“So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.” (Gal. 6:10 NASB)

A few months ago an old friend of mine came to my mind. I hadn’t thought of him or seen him in some time. I thought to myself, “I should look him up and see how he’s doing.” But, I got distracted by other things and didn’t get around to it. About a month later, I was shocked to read in the paper that he had died suddenly. I went to his funeral and heard from his family that he had been depressed and discouraged shortly before his death. I regretted deeply that I hadn’t gone to see him. I could have, if I’d just done so as soon as he had come to my mind.

Work opportunities while there is still time!

“We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work.” (John 9:4 NASB)

Opportunities come along unexpectedly, make the most of them

“But a Samaritan, who was on a journey, came upon him; and when he saw him, he felt compassion.” (Luke 10:33 NASB)

“Making the most of your time, because the days are evil.” (Eph. 5:16 NASB)

What should you do?

While reading today's post, did someone come to your mind that you know you should call or visit? If so, don't put it off! It may be a prompting to you from the Lord. 

“Lift up your eyes on high And see who has created these stars, The One who leads forth their host by number, He calls them all by name; Because of the greatness of His might and the strength of His power, Not one of them is missing.” (Isa. 40:26 NASB)

They were made by His Word

“By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their host.” (Psalm 33:6 NASB)

And they bow down to Him

“You alone are the LORD You have made the heavens, The heaven of heavens with all their host, The earth and all that is on it, The seas and all that is in them You give life to all of them And the heavenly host bows down before You.” (Neh  9:6 NASB)

You are on His mind and He cares for you!

“When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.” (Psalms 8:3-5 NIV)

Give thanks to Him, for his loving kindness is everlasting!

“Give thanks to him who placed the earth among the waters. To Him who made the great lights, for His lovingkindness is everlasting: The sun to rule by day, For His lovingkindness is everlasting, The moon and stars to rule by night, For His lovingkindness is everlasting.” (Psalm 136:6-9 NASB)

“Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind.” (Phil. 2:2 ESV)

 Have unity of mind and a humble mind

 “Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (1 Peter 3:8 ESV)

Have the same mind in you that was in Christ Jesus

“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Phil. 2:5-8 KJV)

Therefore, with one voice...

“That together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 15:6 ESV)

"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Cor. 10:5 NIV)

Thoughts are like birds

Someone has said, “Birds may fly over your head, but you don’t have to let them build nests in your hair.” The same can be said about your thoughts! They may fly past you, but you don’t have to give them your attention.

You can control your thoughts 

You can choose what you allow yourself to think about. You can “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” And you should!

Choose to think about excellent things

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Phil. 4:8 NLT)

Let the Spirit control your mind

“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.” (Rom. 8:6 NLT)

Because you are what you think about

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. (Prov. 23:7 NKJV)

“As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10 NASB)

God gives several of them to each of us as He will

“But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.” (2 Cor. 12:11 KJV)

Do not neglect them!

“Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you…” (2 Tim. 4:14 NASB)

He never takes them back, so be sure to put them to work!

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Rom. 11:29 ESV)

Fan them into flame with fresh enthusiasm!  

“For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you...” (2 Tim. 1:6 NASB)

 “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” (Heb. 1:3 NIV)

In the beginning was the Word which was God

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1 NIV)

The Word became Jesus, full of grace and truth

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” (John 1:14 NIV)

The Word will never pass away but endures forever

“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” (Isa. 40:8 NIV)

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.” (Matt. 24:35 NIV)

Blessed are those who hear the Word and obey it!

“He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.” (Luke11:28 NIV)

“Having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.” (Phil. 1:11 NASB)

Someone has said, “A person’s true character is demonstrated by how he behaves when he thinks nobody is looking”.

God is looking! 

“For nothing is hidden that will not become evident, nor anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” (Luke 8:17 NASB)

Character of the righteous

“He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.” (Psalm 15:2 NASB)

Character of the wicked

“For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy.” (2 Tim. 3:2-4 NASB)

Put on good character

Colossians 3:12-15 – “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful." (Col. 3:12-15 ESV)

“Then the Lord put out his hand and touched my mouth. And the Lord said to me, “Behold, I have put my words in your mouth.” (Jer. 1:9 ESV)

The Holy Spirit will help you remember His Word

Read the Bible and study it regularly. When you need the Words to come at appropriate moments, His Spirit will cause you to remember them.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. “ (John 14:26 ESV)

His Word on your tongue!

““The Spirit of the Lord speaks by me; his word is on my tongue.” (2 Sam. 23:2 ESV)

Words will flow like rivers of water!

“Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” (John 7:38 ESV)

The Word of God is living and active!

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb. 4:12 ESV)

And it will make you competent for every good work!

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.” (2 Tim. 3:16 ESV)

And your words will become powerful when they are under His control!

“And my speech and my message were not in plausible words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power.” (1 Cor. 2:4 ESV)

“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.” (Psalm 4:8 NIV)

When you trust in the Lord…

“You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.” (Prov. 3:24 NLT)

On the other hand, if you trust in your riches…

“People who work hard sleep well, whether they eat little or much. But the rich seldom get a good night's sleep.” (Eccles. 5:12 NLT)

“It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.” (Psalm 237:2-3 ESV)