Devotionals by Brigitte Straub

Published November 1, 2018

The Stone of Unbelief

“Did I not say to you that if you would believe, you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40

Our relationship was blocked. For years I experienced the loss within my family, even though I wanted desperately for this member and I to be reconciled. I almost lost hope that we would ever connect again. Then someone came alongside me and filled me with encouragement that one day it would be restored.

When Jesus came to the tomb where Lazarus lay dead, He told his sister, Martha, to take the stone away so He could get to him. She immediately gave him the excuse that there would be a repulsive smell since he had already been dead for four days.
Jesus responded, “…if you would believe….”

Unbelief is an obstacle in our life, like a stone rolled over an entrance. It can keep us from knowing God. It drives us to make excuses, as it did Martha, eventually hindering us from experiencing all that God has to offer.

Just like the stone kept the mourners from Lazarus, it also kept Lazarus from becoming free from the bonds of death. It kept Lazarus from experiencing Jesus.

Sometimes we need to help remove the stone for someone else that is keeping them dead inside. And at other times, we need to allow people in our lives to help take away the barriers that are keeping us from being truly alive in Jesus.

Jesus, I come to you and ask that you would help me in my unbelief in _______________ (name a specific area you are struggling in). I want nothing in my life to keep me from experiencing all that you have to offer me. Forgive me for my unbelief, and give me strength so I may know you more. Amen

By Brigitte Straub
Used by Permission

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Enjoying God’s Word

Published October 5, 2017

Enjoying God’s Word

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2

As a new believer, I remember struggling to spend time reading God’s Word. Not only did I have a difficult time knowing what to read — and an even tougher time understanding it — but I was also influenced by many distractions that kept me from reading and meditating on it.

I’ve found, and continue to find, that the more time I dedicate to reading God’s Word, the more alive He becomes to me. The more time I spend with Him, the more He is able to work through me.

When you have experienced the power of God’s Word in your life, you recognize that you don’t want to live without it. You begin to understand that you can’t live the life He has called you to live without it. You begin to thirst and hunger for more. It becomes a pleasure that is truly substantial.

Life will interrupt us constantly with distractions which will keep us from taking time out to enjoy God’s Word. Guarding ourselves against things that try to take the place of doing that is of the most importance because Scripture strengthens us and gives us God’s perspective on life.

Hebrews 4:12 says that “the word of God is alive and powerful.” There is no greater thing than knowing Jesus. Therefore, there is nothing more satisfying and fulfilling than spending time in God’s word and allowing it to immerse us, change us, and draw us closer to Christ.

Heavenly Father, thank you for Your Word. Thank You Holy Spirit for giving me understanding of the things of God through the Word. Give me wisdom and understanding to know and desire the things of God. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub
Used by Permission

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Thoughts by All thoughts by Brigitte Straub Thoughts by Women

A Direct Link

Published May 10, 2017

A Direct Link

“For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.” Romans 8:6

The peace of God can be directly linked with our obedience to God.

For years I had asked God to use me in a specific area of my life, but when He finally opened the door, I didn’t walk through. Instead of being obedient to what He was asking of me, I chose not to, and as a result, I lived with a sense of restlessness for a period of time. Stress and anxiety can often be self-induced due to our own choices that we make apart from God’s will in our lives. Lesson learned.

In John 4, Jesus told the Samaritan woman, who was drawing up water from the well, that He had living water for her by which she would never thirst again. What He was saying was that what He had to offer was far superior to what she currently needed. What He had to offer was something no one else could. What He desired to give her was authentic, eternal, and would never leave her wanting for more.

The things of this world leave us void, giving us fleeting emotions only to deceive us and keep us from the very nature of God. However, He longs to give us Himself ? leaving us feeling fulfilled and truly content if we hear His voice and follow Him.

When we give our life to Jesus and walk in God’s ways, we will have the peace of God no matter our circumstances. Apart from God and doing what He asks of us, we will never experience the fullness of what He has to offer us.

Heavenly Father, thank you that you are always with me and have given me Your Holy Spirit so I may know you and live according to Your Word. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub
Used by Permission

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you can learn how to start one at this link:
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/4laws/law0.html

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A Wonderful Expression of Love

Published April 18, 2017

A Wonderful Expression of Love

“Whoever seeks to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it.” Luke 17:33

When my husband was deployed I needed some practical help as I was raising four children without family around. During one deployment two gentlemen came to my home every week to look after my lawn. I’ll never forget looking out the window and watching them with a humbled heart. They both had full time jobs and families at home but offered their time and work for my family.

When we give to God, we get to take part in the work He is doing.

When the disciples chose to follow Jesus they were giving up their own will, their own ways, their own agendas, their own understanding, their own ideas of what their futures would hold. They gave up their thoughts and their plans and gave all they had to Jesus.

Submitting ourselves fully to God allows Him to come into our lives in ways that we could never fathom and in ways we could never arrange on our own. The disciples could never have imagined the astonishing journey they were about to take when they said, “YES” to Jesus.

The two gentlemen who took such good care of my lawn displayed a wonderful expression of God’s love for me. I felt personally and deeply cared for. Their sacrifice is a reminder of the impact God can have on us when we give of ourselves to Him.

Heavenly Father, thank you for your ultimate sacrifice of your Son Jesus, so I may know you, love you, and share you here on the earth. Help me to remember that without you, I have nothing. Open my eyes to see the opportunities that you are giving me to share who you are with others. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub
Used by Permission

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you can learn how to start one at this link:
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/4laws/law0.html

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The Cost of Worship

Published March 4, 2017

The Cost of Worship

“I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” 2 Samuel 24:24

Several years ago while going for a walk, I noticed someone on a bike and felt an immediate impression to talk to her about God. However, I argued with myself against doing it and kept walking the other way. With feelings of immense remorse, I told God, if I saw her again, I would speak to her. And I did. I shared with her about the love of Jesus but also gave her the gold cross I was wearing around my neck, which held sentimental value.

What costly thing am I giving to God who has given me EVERYTHING?

When Araunah offered to give David oxen for an altar that he wanted to build, David insisted on paying for them out of a deep desire to give to God something that would cost him something. He did not want give God something that would be of no expense to him. David understood that true worship meant sacrifice (2 Samuel 24:18-25).

It is easy to serve God when it doesn’t require much from us. When it does, and we dare go to that place which demands that we fully trust in God in a way we haven’t experienced before, God looks upon that sacrifice as a measure of our deep love and devotion to Him.

Heavenly Father, I love you and thank you for offering your Son to me so I can have eternal life with you. My desire is to offer to you ________ [fill in the blank with the area that God shows you]. I choose to give you this part of my life to show my love and thankfulness to you. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub
Used by Permission

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you can learn how to start one at this link:
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/4laws/law0.html

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Hidden Wounds

Published January 30, 2017

Hidden Wounds

“The Lord is my strength and my shield, my heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoices; and with my song will I praise him.” Psalms 28:7

Not too long ago, I had a professor make me aware of something she saw that I was struggling with. What she said touched me so deeply my eyes immediately started welling up with tears. I needed healing in an area of my life I was choosing to ignore and hoped would just go away.

Trusting God with our hearts so He can heal us takes courage.

When Jesus confronted the Samaritan woman at the well and her sin was exposed, she had a choice as to how she would respond. It took courage when she ran back to her town and shared with everyone how Jesus knew everything about her. “Then they left the town and made their way to Him” (John 4:30).

Being vulnerable with God and trusting Him with areas of our life that are difficult to face is exactly what He desires. God is the only one who can forgive us, heal us, love us through the situation, and give us the guidance we need.

The Samaritan woman received healing in her own heart; her testimony helped to heal the many that came to God that day.

Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me and always being here for me in my times of need. I give you ______________ [state the areas you need God to heal], and ask that You would heal me. I desire to be close to you and to know You more. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub

If you don’t have a relationship with Jesus, you can learn how to start one at this link:
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/4laws/law0.html

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Safety in Counsel

Published September 23, 2016

Safety in Counsel

“Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” Proverbs 11:14 (NKJV)

A few years ago, my husband and I had to make a crucial decision. It involved many different factors: whether he should quit his current job and find a new one, whether we would be willing to lose much of what we had spent years building together, and whether we should uproot our family once again.

We prayed, sought counsel, and with the support and encouragement from many different people, we made a difficult decision.

My husband was unemployed for 10 months. There were times when doubt crept in and we wondered if we had done the right thing. In time however, God’s faithfulness proved far more than we could have imagined. It wasn’t easy. But looking back, we are able to see that God had a plan. And in that plan, He included others who, strong in their walk with God and filled with wisdom, would help guide and direct us, being a support and encouragement in a very challenging time.

There are moments in our lives when we immediately know what to do. But then there are other situations that require us to recognize that we need to seek out others who can help advise and support us in the specific area of need.

And ultimately, God has given us the greatest Counselor of all — the Holy Spirit. We can always receive help from Him (John 14:26).

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Spirit whom You have freely given to me as a help and comfort in time of need. I ask that You would help guide and direct me in (name your situation). I ask that You would show me the right people to ask for guidance and that You would give me courage to ask for help. I desire for Your will to be done in my life. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub

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