May You Find Jesus to Be

The music that causes your heart to sing;

The joy that causes your heart to rejoice;

The glory that causes your heart to worship;

The wonder that causes your heart to believe;

The security that causes your heart to trust;

The peace that causes your heart to rest;

The promise that causes your heart to hope;

The beauty that causes your heart to delight;

The majesty that causes your heart to surrender;

The love that causes your heart to give.

“For me to live is Christ [His life in me]”. Philippians 1:21 AMP

by Roy Lessin
used by permission

A Poem of Hope …”I feel the arms of God around me”

I Testify that God is…. – by Wendy Patrick

A Morning Prayer by Malcolm Boyd

The post May You Find Jesus to Be appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Most of us have dreamed of remodeling our home… that perfect place to entertain.

Well Becky found out it was much easier to dream than to do!  She purchased a rundown farmhouse with the idea of renovating it into her dream home.  But she learned some valuable lessons:
First, count on spending a small fortune.
Then, make sure you figure out how to heat the living room… before inviting your Bible study group over.
And… hire a professional to fix the plumbing.
But the most important lesson is that sometimes renovation is an inside job… your home and your life.

The Bible says, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2)  Friend, begin your personal renovation project by giving your heart to Jesus.  He will remodel and renew you from the inside out!

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

FURTHER READING

How to invite God into your life and live for him

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Dr. Christopher Spencer is a dentist who fills more than cavities, he helps to fill the “God-shaped vacuum” in the lives of his patients.

It all began on a short-term medical mission in 1987. Dr. Spencer began to pray for his patients in a remote area. Then he realized, I should pray for my patients at home.

So now he does. And it’s revolutionized his practice and the people he sees.  Dr. Spencer has had the opportunity to lead people into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Imagine going in to have your teeth cleaned, but finding the One who washes away your sins for all eternity. https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

Dear friend, God has planted you in a unique place where only you can have an impact.  Start today by praying for those around you.  It’ll revolutionize your world

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

FURTHER READING

How to invite God into your life and live for him

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“I gave you this work: to go and produce fruit, fruit that will last.”  John 15:16

A good gardener will do what it takes to help a vine bear fruit. What fruit does God want? Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are fruits of the Spirit. And this is what God longs to see in us. And like a careful gardener, he will clip and cut away anything that interferes.

You can comment on this devotional online at:

Max Lucado
used by permission
From: Everyday Blessings

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/info/view/about_max_lucado/

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“God is the strength of my heart.”  Psalm 73:26, NKJV

God is for you. Turn to the sidelines; that’s God cheering your run. Look past the finish line; that’s God applauding your steps. Listen for Him in the bleachers, shouting your name.

Too tired to continue? He’ll carry you. Too discouraged to fight? He’s picking you up. God is for you.

by Max Lucado
used by permission

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

FURTHER READING

What Matters to You Matters to God

Let God Teach You

You Are God’s Design

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“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful..” 1 Corinthians 1:9

Eighteen-year-old Mary was devastated when her parents announced they were getting a divorce.  She observed the challenges her mother faced in finding a job.  Yet during the hurtful devastation of the divorce, Mary’s mom never wavered in her faith in God.  She said to her girls, “No matter what bad thing happens to you in life -“God is ALWAYS GOOD!”

Mary Alessi says, “As a child, I knew that Jesus loved me. I’ve never doubted that because my mom knew the secret to leading your children to Jesus – it’s living what you believe. She often said, – the bottom line is – if you live out your faith, your children will model what they see.”

My dear mom, your children are watching. Let them see you model your faith through even the difficult circumstances.  Let them know–God IS always good!

Mary Alessi, co-author of When Women Worship, http://www.maryalessi.com  Mary Alessi’s talents range from Mother, Pastor’s Wife, Worship Leader, Songwriter, Teacher and Musician.

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

FURTHER READING

God is GOOD

God Intends it for Good

Remembering God’s Goodness

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Growing up, I was always told to dream big.

Some days that meant being a successful entrepreneur. Other days, I aspired to be an award-winning actress. When I won first place at science fair, I was determined to find the cure for cancer.

My mother always nurtured my dreams and reminded me nothing is impossible with God. As I progressed through high school and college, I gained the tools necessary to reach my dreams. Friends called me Wonder Woman because they “knew” I would change the world. When I found success climbing the corporate latter, I believed they might actually be right.

After I got married and became a mother, however, the only thing I ever changed was diapers. My dreams didn’t line up with reality, and the only wonder in my life was about whether or not I still had value. I knew raising our children was the most important job in the world, so I never regretted staying home. But my sense of self-worth was non-existent.

One day I sat on the front step watching my three-year-old daughter play joyfully in our dandelion-covered yard. She knelt down, picked a blossom, and ran over to me. “It’s a flower,” she said, thrusting the yellow bud of a weed into my face. “I love you, Mommy.”

I saw weeds, but my daughter saw flowers. I saw disappointments, but God saw dreams. I was a missionary in the land of motherhood, and I needed to appreciate the season God had given me. I realized that although I might not be able to change the world through my achievements, I could change it through my actions, by loving and serving others, just like Jesus.

When Jesus walked the earth, He focused on relationships. He changed the world one heart at a time, and He still does today.

As my life transitioned from toddlers to teenagers, I enlarged my sphere of influence by forming relationships with elderly neighbors, forgotten friends, and unappreciated individuals. I found that a person’s true value lies in who she is, not in what she does. Freedom replaced frustration when I stopped thinking about how I was going to change the world and focused on how Jesus already did.

It took a long time to realize my discontentment was the result of an idol in my heart: the idol of the extraordinary—my mistaken belief that everything worthwhile had to be big. It was the small things in life—praying with a friend, inviting the grocery store clerk to church, or reading the Bible with my daughter—that made the biggest difference in my life.

The world’s oceans are the result of a thousand rivers and streams, and the mighty Himalayas are nothing more than one small stone upon another. We are the sum total of our experiences, and the most valuable experiences are relational.

Certainly, nothing is wrong with dreaming big, but dreaming small helps us remember Who is in charge of the big plan and the incredible opportunity we have to be a part of it. I may not be Wonder Woman, but I am a woman walking in wonder when I see how God allows me to influence the world for Him one life at a time.

When I surrendered my idol of the extraordinary, I was able to appreciate God’s hand in the small and the not-so-small moments of my life. Seeking God became more important than seeking goals. That’s what Jesus meant when he said, “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33 NIV). When we seek God first, He uses ordinary things in extraordinary ways. How is He using you?

By Glenda Durano
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   Fully Surrender to the Lord

•  How to be Really Free

•  Salvation Explained

The post Becoming Wonder Woman appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother … When Jesus saw [her] there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:25-27

The scriptures share little about Mary’s relationship with Jesus, but in the book of John we learn that in Jesus’ darkest hour Mary stood faithfully beside him. Mary may have anticipated Jesus’ horrible death, for the righteous man Simeon had told her, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34-35).

According to Simeon, Mary had fair warning. A mother’s heart carries burdened love for her children; how much more for Mary as she knew that Jesus would grow up to stir up the religious leaders of the day? Yet she remained faithful, even to Jesus’ difficult end.

Have you ever considered the price of parenthood? How much do parents “give up” in hours, convenience, energy, income, heartache, and opportunity? If we stacked it all up against the “returns” of our children, the comparison might be laughable.

But consider Jesus’ loving gesture, at the cross. In his most desperate state, he looks at Mary and entrusts her care to John, his beloved disciple. He returns Mary’s “giving up” with caring devotion.

Sometimes we miss the connection between investing in people and their subtle responses of appreciation. Are you “giving up” your life with the hope to be repaid, or are you willing to let that go?

Dear God, thank you for family, friends, and colleagues you have placed around me. Help me pour into them things that matter, and may I hold, with open hands, my expectations for payback. May I know your grace in showing loyalty and love. Amen.

By Dr. Bill Strom
Used by permission

FURTHER READING

Surprised by the Blessings – My Autistic Son Changed My Life

The Rewards of Having Children

Celebrating our Mothers – are we honouring the special people in our lives?

Sample Mother’s Day Prayers

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“God saw that the light was good, and He separated the light from the darkness.” Genesis 1:4

Light is good since it began to exist from God’s good command, “Let there be light.” We who enjoy it should be more grateful for it than we are, and see more of God in it and by it. Physical light is said by Solomon to be sweet, but gospel light is infinitely more precious, for it reveals eternal things and ministers to our immortal natures.

When the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual light, and opens our eyes to see clearly the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. We see clearly our sin in its true colors, and ourselves in our real position. We see the Most Holy God as He reveals Himself, His plan of mercy, and the world to come as His Word describes it. Spiritual light has many beams and colors, but whether they are knowledge, joy, holiness, or life, all are divinely good. If the light received is good, then God, the essential light, is ever so much more glorious.

Lord Jesus, since Your light is so good, give us more of it, and more of yourself, more of the true light.

When God brings light to the world, division is necessary to separate it from darkness. Light and darkness have nothing in common. Since God has divided them, we must not join them. Children of light must be sober, honest, and bold in their Lord’s work, leaving the works of darkness behind.

Our churches should divide the light from the darkness with great discipline, and we should do the same by being separated from the world by walking in God’s light instead of the dark paths. In action, in judgment, in hearing, in teaching, in association, we must discern between the precious and the vile, and maintain the great distinction which the Lord made upon the world’s first day.

Lord Jesus, be our light throughout the entire day, for Your light is the light of us all.

Question: Are there areas of your life where God’s light is dim or absent? Is it time to let Him in?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon. Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008.

FURTHER READING

His Wonderful Light

THE LIGHT

Living in the Light

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The post Light and Darkness appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.” Revelation 22:13 (NKJV)

Jesus is the Alpha, the First; Jesus is the Omega, the Last; Jesus is the Beginning and the End. In our walk of faith, we take our first step and last step in Jesus, and He is every step along the way.

Jesus is not only the End of our destination in life, but He is also the End of our motivation in life—He is the purpose and the reason for our journey. He is the End itself! In our walk of faith we do use Jesus as a means to what we desire, because our heart’s deepest desire is met in Him.

In Him we have arrived at God’s desired place for us in this world. Jesus is the fulfillment we seek, the completion we need, the love we long for in our hearts. He is the wisdom that establishes us, the righteousness that justifies us, the sanctification that purifies us, and the redemption that makes us His own.

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption—that, as it is written, “He who glories, let him glory in the LORD.” 1 Corinthians 1:30-31 (NKJV)

“For to me, to live is Christ…” Philippians 1:21 (NKJV)

“That Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.”  Ephesians 3:17-19 (NKJV)

“All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.” Colossians 1:16-18 (NKJV)

“For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him.” Colossians 2:9-10 (NKJV)

By Roy Lessin
used by permission

FURTHER READING

The Beginning and the End

Names of Jesus

In Spite of the Circumstances

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“Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.” John 15:2 (NASB)

Imagine holding an overflowing grocery bag in one hand and a squirmy toddler’s hand in the other. Then, you try to open the door for someone else. In my view, there are only a few disastrous possibilities. One: you will trip and fall. Two: you will drop the groceries. Three: you will let go of your toddler’s hand, and she runs away, making the possible outcome potentially catastrophic.

Don’t get me wrong, living a full life is a good thing. Jesus wants that for you! But there are so many branches in life that could easily grow out of control. Committees, clubs, classes, along with many more daily responsibilities fill up the day. However, if you say yes to each and every one, you don’t produce a healthy harvest. Instead, you end up giving haphazardly out of your emptiness and don’t experience the fullness of God.

How much do you trust your Father to prune your life? God wants to do this. If you take time to listen to Him, He will show you just what He wants to do so that You can produce even more amazing fruit!

Dear Father, thank You for Your wisdom and guidance in my life. Please help me to see how I can glorify You with each and every moment. If there are things that need to be pruned in my life so that other areas can thrive, I pray I would courageously take that step. If you want me to continue at this pace, I know You will provide the means. May You be glorified in all the things I accomplish. Amen.

By Christa Hardin
used by permission

FURTHER READING

The Purpose of Pruning

Pruning by Laura Rath

Pruned for Purpose

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“This is my command – be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”  Joshua 1:9

The Book of Joshua opens by announcing that Moses is dead. The LORD speaks to Joshua and gives him an assignment — to lead the people into the promised land. Considering Moses was one of the greatest leaders ever, it was likely terrifying to take over from him.

Joshua needed encouragement and specific instruction not to be afraid and reassurance from the LORD that He would not fail or abandon him. The instruction to “be strong and courageous” is repeated as “be strong and very courageous” and then in verse 9 the LORD outlines that this is not a suggestion — it is a command. Strong words for a man who was obviously afraid and needed much reassurance.

We assume a courageous person has no fears, but the opposite is true. Even the dictionary explains that courage is the ability to do something that frightens you or strength in the face of pain or grief.

In this opening chapter, the LORD explains what will help Joshua to be strong and courageous.  The LORD gives Joshua a promise that is for us as well – “I will be with you as I was with Moses.  I will not fail or abandon you.” Obey my instructions. Study God’s word. Again the LORD closes with, “do not be afraid or discouraged,” which can be our natural tendency when hard things come. The LORD gives the reason Joshua can trust, “For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.”

You can be courageous today for that same reason. The LORD is with you.

LORD, thank you that you have promised us that you will be with us and will not fail or abandon us. Thank you that we can follow you, taking the courage and strength that you give in the face of fear or pain or grief. Help us study your word and take it to heart. Remind us of your faithfulness. Thank you that you are trustworthy. Give us the courage to obey you in the face of any obstacle. Thank you that we too have a reason to trust you — the promise that you will be with us wherever we go. Amen.

By Donna Mitchell
used by permission

FURTHER READING

How to experience the life God meant for you

I Will Be With You

The Lord will Keep You

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