God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies

"God's work done in God's way will never lack God's supplies."
- Hudson Taylor

"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable,
always abounding in the work of the Lord,
knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord."
1 Corinthians 15:58

I am grateful to you God that you implement your plan.
I would like to run my life as you have planned it.
Make that not too many obstacles shall cross my way.
Thank you for all the many and good facilities and I ask your blessing
in Jesus name, Amen.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Gods werk op Gods manier gedaan zal nooit Gods voorzieningen ontbreken

The blessing of a broken leg

Mr. McConkey told of a lady summering in Switzerland who went for a stroll and came to a shepherd’s fold. She looked in at the door. There sat the shepherd and nearby on a pile of straw lay a single sheep seemingly in suffering. Asking what was the trouble, she was told that the lamb’s leg was broken. The shepherd said that he himself had broken it. It was a most wayward animal and would not follow, not obey and misled the others. He had had experience with sheep of this kind, so he broke one of its legs. The first day when he took it food, it tried to bite him. He let it lie for a couple of days then went back to it. It not only took the food but licked his hand, showing every sign of submission and affection. He said when it was well, it would be the model sheep of the flock. It had learned obedience through suffering. Many times out of our very agony of heart, the God of love seeks to bring into our lives the supremest blessing that can enrich and glorify our lives -- the blessing of a human will yielded to the will of God. Scripture assures God’s children that afflictions are for their profit ‘that we might be partakers of his holiness’ and that we might ‘yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness.’

Quiet Hour Stories with Scripture Readings -- Keith L. Brooks, page 51

God should be your hope

Dutch version / Nederlands > God moet je hoop zijn

“Thou dost show me the path of life; in thy presence there is fulness of joy, in thy right hand are pleasures for evermore.” (Ps 16:11 RSV)
“Through him we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in our hope of sharing the glory of God.” (Ro 5:2 RSV)
“More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit which has been given to us.” (Ro 5:3-5 RSV)
“And God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance, so that you may always have enough of everything and may provide in abundance for every good work.” (2Co 9:8 RSV)
“For God is not so unjust as to overlook your work and the love which you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness in realizing the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.” (Heb 6:10-12 RSV)

The giving and protecting God

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold from those whose walk is blameless.

Psalm 84:11, New International Version

Dutch version / Nederlands > De gevende en beschermende God

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    God doesn't hold back on his goodness! In fact, the Father loves to give his children gifts. These gifts are all encompassing. These gifts are gladly given. How do I know? Three ways: 1) I've been repeatedly blessed; 2) I've seen what God has done to bless his people through the centuries; and 3) his Word promises this to be so.

    Father, I want to thank you for the many blessings you have poured into my life. I want to list several of them by name today. (Make your own list of things for which you are thankful.) Thank you most of all Father, for the gift of your Son and my Savior, Jesus. In his name I pray. Amen.

Count your blessings

If you have food in the fridge, clothes on your back, a roof over your head, and a place to sleep, you are richer than three quarters of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, or a few coins lying around, you are among the top 8% of the world’s wealthy.

If you woke up this morning with more health than sickness, you are more blessed than the million that will not survive this week.

If you have never experienced the danger of war, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation,

you are ahead of 500 million people in the world.

If your parents are still alive and still married,

you are blessed with a rare gift.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone’s hand, touch them on the shoulder, or even hug them, you are blessed because you can offer a healing touch.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over countless millions in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings,

and remind others how blessed we all are.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Tel uw zegeningen

Better loaves when the heart is joyous

"Better are loaves when
the heart is joyous,
than riches in unhappiness."
- Amenemope (c. 1000 BC)

"Better to live on a corner of the roof than
share a house with a quarrelsome wife."
Proverbs 25:24

Lord let me give my daily bread
to share with those close to my heart
and to those who feel favourably towards me.
Let my wife and children be a blessing and joy.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Beter broden wanneer het hart vrolijk is

A treasure which can give me everything I need

"For anything worth having one must pay the price;
and the price is always work, patience, love, self-sacrifice.
No paper currency, no promises to pay, but the gold of real service."
- John Burroughs 1837-1921

"Who then is the faithful and wise servant,
whom the master has put in charge of the servants
in his household to give them their food at the proper time?
It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.
I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions."
Matthew 24:45-47

Dear God, do give me spiritual food and blessing.
Let me carry your Word as a precious treasure
which can give me everything I need.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Een schat die mij alles kan geven wat ik nodig heb

Even in tough times remembering the blessings

"Even when you are experiencing tough times,
remember the blessings in your life.
It’s like sprinkling sunshine on a cloudy day."
- Alice Gray

"When you reach the end of your rope you will find the hem of His garment."
- Unknown

"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and
admonish one another with all wisdom,
and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs
with gratitude in your hearts to God."
Colossians 3:16

"And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind
and touched the hem of His garment; for she said to herself,
'If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.'
But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said,
'Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.'
And the woman was made well from that hour."
Matthew 9:20-22

Reading the New Testament, let the words of Jesus inspire me
and let me be touched by his spirit.
God let me be a worthy follower of Jesus Christ
and let me look at the life on the bright site.
I am thankful for the blessings I am able to receive.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Herinner vele zegeningen ook in moeilijke tijden

+++
2015 adding:

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• Happy Easter Quotes Images
• DIG for Friday the 13th of February.....unconditional forgiveness, there can be no argument.....Ephesians 1 v 7
• What is Christianity?
• Suffering Persecution for Jesus Christ is Glory
• Soul Food Sunday - Jesus Christ, the Creator
• The Journey of Love and Commitment
• Historical Evidence That Proves "Jesus Christ" Never Existed & Was Created By The Romans (Constantine)
• It Is Yours, Lord - Everything

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his holiness.

Psalm 29:2, New International Version

Dutch version / Nederlands > Bewijs de Heer die hem toekomt

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    Giving glory, ascribing glory, is not an easy thing for us to do. Let's admit it. We're much more used to asking from God rather than blessing God and calling others to him. So let's use the rest of this week to pray prayers of thanksgiving and praise, glorifying God's holy name.

    Father, you are marvelous and magnificent beyond my description and understanding. Thank you for sending Jesus to help me catch a glimpse of your glory. Thank you for sustaining me and those I love. I thank you in Jesus' name. Amen.

Hope does not disappoint us

And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

Romans 5:5, New International Version

Dutch version / Nederlands > Hoop zal niet worden beschaamd

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    Hope has become such a "wimpy" term in modern vocabulary. It hardly qualifies as an adequate translation of the meaning in most New Testament passages. Hope is the assurance that what we believe will happen. We could call it spiritual confidence. We have that spiritual confidence because more than just a wish, more than just an emotion, more than just a belief rests in our hearts; God himself lives in us through his Holy Spirit. When we become Christians, Jesus pours out the Spirit upon us (Titus 3:3-7) as God's gift to us (Acts 2:38; 5:32) to cleanse us (1 Cor. 6:11), make us part of the same Body (1 Cor. 12:12-13), and live inside us (1 Cor. 6:19-20). Paul adds one more thing to that list of blessings from God's presence within us -- God's love. We don't just have it; God keeps refreshing it through the Holy Spirit, just as Jesus had promised (John 7:37-39).

    Holy and Almighty God, awesome in power and majestic in holiness, thank you for not only coming to us, but thank you also for living in us through your Spirit. Please pour your love into my heart so that the fruit of your grace may flow from me to those around me and everyone around me will know of your grace. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen. 

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2014 January update:

Related articles

• Intimacy or Blasphemy?
• Looking for True Spirituality 5 Fruitage of the Spirit
• Many forgot how Christ should be our anchor and our focus
• The Spirit of Leadership
• The Holy Spirit
• Take Your Healing
• The Joy of the Lord
• 2nd Timothy 1:6-14 Appeal for Loyalty to Paul and the Gospel

Forgiveness is a blessing for the one who forgives

"Forgiveness is a blessing for the one who forgives
as well as for the one who is forgiven."
- Alice Gray

"Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance:
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners –
of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me,
the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display
his unlimited patience as an example for those
who would believe on him and receive eternal life."
1 Timothy 1:15-16

By Christ I am forgiven, I am thankfull for that.
Lord, let me have the power to forgive others even when they did wrong to me.

Dutch version / Nederlands > Vergiffenis is een zegen voor diegene die vergeeft

God is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him

The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him...

Lamentations 3:25, New International Version

Find Dutch version on / Nederlandse versie te lezen in hoofding rond Neerslachtigheid

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    Out of the ashes of Jerusalem's destruction and the disaster that befell God's people because of their repeated disobedience comes this reminder of truth. Those who wait patiently, who hope fervently, in the LORD will find what their souls most needs!

    Give me patience and faith, O God, for the times when life is hard and everything seems to go against me. I believe that you are good to those who have the strength to persevere, waiting patiently in hope for your mighty deliverance. Dear Father, please give me such strength each day because I not only want to receive your blessing, but I also want to bring you honor. In the name of your Son, Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Looking forward to the return of Jesus

As we come to the end of 2008 we look forward to 2009 and do hope we shall be come closer to the end of times, when Jesus shall come back.

Our prayer is that we shall soon see the coming of our Lord Jesus.

May the coming year bring to you all the blessings of peace, health and happiness.

A “seed” for the blessing of all mankind would come through the family of Abraham

Dutch = Nederlandstalige versie > Een “zaad” voor de zegening van de gehele mensheid gekomen door de familie van Abraham

I will multiply your seed like the stars of the heavens and I will give to your seed all these lands; and by means of your seed all nations of the earth will certainly bless themselves. —
Genesis 26:4.

Abraham’s endurance had a powerful effect on his son Isaac, who spent his entire life —180 years— as an alien resident in the land of Canaan. Isaac’s endurance was based on faith in God’s promise, faith that was instilled in him by his aged parents and later reinforced by Jehovah’s own word to him. (Genesis 26:2-5) Isaac’s steadfastness played a key role in the fulfillment of Jehovah’s promise that a “seed” for the blessing of all mankind would come through the family of Abraham. Hundreds of years later, Jesus Christ, the primary part of that “seed,” opened the way for all who exercise faith in him to be reconciled to God and to enjoy everlasting life. (Galatians 3:16; John 3:16) Isaac, in turn, helped his son Jacob to cultivate strong faith that sustained him into his old age.

Companionship

In the Christadelphian Waymark of December 2008 you can find an article on Companionship.

some quotes:

We all need companionship. One of the curses particularly of western society is loneliness. ...

Loneliness can lead to feeling isolated, lead to depression and even lead to suicide. Some people are able to establish new friendships, but for others forming friendships is more difficult. For most people finding close friends that they can trust and confide in, is not easy.

Brethren and sisters in Christ are no different, often family can be far away and we all need companionship. But for us knowledge of the gospel message of hope, brings, or should bring, a totally different perspective. You see no matter what our circumstances, we are never alone!

...

loneliness will not assail us to the point of despair.

...

Our primary relationship is with God, He is our Father and if we live according to the light of His word, then we have fellowship with Him. Fellowship with others who share the same precious faith comes as a product of fellowship with God.

... it is not good for one to seek isolation from those who share the same precious faith. But there are many who live in isolation through circumstance beyond their control, or who go into isolation because circumstances dictate that they must. Those in that position need the support and encouragement of all the other members of the body.

But if we do live alone then we still have that sure knowledge that God is ever mindful of His children. We can all read books about the Truth, read magazines, read exhortations, listen to tapes and in many do things that help to make us feel part of the one body. A husband and wife can support each other, but if companionship of other brethren and sisters is present, then this is a great blessing from God.

If we do have the companionship of brethren and sisters, let us then be grateful for it and make the most of our time with each other. Let the focus be upon building each other up and encouraging each other while we can. Let us never take this benefit for granted or neglect meeting together. Let us be givers and not takers, workers and not hinderers, supporters not complainers. Let us be grateful to God for companionship, yet content if need be to be dwell alone. Though we truly are never alone, for He is always with us.

 - Andy Peel

> full article: Companionship

Being thankful

It is always possible to be thankful

for what is given rather than to complain about what is not given.
One or the other becomes a habit of life.
Elisabeth Elliot

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts,
since as members of one body you were called to peace.
And be thankful.
Colossians 3:15

Thanksgiving. . .
is a glad and reverent lifting of the heart to
God in honor and praise for His goodness.
James R. Miller

Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving,
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms.
For the LORD is a great God
And a great King above all gods.
Psalm 95:2-3

"Hem your blessings with thankfulness so they don't unravel."
- Author Unknown

"Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you,
with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Colossians 3:16

Would you like to have a thought every day, like the first two ones? Go to > Thoughtsaday