Always drink upstream from the herd-

I’VE LEARNED

We cannot predict what the future holds-

DID YOU KNOW

According to the Bible, King Solomon had seven hundred wifes-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Did any of the disciples ever sin after Jesus’ ascension?

2-Why did Jesus tell the disciples before the transfiguration not to tell anyone he was the Christ?

3-Since the name Peter means Rock, could it be that Jesus meant that Peter would be the cornerstone on which he would build his church?

4-Did Jesus come to establish a church?

5-How could Peter be the Rock on which Jesus would build his church when a few verses later he spoke to peter in rebuke calling him satan?

BIBLE TRIVIA

What plant according to Isaiah, would not be broken by the Messiah?

Answer for today             a bruised reed                 Isaiah

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY

Matthew 3:13-15     Jesus then appeared, arriving at the Jordan River from Galilee. He wanted John to baptize him. John objected, “I’m the one who needs to be baptized, not you!”

¹⁵ But Jesus insisted. “Do it. God’s work, putting things right all these centuries, is coming together right now in this baptism.” So John did it.

                                  Message

PRAYER FOR TODAY

I praise and thank you, Savior and Lord, that, you became human for my sake-

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