Today’s Thought

By: Joshua Lim
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“We are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  2 Corinthians 3:18

Put your trust and hope in the Lord. Don’t be discouraged when things don’t go your way. Do not be afraid, be of good courage.

What’s there to fear if The Lord is at your side? Trust in the Lord in everything you do. Be patient and wait upon Him.

The world may think that you’re foolish, but remember, they said the same thing to God’s prophets. Remember you’re serving the Almighty God.

Please God in everything you do. Ask for His grace and mercy everyday. Repent from your sinful ways. Don’t think evil thoughts of others and the Lord shall strengthen you daily.

Don’t give up - press on. Remember, everything happens for a reason. You might not see it now, but you will one day. When you find yourself in difficulties and it seems you can’t reach God’s hand, know that you can always trust His heart. God is always thinking of you.

Jesus will never forsake us. He knows when we’re down, upset, lonely or hurt. He feels it too. No matter how much we’ve sinned and hurt His heart, He’s ever ready to forgive us, to accept us with opened arms.

Our God is a covenant keeping God. Today, decide to make a covenant with Him, and begin to live the life that pleases Him. Don’t fall into temptation but stay firm in His teachings. Be a person, whose focus is on the promises of God.

Don’t allow emotions to pull you down or circumstances overtake you. Instead, think positively with a strong mind, and praise God with a joyful heart. Be thankful.

Let the love of God fill your heart and overflow to others. The Lord’s command is to love one another.

Do not have doubts regarding your faith in Christ. Allow the Spirit of God take control of your life, and you’ll see the glory of the Lord.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/27/jl_covenant-keeping-god/

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Joshua Chin Hong Lim is Chinese, living in Malaysia.  Married, with 5 children (4 girls - 1 boy). Came to know the Lord in his second year of university.  Attended the University of Singapore (Dental Faculty).  Worked as a dentist from 1974 till now in Singapore; Skegness, Lincolnshire, England; London; Malaysia.
 Joshua joined the Bukit Mertajam Baptist Church in the 1980’s, became active in the church.  Presently, helping out Pastor David Ng in HOPE Assembly at Butterworth and often preaches. He has a blog at (http://www.joshuachlim.blogspot.com). Joshua’s desire is to encourage other’s in Christ.

By Skip Moen
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“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God.” Romans 12:1

Acceptable – I don’t like this. Neither should you. I don’t want to be “acceptable.” I want to be wonderful, excellent, top-shelf or best. In Paul’s day, the translation of euarestos could have carried the idea of acceptable because Paul thought of acceptable in terms of the sacrificial system of Israel. But today this English word is unacceptable. It doesn’t capture what Paul means. It slips into the advertising lingo of “good, better, best.” It makes us feel as though we just squeaked by. That is clearly not what Paul has in mind.

 First, let’s look at the Greek word itself. Eurestos actually combines two words: eu (well, in the sense of “good“, not in the sense of “healthy“) and aresko (to please). Literally, this word means “well-pleasing.” At a slightly deeper level, aresko implies to be fitted to the task, to be just what is required. God is well-pleased, says Paul. It’s not that God finds us just good enough. God finds us perfectly fitted for His purposes. We delight Him.

Now let’s consider this Greek word from a Hebrew perspective. What characteristics does God require of the sacrifice? It must be spotless, the best, as perfect as it can be. In fact, since no created thing is perfect, all that the sacrifices demonstrate is directional holiness. Ultimately, the holy God had to be sacrificed. He was and is and will be the only perfect being. His sacrifice covers it all. So, when Paul invokes the Hebrew imagery with the Greek word eurestos, he implies the directional perfection of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. It is “acceptable” all right, but not in the way that we think of acceptable. In this context, acceptable means exactly what God requires.

So, are you exactly what God requires? If you have presented yourself as a living sacrifice, you are! Even though there was something wrong with you so that you were not consumed in the sacrifice, what was wrong has been completely covered over. You can now be the perfectly fitted sacrifice that God intended because He has removed the obstacle of imperfection.

This is difficult to absorb even though it may seem simple to grasp. There are plenty of times when you and I will not feel like we are perfectly fit for God. We fall. We sin. All of our blemishes seem exposed, displayed as flashing neon signs to ourselves and the world. Yet God says that we are perfectly fit for Him. It doesn’t matter how you feel about this. In fact, the more you dwell on your feelings of imperfection, the more your stained history will capture your attention. Listen! You and I are living sacrifices. Of course we are stained. That’s the only way we can be living sacrifices. But God counts us righteous. Who are you going to believe - the inner voice that keeps reminding you of your unworthiness, or God’s voice proclaiming His delight?

Be a Hebrew! Act on what God says no matter how you feel. Get up and do what the delighted Father tells you. Let your actions demonstrate your acceptance of His proclamation.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/26/sm_delightful-direction/

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Skip Moen, author, speaker and consultant, provides clients with  reflective insight into business practice assumptions and practical  solutions to human resources issues.  Skip resides in Florida, USA.  
You can contact Skip at skip@skipmoen.com or visit his website www.skipmoen.com

By John Grant
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“Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed even whom I have made.” Isaiah 43: 1-7

The 2008 Beijing Olympics is history. Athletes have returned home, some dejected, some euphoric. The Bird’s Nest stadium of strikingly quiet, it’s main mission accomplished and ready for a retrofit as a soccer stadium.

Each participating athlete has his or her own story to tell, but none is more poignant or notorious than the story of Michael Phelps, whose Olympic achievement - eight gold medals in Beijing, 14 over all - is astonishing in itself. But set against the backdrop of his early years and a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder, his performance is even more awe-inspiring. Let this be a lesson for all those who don’t fit the mold: Don’t let anyone count you out.

Before he became the greatest Olympian ever, Michael Phelps was a kid who was bullied because he had big ears and a lisp. A teacher once told his mother he’d never be successful because he couldn’t focus.

We’ve watched amazing athletes.  Not a one got to the Olympics by being unfocused and undisciplined.  Dreams of gold can’t be realized without incredibly long hard days and years of focused training.

But there is more to the story. Phelps achieved his amazing Olympic accomplishment, with the help of so many others-many unseen people that were there for him to achieve this accomplishment. And the best part of this, he repeatedly gave credit to all these individuals; his mother, sisters, coaches, and teammates. Each had an integral part in his success.

Debbie Phelps, an unbending champion for her son, sought a creative release for his unhinged energy - swimming. And his coach, Bob Bowman, laid out a plan that propelled him into the highest levels of his sport.

Think of the possibilities if the world viewed kids like Phelps for their potential, not for their imperfections. What if every child who faced such obstacles had at least one adult who saw the talent within and became their champion?

The Bible is filled with stories of people who depended on others for support and success. Encouragement is to a team what wind is to a sail - it moves people forward.

Michael Phelps isn’t the only one whose achievements are made possible by the work and services of a support team, so great and so complex, that God alone deserves the credit for making it possible, whether Michael realizes it or not.

Eric Liddell in the classic film “Chariots of Fire,” said “God made me to run.” Michael Phelps was made to swim, but it took a lot of work, patience and determination to win the gold, both on his part and on the part of others.

The world is awed by Phelps for his spectacular achievement and the gold medals around his neck. While he has become an extraordinary young man, who deserves the public’s respect, he is the awkward, unfocused little boy who ultimately triumphed and became the person God uniquely created him to be.

Remember, God doesn’t make throw-aways. Like the US Army recruiting commercial, “be all you can be” and I would add all God made you to be……. and while you are at it help someone else to go for their gold medal of life.
(a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/25/jg_to-swim/

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John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney. He is an active writer and frequent speaker.  He can be reached by e-mail at John.Grant@johngrant.net

by Max Lucado
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Through Christ, God has accepted you. Think about what this means. You cannot keep people from rejecting you. But you can keep rejections from enraging you.

Rejections are like speed bumps on the road. They come with the journey. You’re going to get cut, dished, dropped, and kicked around. You cannot keep people from rejecting you. But you can keep rejections from enraging you. How? By letting his acceptance compensate for their rejection.

Think of it this way. Suppose you dwell in a high-rise apartment. On the window sill of your room is a solitary daisy. This morning you picked the daisy and pinned it on your lapel. Since you have only one plant, this is a big event and a special daisy.

But as soon as you’re out the door, people start picking petals off your daisy. Someone snags your subway seat. Petal picked. You’re blamed for the bad report of a coworker. Three petals. The promotion is given to someone with less experience but USC water polo looks. More petals. By the end of the day, you’re down to one. Woe be to the soul who dares to draw near it. You’re only one petal-snatching away from a blowup.

What if the scenario was altered slightly? Let’s add one character. The kind man in the apartment next door runs a flower shop on the corner. Every night on the way home he stops at your place with a fresh, undeserved, yet irresistible bouquet. These are not leftover flowers. They are top-of-the-line arrangements. You don’t know why he thinks so highly of you, but you aren’t complaining. Because of him, your apartment has a sweet fragrance, and your step has a happy bounce. Let someone mess with your flower, and you’ve got a basketful to replace it!

The difference is huge. And the interpretation is obvious.

God will load your world with flowers. He hand-delivers a bouquet to your door every day. Open it! Take them! Then, when rejections come, you won’t be left short-petaled.

God can help you get rid of your anger. He made galaxies no one has ever seen and dug canyons we have yet to find. “The LORD … heals all your diseases” (Psalms 103:2–3 NIV). Do you think among those diseases might be the affliction of anger?

Do you think God could heal your angry heart?

Do you want him to? This is not a trick question. He asks the same question of you that he asked of the invalid: “Do you want to be well?” (John 5:6). Not everyone does. You may be addicted to anger. You may be a rage junkie. Anger may be part of your identity. But if you want him to, he can change your identity. Do you want him to do so?

Do you have a better option? Like moving to a rejection-free zone? If so, enjoy your life on your desert island.

Take the flowers. Receive from him so you can love or at least put up with others.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/24/ml_bouquets/

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Max Lucado
From: A Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
Used by permission
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/about/

by Alec Niemi
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‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.’ Zechariah 4:6

Some years ago while we were living in the Gulf Islands, in British Columbia, my brother Tim helped me landscape our yard. I was trying to move a wheelbarrow full of rocks. It was quite heavy and I should have waited for help but I didn’t. I grabbed the handles of the wheelbarrow, lifted, leaned forward, pushed with all my might, lost my footing and drove my face right into the load of rocks. A few scratches, a bloody nose and injured pride!

We were building a rock garden had to move several large rocks. Some were very heavy and it took both of us to lift them and some we would just roll into place. I was trying to roll one of the heavier rocks and it wouldn’t move. Then Tim said, “Let me try.” I had visions of him doing the same thing I had done with the wheelbarrow the previous day because he had to take a similar stance. He grabbed hold of the rock, lifted, leaned forward, gritted his teeth, shouted, “praise the Lord anyway,” and rolled the rock into place.

I have always remembered this and whenever I am struggling with something that seems heavier than I can handle I quickly say, “praise the Lord anyway.”

My prayer for you this week

“I pray that you are always ‘praising the Lord anyway’, acknowledging that in all things it is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord Almighty. Amen.” Zachariah 4:6

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/23/an_praise-the-lord/

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Alec Niemi, an entrepreneur, lifestyle evangelist and pastor is passionate about helping people find Christ. He lives in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia.

By Dr. Bill Bright
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“I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4, KJV)

Susie seemed outwardly to be a well-poised, lovely young wife and mother with everything under control. She was active in her church and attended other Christian gatherings during the week. But secretly she was filled with fear from which psychologists and psychiatrists with whom she consulted were unable to set her free.

She became very discouraged and depressed. “What can I do?” she asked through her tears. “I have everything to live for and no real reason to be afraid, but my days are consumed with worry and dread and fear, as I anticipate all kinds of evil things happening to me, to my husband , to my children.”

“Do you believe that God in heaven has the power to remove your fears, Susie?” I asked.

“Yes, of course,” she replied.

“Do you believe He loves you?”

“Yes, I believe that.”

“Do you believe He wants to remove that fear from you?” And I read her the above passage.

We turned together to 1 John 5:14, 15: “If we ask anything according to God’s will, He hears and answers.” This is the promise that every believer can claim whenever there is a command or another promise. I asked her if she would like to join with me in a prayer of faith that God would deliver her according to this promise.

Together we prayed, and though there was no immediate, dramatic deliverance, with the passing of days God set her free. Day after day she claimed by faith this and other promises from God’s holy, inspired Word.

Are you plagued with fears? Are your days consumed with worry? Saturate your mind with God’s truth - God’s supernatural promises - and begin to claim by faith this supernatural life which is your heritage in Christ.

Bible Reading: Psalm 34:1-7

Today’s Action Point:

At the first sign of a fear in my life, I will commit it to the Lord and trust Him for deliverance, and I will seek to help others whose hearts are filled with fear. I will seek to introduce them to the Prince of Peace - the God of all comfort.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/19/bb_deliverance/

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As the founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, along with his wife, Vonette, Dr. Bright established one of the most successful evangelistic movements in the world - resulting in more than 4 billion exposures to the Gospel of Jesus Christ since 1951.
On July 19th, 2003 at the age of 81, Dr. Bill Bright went home to be with the Lord