Sunday, 1/31/16 Ps 22:1-3, …hast thou forsaken me? ..so far from helping me… I cry…but thou hearest not… But thou art holy… Even Bible giants went through the deepest, darkest valleys. 1You’ll be no different. 2God is still God, with all His goodness, in those valleys. 3This too shall pass. Matt 27:1, When the morning was come, all the chief priests and elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death. Just because you can gather others to join you in sin and to add their voices to yours so that you all agree that you’re acting “justly” doesn’t make it so. (We’ve all done it...)
Monday, 2/1/16 Pro 22:5, Thorns and snares are in the way of the forward: he that doth keep his soul shall be far from them. It’s your choice: you can either deal with the struggles to “keep” (corral, subdue) your soul (will, emotions, desires), or deal with the thorns and snares of not having done so. Ps 141:3, Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. A simple thought: Shut the door!! We put too much food into our mouths and too much poor quality food/drink; and we let too much garbage come out of our mouths (gossip, slander, cursing, idle, worthless chit-chat). Shut the door!!! “Were you born in a barn??”
Tuesday, 2/2/16 Matt 27:43, He trusted in God: let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God. Which do you want more: deliverance from your situation NOW or that whichnon-deliverance will bring LATER? 1 Pet 3:6, Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord... Sarah called Abraham “Lord.” Ladies, when was the last time that you used the word “sir” in talking to your husband? (“Yes sir. No sir.”) When was the last time you obeyed him? Men, does the word “Ma’am” cross your lips often towards your wife? And, don’t forget, we’re to “submit one to another,” so at times, sir, you’re to give in to her and her thinking, and to do it graciously. (Thought I’d meddle hard this morning...) (Kudos to my daughter Katie who is exemplary at this!!)
Wednesday, 2/3/16 James 1:18, Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth… Basic doctrine: If the Bible is not included, no salvation occurs. Memorize verses to weave into conversation if the situation prevents you from opening a Bible. Job 27:8,For what is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? Context indicates that this is not talking about death. A believer who willfully and purposefully lives in a manner other than what he knows is right is opening himself up to the possibility of God sucking the life right out of his soul.
Thursday, 2/4/16 Ps 29:1-2, Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. Speaking to the mighty people (the accomplished, skilled, wealthy, confident, i.e. the leaders): give God what you’re good at (donate some of your abilities), and thereby, put the spotlight onto Him. Eph 6:2-3, Honor thy father and mother; for this is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth. Can I be saved if I’m dishonorable to my parents? Yes, once we’re saved, we’re always saved, but this verse is proof that God deals with us here on earth depending on our actions. We’re eternally forgiven, but here on earth, we are held accountable (which indicates that records are kept; and blessings/punishments dispensed according to our actions.)
Friday, 2/5/16 Ps 105:1, O give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people. Honestly, when was the last time you talked about God in casual conversation? We talk about the Super Bowl, work, and people…but not the Lord God. Shame on me and us. Ezra 10:10, Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed… Now therefore make confession unto the Lord God of your fathers, and do his pleasure… The people were told to do 2 things: confess their wrong and begin to do right. The first cancels the negative and the 2ndbegins new habits. Do you only want to be forgiven, or do you want to become righteous?
Saturday, 2/6/16 Picture the first warm spring day…walking out and basking in the warm sunshine like it was a hot shower in the morning. That’s how we should feel in Ps 105:3, Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord. Mark 12:41-44, …a certain poor widow…cast in…of her want…all she had, even all her living. There is no indication of blessings/recompense from God in this passage, but think of her heavenly fame now, and also how much money has been given to God because of her. Lesson: all paybacks for righteous living may not happen this side of Heaven.
Sunday, 2/7/16 Given your choice, would you like to wear real diamonds or cubic zirconiums? Pro 1:9, For [parental instructions and guidance] shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains (necklaces) about thy neck. Obedience and submission are beautiful. Ditch your worldly “costume jewelry.” Pro 31:1-9 details instructions to a king. V9 says that he is to “plead the cause” of the downtrodden. Leaders: this goes beyond being fair if a problem is brought to you; this to be “actively on the case” for the least, the littlest, and the last in your care.
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Miscellaneous thoughts from others:
- Vision is transferred through people not paper.
- I didn't understand it then, but I do now. Dad used to say, "You don't buy things when you need them. It's always more expensive that way, or not in stock. You buy things before you need them. And you stay ahead that way." Preaching is that way too. Don't wait until you're at wits end to darken the doors of God's house. Stocking up on Truth is always wise. Getting trapped in a surprise blizzard isn't the weatherman's fault. Dad was so wise!
- In this day and age, everybody is a “victim.” You say, “I am a victim of my environment. I am a victim of my parents. I am a victim of my church. I am a victim of my preacher. I am a victim of society.” No, you are not either! You are responsible for yourself, and those of us who teach you and train you are not going to answer to God because you did not turn out right. You are going to answer to God for that. If we do not train you, we will answer to God for being disobedient.
- People fall because they don't ask God to show them where it's slippery.
- When you talk to your child you are leaving an inner voice in them.
- If you are knocked down, you do not have to stay down. If you cannot make it through, you can certainly try again. If life pins you to the mat, you can still lift that shoulder one more time. If your way is blocked today, go at it again tomorrow. Quit blaming everyone else. REFUSE to self-destruct!
- Human kindness has never weakened the stamina or softened the fiber of a free people. A nation does not have to be cruel to be tough.
- Broken crayons can still color something beautiful.
- God never explains his actions beforehand. We face them with no answers other than the fact that we know he has a reason. The more we learn this the more we can face anything with confidence.
- In the Bible we clearly see that the best of men contained serious sin and were greatly flawed. Yet, we see the great work God did in and through them. Why then is it so hard for us to see the potential for God to do the same with those we know to have committed serious sins and who are greatly flawed. Is God losing his touch or are we losing touch with the greatness of God's mercy?
- I find myself understanding scripture much better using this dictionary (Webster’s 1828) - even when looking up words “I think" I know what their definitions are. Our English language has changed so much over that last 185 years that we see words and think a certain way about what a particle scripture means - because we're using our current days meaning. I've been using this through a browser; but glad to see they have an app for it!
- Youth may fail to listen to their parents, but they never fail to be like their parents.
- Let those that think themselves buried alive be content to shine like lamps in their sepulchers, and wait till God's time come for setting them on a candlestick.
- I came "Just as I am," and left, Just as Christ is.
- Christ is not trying to make you happy; he is trying to make you holy. When you become holier you will be happier.
- Humble people realize that they are not as wonderful as their dog thinks.
- Are you facing a road block in your life? God can see a path that you know nothing about. Patiently trust God and keep moving forward in faith. Even when you cannot see a way, God is preparing a way for you. God knows what is best for you even though you cannot see it. All the things that seem hopeless will one day be seen in the light of his perfect purpose and plan. God never gets lost.
- Success is not measured by its accomplishments, but by the struggles that produced its accomplishments.
- Love is used in Scriptures as a verb (as well as a noun), and thus demanding action towards an object.
- If you notice people's sins more than you notice God's grace it is because you are more interested in sin than grace.
- Imagine what it would be life if God's people were as compassionate over souls as they are passionate over politics.
- I want to be such a servant/friend that no one ever says, "Sorry to bother you" when they need me.
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Bible thoughts from some others:
- Psalms 150:1-2, Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. The word FIRMAMENT denotes an expanse, a wide extent, the far reaching of; it conveys the sense of stretching or extension. That's what God's power is like: immeasurable. When you think about it, there's a whole lot of unbelievable reasons for which we can praise God!
- “When it's all said and done, the only thing that matters is what's DONE and not said." So many times we say to someone in need, “Let me know if there's anything I can do." Jesus went about DOING good. I'm making a resolve to DO more. Acts 10:38, How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
- Every trial is preparing you for the next trial. The next level requires experience. Even the toughest "final exam" is not final. You just move on to the next semester. 1 Peter 4:12, Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you.
- It's important that MY actions do not cause my children to rebel. 1 Kings12:19, So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. Was it right for Israel to rebel? No! But...it was CAUSED BY King Rehoboam's actions/example!
- Bible thoughts! Ps 31:7, I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities. Here's a great antidote to depression and oppression! God is an amazing therapist and doctor, so why not go to Him before going to anyone else??!!
- Repentant saint, never accept that your only ministry is to make the self-righteous feel better in their state of perpetual idleness. Ps 51:12-15,Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.... O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
- Curb your unhealthy mental appetite for imminent doom before you lose your mind. I watched a dear friend fall into mental anguish, sacrifice his health, and sadly take his own life. His whole being was destroyed through a lust for knowledge of conspiracy. Don't yield and despair to the profit driven conspiracy industry. The conspiracy which has its foundation in Eden was conceived at the throne of Heaven by Lucifer, and will there be destroyed. "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." -Jesus (John16:33.)
- Est 1:12a, But the Queen Vashti refused to come at the king’s commandment by his chamberlains. Even health, ungodly women can have character and high moral standards. Too bad we don’t teach that to our godly girls and women today!
- Ps 143:10, Teach me to do thy will: for thou art my God: thy Spirit is good! Lead me into the land of uprightness. This needs to be the prayer and plea of every eternally saved, blood washed child of God. If He is our God, and His Spirit indwells us, why not get all the benefits?
- Pro 1:7, The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction. Those who have no fear of the Lord will often not listen when instructed, and think they know everything. They are called “fools” by God.
- Luke 18:7, and shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? We should never give up on God. Just the time that we think He’s not listening, He comes through. Great need requires great faith and persistent prayer.
- Job 2:6, And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand, but save his life. What a comfort and encouragement to know that the devil is on a leash and is limited by our God in his activities!! If that doesn’t bless us and make us want to shout our blessers broken!!
- Bible thoughts! Ps 3:2, Many there be which way of my soul, There is no help for him of God. Selah. This is a very hard verse to read with enthusiasm. Lol. Sometimes we do feel like God isn't helping our situation.....at all! But I'm here to say that He IS making provision. He IS guiding, leading, and caring for it, so have faith.
- Bible thoughts! Ps 7:17, I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high. Feeling a little down today? Start singing!
- Bible thoughts! Ps 6:6, I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. That sure sounds like depression or oppression, doesn't it? During times such as these, sometimes all we can really do is just stop everything and put our focus on the Lord.
- Job 2:13, So they sat down with him upon the ground 7 days and nights, and none spake a word unto him, for they saw that his grief was very great. Three men were genuinely concerned and desired to be a help and a comfort to a dear friend. They did more harm than good. They stayed too long, speculated too much, and later said too much. Let’s be sure we’re a comfort to the hurting.
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