Thoughts#2303

Love is an action

Love is much more than a feeling or an attitude: love is an action.

When we love, we show it by our deeds. Our love is shown by our obedience to the things Jesus taught.    Obedience brings an incredible blessing -- Jesus reveals himself to those who obey him!

John 14:21   

[Jesus said] "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him."

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Thoughts#2302

Freedom

This is the great reminder that sin is no longer our master and no longer our choice. We choose to live for God with every fiber of our being and dislike the life of sin that once held us in bondage to death and defeat.

Romans 6:15

What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means!

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Thoughts#2301

What to surrender

Have you "renounced the hidden things of dishonesty"

Renounce it as soon as it springs up; renounce the whole thing until there is no hidden thing of dishonesty or craftiness about you. Envy, jealousy, strife - these things arise not necessarily from the nature of sin, but from the make - up of your body which was used for this kind of thing in days gone by (see Romans 6:19 and 1 Peter 4:1-2).

Maintain a continual watchfulness so that nothing of which you would be ashamed arises in your life.

2 Corinthians 4:2

But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty.

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Thoughts#2300

Do you pray ?

Do not set as your motive the desire to be known as a praying man.

Pray where no one knows you are praying

Have no other motive than to know God.

It is impossible to conduct your life as a disciple without definite times of secret prayer.

Prayer is not simply getting things from God, that is a most initial form of prayer.

Prayer is getting into perfect communion with God

Matthew 6:6

But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

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Thoughts#2299

Boasting

What do we have in which we can boast ?    

We have no basis to boast in our own might.

We can't

preserve our lives.

determine the future or change the past.

We are living proof of God’s grace and mercy –

He saved us when we didn't deserve it,

He rescued us from sin and death when we had no power to preserve our lives.

God saves

the sinner,

raises up the disheartened, and

mends the broken.

Praise the LORD for his glory. Praise the LORD for his grace.

Psalm 34:2

My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and

rejoice.

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Thoughts#2298

Praise

Consistently praise

God to keep our life on track

God to keep our hearts surrendered to His will and His work  

God with songs.

Let us

give Him thanks for all that He has done for us.

praise Him always.

Psalm 34:1

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

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Thoughts#2297

Power in Unity

There's power in unity.

The devil takes the differences between us, differences God put there to make us stronger, and tries to use them as a wedge to drive us apart. It's the differences combined that make us strong!

Do not let the devil use those differences to drive you apart. Thank God for them!

Let us learn how to appreciate them. Let Him show you just how powerful you can be... together!

Ecclesiastes 4:12

If one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold

cord is not quickly broken.

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Thoughts#2296

His mercy

God's mercy endures forever!

He is still operating in the earth.

His mercy never runs out.

Neither has it decreased or weakened.

His mercy continues to reach you day after day.

He is still generous in mercy onto those that call upon Him.

Stretch your faith to take in the boundless mercy of God.

Psalm 136:1

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

forever."

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Thoughts#2295

Seek Him

   

Have you sought the LORD lately?

Many of us had committed our lives to Him.

Have you made that commitment?

God promises wisdom to those who ask and do not doubt.

Let us ask for wisdom.

Let's join our hearts together, and with the Spirit's help, let's seek our Father so that we can honor and glorify him, finding our blessing in his presence.

Psalm 34 : 4

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

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Thoughts#2294

The fountain

It is not possible to put any trash in the mouth of a flowing fountain !  The force of its own outflow protects it and keeps it clear of any impurities from the outside. Well, the spiritual fountain within you works the same way.

When you are allowing the forces of love and joy and peace and gentleness and all the others to flow out, the devil can not get any of his junk in.

How do you keep the Spirit flowing?

Keep your heart full of the Word of God that the forces of eternal life start bubbling out. Just a little at first...and then stronger and higher.

John 4:14

Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of

water springing up into everlasting life.

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Thoughts#2293

Wisdom

What are the greatest riches in life?

They are not silver and gold. Of infinitely greater value is wisdom, which helps us understand what is valuable, what is true, what is worthy of our heart, and what is not.

Proverbs 16:16

How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver!

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Thoughts#2292

Poor words and bad timing

How many times have you said just the "wrong" thing?

Jesus words on this topic are indeed convicting :

"Out of the abundance of the heart does the mouth speak."

In other words, poor words and bad timing in our speech are more issues of our heart than issues of social skills and decorum.

Let us ask God to purify, mend, and re-focus our heart on his will and passions.

Proverbs 10:32

The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

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Thoughts#2291

Be encouraged !!

Courage comes from trusting God.  It comes from believing what God says regardless of what the circumstances look like. Courage comes from faith!

Discouragement comes from fear and unbelief.

It comes when you listen to the devil's lies about what God is not going to do for you.

We must shake off discouragement and rise up with courage! We must quit looking at our own abilities and failures and limitations and start looking to God. We must rise up in the Name of Jesus and the power of His Spirit and establish the kingdom of heaven upon earth.

If you've been discouraged lately, stop listening to Satan's lies. Stop receiving evil reports.

Once you begin to realize who you are and what you've been given by the power of God, you'll quit letting the devil run all over you.

God commands that you be strong and courageous.

Joshua 1:9

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go."

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Thoughts#2290

The powerful Word

God's word

is a light to our dark path in a morally uncertain world.

is our standard for right and wrong, righteousness and evil.

delivers us from all sorts of destructive practices that can ruin our lives.

Psalm 119:133

Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.

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Thoughts#2289

The wicked and the righteous

The wicked fear

the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness.

not being in control.

death's overtaking them.

The righteous

desire the triumph of goodness, holiness, and righteousness.

offer their lives to be controlled by the Holy Spirit of God.

recognize death is an enemy, but one that has been conquered by their Savior.

Proverbs 10:24

What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted.

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Thoughts#2288

Anger and foolishness

   

Responding quickly to aggravation, threat, insult, or difficulty suggests strength to many folks Jul2012. However, responding hastily out of anger is foolish. This response seldom produces the desired long term effect and nearly always compounds the problems that need to be addressed. Patiently dealing with frustrating and painful situations shows understanding and is nearly always more fruitful in the long run.

Proverbs 14:29

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.

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Thoughts#2287

Trust

Faith is as much the rule of temporal as of spiritual life.

It is only as we learn to trust in God for the supply of all our daily need that we shall live above the world.

We are not to be idle, that would show we did not trust in God. 

We are not to be imprudent or rash; that were to trust chance, and not the living God 

We are to rely simply and entirely upon the Lord at all times.

Trusting in God always

Be you a man with living principles within; never bow to the varying customs of worldly wisdom.

Walk in your path of integrity with steadfast steps, and show that you are invincibly strong in the strength which confidence in God alone can confer.

We have no care, for he careth for us; we have no troubles, because we cast our burdens upon the Lord.

Psalms 62:8    

Trust in him at all times.

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Thoughts#2286

Surrender

   

Let us seriously look into our hearts and surrender those things that hold us back from fully following and serving God. We know what they are.

Jesus comes to us with his nail-scarred hands and reminds us that He gave up everything to redeem us. He now wants us to surrender to the Cross the things that hold us back.

Matthew 10 : 38-39

And anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

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Thoughts#2285

World without God

So often, those of us who have received the blessings of faith and the guidelines of the Word of God do not fully appreciate them.

Can you imagine what it is like to try to define one’s worth, clarify one’s values, and establish one’s sense of purpose without a standard of truth?

Imagine what it would be like to be lost without a map and without a compass?

Remember what it was like to wake up in an unfamiliar place as a child in the pitch black darkness totally disoriented? We don't have to worry about that now, do we?

God's Word light our dark paths and show us the way home!

Psalm 119:105

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.

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Thoughts#2284

HE is still working !!

Think of the incredible diversity of earth's wonders. Look at your own life and see the fingerprints of God's work in your own experience (Rom. 8:28). As Jesus said, our Father is working still (John 5:17). Yes, it does make us glad to know that we are not alone in working our own life (Psalm 139; Phil. 2:13).

There is a deep-seated joy at knowing that the LORD, Creator of the universe is at work in us and for us. No wonder singing praise is such a natural response for us!

Psalm 92:4

For you make me glad by your deeds, O LORD; I sing for joy at the works of your hands.

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Thoughts#2283

Integrity

Be a person of integrity.

When someone finds out your secrets, you can feel secure knowing that you have lived for godliness. However, a perverse and deceitful person has to constantly worry that someone will find him out. There is no security or assurance in crooked paths, only the certainty of getting tripped up and caught. When the secrets of evil that have been whispered in dark places get shouted from the rooftops, those who have lived for the Lord can be secure, knowing that what gets shouted about them is said with the voice of God: "Well done, good and faithful servant!"

Proverbs 10:9

The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes crooked paths will be found out.

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Thoughts#2282

God’s word

What is the greatest tool to repair the human heart?

It is the Word of God !!!

You see, while the modern scientific techniques can be of great aid to the physical heart of people, God's tool for heart surgery is His Word. This sharp scalpel can reach the soul and spirit as well as being a physical blessing. 

As you open God's Scripture, as you hear the message of God preached, why not ask for the Holy Spirit's help to help you understand, apply, and put into practice what is being taught?

Hebrews 4:12

For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the Thoughts   and attitudes of the heart.

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Thoughts#2281

Seek the real answer

God quenches the thirst and satisfies the hunger of those who seek him. So often we try to soothe the ache in our soul and fill the emptiness in our heart with what is only a temporary satisfaction that only God's presence can fill. Let's refuse every false satisfaction and seek the LORD!

Psalm 107 : 9

For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

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Thoughts#2280

A varied life

A river is victoriously unrelenting, it overcomes all barriers.

The obstacle is a matter of indifference to the river which will flow steadily through you if you remember to keep right at the source.

The Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never get your eyes on the obstacle or on the difficulty.

Never allow anything to come between yourself and Jesus Christ, no emotion, or experience; nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source.

John 7 : 38
Rivers of living water.





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Thoughts#2279

Getting ahead in this world

The only real secret to getting ahead in this world is to put the Word of God first place in your daily life.

The Bible is not just a textbook, a storybook, or a history book.

It's a handbook for living.

It's the wisdom of Almighty God written down so that you can apply it to your everyday circumstances.

Invest your time in the Word first and that investment will soon be paying off in every area of your life.


Proverbs 4:7-8
For skillful and godly Wisdom is the principal thing.... Prize Wisdom highly and exalt her, and she will exalt and promote you; she will bring you to honor when you embrace her.



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Thoughts#2278

Grace

What is Grace ???

Grace is not about excuses for our sins. It is about a deep-seated thanksgiving for pardon. It is a life-changing commitment to say "No!" to all that is evil, corrupt, and wicked no matter how attractive or how persistent they may be in our culture.

Titus 2:11-12
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age...



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Thoughts#2277



Languages of nature
Think of the majestic order of the universe and its obedience to unchanging law.

The language of
order,
beauty,
perfection and intelligence
speaks of the existence of God

There is
(a) certainty and regularity of the seasons

(b) precision of the movements of the sun, the moon and the stars

(c) regular coming of the night and day

(d) balance between man’s consumption of life-giving oxygen and its production by the plant-life of the earth

Psalm 19 : 1-3
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard.





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Thoughts#2276

Happiness

The secret of happiness is

not to do what you like to do but to learn to like what you have to do.

Happiness is not found by seeking. It is not an end in itself

Pots of gold are never found at the end of the rainbow. Gold is mined from the ground or panned laboriously from a stream.

The Pharisees were not happy. They were nervous, tensed and frustrated. They were full of resentments, bitterness, prejudices and hatred. The reason was that they had lost sight of God’s idea of the pure in heart. The Pharisees thought that as long as they kept the letter of the law that was enough. But God looks deeper that the outside actions. He searches and ponders the heart. He looks to the motives, Thoughts  and intents of the heart.

1 Timothy 5 : 22
Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure



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Thoughts#2275

Heart

The heart pumps blood and it is the central and vital organ of the body. It is also used metaphorically when we speak of affections and feelings. The Bible speaks of heart as the well-spring of life. Hence, it is also used closely with ‘life’. When you are asked to give your heart, it does not mean to cut out our actual hearts. It means that we are to give lives, our all.

When we come to Christ, we give our intellectual assent with our minds and we also believe in our hearts – means that the will, the emotion, and the intellect are surrendered.

Romans 10 : 9
That if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.



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Thoughts#2274



Selfish lifestyle


Self-centeredness is the basic cause of much of our distress in life. Our loves, our interests and our energies are too often focused upon ourselves. Many of us live selfishly.

Matthew 19 : 21
If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.

Here in this verse, Jesus wants us to be released from selfishness and its destructive effect on our personality and life.

John 3 : 30
He must become greater; I must become less.



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Thoughts#2273

Happy New Year !!

How to be rich

There are two ways of being rich – have a lot or want very little

The latter way is the easiest for most of us. Many people make themselves miserable by wanting more than they can ever have. They can never get enough of the insatiable desire for more, better and newer things.

We need not learn how to get more but how to get along with what we have got, and get on with the business of really living.

Luke 12 : 15
Then he said to them, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions

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