Thoughts by Men Archives - Page 158 of 186

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

Published November 21, 2011

Whatsoever You Desire

by Dr. Bill Bright

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them” Mark 11:23,24( NKJV).

How big is your God? If the Holy Spirit were to withdraw from your life and from the fellowship of your local church, would he be missed? In other words, is there anything supernatural about your life or the local church where you have fellowship with other believers?

A skeptic, contrasting the actor and Christian worker, gave this evaluation: The actor presents fiction as though it were true. The Christian worker all too often presents truth as though it were fiction.

A militant atheist attacked Christians with this accusation: “You say that your God is omnipotent, that He created the heavens and the earth. You say that He is a loving God who sent His only Son to die on the cross for the sins of man and on the third day was raised from the dead. You say that through faith in Him one could have a whole new quality of life, of peace, love and joy; a purpose and meaning plus the assurance of eternal life. I say to you that is a lie and you know it, because if you really believe what you say you believe, you would pay whatever price it took to tell everyone who would listen. What you claim is without question the greatest news the world has ever heard, but it couldn’t be true or you would be more enthusiastic about it. If I believed what you believe, I would sell everything I have and use every resource at my command to reach the largest possible number of people with this good news.”

Unfortunately, the critics and the skeptics have good reason to find fault with us. It is true that, if we really believed what we say we believe, we would be constrained, as the apostle Paul, to tell everyone who would listen about Christ, mindful that there is nothing more important in all the world that we could do. At the same time we would claim our rights as children of God, drawing upon the supernatural resources of God.

Bible Reading: Mark 11:20-26

TODAY’S ACTION POINT: I will seek to know God better by studying His Word and meditating upon his attributes so that His supernatural qualities will become more and more a part of my life for the glory and praise of His name.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/11/21/bb_whatsoever-you-desire/

Thoughts by All thoughts by Bill Bright Thoughts by Men

Published November 16, 2011

Answered Prayer

by Roy Lessin

Each of us should carry a thankful heart for every “yes” we receive from God as an answer to prayer. We can also be thankful He doesn’t say “yes” to prayers that are not in agreement with His will—prayers that are based on our wisdom and not on His; that would bring leanness to our souls; that would put us in the wrong place; that would make us ineffective; that would bring us into wrong relationships; that would cause our hearts to cool; that would keep us from His highest and rob us of His best.

I know not by what methods rare,

But this I know, God answers prayer.

I know He gives His pledged word

Which tells me prayer is always heard,

And will be answered soon or late,

Though often it is hard to wait.

I know not if the blessing sought

Will come in just the way I thought;

I leave my prayer with Him alone,

Whose will is wiser than my own,

Assured that He will grant my quest,

Or send an answer far more blest.
(-Unknown)

“And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: [we are sure] that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will (in agreement with His own plan), He listens to and hears us.” 1 John 5:14 (AMP)

You can comment on this devotional online at:
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Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Roy Lessin

Published November 11, 2011

Soldiers

By John Fischer

To those who fought and never came back
And those who came back broken
To those who wondered why
And those who never questioned

No one asked them what they thought
Of policies and platforms
They only did what they had to do
And thanks was long in coming

On a day we honor the dead and the living
Who know the real cost of war
And those still trapped inside their heads
Who can’t get outside the door

Who can know the awful truth
Of what they must have seen?
And who has lived to tell it
Yet know they never will

Reasons that the journalists
And politicians won
Will never be the same as those
On this side of a gun

So on this day we lay aside
Our arguments and advice
And thank the Lord for those who gave
The ultimate sacrifice

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/11/11/jf_soldiers/

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Short Thoughts for Cell Phones – God-daily.com

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Fischer Thoughts by Men

Published November 10, 2011

We Shall Be Like Him

by Max Lucado

Jesus’ plan is to “gather together in one all things in Christ” (Ephesians 1:10 NKJV). “All things” includes your body. Your eyes that read this book. Your hands that hold it. Your blood-pumping heart, arm-hinging elbow, weight-supporting torso. God will reunite your body with your soul and create something unlike anything you have seen: an eternal body.

You will finally be healthy. You never have been. Even on the days you felt fine, you weren’t. You were a sitting duck for disease, infections, airborne bacteria, and microbes. And what about you on your worst days?

I hate disease. I’m sick of it.

So is Christ. Consider his response to the suffering of a deaf mute. “He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, ‘Ephphatha,’ that is, ‘Be opened’ ” (Mark 7:33–34 NKJV).

Everything about this healing stands out. The way Jesus separates the man from the crowd. The tongue and ear touching. The presence of Aramaic in the Greek account. But it’s the sigh that we notice. Jesus looked up to heaven and sighed. This is a sigh of sadness, a deep breath, and a heavenly glance that resolves, “It won’t be this way for long.”

Jesus will heal all who seek healing in him. There are no exceptions to this promise—no nuances, fine-print conditions, or caveats. To say some will be healed beyond the grave by no means diminishes the promise. The truth is this: “When He appears, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is” (1 John 3:2, emphasis mine).

“We shall be like him.” Let every parent of a Down syndrome or wheelchair-bound child write these words on the bedroom wall. Let the disabled, infected, bedridden, and anemic put themselves to sleep with the promise “We shall be like him.” Let amputees and the atrophied take this promise to heart: “We shall be like him.”

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/11/10/ml_we-shall-be-like-him/

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Max Lucado
From: God’s Story, Your Story
Copyright (Zondervan, 2011) Max

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

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Short Thoughts for Cell Phones – God-daily.com

Thoughts by All thoughts by Max Lucado Thoughts by Men

Published November 8, 2011

The Difference is “I”

by John Grant

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

Recently a reader of Thoughts on Life sent me an email that really touched my heart and here is a part of what he said:

The difference between “run” and “ruin” is “I“. Earlier in my life I simply wouldn’t relinquish control of my life over to God. It wasn’t until “I” had ruined my life with alcohol and loose living that I realized that He had the very best for me after all. Furthermore, He didn’t just let me stay that way and say, “See? What did I tell you! You made your bed now sleep in it!”, No! He came into my life and into my heart and lifted me up, brushed me off, stood me on my two feet and began the great renewal of my life. Now, each day that I have before me I thank Him for it. It’s an abundant life! Full! Not just goody goodies, but all that it has to offer, Life! Matters that used to matter, didn’t matter! What really matters is God.

That really spoke to me for truly the biggest obstacle between God and me is me. Letting go and letting God has not been easy for me. Too often I try to run my life when really I need to turn it all over to Him. Believing in God changes everything about our lives. Accepting God’s existence is a life-altering belief, not only in the hope that it gives us for the future, but in the way God’s presence can change our lives now.

But the change that occurs in our relationship with God is not just in our future. While a belief in God gives us great hope for a wonderful eternal life there is a very real way in which a belief in God also changes our lives in the present.

God cares for His people in real and meaningful ways by providing for their needs and protecting them from harm. Just as a little child needs his father to provide him with food, shelter and safety, once we are a part of God’s family, He will provide for all of our needs in a parental way. It should give us an enormous sense of relief and a peace to know that God is actively involved in every aspect of our life.

The difference really is “I.” I need to accept Jesus as the savior of my soul and the key to eternity with God. But I also need to totally surrender each and every aspect of my life to Him. I should live today with great joy and not worry about tomorrow because I can trust my heavenly Father to take care of tomorrow.

When we worry the answer is surrender. When we fearfully look to the future the answer is trust. When we are not sure who to turn to the answer is God. The choice is a matter of “I”
(a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/11/08/jg_difference-is-i/
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published November 3, 2011

Precise Formulas to Fix Anything

By John Grant

“Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.“” John 14:6

Have you ever stood in a book store and surveyed the number of books that have a number of ways to do most anything? There’s everything from 8 Minute Workouts to 8 Mindful Steps to Happiness to 7 Principles for Making a Marriage and 7 Days to Whiter Teeth. Remember Steven Covey’s, Steven Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People? He put the words “proactive” and “synergize” on the map.

In one edition of U.S. News featured on the front cover “50 Ways to Improve Your Life”. The inclusive list covered everything from flossing your teeth to enjoying a massage to joining a singing group. It seems that everybody writes or reads books that boil anything down to less than ten precise steps to accomplish any goal.

We live in a scientific and technological culture where people believe that every problem can be solved by applied techniques (six steps to a better whatever). How much has this way of viewing life shaped you?

Christian bookstores are not immune this way of thinking. Notice how much it looks like the self-help section of your local secular bookstore. Whether it’s a better marriage or a stronger prayer life, there are numerous books that offer it in six or seven easy steps.

Pastors run to church growth conferences to hear the latest “formula,” in however many steps the speaker may think it takes to grow their church. It all seems so right, so logical so reasonable. The sell books like 5 Good Minutes to Change Your Spiritual life and 100 Morning Practices to Help You Stay Calm and Focused All Day Long.

As Christians, we often think there is some magic formula out there to dramatically change us and make all of our problems go away overnight. Well, it isn’t quite that easy. A lot of self-help, spiritual and otherwise are on the shelves of local book stores. Some contain sound advice and some are marginal, if not outright incorrect. Be careful what you load into your brain and be sure you know the core values of the author and don’t believe that a few steps practiced and applied in your life can remake you.

There is only one way and it is a one step process. Jesus said:, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). I suggest that if you really want to change your life, commit yourself to follow Him and read His Word every day.

In a world that tells us to conform, Jesus tells us to transform and to present ourselves as a living sacrifice.

So, for us, may this be a time of transformation, of presentation, as we surrender all we have to the one who holds the keys to joy, peace and contentment. The path to that goal is daily Bible reading, committed worship, not just in church, but in all we do. May we renew our pledge to love God more, to seek His face and His plan for our lives more clearly and to draw close to His Word each and every day.

Right now is our most exciting time ever. So let’s live it to the fullest, changing our lives and changing the lives of others.

Question: What is a goal that you have for the future, and how can your goal be used to honor God?
(a thought on life from John Grant )

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/11/03/jg_precise-formulas/

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

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

Published November 1, 2011

All Your Plans and Paths

by Dr. Bill Bright

“Oh, the joys of those who do not follow evil men’s advice, who do not hang around with sinners, scoffing at things of God: But They delight in doing everything God wants them to, and day and night are always meditating on His laws and thinking about ways to follow Him more closely. They are like trees along a river bank bearing luscious fruit each season without fail. Their leaves shall never wither, and all they do shall prosper” Psalm 1:1-3

Of all the great promises from God’s Word, I claim none more frequently than these. As I focus on the attributes of God, I truly “delight myself in the Lord” and experience the full, adventuresome life which our Lord promised.

The psalmist expands on what it means to delight ourselves in the Lord. Note these three things: First, we should delight in doing everything God wants us to do; second, day and night we should meditate on His laws; and third, we should always be thinking about ways to follow Him more closely.

Sam had been a loser all of his life, a failure in everything that he attempted. As a result he had developed a very poor self-image and a defeatist attitude.

“Can you help me?” he pleaded. “I really don’t know what to do – I am about ready to give up.”

Together we read and discussed Psalm 1. He agreed to delight himself in the Lord and to follow the three-fold formula for spiritual success found in this psalm. Immediately his life began to change and within six months the results were dramatic.

“I begin every day delighting myself in the Lord,” he said. “I spend special time studying and memorizing God’s Word, telling Him that I want to do everything he wants me to, and I am always thinking about ways to follow Him more closely.”

“I am no longer discouraged and defeated. My self-respect and confidence have been restored and I am truly experiencing the fulfillment of God’s promise: ‘All you do shall prosper.'”

The successful, fruitful, joyful Christian who lives a supernatural life is one whose thoughts are focused on our wonderful God and His attributes, who knows and obeys His Word and who delights himself in Him.

Bible Reading: Proverbs 3:1-6

Today’s Action Point:
I determine with the help of the Holy Spirit to delight myself daily in the Lord and experience the reality of His promise, “All you do shall prosper“.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/11/01/bb_plans-and-paths/

Thoughts by All thoughts by Bill Bright Thoughts by Men

Published October 31, 2011

Believe and Be Saved

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon, Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2009.

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” Mark 16:16

The pastor asked the inhabitants of the island of how someone must be saved.

An old man replied, “We will be saved if we repent, and forsake our sins, and turn to God.”

“Yes,” said a middle-aged female, “and with a true heart too.”

“I agree,” answered a third, “and with prayer.” And, added a fourth, “It must be the prayer from the heart.”

“And we must be diligent too,” said a fifth, “and keep the commandments.”

After each had contributed to the discussion, they felt that a decent creed had been compiled. They all turned and waited for the pastor’s approval. But instead they had aroused deep pity in his heart.

The worldly mind always tries to map out a way we can do works and become great, but the Lord’s way is just the opposite. Believing and being baptized aren’t deeds to be gloried in. They are so simple that boasting is impossible, and God deserves all the praise for the free grace He has given.

To believe is simply to trust, to depend, to rely on Christ Jesus. To be baptized is to submit to the ordinance which our Lord fulfilled at Jordan, to which the earliest believers submitted at Pentecost, and to which the jailer obeyed the night of his conversion. The outward sign of baptism does not save, but it encompasses our death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus, and, like the Lord’s Supper, shouldn’t be neglected.

It may be that you are unsaved. What is the reason? Do you think Jesus’ singular path of salvation is unclear? But how can that be when God has given us His own word and His assurance of its clarity? Do you think it is too easy? Why, then, do you not accept and embrace it? Its ease leaves those who choose to neglect it without excuse.

If you are not a believer, then remember there is only one door, and if you will not enter by it you will perish in your sins. But if you do believe in Jesus, then my dear friend, dismiss your fears, for you will surely be saved.

Question: Do we sometimes put too much confidence in our own good works? How can we begin to focus more on God?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/10/31/cs_believe-and-be-saved/
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Short Thoughts for Cell Phones – God-daily.com

Thoughts by All thoughts by Charles Spurgeon Thoughts by Men

Published October 30, 2011

Trust God with the Future

By Max Lucado

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust in me.” John 14:1 (NCV)

Our [little] minds are ill-equipped to handle the thoughts of eternity. When it comes to a world with no boundaries of space and time, we don’t have the hooks for those hats. Consequently, our Lord takes the posture of a parent, . . . Trust me. . . .

Don’t be troubled by the return of Christ. Don’t be anxious about things you cannot comprehend…. For the Christian, the return of Christ is not a riddle to be solved or a code to be broken, but rather a day to be anticipated.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
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Max Lucado
From: When Christ Comes
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1999)
Used by permission

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

Thoughts by All thoughts by Max Lucado Thoughts by Men

Published October 29, 2011

Being Close to Christ

by Mike Woodard

My grandson was visiting. He was not his normal happy self. He was very sad and upset about something. He could not put it into words. We were just about to sit down for lunch. He asked, “Papa can I sit in your chair?” I always sit at the head of the table. I moved and gave him my chair and spot at the table. Something about it seemed to comfort him and reassure him. The tears passed. Funny thing, he has never asked again.

Jesus offers a place of comfort and rest. His invitation…

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

Being close to Christ is the place of comfort and reassurance!

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/10/29/mw_close-to-christ/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Published October 23, 2011

Lessons from a 3 Year Old – Seeing the Miraculous!

By Mike Woodard

It was not their first baby, so as the parents of 3 and a half year old twin boys, they felt everything was on course for the birth of their next child. As it became evident that full labor was upon them, they loaded up the boys, packed bags and head to the sitter’s house then on to the hospital.

The situation became urgent when the water broke on the way to the sitter’s. Speeding, they got pulled over by the police. The male officer was caught off guard when the husband explained that his wife’s water broke, but the officer’s partner, a woman, immediately understood and sent the family on their way. Stopping at the sitter’s was no longer an option. At the hospital in the birthing suite, while the doctors and nurses dealt with the imminent arrival of their sister, the boys watched TV. During the labor, one of her boys turned to his mom and said, “Mom, ssssshhhh! We’re trying to watch TV!”

I’m sure there are times when I, like that 3 year old, miss the fact that God is doing the miraculous because I’m too distracted or out of touch with God. Not only do I miss out on something really cool, but I can also be a little annoyed with God for inconveniencing me! Like Elisha’s servant, I need to have my eyes opened to what God is really doing around me.

“When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh no, my lord! What shall we do?” the servant asked. 16 “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” – 2 Kings 6:15-17 (NIV)

My prayer… “God, help me not to be distracted today. Open my eyes to what you are doing, to the miraculous.”

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/10/23/mw_seeing-the-miraculous/
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Short Thoughts for Cell Phones – God-daily.com

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Mike Woodard

Published October 22, 2011

Let God Choose

by Roy Lessin

“As for God, His way is perfect!” Psalm 18:30

Let God choose for you, it will be the right decision.

Let God guide you, it will be the right direction.

Let God plan for you, it will be in the right timing.

Let God measure for you, it will be the right portion.

Let God help you, it will be the right care.

Let God instruct you, it will be the right teaching.

Let God prepare you, it will be the right training.

Let God counsel you, it will be the right perspective.

Let God fight for you, it will be the right outcome.

Let God work in you, it will be the right result.

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/10/22/rl_let-god-choose/

Thoughts by All Thoughts by Men thoughts by Roy Lessin

Published October 18, 2011

Wisdom-Knowledge-Understanding-Insight

by John Grant

“Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God“. Acts 19:8

We walked through the ancient city of Ephesus, in Southern Turkey, once a large Roman city of military and commercial significance. When Paul walked these same streets nearly two thousand years ago, it was already a big city with a population of more than a half million. It was a great seaport, a focal point of land transportation and the doorway to the East.

Today, the city lays in ruins, a monument to the past and a reminder of lessons to be learned for the future. I could just imagine the challenges faced by Paul and Silas. Here they were, ministering to a small band of believers and preaching a religion totally foreign to those of the city who worshiped economic prosperity and commercial power.

Ephesus was a city in search of wisdom and worshiping gods made by hand and by man. I was particularly struck by the library, one of the buildings in reasonably good shape. On the front portico, there are four statues representing the four points of intellectual life, wisdom, understanding, knowledge and insight. Truly they were a culture in search of truth.

Question: Where are you seeking for wisdom, knowledge, understanding and insight?

You can comment on this devotional online at:
https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/2011/10/18/jg_wisdom-knowledge/
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

Thoughts by All thoughts by John Grant Thoughts by Men

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