“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18

The small child whined to her mother in the grocery store checkout line. She twisted back and forth, her head titled up to her meet her mother’s face. “But, Mommy. I neeeed that candy bar.”

The mother’s lips curled into a smirk. “Do you really need it?”

How often do we come to our Father in Heaven and plead for what we think we need, confusing it with a want? Just like that child, we plead for the “desires of our hearts.” After all, doesn’t it state in the Psalms that is what God will do? (Psalm 37:4) Didn’t Jesus say he’d grant anything we asked for in His name? (John 14:13-14)

Ah, there is the catch—in His name. When the desires of our hearts match that of Jesus’ then we can ask in His name (like-minded with Him) and it will be granted. What did Jesus ask for? To do His Father’s will and be a witness of obedience to His disciples. Jesus asked for strength and endurance to complete the task God gave Him. And He wanted us, His followers, to be with Him in Heaven.

God will satisfy our needs just as He does the lilies of the field and the sparrows. It doesn’t necessarily mean He will wave a magic wand to end all of our problems, heal our loved one’s cancer, or find us that high-paying job so we can afford a boat, a new car or a dream vacation. If the desire of your heart is to do God’s will, you can rest assured God will supply everything you need to accomplish it. And what is God’s will for us? Paul spells it out in I Thessalonians 5:16-18:

Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

We can rejoice no matter the circumstances when we are confident that God will satisfy our needs and has our best interests at heart, just like the mom in the grocery store. God wants the best for us, and often that means not giving us everything we want.

Father God, help us discern what we need and what we want. Teach us above everything else, if we align our desires with Your will, then we can have confidence You will supply all we need. Steer us away from the wants that may harm us or turn us from You. Let Your Son Jesus be our example and Your Spirit be our guide. Amen.

Action Point: Make two columns and write your needs on one side and your wants on the other. Do all of your wants honor God? Do you Trust God to satisfy your needs?

By Julie Cosgrove
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Our Heart’s Desires

The Desires of the Heart

Our Heart and our Treasure

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Psalm 23:2 says, “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; leads me beside the still waters.” Note the two pronouns preceding the two verbs. He makes me. . .He leads me. Who is the active one? Who is in charge? The Shepherd!

We see the waves of the water rather than the Savior walking through them. We focus on our paltry provisions rather than on the One who can feed five thousand hungry people. Change your focus—and relax! While you’re at it, change your schedule and rest! Life can get so loud we forget to shut it down. When David says, “He makes me lie down in green pastures,” he is saying my shepherd makes me lie down in his finished work. His pasture is his gift to us. This is not the pasture you’ve made. It is a gift from God, and your Shepherd invites you there!

By Max Lucado
From: Traveling Light

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about-max/

FURTHER READING

Obedience Leads to Blessing

Trust God to Lead

He Leads and Guides Me

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“…And rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2

God, You are glorious! Because of who You are, I have hope in what You have promised to do—my future truly is as bright as the light upon Your face that reflects it, as sure as the words upon Your lips that proclaim it, as powerful as the strength of Your right hand that performs it.

I am confident there are desirable things ahead because You are good; there are perfect things ahead because You are without fault; there are abundant things ahead because You are generous; there are undefiled things ahead because You are holy; there are amazing things ahead because You are wondrous, there are huge things ahead because Your heart is so big.

I live in hope and I am happy in hope. I hope in what is true, in what is best, in what is everlasting. My hope is anchored in what a loving, caring God can be to His child.

You bring a hope to my heart that will not be dashed upon the rocks of broken covenants, unintended assurances, or misguided intentions. My hope is secure in the character of Your faithfulness. It will not be disappointed, but will see its final reward.

‘Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.’ Romans 5:1-5 NKJV

By Roy Lessin
Used by Permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

FURTHER READING

Inject Hope

How to Rejoice While the World Falls Apart

From Despair to Hope

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“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you will know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” James 1:2–4

My husband quotes these verses a lot. I used to feel uncomfortable when he did because I knew I did not “count it joy” when I had difficulties. I often thought of trials as a nuisance. But God has been teaching me, and finally it has become clear to me why I need to count it all joy.

Recently, I read Majestic is Your Name. This book contains a collection of writings by Teresa of Avila, who lived during the fifteenth century. She wrote,

“Be happy when you are blamed and accused wrongly, for then you have the chance to see all the bitter, hostile, or self-pitying responses that your sinful soul wants to spew out— as if these puny things could in any way defend you! Watch and see if any of these poisons come out of you when your spirit is pricked by an accusation. Only then can you see yourself as you are, and confess thy sin that is within you, and forsake yourself again into the Lord’s care.”

You see, when we run into difficulties or accusations, we can choose to respond in joy, or we can react negatively. Our response is the barometer as to how we are doing spiritually.

I encourage you to choose to respond with joy to every difficulty or nuisance that comes your way today. It is an act of affirming that God is the blessed controller of all things.

Lord Jesus, I do thank You for the trials that come into my life. Whenever my soul is pricked by a sarcastic remark, or I am misunderstood or slighted by someone, my reaction to this lets me realize again that I am a sinner, desperately in need of Your strength to respond in love and kindness and patience. Thank You for continually pointing out my need of total reliance on You. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

The post Count it All Joy appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one, and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.” Ephesians 2:14

Conflict can produce hostility. Years ago, I was asked to be one of the worship leaders at a church where they had never experienced a woman in a leadership position. The circumstances surrounding this caused discord among some of the people, and opposition started brewing within their hearts.

I could have easily felt hurt, discouraged, and abandoned. I almost questioned God’s purpose. I turned to scripture and found King David’s story.

Before David became the King of Israel, King Saul attempted to take his life several times. During years of fleeing, David could have allowed anger and rage to fill his heart toward Saul, and toward God whom he believed had anointed him for this task of leading His people. Yet, in his moments of frustration and suffering, he asked God to search his heart and allowed God to fill him with peace.

Conflict can turn into frustration and unforgiveness, which can breed anger and build a wall of hostility between our relationships with others and with God. We all have experienced hurt, pain, or a time when others wronged us — and where we may even feel that God has forsaken us — yet, those are the moments that God desires to surround us and fill us with His peace that transcends our circumstances.

The peace of God can demolish hostility. We must check our hearts daily and ask God, like David did in Psalm 139:23, to “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.”

Heavenly Father, forgive me where I have harboured unforgiveness and anger towards others and towards you. I ask that you break down the walls that I have put up that are keeping me from experiencing the fullness of the relationship that I can have with you and with others. Fill my heart and my life with your peace. Amen.

By Brigitte Straub
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Choosing to be Bitter or Better

Getting Life Back on Track

Guilt – How to Handle it

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

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Psalm 8

“O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

(5)For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,  All sheep and oxen— Even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

Let’s look at some common causes of where Insecurity can come from:

Rejection. When we grow up thinking no one really likes us, we turn into chronically reluctant adults who lack confidence.

Tragedy. Traumatic circumstances like a broken home, the death of a loved one, or abusive relationships can open the door for insecurity.

Poor body image. Whether it’s body shape, hair loss, or disability, physical appearance can lead people to see themselves in a negative light. The resulting shame and self-consciousness can permeate interactions with others.

Comparison. People sometimes become preoccupied with those who seem smarter, wealthier, nicer-looking, more successful, and so on. This makes individuals feel overshadowed and creates doubt in their own ability to achieve.

Failure. Because we pour time and resources into our work, families, and life goals, a setback in any of these areas can crush our spirit.

If this sounds familiar, examine your heart carefully. Ask yourself,

In what area of life might I have deep insecurity?

Remember, today’s psalm says God has crowned us “with glory and majesty!” (Psalm 8:5). That’s who we really are.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission

Learn more about knowing Jesus at: https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws/

FURTHER READING

Practicing the Presence of God
To Whom are You Listening?
God is Thinking about You

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Please consider Luke 11:1: “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Martin Luther was an important and busy guy. The previous sentence may be a gross understatement, considering that Luther is often credited with starting the Protestant Reformation. Even if he wasn’t the originator, he was certainly the most prolific and fiery of its early supporters. Despite his hectic work schedule, copious writing, preaching, teaching, and other plentiful tasks, he still diligently made time to pray. He is quoted as saying

“I have so much to do (today) that I should spend the first three hours in prayer.”

Jesus too was an important and busy guy. (That sentence is clearly an even larger understatement than the one about Martin Luther!) As Savior of the world, Jesus spent His days traveling, teaching, arguing with religious leaders, healing sickness, driving out demons, and proclaiming the salvation available to the world through Himself as God’s one and only Son. (Among other things!) Yet “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). Mark gives us an example: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35).

The question for us is: If Martin Luther and Jesus Himself made time to pray, how can we possibly say we’re too busy?

Jesus begins his teaching on prayer during the Sermon on the Mount by saying “WHEN you pray”, not “IF you pray” (Matthew 6:5). It’s tough sometimes, because prayer doesn’t come naturally for everyone. Speak honestly to God: praise, frustrations, triumphs, fears, and deepest longings. After all, God already knows you better than you know yourself… there’s nothing to hide!

Remember that prayer doesn’t have to be long or complicated. It doesn’t need to be “holy sounding” either. You know what I mean, those prayers with all the right-sounding words that somehow end up sounding hollow. Use the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 or Luke 11:2-6) as a guide, but not as a formula. Don’t just pray it rigidly, try to pray spontaneously, from the heart.

Just never use the excuse that you’re “too busy.” If Martin Luther and Jesus had time for prayer, you do too!

Question: Have you prayed yet today? If not, could you spend some time with God now?

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

How to Pray

What to Include in Prayer

How to pray with confidence

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“And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.”  1 Corinthians 15:49

Anger, bitterness, profanity. One or all three of these indiscretions have been a part of my life for the past several months. Just when I think one has succumbed to being tamed, another emerges and internal forces once again collide.

Believing my own dreams had been dismantled, I allowed myself to take on a posture of indignation. I never wanted to enter into that place but I couldn’t seem to connect with anything that made sense of my disappointment outside of the anger, bitterness, and cursing. However, the more I determined to pray against the unsavoury onslaught, the more I could feel a ray of hope break through my pain. A hope showing perfection meeting with the imperfect — Jesus showing up in the folds of this broken individual.

Today’s verse contains one of the greatest promises I could ever hope to receive. That no matter how many times I falter in being Christ-like, the ultimate victory in the form of perfection will someday be mine. That welcome relief gives me renewed strength to keep fighting against the internal forces that try to thwart me.

In life, hurt, heartbreak, and discouragement seem to outweigh our ability to cope with the subsequent fallout that comes. Things we hoped would be no longer exist and our once calm disposition begins to unravel. As followers of Jesus, we have this powerful verse which gives us the increased fervour to soldier on through our humanity. May we keep our gaze fixed on things of heaven when the going gets tough.

Perfect Jesus, I know I’m not perfect but that I will be when I’m with you in heaven. Thank you for this promise to hold on to. That no matter how many times I mess up here on earth, it doesn’t define how things will be in eternity. I’m very grateful for that. In the meantime, please help me to be as Christ-like as possible until I see you face to face. It’s in your name I pray. Amen.

By Melissa Talbot
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Chains of Perfectionism

Messy Scribble

Living Unmasked

The post Imperfect Perfection appeared first on Thoughts About God.

The Word of God commands us be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10-18). We daily stand firm against the devil’s schemes by putting on our spiritual armor. It is as important to dress spiritually each day as it is to dress physically. So declare daily that you are obeying God’s command to stand in all the armor available to intercessory soldiers in the battles we face.

Father, our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. They are fallen angles cast down from heaven by the command of the true and living God. They are subject to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We are in Him and stand in His already-assured victory. Therefore, we put on our full armor in You so that when the fiery darts come, we may be able to stand our ground.

We stand firm because we have taken up these weapons:

We buckle the belt of truth around our waist. Truth is the Person of Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life.

We put on the breastplate of righteousness. The Person and sinless sacrifice of the Lord Jesus is our Righteousness.

We put on our feet the sandals of the preparation of the gospel of peace. The Person of the Lord Jesus is our peace.

We take the shield of faith which extinguishes all the flaming arrows of the evil one. The Person of the Lord Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is all the faith we need.

We take the helmet of salvation. My Lord Jesus Christ Himself alone is our salvation. His mind guards our minds.

We take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The Word is the Person of Jesus Christ who came in the flesh and defeated the works of the enemy. His Word never returns to Him void.

We clothe ourselves in all of Jesus and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

“No weapon formed against us will prevail, and we will refute every tongue that accuses us. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 54:17).

The One who was born of God keeps us safe, and the evil one cannot harm us (1 John 5:18).

In the name of Jesus, amen.

By Sylvia Gunter
used by permission

From: For The Father:  p. 15, ©1995
www.thefathersbusiness.com

FURTHER READING

The post Praying On The Armor appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”.  Galatians 5:1

Thought

We have been set free! We are delivered from law, sin, and death. We have been set free to serve God and share in his grace eternally. So how will we use that freedom?

Prayer

God of freedom and grace, please give me your Spirit of wisdom to understand more fully all the ways that you have blessed me. Please help me use those blessings to share your grace with my family and friends. May I never take for granted your gifts or abuse my freedoms won at such great cost. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission
From: Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com.

FURTHER READING

• Celebrate Freedom
• Freedom from the Prison
• A Prayer of Freedom

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Whatever challenge you may be facing today, don’t back down God’s grace will carry you through.

Popular singer Tom Petty passed away a while back after a highly successful career. One of Petty’s most loved songs was titled ‘I Won’t Back Down’. It says:

Well, I won’t back down.
No, I won’t back down
You can stand me up at the gates of hell,
But I won’t back down

While Tom Petty was probably singing about the human challenges he had to face, the Apostle Paul says something similar regarding the spiritual battles we face as God’s children. He says, “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13). The imagery is that of a well-trained soldier, planting his feet firmly on the battle field and refusing to back down. In other words, Paul may be saying, ‘don’t back down’. Ever!

The senseless shootings at a church in Texas and others disasters, bear witness to the fact that we live in dangerous times. It is at a time like this that the church of Jesus Christ and individual Christians should stand firm, find renewed hope, minister to the hurting and refuse to back down.

In Daniel 6, Daniel was about to receive the ‘promotion of a lifetime’, being the likely candidate for Prime Minister. The appointment may have brought privileges in the form of a brand new vehicle (the latest chariot?), unlimited power and added bonuses. That’s when envy set in as the other powerful officials rose up against him. Their devious plans meant Daniel would have to either back down from his commitment to God or face the ‘lions’.

Daniel refused to ‘back down’ and God sent an angel to shut the lions’ mouths. Maybe He tranquilized them, maybe He assigned them to a 12 hour fast, or maybe they just lost their appetite. Whatever may have happened, it was a powerful work of God

Similarly, God is with us in our battles. Let us therefore stand firm and be encouraged by the words in James 4:7 that says, “Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you”. Whatever challenge you may be facing today, don’t back down God’s grace will carry you through.

By Palitha Jayasooriya
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Hope for the Hopeless

• Dealing with Despair

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Don’t Back Down When Facing Trials appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“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 in God comes from more than a belief that He exists. The Bible calls hope in God “an anchor for the soul”. It is something deep that secures you through the storms of life with confident expectation in His strength.

1. H – Hope for Help
God invites you to come to Him and boldly ask for help. The need is different for all of us. God waits to help, if only you ask.

2. O – Hope to Overcome
Friends of ours tell a story of their marriage, brought to a crisis by alcohol abuse. When they finally invited God into their circumstances, by His strength, they overcame great obstacles. Today they have an intact family that gives God a place in their home. God gives hope and help to overcome. Rather than living life as a victim, God can help you overcome the obstacles you face.

3. P – Hope for Power
Sometimes in life we find ourselves facing things that feel too big to handle. It might be a relationship struggle, a job task, finances, grief over a loss. Seeing our weakness as the very entry point of God’s strength gives access to His power!

4. E – Hope for Eternity
When we put our faith and hope in God, it not only gives us help, strength and power today, it also gives us hope for life after death. It is a confident expectation of the ultimate “tomorrow’.

The God of Hope is only one prayer away.

Dear God, I have gone my own way and have put my hope in so many things that have disappointed me. Forgive me and come into my life today. Show me how to live in 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 where I walk. I thank you. Amen.

Thought: Do you need hope for tomorrow?

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Learn more about knowing Jesus
• Hope for a Hopeless World
• Hope Stronger Than HurT
• Hope for Your Future
• Our Hope in Him
• The God of Hope

The post Hope for a Bright Tomorrow appeared first on Thoughts About God.