“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

“We are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”  2 Corinthians 3:18

Put your trust and hope in the Lord. Don’t be discouraged when things don’t go your way. Do not be afraid, be of good courage.

What’s there to fear if The Lord is at your side? Trust in the Lord in everything you do. Be patient and wait upon Him.

The world may think that you’re foolish, but remember, they said the same thing to God’s prophets. Remember you’re serving the Almighty God.

Please God in everything you do. Ask for His grace and mercy everyday. Repent from your sinful ways. Don’t think evil thoughts of others and the Lord shall strengthen you daily.

Don’t give up - press on. Remember, everything happens for a reason. You might not see it now, but you will one day. When you find yourself in difficulties and it seems you can’t reach God’s hand, know that you can always trust His heart. God is always thinking of you.

Jesus will never forsake us. He knows when we’re down, upset, lonely or hurt. He feels it too. No matter how much we’ve sinned and hurt His heart, He’s ever ready to forgive us, to accept us with opened arms.

Our God is a covenant keeping God. Today, decide to make a covenant with Him, and begin to live the life that pleases Him. Don’t fall into temptation but stay firm in His teachings. Be a person, whose focus is on the promises of God.

Don’t allow emotions to pull you down or circumstances overtake you. Instead, think positively with a strong mind, and praise God with a joyful heart. Be thankful.

Let the love of God fill your heart and overflow to others. The Lord’s command is to love one another.

Do not have doubts regarding your faith in Christ. Allow the Spirit of God take control of your life, and you’ll see the glory of the Lord.

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

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Joshua Chin Hong Lim is Chinese, living in Malaysia.  Married, with 5 children (4 girls - 1 boy). Came to know the Lord in his second year of university.  Attended the University of Singapore (Dental Faculty).  Worked as a dentist from 1974 till now in Singapore; Skegness, Lincolnshire, England; London; Malaysia.
 Joshua joined the Bukit Mertajam Baptist Church in the 1980’s, became active in the church.  Presently, helping out Pastor David Ng in HOPE Assembly at Butterworth and often preaches. He has a blog at (http://www.joshuachlim.blogspot.com). Joshua’s desire is to encourage other’s in Christ.

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

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God.” Romans 12:1

Acceptable – I don’t like this. Neither should you. I don’t want to be “acceptable.” I want to be wonderful, excellent, top-shelf or best. In Paul’s day, the translation of euarestos could have carried the idea of acceptable because Paul thought of acceptable in terms of the sacrificial system of Israel. But today this English word is unacceptable. It doesn’t capture what Paul means. It slips into the advertising lingo of “good, better, best.” It makes us feel as though we just squeaked by. That is clearly not what Paul has in mind.

 First, let’s look at the Greek word itself. Eurestos actually combines two words: eu (well, in the sense of “good“, not in the sense of “healthy“) and aresko (to please). Literally, this word means “well-pleasing.” At a slightly deeper level, aresko implies to be fitted to the task, to be just what is required. God is well-pleased, says Paul. It’s not that God finds us just good enough. God finds us perfectly fitted for His purposes. We delight Him.

Now let’s consider this Greek word from a Hebrew perspective. What characteristics does God require of the sacrifice? It must be spotless, the best, as perfect as it can be. In fact, since no created thing is perfect, all that the sacrifices demonstrate is directional holiness. Ultimately, the holy God had to be sacrificed. He was and is and will be the only perfect being. His sacrifice covers it all. So, when Paul invokes the Hebrew imagery with the Greek word eurestos, he implies the directional perfection of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God. It is “acceptable” all right, but not in the way that we think of acceptable. In this context, acceptable means exactly what God requires.

So, are you exactly what God requires? If you have presented yourself as a living sacrifice, you are! Even though there was something wrong with you so that you were not consumed in the sacrifice, what was wrong has been completely covered over. You can now be the perfectly fitted sacrifice that God intended because He has removed the obstacle of imperfection.

This is difficult to absorb even though it may seem simple to grasp. There are plenty of times when you and I will not feel like we are perfectly fit for God. We fall. We sin. All of our blemishes seem exposed, displayed as flashing neon signs to ourselves and the world. Yet God says that we are perfectly fit for Him. It doesn’t matter how you feel about this. In fact, the more you dwell on your feelings of imperfection, the more your stained history will capture your attention. Listen! You and I are living sacrifices. Of course we are stained. That’s the only way we can be living sacrifices. But God counts us righteous. Who are you going to believe - the inner voice that keeps reminding you of your unworthiness, or God’s voice proclaiming His delight?

Be a Hebrew! Act on what God says no matter how you feel. Get up and do what the delighted Father tells you. Let your actions demonstrate your acceptance of His proclamation.

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

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Skip Moen, author, speaker and consultant, provides clients with  reflective insight into business practice assumptions and practical  solutions to human resources issues.  Skip resides in Florida, USA.  
You can contact Skip at skip@skipmoen.com or visit his website www.skipmoen.com

“Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth, everyone who is called by My name, and whom I have created for My glory, whom I have formed even whom I have made.” Isaiah 43: 1-7

The 2008 Beijing Olympics is history. Athletes have returned home, some dejected, some euphoric. The Bird’s Nest stadium of strikingly quiet, it’s main mission accomplished and ready for a retrofit as a soccer stadium.

Each participating athlete has his or her own story to tell, but none is more poignant or notorious than the story of Michael Phelps, whose Olympic achievement - eight gold medals in Beijing, 14 over all - is astonishing in itself. But set against the backdrop of his early years and a diagnosis of Attention Deficit Disorder, his performance is even more awe-inspiring. Let this be a lesson for all those who don’t fit the mold: Don’t let anyone count you out.

Before he became the greatest Olympian ever, Michael Phelps was a kid who was bullied because he had big ears and a lisp. A teacher once told his mother he’d never be successful because he couldn’t focus.

We’ve watched amazing athletes.  Not a one got to the Olympics by being unfocused and undisciplined.  Dreams of gold can’t be realized without incredibly long hard days and years of focused training.

But there is more to the story. Phelps achieved his amazing Olympic accomplishment, with the help of so many others-many unseen people that were there for him to achieve this accomplishment. And the best part of this, he repeatedly gave credit to all these individuals; his mother, sisters, coaches, and teammates. Each had an integral part in his success.

Debbie Phelps, an unbending champion for her son, sought a creative release for his unhinged energy - swimming. And his coach, Bob Bowman, laid out a plan that propelled him into the highest levels of his sport.

Think of the possibilities if the world viewed kids like Phelps for their potential, not for their imperfections. What if every child who faced such obstacles had at least one adult who saw the talent within and became their champion?

The Bible is filled with stories of people who depended on others for support and success. Encouragement is to a team what wind is to a sail - it moves people forward.

Michael Phelps isn’t the only one whose achievements are made possible by the work and services of a support team, so great and so complex, that God alone deserves the credit for making it possible, whether Michael realizes it or not.

Eric Liddell in the classic film “Chariots of Fire,” said “God made me to run.” Michael Phelps was made to swim, but it took a lot of work, patience and determination to win the gold, both on his part and on the part of others.

The world is awed by Phelps for his spectacular achievement and the gold medals around his neck. While he has become an extraordinary young man, who deserves the public’s respect, he is the awkward, unfocused little boy who ultimately triumphed and became the person God uniquely created him to be.

Remember, God doesn’t make throw-aways. Like the US Army recruiting commercial, “be all you can be” and I would add all God made you to be……. and while you are at it help someone else to go for their gold medal of life.
(a thought on life from John Grant )

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

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John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney. He is an active writer and frequent speaker.  He can be reached by e-mail at John.Grant@johngrant.net

‘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

“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

Through Christ, God has accepted you. Think about what this means. You cannot keep people from rejecting you. But you can keep rejections from enraging you.

Rejections are like speed bumps on the road. They come with the journey. You’re going to get cut, dished, dropped, and kicked around. You cannot keep people from rejecting you. But you can keep rejections from enraging you. How? By letting his acceptance compensate for their rejection.

Think of it this way. Suppose you dwell in a high-rise apartment. On the window sill of your room is a solitary daisy. This morning you picked the daisy and pinned it on your lapel. Since you have only one plant, this is a big event and a special daisy.

But as soon as you’re out the door, people start picking petals off your daisy. Someone snags your subway seat. Petal picked. You’re blamed for the bad report of a coworker. Three petals. The promotion is given to someone with less experience but USC water polo looks. More petals. By the end of the day, you’re down to one. Woe be to the soul who dares to draw near it. You’re only one petal-snatching away from a blowup.

What if the scenario was altered slightly? Let’s add one character. The kind man in the apartment next door runs a flower shop on the corner. Every night on the way home he stops at your place with a fresh, undeserved, yet irresistible bouquet. These are not leftover flowers. They are top-of-the-line arrangements. You don’t know why he thinks so highly of you, but you aren’t complaining. Because of him, your apartment has a sweet fragrance, and your step has a happy bounce. Let someone mess with your flower, and you’ve got a basketful to replace it!

The difference is huge. And the interpretation is obvious.

God will load your world with flowers. He hand-delivers a bouquet to your door every day. Open it! Take them! Then, when rejections come, you won’t be left short-petaled.

God can help you get rid of your anger. He made galaxies no one has ever seen and dug canyons we have yet to find. “The LORD … heals all your diseases” (Psalms 103:2–3 NIV). Do you think among those diseases might be the affliction of anger?

Do you think God could heal your angry heart?

Do you want him to? This is not a trick question. He asks the same question of you that he asked of the invalid: “Do you want to be well?” (John 5:6). Not everyone does. You may be addicted to anger. You may be a rage junkie. Anger may be part of your identity. But if you want him to, he can change your identity. Do you want him to do so?

Do you have a better option? Like moving to a rejection-free zone? If so, enjoy your life on your desert island.

Take the flowers. Receive from him so you can love or at least put up with others.

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

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Max Lucado
From: A Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
Used by permission
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/about/

“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

‘Not by might nor by power, but by my Spirit,’ says the LORD Almighty.’ Zechariah 4:6

Some years ago while we were living in the Gulf Islands, in British Columbia, my brother Tim helped me landscape our yard. I was trying to move a wheelbarrow full of rocks. It was quite heavy and I should have waited for help but I didn’t. I grabbed the handles of the wheelbarrow, lifted, leaned forward, pushed with all my might, lost my footing and drove my face right into the load of rocks. A few scratches, a bloody nose and injured pride!

We were building a rock garden had to move several large rocks. Some were very heavy and it took both of us to lift them and some we would just roll into place. I was trying to roll one of the heavier rocks and it wouldn’t move. Then Tim said, “Let me try.” I had visions of him doing the same thing I had done with the wheelbarrow the previous day because he had to take a similar stance. He grabbed hold of the rock, lifted, leaned forward, gritted his teeth, shouted, “praise the Lord anyway,” and rolled the rock into place.

I have always remembered this and whenever I am struggling with something that seems heavier than I can handle I quickly say, “praise the Lord anyway.”

My prayer for you this week

“I pray that you are always ‘praising the Lord anyway’, acknowledging that in all things it is not by might nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord Almighty. Amen.” Zachariah 4:6

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

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Alec Niemi, an entrepreneur, lifestyle evangelist and pastor is passionate about helping people find Christ. He lives in the Fraser Valley in British Columbia.