Daily Thought for Monday, Febraury 28th

February 28, 2011

Movie Ministry (The End)

(This like the Rock and Roll Series is not intended to offend but rather to use a little different tactic to provoke us towards greater strides in our spiritual life.)

Finding a Spiritual Message in unexpected places from unexpected sources.

Today’s Thought:

“There is one spectacle grander than the sea, that is the sky: there is one spectacle grander than the sky, that is the interior of the soul.” – Victor Hugo from “Les Miserables”

“For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” – The Bible (Matthew 16:26)

Today’s Question

Have you seen God today?

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Many persons have a wrong idea of what constitutes true happiness.  It is not attained through self-gratification but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.” – Helen Keller

The purpose of this series has been to help us see God in unlikely places.  To look for meaning that can be spiritual in nature in places it isn’t generally intended to be found.

Godly virtue, spiritual awareness and Christian growth don’t have to happen in a church hall, sanctuary or classroom.  It can be facilitated there but true spiritual growth comes by living and doing.

We could look to songs, books, movies or any number of things and if we look hard enough we can find something in there to point our attention towards, God, if we really want too.

I could have continued this series for many more days, but I have opted not too.  And obviously I did not pick Christian based or faith themed movies to illustrate each day’s message.

But the truth is this, God is everywhere, and truth about Him can be found in anything, if we are willing to look.

Everything in life has a time, season and purpose.  Sometimes we miss the good purpose of things because we spend too much time focusing on the bad.  We look at the surface, see the obvious and often don’t look much further than past the nose on our faces when it comes to what might really be there for us to see.

It is easy to see God in flowers, sunsets, and snow-capped mountains; but do you see Him in less obvious things?

I am convinced that if we try hard enough look deep enough and focus with spiritual intent with humble hearts we can find something of God in almost anything, even if it does take a little extra effort.

So, have you seen God today?  If not start looking around and I hope you find Him in the most unusual places.

Today’s Verses:

Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labour which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose.  The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things are full of labour; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

                        Ecclesiastes 1:2-10

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;  A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace. What profit hath he that worketh in that wherein he laboureth? I have seen the travail, which God hath given to the sons of men to be exercised in it. He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life. And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.  I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.:

Ecclesiastes 3:1-14

Today’s Prayer:

Father, I know you always there, ever near and everywhere; so help me to see you even in places I wouldn’t normally think to look.

Daily Thought for Friday, February 25th

February 25, 2011

Movie Ministry (Part Five)

(This like the Rock and Roll Series is not intended to offend but rather to use a little different tactic to provoke us towards greater strides in our spiritual life.)

Finding a Spiritual Message in “Peter Pan”

Today’s Thought:

“Faith, like a jackal, feeds among the tombs, and even from these dead doubts she gathers her most vital hope.” – Herman Melville from “Moby Dick”

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also  - The Bible (James 2:26)

Today’s Question

Did you know that, “Faith is believing what you know ain’t so?” – Mark Twain from “Pudd’nhead Wilson’s New Calendar”

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

J. M. Barrie originally wrote the story of “Peter Pan” and before it was a movie made by Walt Disney in 1953 it was a stage play in England.  There was a remake of this film in 2003 in which director P. J. Hogan took the animated characters and brought them to life using real people.   “Peter Pan” is the story of imagination and make believe in which the Darling children fly away to Neverland with Peter, aided by fairy dust, which made them fly, to the land of the Lost Boys who along with Peter Pan, Wendy, and the rest of the Darling children engaged in a uproarious escapade with Captain Hook and his band of Pirates.

Many offshoots and variations of this story have come along through out the years, but the essence of this story is our focus for spiritual application today.

This story deals with the ability to have a child-like simplicity of faith to believe that these things can happen.  Of course to outgrow childhood is for this ability to end, thus Peter Pan is the eternal boy who never grows up.

Child-like faith is an important element in spiritual growth.  But unlike Peter and the gang Christians do not place their faith in fantasy, but rather in reality.  We believe, by faith that God created the Heavens and Earth: by faith we believe that God sent His son, Jesus to die on the cross for our sins; by faith we believe at Jesus died and rose again on the third day victories over death and hell: and by faith we believe He is coming again, very soon to claim His Bride, The Church.

Everything from accepting His salvation; believing He is who He says He is and living daily for Him requires faith.

Without faith it is impossible.

So we’ve gotta have faith, faith faith as George Michael’s of Wham sang in one of his songs.

The movie “Peter Pan” in and of itself may seem frivolous and silly to many adults, but it’s truth, spiritually speaking is true – we must believe.

After all, faith is simply believing what we cannot see but knowing that it is real.

Today’s Verses:

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

              Romans 10:17

I know thy works, and charity, and service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be more than the first.

                        Revelation 2:19

But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:

1 Timothy 6:11-14

Today’s Prayer:

Father, now abides faith, hope and love and I know the greatest of these is love.  But without faith, I can’t hope and without hope I won’t love, so help me love most, hope more and have greater faith.

(Tune in on Monday as we wrap up this series.)

Daily Thought for Thursday, February 24th

February 24, 2011

Movie Ministry (Part Four)

(This like the Rock and Roll Series is not intended to offend but rather to use a little different tactic to provoke us towards greater strides in our spiritual life.)

Finding a Spiritual Message in “Gone With The Wind”

Today’s Thought:

“There is, of course, a difference between what one seizes and what one really possesses.” – Pearl S. Buck from “What America Means to Me”

And (Job) said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.- The Bible (Job 1:21)

Today’s Question

Did you know that Jesus didn’t own land or a house; all he had were the clothes on his back and even they were gambled away, at his crucifixion?

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

A classic; and some consider an epic film, “Gone with the Wind” based on the novel by the same name written by Margaret Mitchell; was directed by Victor Fleming in 1939 and featured in her debut role as Scarlet O’Hara, Vivian Leigh.

This film is set during the time frame of the Civil War in which Scarlet looses most everything she treasures when Tara is ransacked, looted and burned to the ground.  Much of this film is about loss; for the main character.  She even losses the man she most desires when Ashley Wilkes marries Melanie Hamilton.  Of course we know Scarlet goes on to marry Rhett Butler, played by Clark Gable; but she is never really happy.

What does this movie have for us, of a spiritual nature, to glean from it?

There are probably many things we could take from this film to make spiritual applications of; but the one I want us to focus on is this: “You can’t take it with you.”

Sometimes, as was the case for Scarlet, she couldn’t even hold onto it while she was here.

The important lesson for us to take from this film, spiritually speaking, is earthly treasures, and even relationships can fade away, disappear and not last, but those things that are of an eternal nature last forever.  Those things we cherish that are spiritual in nature; like our relationships with our Heavenly Father and our Elder Brother, Jesus, will last forever.  Those acts and deeds we do that have spiritual significance and are treasured in Heaven will carry with us to our eternal reward.

Witnessing, ministering for God’s glory, sharing our faith, praying, hiding God’s word in our heart – these things will last.

Houses, cars, jobs, and the like will fade away and even if we hold on to them till our dying day, we can’t take them with us.

What we can take is the testimony and the evidence of the life we lived and if we live a life focused on spiritual things having eternal significance then we will have a great treasure when we reach the other side.

Today’s Verses:

Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:  But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:  For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

Matthew 6:19-21

Today’s Prayer:

Father, help me keep things in perspective, remembering what is important and cherishing those things that will follow me into eternity; rather than being obsessed with temporal things that I will have to leave behind.

(Tune in tomorrow as we look for Spiritual meaning in ‘Peter Pan.’)

Daily Thought for Wednesday, February 23rd

February 23, 2011

Movie Ministry (Part Three)

(This like the Rock and Roll Series is not intended to offend but rather to use a little different tactic to provoke us towards greater strides in our spiritual life.)

Finding a Spiritual Message in “The Cure”

Today’s Thought:

“It is to the credit of human nature, that, except where its selfishness is brought into play, it loves more readily than it hates.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne from “The Scarlet Letter”

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. - The Bible (John 15:13)

Today’s Question

Did you know that Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you?” (John 15:12)

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“The Cure” is a 1995 film directed by Peter Horton about a young eleven-year-old boy named Dexter, who had contracted aids because of a bad blood transfusion he has had to undergo because he is a hemophiliac.

Dexter is pretty much shunned by other kids, as well as by the parents of the others kids including Eric’s mother.  Eric is a little older than Dexter, but he accepts Dexter, as he is, befriends him and makes it his personal quest to ensure that Dexter has a memorable adventure before his life comes to an end.  This movie chronicles their adventures: Dexter’s death and the impact that both his life and death have upon Eric.

What does this film have to say to us that could be considered of spiritual significance?

It simply reminds us that we need to love our brother as ourselves.  We need to accept people without judging them because of their circumstances and situation because we nay not fully understand where they have come from and how they got to where they are.

We need to love every soul with the love of Jesus and reach out to minister to each persons needs.

Remember, but for the grace of God we could be in that person’s place or even in a worse place.

This film reminds us to follow the ‘Golden Rule’ – to do unto others, as we would have them do to us.

Remember you never know whose life you may touch and what difference you may make; and furthermore you never know how much of a difference that person you reach out to might make in your life.

Today’s Verses:

Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world:  For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?  When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

Matthew 25:34-45

Today’s Prayer:

Father, grant me grace, strength, wisdom and desire to reach out to others in need; and thank you that you will use some of these people to reach me at my point of need too.

(Tune in tomorrow as we look for Spiritual meaning in ‘Gone With The Wind.’)

Daily Thought for Tuesday, February 22nd

February 22, 2011

Movie Ministry (Part Two)

(This like the Rock and Roll Series is not intended to offend but rather to use a little different tactic to provoke us towards greater strides in our spiritual life.)

Finding a Spiritual Message in “The Little Shop of Horrors”

Today’s Thought:

“There is s charm about the forbidden that makes it unspeakably desirable.” – Mark Twain from “The Notebook”

Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: - The Bible (Romans 5:12)

Today’s Question

Did you know his about Moses: “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season?”  (Hebrews 11:24-25)

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

Frank Oz directed “Little Shop of Horror’s” in 1986.  This movie depicts Seymour Krellborn, a freaky little geek, who works in Mushnick’s Flower Shop and who is in love with a girl way beyond him.  Her name is Audrey.  For our purposes though we want to focus on Audrey II, a Venus Fly-trap taken in and cared for by Seymour.  When Seymour first gets Audrey, the plant, he nurtures the little plant and soon it becomes a monstrous demanding beast whose best line is, “Feed me Seymour!  Feed me all night long.”

There is a lot more gong on in this movie than we will focus on here today, but for our purposes we need to view Audrey, the little plant that grows into a ravenous menace as being a metaphorical representation of sin.

It may be cute and even enjoyable for a season but eventually it will consume us if we continue to feed its insatiable appetite.

Sin can be like that.  It can seem little, even desirable at first, but soon it overtakes everything, reeking chaos and havoc in our lives and in the lives of those around us.

Sin started by one woman listening to a serpent and then one man listening to that woman; and look where its gotten us today.

For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.  Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound: That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.  (Romans 5:19-21)

Sin can be defeated.  We must confess our sins.  Even Christians sin, but we have an advocate and God has said if we will confess our sins, He will forgive us.

We need to humble ourselves, repent and realize we are still sinners prone to sin; but if we have accepted God’s gift of salvation and allowed our lives to be covered by the blood of Jesus, we are sinners saved by grace, who need to be diligent, obedient and mindful, that sometimes repentance is still necessary.

Today’s Verses:

Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.  Receive us; we have wronged no man, we have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. I speak not this to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to die and live with you. Great is my boldness of speech toward you, great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding joyful in all our tribulation. For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears. Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus; And not by his coming only, but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so that I rejoiced the more. For though I made you sorry with a letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.

2 Corinthians 7:1-10

Today’s Prayer:

Father, forgive me my trespasses, debts sins, as I forgive those who have sinned or trespassed against me.

(Tune in tomorrow as we look for Spiritual meaning in ‘The Cure.’)

Daily Thought for Monday, February 21st

February 21, 2011

Movie Ministry (Part One)

(This like the Rock and Roll Series is not intended to offend but rather to use a little different tactic to provoke us towards greater strides in our spiritual life.)

Finding a Spiritual Message in “Lord of the Flies”

Today’s Thought:

“The human being says that the beast in him has been aroused, when what he actually means is that the human being n him has been aroused.” – James Thurber from “The Trouble with Man Is Man”

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; - The Bible (Romans 3:23)

Today’s Question

Did you know that a man or woman who says they do not sin is a liar and thus a sinner for the truth is not in them?

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

William Golding’s controversial book The Lord of the Flies was brought to the big screen in1963 by Peter Brooks and then was remade by director Howie Hook in 1990.

Why is this story controversial?

If you have not read the book or seen the movies then you do not know that this story is about a group of boys who are stranded on an island after their plane crashes.  The story line follows their behaviors as they attempt to organize and survive. However, and this is what makes this story so controversial, except of the main character Ralph and a reject of a boy called Piggy, the others boys unite behind a power crazed youth named Jack and the absolute worst attributes of their base human nature are reveled. 

Both big screen adaptations of this novel show brutality, aggressive behaviors leading to theft, murder and self-indulgence.

These films show the absolute worst aspects of human nature being played out in what is the result of what happens when these boys are left to their own devices to live and cope.

They became heathens, beasts and brutes.

What does this have to say about humanity from a spiritual perspective?  Basically this, if we are left to our own devices, without the intervention of a higher authority, we tend to be base, sinful and intent on indulging our sinful natures.

Remember, “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” (Romans 3:10).

The movie ends with Ralph being chased by the band of boys who in their bloodlust are intent on killing him; but he is spared because as he runs out onto the beach a savior in the form of a naval officer is there and Ralph falls at his feet.

This can symbolically, in a spiritual context, represent us in our sins and trespasses being chased by the death that we deserve but when we fall at the feet of the Savior (Christ Jesus), there is hope and life.

What does this film have to say to us?  In short it reminds us that we are sinners in need of a savior and if we run to Him: He will save us and deliver us from the destruction and death that our sinful self is deserving and headed for.

Scripture tells us “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10)

Are you still running from the wages of sin, which is death or have you bowed at feet of the Savior?

Embrace Him today He is the only hope for your life.

Today’s Verses:

For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

John 3:17-21

Today’s Prayer:

Father, thank you that I am no longer running from death and a slave of sin, for I have been set free; I am redeemed and now I have the hope of life everlasting.

(Tune in tomorrow as we look for Spiritual meaning in ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’)

Daily Thought for Friday, February 18th

February 18, 2011

Patience

Today’s Thought:

“We shall sooner have the fowl by hatching the egg than by smashing it.” – Abraham Lincoln

Today’s Question

Have you ever wondered why patience is the one virtue that we are the least willing to wait for?

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

Patience requires that we delay instantaneous responses, gratifications and reactions: in short it means we have to wait.

Waiting is not a thing that most of us can do well.

But remember scripture tells us that if we will wait upon the Lord, He will renew our strength, we can run and not be weary and we can walk and not faint.  Wouldn’t you like to have more endurance?

Patience is not a commodity that can be instantly obtained; but rather it is a behavior or character trait that is attained through effort, practice and endurance.  To really attain patience we must first learn to be patient.  Kind of a paradox, isn’t it?

Some of us have achieved varied degrees of patience and there may be a few who have mastered the art of being patient.

William Penn said, “Patience and diligence, like faith, remove mountains.”

I believe the beginning of learning to be patient, starts with having faith.

To be truly patient means we trust and believe God has everything under control and that He knows when is the best time and how is the best way for things to work out.

So to be a patient person, you have to have some measure of faith.

To be a patient person you must also be a wise person.

Sa Di said, “Whoever has no patience has no wisdom.”

Solomon said wisdom is a good thing and we should seek it out and desire it.

God said let he who lacks wisdom ask if of the Father, who will give it liberally and freely not withholding it.

Many will ask God for wisdom but are afraid to ask for patience.  But asking for one is kinda like asking for the other.

To be wise, you must be patient and to be patient you must have faith.

Isn’t it interesting how God has all these things so inner connected?

So how patient are you?  I guess that depends on how much wisdom you posses and how strong your faith is.

Who is there among us that doesn’t want more faith, greater wisdom and by virtue of this, more patience?

So hurry up and get ready to wait because I’m sure there is an opportunity for each of us to grow in faith, wisdom and patience, just around the corner.

Today’s Verses:

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

Romans 5:1-5

Today’s Prayer:

Father, grant me the faith I need to be patient and the wisdom it will take to know how to wait.

Daily Thought for Thursday, February 17th

February 17, 2011

Worry

Today’s Thought:

“Worry is the sin we’re not afraid to commit.” – Unknown

Today’s Question

Do you have a problem too big for God to handle?

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

Francois de Fenelon said of worry, “Worry is the cross which we make for ourselves by over anxiety.”

And Jesus said we should be anxious for nothing but rather we should take up our cross and follow Him for His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

Worry can be debilitating.  Worry creates more anxieties and health issues for people than I think we sometimes realize.  So why do we worry?  Could it be because we don’t have enough faith?

Dr. Smiley Blanton, M.D. said of anxiety (worry), “Anxiety is the great modern plaque.  But faith can cure it.”

Without faith it is impossible to please God.  But by faith we can move mountains, traverse across seas, overcome giants and conquer spiritual foes.  And all that we must posses is faith the size of a grain of mustard seed.

I’ve heard some say that there is no problem so big that you and God can’t solve it, but I believe there is no problem to big for God to solve with or without our help but if He lets us help then I we are the blessed ones.

Don’t worry – Trust God – and you will never be disappointed or let down.

He will never fail you, even if you do fail Him.

Scriptures says for those who know to do good and do it not then that thing they are doing is a sin.  Worry is the act of not trusting God and not trusting Him is a sin.  So now that you know that you can stop worrying.

Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “’Worry’ is a word that I don’t allow myself to use.”  May we do more than not use the word, may we not engage in the act?

I know it’s easier said than done, but by faith even worry can be overcome and conquered.

Today’s Verses:

And he said unto his disciples, Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat; neither for the body, what ye shall put on.  The life is more than meat, and the body is more than raiment. Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap; which neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls?  And which of you with taking thought can add to his stature one cubit? If ye then be not able to do that thing which is least, why take ye thought for the rest?  Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  If then God so clothe the grass, which is to day in the field, and to morrow is cast into the oven; how much more will he clothe you, O ye of little faith? And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you.

Luke 12:22-31

Today’s Prayer:

Father, I know worry doesn’t solve a problem, but you do.  I know I don’t need to worry but sometimes I do, so forgive my unbelief and help me to grow stronger in faith.

Daily Thought for Wednesday, February 16th

February 16, 2011

The Devil

Today’s Thought:

“Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.” – The Bible (1 Peter 5:8)

Today’s Question

Did you know the devil has many faces, but everything he stands for leads to sin?

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Somebody’s knockin, should I let him in; Lord it’s the devil, would you loot at him?” Terri Gibbs

Sadly, our society and even the church today has taken a stand, with regards to the devil, that portrays him as a cartoon-like character that is funny and means us no harm, or else they deny his existence all together

Ronald Know wrote, “It is stupid of modern civilization to have given up believing in the devil, when he is the only explanation of it.”

We need to remember sin is pleasurable for a season but it’s end will always lead to heartache, disappointment and it only serves to weaken our spiritual man.

The devil is a deceiver, the father of lies and we need to not be deceived or tricked into believing or thinking for a minute he is not real.

Look at what happened to Adam and Eve when they listened to the devil.  Look at what happened to one third of the angels that listened to his deceits.  Look at our world that has bought into his lies and deceptions.

But we need to also remember that greater is He that is in us that he that is in the world.

We are not to give in to the devil, but rather to overcome him by the blood of the lamb, th word of our testimony and not loving our lives even unto death.

Satan is real, but his day will come and his knee will bow and he will be defeated.

But may we not take him for granted; nor give him any power or control over us, because that is what he really wants.

We can’t just say to him, get thee beside me Satan or even close behind me, but rather we need to tell him to go far, far away:  we need to resist him so that he will flee from us.

God is bigger than the boggy man (the devil); but He allows us to choose whom we will serve.

Our allegiances are determined by our choices as to whom we choose to follow and obey.

Who will you choose today?

Today’s Verses:

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Ephesians 6:10-18

Today’s Prayer:

Father, help me to flee the appearance of evil and to resist the devil so that He must flee from me.

Daily Thought for Tuesday, February 15th

February 15, 2011

Duty

Today’s Thought:

“Without duty, life is soft and boneless: it cannot hold itself together.” – Joseph Joubertl

Today’s Question

As a Christian, what are our responsibilities and what is our duty?

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

What is duty?

According to Webster’s Dictionary: Duty is that thing which a person is bound, by any moral or legal obligation, to pay, do or perform.  He goes further to say it can also be a need to be obedient, submissive or any other thing relative to expressing deference or respect; homage or regards.

As a Christian we need to apply this meaning and take it one step further to have spiritual implications.

God has given us so much in that He has given us life when we deserve death.

He has granted us forgiveness when we are worthy of condemnation.

John D. Rockefeller, Jr. said in a speech he was giving, “I believe that every right implies a responsibility: every opportunity, an obligation: every possession, a duty.”

So then we to whom much has been given by God have much to do for Him.

Is it our duty to go into the world in which we live and preach the gospel?  Yes!

Is it our duty to make disciples of all men, woman and children?  Yes!

Is it our duty to feed the hungry; clothe the naked: visit the sick and imprisoned?  Yes!

It is our duty to do whatever task God puts before us with all our energy, ambition and zeal?  Yes!

We need to present our bodies as living sacrifices to be holy and acceptable to Him; because the Bible says this is our reasonable service or duty.

Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe in his Proverbs in Prose summed it up quite nicely when he wrote, “What then is your duty?  What the day demands.”

Our spiritual duty to God is to live each moment as He gives it doing our best to do His will in whatever situation or circumstance He provides.

Today’s Verses:

And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Luke 12:47-48

He hath made every thing beautiful in his time: also he hath set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God maketh from the beginning to the end. I know that there is no good in them, but for a man to rejoice, and to do good in his life.

        Ecclesiastes 3:11-12

Today’s Prayer:

Father, my duty is to love you, serve you and do your will; help me do it with all my might.