thoughts by Rev. D. Forster Archives - Page 4 of 5

Published June 12, 2015

Rejoice In Suffering

“We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5

It is not in our human nature to want to suffer. In fact, our society encourages us to avoid hardship at all costs. But what if suffering was part of God’s plan for our restoration?

Paul of all people knew what adversity was. From an illness that was always upon him, to beatings, stoning’s, prison, and even shipwrecks, Paul experienced it all. Yet he knew in his heart that his sufferings were to be rejoiced over.

All of us have experienced various forms of afflictions and suffering: the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, income or home, divorce, sickness. I personally can attest to everything I just listed; however, I wouldn’t change anything about my life. Every form of affliction I have endured — and will endure — has brought me closer to God. These painful experiences have transformed me into who I am today.

Our restoration and hope in is Christ Jesus. Our suffering will restore our hearts, teaching us endurance, which will develop our character to be a reflection of His. This is our restoration in Him: to be one with Him as Christ was One with the Father.

Hear our cries today, Lord. You know our struggles. Help us to face our afflictions with a joyful heart, knowing that in them we will only grow closer to You. May we trust You with everything in our lives, so that You may restore our hearts to be one with You. Amen.

Thought: Do you feel overwhelmed by life right now? Ask God to change your mind and attitude about whatever afflictions you face this week. Read Romans 5:3-5 again, and meditate on its promise of restoration and hope.

By Daniel Forster

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2015/06/12/df_rejoice-in-suffering/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

Passion for God over Fear

Published May 29, 2015

Passion for God over Fear

Our passion for God is the greatest tool we have when it comes to living a life free from fear. Our passion comes from our heart; deep within our hearts. Where our hearts are, so will be our thoughts and actions. Putting God above all other things, and people in our lives, is a passion that exceeds all other passions. It is a passion that stems out of surrender; a passion that is hungry and full of a desire to know Him more.

To summarize how we can live a life free from the bondage of fear is to be found in our passion for Jesus. God wants all of us, and it is for our own good. He does not however force us to give Him everything; He leaves that choice up to us. It is in our passion for Him in that we can truly stop being slaves to the bondage of fear, and choose instead to trust full heartedly in our Lord.

Just as Jesus was clear about us putting God first in our lives; He was equally clear about how our passion for God should top any other passion we have in this life. The reason why Jesus was so clear on this fact is because He knew (better than we could possibly ever know how) how fear, and other tools of the enemy can function within us when we live a life of contentment. For most in the world today, contentment is something to be strived for and achieved. To God however, contentment is seen as a footstool for the enemy to come in and corrupt our lives. In one of the most talked about Scriptures in the book of Revelation, Jesus takes this conversation of contentment and tackles it head on.

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!” (Revelation 3:15-16, NLT)

Some of us may be offended by the tone Jesus takes in referring that He would spit us out of His mouth by being lukewarm; however, we must realize that when God wants a point to hit home with us, He will say and do whatever it takes. He says He will spit us out of His mouth for our own good. He knows our weaknesses, and He fully knows how a state of contentment can lead us to a life that is not lived to its fullness in Him. Every tool of our battle plan to overcome fear is directed towards a life of abundancy in Christ Jesus.

Fear cannot rule our lives when we are truly living on fire for Him.

Excerpt From “Our Battle Plan, Waiting For the Other Shoe to Fall“;

By Rev. Daniel Forster

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Rejecting Passivity

Published December 28, 2014

Rejecting Passivity

“For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.” John 6:55-58, (NLT)

Love is an action. God’s Love is active in us when we allow Him to work in and through us. The closer we grow in a relationship with Jesus, the closer we grow in relationships with those around us. But it’s so easy to become passive about loving God and others, which means we open the door for sin.

Sometimes passivity is disguised by activity. We can use ‘godly’ activities to avoid God and not ask ourselves if we are truly loving others. As a result, we can end up seeking acceptance through relationships and other things, which is idolatry. Passivity is a heart issue. When we surrender our hearts to God, He fills us with His Spirit and His love, which compels us to action.

In his song, The Motions, Matthew West expresses his desire to move beyond passivity in his relationship with God:

“No regrets, not this time
I’m gonna let my heart defeat my mind,
Let Your love make me whole.
I think I’m finally feeling something.”

The “something” we need to feel is more of God’s love. It’s irreplaceable and unconditional, the very core of what we need daily.

Father, we humbly come to You. Please reveal where we have let passivity creep in. Remove our pride and let us overflow with Your love. May Your love guide us into action and into a deeper relationship with You and others. Amen.

Thought: Are you feeling numb in your relationship with God? Ask the Lord to reveal Himself in a new way to you.

By Rev.Daniel Forster

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Published August 28, 2014

Faithful One

“Understand, therefore, that the LORD your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God (El-HaNe’-eman) who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.” Deuteronomy 7:9 (NLT)

God has many names throughout the Old and New Testaments. Each one uniquely defines one of His characteristics. El-HaNe’-eman means our Faithful God. There is such peace in knowing that God is always faithful in His promises, grace, and mercy. He always desires to have a deep and intimate relationship with us.

At one point in my walk with Christ, I considered myself to be His faithful servant. But little did I know at the time: this was based on the assumptions I made when comparing myself to others.

I’m so glad God knocked me off that pedestal and brought to light the areas in my life where I wasn’t being faithful to Him. He showed me where I was being selfish and self-sufficient.

I praise God that He takes delight in being the One who is perfectly faithful when we can’t be. He will never have a selfish moment in His Love for us, and He is always working things out according to His perfectly good plans. How comforting it is to know that we are His beloved, and that He will always be 100% faithful to us, patiently teaching us how to be faithful to Him day by day.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your unending faithfulness. Help me to be filled with Your Holy Spirit so Your characteristics shape my life. May others see Your faithfulness in my actions and words. Amen.

By Rev. Daniel Forster

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Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

Published July 20, 2014

Food for Thought

“Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that “all of us possess knowledge.” This “knowledge” puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God.” 1 Corinthians 8:1-3 (ESV)

It is easy to begin to read Chapter 8 in 1 Corinthians and wonder what in the world this has to do with me today. The reality of the situation is that it has a lot to do with us, as long as we understand that Paul was not just addressing an issue about food.

This underlining issue that is repeated over and over again in Paul’s letters is fear. Fear of ‘am I good enough for God, and am I living the Godly life right, and what do I need to do to be right with God‘?

The opposite of Love is Fear, according to God’s Word; not hate. Hate is a fruit or a by-product of fear. (Just a side note…God tells us in a variety of different ways to not have fear over 300 times in His Word). When we speak to others, and to one another; we either speak from Love or from fear. Likewise in our thoughts and in our actions.

Fear allows the knowledge we gain to puff ourselves up; fear that we are not good enough, or insufficient. Fear causes us to point fingers and look down on each other so we can puff ourselves up in our own self-sufficiency. Love however, only builds up. Love lifts one up rather than holding or pushing them down. Love is full of Grace, while fear is full of condemnation.

Paul is affirming in this Scripture that we are to not let fear bind us in our own self-worth. Our identity is found through Christ Jesus as sons and daughters of God; not based on our knowledge, or on us following a set of rules. Fear will always bring following the rules, and our failure to do so into our lives; serving as a hindrance from the Grace we have in Christ. A hindrance that divides His Church, and our relationship with Him.

Ask yourself today…is there a fear of something that is consuming your thoughts and actions in your life? Do you feel you have to do things, or live a certain way based on fear rather than Love? Take these things to Jesus today, and lay them at His feet. Ask for Him to free you from them and then rest in His Loving arms.

By Rev. Daniel Forster

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It Takes Trust to Grow

Published May 19, 2014

It Takes Trust to Grow

“Wait patiently for the LORD. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the LORD.” Psalm 27:14 (NLT)

This verse is, and always will be, one of my life verses. I remember the day I gave my life to Jesus. As I wept and was embraced by His mercy and grace, He put this Scripture on my mind. I knew immediately why He had done this, for I was always one who loved instant gratification. I was a child of the microwave era, and when I wanted something, I wanted it now.

But that is not how God works. God wants us to rely and depend upon Him fully, which takes an enormous amount of trust on our part, especially when we have to wait.

Watchman Nee expresses the importance of depending on God when he says, “A person who wholly follows the Lord is one who believes that the promises of God are trustworthy, that He is with His people, and that they are well able to overcome.”

The fact that we have to wait in no way means that God has forsaken us. It is during this waiting process that we learn to lean on Him more than ever before. If He gave us everything in “microwave fashion,” would our trials produce strength, courage, or endurance in us? How else are we going to learn to overcome challenges by abiding in Him.

Through waiting on God, we learn to stop being the leader and to instead live as a follower of Jesus.

Father, it is hard to wait when the winds and waves of life are hitting me from all sides. Help me to place my trust in You and to hold on to You for dear life as I face these struggles. Fill me with Your Spirit so I may be brave and courageous as I face these trials. I will wait upon You Father and trust You completely. Amen.

Thought: What are you waiting on God for these days? How are you waiting? Prayerfully and patiently? Or with frustration and self-reliance? Take a moment to ask God to give you the strength and endurance to be courageous in Him as you wait patiently.

By Daniel Forster

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Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

Published April 17, 2014

Raised in Glory

“Our bodies are buried in brokenness, but they will be raised in glory. They are buried in weakness, but they will be raised in strength.” 1 Corinthians 15:43 (NLT)

In the death of Jesus we were forgiven and in His resurrection we are given new life. He breathes new life into us, freeing us from our guilt and shame and giving us abundant peace, love, and strength. It is through the resurrection of Jesus that God has opened the door for us to dwell intimately in His healing presence.

I was a broken man, bound by chains of depression, alcohol, gambling, and feelings of worthlessness. But the risen Lord helped me overcome all of that when I opened up and became brutally honest with Him, giving him my burdens and laying everything at His feet. Then I was truly filled with His peace and rest. He has become my anchor and the solid ground upon which I stand.

Through trusting in Jesus’ sacrifice for us, our old life, with all of its cracks and scars, is buried with Him. We’ve been raised into a brand new life for His glory and by His grace. We continue on, recognizing our weaknesses so that we are raised in His strength.

We can say along with Paul: “The life you see me living is not ‘mine,’ but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20b MSG)

Jesus says His purpose is to bring us life (John 10:10). In His death and resurrection He has fulfilled this purpose. Let the Father continue to raise you from your brokenness into His glory and from your weakness into His strength. Rest in the near and intimate presence of God and let Him breathe new life into you today.

Heavenly Father, take these broken parts of me, I lay them at your feet Lord. I surrender everything to You. Heal my shame and free me from fear. May they be buried forever. Fill me today powerfully with Your Spirit; raise me into new life by Your grace and mercy. I chose to come into your presence and be intimate with You.

A Thought: What parts of your life do you need to let God bury so that He may create new life in you? Take these parts to Him in prayer right now. Lay them at the cross.

by Rev. Daniel Forster

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Published October 25, 2013

A Prayer to be as One

by Rev. Daniel Forster

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.” John 17:20-21 (NKJV)

This prayer is for us to be as one just as the Father and Son are one. Think about that for a moment. Reflect upon the intimacy between the Father, Spirit, and Son. How amazing and perfect is the love that flows endlessly between them?

Now think about this—you and I have been invited in to this circle of perfect love. The Creator of the universe wants to be one with us, and the Bible even says that believers are “hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)

The thought of this floors me to my knees and takes the wind out of my sail. This is the grace and mercy that I want to flow from me, and it’s not something I can do on my own. This is the compassion and love that I want others to see in my life. I want them to see me and the Father as one, and to see Christ as the one who makes all that possible.

Lord, thank You for going out of Your way to welcome me into relationship with You and with the Father and the Spirit. May I seek intimacy with You daily and demonstrate Your perfect love to the Christians I have fellowship with.

Action Point: If you’ve found yourself being impatient or short with anyone lately, run back to Jesus and enjoy the oneness with the father that He has made possible for you. Let His love wash over you. Then go and love those people in your life who you find frustrating. Go out of your way to speak an encouraging word to them this week.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/10/25/df_a-prayer-to-be-as-one/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

Published June 6, 2013

Why Worry?

by Rev. Daniel Forster

We love to worry, don’t we? We say we don’t however, our actions and our speech tend to contradict what we say about worrying and about what we believe about worrying. This is the human nature in us – it is our flesh and our sin acting out. Jesus taught us not to worry and Jesus is the mouth of God. So if God tells us not to worry, why do we still worry?
Matthew 6:25-34 (NLT)

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.”

I could have good cause to be a worrier today for yesterday I fell down our basement stairs. Thankfully I have no broken bones yet I banged myself up pretty good. I could fret about loss of money from not being able to work for a few days and I could worry about bills and things I want and need to do….or….I can read the scripture above and realize that God does care for me and is taking care of me right now.

This is one of my favorite scriptures in the Bible, for worrying is something the Lord has been transforming upon my thoughts on for several years now. I used to worry about everything, which would lead me to trying to be in control of everything; or it would lead me to throwing in the towel and giving up, letting the worries of life consume me. Praise God, He loves us more than we can comprehend, and has never intended for us to worry, for He truly does care for us.

Please take time to read the above scripture again, and let His word soak deep into your heart. Let Him comfort you, and give you His peace and rest today. Do not worry but seek His Kingdom, seek His presence, seek Him and in Him you will find peace and rest for today. He will care for you and provide for you, trust in Him, believe in Him, and abide in Him today. Thank you Jesus.

Father, Here are my worries. [List them] Please take them into Your hands and carry them, they are too great a distraction for me. Help me to only hold on to my thoughts of who You are, my knowledge of Your love, my certainty of Your presence. In Your name I pray, Amen.

Question: What worries do you have in your life that have a hold or bind on you?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
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Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

Published June 1, 2013

Death and Humility

by Rev. Daniel Forster

“For I swear, dear brothers and sisters, that I face death daily. This is as certain as my pride in what Christ Jesus our Lord has done in you.” (1 Corinthians 15:31)

If I told you this was your last day on earth, would your priorities and your attitude towards others change? We believe on most levels that we control some things in our lives. This control is part of our flesh – it is the battle between our fleshly sin and God’s Spirit that is alive in us through His Son Jesus Christ.

Paul told the Corinthians that he died daily, for Paul lived daily in Christ Jesus not in himself. This is true humility. Humility is to die to ourselves, our flesh, our control, all worldly desires so that we may live in Christ Jesus alone and alone in the will of our Father in Heaven.

Jesus taught us to pray that Father’s will be done on earth as it is in Heaven. Is your life lacking a life-altering experience? Could it be due to a lack of humility in your life?

This morning, thank God for the day and die to yourself. Live with the uncertainty of anything you do and give up your control. Let the Spirit of God be your guide, let Him who created all on this earth and the entire universe be the one who steers your life today. Only in true humility can we allow God to lead us. Only in true humility can we really hear His Spirit guiding us in all our circumstances and relationships. To impose ourselves on others is not humility; it is pride, and it is control.

Lord, open our eyes to see how much we inflict our own personal agendas upon our circumstances and all the relationships that you put in our lives. Help us to truly be humble as You were. Let our flesh pass away this morning and let Your Kingdom shine as a light through us into the darkness of this world. Let the words that come from our lips be of Your Spirit and not of our flesh. Lord we ask this in the mighty name of Jesus, Amen.

Questions: What does this kind of humility look like on a practical level? How will it change the way you live?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
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Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

Published May 18, 2013

Eyes Opened

by Rev. Daniel Forster

I will be the first to admit, I can be quite hard headed at times; and as we see in the Bible, mankind is known to be quite hard headed at times as well. Following the resurrection Cleopas and his companion, followers of Jesus, are walking on their way to Emmaus. As they are walking they are discussing the events that have just taken place in Jerusalem; from the death on the cross of Jesus, to the story just told to them that morning on how some had discovered that Jesus tomb was now empty. Despite what they may have known, or had heard Jesus teach, or had knowledge of live up to date details; they could not grasp what was taking place, their eyes were not yet open to the truth in full.

Thanks be to God Jesus does not let us walk around with closed eyes, and He will always set us straight as He did with Cleopas and his companion.

Luke 24:25-33 (NLT)

“Then Jesus said to them, “You foolish people! You find it so hard to believe all that the prophets wrote in the Scriptures.
Wasn’t it clearly predicted that the Messiah would have to suffer all these things before entering His glory?”
Then Jesus took them through the writings of Moses and all the prophets, explaining from all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.
By this time they were nearing Emmaus and the end of their journey. Jesus acted as if He were going on, but they begged Him, “Stay the night with us, since it is getting late.” So He went home with them. As they sat down to eat, He took the bread and blessed it. Then He broke it and gave it to them.

Suddenly, their eyes were opened, and they recognized Him. And at that moment He disappeared!

They said to each other, “Didn’t our hearts burn within us as He talked with us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?”
And within the hour they were on their way back to Jerusalem. There they found the eleven disciples and the others who had gathered with them,”

It is common for us to be hard headed about what we know to be truth, because the world loves to confuse the facts; which just leads to endless debates. Let us not act the fool, and see truth for what it is. Let Jesus open our eyes today and every day to His Glory and to what He has done for us. Let His Truth fill us with His Grace; in order that we may find His Peace and Rest in our lives. Let us follow Him, follow His Spirit that is alive and in us, and let Him open our eyes to His Glory. Thank you Jesus, Hallelujah!

Lord I pray that the world does not confuse me, that I am not distracted away from your truth Lord. I pray that you carry me Lord, lift me like the wings of eagles Lord, lift me out of the darkness in this world and fill me with your light, fill me with all of you, in Jesus name, Amen.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/05/18/df_eyes-opened/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

Published April 6, 2013

A Unified Body of Christ

by Rev. Daniel Forster

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 (ESV)

In our society, it has become the norm to play things safe, to sit on the sidelines until action is required. It is part of our politically correct point of view, also known as “sitting on the fence” (or in Jesus’ terms being “lukewarm”). For too long, the body of Christ has become comfortable in our prayer lives, our relationship with Jesus, and our responsibility to God in regard to sharing His Good News.

Brothers and Sisters, the time for us to rise up is now. We need to put our differences, our theology, our denominational status and our pride aside so we may resemble the body of Christ and declare victory over Satan. The task is daunting; it even seems impossible at times, but only because we look at it from a human point of view.

There is only one way to succeed, and that is in and through Jesus Christ. We have heard the “put on your armor” sermons over and over, but are we really applying this to our lives? The war is closer to home than you may realize. Are you willing to remain passive until it is at your front door, or will you put on your armor of God? Since we all know the scripture so well, I want you to look at it from another point of view.

Take a look at Ephesians 6:13-18 in (The Message):

Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than just words. Amen! We need to apply them to our lives. If we don’t know how to do that we need to be honest and ask for help. Pray long in hard, in spirit and in truth.

Yes, brothers and sisters, it all starts with prayer. Pray for unity in the body of Christ, pray for each other, pray for your neighbor, pray for your enemies, and pray for strength in Jesus. Pray for compassion and for the courage to not be ashamed.

Will we put aside our personal differences and stand unified as a body of Christ? Will we step out of our comfort zone and apply the armor of God, surrendering fully to Jesus? I pray the answer is yes. I pray you take the first step, and gather those in your community together, and pray. Pray long and hard, in the mighty name of Jesus Christ.

Father, I want to put on Your full armor. I want to be ready when struggles and battles come. May I be someone who is quick to pray, and quick to run to You. Amen

Question: Do you find it hard or easy to pray? What are some ways you can include more prayer in your life?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/04/06/df_a-unified-body-of-christ/
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To Be Spirit Led

Published March 16, 2013

To Be Spirit Led

By Rev. Daniel Forster

“And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.”
Matthew 9:35-38 (ESV)

Everything Jesus did or said was in Fathers will. His guidance and direction to teach and to heal for hundreds of thousands of people came from Father, by the Spirit of God. Even though Jesus was in the flesh, Him and Father and the Spirit were still as one.

Jesus says to His disciples that the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. He tells them to pray for more laborers, but not just any laborer. Those who labor for Father, are in His will; they are in Christ and He is in them, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Those who labor for Father are Spirit led in all they do. To be Spirit led is a way of life, it’s not something we just do when we are doing “ministry”. To be Spirit led is to be free from the binds of this world, to go and walk freely in Christ as He works freely in you.

The harvest is the world around us…not in our church buildings, and not in church programs. The harvest is still plentiful; however, the laborers are still few. We don’t need a mission package for our communities to reach out and share the Good News. We need Spirit led laborers. God wants Spirit led laborers, for it is Him who saves; not us. It is His compassion that changes the world; not our actions or words. It is His Spirit that transforms lives; not our good deeds or powerful messages.

I have been taking a hard look at my own life lately, and have been meditating on scripture and paying close attention to all I do, to see how Spirit led I really am. With that being said, I want to share an experience with you.

The other day, I was not having the best of days. My wife was sick with the flu for almost a week, I was pulling triple duty as dad for our newborn daughter, secular job, school, and ministry work. I was on my way home from my secular job, and had just called the leader for Common Grounds (non-profit youth group) to tell him I could not come in to work with the kids for my wife was still sick and I was feeling down about it…frustrated, and tired. It was then I see a friend and dear Brother in Christ coming out of a house of a family that myself and my wife have been ministering to. I pull over and he proceeds to tell me about his day…having lunch with a youth pastor in town that he hasn’t talked to in two years to have it interrupted by his cousin needing money to get to work and home, coming to the house of the family only to have be non-responsive to his prayers and compassion…except he’s in a great overflowing joy of Fathers Spirit. Everything was great, praise God, God is good, glory to God… he kept saying. You see, him and the youth pastor spent time in His presence and glorifying God by catching up on the car ride to the cousin’s work, and then ministered and prayed over the cousin. They got lunch to-go. Even though the family was non responsive, he found out I was ministering to the same family and found great encouragement in that, and it led him to running into me. To top it off, I find out that God had arranged for him to work with the kids at Common Grounds that night, and he didn’t tell me because he wanted to surprise me when I showed up.

Can I spell convicted? My friend and Brother in Christ was so totally led in the Spirit in everything that he was doing that circumstances meant nothing. He could only see what Father was doing and nothing else…hence his Joy, and the fruit of His Spirit working in my Brother. This is the life I want to lead. This is the life of ministry I want to share with others. This is the church, being Spirit led.

Father, I pray today that you are in control, that I forsake it all to you Lord. Let me be led by your Spirit all day, every day. Let me die to my flesh and my own desires. Let me die to my frustrations and the way I have always thought and looked at circumstances. Let me just be led by your glorious Spirit and bask in your presence all day. Lord I ask this in Jesus name, Amen.

Do you feel your life is Spirit led 24/7, or just some of the time?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/03/16/df_to-be-spirit-led/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

Published February 18, 2013

Blessed Are Those Who Mourn

by Rev. Daniel Forster

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.”
Matthew 5:4 (ESV)

What is Jesus referring to when He says, “Blessed are those who mourn”? Some think it is for those who are mourning a loss of a loved one. We can say for sure that our Lord, our God, will definitely comfort them. Most will agree that Jesus is referring to those who mourn over their sin. I have to agree with the commentary on this, for it fits the text and the whole concept of the beatitudes. It makes complete sense that we would be blessed and comforted when we mourn over our sin, for in our state of mourning we are repenting of this sin.

“For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10, ESV)

Remember our conversation about being “poor in spirit”? When we are poor in spirit, we put ourselves second. When we put ourselves second, we are honest about our sins, and truly in our hearts want to turn from them. This is the process of mourning over your sin. By mourning and repenting (turning from this sin) Jesus is there to comfort you, and He will raise you up. He will help you overcome.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30, ESV)

This concept of mourning over our sins goes against much of the way our society lives today. If we do something wrong, especially for men, the world teaches us that the best thing to do is to just bury it and move on. Pretend like it never happened. I personally lived my life like this for many years before I truly gave my life to Christ. All it did was give me a lot of resentment, anger, disappointment, and shame to carry around as baggage.

Jesus wants your baggage. Stop lugging it around with you. Lay it at His feet, stop trying to do it all on your own, stop trying to prove yourself to everyone including God. He wants honesty. He wants you to lay it at His feet and mourn so He can enter your heart and comfort you.

Take time today, take time every day, to mourn over your sins. Cry out to God, be honest and turn from it (every one of us has a sin in our life we could turn from, (Romans 3:23). Let His Holy Spirit comfort you, guide you, strengthen you, and lift you up. Let His Holy Spirit provide rest for you, as you soak in His presence. Let Him teach you on how to turn from this sin. Let Him work within your life, as you truly live second to Him. Let God transform how you see things, and how you think about things; all of this is possible when we put ourselves second, and truly mourn, and repent from our sins.

“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” (Romans 12:2, KJV)

God, Search my heart. Show me my sin. I want to mourn the things I do that break Your heart. Show me and give me a heart of repentance. Amen

Questions: Do you mourn over your sins? Do you ask forgiveness, or do you truly repent from your sins?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/02/18/df_blessed-are-those-who-mourn/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Rev. D. Forster

Published January 28, 2013

Hear His Call…Every Moment of Every Day

by Rev. Daniel Forster

The scripture of Jesus calling forth Peter, James, and John in Luke Chapter 5, is a very popular scripture used in Evangelism, and rightfully so. However, for us as believers to view this scripture as just for those who don’t know the Lord, we are settling for less than what Jesus was offering that day.

Luke 5:11(ESV) “And when they had brought their boats to land, they left everything and followed him.”

The New King James version says “they forsake everything”, and as believers in Christ we should find great peace and strength in this. When we actually “lay it all down” at the cross, at His feet; we acknowledge that the burdens of this world are more than we can bear. We become free of these burdens and trust fully in our Father to lead us and direct us according to His will, no longer ours. Paul nailed it when he said, “I die daily to myself”; for this is the forsaking process in which we find daily peace and rest in our Father, all through our Lord and Savior.

Matthew 11:25-30 (ESV) ‘At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

Too many believers walk with heavy hearts, and burdens they cannot sustain any longer. Brothers, and Sisters…there is good news! Forsake all that you hang on to, not just your sins…your life too…and come into His peace and rest today, and every day.

Peter, James, and John left everything behind that day that they had ever known and had ever lived for, they left it for something much better; something the world cannot offer us.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2013/01/28/df_hear-his-call/

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photo credit: Dubravka Franz https://www.flickr.com/photos/dubefranz/
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