Today’s Thought

By Katherine Kehler
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“For I have learned how to be content (satisfied to the point where I am not disturbed or disquieted) in whatever state I am.”  Philippians 4:11 (Amp)

Contentment in all situations is the goal.  Learning how to be content is the challenge.  And that only happens when we realize that “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.”  Philippians 4:12.   It is a constant yielding and accepting that the Lord is Sovereign over and in all things.  Someone said, “If He is not Lord of all, He is not Lord at all.” 

When bad things happen to us we desperately want to change them.  It is hard to accept with contentment a loved one who is sick and dying, a child who has decided to walk from the Lord, an estranged relationship, a loss of a career you love, financial hardships, and the aches and pains of an aging body and the fact that younger people aren’t interested in learning from your experiences. 

However, as we walk through the pain of these experiences—when we lean hard on Jesus’ grace and sufficiency, we become more content, until finally we accept them.  We become quiet – we are no longer disturbed.  We rest in Him.  We can say with confidence, “The Lord will accomplish what concerns me.” Psalm 138:8

Father, thank you for caring about us and all things that come into our life.  Thank you for helping us trust in your sovereignty and enabling us to be content in whatever state we are in.  Amen.

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

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Katherine J. Kehler, an innovator, entrepreneur and writer has launched and developed many successful ministries and websites.
Together with her husband, Marvin, Katherine directs Thoughts about God

By Sylvia Gunter
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In a typical year, thousands of Christian leaders leave the ministry. Our “professional” staff is increasingly beat up, discouraged, burned out, frustrated, tired, isolated, and running on empty. Their wives are usually hurting as badly or worse. This ought not to be. All of them could be far more victorious and fruitful for the kingdom if they had the effectual fervent intercession of their people.

Spiritual leaders should be our most prayed-for people.  Without prayer, spiritual leaders will accomplish only what they can do in the power of their flesh, which is our tendency with a talented, energetic, educated, well-funded, and well-staffed organization. But with prayer, God will do what He can do. Each leader needs a support-base of trained, seasoned intercessors, who will be committed to lifting up his or her needs each day. As long as Moses held up his hands, God’s side prevailed in the battle for the kingdom in the valley below. When he tired, Aaron and Hur came alongside to hold his hands up until the victory was won. 

David knew the power of surrounding himself with battle-seasoned fighters whom he called his “mighty men.” (Using this Scriptural term does not exclude women who are mighty women of prayer.) They were faithful to guard him from danger, to defend him, and to win battles for him. They were covenantally committed to him. This translates today to effective, serious intercessors who are called of God and who faithfully pray for spiritual leadership. 

Study the brave and victorious actions of David’s mighty men in 2 Samuel 23:8-39. Study their exploits on David’s behalf and especially their character in 1 Chronicles 11:10-12:40. They were brave warriors who strengthened themselves in the Lord with David. They lived and fought in close fellowship with David. They were experienced soldiers, helpers in war. They were ready for battle, fully armed with every weapon and skill. They stationed themselves in their place at all costs, united in purpose and undivided in loyalty. They were courageous, fearless, and faithful men who strongly supported their leader. They willingly took risks for him, persevering against impossible odds. They got God’s assignments, acted in the power of the Spirit, understood the times, and listened to God to know what to do (1 Chronicles 12:18,32). 
 
Unfortunately, today the body of Christ is usually a very disjointed army of God. You as a member of the body are called to be mighty man of prayer for your spiritual leaders. Pray that your spiritual leader with lead your fellowship of believers to have a sense of the possibility of God. Pray that you will be a fellowship of men and women who seek God, love him, and follow him with the anointing of Spirit that produces vitality in body life.
 
Pray diligently that your spiritual leadership will be an example of how to seek God, will demonstrate how they follow the Holy Spirit, will challenge you with the word that God has for the church, will equip you by teaching you how to apply the Word, and will release you to serve in the power of the Holy Spirit. People in this kind of spiritual community can best live in the vitality of the anointing of the Spirit and be right with God to do the work of Jesus in the world        
          to preach good news to the poor,
          to proclaim freedom for prisoners
          and recovery of sight to the blind,
          to release the oppressed,
          to proclaim the favorable year of the Lord.
          Luke 4:18-19.

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

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Sylvia Gunter lives in Birmingham with her husband John, now retired from his position as a telecommunications executive. They have three adult children, and two grandkids.
To learn more about Sylvia Gunter:
http://www.thefathersbusiness.com/author.php

By Marilyn Ehle
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‘I urge you to imitate me’. (1 Corinthians 4:16)

‘Imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised’. (Hebrews 6:12)

‘Consider the outcome of (your leaders’) way of life and imitate their faith.’ (Hebrews 13:7)

After refreshing her cup of coffee, my always-stylish friend returned to our table with a chuckle. When I asked the reason for her amusement, she replied, “As I passed a nearby booth, a woman said, ‘I want to look like you! Not just your clothes…I want to look like you when I’m your age.’”

Whether joining me for our regular Monday morning meeting at a favorite restaurant or cleaning out the garage, Anne’s wardrobe is “together.” Her finances are minimal so I know her clothing is not from the exclusive stores on the north end of town, but she always somehow knows how to dress—whether the outfit is casual or dressy. On this particular morning she leaned toward the former: jeans, sandals, black tee and oversized white shirt. And a straw hat perched on her short, stylishly cut white hair.

But my seventy-year-old friend possesses much more than an innate talent for putting together the right clothing. It is her “inner wardrobe” that sets her apart, the quality that draws people. Anne spends much time in the Word, seeking to always obey what the Holy Spirit reveals. She devotes herself to life-changing prayer, prayer that includes her family, friends and their concerns, her church family, the broader Christian community, her country and the world. While reading the newspaper or hearing media broadcasts, she prays for people and events. She is well read, well informed. She attracts people not only to herself but to the Jesus she loves and follows.

The Apostle Paul was bold to say, “I urge you to imitate me.” While recognizing his human tendencies, he also knew that, when controlled by God’s Spirit, he could relax and allow that Spirit to produce life that could be imitated. What an affirmation of God’s work within us when someone says, “I want to look like you!”

Lord, you know that too often there is little family resemblance between me and you. Please remind me to dress my spirit as well as my body each morning and thus draw people to your beauty.

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

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Marilyn Ehle has worked closely with businesswomen in the USA setting up and participating in luncheons and discussion groups which focused on issues pertinent to today’s employed woman.
A writer, she writes devotionals for Thoughts About God  and Christian Women Today

By Vonette Bright
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“Always be thankful, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”
 (1 Thessalonians 5:18, NLT)

Many years ago, our personal world seemed to be crumbling around my husband and me.

All we had worked and planned for in the ministry of Campus Crusade for Christ was hanging on a slender thread.

Because of a series of unforeseen circumstances, we were facing a financial crisis.

But years before that, we had discovered God’s faithfulness.

When we express thanksgiving, obedience and gratitude to God, He releases His great power on our behalf.

So we began to thank God for who He is and what He had already done for us. Supernatural peace flooded our hearts. In a matter of days, apart from our abilities to solve the problem, God provided the solution.

Dear one, always be thankful…especially in crisis. 

God can turn your tragedy to triumph, discord to harmony, and your defeat to victory.

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

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Vonette Bright is the co-founder of Campus Crusade for Christ International and host of ‘Women Today with Vonette Bright’, a series of national radio spots which can be found at: http://www.womentoday.org

by Katherine Kehler
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“I pray that you will begin to understand the incredible greatness of his power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead”
Ephesians 1:19

This is dandelion season. Whole fields are covered with bright yellow flowers. They are so cheerful and brighten the landscape. But they are not appreciated by most people because they are weeds - weeds that multiply profusely through their root system and their seeds which fly through the air. Children love to blow the “puffy balls” but each one is filled with many seeds. If not destroyed, dandelions can take over a lawn or field.

Not only are they cheerful, dandelions are tenacious and powerful. I have noticed the heads of dandelions push through our paved driveway. They also grow above the grass that surrounds them.

My friend Lena is like that. She has had Multiple Sclerosis (MS) for over 30 years. Early on she decided she would determine her attitude each day. She would be a thermostat and she would set the thermostat to “cheerful” and “thankful” each day. Throughout all the years, every time I am with her she is cheerful and thankful.

There are three lessons I have learned from dandelions:

• Be bright and cheerful all day long.
• Be tenacious. Live above the circumstances.
• Multiply - reach people for Christ and teach others to reach and teach.

God offers us His supernatural power to enable us to live supernaturally. You can appropriate His power today.

Father, I realize that so often I live a mediocre life. I offer You my life today - fill and empower me with Your Spirit. Change me into a person who lives above the circumstances and fills the air with cheerfulness and gratitude. Amen.

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

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Katherine J. Kehler, an innovator, entrepreneur and writer has launched and developed many successful ministries and websites.
Together with her husband, Marvin, Katherine directs Thoughts about God

‘And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.’
Philippians 2:8-11 (NKJ)

Jesus, having all power and all authority, submitted His life to the authority of His Father. He consistently responded under authority, pointing back to the Father. The Father, in turn, rewarded His obedience and humility and exalted Him.

In our individualistic world, we try to avoid submission to authority. There’s a Chinese saying: It’s better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of an ox. We want to be our own boss; make our own decisions; answer to no one. Truth is, we answer to the One.

Our act of saying yes, to make Jesus Lord of our life, is our primary act of submission. From that day onward we keep bringing our lives and our decisions before Him, acknowledging that there is One greater than we are. It’s a relationship of submission, rooted in our understanding that the Father loves us even more than we can comprehend. Jesus was no doormat—He understood His worth—but His authority flowed out of a heart submitted to the Father. In that place He had the power to heal the sick, raise the dead and transform lives. That’s the place I want to live from today.

Reflect:
Who do you point back to?
What do you need to surrender to the Father today?

Prayer:
Father, thank You for loving me beyond my selfish human heart. Thank You that submission to You is a safe, beautiful and even powerful place. I submit my life to You today. May I live my life in such a way that I am consistently pointing back to You. In Jesus’ exalted Name, Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/22/im_under-authority/

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Idelette McVicker is founder and editor of www.globalgirlnetwork.com.  She’s lived in South Africa and Taiwan, but home is now in Vancouver, Canada, with her husband and two young daughters. Her mission is to “clothe this generation in Amazing.”