#0002573

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended to be...- Douglas Adams.....Make the God of no coincidences your refuge...- Harold Sala.....Romans8:28 "And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them."

​

#0002574

Jesus said plainly, "If anyone is willing to know the doctrine of teaching, whether it be of man or of God, he shall know it." That phrase 'is willing to know' is the key, because a tremendous amount of prejudice interferes with honestly searching...- Sala, Refuge And Strength.....2Timothy3:16 "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness."

​

#0002575

Christ will remain a Priest and King though He was never consecrated by any papist bishop or greased by any of those shavelings but he was ordained and consecrated by God Himself, and by Him anointed...- Martin Luther.....Isaiah45:21 "A just God and Saviour; there is none beside Me.".....Deuteronomy32:4 "A God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He."

​

#0002576

Think things over, especially those that are most important. All fools come to grief from lack of thought. They never see even the half of things and, as they do not observe their own loss or gain, still less do they apply any diligence to them. Some make much of what matters little and little of much, always weighing in the wrong scale. Many never lose their common sense, because they have none to lose. There are matters that should be observed with the closest attention, and thereafter always kept well in mind. The wise person thinks over everything, but with a difference, most profoundly where there is some profound difficulty, suspecting that perhaps there is more in it than he first thought. Thus his comprehension extends as far as his apprehension...- Gracian, Aphorism 35, The Art Of Worldly Wisdom, by JJacobs.....Luke12:2 "There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known."

​

#0002577

"Every one of us shall give account of himself to God(Rom14:12).- Him that judgeth righteously(1Pet2:23).- Justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus(Rom3:24).- Just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus(Rom3:26).- Mercy and truth are met together: righteousness and peace have kissed each other(Psa85:10).- Mercy rejoiceth against judgement(Jam2:13)."

​

#0002578

Faith must have an object. We don't simply have faith; we have faith in something or someone. Faith in 'faith' is meaningless. For the Christian there is only one object for faith: the living God. Anything less is insubstantial, unreal, even deceptive. Our faith is in the God who created this world and came down to earth in the person of His Son, Jesus Christ. We put our faith in Christ because He alone is the Savior. The Bible says, "Through Him you believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God(1Peter1:21)." People today put their faith in all kinds of ideas and beliefs, from astrology and alleged 'spirit guides' to science and humanism. But only Christ reveals God to us, and only He can bridge the gap between us and God--a gap caused by sin. Do not be deceived or misled. Only Christ is worthy of your faith...- Billy Graham, Hope For Each Day.....Hebrews11:1 "Faith is the substance of things hoped for."

​

#0002579

Be common in nothing. Especially not in taste. It is great and wise to be ill at ease when your deeds please the mob! The excesses of popular applause never satisfy the sensible. There are chameleons of popularity who find enjoyment not in the sweet savors of Apollo but in the breath of the mob. Secondly, do not be common in intelligence; take no pleasure in the wonder of the mob, for ignorance never gets beyond wonder. While vulgar folly wonders, wisdom watches for the deception...- Baltasar Gracian, Aphorism28, Art of Worldly Wisdom, by Joseph Jacobs.....Heb2:14,15 "Because God's children are human beings--made of flesh and blood--the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could He die, and only by dying could He break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could He set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying."

​

#0002580

Happiness is an imaginary condition, formerly often attributed by the living to the dead, now usually attributed by adults to children, and by children to adults...- Hahn Blavatsky........1Cor15:57 "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

​

#0002581

"But evil does not spring from the soil, and trouble does not sprout from the earth(Job5:6,). People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire(v7). If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to Him(v8). He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles(v9). He gives rain for the earth and water for the fields(v10). He gives prosperity to the poor and protects those who suffer(v11). He frustrates the plans of schemers so the work of their hands will not succeed(v12). He traps the wise in their own cleverness so their cunning schemes are thwarted(v13). They find it is dark in the daytime, and they grope at noon as if it were night(v14). He rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong, and rescues them from the clutches of the powerful(v15). And so at last the poor have hope, and the snapping jaws of the wicked are shut(Job5:16)."

​

#0002582

At the touch of love everyone becomes a poet...- Plato......Psalm119:11 "Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee."

​

#0002583

At age 20 you worry about what others think of you. At age 40 you really don't care what others think about you, and at age 60 you discover that they weren't actually thinking about you in the first place! Some call it maturity; others call it wisdom. But reality is accepting life as it is, not as you would like it to be or what you think others think it should be. There comes with age a perspective that you cannot have any other way...- Sala, Refuge And Strength.....Proverbs16:31-33 "Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. We may throw the dice, but the Lord determines how they fall."

​

#0002584

"Lord, you will grant us peace; all we have accomplished is really from you(Isaiah26:12). O Lord our God, others have ruled us, but you alone are the one we worship(v13). Those we served before are dead and gone. Their departed spirits will never return. You attacked them and destroyed them, and they are long forgotten(v14). O Lord, you have made our nation great; yes, you have made us great. You have extended our borders, and we give you the glory(Isa26:15)!"

​

#0002585

"Our city is strong! We are surrounded by the walls of God's salvation(Isa26:1). Open the gates to all who are righteous; allow the faithful to enter(v2). You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You(v3)! Trust in the Lord always, for the Lord God is the eternal Rock(v4). He humbles the proud and brings down the arrogant city. He brings it down to the dust(v5). The poor and oppressed trample it underfoot, and the needy walk all over it(v6). But for those who are righteous, the way is not steep and rough. You are a God who does what is right, and You smooth out the path ahead of them(Isaiah26:7)."

​

#0002586

Be slow and sure. Things are done quickly enough if done well. If just quickly done they can be quickly undone. To last an eternity requires an eternity of preparation. Only excellence counts, only achievement endures. What is worth much costs much. The precious metals are the heaviest...- Baltasar Gracian, The Art Of Worldly Wisdom, by JJacobs...............1Peter5:6 "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time."

​

#0002587

"There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead(1Cor15:41,42).- They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever(Dan12:3).- The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display His craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make Him known(Psa19:1,2).- For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see His invisible qualities--His eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God(Rom1:20)."

​

#0002588

"If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall(1Cor10:13). The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure(v13). So, my dear friends, flee from the worship of idols(v14). You are reasonable people. Decide for yourselves if what I am saying is true(v15). When we bless the cup at the Lord's Table, aren't we sharing in the blood of Christ? And when we break the bread, aren't we sharing in the body of Christ(v16). And though we are many, we all eat from one loaf of bread, showing that we are one body(v17). Think about the people of Israel. Weren't they united by eating the sacrifices at the altar(1Corinthiansv18)?"

​

#0002589

"What am I trying to say? Am I saying that food offered to idols has some significance, or that idols are real gods(1Cor10:19)? No, not at all. I am saying that these sacrifices are offered to demons, not to God. And I don't want you to participate with demons(v20). You cannot drink from the cup of the Lord and from the cup of demons, too. You cannot eat at the Lord's Table and at the table of demons, too(v21). What? Do we dare to rouse the Lord's jealously? Do you think we are stronger than He is(v22)? You say, 'I am allowed to do anything'--but not everything is good for you. You say, 'I am allowed to do anything'--but not everything is beneficial(v23). Don't be concerned for your own good but for the good of others(v24)."

​

#0002590

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous runneth into it, and is safe(Prv18:10).- Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of Your Name. Save us and forgive our sins for the honor of your Name(Psa79:9).- O Lord, hear. O Lord, forgive. O Lord, listen and act! For your own sake, do not delay, O my God, for Your people and Your city bear Your Name(Dan9:19).- The Lord will not forsake His people for His great Name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you His people(1Sam12:22)."

​

#0002591

How sweet the name of Jesus sounds in a believer's ear; It soothes his sorrow, heals his wounds, And drives away his fears...- John Newton.....Ephesians3:19 "May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

​

#0002592

Finish off well. In the house of fortune if you enter by the gate of pleasure you must leave by that of sorrow, and vice versa. You ought therefore to think of the finish, and attach more importance to a happy exit than to applause on entrance. It is the common lot of the unlucky to have a very fortunate beginning and a very tragic end. The important point is not the vulgar applause on entrance--that comes to nearly all--but the general feeling at exit. Few in life are felt to deserve an encore. Fortune rarely accompanies anyone to the door, and as warmly as she may welcome the coming, she is cold to the parting guest...- Gracian, Aphorism 59, Worldly Wisdom, by JJacobs.....Titus1:4b "May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace."

​

#0002593

"The Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding(Prv2:6).- I will give you a mouth and wisdom, which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist(Luk21:15).- Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart(Psa27:14).- My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness(2Cor12:9).- What things soever the Father doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise(Jn5:19)."

​

#0002594

"He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold(Job23:10).- He knoweth our frame(Psa103:14).- He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men(Lam3:33).- The foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work(2Tim2:19-21)."

​

#0002595

He who gives you the day will also give you the things necessary for the day...- Gregory of Nyssa.........Psalm25:4 "Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths."

​

#0002596

He who plants kindness gathers love...- St. Basil.....Psalm25:9,12 "The meek will He guide in judgement; and the meek will He teach His way. What man is he that feareth the Lord? hIm shall He teach in the way that he shall choose."

​

#0002597

The root of discouragement is unbelief. Perhaps you are discouraged because you think you aren't making enough money (and you aren't convinced God can supply your needs). Or you are frustrated in your circumstance (and you refuse to believe to believe God can help you be content). Or you are worried about health problems (and you don't even stop to consider that your life is in God's hands). Discouragement is a large cloud that, like all clouds, obscures the warmth and joy of the sun. In the case of spiritual discouragement the Son of God, the Lord Jesus is eclipsed in our lives. Discouragement is Satan's device to thwart the work of God in our lives. It blinds our eyes to the mercy of God and makes us perceive only the unfavorable circumstances. There is only one way to dispel discouragement, and it is not in our own strength or ingenuity. It is to turn in faith to God, believing that He loves us and is and is in control of the future...- Billy Graham, Hope for Each Day....Psa27:14 "Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart."

​

#0002598

Take a look around us and you will realize the challenge of surviving in a world that is hostile to our faith. How can we know what truth is and how can we keep from doubting our beliefs and believing our doubts?...- Harold Sala, Refuge And Strength............Deut33:27 "The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemy before you saying, 'Destroy him'!"

​

#0002599

"O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you(Psalm5:1,2). Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly(v3). O God You take no pleasure in wickedness; You cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked(v4). Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for You hate all who do evil(v5). You will destroy those who tell lies. The Lord detests murderers and deceivers(v6).- But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy. For You bless the godly, O Lord; You surround them with your shield of love(Psalm5:11,12)."

​

#0002600

Don't worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong(Psalm37:1). For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither(v2). Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper(v3). Take delight in the Lord, and He will give you your heart's desires(v4). Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust Him, and He will help you(v5). He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun(Psa37:6)."

​

#0002601

"Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don't worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes(Psalm37:7). Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper--it only leads to harm(v8). For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land(v9). Soon the wicked will disappear. Though you look for them, they will be gone(v10). The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity(Psa37:11)."

​

#0002602

"The wicked plot against the godly; they snarl at them in defiance(Psalm37:12). But the Lord just laughs, for He sees their day of judgement coming(v13). The wicked draw their swords and string their bows to kill the poor and the oppressed, to slaughter those who do right(v14). But their swords will stab their own hearts, and their bows will be broken(v15)."