TUESDAY WRITING FOR 1/8/10..."Thought Provoking and Motivational Quotes."

Thought Provoking and Motivational Quotes.  

A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you and were helped by you will remember you when forget-me-nots have withered. Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.  Charles Spurgeon

A lie can travel half way around the world while the truth is putting on its shoes. Charles Spurgeon

A sinner can no more repent and believe without the Holy Spirit's aid than he can create a world. Charles Spurgeon

A vigorous temper is not altogether an evil. Men who are easy as an old shoe are generally of little worth. Charles Spurgeon 

Beware of no man more than of yourself; we carry our worst enemies within us. Charles Spurgeon

By perseverance the snail reached the ark. Charles Spurgeon 

It is not how much we have, but how much we enjoy, that makes happiness. Charles Spurgeon

Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties.Charles Spurgeon

No one is so miserable as the poor person who maintains the appearance of wealth. Charles Spurgeon

No one knows who is listening, say nothing you would not wish put in the newspapers. Charles Spurgeon

None are more unjust in their judgments of others than those who have a high opinion of themselves. Charles Spurgeon

Of two evils, choose neither. Charles Spurgeon

Saving faith is an immediate relation to Christ, accepting, receiving, resting upon Him alone, for justification, sanctification, and eternal life by virtue of God's grace. Charles Spurgeon

Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite. Charles Spurgeon 
The greatest enemy to human souls is the self-righteous spirit which makes men look to themselves for salvation.Charles Spurgeon

The Lord gets his best soldiers out of the highlands of affliction. Charles Spurgeon

Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of. Charles Spurgeon

A child who is allowed to be disrespectful to his parents will not have true respect for anyone. Billy Graham

A real Christian is a person who can give his pet parrot to the town gossip. Billy Graham

Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity has. Billy Graham

Courage is contagious. When a brave man takes a stand, the spines of others are often stiffened. Billy Graham

God proved His love on the Cross. When Christ hung, and bled, and died, it was God saying to the world, "I love you." Billy Graham

God will prepare everything for our perfect happiness in heaven, and if it takes my dog being there, I believe he'll be there. Billy Graham

I've read the last page of the Bible. It's all going to turn out all right. Billy Graham

If a person gets his attitude toward money straight, it will help straighten out almost every other area in his life.Billy Graham

Man has two great spiritual needs. One is for forgiveness. The other is for goodness. Billy Graham

My home is in Heaven. I'm just traveling through this world. Billy Graham

Nothing can bring a real sense of security into the home except true love. Billy Graham

Only God Himself fully appreciates the influence of a Christian mother in the molding of character in her children.Billy Graham

Only those who want everything done for them are bored. Billy Graham

Prayer is simply a two-way conversation between you and God. Billy Graham

Read the Bible. Work hard and honestly. And don't complain. Billy Graham

Suppose you could gain everything in the whole world, and lost your soul. Was it worth it? Billy Graham

Tears shed for self are tears of weakness, but tears shed for others are a sign of strength. Billy Graham

The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion. Billy Graham

The highest form of worship is the worship of unselfish Christian service. The greatest form of praise is the sound of consecrated feet seeking out the lost and helpless. Billy Graham

The men who followed Him were unique in their generation. They turned the world upside down because their hearts had been turned right side up. The world has never been the same. Billy Graham

The most eloquent prayer is the prayer through hands that heal and bless. Billy Graham

The only time my prayers are never answered is on the golf course. Billy Graham

There is nothing wrong with men possessing riches. The wrong comes when riches possess men. Billy Graham

We are not cisterns made for hoarding, we are channels made for sharing. Billy Graham

When wealth is lost, nothing is lost; when health is lost, something is lost; when character is lost, all is lost. Billy Graham

You're born. You suffer. You die. Fortunately, there's a loophole. Billy Graham

Today's Devotional 

"ORDINARY PEOPLE" 

Written by
Carol Steficek

"These were commended for their faith, 

yet none of them received what had been promised.  

God had planned something better for us so that 

only together with us would they be made perfect." 

Hebrews 11:39, 40

Some of the most popular television shows are "idol" shows.  Contestants are trying to gain their moment of fame.  The vast majority of us are just ordinary people living ordinary lives doing ordinary daily tasks.  

The 11th chapter of Hebrews outlines many ordinary people of God who exhibited extraordinary faith -- the thing that really matter in life.  These people did not take pride in themselves.  They didn't seek to do their own will, but rather God's.  And they approached God by faith and lived their faith every day of their lives.  

The world has never and will never recognize people for being great because of their faith.  More likely, Christians will continue to be ridiculed for their faith and even persecuted for it.  But God has something looming ahead in the future that is well worth the price of standing firm in the faith.  The world is not worthy and won't ever recognize or realize the plan of God.  He has reserved eternity for ordinary people with extraordinary faith

In Great Expectation,

Sandy Billingham

Today's Devotional 

"He Delivers Us 

From All Of Our Troubles" 

by Sandy Billingham

We all have times in our life that we face problems and troubles. If you live in this life, there is really no way you can escape them. In fact, God says in His Word we shall have trials and tribulations. Some problems we face may seem insurmountable. We may think there is no answer and no way out and it will be forever. We can

even reach a place of hopelessness and despair if we choose to focus on our troubles. That is definitely not a good place where you want to camp out in your mind. It can lead to depression and other health issues.

One thing is for sure is that our focus needs to stay on the Lord. We cannot pretend the problem is not there and go about our daily life.  We have a Mighty God that will not abandon us during any situation of our life we are walking through. The Lord is the KEY!

He tells us in His Word...

  

"The righteous cry out, 

and the Lord hears

                           and delivers them 

                               out of all their troubles."

                                         Psalm 34:17

As we cry out to our God with our problems, we can be assured that He will hear us loud and clear. Not only does His Word say that He hears us, but He also will deliver us out of every single trouble! So, because His Word is true, we have great confidence that He will provide just what we need to get to the other side as He walks alongside us. 

God's promises in His Word shall come through for us with His wonderful provision. That is just the kind of God that we serve. That is how His Heavenly Kingdom works for His people. We can Praise God and thank Him even in our most difficult times because we know that our God will come through for us no matter how big our troubles may be!

Next time you are struggling with some major problems, look to the Rock, cry out to Him, then expect Him to move those mountains in your life!! He is our Powerful Deliverer and will always come through for You!!

From a catholic high school (Archdiocese of Hartford)... in response to a senator's remark about

where is God in all the tragedy in the world....

 

https://vimeo.com/148643920

Complete Confidence............Monday

2/29/15

'Ruff! Ruff! Ruff!' with a high pitched bark our Fifi is at the sliding glass door announcing her desire to come inside. Someone always responds by letting her in. A few minutes later she is sitting at the door, she tries to make eye contact with anyone who comes near, hoping to be let back out again.


We play this game all day long. We let her out - she investigates her small domain for rambunctious squirrels and birds - and sniffs grass, dirt, flowers, and the air. Only when the warmth of the sun lulls her into a nap on the deck is the game interrupted.

Fifi's meal routine includes lots of excited tale wagging as she anticipates her breakfast or dinner. Even though we feed her the same food every time, she is always eager.

Once upon a time Fifi was a stray living on the streets. After she was hit by a car she still managed to avoid capture. When she finally made it to the shelter her broken leg was too far gone to save. But our 3 legged pet is so trusting- she acts as though we will always be there for her. 

Thinking about her complete confidence in us - I wonder if my life shows such confidence in the One who loves all of us so completely.

He will say to them, ‘I have loved you with an everlasting love.

That is why I have continued to be faithful to you.

Jeremiah 31:3b NET

But then I talk to the Lord and explain that there are so many things for me to worry about and take care of, I don't want to drop the ball, or fail to be prepared for whatever comes.

Don't love money; be satisfied with what you have.
 For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” 
Hebrews 13:5 NLT

Dear Lord, we know that Your Word tells us to trust You for everything but also to not be lazy but busy and diligent like the ant and prepare for what we know is coming - like next month's bills. Please help us to lay aside our fears and hold onto our faith - so that we may know the peace of living in complete confidence in You. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M Wilkins

Jordan Feliz performs "Beloved"

LEGAL vs ETHICAL... Sunday

Devotional for 2/28/16

In the business world what is legally allowed and what is ethical or right is not always congruent.  Ethics can differ between various people or groups.  Laws can vary by state or county, etc.  Sometimes we legislate ethics, but not always. Some of our laws seem to be based on the 10 commandments, but even those laws may have different definitions than the Bible.  The commandment "Thou shalt not murder" is also a law in our country, until it comes to the unborn, because some people don't define that as murder.  But for those who find abortion on demand unethical, it is still not illegal.  So just because something is legal, doesn't mean it is ethical.  "Thou shalt not steal" on the surface may seem more universally accepted and legislated.  But what about taking supplies home from the office?  Legally that is stealing, but some people feel it is totally acceptable because they deserve it or the company can afford it.  Or even more obscure, what about spending company time doing something personal, like checking e-mail or posting on social media?  Some people see nothing wrong with this, but others would consider it stealing the company's time and money, because the employee is being paid to work for that time when they were not doing their job.  Ethics and laws do not always agree.

So whom do we obey?  In Romans 13 we are told we should be subject to the governing authorities, because all of them were established by God.  

Romans 13:1-2  (NIV)  Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.  The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.

Yet if the laws violate God's commands, our ethics, then we are to respectfully refuse to obey those laws.  Applying this to our lives may prove to be difficult, but the overriding principle is that if our faith is in jeopardy then we must obey God and not man.  Just because something is legal, does not mean it is right to do in God's eyes. We must turn to God in prayer to help guide our actions, and for forgiveness where we may have made the wrong compromises.

1 Corinthians 6:12 (NIV)  "I have the right to do anything," you say - but not everything is beneficial... 

Romans 12:2 (NIV)  Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.  Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Mark 8:36 (NIV)  What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?  Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

Dear God, all power and authority are yours.  Help us to know when we are to follow man's laws, and when we are to respectfully decline to follow them when they violate your commands.  Give us the courage to stand up for our faith and what is right when it is necessary.  Forgive us where we have compromised our faith.  Thank you for loving us through it all.  In Jesus' name, Amen.

written by Jan Andersen

Awesome God...A Prayer........Saturday

In the Word, our precious  Bible provides all kinds of inspiration for prayer. Some prayers are even quoted in the Bible, for instance the Lord's prayer. 

In Psalms we have amazing poetry written for music that is actually prayer.

This prayer has been written by a friend who is a  prayer warrior and a very
amazing woman. The prayer below was written a prayer based on  the tw0
 scripture below

 Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,
for ever and ever! Amen. 

Ephesians 3:20-21

NIV

We have all benefited
from the rich blessings
he brought to us—
blessing upon blessing
heaped upon us.John 1:16TLB

Lord, 

I ask that you will help remove any trace of doubt in
 your ability or your willingness to give good gifts to us,
your children. Lord you are able to do immeasurably
more than all we ask or imagine. You bless us in ways
that we did not even think to ask you for. Sometimes 

those blessings are not even something that we initially
wanted or liked but you know our needs better than we 

do. You are at work in our lives, and your power is evident 

in us as we turn to you. Thank you for all you have done 

for us. Thank you for the many blessings that  you send
our way. From the fullness of your grace we have indeed 

all received one blessing after another. Open our eyes to
see all that you are doing for us. It is so easy for us to focus on

 the lacks-the needs-the wants- and forget your provision,
your blessings, your good gifts that you have given us.
Lord forgive our nearsightedness, forgive the times that we
barely mention all you have done for us while we ask 

for more and more, and heal the selfishness in our  hearts. 

Give us gratitude and willingness to tell others how your are 

indeed working in our your goodness encourage others
and bring glory to you as we tell of your answered
prayersto those around us. Fill our churches with
testimonies of your working in the lives of your
children. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by
Lisabeth Lipp