Temple Thoughts - April 13, 2012

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness: ¹⁵ And your feet shod with preparation of the gospel: ¹⁶Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.

¹⁷ And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. -- Ephesians 6:14-17

§  Firemen wear Helmets, fire boots, fire protective pants, gloves, face shields.

o   Policemen wear Bullet proof vests, radios for communications.

§  Football Players wear helmets, shoulder pads, knee pads.

·         Race car drivers wear helmets, fireproof clothing, gloves.

§  Moms carry love, band-aids, lotion, hugs and laughter.

o   Dads carry love, tough words when needed and much more.

§  Preachers carry Bibles, God’s word, Wisdom, an ear that listens.

I just want to remind you when you go into the world bring your safety gear from God.

                                                            -- Ronda Rich

Temple Thoughts - April 12, 2012

We all have different gifts; each of which came because of the grace God gave us.

                                                -- Romans 12:6

Have you ever been envious? Someone else got all the talent (singing, teaching, or speaking eloquently.) Stop a minute. You have a talent. It just might be lifting someone’s spirits or praying, but God wants us all to use whatever gifts he gives us! – Lynn Broussard

Temple Thoughts - April 11, 2012

To you I call, O Lord my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me, Psalm 28:1

We ask God for help, for understanding, for strength, for wisdom. Then we wait for His response. We sit, arms crossed, leg rapidly bouncing, wondering when our questions will be answered. I wonder if God ever mirrors us. With His arms crossed, leg bouncing, wondering "When will they open there eyes and ears to my word for the answers they seek?"

When you ask, don't stop and wait. You never know when or how God will answer.

                                                            -- Charles Morgan

Temple Thoughts - April 10, 2012

FOR GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. -- John 3:16

I hear many times from all walks of life. "I don’t care about the past I just care about today and the future. The past doesn’t have anything with today."  I smile and reply WITHOUT THE PAST THERE IS NO FUTURE. 'We have all sinned in the past and all we have to  do is asked for God’s forgiveness. He is yesterday, today, and always here. I find this very comforting and I hope you do to. He is amazing. – Ronda Rich

Temple Thoughts - April 9, 2012

 ¹Now after the death of Moses the servant of the LORD it came to pass, that the LORD spake unto Joshua the son of Nun, Moses' minister, saying,

I don't know if you have ever been in performing arts, but it is a tough gig to get up and perform after somebody who does an excellent job.  You know people will compare you to them because you are already making the comparisons in your head.  Joshua had to lead over a million grumpy people through a desert and he had to hear from God because every day they stayed alive in the desert was basically a miracle. I wonder if Joshua was afraid he wouldn't know the voice of God.  Would God speak audibly? Would he whisper in his heart? Would it be impressions or clear messages? Like Joshua, we have a job before us and we need to hear from God.  Just like you tune your radio to your favorite station; tune to hear from God.

Father, we pray every distraction would lose its allure and we would totally delight in hearing your voice today. Show us how we can do great things when we just learn to listen.   -- Amen                       -- Dave Arena

Temple Thoughts - April 8, 2012

Pray about everything; tell God your needs…If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. – Philippians 4:6-7 (TLB)

When we go to God with our problems, our worries, our needs, it helps to talk them over with him – with our Father. The answer sometimes will come unexpectedly. But you know it is from him. Peace of mind is a blessing, as is knowing he is always there.

–        Lynn Broussard

Temple Thoughts - April 7, 2012

Bring up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.

                                                                                     – Proverbs 22:6

I volunteer in the church office on Monday mornings. Like all the office volunteers, I have the chance to see the children come in for day school. Early in the year there are many tears. The “great unknown” renders moms helpless in the face of their little ones’ fears. But gradually, the love and patience of the day school teachers, coupled with growing trust in the routine, wins over the children. As we Christians grow older – as we walk forward into the unknown – we trust in the Savior. His love and patience are enough. – Janet Cline