thoughts by Fab Batsakis Archives - Daily Thoughts about God

Published March 4, 2024

Staying on the Right Track

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3:5&6

Have you ever asked yourself if you’re on the right path?

Maybe you’re wondering if the right path is the right job, the right spouse, or the right… you name it! Being at the right place at the right time can certainly help.

How do we find ourselves at the right place at the right time?

Do we use undesirable schemes to help us make our way to that place? What if I told you we don’t have to? Maybe you’re waiting for the universe to direct you. What if I tell you that you can have access to the One who manages the universe? Who is that?

He is the boss of the bosses. He is God the Almighty.

And you won’t have to worry even when you don’t understand the whys of life. Fear comes to everyone, as the world is imperfect. But if our hearts belong to God, we’re going to be fine.

There’s no guarantee that you won’t find yourself on a path where you’ll be touched by the thorn in a rose. Suffering, sometimes severe, comes to everyone. Negative thoughts may come to our minds, but they won’t reach our hearts if we stay in The Word and close to God. So, we’ll be able to trust God and live wisely.

Even if some of our plans don’t work at times, life will work for us. When we trust God, we acquire the wisdom of God. We’ll know what to do and when. That keeps us on the right path.

Father God, I ask you to give me grace to take time to listen to you and spend time in your Word. I trust that you’ll keep me on the right path, in Jesus’ name.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Hunting for the Truth?

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever — the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you”. John 14:16-17

Have you ever believed in a fact for years only to discover that it’s not true? Not all facts are true. Some facts can turn out to be lies. Sometimes lies are subtle. Some facts are acceptable to some people… but should they be for you?

Is your opinion based on the truth? How do you know? So who has the right answer? It’s the Spirit of Truth. He’s dwelt in you since the day you said yes to Jesus. That’s when we know him. The Holy Spirit and the Spirit of Truth are the same. He is with you to help you, knowing God’s thoughts and yours. As the Spirit of God, he can help you discern truth from lies.

When you believe in God, the Spirit of Truth smiles. His pleasure is to glorify God and to assist you in discerning the right decisions. Let him save you from worrying and guide you on the true path that can give you freedom. He will quiet your heart with his truth, comfort you, and give you hope and wisdom as you learn to trust him.

Ask the Spirit of God to unveil any lies. If you long for the truth, he’ll reveal it to you. Pay attention to him. Acknowledge him. Listen to him. You can even ask him to confirm what he said. The most common way God speaks and shows the truth is in his Word. Read it, digest it, and use it.

Father God, thank you for the spirit of truth. Help me yield to him every day so I can receive all the help I need from him, in Jesus’ Name. Amen

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Make the Most of Every Opportunity

“Jonah obeyed the word of the Lord and went to Nineveh. Now Nineveh was a very large city; it took three days to go through it.” Jonah 3:3

Will you say yes to the call?

“Forty more days and your city will be destroyed.”

How would you like to be Jonah with a doom and gloom warning message for these people? He delivered this message to a city of one hundred and twenty thousand people at the time – Nineveh.

That’s what he was called to do. For God, the need was so urgent that he would not let Jonah’s reluctance stand in the way. That was Jonah’s second opportunity to warn these people about what would happen.

They humbled themselves in fasting and cried out to God. And their king rose from his throne, changed from his royal clothes into sackcloth and sat in dust. He also decreed this: a corporate fast involving both people and animals; people to call upon God urgently, to give up their evil ways and violence and to wait for God’s compassion. The people turned from their evil ways.

God’s heart was deeply touched. In his compassion, he stopped and reconsidered his plan. No destruction would be carried out in that city.

Now Jonah’s argument was, I warned the people of the destruction coming upon them, Lord, but you changed your mind. His point was, “I give up, I’m sad and I can’t take this anymore. I’d rather die now Lord.”

It seems Jonah was concerned about his own reputation and his people, while God was concerned for the souls of the people of Nineveh. Perhaps Jonah felt he looked like he was wrong in the eyes of the people to whom he’d given the warning. Yet he had faithfully delivered God’s message.

We too may be called to give a difficult message at times. May we faithfully carry that message with hearts of compassion, entrusting the results to God.

Father God, search my heart and if there is anything that displeases you, show me so I can turn from any evil way. Help me to pay attention to what is pleasing to you, in the name of Jesus.

Is there anything in your heart that you feel God is leading you to do? Pay attention to this call.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Guard Your Mouth

“We can make a large horse go wherever we want by means of a small bit in its mouth.” James 3:3 NLT

If we’re not careful, our mouths can speak reckless words under pressure.

When life happens, the pressure of that intense feeling of what someone’s going through stirs them up to open the mouth. But that feeling they have won’t last.

“This will kill them early!” I heard someone say this the other day. Or some will say, “This is killing me.”

Some people will repeatedly say to their children, “You’re a bad boy! You can’t do anything right!”

Although those negative words may appear to be true, they only reflect our feelings. And thoughtless negative words can affect other people’s lives far into the future.

Under the fire of life, we are all tempted to speak negative words. However, we need to spiritually put a bit in our mouths. To restrain a horse and lead them, you use a bit in their mouth. Likewise, we can control our mouths so we can lead a successful life.

King David wrote, “Post a guard at my mouth, God, set a watch at the door of my lips”. Psalm 141:3 (The Message)

We need to speak the Word of God by faith into situations even when it looks like there’s no hope for that person to change or for that situation to be different.

If you speak words of faith, God will go to work. You will also believe what you hear. As you believe, this takes pressure off you, and allows you to see how God is working in the situation.

Let’s guard our mouths!

Father God, give me grace to intentionally speak your word by faith, in Jesus’ name. Thank you.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Be Prepared

“You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Luke 12:40

We desire peace, but war is happening. We desire pleasant weather, but some places have been flooded. We desire health, but many have been affected by the pandemic. Whether we are affected directly or indirectly, it’s real. We all have questions about the world’s adverse events.

I do not intend to distress you. Cheer up and put your hope in the Master.

Prepare yourself. Seek the Kingdom and you will have provision during painful times.

Prepare your hearts above all.

Watch! Neither you nor I know the exact time the Master is coming back. That’s why we get ready. We wait. While our hearts are waiting, our feet are taking steps forward.

Let the lamp of our hearts burn with enthusiasm and expectation. When that lamp produces light, the carrier of that lamp will shine. Choose to shine.

Regardless of the climate of this world, our eyes are to stay fixed on the Master. It’s not easy unless we stand firm and lean on him. Look for his purposes in everything. Watch and pray. The secrets of this season will then be revealed to you—providing wisdom. We want to distinguish between truth and lies. We do not want to be deceived.

Allow God’s truth to take over your heart so you can radiate with hope. Hope beyond world events and what you’re going through.

Be ready! Our hearts should be ready. If you and I hear a knock on the door, we should be able to open with a smile.

Heavenly Father, help me to prepare my heart so I can wait for the return of the Son of Man with enthusiasm. Grant me hope today, in Jesus’ name.

Focus on maintaining a pure heart regardless of what happens, knowing that God can handle this and that he is our sovereign, loving Master.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Guard Your Heart

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (AMP)

The heart is something beyond a machine that pumps blood. It’s more important than that. The very springs of life pump from it, according to Proverbs. The heart enables us to discern what is right or wrong.

Knowing what is right and wrong is not always easy. It depends on one’s values. What is right, then? Something that’s good? Maybe, but not every seemingly good thing is right. Evil things can be mistaken for good. Many have practiced evil things thinking they were good because they were persuaded that they were good. Look at Eve in the garden! That’s why it’s vital to protect the border of our hearts. What we allow into our hearts guides our choices, little by little, and therefore guides the direction of our lives. To make better decisions, we must feed our heart with what’s good.

So, the question is how do we know what is evil or good? Evil is something below God’s standard. Refuse to allow anything evil to influence you. How?

God has the book of knowledge for you. It’s called the Bible. Read it. Incline your heart to it. Seek His will through His Word, not just the things that seem beneficial to you at the time. He will reveal to you what’s right and wrong.

When you’re exposed to what His Word says is good, drop everything you’re doing, incline your ears, open your eyes wide — receive. Then, your heart will revere God and have the power to choose what’s right and good.

Heavenly Father, help me watch over my heart with diligence. Give me wisdom to know good from evil and right from wrong, according to your Word. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Rewards

“Because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.” Ephesians 6:8

At times, it can be disheartening when you and I serve and things do not go in the way we expect.

There are very hard workers, respectful and sincere, who may feel they are not receiving a good return for their work.

Whatever we do, no matter the field, we’re not serving only humans but our Master. Even when you and I may believe we’re not receiving our fair share here, we can find comfort in remembering that God is watching and he rewards those who obey him.

Hard work with low rewards can be difficult. It’s easy to complain. Although it’s hard, Scripture tells us to work with enthusiasm (Colossians 3:23). Scripture guides us to do the will of God, and to do it with all our hearts. We may also need to work with others where possible.

When we are grateful for the opportunities God gives us to serve, this helps us to serve with enthusiasm. When we know that we are already loved and accepted by Jesus, our motivation changes. Pleasing God becomes our reward!

We are called to do what our leaders and those who have authority over us ask us to do, as long as it is not sinful. Sometimes, we may be treated unfairly but by the grace of God we can find strength to do what we need to do.

You may not feel recognized enough where you serve. But remember, the Lord himself will reward those who do good.

Father God, help me to serve with enthusiasm and respect where you have placed me in Jesus’ name.

Find a creative way to show enthusiasm in your world today.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Use Freedom to Flourish or to Fall

“For you have been called to live in freedom my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead use your freedom to serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13

God has granted you and me freedom. We get to choose how to use our time and opportunities. Do you use your freedom to do good or to indulge in self needs?

Our needs are important, right? I don’t deny that. We want our needs met. A list of needs and wants – a bucket list, why not? How far do we go to satisfy our needs and self-ambition?

Solomon was one of the most amazing people who ever lived on planet earth. He was a king, full of wisdom. Kings and queens visited him to listen to his wise words. His insight and words are impressive. His words have influenced my life. I am so grateful for his wisdom.

King Solomon had stables with twelve thousand horses and fourteen hundred chariots, the best of the best. He built delightful buildings and houses. He threw luxurious parties with rich food. Many people served him. What his heart desired, he went for it. He used his wealth. He ruled over others during his lifetime.

He was the richest king that ever exists. He had it all. God blessed him tremendously.

Yet, this influential king made some mistakes at the end of his life. When he tried to please God and serve people, he thrived. When his focus shifted to self, he went for too many women. He even dared to worship false gods.

So, this is a reminder for us to watch. Watch that self doesn’t mislead us.

Let’s master freedom in the right way, by walking in love, in step with the Spirit.

God, help me make the right decisions and use my freedom to serve others in your strength and to enjoy life without indulging in what is wrong.

Invite God to show you where your focus is as you go through each task today. Ask him to show you ways you can use your freedom to serve others in love today. Trust that he is strengthening you to do so, and follow his lead.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Don’t Limit God

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:5-6

I have believed in God for big and small things and I have seen them both come to pass. I know those acts are not a coincidence but guided by God’s mighty hand. However, I know he can do even greater things as long as I don’t limit him.

The Scripture says that Jesus could not do any miracles in his hometown except for laying hands on a few sick people to be healed. That’s all he could do? Jesus was powerful and still is. He wanted to do much more for these people, yet they could not believe. This shows how the extent of our faith can limit what he has for us.

Sometimes something might not be in the will of God for our lives and no amount of faith will do the trick. Yet, our responsibility is to keep believing in his ability and trust in his will. There might be an area of our lives he would like to touch and perform wonders. Believe he can and he will, even if it is in a different way than we expect. It doesn’t mean we believed in the wrong things as long we trusted the outcome, whatever it was, would be right in his eyes.

Is there an area of your life where you’ve been limiting God? We all have at times. If yes, open your eyes to the way he wants you to see your circumstances. Humble yourself and ask him to help you to believe in his timing and will.

Dear God, forgive me for any unbelief. Help me to believe in you so you can do mighty things in my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

The Unfailing Love

“Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.” Psalm 89:2 NLT

Do you ever question where you’re at in life?

Do you ever wonder why a certain thing happens to you and not to others? Maybe you lost your job but your friends have theirs. Or you’re sick. I can’t even guess what you are going through. And, friend, it can be so hard to understand why bad things happen, right?

Even though we may have many questions about life’s heartaches, it’s so important to know that God is still powerful. He is still on the throne.

Sometimes it’s only when we look back that we can understand the lesson through adversity. Or it can be the mistake we made so we can learn to improve in the future. Or someone else’s mistake.

Every moment of your life, even in adversity, is an opportunity for God to show you his love and faithfulness. Remember and believe that God loves you. His presence is with you. That’s why we can trust God, no matter what happens, because we know how much he loves us.

He can give me and you a new beginning in any area that we need. We can ask him for renewal, to transform.

Wait on him with hopefulness. I encourage you to rely on God. His love never fails. God can do beyond what you and I can imagine or think. It’s never too late for him to show his love.

David said, “What, what would have become of me had I not believed that I would see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living!” (Psalm 27:13 AMP, Classic Edition)

Heavenly Father, no matter what I have been through, I thank you for listening to me. I pray that you strengthen me in my faith so I will never ever forget that your love never fails and that you are with me.

Today: Think about the love that never fails. Stay thankful for God’s faithfulness.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

thoughts by Fab Batsakis Thoughts by Women

The Faithful Listener

Published May 27, 2022

The Faithful Listener

“…The Lord listens and heeds when I call to him.” Psalm 4:3(AMPC)

Have you ever felt desperate to have someone listen to your issues of the heart? Imagine you’re going through some moments of real doubt regarding something. You have friends, but you don’t think you can share the deepest part of who you are with anyone. So, what do you do?

I was facing a tough time. I fought those doubts. It wasn’t easy. The worst part was that it seemed I had some answers to support my doubts. Sadness came to my heart.

So, I cried out to God in tears. I remember all I could ask was, ”God, help me. Help me, Father. Please do something.” And he did. He inclined his ears. He heard my cry of desperation and silently wiped my tears.

Then, I realized my doubts weren’t insignificant in his eyes. He saw my heart and opened his ears and heart to my cry of desperation for help. When I couldn’t help myself, God responded to my cry. He brought me the answer I needed. He didn’t do it the way I thought, but his response worked. I calmed down.

I still stand in awe of the way he responded to my cry.

When you feel desperate to have someone listen to your heart, remember there is a listener waiting for you. He will be attentive to your call. He won’t condemn you but will be understanding and faithful towards you. So, call on God any time and he will listen to you.

Father God, thank you for being a good and faithful listener. Help me to always feel comfortable to run to you whenever I have doubts, fears, or something deeply tugging at my heart. Amen

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Confident Trust

“And my righteous ones will live by faith.” Hebrews 10:38 (NLT)

Life isn’t always perfect. Life can throw circumstances at us that we don’t like, but we get to decide about how to respond. We get to choose our lifestyle.

We ought to plan how to live by faith as the righteous of God. Just because we plan a lifestyle by faith, it doesn’t mean we won’t face challenges. We will. Guaranteed. So we need to face it by faith.

Have confidence, and trust and hope that things will turn out well. Okay, you might say, but where does confidence come from? We can either be confident in ourselves or we can place our confidence in something or someone else.

Your confidence level depends on how much you trust in God. When you put your confidence in God, you won’t choose to act solely on what you can see; you will also value what is unseen. That’s faith.

Our assurance and strength will be strong if we believe God is there to assist us and that he is on our side even when something goes wrong. Remember that we are in right standing with God, not because we’ve been so perfect but because God arranged for our deliverance from sin through Christ’s death and resurrection. Therefore, because we know God has done everything that needs to be done on our behalf, we don’t have to feel condemned. As part of accepting him as our Lord and Savior, we inherit his righteousness. Since we have been acquitted by faith, we also receive additional blessings by faith. We can have confidence in that.

Dear God, help me to live a lifestyle that pleases you. Grant me a strong faith so I can put my confidence in you in Jesus’ name. Amen.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Be Fruitful

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

When something tries your patience and you feel frustrated, how do you react? Do you allow your mouth to say things you may regret later?

If this has ever happened to you, you’re not the only one.

Suppose you’re hungry and you approach a beautiful fig tree to pick some figs. Then, you notice it hasn’t even got one juicy fig even if it is full of green leaves and promising. It’s disappointing, right? Since that tree doesn’t meet your expectations, do you open your mouth out of frustration? Or do you stop and think before you talk? Do you realize how powerful your words are? Could this tree be on its way to producing fruit?

You and I need to pay careful attention with the words we use. The tongue can create life or death. Our words can grow fruit on trees or wither healthy roots. So, let us influence our world positively. Let those who connect with us flourish because of our fruitful words.

Dear God, when I feel frustrated, strengthen me so I won’t use my mouth to curse, but rather to offer life.

Decide to be fruitful with encouraging and positive words today.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Abraham’s Journey of Faith

Can you see how God kept his promises? Let’s dare to believe in God, knowing he is faithful, even when we are not!

“The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed by you.” Genesis 12:1 NLT

Can you picture Abraham with Sara, his wife, his nephew, his servants and his herd of livestock travelling with a tent to pitch anywhere they needed to?

Abraham has received a promise. Abraham believed in God with childlike faith.

At seventy-five, Abraham would have loved to enjoy the wealth and lifestyle he was accustomed to in Haran. Yet, he left.

As a foreigner in a new country, Abraham had to develop his faith to cope with new situations.

Abraham moved to Egypt because of famine. Pharaoh, the King took his very beautiful wife to his palace. Abraham didn’t reveal that Sara was his wife. Then, a plague was sent on Pharaoh’s house causing him to release Sarah and send Abraham out of the country.While waiting for God to give them a family, he and Sarah tried to accomplish the promise themselves and a child was born, not of Sarah, but of their Egyptian servant. Sarah, his wife, became angry at that servant’s scoffing and asked Abraham to act. So, God asked Abraham to listen to his wife. Abraham asked the servant and mother of the child to move out with her son. They did.

Yes, Abraham failed at times, but God didn’t fail him.

God showed him where to go — Canaan, the land his descendants would one day possess. Sara and Abraham had the child — Isaac, although they were both past the age of childbearing.

Can you see how God kept his promises? Let’s dare to believe in God, knowing he is faithful, even when we are not!

Father God, thank you for showing how mighty and faithful you are through Abraham’s and Sara’s life. Help me to keep my eyes on you with eternity in my heart so I can finish strong, in Jesus’ name.

Take time to read Abraham and Sarah’s story in Genesis 16. Thank God that nothing is impossible to him.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Are Your Eyes Fixed on Eternity?

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:17

How do you spend your evenings? Do you settle on the couch, your eyes fixed on a screen, regardless of the device you use, trying to be entertained? Maybe you watch movies, your favorite reality television shows, play games, surf the internet, spend time on social media? Or you work towards an overly spotless home, so well-organized you can’t even find a moment to wind down? While entertainment and cleanliness are okay, how much time do you spend on these things?

What do you feed your mind with? Your choices reveal your hunger – that is, the hunger of your heart.

Either you have an appetite for life or for death. Oh! Did I say death? Yes, you can choose to build yourself up spiritually towards life or death.

Maybe, by default, the world and death are entering your life because the remote control or social media notifications guide you. I encourage you to be intentional about how you spend your time. Don’t permit yourself to develop a hunger for things that don’t lead to life.

Let us be careful to watch the direction of our desires. Spend quality time with our loved ones, build strong relationships. Carry each other’s burdens, so God can fulfill his purposes in our lives (Galatians 6:2). Whether we are single or in a relationship, we can love others by offering a helping hand. Become closer to God by spending time reading his word; this is how we will more easily recognize his voice.

Let us fix our eyes and hearts on eternity. Be purposeful in growing in the Lord. Relax from busy tasks that may distract you toward death, and ask God to help you to do his will. What would you prefer – to live a worldly and fearful life that leads to spiritual death? Or to live out the will of God?

Dear Father God, help me to live with eternity in my heart every day. Allow me to hear your voice clearly and give me power to live out your will. In Jesus’ name I ask.

Be mindful of your thoughts and your desires and how you spend your time.

By Fab Batsakis
Used by Permission

Category: <span>thoughts by Fab Batsakis</span>

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

Will you say yes to the call?

Further Reading

If we’re not careful, our mouths can speak reckless words under pressure.

Further Reading

Prepare yourself. Seek the Kingdom and you will have provision during painful times.

Prepare your hearts above all.

Further Reading

“Watch over your heart with all diligence, For from it flow the springs of life.” Proverbs 4:23 (AMP)

Further Reading

“Because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.” Ephesians 6:8

At times, it can be disheartening when you and I serve and things do not go in the way we expect.

Further Reading

Further Reading

“He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. He was amazed at their lack of faith.” Mark 6:5-6

Further Reading

Do you ever question where you’re at in life?

“…The Lord listens and heeds when I call to him.” Psalm 4:3(AMPC)

Further Reading

“And my righteous ones will live by faith.” Hebrews 10:38 (NLT)

Further Reading

“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21

Decide to be fruitful with encouraging and positive words today.

Further Reading

Can you see how God kept his promises? Let’s dare to believe in God, knowing he is faithful, even when we are not!

Further Reading

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” 1 John 2:17

Further Reading