Today’s Thoughts

By Dr. Bill Bright
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“And then teach new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this - that I am with you always, even to the end of the world” Matthew 28:20

When David Livingstone sailed for Africa the first time, a group of his friends accompanied him to the pier to wish him bon voyage.

Concerned for the safety of the missionary, some of his well-wishers reminded him of the dangers which would confront him in the dark land to which he was journeying. One of the men tried to convince him he should remain in England.

Opening his Bible, Livingstone read the six decisive words that had sealed the matter for him long before: “Lo, I am with you always.”

Then turning to the man who was especially concerned about his safety, Livingstone smiled before he gave a calm reply.

“That, my friend, is the word of a gentleman,” he said. “So let us be going.”

For many years, I have visited scores of countries on each continent, each year traveling tens of thousands of miles, as the director of the worldwide ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ. What a joy and comfort it is to know that I am never outside of His care! Whether at home or abroad, He is always with me, even to the end of the world. I can never travel so far away that He is not with me.

And so it is with you, if you have placed your trust and faith in Jesus Christ. You have His indwelling Holy Spirit as your constant companion - the one who makes possible the supernatural life that is the right and privilege of every believer. How important that we never lose sight of this truth: He is with us always.

Bible Reading: Matthew 28:16-20

Today’s Action Point:

Today I am reminded afresh that Jesus, to whom God has given all authority in heaven and earth, is with me; that He will never leave me nor forsake me; that His supernatural power is available to me moment by moment, enabling me to do all that God has called me to do - if only I will trust and obey Him.

Question: Is there a situation in your life where you have lost sight of Jesus being with you? Are you willing to entrust it to Him?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/11/13/bb_with-you-always/

By Max Lucado
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“Patience produces character, and character produces hope. And this hope will never disappoint us” Romans 5:4-5 (NCV)

God is often more patient with us than we are with ourselves. We assume that if we fall, we aren’t born again. If we stumble, then we aren’t truly converted. If we have the old desires, then we must not be a new creation.

If you are anxious about this, please remember, “God began doing a good work in you, and I am sure he will continue it until it is finished when Jesus Christ comes again” (Philippians 1:6).

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/11/12/ml_infinite-patience/

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Max Lucado
From: A Gentle Thunder
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1996)
Used by permission
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/about/

By John Fischer
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To those who fought and never came back
And those who came back broken
To those who wondered why
And those who never questioned

No one asked them what they thought
Of policies and platforms
They only did what they had to do
And thanks was long in coming

On a day we honor the dead and the living
Who know the real cost of war
And those still trapped inside their heads
Who can’t get outside the door

Who can know the awful truth
Of what they must have seen?
And who has lived to tell it
Yet know they never will

Reasons that the journalists
And politicians won
Will never be the same as those
On this side of a gun

So on this day we lay aside
Our arguments and advice
And thank the Lord for those who gave
The ultimate sacrifice

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/11/11/jf_soldiers/

By Charles H. Spurgeon, Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008
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Please open your Bible and read Philippians 3:7-11.

The truth of the risen Savior is ever so precious. The resurrection is the cornerstone which supports the entire building of Christianity. It is the keystone in the arch of our salvation. It would take a volume to set forth all the streams of living water which flow from this one sacred source, the resurrection of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. But to know that He has risen, and to have fellowship with Him by possessing a risen life, this is even still more precious.

Because He left his tomb, we are able to leave the tomb of worldliness ourselves. The truth of the resurrection is the basis of the experience, but as the flower is more lovely than the root, so is the experience of fellowship with the risen Savior more lovely than the bare fact itself.

I encourage you to trust wholeheartedly that Christ rose from the dead, so much so as to be moved to sing about it and to derive all consolation from it. But I urge you, don’t merely rest contented there. Although you can’t see Him visibly like the disciples did, you should seek to see Jesus through spiritual eyes. And though like Mary Magdalene you may not “touch” Him, you are still privileged to converse with Him, and to know that because He is risen, you too both are and will be risen to new life in Him.

While it’s truly wonderful to know crucified Savior who died for my sins, but to know a risen Savior who has given me new life is incomparable. Short of this knowledge of the head and heart there can be no ultimate satisfaction of our deepest longings. May you today know Him and the power of His resurrection. Rise, for the Lord is risen!

Question: Where do you see head knowledge of Jesus’ resurrection overlapping with your daily heart life?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/11/10/cs_resurrection/

By Vonette Bright
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“For God so loved the world so much that He gave His only Son so that anyone who believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16 (Living Bible)

Sharon Hersh said,

The idea that SELF

must fix a broken SELF

with the very SELF

that got ITSELF into the mess in the first place

is SELF defeating!

The “mess” Sharon referred to was her addiction to alcohol.
You see, friend, when Sharon stopped drinking, she praised her SELF, not God.

And her self-healing was not permanent.

As soon as trouble came and her emotional wounds were opened again, she returned to alcohol.

But thank God, whose grace can break through our most enslaving behaviors!

Finally Sharon surrendered to God during an Easter Passion Play. 

It was as if God whispered, “Sharon, I give you My Son, My sacrifice,
My deepest wound to forgive and heal your deepest wound.” 

Dear one, look to Christ, not to yourself, to heal the deepest wounds in your soul.

The Last Addiction: Why Self-Help is Not Enough by Sharon Hersh www.sharonhersh.com
“I must surrender to these truths every day. I cannot afford to miss one day”
*** Read Sharon Hersh’s testimony on www.WomenToday.org

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/11/09/vb_surrender/

If you know someone who is suffering from addiction we encourage you to share Sharon’s story!

Author Unknown
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Lord, help me to live in Your joy and peace. Give me strength and understanding to resist anxiety, anger, envy, depression, bitterness, hopelessness, loneliness, fear and guilt. Rescue me when “my spirit is overwhelmed within me; my heart within me is distressed” (Psalm 143:4). I refuse to let my life be brought down by negative emotions such as these.

When I am tempted to give in to them, show me Your Truth. You have said in Your Word that by our patience we can possess our souls (Luke 21:19) Give me patience so I can do that. Help me to keep my ‘heart with all diligence,” for I know that “out of it spring the issues of life: (Proverbs 4:23).
 
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‘The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears, and delivers them out of all their troubles. The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit.” (Psalm 34:17-18)

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/11/09/unknown_gods-joy/