Tuesday, 4/12/16 Are you sad today? Lots of burdens? Health poor? Lots of pressure? 1 Thess 5:18, In every thing (not for every thing) give thanks. You can, at the same time, be spiritual and be having a hard time. So, however hard you’ve got it, go live like Christ would if He wore your shoes today. Tit 3:3, For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. Don’t ever forget what a wicked sinner you were; don’t ever get so “holy” that you’re tempted in any way to look down on one still enslaved; don’t ever become too good to get a little bit dirty helping another get out of the pit...even if “they should’ve known better” or have been in the pit multiple times.
Wednesday, 4/13/16 2 Thess 1:7, And to you who are troubled rest with us... If you’re troubled, if you have no peace of your own, then get closer to one who does. In other words, run with the right crowd today. (This would encompass your social media, your music, and your entertainment.) Gen 19:14, And Lot went out, and spake unto his sons in law... But he seemed as one that mocked unto [them]. Men, (ladies too, I guess), is your testimony in your extended household good enough that they would heed an emergency spiritual call from you?
Thursday, 4/14/16 Gen 18:19a, For I know [Abraham], that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment. Could God, would God, say this of you? Ps 32:8, I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. To receive guidance, we must be watching Him carefully. You’ve gotta evaluate yourself as to how often and how diligently you look at Him.
Friday, 4/15/16 Ps 72:1, Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son. Since the earth is the Lord’s, it only makes sense for us to ask God to help us do our daily tasks the way He would. So...will you be sensible or stubborn today? Pro 11:27, He that diligently seeketh good procureth favor: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. Do you consistently seek good at work? Do you strive to increase company profits and to lighten the load of your boss and make him look good to his boss?
Saturday, 4/16/16 2 Chron 28:22, And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the Lord: this is that king Ahaz. I hope this will never be said of me (again). Check your character/godliness when you’re on the mountaintop and when you’re in the valley. Ecc 1:4, One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. Just a reminder that there is a lot more to this world than you and your problems. Give someone a break today. Lighten someone else’s load today. Produce some smiles today. Do a random act of kindness today.
Sunday, 4/17/16 Ps 72:1, Give the king thy judgments, O God, and thy righteousness unto the king’s son. You will accomplish certain tasks today. The question is, Will you do them with God’s help or without it? Will you endeavor to please Him or will you simply ignore Him? Luke 4:14b, And there went out a fame of him through all the region round about. Many of us would like to have this fame...but it follows the power of the Spirit in v14a (which means God used Him as He would) which followed the severe seasons of trials and testings of vv2-13 (which involved self-denial and loneliness and abuse by the Devil), which followed the fullness of the Spirit in v1 (which means He controls us and we’re full of His word.) We would like the product...but the process sorta turns us off...
Monday, 4/18/16 Ps 35:3b, ...say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. At times, all of us need this assurance from God, and we can only get it from His word. And the only way that we can get it is directly (reading) or from preaching (Titus 1:3.) So go get some assurance and comfort today!! 2 Chron 30:10-11, So the post[men] passed from city to city...but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. Nevertheless divers of [them] humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. Which of these two are more likely to be your reaction if someone challenges you to step up to the next level spiritually. (Hint: how did you react to the last harsh sermon or even FB post you saw, or to someone doing something big for the Lord like daily soul winning for years, or doing an overt act of goodness?)
Tuesday, 4/19/16 Ps 73:1, Truly God is good to Israel, even to such as are of a clean heart. He’s good to the just and the unjust, but WE are much more likely to perceive His acts of goodness if our heart is clean (on the same page with Him). So...seen any goodness recently? Job 23:8-10, Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: on the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: but he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. It’s frustrating when we can’t see God, but it’s calming when we realize that He can see us. Go for a walk today and set aside the doubts and let the truths that you know still your troubled heart.
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Miscellaneous thoughts from others:
- True growth and obedience only take place when we realize that God’s love for us does not depend upon our growth and obedience.
- I am not a humble man. I am a proud man pursuing humility by the grace of God.
- It is time to look into a mirror and discover who is responsible for sins we commit because of injustices done to us.
- At some point between anger and vengeance, we must reach out and grab the reins so that we can stop the execution of the wrath.
- Anyone who is wrong still maintains some respect for truth, if only by accepting the responsibility of his choice.
- Every time someone teaches two people learn.
- Determine to live your life defined by your faith and virtue not your traditions and labels.
- I heard Mrs. Hyles once say, "It was a wonderful day when I discovered that I was a Pharisee." That is something more of us need to learn.
- When I was a little boy I always knew that nothing was too big for my dad. That is how I saw him. Dads are that way. But I am also glad that mom's are different. With a mom nothing is too small for them. Have you stopped today and considered that nothing is too big or too small for God?
- Lou Holtz said, “You cannot win as an underdog unless the coach convinces you that you are not really an underdog.” The Word of God says that we are more than conquerors. I guess our Captain wants to convince us that in this world we are not underdogs either.
- Every day I ask God to put a hedge around me, not just to keep my enemies from hurting me, but also to keep me from trying to get back at them.
- Joy springs from sorrow’s soil.
- Teach your children to make decisions for themselves but not by themselves.
- To seek familiarity with one you admire is a normal reaction, but to continue admiring one with whom you have become familiar requires abnormal character.
- We often confuse what is ethical with what is in our best interest.
- Don’t break yourself trying to fix someone else.
- Prayer is the alternative to an enumerable host of lesser choices.
- Having a positive attitude in a negative situation is not naive. It's leadership.
- Once culture decides that tolerance is its cardinal virtue, it becomes intolerant of anyone it considers intolerant.
- Worry is a mild form of atheism.
- We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.
- Faithfulness is my commitment to an object not only in its presence, but also in its absence. Be it my spouse, my family, my church, my God, my employer or my friend; faithfulness is really tested in their absence.
- You cannot forsake foolishness without seeking wisdom in order to forsake foolishness.
- Rough seas make a tough voyage but it also makes a tough sailor.
- Vengeance belongs to God, while doing right belongs to God’s children.
- People have rotten lives, not because they do not have things, but because they do not consider the things they already have.
- Preaching is an imperfect man preaching a perfect book to imperfect people hoping to perfect them.
- Marriage should be between 2 people dedicated to selflessness and sacrifice.
- If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, would you live today worrying about yesterday? I think not.
- There's a difference between a fall being public and publicizing the fall.
- Confess your faults to one another and you will not need to confess as many sins to God.
- You will never learn the lessons from your sins if you are too busy complaining over the consequences of your sins. Accept the consequences with grace and you will learn the lessons.
- How arrogant to think we can disqualify he whom God has called.
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Bible thoughts from some others:
- Pro 23:19, “Hear thou, my son, and be wise, and guide thine heart in the way.” I wonder how many of US, as adults, listen to wise instruction? Or, are we simply like everyone else and retain The Ostrich Syndrome?!
- Bible thoughts! Ps 13:6, I will sing unto the Lord, because he hath dealt bountifully with me. He doesn't give us what we deserve, that's for sure! God is an awesome God!
- Bible thoughts! Ps 11:4, The LORD is in his holy temple, the LORD'S throne is in heaven: his eyes behold, his eyelids try, the children of men. We are never alone. We may be going through a trial, but God promises help and His presence.
- Ps 29:11, The Lord will give strength unto his people: the Lord will bless his people with peace. After seeing the greatness of God in a storm and in nature, the psalmist concludes that He is the source of strength and peace for His people. Too bad that we’re not as observant today!
- Ps 34:18, “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.” Hey, here's some good news!! It does come with a condition, though. There so many good things that nigh means. Definition of “nigh”: near; not distant in place or time.” He's not the Old Man upstairs or an old fuddy-duddy in a distant time! That's why God told Moses to tell the children of Israel his name is, “I AM THAT I AM" (Ex 3:14). He's right here, right now!
- God's pretty smart! He tells us to have a HEART for instruction, first. Then, it'll be like 2nd nature to want to hear and learn. Pro 23:12, “Apply thine heart unto instruction, and thine ears to the words of knowledge.”
- Bible thoughts! Ps 19:5, “Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race." We know this particular verse is talking about the sun up in the sky! Wow! If the sun, a mere star, can have joy and strength in its course, so can we, the children of God!
- Bible thoughts! Ps 18:13, "The LORD also thundered in the heavens, and the highest gave his voice; hail stones and coals of fire." God moves heaven, sky, earth, and sea to deliver His kids! Yikes! Takeaway: don't mess with God's kids!
- Bible thoughts! Ps 16:8a, 9a, "I have set the Lord always before me:" "Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth:" Wow! What amazing benefits of putting God first! Have a blessed day, peeps! I hear birds singing their morning song! The world is waking up!
- Since the "love" of money is the root of all evil and not money alone, then it is really selfishness. It is an individual curse. It is me wanting everything in "my" best interest which is a selfish root that will eventually poison and destroy all other branch relationships.
- My thought life becomes my behavioral life which defines who I am. If I am to change who I am, I must change my thought life. That can only be done by changing my commitments. Lack of commitment means a lack of planning which leads to insecurity which leads to an identity crisis. Pro 16:3, "Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established."
- If Satan got kicked out of Heaven for sin, what makes you think that you’ll get into Heaven with sin?
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