Daily Thought for Monday, August 1st

August 1, 2011

Burdens

Today’s Thought:

“Everyone has his burden; what counts is how you carry it.”  – Merle Miller

Today’s Quotes:

“Heaven suits the back to the burden.” – Charles Dickens

Today’s Question

Did you know that: “People become attached to their burdens sometimes more than the burdens are attached to them?” – George Bernard Shaw

Today’s Bible Verses:                  Matthew 11:28-30

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Let us remember that God burdens none of us with a heavier cross than he can bear.”
- Franz Jagerstatter

Into every life; a little rain will fall.  It is not possible to live for very long without experiencing something that could be counted as a burden.  Of course some burdens are heavier than others; and depending on the particular point of view of the person experiencing the burden; it’s size, significance and impact may vary.

A burden is a thing carried that causes grief, weariness, strife or oppression.  In short it is anything we experience that we consider to be bothersome or troubling.  Yet, we do not have to bear these burdens alone.  We have been invited to lay our burdens at the feet of Jesus, to cast our cares on Him: Yet how many of us actually do that?

We have the option of laying aside those things, which weigh us down; allowing God to attend to them; while we take up His burden of care and compassion for those in need, who are lost or hurting.  And even with that burden He has already carried the greatest part of it by carrying the cross up Calvary and giving the way of escape from death, sin and separation from God.

Still, often we find it more desirable to wallow in our own cares and concerns: we prefer to stay weighted down by life; rather than live in the liberty, freedom and easy burdens that God has for us.

Remember this:

“Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.  There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”  - The Bible ( 1 Corinthians 10:12-13)

And this:

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. 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 16:24-26)

Jesus said; “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” – The Bible (Matthew 10:38)

Are you ready to lay your burden down?

Are you willing to take His cause and carry His banner high?

Today’s Prayer:

Father: thank you for taking care of everything that comes into my life that could be considered a burden.  You have already made the provision all I have to do is accept it and receive it.  And in return I only need to carry what you desire for me to bare; help me to be faithful and diligent to do so.   

Daily Thought for Friday, July 29th

July 29, 2011

The Cost

Today’s Thought:

“The world measures man in terms of haves and have nots: And count the worth of earthly gains more than the things of God.”  – The Telestials (lyrics from ‘Everything’)

Today’s Quotes:

“I did what I felt, and I felt what I did, at all costs.” – Little Richard

Today’s Question

“What if I give all I have?  What will that gift do?” – Ray Boltz (lyrics from ‘What If I Gave All’)

Today’s Bible Verses:                  1 Chronicles 21:18-24

Then the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David, that David should go up, and set up an altar unto the Lord in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite. And David went up at the saying of Gad, which he spake in the name of the Lord. And Ornan turned back, and saw the angel; and his four sons with him hid themselves. Now Ornan was threshing wheat.  And as David came to Ornan, Ornan looked and saw David, and went out of the threshingfloor, and bowed himself to David with his face to the ground. Then David said to Ornan, Grant me the place of this threshingfloor, that I may build an altar therein unto the Lord: thou shalt grant it me for the full price: that the plague may be stayed from the people.  And Ornan said unto David, Take it to thee, and let my lord the king do that which is good in his eyes: lo, I give thee the oxen also for burnt offerings, and the threshing instruments for wood, and the wheat for the meat offering; I give it all.  And king David said to Ornan, Nay; but I will verily buy it for the full price: for I will not take that which is thine for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings without cost.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“For a man to attain to an eminent degree in life costs him time, watching, hunger, nakedness, dizziness in the head, weakness in the stomach, and other inconveniences.”
- Miguel de Cervantes

It has often been said you can’t get something for nothing.  But that is not true of salvation.  God’s gift of life is free for the taking; we have but to be willing to receive it.  When I count the cost of salvation to me, I realize:

“I don’t have the nail scars in my hands and prints upon my feet.  I don’t the marks across my brow a crown of thorns would leave.  I don’t have to bare the weight of sin to set the whole world free.  Jesus kept these for Himself and gave me everything.

When I look at what He’s given up and what He’s given me, there’s so much more that I posses this world will never see.  So I can be contented with whatever he provides; because he gave me all I need when He gave his life.

I don’t have condemnation; He gave me grace instead.  I don’t have the stain of sin, He covered it with red.” – The Telestials (lyrics from ‘Everything’)

What God has given me cost me nothing but the acknowledgement that I was a sinner in need of a Savior.  But what about what I give Him?  Since my free gift cost Him so much, does it not stand to reason that what I give Him should cost me something?  Should I not, if I truly love Him; be willing to lay down my life, spiritually, figuratively and literally speaking?

“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)

“He heard the preacher say
A single dime can feed
A hungry boy or girl
With nothing to eat
So he pulled a dollar
From the pocket of his jeans
And he asked his mama
How many will this feed?
She just smiled
And when she told him ten
He reached back again
What if I give all I have?
What will that gift do?
My child a gift like that
Could change the world
It could feed a multitude
We cannot close our eyes
And turn away
When we hear His Spirit call
We see the need
Now let Him hear us say
What if I give all?” – Ray Boltz (lyrics from ‘What If I Gave All’)

God gave His all: doesn’t He deserve the same in return from us?  We need to count the cost as nothing and give Him all we are.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, even if I give everything I have and all that I am, it is still less than you deserve for what you have given me.  Help me to give freely, willingly and cheerfully all of me to thee.

Daily Thought for Thursday, July 28th

July 28, 2011

My Creed

Today’s Thought:

“This is my creed
The witness I have heard
The faith that has endured
This truth is assured
Through the darkest ages past
Though persecuted it will last
And I will hold steadfast
To this creed.”  – Bob Hartman (lyrics from ‘Creed’ based on the Apostle’s Creed)

Today’s Quotes:

“The seed of deed is creed; the seed of creed is need.” – Anonymous

Today’s Question

Have you ever stopped to ponder this truth: “The test, surely of a creed is not the ability of those who accept it to announce their faith; its test is its ability to change their behavior in the ordinary round of daily life?” – Harold J. Laski

Today’s Bible Verses:                  2 Timothy 1:6-13

Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.  For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,  But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:  Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles. For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.  Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

A creed according to Webster’s Dictionary is: “A statement of belief, principles or opinions on any subject: A confession of faith.”

“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.  And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” – The Bible (Revelation 12:7-11)

To overcome the enemy of our soul we must be steadfast, faithful, diligent and committed to what we believe and who we believe in.  Scripture says: “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.  But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.” – The Bible (Matthew 10:32-33)

This is my creed:

” I believe in God the Father, maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ His only son, I believe in the virgin birth.
I believe in the Man of Sorrows, bruised for iniquities.
I believe in the lamb who was crucified, and hung between two thieves.
I believe in the resurrection, on the third and glorious day
I believe in the empty tomb, and the stone that the angel rolled away
He descended and set the captives free
And now He sits at God's right hand and prepares a place for me
I believe He sent His spirit, to comfort and to reveal
To lead us into truth and light, to baptize and to seal
I believe He will come back, the way He went away and
Receive us all unto Himself but no man know that day.
I believe He is the judge, of all things small and great
The resurrected souls of men, receive from Him their fate
Some to death and some to life, some to their reward
Some to sing eternal praise, forever to the Lord
And through the darkest ages past
Though persecuted it will last
And I will hold steadfast
To this creed ” – Bob Hartman (lyrics from ‘Creed’ based on the Apostle’s Creed)

What is your creed?

Today’s Prayer:

Father, it’s not enough to just believe; and it’s not enough just to profess; I need to live my creed and for that I seek your strength, your wisdom, your grace and your help.

Daily Thought for Wedneday, July 27th

July 27, 2011

Bridges

Today’s Thought:

“If you need a friend
I'm sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I  [God] will ease your mind.” – Paul Simon (lyrics from ‘Bridge Over Troubles Waters’)

Today’s Quotes:

“Bridges become frames for looking at the world around us.” – Bruce Jackson

Today’s Question

“Love can build a bridge
Between your heart and mine
Love can build a bridge
Don't you think it's time?” – Naomi Judd, John Jarvis and Paul Overstreet (lyrics from ‘Love Can Build A Bridge’)

Today’s Bible Verses:                  1 Corinthians 13:3-13 (LB)

If I gave everything I have to poor people, and if I were burned alive for preaching the Gospel but didn't love others, it would be of no value whatever.  Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude. Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy. It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.  It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.  If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever. Someday prophecy, and speaking in unknown languages, and special knowledge--these gifts will disappear.  Now we know so little, even with our special gifts, and the preaching of those most gifted is still so poor.  But when we have been made perfect and complete, then the need for these inadequate special gifts will come to an end, and they will disappear. It's like this: when I was a child I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child does. But when I became a man my thoughts grew far beyond those of my childhood, and now I have put away the childish things.  In the same way, we can see and understand only a little about God now, as if we were peering at his reflection in a poor mirror; but someday we are going to see him in his completeness, face to face. Now all that I know is hazy and blurred, but then I will see everything clearly, just as clearly as God sees into my heart right now. There are three things that remain--faith, hope, and love--and the greatest of these is love.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

According to Noah Webster, “A bridge makes a passage over or through to facilitate getting across from one point to another.”

We have all crossed a bridge at some point in time and physically speaking we understand the purpose and reason for having bridges.  However, from a spiritual perspective bridges are often more difficult to construct maintain and facilitate.  The full extent of building effective bridges in terms of our spiritual lives comes down to being able to “love God and love our neighbor.” – The Bible

To be successful at building bridges that will please God; we must be willing do the following.

” I'd gladly walk across the desert
With no shoes upon my feet
To share with you the last bite
Of bread I had to eat
I would swim out to save you
In your sea of broken dreams
When all your hopes are sinkin'
Let me show you what love means.

I would whisper love so loudly
Every heart could understand
That love and only love
Can join the tribes of man
I would give my heart's desire
So that you might see
The first step is to realize
That it all begins with you and me.” – Naomi Judd, John Jarvis and Paul Overstreet (lyrics from ‘Love Can Build A Bridge’)

Spiritual bridges connect hearts:  Our heart to Gods and our hearts through God to each other.   In order to be effective in accomplishing His will we need each other and we need to be connected to one another.

 “Looking for the common ground in every human heart
It all comes down to the two of us
Yeah this is where we start
We are building the bridge
One small stone at a time
With a lot of love
And some help from above
From your heart to mine.” – REO Speedwagon (Lyrics from ‘Building The Bridge’)

Some bridges need repairing and others still need to be built – “Don’t you think it’s time?’ – Naomi Judd, John Jarvis and Paul Overstreet (lyrics from ‘Love Can Build A Bridge’)

Today’s Prayer:

Father, help me to build solid bridges with love that will last the tests of time.

Daily Thought for Tuesday, July 26th

July 26, 2011

Leaving A Legacy

Today’s Thought:

“Our days are numbered.  The legacy we leave is not just in our possessions, but in the quality of our lives.” – Billy Graham

Today’s Quotes:

“The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example.” – Benjamin Disraeli

Today’s Question

Have you ever taken the time to consider that: “To state the facts frankly is not to despair the future nor indict the past. The prudent heir takes careful inventory of his legacies and gives a faithful accounting to those whom he owes an obligation of trust?” – John F. Kennedy

Today’s Bible Verses:                  Psalm 103:15-18

As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children's children; To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments, which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might do them in the land whither ye go to possess it: That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command thee, thou, and thy son, and thy son's son, all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.” – The Bible (Deuteronomy 6:1-2)

”Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave
Lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey.” – Steve Green (Lyrics from ‘Find Us Faithful’)

Barring, the very likely event, that Jesus could return in our lifetime, we must be aware that: “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” – The Bible (Hebrews 9:27)

We will be required to give an account to God for the legacy we leave behind for those who will follow after us.

“We're pilgrims on the journey
Of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace
Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us
The heritage of faithfulness passed on through godly lives.” – Steve Green (Lyrics from ‘Find Us Faithful’)

How do you think you are doing?  Are you living so as to leave a legacy of Godliness, faith, holiness and commitment to the One who gave His all for you?

My prayer for us all is this: ”Oh may all who come behind us find us faithful.” – Steve Green (Lyrics from ‘Find Us Faithful’)

Today’s Prayer:

Father, may I be found faithful, at the end of my journey to have left a legacy of a life that was lived for you that will inspire others to live for you too.

Daily Thought for monday, July 25th

July 25, 2011

Ready or Not – He Is Coming

Today’s Thought:

“The headlines will read millions disappear. The world will be shocked and stunned and trebling with fear. As they search for the missing they'll be looking for me, but I'll be absent from a troubled planet and home eternally.” – Gordon Jensen (Lyrics from ‘Will You Be Among the Missing’)

Today’s Quotes:

“Life was filled with guns and wars
And all of us got trampled on the floor
I wish we'd all been ready
Children died the days grew cold
A piece of bread could buy a bag of gold
I wish we'd all been ready.” – Larry Norman (Lyrics from ‘I Wish We’d All Been Ready’)

Today’s Question

“Will you be among the missing? Will they look and find you gone? The morning after Jesus comes will your where abouts be known?” – Gordon Jensen (Lyrics from ‘Will You Be Among the Missing’)

Today’s Bible Verses:                  1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.  For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.  For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” – The Bible (1 John 3:2)

“I hope they find you missing and I hope they find you gone: the morning after Jesus comes, I hope to find you home.” – Gordon Jensen (Lyrics from ‘Will You Be Among the Missing’)

”Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon,
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound.
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the sky,
Going where no one dies, Heavenward bound!
Troubles will soon be o’er, happy forever more,
When we meet on that shore, free from all care.
Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye,
Homeward we then will fly, glory to share.” – Robert Winsett (Lyrics from ‘Jesus Is Coming Soon’)

Many dates have been named, but we must remember scripture tells us: “ But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.” – The Bible (Matthew 24:36)   But like the ten virgins in the parable that Jesus shared in Matthew, chapter twenty-five; we need to be watching and we need to be ready.  “Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.” – The Bible (Matthew 25:13)

There is only one way to get to Heaven; that is via the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed on the cross at Calvary to pay the sin debt of humanity.  If you have not accepted God’s gift of salvation you will not be ready.

“Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear,
Freedom we all hold dear, now is at stake.
Humbling your heart to God saves from the chastening rod.
Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake!” – Robert Winsett (Lyrics from ‘Jesus Is Coming Soon’)

Jesus is coming soon; will you be among the missing or will you be left behind?

Today’s Prayer:

Father, may my lamp be continuously filled, and may my light be perpetually shinning as I watch and wait for your glorious return.

Daily Thought for Friday, July 22nd

July 22, 2011

Step This Way

Today’s Thought:

“The superior man is modest in his speech, but excels in his actions.” – Confucius

Today’s Quotes:

“There is no genius in life like the genius of energy and activity.” – Donald G. Mitchell

“An once of action is worth a ton of theory.” – Friedrich Engels

Today’s Question

Did you know: “Having the world’s best idea will do you no good unless you act on it?”  – Curtis Grant

Today’s Bible Verses:                  Psalms 37:23 & Romans 10:13-15

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” – The Bible (Psalms119:105)

“The only measure of what you believe is what you do.” – Ashley Montagu

Words are a dime a dozen; they hold no value unless there is some action behind them to substantiate what they proclaim.  I can say I am a Christian and I love the Lord, but if I don’t live like a Christ-like disciple and I don’t by may actions and deeds demonstrate my love for the Lord:  my claim is basically unsubstantiated and will be found to have no merit, value or validity.

“The life of the spirit is centrally and essentially a life of action. Spirituality is something done, not merely something believed or known or experienced.” – Mary McDermott Shideler

For there to be ‘Footprints in the Sand’ so to speak, I must take the steps to walk by faith and not by sight.  I must step out and step up for God and walk the walk of faith not talk the talk of religiousness or empty spirituality.

God gives us His salvation as a free gift.  He indwells us with His Holy Spirit:  He equips and will enable us to walk the path of life doing great and wondrous works for His glory and honor; but He can not do these things if we never get up off the bench and take the steps.

Dennis Wholey said, “Happy people plan actions, they don’t plan results.”  Leonardo da Vinci said, “Oh Lord thou givest us everything, at the price of an effort.”

If you want God’s results then you must step His way and walk in the paths of His righteousness for His names sake.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, I know as I walk through this life, I never walk alone and for that I give thanks.  As I walk may I walk the line that leads to the path of your plans, your desires and your will for me and may I accomplish many things that will bring glory and honor to thee. May my spiritual life not be a life of talk but a demonstration of a walk!

Daily Thought for Thursday, July 21st

July 21, 2011

Say A Little Prayer For Me

Today’s Thought:

“More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” – Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Today’s Quotes:

“Prayer: It has been the preparation for every new triumph and the secret for all success.” – A. T. Pierson

 

Today’s Question

Would this message be true of your church? “Our church is prayer-conditioned.”  – From a Message on A Church Sign

Today’s Bible Verses:                  Ephesians 3:14-21

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.  Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.” – The Bible (Matthew 6:5-6)

“Prayers can not be answered unless they are prayed.” – Anonymous

It seems that the topic of prayer is one that I return to often.  I suppose this is because prayer is so vital to our daily lives as Christians.  In some respects what the Bible is as our nourishment to sustain us and help us grow: prayer is like the oxygen that keeps us alive.  Without prayer we would be dead in the water, so to speak.

We pray for many things but other than praying for God’s will to be done and His kingdom to come; I wonder if maybe the thoughts held in today’s scriptures above, might not be the best things we could pray for one another.

The good thing about prayer is it doesn’t have to be fancy or oratorical in only needs to be sincere and heart felt.

But regardless of the posture, the approach or the method you may use to pray: please pray it is essential to not only your will being, but mine as well. 

“He stands best who kneels most; he stand strongest who kneels weakest; he stands longest who kneels lowest.  Bent knees mean strong backs.” – Anonymous

Each day, say a little prayer for me and I will be saying one for you.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, for every person I encounter, whether physically, electronically or by some other means or measure, I pray they will be able to know you better today and feel your power and presence in greater ways and that their relationship with you will grow stronger.

Daily Thought for Wednesday, July 20th

July 20, 2011

Neither a Boaster or a Braggart Be

Today’s Thought:

“The nosiest drum has nothing in it but air.” – An English Proverb

Today’s Quotes:

“Empty barrels make the most noise.” – Anonymous

 

Today’s Question

“Do you wish people to believe good of you?  Don’t speak well of yourself.” – Pascal

Today’s Bible Verses:                  Romans 1:21-22 & 28-31 & Ephesians 2:8-9

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,…  … And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;  Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,  Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!.” – The Bible (James 3:5)

“You must stir it and stump it

And blow your own trumpet,

Or trust me, you haven’t a chance.” – W. S. Gilbert (from ‘Ruddigore’)

Sadly, there are too many in our world today that believe the claims of this little bit of poetry and they seemingly make its message the anthem of their existence.

For the Christian; we should know we have nothing worthy of boasting of: save Christ in us.

Scripture tells us:  “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth. Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.” – The Bible (Proverbs 27:1-2)

Anything akin to boasting or bragging that comes across our lips should only be those things that give honor, praise, recognition and glory to the only one who is really worthy of our praise, and the is God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.

If we would live God’s way, doing those things He desires us to do, we would not need to boast or brag for the world would be able to see Him in us and that would be the greatest honor we could achieve.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, may I live so that my actions and deeds boast of you and you alone,

Daily Thought for Tuesday, July 19th

July 19, 2011

Being Benevolent

Today’s Thought:

“We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give” – Winston Churchill

Today’s Quotes:

“The fragrance always stays in the hand that gives the rose.” – Hadia Bejar

 

Today’s Question

Is charity or benevolence simply a giving of the excess that you don’t really need?  Or could the truest form of benevolence be something like this: “Charity is a bone shared with the dog when you are just as hungry as the dog?” – Jack London

Today’s Bible Verses:                  Isaiah 58:4-7

Behold, ye fast for strife and debate, and to smite with the fist of wickedness: ye shall not fast as ye do this day, to make your voice to be heard on high. Is it such a fast that I have chosen? a day for a man to afflict his soul? is it to bow down his head as a bulrush, and to spread sackcloth and ashes under him? wilt thou call this a fast, and an acceptable day to the Lord? Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?  Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“It is more blessed to give than to receive.” – The Bible (Acts 20:35)

What does it mean to be benevolent?  According to Webster’s Dictionary; “Benevolence is having a disposition to do good; to be kind; or to be charitable.”

Jesus is the greatest example of a benevolent person, I can think of. He gave up Heaven to come and live on the earth.  He lived without the accouterments and refinements of which He was accustomed to in Heaven to be a carpenter who never amassed great wealth.  And while His life was a perpetuated testimony of giving of Himself:  His ultimate act of benevolence was when He gave His life for our sins.  He paid a debt He did not owe; and make salvation possible for those who could never obtain it nor be worthy of it by their own merits or endeavors.

God seldom requires that degree of benevolence from us, but He does want us to love one another; to look out for each other, and to help, when and where we can with whatever we have to give

:”There are eight degrees of almsgiving.  Supreme above all is to give assistance to a fellow man who has fallen on evil times by presenting him with a gift or loan, or entering into a partnership with him or procuring him work, thereby helping him to become self-supporting.  Next best is giving alms in such a way that the giver and recipient are unknown to each other.  This is indeed the performance of a commandment from disinterested motives.” – Moses Maimonides

When it comes to being benevolent or charitable, however, maybe the best thoughts for us to bear in mind are these:

“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. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” – The Bible (Matthew 25:34-46)

Today’s Prayer:

Father, remind me that I have been so blessed and have been given so much; and help me to be more like the Good Samaritan willing to help those I see in need rather than passing by with good intentions.

Daily Thought for Monday, July 18th

July 18, 2011

Extreme Enthusiasm

Today’s Thought:

“Enthusiasm is the greatest asset in the world. It beats money and power and influence.” – Henry Chester

Today’s Quotes:

“In things pertaining to enthusiasm, no man is sane who does not know how to be insane on proper occasions.” – Henry Ward Beecher

 

Today’s Question

Have you ever stopped to consider that: “The worst bankrupt in the world is the man who has lost his enthusiasm?” – H. W. Arnold

Today’s Bible Verses:                  2 Samuel 6:16-22

And as the ark of the Lord came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart.  And they brought in the ark of the Lord, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the Lord. And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the Lord of hosts. And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to every one a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed every one to his house. Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel to day, who uncovered himself to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself!  And David said unto Michal, It was before the Lord, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel: therefore will I play before the Lord. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honour.

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“ The simplest man, fired with enthusiasm, is more persuasive than the most elequent man without it.” – Franklin Field

For a society that leans toward and even celebrates extremisms; when it comes to faith, expressions of praise and lives of worship it seems extreme is not the order of the day, especially where enthusiasm is concerned.

So many of God’s people seem to be able to sit through a praise service with scowls, expressions of disdain and attitudes that imply they are bored out of their minds.

Have you ever wondered what would happen in the local church if David showed up and danced before the Lord the way he did in the passage above?  I’m sure he would be escorted out of the service; the local authorities would be called; and he would be locked up for a long time.  And of course it would not be prudent to dance in undergarments or nearly naked in public as an expression of enthusiasm for the Lord in our day and time; but, if we would embrace the attitude, the excitement, the sheer joy and jubilation that David felt and we would release it within our spirits and find acceptable ways to express it that would not be immoral or unethical, I’m sure the energy in church services would improve and the duration of the time they lasted would cease to be an issue.

The point I’m trying to make here is that we need to show some enthusiasm when it comes to our praise and worship for the Lord.

We need to stop acting like it is a drudgery to be endured and we need to embrace it as an opportunity that is not only an honor but also a privilege. 

Bronson Alcott wrote, “Enthusiasm is the glory and hope of the world.”

Isn’t it time that Christians became extremely enthusiastic about the things of God?

Maybe it’s time to let our hair down, figuratively speaking: time to step outside a box of comfort and conformity:  time to let go and let our actions speak and our voices be heard, so that all who see us and hear us would know we are extremely enthusiastic about our love for our Lord.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, may I be radically enthusiastic and extremely committed to letting the world know how much I love you and how much you mean to me.

Daily Thought for Friday, July 15th

July 15, 2011

Sympathy and/or Compassion

Today’s Thought:

“True sympathy is the personal concern which demands the giving of one’s soul.” – Martin Lulther King, Jr.

Today’s Quotes:

“Sympathy is two hearts tugging at one load.” – Charles H. Parkhurst

“The measure of love is compassion; the measure of compassion is kindness.” - Anonymous

 

Today’s Question

“What value has compassion that does not take its object in its arms?” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Today’s Bible Verses:                  1 Peter 3:8, & Jude 20-22

Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost,  Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference:

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“ Sympathy is not an end in itself: not mere feeling, but action, will mitigate the world’s misery, society’s injustice or the people’s alienation from God.” – Abraham Joshua Heschel

To have mercy on others we must be willing to be sympathetic to their cause or needs and have compassion for their struggles and efforts, even if we think they seem to fall short or if we feel they do not concern us and that we should not need to become involved in them.  We must remember we are all part of each other and God did not call us to love just a certain few but to love all the world, just as He did when He have His son to die; and as He does even today as He desires that none should perish but that all would come to a place of repentance.

When I think of our roles in having sympathy and compassion, as Christians, for others, I think of the Story of Good Samaritan.  We need to be the ‘Good Samaritan’ in our world.

“We are called to play the good Samaritan on life’s roadside; but that will be only and initial act.  One day the whole Jericho road must be transformed so that men and women will not be beaten and robbed as they make heir journey through life.  True compassion is more than flinging a coin to a beggar; it understands that and edifice the produces beggars needs restructuring.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.

We need to be Gods laborers to facilitate the restructuring that needs to take place.  Jim Wallis wrote, “It is the experience of touching the pain of others that is the key to change.  Compassion is a sign of transformation.”

“The more you join with people in their joys and their sorrows, the more nearer and dearer they come to be to you.” – Mark Twain  (from ‘Tom Sawyer Abroad’)   And when it gets to where the ‘rubber meets the road’ isn’t that what being a Christians is really all about:  Having compassion; being sympathetic; extending forgiveness and mercy; and simply loving one another?

Today’s Prayer:

Father, help me not only grasp, understand and realize that sympathy and compassion are not a sign of weakness; but rather they are attributes of godliness, and may they be behaviors that are prevalent in my daily life.

Daily Thought for Thursday, July 14th

July 14, 2011

Kyrie Eleison

(Lord Have Mercy)

Today’s Thought:

“Among the attributes of God, although they are all equal, mercy shines with even more brilliance than justice.” – Anonymous

Today’s Quote:

“The just is close to the people’s heart, but the merciful is close to the heart of God.” – Kahlil Gibran (from ‘Spiritual Sayings of Kahlil Gibran’)

Today’s Question

“Who will not mercy on others show, How can he mercy ever hope to have?” – Edmond Spencer

Today’s Bible Verses:     Psalms 130:7, Psalms 136:1 & 26, Jude 2 & Proverbs 11:17

Let Israel hope in the Lord: for with the Lord there is mercy, and with him is plenteous redemption.

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever.

Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.

The merciful man doeth good to his own soul…

Today’s Spiritual Thought:

“Kyrie, a transliteration of Greek κύριε (kyrie), vocative case of κύριος (kyrios), meaning "Lord", is the common name of an important prayer of Christian liturgy, which is also called the Kýrie, eléison (Greek, Κύριε, ἐλέησον, for "Lord, have mercy").” – Wiklipedia

“The quality of mercy is not strain’d;

It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven

Upon the place beneath: it is twice bless’d;

It blesseth him that gives and him that takes.”

- William Shakespeare (from ‘The Merchant of Venice’)

All of us are dependent upon the mercies of God for forgiveness and favor; and from Him we are oft freely and willingly compelled to receive said mercy.  But how willing are we to distribute mercy even proportionately in comparison to what we receive?

“There was a sign tacked on a tree near a convent that said, ‘No Trespassing; Violators will be Prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.’  It was signed by The Sisters of Mercy.” – Anonymous

As Christians, we are often quick to call for ‘an eye for an eye’ when we feel we have been slighted or wronged; yet we will go to God crying ‘have mercy on me a sinner.’

Mercy is a two way street.  To those who need to receive it – they too should be willing to give it out.

“Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.”– The Bible (Matthew 5:7)   

‘Kyrie Eleison
Down the road that I must travel
Kyrie Eleison
Through the darkness of the night
Kyrie Eleison
Where I'm going will you follow
Kyrie Eleison
On a highway in the night.”

-          John Ross Lang;Richard James Page;Steven Park George

-          (lyrics from ‘Kyrie Eleison’)

As we receive His mercy, may we be as willingly and equally merciful to others.

Today’s Prayer:

Father, forgive me my sins and as I forgive those who sin against me is how Jesus taught us to pray; may we also be as quick to dispense mercy as we are willing to receive it.