Ephesians 4:24-25 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (10/1/2014)...

If you admit a mistake, it becomes part of your past. If you lie, it becomes part of your future.

Ephesians 4:21-25 (NLT) Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body.

Matthew 7:2-5 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/30/2014)...

First-mate: "Captain, captain, the crew is revolting!

Captain: : "You don't smell so good yourself."

Matthew 7:2-5 (NLT) For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye. 

1 Peter 3:8-10 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/29/2014)...

A husband and wife are getting ready for bed. The wife is standing in front of a full length mirror taking a hard look at herself. 

"You know, dear," she says, "I look in the mirror and I see an old woman. My face is all wrinkled, every thing else is either sagging or bloated. I've got fat legs, and my arms are all flabby." 

She turns to her husband and says, "Tell me something positive to make me feel better about myself." 

He studies hard for a moment thinking about it and then says in a soft, thoughtful voice, "Well, there's nothing wrong with your eyesight." 

Services for the husband will be held at 10:30 AM at Buford's  Funeral Home. Female friends of the family are invited.

1 Peter 3:8-10 (NLT) Finally, all of you should be of one mind. Sympathize with each other. Love each other as brothers and sisters. Be tenderhearted, and keep a humble attitude. Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. For the Scriptures say, “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. 

Psalm 119:1-8, 105-106 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/26/2014)...

My Old Bible

Though the cover is worn,
And the pages are torn,
And though places bear traces of tears,
Yet more precious than gold
Is this Book worn and old,
That can shatter and scatter my fears.

This old Book is my guide,
'Tis a friend by my side,
It will lighten and brighten my way;
And each promise I find
Soothes and gladdens the mind,
As I read it and heed it each day.

To this Book I will cling,
Of its worth I will sing,
Though great losses and crosses be mine;
For I cannot despair,
Though surrounded by care,
While possessing this blessing Divine.
- Anonymous

Psalm 119:1-8, 105-106 (NLT) Joyful are people of integrity, who follow the instructions of the LORD. Joyful are those who obey his laws and search for him with all their hearts. They do not compromise with evil, and they walk only in his paths. You have charged us to keep your commandments carefully. Oh, that my actions would consistently reflect your decrees! Then I will not be ashamed when I compare my life with your commands. As I learn your righteous regulations, I will thank you by living as I should! I will obey your decrees. Please don’t give up on me!

...Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path. I’ve promised it once, and I’ll promise it again: I will obey your righteous regulations.

Psalm 130:3-5 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/25/2014)...

There's no sight like seeing the light from Calvary kiss a human face as it fills the heart with the assurance of Divine forgiveness.

- Gypsy Smith

Psalm 130:3-5 (NLT) LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. 

Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/24/2014)...

“There is no panic in Heaven! God has no problems, only plans.”

- Corrie ten Boom

Psalm 25:4-5 (NLT)Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. 

Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/23/2014)...

The third-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the majority. The second-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking with the minority. The first-rate mind is only happy when it is thinking.

—A. A. Milne

Philippians 4:8-9 (NLT) And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you. 

Matthew 4:1-4 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING 9/22/2014)...

The Holy Bible, God's divinely revealed word to His creation, is compared to bread. The spiritually hungry should maintain a steady diet of it. It never gets stale.

Matthew 4:1-4 (NLT) Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted there by the devil. For forty days and forty nights he fasted and became very hungry. During that time the devil came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become loaves of bread.” But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’ ” 

Psalm 130:1-5 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/19/2014)...

“When God forgives us and purifies us of our sin, He also forgets it. Forgiveness results in God dropping the charges against us.”

- Billy Graham

“Forgiveness does not come easily to us, especially when someone we have trusted betrays our trust. And yet if we do not learn to forgive, we will discover that we can never really rebuild trust.”

- Billy Graham

Psalm 130:1-5 (NLT) From the depths of despair, O LORD, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. LORD, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you. I am counting on the LORD; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word. 

NOTE: PILGRIM PSALMS (120-134)...sung by those who journeyed to the Temple in Jerusalem for the annual festivals.

Psalm 126:1-6 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/18/2014)...

“We are safer with Him in the dark than without Him in the sunshine.” 

- Lettie B. Cowman (Springs in the Valley)

“Beloved, God’s promises can never fail to be accomplished, and those who patiently wait can never be disappointed, for a believing faith leads to realization.” 

- Lettie B. Cowman (Streams In The Desert)

Psalm 126:1-6 (NLT) When the LORD brought back his exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, “What amazing things the LORD has done for them.” Yes, the LORD has done amazing things for us! What joy! Restore our fortunes, LORD, as streams renew the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest. 

NOTE: PILGRIM PSALMS (120-134)...sung by those who journeyed to the Temple in Jerusalem for the annual festivals.

Psalm 122:1-4 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/17/2014)...

You can be committed to Church but not committed to Christ, but you cannot be committed to Christ and not committed to church.

- Joel Osteen

Psalm 122:1-4 ( NLT) I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the LORD.” And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached. All the tribes of Israel—the LORD’s people— make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the LORD, as the law requires of Israel. 

PILGRIM PSALMS (120-134)...sung by those who journeyed to the Temple in Jerusalem for the annual festivals.

Psalm 127:1-2 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/16/2014)...

Abide in Jesus, the sinless One - which means, give up all of self and its life, and dwell in God's will and rest in His strength. This is what brings the power that does not commit sin.

- Andrew Murray

Psalm 127:1-2 (NLT) Unless the LORD builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the LORD protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat; for God gives rest to his loved ones.

NOTE: PILGRIM PSALMS (120-134)...sung by those who journeyed to the Temple in Jerusalem for the annual festivals.

Psalm 120:1-2 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/15/2014)...

"Vows made in storms are forgotten in calm."

- Thomas Fuller

Psalm 120:1-2 (NLT) I took my troubles to the LORD; I cried out to him, and he answered my prayer. Rescue me, O LORD, from liars and from all deceitful people. 

NOTE: PILGRIM PSALMS (120-134)...sung by those who journeyed to the Temple in Jerusalem for the annual festivals.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/12/2014)...

"Never, never, never believe any war will be smooth and easy, or that anyone who embarks on the strange voyage can measure the tides and hurricanes he will encounter. The statesman who yields to war fever must realize that once the signal is given, he is no longer the master of policy but the slave of unforeseeable and uncontrollable events."

Sir Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)  

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NLT) 

For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven.

A time to be born and a time to die. 

A time to plant and a time to harvest. 

A time to kill and a time to heal. 

A time to tear down and a time to build up. 

A time to cry and a time to laugh. 

A time to grieve and a time to dance. 

A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones. 

A time to embrace and a time to turn away. 

A time to search and a time to quit searching. 

A time to keep and a time to throw away. 

A time to tear and a time to mend. 

A time to be quiet and a time to speak. 

A time to love and a time to hate. 

A time for war and a time for peace. 

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/11/2014)...

9/11 Tribute Remembrance...

President Bush: Thank you all. I want you all to know -- it [bullhorn] can't go any louder --  I want you all to know that American today, American today is on bended knee, in prayer for the people whose lives were lost here, for the workers who work here, for the families who mourn. The nation stands with the good people of New York City and New Jersey and Connecticut as we mourn the loss of thousands of our citizens

Rescue Worker: I can't hear you!

President Bush: I can hear you! I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people -- and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon!

Rescue Workers: [Chanting] U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

President Bush: The nation -- The nation sends its love and compassion --

Rescue Worker: God bless America!

President Bush: -- to everybody who is here. Thank you for your hard work. Thank you for makin' the nation proud, and may God bless America.

Rescue Workers: [Chanting] U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.! U.S.A.!

1 Timothy 2:1-4 (NLT) I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. 

Psalm 25:1-5 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/10/2014)...

"The attacks of September 11th were intended to break our spirit. Instead we have emerged stronger and more unified. We feel renewed devotion to the principles of political, economic and religious freedom, the rule of law and respect for human life. We are more determined than ever to live our lives in freedom."

- Rudolph W. Giuliani

Psalm 25:1-5 (NLT) O LORD, I give my life to you. I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others. Show me the right path, O LORD; point out the road for me to follow. Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you. 

Romans 12:11-12 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/9/2014)...

“Words can never adequately convey the incredible impact of our attitudes toward life. The longer I live the more convinced I become that life is 10 percent what happens to us and 90 percent how we respond to it."

- Chuck Swindoll

Romans 12:11-12 (NLT) Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. 

Matthews 5:14-16 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/8/2014)..,

"The first car my wife, Barbara, and I purchased after our marriage was a pale green 1969 Volkswagen. Perhaps some of you recall the factory color, a kind of washed-out, pea soup green. The car's color had been further dulled by oxidation and sixty thousand miles of road film. How pleased and proud I was to find that a little rubbing compound and lots of elbow grease could make that old Beetle shine -- still a pale, pea-soup color, but lustrous and shiny -- absolutely VWcool. I also discovered that the paint required regular attention, and I gave it. 

Like many everyday things in life, my experiences suggested some spiritual wisdom to my budding preacher's mind -- namely, that as believer's in Christ we have the inner potential to shine for him."

- R. Kent Hughes (Genesis - Beginning and Blessing)

Matthew 5:14-16 (NLT) “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father. 

Galatians 6:9 (NLT)..,

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/5/2014)...

Keep on going, and chances are that you will stumble on something, perhaps when you are least expecting it. I have never heard if anyone stumbling on something sitting down.

- Charles F. Kettering

Galatians 6:9 (NLT) So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 

Colossians 3:8-10 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/4/2014)...

Sin is a condition of the heart, the mind, and “the inner man” (Romans 7:22), which is manifested in our thoughts, actions and words. When we swear and curse, we are giving evidence of the polluting sin in our hearts that must be confessed and repented of. Thankfully, our great God is “faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)

- gotquestions.org

Colossians 3:8-10 (NLT) But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. 

Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. 

Psalm 37:8 (NLT)...

Anger is one letter short of danger.

- Author Unknown

Psalm 37:8 (NLT) Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper— it only leads to harm. 

Proverbs 15:18 (NLT) A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them. 

Proverbs 26:4-12 (NLT)...

FROM TODAY'S READING (9/2/2014)...

Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.

—Mark Twain

Proverbs 26:4-12 (NLT) *Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools, or you will become as foolish as they are. Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools, or they will become wise in their own estimation. Trusting a fool to convey a message is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison! A proverb in the mouth of a fool is as useless as a paralyzed leg. Honoring a fool is as foolish as tying a stone to a slingshot. A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like a thorny branch brandished by a drunk. An employer who hires a fool or a bystander is like an archer who shoots at random. As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his foolishness. There is more hope for fools than for people who think they are wise. 

*These...verses seem to contradict, but they actually are purposely demonstrating the contradiction between reason and folly. A fool remains a fool whether he is answered or not. The wise person has a choice to make depending on what he or she sees is the greatest need of the fool. Some fools don't deserve an answer because they are clearly not in a mood to listen, and those who try to answer them will simply stoop to their level. There are other situations where common sense says to answer the fool in order to expose his or her pride and folly. (LAB note)