31 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3059

31 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3059 The Bible says that God Is Everlasting God is everlasting. He has always existed and always will exist. He has no beginning and he has no end. He is eternal. Genesis 21 : 33 Deuteronomy 33 : 27 Psalm 90 : 2 Isaiah 40 : 28 Isaiah 57 : 15 Jeremiah 10 : 10 Romans 1 : 20 Romans 16 : 25-26 I Timothy 1 : 17 3059

30 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3058

30 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3058 The Lord’s Prayer has an opening address and then six requests, the first three requests are for God’s glory (primarily), and the next three for our good (and ultimately His glory). The address, “Our Father, who art in heaven,” The first request is Hallowed be your name.” The meaning “holy” means “set apart, unique, distinct,” and that the word “name” referring to God means His character, His attributes The second request is “Your kingdom come.” This request looks forward to the consummation of the age. The third request is “your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” The fourth request is “Give us this day our daily bread.” The fifth request is “And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” The last request is concerned with our conflict with evil: “and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” Matthew 6 : 1-18 3058

29 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3057

29 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3057 In Matthew 6 : 7, Jesus spoke of those who like to use many words or repeat chanting of words, long prayers or repetition in prayers. God does not require or honour such devices to break through to Him. God also does not need endless detailed information. God knows what you need before you ask Him. 1 Kings 18 1 Thess 5 : 16-18 Matthew 6 : 1-18 3057

28 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3056

28 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3056 In Luke 19 : 11-12, Jesus spoke of the Pharisee who went up to the temple to pray. He prayed : ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men--robbers, evildoers, adulterers--or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get’”. Here he spoke of himself. This, Jesus said would not be justified by God, for whoever exalts himself will be humbled. Matthew 6 : 1-18 3056

27 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3055

27 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3055 Prayer is a spiritual matter between the one praying and God. To do it for show is to distort what it is all about. Jesus wants us to make it private and to keep it personal. Matthew 6 : 1-18 3055

26 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3054

26 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3054 In Matt 6 : 5, Jesus said that the hypocrites love to stand in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. He was describing someone who may or may not be sincerely praying but certainly wants everyone to know he prays. Matthew 6 : 1-18 3054

25 Dec 2013 Merry Christmas !!!! Thoughts#3053

25 Dec 2013 Merry Christmas !!!! Thoughts#3053 What are the consequences of Pride in our lives Isaiah 14 pride leads to death (verse 15) pride is followed by scorn and ridicule (verses 16 and 17) pride resulted in the destruction of his land and people (verse 20) Galatians 6 : 7 I Samuel 17 Proverbs 29 : 23 II Kings 20 : 1-20 Daniel 4 : 1-37 Daniel 5 : 1-30 Proverbs 18 : 12 Genesis 3 : 1-10, 2 : 16-17 Romans 5 : 12 Romans 6 : 23 Pride ends in destruction Humility ends in honor. 3053

24 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3052

24 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3052 What does God say about Pride Philippians 2 : 5-11 Prov 8 : 13 Prov 21 : 4 I John 2 : 15-17 Mark 7 : 14-23 Prov 16 : 5 Luke 22 : 20-30, 9 : 46-48 Mark 9 : 33-34 John 13 : 1-17 3052

23 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3051

23 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3051 There are many instances pride in the Old Testament. Pride of Power Leviticus 26 : 19 Ezekiel 30 : 6, 30 : 18, 33 : 28 Pride of Heart Deuteronomy 8 : 14 II Chronicles 32 : 26 Psalm 101 : 5 Proverbs 16 : 15, 18 : 12, 21 : 4 Isaiah 9 : 9 Jeremiah 49 : 16 Ezekiel 28 : 5, 17, Obadiah 3 Pride of evil men Job 35 : 12 Pride of countenance Psalm 10 : 4 Ezekiel 28 : 17 Pride of man Psalm 31 : 10 Pride of nation or people II Chronicles 25 : 19 (Judah) Isaiah 16 : 6 (Moab) Jeremiah 13 : 9 (Judah) ; 48 : 29 (Moab); 49 : 16 (Edom) Zechariah 9 : 6 (Philistines), 10 : 11 (Assyria), 11 : 3 (Jordan) Pride of Wealth Isaiah 23 : 9 Ezekiel 7 : 20, 28 : 5 Pride of Accomplishment Ezekiel 31 : 10 Pride of self sufficiency Hosea 13:6 3051

22 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3050

22 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3050 The Bible says that Pride is sin. Luke 22 : 22-30 Luke 9 : 46-48 Mark 9 : 33-34 Luke 7 : 1-10 3050

21 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3049

21 Dec 2013 Happy Holidays Thoughts#3049 Can a proud man or woman be saved? Psalm 138 : 6 Proverbs 8 : 12 Proverbs 16 : 5 Proverbs 18 : 12 Proverbs 21 : 4 Mark 7 : 14-23 Romans 12 : 16 2 Timothy 3 : 1-5 James 4 : 6 1 John 2 : 15-17 3049

20 Dec 2013 Happy HolidaysThoughts#3048

20 Dec 2013 Happy HolidaysThoughts#3048 It is pride, when you are more important than God, a reliance on self more than God or placing yourself before God. • Pride relies on competition and without competition there is no pride I Cor 4:6, Gal 6:4, Jam 1:9-10. • Pride is sometimes deep within the innermost thoughts of the heart Luke 1:51. • Pride is opposite God’s concept of agape love I Cor 13:4. • Pride in another is not necessarily evil and that we should be proud of those who are steadfastly in God’s will I Cor 5:12 II Cor 7:4 II Cor 8:24 • Finally, we concluded that pride is most often sin. 3048

19 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3047

19 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3047 What advice did Jesus offer uu on pride? Matt 11:28-30 If we humble ourselves God will exalt us and we will find honor just as our teacher Jesus Christ was before us. Why value pride when it leads to destruction? Choose humility instead and God Almighty will exalt you! 3047

18 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3046

18 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3046 More advice on pride Do not be ashamed to serve others for the love of Jesus Christ Do not be self-sufficient but place your trust in God Do what lies in your power and God will help you along Put no thrust in your own learning nor in the cunning of any man but rather in the grace of God Do not glorify your wealth Do not boast of personal stature or of physical beauty or qualities Do not take pride in your talent or ability Do not think yourself better than others Do not take pride in your good deeds 3046

17 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3045

17 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3045 So What Can We Do to Humble Ourselves? Challenge yourself to these points Learn and appreciate something worthwhile Love to be unknown and considered as nothing Think of yourself as nothing and always think well and highly of others Let’s Look at What God Says About Being Humble: Psalm 18 : 27 Psalm 131 Zephaniah 2 : 2-3 Rom 12 : 3 1 Cor 9 : 19-23 II Cor 3 : 1-6 Eph 4 : 1-6 Phil 4 : 10-13 James 3 : 13-16 James 1 : 9-11 1 Peter 5 : 1-9 1 Peter 3 : 8 James 4 : 10 3045

16 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3044

16 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3044 Our challenge today is to have the mind of Christ – to be a servant. Pride offers us the same challenge it has offered all of mankind since the beginning of time. Man has not changed his sin nature which breeds pride – he can only suppress it to the degree he will be obedient to God. Jesus Christ was without sin and therefore the most humble man that ever lived – he obeyed God, he was exalted for it and we can be rewarded for our obedience because of his great example. 3044

15 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3043

15 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3043 What can we do about pride in our lives if it is caused by our satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the things of this life? We can do what God wants us to do in Philippians Chapter 2. 3043

14 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3042

14 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3042 What causes pride in my life? It could be satisfaction or dissatisfaction with: Me, myself – who I am ; what I am ; what I have; who I know how much money I have how pretty or handsome I am the skills I have what I have done where I go on vacation my possession and the titles I hold the achievements in my life the position I hold in my company or in society the fine clothes I wear 3042

13 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3041

13 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3041 What the Bible says about Pride 1 Corinthians 4:6 Now, brothers, I have applied these things to myself and Apollos for your benefit, so that you may learn from us the meaning of the saying, "Do not go beyond what is written." Then you will not take pride in one man over against another. This verse shows us that pride relies upon competition, and that it cannot exist without competition. It's always about you or me against another. Galatians 6:4 James 1:9-10 2 Corinthians 5:12 We are not trying to commend ourselves to you again, but are giving you an opportunity to take pride in us, so that you can answer those who take pride in what is seen rather than in what is in the heart. From this verse we learn that You can be proud of someone else and still be in God’s will. When we are outside of God’s will we can boast in what is seen (the physical aspects of life) as opposed to the spiritual. 2 Corinthians 7:4 2 Corinthians 8:24 Luke 1:51 He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. Here we see that pride is something in your heart.One can be conceited and never show it outwardly. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. Pride is evil because it is not lovely to God Pride in self is NOT in alignment with God's Word. Pride is SIN From the Bible, we learned what pride brings a man low and precedes his destruction. We studied several stories of leaders and others in the Bible to learn the following truths about pride: Pride in wealth of possessions leads to poverty. (II Kings 20) Pride in achievement leads to scorn and abasement. (Daniel 4) Extreme pride where one would compare himself to God leads to death, scorn, ridicule, and destruction. (Isaiah 14:12-20, Daniel 5, Genesis 3) 3041

12 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3040

12 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3040 Biblical measures of forgiveness 7 times Seventy times seven Unlimited It is necessary for our own forgiveness. (Mark 11:25, 26) It restores Christian fellowship. (2 Cor. 2:5–10) Spiritual cleansing. (James 5:15-16) Examples of forgiveness: Esau and Jacob. (Genesis 33 : 4–15) Joseph (Genesis 45 : 8–15) Moses (Numbers 12 : 1–13) David (2 Sam 19 : 18–23) Solomon (1 Kings. 1 : 52, 53) Jesus (Luke 23 : 34) Stephen (Acts 7 : 59-60) Paul (2 Timothy 4 : 16) Matthew 18 : 21-22 Luke 17 : 3-4 Ephesian 4 : 32 3040

11 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3039

11 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3039 Compassion fulfills the law of Christ. Galatians 6 : 2 3039

10 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3038

10 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3038 Those who walk with the Lord will have compassion. Ephesians 4 : 32 Colossians 3 : 12-13 Philippians 2 : 1-2 1 Peter 3 : 8 3038

09 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3037

09 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3037 Jesus felt compassion to those in need. Matthew 9 : 36 Matthew 14 : 14 Matthew 15 : 32 Matthew 20 : 34 Mark 6 : 34 Mark 8 : 2 Luke 15 : 20 3037

08 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3036

08 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3036 The Lord will always have compassion on us. 2 Kings 13 : 23 Nehemiah 9 : 27 Psalm 103 : 13 Isaiah 54 : 8 3036

07 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3035

07 Dec 2013

Thoughts#3035

Disloyalty will be punished.

Obadiah 1 : 4-14

3035

06 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3034

06 Dec 2013

Thoughts#3034

Loyalty to the Lord will be rewarded.

Psalm 84:10-11

3034 

05 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3033

05 Dec 2013

Thoughts#3033

Loyalty may involve sacrifice.

2 Chronicles 11 : 13-16

3033

04 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3032

04 Dec 2013

Thoughts#3032

Loyalty can be demanding.

Exodus 17 : 8-13

3032

03 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3031

03 Dec 2013

Thoughts#3031

Loyalty is in your heart. It is willing and not reluctant.

Psalm 78 : 8

3031

02 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3030

02 Dec 2013

Thoughts#3030

Loyalty is what you do, not what you say.

Matthew 26 : 33-35

Matthew  26 : 69-75

3030

01 Dec 2013 Thoughts#3029

01 Dec 2013

Thoughts#3029

Loyalty is unwavering in good times and bad.

Proverbs 17 : 17

3029

30 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3028

30 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3028

Your integrity should set an example.

Titus 2 : 7

3028

29 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3027

29 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3027

Integrity will be rewarded.

1 Kings 9 : 4-5

Nehemiah 7 : 2

Psalm 41 : 11-12

3027

28 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3026

28 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3026

Your character can be corrupted by bad company.

1 Corinthians 15 : 33

3026

27 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3025

27 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3025

It may be difficult to maintain your integrity.

Job 2 : 3

Job 2 : 9

Proverbs 29 : 10

3025

26 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3024

26 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3024

The Lord hates lies and lack of integrity.

Zechariah 8 : 16-17

3024

25 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3023

25 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3023

The Lord will test and judge your integrity.

1 Chronicles 29 : 17

Psalm 7 : 8

3023

24 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3022

24 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3022

Integrity is more valuable than riches.

Proverbs 28 : 6

3022

23 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3021

23 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3021

Integrity will protect you.

Psalm 25 : 21

Proverbs 2 : 7-8

Proverbs 10 : 9

Proverbs 11 : 3

Proverbs 13 : 6

3021

22 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3020

22 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3020

Integrity means treating people fairly and honestly.

Leviticus 19 : 35-36

Deut 25 : 15

Proverbs 16 : 11-13

Integrity is giving your word and keeping it.

Exodus 8 : 28-32

3020

21 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3019

21 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3019

Prayers offered in faith

We must wait patiently and live by faith looking toward an unseen future reward for our labours.

First of all, God heals, faith does not.

Second, all of our prayers are subject to God’s will.

Third, to God, healing might well mean something different than it does to us.

Fourth, God’s ways are not our ways.

Fifth, a prayer of faith is one that hands everything over to God, confident in his character and purposes rather than our answers.

Sixth, by not answering a prayer in the way that we hoped or expected, God may actually be testing or building our faith.

James 5 : 15

Galatians 6:9

3019

20 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3018

20 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3018

The sin of commission (boasting) and the sin of omission (not listening and following the Holy Spirit that is in you.

James 4 : 13 – 5 : 6

Luke 12 : 47

John 9 : 41

3018

19 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3017

19 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3017

What did Jesus say about God and the world?

You cannot serve two masters: God and money (the world).

If you belong to the world, the people of the world will love you, but if you do not belong to the world, its people will hate you.

We cannot love both God and the world. Foolish pride and selfish desiress prevent us from loving God and receiving his grace.

We can avoid loving the world by being humble and praying to God in our humility. We must admit that we do not have the strength on our own to turn away from earthly values. We must completely surrender to God and put ourselves in His hands.

Matthew 6 : 24

John 15 : 18-19

John 2 : 15-16

Matthew 6:24

James 4 : 6

Proverbs 3 : 34

3017

18 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3016

18 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3016

Reasons why God does not answer prayer

People pray to God with the wrong motive. (James 4 : 3)

God’s way are not our ways. (Is 55:89)

God’s time is not our time. (2 Peter 3:8)

God promises peace, not necessarily what you ask for. (Phil 4:6-7)

Are you praying without having the word truly in you? (John 15:7)

Or perhaps God’s answer to a prayer is “wait” or “no.”

James 4 : 3

Isaiah 55 : 89

2 Peter 3 : 8

Philippians 4 : 6-7

John 15 : 7

3016

17 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3015

17 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3015

The root cause of fights and quarrels between people stems from envy, from jealousy, and from wanting something you do not have.

We express our envy in unspiritual, aggressive, and cruel ways rather than praying to the Lord to meet our needs.

James 4 : 2

3015

16 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3014

16 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3014

Since the tongue is so difficult to control, anyone who controls it perfectly gains control of himself in other areas of life as well.

To participate in our own perfection that God wants for us, we must turn from those things that encumber us and turn from false idols and must trust in God and hand more of our life over to Him. And one way God intends to transform us is in what we say.

Proper speech is not only saying the right words at the right time, but it is also controlling your desire to say what you should not.

Four examples of a small thing controlling or overpowering a large one.

Bit controls a horse.

Rudder controls a ship.

Spark sets a forest on fire.

Tongue corrupts whole person.

The bit and rudder have a positive influence and one’s tongue can also have such an influence. If a horseman or sailor is careless, he can get into trouble by being thrown off the horse or running the ship aground.

Satan uses the tongue to divide people and pit them against each other, Hateful words are damaging because they spread destruction quickly (like a fire) and no one can stop the results once they are spoken. A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build.

James 3 : 2

Psalm 140 : 1-3

Psalm 55 : 17

Colossians 4 : 2

Matthew 15 : 18-19

3014

15 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3013

15 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3013

Proper motivation is important in understanding the value of our works. We are to reach out with the love of God to anyone in need, not with words, but with actions. We are to do so because Christ gave his life for us.

1 John 3:16-18

3013

14 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3012

14 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3012

Faith without deeds is incomplete faith. True faith transforms our conduct as well as out thoughts. If our lives remain unchanged, we do not truly believe the truths we claim to believe.

Faith without deeds is no different than building a house on sand, which is quickly washed away.

Abraham was saved by faith. By faith when he believed that Sarah would have children that would inherit the earth. Furthermore, Abraham’s act of faith (Genesis 15:6) occurred before he offered up Isaac, which was only a proof of the genuineness of his faith.

Paul explains the sequence in Ephesians 2:8-10 when it comes to faith and works

First: God loves you so much that He is willing to save you by His grace.

Second: you must have faith and believe in God’s grace.

Third: you must act on your faith.

Real faith uses the Spirit’s power in words to build others up, to speak the truth in love, to compliment, forgive, and comfort (James 1 : 19-20). Real faith knows when to hold its tongue.

James 2 : 14

Matthew 7 : 26-27

Genesis 15 : 3-6

Romans 4 : 3

Ephesians 2 : 8-9

3012

13 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3011

13 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3011

We know someone to be a believer by what he does and not what he says.

Titus 3 : 8

1 Peter 1 : 13-16

3011

12 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3010

12 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3010

Keeping control of our tongues is vital. Without that everything else you do is worthless. Sometimes, what you do not say is more important than what you do say. In other words, the potential for your words to hurt is greater than the potential for your words to help. It is more helpful to show our actions than our words.

If you do not control your tongue, we are not fooling God or the person we are talking to. The only person that you might be fooling is yourself.

James 1 : 26-27

3010

11 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3009

11 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3009

When we give up our sinful thoughts and actions, the Lord will have mercy on us. A man who is obedient and puts the words of the Lord into action has built a strong foundation and is free from worrying about his house washing away.

Isaiah 55 : 7-9

Luke 6 : 46-49

Romans 8 : 2

3009

10 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3008

10 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3008

We must get rid of immorality and evil and accept God’s love, direction and commands.  It is impossible to live a perfect, sinless life by ourselves, no matter how hard we try. We must confess our sins and weaknesses to God, ask for His forgiveness, and trust in Him to forgive us and take our sins away.

James 1 ; 21

1 John 1 : 9

3008

09 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3007

 09 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3007

Anger – why you get angry and how to avoid being angry.

You should first listen before speaking or becoming angry. Anger is a result when there is a conflict or a difference of opinion. We must learn of the virtues of listening before speaking for several reasons (see Proverbs 10:19, 10:32, 12:18, 13:3, 15:31-32). We get angry easily primarily because when you are speaking you are not listening, not only to other people but also not to the Lord.

Being angry may not necessarily be wrong. There are several instances when Jesus became angry (at the money lenders in the temple, for example - Matthew 21:12-13) as did Paul (at fortune telling by the slave girl - Acts 16:16-18). There are sometimes good reasons to get angry.

Anger can lead to sin and evil. For example, in anger we may speak and act too quickly with little regard for the consequences. It takes a long time to build up a relationship with another person or to establish a good reputation but a single angry word can tear it down in just a few seconds.

Sometimes, by listening and hearing the other person’s point of view, we can see other ways to defuse a bad situation.

Proverbs 14 : 17a

Proverbs 29 : 22

Psalm 37 : 8

Colossians 3 : 21

3007

08 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3006

08 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3006

Trial and temptation.

A trial is a test of faith, patience or stamina by suffering or temptation.

Temptation is an enticement to do something wrong by promise of pleasure or gain.

Do not confuse temptation with God’s testing your faith as a way to strengthen it.

Temptations come from Satan (Matt 4 : 1, 1Cor 7 : 5)

Temptations come from inside yourself (Matt 18 : 7-9)

Temptations come from other people (Mark 9 : 42)

Temptations come when you take the easy way (Matt 7 : 13-14)

Temptations come when you have pride in yourself (Gal 6 : 1)

Temptations come when you are persecuted (1Thess 3 : 4-5)

Temptations come from riches (1 Tim 6 : 9)

We deal with temptation

by knowing the word of God and looking to it for strength (Matt 4 : 1-11)

by praying and calling upon the Lord (Matt 26 : 41, Luke 22 : 40, 2Tim 2 : 22)

by knowing that God and Jesus are standing along side of you (1Cor10 : 13; Heb 4 : 15, Eph 6 : 11)

by being alert to temptation so you can recognize and resist it (1Peter 5 : 8)

3006

07 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3005

07 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3005

Where to seek wisdom ?

Wisdom is not about knowledge. It is the ability to make wise decisions in difficult circumstances and practical judgement.

Christians turn to God in prayer when they need wisdom. God is willing to give us wisdom but we will be unable to receive it if our goals are selfish and not God-centered.

God gives us wisdom in many ways.

It comes as a gift from God (Proverb 2 : 6 ; Daniel 2 : 21)

It comes as a gift from the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 12 : 8, Ephesians 1 : 17)

It comes as a result of fear of the Lord (Job 298 : 28 ; Psalm 111 : 10)

It comes from listening to the wise (Proverb 1 : 2; Proverb 13 : 20)

It comes from discipline (Proverb 29 : 15)

It comes from admonishing one another (Colossians 3 : 16)

It comes from research and education (Eccl 1 : 13,17; Eccl 7 : 25)

Proverb 1 : 8-33 encourages us to embrace wisdom

Proverb 2 : 1-22 describes the moral benefits of wisdom

Proverb 3 : 1-35 describes more benefits of wisdom

Proverb 4 : 1-27 points out that wisdom is supreme

James 1 : 5

Job 28 : 28

Ps 111 : 10

Prov 2 : 6 

Prov 29 : 15

1 Cor 12 : 8

Col 3 : 16

We must believe and not doubt.

Ps 33 : 4

Matt 21 : 21-22

3005

06 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3004

06 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3004

The purpose of perseverance.

Perseverance leads to maturity and completeness and eventually to eternal life

(Romans 2 : 7). Perseverance leads to purity, understanding, patience, kindness and love (2Corithians 6 : 3-7). Perseverance is part of a process. It is one step we must go through to prove that our faith is genuine.

Romans 2 : 7

Romans 8 : 24-25

2 Cor 6 : 3-7

2Peter 1 : 3-9

3004

05 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3003

05 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3003

The purpose for hardship

When you face hardship you have trials and can profit from them. You must have a positive outlook because of what trials can produce in our lives.  Hardships are times of learning. Tough times can teach us perseverance

James 1 : 2-3

Romans 5 : 1-5

1 Peter 1 : 3-9

3003

04 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3002

04 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3002

Philippians 3:7 

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ.

We may be pursuing power and esteem, victory and success in our lives, our careers, and our homes. These things are of this transitory world and that there are a higher power and glory, victory and salvation to which we should aspire, which are far above and beyond any success and esteem that we will ever experience here.

3002

03 Nov 2013 Thoughts#3000 and 3001

03 Nov 2013

Thoughts#3000

Problem solving

We encounter problems every day of our life, irrespective of our religion, language or race. God strengthens every Christian to face every difficulty. !

God knows every future circumstances and prepares us to withstand the trial. Once I come across a problem, I go to God and seek HIS wisdom and directions. Once I did that, the problem is contained and I can trust God to help me resolve the situation. I only need to act on my faith and God always gives a solution to the problem.

Whether we are troubled, under crisis or in peaceful times, we must build a strong foundation of trust and communion with God. This relationship will withstand any hardship.

Problems in our daily lives are unavoidable but God is faithful to solve our difficulties through prayers.

2 Chronicles 20

3000

Thoughts#3001

Psalm 139:11-12 

If I say, "Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me," even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.

In dark and gloomy moments, when our lives are overshadowed with sorrow, worry, and grief, it is comforting and reassuring to know that Christ is our light, and that the darkness is not dark to Him. He beautifies our lives with His own everlasting peace and powerful light.

3001