Thoughts to Ponder

Thoughts to Ponder:

There are times in each of our lives where circumstances or situations are very, very hard to swallow. The cup we are asked to drink is most bitter and causes every fiber of our innermost being to recoil from the horror of the reality which is being forced upon us. At such times God seems very far away as our lives our enveloped in a fearful darkness.

Hard to Swallow Thought: The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, and to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well. Bible text: I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

Money is worth...what? Thought: The heart of a person cannot be determined by the size of their pocketbook. Biblical text: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Mark 8:36, 37)

Listening for God: The first step to wisdom is silence; the second is listening.
Biblical text: Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance. (Proverbs 1:5 NIV). Silence can be used to nurture pouting, anger and hatred. Far better uses for silence are reflecting, meditating, and listening. It is only when we are truly silent before the Lord that we can hear His still small voice speaking in our souls.

Death Will End:
Thought: Live life so completely that when death comes to you like a thief in the night, there will be nothing left for him to steal.
Bible text: "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
I may not understand it all now, but I'm strangely comforted to think that someday I will. And when that day comes, death, and all the pain that accompanies it will be a thing of the past.