Greatest Victory Of All

by Kay Heitsch

But what appeared to be a defeat was actually the greatest victory of all. ~ Eugene Peterson ~

That's exactly what happened at Easter. Everyone thought Jesus was dead. It appeared to be a defeat. BUT...it was actually the greatest victory for all of us.

Our Bible verse says, "Jesus told her, "I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying." John 11:25 NLT

Death appears to be a defeat! However, because of what Jesus did for us it is not! Yes, we may die physically but that is not the end! Anyone who believes in Jesus will live eternally with Him, even after dying.

Good Friday

by Kay Heitsch

Good Friday is a day that is uncomfortable for most of us. We all love Easter but Good Friday is a day we'd rather not think about. However, there would be no Easter without Good Friday.

It's hard to comprehend that the Creator of the universe (see Hebrews 1:2) would come to this earth and live and die a horrible death on the cross for our sins. Why would He do that?  So that we could have eternal life with Him. 

What always gets me is what Jesus said hanging on the cross, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." Luke 23:34 Good Friday shows the great LOVE and forgiveness Jesus had for each and every one of us.

Jesus last words were "It is finished!" John 19:28 Yes, it is finished! We can't add anything to what Jesus did for us! He's done everything that needed to be done.

It's Friday BUT Sunday is coming!

LOVE

LOVE by Kay Heitsch

LOVE is when a Man wipes your tears, even after you left Him hanging on the cross for your sins. ~ Good Friday Quotes ~

It was not the nails that kept Jesus on the cross. It was His LOVE that He had for each one of us.

Our Bible verses today say, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life." John 3:16 NLT "There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends." John 15:13

On this Good Friday, let's not forget the awesome love it took to lay down His life for us to have eternal life. It was not the nails that kept Jesus on that cross. It was His LOVE!

Learn Something New Every Day

by Kay Heitsch

You can learn something new every day if you listen. Every day is a new opportunity to learn. ~ Learn Something New Quotes ~

Last week I heard that successful people make it a habit to learn something new every day. I thought that was very interesting.

Our Bible verses say, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My loving eye on you." Psalm 32:8 Always remember what you have learned. Your education is your life--guard it well. Proverbs 4:13

If we will listen we can learn something new every day. The Lord will instruct and teach us in a loving way. We need to always remember what we have learned. Our education is our life. We need to guard it well.

What will we learn today?

Life Is What We Make It

by Kay Heitsch

Grandma Moses said something that I find very true. She said, "Life is what we make it. Always has been, always will be."

I love another quote by Viktor Frankl who was in a concentration camp. He stated, "Everything can be taken from a man but the last of the human freedoms-to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances."

This Bible verse opened my eyes to a new way to live. "For God has not given
us a spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control." 2 Timothy 1:7

When we understand that God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control we can choose our attitude in any given situation.

Life is what we make it. Always has been, always will be.

Show Love

by Kay Heitsch

Whether the sky is blue or grey we can show love every day. Rainy Day Quotes

Rainy days get some people down. So be helpful. If you see someone without a smile give them one of yours. A smile is a symbol of love, peace, and friendship.

Our Bible verse says, "This is my command: Love each other." John 15:17

No matter the color of the sky we can be helpful by showing love and sharing our smiles.

Freedom To Be Yourself

by Kay Heitsch

There's no greater freedom than to be yourself. Give yourself that gift. ~ Be Yourself Quotes ~

I've been watching American Idol. What I've noticed is that the judges are telling the contestants not to copy the original artist. They want the contestants to be themselves and to make the song their own.

Our Bible verse says, "Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous--how well I know it." Psalm 139:14 NLT

You were born to be an original. There is no one else exactly like you. There's no greater freedom than to be yourself. Give yourself that gift.

A Warm Smile

by Kay Heitsch

A warm smile is the universal language of kindness. ~ Smile Quotes.

I heard a message today about being kind to people who haven't been kind to us. In the message, a text was used about how much a smile can mean.

Here's the text. ...And what a relief to see your friendly smile. It is like seeing the face of God! Genesis 33:10 NLT

Wow, who would have thought that sharing a friendly smile could be like seeing the face of God?

Let's remember a warm smile is the universal language of kindness. When we smile we are showing God's love to others.

"Good Morning"

by Kay Heitsch

May your day be filled with good thoughts, kind people, and happy moments. ~ Good Morning Quotes ~

As I was hanging the birdfeeder out this morning our neighbors were pulling out of their driveway. I smiled and waved. They, in turn, rolled down their window and called, "Good Morning!" I had a warm and happy feeling just hearing the simple words, "Good Morning."

Our Bible verse says, "Kind words are like honey--sweet to the taste and good for your health." Proverbs 16:24 GNT

How true this verse is. A simple "Good Morning" was like honey. The words were sweet and I felt good just hearing them.

May your day be filled with good thoughts, kind people, and happy moments.

You Never Know

by Kay Heitsch

Be kind. You never know what someone else is going through. ~ Quotes ~

The people around you may look fine, but you have no idea what may be going on in their lives.

I belong to Planet Fitness. I talk to people almost every time I'm there who look fine on the outside. However, once I learn a little about them I find out that looks can be deceiving. Other people come in Planet Fitness with walkers, canes, and wheelchairs. It's obvious they've been through a difficult time.

I've met some people who seem to have a negative opinion about everything and everyone. If they would stop and get to know a tiny bit about other people's lives they may choose to be kind.

We never know what we may be going through before our lives are over. How would we want to be treated when life throws us a curve ball? This text is good to remember.  "Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. Luke 6:31

Be kind. You never know what someone else is going through.

The Things We Take For Granted

 by Kay Heitsch

The things we take for granted someone else is praying for. ~ Quotes ~

There are so many things we take for granted. Most of us take for granted that we will put our feet on the floor in the morning and walk. Some people can't walk and are praying that they will one day. We put food in our mouths and expect to swallow. Some people live with a feeding tube. The list goes on and on.

Our Bible verses say, "But don't take any of this for granted." You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! (see Ephesians 2:11 MSG James 4:14 BSB )

We never know what tomorrow may bring. We may be the one praying for something that we have taken for granted today.

Be Strong! Don't Give Up!

by Kay Heitsch

Every champion was once a contender who refused to give up. ~ Exchange Quotes ~

We all get tired at times and feel like giving up. But if we keep in mind what we want most we won't exchange it for how we feel at the moment.

Our Bible verse says, "But as for you, be strong and do not give up, for your work will be rewarded." 2 Chronicles 15:7 NIV

It doesn't matter what other people do. This verse says, But as for you, be strong and do not give up. Why? Because your work will be rewarded.

If we want to be a champion we need to be strong and refuse to give up.

Your Best Days

 by Kay Heitsch

Stay Positive! Some of your best days haven't happened yet. Inspirational Quotes

I feel encouraged when I think that some of my best days haven't happened yet.

Our Bible verse says, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:19 NIV

No matter how much our lives may seem like a wilderness or a wasteland we know the Lord is always doing something new.

We can stay positive! Because some of our best days haven't happened yet.

Never Too Old

by Kay Heitsch

You're never too old to learn something new and make the rest of your life the best of your life. ~Never Too Old Quotes ~

Since today is my birthday I looked under "Never Too Old" quotes. Some things were pretty funny and several were wise.

Today's Bible verse says, "Do not call to mind the former things, Or ponder things of the past. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Isaiah 43:18 & 19 CSB

We may need to stop pondering the things of the past and look for something new that is coming.

We are never too old to start a new goal and dream a new dream. We are never too old to learn something new and to make the rest of our life the best of our life.

Braver, Stronger, Smarter and Loved

by Kay Heitsch

You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, smarter than you think, and loved more than you know. ~ Quotes

I think we underestimate ourselves at times. We don't need a higher opinion of ourselves than we should, but neither should we look down on ourselves.

Our Bible verses tell us, "But in all these things, we more than conquer through the One who loved us. Romans 8:37 "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Psalm 139:14."I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness." Jeremiah 31:3

There we have it! We are "Braver" because we are more than a conquer. We're "Stronger" because Christ gives us the strength. We're "Smarter" because we are wonderfully made. And most of all "Loved" because we have been loved with an everlasting love.

Listen

by Kay Heitsch

The quieter you become the more you will hear. There's a voice that doesn't use words...listen. Listen Quotes

Years ago I would get up very early in the morning. We had a houseful of foster children and I wanted some quiet time. It was amazing the things I heard and felt in my heart when I was quiet and listened.

Here are today's Bible verses. And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 1 Kings 19:12 KJV There was silence, then I heard a voice: Job 4:16

We may be going through what seems like an earthquake and fire but if we are quiet we will hear a still small voice when we listen.

We Have Options

by Kay Heitsch

Choices, options, decisions abound. May your choice reflect your hopes, not your fears. Options Quotes

Today when I came downstairs I found out that our dishwasher had malfunctioned. When I saw the mess I knew I had to make a decision on how I was going to handle it. I had options!

What were my options? I could get upset which is pretty natural for me. Or I could decide to clean it up and start to bail the water out with a semi-good attitude. I could hope nothing serious was wrong. Or I could fear the worst.

Today's Bible verse is "This is the day which the LORD has made; Let us rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24 NASB

Choices, options, decisions abound! May your choices reflect your hopes, not your fears.

When we remember the LORD has made this day we can rejoice and be glad in it no matter what is going on. We have that option!

Watch Your Attitude

by Kay Heitsch

Watch your attitude. It's the first thing people notice about you. Joyful Heart Quotes

We can't control every situation in life but we can control our attitude on how we're going to handle it.

People do notice our attitude whether we think they do or not. Our attitude speaks loud and clear.

Our Bible verse says, "You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had." Philippians 2:5 NLT

If we want to have the same attitude like Jesus and a joyful heart we need to watch our attitude. It is the first thing people notice. We may not be able to control every situation but we can control our attitude.

Never Ending Love

by Kay Heitsch

God's love for us is like the decimals in Pi...never-ending. ~ Quotes

Today is Pi Day. I'm not big in math so I looked up information about Pi. Here is what it said. "Because Pi is known to be an irrational number it means that the digits never end or repeat in any known way. But calculating the digits of Pi has proven to be a fascination for mathematicians throughout history. Some spent their lives calculating the digits of Pi, but until computers, less than 1,000 digits had been calculated."

As amazing as this is God's love for each of us is also never-ending. In Jeremiah 31:3 it says, "I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

God's love for us is like the decimals in Pi...never-ending.

What Could Go Right

by Kay Heitsch

Stop worrying about what could go wrong and start thinking about what could go right. ~ What Could Go Right Quotes ~

The other day I heard a crazy statistic about how many people suffer from anxiety. I wonder if they stopped worrying about what could go wrong and started to think about what could go right if this change in thought wouldn't help with this problem.

Our Bible verses says, "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." Philippians 4:6 "Don't be afraid; just believe." Mark 5:36

Let's stop worrying and being afraid of what could go wrong and start thinking and believing about what could go right.

What's Growing In Your Garden?

by Kay Heitsch

The mind is a garden your thoughts are the seeds...you can grow flowers, or you can grow weeds. ~ Quotes ~

We need to be careful what seeds we allow to grow and to take root. Not all seeds will bear flowers or good fruit.

Our Bible verse tells us, "Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts." Proverbs 4:23 GNT

We do need to be careful how we think and what we allow to take root in our minds. Our minds are like a garden and our thoughts are like seeds. We can grow flowers or we can grow weeds.

I Do What I Want

by Kay Heitsch

We are free to choose but we are not free from the consequences of our choices. ~ I Do What I Want Quotes ~

Years ago I found the following Bible verse, "You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is good for you. You say, "I am allowed to do anything"--but not everything is beneficial." 1 Corinthians 10:23 NLT

We are free to eat whatever we want, but then we pay the consequences if we eat the wrong foods. We're free to worry and stress, but we are not free from the consequences of worry or stress. Our choices are endless. 

We are free to do what we want. But we will soon find out that not everything we choose is good or beneficial. Let's do what we want by choosing what is good and beneficial for us.

Potholes In The Road

by Kay Heitsch

Stop worrying about the potholes in the road and enjoy the journey. Stress-Free Quotes

It's hard to enjoy the journey when we are always looking at the potholes in life. We stress about what's wrong now or what could go wrong in the future.

Our Bible verse says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." John 10:10 ESV

We can enjoy the journey and stop worrying about the potholes when we live the abundant life that Jesus came to give us.

Enjoy Life More

by Kay Heitsch

Life is like a road trip - we'll enjoy the journey more if we don't carry too much baggage. ~ Quotes ~

As we journey through life we will enjoy it more if we don't drag along too much baggage. Too much baggage are the feelings you have about your past and the things that have happened to you, which often have a negative effect on your behavior and attitudes.

Our Bible verse today will help us enjoy life more it says, "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." Philippians 4:8 NLT

As we journey through life let's fix our thought on things that are excellent and worthy of praise. We will enjoy life more if we don't carry too much baggage.

What Do You Hear?

 by Kay Heitsch

You can learn something new every day if you listen. ~ Quotes ~

There's a story about a Native American walking in New York City with a friend. The streets were filled with people and cars were honking. All of a sudden the Native American said, "I hear a cricket."

His friend responded, "Are you crazy? You couldn't possibly hear a cricket in all this noise."

The Native American walked across the street to a bush and found the cricket.

“That’s incredible,” his friend said. “You must have superhuman ears!”

“No,” the Native American said. “My ears are no different from yours. It all depends on what you’re listening for.”

He reached into his pocket, pulled out a few coins, and discreetly dropped them on the sidewalk. Even with all the noise of the city people's heads turned to see if the money was theirs.

What we hear and see depends on what's important to us.

Our Bible verse says, "Ears that hear and eyes that see-- the LORD has made them both." Proverbs 20:12.

The LORD has given us ears and eyes. We can learn something new every day if we will look and listen.

Always Be Right

 by Kay Heitsch

If you have to choose between being kind or being right, choose being kind and you'll always be right. Quotes

We all want to be right. But being right is highly overrated if we are not kind.

Our Bible verse says, "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." Ephesians 4:32 NIV

If we choose to be kind, compassionate and forgiving we can always be right.

Unknown Blessings

by Kay Heitsch

Give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. Thank You Quotes

What a great idea to give thanks for unknown blessings already on their way. Very often we pray for things we want. However, I had not thought of thanking God for blessings already on their way before.

Our Bible verse today says, Never give up praying. And when you pray, keep alert and be thankful. Colossians 4:2 CEV

If we never give up praying we can also give thanks for unknown blessings. We can keep alert and look forward to blessings that are coming our way.

Change Your Mind

by Kay Heitsch

If you truly want to change your life, you must first be willing to change your mind. ~ Change Your Mind Quotes ~

Believe it or not, I used to despise exercise of any kind. I would always say, "I'd rather starve myself to death to stay thin than exercise." But I had a change of mind.

Our son Todd was a runner. One day after a race I told him that I would run the next race to prove to him that I could do it. However, when the next race came Todd had died in a car accident. A couple of Todd's friends knew I'd said this so they encouraged me to keep my commitment.

What had I gotten myself into? I went out and bought a cassette tape called, "Enjoy Exercise." I listened to it many times and it helped me change my mind about exercise and I did run the race.

Today's Bible verse says, Be renewed in your mental attitude, Ephesians 4:23 This is talking spiritually but it can be applied to our natural life as well.

We need to renew our minds if we truly want to change our lives. If we keep the old mental attitude we may never see any change. But who knows with a renewed mental attitude we might surprise ourselves and even enjoy exercise. 

Goodbye! Hello!

by Kay Heitsch

If you're brave enough to say goodbye, life will reward you with a new hello. ~ Quotes ~

There are many things we could say goodbye to that would make our life much better. Let's say goodbye to complaining, anger, worry, guilt, etc etc. And say hello to hope, joy, gratitude, kindness etc.

Our Bible verse says, "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, Philippians 3:13 NIV

When we are brave enough to say goodbye to things that are holding us back we can then be rewarded with a new hello to happier a life.

Speed Doesn't Matter

by Kay Heitsch

Believe that you can and you're halfway there. Speed doesn't matter, forward is forward. Quotes

I read the following quote and I really like it. "Good things happen to those who believe. Better things happen to those who are patient. And the best things happen to those who don't give up."

Our Bible verse says, "This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9 NLT

When we live knowing the Lord is with us we can be strong and courageous. We don't have to be afraid or discouraged. We know the best things happen to those who don't give up. It won't matter how fast we go because speed doesn't matter, forward is forward.

Knock The "T" Off

by Kay Heitsch

Eliminate the word "can't" and you'll be amazed at what you can do. ~ Inspirational Quotes ~

Dr. Norman V. Peale talked about a teacher he had in grade school. He said this man would write the word CAN'T on the blackboard then he'd ask. "What shall I do now?" The students would answer, "Knock the "T" off the can't!" With a sweeping gesture, he would erase the "T." And, pointing his big forefinger at them, he would add in a growling voice, “Don’t you ever forget it either.”

Our Bible verse says, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Philippians 4:13 WEB

We will be amazed at what we can do when we eliminate the word "can't" from our thinking. Let's never forget, to knock the "T" off the can't and rely on Christ to give us the strength to do whatever He calls us to do.

Expect Something Good

by Kay Heitsch

Wake up each morning with a thankful attitude. Expect something good to happen in your life today. ~ Quotes ~

No matter what we are going through we all have many things to be thankful for. When we add expecting something good to happen to our thankful attitude this will energize our day.

Our Bible verse is one of my favorites. "Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the LORD's favor in the land of the living?" Psalm 27:13 NET Bible

This verse helps us see that we should believe to experience the LORD's favor right here on this earth. We can add enthusiasm and energize our day when we wake up each morning with a thankful attitude expecting something good to happen.

Eyes To See

Eyes To See by Kay Heitsch

God gives us eyes to see the beauty in nature... and hearts to see the beauty in each other. March Quotes

For those of us who live where we have 4 seasons, we look forward to March. We check to see if any spring flowers are coming up. We look for the first Robin to appear. We love to see the beauty in nature. But we also have eyes of the heart. Do we look for the beauty in others and also in ourselves?

Our Bible verse says, "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened..."  Ephesians 1:18

As we pray that the eyes of our hearts are enlightened we will see the beauty in nature and also the beauty in each other.