Category Archives: Attitudes & Behavior

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July 25, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Thanks & Praise

THE GIFT OF TIME

DSC02311-at the stationWEBMay the Lord continually bless you with heaven’s blessings as well as with human joys. May you live to enjoy your grandchildren! [Psalm 128:5-6a (TLB)]

Lord, thank you for the many blessings that have come my way. I especially appreciate the gift of time. You have blessed me with a wealth of years and I thank you for the privilege of old age! May all those I know and love be so blessed. Don’t ever let us forget that while you add the years to our lives, we are the ones responsible for adding life to those years.

Each day is a miracle unearned. [From “A Perfect Day” by Richard Paul Evans]

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July 23, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Temptation & Sin, Wisdom & Guidance

LOOK INTO OUR HEARTS

Jesus told this story to some people who thought they were very good and looked down on everyone else: “A Pharisee and a tax collector both went to the Temple to pray. The Pharisee stood alone and prayed, ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people who steal, cheat, or take part in adultery, or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I give one-tenth of everything I get!’” [Luke 18:9-12 (NCV)]

Sometimes we’re more interested in appearing good than being good. Sometimes we’re more concerned about besting our neighbor than being our best. Sometimes we’re more interested in pointing out the failures of others than admitting our own shortcomings.

Lord, forgive us; we are sinners all.

“The tax collector, standing at a distance, would not even look up to heaven. But he beat on his chest because he was so sad. He said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you, when this man went home, he was right with God, but the Pharisee was not. All who make themselves great will be made humble, but all who make themselves humble will be made great.” [Luke 18:13-14 (NCV)]

Everyone with a conceited heart is disgusting to the Lord. Certainly, such a person will not go unpunished. [Proverbs 16:5 (GW]

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July 12, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit, Temptation & Sin

PUT ON HIS ARMOR

2014-6-26armor webFinally, receive your power from the Lord and from his mighty strength. Put on all the armor that God supplies. In this way you can take a stand against the devil’s strategies. This is not a wrestling match against a human opponent. We are wrestling with rulers, authorities, the powers who govern this world of darkness, and spiritual forces that control evil in the heavenly world. For this reason, take up all the armor that God supplies. Then you will be able to take a stand during these evil days. [Ephesians 6:10-13a (GW)]

When you dress this morning, give some thought to heeding Paul’s advice about putting on God’s armor before setting out to face the world and its many challenges. Picture yourself decked out in a suit of armor and chain mail, a shield in one hand and a sword at your side, ready to face the day and prepared to fight evil. Know that you are armed with truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation and God’s word.

So then, take your stand! Fasten truth around your waist like a belt. Put on God’s approval as your breastplate. Put on your shoes so that you are ready to spread the Good News that gives peace. In addition to all these, take the Christian faith as your shield. With it you can put out all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Also take salvation as your helmet and the word of God as the sword that the Spirit supplies. [Ephesians 6:14-17 (GW)]

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July 8, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Holy Spirit, Patience & Perseverance

BE AN EXAMPLE

We show that we are God’s servants by our pure lives, by our understanding, by our patience, and by our kindness. We show it by the Holy Spirit, by genuine love, by speaking the truth, and by depending on God’s power. [2 Corinthians 6:6-7a (ERV)]

Father in heaven, fill us with your Holy Spirit. May we always live so that people will be able to see Christ within us.

Few things are more infectious than a godly lifestyle. The people you rub shoulders with everyday need that kind of challenge. Not prudish. Not preachy. Just cracker jack clean living. Just honest to goodness, bone-deep, non-hypocritical integrity. [Chuck Swindoll]

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July 7, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Family, Friends & Fellowship, Knowing Him

THE THIRD STRAND

DSC09119-webTwo people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close to one another can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken. [Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NLT)]

When I first read this section of Ecclesiastes, I thought it applied beautifully to marriage. But then I got to the words, “Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.” How could that relate to marriage? Was Solomon advocating a ménage a trois or bigamy? Personally, if there is supposed to be a third person in my marriage, I’m voting for a maid. It seemed to me that Solomon was simply talking about the importance of friendship and having the support of other people in our lives. Indeed, we certainly need to have friends; we’re not meant to be alone.

As I pondered that third strand, however, I found it can apply to marriage. Could that third strand be God? Certainly, with God in a marriage (or any relationship), there is a triple-braided cord: a cord that “is not easily broken.” Every marriage needs three parties to be successful: husband, wife, and God. It takes only two to be wed, but it takes three to make a strong marriage, one that will not be easily broken.

But God made them male and female from the beginning of creation. This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one. Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together. [Mark 10:6-9 (NLT)]

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July 1, 2014

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Attitudes & Behavior, Love & Works, Miracles, Prayer

BLESSINGS IN ABUNDANCE

The one who blesses others is abundantly blessed; those who help others are helped. [Proverbs 11:25 (MSG)]

One day, a friend of mine decided to send a prayer out to the various people who crossed her path. Her first opportunity arose when a couple leisurely walked across the street against the light. From the designer attire and fur coat, it was obvious they were tourists. Instead of honking or angrily muttering “Move it, lady!” so she could make her turn, my friend asked God to give them a pleasant vacation.

Later that evening, my friend and her husband went out for a long-awaited “date night.” Who should be sitting right by them but the couple she’d seen earlier that day! My friend’s husband was wearing a shirt with the logo of his youth ministry on it. The other gentleman turned around and asked about the logo and the church; it turned out they, too, were Christians. During their conversation, my friend mentioned seeing them earlier that day and asking God to bless their holiday. Imagine his surprise when my friend’s husband was told the dinner check had been paid and their added joy when this same couple sent money to support their mission.

My point: the one who blesses is, indeed, blessed! We probably won’t get a free dinner or a check supporting our cause every time we bless someone, but we will always get a blessing in return!

When you’re kind to others, you help yourself; when you’re cruel to others, you hurt yourself. [Proverbs 11:17 (MSG)]