thoughts by Helen Grace Lescheid Archives - Page 3 of 9

Published August 29, 2022

God is My Strength

“The LORD is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation.” Psalm 118:14

Do you ever feel like the challenges of life you’re facing are too much for you—like you can’t handle anymore? You just don’t have the strength for it?

Gideon lived in very troubled times. Foreign armies—the Medianites, the Amelekites and other eastern countries– invaded the country and plundered the fields and killed the livestock. For this reason, Gideon and other Israelites lived in mountain caves and harvested at night. One day an angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon. “The Lord is with you mighty warrior,” he said.“ Go in the strength you have and save Israel out of the Midian’s hand. Am I not sending you.”

“How can I save Israel?” Gideon said. “My clan is the weakest in the nation and I am the least in my family.”

“I will be with you,” The Lord said. “Go in this your strength.” In other words, “I am your strength and that’s all the strength you need.’

And in that strength, with a very small army, Gideon defeated a huge army and brought peace to Israel. How did Gideon do it? He listened to God rather than his feelings. He moved ahead step by step as God gave him direction. He gave God the freedom to work out His plan.

If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ’

I PRAY THAT out of his glorious riches he may strengthen me with power through his Spirit in my inner being so that Christ may dwell in my heart through faith (Ephesians 3:16). Today I will remember that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

I Set My Heart on God

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation” Isaiah 12:2

In my home I have a small dial on the wall that automatically regulates the temperature in a room. When a room is too hot or too cold, I check to see if it is set correctly. Then I adjust it according to my wishes. And soon the atmosphere in my home changes.

I find this principle works also in the spiritual realm.

Each morning I need to check the temperature of my heart and reset my internal thermostat.

How? By starting the day, not with the newspaper or with some urgent thing to do, but with a Scripture that will set my heart and mind on God. For instance, Isaiah 12 has often been my thermostat regulator. I say the words out loud as I seek to set my heart on God.

“Today I will praise you, O LORD“… I may feel discouraged but I will praise You anyway.

With joy I will draw water from the wells of salvation –God’s well never dries up. Therefore I will have all the resources I need today.

Today I will say: “Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done.–” Yes, I want this to be my aim today.

Today I will sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things– When I’m tempted to complain, I will remember the good things God is doing.

I will remember that great is the Holy One of Israel among us– When I feel overwhelmed, I will remember it’s not all up to me. It’s God within me doing the work.

By setting my internal thermostat on God’s truths, what a difference it makes to my outlook. The whole day works better.

Dear God, thank You for leaving us Your Word and your Holy Spirit. We do not have to go through this day alone; we do not have to work in our own strength. Today we will praise You, oh God, for Your faithfulness.

by Helen Grace Lescheid
Used by Permission

Light for the Journey

“The entrance of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.” Psalm 119:130

One winter evening as I was driving through thick fog, I had a hard time seeing the road. I focused hard on the dim reflectors that marked the lanes. Inching my way from light to light, I managed to get home.

In my spiritual journey also there are times when I have a hard time finding my way. What helps me at a time like that? I focus on the light of God’s Word. A verse in the Bible will light up as though I am seeing it for the first time. Sometimes, a friend will give me a Scripture coupled with the words “I will pray for you.” After I’ve read it, I jot down my friend’s name beside it. Verses such as:

“The steps of the godly are directed by the LORD. He delights in every detail of their lives.” (Psalm37:23)—given by Margaret

“You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny.” (Psalm 73:24)—given by Dolores

“The LORD will guide you continually, watering your life when you are dry…” (Isaiah 58:11)—given by Agnes

Margaret, Dolores, Agnes—each friend has held up a reflector of God’s truth. As I’ve focused on it, hope has revived me. With God as my Guide, I will find my way home.

Can you think of someone today who could use an encouraging word from the Bible?

Father, thank you for the light of your Word and for people who hold it up high for us to find our way.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission
Helen’s books: http://www.helenlescheid.com

God is with me—even in the Dark

“Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.” Isaiah 50:10

In the Bible a new day begins with darkness. In Genesis chapter 1 each new day is introduced with the words, “and there was evening, and there was morning—the first day“. The second day, and so on.

When God wants to take us into a new day of spiritual experience, He often begins with darkness. He leads us into a period of confusion, pain and disappointment. Take Joseph for example. God had told him that he would be ruling one day. Instead, for years he endured the exact opposite. He was rejected by his brothers, sold into slavery and endured a long imprisonment. Yet, all the while God was preparing him for a new day when the promise would become reality.

Are you in a time of darkness? You can’t see the way. You don’t understand what’s happening. It makes no sense to you. Tell God about it and then leave it with Him. He knows the way and He is leading you into a new day.

God has promised us treasures of darkness. “I will give you the treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by name “ (Isaiah 45:3).

The greatest treasure is to know God in a deeper way: to know that God is real and He meets real needs. It’s in the dark that God’s picture unfolds.

God says, “Trust Me. Don’t try to figure out what is happening. Simply trust Me and thank Me in advance for the good that will come out of it all.”

It will be a surprise how God will break into your life this time.

“Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” (Psalm 25:4,5).

by Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission
Visit http://www.helenlescheid.com

While We are Waiting on God

“For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” Isaiah 64:4 (Application Study Bible). “Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18

Jesus loved Martha and Mary and their brother, Lazarus. They were His dearest friends. When Lazarus became gravely ill, his sisters sent an urgent message to Jesus: “Lord, the one you love is sick” (John 11:3). They were certain that Jesus would come quickly.

But Jesus didn’t rush to their side. Even though He knew the gravity of the situation, He stayed where He was two more days (John 11:5,6). Meanwhile, Lazarus’ condition worsened. Overcome with worry, the sisters fretted, “What’s keeping Him? We told Him it was urgent.”

Their brother Lazarus died.

Imagine the pain! Coupled with the grief of losing a dear brother was the feeling of betrayal. In their deepest need, Jesus had not come. When Jesus finally came, the sisters both said, “It’s too late.”

Can you relate? Despite your earnest prayers, you’ve waited weeks, months and even years for things to change. God seems very far away. You cry out with the psalmist,

“How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart?” (Psalm 13:1,2)

“Some prayers are followed by silence because they are wrong, others because they are bigger than we understand,” writes Oswald Chambers. God is silent because He wants to give us a bigger revelation of Himself than we’ve ever had before.

That’s what Jesus’ delay was all about. Instead of healing Lazarus, Jesus raised him from the dead. Jesus revealed to them that He Himself is the resurrection and the life.

Are there times in your life when you feel like giving up on prayer? Nothing seems to be happening. It’s as though God isn’t listening or caring. But God’s delays are not denials. He is listening and He does care. He wants to show Himself to you in a new way.

I pray that you will be strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and joyfully give thanks to the Father—even before the answer comes.

”Father, I thank you that you are working even though I can’t see it at this time. I want to trust you with this. I give it to you now.”

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

The Father is Waiting

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (relief) Matthew 11:28

“I’ll come back to God when I’ve got my act together,” said one young girl. “Right now I’m too messed up.”

But why wait?

The Father is waiting for you to come back.

Jesus told a beautiful story to illustrate this: the story of the prodigal son.

The prodigal son squandered his inheritance money in wild living. Eventually he landed in a pig sty, without friends and desperately hungry. One day he said to himself, “How many of my father’s hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger. I will arise and go to my father and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants” (Luke 15:17).

So he returned home. While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him (Luke 15:20).

The boy starts his speech of apology but the Father doesn’t let him finish it. Instead, he interrupts with orders to the servants to bring the best clothes, a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. A joyous celebration follows.

When they met in embrace, the son’s thoughts were on “How can I make this right again?” But the Father’s thoughts were on relationship: “My son has come home! Our relationship is restored.” The father’s complete forgiveness is by grace, not something the son has to earn.

This is how God receives us when we come in true repentance. With forgiveness. With joy.

When we do come back, God doesn’t just forgive us; He dresses us up with a new identity, He clothes us in a rob of righteousness. He shows us we are loved and that we belong.

Imagine! The Creator and Sustainer of the universe loves and values us that much.

Do you need to come “home” to God? Do it now. Come just as you are. He will receive you.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission
To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

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

Be a Peace Maker

“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peace makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” James 3:17, 18

“Do your children live near you?” This question is important to me since my children live far away—on three continents—and I don’t see them often.

“Yes, they live near me,” he answered sadly. “But I never see them. We’re not speaking to each other.”

How tragic!

But this man is not alone. I find that many a parent’s heart has been broken because a son or a daughter is avoiding them. I hear sad words like these: “My children never call.” “My daughter has time for everyone else but me.”

Can you feel the hurt in those words? Let me pass on what has helped me during a time when my children were estranged from me. Often an estrangement develops during a traumatic time such as a death or a divorce. Raw emotions take time to process. We need to give our children time and space to sort them out.

“If only we could talk,” I’d often think. “Then we’d come to some understanding.” But this may not be the time for talking. When you are in conflict, concentrate on reconciliation rather than resolution. How?

First, we need to realize that no family member can meet our love needs. Only God can do that. That’s why we need to bask in God’s love by feeding on Scripture verses that speak of His love and delight in us (such as Ephesians 3:16-19) When we’re secure in His love, we’ll be able to let go of the you-guys-owe-me feeling and reach out to our children in love.

Pray for each of your children by name with thanksgiving. I often used Scripture as my prayer such as Colossians 1:9-12.

Be a peace maker by reaching out: remember birthdays and other special occasions. Let your children know they’re welcome in your home.

Trust in God’s timing to bring you together again. It may take several years (as it did in my case) but in His time reconciliation comes. We have His promise: “Peace makers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

If you don’t see our comment form you can find it here: https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/helen-lescheid_peace-maker/

Living in Forgiveness

Forgiveness does not mean we excuse the wrong doing by saying “it’s no big deal. He/she couldn’t help it.”

“Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times:” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” Matthew 18:21

What is Jesus saying?

Sometimes God uses the most unlikely persons to teach us a lesson. One morning I was giving out pills to an elderly patient at the Care Home where I was working as a nurse.

We hadn’t really been talking –in fact she often didn’t make sense at all– but this time her speech was clear “We must live in forgiveness—every single day,” she said as she patted my hand. “When I think of how much Jesus has forgiven me I love him and I want to thank him and thank him.”

Of course she didn’t know that at that very moment, I was struggling with a forgiveness issue. This person had hurt me once too many times , I figured. I could not forgive again.” Now Jesus’ message came to me clearly: “Forgive him as I have forgiven you.”

How did Jesus forgive? Every time somebody hurt him, he forgave. Every time an injustice came his way, he forgave.

Someone has said, “Forgiveness is a lifelong process. Life is an adventure in forgiveness.” Jesus did not find forgiveness easy either. He showed us that forgiveness has a cross in it. It costs us something. But un-forgiveness has an even greater price: It makes prisoners out of us.

Forgiveness does not mean we excuse the wrong doing by saying “it’s no big deal. He/she couldn’t help it.” Forgiveness means acknowledging the wrong done (yes, it was mean) and then deciding to let go of anger and bitterness and the need to get even.

Sometimes it will require talking, but I’ve discovered when emotions are hot, talking does more harm than good. Forgiveness means I turn it over to Jesus and let him handle the unfairness.

Now it was time for me to act upon this truth. I hurried into the laundry room where I could pray alone. “Dear Jesus,” I prayed. “I want to forgive this person. I surrender the hurt and bitterness to you. I want to be free of it. I want your love to flow through me to this person.”

Is there someone you need to forgive.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

Comments: If you don’t see our response form, please go to https://thoughts-about-god.com/blog/helen-lescheid-living-forgiveness/

God is Our Guide

“He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way” Psalm 25:9.

“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end”
Psalm 48:14.

I was sitting in the middle section of a small theatre but my mind was not on the play. Once more I found myself in the middle of a crisis. Many important decisions had to be made but I didn’t know what to do. If only God would give me more guidance!

The theater darkened. The curtains on the stage parted. A beam of light coming from a control room behind me illuminated the stage. Soon the play unfolded before our eyes. Oh, Lord, if only I had more light, like that stage, I’d know what to do.

Half-way through the first scene, an usher came down the aisle guiding two late-comers. In his right hand he held a flashlight forming a small circle of light at their feet. Slowly he moved ahead to the appropriate row, then he shone the light onto two vacant seats. He waited patiently until the man and woman had sat down. Then he turned off the flashlight, and walked quietly back to the entrance.

That’s how I guide you! The thought startled me. I’ve given you the flashlight of my Word and my personal presence. Trust me. As you follow, one step at a time, I will see to it that you get safely to the right place.

Like the usher in the theatre, God has committed Himself to guide us.

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

“We sometimes spend time looking around for a green light, when we ought to keep going in the obvious direction until we find a red light,” says Dr. Charles Price ( Peoples Church in Toronto, Canada)

God expects His people to make decisions that are consistent with His Word, yet remain open and sensitive to any direct instructions He may choose to give. He may choose to use a Scripture that comes to you repeatedly, a set of circumstances that have fallen into place, some godly advice given by a person you trust, a hunch that you can’t shake, or a sudden insight.

God’s guidance will always move you closer to Himself.

Father, thank you for giving me your Word to guide me and your personal presence to cheer me.

by Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

God Is Watching

“The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalm 121: 5, 8 (NLT).

I was on my first airplane ride and I was scared! It all seemed so unnatural to be up in the air for hours at a time. What if the plane crashes?

I settled my uneasiness by repeating words from the Bible:

“where can I go from your Spirit? If I go to the heavens, you are there…if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:9,10).

God is not up in heaven watching me through a spy glass. He’s up close holding my hand!

I’ve needed that same comfort when my children travel to far-away places. Sometimes I don’t hear from them for a long time. What helps me to let go of worry and panic? I repeat over and over the words from Psalm 139 and 121.

“Father, you know where my daughter/son is right now. You never slumber nor sleep. Let them feel your presence now and let them know you are holding their hands. Thank you, LORD.”

No set of circumstances can ever isolate us from God’s loving presence. Therefore, we can leave our loved ones in God’s care

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

Forgiveness Opens the Door

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6: 14, 15 (LAB)

I’ve pondered these verses. God’s forgiveness of our sins seems to hinge on how we forgive others. Why is this so important?

Forgiveness is like a coin with two sides: the forgiveness each of us needs from God, and the forgiveness we owe to other human beings. They are inseparable. One coin.

Unless we forgive we let bitterness control us. Bitterness is like a plug between me and God; between me and another person. Unless I pull the plug, His forgiveness and love cannot flow. There is no receiving without giving. As we give, it is given unto us. We just cannot have forgiveness in any other way, because that is the way life works.

“But it’s so unfair,” you say.

Yes, life is unfair, but let God handle the unfairness. He’s a God of justice and He’ll look after the unfairness in due time.

Forgiveness is a decision we make not based on feeling.

“God, I want to forgive. Give me the grace to forgive.” And then, “I do forgive (name) now.”

During the Second World War, Corrie ten Boom had suffered much in a concentration camp. Her father and sister did not survive the brutal treatment. By some fluke, Corrie was released. She spent the rest of her life proclaiming the message of God’s love and forgiveness.

One day after she’d spoken in a small church in Germany, she was at the door shaking hands. A man came down the aisle who looked strangely familiar. With a jolt, Corrie recognized him: he’d been one of the guards at the concentration camp.

“I can’t shake his hand,” Corrie thought, frantically looking for a way of escape.

“Forgive him as I have forgiven you,” Jesus whispered.

“Jesus. Would you do it through me,” she whispered as she lifted her hand.

And with that act, Corrie was free. Free to be the person God wanted her to be.

Dear Jesus, take over my heart so that I will see people as you see them and forgive them as you forgive them.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

Give Thanks in All Circumstances?

“Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17-18

Life is full of challenges and some of you are in the midst of one right now. Maybe like the Israelites in Psalm 107 you’ve gone from one difficult period to another. They were hungry and thirsty wanderers in the desert, prisoners in chains, sailors reeling in terror at the furious storm…each time they cried out to the Lord and He saved them. Remembering this, they are encouraged to “give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.”

We are encouraged to give thanks in everything, not for everything. Some things are plain evil and It wouldn’t be realistic to give thanks for them. But we can give thanks “in” them. How?

Thank you, Jesus, that you know all about this.

Thank you, that you are with me in this.

Thank you that you are holding my hand as we walk through it together.

Thank you that you are acting in love even now “for your love endures forever”

I’ve found that as I look back on that difficult time, I marvel how God has lovingly brought me through it. And he will do the same for you.

Father, I can thank you in everything for your plans for me are plans to prosper me and not to harm me, plans to give me hope and a future (Jeremiah 29:11)

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

Soar Like an Eagle

You are not meant to be tumbling in the undertow; you are meant to soar.

“Those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31.

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by life’s problems? You want to soar above them but you feel yourself being sucked under. During one such time, a chaplain’s true story gave me hope.

“A friend and I were paddling down a river. To one side, high on a cliff, sat a bald eagle, its white head feathers glistening in the sun. As we watched, it soared into the blue sky, then swooped into the water, thrusting its strong talons into a big fish.

But then, the eagle got caught in the rushing current. Up and down it went with its beak firmly in the fish. Then both fish and eagle were sucked under the water. Why doesn’t he let go of the fish, I thought why does he insist on keeping it?

We were startled by a commotion downstream. “The eagle,” I shouted “It’s come up again.”

Sure enough, the majestic bird had broken free of the fish and the deadly torrent and headed for the surrounding rocks. For a moment the bird rested in the sun preening its soggy feathers. Then it spread its enormous wings and rose above the tree tops into the sky.

“Aren’t we like that?” the chaplain asked. “At times we feel sucked down into life’s raging torrents. Is there something that’s dragging you down? Like the eagle who wouldn’t let go of the fish, are you hanging onto a weight of resentment or bitterness or unrealistic expectations of what life should be like? Release it. It’s a weight that will drag you down into despair. Let the spirit of the Risen Christ buoy you up and give you strength to rise above your circumstances.

You are not meant to be tumbling in the undertow; you are meant to soar. Because Christ lives in you, you can live triumphantly.”

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is an offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23,24).

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

If God is All-Powerful, Why Doesn’t He Stop the Evil?

God is not oblivious to the evil that has entered our world and sometimes our lives.

“For the son of man is going to come in His Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.” Matthew 16:27

God created persons in His own image, which among other things, means we have been given a free will. God has given us the ability to choose. He wants us to choose to love Him first.

When Jesus was asked, what is the most important commandment, he answered, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:29-31).

But for love to be real, it cannot be forced. It has to come from a willing heart. You choose to love. That’s the nature of love.

God does not force His love upon us. We choose to love God.

When we choose not to love God, evil enters and takes over. We see evidence of this all over the world in family quarrels, riots, terrorist attacks, wars…

God is not oblivious to the evil that has entered our world and sometimes our lives. A day of judgment is coming when evil doers will be punished and the earth will be made right again (Revelation 16:7). Jesus promised: “For the Son of man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done” (Matthew 16:27).

In the meantime, God is present in our suffering. He’s suffering along with us. Isaiah asks, “Can a mother forget her nursing child? Can she feel no love for the child she has borne? But even if that were possible, I would not forget you! See, I have written your name on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15,16).

Imagine your name is written on the palm of God’s hand. He loves you that much.

Father, I don’t understand what is happening. I don’t like what is happening. But I know You love me and want only the best for me. I want to trust You more.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission
To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

Jesus says, “Come to Me”

“Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest,” Jesus said Matthew 11:28 (Application Study Bible).

In response to an article on prayer, a bright young lady wrote me, “When in trouble I hesitate to ask Jesus to help me. It’s my fault that I got into trouble, so I should face the music and not bother Jesus about it.”

I admired her refreshing honesty and her willingness to take responsibility. Still, it’s not a good reason to stay away from God. He’s longing to hear from us especially when we’ve messed up. One of the sweetest words in the Bible is “Come.”

The invitation is to people who’ve messed up. “Come now, let us argue this out,” says the LORD. “No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow” (Isaiah 1:18 Application Study Bible).

The invitation is to people who haven’t got it all figured out. Come just as you are with all your fears, questions, doubts and failures. “Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest,” Jesus said (Matthew 11:28 Application Study Bible).

We need to tell God exactly what we’ve done wrong and how we feel about it. “I’m sorry, Jesus for …. (name it).” It’s important to be specific.

How do you think Jesus will respond? I hear Him saying the same words to us that He said to the woman caught in adultery: “I do not condemn you. Go now and leave your life of sin” (John 8:11). When we come to Him in this way, He washes away our sin and gives us power to make a new start.

When we’ve messed up, we’re often very hard on ourselves. We flog ourselves with:

“I did it AGAIN! I’m so stupid. I’m no good. I’m a failure. I’ll never change.” These voices are not from God. Satan makes us feel like a complete failure. Jesus makes us feel like a person who can triumph over failure and learn from it.

Thank you, Father, that you do not condemn me when I have sinned. You forgive me and wash me clean. Help me now to forgive myself and give me the courage to make a new start.

By Helen Lescheid
Used by Permission

To read more of Helen’s writings go to http://www.helenlescheid.com

Category: <span>thoughts by Helen Grace Lescheid</span>

“The LORD is my strength and my song, he has become my salvation.” Psalm 118:14

Further Reading

Each morning I need to check the temperature of my heart and reset my internal thermostat.

Further Reading

FURTHER READING

“Let him who walks in the dark, who has no light, trust in the name of the LORD and rely on his God.” Isaiah 50:10

The greatest treasure is to know God in a deeper way: to know that God is real and He meets real needs. It’s in the dark that God’s picture unfolds.

Further Reading

Further Reading

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (relief) Matthew 11:28

The Father is waiting for you to come back.

Further Reading

Further Reading

Forgiveness does not mean we excuse the wrong doing by saying “it’s no big deal. He/she couldn’t help it.”

Forgiveness does not mean we excuse the wrong doing by saying “it’s no big deal. He/she couldn’t help it.” Forgiveness means acknowledging the wrong done (yes, it was mean) and then deciding to let go of anger and bitterness and the need to get even.

Further Reading

Further Reading

“The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your protective shade. The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.” Psalm 121: 5, 8 (NLT).

Further Reading

Forgiveness is a decision we make not based on feeling.

FURTHER READING

Further Reading

You are not meant to be tumbling in the undertow; you are meant to soar.

Further Reading

God is not oblivious to the evil that has entered our world and sometimes our lives.

Further Reading

“Come to me, all you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest,” Jesus said Matthew 11:28 (Application Study Bible).

Further Reading