Daily Thought for Friday, July 1st

July 1, 2011

Loose Lips

Today’s Thought:

“Gossip is the art of saying nothing in a way that leaves practically nothing unsaid.” – Walter Winchell

Today’s Quote:

“Tale Bearers are as bad as the Tale makers – ‘tis an old observation and a very true one.” – Richard Sheridan (from ‘The School of Scandal’)

Today’s Question

Have you ever wondered if: “Conversation between Adam and Eve must have been difficult at times because they had nobody to talk about?” – Agnes Repolier

Today’s Bible Verses:            Proverbs 11:13, Proverbs 20:19 &  1 Timothy 5:13

A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips.

And withal they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Where there are no hearers, there would be no backbiters [gossips].” – George Herbert

Technically, I suppose the less said about gossips the less likely it could be that we ourselves might become guilty of gossiping.

However truth is truth and fact is fact and if an item is fact and it is stated then it is not gossip.

So then let it be stated, that gossip is one of the biggest problems in the church today.  More hurt and more harm is done by loose lips and wagging tongues than by most of the worlds natural disasters like earthquakes, tornadoes, fires and hurricanes; and sadly the impact and affect can sometimes be much longer lasting.

“A gossip can give you all the details without knowing and of the facts.” – Anonymous

As Christians we are to encourage each other: help one another; and love everyone – this is hard to do if we are stabbing each other in the back and spreading falsehoods or even truths that are hurtful and harming.

Just because you know about something doesn’t always mean you have to share what you know.

Maybe this would be a good litmus test for things we want to share in love; would what we are bout to say be something we would want someone else to say about us and if we were sitting in a circle with Jesus would we be willing to share what is it is we are contemplating saying?

And always remember this: “Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you.” – Sir Philip Sidney

Words may be a dime a dozen but the impact that they have is far greater – so think before you speak and only speak when what you have to say is worthy of being said

If we would learn to say less about each other and more about God; how different the world might be.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, help me to remember that words can hurt more than sticks and stones and I need to remember that not only must I account to you for what I do, I must also give account for the things I say.  So help my words to be seasoned with love, peace, joy and hope.

Daily Thought for Thursday, June 30th

June 30, 2011

Help!

Today’s Thought:

“We are not primarily put on this earth to see through one another, but to see one another through.” – Peter De Vries

Today’s Quote:

“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

Today’s Question

Have you ever considered the notion that: “None of us is as smart as all of us?” – Ken Blanchard

Today’s Bible Verses:            Matthew 14:25-30

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea. And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.  But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid. And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.  And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus. But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“To get the full value of joy you must have somebody to divide it with.” – Mark Twain

The truth is that there is more joy in giving help than there is in receiving help, but no one can be an island unto himself or herself and there is not one among us who does not need help at some time or another.  And this fact applies not only to our physical lives, but is even more applicable to our spiritual lives.

As Christians, seeking to do God’s will and accomplish His work; none of us can make it through a day without depending on God’s help to get us through.  But we need to remember many times God will use those around us to help us accomplish what He wants done. 

Needing or accepting help implies a sense of dependency on those who are helping.  And the reality is we all need each other.

God will not only use us to help others: He will use others to help us.  This help concept is a reciprocal concept and when we open ourselves to it, we will find it is a two way street.

First and foremost we should always go to God first; and then we must be open to Him allowing His other children to facilitate in helping with our needs.  And at the same time we need to be open to allowing Him to use us to be the helping hand that is needed when others around us have needs and face challenges.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” – The Bible (Hebrews 4:16)  

And let us also remember: “Great opportunities to help others seldom come, but small ones surround us every day.” – Sally Koch

It is important to both be a blessing so that we can be blessed; while also allowing others to be a blessing so they can be equally blessed.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, help me to be willing to give help when I can and to receive help when I need it.

Daily Thought for Wedneday, June 29th

June 29, 2011

Accepting Responsibility

Today’s Thought:

“People in our culture have a morbid tendency to avoid blame, because they do not wish to take the trouble to change their conduct in any way: blame-avoidance and blame-transference are therefore endemic among us.  These are substitutes for repentance and renewal.” – from a Texas Behavior Research Project

Today’s Quote:

“A man can fail many times, but he isn’t a failure until he begins to blame someone else.” – William Burroughs

Today’s Question

Have you ever noticed that: “our culture peculiarly honors the act of blaming, which it takes as the sign of virtue and intellect?” – Lionel Trilling

Today’s Bible Verses:            Genesis 3:9-13

And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.  And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat? And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.  And the Lord God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. 

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“We are all exceptional cases.  We all want to appeal against something!  Each of us insists on being innocent at all cost even if he has to accuse the whole human race and heaven itself.” – Albert Camus

The art of passing the buck and not taking responsibility for ones own actions is a behavior that is not a new thing.  It began with Adam and has continued to be practiced, expanded and refined down through the ages.  Adam blamed Eve and even hinted that maybe it was God’s fault because He put Eve in the Garden.  How like us, when we run out of others to blame we blame God because after all He allowed this or that to happen.

We need to wake up and come to the realization that no one is going to take the blame for us when we stand before God in judgment.  God will insist that we accept responsibility for our own choices and deeds.

Keep this in mind: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” – The Bible (1 John 1:8-9)   In order to confess and repent we must first acknowledge our part and our responsibility for the thing done wrong.

In both our spiritual and our physical lives it might not hurt to remember this: “When I was a boy, my mother used to say to me, ‘Never point your finger at anyone because when you do, three fingers are pointing back at you.’” – Dr. John Sentamu, Archbishop of York

Be bold and courageous and accept your part in the choices you make and the actions you take and then be ready, and willing to accept the consequences for them.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, I know the devil can’t make me do anything I don’t agree to do: so help me to have the strength, wisdom and courage to resist the devil when he tempts me; and to flea the appearances of evil when they seem alluring and want to suck me into their web.  And when I do fail, which I will, may I have enough courage to admit my wrong, repent and seek your mercy and grace with regards to the potential consequences of my choices.

Daily Thought for Wednesday, June 29th

Daily Thought for Tuesday, June 28th

June 28, 2011

Being Creative

Today’s Thought:

“Creative thinking may mean simply the realization that there’s no particular virtue in doing things the way they always have been done.” – Rudolf Flesch

Today’s Quote:

“Creativity is so delicate a flower that praise tends to make it bloom, while discouragement often nips it in the bud.  Any of us will put out more and better ideas if our efforts are appreciated.” – Alex F. Osborn

Today’s Question

Did you know: “The creative process takes its own course. If it did otherwise it would not be creative?” – P. W. Martin

Today’s Bible Verses:            Exodus 35:10 & John 12:24-26

And every wise hearted among you shall come, and make all that the Lord hath commanded;

Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.  If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Happiness lies n the joy of achievement and the thrill of creative effort.” – Franklin D. Roosevelt

Being creative simply means coming up with a new and different approach to accomplish a task: that though it may have been done before, might could be done differently to make it more effective for the time and place in which it is being done.

However, one of the favorite catch phrases in many churches today is: “We’ve never done it that way before.”

Sometimes new and different is not always bad.  Keep in mind that, “When man leaned that he could not live by bread alone, he invented the sandwich.” – Bob Barnes

Just because someone or something seems different doesn’t mean it is always bad.

Look at the birth of the New Testament Church.  It was never done that way before, but obviously it was a good thing.

Sometimes God likes to use strange and unusual people and ideas to confound and astonish those who may perceive themselves as wise.  “God gives the nuts, but he doesn’t crack them.” – Anonymous   Keep this in mind: “There is a correlation between creative and the screwball.   So we must suffer the screwball gladly.” – Kingman Brewster

God’s plan is to reach out and touch lives through us.  I think sometimes He is less concerned with the how we do it, as long as we do it and stick to the truth.

Ponder this idea: “No matter how old you get, if you can keep the desire to be creative, you’re keeping the man-child alive.” – John Cassavetes

Today’s Prayer:

Father, regardless of the method or approach you may give or the creative inspirations I may have, may I always be willing to serve you with all that I am.

Daily Thought for Monday, June 27th

June 27, 2011

Creation

Today’s Thought:

“In order to create there must be a dynamic force, and what force is more potent than love?” – Igor Stravinsky

Today’s Quote:

“As a house implies a builder, and a garment a weaver, and a door a carpenter, so does the existence of the Universe imply a Creator.” – Akiba

Today’s Question

Are you aware that: “In whatever direction you turn, you will see God coming to meet you; nothing is void of him, he himself fills all his work?” – Seneca The Younger

Today’s Bible Verses:            from Genesis 1:1-27

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.And God saw the light, that it was good: …

…And God said, Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters….

…And God said, Let the waters under the Heaven be gathered together unto one place, and let the dry land appear: and it was so….

…And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so….

…And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and years:…

…And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good….

…And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.  So God created man in his own image,…

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“There is one God, who made all things.

He governs the world by His providence.

That he might be worshipped by adoration, prayer and thanksgiving.” – Benjamin Franklin

“It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being.”  - George Washington

The concept of making something from nothing is one of the many things that atests to the truth God’s ways are beyond us and His thoughts often defy our comprehension.  He spoke and it was.  How amazing is that?

Yet, even more amazing and awe inspiring is the fact that when God created man, He did not speak him into existence, rather He took the dust of the earth and formed man with His own hands.  Mankind is the first part of God’s creation to be physically touched by the hand of God.

Doesn’t that make you feel special?

He created us; and we exist for His pleasure.

“All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made..” – The Bible (John 1:3)

“And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.” – The Bible (Genesis 1:31)

Today’s Prayer:

Father, you made me and you don’t make mistakes.  And you gave me freedom of will.   May my will be surrendered to you and help me to become all you desire for me to be.

Daily Thought for Friday, June 24th

June 24, 2011

Truth Or Dare

Today’s Thought:

“It is easier to perceive error than to find truth, for the former lies on the surface and is easily seen, while the latter lies in the depth, where few are willing to search for it.” – Johann Goethe

Today’s Quote:

“Craft must have clothes, but truth loves to go naked.” – Thomas Fuller

Today’s Question

Have you ever stopped to ponder the possibility that: “A lie travels round the world while Truth is putting on her boots?” – Anonymous

Today’s Bible Verses:            Proverbs 12:17-22

He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellers of peace is joy. There shall no evil happen to the just: but the wicked shall be filled with mischief. Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are his delight.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Truth is stranger than fiction.” – Lord Byron

“Father: “ I want an explanation and I want the truth.’

Son, ‘Make up your mind Dad; you can’t have both.’”  – Unknown

“When in doubt, tell the truth.”  - Mark Twain

Isn’t it strange how in life, both natural and often spiritual, we would rather face a dare, take a risk of humiliation and embarrassment; rather than face the truth about ourselves.

Given an option of baring the truth or trying to avoid it by either daring to lie or choosing a daring path of misdirection; most often the majority of folks will choose the later.

But when we are in Christ, we need to remember that our sins are under His blood; old things are passed away and we are a new creation.  This of course does not mean we are perfect and that we don’t have a past or won’t make new mistakes, but it does mean we need to face them, own up to them and be accountable for them.

When we meet Jesus we have met truth personified and we no longer need to walk in the shadows of daring deceits and deceptions.

Jesus said,   “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” – The Bible (John 8:32)

So are you daring enough to face the truth; regardless of what it means?

Today’s Prayer:

Father, when sometimes the potential humiliation of a dare seems a lesser evil than the humiliation of the truth; help me to remember I need but repent, confess my sins or wrongs, faults or failures.  And in the end, help me to recall the only persons opinion I really need to be concerned with is yours.

Daily Thought for Thursday, June 23rd

June 23, 2011

Labors of Love

Today’s Thought:

“The highest reward for man’s toil is not what he gets for it, but what he becomes by it.” – John Ruskin

Today’s Quote:

“What one has, one ought to use; and whatever he does, he should do with all his might.” – Cicero

Today’s Question

Were you aware that: “Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it?” – Henry David Thoreau

Today’s Bible Verses:            Titus 3:3-7   &  James 2:17-18

For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful,and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 

Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” – The Bible (Romans 12:1)

“The more I want to get something done, the less I call it work.” – Richard Bach

It was a labor of love, that brought Jesus from “Heaven to earth; To show the way;
From the earth to the cross; My debt to pay; From the cross to the grave; From the grave to the sky.”  - Rick Founds (lyrics from ‘Lord I Lift Your Name On High’)

Because of this labor of love, by which God gave His only Son to die in our place: we can have life and have it more abundantly.

Dose it not then, stand to reason that the life which we now have because of Him, should be lived as a service of love for Him?

Bill Cosby said, “There is no labor a man can do that’s undignified, if he does it right.”

Our labor of love should be to live body, mind, heart and soul for the one who gave His all for us.

And remember this, there is no task to great or no endeavor to small to be done as an act of love for Him.

 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father.” – The Bible (John 14:12)

Today’s Prayer:

Father, may every task that I do be done for you as an expression of love, not out of necessity to do it; but out of a desire to show you how much I love you.

Daily Thought for Wednesday, June 22nd

June 22, 2011

What Is In A Name

Today’s Thought:

“A good name keeps its luster in the dark.” – Anonymous

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.” – The Bible (Proverbs 22:1)

Today’s Quote:

“What’s in a name?   That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet.” – William Shakespeare (from Romeo and Juliet)

Today’s Question

Have you ever stopped to reflect upon the notion that: “Titles are but nicknames, and every nickname is a title?” – Thomas Paine

Today’s Bible Verses:            Revelation 2:17   Luke 10:19-20  &  Revelation 21:27

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.

Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

In a lifetime you will be asked or required to identify yourself by name, more times than you can count.

In many instance your parents spent countless hours before your birth ruminating over prospective names.  Many people believe a persons name is extremely important and it will somehow play a role in what you become and the type of person you may eventually be.  Whether you believe this or not is not really relevant; the point is our names are synonymous with who we are or at least, for the most part how others identify us.

“Any child will tell you that the sole purpose of a middle name is so he can tell when he’s really in trouble.” – Dennis Frakes

Some of us may have nicknames and often these are the ones, which stick with us and often are indicative of who we are perceived to be.  “Nicknames stick to people, and the most ridiculous are the most adhesive,” according to Thomas Hamilton.

But, regardless of what name you go by: whether it is your birth name, a nick name or any other proper noun that is used to identify you, your name is important.  More specifically whether your name is written in the Lambs Book of Life is extremely important.

There is only one way to have your name written there and that is to accept Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior and for His blood to cover your sins.  Then and only then is your name recorded in Heaven and is your future secured.

W. C. Fields said, “It ain’t what they call you, it’s what you answer to.” 

When it comes to eternity God can’t call your name to welcome you into Heaven if your name isn’t recorded in the Book of Life.

So call on His name today, if you haven’t already so you can avoid Hell and be called by name when you stand before God.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, my earthly names may not mean much but my name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life means everything.  Thank you for the gift of your Son; which made it possible for my name to be written there.

Daily Thought for Tuesday, June 21st

June 21, 2011

The Calamities of Others

Today’s Thought:

“Never trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.” – An English Proverb

Today’s Quote:

“A good deal of trouble has been caused in the world by too much intelligence and too little wisdom.” – Anonymous

Today’s Question

Doesn’t it seem like a natural cause and effect that: “He that seeks trouble always finds it?” – An English Proverb

Today’s Bible Verses:                   Obadiah 1:11-15

  In the day that thou stoodest on the other side, in the day that the strangers carried away captive his forces, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots upon Jerusalem, even thou wast as one of them.  But thou shouldest not have looked on the day of thy brother in the day that he became a stranger; neither shouldest thou have rejoiced over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction; neither shouldest thou have spoken proudly in the day of distress. Thou shouldest not have entered into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity; yea, thou shouldest not have looked on their affliction in the day of their calamity, nor have laid hands on their substance in the day of their calamity;  Neither shouldest thou have stood in the crossway, to cut off those of his that did escape; neither shouldest thou have delivered up those of his that did remain in the day of distress.  For the day of the Lord is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, it shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

George Moore believes, “There is nothing so consoling as to find one’s neighbor’s troubles are at least as great as one’s own.”

Yet God says. “Whoso mocketh the poor reproacheth his Maker: and he that is glad at calamities shall not be unpunished.” – The Bible (Proverbs 17:5)

Thinking on this topic reminds me of the parable that Jesus taught regarding the Good Samaritan.

How many of us when we see a brother or sister in distress, facing some calamity or another; pass by on the other side, and sadly then reach for our cell phone or race to our computer to share, in love with others?

What we should be doing is stopping to lend a hand and remembering to give thanks that but by the grace of God: that could be us facing that or a similar distress.

And regardless of what you are facing or what calamity you are gong through, know this, you can always find others whose problems are worse than yours.

Our responsibility as Christians, is not to delight in the calamities of others: but rather, to be an instrument of ministry to extend God’s love and to lend a helping hand.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, help me help others the way I would want to be helped, if I found myself in the same place that they may be.

Daily Thought for Monday, June 20th

June 20, 2011

A Dysfunctional Family

Today’s Thought:

“Every family tree always produces nuts.” – Anonymous

Today’s Quote:

“People talk about dysfunctional families; I’ve never seen any other kind.” – Sue Grafton

Today’s Question

Have you ever considered: “He that has no fools, knaves, nor beggars in his family, was begot by a flash of lightening?” – Thomas Fuller

Today’s Bible Verses:                   Ephesians 3:14-19

For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,  That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;  And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God. 

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

What elements must exist to comprise a family?  According to Ogden Nash, “A family is a unit composed not only of children but of men, women, an occasional animal, and the common cold.”

Today’s family units, in many instances, have blurred lines, with half-brothers and half-sisters and children living under one roof whose collective parents may be scattered.  And keep in mind family is not restricted to the direct parent, child, and sibling dynamics, there are Aunt’s Uncles, Grandparents, cousins, nieces, nephews and you get the picture.  But did you realize that if we traced our family tree all the way back, as far is it would go, we would all find that we are all related by virtue of our lineage from Adam and Eve?

So to say that all families are dysfunctional, is an absolute truth.  Eventually, if you go back far enough, you are going to find something unusual somewhere along the line.

And this is true of our spiritual family as well.  Even though we are all blood bought and redeemed:  I think it is safe to say, there are still a few odd balls in the family of God.  I’m pretty sure I’m one of them.

But dysfunctional or not, family is very important, both our natural families and our spiritual ones. 

Because, “As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” – Pole John Paul II

That is why:

“I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God,
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God”

- Bill and Gloria Gaither

Today’s Prayer:

Father, we can’t choose our family but we can love them more and work harder at getting along with them, even if some of them might be a bit odd.  So help us realize we are all a part of each other and whether we like it or not – we need each other.

Daily Thought for Friday, June 17th - Happy Father's Day

June 17 2011

A Tribute To Fathers

Today’s Thought:

“When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around.   But when I got to be twenty-one, I was astonished at how much he had learned in seven years.” – Mark Twain

Today’s Quote:

“The children despise their parents until the age of forty, when they suddenly become just like them – thus preserving the system.   (By the time a man realizes that his father was usually right, he has a son who thinks he’s usually wrong.” – Quentin Crewe

Today’s Question

Did you know: “Children aren’t happy with nothing to ignore, And that’s what parents were created for?” – Ogden Nash

Today’s Bible Verses:                   Psalms 127:3-5 & Proverbs 20:7

Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth.  Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate.

The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“If you have never been hated by your child, you have never been a parent.”

- Bette Davis

Fathers have a difficult job.  They are charged with the responsibility of not provoking their children to wrath, while, at the same time instilling in them the values and character qualities that will enable that young life to grow up to be a respectable adult.

Other than God the Father, I think one of the most prolific examples of Fatherhood in the Bible is Abraham.  Abraham had a son, Isaac, in his old age.  Abraham was one hundred years old when Isaac came along.  Isaac was the fulfillment of God’s promise to Abraham, yet when God required of Abraham to take Isaac and offer him, on an alter, as a sacrifice; Abraham didn’t miss a beat.  Now I’m sure Isaac was not too fond of his Dad when he not only had carried the wood up the mountain but was told by his father that he was to be the sacrifice.

However Abraham demonstrated the greatest character quality any Father could hope to have.  He was committed to God with all his heart, mind and soul and he was willing to give His son to God for whatever God had in store for him.

To succeed in these perilous times as Father’s that is what we need to do too.

We need to be sold out to God completely and we need to surrender our children to God fully.

And as children we need to remember that sometimes Father knows best.

As children we need to keep this teaching from scripture in mind:

“For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death:  But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. And ye suffer him no more to do ought for his father or his mother; Making the word of God of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.” – The Bible (Mark 7:10-13)

Happy Father’s Day!

Today’s Prayer:

Father, thank you for Dads and what they teach us, even when we don’t want to listen.

Daily Thought for Thursday, June 16th

June 16 2011

Walk This Way - Talk This Way

By Living on A Prayer

Today’s Thought:

“Life is fragile – handle with prayer.” – Anonymous

Today’s Quote:

“Pray hardest when it is hardest to pray. Prayer is a powerful thing, for God has bound and tied himself thereto.” – Martin Luther

Today’s Question

Did you know: “Satan trembles when he sees the weakest saint upon his knees?” – William Cowper

Today’s Bible Verses:                   Matthew 6:9-13

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

Prayer should be to the Christian what water is to a thirsty man; food is to one who is starving; and clothes are to one who is naked.   Prayer should be like the air that we breathe, we need it to survive and we just can’t live without it.

Prayer is the stop that keeps you going.” – Anonymous

Prayer is essential to our relationship with God.  Without it, there is no communication; and without communication there will be trouble ahead.  Keep this in mind, “If God is your father, please call home.” - Anonymous

“What isn’t won in prayer first, is never won at all.” – Malcolm Cronk

John Bunyan stated this truth: “ He who runs from God in the morning will scarcely find him the rest of the day.”

So how then should we pray?

“Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men (woman).  Do not pray for tasks commensurate with your strength.  Pray for strength commensurate with your tasks.” – Phillips Books

And also remember to, “Rejoice evermore.” And to “Pray without ceasing.”  While, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” – The Bible (1Thessalonians 5:16-18)

“When we work, we work; when we pray, God works.” – Anonymous

The only real way to walk His way and talk His way is to live on prayer.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, may I be like David and seek you early in the morning, all during the day and even in the midnight hour.  Thank you that regardless of the hour I know when I call you always answer.

Daily Thought for Wednesday, June 15th

June 15, 2011

His Time – His Way – Always Works Best

Today’s Thought:

“All human wisdom is summed up in two words – wait and hope.” – Alexandre Dumas

Today’s Quote:

“Be patient, my soul, await the fulfillment of God’s promise, and you shall enjoy the abundance of His goodness in Heaven.” – Thomas a Kempis

Today’s Question

Have you considered the fact that: “Patience and Diligence, like Faith, move Mountains?” – William Penn

Today’s Bible Verses:                   John 11:30-44

Now Jesus was not yet come into the town, but was in that place where Martha met him.  The Jews then which were with her in the house, and comforted her, when they saw Mary, that she rose up hastily and went out, followed her, saying, She goeth unto the grave to weep there.  Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw him, she fell down at his feet, saying unto him, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.  And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see. Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!  And some of them said, Could not this man, which opened the eyes of the blind, have caused that even this man should not have died? Jesus therefore again groaning in himself cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it.  Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?  Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up his eyes, and said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me.  And I knew that thou hearest me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that thou hast sent me.  And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth.  And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

We often want God to do what we perceive needs to be done in the time we think it must be accomplished; and should he fail to do so; we like Martha and Mary and the others gathered in Bethany that day, come to the conclusion that it is too late and the opportunity has passed.

Yet we need to remember God’s time is not our time and His ways are not our ways and it is never to late for God to do that, which will bring Him glory and honor.  In fact, it is most probably then that we will recognize Him at work when He waits until we think it is impossible.

“Never think that God’s delays are God’s denials.  Hold on; hold fast; hold out.  Patience is genius.” – Count de Buffon

Remember this, God is always on time and what He does is always best.  How much better and less stressful our lives would be if we could but embrace this truth.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, since your word tells us patience comes by trials and tests most of us are to wimpy to pray for them, but still I need to learn that with our without them things need to be your way, so somehow I think I would be better off with them.  So please help!

Daily Thought for Tuesday, June 14th

June 14, 2011

Commitment – Regardless of Circumstances

Today’s Thought:

“Guidance means I can count on God. Commitment means God can count on me.” – Anonymous

Today’s Quote:

“It doesn’t take such a great man to be a Christian; it just takes all there is of him.” – Seth Wilson

Today’s Question

Did you know that: “Commitment in the face of conflict produces character?” – Anonymous

Today’s Bible Verses:                   Daniel 3:14-18

Nebuchadrezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?  Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall deliver you out of my hands? Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.  But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

The story of the Three Hebrew Children is familiar to almost everyone who attended Sunday School as a child.  We know they got into trouble because they would not worship the kings false god.   But what is really striking about this story is even as they faced the kings ire and judgment and the flames of the fiery furnace their commitment to God was unwavering.  There are many other examples of men of faith who were challenged and didn’t waiver.  There is of course Daniel who faced the lion’s den because he would not give up his prayer life.  There was Noah who was spared from the flood because he obeyed God even in the face of ridicule.  There was Abraham who was willing to offer his promised son Isaac, as a sacrifice, at God’s demand, in spite of the emotional cost to himself.  And there is Jesus who lay down his life on the cross to fulfill His Father’s will.  In each of these situation the commitment was always honored with deliverance.

Richard Nixon said, “Certain loyalty comes only through dependency.”  While he was not referring to a commitment to God, the truth of this statement is relevant for us, as Christians today.  The success and true test of the degree of our commitment is directly proportional to the level of our dependency on Him.

“God does not ask about our ability or our inability, but about our availability.” –Unknown  

“Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass.” - The Bible (Psalms 37:5)

Today’s Prayer:

Father, regardless of what is going on around me, help me to never waiver from my commitment to you and may I always be available to answer the call to do your work and accomplish your will.

Daily Thought for Monday, June 13th

June 13, 2011

Flattery – Where Will It Get Ya

Today’s Thought:

“Blarney is flattery laid on so thin you love it; baloney is flattery laid on so thick you hate it” – Bishop Fulton Sheen

Today’s Quote:

“There is no such thing as flattery – if commendashun is deserved, it is not flattery but truth, and if commendashun is undeserved, it is not flattery but slander.” – Josh Billings

Today’s Question

Have you ever taken the time to consider that: “The mischief of flattery is not that it persuades any man that he is what he is not, but that is suppresses the influence of honest ambition, by raising an opinion that honor may be gained without the toil of merit?” – Samuel Johnson

Today’s Bible Verses:                   Proverbs 29:5 & Psalms 48:1

 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.

Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in the mountain of his holiness.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

We have all heard it said that flattery will get you nowhere.  Typically flattery is an exaggeration of earned or worthwhile praise and it is typically employed to manipulate the receiver.  Wilson Mizner said of it; “I hate careless flattery, the kind that exhausts you in your effort to believe it.”  And Pietro Aretino said, “Perfumed and gallant words make our ears belch.”

As Christians we might should deal less with words of a flattering nature and focus more on words and deeds that are genuine and more akin to praise.

The Bible says, “A lying tongue hateth those that are afflicted by it; and a flattering mouth worketh ruin.”.– The Bible (Proverbs 26:28)    And it also instructs us in this fashion: “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord. – The Bible (Psalms 150:6)

John Paul Richter stated, “It is easy to flatter; It is hard to praise.”

Each of us likes to hear a good word of encouragement and appreciation from time to time, but the reality is there is only one who is truly worthy to be praised and His name is Jesus.

If we praise God with our lives, maybe we would be more successful in sincerely flattering others with our words and deeds.  Because after all isn’t the real purpose of flattery to make it’s recipient feel special and loved?

Today’s Prayer:

Father, may my acts of flattery be deeds done to make others feel your love and may all my praise be focused towards you.