thoughts by Alec Niemi Archives - Page 5 of 7

Published June 14, 2013

Beautiful Feet

“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:15b

Email, texting, Skyping, blogging… Perhaps it’s time to rewrite Romans 9:15 to say, “how beautiful are the fingers of those who type good news.” The social intercourse is missing in today’s styles of communicating and thus some of the beauty is lost.

However in having said that I also realize that the ‘good news’ being referred to in Romans 9 is that, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (v13) and it goes on to ask, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?” (v14,15a)

The important verb here is ‘sent.’ Now instead of using our feet we use our fingers. When I write an email it is in vain unless I hit SEND. Texting, Skyping, or blogging also requires a final step. ENTER.

The good news is news that has to be shared. We are the ‘feet’ whether it’s delivered in person or by some other means. Our responsibility is to take it out there!

My prayer for us this week

“Heavenly Father, we thank you for the good news. Help us to be ‘beautiful feet’ in spreading the good news of Jesus Christ to everyone we can in whatever manner we can use. In Jesus name amen.”

Have a great week

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/06/14/an_beautiful-feet/

thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published November 26, 2012

Heart Pierced for Christ

by Alec Niemi

According to the Old Testament a Hebrew servant (or slave) was to be freed after six years. However they could choose to stay after the six years if they so desired. If they chose to do this they had an ear pierced with an awl as a sign to the rest of the world that they had become a permanent servant, or as stated in the word, a bond-servant for life. (Exodus 21:2-6)

James calls himself a bond-servant of God and of Jesus in James 1:1. As Christians we too become bond-servants, committing our lives and putting our freedom under God’s control. We have chosen to be servants of God for life.

Metaphorically, rather than having our ear pierced, we have allow our hearts to be pierced for Christ.

My prayer for us this week:

“Lord God, our hearts have been pierced; we are your bond-servants. Trusting that this tumultuous tremendous triumphant truth takes trials to a new understanding, we seek divine appointments that take us out of our comfort zone, yet closer to you. In Jesus name, amen.” James 1:1-2

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/11/26/an_heart-pierced-for-christ/

thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published September 13, 2012

Power for Living

By Alec Niemi

Last night I went to the Union Gospel Mission, a local organization ministering to the city’s so called “down and out“, and had the privilege of sharing God’s Word with them before they were treated to supper. An older gentleman approached me after the message and informed me that he was trying to be good but was having trouble with his addiction and if he could get over his addiction then he would be good enough for God. I tried to help him understand that it was not in trying to be good that saved us but that it was a personal relationship with Jesus that gave us His power, the Holy Spirit, who would help us and give us strength to overcome.

My prayer for you this week:

“I pray that you would not be a prisoner to sin but rather have accepted that promise that was given through faith in Jesus Christ. Knowing that before this faith came, you were being held prisoner by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. The law was put in charge to lead you to Christ that you might be justified by faith. When that faith has come, you are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are a child of God through faith in Christ Jesus, and therefore you were baptized into Christ and have clothed yourself with Christ. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. Amen.” Galatians 3:22-29

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/09/13/an_power-for-living/

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thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published July 22, 2012

Yes, Lord, Yes!

by Alec Niemi

Over the course of my life I have had the opportunity to travel to many countries and work with many people. Many times these people knew little or no English. And based on my experiences, I have discovered that one of the most over used English words is “yes.” You see, when you ask a question, the answer is usually “yes” even if the person doesn’t understand the question or even have any idea what you are talking about.

I suspect that God is just as frustrated with me when I say “yes” to Him and then don’t do what He wants me to do. Perhaps because I don’t have a clue what He is talking about…although I probably do and just don’t follow through.

I know that He has asked me to present His Son to those I meet and yet I think of all the opportunities I have missed simply because I didn’t say anything.

My prayer for you this week:

I pray that you stand in awe of God and when you make a vow to Him, you do not delay in fulfilling it. Knowing that He has no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. And it is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it. And I pray that you do not let your mouth lead you into sin. And that you do not protest the temple messenger, My vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry at what you say and destroy the work of your hands? Much dreaming and many words are meaningless. Amen.
Ecclesiastes 5:4-7

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/07/22/an_yes-lord-yes/

thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published April 26, 2012

Metonymous

by Alec Niemi

Commitment and obedience are
often thought to be synonymous.
And yet our actions have them
appear to be more antonymous.
Others would have us think that
they were more cryptonymous.
And yes there are those who would
have them be far more anonymous.
They keep our actions and us all
from becoming pseudonymous.
‘Committed obedience’ is required
to have them become retronymous,
And when applied to all we do or say,
they then become more eponymous.
And with a little suffixation used
‘nymous’ applied becomes acronymous.

Now You Must Obviously Unequivocally Smile!

As I was meditating on the word this morning I sensed a real conviction for commitment to obedience. Commitment obedience gives a desire for a deeper application of our service to the Lord. Rather than just ‘lip service,’ I desire to do ‘active service’ for the Lord.

My prayer for us this week

“Heavenly Father we commit ourselves to carefully following you and the commands you give us knowing that, as we do, you set us high above all the nations on earth and you will bless us as we obey you our LORD and our God. In Jesus name, amen.” Deuteronomy 28:1-2

PS
For those who were wondering:
metonymous   -Rhetoric in which concept is not called by its own name
synonymous    -Similar or same
antonymous   -Opposite
cryptonymous    -Code name
pseudonymous   -Using a fictitious name
retronymous    -modifier -obedience becomes stronger when committed
eponymous   -One for whom something is named
acronymous    -Formed from the initial letters

Have a great week

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/04/26/an_metonymous/

thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published January 17, 2012

Amen

by Alec Niemi

The last word found in the Bible is the word, “Amen.” It is also used in the previous verse. (Revelation 22:20,21) In verse 21 it is a summation of the desire for agreement to a statement that nothing be added to or taken from the book. The final ‘Amen‘ is affirmation of the desire for the grace of the Lord to be with those who read it.

The first occurrence of ‘Amen‘ in scripture is part of a test for when a husband has accused his wife of adultery but has no proof of the matter and she protests her innocence. The woman would be taken to the Tabernacle and go before the priest and he would put her under oath. She was then submitted to a ceremony in which she drank some water containing dust from the tabernacle floor. If she had committed adultery, she was cursed with a wasting disease, but if she did not get sick, then she was proven innocent and her husband was proven wrong. (Numbers 5:12-31)

During the ceremony, when the priest pronounced the curse, the woman was required by God to say, “Amen, Amen“. (Numbers 5:22) The Lord here commands ‘Amen‘ to be said by a person who is yielding herself for an examination while in His presence.
In both instances, the first and the last, the fact is related that something is agreed upon. God said it and it is true. It is the affirmation of God’s truth.

“Amen” is used throughout the Bible.
-“All the people said Amen.” (Nehemiah 5:13, 8:6).

-The Lord’s Prayer ends with “Amen.” (Matthew 6:13)

-Most books of the New Testament end with “Amen“.

-Paul uses it at the end of doxologies and benedictions.
When we say, “Amen,” it is saying, “Yes Lord I agree with you. It is true, It is true.” “Amen, Amen.”

-God loves us, “Amen!”

-He sent His Son to die and raise again that we might have eternal life. “Amen!”

-That if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we shall be saved. “Amen.” (Romans 10:9)

-We glorify with thanksgiving what He has done for us. “Amen.”

-The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. “Amen.” (Revelation 22:21)

My prayer for us this week
We answer, “Amen Lord.” Jeremiah 11:5b

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/01/17/an_amen/

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thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published May 25, 2011

Because He Lives

by Alec Niemi

The course to the Gather’s Gospel classic song ‘Because He Lives’ resonates the truth of why we joyfully serve a risen Savior.

Because He lives, I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives, all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!

Thanks to one of our former congregants who suggested the idea of joining in with hundreds of other churches, our church is now involved in twenty-one days of fasting and praying. During this time we are being encouraged to spend more time in the word and listening more to His speaking to us. At the end we want to do a day of celebrating to rejoice in what we have learned.

Initial questions seemed to focus more on the ‘law‘ of the fast, in determining what we have to give up for the fast. But as we get more into it questions and comments are now surfacing as to what the bible reading for that particular day has to say.

I know that I am learning to focus more on the reality and assuredness of the Lord as I go through with the fasting and praying… and singing along with the Gathers… Because He lives…

My prayer for us this week

“We love you, LORD, our strength. You, oh LORD are our rock, our fortress and our deliverer; our God is our rock, in whom we take refuge, our shield and the horn of our salvation, our stronghold. Amen and amen!”
Psalm 18:1,2

Have a great week

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/05/25/an_because-he-lives/
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thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published April 25, 2011

Cornerstone

by Alec Niemi

The cornerstone is the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, it is important because all other stones are set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.

What a blessing to have Jesus as our cornerstone.

My prayer for us this week

“Heavenly Father, Thank you for Jesus, thank you that you sent Him as the cornerstone for our lives. Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. Amen” Acts 4:11,12

Have a great week!

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/04/25/an_cornerstone/

thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published April 6, 2011

Widow in Distress

by Alec Niemi

The widow lady was having problems with the water pressure to her house. Checking it out determined that it was probably the pressure valve and it would need to be replaced. However her strata council stated that any plumbing work had to be done by a licensed plumber. She called a plumber and when he arrived she phone me to let me know he was there. I thought that I would just talk to him on the phone and try to explain what I thought was the problem. But something prompted me to drive over and meet him.

By the time I got there he had already diagnosed the problem and had come to the same conclusion as I had. He gave her a quote to fix the problem. After my arrival and talking with him and discussing options we determined that there was a less expensive alternative that cut the cost in half. Had I not made the effort to go and talk with the plumber she would have paid a much higher amount.

Scripture tells us that… “Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress...” James 1:27

Listening to that still voice prompted me to go and see if I could help the widow in distress.

It is important for us to listen for and then react to the prompting of the Lord.

My prayer for you this week:

“Heavenly Father, when you ask, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Please help us to respond with a resounding, “Here am I. Send me!” In Jesus name, amen.” Isaiah 6:8

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/04/06/an_widow-in-distress/

thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published March 28, 2011

Communication

by Alec Niemi

When does communication become gossip? According to the dictionary it is when casual or unconstrained conversation or reports about other people, typically involving details, are not confirmed as being true.

According to scripture it is fuel that feeds strife and affect people to their innermost parts. Proverbs. 26:21,22

Let’s exercise wisdom as we talk about others.

My prayer for us this week

“Heavenly father help us not to be gossips for just as without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down. As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife. The words of a gossip are like choice morsels; they go down to the inmost parts. In Jesus name amen.” Proverbs 26:20-22

Have a great week

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/03/28/an_communication/

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thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published September 13, 2010

Oh Death, Where is Your Sting?

by Alec Niemi

And yet another friend has gone to live with the Lord. His name is Ed. His formal title is Dr Ed Becker. Ed is a good friend and will always have a spot in my heart. He did a lot of international traveling, ministering to leaders by sharing his story. I was privileged to have traveled with him and his wife on several of their sojourns. You can read his story at the site below if you are interested.

http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/

Scripture tells us: “But when this perishable will have put on the imperishable, and this mortal will have put on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written, “DEATH IS SWALLOWED UP in victory. “O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR VICTORY? O DEATH, WHERE IS YOUR STING?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (New American Standard Bible)

Ed did not toil in vain. He knew Jesus and now has gone to live with Him. He will be missed but he will also be in the hearts of the many he has touched.

Will you take a moment today and pray a ‘Holy hug’ for the Becker family, I’m sure they would appreciate it.

And if you are struggling with the loss or imminent loss of a loved one, take heart, there is hope and there is victory and it is found in the arms of Jesus.

My prayer for you this week:

Lord Jesus would you wrap the Becker family with the ‘comforter’ of your Holy Spirit and give them a ‘Holy hug’… And I pray for all of us… especially those struggling with sorrow and grief, “LORD, there is no one like you to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this vast army. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you. In Jesus name, amen.” 2 Chronicles 14:11

Have a great week

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/09/13/an_death-where-is-your-sting/
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thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by Men

Published April 23, 2010

Get In and Get Out!

by Alec Niemi

Over a year ago I was challenged to take up a hobby – “Something for relaxing”. “Slow down a bit”, I was told. “Do something for the simple enjoyment of doing it.”

Well, I took that advice and decided that because we live in a recreational area I would take up ATVing. So I went looking for a quad. A quad is a little four wheel off road all terrain vehicle (like a motorcycle with four wheels).

With the help of a brother I wound up purchasing several quads with the intent of selling some of them to help pay for mine. So for the last year I have been studying about quads, cleaning quads, fixing quads, ordering parts for quads, maintaining quads, changing tires on quads, selling a few quads, having a garage full of quads and always saying I’m going to go quading. I’ve done a couple of trial runs to make sure that everything is OK with the quads but I can honestly say that I have not really done any serious quad riding.

Isn’t this a bit like being a ‘closet’ Christian? By this I mean that one becomes a Christian, studies about being a Christian, learn all about what it is to be a Christian, even acting like a Christian but never getting serious enough about it to actually go out and be an active ‘witnessing’ Christian.

I think I’m either going to get out of quads or get out quading!

My prayer for you this week

“Thanks you Jesus for coming to us and telling us that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to you; telling us to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything you have commanded us. And saying that you will always be with us, to the very end of the age. Amen and amen.” Matthew 28:18-20

Have a great week

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/04/23/an_get-in/
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thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published April 9, 2010

Two Courts

by Alec Niemi

In the game of life there are two courts. God’s court and Satan’s court. God wants us in his court playing by his rules. Unfortunately there are many who are in Satan’s court trying to play by God’s rules and more unfortunately there are those in God’s court who want to try and play by both sets of rules.

We have a choice, although born in Satan’s court we can enter God’s court. To enter his court we must surrender the ‘old’‘ self to Jesus and enter through his gate, the free gift of salvation, (our justification). Then we need to become the ‘new’ self by learning and applying the rules of the new game, getting rid of the old and putting on the new, (our sanctification).

And by the way, there are no bleachers in the game of life. We are in one court or the other. We need to ask ourselves, whose court am I in and whose rules am I playing by?

My prayer for you this week

“Creator God, Thank-you for your admonition, your wisdom and your promise. Your ‘Word,’ telling us that if we are to come after Jesus, we must deny ourselves and take up our cross and follow Him. For if we want to save our life we must lose it, and when we lose our life for Jesus we will find it. Your ‘wisdom’ in asking, what good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? And your ‘promise’, that the Son of Man is going to come in Your glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. Amen and amen .” Matthew 16:24-28

Have a great week

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/04/09/an_two-courts/

thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published February 20, 2010

Praise the Lord Anyway

by Alec Niemi

‘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:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2010/02/20/an_praise-anyway/

thoughts by Alec Niemi Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men

Published December 28, 2009

God’s Unfailing Love

by Alec Niemi

Our little church remains active. On Sunday we celebrated the baptism of five people. Two in a hot tub; three in the lake!

Yesterday we did the wake and today we continue with the service, bringing closure for some of our 1st Nations friends who are saying farewell to a loved relative. Both are opportunities to share the good news of the Gospel, of the joy of having a personal relationship with Jesus. The baptism, a celebration that gives testimony of dying to self and rising to a new life in Christ; the funeral, a celebration that gives testimony of dying and rising to a new life with Christ.

My prayer for you this week:

“I pray that you are like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; trusting in God’s unfailing love for ever and ever; praising Him forever for what He has done; hoping in His name, for His name is good; and praising Him in the presence of His saints. Amen.” Psalm 52:8-9

Have a great week.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2009/12/28/an_unfailing/

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