Speed breakers are designed and constructed on our roads so that, motorists will apply some sense of control while driving. It keeps them cautious and reduces their haste. Having to drive through some areas without these bumps, will be an outright suicide.

Today, the world is almost accelerating faster than the wind. Everything is on a high speed. Fast food, fast lane, fast track, crashed courses, fast this and fast that – everyone you see, is in a hurry to achieve one thing or the other.

Being that peoples’ minds are set on achieving things faster than necessary; they care less about the consequences that follows their actions. Just as speed breakers are constructed on the roads to keep reckless drivers from getting killed, as a result of over speeding, God allows breaks here and there, to keep people in check.

What are you in a haste to achieve? Is it worth the stress?

Success in life is not based on how fast anyone can run but, on how well you finished. Applying a little caution where necessary, will help you readjust and emphasize on things that really matter. Motorists who speed recklessly, end up with either broken bones or below six feet – so do people who are in an undue haste to run ahead of life, end up in utter destruction.

God is telling you; don’t jump the due process.

Patience is a Christian virtue, although sadly, a lot of believers had deleted it from their lives. Being patient and careful in your life pursuits, doesn’t mean you are a weakling, it shows you are prudent and wise.

Let us apply a little caution, and abstain from the inordinate haste that has overtaken the world. Know that, anyone who does anything in a haste without God, ends up in a recycled struggle. What am I saying? It is in God to bless. His will is that you will prosper. At the same time, He doesn’t want you to end up in vanity.

“The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.” (Proverbs 14:16)

By Deborah Yemi- Oladayo
used by Permission

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

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“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end. He did not give up because of the cross! On the contrary, because of the joy that was waiting for him, he thought nothing of the disgrace of dying on the cross, and he is now seated at the right side of God’s throne.”   (Hebrews 12:2 TEV)

Most of us try to live with one eye on Jesus and one eye on the world. The only thing that does is give us double vision.

Following Jesus down the narrow path and through the narrow gate into the Kingdom of Heaven with double vision is more difficult than a drunk trying to stay steady and straight while touching his nose or walking heel-to-toe down the line.

I’ve had double vision ever since junior high, when a linebacker swept his forearm through the ball, unintentionally using his elbow like a pile driver, smashing through my glasses and driving them into the bottom ridge of my right eye socket. The muscle under my right eye was permanently weakened, so it tilts up ever so slightly, just enough to keep my eyes from lining up together in coordinated vision.

You can imagine how disorienting life can be when there’s always a double-image of the things you see. Imagine driving. Imagine trying to pour yourself a glass of tea. It can drive you crazy, not to mention give you a huge, daylong headache.

This is how so many of us try to follow Jesus. We keep one eye on the world and the other on the Kingdom — and that skews everything we see. Our focus is constantly shifting from one image to the other. We stumble along, trying to walk a straight line but instead staggering between what is right and what we think is right. And we call this normal; we call this discipleship.

We were never meant to walk with double vision, and seeing double doesn’t give you a double-focus because — this I know well — you can’t focus on anything when you’re seeing more than one image. By its very nature, double vision is unfocused.

Eventually, double vision corrects itself because your brain chooses one eye over the other — the damaged one. When we aren’t intentional on seeing the whole of reality through the eyes of Jesus, we most likely will default into a damaged view of the world.

When Jesus gives us his eyes, he shows us how citizens of the Kingdom are able to see. He adjusts our vision so that we can see the whole of reality. We can see the Kingdom truth that all things come from Jesus, go through Jesus, and come back to Jesus (Romans 11:36).

Seeing Kingdom reality while living in this world is not about alternating between two pairs of glasses as your circumstances change. It’s more like wearing bifocals. I wear bifocals because my lens correct so I can see far — into eternity. The bifocal allows me to see what is up close while still looking through the larger lens — the Jesus lens. I don’t have one eye on the world and one eye on the Kingdom. I have both eyes “fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end” (Hebrews 12:2 TEV).

Talk About It

• How do you see differently when you intentionally see the people and circumstances around you through the Jesus lens?

• What circumstances have you made a conscious choice to view through the world’s perspective?

by Jon Walker
Used by permission.

This devotional © Copyright 2013 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.

FURTHER READING

Eyes on Jesus

Keep Your Eyes on Jesus

Focus on God’s Majesty

The post The Jesus Lens appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp and Saul would feel better, and the evil spirit would go away” I Samuel 16:23

King Saul had disobeyed God and the spirit of the Lord had left him. Instead, the Lord had sent a tormenting spirit that filled him with depression and fear. As a result, some of Saul’s aides sent for David, who was not only a talented harp player but was handsome, brave and strong and had good, solid judgment. What is more, the Lord was with him.

Every believer experiences warfare between the flesh and the Spirit. As an act of the will, we decide whether we are going to allow the flesh or the Spirit to control our lives. One of the best ways to drive an evil spirit away is to listen to music of praise, worship, and thanksgiving to God. The language of heaven is praise. Listen to music that causes your heart to sing praises to God. Also, saturate your mind with the Word of God. The psalms especially exalt and honor God and express the praise of the psalmist.

I like to begin the day praising God on my knees. During the course of the day, I listen to praise music as well as portions of Scripture that are appropriate and sermons that are helpful.

Are you discouraged, depressed, frustrated? Have problems in your life caused you to feel that God has left you? If so, may I encourage you to begin to praise the Lord. Download music that honours our Lord, that causes your heart to sing and make melody to the Lord, and play it over and over again.

Bible Reading: Psalm 92:1-5

Today’s Action Point:

Today I will make a special point of praising the Lord not only through the reading of psalms but also by listening to music of praise. I will remember that praise is one of the expressions of a life that is lived in the supernatural power of God.

By Dr. Bill Bright
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

The post A Singing Heart appeared first on Thoughts About God.

As I recently prayed about an important decision I needed to make, I remembered there was a time when I didn’t. As a young Christian I didn’t even know that I should.

When I was in my early twenties I moved without even praying about it. I loved God and it was not my intention to go the wrong way, I just had not learned yet that we are to seek God as we make choices and decisions. I just plowed ahead completely tossing all wisdom aside.

I was a young Christian and hadn’t been in my Bible much or heard a lot of teaching and I didn’t know to even pray about choices and decisions. I had not been raised in the church and had not learned these important spiritual lessons.

So, I immaturely quit a job and moved out of state just because I was not satisfied with the status quo. Long story short, that move failed and I quickly ended up back in the same town, but without an apartment, furniture, or job. I had to start over.

But it wasn’t that long until my husband came into the picture and I knew exactly why God brought me back.

When I think about God undoing my bad decision and bringing me back and how He brought my husband across my path by moving him to my town and bringing him to my church – I saw His grace and love for me forged deeply across my heart forever.

Oh, I am grateful He covers us with a lot of tender grace in our youth and that He is patient with us as we learn and grow in the ways of the Lord.

God definitely gained my attention through that experience and how He amazingly worked in my life. It was a significant turning point in my spiritual growth that impacted the deepness of faith I walk in today.

God cares about every detail of our lives and He has a plan that is slowly unfolding through the circumstances we experience. We would be wise to seek Him, and pray and also to trust and wait on Him.

Philippians 4:6-7

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

By Kathy Cheek
Used by Permission

Are you at a place in your life where you want to know Jesus and have him in your life?  You can start a life surrendered to Christ today. This is a sample, simple prayer, but the words are powerful and full of meaning.  If  you truly believe them Christ will enter your life and start you on a wonderful journey. (not always easy, but never alone)

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.

It starts now!

FURTHER READING

Pray, Then Decide

God Knows – Know God

If God Were to Answer Your Phone Call

The post Pray Before You Leap appeared first on Thoughts About God.

For I am the LORD your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isa. 41:13

When anxious, we instinctively reach for the hand of someone we trust, seeking assurance and comfort. This simple act mirrors a profound theological truth: God, who holds the entire world in His hands, personally extends His hand to us. Receive your Father’s promise to hold your hand through these paraphrased scriptures. Allow them to displace your fears and doubts with His assurance.

Even when you stumble, remember that you will not fall, for I, the LORD, am there to uphold you with My hand. So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed or anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. My presence is a constant source of strength and comfort for you (Ps. 37:24, Isa. 41:10).

My hand will guide you, and My right hand will hold you securely. I grant you My shield of victory, and My right hand sustains you. I reach down from heaven to make you great. I widen the path beneath your feet so your ankles do not turn. I reveal to you the wonders of My great love. As you seek refuge in Me from the enemies of your peace and faith, My right hand saves you. You are constantly under My guidance and protection (Ps. 139:10, 18:35-36, 17:7).

I will save you and help you with My right hand, for I rescue those I love. I raise a banner of victory against all attacks. The enemy will recognize that it is My hand, that I, the LORD, have accomplished it (Ps. 60:4-5, 109:27). Because you love Me, I will rescue you. I will protect you, for you acknowledge My name. When you call upon Me, I will answer you. I will be with you in trouble. I will deliver you and honor you. With long life, I will satisfy you and show you My salvation (Ps. 91:14-16). You are a beloved child of Mine, cherished and valued beyond measure.

by Sylvia Gunter
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Be Blessed, Beloved Child

My Beloved Child

You are the Beloved

The post Hold My Hand appeared first on Thoughts About God.

How do we deal with fear? By taking charge of our situation. By doing something instead of nothing. The two servants who invested the money the Master entrusted to them were probably afraid too, but they did something anyway.  If they had any fear at all, it was covered up by their activity. The third servant, however, was overcome with fear and did nothing. He sat on it, and God could do nothing with him because of his inactivity.

Fear rules where inactivity festers. Fear dissipates where activity flourishes.

Remember when the disciples were fearing for their lives on a stormy Sea of Galilee, and Jesus came to them walking on the water? Now they were even more afraid thinking they were seeing a ghost. But as soon as Peter saw that it was Jesus he asked if he could walk out to meet him. Jesus bade him come and for a while Peter too walked on water until he took his focus off of Christ and onto the storm and started sinking, requiring Jesus to reach out and rescue him.

Now compare Peter’s experience with that of the other eleven disciples on the boat. They are sitting there with nothing to do but shake with fear. Peter didn’t have time to worry; he was too busy acting on his faith. He had an idea. He was having an adventure because he chose to get out of the boat and do something. He took charge of the situation and turned it into a story we’re still talking about and learning from today. And even when he did get afraid out there on the water, when he took his eyes off of Jesus and started noticing the waves and the storm, Jesus was right there to rescue him.

Initiation dissipates fear. The “doing” is the best weapon against being afraid, because once we step out of the boat, the adventure begins. The choice is always ours – do nothing and be afraid, or do something and believe.

by John Fischer
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Step into the Deep

Trusting God in Extreme Situations

Nothing to Fear

Deliverance from Fears

The post What To Do With Fear appeared first on Thoughts About God.

The summer between my 3rd and 4th year of university, I worked at Yellowstone National Park.

It was a great summer, full of adventures and new experiences.

On a day off, I had signed up for a day-long class in rock climbing. I was successfully making my way up the side of a mountain when the instructor surprised me with an unexpected challenge when he said,

“I want you to push yourself off and fall on the rope!”

Questioning why he would ask me to do this, I hesitated, and he wisely pointed out that “You will never be a good rock climber until you can trust that the rope will hold you. Push yourself off and fall on the rope.”

I was afraid.

Obviously, my trust was in my ability to use my hands and feet to scale the mountain. The rope was a secondary source of security, in case I slipped (which I did not plan to do!). I eventually did let go of my handholds, and I’m here to tell you that the rope held!

Sometimes God seems to say the same thing to me as my instructor did that day. “Take the step, release your hands on what you are holding and see that I’m trustworthy.” The writer of the Psalms wrote,

“O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the person who takes refuge in Him!” (Psalm 34:8)

Just as I would never be a good rock climber without experiencing that the rope will hold. The same is true of my spiritual life. I will never be a responsive Christ follower if I am unwilling to let go of whatever I am grasping when God says, “Let go, trust me.”

Are you willing to let go of the things that give you security?

We can only experience God’s goodness when we take those, sometimes scary steps that take faith. Do you trust God is able to hold you securely when you let go of the things that provide comfort or security? What step is God asking you to take? Could it be he is asking you to let go of a relationship, finances or a position … A thought that comforts me is God holds the universe together it is likely he can provide all I need to hold life together … Enjoy the adventure!

Question: Do you believe your rope, God, will hold you during tough times?

By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission

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

FURTHER READING

He’s Holding Me

A God Who Never Deserts Us

God is With Us

The post Will the Rope Hold? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

‘And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work” (2 Corinthians 9:8).

Yesterday, God put a song in my mind — a song that I had not sung for quite a while. The first line of the chorus is, “God is bigger than all my problems.” The song reminded me of an e-mail I received from an African woman last week. She has given me permission to share it with you.

“I, Florida Boatman, was born into a Christian home and received Jesus Christ as my Lord and personal Saviour when I was old enough to attend Sunday school. However my relationship with Christ was a very formal one. When I say formal, I mean I saw God as strict and not understanding.

“As a teenager, I found out that I never liked who I was. I had been abused on so many occasions by people and friends I had trusted. I felt like dying because there was no way God would look at me and want me. But I was wrong.

“One day a friend of mine broke my heart when he betrayed my trust by violating my body and then disgraced me by telling everyone about what he had done to me. I felt so much pain that I couldn’t take it anymore. I cried out to God and asked him why it had to happen to me. Even questioning God was a bit unfamiliar to me. Suddenly a memory verse came to my mind, John 15:7. ‘But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted.” Wow!

“Immediately I wrote Him a letter, asking Him for the healing of my heart and rededication of my life to him. Nothing happened instantly, but I woke up the next day feeling new and fresh and happy as never before. My heart was made so whole that I even forgave my friend who betrayed me. Glory be to God.

“My life has changed completely ever since. Now whenever I am faced with a challenge. I don’t sit and cry like I used to, I command it to move in the name of Jesus Christ and it surely does. Now I have no doubt that I am more than a conqueror in Christ. Those around me have also seen this peace and joy in me and ask me about it every day.”

God is bigger than all our problems!

Lord, I thank You that You are much bigger than any of our problems. Amen.  

by Katherine Kehler
used by permission

Are you ready to ask the Holy Spirit to direct your life? Why not pray this simple prayer right now and by faith invite God to fill you with His Spirit:

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

Learn more about how the Holy Spirit can be your helper

FURTHER READING

Jesus is Always There!
How Big is God?
Father God’s Intimate Love Letter to You

The post God is Bigger than All My Problems appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Lately, I’ve found myself complaining about the very things God gave me in answer to my prayers. Too often, I focus on the uncomfortable, zoom in on the uneasy, and plead for something better.

And thanksgiving forgets to rest on my lips.

Without thanksgiving, our God becomes small.

Forgetting to be thankful, we complain. We wallow in the uncomfortable. We forget to focus on God’s goodness.

We wonder why God is no longer the invincible, all-powerful, loving God we’ve seen Him to be so many times before.

When God seems small, we need to remember the exhortation found many times in the Psalms to magnify the Lord.

To “magnify” means to “to increase in significance; to cause to be held in greater esteem; to enlarge.” (Webster’s dictionary)

Our God never changes.

But the greatness of who He is resonates in our hearts and minds the most when we enlarge our thoughts of Him and esteem Him as greater in significance than our petty inconveniences.

The best way to magnify the Lord is to give Him thanks.

Thanking Him turns our minds from the difficult and enlarges our thoughts of the Giver of all good things.

He has done so much for us. When we neglect to give Him thanks, we leave His blessings unnoticed and minimize His greatness.

When God seems small, “magnify Him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:30)

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Magnify the Lord

Consider

All That is Within Me?

The post When God Seems Small appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Give yourself a pat on the back – you’ve done such a great job!”

Ever notice how difficult it is to give yourself a pat on the back?

It takes someone else to do it for us. When we do it ourselves it becomes a self proclamation and is boasting. Scripture tells us…

“Boast no more so very proudly, Do not let arrogance come out of your mouth; For the LORD is a God of knowledge, And with Him actions are weighed. 1 Samuel 2:3

“If we are going to boast then let’s boast about the Lord… My soul will make its boast in the LORD; The humble will hear it and rejoice.” Psalm 34:2

“Heavenly Father please let those who boast – boast in You. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom You commend. Amen.” 2 Corinthians 10:17,18.

by Alec Niemi
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

What Should We Boast About?

Skewed Values

Boast in the Lord

The post Pat on the Back appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” (John 3:17)

It is one of the most quoted and memorized verses in the Bible: John 3:16. “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.” It gives a message for all to hear.

But the next verse is not so often read or memorized. It is like a postscript to the preceding verse, telling us that Jesus came not to condemn, but to save. God’s goal in sending His Son is salvation, not condemnation. John 3:17 means that God’s primary purpose for sending His Son, Jesus, into the world was not to pass judgment and condemn humanity, but to provide a way for the entire world to be saved through Him. This verse explains that salvation is the ultimate goal of Jesus’ mission, offering rescue, healing, and wholeness to all who believe.

God might justly have sent Him for this: to condemn the world. Man deserved condemnation, and it would have been right to have pronounced it; but God was willing that there should be an offer of pardon, and the sentence of condemnation was delayed. But, although Jesus did not come then to condemn mankind, the time is coming when He will return to judge the living and the dead.

Sent by God on a mission to save, Jesus came not to judge, condemn, or pass sentence, but rather to redeem. Jesus came to save—to deliver us from that spiritual death which is common to all men because of Adam’s sin. He sought to make us whole and to preserve us from danger, loss, or destruction. God’s own arm worked this salvation for us.

Remember that God sent Jesus to save you, not condemn you. Verse 17 clarifies that mission, but the requirements of Verse 16 are yours. Have you confessed your sins and believed in Him, that you might have everlasting life?

by John Grant
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Following Jesus

Our Mistakes Do Not Define Us

How do You View God?

The post THE NEXT VERSE appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Since we have such a huge crowd of men of faith watching us from the grandstands, let us strip off anything that hinders, slows us down or holds us back”  Hebrews 12:1

Last month Marianne wrote about an interesting experience she had regarding people watching us. This true story illustrates the importance of a steady uncompromising walk with God. She wrote:

“I was reminded of a day I heard a knock at my front door. When I opened it, there stood our mailman whom I had never seen since our box was down our long driveway. In a trembling voice he asked, ‘Will you pray with me? I know you are a Christian because of the Christian magazines I deliver to your box each month. I need prayer very badly.’”

I stepped outside on the porch and prayed with him, invited him to church and encouraged him to come back when my husband was home.

After he left, I bowed my head and prayed, ‘Father, thank You that our mailman has never had to deliver anything to our mailbox that would reflect badly on our testimony to You. Keep our lives and our mailbox pure from ungodliness, I pray.’”

What a good reminder to realize not only are “men of faith” watching, but also people with weak or no faith. Someone said, “Our life may be the only Bible some people will ever read.” What are they reading in my life and actions today? What are they reading in yours?

Father, we want to glorify You in all we do and say. Thank You that Your Holy Spirit will remind us and give us the strength to walk uncompromisingly with You. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Who is My Behavior Affecting? | by Dr. Henry Brandt

Why is What I Say So Important? | by Dr. Henry Brandt

What Is Your Measuring Stick? | by Dr. Henry Brandt

Words

Lessons from Odd Places: Words that Saved my Life by Mike  Woodard

What is Your Standard for Living?

What are Your Ethical Standards?

The post Your Life is the Only Bible Some People Read appeared first on Thoughts About God.