Watch Your Diet

Once a farmer had a dog, and Bingo was NOT his name, oh! It was Buttermilk. He also had another named Midnight. The cruel farmer would stage dog fights every few weeks and take bets on which would win, and he always came out with the highest winnings. Many years later, the aged farmer expressed regret to a friend at how he had treated his dogs. When the friend asked how he´d always known which dog would win, he replied, "No mystery ´bout it. The winner was always the one I´d fed that morning. I´d let the other one do without a day before the fight."

The moral: Your temptations will be won or lost today, depending on what you have been feeding your soul up until now.

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee." Psalm 119:11

D.L. Moody on Conceit

"God Sends no one away empty except those who are full of themselves." -- D.L. Moody

"For I say...to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think..." Romans 12:3

No Pretenders in Battle

"When you do battle with Satan, there are no pretenders." --Dr. David Jeremiah

Andrew Murray on Prayer

Andrew Murray: "May God open our eyes to see what the holy ministry of intercession is to which, as His royal priesthood, we have been set apart. May He give us a large and strong heart to believe what mighty influence our prayers can exert." -- PresidentialPrayerTeam™ Newsletter

Finding Wisdom

Temptation is available to any who will take the time to seek it. But the same is true of wisdom…Whatever we seek, we shall find. And whoever finds wisdom finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. (Pro. 8:35)
--Turning Points Devotional

Martin Van Buren

President Martin Van Buren: "Beyond that I only look to the gracious protection of the Divine Being whose strengthening support I humbly solicit, and whom I fervently pray to look down upon us all. May it be among the dispensations of His providence to bless our beloved country with honors and with length of days. May her ways be ways of pleasantness and all her paths be peace!" -- PresidentialPrayerTeam™ Newsletter

David Jeremiah on Diligence

"Against the backdrop of people who avoid work, cut corners, and do half-hearted jobs, a diligent man stands out. Practicing diligence is an excellent way to stand out for Christ at home, in the workplace, and even at church. Today, complete each one of your tasks, however big or small, with diligence." -- Dr. David Jeremiah

Oswald Chambers on Trust

"The most devout among us become atheistic when we fail to trust in God with all our heart." -- Oswald Chambers

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:5,6

Beauty

Quote on Beauty:

When Dr. Robertson McQuilkin, president of Columbia International University, was asked by an aged saint why God allows us to suffer from old-age afflictions, he gave an interesting answer: "I think God has planned the strength and beauty of youth to be physical," he said, "but the strength and beauty of age is spiritual. We gradually lose the strength and beauty that is temporary, so we´ll concentrate on the strength and beauty which is forever." -- Turning Points Magazine & Devotional

Jonathan and Sarah Edwards

Theologian Jonathan Edwards was a stuffy, moody person until after he married Sarah Pierrepoint. Sarah had a quiet spirit and was such an encourager to Jonathan that he completely changed! His last words were words of love for "my dear wife" and about "the uncommon union…between us." After the Edwards´ deaths, a reporter tracked down 1,400 of their descendants. He found 80 college presidents and professors, 100 lawyers, 66 physicians, 80 political leaders, three senators, three governors, countless preachers and missionaries -- and the infamous Aaron Burr.

"But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price." 1 Peter 3:4

Richard C. Halverson

“It is written large in history that no nation, no empire, no kingdom was ever able to perpetuate itself by depending on military might. Our nation is no exception. On our coins we profess ´In God we trust.´ When we begin to take seriously that profession, we can begin to look forward to the fruits of peace.”—Richard C. Halverson, Chaplain of the United States Senate -- PresidentialPrayerTeam™ Newsletter

“The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the LORD

Hudson Taylor on Trust

"If we are obeying the Lord, the responsibility rests with him, not with us!" -- Hudson Taylor, missionary to China, quoted in the 1860´s

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

President George W. Bush

“In all that lies before us, may God grant us wisdom, and may He watch over the United States of America.”—President George W. Bush in Address to a Joint Session of Congress, 9/20/01. -- PresidentialPrayerTeam™ Newsletter

Prayer -- J. Oswald Chambers

Quote on Prayer:

"Prayer is simple, as simple as a child making known its wants to its parents. The armour is not to fight in, but to shield us while we pray. Prayer is the battle. The prayer of the feeblest saint on earth who lives in the Spirit and keeps right with God is a terror to Satan. The very powers of darkness are paralyzed by prayer. " -- Oswald Chambers

Lord Radstock´s Answer

A young army officer heard Lord Radstock speak one evening in Woolwich and afterward asked him, “Sir…tell me, how can a fellow keep straight?”

Lord Radstock pulled a pencil from his pocket and laid it on the palm of his hand. “Can that pencil stand upright?” The young officer admitted it couldn‘t. Then Lord Radstock said, “Your life is like this pencil, helpless, but Christ is the hand that can hold you.”

That same officer met Lord Radstock 25 years later and told him that on that very night so many years ago he had trusted his life to Christ, who had kept him in His hand ever since.

Joe Aldrich on Temptation

"The enemy will wait forty years, if necessary, to set a trap for you." -- Joe Aldrich

"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

President Grover Cleveland

President Grover Cleveland and the Senate were constantly bickering with one another. However, the House of Representatives and Cleveland got along great. After a hectic day with the Senate, Cleveland, exhausted, retired early at home. In the middle of the night, the butler heard some noises and rushed to Cleveland´s bedroom, shook him and whispered: "Mister President, I think there are burglars in the house!"

The President woke up just enough to say: "In the Senate, maybe, but not in the House!" -- Stories for Preachers and Teachers

Jefferson Memorial

Inscription on a wall of the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, D.C.: "God who gave us life gave us liberty. Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of people that these liberties are a gift from God?" -- PresidentialPrayerTeam™ Newsletter.” Pro. 21:31

“...Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zech. 4:6b

Matthew Henry on Thankfulness

The well-known Bible commentator Matthew Henry knew the meaning of real contentment. One day he was robbed, yet he found much to be thankful for. Here´s what he wrote in his diary that evening: "Let me be thankful -- first, because I was never robbed before; second, because although they took my wallet, they did not take my life; and third, because although they took my all, it was not much; and fourth, because it was I who was robbed, not I who robbed."

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." 1 Thes. 5:18

Billy Graham: Diligence

Billy Graham on diligence:

"I was taught that laziness was one of the worst evils, and there was dignity and honor in labor. I could abandon myself enthusiastically to milking the cows, cleaning out the latrines, and shoveling manure, not because they were pleasant jobs, certainly, but because sweaty labor held its own satisfaction."

When Making Decisions

Do you have a decision to make? Are you unsure of the future? Worried about the road ahead? It´s great to seek advice and consult friends, but remember, the Lord is your Shepherd. As you trust Him with all your heart and acknowledge Him in all your ways, He will will direct your paths with unfailing counsel. -- Turning Points Devotional

Wisdom for the Asking

Wisdom is seeing things from God´s perspective. -- unknown

"If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." James 1:5