A young man was stopped in a dark and narrow street by one who demanded his money or his life. His courageous and feeling heart at once distinguished the voice of misery from that crime, and he felt that he had before him a miserable fellow-creature whom he could receive.

"What is it you, unhappy man?" said he, in a commanding tone.

"Nothing, sir," replied the other, sobbing; "I seek nothing."

"Who are you? and what is your business?"

"I am a poor shoemaker, and I am unable to support my wife and for children."

"But are you speaking the truth?"  said the other (feeling pretty sure, however, that it was the truth).

"Where do you live?"

"In such a street, in the house of a baker."

"Come, let us see."

The shoemaker, subdued by his tones of authority, led the young man to the house. There was only a woman in the shop when they arrived.

"Do you know this man?" asked the stranger.

"Yes, sir; he is the shoemaker, who lives in the fifth story, and who has great difficulty in supporting his numerous family."

"Why do you let him want for bread?"

"Sir, we are young people, newly set up in business; we cannot advance much money, and my husband will not let me give this man credit for more than twenty-four hours."

"Give him two loaves. Here, take these loaves, and go up-stairs."

The shoemaker obeyed in great agitation.  When they entered the room, his wife and children eagerly devoured the food which was brought to them.  The young man had seen enough. He departed, leaving money with the baker's wife, and ordered her to provide the family with bread.  Some days later he returned and bidding the poor shoemaker follow him, he brought him to a shop well furnished with all the tools and implements belonging to his trade.

"Would you be an honest and contented man if this shop were yours?"

"Ah, sir, indeed I should."

After a few necessary preliminaries, the shoemaker was installed in the shop.

The author of this striking act of charity is a young man of twenty-seven, noted for piety. It is said that the establishment of this shoemaker cost him between three and four thousand francs.  His name is not known, and no one has yet succeeded in discovering who he is.

- Anecdotes and Incidents, Ecclesiastical and Religious. Burns & Lambert 1858

What I like about this story is that it records a great deed of kindness done by anonymous man to another anonymous man hundreds of years ago. We will never know the names of these men in this life, but God what transpired in the lives of these men for His divine purpose. 

Did God use this act of kindness for the poor shoemaker? The Breadmaker's husband? The unknown benefactor?, the writer that recorded this story?, or perhaps He was providing provision for one of the shoemaker's children that would grow up and do some great future work in God's plan. Perhaps this act of kindness was done for you to see so many years later to help a poor shoemaker that comes across your path today. This story illustrates how a good deed that you do in this life can reach out beyond your living years.

IN ALL MY YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE LORD

"In all of my years of service to my Lord, I have discovered a truth that has never failed and has never been compromised. That truth is that it is beyond the realm of possibilities that one has the ability to out give God. Even if I give the whole of my worth to Him, He will find a way to give back to me much more than I gave."

- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 

Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Apprentice_shoemaker.jpg

 "Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain." - Psalm 127:1 

A GOD THAT KNOWS HIS CREATION

"He telleth the the numbers of the stars; He calleth the stars by their names. Great is our Lord, and of great power: His understanding is infinite" 

- Psalm 147:4,5 

Astronomers today tell us that there may be more than 200 billion universes. That is quite a staggering number isn't it? If you were to count to 100 for each minute, of each hour, of each day, for 19 years, you will have counted to just "one" billion. 

There is a star, actually a "super giant" star called "Anteres." Think about this. Anteres is 390 times the size of the sun. That is 1.25 million times the size of our earth. If you were to take a hollow rubber ball and let it represent Anteres, and then you were to slice this rubber ball in half, this is what you could put inside it: Venus, Mercury, Mars, and the Earth, all could fit inside Anteres and continue their orbits around the sun, which you could also put inside the rubber ball. And as these planets could continue in their orbits around the sun they would never touch the inside of the rubber ball. Anteres can be seen in the constellation Scorpio, low on the summer horizon. Anteres is just one of the many stars that He calls by name. 

There are some stars that are 2000 times the size of the sun in our universe. Daniel 12:3 tells us, "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." The stars are innumerable, each one unique, each one with a divine purpose, just like you are in His sight. We can never reach them in this life, but in our glorified bodies, we shall have endless time to explore the infinite heavens. Heed the advice of Amos 5:8, "Seek Him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the faces of the earth: The Lord is His Name." 

THEY PASS THEMSELVES BY WONDERING

"People travel to wonder at the height of mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long courses of rivers, at the vast compass of the ocean, at the circular motion of the stars.... and they pass by themselves without wondering." 

- St. Augustine (354-430_ Theologian and Philosopher

IMAGE OF CHRIST FORMING WITHIN US

"The Image of Christ that is forming within us--that is life's one charge. Let every project stand aside for that. 'Till Christ be formed,' no man's work is finished, no religion crowned, no life has fulfilled its end. Is the infinite task begun? When, how, are we to be different? Time cannot change men. Death cannot change men. Christ can. Wherefore PUT ON CHRIST."

- Henry Drummond (1851-1897) Scottish Evangelist, Biologist

I COUNTED DOLLARS

I counted dollars, while God counted crosses,

I counted gains, while He counted losses,

I counted my worth by the things in store,

But He sized me up by the scars that I bore,

I coveted honors and sought for degrees,

He wept as He counted the hours on my knees,

I never knew till a day by a grave,

how vain are the things that we try to save,

I did not know till a friend went above,

that richest is he, that is riches in God's Love.

- Unknown

The longest prayer in the Bible is Nehemiah's prayer recorded in Nehemiah 9:5-38, having 1,213 words and 5,571 characters. 

MISUNDERSTOOD OLD MISER

An old man, of the name of Guyot, lived and died in the town of Marseilles, in France. He amassed a large fortune by the most laborious industry, and the severest habits of abstinence and privation. His neighbors considered him a miser, and thought that he was hoarding up money from mean and avaricious motives. The populous pursued him whenever he appeared with hootings and execrations, and the boys sometimes threw stones at him. He at length died, and in his will were found the following words:

"Having observed from my infancy that the poor of Marseilles are ill-supplied with water, which can only be purchased at a great price, I have cheerfully laboured the whole of my life to procure for them this great blessing; and I direct that the whole of my property shall be laid out in building an aqueduct for their use."

GOD'S PURPOSE AND OUR PRAYERS

"Can we believe that God ever really modifies His action in response to the suggestions of men?  For infinite wisdom does not need telling what is best, and infinite goodness needs no urging to do it.  But neither does God need any of those things that are done by finite agents, whether

living or inanimate.  He could, if He chose, repair our bodies miraculously without food; or give us food without the aid of farmers, bakers, and butchers, or knowledge without the aid of learned men; or convert the heathen without missionaries.  Instead, He allows soils and weather and animals and the muscles, minds, and wills of men to cooperate in the execution of His will...  It is not really stranger, nor less strange, that my prayers should affect the course of events than that my other actions should do so.  They have not advised or changed God' s mind-- that is, His overall purpose.  But that purpose will be realized in different ways according to the actions, including the prayers, of His creatures."

- From "The Efficacy of Prayer", by C. S. Lewis 

A GREAT MANY PEOPLE DO NOT PRAY

"A great many people do not pray because they do not feel any sense of need. The sign that the Holy Spirit is in us is that we realize that we are empty, not that we are full. We have a sense of absolute need. We come across people who try us, circumstances that are difficult, conditions that are perplexing, and all these things awaken a dumb sense of need, which is a sign that the Holy Spirit is there. If we are ever free from the sense of need, it is not because the Holy Spirit has satisfied us, but because we have been satisfied with as much as we have. ‘A man's reach should exceed his grasp.’ A sense of need is one of the greatest benedictions because it keeps our life rightly related to Jesus Christ." 

- Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) Scottish Evangelist

REGARDLESS OF WHETHER WE PRAY  

"The idea that everything would happen exactly as it does regardless of whether we pray or not is a specter that haunts the minds of many who sincerely profess belief in God. It makes prayer psychologically impossible, replacing it with dead ritual at best."  

- David Brainard (1718-1747) American Missionary to Native Indians 

THE HIGHEST KIND OF PRAYER  

"Every kind of prayer, not intercessory prayer only, which is the highest kind of prayer, but all prayer, from the lowest kind to the highest, is impossible in a life of known and allowed sin."  

- Alexander Whyte (11836-1921) Scottish Preacher

HELPING US THROUGH YOUR PRAYERS  

"You also joining in helping us through your prayers, so that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the favor bestowed on us through the prayers of many."  

- 2 Corinthians 1:11

WITH ALL PRAYER AND PETITION 

"With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints." 

 - Ephesians 6:18

PRAYERS ON BEHALF OF ALL MEN   

"First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men."  

- 1 Timothy 2:1

Photo Source: art.thewalters.org/detail/12881/woman-kneeling-in-prayer-2/

"Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness will find life, righteousness, and honor." - Proverbs 21:21

THE KINDNESS AND LOVE OF OUR GOD AND SAVIOR 

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior."  

- Titus 3:4-6

KINDNESS IS A FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT  

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  

- Galatians 5:22–23

ACCORDING TO YOUR LOVINGKINDNESS  

A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone into Bathsheba. Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions."  

- Psalm 51:1

THE LIMITLESS KINDNESS OF GOD  

"The word grace emphasizes at one and the same time the helpless poverty of man and the limitless kindness of God."  

- William Barclay (1907-1978) Church of Scotland Minister, Author

I HAVE DRAWN THEE WITH LOVINGKINDNESS  

"The Lord appeared to him from afar, saying, “I have loved you with an everlasting love; Therefore, I have drawn you with lovingkindness."  

- Hosea 11:4

NO MAN CAN DO ME A TRUER KINDNESS  

“No man can do me a truer kindness in this world than to pray for me.”   

- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 

GRACE MEANS UNDESERVED KINDNESS  

"Grace means undeserved kindness. It is the gift of God to man the moment he sees he is unworthy of God's favor."  

- D. L. Moody (1837-1899) American Evangelist, Teacher and Preacher

CLOTHE YOURSELVES WITH KINDNESS   

"Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."    

- Colossians 3:12

KINDNESS OF GOD IN YOUR DAILY LIFE  

"Seek to cultivate a buoyant, joyous sense of the crowded kindnesses of God in your daily life." 

- Alexander MacLaren (1826-1919) President Baptist World Congress

A SMALL UNKINDNESS IS A GREAT OFFENSE  

"Since trifles make the sum of human things, and half our misery from our foibles springs; since life's best joys consist in peace and ease, and few can save or serve, but all may please: let the ungentle spirit learn from thence, a small unkindness is a great offense."  

- Hannah More (1745-1833) English Religious Writer

THIS LAST KINDNESS GREATER THAN THE FIRST     

And he said, “May you be blessed by the LORD, my daughter. You have made this last kindness greater than the first in that you have not gone after young men, whether poor or rich."  

- Ruth 3:10

SO GREAT IS HIS LOVING KINDNESS  

"For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His loving kindness toward those who fear Him."  

- Psalm 103:11

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT WORKING IN US  

“By grace I understand the favor of God, and also the gifts and working of his Spirit in us; as love, kindness, patience, obedience, mercifulness, despising of worldly things, peace, concord, and such like.”   

- William Tindale (1494-1536) English Biblical Scholar

THE GREATNESS OF YOUR LOVING KINDNESS  

"Pardon, I pray, the iniquity of this people according to the greatness of Your lovingkindness, just as You also have forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now.”  

- Psalm 143:8 

MY LOVINGKINDNESS WILL NOT BE REMOVED FROM YOU  

“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, but My lovingkindness will not be removed from you, and My covenant of peace will not be shaken, Says the Lord who has compassion on you."  

- Isaiah 54:10

Photo Credit: myjewishlearning.com/article/valuing-kindness/

"Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness spring up to trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; " - Hebrews 12:15    

Bitterness is prominent in the body of Christ today. Bitterness at its core is unbelief. Feeling like God could have done something differently; or questions like; Why am alone? Why am I overlooked?  Why am I suffering? Thinking thoughts like; I deserve more than this and God doesn't care about me will bring bitterness to those who dwell on life through this lens. Many Christians fall away do to bitterness. God has a purpose for the things that cause you bitterness. Look for His eternal purpose when feelings of bitterness rise up within you.  

The word used for "bitterness" in this passage is "pikria", pronounced, "pik-ree'-ah"  The KJV translates Strong's G4088 in the following manner: bitterness (4x). as; bitter gall,  extreme wickedness, a bitter root, and so producing a bitter fruit metaph. bitterness, bitter hatred.  

TOO MANY CHRISTIANS BECOME BITTER    

"Too many Christians become bitter and angry in the conflict. If we descend into hatefulness, we have already lost the battle. We must cooperate with God in turning what was meant for evil into a greater good within us. This is why we bless those who would curse us: It is not only for their sakes but to preserve our own soul from its natural response toward hatred."     

- Francois Fenelon (1651-1715) French Catholic Archbishop   

THAT WHICH IS BITTER TO ENDURE    

"That which is bitter to endure may be sweet to remember."     

- Thomas Fuller (1608-1661) English Churchman, Historian     

POUR OUT OUR BITTERNESS    

"As we pour out our bitterness, God pours in his peace."    

- F. B. Meyer (1847-1929) Baptist Pastor and Evangelist   

WALK IN THE LIGHT    

"When you have learned to walk in the light of the Lord, bitterness and contention are impossible."    

- Oswald Chambers (1874-1917) Scottish Baptist Evangelist   

FAILED BENEATH BITTERNESS    

"Friendship is one of the sweetest joys of life.  Many might have failed beneath the bitterness of their trial had they not found a friend."    

- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher  

OUR SUFFERINGS WILL LOSE THEIR BITTERNESS    

"The sorest afflictions never appear intolerable, but when we see them in the wrong light; when we see them in the hand of God, who dispenses them; when we know that it is our loving Father who abases and distresses us; our sufferings will lose their bitterness and become even a matter of consolation."    

- Brother Lawrence (1611-1691) Lay Monk in Paris   

UNBELIEF STARVES THE SOUL     

"Faith makes all evil good to us, and all good better; unbelief makes all good evil, and all evil worse. Faith laughs at the shaking of the spear; unbelief trembles at the shaking of a leaf, unbelief starves the soul; faith finds food in famine, and a table in the wilderness. In the greatest danger, faith says, "I have a great God." When outward strength is broken, faith rests on the promises. In the midst of sorrow, faith draws the sting out of every trouble, and takes out the bitterness from every affliction."    

- Richard Cecil (1748–1810) Evangelical Anglican Clergyman    

MAN MAY TURN BITTER AND CROTCHETY  

"Nothing can alter the character of God. In the course of a human life, tastes and outlook and temper may change radically: a kin, equable man may turn bitter and crotchety: a man of good-will may grow cynical and callous. But nothing of this sort happens to the Creator."    

- J. I. Packer (1926-2020) Canadian Evangelical Theologian      

BITTERNESS IMPRISONS LIFE    

"Bitterness imprisons life; love releases it.   

Bitterness paralyzes life; love empowers it.   

Bitterness sickens life; love heals it.   

Bitterness blinds life; love anoints its eyes."     

- Harry Emerson Fosdick 1878-1969 American Pastor in Riverside Sermons     

LOVE MAKES BITTER THINGS SWEET    

"Love alone makes heavy burdens light and bears in equal balance things pleasing and displeasing. Love bears a heavy burden and does not feel it, and love makes bitter things tasteful and sweet."    

- Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274) Catholic Italian Theologian    

THE BITTEREST TEARS SHED    

"The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone."    

- Harriet Beecher Stowe (1811-1896) American Christian Writer 

THE END OF ALL THINGS IS NEAR

"The end of all things is near. Therefore, be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray."

- 1 Peter 4:7   

Photo Credit: biblefilms.blogspot.com/2011/01/

"That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises." - Hebrews 6:12

THE SLACK HAND WILL BE PUT TO FORCED LABOR

"The hand of the diligent will rule, but the slack hand will be put to forced labor."

- Proverbs 12:24

IDLENESS IS CONSTANT SIN

"Idleness is a constant sin, and labor is a duty. Idleness is the devil's home for temptation and for unprofitable, distracting musings; while labor profiteth others and ourselves."

- Richard Baxter (1615-1691) English Puritan Church Leader

DO NOT LOVE SLEEP  

"Do not love sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes, and you will be satisfied with food."  

- Proverbs 20:13

THE SLUGGARD IS WISER IN HIS OWN EYES  

"The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can give a discreet answer."  

- Proverbs 26:16

DOES NOT EAT OF THE BREAD OF IDLENESS  

"She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness."  

- Proverbs 31:27

BE LAZY AND BECOME A SLAVE 

"Work hard and become a leader; be lazy and become a slave."  

- Proverbs 12:24 

THE WAY OF THE LAZY  

"The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns, But the path of the upright is a highway."  

- Proverbs 15:19

THE DESIRE OF THE SLUGGARD  

"The desire of the sluggard puts him to death, for his hands refuse to work."  

- Proverbs 21:25

AS THE DOOR TURNS ON ITS HINGES  

"As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed."  

- Proverbs 26:14

HE WHO WORKS WITH A NEGLIGENT HAND 

 "Poor is he who works with a negligent hand, But the hand of the diligent makes rich."  

- Proverbs 10:4

THE FIELD OF THE SLUGGARD  

"I passed by the field of the sluggard and by the vineyard of the man lacking sense." 

- Proverbs 24:30

LIKE VINEGAR TO THE TEETH  

Like vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes, so is the lazy one to those who send him." 

- Proverbs 10:26

HE WHO IS SLACK IN HIS WORK  

He also who is slack in his work is brother to him who destroys."  

- Proverbs 18:9

A LAZY MAN BURIES HIS HAND  

“A lazy man buries his hand in the bowl and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.” 

- Proverbs 19:24 

LAZY PEOPLE, FOLLOW THE EXAMPLE OF THE ANT  

"You lazy people, you should watch what the ants do and learn from them. Ants have no ruler, no boss, and no leader. But in the summer, ants gather all of their food and save it. So when winter comes, there is plenty to eat. You lazy people, how long are you going to lie there? When will you get up?" 

- Proverbs 6:6-9

THE LAZY WILL COME TO RUIN 

 
"Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work." 

- Proverbs 21:25 

Photo Source: blog.adw.org/2020/01/a-study-of-sloth-in-the-life-of-lot-2/

"Therefore, I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand." - Matthew 13:13

References to sheep are found throughout the entire Bible. Sheep were often used as sacrificial animals (Numbers 28:4; Exodus 29:39). They were also a primary source of income in Biblical times as well as today. Sheep are also used symbolically to represent God’s people (Matthew 25:32). The Bible even refers to Jesus Christ as the “Lamb of God” that takes away the sin of the world. (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:19).

ALL WE LIKE SHEEP HAVE GONE ASTRAY

"All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, everyone, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all."

- Isaiah 53:6

10 THINGS COMMON TO SHEEP  

Sheep have no sense of direction. 

Sheep follow others blindly.  

Sheep are not meant to carry burdens. 

Sheep will settle for less. 

Sheep are defenseless. 

Sheep can’t get up without help. 

Sheep are valuable. 

Sheep are innocent. 

Sheep can not care for themselves when wounded. 

Sheep are emotional and recognize the shepherd’s voice.

SO I SACRAFICE MY LIFE FOR THE SHEEP  

"Just as my Father knows me and I know the Father. So I sacrifice my life for the sheep."  

- John 10:15

THE GOOD SHEPHERD LAYS DOWN HIS LIFE  

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." 

- John 10:10-11

THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

- Psalm 23

THE SHEPHERD IS FAR MORE WILLING

"Experience has taught me that the Shepherd is far more willing to show His sheep the path than the sheep are to follow. He is endlessly merciful, patient, tender, and loving. If we, His stupid and wayward sheep, really want to be led, we will without fail be led. Of that I am sure."

- Elisabeth Elliot (1926-2015) Christian Missionary and Writer

MY SHEEP LISTEN TO MY VOICE 

"But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me."  

- John 10:26-28 

HE TENDS HIS FLOCK LIKE A SHEPHERD 

"Yes, the Sovereign LORD is coming in power. He will rule with a powerful arm. See, He brings his reward with him as he comes. He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young."  

- Isaiah 40:10-11

BELIEVERS ARE NOT COMPARED TO BEARS OR LIONS

"Some Christians try to go to heaven alone, in solitude. But believers are not compared to bears or lions or other animals that wander alone. Those who belong to Christ are sheep in this respect, that they love to get together. Sheep go in flocks, and so do God's people."

- Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892) English Baptist Preacher 

YOU ARE MY FLOCK, THE SHEEP OF MY PASTURE  

"In this way, they will know that I, the LORD their God, am with them. And they will know that they, the people of Israel, are my people, says the Sovereign LORD. You are my flock, the sheep of my pasture. You are my people, and I am your God. I, the Sovereign LORD, have spoken!” 

 - Ezekiel 34:30-31

THE SHEPHERD SEPERATES THE SHEEP FROM THE GOATS 

"All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." 

 - Matthew 25:32-34

SENDING YOU OUT AS SHEEP AMONG WOLVES  

“Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves."  

- Matthew 10:16

Photo Source: https: popularmechanics.com/science/health/a234/1282186/

"Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, and revive me in Your ways." - Psalm 119:37

VANITY AND STRIVING AGAINST THE WIND  

"I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind."  

- Psalm 12:2

FOR THIS TOO IS VANITY  

"There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind." 

 - Ecclesiastes 4:16

ALL BESIDES IS BUT FOLLY AND VANITY  

"Let us think often that our only business in this life is to please God. Perhaps all besides is but folly and vanity."  

- Brother Lawrence (1611-1691) Lay Monk in Paris 

MADE US SEE THE VANITY OF IT  

"Whatsoever we have over-loved, idolized, and leaned upon, God has from time to time broken it, and made us to see the vanity of it; so that we find the readiest course to be rid our comforts is to set our hearts inordinately or immoderately upon them."  

- John Flavel (c1627-1691) English Puritan Minister

THE WORLD AND ITS VANITIES  

"The churchyard is the marketplace where all things are rated at their true value, and those who are approaching it talk of the world and its vanities with a wisdom unknown before." 

- Richard Baxter (1615-1691) English Puritan Church Leader

FILLED UP WITH VANITY AND FOLLY  

"Those years, months, weeks, days, and hours, that are not filled up with God, with Christ, with grace, and with duty, will certainly be filled up with vanity and folly. The neglect of one day, of one duty of one hour, would undo us, if we had not an Advocate with the Father."  

- Thomas Brooks (1608-1680) Puritan Preacher and Writer

DRAW THEE OUT THE VANITY  

"When therefore the first spark of a desire after God arises in thy soul, cherish it with all thy care, give all thy heart into it; it is nothing less than a touch of the divine loadstone, that is to draw thee out of the vanity of time, into the riches of eternity." 

- William Law (1686-1761) Church of England Cleric

IF IT BE WITHOUT VANITY 

"Great knowledge, if it be without vanity, is the most severe bridle of the tongue. For so have I heard that all the noises and prating of the pool, the croaking of frogs and toads, are hushed and appeased upon the bringing upon them the light of a candle or torch. Every beam of reason and ray of knowledge checks the dissolution of the tongue."  

- Jeremy Taylor (1613-1667) Church of England Cleric

SPENT MY STRENGTH FOR VANITY  

But I said, “I have labored in vain; I have spent my strength for nothing and vanity; yet surely my right is with the LORD, and my recompense with my God.”  

- Isaiah 49:4

THIS ALSO IS VANITY 

  
"He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity."  

- Ecclesiastes 5:10 

Photo Credit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Antonio_de_Pereda_-_Allegory_of_Vanity_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg