Thoughts by Men Archives - Page 157 of 186

Published January 17, 2012

Amen

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 January 8, 2012

Word and Deed

by Phil Ware

“Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:17

Thoughts on today’s verse

God’s promises, God’s Scripture, and God’s clearest message of all, his Son, are truth. But only the last of these is truth, grace, deliverer, friend, Lord, Savior, brother, Redeemer…

Prayer:
‘O God, give me a holy passion to know your truth and live it in both word and deed. Make my life a reflection of your Word, who both proclaimed and lived your truth. In him I pray. Amen.’

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/01/08/pw_word-and-deed/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published January 7, 2012

Your Choice: Jerusalem or Babylon

by John Grant

“One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, “Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2) With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries.” Revelation 17:1-2

This is the time of year for planning and resolutions, most of which will be broken before the end of the month. But, it is also a time for an overall trimming of the sails of life and aiming in the direction of the desired port. Where are you going? How do you plan to get there? What do you expect when you arrive?

A number of ancient cities are known for their character. Babylon stands for evil and is described in Revelation 17. The angel took John into the desert and introduced him to an earthly Babylon in the form of a reigning prostitute. Later the angel takes him to the eventual heavenly Jerusalem.

Sometimes when I read or watch the news I am convinced that we are living in a state of Babylon. It seems all we hear in terrorism, domestic abuse, corporate greed and the list goes on. Babylon represents the godless world system, obsessed by political power, religious seduction and self-centered affluence.

Each of us every day is pressured through the media and elsewhere to join in dancing the “Babylon shuffle.” The pressure is great in contemporary society. The prostitute is the perfect symbol of the godless system lurking all around us.

Love is reduced to a price tag. The joining of body parts is not the joining of lives, yet her attraction and allure are undeniable, for her trade is not sexual but rather commercial and even spiritual.

John moves beyond Babylon in Revelation 21: Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth,” for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

It doesn’t get any better than that. So as we focus on a new year, let us focus on and aim to Jerusalem. Let’s not be seduced by the clamoring and twittering of Babylon.

The choice is yours. To which will you point your actions and focus throughout the coming year……Jerusalem or Babylon?
(a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2012/01/07/jg_your-choice/
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published December 29, 2011

Mighty Things Through Faith

by Dr. Bill Bright

“And so [Jesus] did only a few great miracles there, because of their unbelief” Matthew 13:58

It was my first visit to Nazareth, and through a series of fortuitous circumstances, I found myself enjoying lunch with one of the city’s prominent leaders. As we talked together in the crowded dining room our conversation turned to Jesus Christ, and ultimately this gentleman bowed his head and began to pray aloud, inviting Christ to be his Savior and Lord.

The change seemed to be immediate and dramatic, and follow – up has proven that God did meet him and change his life. During the course of our conversation, he indicated that what I had shared with him was a new truth. Though he was religious and active in his church, he never had been told that he should receive Christ.

Upon further exploration, I found that, in the entire community of Nazareth, there were but a few in those days who understood the truth of the living Christ indwelling the believer. I was amazed!

Nazareth was the town in which our Lord had spent approximately thirty years of His life. The son of a carpenter, He had walked those winding streets, living, loving and laughing with other young children as they were growing up. He left the town when He entered His public ministry, and went on to perform mighty miracles, die on the cross for our sins and be raised from the dead – and He changed the whole course of history. But 2,000 years have passed since then, and there is still little evidence of the influence of Jesus in the lives of the people of Nazareth.

Then I remembered that it was said of our Lord, He could do no mighty things in Nazareth because of their unbelief. That seems to be true in more than just that city today. Even though there are a billion and a half professing followers of Christ throughout the world, the majority seem to be practical atheists.

And so, our Lord cannot do mighty things in Nazareth, or throughout the world, because of unbelief. The key to releasing His power to accomplish revolutionary, supernatural things in the world – and in individual lives – is faith. “According to your faith be it unto you” Matthew 9:29(KJV). “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin” Romans 14:23(KJV). “The just shall live by faith” Romans 1:17(KJV).

Questions: Why is it that, although many people claim to be Christians, they are living as practical atheists. How is your life characterized by supernatural living? Please read Mark 6:1-6.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/12/29/bb_mighty-things/
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Thoughts by All thoughts by Bill Bright Thoughts by Men

Published December 27, 2011

Only One You

by John Fischer

Mister Rogers was right after all: There is only one you. But this information is much more important than to just be boosting your self-esteem. It is to help you better serve others by being more confident about your God-given role in life.

No one else fits your shape. No one else has your blend of gifts, talents and natural abilities—making you very important in the whole scheme of things. “God made our bodies with many parts,” wrote Paul, “and He has put each part just where He wants it” (1 Corinthians 12:18). And as it is with the human body, so it is with the Body of Christ — the corporate collection of all who believe.

But this uniqueness goes beyond giftedness; it reaches as well into the depth of each of our experiences in life. No one else has your life. No one else has your pain, your hardship, your joys and sorrows. Everything in life shapes us and we are shaped by everything for a reason: so that we can touch others in a unique way based upon who we are and what we’ve been through. God doesn’t waste anything in our lives.

Every piece of our lives and experiences can be used of Christ to touch someone else. We were made for each other; we live for each other; we even die for each other. We die with hope so that others who live might see the reality of Christ in even the darkest of hours. God uses everything.

Are you just getting by, or are you living for a reason? Think about your unique gifts and ask yourself how those gifts are benefiting others. What specific way is God using you to touch others in the Body of Christ?

Do you seem to have an extra measure of wisdom, or mercy, or discernment, or knowledge, or administration, or desire to serve? These will help determine how you can look for opportunities to help others.

And then think about the things you have gone through so far in your life—especially the difficult or challenging things where God has met you with His presence and power. That information is not just for you, it’s for you to empathize with and encourage others who have encountered similar struggles.

God isn’t messing around here. There are no accidents with our lives. Whatever we have received and experienced has shaped who we are, and because of that, we are qualified servants. There is truly no one else like you … for a reason.

Question: How has God crafted you uniquely, to make you uniquely you?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/12/27/jf_only-one-you/
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Thoughts by All thoughts by John Fischer Thoughts by Men

Published December 25, 2011

Glory to God in the Highest!

by Max Lucado

“Glory to God in the highest!” Luke 2:14 (NKJV)

For the shepherds it wasn’t enough to see the angels.

You’d think it would have been. Night sky shattered with light. Stillness erupting with song. Simple shepherds roused from their sleep and raised to their feet by a choir of angels: “Glory to God in the highest!” Never had these men seen such splendor.

But it wasn’t enough to see the angels. The shepherds wanted to see the ONE who sent the angels.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/12/25/ml_glory-to-god-in-the-highest/

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Max Lucado
From: Everyday Blessings
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Short Thoughts for Cell Phones – God-daily.com

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

Thoughts by All thoughts by Max Lucado Thoughts by Men

Published December 17, 2011

Wise Men Still Seek Him

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. Proverbs 25:2 (NIV)

It’s the only bumper sticker I’ve ever really liked: WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM. I like it because it says at least two things.

1) Those who seek God are wise. God affirms the dignity of the searcher and the search. The fact that God has set it up this way “has concealed His matters and invited us to search for Him” confirms our nobility. It says we have enough smarts to look for Him and recognize Him when we find Him. In fact, the proverb puts the searcher in the realm of kings. It’s a noble task to seek after God.

2) Those who seek God are given the benefit of the doubt, that if they seek Him, they will find Him. This is actually a promise in scripture: “He rewards those who earnestly seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). This is why those of us who already know Him don’t have to jump all over those who don’t when they get something wrong or don’t put it in exactly the right words. If they are truly seeking, it will be God who opens their eyes anyway. We need to respect the search of those we know who are seeking and not get impatient with them or think of them as stupid for not seeing what we see. When it’s time, they will.

This may mean you might have to bite your tongue a little bit and not say everything you know all the time. Better to listen for those parts of the truth the seeker has already found and affirm them. Jesus didn’t spill all the beans as soon as He started preaching. He let a little bit out at a time. He talked in code (parables). He asked a lot of questions. He protected the search. He didn’t give what was sacred to dogs or throw out pearls to pigs. He always said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear,” and then He went on to not say everything. He made them hang on His words and come back for more. All of this protects not only the dignity of the search and the searcher, but also the dignity of the truth.

So you can’t put all that on a bumper sticker, but you can put:

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM.

by John Fischer
used by permission

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Fischer Thoughts by Men

Published December 14, 2011

Live

by Roy Lessin

Live in Him— “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him.” Colossians 2:6 NKJV

Live through Him— “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37 NKJV

Live from Him— “For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36 NASB

Live with Him— “Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him.” Romans 6:8 NKJV

Live as Him— “He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.” 1 John 2:6 NKJV

Live by Him— “Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’ Says the Lord of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6 NKJV

Live for Him— “yet for us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for Him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and through whom we live”. 1 Corinthians 8:6 NKJV

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/12/14/rl_live/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Roy Lessin

Published December 13, 2011

Loving Sinners

By John Fischer

It’s hard to love sinners when you are trying so hard not to be one.

I’d be willing to go to the grave known as nothing more than the guy who came up with that sentence. So here it is again…

It’s hard to love sinners when you are trying so hard not to be one.

This statement captures so well the struggle between good and evil in us all. But it is also the struggle between the Old Covenant (the law) and the New (grace). The Old Covenant is all about not sinning. “Thou shalt not...” And if any one of us could actually pull off the Old Covenant, then we would have the right to say anything we want against sinners. We would have the right to only respect those who earn it. We could even despise those who don’t, because our righteousness would vindicate us every time, and condemn them. But alas, the law has condemned us all, so that no one can pass judgment, and no one can earn anything.

The law was given, not so that we could follow it, but so that we would break it, and find out who we really are. We are those who can lock arms and sing along with Kris Kristofferson and Johnny Cash and anybody else who might want to join in: “Lord help me, Jesus, I’ve wasted it so; help me, Jesus, I know what I am.” The Old Covenant-the law-teaches you that. It teaches you what you are really made of. And those who spend their life refusing to believe that, and trying to follow it instead, are going to have a hard time loving sinners. And they will have a hard time loving themselves as well.

And all those Christians who supposedly got saved by the New Covenant and then go back to living like the Old one were possible (if, indeed, you can do that), well, they’re going to have a hard time showing respect to anyone, because… well… it’s hard to love sinners when you are trying so hard not to be one.

“But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”
(Galatians 3:22 NASB)

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/12/13/jf_loving-sinners/
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Thoughts by All thoughts by John Fischer Thoughts by Men

Published December 12, 2011

A Tiny Seed, A Tiny Deed

by Max Lucado

“Do not despise…small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10 NLT

Against a towering giant, a brook pebble seems futile. But God used it to topple Goliath. Compared to the tithes of the wealthy, a widow’s coins seem puny. But Jesus used them to inspire us…

* Moses had a staff.
* David had a sling.
* Samson had a jawbone.
* Rahab had a string.
* Mary had some ointment.
* Aaron had a rod.
* Dorcas had a needle.

All were used by God.

What do you have? Much more than you might think. God inhabits the tiny seed. He empowers the tiny deed. Never discount the smallness of your deeds.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/12/12/ml_a-tiny-seed/

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Max Lucado
From: Everyday Blessings

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/info/view/about_max_lucado/
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Thoughts by All thoughts by Max Lucado Thoughts by Men

Published December 7, 2011

People Should Notice a Difference

by John Grant

“If thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness: and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9-10

Much of the world around us today interprets Christianity with insanity. This is especially true in academic communities. The truth is that as Christians, we are not touched in the head, but in the heart.

When a person gives their heart to Jesus, people should notice a difference on the outside just as we have experienced a difference on the inside. I cannot come to Jesus and not change, because it will alter my lifestyle. I am not ready to live until I am ready to die and I am not ready to die until I know Jesus. One goes from hurting to helping people.

When one gets saved, they become a called person to serve the world and a committed person, committed to the story of the life and death of Jesus. Once saved people should not try to limit the power of Jesus, though the world will tell them to do so. We need to quit playing it safe and step out for Jesus without shame or reservation and when we do that, people will notice.

But sadly, people say no to Jesus because they want to keep enjoying their sin or they don’t want scorn from others. They don’t want to sacrifice or perhaps they are satisfied with their own sufficiency or perhaps they think that accepting Jesus will deny them all the things they think bring happiness into their lives.

Lasting and true happiness can be developed only through obedience to God’s Word, by accepting Jesus’ Christ as your personal Lord and Savior.

Once you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, and you have an intimate relationship with Him, you will enjoy true happiness. Religion does not produce true happiness; but relationship with the Savior does. Only the principles and absolutes from the bible will bring us lasting happiness, joy and satisfaction.

You can rest your hope in Christ, and find your assurance in Jesus because of who He is, and what He has done. It is on this foundation that a happy life will flow continually, even through the most difficult trials in life and when you experience this transformation in your soul on the inside, people are bound to notice a difference on the outside as you become a new creation both inwardly and outwardly.
(a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/12/07/jg_notice-a-difference/

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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Short Thoughts for Cell Phones – God-daily.com

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published December 6, 2011

The Lord is the Rock

by Phil Ware

“Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord, the Lord is the Rock Eternal.” Isaiah 26:4

Thoughts on today’s verse

When we see mountains we feel small, knowing not only how much larger they are than we are, but also how much longer they have been here than we have been. But the Lord existed long before any mountain and will exist long after it has melted into nothing. The only rock of security, and all the forevers we have, are found in him.

Prayer:

Eternal I Am, who is and was and will be forever, I trust that you are and will always be my God, my Redeemer, my Savior, my Shepherd, and my Father. I commit all my tomorrows to you. Through Jesus my Lord.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/12/06/pw_lord-is-the-rock/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Phil Ware

Published December 4, 2011

Be…

By Roy Lessin

Be renewed (Ephesians 4:23), be transformed (Romans 12:2), be conformed (Romans 8:29), be steadfast (1 Corinthians 15:58), be faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2) be strong (Ephesians 6:10), be filled (Ephesians 5:18), be diligent (2 Peter 3:14), be holy (1 Peter 1:15), be content (1 Timothy 6:8), be kind (Ephesians 4:32), be thankful (Colossians 3:15), be gentle (2 Timothy 2:24), be patient (James 5:7), be watchful (Revelation 3:2), be ready (Matthew 24:44), be to the praise of His glory (Ephesians 1:12).

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/12/04/rl_be/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Roy Lessin

Published December 2, 2011

Jesus, the Only One

By Roy Lessin

Jesus is the only Way to God (John 14:6).

The only Door to enter (John 10:7-9).

The only Salvation to receive (Acts 4:12).

The only Living Bread to feast upon (John 6:35).

The only Truth to know (John 14:6).

The only Light to walk in (John 8:12).

The only Vine to abide in (John 15:1).

The only Life to live (John 14:6).

The only Good Shepherd to follow (John 10:14).

The only Sure Foundation to build upon (1 Corinthians 3:11).

The only Mediator to call upon (1 Timothy 2:5).

The only Lord to serve (1 Corinthians 8:6).

“Look to Jesus for everything…God has simplified our life of faith in His dear Son. Severing us from all other sources, alluring us away from all other dependencies, and weaning us from all self-confidence, He shuts us up to Christ above, that Christ might be all and in all.” –Octavius Winslow

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/12/02/rl_jesus-the-only-one/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Roy Lessin

Published November 27, 2011

Taking No Chances

by Max Lucado

“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched, Nor will the flame burn you. For I am the Lord your God.” Isaiah 43:2–3 (NASB)

With God—chance is eliminated.

God knows what is best. No struggle will come your way apart from his purpose, his presence, and his permission.

Isaiah 43:2 says, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and through the rivers, they will not overflow you.”

What encouragement! You are never the victim of nature or the prey of fate. Chance is eliminated. You are more than a weather vane whipped about by the winds of fortune. Would God truly abandon you to the whims of drug-crazed thieves, greedy corporate raiders, or evil leaders? Perish the thought!

You live beneath the protective palm of a sovereign King who superintends every circumstance of your life, and delights in doing you good.

Remember this. Nothing comes your way that has not first passed through the filter of God’s love.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/11/27/ml_taking-no-chances/

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Max Lucado
From: Everyday Blessings

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

Thoughts by All thoughts by Max Lucado Thoughts by Men

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

“It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. Proverbs 25:2 (NIV)

WISE MEN STILL SEEK HIM.