thoughts by Bethany Hayes Archives - Daily Devotionals by Thoughts about God

Published February 12, 2023

Where Peace is Found

Everyone is looking for peace.

If you were to ask ten people on the street what they want most in 2023, “peace” would most likely be mentioned. We want peace for those experiencing the effects of war. Families are searching for peaceful resolutions. Our personal lives crave peace. Many wonder what peace really is and where it can truly be found.

Peace is the possession of adequate resources.” – George Morrison

Could there be a better definition?

Imagine finding yourself on a highway with very few gas stations. A full tank of gas would give you peace. You possess the adequate resources, so there is no cause for concern. Realize your tank is on “empty,” and peace quickly disappears.

Why do many Christians lack peace?

We forget we have adequate resources. We are short-sighted, seeing immediate needs and circumstances, and forgetting what we possess.

We have tried-and-true promises made and always fulfilled by the “God who cannot lie.” (Titus 1:2)

We have the food of God’s Word sitting on a shelf waiting to be read and designed to satisfy in ways “comfort food” never could. We don’t live by three meals a day alone, but “by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4)

We’re told to cast all our cares on Him in prayer. Why? “Because He cares.” (1 Peter 5:7) At His feet, we “find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

We should never fear death. Death is simply the doorway to the everlasting life we received when we placed our faith in the death of Jesus on the cross in our place. By faith, we know we will never experience the wrath we deserve. God placed it on His Son instead. This is the ultimate source of peace.

Are you looking for peace this Year?

Do you have these resources?

If so, look no more.

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27)

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

His Strength Made Ours

All of us have weak spots and strong spots in life.

Weak places that keep us on our knees.

Strong places. And we forget to pray.

Having M.S. for eleven years, I’m daily aware of many weak places. Needy places I’ve learned to work around. Weak spots that remind me I need Someone Else to enable me to live strong in this broken world.

I have weak spots, too, that have nothing to do with M.S. Areas of brokenness designed to turn my gaze upward. Sometimes I remember. More often, I forget to go to Him for strength.

One thing I’m learning.

It’s in the weakest places of our lives that we find our greatest strength.

Maybe you’ve found this to be true in your own weak spots.

Ernest Hemingway once wrote:

“The world breaks everyone, and those who are broken are strongest in the broken places.”

It’s odd to think our weaknesses can be our greatest strengths.

But Scripture says that.

His strength is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Let’s not despise anything that brings us to our knees.

Seeking strength.

Finding it when we have none of our own.

On our knees, we find strength to stand.

Strength made perfect when we are weakest.

A strength we will never find anywhere else.

His strength. Made ours.

“. . . out of weakness were made strong.”(Hebrews 11:34)

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

Why Are We Celebrating Christmas?

“Jesus was born.” Matthew 2:1

We’ve approached a time of bustle. Shopping, baking, holiday greetings, home for Christmas. Why? Why are we celebrating Christmas?

How would the average person answer that question? Tradition? Family? Love for hearth and home?

Let’s go back to the first Christmas. A baby in a stall. And the most incredible statement ever spoken: “Jesus was born.” The “image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature” who is “before all things, and by him all things consist” (see Colossians 1:15-19). HE was born. GOD was “made flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:14).

He was made flesh. All the blood of bulls and goats could not fully atone for man’s sin. The blood of Christ was the only blood sufficient. So a body was prepared for Him (Hebrews 10:5). Suddenly, God could bleed. And 33 years later, He bled on the cross, and God’s perfect justice was satisfied.

He dwelt among us. But why was He born? Why didn’t He arrive as a full-grown man the hour of the crucifixion, pay for sins, and then leave? So He could also dwell “among us.” He associated Himself with us and was tempted “in all points. . .like as we are” (Hebrews 4:15). He went through the things we go through. He was touched by every grief, every disappointment, every painful trial, and every overwhelming temptation. And yet, He never sinned.

He bled as a perfect sacrifice. He lived a perfect life.

Horatius Bonar once said:

Upon a life I did not live,
Upon a death I did not die;
Another’s life, Another’s death,
I stake my whole eternity.

You and I can say that, too, because “Jesus was born.”

THAT’s why we’re celebrating Christmas.

by Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

A Message and a Promise

“Say to the righteous, that it shall be well with them.” Isaiah 3:10 (NKJV)

Missing church on Sunday leaves a hole in my week that is difficult to patch up. A chronic illness makes this absence unavoidable at times. But I can always count on this loving message and sincere promise when it occurs: “Tell Bethany I’ll be praying for her.” Knowing the one who faithfully sends me this message, I’m always confident the promise has already been kept.

Recently, I discovered a similar message in God’s Word and a promise as sure as the One Who sent it: “Say to the righteous, that it shall be well with them.” (Isaiah 3:10)

This message was sent to a nation unsure of God’s ways. And the promise it contains is for those in the same situation. Those full of questions yet righteous in Christ have this promise: “. . . it shall be well with them.” No matter the doubts, the frustrations, the “wish-things-were-different” thinking that takes our affection off things above, in Christ, we can be confident that it will be well with us.

Knowing the God who made this promise, we can be sure it is strong enough to lean on.

And it doesn’t take one ounce of strength to lean.

Father, Help us to lean our weakness and our questions on Your promises. We praise You for being as certain as the promises You’ve sent. Thank You for the assurance that because of Christ, it will be well with us. In His Name. Amen.

by Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

How to Turn Tangled Thoughts into Trust

I was planning to read Psalm 18 before falling asleep last night. A busy day, a weighty decision, concern for a loved one, and questions about the future. Sometimes we just need to come up for air.

But as I read, I couldn’t get past verse 2.

It took multiple readings to let its nine-fold truth about God sink in—a concept that left Him looming larger than my tangled thoughts.

“The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my shield, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalm 18:2)

This verse begged to be read over and over again. God’s might is articulated in beautiful imagery and powerful repetition.

Then I noticed how many “my’s” are included in this array of God-attribute reminders.

My rock.
My fortress.
My deliverer.
My God.
My strength.
My shield.
The horn of my salvation.
My high tower.

It’s almost as if he doesn’t want us to miss the fact that this powerful God is OUR God.

Our tangled thoughts in weakness never overwhelm our strong God. He wants us to lean them all against His strength.

One “attribute” in this list is different. Worded differently, as if the tables turn for a brief moment, it sits up from its middle position and makes an announcement.

Our rock, fortress, deliverer, God, strength, shield, horn of salvation, and high tower is also the One “in whom I will trust.”

I finished reading Psalm 18 today. As the Psalm continues, David beautifully describes how God came to His rescue when David depended on Him.

How should every tangled thought respond to such a powerful God?

Trust.

“He is a shield to all those who trust in him.” (Psalm 18:30b)

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

When You Feel Like a Failure

Recently, I read an article listing six things to do when you feel like a failure.

Be honest about your struggle.
Remember you’re not alone.
Take a nap.

And three other ways to get over the failure-slump and conquer the world.

Thankfully, God’s Word tells us only one way, a more powerful way to conquer the giants of inadequacy that often wake up with us every morning.

“We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37).

Are you anxious over a wayward child or an unknown future? Haunted by a past that continually resurfaces? Struggle with a besetting sin? Battle against shattered hopes?

In other words. . .

It is things present?

Or things to come?

God’s Son hung on a cross and displayed in humility and agony a love we cannot comprehend.

That love erased our past, surrounds the present, and guards the future.

His love conquered.

Despite the past, present, or future, you and I are more than conquerors through Him who loved us like that.

We’re failures turned conquerors through Someone Else’s perfect love.

“I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come . . . shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

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When You Can’t Pray – Give Thanks

I once heard of a little boy who refused to say his evening prayers one night; not out of defiance, but simply because he couldn’t think of anything he wanted.

He didn’t see much point in praying when there wasn’t anything to ask for.
When his mother heard his dilemma, she suggested he give thanks for all the things he had instead.

So the little boy got on his knees and thanked the Lord for everything he could think of – from his favorite toy to the fact he wasn’t blind like the boy down the street.
His evening prayers were longer that night, because he was thankful for more than he wanted.

We often have the opposite dilemma.

We find it hard to pray; not because we don’t have anything to ask for, but because we’re too disheartened to pray.

Our prayers seem to hit a stone ceiling; our prayers go unanswered for years; or we simply don’t receive the peace we used to enjoy in times of prayer.

But maybe we can’t pray, because we’ve forgotten to be thankful.

Like this little boy, what if we took some time and turned our prayers into words of only thanks?

When you pray today, don’t ask for one single thing.
JUST give thanks.

While you drive to work, list one thing after another you’re grateful for.
And thank the Lord ONLY.

When you have a few quiet moments, think of things you know are gifts.
And ONLY thank the Lord.

When you can’t pray . . . give thanks.
Your prayers might be longer than usual, because you find yourself thankful for more than you want.

“With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” ~ Philippians 4:6-7

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

When Everything Else Fails

The story is told of a woman who was saved later in life. Wanting to make up for lost time, she committed entire portions of Scripture to memory. Books of the Bible. Epistles. Favorite passages.

She hid God’s Word deep in her heart.

As the years passed by and her mind and eyes grew dim, many of these scriptures slipped from her memory.

Finally, only one verse remained. A verse she recited to every person who came to visit.

“I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him.”
(2 Timothy 1:12)

As her final years continued to wane, part of this passage slipped away as well.

All that remained in her mind and on her lips were the words: “He is able to keep that which I have committed unto him.”

On her death bed, only one word remained. For the last time, it escaped her lips with her final breath.

“. . . Him.”

At the end of his life, John Newton said,

“My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner and that Christ is a great Savior!”

Everything else will fail one day. The only One who never will is “. . .Him.”

“Even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God.” Psalm 90:2

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

Expectations

United Airlines has a slogan . . . “Place your expectations in the upright position.”

Expectations.

We all have them.
We may call them by a different name – hopes, dreams, visions for the future, a reason to set goals today.

Expectations lie embedded in every one of us.
The key that gives a glimpse into tomorrow.
The driving force behind today.

The Hebrew calls them: “the thing that I long for.”

But what if we did “place our expectations in the upright position”?

What if we placed all our hopes, dreams, visions, and goals in a position higher than ourselves; outside of ourselves; beyond ourselves?

Forward and Upward.

On a God who sees the end from the beginning.
Who knows our thoughts before we think them.
Who knows our dreams, hopes, visions, goals . . . our “expectations” . . . before they were ever “the thing that we long for.”

What if we DID place our expectations in the upright position?

We would find ourselves within sight of our journey’s end.

We would constantly be aware that beyond today’s journey lies a hope beyond our expectations. Greater than we can visualize.

“My expectation is from HIM,” David said (Psalm 62:5).

Forward and Upward.

The perfect position to place all that we long for.
The upright position.

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

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Very Little Things

“We need to trust God in the little things, and also in the VERY little things.” – George Mueller

Imagine – if possible – existing before anything else did.

Speaking galaxies into being.

Knowing the end from the beginning.

Loving those who hate and reject you.

Reaching out your arm of salvation to those same individuals.

Planning an eternal existence that can’t even be fathomed.

Writing your loved ones on the palm of your hand.

Never withdrawing your eyes from those you love.

Able to bear any burden.
Of any weight.
Of any size.

This is the Person . . . our God . . . who says numerous times in His Word:

“Trust.”
“Trust Me.”
“Trust Me with all your heart.”

What is “living by faith” but keeping our eyes on the greatness of our God and leaving our “little things” in His care?

He dwells “in the high and holy place.” Yes.

But “. . .with him also who is of a contrite and humble spirit.” (Isaiah 57:15)

Since this is our God, let’s trust Him in “the little things.”

And also in the “VERY little things.”

by Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

Never Thirsty

“The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14

They were breaking all kinds of century-old traditions.

He, the Messiah.
She, an outcast from Samaria.

A Jewish man and a Samaritan woman, engaging in conversation.

She came to the well thirsty for something.
Searching for something she couldn’t put her finger on.
Looking in all the wrong places.

Then Jesus passed by (in reality . . . He drew near).
And He showed her that she had a need far greater than thirst for water.

He was aware of the dissatisfaction she had experienced in life.
About her attempt to fulfill a longing she didn’t properly understand.
The sin that was the result.
The brokenness all this searching had led to.

Her thirst was the longing of every human heart.
A place in our lives only Christ can satisfy.

So He offered her “living water.”

Christ offered her the satisfaction of HIMSELF.

Satisfaction that’s there to stay.
A constant Source.
A constant flow of contentment and strength.
Every day.
Every MOMENT of the day.

She had been asking the tough, timeless questions:
Where is true satisfaction?
Why am I living an unfulfilled life?
When will I ever stop searching for contentment?
Why am I always thirsty for more?

Jesus gave her the “living water” of Himself.

And it became like a well within her from which she could constantly drink.

Others would disappoint her.
Other things in life would never be completely fulfilling.

But it wouldn’t matter anymore.

The sufficiency of Christ was enough for her now. Something she could constantly draw from and “never thirst.”

So she left her water pot.
She left all the things that never completely satisfied.

And she went away with something that can never be taken from any person who has truly believed on Christ – a well of water “springing up into everlasting life.”

Draw from Him today.
He will never leave you thirsty for something else.

by Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

Ten Times More

Someone once said,

“If you believe one-tenth of what you say you believe
you should be ten times more excited than you are.”

And I ask myself the question: Where and why do we fall short?

Maybe it’s this . . .
–   We fail to remember that being called “believers” means we “believe.”
–   We fail to remember what it is we believe.
–   And we fail to give thanks.

We believe that God gave.
And we received.

And when we receive a gift, what should be our natural response?
Thanksgiving.

God has given us numerous gifts for which we can be eternally grateful.

Here are TEN to start out with.

#1 – God’s Son

“Our Savior Jesus Christ. . . gave himself for us.” (Titus 2:14)

God’s Son wasn’t forced into being our Savior.
Jesus Christ gave Himself freely.

Why?

#2 – Forgiveness of Sins

“. . . that [we] might receive forgiveness of sins.” (Acts 26:18)

Each of us deserves the worst punishment imaginable for the filth of our sins.
Christ took it on Himself that we might receive forgiveness in its place.

#3 – Family Status

“As many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God.”
(John 1:12)

We have received the right to be called the children of God.
We have the same family status as God’s own Son.

#4 – Grace

“. . . grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” (2 Timothy 1:9)

God’s favor when we didn’t deserve it – when we deserves His DIS-favor – was so certain to be ours that He gave it to us long before He brought anything into existence.

#5 – the Holy Spirit

“. . . ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)

The Spirit of truth indwells us, fills us, rebukes us, seals us, and produces His fruit through us.

#6 – Peace

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” (John 14:27)

Christ left us His peace.
It is ours – available and apart from any peace we could achieve from any other source.

#7 – Wisdom

“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God. . . and it shall be given.” (James 1:5)

When we need wisdom, we can ask for it.
And He will give it willingly.
Again and again.

#8 – Victory over death.

“Thanks be to God who giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(1 Corinthians 15:57)

Because Christ rose from the dead, death will not have victory over us.

#9 – An Inheritance

“. . . that they may . . . receive an inheritance.” (Acts 26:18)

This inheritance is incorruptible, undefiled, does not fade away, and is reserved in heaven for us.
We’re “joint heirs” with God’s own Son.

#10 – Everlasting Life

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)

Since we believe what we say we believe, let’s be more excited, more joyful . . . more grateful.

Ten times more.

by Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

Enough

Perhaps the deepest longing of every human heart is to find adequacy in everything that defines life for us.

We want an adequate car, an adequate house, an adequate paycheck.

And we want the people in our lives to be enough.

The word “adequate” means “sufficient for a specific requirement.”

The problem is. . . we often choose what that “requirement” is.
One we have laid out for ourselves. What we think will be “just enough.”

When nothing seems to be sufficient, we often listen to the cries around us that say, “I am enough. You don’t have to put up with less than sufficient. Try me.”

So we try what these voices offer.

But they eventually come up short. Less than require.
Never enough.

Why? Why are we tempted to feel short-changed in life?
Do we have contentment issues?
Is it simply living in an imperfect world?

Or could it be we’re looking in the wrong places?

Are we looking at the wrong things to be our “Enough”?

If there was one person who had enough, it was King David.
Not because he was a king, won wars, and was given amazing promises.
He had enough, because of Who his Shepherd was.

He said, “The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1)

He never suggested that his possessions or his accomplishments were enough.

His Shepherd was Enough.
His God was Adequate.

So nothing was missing in his life.

When we take a look at what we claim as ours and cry, “I want you to be enough!” let’s take a deeper look and say, “You are special enough to me, because I have all I need in my Adequate God.”

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

Would you like to know God and allow him to be your Shepherd? You can! It all starts with knowing Jesus and letting him transform you from the inside out. His love is amazing. You can start by praying this prayer:

Lord Jesus, I want to know You personally. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life to You and ask You to come in as my Savior and Lord. Take control of my life. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.

Reflecting Christ

Have you ever wished this world would ask to see lives that reflect the life of Christ?

Have you ever hoped your life would be that reflection?

Have you ever come to the end of yourself, realizing you can’t imitate Him as you had always hoped you could?

Have you ever noticed the Bible says, “Christ lives in you”?

Christ lives in us. So the purpose of our lives is to be a capacity for others to see His life.
The reflection of Him the world doesn’t audibly ask for.

The reflection you’d always hoped you could somehow make yourself to be.
The imitation of Him that is not just an imitation, but Himself living through you.

As believers, our lives are His.
They don’t just belong to Him. They are His.

If others are to see His life, we need to step out of the way and become a corner in this dark world where the life of Christ can be reflected. Reflected so beautifully, our lives could truly be described as “hidden with Christ in God.” (Colossians 3:3)

A capacity for Christ to live in us.

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

Father Forgive Them

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:24 (KJV)

I often wonder what it was like to cross through the Red Sea on dry ground, to watch Jericho’s walls collapse, or to walk with Jesus on the Sea of Galilee. But imagine being present at the most astonishing event of world history, “the scourging of Christ, the Promised Savior”.

Someone should have protested. Instead, the loudest voices were those in favor of the scourging. Jesus Himself did not even raise a voice in His own defense. In fact, Peter described the scene this way.

“When He was reviled, [He] did not revile in return. When He suffered, He did not threaten.” 1 Peter 2:23a (NKJV).

While being scourged for our sins, the Maker of heaven and earth ‘and of those who accused Him’ said nothing.

Yet, after He was placed on a cross, Jesus spoke these words. “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.”

He had committed Himself and the result was available forgiveness.

Equal in significance to the words, “Father, forgive them,” were another three words “it is finished.” Complete and final forgiveness is ours only through our Lord Jesus Christ. “For there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
(Acts 4:12).

Father, Thank You for providing the only Savior qualified to save us from our sin, for looking on His finished work and forgiving us completely. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

by Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

Category: <span>thoughts by Bethany Hayes</span>

Everyone is looking for peace.

Why do many Christians lack peace?

Are you looking for peace this Year?

Related Reading

It’s in the weakest places of our lives that we find our greatest strength.

Seeking strength.

Further Reading

“Jesus was born.” Matthew 2:1

Further Reading

Further Reading

“He is a shield to all those who trust in him.” (Psalm 18:30b)

Further Reading

His love conquered.

Further Reading

Further Reading

Everything else will fail one day. The only One who never will is “. . .Him.”

Further Reading

United Airlines has a slogan . . . “Place your expectations in the upright position.”

Further Reading

“We need to trust God in the little things, and also in the VERY little things.” – George Mueller

Further Reading

“The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14

Further Reading

Ten times more.

Further Reading

Further Reading

Further Reading

“Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.” Luke 23:24 (KJV)

FURTHER READING