thoughts by Katherine Kehler Archives - Page 2 of 15 - Daily Devotionals by Thoughts about God

Published October 10, 2022

Count Your Blessings

“And don’t forget to thank Him” Philippians 4:6

In my daily devotional one day, the words of the song Count Your Blessings, Name Them One by One was included. I haven’t sung that song for a long time – the words are tremendous:

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev’ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

What a wonderful reminder to take the time to think about what God is doing for us. Too often we focus just on the horrid things – the evil, the hurricanes, the floods and devastation and famine.

But take time every day to verbalize or write all you are thankful for. You may want to use this outline. Doing so will revitalize your soul.

Begin With Thanksgiving

Psalm 100:4 tells us,

“Enter into His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise.”

•   Thank Him for His patience and forgiveness.
•   Thank Him for the privilege of coming into His presence.
•   Thank Him for what He has done in and through your life in the last year.

List What He Has Done

Take time to list what God has done for you. Be specific. Think through every area of your life.

Become Still Before the Lord. (Psalm 46:10)
Consider who God is. (Psalm 103)
Praise Him for His attributes. (Psalm 145)
Rejoice in your fellowship with Him and that He delights in you. (Proverbs 15:8)
Read passages of scripture and pray them back to God. (Psalms 146-150)
Sing to the Lord.

Lord I thank You for the beauty of the seasons. I thank You for health and strength. I thank You for people to love and people who love me. I love You God and thank you for loving me first. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

It was Sunday, a time to reflect on Christ’s suffering and death and to think about the payment for our guilt and sin. As I sat in church, I noticed a couple in the pew in front of me. In the past year, he had been unfaithful to his wife. He had to live with the consequences, but he knew that God’s love and forgiveness were there for him to receive because of Christ’s substitutionary death on the cross. He had repented and God forgave Him.

Next to me sat a man recently separated from his wife and children. His life was a mess. Someone had reported him for exposing himself to a girl at a drive-through restaurant. He had severe problems but he was here in church because he knew Christ had forgiven all his sins – past, present and future. He repented, God forgave him and now he sang the hymns with conviction.

The church is full of sinners. Some sins are well known, others are hidden, but God knows the hearts of each one of us. He longs to show compassion toward us all. Communion reminds us that without Christ’s death and resurrection there would be no personal relationship with God. There would be no forgiveness of sins, no sense of freedom. Because of Christ we can be forgiven. We just have to admit our sin and turn from it. He is waiting with open arms.

Thank You Lord, for the ordinance of communion – a time to reflect on your sacrificial love for us. A time to thank You for forgiving our sins – past, present and future. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

If you are looking for a deeply satisfying relationship with God, I encourage you to pray by faith and ask the Holy Spirit to fill you. If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given you His Holy Spirit to help you live life according to His perfect plan. Why not pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:

Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have sinned against You by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Fear or Love

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” 1 John 4:18

If we cocoon ourselves and build up walls to try to keep others from hurting us because we are afraid of being hurt, we haven’t really understood God’s love. Read A.W. Tozer’s powerful affirmations about love and fear

“Love wills the good of all and never wills harm or evil to any. ‘There is no fear in love, but perfect love casteth out fear.’ Fear is a painful emotion that arises at the thought that we may be harmed or made to suffer. As long as we must trust for survival to our ability to out-look or out manoeuvre the enemy, we have every good reason to be afraid. Fear is torment. . . . To know that love is of God and to enter into the secret place leaning upon the arm of the Beloved — this and only this can cast out fear.”

Lord Jesus, You know how often we become afraid. Cause us to lean on Your arm, beloved Father, and believe with our whole hearts that You are love. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Joy Robbers

Four of us were having lunch and discussing the announcement at our Sunday morning church service. Most of the congregation had been surprised, shocked, and concerned. We talked about how this announcement could become a “joy robber” for all of us — if we didn’t fix our eyes on Jesus and the Almighty God.

Have you had any surprise announcements lately that caused you to worry — at least at first?

An old man was asked what had robbed him of joy during his lifetime. He replied, “Things that never happened!” How true! We often worry about what could happen tomorrow, but never does.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Philippines 4: 11,

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

Have we learned to be content in all circumstances? I would guess that you are still in the process of learning — I know I am.

What replaces the joy in our lives? The following is a list of circumstances that might be our “joy robbers.”

•Fear of the future, fear of a health situation, fear of losing control.
•Fear of being alone, fear of change, fear of looking silly, fear of losing your job, fear of financial debt, fear of growing old, and fear of losing physical attractiveness.
•Anger, jealousy, a critical attitude, worry, and many more.

Most of us can relate to these “joy robbers.” How then, can we regain our joy?

When I feel my body tighten with worry, fear, anger, jealousy, or a critical spirit, I try to stop what I am doing or thinking and ask God to help me pin-point what emotion I am feeling. When I have identified it, I admit it to Him and ask Him to replace it with peace and joy (trusting in His sufficiency to handle the situation).

He reminds us that we need only live one day at a time and trust Him one day at a time. “As your days, so shall your strength be” (Deuteronomy 33:25).

“Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:21–23).

At the end of our luncheon discussion, we realized that God could handle this situation as well, but that we needed to trust Him for wisdom and do as He directed.

Father, thank You for giving us everything we need to follow Your directives.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

What a Friend We Have in Jesus

“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by faith in Him.” Ephesians 3:12

What a friend we have in Jesus! We sang that song in church yesterday. Wow, that song has meaningful words. Have you sung it recently? Just read the last two lines of the second verse:

“Can we find a friend so faithful? Who will all our sorrow bear?
Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer.”

What an amazing friend! He is always there for us – caring, listening, loving. He never leaves us. He is always the same and He is always there. Our Stability (the Rock)!

Everyone and everything else around us changes constantly. Our bodies change. Our locations change. The seasons change. Children come and go – friends too. Parents leave. Of course, I don’t have to tell you about changes. You are well aware.

That is why, while we were singing, What a Friend we Have in Jesus, I thought of a very sad time in our lives when our five-month old grandson died suddenly from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. It was the hardest time we had ever gone through. Not only were we grieving the loss of our grandson, we watched our children (which was so much worse) go through grief.

During the time I was grieving the death of Spencer, I would often wonder what could be more painful than losing our precious grand baby? But one day the Holy Spirit told me what could be much, much worse. He reminded me that if Jesus would leave me that would be utterly horrible – total darkness. Can you imagine?

Who would I talk to hundreds of times a day if He weren’t there? Who would I send thoughts of praise to many times a day? Where would I go in times of emergency? Where would I receive Life and Light for the day?

How glad I am that He will never leave me – or you. No matter the changes that occur during our lifetime, He does not change. He does not leave us! He is our “forever friend.” What a friend we have in Jesus!

Father, thank You for living in us in the form of the Holy Spirit. Thank You that Your Word is truth – all Your promises are true. You will never leave us or forsake us. Thank You so much. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by permission

Overflowing With Life!

“Rivers of living water” John 7:38

“The water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water” John 4:14

For seventeen years of our married life (the years of raising our children and farming) a deep ravine ran on two sides of our property.

Our first house was small, but the ravine was huge. Our children had no end of fun exploring. Our fresh water supply came from an ever-flowing spring that ran out of the ravine. Not only did the ravine supply our family with fresh water, but also the 70,000 chickens we raised. We never ran out of water.

Later we built a new house across the street – again surrounded with deep ravines and underground springs. The Salmon River began in this ravine. It started with a small stream flowing out of the ravine, but grew into a river as other underground streams flowed into this one and eventually, many miles later, joined the huge Fraser River which flowed into the Pacific Ocean. These springs never ran dry.

Jesus, through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, promises He will be the river of living water in our lives. He will be the fountain of life bubbling from within.

A river or stream is persistent. It will go around obstacles; it will make a new pathway if need be. It does not stop when it meets an obstacle; it merely finds a way around it. Jesus is persistent.

Sometimes in late autumn, when all the leaves had fallen from the trees, the stream and the source of the stream would become clogged. Although it was still flowing, it would find a new path. When we would clear away the leaves, the water would flow freely again – where we directed it.

Most times, we would just take the ever-flowing stream for granted. It kept flowing, supplying us with fresh, clean water. We can take God’s life-giving Spirit for granted. He is always there. His Life will not dry up.

Let’s make sure we keep our hearts clean (no build up), so He is free to flow out of us. When adverse circumstances come into your life, be assured that He is still there – just keep your eyes on the Source, not on the circumstances.

Like the growing Salmon River, the river of living water flowing from you keeps enlarging as your life touches other lives. Be encouraged!

Father, thank You for Your Spirit whose life flows in and out of us, touching everyone we meet every day. Thank You for using our bodies to reflect Your glory! Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

God is My Delight

“Be delighted with the Lord.” Psalm 37:4a

Looking out the window of our friend’s boat while traveling up the inner passage of the west coast of British Columbia, I was completely awed by God’s creation. The acres of lush green forests, the rhythm of tides and currents, the changing weather and the variety of birds and the marine life on the island we explored all made my heart soar with praises to God with the song, “How Great Thou Art!”

We had the opportunity to visit two different areas of B.C. that summer. In addition to the ocean experience, we also spent a week in the interior of BC – the desert part of our province. Each morning, quails with their chicks came down to the house to get their breakfast our hosts provided for them. What a treat to watch these bird families.

One of the most satisfying aspects of our summer adventure was the solitude. Quietness. There was time to commune with God.

Philip Keller writes about special times like this in his book, God is My Delight:

“At such moments there wells up within us an overwhelming outpouring of profound praise. Often an acute awareness of His presence is so intense it is difficult to articulate or express our deep exaltation. He understands our limitations; He perceives our profound affection, our simple faith; He is pleased beyond measure; He delights to draw near; He deigns to commune with us in spirit.

These are precious, private interludes of great intimacy and open transparency. Here a man or woman is in company with God Himself.”

Be delighted with the Lord!

Oh God, thank You so much for the privilege of communing with You. You are so awesome that I cannot express my deep exaltation. But I love You and want to know You more. Thank You for creating me to have fellowship with You. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

God Forgave Our Sins, Past, Present and Future

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalm 103:12

Do you ever think that you have sinned so much that God can’t forgive you? You aren’t the only one. We at Thoughts About God receive so many prayer requests asking us to pray for them because they have been involved in many sinful activities and they are sure that God will never forgive them.

You know what—that is a lie from Satan.

When Jesus died on the cross for the forgiveness of all our sins, he died for all of our sins, everyone’s sins—past present and future. However, we won’t experience His love and forgiveness until we confess them and turn from them.

“ But if we confess our sins to him he can be depended on to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong. And it is perfectly proper for God to do this for us because Christ died to wash away our sins.” 1 John 1:9

The Bible doesn’t say God will forgive only some of our sins, it says He will forgive us and cleanse us from every wrong.

When I was 30 years old, a conference speaker spoke on this topic and suggested we write a list of all the sins (confess) we could think of on a pad of paper and when we couldn’t think of anymore, we were told wrote the verse 1 John 1:9 over top of the list.

What freedom to know that one’s sins and guilt are erased. “He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalm 103:12

Do you want to experience God’s love and forgiveness?

Action point: On a piece of paper, ask God to show you all the sins He wants you to confess. As they come to your mind, write them down. When no more sins come to mind, write 1 John 1:9 across them. Then know for sure that ALL your sins are forgiven. If you start feeling guilty about them again, know that it is the Enemy harassing you. God won’t convict you of those sins again.

Then ask Jesus to come into your life and be the director of your life from now on.

“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 you sin again, confess that sin and claim His forgiveness. You may find the article, “Spiritual Oxygen” helpful.

God has forgiven your sins, past present and future!

We would love to hear if you followed through with the action point. Just fill out the form and send it to us.

Another helpful article is: How to Walk in the Spirit

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Comments: If you don’t see our response form, please go to https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/katherine-kehler_forgave-past-present/

Intercessory Prayer

“Be alert and always keep on praying” Ephesians 6:18b.

What is intercessory prayer? Dietrich Bonhoeffer describes it as

“(a) way of loving others when God’s Spirit moves within us causing us to want to pray for others and giving us thoughts (ways) to do it.”

I had an opportunity to experience intercessory prayer in the life of one of my neighbors. Vera, my neighbor, was dying of cancer. I visited her often, bringing books and baking. I wanted to be an encouragement to her and the family. I also prayed for her salvation. There was nothing in their lifestyle that indicated they were Christians.

Because I knew she was dying, I was especially concerned about Vera’s eternal destiny. I asked my Bible study group to pray for her and also to pray that I would be able to share the gospel with her. There were times when I was determined to share the gospel with her, but then her husband would hover so close – I felt like he was afraid I would get “religious.” I prayed for an open door.

One night I awoke with great concern for Vera. I got on my knees beside the bed and interceded for her. The next morning I knew that I had to visit her again. Vera was in the hospital. This particular morning she was alone and very weak. It was difficult understanding what she was saying.

I asked her if I could read the Bible to her and she nodded “yes.” I read Psalm 23 and asked her lovingly if she was ready to meet God. Then she told me that the night before – when the Lord woke me up to intercede for her – the devil and God had been in the hospital room. She said that there was a fight for her soul and that Jesus had won.

When Vera told me that, I knew why the Lord had prompted me to pray for her. God cared about Vera enough to wake me up and to put an urgency in my heart to pray for her. He gave me the obedience to get out of bed and pray. That’s intercession – praying for others.

Are you alert and listening to God’s still small voice when He prompts you to pray for someone?

Father God, give us ears to hear Your promptings to intercede and the will to obey. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

If you don’t see our comment form you can find it here: https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/katherine-kehler_intercessory-prayer/

Who Will Fight For You

“Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you” Deuteronomy 3:22

We were driving our son’s quad on the trail through the forest in Northern Alberta. Wild roses, blue bells, wild strawberries and other plants blanketed the soil under the tall, slender Aspens. It was very peaceful and we were truly enjoying the ride.

And then, just ahead of us, we saw a mother grouse and her baby chicks scurrying across our trail. The chicks were scurrying as fast as their toothpick thin legs would carry them; however, the mother stood her ground, her tail feathers fanned out, her neck feathers ruffled. She was positioned to protect her family! We stopped the quad and watched.

The chicks had scattered on both sides of the trail and the mother began clucking rapidly, calling her chicks. Soon the chicks ran toward her and the whole family ran to hide in the underbrush.

A brave mother taking on a large four – wheeler; she was willing to give up her life for her little family. Mothers are like that.

But as I watched her, I thought of our Good Shepherd giving His life for His flock and of leaving the 99 sheep to look for the lost one. I thought about our Lord’s promise:

“My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (John 10:29).

Comforting, isn’t it?

I am so thankful to You Lord Jesus, for protecting us, Your little flock, Your children. Only when we get to heaven will we realize how often You saved us from harm. Thank You again. Amen

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Comments: If you don’t see our response form, please go to https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/katherine-kehler_fight-for-you/

What My Dad did Right

“Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you” Deuteronomy 5:16

During my teen years, I tended to focus on what I thought my dad did wrong. Now that I have raised my own family and have grandchildren and great-grandchildren, I find myself reflecting more and more on what my dad did right, and how his Godly life style has been passed on to the fourth generation. I thank the Lord for my dad!

The following are some of things my dad did right!

He raised us to fear God and follow Him.
He loved his family and prayed for us.
He was faithful to my mother throughout her life.
He enjoyed life. He liked to play good-natured jokes on people.
He worked very hard to provide for the family. We had a large family and so besides running the dairy farm, he worked at another job to make ends meet.
He taught his children how to work hard.
He demonstrated hospitality. Even though our family had seven children and lived in a small house, we often had some of his nephews living with us. There was always room for one more.
He was very generous and gave a lot of money to the Lord. Near the end of his life, he worked at a thrift store and gave away a lot of furniture to people who couldn’t afford to buy.
He provided transportation for seniors who needed to go to the doctor. He also visited the sick, almost right up to the day he went for surgery and died.

There are many more good things I remember about my dad, but today I just want to say:

Thank You Lord, for giving us Godly fathers who do their best to raise their family in the knowledge and fear of the Lord. Lord bless them and encourage them to keep on doing what is right. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Comments: If you don’t see our response form, please go to https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/katherine-kehler_dad-did-right/

Heart Fully Committed to Him

“The Lord’s eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Do you want to be a revolutionary for Christ? Do you know how to be one? When people are talking about committed service for Christ they often use phrases like, “Go for it” and “Sold out”. Whatever terms we use, being a revolutionary requires commitment.

When you think about people who are revolutionaries for Christ, who comes to mind? Mother Theresa? Amy Carmichael? They were revolutionaries. Do you think about great figures in history and wonder what you could do that could compare to the legacy they left behind? Do you wonder if you can still be a revolutionary? The answer is yes, you can!

Our daughter, Teresa, is a revolutionary. She has been married for over 30 years. They have two married daughters and four grandchildren. She works full time in a department store. She takes opportunities to share the gospel with her co-workers, she leads Bible Studies and visits and encourages the lonely elderly that come to the store.

She loves the Lord and spends time with Him each day.

God will take you right where you are too. Married? Children? Career? Senior? How will these fit in with God’s plans for you? Yield everything to God – time, family, treasure and talent – and He will show you. When there’s nothing between you and God He can take hold of your life and use you to do things you’ve never dreamed of. Yielding your life – all of it – to God is the first step:

Confess all known sin and receive His forgiveness. (John 1:10)
By faith ask the Holy Spirit to fill (direct & empower) you.(Ephesians 5:18)
Walk by faith – practice spiritual breathing:
http://www.thoughts-about-god.com/meditating/sw_oxygen.htm
A revolutionary for Christ is someone whose heart is totally His, who listens, believes and obeys God implicitly. You can be a revolutionary right where you are. God can use your life in incredible ways.

Question: Are you ready to take that step?

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Guiltless

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1

I purchased an expensive picture for our bedroom. I had been looking for one since we moved into the house and I had finally found the perfect one. At least, so I thought at the time of the purchase. There was a condition — the sale was final. I could not return it if I didn’t like it.

To my utter dismay, after the picture was delivered and placed on the wall over our bed, I realized I didn’t like it. It didn’t look right in the room — the colors were too vibrant, and the scene was not peaceful. It disturbed me every time I walked into the room.

Now I faced another choice — take it down and store it, or learn to live with it. The worse part wasn’t the picture itself, it was the guilt I felt over what I had paid for it. I was losing sleep because I felt so terrible, as the money could have been better used. For several weeks this feeling of guilt kept gnawing at me as I went about my work.

One day while I was out walking, the Lord brought the promise in Romans 9:1 to mind: “Therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” The light went on! That is right, I thought, I don’t have to walk around with this guilt. I can confess it and Jesus Christ will remove the feelings of guilt. After all, that is why He died.

So I did. I admitted that my purchase was too expensive, and I told God how badly I felt about it and claimed His forgiveness according to 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” My burden of guilt was removed immediately, and in its place joy now filled my life.

Through Christ’s death on the cross, God offers us freedom from guilt. Often, we don’t take the time to analyze our guilty feelings or take the time to admit and confess them, and so we suffer needlessly. Friend, do not suffer in silence. Confess to the Lord and know that He will be faithful to forgive.

Have you experienced Christ’s forgiveness of any guilt you are holding onto.

If you have never walked in a relationship with Christ you can start today by committing and submitting your life to him. You can start this with a simple prayer:

Lord, thank You for dying so we can be set free from all of guilt and sin — no matter how big or small. Your blood has erased all of our sin. Thank You so much! 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. Amen

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Samson’s Mother

“Then one day the Angel of the Lord appeared to the wife of Manoah. . .” Judges 13:2

We have heard sermons about Samson, and we have watched movies about Samson and Delilah, but I don’t recall ever hearing anyone teach or speak about Samson’s mother. The Bible doesn’t even mention her name — only that she was Manoah’s wife, and Samson was her first child.

Samson! The son who would be extremely strong and a special servant of the Lord, and lead Israel for twenty years and rescue them from the Philistines.

God knew her. “The Angel of the Lord appeared to the wife of Manoah . . .” two times. He didn’t appear to her husband first, but to her. He told her that although she was barren, she would conceive and give birth to a son. She told this to her husband later, and he never doubted her story.

She received instructions from the angel regarding abstaining from certain foods and drink, and that Samson’s hair should never be cut.

The angel wouldn’t tell her his name. After his second visit, he ascended to heaven (in the offering fire), and she never saw him again.

She wasn’t the kind of mother that people remember. She was never the celebrity, but God knew her and entrusted her to give birth to and raise an extraordinary leader. Her husband believed and trusted her.

She knew God and God knew and trusted her..

Father, thank You for the millions of mothers who are never in the limelight, but raise their children the way You instruct them to. The mothers who love You and are faithful and true. You know them, and You will reward them. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Asking Specifically

“For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey Him. And then helping you do what He wants” Philippians 2:13

The day I found this promise in the Bible I was very excited. I was beginning to understand that I didn’t have to change myself. God would change me and this verse confirmed it. He would even help me want to change. Being a determined person, I could be a problem if Christ wasn’t in control of my life, but God would work in me to change me. What freedom that spiritual principle brought to my life.

The Holy Spirit was beginning to convict me about being grumpy in the morning. For years I had rationalized that I was just born that way. I had inherited this temperament from my father and grandmother. I wasn’t a morning person. I didn’t want to speak to anyone until after 10:00 am and preferred that no one spoke to me.

The Holy Spirit showed me that His power was not limited to after 10:00 in the morning, and that I was having a negative influence on our four school-aged children and Marvin every morning. So I claimed the promise in Philippians 2:13 and prayed something like this,

“God you are the God of flesh. All things are possible with You. Please change me into a cheerful person in the morning.”

Within three months, my husband Marvin noticed the difference in me. He said,

“I sure appreciate your being cheerful in the morning.”

I realized that praying specifically really works.

I still don’t bounce out of bed in the morning like my husband does. I like to wake up slowly. But when I begin to wake up, before I get out of bed, I focus on the Lord and ask Him to control and direct my life. What a difference praying specifically has made in my life.

Father, thank You for giving us Your Word and the Holy Spirit who opens our mind to understand it and empowers us to change. Help us to remember to ask specifically. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
used by permission

Category: <span>thoughts by Katherine Kehler</span>

“And don’t forget to thank Him” Philippians 4:6

Begin With Thanksgiving

List What He Has Done

Further Reading

“So there is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1

Further Reading

“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear” 1 John 4:18

Further Reading

Have you had any surprise announcements lately that caused you to worry — at least at first?

“I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.”

Further Reading

“In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by faith in Him.” Ephesians 3:12

Further Reading

Further Reading

“Be delighted with the Lord.” Psalm 37:4a

Be delighted with the Lord!

Further Reading

“He has removed our sins as far from us as the east is from the west.” Psalm 103:12

God has forgiven your sins, past present and future!

Further Reading

“Be alert and always keep on praying” Ephesians 6:18b.

Further Reading

“Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God himself will fight for you” Deuteronomy 3:22

Comforting, isn’t it?

Further Reading

“Honor your father and mother, as the Lord your God commanded you. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you” Deuteronomy 5:16

Further Reading

“The Lord’s eyes range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to Him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9

Further Reading

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” Romans 8:1

Further Reading

“Then one day the Angel of the Lord appeared to the wife of Manoah. . .” Judges 13:2

Further Reading

“For God is at work within you, helping you want to obey Him. And then helping you do what He wants” Philippians 2:13

Further Reading