POWER OF WORDS
A careless word may kindle a strife. A cruel word may wreck a life, A bitter word may hate instill; A brutal word may smite and kill, A gracious word may smooth the way; A joyous word may light the day. A timely word may lessen stress; A loving word may heal and bless. ~Author Unknown~
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” Proverbs 18:21
Two Daughters Using The Mirror
A gentleman in California had two daughters in their early teens. One was fair and attractive of features; the other was rather plain. One day as they were getting ready for school the better-looking girl peered into the mirror beside the face of her unfavored sister. The latter complained to her father that this was done as a reflection on her lack of looks. Instead of growing angry or taking sides, the father called both girls to himself and gave them this excellent advice: “I want both of you to look in the mirror every day. You who are favored of feature that you may be reminded never to dishonor the beauty of your face by the ugliness of your actions, and you who lack beauty that you may hide your lack of it by the superior attractiveness of your virtue and beautiful conduct.”
“The aged women likewise, that they be in behavior as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.” Titus 2:3-5
“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.” Proverbs 31:10
“Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the
LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
Logic in Arithmetic?
Figures can’t lie,” said the professor earnestly. “For instance if one can build a house in 12 days 12 men can build it in one.” “Yes?” interrupted a student. “Then 288 will build it in one hour, 17,280 in one minute, and 1,036,800 in one second. And I don’t believe they could lay one brick in that time.” While the professor was still gasping, the smart “ready reckoner” went on: “Again, if one ship can cross the Atlantic in six days, six ships can cross it in one day. I don’t believe that either, so where’s the truth in arithmetic?” Then he sat down.
“And I gave my heart to seek and search out by wisdom concerning all things that are done under heaven: this sore travail hath God given to the sons of man to be exercised therewith. I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and, behold, all is vanity and vexation of spirit. That which is crooked cannot be made straight: and that which is wanting cannot be numbered. I communed with mine own heart, saying, Lo, I am come to great estate, and have gotten more wisdom than all they that have been before me in Jerusalem: yea, my heart had great experience of wisdom and knowledge. And I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” Ecclesiastes 1:13-18
Prayer
“Simply Let Buckets Down”… A ship in distress off the Canadian coast, with its fresh water supply completely exhausted, sent out an S.O.S for fresh water. The reply came back immediately: “Let your buckets down:” They had sailed into the fresh water of the River St. Lawrence. ~A. Naismith~
“And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:” 2 Corinthians 9:8
“To be a Christian without prayer is no more possible than to be alive without breathing.” ~Martin Luther~
MONEY
That money talks, I’ll not deny; I heard it once, It said, “Goodbye.” ~Richard Armour~
[Money is] an article which may be used as a universal passport to everywhere except Heaven, and as a universal provider of every thing except happiness. ~Wall Street Journal~
Money is a terrible master but an excellent servant. ~P.T. Barnum~
To be clever enough to get a great deal of money, one must be stupid enough to want it. ~G. K. Chesterton~
Money reveals where our interests lie; it can direct our attitudes; it ever exposes us to dangers of worshipping it; and it represents value. Money not only talks; it screams. ~Leslie B. Flynn~
The Bible is very clear on the point that if we have money enough to live well, and do not share with others in need, it is questionable whether God’s love is in us at all. ~G.S.~ 1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 3:17
A man’s treatment of money is the most decisive test of his character – how he makes it and how he spends it. ~James Moffatt~
In seventeen of His thirty-seven parables, Jesus dealt with property and man’s responsibility for using it wisely. ~G. S.~
Robert Schuller the “televangelist” who operated that “Graumen’s Chinese Theater” out there in Garden Grove, California use to tell a story about a boy he knew in the mountains of Virginia. That kid was known as “Puddn’ Head Wilson.” Puddn’ Head Wilson was the boy no one wanted to fight, but Puddn’ Head would fight anybody. He very seldom won, though. He was short and skinny as a rail, and any fight he was in usually ended with him getting knocked flat on the ground. The trouble with Puddn’ Head was that he couldn’t be kept down. One guy knocked him down one time and thought he had knocked him out cold, but when he turned around to walk away, Puddn’ Head came up behind the fellow and cut his stomach open. Another fellow knocked puddn’ Head down, and when he walked away, he hadn’t taken fifteen steps before Puddn’ Head threw a rock and hit the kid in the back of the head. When Shuler and Puddn’Head got into it, Shuler ended up biting off part of Puddn’ Heads ear. Well, Shuler and Puddn’ Head Wilson both grew up and over the years lost track of each other. One day, Shuler went down to a bank to borrow some money for a building program. He asked to see the President of the bank and was ushered into the bank president’s office. Shuler noticed the bank president’s name was Wilson, and at one point when the bank president turned his head, Shuler saw a piece of his ear was missing. Sure enough, that bank president was old Puddn’ Head Wilson. Well, the two of them had a hugging session there in that office and got to talking about their lives after they parted ways. “How in the world did you ever become president of a bank?” asked Shuler, “You never finished high school.” Wilson said, “Well Bob I got a job here as a messenger boy and after that, there was nothing to it.” Puddn’ Head Wilson had a quality you as a Christian would do well to emulate; “he wouldn’t stay down.” Even as an adult, he didn’t let a “dead-end job” like being a messenger boy keep him down. He kept getting up and going on until he became a success. This modern generation quits if they don’t get what they think they have coming to them, and whine if they don’t get what they think they are worth right away, and they keep on quitting the rest of their lives. How shameful. Just don’t let that be you in your walk with the Lord. Get up! Don’t you dare stay down! Do something for the Lord. Time is running out! If you are going to do anything for the Lord you had better strike a match to it NOW! Amen.
Eight pigeons were sitting on a fence, and three of them decided to fly away; how many of them were left? The answer is eight. You say, What about the one’s that flew away? I didn’t say three flew away; I said three of them decided to fly away. Truths?
One, never interpret a complete statement by an incomplete statement. Two, You can make your mind up to do a thing and not follow through on it. (Sit on the fence) Three, One should not try to out think or out wit or out smart God’s word. God knows exactly what He has said, intends to say, and the interpretation of it. You try to make a fool out of God’s word and it will make a fool out of you.
GOOD TIMBER
“The tree that never had to fight for sun and sky and air and light, Never became a forest king, But lived and died a common thing.
The man who never had to toil, Who never had to win his share of sun and sky and light and air, Never became a manly man, but lived and died as he began.
Good timber does not grow on ease. The stronger wind, the tougher trees, The farther sky, the greater length By sun and sky and rain and snow, In tree or man good timber grows.” ~Douglas Mallock~
Easier to be Good Around Her
In a cemetery a little white stone marked the grave of a dear little girl, and on the stone were chiseled these words – “A child of who her playmates said, ” ‘It was easier to be good when she was with us’ “- one of the most beautiful epitaphs ever heard of.
"Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;" Philippians 1:27
IT DOESN’T MATTER… how great the pressure is. What really matters is where the pressure lies, whether it comes between me and God or whether it presses me nearer His heart. ~Howard Taylor~
FOR WOLVES TO WORRY lambs is no wonder, but for lambs to worry one another, this is unnatural and monstrous. ~Thomas Brookes~ Romans 14:19; 1 Thessalonians 5:11
The Basis Fact About Human Experience… is not that it is a tragedy, but that it a bore. It is not that it is so predominantly painful, but that it is lacking in any sense. ~H.L. Mencken~
“Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity. What profit hath a man of all his labor which he taketh under the sun? One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh: but the earth abideth for ever. The sun also ariseth, and the sun goeth down, and hasteth to his place where he arose. The wind goeth toward the south, and turneth about unto the north; it whirleth about continually, and the wind returneth again according to his circuits. All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full; unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again. All things are full of labor; man cannot utter it: the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us. There is no remembrance of former things; neither shall there be any remembrance of things that are to come with those that shall come after.” Ecclesiastes 1:2-11
Brothers and Sisters, The Bible is the only Book that nails things down when it comes to all philosophies of life and its reason. One would do good to “take heed” to it. Brother Thurman
What Almost Defeated Him
Not long ago a stranger met an overland traveler, who had walked on foot from the Golden Gate to New York. He was interested to know what was the greatest difficulty the traveler had encountered in his long journey. He suggested that perhaps the mountains on the trail had been the greatest barrier, but the traveler assured his questioner that it was not that. Then he suggested that perhaps the swollen streams that cut across his road presented the greatest hazard, but it was not that. After a little he said, “What almost defeated me in my journey across the continent was the sand in my shoes.” Life is forever tripping over trivial things. -Religious telescope
“He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much: and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much.” Luke 16:10
Selfishness
Whenever you are too selfishly looking out for your own interest, you have only one person working for you – yourself. When you help a dozen other people with their problems, you have a dozen people working with you. ~William B. Given, Jr.~
He who lives to benefit himself confers on the world a benefit when he dies. ~Tertullian~
“But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need,
and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth
the love of God in him?” 1 John 3:17
Lies
I love the answer the little boy gave to his mother when she asked, “What is a lie, honey?” He said, “Mother, a lie is an abomination to the Lord, but a very present help in time of need.” At times it seems like it’s a very present help, but it’ll backfire on you and it’ll turn blessing into cursing and you’ll live to hate it. ~Paul E. Holdcraft~ Proverbs 14:5
Self-Centeredness
“Be Yourself!” is about the worst advise you can give to some people.”
“My idea of an agreeable person is one who agrees with me.” ~Samuel Johnson~
Some people have a keen sense of humor. The more you humor them, the better they like it.
“You can always tell when a man ‘s well-informed. His views are pretty much like your own.” ~Louie Morris~
“For an impenetrable shield, stand inside yourself.” ~Thoreau~
“Most people enjoy the inferiority of their best friends.” ~Lord Chesterfield~
“Talk to a man about himself and he will listen for hours.” ~Disraeli~
“Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.” Romans 12:16
A FOOLISH SCIENTIST made plans to send a rocket to the sun. Someone said, “You’re gonna burn up.” “No,” he answered, “we’re going at night.”
A Little Girls Question
A little girl and her brother were carrying a basket of cakes to their grandmother. Curious to see what was in the basket, they very carefully raised the cover and looked in. When their greedy eyes saw the tempting cakes, their mouths fairly watered to taste them. After counting them over several times, they almost made up their minds they might eat just one of them. Nobody would know it, and it would taste so good! While they were gazing at the cakes, and just ready to take one, the little girl looked up in her brothers face, and asked the question, “Can God count?” This settled the matter; the lid was shutdown, and all the cakes were carried to the grandmother. -MM
“The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3
“Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right” Proverbs 20:11
A Frustrated Pianist
..shouted to the soloist, “I’m playing on white keys and I’m playing on black keys, so why must you sing in the cracks?” ~unknown~
Small Things
Shamgar had an oxgoad. David had a sling, Samson had a jawbone, Rahab had a string, Mary had some ointment, Aaron had a rod, Dorcas had a needle, All were used for God! ~Harvester Mission~
A familiar tombstone inscription from over a century ago say’s:
“Remember, man, as you pass by, As you are now, so once was I; As I am now, so you shall be, so, prepare yourself to follow me.” On the tombstone dated 1856, in Chicago suburban cemetery, another scribe had taped two additional lines to the above poem. They go like this. “To follow you is not my intent, Until I know which way you went!” We know which way Christ went, and we can have perfect confidence in following Him into death. ~Unknown~ 1 Corinthians 15:54, 55
INFLUENCE
In the November 1987 Readers Digest, Betty Wein retells an old tale she heard from Elie Wiesel:
A just man comes to Sodom hoping to save the city. He pickets. What else can he do? He goes from street to street, from marketplace to marketplace, shouting, “Men and women repent. What you are doing is wrong. It will kill you; it will destroy you.” They laugh, but he goes on shouting, until one day a child stops him. “Poor stranger, don’t you see it is useless?” “Yes,” the just man replies. “Then why do you go on?” the child asks. “I was convinced that I would change them. Now I go on shouting because I don’t want them to change me.” 1Timothy 6:11-14; John 21:22; Matthew 5:15-16; Proverbs 24:21
Brethren, If you will not Believe the Truth; then you must accept a lie! Period.
One, Two, Three and Four?
A lady wanted to marry four different men in her lifetime. She said each one would help her with what she needed most. First, she wanted to marry a banker. Second, a movie star. Next, a clergyman. And finally, a funeral director. When asked why, she answered, “One for the money, two for the show, three to get ready, and four to go!” ~C.R.S~
Fortune Magazine quotes a comment made by billionaire H. Ross Perot
“Guys, just remember, if you get real lucky, if you make a lot of money, if you go out and buy a lot of stuff – it’s gonna break. You got your biggest, fanciest mansion in the world. It has air conditioning. It’s got a pool. Just think of all of the pumps that are going to go out. Or go to a yacht basin any place in the world. Nobody is smiling, and I’ll tell you why. Something broke that morning. The generator’s out; the microwave oven doesn’t work…. Things just don’t mean happiness.” Matthew 6:19-21
“Case Dismissed!” A southern boy was arraigned in juvenile court for stealing a watermelon. He was guilty. Before passing sentence the Judge asked, “Is there anything you wish to say before I pass sentence?” The boy thought for a minute, then said, “Judge, have YOU ever stolen a watermelon?” A painful silence pervaded the court room. Finally, the judge blurted out, “No cross examination allowed! CASE DISMISSED!” ~W.B.K.~
God’s Glory
The heavens declare God’s glory, the wonders of the sky; Repeat each day the message, That He is ever nigh. The earth takes up the chorus, the mountains, hills and plains; Stand forth in testimony, That He forever reigns. The rivers, lakes and valleys, bear witness of His power; He speaks through every forest tree, And smiles through every flower. ~Florence Jansson~
Comforting Little Verse
What most you long and hope for, Might only bring you pain;
You cannot see the future, God’s purpose to explain. So, ever trust thy Master, He doeth all things well;
He loveth more than heart can know, and more than tongue can tell. ~Unknown~
Business Tomorrow
Archis, the magistrate of Thebes, was sitting with many mighty men drinking wine. A messenger came in bringing him a letter, informing him of a conspiracy against his life and warning him to flee. Archis took the letter, but, instead of opening it, put it into his pocket and said to the messenger who brought it, “Business Tomorrow.” The next day he died. Before he opened the letter the government was captured. When he read the letter it was too late. ~Pulpit Treasury~
You know friends, God has kindly and mercifully given man a letter of warning of an upcoming event in each and every human beings life. It tells in detail of several different outcomes for everyone depending on whether or not the individual will read and take action before it arrives. That letter is the word of God. AV1611KJV. Everyone no matter who you are, in Gods mind has been afforded the opportunity to open it and read it John 5:38-40 and according to the Lord will be “without excuse.” Romans 1:18-20 There is some critical information in the Holy Scripture you should avail yourself Acts 17:11 and not leave it for “business tomorrow.” Isaiah 55:6-11 Brother Thurman James 4:13, 14
His Life on Undrunk Water
A poor criminal stood before an Eastern monarch, trembling for his life. A moment later his head was to be severed from his body. He asked for a drink of water. They brought it, but his hand trembled so that he could not drink. The king cried to him, “Do not be so alarmed; your life is safe till you drink that water.” In an instant the glass was shivered on the pavement and the water untasted, and looking boldly up to the king, the condemned man claimed the royal word. The monarch smiled bitterly, and said, “You have fairly won your life: I cannot break my word even to you. You are saved.” ~Unknown~
"He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he." Proverbs 16:20
"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe." Proverbs 29:25
“I believe the promises of God enough to venture an eternity on them.”
~G. Campbell Morgan~
Do All The Good You Can
John Wesley had this for his rule of life:
“Do all the good you can, By all the means you can, In all the ways you can, At all the times you can, To all the people you can, As long as ever you can.”
Relationships
Two Porcupines in Northern Canada huddled together to get warm, according to a forest folktale. But their quills pricked each other, so they moved apart. Before long they were shivering, so they sidled close again. Soon both were getting jabbed again. Same story; same ending. They needed each other, but they kept needling each other.
~Leslie Flynn~
"Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32
Money
When you go to the doctor for your annual check-up, he or she will often to begin to poke, prod, and press various places, all the while asking, “Does this hurt? How about this?” If you cry out in pain, one of two things has happened. Either the doctor has pushed to hard, without the right sensitivity. Or, more likely, there’s something wrong, and the doctor will say, “We’d better do some more tests. It’s not supposed to hurt there!” So it is when Pastors preach on financial responsibility, and certain members cry out in discomfort, criticizing the message and the messenger. Either the Pastor has pushed to hard, or perhaps there is something wrong. In that case, I say, “My friend, we’re in need of the Great Physician because it’s not supposed to hurt there.” ~Unknown~
"But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-7
Still Wanting To Return?
During the early days of the war, a little group of people were shipwrecked on a desert island in the middle of the Pacific. After many weary months a passing ship saw their plight and sent a boat ashore. But the boat did not land at once; one of the sailors threw a bundle of newspapers on the beach, shouting that they were from the captain, and saying: “After you’ve read them, he wants to know whether you want to be rescued.” ~Unknown~
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.” John 2:15-17