Spiritual Thoughts

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Guidance
I am guided by my inner light.

When baby sea turtles hatch from their eggs nested in the sand, they follow the reflection of the moon on the water to find their way to their ocean home. Every living being has an inner compass, and so do I.

I find my compass through the practice of prayer and meditation, which equips me for my spiritual journey. Daily connection with the presence of God guides me to deeper insights. I ask for spiritual light and understanding, and I am guided in every aspect of my life. I receive strength, love, and peace.

As I navigate my inner ocean of wisdom, I find the answers to my questions. Connected to Source, I never lose my way.
In your steadfast love you led the people whom you redeemed; you guided them by your strength to your holy abode.–Exodus 15:13

Daily Word

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A gentle answer deflects anger. Proverbs 15:1

Proverbs 17:27 (NIV) A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.

Thought: Keep your cool. It pleases God.

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He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less. John 3:30

2 Chronicles 5:13 (NIV) He is good. His love endures forever.

Thought: Life may change on you. But God won't.

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Let’s Be Friends

Proverbs 17:17 “A friend loves at all times.”

During the last several years I’ve renewed a lost friendship. The friendship is with myself. I’ve learned to listen to myself, to affirm my perceptions and emotions. I smile and even laugh at myself sometimes. I feel less threatened. When in the midst of my obsessive, workaholic behavior, I was sad and angry at the person I had become. I treated myself poorly. But now I genuinely want what is best for me. I’m learning to allow myself space to recuperate when I’m tired. When I blow it, I try to forgive myself.

I realize that I’ll never be perfect. However, instead of depressing me, this fact causes me to want to grow. Sometimes in the past I wanted to get away from myself, but I no longer have that desire. I am committed to living the remainder of my days in love and peace with the person inside me. One day recently I wrote in my journal, “Good morning, Joan. Let’s be Forever Friends.”

Lord, thank you that I no longer live in enmity with myself or you.

2008 Joan C. Webb

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Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. 1 John 3:18

Psalm 114:7 (NIV) Tremble, earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob...

Thought: Heaven's party is full of His presence. Will you accept God's invitation, or live with indifference as another day passes by?

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The Lord's Baseball Game Author Unknown

Bob and the Lord stood by to observe a baseball game. The Lord's team was playing Satan's team. The Lord's team was at bat, the score was tied zero to zero, and it was the bottom of the 9th inning with two outs.
They continued to watch as a batter stepped up to the plate whose name was Love. Love swung at the first pitch and hit a single, because Love never fails.
The next batter was named Faith, who also got a single because Faith works with Love.
The next batter up was named Godly Wisdom. Satan wound up and threw the first pitch. Godly Wisdom looked it over and let it pass: Ball one. Three more pitches and Godly Wisdom walked, because Godly Wisdom never swings at what Satan throws.
The bases were now loaded. The Lord then turned to Bob and told him He was now going to bring in His star player. Up to the plate stepped Grace. Bob said, "He sure doesn't look like much!" Satan's whole team relaxed when they saw Grace. Thinking he had won the game, Satan wound up and fired his first pitch. To the shock of everyone, Grace hit the ball harder than anyone had ever seen. But Satan was not worried; his center fielder let very few get by. He went up for the ball, but it went right through his glove, hit him on the head and sent him crashing on the ground; then it continued over the fence for a home run!
The Lord's team won!
The Lord then asked Bob if he knew why Love, Faith, and Godly Wisdom could get on base but could not win the game. Bob answered that he did not know why.
The Lord explained, "If your love, faith, and wisdom had won the game you would think you had done it by yourself. Love, Faith and Wisdom will get you on base but only My Grace can get you Home. --Author Unknown
Psalm 84:11, "For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory;
no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly."

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Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. Psalm 139:23-24

Psalm 114:2 (NIV) Judah became God’s sanctuary, Israel his dominion.

Thought: What about your life? Is He at home there, too?

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A Time to Think: Be a rainbow in someone else's cloud. –Maya Angelou, poet

To Act: Approach the day with a joyful attitude.

To Pray: Lord, teach us not only to feel love, but to share it.

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Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible, and receives the impossible.

- Corrie ten Boom

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You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. Psalm 51:17b

Colossians 3:23 (NLV) Whatever work you do, do it with all your heart. Do it for the Lord and not for men.

Thought: Give it your best. You'll be blessed.

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And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6

Psalm 119:30 (NIV) I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on Your laws.

Thought: Every choice matters. Make them carefully and prayerfully.
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And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19

Psalm 118:1 (NIV) Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good...

Thought: Thanksgiving...it's not just a day, it's something you do

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"MIRACULOUS DEMONSTRATIONS"

"...It's God's Spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty One, that makes wise human insight possible.

The experts have no corner on wisdom; getting old doesn't guarantee good sense." Job 32:6

"... Faith in a Power greater than ourselves, and miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives, are facts as old as man himself." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 55

For what it's worth: When I was drinking, I cursed God because I had to live one more day of alcoholic hell, and I begged Him l would not suffer long enough to be old. However, here I am, never having been wrapped too tight, easily coming apart piece by piece and often operating without good sense. But, thanks to the grace of God and the spiritual power of Alcoholics Anonymous, this once hopeless, worthless drunk is living long enough to experience years of peace and happiness. Even better, I am being blessed to witness and experience untold numbers of "miraculous demonstrations" of God's love.

God bless you.
Joe W.

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A LITTLE, LOST LAMB

"When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer." Psalm 94:19

"I was to sit quietly when in doubt, asking only for direction and strength to meet my problems as He would have me." Alcoholics Anonymous, page 13

For what it's worth: When doubtful, I drank. What was an alcoholic to do? I had no options until I was sober in Alcoholics Anonymous. Even then, because of my prideful resistance, I was slow to learn and reluctant to trust. The key was coming to believe a Good Shepherd loved this little, lost lamb. He would guide me along what appeared to me to be a dark trail. I had never been there before. I could not see what was ahead, and I feared where I might be headed. I had to give up control and take the next step into the dark even though I was sheepish. Every time I did, it was the right step in the right direction at the right time. My Good Shepherd was always and will always be there for His little, lost lamb.

God bless you.
Joe W.

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“In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.” (Ephesians 6:16)

Take whatever worry is plaguing your mind and heart today and identify the fear that it truly is. Then invite God to help you lift the shield of faith to extinguish that fear. He is able and He will do it!

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A Time to Think: Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today and creates a vision for tomorrow. –Melody Beattie, author

To Act: Avoid being judgmental and your personal peace will increase.

To Pray: My Lord, I know that You really do love me. Help me to share my love with others.

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A Time to Think: There is not in the world a kind of life more sweet and delightful than that of a continual conversation with God. –Brother Lawrence, author and lay brother of the Carmelite monastery

To Act: Pray and release your worries.

To Pray: Oh, Lord, teach me to remember You in all things, every day of my life.

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Who looks outside dreams:
Who looks inside wakes. C. G. Jung

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Honor God’s Voice Above All

[Most] blessed is the man who believes in, trusts in, and relies on the Lord, and whose hope and confidence the Lord is. —Jeremiah 17:7

One attitude that welcomes the presence of God into our lives is the attitude that honors Him above everyone and everything else. Our attitudes need to say, “God, no matter what anyone else tells me, no matter what I think myself, no matter what my own plan is, if I clearly hear You say something and I know it’s You, I will honor You—and honor what You say—above everything else.”

Sometimes we give more consideration to what people tell us than to what God says. If we pray diligently and hear from God, and then start asking people around us what they think, we honor their human opinions above God’s. Such an attitude will prevent our being able to consistently hear God’s voice. If we are ever going to develop an ability to hear from God and be led by His Spirit as a way of life, we have to stop listening to so many opinions from so many people and begin trusting the wisdom God deposits in our hearts. There is a time to receive good counsel, but needing the approval of people will keep us out of the will of God.

The devil wants us to think we are not capable of hearing from God, but God’s Word says that is not true. The Holy Spirit dwells inside of us because God wants us to be led by the Spirit in a personal way and to hear His voice for ourselves as He leads and guides us.

In the verse for today, God says we will be blessed when we look to Him. According to Jeremiah 17:5–6, severe consequences come to those who trust in the frailty of mere men and women, but blessed are those who trust in and honor the Lord. Good things happen if we listen to God. He wants to be our strength and we must honor His Word above all else.

God's word for you today: Hear what others have to say, but listen to God.

From the book Hearing from God Each Morning: 365 Daily Devotions by Joyce Meyer.

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Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Psalm 37:3

Psalm 116:7 (NIV) Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

Thought: God's care is constant. Count on it.