Roses and Thorns

Inspirational Thought for the Day

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

Some people complain because God put thorns on roses, while others praise Him for putting roses among thorns.

Philippians 4.8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy--meditate on these things.

Are You Standing or Sitting?

Inspirational Thought for the Day

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

Too many churchgoers are singing "Standing on the Promises" when all they are doing is sitting on the premises.

Hebrews 6.11-12 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end,
 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

Just Say "No"!

Inspirational Thought for the Day

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

"No" is one of the few words that can never be misunderstood.

Matthew 5.37 "But let your 'Yes' be 'Yes,' and your 'No,' 'No.' For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.

A Good Name

Inspirational Thought for the Day

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

It's better to live with a good name than to die with a bad one.

Ecclesiastes 7.1  A good name is better than precious ointment, And the day of death than the day of one's birth;

True Character

Inspirational Thought for the Day

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

A person's true character is revealed by what he does when no one is watching.

Ephesians 6.
5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.

Make Your Work Exciiting

Inspirational Thought for the Day

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

There is a name for people who are not excited about their work - unemployed.

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

Patience

Inspirational Thought for the Day

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

Patience is a quality you admire in the driver behind you and scorn in the one ahead.


Ecclesiastes 7.8-9 
8 The end of a thing is better than its beginning; The patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
9 Do not hasten in your spirit to be angry, For anger rests in the bosom of fools.

Choose Friends Carefully

Inspirational Thought for the Day

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

Your companions are like the buttons on an elevator.

They will either take you up or they will take you down.

Proverbs 13.20 He who walks with wise men will be wise, But the companion of fools will be destroyed.

Our Decisions

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Decisions can take you out of God's will but never out of his reach.

2 Timothy 2.13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

Temper

Inspirational Thought for the Day

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

Your temper is like a fire. It gets very destructive when it gets out of control.

Proverbs 25.28 Whoever has no rule over his own spirit Is like a city broken down, without walls.

Read the Instructions

Inspirational Thought for the Day

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

If at first you don't succeed, try reading the instructions.

Proverbs 4.13 Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; Keep her, for she is your life.

Backbone or Wishbone?

Inspirational Thought for the Day

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

Many a good man has failed because he had his wishbone where his backbone should have been.

Joshua 1.9 "Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Be Silent

Inspirational Thought for the Day

It's better to be silent and be considered a fool than to speak and remove all doubt.

Ecclesiastes 10:3 Even when a fool walks along the way, He lacks wisdom, And he shows everyone that he is a fool.

Assemble Together

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Remember the banana? When it left the bunch, it got skinned.

Hebrews 10:
24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Turn Up Something

Inspirational Thought for the Day

He who is waiting for something to turn up might start with his own shirt sleeves.

Proverbs 14:23 In all labor there is profit, But idle chatter leads only to poverty.

Slow to Anger

Inspirational Thought for the Day

Patience is the ability to keep your motor idling when you feel like stripping your gears.

Proverbs 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Greener Grass?

Inspirational Thought for the Day

The grass may look greener on the other side, but it still has to be mowed.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have.

God's Measurements

Inspirational Thought for the Day

When God measures a man, He puts the tape around the heart instead of the head.

1 Samuel 16:7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have refused him. For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

Do Your Part

Inspirational Thought for the Day

A marriage may be made in heaven, but the maintenance must be done on earth.

Ephesians 5:33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

Not Smart Enough?

Inspirational Thought for the Day

You say, "I'm not smart enough."

God says, "I give you wisdom."

1 Corinthians 1:30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption

All Alone?

Inspirational Thought for the Day

You say, "I feel all alone."

God says, "I will never leave you or forsake you."

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Cast Your Fear Upon God

Inspirational Thought for the Day

You say, "I'm always worried and frustrated."

God says, "Cast all your fears on Me."

1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Spirit of Fear

Inspirational Thought for the Day

You say, "I'm afraid."

God says, "I have not given you a spirit of fear."

2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.