Quotes from Deborah Smith Pegues

Don't let fear of other people's reactions or rejection paralyze you from moving forward. You are more valuable than you think. Besides, you have powerful friends in high places—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit!

The LORD detests lying lips, but he delights in men who are truthful. PROVERBS 12:22

And since "God shows personal favoritism to no man" (Galatians 2:6), nothing and no one can block my destiny.

Everything good that is happening to us is all by the grace of God.

I believe a time will come in every Christian's life where the key to their survival will depend on their relationship with the Lord.

You never know how a person you meet will impact your destiny. Reach out with an intent to serve, and see where that will take you.

B]y not standing firm and by not exercising tough love, we often cause the figurative "death" of others and sometimes ourselves, our goals, our destiny.

Peter warns us, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech" (1 PETER 3:10).

Engaging in deceitfulness is a slap in God's face and has dire consequences. When we make a choice not to trust Him to handle a situation, we, in essence, decide He is a liar and will renege on His promise to meet every need. We then proceed to make our own way by any means necessary—even being deceptive. In doing so we forfeit the good life God had planned for us.

Don't be a boss basher. One day you may be the boss. Don't be a company basher. If the company is so bad, why

Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue" (PSALM 120:2 KJV).

My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse" (PROVERBS 8:7-8).

These people…flatter others to get favors in return. JUDE 1:16 NLT

Obedience is the performance of a request, but submission comes from the heart.

The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips…" (PSALM 12:3 KJV). Is flattery worth being cut off from the blessings of God?

I will show partiality to no one, nor will I flatter any man; for if I were skilled in flattery, my Maker would soon take me away" (JOB 32:21-22).

Then Delilah pouted, "How can you say you love me when you don't confide in me? You've made fun of me three times now, and you still haven't told me what makes you so strong!" JUDGES 16:15 NLT

One day during an event in which the Philistines were making sport of him, he stood between two temple pillars, prayed for one last infusion of supernatural strength, and literally brought the house down (see JUDGES 16). The collapsing structure killed him and more than 3000 spectators and government officials. This was the tragic end of a strong man who was weakened by a manipulative woman. Manipulation can destroy not only a relationship but also a person's life.

To hide hatred is to be a liar; to slander is to be a fool. PROVERBS 10:18 NLT

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill? He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman (PSALM 15:1-3).

The LORD Almighty has spoken—who can change his plans? When his hand moves, who can stop him? (ISAIAH 14:27 NLT).

refuse to be a slanderer. I will use Philippians 4:8 as my conversation sifter. Therefore, whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy about someone, I comment only on these things.

TODAY'S AFFIRMATION: Because I am in right standing with God, He surrounds me with favor. Therefore, I have no need to manipulate anyone for personal gain or advantage.

Be humble. Don't brag about your position, possessions, people you know, or places you've traveled. Humility tops the chart as the most admired character trait. Pride and arrogance are the most detestable.