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James 4:7 (New International Version)

Psalm 49:16-17 (The Message)

1 Timothy 4:12 (King James Version)

Proverbs 23:3-5 (The Message)

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (New International Version)

1 Chronicles 22:13 (The Message)

Matthew 26:14-16 (The Message)

 14-16 That is when one of the Twelve, the one named Judas Iscariot, went to the cabal of high priests and said, "What will you give me if I hand him over to you?" They settled on thirty silver pieces. He began looking for just the right moment to hand him over.

We all criticize Judas pretty hard for what he did.  But the question is to us as well.... "What will we take to begin to move away from God and his plan for our life?"   What activity or other thing keeps you from talking to God and listening?   Will a little extra money from someplace keep us from God's will? What does it take to keep you from joining a bible study or going to a good church?  We may not intentionally "sell out" Jesus.........but we must make every effort to ensure we never do.    God Bless.   Don and Karen

Two old friends bumped into one another on the street one day. One of them looked forlorn, almost on the verge of tears. His friend asked, "What has the world done to you, my old friend?"

The sad fellow said, "Let me tell you. Three weeks ago, an uncle died and left me forty thousand dollars."

"That's a lot of money."

"But you see, two weeks ago, a cousin I never even knew died, and left me eighty-five thousand free and clear."

"Sounds like you've been blessed...."

"You don't understand!" he interrupted. "Last week my great-aunt passed away. I inherited almost a quarter of a million."

Now he was really confused. "Then, why do you look so glum?"

"This week ... nothing!"

That's the trouble with receiving something on a regular basis. Even if it is a gift, we eventually come to expect it. Someone once suggested to me a way to test someone's character. Give him (or her) $5 a day for a month. Then stop, and see what his reaction is. The natural tendency is that if we receive a gift long enough, we come to view it as an entitlement. We feel hurt, even angry, if we don't receive it any longer.

It's the same way with the blessings God gives us every day. I don't deserve the comfortable home I live in, the beautiful scenery around me, the clean water that I drink. But after receiving these gifts (and a multitude of others) for years, I sometimes fail to be grateful. I've come to expect these good things. And when one of them is removed for a short while (like the water being cut off), I get upset.

Make an effort today to recognize the blessings you've come to take for granted. Focus on what you have rather than on what you don't have, and see if it doesn't improve your attitude.

"Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men" (Psalm 107:8).

Alan Smith, Thought for the Day
Archives at http://www.tftd-online.com

James 1:5 (The Message)

1 Timothy 6:6-10 (The Message)

As one Christian teacher pointed out, so long as one is obeying Christ, whether sleeping or raising the dead, "the pay is the same"--both are simply obedient servants.

So F. F. Bruce, "The Revelation to John," in G. C. D. Howley et al., eds., The New Layman's Bible Commentary (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1979), p. 1703.

Strive to be obedient to Christ in all you do and things will always work out.  Have a blessed day!  Don and Karen

Acts 8:18-23 (The Message)

Luke 12:15 (The Message)

God wants us to have what we desire.  But greed is when we put it above all else and "things" drive us instead of the love of God and people.  When we begin to use everything we have to bless others that God places in our path, God gives us more to be a blessing with.  Life is defined by how much you are like Jesus with what God has blessed  you with.   God Bless.  Don and Karen

Proverbs 11:28 (The Message)

Deuteronomy 8:18 (New International Version)

We don't need to say much more...  We do notice that it says "the ability" to produce.  It is up to us to find it and use it. Let us thank God daily for the ability and his direction as to how to use it.  Think about what abilities God has blessed you with and are you using them to "produce" as God planned for you?   God Bless,   Don and Karen

One day a certain old, rich man of a miserable disposition visited a pastor, who took the rich man by the hand and led him to a window. "Look out there," he said. The rich man looked into the street. "What do you see?" asked the pastor. "I see men, women, and children," answered the rich man. Again the pastor took him by the hand and this time led him to a mirror. "Now what do you see?" "Now I see myself," the rich man replied.

Then the pastor said, "Behold, in the window there is glass, and in the mirror there is glass. But the glass of the mirror is covered with a little silver, and no sooner is the silver added than you cease to see others, but you see only yourself."

Psalm 49:10-13

10 For all can see that wise men die;
       the foolish and the senseless alike perish
       and leave their wealth to others.

 11 Their tombs will remain their houses  forever,
       their dwellings for endless generations,
       though they had named lands after themselves.

 12 But man, despite his riches, does not endure;
       he is  like the beasts that perish.

 13 This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,
       and of their followers, who approve their sayings.
       Selah

See others everyday, see there hearts and needs. Trust in God, get as close as you can every day. Provide for your family, but put God first and everything else will work out.     God Bless,  Don and Karen

Proverbs 6:1-5 (The Message)

2 Chronicles 31:20-21 (The Message)

Theodore Roosevelt once said, "Is is not the critic who counts;  not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done better.  The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena...who at best, in the end knows the triumph of great achievement, and who at worst if he fails, at least fails while  daring greatly. So that his place will  never be with those cold timid souls who know neither victory or defeat."

There are thousands and thousands of people today who because they dared to "try" have changed the lives of many people  I have found out one thing in life....the closer you get to God, the more you listen....the more He will guide you, give you uncommon wisdom and favor and bless you not only with peace in your heart but the desires of your heart.   Dare to at least try...Pray for God's help and guidance, never say that's not possible for me!  but know this: 

Matthew 19:26 (New International Version)

“A devout life does bring wealth, but it’s the rich simplicity of being ourselves before God. Since we entered the world penniless and will leave it penniless, if we have bread on the table and shoes on our feet, that’s enough. But if it’s only money these leaders are after, they’ll self destruct in no time. Lust of money brings trouble and nothing but trouble. Going down that path, some lose their footing in the faith completely and live to regret it bitterly ever after.” (1 Timothy 6:6-10 The Message)

Remember: God is the source of everything, and he supplies your needs according to His will. Always remember everything your have belongs to God, your money, talent, home and family. Ask yourself how you handle and how do you bless people with what God has given you. Thank God everyday for what he has blessed you with and then use it to be a blessing to others as much as you can. God will give you more to bless with! Have a great day! Be Blessed and Be a Blessing! Don