Thoughts by Men Archives - Daily Thoughts about God

Published April 27, 2024

Ambassadors for Christ

Please open your Bible and read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

When Paul says that “we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20a, NLT), that’s a scary thought, isn’t it? I don’t want people looking at ME! Can’t we just point to Jesus and leave me out of this?

One of my professors remarked that he once received an “Alumni of the Year” award from his alma mater. On one hand he was happy to receive such a prestigious award, but on the other hand, he couldn’t help but think: “Me? They think I’m a great guy? Maybe they should talk to my wife, she’d let them know that maybe I’m not as great as they think!”

Thankfully, the beauty of God’s grace is that we DON’T always get what we deserve!

Paul continues in his letter by saying “We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!”” (2 Corinthians 5:20b, NLT). Many people have never opened a Bible, know almost nothing about Jesus, and have never heard the Gospel. All they know about Christianity is what they observe about us Christians. Therefore, we must become effective ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is an authorized representative, and we are called to be Christ’s representatives on Earth.

To be effective witnesses, and proper ambassadors for Christ, we must possess three qualities (among others): knowledge, wisdom and character. Knowledge is WHAT we know, wisdom is HOW to present that knowledge in a winsome fashion, and character is the way we live our lives. Let’s recommit today to work towards becoming effective ambassadors for God; a tall order, but one we will achieve with diligence and trust in a God who will accomplish many great things through us if we are open to His great works.

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6)

Question: What are the three main qualities needed to be God’s ambassador? Which of the three are you being called to focus on today?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Be Strong and Courageous

“Be strong and very courageous.” Joshua 1:7

Our God’s tender love for His servants makes Him concerned for our inward feelings. He desires us to be courageous.

Some consider it a trivial matter for a believer’s mind to be confused, swirling with doubts and fears, but God doesn’t think so. Our Master doesn’t want us to be fearful. Instead, he wants us to be without worry, doubt, and cowardice. Our Master doesn’t think as lightly about our unbelief as we do.

When we are in despair, we are suffering from a terrible illness which should be carried at once to the beloved Physician. Doubtfulness and discouragement is a disease, which can become an epidemic, spreading among the Lord’s flock. One downcast believer can influence twenty others, for better or worse.

Christians ought to have a courageous spirit so we will glorify the Lord by enduring trials in a heroic manner. If we are fearful and fainthearted, it will dishonour his God. Our Lord doesn’t want to see us sad. It was a law of Ahasuerus (a biblical king sometimes referred to as Xerxes) that no one could come into the king’s court in clothes of mourning. However this is not the law of the King of kings, because we can come to Him. He will accept us just as we are, and then urge us to take off the chains of grumbling and put on the garment of praise, because there are many reasons to rejoice.

Also, unless your courage is kept up, Satan will see an opportunity to pounce. Let your spirit be joyful in God your Savior. The joy of the Lord will be your strength, and no fiend of hell will advance against you. Labour is light to a person who has a cheerful spirit, and success will come from cheerfulness. Anyone who rejoices in God, believing with all their heart, is guaranteed success because they are doing exactly what God has called them to do. If you sow in hope you will reap in joy. Therefore, dear friend, “Be strong and very courageous.”

Question: Where do you turn when you’re feeling fearful and weak?

by Charles H Spurgeon
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2009.
Used by Permission

Prayer at the Worst of Times

“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.” Acts 16:25 (NKJV)

Imagine you wake up in the morning, and it’s a beautiful day. You praise God as you head out into the world, but the day turns out to be nothing like you expected. People are turning on you, anger and pain surrounds you; even loved ones seem to be against you. The noise of the world becomes almost too loud to bear; your past comes to bear down against you.

Or worse yet, what if by the end of the day you found yourself unjustly put in jail: sitting on a cold slab of concrete, with the smell of urine and body odor filling the cell and the person next to you shaking violently as they withdraw from drugs. Would there still be a place in your heart for prayer? Would you want to sing praises? Paul and Silas knew this circumstance; in fact, theirs was even worse. They were beaten within inches of their lives. Yet their hearts were not broken. Their hearts were filled with Him, our Lord, our God; out of their mouths came the joy of His Spirit, in song and in prayer.

How could gazing at Jesus in prayer and praise transform your worst days?

God, thank You that You never change. You are always faithful. If today turns out to be wonderful, I can praise You. If it turns out to be difficult, I can rise above the circumstance through prayer and praise. Help me turn to You at the worst and best of times. Amen.

If you’re having a rough day today, just open your mouth and tell God one thing you love about him. Then try it again and again and again, until His joy fills you and you see Him as bigger than your circumstances.

By Rev. Daniel Forster
Used by Permission

PRAYERS FOR THE WEARY

A Prayer for Healing

A Prayer for When You are Weak or Ill

A Prayer for When you Feel Like you have Failed

A Prayer for When you are Fearful

A Prayer for Strength during troubling times

A Prayer for Conflict Resolution

A Prayer for Those Carrying Heavy Burdens

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Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

The Small Stuff

Published April 24, 2024

The Small Stuff

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

Sometimes in life, it’s the smallest jobs that are hardest to get done.

I know in university, I would often forget small assignments because they seemed so insignificant. The teachers needed to make sure they were worth a good percentage of our grade; otherwise no one would have ever done them. Some students didn’t do them either way. As for me, I wouldn’t have completed smaller assignments unless they contributed to my grade.

I’m so glad God is not like me in that way.

Think of the “big assignments” God has — like taking the pains, sorrows, joys, and tragedies of all human history and weaving them into a great tapestry that will bring ultimate glory to His name forever. These huge concerns might excuse indifference towards the smaller things: us.

But instead, He goes far beyond indifference towards His creation. He loves people unconditionally, radically. He is able to hold together all of reality, moving it toward a glorious end, while promising good for each and every one of His children.

God doesn’t need our praise, He doesn’t need our good works, and He doesn’t need to be validated for a job well done. He is glorious, gracious, powerful, and just — whether or not we acknowledge Him or not. And yet, He cares. God pays attention to us, even though in many ways, it doesn’t make sense why.

May the beauty we see in God’s character ignite our desire to reflect His glory.

Father, please help me to see how all acts of love — big or small — are a reflection of who You are. Please remind me of this whenever I feel reluctant to show love to others. Amen.

Do you make a habit of only loving others when you can see the significance of that action? Ask God where you can show love today, in big and in small ways.

By Thomas Pujol
Used by Permission

Choices

“You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

We are free either to love God or not.

He invites us to love Him. He urges us to love Him. He came that we might love Him. But, in the end, the choice is yours and mine. To take that choice from each of us, for Him to force us to love Him, would be less than love….

He leaves the choice to us.

By Max Lucado
Used by permission
From: Everyday Blessings

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

The Bible as Fiction?

“O LORD, who shall sojourn in your tent? Who shall dwell on your holy hill? He who walks blamelessly and does what is right and speaks truth in his heart.” Psalm 15:1-2

It all started when a California pastor happened by the book display at a major national retailer. He was taken aback at what he saw. All of the Bibles on display had price tags that identified them as fiction.

When it hit the news there was an outcry from evangelicals who believe in Biblical truth. One leading pastor said that people should be allowed to believe what they believe, but at least the giant retail chain could label the Bibles as “religious” or “spiritual,” or something like that…… but not fiction. The retailer apologized, but no action was taken to re-label those Bibles on display that were marked as fiction. Was it an honest mistake or an intentional action by someone with a political agenda? That answer is unknown and will probably remain so.

But, what is even more disturbing is that a major national newspaper took a poll to measure public opinion and sadly more than forty-eight percent said that the Bible was fiction.

As few years ago that would have been unheard of in this country, but tolerance and political correctness has taken its toll, at the expense of the Christian beliefs that have been the bedrock of this great nation since its founding.

The opposite of fiction is truth and the Bible makes some very distinctive truth claims. It claims, for instance, that God exists. Moreover, the death and resurrection of Jesus are also key to Christian theology. There is a plethora of documented evidence and manuscripts written by historians that attest to the death and resurrection of Christ.

Other physical evidence includes archeological finds. The Archaeological Study Bible presents many notes and articles documenting how archeology has again and again proven that the Bible does correspond to historical reality.

The cornerstone of Christian belief is the resurrection of Christ. Even Paul the Apostle admitted that if the resurrection did not happen, Christian faith “is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17). In this sense, making a case for the truth of the resurrection also makes a case for the truth claims of Jesus and, in turn, the reliability and truth of the Bible.

The Bible is the true and reliable Word of God, written for us that we all might be saved, even the forty-eight percent who consider it to be fiction. All they have to do is to read, believe and accept.

by John Grant
Used by Permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

The Best Word of Encouragement

In a world connected by the Internet, we communicate instantly, yet we may stare at the screen in wordlessness when a friend needs encouragement.

“My friend is sad, but I don’t know what to say.” We think, and think, and think….

Perhaps our stammering tongue is a God-given reminder to listen before speaking. How often wounded ones seek a hearer’s encouragement only to be wounded again by rash and impatient words. It is better to be speechless than reckless, especially with someone else’s soul. God, help us to wait upon you for the best words, if any.

“Listen, then seek words…give me the right words, Lord….”

“Or, after I’ve heard them, just a word, Lord; you are the One who can help the most.”

And maybe that is the solution…a one-word solution to our loss for words.

Jesus.

Yes, just one word about the One Who is the Word: “Jesus.” His life, death, and resurrection for our sins: “Jesus” says everything. His name is the best Word of encouragement we can give anyone in any situation. Jesus rose over the worst of this world – sin; if He can handle that, my friend, He can encourage our discouraged friends in whatever struggle they face.

And even if God leads us to say more, every word we say should reflect and point to that one best Word: Jesus.

“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” – Acts 3:16 (NIV)

By R. Rising
Used by Permission

The Plans I Have for You

“I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Thoughts on Today’s Verse

When Israel lay devastated in the face of a ruthless enemy that would rob all glory and strip bare the very soul of God’s people, God issued his promise. While the destruction visited upon them was in response to their rebellion and sin, God’s punishment wasn’t punitive alone, but redemptive. In their destruction, God promised prosperity, hope, and a future. Just as a doctor must cause pain when he sets a broken bone so it may heal, God’s discipline is not capricious but curative and ultimately life-giving.

Prayer:

In my struggles, O Lord, help me find your grace — not in the relief of struggle and pain, but in redemption and change to your glory. By your grace and through my Savior I say it. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

Confession

Confession! It’s a word that conjures up many images—some not so positive.

Confession isn’t telling God what he doesn’t know. That’s impossible. It’s not pointing fingers at others without pointing any at me. That may feel good, but it doesn’t promote healing. Confession is a radical reliance on grace—a trust in God’s goodness. The truth is, confessors find a freedom that deniers don’t!

Scripture says, “If we say we have no sin, we are fooling ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But if we confess our sins, he will forgive our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all the wrongs we have done.” John 1:8-9

Tell God what you did. Again, it’s not that he doesn’t already know, but the two of you need to agree! Then let the pure water of grace flow over your mistakes!

By Max Lucado
Used by permission
From: GRACE

To learn more about Max Lucado
http://maxlucado.com/about/

When Burdens Seem Unbearable

“How long, O Lord? Will You forget me forever? How long will You hide Your face from me?How long shall I take counsel in my soul, Having sorrow in my heart all the day? How long will my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; Enlighten my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death, And my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” And my adversaries will rejoice when I am shaken. But I have trusted in Your loving kindness; My heart shall rejoice in Your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, Because He has dealt bountifully with me. Psalm 13:1-6

Which is more influential in your life—circumstances or your perspective? Although we may long for a pleasant life filled with abundance, comfort, and good experiences, the reality is that we live in a fallen world. Almost nothing is as it should be, but the way we perceive life’s hardships and burdens depends largely on our perspective.

For example, when we are overburdened, the world might look dark even when the sun is shining. The birds may be singing, but all we hear are the sorrowful cries of our own heart. The burdens seem so overwhelming that we may even distance ourselves from others, yet that only encourages us to dwell even more on our problems and leads us further into despair.

But when we open the book of Psalms, the words penetrate our bleak circumstances, inviting us to draw near and find rest in the Lord. How gracious of Him to give us this amazing book of comfort. But greater still are the lessons we learn from it.

In today’s psalm, David is weighed down with burdens. He asks, “How long?” Have you ever felt like that? He describes his troubles and pleads for an answer, but by the end of the psalm, his perspective shifts when he remembers that God is trustworthy.

If you feel as if you’re bearing the weight of the world on your shoulders, stop and look up to your heavenly Father. Remember a time in the past when God carried you through hard circumstances, and rejoice in His steadfast faithfulness. He didn’t fail you then, and He will not fail you now.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission
From: http://www.intouch.org/

God’s Word Gives Joy and Light

“God’s laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light” (Psalm 19:7,8)

Professor William Lyon Phelps, one of Yale University’s most famous scholars, said, “A knowledge of the Bible without a college education is more valuable than a college education without the Bible.”

Why would he say this? Our verse gives us the answer. The Word of God (1) protects us, (2) makes us wise, (3) gives us joy, and (4) gives us light.

There are many other benefits that come from reading the Word of God. With dividends like these, we are indeed robbing ourselves of untold blessings when we neglect His holy, inspired Word for any reason whatever.

It is my privilege to counsel many thousands of people with just about every kind of problem conceivable – need for salvation, poor self-image, marital problems, financial problems, health problems, loss of loved ones, insecurity, fear, and on and on. One could think of every kind of personal need and problem that man faces, and inevitably there is an answer in the Word of God.

I do not know of any individual who has ever received Christ without some understanding of the Word of God. It is for this reason that I included in The Four Spiritual Laws booklet, which I wrote in the 1950’s, the parenthetical statement on page 2: “References contained in this booklet should be read in context from the Bible wherever possible.”

By 1983, it was estimated that more than a billion copies of The Four Spiritual Laws, which contains the distilled essence of the gospel, had been printed (including translations into every major language) and distributed throughout the world, resulting in many millions of people responding to Christ. Still, it cannot compare with God’s Word, nor can any other piece of Christian or secular literature. There is something unique and powerful about holding the Bible in your hand and reading it with your own eyes, for it speaks with authority and power possessed by no other book ever written.

Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 3:14-17

God’s Word is the most important book ever written, and the most important book that I could possibly read. Today I will read it for at least 15 minutes with renewed devotion, dedication and sensitivity to its mighty revolutionary power to transform lives and enable children of God to live supernaturally.

by Dr. Bill Bright
Used by Permission

Embrace the Rain

Recently I was on a cross Canada cycling trip with three friends. This was a major undertaking of 54 days and over 7800 km. We had many days of excellent weather. My mental picture was cycling in the sunshine coast to coast. Maybe it was a little unrealistic. The day came that I was dreading…

We woke up to pouring rain. It was cold, windy and raining. I did not want to leave the warm, dry RV to get on the bike with the prospect that it could rain all day. My fellow cyclist said in unison, “Come on embrace the rain!” I really did not want to embrace the rain, but what could I do? It was raining and I was committed to the team and a cross country ride for charity. I realized the choice was to have a bad attitude or accepted that the rain was part of the journey.

Funny how a willingness to see the rain as part of the experience, part of the journey changed my attitude and my enjoyment of the day and the other days that came with rain. Life provides opportunities for us to “embrace” the circumstances that come our way.

A scriptural version of “Embrace the Rain” comes from the James:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV

Is there anything in the circumstances of your life that you are struggling to embrace? It is not part of the mental picture you have had for your life. Can you embrace that God in his love and wisdom has a plan for the circumstance in the journey you are on?

By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission

God Is HOLY

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8b

Recently I heard someone complain about the over-use of the word “awesome”.

“Let’s go out to McDonald’s for lunch” a friend poses. “Awesome!” someone responds.

“Did you watch The Big Bang Theory?” a friend asks. “Yes, it was awesome.”

“How do you like your 2002 Chevy Impala?” “Love it! It’s awesome.”

By definition, awesome means “causing or inducing awe; inspiring an overwhelming feeling of reverence, admiration, or fear.” Perhaps the prospect of a fast food snack, a situation comedy, or an old car can inspire admiring reverent respect. Or maybe not, and better wording is due.

God is awesome. He is also holy, another term far too misused or over used. “Holy” has diverse meanings, yet when we think of God as holy, the definitions that stand out are “entitled to worship or veneration as sacred” as well as “inspiring fear or awe.”

John’s glimpse of heaven in Revelation pictures God on a throne surrounded by four winged creatures who do not stop singing “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come,” and twenty-four elders whose job is to remove their crowns, place them before God and declare, “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created, and have their being.”

Can we be in similar awe of God? Will we join the singers and crown-layers in giving God worth? Can we realize God’s holiness as grounds for us adoring and worshiping our Creator?

Dear God, you are holy and worthy of my worship. Help me understand afresh your mysterious and mighty role as the beginning, middle, and end of all things.

By Dr. Bill Strom
Used by Permission

You Can’t be Good Enough, and that’s OK

“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” Romans 3:20 (NIV)

We tend to think of life as a balance sheet that we’ll eventually present to God. As long as our good deeds outnumber our bad deeds, we are acceptable to God, right?

“God forbid this to be true”, says the apostle Paul. “For no one can ever be made right in God’s sight by doing what his law commands. For the more we know God’s law, the clearer it becomes that we aren’t obeying it” Romans 3:20 (NLT).

Here’s the truth

You can’t be good enough, and that’s okay. There’s no way you will ever meet God’s standard, but the Good News is you don’t have to because Jesus covers your sins, allowing you to become intimate with God. This freedom, in Christ, means you can be who you were meant to be and live how you were meant to live. Love God and live accordingly!

If God’s not keeping score, why should you? No matter what you’ve done, God loves you and wants you in his family. The blood of Jesus covers your sin, and the Holy Spirit is teaching you from within.

What are ways you tend to keep score with God?

Why do you do this?

Ask God to help you trust him more.

By Jon Walker
Used by Permission

Trusting an Unchanging God

“Because God wanted to show his unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, he guaranteed it with an oath,” Hebrews 6:17 CSB

If there is one characteristic that might describe us all, more than any other trait, it would have to be that we are changeable and unpredictable. We are not dependable. How wonderful then to know and serve someone who never changes – who is the same yesterday, today and forever. We can know what to expect from Him in any given situation without fear of a sudden change in behavior, thought or purpose.

A scientist knows there are laws governing the universe and that those laws are inviolate. Thus, when President John F. Kennedy challenged industry to put a man on the moon, a mobilized army of scientists and engineers was able to accomplish the feat within nine years from the drawing board stage. When the assignment was given, no one knew what to do, and yet there were basic laws – dependable, trustworthy laws of the universe – on which they could build. Through much creative planning and thinking, the miracle occurred.

Today, it is commonplace to send men into space. God of the universe, who established the laws that govern all life, never changes. Our moods and our attitudes and actions vacillate, but God never changes. That is the reason we can absolutely, without question, believe His promises, and in so doing, release His mighty supernatural resources in terms of money, manpower and technology to envelop the entire world of almost five billion people with the most joyful news ever announced.

We are reminded in Hebrews 11:6 that without faith it is impossible to please God. Have you learned how to claim the promises of God by faith? When you do, you will learn how to live supernaturally.

Bible Reading: Psalms 102:24-28

Today’s Action Point: Realizing that God has bound Himself with an oath to keep His promise, I shall trust and obey Him no matter what happens, for this is the way to supernatural living. This is the way to maximize myself for the glory of God.

By Dr. Bill Bright
Used by Permission

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

FURTHER READING

“Be strong and very courageous.” Joshua 1:7

Question: Where do you turn when you’re feeling fearful and weak?

FURTHER READING

PRAYERS FOR THE WEARY

Sometimes in life, it’s the smallest jobs that are hardest to get done.

May the beauty we see in God’s character ignite our desire to reflect His glory.

FURTHER READING

“You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” 1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

Jesus.

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

Confession! It’s a word that conjures up many images—some not so positive.

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

“God’s laws are perfect. They protect us, make us wise, and give us joy and light” (Psalm 19:7,8)

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.” Revelation 4:8b

FURTHER READING

“Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” Romans 3:20 (NIV)

Here’s the truth

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING