thoughts by Ashlea Massie Archives - Daily Devotionals by Thoughts about God

Published May 27, 2023

No Fear

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

Life can become hectic and unstable.

Some of us rely on an income that isn’t steady or ebbs and flows with the seasons. Others are consumed with studies in graduate school, or feel overwhelmed with their workload. Some of us have lost a job unexpectedly. Others have lost a relationship or still aren’t in one and feel frustrated and confused.

All of these situations can induce fear and anxiety, but they don’t have to. Jesus has left us with His peace – to know that He will get us through these trials and provide for our needs. In Matthew 6, Jesus asks if God takes care of the animals, why wouldn’t he take care of us, His children? Perhaps some of these unexpected events are the result of a loving God trying to draw us closer to Him.

When hard times come, and we’re backed up in a position we can’t get out of, we tend to run to God. We suddenly realize that He’s our only help.

Instead of worrying about where the income is going to come from when you’ve applied for job after job, trust that God will provide at the right time. Rather than spending hour after hour holed up in your room with your studies, take a breather and enjoy the blessings around you, like friends, family and nature. Stop fretting over your relationship issues. Instead, take them to God. He’ll help you.

Dear Lord, please forgive me for worrying instead of trusting. Give me your peace to realize that you’re in control, and you will not leave me lonely and struggling. Let me look to your word and be strengthened by all of the stories of deliverance and grant me the ability to wait patiently in the meantime. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

God Restores Us

“Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security. I will restore the fortunes of Judah and the fortunes of Israel, and rebuild them as they were at first. I will cleanse them from all the guilt of their sin against me, and I will forgive all the guilt of their sin and rebellion against me.” Jeremiah 33:6-8

Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like life will never be the same again? Your emotions or circumstances are in disarray?

The people of Israel experienced the same sort of distress with their circumstances. Their distress was brought on by sin, and perhaps yours was or wasn’t. Regardless, God’s kindness in the Old Testament to Israel is one we can hope in as well. If God was willing to forgive an unrepentant and idolatrous nation, then how much more will he forgive us? How much more will he help his children when he sees them in pain and suffering?

Not only does God bring healing to Israel, which is what we all want in situations where we feel broken, but he also promises to restore their fortunes. And so it is with us. You may be thinking today and wondering if you will ever go back to your normal happy way of life. Perhaps you are faced with a life-altering medical diagnosis, a loved one has passed away, or you have experienced tumultuous circumstances. We can take the promise written to Israel in the Old Testament to heart because that is exactly what God plans on doing for us. It may not be here on Earth, but it will happen. One day we will be perfectly happy in Christ when we are glorified with him. We have that hope to look to.

Take heart, God will not leave you broken. He will heal you because you are his child, and he will restore you completely in the future.

Dear Lord, thank you so much for your promises. Please guide me through this difficult time and give me the grace to walk through it in your strength, not mine. Amen.

Spend some time reading Jeremiah 33 and meditating on God’s goodness.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

Faithful Friend

“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Have you ever had a friend abandon you after a terrible rumour was spread around about you? Or what about a friend who often dumped you for something better if they were invited to a more exciting event? What about a friend who used you to relieve their boredom or to improve their status?

Once you have been around long enough, you will come to the realization that many of your “friends” are a disappointment. They can let you down when you least expect it. Perhaps, like others, you’ve had so many let downs that you wonder if anyone will faithfully stand with you until the end.

Too many times, people will betray us for no justifiable reason. Sometimes, even after we offer a justifiable reason, they still let us down. People may disappoint us; however God promises that he will always remain with us, no matter what, if we accept Jesus as our Savior.

God will not forsake us. As Jesus ascended into heaven in Matthew 28:20, he said that he’d still be with us until the very end of the age. He remains steadfast in his friendship towards us. He is our example whom we look to for true friendship. What a comfort.

Instead of wondering if you will ever have friends or find faithful ones, make God your best friend. Spend more time in the Word and in prayer, drawing closer to him because he has promised never to forsake you!

Dear Lord, please help me to understand that you are the only true friend I need. Let me recognize that if I have you, I have everything. Make me desire you alone, and satisfy my longing for a friend through you. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

God Uses Sorrow for Good

“For God sometimes uses sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek eternal life. We should never regret his sending it. But the sorrow of the man who is not a Christian is not the sorrow of true repentance and does not prevent eternal death.”
2 Corinthians 7:10

Frank often referred to himself proudly as a self-made man. He bragged that in his youth he had been so poor he didn’t have two nickels to rub together. Now his real estate holdings and various business enterprises were worth tens of millions of dollars. He was a pillar in the community, able to give generously to civic and philanthropic causes. His philosophy was that there was no God, and every man had to make it on his own. He laughed at the weaklings who needed the crutch of church.

Then his world began to fall apart. His only son was sent to prison for pushing drugs. His daughter had an automobile accident that left her partially paralyzed for life; and his wife, whom he had largely ignored for years, announced she was in love with someone else and demanded a divorce. Meanwhile, because he had become lax in his business dealings, one of his partners embezzled several million dollars from him.

By this time, he was devastated, and, therefore, was open to spiritual counsel. After the Holy Spirit showed him his spirit of pride and selfishness, he opened his heart to Christ and the miracle took place. Now, he frequently quotes this passage: “God sometimes uses sorrow in our lives to help us turn away from sin and seek eternal life.”

Though his son is still in prison, and his daughter still paralyzed, he and his wife are reconciling, and his heart is filled with joy and thanksgiving to God. He is no longer a proud, “successful” businessman, but a humble child of God, a servant who discovered the hard way that everyone needs God.

For every Frank there are hundreds of others experiencing heartache and tragedy who have not repented. Yet, God offers to all men and women the priceless gift of abundant and supernatural life.

Bible Reading: Proverbs 28:12-14

Thought: I shall seek to live the full, abundant, supernatural life, walking in faith and obedience, so that God will not find it necessary to discipline me in order to bless me.

By Dr. Bill Bright
Used by Permission

Suppressing the Holy Spirit

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” Ephesians 4:30

The Holy Spirit is a mighty and wonderful presence in the life of the believer. He guides us to do what is right and convicts us when we do wrong. The culture of Christianity today though seems to forget that what we put into our minds, what we allow ourselves to consume, can affect us greatly, for better or for worse.

Because of the pull from the world, we tend to be sucked in to seeing things that we should not necessarily be seeing, hearing, or reading. I can remember setting my boundaries on movies: nothing with sexual content or nudity, and while I wanted to avoid it, I was not as strict about cussing. I was blind to the fact that I deemed one sin as “ok” over another sin. I was compromising my values. I would never use that language myself, so why would I listen to it? I didn’t think about it at all for a very long time, until I was convicted once again by the Holy Spirit.

I realized I had been okaying sin to enter into my life instead of putting it all aside. I had to make a difficult decision and stop watching movies that had cussing.

What kind of limits, if any, do you put on yourself as you consume entertainment? Have you, like me, compromised on what we know displeases God? It’s time for us to stop suppressing the Holy Spirit. When we allow ourselves to live like the world, it makes it difficult to live. God calls us to be holy as he is holy, and he gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us into doing just that.

Dear Lord, give us the strength we need to conquer the sin in our life that we have ignored. Allow the Spirit to win over the flesh and forgive us of our sins. Amen.

Make a list of all the sources of media that you use, such as TV, the internet, books, etc. Write down what you specifically watch, read, or see and do a little examination of conscience. Would God condone what you are reading or seeing? Make a concerted effort to avoid content that might draw you away from Jesus. Explore media which might have a positive effect on your life!

By Ashley Massie
Used by Permission

The Grass is Not Greener

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. Hebrews 13:5

I stood there in disbelief as I listened to an older woman at church discuss her hardships as a mother of teenage and adult children. I couldn’t believe that motherhood at that stage was harder than having babies or toddlers!

And then I pondered that thought.

The women struggling with infertility are envious of her because she has children. The young moms are envious of her and wish they were past the baby or toddler stage. And yet she’s possibly envious of those who have all their children out of the house! And the moms with children out of the house? Wishing they could have their time back again.

It made me realize: we can experience discontentment at any stage in life.

At some point in time, we’ve all had the warped perception of “If I only had (fill in the blank) then I would be (fill in the blank).”

But the truth is that once we reach a new stage in life, there will always be challenges that arise that make us wish we were in a new stage. So how do we combat that?

When we meditate on God’s promises to us in his Word, he helps us be content. We already have all we need in Christ! As we spend time with our God in prayer, we are able to find joy in communion with him.

The things we thought we once wanted to make us happy become dim in light of God’s presence.

Dear Lord, please let me find my satisfaction in you and nothing else. Give me joy as I pursue you as my sole source of joy. Amen.

Today: Meditate on God’s promises to you. Spend some time reading up on verses about contentment

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

Looking Out for Others

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

You may have a busy life – a time-consuming job, a big family, a caregiver on top of your regular responsibilities, and the list goes on. But in spite of your busy life, have you ever thought to check up on your fellow believers? How often have you taken a moment to text, call, email, or visit with a friend, just to see how they’re doing?

Paul writes to the Philippians and calls us to care for others. He doesn’t say, “If you have a busy life, you’re exempt from looking out for others.” No exception to the rule is listed. God calls us to actively consider others above ourselves and serve them.

Paul even addressed self-absorption as problematic in his day later on in the chapter when he mentions how his Timothy was one of the only ones who cared to know how the Philippians were doing and guide them in their faith (Philippians 2:19-24).

Consider the people in your own community. Do people know they are cared for? Some of your brothers and sisters in Christ may feel neglected or alone in their walk. Some may be struggling, looking for guidance with no one to turn to. This should not be! As brothers and sisters in Christ, we have the privilege of caring for each other. It starts with you and me sharing the love God has given us with those around us.

Dear Lord, please open my eyes to people around me who are struggling that I may encourage them in you. Amen.

Think about one person you can minister to on a monthly basis. Check up on them weekly if they will allow it and visit with them or serve them once a month in some sort of capacity, whether that be mentoring them over coffee, running errands for them, mowing their lawn, etc. It will be tough if you’re not used to it, but rewarding!

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

Finding Rest in Him

“Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13

How do I know if I’m content or not?

Have you ever thought about the meaning of the word contentment? What does it mean to be content in one’s circumstances? Does it mean we sit still and wait for deliverance from our dire circumstances? Does it mean that we can never ask God for deliverance from our situation?

Contentment is an all-encompassing category that applies to every believer, no matter their life stage. To be content is to be fulfilled in Christ no matter the circumstances.

It doesn’t mean that we won’t be sad every now and then about our circumstances, but it means that in the midst of our pain we will be able to rejoice because Christ is our source of joy, not our circumstances. It means that our circumstances don’t have control over our joy. Praying for deliverance isn’t wrong- it’s our attitude about our situation that is most important.

Sometimes sitting still and waiting on God to work for us is what is needed. Other times, waiting on God includes taking action on our part as the Holy Spirit leads.

Contentment is a hard character trait to cultivate, but when we look to Christ as Paul did, we will be able to face any dire circumstance with restful assurance and perseverance, whether that be financially, spiritually, or physically.

Dear Lord, please help me to be joyous in all circumstances, accepting your will with gladness. Amen.

Examine your heart to see whether you’re content or not. Is your joy coming from circumstances or the Lord? If it’s the former, you need to cultivate this character trait- pray to God to grant you contentment, and he will!

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

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Content with the Present

“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:1-5

Sometimes when we’re wrestling with difficult and unexplainable circumstances such as the loss of family member, a diagnosis of cancer, or the loss of a job, it’s hard to be able to rest in God and trust Him.

It’s easier to trust Him when things are going well, as opposed when they don’t turn out the way we want. We can’t always see the “why” of a situation, so we tend to doubt and wonder if the light will ever even shine through the dark tunnel. But God created the earth so that light would always overcome darkness and that the sun will always rise when you wake up; His creation is the promise of something better, and gives us just a hint of what is to come.

God wants us to rest in Him knowing that at the end of our situation, it will ultimately be better, whether we see our problems resolved here on earth or in Heaven. We have the promise of future hope, joy, and peace. God doesn’t want us to worry about our current problems but to have our focus geared towards the future. When we keep the future in mind, we are able to handle our present circumstances better.

Are you anxious about something? Trying to find peace? Whatever the situation, remember the future hope and keep the bigger picture in mind, even if you can’t see the end result.

Dear Lord, thank you so much that you have promised to be with us in all circumstances, and that you give us a future full of hope. Amen.

Sometimes it’s very difficult to see the big picture God has in mind for us. Make a list of all the good things that have come out of your situation that would have never occurred had you not been placed there.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

Christ as Our Champion

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

At some point in your life you will need to forgive someone. The amount of forgiveness required may be small — a minor inconvenience — or a major issue — perhaps a crime committed against you or a loved one. Regardless of which offense against you comes your way, you’re going to face a decision: “Do I forgive or do I harbour hate against this person?”

Sometimes, both parties must ask for forgiveness, but at other times we are wronged by someone while we remain an innocent victim. Regardless, God doesn’t allow uss to decide to stew in their anger —he requires us to go beyond hate and instead do the opposite of what one would expect — love. It’s not a suggestion. It’s a command. And a very hard one to follow at that.

But why should we love someone who has caused us immense pain? As John states, Christ loved us. He loved us when we didn’t love him. He loved us when we were deep in sin and had no knowledge of him. He even died on the cross for all the sins we have ever committed or will commit. He died knowing how wicked we were, yet he didn’t let anger (and it would have been justified at that) stop him from saving us. Instead, he loved us and chose to die to save us when we deserved to be punished for sinning against him and others

We don’t deserve God’s forgiveness, but it’s given to us freely. Since he did so for us, how much more should we do so for others?

Dear Lord, thank you for forgiving my sin when I didn’t deserve to be forgiven. Thank you for paying a debt I couldn’t pay. Please grant me the strength and grace to forgive others and love them even as you do. Amen.

Thank God often for the immeasurable grace he has poured out on you through Christ, and invite his Spirit to grant you both the desire and the strength to forgive everyone who has ever harmed you, trusting he will do so.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

Wisdom from God

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” James 1:5

Are you currently facing a decision? Unsure of what to do? Have you garnered advice from others only to be confused by the conflicting accounts? Do you feel like you’ll never know what to do and will have to make a choice without counsel? Perhaps you’re even afraid you’ll make the wrong decision and suffer the consequences of it.

We can be certain that although humans may not have all the answers – our Heavenly Father speaks to us, his children, to guide us in his will.

In fact, James tells us that God will give us wisdom if we ask — he does not say maybe or hopefully God will give it to us. Perhaps he will hear. No, it’s a request that will be granted.

We don’t have to worry or wonder if God will respond or not. God has promised that he will grant us wisdom — and God cannot break a promise. Isn’t that exciting? We don’t have to spend our days worrying about whether or not we will know what decision to make. God imparts wisdom to us when we ask, and he will let us know what decision we should make based upon his perfect wisdom. He will guide us as we bring our decision to him in faith.

So if you’re sitting at your table, on your bed, or at your desk at work feeling burdened with worry and fear of the future, pause. Know this: God will guide you. You need only to ask him for wisdom. Be determined to obey, then trust and wait.

Dear Lord, help me trust in your promise and wait for the wisdom you have promised to give to me. Deliver me from worry and anxiety as I wait.

Spend time in prayer concerning the issue you are facing. Ask friends, family, and church members to pray for this decision as well

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

Caring For Others

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

When a family member faced an uncertain prognosis ? a possible diagnosis of cancer — I was anxious about their future and my future. I didn’t want to think about the possible unpleasant events to come. Because of this, I was very desirous to share my burden with others, in the belief that the prayers of others would help spare my family member from her health issues. But what I found was that nobody to whom I thought I was close really cared.

Nobody said they’d pray.

Angry, I sought the counsel of a friend, confiding in them my feelings towards my supposed Christian “friends” and their actions against me. Graciously, this friend pointed out that yes, it is a sad situation when believers cannot be relied upon for help, but she gently asked if I had ever done the exact same thing without realizing it. I thought about it and had to admit that as a believer, I had failed others many times too. I had merely said a tiny prayer once for someone with health issues or completely ignored their burden because I couldn’t understand the magnitude of their situation; well, that is, until I was in their shoes.

That’s exactly what Christ calls us to do — to bear each other’s burdens. It doesn’t matter if your best friend or your pastor doesn’t do that for you, you are required to, no matter what others around you are doing. You might just be that only person’s advocate. Take some time today to think about how you can bear someone else’s burden.

Father in Heaven, spur in our hearts the desire to pray for others and remind us throughout the day to do so. Let us always be ready to pray for others and ask for prayers for ourselves and those we love. Amen.

By Ashlea Massey
Used by Permission

In the Waiting

“And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, ‘you heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.’” Acts 1:4-5

The disciples were told by Jesus to wait for the promise of the Father to be fulfilled. They were told to wait in a specific location until a specific event had occurred ? the reception of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised it wouldn’t be very long, but He never gave them a definite time. That meant waiting.

Instead of questioning, complaining, or worrying, the disciples decided to spend the waiting period in prayer. However long the wait was, they trusted Jesus to keep His word. He did! The Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples soon thereafter.

Waiting on God’s timing can be very difficult,

…especially when you aren’t given a definite time period of when the waiting will be over. This passage in Acts gives us hope though. We know that when God makes a promise, He keeps it. We don’t need to worry or be anxious that it won’t be fulfilled because it will. And we can learn during the waiting period through the practice of prayer. Prayer reveals our dependence upon God and bolsters in us faith that He will do what He says He will do.

So if you’re waiting on a promise given to us by God, He will surely fulfill it for you. The key is to be patient and pray in the waiting.

Dear Lord, help us to take comfort in your Word, knowing that you cannot lie, and that you always fulfill your promises, just as the Scriptures say. Please help us to understand that. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

Letting God Lead Us

“And the LORD said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples from within you shall be divided; the one shall be stronger than the other, the older shall serve the younger.” Genesis 25:23

Have you ever tried so desperately hard to make something happen or work? You knew you should have left it up to God, but you couldn’t resist trying to fix things. That’s exactly what Rebekah was faced with. God had already promised that her youngest son would receive the blessing, yet here she was, decades later, trying to make it happen in her timing.

The irony of the situation was that if she had sat back and watched God work, she would have seen his master plan unfold without any issues. But instead, Rebekah decided to take matters into her own hands, which seemed to make the situation worse. After all, Jacob had to flee his brother’s intense wrath — such hatred that Jacob’s life was in danger. Sure, Rebekah and Jacob received what they wanted, but at the cost of committing sin and risking death. Imagine how things might have been had Rebekah done as God wanted and just watched and waited to see him work!

We can apply the same response to our lives. Perhaps God will allow us the desires of our heart — but in his timing, not ours. Instead of getting in the front seat to work things out, let God do the work. Trust in his timing. When we try to do things our way, it never pans out quite well, but when we leave it up to God, the ending is beautiful.

Dear Lord, help me to respond appropriately to every situation, knowing you will work things out. Let me trust in you.

Ask God to give you the strength and wisdom to refrain from intervening when you know he simply wants you to wait on him.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

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Having Faith

Published April 29, 2021

Having Faith

“In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.” Romans 4:18-21

Have you ever doubted God’s promises for your life?

Do you worry on a constant basis about the outcome of your relationship, job, financial situation, or children?

Abraham was seventy-five years old when God promised him a son. And God didn’t fulfill his promise to Abraham until he was almost one hundred years old! Imagine waiting on something you knew God had in store for you, but assuming it would come within a reasonable time period of a few years only to become discouraged as the years wore on. And yet Abraham had such great faith in spite of having to wait twenty-five years to see the promise fulfilled.

His attitude is an example for us as believers today. We are to rest on God’s promises for our lives, confident that God knows what he’s doing and will work in his timing, not ours. How can we doubt a God who can perform miracles and fulfill the impossible? Look at what he did for Abraham — if God could make an infertile woman have a child in her old age, then God can fulfill his promise toward you. All God requires is for us to cease worrying and trust in him.

Pray that God will give you peace in place of worry, filling you with faith instead.

Dear Lord, I thank you for what you have done for me, and I ask that you give me the patience to endure and grant that confident faith replaces anxiety. Amen.

Remind yourself often that God always, always keeps his promises, although sometimes, the wait is a long one.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

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Life can become hectic and unstable.

FURTHER READING

Have you ever been in a situation where you feel like life will never be the same again? Your emotions or circumstances are in disarray?

Further Reading

“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13

Further Reading

Further Reading

“And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption” Ephesians 4:30

Further Reading

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”. Hebrews 13:5

Further Reading

“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4

Further Reading

How do I know if I’m content or not?

Further Reading

Sometimes when we’re wrestling with difficult and unexplainable circumstances such as the loss of family member, a diagnosis of cancer, or the loss of a job, it’s hard to be able to rest in God and trust Him.

FURTHER READING

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34

Further Reading

Further Reading

“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Further Reading

Waiting on God’s timing can be very difficult,

Further Reading

Further Reading

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Have you ever doubted God’s promises for your life?

FURTHER READING

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