Category: <span>thoughts by Bethany Hayes</span>

More than Faithful
Published February 26, 2020

More than Faithful

I watched the sunset tonight.

You know what thought never crossed my mind?

That it wouldn’t rise again in the morning.

I’m not going to wake up tomorrow, and find the sky as black as it is now.

The sun will rise again.

It always does.

The Psalmist once said: “My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning—yes, more than they that watch for the morning.” (Psalm 130:6)

His soul waited on his God more than those who were sure that the morning would come.

We have no doubt the sun will rise tomorrow.

We can wait in expectation on the Lord even more than that.
We can be even more assured that our God will come through for us.
We can hope in Him that much.

The sun will rise again tomorrow.

I can say that with full assurance. Because it always does.

Our God will come through for us.

I can say that with even more assurance.

Because our God is more faithful than even the times and the seasons coming and going.

His ways are not as predictable as the sun rising and setting.

But His faithfulness is.

“His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning.
Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22,23)

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

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thoughts by Bethany Hayes Thoughts by Women

Set in StonePsalm 33:11 Set in Stone
Published December 14, 2019

Set in Stone

“The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” Psalm 33:11 (NKJV)

Have you ever used this reply when asked about your future plans, “Well, nothing’s set in stone.”  This is the equivalent of saying, “Not yet. But I have some ideas.”  Or “I’ve started to make arrangements, but there’s still a lot to do.”  This statement could even mean, “I’ve made some plans, but we’ll see what happens.” We can formulate our intentions and have a strategy, but to “set them in stone” is another story.

Often, plans being formulated by those in authority are troublesome. Some proposals aren’t set in stone. But they are being devised, and it seems they are headed for stone.  Our thoughts can be overwhelmed by the upsetting news reports.  But turned to the rightful Ruler of the universe, we can find this comfort: “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect.” (Psalm 33:10)

For centuries, man has laid down counsels. He has mapped out intentions.  Some propositions he would have called, “set in stone.” But history confirms that, though plans are devised and carried out, eventually they are brought to nothing. New counsels form. But they also come and go, are worked out and defeated. In fact, every nation that has ever existed has been involved in this same cycle: plans devised, carried out, eventually foiled.

If the Lord thwarts the plans of nations, defeats counsels, sets up new governments, and puts down others, what about His own intentions? “The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations.” (Psalm 33:11)  When God made His plans, He set them in stone. And that is where they have been for centuries.

Maybe that’s why Jesus said, “See that you are not troubled.” (Matthew 24:6)

by Bethany Hayes
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thoughts by Bethany Hayes Thoughts by Women

When We Dare to Let God be For Us
Published November 26, 2019

When We Dare to Let God be For Us

Ever found yourself up against a Red Sea—hemmed in, with nowhere to turn?

Ever faced a wall too high and too strong, with no way over or through?

Have your circumstances caused you to long for previous, even loathsome days—like the Israelites who said it would have been better to be back in Egypt, serving the Egyptians?

“It would have been better to still be ‘back there’ than swallowed up with THESE circumstances.”

It’s at times like these when the Lord says:

“Stand still . . .See. . . ” (Exodus 14:13)
Watch what I will do.
You have nothing to do but be silent.

Oswald Chambers once said:“Dare I really let God be to me all that He says He will be?” “My Utmost for His Highest,”

When the Israelites had nowhere to turn and God said He would act, they dared to let Him be for them all He said He would be.

They stopped, stood still—marched silently around an impossible wall—and watched God work.

Because He said He would.

The sea split open.
The walls fell down.

They crossed through their frightening circumstances.
They marched around their greatest fear.

Because God said He would work.

They had nothing to do but be silent.

Someone has defined “rest” as to “cease striving.”

When the children of Israel let their faith rest, they watched God work.

God stepped in, because He was capable of doing what they couldn’t.

They rested in who their God is. They watched silently.

They passed through (Hebrews 11:29); they took the city (Joshua 6)—only after God had worked.

They did what God said, because He said He would do it.

Have you ever found yourself against a Red Sea, a wall like Jericho’s, a circumstance, a need, a dream, an ache that only God could conquer?

He is able.

Rest.

Dare to let God be for you all He has said He will be.

Faith that rests will watch God work.

Every time.

“Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. . .
Rest in the Lord.” Psalm 37:5,7

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

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thoughts by Bethany Hayes Thoughts by Women

When God Seems Small
Published October 10, 2019

When God Seems Small

Lately, I’ve found myself complaining about the very things God gave me in answer to my prayers. Too often, I focus on the uncomfortable, zoom in on the uneasy, and plead for something better.

And thanksgiving forgets to rest on my lips.

Without thanksgiving, our God becomes small.

Forgetting to be thankful, we complain. We wallow in the uncomfortable. We forget to focus on God’s goodness.

We wonder why God is no longer the invincible, all-powerful, loving God we’ve seen Him to be so many times before.

When God seems small, we need to remember the exhortation found many times in the Psalms to magnify the Lord.

To “magnify” means to “to increase in significance; to cause to be held in greater esteem; to enlarge.” (Webster’s dictionary)

Our God never changes.

But the greatness of who He is resonates in our hearts and minds the most when we enlarge our thoughts of Him and esteem Him as greater in significance than our petty inconveniences.

The best way to magnify the Lord is to give Him thanks.

Thanking Him turns our minds from the difficult and enlarges our thoughts of the Giver of all good things.

He has done so much for us. When we neglect to give Him thanks, we leave His blessings unnoticed and minimize His greatness.

When God seems small, “magnify Him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:30)

By Bethany Hayes
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thoughts by Bethany Hayes Thoughts by Women

How to Convince Your Heart that His Arm is Not Too Short
Published October 4, 2019

How to Convince Your Heart that His Arm is Not Too Short

“When we would have any great things to be accomplished, the best policy is to work by an engine which the world sees nothing of.” – John Preston

When we can’t reach something, where do we usually turn?

To someone who’s taller. Or closer.

To someone whose arm is not too short.

Prayer is asking God to reach for something outside our grasp.

To move where we can’t.

To touch where we are incapable.

To act where all we can do is watch.

Prayer is coming to the One whose arm is never too short.

The God we approach in prayer is a God sitting on a throne—high and lifted up (Isaiah 6:1). Yet our Father who sees in secret and hears in secret and is present with us in secret (Matthew 6).

Prayer is seeking the hand of a God who can move in men’s hearts. Heal the bruised. Touch where we can’t. And protect where we would only crumble.

•         We pray to a God who is mighty in our midst (Zephaniah 3:17).
•         To a God who shows Himself strong on our behalf (2 Chronicles 16:9).
•         To the One who is our only hope and our only trust (Psalm 71:5).

We pray to a God who has a mighty, outstretched arm.

It is nothing for our God to work, to reach, to move (2 Chronicles 14:11)

It is nothing for Him to answer our prayers.

His arm is never too short, and His hand can reach even the tiniest trouble.

Pray. And watch God reach His mighty hand long and strong where we never could.

“Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save;
Nor his ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1

By Bethany Hayes
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thoughts by Bethany Hayes Thoughts by Women

How Temptations Lose Their Power
Published August 15, 2019

How Temptations Lose Their Power

We’ve all been there. The battle raging in the mind. Should I? Shouldn’t I? What would it hurt? I’m not sure I can say “no.” How can I say “no”?

Peter did something he thought he would never do.

He denied the Lord.

In the heat of the temptation, he told others he never knew Christ. He never knew the Man who chose him, loved him, taught him, and performed miracles for him.

He knew now that his love was weak.

He knew now how capable he was of failing the Lord.

Here Jesus was, sitting at a meal with him. Risen from the dead.

Here Peter was, eating with the Man he denied. The Man who forgave him, still loved him, and wanted to use him, when Peter thought he’d be content fishing again.

Jesus asked him a question. Three times.

“Do you love me?” (John 21:17)

Maybe that question sat behind the look in Jesus eyes the last time Peter denied Him. He denied the Lord three times, and Jesus turned and fixed his eyes on Peter.

Behind those eyes, was He asking Peter the question, “Do you love me”?

Jesus asked it now—now that Peter knew Jesus had power over death, over the powers of hell. He asked Peter about his love, now that he was forgiven and not forsaken.

If Peter had heard Jesus words, “Do you love me?” the moment he was tempted to deny the Lord, would temptation have lost its power?

“You know that I love you,” Peter told Jesus.

But Peter let that love crumble into hiding when faced with temptation. When asked if he knew Jesus, he even lied to himself. His denial shouted a lie—the lie that he didn’t love Jesus.

Do we love Him?

Temptation will tell.

Temptations will lose their power when we keep ourselves in the love of Christ (Jude 21).

By Bethany Hayes
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What God Already Gave – JOY
Published July 29, 2019

What God Already Gave – JOY

How would you respond if someone stopped you on the street and asked you to describe “true happiness“?

Ask twenty-five people this question, and you will hear twenty-five different answers.

Mankind will always crave true joy and happiness. He will look for it in a myriad of places, but rarely in the right place.

Our God is a God of joy, and He made us in His image. We want our lives to be full of joy, like His.

The truth is:  this God of joy gives joy beyond measure.

We look to people, circumstances, things, or activities to find true happiness.

God says it’s less tangible than that. Something inward.

Joy is filling us with Himself, satisfying us with His promises and everything He already gave.

Joy is the outburst of believing what we can’t see (Romans 15:13).

How would you describe “true happiness“?

True, lasting joy is something God promised to those who believe His truth and love it more than material gain.

Joy is a heartfelt response to everything God already gave.

It’s right at our fingertips.

“Now the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace in believing.“ (Romans 15:13)

By Bethany Hayes
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thoughts by Bethany Hayes Thoughts by Women

Five Important Truths I Keep Forgetting
Published July 18, 2019

Five Important Truths I Keep Forgetting

“The Christian life is a battle,” our pastor reminded us. “Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

Some days that battle is fierce. Some days growing like wheat among tares is stifling. The world constantly tries to press us into its mold. To enjoy its pleasures. To take our eyes off the invisible God. To give in and stop running the race.

And I keep forgetting the important truths of Scripture—truths that should be ready in my hand like a sword in the midst of a raging battle.

1.       This world is not my home.

“Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)

2.       The Maker of heaven and earth loved me before He made heaven and earth.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

3.       Christ died for me, so my slate is clean.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)

4.       Christ rose again, assuring me eternal life.

“Because I live, you will live also.” (John 14:19)

5.       I might see Him today.

“Looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)

“Take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand. . .Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth.” (Ephesians 6:14)

By Bethany Hayes
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How to Turn Tangled Thoughts into Trust
Published May 27, 2019

How to Turn Tangled Thoughts into Trust

I was planning to read Psalm 18 before falling asleep last night. A busy day, a weighty decision, concern for a loved one, and questions about the future. Sometimes we just need to come up for air.

But as I read, I couldn’t get past verse 2.

It took multiple readings to let its nine-fold truth about God sink in—a concept that left Him looming larger than my tangled thoughts.

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalm 18:2)

This verse begged to be read over and over again. God’s might is articulated in beautiful imagery and powerful repetition.

Then I noticed how many “my’s” are included in this array of God-attribute reminders.

My rock.
My fortress.
My deliverer.
My God.
My strength.
My shield.
The horn of my salvation.
My high tower.

It’s almost as if he doesn’t want us to miss the fact that this powerful God is OUR God.

Our tangled thoughts in weakness never overwhelm our strong God. He wants us to lean them all against His strength.

One “attribute” in this list is different. Worded differently, as if the tables turn for a brief moment, it sits up from its middle position and makes an announcement.

Our rock, fortress, deliverer, God, strength, shield, horn of salvation, and high tower is also the One “in whom I will trust.”

I finished reading Psalm 18 today. As the Psalm continues, David beautifully describes how God came to His rescue when David depended on Him.

How should every tangled thought respond to such a powerful God?

Trust.

“He is a shield to all those who trust in him.” (Psalm 18:30b)

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

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To Whom It May Concern
Published May 20, 2019

To Whom It May Concern

If you’re reading this letter, you’re concerned. About kidnapped girls. Missing planes. Wayward children. A diagnosis. You’re concerned about a loved one. A bend in the road. A misunderstanding. A hurting friend.

There’s much in this world to bring concern. Concerns can rightfully be called “troubles.”
But I’m not writing this letter to stir up our troubles, but to share what Jesus said.
He said, “See that you are not troubled” (Matthew 24:6).  We’re concerned. And rightfully so. But Jesus said not to be troubled.

Because “in the world [we] will have tribulation.”  But “Be of good cheer,” He also said. “I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

We are children of the God who reigns (Psalm 47:8).

This world will become the kingdom of our Lord (Revelations 11:15).

God is on our side (Psalm 124:1).

In this world, we will have tribulation. But, to all who are concerned, rest in the One who said, “I have overcome” it all. Rest in the One who knows why we have no cause to be troubled.

He knows the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:10).

Nothing escapes the reach of His hand (Isaiah 59:1).

Our God reigns (Psalm 47:8).

To whom it may concern, rest in the One who is compassionately aware of concerns, reigning over them, long-suffering, on-time, able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that we ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).

Our God is big enough, compassionate enough, powerful enough, and more present than our human hearts realize.

Do not be troubled.

See to it.

Sincerely, Concerned, yet seeking to not be troubled

By Bethany Hayes
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Thoughts by All thoughts by Bethany Hayes Thoughts by Women

The Hands that Never Make Mistakes
Published March 31, 2019

The Hands that Never Make Mistakes

“If a Christian carves for himself,
he’ll cut his own fingers.”

– a Puritan proverb

Our God has hands better than our own to trust.

Hands that are . . .

·         Holding us up.
“Your right hand upholds me.” (Psalm 63:7)

·         Powerful.
“. . . nor did their own arm save them; but it was Your right hand.” (Psalm 44:3)

·         Open and Good.
“You open Your hand, they are filled with good.” (Psalm 104:28)

·         Guiding and Protecting.
“We are . . . the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 95:7)

·         Victorious.
“His right hand and His holy arm have gained Him the victory.” (Psalm 98:1)

·         Trustworthy.
“My times are in Your hand.” (Psalm 31:15)

·         Compassionate and Healing.
“Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him . . . immediately the leprosy left him.”
(Mark 1:41)

·         Pierced for us.
“They pierced My hands and My feet.” (Psalm 22:16)

·         and Sovereign.
“The Father loves the Son, and has given all things into His hand.” (John 3:35)

These are the Hands that never make mistakes.

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

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Love Works
Published January 26, 2019

Love Works

Six days before His death, Jesus went to the village of those who loved Him most.
It was His last Sabbath; the first day of His last week on this earth.
And He chose to spend it with those He loved.

Simon, the Leper (whom Jesus healed) held a supper for Him in His honor.
Simon knew the threat that hung over Jesus’ head.
He knew the religious leaders’ instructions that if anyone knew where He was, they were to report it.
He knew the danger of numbering Himself with Jesus.

But he expressed his love for Jesus anyway.
By honoring Him publicly. . .and boldly.

True to form, Martha served.
The words “Martha served” were a fitting addition to the description of this entire scene.

She was serving the Lord for the two most important reasons:
Love for Christ.
And to Honor HIM.

Martha was loving Him with pure, selfless service.

“Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with Him” — a living example of the power of God.

We have no word of anything Lazarus said.
But we don’t need one.
His life was testimony enough.

He loved Christ by simply BEING. . . a man “who had been dead, whom [Jesus] raised from the dead.” (John 12:1)

But Mary topped all the love in the room with a love that couldn’t be missed.
She anointed the Lord.
And the odour from the ointment filled the room.

Jesus called it a “good work.”

And, again, Mary had “chosen the good part.”

It didn’t matter that Jesus was anointed for His burial at this point in the week.
It didn’t add anything to the ‘work’ HE was about to do.

The Lord didn’t need this anointing.
And it had no meritorious nature in it for Mary.

But Jesus praised her work. . . because of the love that was behind it.

“God, needing nothing, considers in our works ONLY the love that accompanies them.” – Brother Lawrence

Mary received the praise of Jesus because of the love that accompanied her ‘work.’

And her sacrificial act of love was recorded as a memorial to her.
And it is still mentioned today.

Four people expressed their love for Jesus.
In their own unique way.
And without saying a word.

And what we’re to remember the most about these individuals is . . .
What they did to honor Him at that supper.
What they did to show their love and devotion to Him.

The same thing He wants others to remember about you and me.

by Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

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What God Already Gave: His Son
Published December 23, 2018

What God Already Gave: His Son

What is the best Christmas present you’ve ever received?

When I was younger, it was anything Strawberry Shortcake. For a while, I was all about gift cards. This year, the Lord keeps reminding me of something He already gave.

“Unto us a child is born. Unto us a son is given.“ (Isaiah 9:6)

Unto us.

These two words are repeated over and over in Handel’s song, “For unto us a Child is Born.” Two nights ago, I enjoyed listening to the St. Louis Symphony and choir perform his masterful piece, Messiah.  I had never noticed how much Handel emphasized those two little words in that song.

Unto us.

When God the Father sent His son, He sent a gift to us. Jesus wasn’t placed in a manger because He was itching to know what it was like to be a baby. He didn’t beg His Father to let Him come to earth to go fishing or to build things in a carpenter shop.

God gave His Son to us.

He was born. He was given. Isaiah said.

Unto us.

The best gifts are the ones that say, “I noticed you could use one of these.” Or, “I’ve taken the time to get to know you, and I knew you would love this.”

When God gave His Son, He was saying these very same things.

He knew we needed His Son to rescue us from ourselves and from our sin; to bridge the gap between a holy God and our unworthiness. God knew we needed a mediator, a man whose blood would be the only sacrifice sufficient to cover our sin and give us access to our God in heaven.

He knew we needed Jesus, so “Unto us a child is born.”

God loved His Son. He loved the world. And He so loved the world, He gave His Son (John 3:16). He knew that once we believed on Him, we would love Him, too.

God knows us so well, He wanted to give us the best gift He could think of, so “Unto us a son is given.”

While the world tells Santa what they want for Christmas, we can thank the Lord for what He already gave.

God gave His Son.

Unto us.

“There is born to you this day in the city of David, a Savior.“ (Luke 2:11)

By Bethany Hayes
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If God Were to Answer Your Phone CallNew Covenant: Love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself.
Published June 14, 2018

If God Were to Answer Your Phone Call

Sometimes life throws curve balls, hands us difficult decisions, and asks us to deal with complicated relationships. We want to respond Biblically and choose wisely. We search the Scriptures. We pray.

But if you’re like me, sometimes you just want to pick up the phone and let God tell you what to do.

I’ve recently concluded that if I could pick up my phone and ask God for advice, He would always give me the same answer.

Whether it’s a major decision, a tough relationship, the need to respond properly to the various curve balls that come, His answer would always be the same.

I believe this, because so much of Scripture is centered around this answer.

Those who were under the law knew what God wanted of them. He spelled it out plainly in several books of the Old Testament.

Those of us who are no longer under the law are told how all those books of rules can be summarized (Romans 13:19):

  • Love God with all your heart and soul and mind and strength. This command summarizes the first five commandments.
  • Love your neighbor as yourself. This command summarizes the last five commandments.

Everything God expected of His people came down to these two commands.

If this is all God really asks of us, couldn’t we apply this desire of His to every area of our lives?

If I had a major decision to make and I called God on the phone, I think His answer would be:

  • Which decision would increase your love for Me and help you grow in your love for others?

If I had a relationship I was struggling with and I asked Him for advice, I think He would say:

  • How can you demonstrate that you love Me with everything in you and that you want to love that person to the max?

If a curve ball came my way and I wanted to respond properly, I think He would tell me:

  • What response would come from your deep love for Me and your desire to love others as yourself?

God lets us make decisions, handle difficult relationships, and respond to curve balls.

But if He were to tell us what to do in each of these cases, it would always be grounded on these two principles.

Love the Lord with all your heart and soul and mind and strength.

Love others as yourself.

I believe this is what He would say.

If God were to answer your phone call.

“There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:31

By Bethany Hayes
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Lessons from a One-Legged SandpiperHebrews 12:1a-2b Devotional on a Sandpiper and Running the Race
Published November 20, 2016

Lessons from a One-Legged Sandpiper

Hebrews 12:1a-2b Devotional on a Sandpiper and Running the Race

While sitting by the gulf in Northwest Florida, I watched as three sandpipers scurried by. There was something special about one of them. He had one leg and one little stump.

One leg or two, he could still soar. But to walk through the everyday ins and outs of life, to live with an unchangeable circumstance day after day, to survive one-legged in a two-legged world, took courage and determination.  For him, living life was an effort foreign to the others.

None of these things stopped this little sandpiper. He hopped alongside the others, determined to survive in this two-legged world. His was a one-legged life, but he made it work.

When he hopped by, I almost missed him. I almost missed his silent courage and seemingly effortless determination. I almost missed this tiny reminder that obstacles can be overcome and hurdles produce courage.

Sometimes, life seems like a one-legged journey in a two-legged world: off-balance, too much effort, a hindered hop from one hurdle to another.

But life doesn’t have to stop just because it’s hard.

This one-legged sandpiper kept going.

Is there anything stopping us?

Hebrews 12:1b-2a–“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” (NKJV)

Lord, Thank You for the hurdles of life; the hard things day by day that keep us turned Your direction.  Help us not to cave into our circumstances, but to see them as opportunities to run the race with an endurance that only comes from keeping our eyes fixed on You. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

by Bethany Hayes

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