Rejoice

Posted on 2013/5/24/ by June

by Skip Moen

“Wherein you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while you have been distressed” 1 Peter 1:6

Rejoice – In Greek the word is agalliasthe. It comes from agan (meaning “much“) and hallomai (“to leap“). Literally, “much jumping“. We have the expression “jump for joy“. Now you know where it came from. It is ecstatic (also a Greek word) delight shown by jumping and dancing. This news is so terrific that we have to jump up and dance around.

Have you ever been to a celebration of earth-shattering good news? My parents experienced the announcement of VE Day and VJ Day. I’ve seen the pictures of jubilation, dancing in the street, kissing strangers, hugs, tears. The war was over. That might have been the last time that the world celebrated together. Today wars are already fodder for political commentaries before we have a chance to be relieved. Or wars become the focus of a national hemorrhage bleeding from generation to generation. Vietnam was like that. We never reached the point of celebration.

Peter tells us that our personal war with God is over. The good news needs to be celebrated. Our devastated lives have been rescued from certain destruction by God’s saving grace. Let the victory dance begin.

There have been many days in my life when I knew the ravages of war, physically, emotionally and spiritually. Those days have shaped me into who I am now. Thank God He has the ability to handle a complete reconstruction plan. I need it desperately. Now I know that my wounds are being healed. I can look up and see the parade. I hear the choir of angels singing God’s victory anthem. I am looking forward to the dance. It took all my life to get there. Jumping will feel so good.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/05/24/sm_rejoice/

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I Set My Heart on God

Posted on 2013/5/24/ by June

by Helen Grace Lescheid

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation”
(Isaiah 12:2).

In my home I have a small dial on the wall that automatically regulates the temperature in a room. When a room is too hot or too cold, I check to see if it is set correctly. Then I adjust it according to my wishes. And soon the atmosphere in my home changes.

I find this principle works also in the spiritual realm. Each morning I need to check the temperature of my heart and reset my internal thermostat.

How? By starting the day, not with the newspaper or with some urgent thing to do, but with a Scripture that will set my heart and mind on God. For instance, Isaiah 12 has often been my thermostat regulator. I say the words out loud as I seek to set my heart on God.

“Today I will praise you, O LORD“… I may feel discouraged but I will praise You anyway.

With joy I will draw water from the wells of salvation –God’s well never dries up. Therefore I will have all the resources I need today.

Today I will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.–” Yes, I want this to be my aim today.

Today I will sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things– When I’m tempted to complain, I will remember the good things God is doing.

I will remember that great is the Holy One of Israel among us– When I feel  overwhelmed, I will remember it’s not all up to me. It’s God within me doing the work.

By setting my internal thermostat on God’s truths, what a difference it makes to my outlook. The whole day works better.

Dear God, thank You for leaving us Your Word and your Holy Spirit. We do not have to go through this day alone; we do not have to work in our own strength. Today we will praise You, oh God, for Your faithfulness.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/05/24/hl_i-set-my-heart-on-god/

To read more of Helen’s writings or to buy a book go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

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Heart Fully Committed to Him

Posted on 2013/5/23/ by June

by Katherine Kehler

“The Lord’s eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.”  2 Chronicles 16:9

Do you want to be a revolutionary for Christ? Do you know how to be one? When people are talking about committed service for Christ they often use phrases like, “Go for it” and “Sold out”. Whatever terms we use, being a revolutionary requires commitment.

When you think about people who are revolutionaries for Christ, who comes to mind? Mother Theresa? Amy Carmichael? They were revolutionaries. Do you think about great figures in history and wonder what you could do that could compare to the legacy they left behind? Do you wonder if you can still be a revolutionary? The answer is yes, you can!

Our daughter, Teresa, is a revolutionary. She has been married for over 30 years. They have two married daughters and four grandchildren. She works full time in a department store. She takes opportunities to share the gospel with her co-workers, she leads Bible Studies and visits and encourages the lonely elderly that come to the store.

She loves the Lord and spends time with Him each day.

God will take you right where you are too. Married? Children? Career? Senior? How will these fit in with God’s plans for you? Yield everything to God – time, family, treasure and talent – and He will show you. When there’s nothing between you and God He can take hold of your life and use you to do things you’ve never dreamed of. Yielding your life – all of it – to God is the first step:

•    Confess all known sin and receive His forgiveness. (John 1:10)

•    By faith ask the Holy Spirit to fill (direct & empower) you.(Ephesians 5:18)

•    Walk by faith – practice spiritual breathing:
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/meditating/sw_oxygen.htm

A revolutionary for Christ is someone whose heart is totally His, who listens, believes and obeys God implicitly. You can be a revolutionary right where you are. God can use your life in incredible ways.

Question: Are you ready to take that step?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/05/23/kk_heart-fully-committed-to-him/

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God’s Love in our Hearts

Posted on 2013/5/23/ by June

by Charles Spurgeon

“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.”
1 John 4:8

The distinguishing mark of a Christian is their confidence in the love of Christ, and the relenting of their hearts to Christ in return. Faith sets its seal on us by enabling us to praise Jesus who “loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) Then love will give in return!

“We love because he first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

In old days, in the earliest time of the Christian religion, this reciprocal love was clearly seen in Jesus’ followers. They were men and women who knew the love of Christ, and rested on it like someone might lean on a trusty cane. The love they felt towards the Lord was not a quiet emotion hidden deep within! They didn’t only speak of their love in private meetings on the first day of the week. When they sang hymns in honor of the crucified savior Jesus Christ, it was with a passion that was so enthusiastic and powerful that it shone through in all their actions, their speech, and even the look in their eyes.

Love to Jesus was a flame which was fueled by the heart of their passion. From there its force burned its way outward to shine brightly into the world. Devotion to the glory of Jesus was the outward sign of all genuine Christians. Due to Christ’s love they risked much, and because of their love to Christ they accomplished much.

And it’s still the same today! We, the children of God, are still ruled in our lives by the power of love. The love of Christ should still cause us to rejoice. Do we feel our hearts lit afire by the Holy Spirit, and then by force of the gratitude they feel as the love of the Savior fills our hearts?

My reader, do you love Him? I urge you not to lay down to sleep tonight before pondering an honest answer to this most important question!

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/05/23/cs_gods-love-in-our-hearts/

Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer

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