2008 Scriptural & Topical Reference - Just Thinkin'...

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SCRIPTURE TOPIC DATE THEME
Ecc 1:1 Standing Alone 05.15.08 God expects us to stand alone if neccessary, but thank God, he never intended for us to go it alone.
Ecc 1:11 Past 06.29.08 You need not remember the past unless you want to avoid making the same mistakes in the future.
Ecc 1:13a Arrogance 06.30.08 Self esteem is good, but too much of it can lead someone to think far too much of themselves.
Ecc 1:13b Stress 07.01.08 The character of a believer is the product of how they respond under stress and whose ability they exercise, God's or their own.
Ecc 1:15 History 07.02.08 To rewrite history, all you have to do is get gullible people to listen to your nonsense, include it as plausible in textbooks, and wait while you endure the protest of sensible people.
Ecc 1:16a Wisdom 07.17.08 Pride is like lying; the moment you claim not to do it, you just proved you do.
Ecc 1:16b Knowledge 07.18.08 Knowing what to do is good, but doing something with what you know is better.
Ecc 1:17 Stupidity 07.19.08 It's not nice to call someone stupid even if he is.
Ecc 1:18 Justice 07.20.08 How do you pray for someone caught in the intersection of rebellion and justice?
Ecc 1:2 Life 05.28.08 Work is like fishing in that you can evaluate your investment by what you've gained and lost at the end of the day.
Ecc 1:2 Character 05.27.08 Character is measured by what you do when your feelings contradict your faith.
Ecc 1:3 Value 05.29.08 Worth is determined by evaluating the net effect of our gain and loss.
Ecc 1:4 Life 05.30.08 No one has control over their birth and few have control over death, but everyone decides what to put between those bookends.
Ecc 1:5 Consistency 05.31.08 The sun will rise every morning even if storm clouds block its light and we can't see it.
Ecc 1:6 Holy Spirit 06.01.08 We may not see, feel or understand it, but the Holy Spirit is always working to make us like Jesus.
Ecc 1:7a Sin 06.02.08 Just as water seeks a common level, so a godless man will never stay above the people they hang around.
Ecc 1:7b Example 06.03.08 Anyone who follows godless men are in danger of going right down the drain with them when life flushes the toliet.
Ecc 1:8 Word, God's 06.27.08 God's word not only addresses every issue we'll ever have, but it's multi-tasking and uniquely suited to the needs of the one reading it.
Ecc 1:9a Inevitability 06.28.08 Habits are like rabbits; if you leave 'em alone, they'll make more.
Ecc 2:10 Work 09.07.08 We should enjoy the work we do, especially since our primary job is to serve God.
Ecc 2:10 Sin, Appeal of 08.31.08 The longer we walk in the shadow of the Almighty, the more sin loses its appeal.
Ecc 2:11 Possessions 09.14.08 Possessions pass from owner to beneficiary to legal heir, to nowhere and finally thin air.
Ecc 2:12 Experience 09.21.08 The good and bad of what we experience influences those around us.
Ecc 2:14 Contentment 09.28.08 A wise man learns to bloom where he's planted, but a fool looks for a better place to take root.
Ecc 2:16 Legacy 10.05.08 It's funny how a reputation can change when a person's dead.
Ecc 2:17 Despair 10.12.08 Despair is but one breath away from hope when we lose sight of Divine providence.
Ecc 2:18 Possessions 10.19.08 You can have a death grip on your stuff, but when you're gone, so is your stuff.
Ecc 2:19a Maturity 10.26.08 Sometime parents are more childlike and less responsible than their children.
Ecc 2:19b Possessions 11.02.08 If you don't want other people playing with your toys after you're gone, get rid of them now.
Ecc 2:2 Enjoyment 08.03.08 It's impossible to compare myself to another human and be totally happy.
Ecc 2:24 Thanksgiving 11.08.08 Most of us show appreciation for big things while taking "lesser" things for granted.
Ecc 2:25 Emptiness 11.15.08 Nothing fills the God-shaped hole in our life but the Holy Spirit.
Ecc 2:3 Addiction 08.10.08 Experimentation in questionable activities is fine - if you're willing to accept the lifetime of addiction that may go with it.
Ecc 2:4 Credit 08.17.08

Is their a discernable difference in what we have done and what God wanted to do?

Ecc 2:4b Accomplishments 08.24.08

It's possible to have all the world's pleasures and still be below poverty level in the family of God.

Gen 17:11 God, Limiting 08.27.08 With God in the equation, all things are possible.
Gen 32:10b Direction 01.02.08 It's more important to remember where we came from than where we're going
Gen 32:11 Security 01.04.08 Our mistakes have no effect on eternity but only in this life alone, and Jesus promised to share those burdens with us if we ask.
Gen 32:11 Fear 01.06.08 Which comes first, fear of the unknown or not knowing Who to fear?
Gen 32:12 Memory 01.08.08 I guess sometime we need to remind God what He said (tongue in cheek).
Gen 32:16 Masking 01.10.08 When we do something to impress someone, we'd better be ready to explain to the discerning person what we're trying to hide.
Gen 32:24 Seeking 01.12.08 God is looking for that person who is looking for Him.
Gen 32:26 Persistence 01.14.08 If we mean business when ask God for something, we won't do it one time and we won't stop looking for an answer.
Gen 32:28 Intimacy 01.16.08 Someone who struggles with God has to be close enough to reach Him or its like losing a bout of shadow boxing.
Gen 32:29 Gratitude 01.18.08 It's amazing that after receiving a fabulous gift or favor, we're content to receive it and keep it without knowing who gave it and why.
Gen 32:29 Blessing 01.20.08 There are blessings in store for us when we approach God in prayer.
Gen 32:30 Trust 01.22.08 God is less concerned about our mess ups than our failure to trust Him.
Gen 33:1 Promises 01.24.08 It's amazing that we will spend time numbering possible problems we may face today, but won't spend at least equal time memorizing God's promises that tell us every one of them is harmless.
Gen 33:10b Discernment 02.03.08 The same way the indwelling Holy Spirit confirms our salvation, seeing Him at work in other people lets us know how to pray for them.
Gen 33:11 Giving 02.05.08 A person with a grateful spirit gives thanks to the Giver and gives to others in the same spirit.
Gen 33:11b Meekness 02.07.08 Receiving is not that different from giving; both involve the free transfer of things that don't belong to us.
Gen 33:17 Heaven 02.09.08 When we make our resting place close to God, we're more prone to think of heaven as our home and this life as the time afforded to know Him before taking up permanent residence with Him.
Gen 33:18a Directions 02.11.08 If you can't see where you're going, you need either a map that shows the Way, a good Compass whose magnet goes the Way, or a faithful Companion who knows the Way.
Gen 33:20 Worship 02.13.08 Over time sin leads us to worship a reminder rather than using it to remind us worship the Lord.
Gen 33:3 Fear 01.26.08 Respect and fear seem similar until you realize one is earned and the other is not.
Gen 33:4 Family 01.28.08 God has placed within us a love and loyalty for family above everything else. Would that we, the family of God, would demonstrate such toward each other.
Gen 33:5 Children 01.30.08 As Christian parents, we should have resolute conviction to not only raise our kids right, but also pray for them.
Gen 33:8 Disobedience 02.01.08 If anything, unsolicited email has taught us not everything you see or read is authentic and without malice or hidden motive.
Gen 34:1 Association 02.15.08 Wrong company not only corrupts but often leads to quick and undesirable consequences.
Gen 34:10 Character 02.29.08 The value of someone's character is determined by how little it takes for him to give up godly conviction.
Gen 34:13 Truthfulness 03.02.08 It takes about the same amount of time to do the right thing as the wrong thing, but you don't need to lie in order to do the right thing.
Gen 34:15 Determination 03.04.08 Conditions are seldom considered a deal breaker when you've already decided to have something.
Gen 34:19b Honor 03.06.08 As a person who keeps his word, you will be afforded opportunities most people will never know.
Gen 34:2 Consequences 02.17.08 No amount of liberty or privilege should lead us to conclude we have the right to sin without consequence.
Gen 34:20 Virtue 03.08.08 One way I can prove my integrity is to do what I commited to do even though I may not feel like doing it.
Gen 34:24 Confirmation 03.10.08 Majority opinion doesn't make it the right decision.
Gen 34:25b Sin, Second-hand 03.12.08 Don't stand too close to sin, it's vacuum creates a suction you may not be able to resist.
Gen 34:29 Loss 03.14.08 Losing everything only affects those without any heavenly possessions.
Gen 34:3 Respect 02.19.08 It's funny how love doesn't always include respect even though respect is the first step in building a loving relationship.
Gen 34:30 Children 03.16.08 Trouble comes back to the parents who plant and grow it in the hearts of their children.
Gen 34:30b Pressure, Peer 03.18.08 When we care more about what people think than what God thinks, trouble is on the way.
Gen 34:31 God, Questioning 03.22.08 There's nothing wrong with questioning God up to the point you ask, "Is that your final answer?"
Gen 34:4 Expectations 02.21.08 Expectations placed in anything or anyone other than God are a disappointment waiting to happen.
Gen 34:7b Examples, Godly 02.23.08 Why do bad things happen to bad people usually at the hands of good people?
Gen 34:7c Disappointment 02.25.08 Disappointments come, but it's how we respond that reveals whether we're winners or losers.
Gen 34:9 Compromise 02.27.08 Loss of godly conviction starts when we lower God's standard to avoid offending the world.
Gen 35:1 Heaven 03.24.08 Heaven is not only sanctuary, but the place we can literally begin to follow Jesus.
Gen 37:1 Home 08.04.08 Where we choose to live is irrevelant, it's who we choose to live with that's important.
Gen 37:10 Reactions 08.25.08 Whatever you say when irritated reveals how much time you've been spending with God.
Gen 37:13b Obedience 09.01.08 True obedience is 10% willingness and 90% eagerness.
Gen 37:15 Answers 09.03.08 We should look for answers where the Light is better.
Gen 37:17 Stuff 09.08.08 Few people value family and friends as much as material things.
Gen 37:18 Friends 09.10.08 You're safe thinking the world is your friend as long as you don't turn your back on it.
Gen 37:2 Honesty 08.06.08 Don't think that being honest is without consequence.
Gen 37:20 Hate 09.15.08 The bitter hate within one person can turn into bold action when others agree with his hate and then expect him to lead their mob.
Gen 37:21 Pressure, Peer 09.17.08 Peer pressure stronger than conviction leads a person to compromise, then shared consequence.
Gen 37:24 Slander 09.22.08 Slander and murder are the same except one sheds blood and the other slings mud.
Gen 37:27b Excuses 09.24.08 We can try to defend our actions, but consequences may rise up to testify against us.
Gen 37:3 Favoritism 08.11.08 If you diminish someone's significance, don't expect God to always agree with you.
Gen 37:30 Planning 09.29.08 No amount of calculation or head scratching can replace spending a few moments with God.
Gen 37:31 Blood 10.01.08 Since creation, shed blood has been the mark and the price of redemption.
Gen 37:32 Deception 10.06.08 Deception is leading someone to believe something you know to be untrue.
Gen 37:34 Grief 10.08.08 How much mourning is for our loss and how much is for show?
Gen 37:35 Death 10.13.08 Death doesn't mark the end of our heavenly journey, but merely a change in the route we take.
Gen 37:36 Intercession 10.15.08 God is working in our life, even while we wallow in the mud of self-pity and doubt.
Gen 37:4 Secrets 08.13.08 When men know your secret, the natural tendency will be to keep it until there's a justifiable reason to use it against you.
Gen 37:5 Response 08.18.08 People probably won't respond well to what God has revealed to you.
Gen 37:8b Hearing 08.20.08 Just hearing something doesn't mean you're listening.
Gen 38:1 Associations 10.20.08 When you are friends with the wrong crowd, expect to make decisions they'd approve.
Gen 38:10 God, Provoking 11.05.08 It may not be nice to provoke mother nature, but it can prove deadly to do it to God.
Gen 38:11 God, Avoiding 11.09.08 It's impossible to out-manuver God.
Gen 38:14 God, Pleasing 11.11.08 We'll never be what God wants until we stop trying to be a people-pleaser.
Gen 38:15 Salvation 11.16.08 Even our sinful nature is a means by which God works in us.
Gen 38:17b Trust 11.18.08 What does it say about our trust in God when we can't be trusted?
Gen 38:2 Trangression 10.22.08 When we ride the waves of liberty outside of God's boundary, they may carry us further from home than we ever intended to go.
Gen 38:3 Trouble 10.27.08 Why are we surprised when the fruit of our questionable activity gives birth to trouble?
Gen 38:6 Death, Premature 10.29.08 If left uncheked, sin converts personal choice to imprisionment that in God's timing may lead to premature death.
Gen 38:7 God, Blame 11.03.08 It's can be a short game when we swap licks with God.
Mt 14:12 Confession 01.13.08 We needn't be afraid to tell Jesus what he already knows, but we should be afraid to keep from Him what we don't want Him to know.
Mt 14:13 Desire 01.17.08 If the world thought they could spend personal time with Jesus, they'd do whatever it took to go to Him, but will we, His children, do the same?
Mt 14:13 Secrets 01.15.08 A man of God will entrust to the Heavenly Father things that no one else knows.
Mt 14:14 Compassion 01.21.08 When we see a need we should be compassionate, but as a child of God we're called to do something about it rather than express pity.
Mt 14:14 Attention 01.19.08 It's good to close your eyes in prayer, but how can you see what God is doing if you never open them to see what He sees?
Mt 14:15 Ministry 01.27.08 Obstinate -n Someone who fails to recognize God's call to minister, even though He's already done far more than enough to inspire them.
Mt 14:15 Excuses 01.25.08 When it comes to praying, taking notice of what's wrong exposes our lack of faith and the fact we don't have a teachable spirit.
Mt 14:15 Pray, When to 01.23.08 While there's no best time to pray, the evening proves to be the best time to review the day and prepare for the next.
Mt 14:16 Ministry 01.29.08 It's obvious Jesus would rather work through us to minister to others rather than do it Himself via a miracle.
Mt 14:17 Service 01.31.08 In Christ, ALL you have is ALL you need
Mt 14:18 Intercession 02.02.08 Prayer is spending time with God and intercession is prayer with feet.
Mt 14:19 Blessing, Missed 02.04.08 I'm afraid sometime we're so busy doing what we think God wants us to do, we run right past him and miss the blessing.
Mt 14:19b Steward 02.06.08 Regardless of what you possess, look to heaven, thank God and bless it asking Him to multiply its effect and get glory from it.
Mt 14:19c Ministry 02.08.08 Ministry is a process: God uses you to minister to others through personal intercession that leads to presenting the Gospel and ultimately the making of a disciple whom God uses to minister...
Mt 14:20a Blessing 02.10.08 We'll freely accept showers of blessing from the Blesser, yet never, seldom if ever, bless Him in return.
Mt 14:20b Abundance 02.12.08 "Left OVER" is a term that aptly applies to Jesus' miracle of feeding the five thousand.
Mt 14:21 Significance 02.14.08 What the world overlooks, God considers important enough to be top priority.
Mt 14:22 Dependence 02.16.08 For those times it seems God's not around, we should take comfort He's got a special plan for us and will be there when we need Him most.
Mt 14:23a Prayer, Private 02.18.08 We need not ask what Jesus would do because in most every situation He'd be praying which requires spending time alone with the Father.
Mt 14:24 Obedience 02.20.08 Obedience to God, more times than not, requires going in a direction opposite to common public opinion and facing resistance along the way.
Mt 14:25 God, Presence of 02.22.08 There is no more sustaining thought than the fact we do not have to look for Jesus, as He is always with us, revealing Himself to us when we need to be reminded he's always with us.
Mt 14:26 God, Fear of 02.24.08 Most believers won't have a fear of God until they stand in front on him on Judgment Day.
Mt 14:26b Expectation 02.26.08 We should not be surprised when God acts in a way that is contrary to our expectation.
Mt 14:27 Fear 02.28.08 Fear may create a knee-jerk reaction, but shouldn't restrict our confidence in God to help us.
Mt 14:28 Authority 03.01.08 Authority, no matter how potent, is rendered meaningless unless it is put into play.
Mt 14:29 Fellowship 03.03.08 If we're not close to God right now, it wasn't him that moved.
Mt 14:2b Discernment 01.01.08 We can't understand God in the context of our experience and see Him for who He truly is.
Mt 14:30a Failure 03.05.08 Concentrate on failure long enough and you'll do whatever it takes to get there.
Mt 14:30b Prayer, Effective 03.07.08 Prayer is proven to be most effective when paired with spontaneous desperation and least effective when performed like a ritual.
Mt 14:31 Faith 03.09.08 Faith must be exercised if we want to see what God can do.
Mt 14:32 Problems 03.11.08 Problems become bearable when we believe God is in control of our situation.
Mt 14:33 Doubt 03.13.08 How many miracles will it take to prove Jesus is who he says he is?
Mt 14:36 Power 03.17.08 Just being in the proximity of Jesus can prove to be more powerful than anything you've ever experienced.
Mt 14:36b Healing 03.19.08 When we need help and call out for Jesus, there's nothing left to do but stay close enough to receive healing.
Mt 14:4 Boldness 01.03.08 We're not a faithful witness unless we welcome the consequences of speaking the truth to someone with power to harm us.
Mt 14:5 Boldness 01.05.08 If we knew how many people wished us harm as a Christian but were afraid of what God would do to them, we'd probably be more bold in our witness.
Mt 14:6-7 Lust 01.07.08 If love is blind, then lust exposes a person's ignorance.
Mt 14:8 Sin, Second-hand 01.09.08 Be careful to whom you listen and whose advice you follow, otherwise you'll acquire their reputation and destiny.
Mt 14:9 Promises 01.11.08 Man judges integrity by the way a man keeps his promises, but God judges them on motive and the merit of their action.
Mt 15:1 Status Quo 03.21.08 There can be no revival in the church until you're willing to break from the status quo and stand alone on God's Word.
Mt 15:2 Idolatry 03.23.08 When tradition keeps us believing God is still at work, we make tradition a golden idol.
Mt 15:36 Thanksgiving 08.05.08 Miracles begin with a prayer of thanksgiving.
Mt 15:37 Desire 08.07.08 God's desire is to meet or exceed my desire when my desire is consistent with His desire.
Mt 16:1 Miracles 08.12.08 If all you think you need is one miracle in order to believe in God, don't waste your time or His.
Mt 16:11 Discernment 09.04.08 The only way to tell the difference between good and bad teaching is to know the difference.
Mt 16:12a Religion 09.09.08 Religion is read between the lines in Scripture and faith in the lines.
Mt 16:13 Perception 09.11.08 The place where the World Trade Centers once stood should serve to remind us ignoring the obvious can be dangerous if not fatal.
Mt 16:15 Salvation 09.16.08 God will never ask your pastor what YOU believe
Mt 16:16 Profession 09.18.08 Savation = (Confession + Profession + Repentance)
Mt 16:17 Blessing 09.23.08 There's no greater blessing for a believer than knowing you're family.
Mt 16:17b Control 09.25.08 There's a heavenly transfer of control from us to the Holy Spirit when we surrender to the Lordship of Christ.
Mt 16:18a Determination 09.30.08 As the church, let us pray that our hardness is holy determination and not obstinance.
Mt 16:18b Power 10.02.08 Nothing has power that God didn't give and no one access that He doesn't grant.
Mt 16:19a Authority 10.07.08 Responsibility without authority is a passport to failure.
Mt 16:19b Privilege 10.09.08 I wonder what privilege we forfeit by not claiming God's promise?
Mt 16:20 Revelation 10.14.08 It means more to discover something on your own rather than being told.
Mt 16:21a Procrastination 10.16.08 Procrastination accomplishes nothing except giving fear and dread time to grow.
Mt 16:21b Redemption 10.21.08 Born once, die twice - born twice, die once - maybe.
Mt 16:22 God, Questioning 10.23.08 It's ok to question God, but don't try to change His mind unless you've earned the right.
Mt 16:23a Talk, Evil 10.28.08 It's one thing to be out of sync with God, but another thing altogether to speak for the opposition.
Mt 16:23b Failures 10.30.08 Failures are built upon a human's opinion plus God's.
Mt 16:24 Discipleship 11.04.08 Discipleship requires checking personal preference at the door.
Mt 16:25 Losing 11.10.08 In the race of life, losing is not just important, it's the only thing!
Mt 16:26 Loser 11.12.08 The Biggest Loser is the one who wins every game but the one that counts for eternity.
Mt 16:26b Value 11.17.08 There's no price sticker on life, but each person determines its value.
Mt 16:27 Patience 11.19.08 Patience is knowing God has the last word.
Mt 16:3 Signs 08.14.08 If you see Revelation daily unfolding before your eyes and aren't looking up, then you better look out!
Mt 16:4 Questions 08.19.08 No matter what the question, Jesus is in the answer.
Mt 16:6 Compromise 08.21.08 Continually keeping the company of cunning crafters of circumcisionism leads to compromise.
Mt 16:7 Needs 08.26.08 When we empty ourselves in service to the Lord, we won't have to worry about our needs.
Mt 16:8b Salutation, Prayer 08.28.08 When you're speaking to someone, do you repeat their name once or twice in every sentence?
Mt 16:9 Love 09.02.08 The greatest demonstration of love might be patience.
Pr 1:22 Understanding 08.09.08 Why is it that most people will not listen to anything that corrects what they misunderstand?
Pr 1:23b Word, Revealed 08.16.08 If you think you know everything God wants to say to you, think again.
Pr 1:24 Stubbornness 08.23.08 Listening is a better indicator of spiritual maturity than hearing.
Pr 1:25 Experience 08.30.08 Experience doesn't matter when someone has a teachable spirit, knows right from wrong, speaks the truth without contradiction or use of a teleprompter, and surrounds himself with the right kind of counsel.
Pr 1:32 Indifference 10.04.08 Apathy is like watching termites eat the bark off your life.
Pr 1:33 Obedience 10.11.08 Obedience begins with hearing, is followed by listening and proven by resolve.
Pr 2:1 Memory 10.18.08 Our mind will focus on whatever we commit to memory and flush whatever we don't.
Pr 2:2 Pray, How to 10.25.08 Knowing how to pray is as simple as filling your mind with Scripture and asking God to reveal it.
Pr 2:3b Prayer, Audible 11.07.08 The difference between silent and audible prayer is the degree of our desperation or need.
Pr 2:4 Wisdom 11.14.08 Don't expect to see things from God's viewpoint and not move.
Pr 2:3a Insight 11.01.08 Prayer is not only the door to knowledge, it also the key to unlocking divine perspective.
Pro 1:26 God, Offending 09.06.08 It's not mother nature whom we should fear offending.
Pro 1:28 Prayer, Answered 09.13.08 Don't think because prayer is an option today, it will be tommorrow.
Pro 1:30 Mistakes 09.20.08 Anyone can make a mistake, but doing it when you know the consequences is not so bright.
Pro 1:31 Reward 09.27.08 If you're intent on doing your own thing, better hold your nose because the fruit of sin you're going to eat is rotten and it stinks.
Prov 1: Trust 06.21.08

Somtime the only thing standing between us and the worse decision of our life is someone we think we can trust.

Prov 1:11a Counsel 06.22.08 Just because we feel right about something, doesn't mean it's right.
Prov 1:11b Preparation 06.23.08 Is there anything worse than dying prematurely with eternal matters left undone?
Prov 1:12 Sin, Life of 06.24.08 A life of sin is like a ballgame ending in sudden death, that no matter how hard you try, you can never win.
Prov 1:13 Possessions 06.25.08 Possessions are marked by three variables: who bought it, who has it and how long it takes for the first two to account for nothing.
Prov 1:14 Honesty 06.26.08 I don't know about honor among thieves, but at least they admit who they are and what they do.
Prov 1:15 Example, Bad 07.12.08 The phrase "Monkey see, monkey do" demotes animals to the level of sinful man.
Prov 1:16 Actions 07.13.08 Expediency is measured by how something is done, not how fast.
Prov 1:17 Intentions 07.14.08 Actions usually speak for themselves whereas intentions require explanation.