Category: <span>thoughts by Gail Rodgers</span>

devotional

If we confess our sin, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sin and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9

Peering through the fence, the girl longed to see the game herself! She strained to see as much of the field as possible. Someone tapped her on the shoulder… “Would you like to go in? I’ve paid your way”. She could hardly believe it as she walked through the gate and the sights and sounds surrounded her.

Often we see others enjoying a relationship with God but don’t know how to experience it ourselves. We linger outside with a longing in our hearts.

Sometimes we focus on our circumstances and blame God for the things gone wrong. We keep focused on ourselves. Sometimes we keep God at such a respectable distance that He feels untouchable. Sometimes we realize our own lack of virtue and simply think it can’t be for us. Lots of reasons leave us peering longingly outside of God’s presence.

Yet the ticket was bought for you when Jesus died on the cross. You simply need to believe you are invited because the price has been paid. Paid out of love for you! Once you believe His love is real and personal you can move from being a longing spectator right into His presence as His treasured child. Don’t focus on yourself… focus on God and His forgiveness and His open arms. Simply say, “I’m sorry God, I’ve messed up. Please forgive me.” This is taking the ticket in your hand and entering the gate. Then He cleanses, He renews, and He begins to rebuild.

Release your life and all your mistakes to God. Release your sin to Him. Answer the longing in your heart and know that you qualify to enter into a relationship with God… not because of you… but because of Him!

Dear Heavenly Father, I need you. I’m sorry for going my own way. Please forgive me. I don’t want to peer through the fence any longer. Thank you that you accept me right here, just as I am. Please begin your work of renewing and rebuilding in my life. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
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By Gail Rodgers

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devotions for Christians“… Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love: therefore with loving kindness have I drawn you.” Jeremiah 31:3

The vast expanse of ocean seemed to stretch on forever. Here and there a sand laced island broke the endless blue. From the airplane window I watched as the sun danced on the rolling waves.
A song I learned as a child suddenly played across my mind:

If we with ink the ocean fill
and were the skies of parchment made;
Were every stalk on earth a quill
and everyman a scribe by trade…
To write the love of God above
would drain the ocean dry,
Nor could the scroll contain the whole
though stretched from sky to sky.”

From my vantage point in the sky I was reminded of our amazing God’s endless love for each of us. If that vast expanse below were ink, it would not be enough to write of His love.

Do you know, right now, how much you are loved?
Do you know God’s love for you is measureless and strong?
Do you believe it includes you… right where you are right now?

Never doubt God’s love for you.

So many people have no knowledge of the loving, personal God who calls their names. Be reminded today of how very much God loves you. Carry that knowledge in your heart in a fresh way and be amazed by it. Give it away to those along your path. Thank God for His love right now and live as a treasured child of the Father today.

Father God, Thank you that even if the ocean were ink, it would never be enough to write of Your love for me. What an amazing fact! Help me to live in the knowledge of how very much You love me. Help me never to doubt Your goodness toward me. Give me Your strength to handle the things in my life that I do not understand right now. Help me to live today as Your treasured child. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Thought: Pause right now, wherever you are reading this, and thank God that He loves you and that He always has your best interest at heart. Ask Him to show you someone today who needs His love too and pass it on in some act of kindness.

By Gail Rodgers

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free devotionsLike newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.1 Peter 2: 2 & 3

It was a hectic time. Too often we found ourselves getting “take out”. Then we walked into a friend’s home and the roast beef smelled wonderful. The fast food had filled the need of the moment but the roast beef meal was so much more satisfying.

We all know the sluggish slide our bodies take when we “fast food” it too often.
We often try to “fast food” it as Christians too. Oh we get some nutrition from our quick reading and our prayer on the way out the door. But our hearts hunger for the “roast beef” and we don’t even recognize it.

Sluggishness sets into the soul when we neglect good spiritual nutrition too long. Are you finding unrest in your soul or perhaps some anger or irritation? Is lack of peace and impatience beginning a slow slide into your spirit?

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.” 1 Peter 2: 2 & 3

Spiritual fast food is great for those crazy days now and then, but if it is your steady diet your soul will be malnourished.

God longs to feed your soul. He provides a meal you don’t want to miss.

Father God, Today I ask that You will rekindle my hunger for You. I pray that You will lead me in new ways of knowing You. Help me take the time to grow up in my spiritual tastes. Thank you for the nutrition You have provided in spiritual fast food, but help me to desire more. I know you have a feast for those who take the time to come. May I be one of them. ?In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Take responsibility for your spiritual condition.
•    Put some Christian music on.
•    Read your Bible and ask God to speak to you.
•    Take time to pray alone and listen.
•    Find a Christian friend to talk with.

Real satisfaction awaits you as you crave pure spiritual food. Ask God to help you hunger for Him in new ways. He has a feast for those who linger with Him.

By Gail Rodgers


If you prayed this prayer we would love to hear from you . If you would like to know God deeper we can connect you with an email mentor and/or send you some great links.


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free devotionsWhy are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God.” Psalm 42:11 (NASB)

Susan just “knew” that if God would give her the desire of her heart she would be happy. If this one thing could happen, she believed she would be content.

Sometimes we are worn out and we want to realize the hope that we long for. We know just what God should hurry up and do in order to satisfy us.

The thing you are focusing on may satisfy for a while. Yet it will not meet the deep longing of your soul. God’s presence is the only thing that will. He created you with that need for Him. He fills it. He is the one to put your hope in.

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him who is the health of my countenance and my God. Psalm 42:11

To hope in God means to seek Him with confident expectation. Yet when the desire of our hearts consumes us, we neglect His presence. We blame Him for our unfulfilled hope. We leave His Word unread, our prayers become wish lists and we want Him to hurry.

If your hope is growing thin and the desire of your heart is unfulfilled, turn your attention to His presence instead. Take some time to ask Him to speak to you through His Word. Recount His faithfulness. Pour out your heart to Him. Praise Him. Tell Him your disappointments. Ask His forgiveness. Listen. As you draw near to God, He promises to draw near to you. His presence will refresh you.

Father God, Thank you that You are everything I need. Help me to believe that and to move toward experiencing that in a deeper way today. Forgive me for focusing all my energy on my unfulfilled wishes. Help me today to seek You with a new desire. Bring me into Your presence and refresh me. In the powerful name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

Thought: Commit your hopes and dreams to God and leave them with Him. Then begin seeking His presence with the same energy you sought your particular desire. It may sound trite to you now but the result will amaze you. Our God is a God of surprises and He wants us first to experience Him! Make the change today. He waits to bless you in His presence.

By Gail Rodgers


If you prayed this prayer we would love to hear from you . If you would like to know God deeper we can connect you with an email mentor and/or send you some great links.


If you are reading this devotional by email you can respond by clicking on this link:
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flowersDon’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.Romans 12:2 (NLT)

She was elderly and very sweet. I was intrigued with the way she never asked, “How are you?” No, she would look you in the eye and ask, “So, what’s alive in you today?

It’s a good question. It’s something to think on. Pause right now and ask yourself, “Where did I feel most alive today, most hopeful, most near God?”

Also ask, “Where did I feel most lifeless, most despairing, farthest from God?

Be a better steward of your memory and let it work for you as you review your day. Let it propel you onward toward God and toward true rest and peace. (The Rest of God chapter 15 by Mark Buchanan)

When we pause to examine our moments of life and lifelessness in the course of a day, we can track the wind of God’s Spirit in our lives. We can train the rhythm of our hearts.

Quiet yourself and reflect on your day. When were you most alive? Most empty? What was going on in that moment? Allow God to use your memory to draw you on. Press on to all God has for you. Allow recall to train your restlessness in the direction God wants you to go toward Him.

Father God, Thank you that Your plan for me is to be fully alive. Help me to be aware of my thoughts and to allow You to change my thinking as I draw near to You. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Thought: So far today, can you define the moment you felt most alive? Ask God to sharpen your thoughts so you can grow in the good plans He has for your life today.

By Gail Rodgers

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Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.James 1:27 NIV

A new store caught my eye in the mall recently. “True Religion” was its name and it featured a brand of new chic designer wear. I noticed their denim leggings in the window. They were cute. The store was obviously popular.

My heartstrings were pulled by the words “true religion”. Not because of the fashionable clothes I was seeing…. but because those words were already embedded in my heart in a completely different context. I wondered if any of the young people moving in and out of that store had any idea what “true religion” really means.

The definition is a long-standing one. It’s been reliably quoted for centuries. It has challenged people, changed attitudes and outlooks for generations and brought help to some of the world’s most vulnerable.

True religionis to take care of the orphans and widows, those homeless and loveless in their plight, and to guard your heart against corruption from the godless world.” Paraphrase of James 1:26 & 27.

What a contrast to those same neon words flashing in the store window.

A few short days later John and I were on our way to Africa!! An amazing, incredible trip that continued to speak to my heart about the contrasts as I found them there.

Beauty beyond description as the setting sun on the Masa Maria plains outlined the majestic elephants.

Young faces etched with sorrow as outstretched hands begged for a few coins.

Beautiful lush gardens, grown by caretakers filled with love and a desire to provide for the homeless children with the sad eyes.

Trash heaps that were “home” to thousands living in poverty so desperate it ripped at my heart.

We are home now. My bed is comfortable and my fridge is full. I can choose which definition of “true religion” I will live by.

Though I say I try to live simply and not “over-consume”, I realize its often just words that make me feel good about myself.

And so ….. I am challenged…. what will I do to back away from the neon sign of self-indulgence that our culture calls us to….. and embrace more fully the definition that my heart knows is true …. “to care for the widows and orphans in their need”?

What can you do?

Lord God, There are so many needs … both near and far. Help me to see who and what is right in front of me. Give me a willing heart to respond to the needs You bring across my path. Keep my eyes open to the needs a far too and not allow them to fade from view simply because they aren’t right in front of me. Give me wisdom to know Your plan of response for me. We, as believers and followers of Jesus, are Your hands and feet. May we be moved by the needs You bring to our attention and may we be changed as we respond. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Gail Rodgers

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Thoughts by All thoughts by Gail Rodgers Thoughts by Women

by Gail Rodgers

daily devotionalShelly spent a lot of time and energy thinking about herself and her needs. The needs of others were often an intrusion and a frustration. She felt that she just needed to find herself right now.

It’s true that there are times in life when we need to catch our breath and regroup after change has come our way. But God cautions us not to stay there.

In these busy days we live in we often feel tempted to back away from people and keep as much of our lives to ourselves as possible.

Sometimes a deep loneliness in our spirit develops as we try to cocoon ourselves.

God invites you to deposit your life into His hands or His account. He wants to use your life to touch others and bring you fulfillment in the process.

He says…
Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:39

God created you as a package that is uniquely you. He put gifts and ideas and passions into you that He wants to bring back to the surface to be used by Him to touch others.

This is where you will find your greatest fulfillment…in letting the God who created you work through your uniqueness to touch others.

Be careful not to spend your days just in “finding yourself”.

Deposit your life into God’s account for Him to spend in ways that will amaze you and bless you as He uses you to do just what He created you to do.

Prayer & reflection
Father God, Sometimes I feel wearied by people and all their needs and demands. Thank you that You have created me uniquely. Thank you that when I put myself in Your hands You will use my uniqueness to touch some other life… and I will be blessed. Today I deposit my life in Your account believing, that as I spend my life for Your sake, I will actually find myself. Thank you for Your amazing grace that can use me as I am today because You will flow through me. Fill me now with Your Holy Spirit so I may walk today in Your plans for me. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

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devotionals onlineby Gail Rodgers

As I read the emails that come to me my heart is touched by the places where many of you walk. I wish there was time in life to sit over a pot of tea and share with one another about God’s faithfulness to us in the challenges of life.

As I have thought about you and prayed for you, God reminded me of a prayer in the Bible that is a great model of how to pray for one another. This morning I want to pray this prayer for each one reading this today and seeking to trust God in the places where you walk.

Since the day we heard about you we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through spiritual wisdom and understanding.

And we pray this in order that you may:
•    live a life worthy of the Lord
•    and may please him in every way
•    bearing fruit in every good work,
•    growing in the knowledge of God
•    being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might

So that you may have:
•    great endurance
•    and patience
•    and joyfully give thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” Amen.
Colossians 1: 9 – 14

May you be filled with all He is and has for you as you walk on the path before you today.

May God bless you abundantly as you trust Him with all your heart.

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Praying Handsby Gail Rodgers

Generosity is the currency of life. Generous people generate things… they produce and create. Choose today to give. Hold your hands open and offer yourself to God first. Let His wisdom, strength and power flow through you. Offer to be His conduit.

Then give yourself to others. Give your time, give your attention, give your resources and give your care.

God’s word speaks the truth when it says, “The world of the generous gets larger and larger – the world of the stingy gets smaller and smaller” (Proverbs 11:24).

Be generous today and just see if your own world doesn’t expand in some way.

Think about stingy-ness. The mark of the stingy person is the attitude of fear that convinces him there never will be enough. Ask yourself if you are stingy in any area. Making a change will enhance your life.

Choose wisely. If you are a manager and have people working under you, be deliberate in having a generous attitude as you respond.

Surprise yourself today as you reach out to make a generous choice in some unexpected way.

Are you a generous person? Are you stingy in any way?

Lord, fill my heart to overflowing with gratitude for Your love and faithfulness. Help me to pass Your love on in some way today. Amen.

– Think of one area of your life where you find it hard to be generous. What is one thing you can to do today to be more giving?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
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devotionalAs we seek the Lord in fresh ways in this new year, I pray that God will guide all of us in taking steps of intentional growth.

This Mini Series on Character building is from Proverbs 31. Though the Proverbs 31 woman is often portrayed as an impossible ideal, the verses describing her do give us much to inspire us in developing our own character.

Join me this year in choosing to intentionally build growth into our individual hearts and strength into our faith.

This verse stood out to me this morning as I contemplated what God is saying to me with a new year on the horizon. I pray it for you as well.

Psalm 25:4-5 (NIV)

Show me your ways, O LORD,
teach me your paths;
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
for you are God my Savior,
and my hope is in you all day long.

May our hope be daily in our Lord as we share the journey through a new year.

by Gail Rodgers

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Thoughts by All thoughts by Gail Rodgers Thoughts by Women

by Gail Rodgers

You can have no fear when shadows cross your pathway.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me …” Psalm 23:4

This verse is often read as comfort in the presence of physical death. Yet whenever the shadow of loss of any kind crosses our pathway our natural inclination is to respond in fear.

Loss comes in many forms: the death of a dream; the loss of health; finances; a job; the loss of a friendship; a home; a marriage.

The threat of loss often casts its fearful shadow unexpectedly. Global and national situations can cast shadows of potential loss. A looming medical test; unsettled talk at work; the tense edge in a relationship can all throw shadows across our hearts.

This beautiful Psalm acknowledges that we do walk through valleys that cast the shadow of death along our way … and yet we do not need to fear those shadows. Even in the midst of them we are reminded, “I will fear no evil, for You are with me”.

We never need to fear a loss of hope when shadows come. Shadows are part of life as our days lengthen and change. Yet the shadows need not define us nor paralyze us with fear. They need not make us retreat nor cower. For our God walks with us through the valley where the shadows cast a distorted image.

We need not fear. He comforts us as we go. He prepares a feast for us even in the midst of hostile territory. He anoints us with His joy and our cup can overflow with the knowledge of His goodness and mercies following us as we courageously walk on. Our good Shepherd leads us and we can trust Him fully, even in the shadows.

Thank you LORD GOD that You are my Good Shepherd and that You lead me today. If a shadow of loss threatens to darken my way today may I lean  hard on You, allowing Your comfort to fill me, Your joy to bubble up in me and Your peace to replace my fear. May I see the goodness and the mercy that are following me as I confidently follow You along the pathway of life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

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Thoughts by All thoughts by Gail Rodgers Thoughts by Women

by Gail Rodgers

Challenges come to all of us. Sometimes they can feel overwhelming. When they do our tendency is often to become discouraged in our faith. My friend called today. She is in the middle of some very stretching circumstances. Her voice cracked as she asked, “Why would God let us go all the way down this road only to close the door now?”

She was in a tough and confusing spot. Together we prayed that God would reveal the next step to her. And He will. We both know His track record in our lives. He can be depended upon.

When life is tiring and confusing it’s easy to lose hope in God’s ability to work on our behalf. We can become weary and not bother picking up the Bible to hear what His Spirit has to say to us. We can cease to pray, feeling that God isn’t hearing us anyway.

God knows our nature is to fall away when times are hard and we are confused. He knows we will tend to neglect His Word. He reminds us not to…

Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.Hebrews 5:13 & 14

Righteousness means choosing aYes Lord” attitude in all of life. Spiritual discernment grows as we live in the mature state of being able to say…

•    “Yes Lord” I will trust You, even in the dark.
•    “Yes Lord” I will believe Your word, even when I feel confused.
•    “Yes Lord” I will obey what I know You are asking me to do.
•    “Yes Lord” I will continue to commit my every step to You.
•    “Yes Lord” I will continue to grow in spiritual understanding.

Hard circumstances in life can be times of equipping. The roots of a mighty tree must go deep so it will be grounded when the fierce winds blow.

During times of deep challenge make a choice to trust God. Make a decision to allow God to equip you with spiritual understanding and wisdom for your next step.

Stay disciplined. Keep equipped by standing on the promises of His word. Keep the door of your heart open with an invitation to Him to lead you every step of the crooked way.

He will build a track record in your life that will secure you in your faith. He is faithful. Be determined to continue to equip yourself with prayer and His word.

Though circumstances and people may disappoint you, God never will. His strength will hold your hand and your heart through those times when your world is shaken.

Prayer & reflection:  
Dear Heavenly Father, Help me, during times of uncertainty, not to fall away from You and Your word. Help me to keep a disciplined spirit and continue to equip myself with Your promises and an open heart for You to be at work, even in the midst of confusion. Thank you for Your Holy Spirit who will help me grow in spiritual understanding. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

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Thoughts by All thoughts by Gail Rodgers Thoughts by Women

by Gail Rodgers

In the noise and commotion of life it’s easy to miss the still small voice within us.  It is easy for our awareness of God to diminish in our busy schedules. It’s easy to lose our observant eye and ear as we rush from one thing to the next! It is wise to stop and ask, “Am I growing or eroding in who I am becoming?”

A wise woman grows in becoming vigilant…

A vigilant woman is watchful and alert. She is observant… with an eye to the future and is on guard for danger or pitfalls.

A vigilant woman pays attention to the little things in her life and in her relationships. She is careful with her money knowing that the little things can add up to be big things. She is alert to the subtle slip in important relationships. She takes the time to mend the small tears in the relationships around her, knowing this will make them stronger in the future.

A vigilant woman is wise in tending her marriage. Wherever she can she seeks to sow seeds of approval, appreciation, affection and attention in this most important of human relationships.

Be very careful, then, how you walk… not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16

As you walk through this day ask God to help you be observant to His still small voice nudging you. When you are attentive in your relationship with God He will help you grow to become more aware and vigilant in your life and relationships.

Prayer & reflection

Father God, I want to be a wise woman. I know I am not always as careful as I should be in how I walk and how I tend my relationships. Help me to be on guard against the slow erosion that can happen in relationships when I become too busy. Help me to see how my hurried life distracts from some of the most important tasks I have in building for the future.  Remind me to make the most of the opportunities I have each day to build into the relationships with those I love. The days are evil, Lord… there is much to pull us away from each other and from You. Help me to be wise. Fill me with Your Spirit and help me to be watchful and alert as I guard my heart and my home.  In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

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Thoughts by All thoughts by Gail Rodgers Thoughts by Women

by Gail Rodgers

“And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly,
To love mercy,
And to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)

It’s easy to call to mind those who challenge our patience and love. How do we love those at work or at church who are spreading rumors or that neighbor who just seems to want to make life miserable for everyone around?

The springs of love are within God. Love does not naturally exist in our own hearts when faced with things that grate on us. God tells us exactly what is required of us. Our responsibility is simply to walk humbly with our God. We need to allow Him to keep our hearts soft with mercy while striving for fairness. This will make a difference in the situations where people seem so irritating.

His Holy Spirit gives us the patience and the ability to be kind and to look for fairness in our dealings. It doesn’t suggest a “door mat” response yet it holds out hope when mercy and fairness, from God’s heart, fill ours and helps us deal patiently with some of the hard people in life. How could you show love to some of the hard people in your life?

Father in Heaven, You have called me to love the world around me. It’s not an easy thing to do. Thank you that You not only spell out how but You also offer the resource of Your mercy and Your wisdom to bring balance to circumstances that seem so out of balance. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit today and let Your love flow through me so others see You through me. In Jesus’ name, Amen

Thought: Is there someone who needs your patience or forgiveness today? Look for an opportunity to show God’s love to someone today.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/09/17/gr_a-short-supply-of-love/

Thoughts by All thoughts by Gail Rodgers Thoughts by Women

by Gail Rodgers

Have you ever found your faith to be in a dry spell and you’ve felt like giving up as a Christian? Sometimes we can find ourselves in God’s waiting room and begin to believe He has abandoned us and we are tempted to abandon our faith.

God’s word addresses this very thing. Jesus’ death and resurrection cleared the way for you and I to come boldly into the throne room of God. We can come to God with confidence…not because we deserve to but because Jesus made it possible for us. We are invited to draw near to God with full assurance that He is there… even when we don’t see or feel Him.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:23-25

Don’t throw it all away!

Know with confidence that you are presentable to God because you are forgiven. His blood has cleansed you from a guilty conscience.

Resist the whispers that try to drag you into former guilt.

His word even says your body has been cleansed with pure water when you come to Him for His forgiveness. (Hebrews 10:22) It is a new day!

Draw near to Him with faith that knows no hesitation in trusting God.

Keep active in pursuing your walk with God.

Keep a firm grip on the promises of God and do not give up the faith. Find one promise He has given you. Write it out and put it where you will see it. Ask God to knead the truth of it into your heart like you knead flour into bread.

Let others cheer you and challenge you in your walk with God.

Find people who will help you on your spiritual journey. Encourage someone else along the way. It will boost your own faith as you share with one another.

Prayer & reflection

Father God, You know the tendency of my heart to stray. Help me to hold unswervingly to the hope You have given me in the past. Give me courage to seek out other believers to help me grow my faith. Help me to be determined to draw near to You with confidence that You are there and You will be my strength and my hope. Thank you for Your persistent call upon my life. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/07/23/gr_keep-going/

Thoughts by All thoughts by Gail Rodgers Thoughts by Women