Thoughts by All Archives - Daily Devotionals by Thoughts about God

Published September 28, 2023

You are God’s Chosen Servant

God formed you, gave you the breath of life, and brought you into the world. He did this so His arms could embrace you and His love could keep you close to His heart—He wanted you to know that your relationship with Him would always be of more value than the things He would have you do for Him. He wanted you to be certain that He loved you completely before you ever did anything in His name.

As His servant, He would never ask you to do anything for Him that He expects you to do without Him. He alone will be your sufficiency. His only desire is that you daily open your heart to His resources.

He has made no mistakes in how He has led you. Even in the hard places, He is working out what is best—not only for you and for others, but also for His Kingdom. He is looking at your heart and asks only that you be faithful. He wants you to know that the results of your obedience are for Him to determine. Be assured that it is His presence that will keep you and make you strong.

You are in God’s place at God’s perfect time. Your days are in His hands. He has gifted you and placed His hand upon you to bless you and make you a blessing. The burden of your service is not yours to carry—as you rest, He will work; as you abide, He will bring fruit; as you sow, He will give the increase. He is your shield and your exceeding great reward.

Continue to be God’s servant, in God’s place, doing God’s will, in God’s way,

and always remember—God has chosen you!

“You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you and I have appointed you [I have planted you], that you might go and bear fruit and keep on bearing, and that your fruit may be lasting [that it may remain, abide], so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name [as presenting all that I AM], He may give it to you.” John 15:16 (AMP)

By Roy Lessin
Used by Permission

Stand Firm

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13

“So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.” 2 Thessalonians 2:15

“He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.” Titus 1:9

“Stand firm, therefore, having fastened the belt of truth around your waist, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” Ephesians 6:14

My prayer for us this week

“Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, I pray that we will stand firm. Letting nothing move us. Always give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because we know that our labor in the Lord is not in vain. In Jesus name amen.” 1 Corinthians 15:58

by Alec Niemi
Used by Permission

What An Idiot

“…Anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell..” Matthew 5:22

Really? Wow. That’s harsh judgment just for calling someone an idiot, don’t you think? Some people deserve to be mocked, put in their place, or deemed off their rocker, don’t you agree?

Out of context Jesus’ words seem to be over the top. However, he’s saying something much more significant, something I need to hear, because way down deep I find it easy to judge others, to criticize, to find fault with them.

Here’s the full text:

“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca, ’[a term of contempt] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

Why? The best I can figure is that Jesus wants us to value people as he does. He said he came to redeem people, not judge them (John 3:16-17), and reminds us that everyone is made in God’s image, a precious creation of the Father and worthy of respect.

When we criticize, we play God. We sit on our puny little throne and look down at others with pointed finger and declare “I’m better than you, and you need to straighten up, get a life, and be as good as me!” How arrogant we are to see ourselves as so holy that we can judge others.

Are you like me in finding it all too easy to judge and name-call? Can you agree that we too mess up and need to show humility? What do people need besides our critical comments?

Dear God, thank you for your grace toward me, because I don’t measure up any more than people around me. Help me extend grace and patience to them just as I hope you will do towards me. Amen.

Thought: Maybe you hammered someone with criticism in a holier-than-thou fashion. Why not talk to them and apologize and admit that you make mistakes too?

By Dr. Bill Strom
Used by Permission

Heart’s Desire

“Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will make Your ear attentive.” Psalm 10:17 NASB

As a young man Dan wanted to be a missionary. He hoped to serve as a career missionary along with his wife. But his marriage didn’t work out. Not only was he devastated about his marriage, but he felt that his divorce disqualified him pursuing missionary work ever again.

Many years later he remarried. Not long afterwards the newlyweds had the opportunity to take short-term mission trips with his church to the Caribbean islands to serve with teams in various construction projects, Bible studies and sharing the Good News about Jesus. In this way he was enjoying a kind of missionary work he longed for years ago.

I remarked to him that God brought him full-circle to see the desires of his heart fulfilled. He grinned and nodded in agreement how the Holy Spirit had worked in such a way in his life.

“Delight yourself in the Lord; And He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4 NASB

“You have given him his heart’s desire, and You have not withheld the request of his lips.” Psalm 21:2 NASB

God can and does turn things around and use them for your good and His glory while fulfilling the desires of your heart. When plans go off course, hopes are dashed, hearts are broken, or things just don’t work out as you expected, don’t think that’s the end of it all, the end of the story. That may only be the beginning.

Be alert. Watch how the Lord may be working through many circumstances to open better opportunities than you hoped for. Trust in Him.

Be hopeful. You may end up on a better team, with a better job, or a nicer house. The Lord loves to give good gifts to His children.

Be patient. It could take years. God does not operate on our time schedule. We must remember “that with the Lord one day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years like one day.” (2 Peter 3:8, NASB). But it will be worth the wait!

“May He grant you your heart’s desire and fulfill your whole plan!” Psalm 20:4 NASB

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be alert, be hopeful, and be patient!

By Karen Huffaker
Used by Permission

He Knows the Way I Take

“He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.” Job 23:10-11

Thought

How we long for this to be our true confession. We are not yet gold, but long to be. We are not yet fully following his steps, but are trying. We have tried to not turn aside, but we sometimes falter. Thank God for his grace until our intentions and desires are fulfilled in our discipleship!

Prayer

Magnificent Creator and Sustainer of the Universe, I confess my sin and my inadequacy in following your paths. Forgive me as I commit my life to serve you in holiness and joy. Thank you for your grace which covers my sin and perfect in me the character of Jesus. Through him I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

From: http://www.verseoftheday.com

Ears to Hear

“Let he who has ears to hear, use them.”

Jesus said these words more than once. We’re reminded that it’s not just enough to have ears—it’s necessary to use them.

Scripture has always placed a premium on hearing God’s voice.

“Happy are those who listen to me” is the promise of Proverbs 8:34.

When John wrote to each of the seven churches in Revelation, they were addressed in the same manner: “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

John 10:3-5 says, “The sheep recognize his voice…” They follow because they are familiar with the shepherd’s voice.

Our ears, unlike our eyes, do not have lids. They are to remain open, but how easily they close. Romans 10:17 says, “Faith comes from hearing.”

How long has it been since you had your hearing checked?

By Max Lucado
From: Just Like Jesus
Used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://maxlucado.com/about/

Top 10 Ways Not to Hear From God

Top 10 Ways Not to Hear From God

1. Take no time for margins in your life. Fill your life with so much activity that there is no room to “Be still, cease striving, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). When we live in the tyranny of the urgent, we can be so busy that two-way conversation with God is not a priority.

2. Don’t admit that you have any needs. Be so self-sufficient that you don’t need a prayer base. We all need personal intercessors. Yet, as I ask most Christian leaders if they have a prayer base as a necessity of their life and ministry, they reply blankly, “Uh… no.”

3. Respond to every need as if you are the only one who can fix it. Jesus did not respond to every need. From our people-pleasing natures, it is not easy to see that every need is not our call. Our valid call is only from God, not from the pleading voices around us.

4. Don’t ask God any questions. People have questions, and they will look for the answers somewhere: psychics, self-help books, friends, talk-radio shows, the internet, etc. Only God is the source of eternal Truth. He is available for our questions, toll-free, unlimited access.

5. Be so exhausted that your physical, mental, and emotional fatigue cries out to be satisfied louder than the still, small voice of God. To hear from God, we must take adequate time off to get much-needed rest and refreshment. Burned out, we are no good to ourselves or anybody else, much less to God.

6. Completely ignore the Person and work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit speaks words of truth and comfort and enables us to grow in spiritual awareness. By slighting His work and failing to rely on Him, we short-change our ability to hear from God.

7. Insist that God must conform to your comfort zone. Be so comfortable that if God did speak, it would upset your status quo. Self-satisfaction kills our hunger to hear from God. So does lack of vision that there’s more beyond where we are. When we are busy perpetuating a personal agenda, we will not hear the voice of God, especially if it means change.

8. Be religious. “Religion” is characterized by tunnel vision that thinks it has all the answers. Religion does not deepen us in the grace of God. Look at the Pharisees. They were preoccupied with keeping every jot and tittle of the law. Jesus called them whited sepulchers, full of dead men’s bones. They kept a form of godliness and missed God walking among them. God calls us to cultivate a living relationship in intimacy with Him at all costs.

9. Be ignorant of the warfare. We must not see only the surface of things. We are not fighting flesh and blood but unseen spiritual battles (Ephesians 6:12-13). Paul instructed us not to wage war on the horizontal level as the world does. The informed and armed soldier overcomes everything that sets itself up against the righteousness, peace, and joy of the kingdom of God (2 Corinthians 10:3-5, Romans 14:17).

10. Tolerate unconfessed sin in your life. The psalmist said, “If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18). Our sin and flesh must not be allowed to dominate so loudly that they drown out God. We must draw near God with a clean conscience (Hebrews 10:22).

Follow the example of Jesus, who often slipped away from
the crowds to spend time with the quiet loving voice of his Father.

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission

Not of This World

“And the world hates them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not. They are not part of this world any more than I am.” John 17:14, 16

In His last night Jesus took pains to make clear to His disciples the impassible gulf between Him and the world and also between them and the world (John 16:16-21). He had said of the Spirit: “The world at large cannot receive Him, because it isn’t looking for Him and doesn’t recognize Him.” (John 14:17). “The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t. I chose you to come out of the world, and so it hates you.” (John 15:19)

One great mark of the disciples was to be as little a part of the world as Christ was. Christ and the disciples had become united in the cross and the Resurrection; they both belonged to another world, the kingdom of heaven.

Why is it that faith in the Holy Spirit is practiced so little by Christians?

The world rules too much in the lives of Christians. The “world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in possessions” (1 John 2:16) – all this robs the heart of its desire for that true self-denial necessary for receiving the Holy Spirit.

by Andrew Murray
Used by permission
From: ‘Teach Me to Pray‘
published by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Scripture Smorgasbord

As a young girl, I looked forward to potluck dinners in the basement of our small church.

I would stand at the top of the stairs and inhale the smell that was wafting its way up from the kitchen, causing my mouth to water and then I’d race down as fast as I could.

The various and sundry dishes seemed to stretch on forever.

My favorite thing to do, before it all began, was to walk up one side of the tables and down the other, trying to see all that was there. If I stretched my neck and stood on my tip toes I could just get a glimpse of what was in the those wonderful smelling dishes.

The good old standbys always brought a smile to my face; fried chicken, orange jello and deviled eggs. But other dishes like vegetables or weird salads would make me wrinkle my nose and rejoice that at this dinner I didn’t have to have a “no thank you” helping. And then there were the desserts, as usual the ladies of our church had out done themselves with warm brownies fresh out of the oven, enormous cakes, and pies galore.

My joy of potluck dinners was born out of a love for food and fellowship. My favorite thing about potlucks was that my parents weren’t as attentive to my eating habits which enabled me to eat whatever I wanted. This meant that I could forego the vegetable dishes and fill up on desserts to my heart’s delight.

I also enjoyed the freedom to be able to pick and choose what I wanted to eat. At home there weren’t a lot of choices. I had to eat a little of everything, even if I didn’t like it. I learned early in life not to complain because that would only get me more!

My love for potluck dinners was raised to new heights, when I realized for the first time that if I put something on my plate and didn’t like it, I didn’t have to eat it! That was never the case at home. The mantra, “Clean Your Plate” had been adopted by my parents, and there was no hope of changing it. Believe me, I tried.

Recently when I sat down to spend some time in the Scriptures; I was struck with the fact that I have a tendency to love God’s Word, like I love potluck dinners! Let me explain . . .

I choose to feast on verses like Lamentations 3:22-23 (NLT) “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.”

But turn my nose up at verses like Matthew 5:44 (NLT) “But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!”

My desire for things that are easy and tasteful hinders me from developing strength and depth as His disciple. And I can’t help but wonder if this is what Paul was alluding to in 1 Corinthians 2:2 (NLT) “I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready. . .”

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying that there are verses in the Bible that don’t have any value but the point I’m trying to make is that we hamper God’s work in our life when we pick and choose what we like and don’t take it ALL into account.

God’s Word is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword. I readily confess that I don’t like to be cut open, to have my sin held up to the light of His Word. It’s so much easier to steer clear of God’s cleansing work in my life and focus on His unending love and faithfulness. But God desires so much more for me and for you!

My question to you is this: Are you approaching God’s Word like you approach a potluck dinner? Do you find yourself choosing the verses in God’s Word that are tasty and appetizing and avoiding those that seem distasteful or hard?

Lord, I confess in my heart of hearts I have approached your Word like I do a potluck dinner. I have feasted on Your grace and avoided Your commands. Thank you for extending Your mercy to me and open my eyes and my heart to ALL that you want to teach me. Amen.

by Kristi Huseby
Used by Permission

Within Reach

“Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1

On a whim, I stopped at a fast food restaurant to get a cold drink while dashing about with my to-do list of errands. There was a line of cars at the drive-through, so I decided to go inside instead.

I saw a dear friend of mine bent over her computer, holding her right hand to her mouth, worry lines exaggerated on her forehead. I waved to get her attention but she was too busy concentrating on what was on the screen. Then I saw a tear run down her cheek, so I slid into the booth and placed my hand over hers as it crunched a to-go napkin. She jolted. Then relief filled her face. “How did God know I’d need a good friend right now?” she whispered. On the screen was an email from her son with disturbing news. We bowed our heads and prayed.

David asked why God seemed so far away in times of trouble. I think if we are honest, that same question has crossed our minds as well. God is always present. Sometimes we just need to look up from our troubles to see Him. Maybe in a rainbow, a song on the radio, or maybe a friend who comes alongside at just the right time.

Or, perhaps He will provide the opportunity for us to be there for someone else so that, as we give, we will be ministered to as well. As I held hands and prayed with my friend, I felt God’s loving touch.

Jesus, You knew suffering when You walked on our soil, and in Heaven You continue to pray for us here in earth who continue to suffer. Fill each of us with the assurance that You are there, You care, and You will provide support, comfort and love. And Lord, spur in us the desire to be there for someone else when You provide that opportunity. Amen.

Thought: Is God calling you to be a comfort to someone? Don’t shoo the thought away when their name enters your head. Pray for them. Then call them, text them or go hug them. And if you need comfort right now, be open to the ways God will let you know He’s there.

By Julie Cosgrove
Used by Permission

Hard Life Journey

“But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall” Malachi 4:2

Dear friend, you might relate to LL Barkat’s painful life journey.
She was abandoned by her birth father and abused by her stepfather.
As LL reached adulthood, she felt doomed by her past.
She believed she had become one more broken link in the chain of her dysfunctional family.

One day while sitting in church, she was overcome by a sense of failure.
Then she sensed God speaking through His Word, promising to heal her and use her.
Healing came through experiencing God’s grace and love.
Today she helps bring others that same hope and healing in Christ.

Friend, God can use your pain-filled past to share the heavenly message of hope in Christ.

Tell others how God loves you and by His grace gave you eternal comfort and a wonderful hope.

Stone Crossings: Finding Grace in Hard and Hidden Places
by LL Barkat

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Long Lists of Stinky Trash

Life has a way of unloading its rubbish on us. Your boss expects too much. Your kids whine too much. Trash. Load after load of anger; guilt; pessimism; bitterness; and anxiety. It all piles up! As a result, we must guard our thoughts. Today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions. Today’s jealousy is tomorrow’s hate crime. Could that be why Paul writes in: 1 Corinthians 13:5,

“Love keeps no record of wrongs”?

Paul also says in 2 Corinthians 10:5 that we have a choice:

“We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ.”

Selfishness, step back! Envy, get lost! Rather than store up the sour thoughts, store up the sweet ones. Make a list of God’s mercies; the many times he has blessed you…the many times he has forgiven you. And you will find your thoughts resulting in happy days.

By Max Lucado
Used by permission
From: A Love Worth Giving

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://maxlucado.com/about/

Handling the Tough Times

How do you handle your tough times? When you are tired of trying, tired of forgiving, tired of hard weeks or hard-headed people—how do you manage your dark days? With a bottle of pills? Alcohol? A day at the spa? Many opt for such treatments. So many, in fact, we assume they re energize the sad life. But do they? They may numb the pain, but do they remove it? We like sheep follow each other over the edge, falling headlong into bars, binges and beds. Is there a solution? Indeed there is.

Be quick to pray. Talk to Christ who invites. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out? Come to Me. Get away with Me and you’ll recover your life” (Matthew 11:28-30). Jesus says, “I will show you how to take a real rest.” God who is never downcast, never tires of your down days! Just go to him!

By Max Lucado
From: Facing Your Giants
Used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://maxlucado.com/about/

Unshakable

“This means that all of creation will be shaken and removed, so that only unshakable things will remain.” Hebrews 12:27-28 (NLT)

Life will not work except in God’s way and God’s way is Christ’s and Christ’s way is the kingdom of God.—E. Stanley Jones

Unshakable things are the things that are eternal, and the things upon which you can build your faith, your life, and your future upon. They are the things that cannot be moved, toppled, changed, or destroyed by people, cultures, or governments. Rejoice today if you are one who is building your life upon the unshakable things that last forever and bring an eternal reward. Here is what is unshakable and who is unshakable…

God
“Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.” Isaiah 26:4 (NLT)

The Throne
“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. “ Psalm 45:6 (NKJV)

The Kingdom
“Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.” Hebrews 12:28 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” Hebrews 9:14 (NKJV)

Righteousness
“His righteousness endures forever.” Psalm 111:3 (NKJV)

Mercy
“His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 (NKJV)

Covenants
“He has sent redemption to His people; He has commanded His covenant forever: Holy and awesome is His name.” Psalm 111:9 (NKJV)

Truth
“The truth of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD!” Psalm 117:2 (NKJV)

His Word
“Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven.” Psalm 119:89 (NKJV)

The Gospel
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth–to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.” Revelation 14:6 (NKJV)

His Life
“And this is what God has testified: He has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son.” 1 John 5:11 (NLT)

Redemption
“With His own blood He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.” Hebrews 9:12 (NKJV)

The Inheritance
“And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, that those who are called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance.” Hebrews 9:15 (NKJV)

Christ the Lord
“Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 11:15 (NKJV)

Man needs nothing so much as he needs something to bring life together into total meaning.—E. Stanley Jones

By Roy Lessin
Used by Permission

What’s Holding You Back?

Please open your Bible and read Acts 1:1-11

One of John Ortberg’s popular books is titled “If you Want to Walk on Water, you have to get out of the Boat“. Although the title alludes to when Peter tried to walk on water (and succeeded, albeit briefly; (Matthew 14:22-33) this quote also applies to the apostles, just after Jesus ascended to heaven.

As Jesus “was taken up before their very eyes“, the apostles “were looking intently up into the sky” (Acts 1:9-10). Just before this, Jesus told them “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (v8) Yet after Jesus ascends apostles just stand there. How often do we do the same? God’s instructions are clear to us, but we just can’t seem to get going.

I can imagine the apostles were worried when Jesus left them. How would they survive without Him? They left their homes, jobs, and everything else behind to follow Him. And now He was leaving? But this is no excuse, and their lack of action prompts two angels to appear to them, who say “Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (v11)

The angels gave them the reason not to worry: Just as Jesus had been taken away, He will return. Luke’s gospel tells us how the apostles responded to the angels: “They worshiped [Jesus] and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” (Luke 24:52) Their confidence was restored by God’s promise, which is trustworthy and true. And this confidence prompted them into action!

The question for us today is: Am I standing around, staring up at the sky? Or am I actively living out Jesus’ command to be witnesses to the ends of the Earth?

What’s holding you back from being an active witness? If you want to witness, you have to start witnessing! If your spiritual life lately has felt more like stargazing than navigating, it may be time to re-read the book of Acts and be inspired by the lives of some of the earliest Christian servants. I assure you that you are more ready than you realize, “for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:12)

Question: What’s holding you back?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Category: <span>Thoughts by All</span>

and always remember—God has chosen you!

Further Reading

Further Reading

“…Anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell..” Matthew 5:22

Further Reading

“Lord, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will strengthen their heart, You will make Your ear attentive.” Psalm 10:17 NASB

Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to be alert, be hopeful, and be patient!

Further Reading

Further Reading

“Let he who has ears to hear, use them.”

How long has it been since you had your hearing checked?

Further Reading

Further Reading

Photo Credit: Meg Creative Commons License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/

Why is it that faith in the Holy Spirit is practiced so little by Christians?

Further Reading

As a young girl, I looked forward to potluck dinners in the basement of our small church.

Further Reading

“Why, O Lord, do you stand far away? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” Psalm 10:1

Further Reading

Friend, God can use your pain-filled past to share the heavenly message of hope in Christ.

Tell others how God loves you and by His grace gave you eternal comfort and a wonderful hope.

Further Reading

Further Reading

Further Reading

Life will not work except in God’s way and God’s way is Christ’s and Christ’s way is the kingdom of God.—E. Stanley Jones

Further Reading

Further Reading

Photo Credit: Meg
Creative Commons License:
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/