Is It Work or a Job?

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Too many people quit looking for work when they find a job.

Proverbs 18:9 He who is slothful in his work Is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.

Being Content

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Contentment isn't getting what we want but being satisfied with what we have.

Philippians 4:11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

Advice

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

The best way to be successful is to follow the advice you give others.

Proverbs 15:32 He who disdains instruction despises his own soul, But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.

Start Now

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

You cannot win if you don't begin.

2 Corinthians 8.10 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago;
 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have.

Walt and Art

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

The doors of opportunity are marked "Push" and "Pull".

Proverbs 13.4 The soul of a lazy man desires, and has nothing; But the soul of the diligent shall be made rich.

Succeed With Kindness

Nice people can finish first. The key is knowing how to use kindness to your advantage. Practice these habits until they become second nature:

• First, be kind to yourself. You'll find being nice to others is easier if you build your self-respect with positive thoughts about your personality and achievements.
• Treat everyone with respect. Don't worry about who's on top. Treat everyone the way you want to be treated, regardless of their position or title.
• Say "no" when necessary. You can't do everything. But when you do say "no", be polite and positive.
• Plant seeds of kindness. Do something nice every day even when your kindness may not have an immediate payoff.
• Complete this statement: "If I were a better person, I would ___." Then act on it.

Little Things Add Up

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

It's the little things in life that determine the big things.

Matthew 25.21 "His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.'

Be Productive

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Don't mistake activity for achievement. Busyness does not equal productiveness.

Luke 10.40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, "Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me." 41 And Jesus answered and said to her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 "But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her."

What Do You Really Believe?

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

No man ever really finds out what he believes in until he begins to instruct his children.

Ephesians 6.4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

Spread Sunshine

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Those who bring sunshine to the lives of others cannot keep it from themselves.

(WH note: While this article applies to donations of money, the same is true about making people laugh, feel better about themselves etc. What each person has to give is not always about money)

Galatians 6.7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

Direction and Correction

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

In order to receive the direction from God, you must be able to receive the correction from God.

Hebrews 12.5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;  6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives."

Faith and Courage

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

True faith and courage are like a kite - an opposing wind raises it higher.

Isaiah 40.31 But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

Working Too Hard?

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

No one ever said on their deathbed: I wish I would have spent more time at work!

Ecclesiastes 2.18 Then I hated all my labor in which I had toiled under the sun, because I must leave it to the man who will come after me.

Colossians 3.23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,

Keep Scratching

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

(I can relate to this as I remember my grandmother raising a great many chickens)

The secret to success is starting from scratch and to keep on scratching.

Luke 8.11 "Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God.
 12 "Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.
 13 "But the ones on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, who believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away.
 14 "Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity.
 15 "But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.

Be a Walking Sermon

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Forget yourself for others and others will not forget you!

Matthew 7:12 "Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Too Big to Hit or Too Big to Miss?

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

When confronted with a Goliath-sized problem, which way do you respond: "He's too big to hit," or like David, "He's too big to miss?"

1 Samuel 17:37 Moreover David said, "The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine." And Saul said to David, "Go, and the LORD be with you!"

Peddle Harder

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

The train of failure usually runs on the track of laziness.

Ecclesiastes 10:18 Because of laziness the building decays, And through idleness of hands the house leaks.

Apologize

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

The best way to get the last word is to apologize.

Proverbs 6.2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; You are taken by the words of your mouth. 3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; For you have come into the hand of your friend: Go and humble yourself; Plead with your friend.

Think BEFORE You Speak

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

The trouble with the guy who talks too much is that he often says something he hasn't thought of yet.

Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be rash with your mouth, And let not your heart utter anything hastily before God. For God is in heaven, and you on earth; Therefore let your words be few.

Be Concerned

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Be more concerned with what God thinks about you than what people think about you.

Acts 5.29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: "We ought to obey God rather than men.

Authority

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Authority makes some people grow - and others just swell.

Matthew 3:11 "I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. 12 "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

The Original Heart Surgeon

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

God can heal a broken heart, but He has to have all the pieces.

Proverbs 23:26 My son, give me your heart, And let your eyes observe my ways.

God promised to give us our NEEDS; not our WANTS!

How to Forget Your Problems

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

The best way to forget your own problems is to help someone solve theirs.

Philippians 2.4 Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.

Time is More Valuable Than Money

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Time is more valuable than money because time is irreplaceable.

Ephesians 5:15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil.

Do It Well, or Not At All

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

If a task is once begun, never leave it 'till it's done. Be the labor great or small, do it well or not at all.

John 17:4 "I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.

Always Get Back Up

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Falling down does not make you a failure, but staying down does.

Proverbs 24:16 For a righteous man may fall seven times And rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity.

Count Your Blessings

Inspirational Thought for the Day

(Personal Note: When I first had my LVAD implanted in 2014, I realized there was a long list of things I could no longer do that I had always enjoyed. I made a list of those things. THEN, I went on and made a list of things that I CAN DO and chose to focus on those things. It made a huge difference in my life.)

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Sometimes we are so busy adding up our troubles that we forget to count our blessings.

Psalms 77:11 I will remember the works of the LORD; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. 12 I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds.

Success or Failure?

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Success comes in cans; failure comes in can'ts.

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Look Back; Live Forward

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Life can only be understood by looking backward, but it must be lived by looking forward.

Luke 9:62 But Jesus said to him, "No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

How Rich Are You?

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

A man is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.

Proverbs 13:7 There is one who makes himself rich, yet has nothing; And one who makes himself poor, yet has great riches.

Failure is not Lack of Talent

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Failure in people is caused more by lack of determination than lack in talent.

Galatians 6:9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

Success in Marriage

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Success in marriage is more than finding the right person. It is becoming the right person.

1 Timothy 6.11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.

Control Your Emotions

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

A man is never in worse company than when he flies into a rage and is beside himself.

Proverbs 14:17 A quick-tempered man acts foolishly, And a man of wicked intentions is hated.

Look Up

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

Sorrow looks back.
Worry looks around.
Faith looks up.

Hebrews 12.1-2 
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Show It!

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

It is good to be a Christian and know it, but it's better to be a Christian and show it!

John 13.35  "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."

Always be Grateful

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

It is good to remember that the tea kettle, although up to its neck in hot water, continues to sing.

1 Thessalonians 5.16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

We Need Sleep

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

The best bridge between hope and despair is often a good night's sleep.

Psalm 127.2  It is vain for you to rise up early, To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows; For so He gives His beloved sleep.

Do Something!

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Courtesy of David C Cook, God's Little Devotional Book

He who wants milk should not sit on a stool in the middle of the pasture expecting the cow to back up to him.

Proverbs 10.4 He who has a slack hand becomes poor, But the hand of the diligent makes rich.