FROM TODAY'S READING (2/27/2017)...
"Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people."
Eleanor Roosevelt
Ephesians 2:10 (NIV) For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/22/2017)...
"If you do not know where you are going, every road will get you nowhere."
Proverbs 4:25-27 (NLT) Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil.
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/21/2017)...
When you completely trust another person, you will end up with one of two outcomes...a friend for life or a lesson for life. Both, regardless of the outcome, are valuable.
Proverbs 18:24 (NLT) There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.
Proverbs 27:6 (NLT) Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/20/2017)...
"It's amazing how 3 minutes with the wrong person feels like an eternity, yet 3 hours with the right one, feels like only a momenUnknown
Proverbs 13:20 (NLT) Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.
Proverbs 27:3 (NLT) A stone is heavy and sand is weighty, but the resentment caused by a fool is even heavier.
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/17/2017)...
"Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged...I was raised to believe that God has a plan for everyone and that seemingly random twists of fate are all a part of His plan... America was founded by people who believe that God was their rock of safety. I recognize we must be cautious in claiming that God is on our side, but I think it’s all right to keep asking if we’re on His side."
Galatians 5:13-15 (NLT) For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
1 Peter 2:15-17 (NLT) It is God’s will that your honorable lives should silence those ignorant people who make foolish accusations against you. For you are free, yet you are God’s slaves, so don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do evil. Respect everyone, and love the family of believers. Fear God, and respect the king.
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/16/2017)...
"Freedom is the recognition that no single person, no single authority or government has a monopoly on the truth, but that every individual life is infinitely precious, that every one of us put in this world has been put there for a reason and has something to offer."
Psalms 139:13-18 (NLT) You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.
How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/15/2017)...
"The hard soil and four months of snow make the inhabitants of the northern temperate zone wiser and abler than his fellow who enjoys the fixed smile of the tropics. "
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Job 37:6-12 (NLT) He directs the snow to fall on the earth and tells the rain to pour down. Then everyone stops working so they can watch his power. The wild animals take cover and stay inside their dens. The stormy wind comes from its chamber, and the driving winds bring the cold. God’s breath sends the ice, freezing wide expanses of water. He loads the clouds with moisture, and they flash with his lightning. The clouds churn about at his direction. They do whatever he commands throughout the earth.
Isaiah 55:10-11 (NLT) The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/14/2017)...
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY
"Love is just a word until someone comes along and gives it meaning.”
- Author Unknown
1 Corinthians 16:14 (ESV) Let all that you do be done in love.
Colossians 3:13-14 (NLT) Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/10/2017)...
I recently read that Kmart (Big K) store will soon be closing in Bangor. It gave me pause to reflect and be appreciative for how good that retailer was to me. Soon after my 1971 discharge from the Army, I was hired to join the Kmart Automotive team. The new Bangor store opened its doors in September of 1972. It proved to be wildly successful. It also provided me manager training, a good income, benefits, opportunity, and excellent health insurance (imagine that!). Additionally, I was given preferential employment while attending Bible College in Springfield, MO. I am thankful...Kmart was good to me. Thanks.
PS - Remember the "Blue Light Special?"
Colossians 3:17 (NIV) And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.
K
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/9/2017)...
Things to ponder regarding atheism...
Romans 1:20 (NLT) For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.
Colossians 1:15-17 (NLT) Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see— such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together.
FROM TODAY'S READING (2/7/2017)...
"It's a great lesson for anyone who really wants anything badly. Things happen that are unfair sometimes and things go against you, but you don't give up. And you know with good people, check your ego at the door, put team first, and never give up."
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.
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/3/2017)...
"You have eternity to enjoy the honeymoon, but only a short time to prepare for the wedding.”
Psalms 90:12 (NLT) Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.
Psalms 39:4-5 (NLT) LORD, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered—how fleeting my life is. You have made my life no longer than the width of my hand. My entire lifetime is just a moment to you; at best, each of us is but a breath.
Matthew 24:42, 44 (NLT) So you, too, must keep watch! For you don’t know what day your Lord is coming...You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/2/2017)...
"Be somebody who makes everybody feel like a somebody.”
"If you want more kindness in the world put it there.”
Ephesians 4:31-32 (NLT) Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Colossians 3:12-13 (NLT) Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.
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FROM TODAY'S READING (2/1/2017)...
"No one would remember the Good Samaritan if he’d only had good intentions; he had money as well."
James 4:17 (NLT) Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
Luke 10:30-37 (NLT) Jesus replied with a story: A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.
Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, "Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here."
Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.
The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.”
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