Sunday August 7, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-All things don't work for our good but in all things God works for our good-

2-When you pray for God's blessings things don't always go right-

3-Bad company corrupts good character-

4-Witnessing is telling others what Jesus has done for you-

5-A spiritual experience always produces spiritual evidence-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Do you want me to accept you as you are or do you want me to lie to myself and like you-

I'VE LEARNED-Dance in the rain and forget the storm-

DID YOU KNOW-The highest lifetime yield of milk for a single cow is 55,849 gallons-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is lying ever acceptable under any circumstance?

2-What is the worst thing that lying does?

3-Can you ever trust anyone who has lied to you?

4-How can you ever know when someone is telling the truth after they have once lied to you?

5-Are we so immersed in covetousness that we don't even notice it?

BIBLE TRIVIA-For what cripple did David order Ziba to farm the land?

Yesterday's answer-Cain Genesis 4:2

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 7:7-13

Our Fight Against Sin

⁷ You might think I am saying that sin and the law are the same thing. That is not true. But the law was the only way I could learn what sin meant. I would never have known what it means to want to take something belonging to someone else if the law had not said, "You must not want to take your neighbor's things."⁸ And sin found a way to use that command and cause me to want all kinds of things I should not want. But without the law, sin has no power.⁹ I was alive before I knew the law. But when the law's command came to me, then sin began to live,¹⁰ and I died. The command was meant to bring life, but for me it brought death.¹¹ Sin found a way to fool me by using the command to make me die.

¹² So the law is holy, and the command is holy and right and good.¹³ Does this mean that something that is good brought death to me? No! Sin used something that is good to bring death to me. This happened so that I could see what sin is really like; the command was used to show that sin is very evil.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we are abundantly blessed with foods of all kinds, both vegetable and fruit, meat and bread. Thank you for those who diligently work the land and reap the harvest that we might place food on our tables and be nurtured physically. You make the grass grow for the cattle, and plants for man to cultivate— bringing forth food from the earth. All we have needed Your hand hath provided. Great is Your faithfulness, Lord, unto me. Amen.

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

Saturday august 6, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Happiness is increased by sharing it-

2-No one has ever become happy from what they possess-

3-Joy is not living palms up but palms down-

4-I know God won't give me more than I can handle but sometimes I wish God didn't trust me so much-

5-When teachers want their students to grow, they don't give them answers, they give them problems-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If someone offers to pay for dinner, I reach for my wallet. Inside I find a note that says "say thanks"-

I'VE LEARNED-You will never find time for anything. If you want time you must make it-

DID YOU KNOW-Vanilla is used to make chocolate-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is it possible to be 100% honest 100% of the time?

2-What is the worst thing about stealing?

3-How can we possibly keep all 10 commandments all of the time?

4-Did Jesus admit that no one keeps the law (10 commandments)?

5-Is stealing ever an act of omission?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was the first farmer?

Yesterday's answer-Boaz Ruth 1:22-2:3

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 7:1-6

An Example from Marriage

¹ Brothers and sisters, all of you understand the law of Moses. So surely you know that the law rules over people only while they are alive.² For example, a woman must stay married to her husband as long as he is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from the law of marriage.³ But if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, the law says she is guilty of adultery. But if her husband dies, she is free from the law of marriage. Then if she marries another man, she is not guilty of adultery.

⁴ In the same way, my brothers and sisters, your old selves died, and you became free from the law through the body of Christ. This happened so that you might belong to someone else—the One who was raised from the dead—and so that we might be used in service to God.⁵ In the past, we were ruled by our sinful selves. The law made us want to do sinful things that controlled our bodies, so the things we did were bringing us death.⁶ In the past, the law held us like prisoners, but our old selves died, and we were made free from the law. So now we serve God in a new way with the Spirit, and not in the old way with written rules.

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.

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

Friday August 5, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Miracles aren't magic and don't always break the laws of nature but do require God's intervention-

2-We shouldn't give to get but we do receive when we give-

3-An angry person ruins their own life and then blames someone else (even God) for the results-

4-If we don't live by God's rules we don't get God's results-

5-God doesn't see your cup as half full but as overflowing-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists-

I'VE LEARNED-Compromise can be a sign of strength-

DID YOU KNOW-The English word soup comes from the Middle Ages word sop, which means a slice of bread over which roast drippings were poured-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Apart from God and his laws, how can you determine what is right or wrong?

2-Are there any inconsistencies or contradictions in the Bible?

3-Is stealing always easy to recognize?

4-Is there anyone in the world who does not steal something even if it is not recognized as such?

5-Are we teaching and demonstrating to our children to be honest?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What barley farmer married a Moabite woman and became an ancestor of David?

Yesterday's answer-Noah Genesis 9:21

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 6:15-23

Be Slaves of Righteousness

¹⁵ So what should we do? Should we sin because we are under grace and not under law? No!¹⁶ Surely you know that when you give yourselves like slaves to obey someone, then you are really slaves of that person. The person you obey is your master. You can follow sin, which brings spiritual death, or you can obey God, which makes you right with him.¹⁷ In the past you were slaves to sin—sin controlled you. But thank God, you fully obeyed the things that you were taught.¹⁸ You were made free from sin, and now you are slaves to goodness.¹⁹ I use this example because this is hard for you to understand. In the past you offered the parts of your body to be slaves to sin and evil; you lived only for evil. In the same way now you must give yourselves to be slaves of goodness. Then you will live only for God.

²⁰ In the past you were slaves to sin, and goodness did not control you.²¹ You did evil things, and now you are ashamed of them. Those things only bring death.²² But now you are free from sin and have become slaves of God. This brings you a life that is only for God, and this gives you life forever. ²³ The payment for sin is death. But God gives us the free gift of life forever in Christ Jesus our Lord.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Daily prayer: Jesus, Scripture tells us that at the last judgment those from every tribe and nation will bow upon hearing Your name. Every tongue will confess that You are Lord, to the glory of God the Father. We, as the redeemed, look forward to that glorious day when all of creation acknowledges You as Lord. But our hearts cry out for family members and other loved ones who, having denied Your power in this life, will be forced to acknowledge You as Lord on that final day. Renew our passion for reaching those in our generation with the Word of Life, so that they will joyfully proclaim Jesus is Lord in this life as well as the next. In the powerful name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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

Thursday August 4, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-A turtle only makes progress when it sticks it's neck out-

2-The key to realizing a dream is not to focus on success but on significance-

3-Becoming a Christian is like a beggar finding food and telling other beggars where to find it-

4-Victory is outlasting your circumstances-

5-Work is not a substitute for prayer-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Experience is what you get when you are expecting something else-

I'VE LEARNED-Frequently transplanted trees never bear fruit-

DID YOU KNOW-Beijing, China boasts the world's largest KFC restaurant-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How can it be a woman's right to have an abortion when it is not her body she is killing?

2-When Jesus gives us divine forgiveness for our sin, does he also forgive the consequences of that sin?

3-Is God's forgiveness offered for our sins conditional or unconditional?

4-The 6th commandment "thou shall not kill" was given in Exodus but there was many instances when the Israelites were instructed to kill all living people and animals. Was God inconsistent?

5-Why did early Bible translators into English translate the 6th commandment as kill and not murder?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was the first man to plant a vineyard?

Yesterday's answer-Uzziah 2 Chronicles 26:9-10

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 6:8-14

⁸ If we died with Christ, we know we will also live with him.⁹ Christ was raised from the dead, and we know that he cannot die again. Death has no power over him now.¹⁰ Yes, when Christ died, he died to defeat the power of sin one time—enough for all time. He now has a new life, and his new life is with God.¹¹ In the same way, you should see yourselves as being dead to the power of sin and alive with God through Christ Jesus.

¹² So, do not let sin control your life here on earth so that you do what your sinful self wants to do.¹³ Do not offer the parts of your body to serve sin, as things to be used in doing evil. Instead, offer yourselves to God as people who have died and now live. Offer the parts of your body to God to be used in doing good.¹⁴ Sin will not be your master, because you are not under law but under God's grace.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus, Scripture tells us that at the last judgment those from every tribe and nation will bow upon hearing Your name. Every tongue will confess that You are Lord, to the glory of God the Father. We, as the redeemed, look forward to that glorious day when all of creation acknowledges You as Lord. But our hearts cry out for family members and other loved ones who, having denied Your power in this life, will be forced to acknowledge You as Lord on that final day. Renew our passion for reaching those in our generation with the Word of Life, so that they will joyfully proclaim Jesus is Lord in this life as well as the next. In the powerful name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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

Wednesday August 3, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Words are windows to the heart-

2-Standing in the middle of the road is dangerous for you'll get knocked down by the traffic from both ways-

3-If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence you can be sure the water bill is higher also-

4-Unless you can create the universe in 5 days, then giving advice to God isn't such a good idea-

5-Some folks wear their halos much too tight-

STRANGE THOUGHT-A skeptic is a person, who when he sees the handwriting on the wall, claims it is a forgery-

I'VE LEARNED-America will remain the land of the free only as long as it is the home of the brave-

DID YOU KNOW-Potatoes were first imported by Europe in the 1500s on Spanish ships returning from Peru-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-If our country's laws against stealing, murder, etc are not based on the 10 commandments, what are they based on?

2-Does the Bible give anything other than murder for which death is required?

3-When Cain killed Abel, was there a death penalty for murder?

4-What is the worst kind of murder-rage(anger) or convenience(abortion)?

5-If murder is a heinous sinful act, why is abortion such an accepted thing in the world today and the mother and/or practitioner have no debt of that life to pay?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What king of Judah loved farming?

Yesterday's answer-Gideon Judges 6:11

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 6:1-7

Dead to Sin but Alive in Christ

¹ So do you think we should continue sinning so that God will give us even more grace?² No! We died to our old sinful lives, so how can we continue living with sin?³ Did you forget that all of us became part of Christ when we were baptized? We shared his death in our baptism.⁴ When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared his death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also can live a new life.

⁵ Christ died, and we have been joined with him by dying too. So we will also be joined with him by rising from the dead as he did.⁶ We know that our old life died with Christ on the cross so that our sinful selves would have no power over us and we would not be slaves to sin.⁷ Anyone who has died is made free from sin's control.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Daily prayer: Lord, we are so very grateful that our family roots are not the sole source of who we are nor does it dictate what we can accomplish. Our spiritual roots, because of our well-grounded faith in You, goes much deeper and spreads much broader. We are able to accomplish the
Impossible and overcome life’s difficulties because our roots are connected to the Miracle Worker. May the water of Your Holy Spirit quench our thirst and the spiritual food from Your inspired Holy Word satisfy our hunger causing us to grow in spiritual maturity. We remain safe and securely rooted in You, Lord, though the winds and storms may shake us from time to time. It is in You that we live and move and have our being! Amen.

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

Tuesday August 2, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-How people perceive something becomes the truth to them whether it is or not-

2-Forgiveness is setting the prisoner free and then learning it was you-

3-Luck is preparation meeting opportunity-

4-Too many people offer prayers to God with claw marks all over them-

5-It isn't difficult to make a mountain out of a molehill, just add a little dirt-

STRANGE THOUGHT-The tongue must be very heavy because so few can hold it-

I'VE LEARNED-America is the only country deliberately founded on a good idea-

DID YOU KNOW--Potato chips were invented in Louisiana in 1853

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-When does the Holy Spirit stop dealing with people?

2-Are we always to be our "brothers keeper"?

3-How old were Cain and Able when Abel was murdered?

4-Is murder ever justified?

5-How did Cain ever conceive of killing his brother, as he had no prior knowledge of what murder was?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What judge was a wheat farmer?

Yesterday's answer-God Genesis 2:8

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 5:18-21

¹⁸ So as one sin of Adam brought the punishment of death to all people, one good act that Christ did makes all people right with God. And that brings true life for all.¹⁹ One man disobeyed God, and many became sinners. In the same way, one man obeyed God, and many will be made right.²⁰ The law came to make sin worse. But when sin grew worse, God's grace increased.²¹ Sin once used death to rule us, but God gave people more of his grace so that grace could rule by making people right with him. And this brings life forever through Jesus Christ our Lord.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus, thank You for solving my debt problem by dying on the cross for me. I owed a debt I couldn’t pay but, because of Your great love for me, You paid in full the debt of my sins. You made me alive together with You, having forgiven me all my transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against me. Your love is so amazing and so divine that it demands my soul, my life, my all. In view of Your mercy, I offer my body as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to You, which is my spiritual act of worship. Amen.

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

Monday August 1, 2011 thought for the day

DOES THIS LOOK GOOD TODAY?

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Character is built from the difficulties you face, not from being financial successful-

2-Not everything that counts can be counted-

3-Temptation is not sin, yielding to it is-

4-If your basket is not filled with wheat, satan will fill it with chaff-

5-God never turns a deaf ear to a contrite heart-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you are not prepared for the trip, don't begin the journey-

I'VE LEARNED-Not all fear is bad. There is such a thing as healthy fear-

DID YOU KNOW-Laws forbidding the sale of sodas on Sunday prompted William Garwood to invent the ice cream sundae in Evanston, Illinois in 1875-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Can you be loyal to people who have let you down?

2-Do you give tithes out of your abundance or as a sacrifice?

3-If you can afford to give a 10% tithe, are you really giving it?

4-What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?

5-Why is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit unforgivable when all other sins are forgivable?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who planted the first garden?

Yesterday's answer-Job 1:14

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 5:14-17

Adam was like the One who was coming in the future.¹⁵ But God's free gift is not like Adam's sin. Many people died because of the sin of that one man. But the grace from God was much greater; many people received God's gift of life by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ.¹⁶ After Adam sinned once, he was judged guilty. But the gift of God is different. God's free gift came after many sins, and it makes people right with God.¹⁷ One man sinned, and so death ruled all people because of that one man. But now those people who accept God's full grace and the great gift of being made right with him will surely have true life and rule through the one man, Jesus Christ.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, enable us to make a difference within our families and with those whom we encounter along life’s journey. May others take notice of the God-given grace by which we do our work and in the way we interact with others. With Christ as our chief cornerstone we are stronger and more effective in all that we do because we walk not in our own strength, wisdom, or talent, but the grace of God that is at work in our lives. We thank You in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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

Sunday July 31, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If you find something you love to do, it doesn't matter if you do it well or not-just do it-

2-The older the violin the better the music-

3-The stone wasn't rolled away from the tomb so that Jesus could leave, he was already gone-

4-Worry is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do but gets you no where-

5-Believing is seeing what your eyes cannot see-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Swallow your pride for it has no calories-

I'VE LEARNED-The word "sin" is an old archery term that means anything that is not right on target in the center of the bulls eye (missing the mark)-

DID YOU KNOW-Ketchup originated in China-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW-

1-is all pride sinful?

2-Is it possible to be humble in all of life's situations?

3-Is humility earned or learned?

4-How do you show humility?

5-What happens if we ask God for humility?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What suffering man was a farmer?

Yesterday's answer-Plowing 1 kings 19:19

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY- Romans 5:12-14

¹² Sin came into the world because of what one man did, and with sin came death. This is why everyone must die—because everyone sinned.¹³ Sin was in the world before the law of Moses, but sin is not counted against us as breaking a command when there is no law.¹⁴ But from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, everyone had to die, even those who had not sinned by breaking a command, as Adam had.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we thank You that we’re part of Your overall plan to harvest souls into the kingdom of heaven. Open our eyes as we look at the field of souls ripe for harvest. Show us ways in which we can enlarge our circle of influence. What a joy it is to see believers grow in their faith as we diligently plant seeds of salvation and water them with truths from Your Holy Word and by our Christian testimony. Amen.

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

Saturday July 30, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You go to heaven by invitation only-

2-There will be no one in heaven who says "I don't want to be here"-

3-You cannot change your past, you can only change your future-

4-No one is invited to hell-you go on your own-

5-Even God cannot change your past, he can only forgive and forget it-

STRANGE THOUGHT-If you don't want change go to the soda machine-

I'VE LEARNED-Your children not only need wings, but landing gear as well-

DID YOU KNOW-British politician John Montage, the 46th Earl of Sandwich, is credited with naming the sandwich. He developed the habit of eating beef between slices of toast so he could continue playing cars uninterrupted-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Are all three of the Trinity co-equals or is God the Father the greater of them?

2-Is Christmas or Easter the key celebration for the Christian?

3-What mission does God have for you?

4-What should we be part of?

5-Does being proud have a sense of being better than another?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What was Elisha doing when Elijah threw his mantle on him?

Yesterday's answer-Jabal Genesis 4:20

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 5:6-11

⁶ When we were unable to help ourselves, at the right time, Christ died for us, although we were living against God. ⁷ Very few people will die to save the life of someone else. Although perhaps for a good person someone might possibly die.⁸ But God shows his great love for us in this way: Christ died for us while we were still sinners.

⁹ So through Christ we will surely be saved from God's anger, because we have been made right with God by the blood of Christ's death. ¹⁰ While we were God's enemies, he made us his friends through the death of his Son. Surely, now that we are his friends, he will save us through his Son's life. ¹¹ And not only that, but now we are also very happy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we are now God's friends again.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Jesus, day after day, we hear familiar voices and repeated sounds that have become a routine part of our lives. In the midst of all the clamoring noises we want to make time in our busy schedule to become familiar with Your voice so that we’re led by Your spirit in that which we do and say. We want to be quick in hearing Your prompting voice remind us, “This is the way” when tempted to walk in our own ways. We want Your Holy Spirit to convict and bring us to repentance when we have sinned. We also want to be familiar with Your affirming voice that says, “Well done” when we have been obedient to Your beckoning call. Soften our hearts, Lord, so that we not only hear Your voice, but we also feel Your compassion for those whom You bring into our lives today. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

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

Friday July 29, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Being busy and being fruitful are not necessarily the same-

2-Don't confuse activity with productivity-

3-Sometimes we have to give ourselves what we wish we could get from someone else-

4-You don't go to hell on a trial basis-

5-Sadly, sometimes those who enjoy the grace of God don't see the need for God-

STRANGE THOUGHT-No good deed ever goes unpunished-

I'VE LEARNED-The road to hell is paved with good intentions-

DID YOU KNOW-Jelly Belly jelly beans were the first jelly beans in outer s[pace when they went up with astronauts in the June 21, 1983 voyage of the space shuttle Challenger-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does everything that comes through our life come with God's permission?

2-What can we do that God cannot do?

3-What does it take to honestly say to God "use me anyway you want to"?

4-Is doing the will of God always enjoyable?

5-Can everything that happens in our life be for the glory of God?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who invented tents?

Yesterday's answer-Jubal, inventor of the harp and organ Genesis 4:21

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 5:1-5

Right with God

¹ Since we have been made right with God by our faith, we have peace with God. This happened through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² who through our faith has brought us into that blessing of God's grace that we now enjoy. And we are happy because of the hope we have of sharing God's glory. ³ We also have joy with our troubles, because we know that these troubles produce patience.⁴ And patience produces character, and character produces hope.⁵ And this hope will never disappoint us, because God has poured out his love to fill our hearts. He gave us his love through the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to us.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, I thank you for the “Daniels” of our day. Many of us grew up with fathers and mothers who not only taught us right from wrong, but modeled it daily in their relations with family and others. So many today are growing up without Biblical models or Scriptural instruction which has brought about much confusion about what is right and wrong, true or false. The power of Your inspired Holy Word reveals absolute truth and is taught by examples of people such as Daniel. He didn’t allow his fear, pride, or earthly ambitions to compromise his integrity. Even as Daniel stood the test while continually overcoming the tempter, I pray that You, Father, would help us to prove our loyalty to You when faced with daily temptations, especially those that are subtle. May our resolve to do good far exceed our temptation to do evil. Amen.

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

Thursday July 28, thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-If people will gossip to you, they will gossip about you-

2-Financial bad habits become financial burdens-

3-Never invest more in a relationship than you can afford to lose-

4-People who have nothing to hide, hide nothing-

5-The way to fix a hole in your heart is not to fill it but to give it away-

STRANGE THOUGHT-There is never enough time to do all the nothing you want to do-

I'VE LEARNED-If we don't ask, there will be no answer-

DID YOU KNOW-Fortune cookies were invented in America by Charles Jung in 1918-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-How old was Jesus when he knew that he had his father's will to do?

2-What is the sign of God's blessing in your life?

3-Is the accumulation of material things a sign of God's blessing?

4-Can you blessed of God and not know it?

5-What kind of God sends his son to die for others?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who invented music making?

Yesterday's answer-Cain Genesis 4:17

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 4:18-25

¹⁸ There was no hope that Abraham would have children. But Abraham believed God and continued hoping, and so he became the father of many nations. As God told him, "Your descendants also will be too many to count."¹⁹ Abraham was almost a hundred years old, much past the age for having children, and Sarah could not have children. Abraham thought about all this, but his faith in God did not become weak.²⁰ He never doubted that God would keep his promise, and he never stopped believing. He grew stronger in his faith and gave praise to God.²¹ Abraham felt sure that God was able to do what he had promised.²² So, "God accepted Abraham's faith, and that faith made him right with God."²³ Those words ("God accepted Abraham's faith") were written not only for Abraham²⁴ but also for us. God will accept us also because we believe in the One who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead.²⁵ Jesus was given to die for our sins, and he was raised from the dead to make us right with God.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, Your abundant grace is poured out on humankind like showers of blessings, both for believer and unbeliever alike. Yet it is only as we appropriate Your saving grace that we turn away from evil and walk in the ways of righteousness. Many leaders and rulers have come and gone, but You, Father, are the eternal One whose kingdom knows no end. We humble ourselves in the light of Your majesty as we bring honor to Your holy name and live as a people who are eager to do what is good. Amen.

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

Wednesday July 27, thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-You can't deal with what you don't acknowledge-

2-It is not just what you do but also what you don't do-

3-Problems are opportunities for God to work in-

4-You can't make someone happy who doesn't want to be happy-

5-Be a good listener but don't get bogged down in someone else's problems-

STRANGE THOUGHT-I once saw a forklift lift a crate of forks-

I'VE LEARNED-People don't lack strength, they lack will-

DID YOU KNOW-In 1983, a Japanese artist made a copy of the Mona Lisa completely out of toast-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does the church want people who will all think alike?

2-Does the "world" expect too much from the church?

3-Is Biblical tithing based on income or asset value?

4-How do we know when God is prompting us to do something?

5-When we feel God is prompting us to do something, is it okay to test or verify it or should we just go ahead and do it?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was the first man to build a city?

Yesterday's answer-Tubal-Cain Genesis 4:22

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 4:13-17

God Keeps His Promise

¹³ Abraham and his descendants received the promise that they would get the whole world. He did not receive that promise through the law, but through being right with God by his faith.¹⁴ If people could receive what God promised by following the law, then faith is worthless. And God's promise to Abraham is worthless,¹⁵ because the law can only bring God's anger. But if there is no law, there is nothing to disobey.

¹⁶ So people receive God's promise by having faith. This happens so the promise can be a free gift. Then all of Abraham's children can have that promise. It is not only for those who live under the law of Moses but for anyone who lives with faith like that of Abraham, who is the father of us all.¹⁷ As it is written in the Scriptures: "I am making you a father of many nations." This is true before God, the God Abraham believed, the God who gives life to the dead and who creates something out of nothing.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we find pleasure and fulfillment in our work when we work at it heartily, as for You, primarily. We thank You for giving us the wherewithal to provide an income for our family where our financial needs are met. Certainly each workplace has its challenges, but as we look to You for strength, endurance and wisdom to deal with those challenges we find joy, thanksgiving, and fulfillment in our work. May others see heaven sent joy flow from our lives as we spread mutual respect and a strong work ethic in the workplace. 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 July 26, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Christianity was not to turn the world upside down, it was to turn it right side up-

2-Real peace comes through Jesus death on the cross not through human ability to resolve conflict-

3-When we get older love doesn't get old, it transforms. It is different but better-

4-There is a big difference between falling in love and being in love-

5-You teach people how to treat you-

STRANGE THOUGHT-We are truly old when we feel our corns more than our oats-

I'VE LEARNED-Welfare was never intended to be a career opportunity-

DID YOU KNOW-Dry cereal for breakfast was invented by John Henry Kellogg at the the turn of the twentieth century-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Can you find God in nature?

2-What is the most precious thing you have?

3-Can you observe someone and know if they are a Christian?

4-Why is it often hard for us to ask for help?

5-Does God love me more when I am "good"?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who invented the art of working with metal?

Yesterday's answer-Cain Genesis 4:2

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 4:7-12

⁷ "Blessed are they
Whose sins are forgiven,
Whose wrongs are pardoned.
⁸ Blessed is the person
Whom the Lord does not consider guilty." — Psalm 32:1–2
⁹ Is this blessing only for those who are circumcised or also for those who are not circumcised? We have already said that God accepted Abraham's faith and that faith made him right with God. ¹⁰ So how did this happen? Did God accept Abraham before or after he was circumcised? It was before his circumcision.¹¹ Abraham was circumcised to show that he was right with God through faith before he was circumcised. So Abraham is the father of all those who believe but are not circumcised; he is the father of all believers who are accepted as being right with God.¹² And Abraham is also the father of those who have been circumcised and who live following the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

Prayer for today

Father, we are a foolish, unruly, and rebellious people who need Your tender guidance and enduring patience as we navigate our way through our journey here below. You teach us what is good and nourishes our soul and that which is destructive, bringing us down and others along with us. We invite the work of Your Holy Spirit to cleanse our soul and create a hunger that gives us spiritual cravings for more of You and Your holy Word. Amen.

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

Monday July 25, 2011 thought for the day

HERE AE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-The best thing someone can say at your funeral is-they certainly were a child of God-

2-If Christians are the light of the world then revival is a battery charger-

3-God's love for you is not based on what you do but on what Jesus has done for you-

4-There are 3 kinds of truth-1, trivial truth-2, important truth-3, essential truth-

5-Success without significance is emptiness-

STRANGE TRUTH-The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists-

I'VE LEARNED-Some folks never exaggerate, they just remember big-

DID YOU KNOW-Doughnuts originated in Holland-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Is grace fair?

2-How do we walk blameless before God?

3-Can you "give your heart to Jesus" but never repent of your sins?

4-When we pray for someone's salvation, should we pray for it to happen at any cost"?

5-Is Jesus the only revelation of God?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who invented farming?

Yesterday's answer-Nimrod Genesis 10:8-9

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 4:1-6

The Example of Abraham

¹ So what can we say that Abraham, the father of our people, learned about faith?² If Abraham was made right by the things he did, he had a reason to brag. But this is not God's view,³ because the Scripture says, "Abraham believed God, and God accepted Abraham's faith, and that faith made him right with God."

⁴ When people work, their pay is not given as a gift, but as something earned.⁵ But people cannot do any work that will make them right with God. So they must trust in him, who makes even evil people right in his sight. Then God accepts their faith, and that makes them right with him. ⁶ David said the same thing. He said that people are truly blessed when God, without paying attention to their deeds, makes people right with himself.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we want to live above the fray of this world as a people of righteousness set apart for Your purpose. We forsake the things of this world that bring disgrace to Your holy name and live for the purpose of bringing glory, honor and praise to You, our Father. We pray for our nation, for the turning away from our sins and turning toward the abundant life we find in Christ our Lord. You’ve called us to repentance and to share the good news of salvation to all who are lost. Help us to seek a fresh calling upon our lives to be obedient in this commission from Scripture. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.

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

Sunday July24, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Success is always built on inconvenience-

2-Life is 10% how we make it and 90% how we take it-

3-If you aim at nothing you will probably hit it-

4-Even if you are on the right track you will get run over if you just stand there-

5-Just because she is pretty or he is handsome doesn't mean that goodness necessarily lies underneath-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Cleaning is when you use something less dirty to make something more dirty less dirty-

I'VE LEARNED-You can't make your dreams come true by oversleeping-

DID YOU KNOW-Chefs started using onions five thousand years ago to spice up their cooking-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Does any and all work on the Sabbath break the commandment?

2-Is it possible to keep the 10 commandments without ever failing?

3-Can you not keep the 10 commandments and be a Christian?

4-Why didn't Jesus teach tithing?

5-Is there any concept greater than grace-

BIBLE TRIVIA-What mighty man was the first hunter?

Yesterday's answer-Abel Genesis 4:2

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 3:21-31

How God Makes People Right

²¹ But God has a way to make people right with him without the law, and he has now shown us that way which the law and the prophets told us about.²² God makes people right with himself through their faith in Jesus Christ. This is true for all who believe in Christ, because all people are the same: ²³ Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God's glorious standard, ²⁴ and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. They need to be made free from sin through Jesus Christ. ²⁵ God sent him to die in our place to take away our sins. We receive forgiveness through faith in the blood of Jesus' death. This showed that God always does what is right and fair, as in the past when he was patient and did not punish people for their sins. ²⁶ And God gave Jesus to show today that he does what is right. God did this so he could judge rightly and so he could make right any person who has faith in Jesus.

²⁷ So do we have a reason to brag about ourselves? No! And why not? It is the way of faith that stops all bragging, not the way of trying to obey the law.²⁸ A person is made right with God through faith, not through obeying the law.²⁹ Is God only the God of the Jews? Is he not also the God of those who are not Jews?³⁰ Of course he is, because there is only one God. He will make Jews right with him by their faith, and he will also make those who are not Jews right with him through their faith.³¹ So do we destroy the law by following the way of faith? No! Faith causes us to be what the law truly wants.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, You are the Master Gardener who is growing me into the likeness of Your Son, Jesus Christ. As I remain in the Vine You assure me that I will bear much fruit lasting far beyond one season. When I consider the fruit You want to grow in me I recognize that it is all based on character traits seen in the Son. Help me to respond in accordance to the pruning knife of the Word of God as it penetrates my soul, judging the very thoughts and attitudes of my heart. Cut out that which hinders my growth and submerge me in that which will make me flourish making me fruitful for the Kingdom of God. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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

Saturday July 23, 2011 thought for the day

DOES THIS HELP YOU FEEL COOLER IN THIS HEAT WAVE?

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-Just when you make ends meet, someone moves the ends-

2-A goal is a dream without a date on it-

3-You only fail when you fail to try-

4-The mind is like a parachute-it only works when opened-

5-Knowing without doing is like priming without painting-

STRANGE THOUGHT-A pessimist is really an optimist with experience-

I'VE LEARNED-Life lived for tomorrow will always be just a day away from being realized-

DID YOU KNOW-Frank Epperson invented the Popsicle in 1905, when he was 11 years old-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Since God doesn't speak to us audibly, can we always be sure we know what God wants us to do?

2-Why do we refer to God as a "He" since God is not a human but a Spirit-

3-Am I separated from God because I've sinned or because I am a sinner?

4-Does God see our wrong choices as sins or as mistakes?

5-Is something a sin even if we don't know it is?

BIBLE TRIVIA-What righteous man started the practice of herding sheep?

Yesterday's answer-Noah Genesis 9:20-21

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 3:9-0

All People Are Guilty

⁹ So are we Jews better than others? No! We have already said that Jews and those who are not Jews are all guilty of sin.¹⁰ As the Scriptures say:
"There is no one who always does what is right,
Not even one.
¹¹ There is no one who understands.
There is no one who looks to God for help.
¹² All have turned away.
Together, everyone has become useless.
There is no one who does anything good;
There is not even one." — Psalm 14:1–3
¹³ "Their throats are like open graves;
They use their tongues for telling lies." — Psalm 5:9
"Their words are like snake poison." — Psalm 140:3
¹⁴ "Their mouths are full of cursing and hate." — Psalm 10:7
¹⁵ "They are always ready to kill people.
¹⁶ Everywhere they go they cause ruin and misery.
¹⁷ They don't know how to live in peace." — Isaiah 59:7–8
¹⁸ "They have no fear of God." — Psalm 36:1

¹⁹ We know that the law's commands are for those who have the law. This stops all excuses and brings the whole world under God's judgment,²⁰ because no one can be made right with God by following the law. The law only shows us our sin.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, you rain showers of blessings on us daily. They’re so bountiful and normal to our daily lives that they go by unnoticed by the vast majority. But when nature goes off course and there is flooding, drought, earthquakes, or other disasters we recognize that we are totally reliant on Your mercies and goodness. We thank You for providing for our needs and hearing the cries of Your people when we call upon You for help. Teach us Your ways in answered and unanswered prayer, we pray. Amen.

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

Friday July 22, 2011 thought for the day

HERE ARE MY THOUGHTS FOR TODAY

1-A person who doesn't roll up their sleeves and gets busy loses their shirt-

2-Desperation generates action-

3-God's Word is greater than any power or philosophy-

4-Sight without vision is worse than being blind-

5-The provision of God is in the vision of God-

STRANGE THOUGHT-Why do we say "after dark" when it really is after light?

I'VE LEARNED-Take care of the minutes and the hours will take care of themselves-

DID YOU KNOW-Blueberry Jelly Bellies were created especially for Ronald Reagan-

5 THINGS I WANT TO KNOW

1-Can any of the Bible translations be considered "Holy Writ"?

2-Is any translation of the Bible 100% accurate and without error?

3-All Christian denominations emphasize different scriptures in their doctrines, so is anyone of them 100% correct?

4-Can any human totally, completely and accurately understand the Bible?

5-What do you do with scripture that seem to conflict with each other?

BIBLE TRIVIA-Who was the first person to practice wine making?

Yesterday's answer-Abishag, he Shunnamite 1 Kings 2:17

SCRIPTURE FOR TODAY Romans 3:1-8

¹ So, do Jews have anything that other people do not have? Is there anything special about being circumcised?² Yes, of course, there is in every way. The most important thing is this: God trusted the Jews with his teachings.³ If some Jews were not faithful to him, will that stop God from doing what he promised? ⁴ No! God will continue to be true even when every person is false. As the Scriptures say:
"So you will be shown to be right when you speak,
And you will win your case." — Psalm 51:4

⁵ When we do wrong, that shows more clearly that God is right. So can we say that God is wrong to punish us? (I am talking as people might talk.)⁶ No! If God could not punish us, he could not judge the world.

⁷ A person might say, "When I lie, it really gives him glory, because my lie shows God's truth. So why am I judged a sinner?"⁸ It would be the same to say, "We should do evil so that good will come." Some people find fault with us and say we teach this, but they are wrong and deserve the punishment they will receive.

PRAYER FOR TODAY

Father, we cannot remain neutral but must stand for that which is good or we will fall for that which is evil. Help us, as believers, to cling to that which is good even when it comes at great sacrifice. With the aid of Your Holy Spirit, we will be keenly discerning of the spirits of this age. We look to You alone, for “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” In the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.

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