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 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

by Katherine Kehler
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“For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey him, and then helping you do what he wants”  Philippians 2:13

We were at a garden market choosing flowers for our garden. For 49 years of our marriage I have always done this myself because my husband was working at ministry things. This year we did it together and I discovered our preferences are quite different. Not that one was better than the other - just different.

My first inward reaction was that my preference would look better. But the Holy Spirit reminded me that this was my husband’s garden too. So after discussing various options, we came up with a compromise that satisfied both of us. After planting the flowers together, we agreed the flower garden looked great.

Seemingly little things, but that is what life is made of. How we respond to circumstances can make our life enjoyable or not.

God gave me the grace to yield and not argue. Circumstances in our life keep changing which means we have to change as well. We are unable to change without the Holy Spirit’s power. The above promise from Philippians has been so helpful to me. God helps us want to obey Him and then He also gives us the power to do it.

I thought of a statement Dr. Henry Brandt often used in his talks, “Circumstances will always reveal your spirit.”

How are you doing today? Need God’s help to change? He is eager to help you - just ask Him.

Father, thank You for helping us want to obey You and giving us the power to change. You supply all of our needs. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/16/kk_grace-to-yield/

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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 Katherine Kehler
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“I am gentle and humble” Matthew 11:29

One of the first devotionals in the book Knowing God Through the Year by J.I. Packer, used the above verse -

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

My eyes stopped when I read, “gentle and humble.” I began to consider what I read.

Here is the Creator of all things, the God Almighty, the God who knows everything and is all wise, the One who is holy, the Ruler Supreme, and yet He told us He is gentle and humble. We will find rest for our souls if we come to Him.

You would think He would say,

“Hey you, don’t you know how important I am? I don’t have time for you, I am too busy.” But He didn’t. He said, “Come to Me.”

Wow!

The greatest leader and He is gentle and humble. How many people do you know who invite you to come to them? How many leaders do you know, who, after they have become powerful, display gentleness and humility?

And then we must ask ourselves the question, “Am I gentle and humble?” Do people feel peaceful in my company?

Lord, thank You for inviting us to come to You. Thank you for being gentle and humble. You are so awesome, yet so kind. Create in us a gentle and humble spirit. Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/12/kk_gentle-humble/

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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 Katherine Kehler
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“And my God will meet all your needs according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

After 23 years in one location, we sold our farm and moved to an apartment in another city about one hour away. The day after we moved in, Marvin left on a ministry trip and I was by myself in this new location. I felt very much alone. Nothing was familiar.

I decided to go for a walk. Our apartment was close to the ocean and I looked forward to walking along the dike. I had only walked a few feet when I noticed a big black dog trotting alongside me. Real friendly. He acted like I was his owner. When we got to the beach he brought me a stick and I threw it into the water and he ran to retrieve it. We played like this for quite a while. Then he chased the ducks - but would always come back for my approval. People walking along the dike thought he was my dog. I felt good – I had a companion - even it if was only a dog.

He walked home with me, but when I was a few feet from the apartment building, he left me and I never saw him again.

The Lord knew I needed a companion that day and He provided one for an hour. My heart was overwhelmed with thankfulness and love for Him.

Father, You know all the lonely hearts that are reading this devotional. Reveal Your love for them by showing them that someone cares for them. Thank You! Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/06/kk_he-provides/

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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 Katherine Kehler
_________________________________________

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” 1 Corinthians 10:13

We were driving through a small town in South Western British Columbia when I noticed the name of a clothing store.  The store was called “TEMPATIONS”. Interesting name, I thought.  Then I smiled when I saw that both the show windows had large white banners saying, “DOORS CLOSING”. 

Immediately, my mind went to various life scenarios that could happen if this was true in real life. For example: Temptations: Doors closing to all temptations to eat too much ice-cream and desserts, to all lust and greed, to all jealousy, power struggles and selfishness. And the list could go on and on.  

But of course this isn’t real life.  We are tempted – many times a day.  Galatians 5: 16–18 tells us that as Christians we have two natures–A spiritual nature and a sinful nature. 

“So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other.”
 
If we let the Holy Spirit direct our lives, He will provide a way of escape from temptations.  Read: God Empowers You.

Father, thank you for giving us a way of escape from the temptations that face us daily.  Enable us to remember to allow you to direct our lives so we don’t have to yield to temptations.  Amen

You can comment on this devotional online at:

http://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2008/08/01/kk_temptations/

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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