Category: <span>Thoughts by Men</span>

What a statement of trust! Whatever you want me to have is all I want. Some days the plate runs over. God keeps bringing out more food and we keep loosening our belt.  promotion.  privilege.  friendship. A gift.  A lifetime of grace. An eternity of joy. There are times when we literally push ourselves back from the table, amazed at God’s kindness.

You serve me a six-course dinner right in front of my enemies. You revive my drooping head; my cup fills with blessing’ (Psalms 23:5 MSG).

And then there are those days when, well, when we have to eat our broccoli. Our daily bread could be tears or sorrow or discipline. Our portion may include adversity as well as opportunity.

This verse was on my mind last night during family devotions. I called my daughters to the table and set a plate in front of each. In the center of the table I placed a collection of food: some fruit, some raw vegetables and some Oreo cookies. “Every day,” I explained, “God prepares for us a plate of experiences. What kind of plate do you most enjoy?”

The answer was easy. Sara put three cookies on her plate. Some days are like that, aren’t they? Some days are ‘three cookie days.’ Many are not. Sometimes our plate has nothing but vegetables -twenty-four hours of celery, carrots, and squash. Apparently God knows we need some strength, and though the portion may be hard to swallow, isn’t it for our own good? Most days, however, have a bit of it all. Vegetables, which are healthy but dull. Fruit, which tastes better and we enjoy. And even an Oreo, which does little for our nutrition, but a lot for our attitude.

All are important and all are from God.

The next time your plate has more broccoli than apple pie, remember who prepared the meal. And the next time your plate has a portion you find hard to swallow, talk to God about it. Jesus did. In the garden of Gethsemane his Father handed him a cup of suffering so sour, so vile, that Jesus handed it back to heaven. “My Father,” he prayed, “if it is possible may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39).

Even Jesus was given a portion he found hard to swallow. But with God’s help, he did. And with God’s help, you can too.

By Max Lucado
Used by Permission
From: The Great House of God

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thoughts by Max Lucado Thoughts by Men

Serving and giving are two verbs that describe the essence of the Christian life. I wish this weren’t true because I have trouble with both of these. Serving is something I have expected others to do for me, and giving is something I often put off until I have more. My warped thinking goes something like this: When I have enough to spare, I will be more than happy to be a generous person. You will never have seen such a generous person! In fact, I will break the bank on generosity — just you wait and see — as long as I have enough left over for my needs. And since I rarely have enough for my own needs that means I don’t have to worry about this giving stuff.

Right about now, some of you are thinking that I’m not a very spiritual guy. Well, I don’t know about how spiritual I am; I’m just being honest. This idea of characterizing my life by giving and serving is hard. It’s not an easy thing to serve and give when you are thinking about yourself all the time.

Jesus went over to the collection box in the Temple and sat and watched as the crowds dropped in their money. Many rich people put in large amounts. Then a poor widow came and dropped in two pennies. He called his disciples to him and said, ”

I assure you, this poor widow has given more than all the others have given. For they gave a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.” Mark 12:41-44 (NLT)

This widow blows a big hole in my excuse theory, doesn’t she? She simply gave what she had. She wasn’t waiting for anything. Actually, according to Jesus, giving and receiving works opposite to what we naturally think. We think, “Once I receive, I will start giving.” Jesus always said,

Give and you will receive. Be faithful with the little that you have and I will give you more.”

A widow once brought a paltry little offering to the temple, but in Jesus’ economy, she out gave the wealthy, because she gave all she had.

Lord, make the subject of my thinking someone other than me for a change. Make me aware of others. Help me to think about those around me before I think of myself. And help me to learn to give, not like the great philanthropists whose wealth I so often envy, but like this poor widow, who, according to you, knew the true measure of giving.

Question: What are some ways that you can encourage yourself to give more freely?

by John Fischer
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thoughts by John Fischer Thoughts by Men

“Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.” Colossians 3:16 (NIV)

God wants you to teach someone who can then teach someone else.

  • He wants you to teach others about the spiritual insights he’s deposited in you.
  • He wants you to teach others about the practical steps you’ve taken to become more and more like Jesus.
  • He wants you to teach others about the ways he’s stretched your faith.
  • He wants you to teach others how they can discover life in Christ.
  • He wants you to teach them the skills necessary to go on mission.

God’s plan calls for us to tell others about Jesus and then to disciple them so they can disciple others. You may be wondering if you’re capable of doing this, but the apostle Paul says you can make a choice to “let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom . . .” (Colossians 3:16 NIV) It is God who teaches through you, giving you a supernatural wisdom and confidence to tell others about Jesus.

Frankly, you have more knowledge, training, and resources at your disposal than believers did in the first century Church, and yet they were able to be a witness to the world (2 Timothy 2:4). More importantly, God is with us in the same way that he was with them.

Trust the indwelling of the Holy Spirit to flow from you and give you the words and the wisdom you need to tell others about Jesus.

By Jon Walker
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Making a Difference

•  Going Deeper with God

  Forgiveness – Yourself / Others

thoughts by Jon Walker Thoughts by Men

I do not live anymore – it is Christ who lives in me.” Galatians 2:20

You have leaves to rake.  A steering wheel to grip.  A neighbor’s hand to shake. Simply put, you have things to do.

So does God.  Babies need hugs.  Children need good-night tucks. AIDS orphans need homes.  Stressed-out executives need hope.  God has work to do.  And He uses our hands to do it.

What the hand is to the glove, the Holy Spirit is to the Christian . . . God gets into us.  At times, imperceptibly.  Other times, disruptively.  God get His fingers into our lives, inch by inch reclaiming the territory that is rightfully His.

Your tongue.  He claims it for His message.
Your feet.  He requisitions them for His purpose.
Your mind?  He made it and intends to use it for His glory.
Your eyes, face and hands?  Through them He will weep, smile and touch.

By Max Lucado
Used by permission

From: Come Thirsty

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thoughts by Max Lucado Thoughts by Men


Read: Hebrews 1:1-14

What do you do when the storms of life come?

To whom do you turn?

Where do you seek comfort and security during such tumultuous times?

Throughout our lives, these storms come and go unexpectedly, but they do not have to throw us off-balance. Scripture assures us that we can maintain a steady footing regardless of the circumstances. So how do we do this? There is an amazing truth in the Bible that will keep us steady during the most trying times. Our anchor for the storms of life is simply this: Jesus Christ never changes.

Why is this so vital, and what do we mean by an “anchor”? Consider that every single thing in your life—career, relationships, finances—is in a state of constant change. You yourself are aging and changing every minute of each day, and there is nothing you can do to stop this process. In fact, even the current heaven and earth will grow old and perish, and like a garment they will be changed (Revelation 21:1). Yet through it all, Christ remains the same.

If we try to hold tightly to any of these earthly things during our hardships, we will be tossed about in various directions since we’ve affixed ourselves to an unstable foundation that’s continually shifting. However, if we place our hope in Christ, we can be sure that the anchor will hold because He isn’t moving, changing, or leaving. In fact, Jesus Christ is the only sure footing in a world of movement, and He will steady all who trust in Him

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission
From:  http://www.intouch.org/

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Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11


Thoughts on today’s verse

While Paul’s exhortation here is excellent, it is the style of the exhortation we should especially notice. We live in an age where we are constantly pressured to emphasize the novel, new, or improved versions of things. But in our lives as Christians, we need to remind each other of what we are doing right and just simply say, “Hey, you’re doing well, just keep doing what you’re doing!”

Prayer:

Faithful Father, thank you for noticing and keeping record of the things I’ve done that are good and pleasing to you. Please help me to keep doing those things that please you, only do them better, that you may be pleased and glorified. In Jesus name. Amen.

by Phil Ware
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FURTHER READING

19 Ways to Encourage Others – by Stacy W

• Angel Comes to Encourage – Angel Story

I Like to be Encouraged


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For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)


His story had my close attention, as well as all the others circled around him in a small group.

Every eye was fixed on him. His story was compelling as he told of his time in prison and what transformed him there.

He had been the Prime Minister of his country, with all the pomp and power that goes with the office. And then his government was overthrown and he was placed in prison in solitary confinement for seven years.

He was not a believer and in fact said that he went in prison as an avowed atheist, but somehow there was a Bible in his prison cell and when he emerged from captivity he did so as a follower of Jesus. He said that as he read the Word, he realized that he was not alone and that the Holy Spirit was with him.

One of his first acts was to reconcile with his captors, as he said that the number one thing Jesus taught him in prison was forgiveness. He said that if Jesus had forgiven him, the least he could do would be to forgive others.

Truly, the Bible is holy divinely inspired voice of God. It has changed lives throughout history and it continues to change lives today. The Word of God speaks for itself, but it also calls for engagement.

With the Bible must come social justice, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and reaching the lost and lonely. It must bridge social and ethnic barriers and overcome human exploitation.

It is not a book of religion, but rather one of life and living. If there is anything our generation of Christians needs to ponder and experience anew it is the power of God’s Word. For only when we seize and are seized by the Word of God do we know the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. And only when our faith stands in God’s power do we discover what the Word of God really is.

Truly it is living, active and life changing. It has changed my life and the lives of countless people throughout the ages. Truly it is the most powerful book ever written.

by John Grant
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John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

FURTHER READING

•  The Walk of Obedience – by Mary Pinckney

•  Blessed Obedience – by Idelette McVicker

•  God Requires Risky Obedience – by Jon Walker

 


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“I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine dresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit. Already you are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.” (John 15:1-5, ESV)

God is our Father, He is our creator, and creator of all things. When we accept Jesus as truth, and believe fully in Him, we are adopted by God as His true children. We all become sons and daughters of God and are given the promise to spend eternity with Him.

We often focus only on the promise of eternity with God and sometimes neglect the fact that God is our Father. What does any good and righteous father do? He disciplines and teaches and sometimes even dishes out a dose of tough love. Yes, our God dishes out tough love, because He truly loves you. We see this here in verse two. Jesus says that God still prunes the branches that produce fruit. To prune is to remove the dead parts of the branch and even sometimes the live parts if it will help the branch produce more fruit.

So, how does this apply to you and me? Not all bad things that happen to you are really bad in the long run (this doesn’t mean it won’t hurt). God allows bad things to happen as a part of pruning you. We step out of our trials and tribulations closer to God, and with Him back as number one in our lives. This leads us to verse four. The branch can not produce fruit by itself. If God is not number one in your life, you are doing things on your own accord (by yourself) and are most likely due for a pruning.

For some of us, this is a hard concept to understand. Please allow me to share something from my life that may shed some light. At one point in my life, my job and providing and income had become more important than God. It wasn’t affecting my life any more than any of my neighbors around me, so I felt that I was doing the right thing. I saw no harm in my actions, in fact, I thought it was a good thing all around. Please notice the key word here…I.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (ESV)
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

God removed that job from my life. At the time, I thought it was the worst thing that could happen. I lost many “things” I had stored up. My prayers for a return to the environment I had been in were not answered, at least not in the way I expected them to be. In the moment of it all, it was devastating.

Yet, now many years later, God has done an amazing work on me. I learned during that time, that God needed to be number one in my life. I learned to lean on Him to help me get out of the mess that I had created. I trusted in Him, even if I did not understand what He was doing in my life. All of this has created many blessings in my life. I would not change it for anything. I am truly a better man today because of how God pruned me in my past, and still does today.

Folks, you can take this for what it is worth. In the heat of the trial, it is hard to understand that good can come from it. That God will bring praise and glory to Himself from it. I am living proof that it does bring praise and glory to Him, and I pray that whatever any of you are facing today in your lives, that you turn to God for help. Hold on to Jesus and the cross like it is life or death, because it is.

Father, we thank you today for the pruning You do in our lives. We praise you Lord, for loving us so much, that You only seek to better our lives. Lord we thank you for never forsaking us, for always being there for us when we need you, when we cry out to You. Lord I pray that if any of my brothers and sisters today are going through a pruning period of their life, that You fill them today overflowing with Your grace, mercy, and love. That they tie their life rope to Your anchor and that they hold on for dear life. Father we praise you when we win, and we praise you when we lose. Watch over us today and protect us from the snares of this world, in the name of Jesus, Amen

By Rev. Daniel Forster
Used by Permission

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Facing Trials by Phil Ware

• How to Welcome Trials with Joy? – Book of James Bible Study

A Mother’s Promise to God

Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

I lift up my eyes to the hills — where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-2

Thoughts on today’s verse

In a world of startling beauty and a universe of dazzling diversity, our hearts are to be drawn back to the One who made it and now sustains it. He knows us and will help us if we will believe what he has tried so many ways to say: “I love you as my child and I care what happens to you and those you love.”

Prayer:

Almighty Creator, Majestic Architect and Eternal Engineer, it absolutely bewilders and delights me to know that you care for me. With all the things of such vast importance, I find your desire to know and love me humbling and assuring. Today I will worship, work, and witness while being aware of your presence and care. Thank you, dear Father, in Jesus name. Amen.

by Phil Ware
Used with Permission
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“…[You] have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all. Colossians 3:10-11 (HCSB)


The world looks at image in terms of popularity, appearance, and status quo. We as humans try so hard to fit in, be accepted, and look like we have it all together. But these images are just an illusion. The true image we represent is in the image of God Himself.

Half my life was spent as a people pleaser. I was always striving to gain the world’s acceptance and recognition. Not only was it exhausting, it was extremely unsatisfying as well. This world can’t give you a peace about who you are. Only God can. He says you were created in His image. In Christ you are born again, and you are renewed in His image. Only when we recognize this will we have peace about who we are.

Do you know what this means?

It means that your looks have nothing to do with your image. It means that the amount of money you make, or your status quo has nothing to do with who you really are. You are His child. You are His beloved, and your name is written upon His heart as He created you.

I don’t need my name in lights
I’m famous in my Father’s eyes
Make no mistake
He knows my name
I’m not living for applause
I’m already so adored.”
Francesca Battistelli

In Christ we are one with Him. There is nothing that defines us other than His light, His love, and the fruit of His Spirit.

Father, help us to stop seeking our image of who we are from this world around us, and to start believing what our image is in You. You breathed life into us, handpicked us, and molded us to be exactly who You wanted us to be. Let us rest in knowing who we are in You: loved, treasured, adored, and redeemed. Amen.

By Rev. Daniel Forster
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Mirroring God’s Image –  by Christa Hardin

• The DNA – by John Grant

Forgiveness – Yourself / Others

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Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster


If people love you at 6:00 a.m. one thing is sure. They love you! No makeup. No power tie. No status jewelry. No layers of images. Just unkempt honesty. Just you. “Love,” wrote one forgiven soul, “covers over a multitude of sins.”

Sounds like God’s love. Hebrews 10:14 says, “He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” Note that the word is not improving. God doesn’t improve; he perfects. He doesn’t enhance; he completes. When it comes to our position before God, we are perfect. When he sees each of us, he sees one who has been made perfect through the One who is perfect—Jesus Christ. He sees perfection. Not perfection earned by us, mind you, but perfection paid by him.

Scripture says,

God made him who had no sin to be sin for us so that in him we might become the righteousness of God2 Corinthians 5:21 (NCV).

By Max Lucado
From: In the Eye of the Storm
Used by permission

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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

When a lawyer asked Jesus which commandment was the greatest, He said,

You shall love the Lord your God with all you heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind,” and “the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew. 22:37, 39).

What an overwhelming assignment!

In our own strength, none of us can live up to this obligation, but the Lord has provided a way for Christians to do the impossible. The indwelling Holy Spirit works to produce His fruit in us, and first on the list is love (Galatians 5:22). In fact, the other eight qualities are really just descriptions of its expression.

Whenever we demonstrate kindness, patience, or gentleness, we see the Lord’s love at work through us, especially when the other person has been unkind and doesn’t deserve such pleasant treatment. This fruit is not produced by trying harder to muster good will toward someone who is irritating or hard to get along with. Instead, think of the process more like sap running through a branch on a grape-vine. The branch doesn’t make grapes; the sap does. In the same way, the Spirit flows through us, producing God’s love in us, so that we can pass it on to Him and others.

Agape love is the reason we are able to care for someone who mistreats us—it’s God’s doing, not ours. Even the adoration we offer the Lord is not something that we can produce in our own heart apart from His assistance. Though the command to love is enormous, God’s grace makes it possible.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
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FURTHER READING

Love Them Anyway by Karen Huffaker

Getting Life Back on Track by Marvin Kehler

A Love That Never Fails – by Max Lucado

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Please open your Bible and read Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14.

Jonah had just fled from God, almost caused a shipwreck, been thrown overboard, and was swallowed by a whale. He was a prophet of God, and yet he sinned against God by fleeing from Him. As he sat inside the whale, did he repent of his deeds? Hardly. In fact, listen carefully to what he says:

Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you.”  (Jonah 2:8-9)

Sounds a little like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable, doesn’t it? Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector to “some who were confident of their own righteousness”. (Luke 18:9) The Pharisee thought by fasting twice a week and tithing he was made right with God. However, no one has the ability to justify themselves before God. Jesus explains that the tax collector, who humbly asked for forgiveness of his sin, “went home justified before God” while the Pharisee did not (v14). The apostle Paul explains that “a person is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16, TNIV).

We all sometimes feel superior to others and boast about how we are superior to “evildoers”. In reality, however, “No one is good – except God alone.” (Luke 18:19) Don’t pray “God, I thank you that I am not like that Pharisee” because then you’d be making the very same mistake that the Pharisee made. Instead of disparaging others, remember that we have nothing to boast about ourselves (that should keep us humble) and that it is only by God’s loving grace that we are saved: Boast about God has done instead!

Let those who boast boast in the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 10:17, (TNIV)

Question: Are there situations where we feel superior to others? How can we guard against those kinds of feelings?

by Darren Hewer
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For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12


When I was growing up the words of Paul in Ephesians 6:12 were generally valued for the second half of the sentence. That is, our struggles were considered to be against the Devil or demons who might trip us up as we tried to live for Jesus.

More recently I have come to appreciate the first half of the teaching. That is, we are not in a physical war of sword fights, cuts, and bruises, but one of power struggle against rulers and authorities who plan life without God. In more practical terms it means we ought to struggle against people in positions of power who lord it over those beneath them, taking advantage by treating them unfairly or squelching their freedoms to grow in faith.

Put in different terms again, to say our fight is against rulers and authorities means there are times when we should stand up for what is right, to defend the widow and orphan and immigrant, and not allow powerful leaders to run rough shod over anyone.

Do you see the misuse of power around you at work?

Do you see it in your neighborhood?

What might you do to give voice to those under the thumb of meanies?

How might you help ‘the least of these’ so you can love as Jesus called us to?

God, help me understand that You want me to be a change agent for what’s right and good at work and around my neighborhood. May I be a voice for the people who feel powerless to help themselves. Amen.

Action Point: Step in to situations where you can make wrong situations right. Or, if you are the one lording it over others, stop and ask how you might seek peace and justice with the other.

By: Dr. Bill Strom
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Pressing Undo –  by John Grant

 Pressing the Reset Button

The Power of Forgiveness – by Dr. Henry Brandt

thoughts by Bill Strom Thoughts by Men


Some of us have postgraduate degrees from the University of Anxiety.

We go to sleep worried that we won’t wake up. We wake up worried that we didn’t sleep. We worry that someone will discover that lettuce was fattening all along. Wouldn’t you love to stop worrying? Could you use a strong shelter from life’s harsh elements?

God offers you just that. The possibility of a worry-free life. Not just less worry, but no worry. Philippians 4:7 says, “His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Worry is an option, not an assignment. Be quick to pray. Rather than worry about anything, Scripture says, “pray about everything.” Focus less on the problems ahead and more on the victories behind. In everything let your requests be made known to God! Do your part, and God will for sure do his.

By Max Lucado
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FURTHER READING

Do Not Worry – by Phil Ware

• Why Worry Yourself Sick? – by Dr. Muriel Larson

The Flip Side of Worry – Devotional by Darren Hewer

thoughts by Max Lucado Thoughts by Men