Bible Thoughts by Terry Hedderman

- Monday, 4/9/17  If something is inevitable, why not prepare for it (winter, school, surgery, etc.)? Psalm 145:1, I will extol thee, my God, O king; and I will bless thy name for ever and ever. You’ll praise God for eternity: start now.                              Matthew 18:35, So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you, if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses. The word “likewise” ties back to v34. So what will our loving heavenly Father do to His children who won’t forgive each other? V34, And his lord was wroth, and delivered him to the tormentors, till he should pay all that was due unto him. Believers holding grudges and hard feelings is deathly serious to our God. His words, not mine.
 
- Tuesday, 4/10/17  1 Peter 2:24, [Jesus] bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. To reconcile a relationship, we may have to totally take the blame and punishment for something we did not do. Are you willing to do that? Do you want your way, and your reputation to remain intact, or do you want reconciliation?                               Ephesians 5:1, Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children. Do you follow God’s ways as a beloved child or as a coerced slave? As a member of the family, or as a trinket bought at a yard sale? Is He your Abba, Father, Daddy, or just your stern God?
 
- Wednesday, 4/11/17  Romans 12:1-2, Because of the manifest mercies of God, we are to “present our bodies,” not conform or pattern our lives to this world’s way of operating, and to renew our minds. This is Christianity 101... So, all of us need to give ourselves a grade for effort and effectiveness.                                    Psalm 147:2, The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcasts of Israel. No person is so far gone as to not be included by our Lord. Is there any group of people (immigrants, gays, gang bangers, wealthy, Muslims, convicts, etc., or that ONE CERTAIN PERSON WHOM YOU HATE) whom you would not work with closely to benefit the Kingdom of God?
 
- Thursday, 4/12/17  3 John 2, Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. Is your body as healthy as your soul? Is your soul as healthy as your body? The recipe is the same: diet, exercise, and protection from negative outside influence (germs).                         Psalm 42:5, Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me? hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance. David seems to be of a split personality here: his soul was despairing yet his faith was strong. Don’t be distressed when life overwhelms your emotions. It’s OK to doubt while trusting and to trust while doubting. God understands our frame.
 
- Friday, 4/13/17  Psalm 4:8, I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety. Sad to say, we oftentimes depend on the 2nd Amendment or our security measures (locks, bolts, karate, etc.) or alertness for safety instead of, or more than, we do on the Lord.                              Psalm 5:8, Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. This is a very hard desire/prayer to manifest in times of trouble, with enemies actively attacking us: wanting to do things righteously (spiritually, as opposed to what our flesh wants, which is probably revenge), and asking God to show us His will and way (as opposed to our way) in the matter.
 
- Saturday, 4/14/17  Proverbs 11:1, A false balance is abomination to the Lord: but a just weight is his delight.  1) God notices all aspects of our lives.  2) Our doing “small, no-consquence” righteousness brings Him happiness.  3) Even in the smallest matters, there is definite right and wrong.                                  Psalm 149:2, Let Israel rejoice in him that made him: let the children of Zion be joyful in their King. We currently have plenty of blessings over which to be joyful, but if you’re drawing a blank, then “re-joy-ce”: pull up something from the past and tell Him again how awesome He was then...you’ll think of some new stuff: I promise.
 
- Sunday, 4/15/17  1 Corinthians 5:6, Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Make no doubt, the sin that we will not deal with negatively affects our families, churches, businesses, schools, social groups. For their sake, get right.                           To the degree that we’re self-sufficient in the direction of our lives, to that degree we’re fools.  Proverbs 12:15, The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise. See how often you’ve run your choices and decisions through someone else in recent months. How often do you ask life questions?
 
- Monday, 4/16/17  Proverbs 13:3, He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Most of our troubles come when we’re in the wrong place, doing the wrong thing (including speaking), with the wrong people.                         Ecclesiastes 3:1, To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. Then, 14 pairs of positive and negative events are listed. Philippians 4:8, ...if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things [true, honest, just, pure, lovely, good report topics]1It is certain: we will have positive and negative events happen in our lives.  2It is equally certain: people around us will manifest positive and negative characteristics.  3We cannot prevent either, nor may we generally change either.  4However, we may choose that on which to think, and dwell, and emphasize.  5Negative events need to be handled with faith and patience.  6Negative character is people with longsuffering and forgiveness and communication.
 
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Bible thoughts from some others:
- Ps 145:14, The Lord upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down. What a great truth to hang on to!! No matter the reason, He is still there!!
 
- Pro 12:11, He that tilleth his land shall be satisfied with bread: he that followeth vain persons is void of understanding. We need to be very careful whom we follow, as well as get rich quick schemes. We need to work and make a living the old fashioned way.
 
- Acts 11:29, Then the disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea. It has always been God’s plan for those whom He blesses to pass on those blessings to the poor, needy, and hurting.
 
- Ps 149:6, Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand. This needs to be the motto over every child of God!! Praise in our mouth and a KJB in our hand.
 
- Ps 1:6, For the Lord knoweth the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly shall perish. We need not worry: our God knows where we are headed, and has everything under His control. The lost and ungodly are in for a great surprise and tradegy.
 
- Pro 17:1, Better is a dry morsel, and quietness therewith, than a house full of sacrifices with strife. Peace, tranquility, and quietness in a home is far more important than wealth, prosperity, and contention. We had peace in my house because Dad was willing to make war.
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