thoughts by Vonette Bright Archives - Daily Thoughts about God

Published April 17, 2024

Return to Me

“..for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:24

Lisa was dating a man who didn’t believe in Christ as she did.

Instead of breaking off the relationship, she gradually pulled away from God.
Within two years, the man broke up with Lisa.
She was tempted to believe that life was no longer worth living.

“But,” Lisa admitted, “if anyone understands, it’s God.”

So she returned to church.
She prayed and cried through most of the service.

An old friend listened as Lisa unfolded the past two years.
The friend responded with the story of the prodigal son and reassuringly added,

“God the Father is so glad you’re back!”

Dear one, have you taken a step away from God?

Return to Him.
Your heavenly Father will welcome you back with open arms.

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Something Beautiful

“The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.” Psalm 126:3

Diane Morrow grew up in a Christian home. But she wasn’t aware she needed a personal relationship with Jesus until college.

One Spring Break at the beach, she saw people sharing with complete strangers, telling them how Jesus made a difference in their life. Diane recognized they had a relationship with Jesus that she needed and wanted.

Alone in her dorm room reading a Bible study lesson she’d received, Diane knew she needed Christ to be in control of her life. She asked Jesus to come into her heart.

It didn’t stop there. Diane discovered the joy of reading and applying God’s Word. And, after experiencing twenty years, she marvels at the adventure of following Christ and the reality of God in her life. God made a difference for Diane and He can for you too!

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Would you like to start a personal relationship with Jesus?

You can do so right now by sincerely praying the following prayer.

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

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thoughts by Vonette Bright Thoughts by Women

Published March 27, 2024

Biblical Jesus

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Author Linda Harvey received an email. It began, “I’m a bisexual pagan who loves Jesus.”

Linda prayed about her response. She was seeing more and more of this from teens.
But the ”Jesus” in whom those teens believe is a false Christ, not the biblical Jesus.

So, Linda responds by explaining who Jesus really is and why it’s so important to know the real One.

Friend, what about you? Do you know the real Jesus?
Even popular TV stars today claim to be “Christians”, but they doubt that sin or Satan exists.

The “Jesus” they worship is touted as the “divine within” and just one of many ways to God.

Yet the real Jesus claimed and is the ONLY way to God.
He alone claimed to be able to forgive our sins, our wrongdoings.

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

thoughts by Vonette Bright Thoughts by Women

Breaking Chains

Published March 7, 2024

Breaking Chains

“Submit therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” James 4: 7

Long ago, there was a village blacksmith who boasted of his invincible strength. He proudly declared he could break anyone’s chains. When strong steel links were brought to him, he found the weakest link … and easily snapped the metal.

One day, the blacksmith broke the law and was put into chains. He scoffed at his jailers. Didn’t they know his incredible power?

Carefully he sifted through the links … again and again … unable to find the usual flaw. Then, in horror he realized he’d been bound by … his OWN chains!

And, that’s the way it is with sin.

You may think you’re strong enough to withstand Satan’s enticements. But, when you repeatedly give in to temptation, you become what has become a habit.

Dear one, what “binds” you today? Ask for God’s help. He will set you free!

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Real Joy

“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

As a third-century man was anticipating death, he penned these last words to a friend which remain true today:

“It’s a bad world, an incredibly bad world.
But I have discovered in the midst of it, a quiet and holy people who have learned a great secret.
They have found a joy which is a thousand times better than any pleasure of our sinful life.
They are despised and persecuted, but they care not.
They have overcome the world. These people are Christians — and I am one of them.”

Dear one, happiness is like the moon. It shines brightly and then clouds over. But Joy is like the sun – always shining even when night falls or clouds cover it. Happiness comes from humans – joy is from God. It’s one of His attributes!

Friend, when you invite Jesus into your heart, God’s joy is just a prayer away.

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Touching the Untouchable

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5

“Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11

Gracie Rosenberger sat in the waiting room welcoming the West African patients.
She was part of a medical mission helping poor and rich alike who waited for artificial limbs.
As a double-amputee, Gracie knows the loss of a limb can hinder relationships.

But even Gracie’s smile and laughter froze upon seeing Mary’s hand extended to hers.
Mary was missing fingers and her right leg -the results of Leprosy.
As Mary looked at Gracie, her eyes questioned, “Am I welcome, too?”
Taking Mary’s disfigured hand; Gracie broke into an even bigger, warmer smile.
She was reminded how Christ had welcomed HER sinful, diseased and maimed soul into HIS family.
Nothing could stop her from sharing the warm embrace of Jesus Christ.

Touching the untouchable becomes a privilege, friend,
when you recall how Christ reached out to you.

Peter & Gracie Rosenberger: http://www.standingwithhope.com

“Jesus not only touches our wounds, He heals our souls and welcomes us into His family.”

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Simplicity of God’s Love

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” John 3:16

Cristine headed to hot and humid Central America with her youth group’s summer mission project. They would host a two-day children’s evangelistic outreach.

The teens prepared an entire program to illustrate the love of Christ to the children. In spite of hours of practice, things went wrong. But their nervous apprehension melted away when the teens learned to depend upon God.

The children were wide-eyed. They clamored for the wordless bracelets, which use colors to tell about God’s love. Through smiles and broken Spanish, the teens helped forty children pray to invite Christ into their hearts! The little ones wanted to hear God’s story over and over again.

Dear one, the simplicity of God’s love, not our eloquence or expertise is what touches a person’s life.

Wherever you are, tell someone about God’s love today!

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Mary, Mary

One of my friend’s favorite Christmas songs is “Mary, Did You Know?”

In it the birth mother of Jesus is asked if she knows the importance and uniqueness of her baby boy.

What did Mary think as Jesus grew to heal the sick, calm the storm, and walk on water?
You see, friend, that tiny babe was actually the Creator of the universe!
Later in life, Mary had to endure watching her innocent son being nailed to a cross.
But the Bible story doesn’t end there.
Mary soon came to know He died for her sins, as well as yours and mine,
so one day we might join Him in Heaven.

Yes, Jesus may have entered His creation quietly, but He left in a rumble that echoes to this day.

And His next earthly visit won’t be as a humble child. It will be as
Mighty King and Conqueror!

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

100 Percent Sure

“Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13

Manufacturers of hand sanitizers claim their products kill 99.9% of all germs. Makes you wonder about the remaining one-tenth of one percent!

If 99.9% was good enough

~ 12 babies would be given to the wrong parents each day

~ 291 pacemaker operations would go wrong this year

~ Almost 900 thousand credit cards in circulation would contain incorrect ‘card holder’ information

~ And two landings at Chicago’s O’ Hare airport would be unsafe every day!

Dear one, 99.9% is NOT enough. Especially when it comes to heaven. Do you know where you’re going when you die? You can be absolutely, 100% sure about your eternal destiny because the Bible says so. Jesus says so! If you place your trust in Him, He promises you will someday meet Him in Heaven. That’s a glorious, 100% guarantee!

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Expectation

“He said to them, “Go into all the world. Preach the good news to everyone.” Mark 16:15 (NIV)

Jason had been involved with Campus Crusade for Christ in college. He was excited about his faith and wanted to share Christ with others. He soon learned that a believer’s responsibility is only to share their faith in the power of the Holy Spirit and leave the results to God.

You see, you’re not to blame when the message of God’s love goes unheeded.

Your responsibility is simply to share God’s love and forgiveness.

So with a sense of expectancy, Jason asked God to lead him to people who would come to Christ.

First a mother and son excitedly responded. Then another woman was deeply moved when she heard about having a relationship with Christ. Her sister wanted to hear about God’s love, too! Both received Christ!!!

Dear one, share the great news of God’s love and forgiveness, and leave the results to God.

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Suffering and Sovereignty

“But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” 2 Corinthians 7:6

Owen Shramek lived for only twenty minutes after he was born. His father, Dustin, struggled with anger. During the first months after the baby’s death, Dustin admits he felt very little comfort from God. He prayed, “God, I know You are sovereign. I know that You are in control. But the least You could do is draw near to us and give us comfort.”

Well, on the six month anniversary, Dustin was reading through the mail. Letters came from God’s people all over the world. He came across the Bible verse: “But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” God was answering his prayer through fellow Christians!

Dear one, be comforted. We are part of the Body of Christ. And it’s through this Body that He ministers to us. Even in our darkest days.

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Look in the Mirror

“….The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”1 Samuel 16:7

‘Mirror, mirror on the wall” Remember that fairy tale? Of course, we all do!

My question for you today is, what do you see when you look into the mirror? Do you only see yourself or do you see God’s image?

Dear one, no matter what you may physically look like, the image of your Father in heaven is unmistakable! You should reflect God’s love, grace and mercy.

When people see you reflect Jesus, they are drawn to His great love. They’ll sense His unconditional acceptance.

You may not see the love of God mirrored in your life because you do not have a relationship with Him.

–> Discover God’s Journey of Joy through Jesus Christ

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Words, Words, Words

Sharon Autry scolded her three-year-old daughter for what seemed like the tenth time that day! And it didn’t help when those little hands went on her hips and she said defiantly, “Words, words, words. That’s all I get?”

Believe me, that got Sharon’s attention. And she began praying that God would help her speak words of “encouragement” rather than words of “criticism“.

Proverbs 18:21 says

“the tongue has the power of life and death.”

Look for the reasons to praise your children. Do it often. Every day! Use words that encourage. Things like, “I love you sweetheart.” Or, “I couldn’t be more proud of you.” And “God loves you, my little one, you are His child.”

The Bible never neglects discipline, nor should we as parents and grandparents. But, always with words prompted by love!

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

From: Mom and Loving It, Finding Contentment in Real Life, by Sharon Lovejoy Autry and Laurie Lovejoy Hillard
(Bethany House Publishers),

Run with Patience

“Therefore let us also, seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,” Hebrews 12:1

Normally when we think of “waiting on the Lord”, we presume that means sitting still. We wait for God to deliver a ten – point list of what to do.

The Bible says to “Run with patience”. The two seem contradictory. Running is active, while patience seems inactive.

The fact is God calls us to patience. It is one of the Fruit of the Spirit. At the same time, He cannot direct our steps, if we won’t move. As the old illustration goes, it’s impossible to steer a parked car!

Dear friend, as you wait upon the Lord, continue to live a holy life. Apply God’s Word daily, live in the power of the Holy Spirit, and make yourself available to Him.

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Joy in the Journey

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5

Author James O’Donnell knew sadness. His wife Lizzie was diagnosed with terminal breast cancer and then heart failure. She also was the mother of their three boys.

He said, “The thought that she might enjoy sitting at Jesus’ feet in heaven was, frankly, of little delight to either of us. I deeply and dearly loved her.”

So what was it like during the daily battle to try to save her life? Every day they were filled with joy! Nothing taught them as much about the value of life as the reality that they might not have another tomorrow here on earth. But holding onto life, amidst devastation, requires courage, love and a huge dose of God’s grace.

Friend, God promises to never leave you or forsake you, no matter where your journey takes you.

You can buy the Letters for Lizzie by James O’Donnell: on Amazon

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Return to Me

Lisa was dating a man who didn’t believe in Christ as she did.

FURTHER READING

Something Beautiful

Biblical Jesus

Breaking Chains

FURTHER READING

Real Joy

FURTHER READING

Touching the Untouchable

“Jesus not only touches our wounds, He heals our souls and welcomes us into His family.”

FURTHER READING

Simplicity of God’s Love

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” John 3:16

Further Reading

Mary, Mary

Further Reading

100 Percent Sure

Further Reading

Expectation

“He said to them, “Go into all the world. Preach the good news to everyone.” Mark 16:15 (NIV)

Your responsibility is simply to share God’s love and forgiveness.

Dear one, share the great news of God’s love and forgiveness, and leave the results to God.

Further Reading

Suffering and Sovereignty

Further Reading

Look in the Mirror

Further Reading

Words, Words, Words

Further Reading

Run with Patience

Further Reading

Joy in the Journey

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5

Further Reading

Category: <span>thoughts by Vonette Bright</span>

Lisa was dating a man who didn’t believe in Christ as she did.

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

“Jesus not only touches our wounds, He heals our souls and welcomes us into His family.”

FURTHER READING

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” John 3:16

Further Reading

Further Reading

Further Reading

“He said to them, “Go into all the world. Preach the good news to everyone.” Mark 16:15 (NIV)

Your responsibility is simply to share God’s love and forgiveness.

Dear one, share the great news of God’s love and forgiveness, and leave the results to God.

Further Reading

Further Reading

Further Reading

Further Reading

Further Reading

“Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.'” Hebrews 13:5

Further Reading