Divine Ownership

Scripture For all the world is mine, and everything in it! ~Psalm 50:12, TLB Quote “We all need to learn how to cooperate with the inevitable.” ~Quote came from a slave [have no name] I love Psalm 50 but again, I love all the Psalms. People are under the illusion that they owe stuff but…

Drugs

Scripture Don’t gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is, how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down. For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake; it stings like a viper. ~Proverbs 23:31-32, NLT Quote If I had a dog that bite one out of every six grand children…

Never, Never Quit

Scripture I have not achieved perfection, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race. ~Philippians 3:13-14, NLT Quote Strong minds suffer without complaining; weak minds complain without suffering. ~Charles Cowman Three of my favorite characters in…

Sloth

Scripture The desire of the slothful killeth him;    for his hands refuse to labour. ~Proverbs 21:25, AKJV Quote Sloth make all things difficult; he that rises late must trot all day and shall scarce complete his business before night. ~Ben Franklin The NLT’s translation of Proverbs 21:25 is–Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin,…

Wealth Inexplorable!

Scripture Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. ~Ephesians 3:8, AKJV Quote The Christian life is set to music; the un-Christian way is set to misery. ~Charles Cowman The devotions in STREAMS IN THE DESERT…

Self-Praise

Scripture Let another praise you, and not your own mouth. ~Proverbs 27:2, NRSV Quote “Pride is it’s own trumpet, and whatever praised itself but in the deed, devours the deed in the praise.” ~William Shakespeare Shakespeare knew the bible and had obviously studied the teachings of Jesus. The Pharisees had a mutual admiration society going…

Benevolence Vs. Malevolence

Scripture Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. ~Ephesians 4:32, NRSV Quote Maliciousness is the tendency of man to do evil with the good that God has given him. ~Martin Luther In studying Romans chapter one in preparation for upcoming sermons, I came across these thoughts…

Strife

Scripture Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,    but those who are slow to anger calm contention. ~Proverbs 15:18, NRSV Quote Most of us have been nurtured by a culture that nourishes revenge and mocks grace. ~Van Leevwen When I picked up Keller’s devotional yesterday and read the text…It is to one’s honor to avoid strife…

Darkness, Good Or Evil

Scripture Even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. ~Psalm 139:12, NIV Quote Never mind whether you sleep or not, just be still. In the quiet and the darkness, you hear the still small voice as did Samuel the boy.…

Pure Grace

Scripture Isn’t everything you have and everything you are sheer gifts from God?  ~I Corinthians 4:7, MSG Quote God’s way is not a matter of mere talk; it’s a life empowered for service. ~Paul of Tarsus {MSG} The Corinthians are acting immaturely. Matter of fact Paul said they act like babies at the breast, grabbing for what they want…