Thread: A Quote To Start Your Day And Think Outside The Box

"Are You Ready To Grow?"

I have grown up listening to my father's stories of living on a farm. He plowed the fields and helped prepare the soil for planting various kinds of produce and tobacco. In preparing the field he knew that the fertility of the ground would determine the growth of the crop. Are you planted in fertile ground? Do you want to grow in Christ?

We need to be planted in fertile soil for us to grow to our full potential. We can't solely depend on ourselves for growth. We need other believers around us to help nurture and feed us. Being planted in a church is equal to a seedling receiving care in a nursery. Find a church home that will nurture and assist in your optimum growth. God views us as the produce on His farm. He desires for us to mature and grow. When planted in the right environment we yield good fruit for God's kingdom.


Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful, but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he mediates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper.


Holy Spirit Inspired, Written by L. Brown Jr

"Who Are You Faithful To?"

Many of us belong to more than one organization. Some of us have strong ties to one ethnicity or classify ourselves as multicultural. We may also represent several pockets of the larger society. At one time or another, one affiliation may influence or overshadow the others. An allegiance to one part of self can cause an internal conflict. How do you define yourself? Is there one part of you that you are most faithful to?

Above all things, God desires for us to be faithful to Him. Our relationship with Him should be our primary source of definition. Regardless of our worldly associations, our allegiance to Christ is the most important. Be faithful to God. Align your identity with His. Being faithful to God, reconciles and unites the other parts of self and makes us whole.


Psalm 31:23 Oh, love the Lord, all you His saints! For the Lord preserves the faithful, and fully repays the proud person.

Holy Spirit Inspired, Written by L. Brown Jr

"Can You Hear God Talking?"

Being first time parents, my wife and I have a very keen sense of hearing. Anything that remotely sounds like our daughter crying or talking perts us up. Sometimes, we turn everything off to make sure that it is her and not our paranoia. Even when listening to the radio or watching t.v. we can hear her faint sounds and rumblings. Are you having a problem hearing from God? Will you eliminate the sounds around you to hear His voice?

God is constantly talking to us. He talks to us with a small, still voice. We must diligently listen for Him. Eliminate the distractions around you that hinder you from hearing Him. When we hear what He is saying, He will direct and order our steps.


Deuteronomy 28:1-2 Now it shall come to pass, if you diligently obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe carefully all His commandments which I command you today, that the Lord your God will set you high above all nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, because you obey the voice of the Lord your God:

Holy Spirit Inspired, Written by L. Brown Jr

GREAT STUFF!!!

I like this one from Shel Silverstein!

♫ “Listen to the mustn'ts, child.
Listen to the don'ts.
Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts.
Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me...
Anything can happen, child.
Anything can be.”

Honestly I am amazed this thread has not been shut down due to its Christian angle. I guess the thought police are napping or don't mind anymore.

"Are You Willing To Break It Off?"

Anyone who has been in long term relationship knows how hard it is to break it off. Regardless if it is a friendship, love or work relationship the time spent in it makes it extremely hard to let go. Even when that relationship has been hurtful, damaging or destructive it is it takes a lot to finally severe the ties. Are you in a relationship that isn't good for you? Are you waiting for it to get better while it is continuing to get worse?

God desires for us to have fruitful and purposeful relationships. When we are open to unfruitful relationships that foster destructive behaviors we allow ourselves to be hurt. This usually happens when we love our relationships with the world more than we do God. God wants for us to harbor love, joy, peace and kindness. The world desires for us to harbor lust, hatred, idolatry and jealousies. Choose to break your relationships off with the world today. When we choose God's will over the will of the world we will be honored with everlasting life.

I John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world-the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life-is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.


Holy Spirit Inspired, Written by L. Brown Jr

"Does Your Campaign Come From Your Pain?"


Life doesn't always go as planned. Sometimes we are the subject of heartache and pain. We can put forth a grand effort and do our very best, and still have unexpected catastrophes. We can also be challenged by conditions we have no control over. Are you asking, "Why me"? Are you willing to allow your misery to be your ministry?

God has ordained us to conquer the same obstacle that is trying to devour us. A conqueror overcomes the trials and tribulations that life brings. In most cases, it is not until we are passionate enough to fight our strong holds, that a contagious revolutionary effect occurs. Use your pain as a victory campaign. Don't let barriers stop you from moving toward the finish line. Your decision to be steadfast can encourage someone to keep fighting in spite of their obstacles.


Romans 8:37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors though him that loved us.


Holy Spirit Inspired, Written by L. Brown Jr

"Are You In The Fight Of Your Life?"

In life, it seems as if we are always in an uphill battle. After reaching one milestone, we have another to pursue. Regardless, of the peak of the mountain or the depth of the valley, we must press forward to reach our next milestone. Sometimes do you feel like giving up? Are you fighting for your life?

Don't give up. To achieve success, you can't give in. Most often it is up to you to move your health, ministry, marriage or business to new heights. Anything that is valuable is worth fighting for. Stay persistent. Be focused. Your determination to not to give up, will give you the stamina to achieve what you are fighting for.

Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Holy Spirit Inspired, Written by L. Brown Jr

"Can You Pray For Your Enemy?"

Almost every action flick has a hero and his/her arch nemesis. However, real life battle is much different. Contrary to fictional depictions of battle, sometimes it is difficult to define "the enemy". A war veteran friend of mine still view his enemy as those he fought during combat. Although he is no longer in active duty he still describes himself as a soldier and has difficulty praying for his enemy. Whose battle are you fighting? Do you pray for your enemies?

Regardless if you are a civilian or in the military, we are in a spiritual war. In a battle there are two positions, advance or retreat. God uses His believers as His soldiers. Soldiers follow commands from the one in charge. God has ordered us to love our enemies. It is not important who stands in our opposition. What is important is that we advance God's kingdom and push the enemy to retreat. When we follow God's commands and love our enemies we fight for righteousness.

2 Chronicles 20:15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. (New International Version)

Holy Spirit Inspired, Written by L. Brown Jr

"Will You Fall Into The Gap?"

The golden rule of my youth was, "protect and watch your brother". As the older brother, it was intrinsic for me to stick up for him when he couldn't fend for himself. No matter the situation, I always had my brother's back. Do you fight for those who can't stand up for themselves? Are you willing to stand in the gap for someone?

Jesus Christ was the ultimate gap filler. He stood in the gap for us on Calvary. He paid the price for our lives with His. It was His sacrifice that gives us the greatest opportunities available. Stand up for someone who is not able to stand for themselves. There are many people who lack the resources, courage, or power to fight opposing forces. Stand in the gap, one day you may need someone to do the same for you.

Ezekiel 22:30 So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

Holy Spirit Inspired, Written by L. Brown Jr

Good stuff bro, thanks for sharing.