thoughts by Gail Rodgers Archives - Page 4 of 16

Published January 19, 2023

Who is a God Like You?

“Who is a God like you, who pardons…. and forgives…and delights to show mercy.” Micah 7:18 & 19

Micah was a prophet who spoke with tenderness in sounding the alarm that God hates rebellion and empty ritualism, yet He delights in pardoning those whose hearts are bent toward Him.

The Old Testament reveals to us the love and character of God. The message is the same today. It’s easy to let our hearts steep in rebellion to God. Think for a moment if there is anything that comes to mind that would show you harbouring rebellion toward God. Refusal to forgive someone perhaps? Nursing a critical attitude or a negative spirit? Choosing to grumble? Forgetting to be thankful? Rebellion is subtle and it gets in our way of communication and relationship with God who loves us and wants to guide us.

How about empty ritualism? God didn’t call us to “go to church” and walk through the motions of worship. He called us to “be the church” and take His love to our world in a practical way.

The book of Micah predicted the coming of Jesus to Bethlehem years before the actual event.

As believers we know Jesus will come again. The book of Micah calls us to be on guard and keep bent toward God in a posture of willingness to let Him deliver us from the rebellion of our hearts. As we await Jesus’ return, let’s see Him coming today in the face of the person we meet who needs our word of encouragement or hand of help. Let’s show others our God who delights to show mercy.

Father God, Keep my heart from rebellion and my life from empty and meaningless rituals. May my heart be bent to You today so that others will see You who delights to show them Your mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Unchanging

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

As we cross the threshold into a new year and begin putting one foot in front of the other, we can feel the tenuous shakiness of change all around us.

Yet as we look forward, with that familiar mix of anticipation and uncertainty, we can find a quiet place to rest our hope and steady our step.

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, and today and forever!” What an incredible source of peace and hope this singular thought brings to our lives.

Jesus – He can still calm the raging waves of life’s storms today as He did long ago. Matthew 8: 23-27
Jesus – He is still the Bread of Life who gives nourishment to our souls when we hunger deep within. John 6:35
Jesus – The One whose name is still above all names and whose name is a Tower of Refuge for those who call on Him. Proverbs 18:10
Jesus – The One whose Light shines in the darkness and shows us the way. John 8:12

Jesus is the Treasure that we have in our “jars of clay” fragile lives. He shines in us and through us when we invite Him. His power is our strength in changing days.
2 Corinthians 4:7

Thank you Father God, that You sent Jesus to connect with me personally. Thank you that He is the same Jesus today that He was when He walked this earth. Thank you for His love and strength and power in my life. May I be reminded each day by Your Holy Spirit, that Jesus is all I need. Jesus has all I need. Because Jesus lives in Me and through me I can face the changing landscape of life, with all it’s wonderful surprises and all it’s question marks too. Thank you for this Treasure I have as I walk into this new year. I pray this with thanksgiving in the powerful name of Jesus. Amen.

Start or refresh your journey with Jesus today. He waits to hold your hand in this new day and fresh chapter of your life.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Lavish Love

Life had taken a few turns. Unexpected losses had quietly stacked up until she felt that her God must be on vacation somewhere else. Others seemed to be receiving blessing from God but she felt short changed these days.

She began to feel that she had moved from under God’s wing to under God’s thumb… and quite subtly her view of God began to change. She hardly noticed it was happening. And her Bible sat more often on the shelf.

Then she heard a verse from the Bible… on a random snatch of a radio program while she was driving. God wanted her attention and the verse hit home in her heart.

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

The word “lavished” caught her imagination. Suddenly she realized that she had begun to doubt God’s love and his goodness toward her. A God that lavishes his love on his children is not a God who wants to pin you under his thumb! He is a God that can be counted on to lovingly take us through this journey of life. A God that lavishes us with his love is a God that can be trusted to guide us on our way and to nudge us back on track when we wander.

If your life has some unexpected bumps these day, don’t doubt God’s love and care for you. He will lovingly bring his principles of living to your attention so you can correct your course when necessary. His love will lead you to the very best for your life if you trust him through the fog. Knowing he lavishes you with his love will keep your heart soft and your heart attitude looking for his goodness. Doubting the goodness of God toward you can harden your heart and move you in a direction that will tempt you to live life according to your own wisdom…wisdom that will always be less than God’s wisdom for you.

Dear Heavenly Father, You know how easy it is for me to doubt you when I can’t see the path ahead of me clearly. Forgive me for letting my heart doubt you. Forgive me for my impatient nature. Thank you for reminding me that your love for me is so great and that I am your child. Show me the attitudes or actions that I have slipped into that don’t please you. I choose today to trust your goodness toward me. Give me assurance in my heart that you are at work in my circumstances. By faith I will trust you to guide me in what to do. Thank you Father. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Invited to the Manger

“For unto us a child is born …and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 & 7

The manger scene of Baby Jesus’ birth can seem so irrelevant today. Nice on a Christmas card, yes, but not really having any impact on our lives.

This verse from Isaiah can bring freshness to our souls as we ponder how the Baby Jesus actually does impact life today in a very relevant way.

Any need you have in the changing landscape of your personal mosaic can be answered by this Jesus. This Baby grew up to be our Savior. He rose from the grave and He offers life to us when we believe in Him.

If you need wisdom or strength, He will be your Counselor;
If you need a mountain moved, He is your Mighty God;
If you need comfort, forgiveness and gentle healing, He is your everlasting Father;
If your heart is anxious and troubled, He will bring Peace to you.

As you think of yourself standing by that manger bed, know that His birth was just the beginning of God reaching toward humankind … toward you.

Let your heart reach back with thankfulness and acceptance. Look at the manger scene with the fresh wonder of all He is to you. Every need, every change that you face can be encompassed by all He is…so much more than just a baby!

Invite Him into your changes today! Let joy fill your soul.

Heavenly Father, Fill my heart with the fresh wonder of what that first Christmas means for me… today. Thank you that any need I have can be encompassed by Jesus. Help me to lean on You to be my Wonderful Counselor, my Mighty God, my Everlasting Father and my Prince of Peace! In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Stop for a moment right where you are and whisper a thank you in your heart to Jesus for stepping down from Heaven and coming as a baby. He positioned Himself to be available to you as your Wonderful Councillor, your Mighty God, your Everlasting Father and your Prince of Peace.

What need do you need to bring to Him today?

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

If you don’t Jesus and you would like to start a relationship with him, you can start by submitting your will to his. Below is a sample prayer. Prayer is talking to God. God knows your heart and is not so concerned with your words as He is with the attitude of your heart.

“Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make me the kind of person You want me to be.”

If this prayer expresses the desire of your heart, then you can pray this prayer right now and Christ will come into your life, as He promised.

The Candle of Love

The ring was special! It signified she belonged to the organization. As she wore it she was aware of all it represented and of who it said she was. With it she was more conscious of how she acted.

As a follower of Jesus you wear a distinguishing mark as well. Is it visible?

You wear His love.

When Jesus came to this earth He brought a special kind of love. This love is unselfish, compassionate, unconditional. He loves us just as we are. Our condition is irrelevant to His love. It is a love that picks us up just where we are in life and carries us further than we could ever go on our own.

He gives us His love so we can give it away in the same unselfish, compassionate, unconditional way He gave it to us. He tells us this love will be our trade mark. It will distinguish us as followers of Jesus.

“By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” John 13:35

Your actions reflect Jesus to the world around you. You can choose to offer love or to hold it back. In situations where it is hard to offer love, ask Him to give you an abundance of His own in your heart so you are able to give it away.

As you move into Christmas this week, be reminded of the distinguishing mark you carry as a follower of Jesus. Ask for His love to be evident in your words and actions as you interact with others. Seek to bring unity and balance into relationships or situations. Listen to people with sincerity and interest. Ask for a graciousness that comes from His Spirit as you mingle with those in your circle.

Wear the love of Jesus as your distinguishing mark as His follower.

Father God, Thank you for Your generous love to me. Thank you that You see the abundance in my life rather than all the shortfalls I have. Help me to offer that same gracious love to those I mingle with this Christmas season. Pour Your love into my heart so I can give it away. May they know I am a follower of Jesus by my love. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

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thoughts by Gail Rodgers Thoughts by Women

What is the Advent Season About?

Published December 14, 2022

What is the Advent Season About?

This week I saw a Star Wars Advent Calendar and it took me by surprise. It was simply a countdown to Christmas Day and so far removed from the original intent of the Advent season.

Advent means the coming of something extremely important and awaited!

At Christmas time we traditionally celebrant the Advent season, the season where we remember the birth of the long awaited Christ child, the Savior of the world.

Traditionally this season begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas and ends on Christmas Day. Each Sunday a candle is lit to symbolize an aspect of this special event in Christian history.

As we prepare for Christmas by getting our presents and food and homes ready for the celebration of family and friends, we are wise to also pay attention to preparing our hearts for the celebration of all the Christ child brings to our hearts and lives.

The first candle is the candle of HOPE, which portrays the expectancy of the coming of the Savior to reconcile each one of us to God, no longer left to our own struggling ways.

The second candle is the candle of PEACE, which symbolizes the preparation of the heart in getting ready for the presence of the Christ. His presence in our hearts brings peace. Advent can be a time of reorienting the heart toward God and toward peace in the midst of the busy running and spending that tends to occupy the season with frenzy.

The third candle symbolizes JOY as Christ’s presence occupies our hearts with His hope and His peace bringing a fulfillment deep within. This joy goes far deeper and far beyond any surface happiness of the cultural party season.

The forth candle is the candle of LOVE that represents the unconditional, limitless love of God for each individual regardless of past or present circumstance. This love reaches to the depths to retrieve, restore, release, refresh and renew hearts that are weary and worn from going their own way apart from God. His love in us enables us to love others.

The fifth candle is the candle we light on Christmas Day and it symbolizes the CHRIST who is the go between, the conduit, the One who brings this Hope, this Peace, this Joy and this Love God offers into our hearts in a practical and daily way as we invite Him to forgive us and fill us and to simply “do life” with us through His power.

“For unto us a child is born, … and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

Father God, Thank you that You reached out to connect with me through sending Jesus on that very first Christmas. I open my heart to Him in a fresh way this Advent season to fill me afresh with Your hope, peace, joy and love so that it overflows in my life with fresh meaning and purpose. I pray this in the powerful name of Your Son, Jesus, amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

HOPE

Is your heart filled with hope?

Do you have a confident expectation of your tomorrow? What happens when the road ahead is filled with loss and stress weighs your shoulders down? When confident expectation in life’s tomorrow dwindles, what can you do? How can you walk in hope when you feel hopeless inside? The God of Hope is your answer.

“May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Hope for Help.

We are invited to come to Him and confidently ask for help. Hebrews 4:16 tells us “to come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in our time of need”.

Hope to Overcome

Things that leave one feeling powerless and hopeless come in many forms. With Christ’s strength you can overcome great obstacles. 1 John 5:4 says “and this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith”. Faith in Jesus gives hope and help to overcome.

Hope for Power

Sometimes in life we find ourselves with a task that simply looks too big for us. We do not just need a cup of God’s strength added to our own; rather we need His strength in us to do what we need to do. He will give it! 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “My grace is sufficient for you: for my strength is made perfect in weakness”. Seeing our weakness as the entry point of God’s strength gives access to His power!

Hope for Eternity

When we put our faith and hope in Jesus, it not only gives us help, strength and power where we walk today but it also gives us hope for life after death. It is a confident expectation of the ultimate ’tomorrow’.

The God of Hope sent His son to be our Savior. He is only one prayer away. If you want the confident expectation of His strength and wisdom in your today and His help and hope for your tomorrow, you need only ask. Just tell Him!

Dear God, I have gone my own way and have put my hope in so many things that have disappointed me. Thank you that You sent Jesus, that first Christmas long ago, to be my Savior. I believe He came for me. Forgive me and come into my life today. Show me how to live in the confident expectation of how You can impact my life, my character and my circumstances. I place my hope in You right now and ask You to make Yourself known to me in my life right where I walk. I thank you. I pray this in the name of Jesus, Amen.

Question: Which verses give you comfort when hope seems lacking?

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Anticipate This

“Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green and they never stop producing fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7 & 8

As we grow in trusting the Lord daily with our situations, as we acknowledge Him in all our ways, as we release our cares to Him… we can expect a result. God’s word is clear about the results of trusting the Lord.

As we walk through our days with confident expectation in the Lord, knowing He will meet us in our need, we will feel His blessing in our hearts. Our circumstances may remain unchanged yet His strength will steady us, His comfort will touch us, His peace will wash over us, His presence will encase us, His wisdom will guide us and His love will surround us.

When our roots go down deep trusting the Lord, we will remain fruitful and green even if there is drought around us.

Feast your heart and mind on all Jesus is today.

Your roots will draw water from a deep place and you will be blessed.

Father God, Life is full of cares. Thank you that You are all I need. Thank you that You will guide me and shepherd me through the maze of life as I trust You with my whole heart. Increase my faith today as I trust You with and in the cares of life. (name them specifically). I thank You and pray this in the strong name of Jesus. Amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Because He Lives

Should they bring a child into this messed up world? Carla played the question over and over in her mind. Jim was unsettled about it too. The evening news was enough to make one cringe at what their child might be facing in another 10 years. Together they asked God for wisdom.

Carla put put in a disc and let the music wash the dust off her weary emotions. The words of the song settled over her with an unexpected peace.

“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow.
Because He lives all fear is gone.
Because I know, I KNOW, He holds the future,
And life is worth the living just because He lives.”
(Bill & Gloria Gaither)

Carla shared the song with Jim. Could they trust their Heavenly Father to hold their future in His hand?

Thoughts and emotions tumbled in Carla’s heart and mind. She asked God to speak to her as she picked up her Bible. These words touched her heart…

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.”
Hebrews 6:19

Carla read the surrounding verses and saw the certainty of God’s promise and His unchanging nature. With assurance in her heart she knew she could not allow fear to dominate any decision.

Many decisions face us as we contemplate the future and the condition of our world. Sometimes one can be tempted to retreat; not to travel in case something happens; not to bring a child into the world; or not to pursue a particular stand on an issue. Fear can become our guide if we allow it to. Fear based decisions are not God’s way of doing things. He offers His own wisdom to us. (James 1:5-8)

He is our God. We can count on Him to anchor our soul in a world that is set adrift with very little that is firm and secure. Fear need not rule our hearts when God is our anchor.

Father in Heaven, You know how fear seeks to over-ride my heart and affect my decisions. Help me to trust in You to give me the wisdom that I need. Keep my faith strong and focused on You as my anchor. Thank you for the certainty of Your firm, secure hand giving me hope and help in the face of fear. I declare my trust in You and ask You to fill me with Your Holy Spirit today. In Jesus’ strong name I pray, amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Feeling Uncertain

It always amazes me how God’s word speaks directly to the situations of life today. God underlined His clear directives for us in uncertain times.

Every one of us faces uncertainty of some kind as we walk through life.

It varies for each of us in the details yet God’s directive is clear and direct for each one of us. Five little verses in 1 Peter 4:7-10 give us specific steps to take in uncertain times as we await Christ’s return.

“Be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in it’s various forms.” 1 Peter 4:7-10

1. Be clear minded. Stay focused on God and His strength and power. Look above the circumstances to His might and trust Him.

2. Be self-controlled. Pay attention to what is happening within your heart and mind and choose to dwell on the power of the Holy Spirit to help steady you. He will give you the power not to lean on unhealthy solutions in uncertain times.

3. Pray. Acknowledge God in every area of your life. Invite Him to come into your finances, your relationships, the question marks in your future and dialogue with Him about the uncertainties. Be sure to listen back to what He says by reading His word. This is not the time to allow dust to settle on your Bible.

4. Be hospitable. Look for ways to pleasantly offer hospitality to those around you. It may not always be in the conventional way of having someone into your home or sharing food. Hospitality is extending welcome, warmth and generosity in kindness. Greet your world in a friendly manner.

5. Serve others. In times of uncertainty it is easy to become self focused. Keep an attitude that looks out for others. It will enlarge your heart in ways nothing else can.
In following these 5 simple directives today you will be pouring out God’s grace, not only to those around you, but into your own heart as well. You will be lifted up above the shadows of uncertainty.

God knows that these 5 steps will take us a long way in experiencing His wonderful grace to hold us steady and to share that grace with the world around us. Name your uncertainty and pray the following prayer.

Father God, You are amazing in the clarity You give us as to how to live. Today the uncertainty of ________________ weighs on my heart. Please help me to stay focused on You today, to choose to rely on the power of Your Spirit within me, to pray about everything and to look beyond myself to offer kindness and love to those around me who also are experiencing their own uncertain times. Thank you that You give us all we need to walk today right where we are. Thank you that tomorrow You will again provide all I need. May I live in this day and in this moment sheltered in Your love. In the strong name of Jesus I pray with thanksgiving, amen.

Take the next step: Learn about the Holy Spirit

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Impact Your World

The story is told of the shepherd who had 100 sheep. One evening, as he brought them back home to the sheep pen, he only counted 99. One was missing!

Though night was falling and the way was dark, the shepherd went searching; calling until he found the one lost sheep tangled in the bushes. He gathered it into his arms, took it home and nursed its wounds. The heart of the shepherd was to shelter and protect his sheep.

God’s heart toward those who do not know Him is the heart of a shepherd who looks for that one lost lamb. He calls the name of those who are lost and tangled in the snares of this world. He won’t stop calling until that lost one is safely in the sheepfold, safely connected to the God who loves her. Then His heart rejoices.

“And when the shepherd finds the one that wandered off, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.” Matthew 18:13

God wants us, as His children, to share His heart for the lost soul who is tangled today in the rush of life. He asks us to be a living example of what it is to know the Shepherd and to be sheltered in the safety of His arms. He doesn’t ask us to sell religion. No, He calls us to invite others to the welcoming, forgiving love He offers freely.

As Christian’s God has done some amazing things that we can see.

He has made a way FOR US to have a relationship with Him through Jesus.
We feel His work IN US as He draws us along on our journey of healing and continues to fill us with His Holy Spirit.
He wants to do something THROUGH US to bring lost sheep to know Him.

“He who wins souls is wise” Proverbs 11:30

Prayer & Reflection

Father God, I ask You today to give me a heart like Yours to care about those who do not know the peace and the comfort You can bring. Help me to live my life showing what a difference it makes to know You. Put someone’s name on my heart and in my mind so I can begin to pray especially for that one to come to know You. Give me opportunities to share my experience of walking with You so I can bring others to know You too. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

How to Live Today

“… so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God…” Colossians 1:10

I opened my email this morning to find a lovely prayer for my day, sent by one of our longtime friends. Our families have known each other for years. Our kids grew up together. We can go for months without connecting yet our hearts reach out to one another and when we connect it’s as though we talked yesterday. Our prayers for each others’ families are something we have treasured over time.

Recently we’ve been sharing, via quick email, the nuggets we find in God’s word.

Today my friend sent me this prayer from Colossians 1:10

“We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of His will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of His holy people in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:9-12

It’s a prayer just filled with deep richness as we seek to please our Lord with our lives. Yet it became even more personal and applicable as my friend prayed it for me and used these words,
“…may you live a day worthy of the Lord…”

May I live TODAY worthy of the Lord. This is so much more than just the broad sweep of living my life worthy of Him. Yes! That is our prayer ….

Heavenly Father, Thank you for the rich words of Your Scripture. May I live today worthy of You … this day, this moment. Thank you for the perspective this thought brings. May my words, my actions, my attitudes … all to be worthy of representing my Lord. You are the one who fills me with Your wisdom and understanding by Your Spirit. You bear fruit through me as I grow in my knowledge of You. You strengthen me according to Your power that raised Jesus from the dead. Now that’s the power in which I want to live this day! Thank you, Lord! I pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Unexpected Turns on Your Pathway

Mom came for a visit. Family from overseas was going to arrive and we had our summer plans all in place. And then it happened. In a brief moment, walking around our property, Mom fell on a bit of uneven ground. Ambulance, hip surgery and rehab for her ….. hospital visits, equipment gathering and rearranging of plans for me. The unexpected always takes us by surprise. And in it we have a choice to make.

As Mom settled her heart and accepted this unwelcome change of events she gave the entire situation to God. I had to choose to do the same. After all, we either trust our great God or we don’t …. there really is no middle ground on that.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5&6

Wholehearted trust on our part promises God’s direction His part.

It’s a challenge to trust He knows best when we have our own plans all in place. Yet, trust has no middle ground, and so we do as God’s word advises and lean not on our own understanding.

As Mom quieted her heart in the hospital bed and wholeheartedly trusted the God she has always found faithful through her 88 years, He used her there. The bed next to her stayed unusually empty for several day in that busy hospital. In the quiet of the evening, on several occasions, the night time nurses would talk to Mom. One asked the general question, “Are you married?” When Mom said she had been for 63 years the nurse was amazed! She shared her own marriage experience with Mom, cried as Mom shared the importance of faith and willingly accepted Mom’s offer to pray for her right then and there. Others who came to her bedside lingered to hear her faith stories. Another mentioned the peace that surrounded Mom.

Mom’s healing is progressing and her spirit is rejoicing and at rest as she sees God at work.

God’s ways are not our ways.

Unexpected turns on the pathway are annoying and frustrating when we have plans and agendas in place. Yet God sees the cry of lonely and empty hearts and we are His hands and feet and lips on this earth. As He uses us for His kingdom purposes a deep fulfillment rises up within us. We were made to be used of God. That is our highest calling and our place of deepest fulfillment.

As we trust God through the details of the changes, acknowledging Him in all of our ways, asking Him to go before us and smooth the details of the unexpected, He works on our behalf as well and He quiets our anxious hearts.

If you are experiencing an unexpected turn in life, invite God into it and rest in His deep care for you as you journey through the change of plans. Make this your prayer.

Father God, When life takes an unexpected turn for me I pray that You will remind me to quiet my heart and to fully trust You. I know my own heart generally gets impatient and frustrated when plans do not go as I have arranged. Fear of the unknown can be overwhelming. I want to trust You with my whole heart. Help me to remember to acknowledge You in every detail and every twist of the unexpected. Give me the peace and calm that comes from fully trusting You to direct my path through what sometimes seems a maze in life. Thank you for Your constant love and Your never ending faithfulness. Thank you for Your guidance and Your peace. Thank you for Your light through the darkness and Your calm in the storm. I love you Lord and I ask that You would help my heart to remain steadfast in trusting You daily! In the strong name of Jesus’ I pray, amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

You are God’s Artwork

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” Ephesians 2:10

Cutting words; hurtful intentions; half-truths.

We have all felt the sting of humiliation when we experience a misrepresentation of the facts.

Just because words are said out loud does not make them true.

Yet such incidents can leave us unexpectedly insecure long after the actual event. We can feel shaken and even small. God sees when injustice happens and He cares. He answers the cry of a hurting heart. He answers the cry of your hurting heart.

God Himself reassures you. You are his workmanship. You are created and designed by Father God to do things… good things… things that God already had planned out for you to do! So hold your head high. Let your life itself refute the distorted half-truths. Seek to do the things God had planned for you. Watch for them and be available when opportunities to show his love open up in front of you. Call on Him throughout the day to help you react in a manner fitting of God’s workmanship.

Yes, “God’s workmanship”! That’s you! His strength will carry you! He will walk beside you into your today with all its challenges. He will fulfill you with deeds planned for you. Ask him to show you one small thing to do for him today. Others will try to define “who” you are by their words and their actions toward you, but know “whose” you are and let your confidence soar at the thought!

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for the reassurance that I am your workmanship. You, the God of the universe, have a stake in my future! Wow! You have things prepared for me to do because you know best who I am and what will fulfill me. Thank you that I am yours! Help me walk today in the confidence of knowing You have a purpose for me and You will guide and help me walk it out. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.

Are you struggling today with words and half-truths that have been spoken about you in a mean spirited way? God wants you to see you the way He does, as His art piece, made special to touch others lives.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

When Peace Eludes You

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Our sense of peace can be dislodged and replaced by turmoil and confusion before we even realize it. God’s Word puts it simply. In order to have God’s peace in our hearts we must make the choice to let His peace rule there.

As soon as you recognize irritation or turmoil taking over in your spirit, stop! Almost without fail you will find the peace of God gets pushed aside when anything that has “self” as its source surges forward.

• Self-defence in a relationship results in turmoil.

• Self-pity puts you on the slippery slope of discouragement.

• Self-seeking in business, or even ministry, allows a shallowness to creep in that pushes peace aside.

• Self-energy: seeking to live the Christian life in our own strength, leads to defeat.

As long as self is the focus in our thoughts and actions, there is little room for God to do His work in us and His peace cannot rule in our hearts. When we choose to let Him be the focus of all we do, drawing on His energy, His help, His wisdom, His patience, His purposes, then His peace will rule in our hearts.

Today, pay attention to what is going on in your spirit. If peace is eluding you, take a look inside and see where self-focus has taken over. Let God’s peace rule in your heart by bringing everything in your day under the umbrella of His care. It is the best way to live in peace!

Father God, today I ask You to forgive me for the places in my heart where I have allowed Your peace to be pushed aside by my own self issues. Right now I place everything I have and am and ever hope to be under the umbrella of Your care and attention. I choose to let Your peace rule in my heart today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Thought: Choose to pay close attention today to what is going on in your spirit.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Category: <span>thoughts by Gail Rodgers</span>

Further Reading

“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Further Reading

“How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!” 1 John 3:1

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

Follow Us On:

Advent means the coming of something extremely important and awaited!

“For unto us a child is born, … and His name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

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Hope for Help.

Hope to Overcome

Hope for Power

Hope for Eternity

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Feast your heart and mind on all Jesus is today.

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Every one of us faces uncertainty of some kind as we walk through life.

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Wholehearted trust on our part promises God’s direction His part.

God’s ways are not our ways.

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Cutting words; hurtful intentions; half-truths.

We have all felt the sting of humiliation when we experience a misrepresentation of the facts.

Further Reading

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

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