“Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 (NIV)

Encourage those who are struggling. Don’t know what to say?  Then open your Bible.

To the grief stricken: “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”  Hebrew 13:5 (NIV).

To the guilt ridden:  “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  Romans 8:1(NIV).

To the jobless: “In all things God works for the good of those who love him.” Romans 8:28 (NIV).

To those who feel beyond God’s grace: “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”  John 3:16 (NIV).

Your Bible is a basket of blessings. Won’t you share one?

By Max Lucado
Used with permission
From: A Love Worth Giving

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

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“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 (NASB)

After church, two women giggled at their rare chance of conversation in the midst of their busy lives. One of them paused for a moment and then thought, “Now, I can get this off my chest,” Pushing down guilt, she shared about how one of her friends had treated her badly. The other woman gasped, sipping her coffee in delighted horror at the fascinating details of her friend’s recounting. The ladies bonded over that trial, validating one another’s concerns and pretending for a brief moment that they themselves were never party to such pithy manipulations.

Deep down however, both women felt a tug of something else during that discussion. Joy didn’t permeate their hearts they way it did when they were in right relationship with God. The gossip that had tasted so good at the beginning was hard to swallow. The Holy Spirit inside of them was reminding them that gossip masquerading itself as righteous recounting doesn’t settle well. It ultimately leads to relationship death, not life.

Next time you are confronted with the urge to share some unsavory news about a friend or family member who has mistreated you, ask yourself if this information will be life-giving for the friend you are with, or even life-giving for you to repeat. If we feel we need to talk it out, even after God tells us to make sure our conversation is edifying, consider a more biblical and direct confrontation (see Matthew 18:15-16).

When we disobey Scripture to vent and gossip, we are telling God we don’t trust Him with the outcome of our story. We’re trying to find comfort in something that will never satisfy. Remember God is just — He can be trusted! So if you need to vent to someone, He is always available. It’s never gossip when you’re talking to Him!

Dear God, thank You for reminding me that You have something far better for me than gossip or slander. I trust You know my situation and will help me not to be overshadowed by someone else’s malicious behaviors, intended or not. You won’t let anything get in the way of the dreams You have placed inside of my heart, the things You want for me. I receive that now. You have called me toward a purity of speech, and I want to honor You in that way today and every day. So please help me to take every thought and word captive, and release them to You. Amen.

Thought:  Next time you have a chance to talk with a friend, if and when the urge to gossip presents itself, try to steer conversations to more life-giving topics. If you need to process your situation, consider going to a pastor, counselor, or someone who has no relationship with the person you are in turmoil with. Finally, don’t forget to take it to God, who is always there to listen and to offer the perfect wisdom to you.

By Christa Hardin
used by permission

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“. . . I am gentle and humble . . .” Matthew 11:29

One of the first devotionals in J. I. Packer’s Knowing God Through the Year uses the above verse.

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

My eyes stopped when I read, “gentle and humble.” I began to consider what I read.

Here is the Creator of all things — the God Almighty, the God who knows everything and is all wise, the One who is holy, the Ruler Supreme — telling us that He is gentle and humble, and that we will find rest for our souls if we come to Him.

You would think He would say, “Hey you, don’t you know how important I am? I don’t have time for you, I am too busy.” But He didn’t. He said, “Come to Me.” Wow!

The greatest leader, and He is gentle and humble. How many people do you know who invite you to come to them? How many leaders do you know, who, after they have become powerful, display gentleness and humility?

And then we must ask ourselves the question, “Am I gentle and humble?” Do people feel peaceful in my company?

A gentle spirit  is something we cannot produce in ourselves.  But the Holy Spirit produces “love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness” and much more.   Why not ask the Holy Spirit to be in control of your life from now on and He will change your to be the person you want to be.

Here is a prayer for you:

“Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. 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 now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit.”

If you prayed this prayer we would love to hear from you . If you would like to know God deeper we can connect you with an email mentor and/or send you some great links.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

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“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” Matthew 22:37

Sold as a yearling for a paltry $11,000, ridden by a rookie jockey hardly anyone knew and stuck in an outside post no horse had ever won from – not exactly a blueprint for success at Churchill Downs. I’ll Have Another just didn’t seem to have the goods to win the Kentucky Derby. The winning odds were 15-1.

But with the finish line in sight, the chestnut colt overtook the more favored horse in the final furlong to make a name for himself and his unknown twenty-five year old rider. He stormed out of post No. 19, a position no horse had ever won the race from and never looked back until he crossed the finish line. He went on to win the Preakness and if he wins the Belmont, will become the first Triple Crown winner in thirty-four years.

He was largely a mystery to the record crowd, who didn’t know the horse and jockey had the right stuff until the 20-horse field turned for home. That’s when he, who moved up between horses around the final turn, positioned not far from the rail and set down to run and run he did. Both the horse and his rider gave it their all, their best, their all, their total, their everything.

Jesus quoted the greatest commandment as loving the Lord “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). The whole of who you are is the best you can give Him. To give Him only a part of yourself is to fall short of loving Him as He deserves. Use not only your spiritual gifts but also your personality, heart passions and experience and strength along with your walk with God, presenting yourself as a living sacrifice to Him.

Throughout the Old Testament we read of the Israelites giving God the first fruits and the best of the flock. We serve the same God. He is still worthy of the first and best of our time, efforts, and resources. To give Him leftover or misdirected time and energy is to fall short of giving Him the place in your life He deserves. Focus on what you do best, giving that your primary effort.

To give Him a half-hearted or sloppy effort is to fall short of glorifying Him as He deserves. Serve where you will be most effective, doing it in the name and power of the Lord Jesus.

Question: Are you willing to give God your best, your first, your total, your all?

by John Grant
used by permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”  Psalm 32:7

Thought

Out of the attacks of evil come the victories of God and the victory chants of God’s people. Let’s find our strength and protection in our holy God! Let’s make God our hiding place, our source of security, and our hope in times of trouble.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the confidence I have in your power and your might to deliver me from every attack of the evil one. You are worthy of all glory, honor, power, and praise. In the name of your Son and my Lord, Jesus Christ, I thank you for deliverance and praise you for you might. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

From: Phil’s daily devotionals on https://www.verseoftheday.com

The post Hiding Place appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Hebrews 13:20,21

Hebrews is a rich book that elevates Jesus as the One who is superior over all, who is to be trusted wholeheartedly and followed faithfully. His once and for all sacrifice is a permanent, gracious offer of forgiveness. He will never abandon us, and he is worthy of our full allegiance. He is the ultimate revelation of God’s love.

The revelation and the challenges of Hebrews culminate in this blessing from the writer. He asks that this God of peace — this One who made an eternal covenant of commitment and promise through Jesus’ death and resurrection and who is the supreme Shepherd of all who follow him — equip us with everything needed to do his will.

This God who is supreme over all, who paid the ultimate price, who sealed the covenant with his own blood, is now alive and able to shepherd us. He is the One who is able and willing to equip us with everything good for doing his will. He aligns our lives with his and works within our character to shape us. All this is done through Jesus Christ.

Will you ask him to equip you with everything good for doing his will? Will you invite him to work within you what is pleasing to him? Will you rely on Jesus Christ and remain faithful to him?

May all glory for our lives point to him for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus, you are supreme over all. You are the One deserving of my wholehearted devotion and I want all glory for my life to be given to you. Please equip me with everything good for doing your will. Align my heart with yours. I invite you to work within me whatever is pleasing to you. I rely on your power to change me. For your glory and honor! Amen!

By Donna Mitchell
Used by Permission

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“For all the animals of the forest are mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird on the mountains and all the animals of the field are mine.”  Psalm 50.10-11

When I pray, do I pray as if my God owns the cattle on a thousand hills?  Or more like He has a few coins in his pocket He can give me?  Do I really believe my God is resource rich or hopelessly poor?

If you were to hear my prayers you might think the latter.

I find myself praying hesitantly, crossing my fingers and hoping that God will answer.  I don’t ask for too much and I rarely step out in faith believing He will answer.  It isn’t really that I don’t believe God can do what I’m asking but more will He do it?  But, is this just an excuse so that I don’t look like a fool when God doesn’t come through for me?  I wonder . . .

How does God wish I would pray?  What is His heart’s desire?

I confess my tendency to put God in a box.  I want Him Small. Convenient. Controllable.  I want Him to wipe away my tears, love me unconditionally and soften the jagged edges of my life.  I don’t want Him to ask me to do something that makes me uncomfortable, or to go someplace I have no desire to go or put me out on a limb that might very well break!

But is that really what I want?  A God who is safe, mediocre and blasé?

I wonder . . . Would that God have even bothered to send His only Son to die for me so that I could have eternal life, true life?

It’s time to let God out of the box!

God is bigger than I will ever understand.  Greater than I can ever imagine and more powerful than a locomotive!  He’s my true Superhero!  So what is keeping me from praying Superhero prayers?

When I believe little, my prayers are little and God answers little.  When I believe BIG, my prayers are BIG and my God answers BIG.

My God owns the cattle on a thousand hills.  He knows every hair on my head.  He hung the stars in space and calls them each by name.  He formed the dry land with a word.  He tells the wind where to blow.  He never slumbers or sleeps.  He dresses the flowers and knows every bird.  He is intimately acquainted with all my ways.

God is out of my box!

Lord, I’m sorry for making you small.  You are so much more! . . . I want to spend the rest of my life discovering Your greatness.  Today, I’m letting You out of the box that I placed You in.  I want to believe Big because You are Big.  Teach me. I’m Yours. Amen.

by Kristi Huseby
Used by permission

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“Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight.”    Isaiah 5:20-21

Man has had a curious fascination with evil from the beginning. In Genesis 3, Adam and Eve had a full knowledge of goodness because they had a very close relationship with the all-good God. Goodness was written on their hearts and they had never sinned.

Eve believed the lie from Satan that evil would not harm them and that God was keeping something good from them. And so, she took of the fruit and offered it to Adam, who also ate it. Immediately, they entered the realm of evil. They came face to face with God who alone is Goodness. Nothing would ever be the same for them.

Who are you, a human with a sinful nature, to think you can draw near to evil and not be affected by it? How can you feel safe being anywhere near it? Look closely at Adam and Eve in their perfection before they disobeyed God. Ponder the outcome for the devil as he fell in his pride as described in Isaiah 14:12-15.

Where will your end be if you seek after evil? You were taught differently when you came to Him and your understanding isn’t darkened anymore by the lie that He is keeping you from something good.

Father, we pray that you would deliver us from evil. Thank you for the Holy Spirit who helps us in our weakness. Give us help in the hour of testing to put all our trust in you alone. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

 By Rich Vega
Used by Permission

Rich also write for :  www.thelife.com/dailydevotions

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“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. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”  James 3:17-18

Thoughts on Today’s verse

Now I know why righteousness is so hard to find: there aren’t many sowers! Heavenly wisdom is full of sacrificial earthly action. That’s a powerful reminder to me that wisdom is not what you know but what you sow!

Prayer:

Holy and Wise Father, thank you for demonstrating purity, peace making, consideration, submissiveness, mercy, good fruit, impartiality, and sincerity in Jesus. I ask for the power and the courage to demonstrate those qualities this week as I seek to live more like him. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

by Phil Ware
Used by Permission

From: https://www.verseoftheday.com

The post Heavenly Wisdom appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity.” Psalm 94:12-13 (AMP)

As I take a look at our key scripture, I am reminded of God’s love for us.

We are truly fortunate to have a Father that disciplines and instructs us. It is our job to be teachable and make sure we are paying attention.

This verse also stresses that the Lord gives us power to keep ourselves calm in the days of adversity. I believe it is a direct result of what we learn from the wisdom God gives in His Word. It is good to know that our God is strategic. Everything He does has purpose.  Nothing that we encounter surprises Him. He uses the hardships of our journey to mold us into a vessel that is pleasing to Him.

When you are faced with difficult issues take time to consult the Word of God. It is through His word that we find the ammunition that is needed to keep us firmly planted as the pressures of life mount. My prayer for you today is that you will begin to desire the sincere milk of the Word. Allow it to strengthen you in your everyday walk. Be teachable as the Lord to trains and instructs you in the way that you should go. It will be well with you.

Father your word teaches us that we can trust you in our daily lives. I pray that we will take the time needed to learn the lessons that you are teaching us. I pray that we will be students of your word, desiring your word as our necessary food. Amen.

How do you handle life’s difficult issues?

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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There are two things I’ve been telling myself a lot lately…

* You’re stronger than you feel.
* You don’t have to have everything figured out right now.

I’ve never really had a mantra, but maybe now I do because I can tell you these two sentences have helped me breathe a little easier.

Not because of anything I’ve tried to do, but because of what I know God can do.

On those really rough days when I feel like everything might cave in on me, I remind myself that how I feel can’t always be trusted.

How I feel and what I know to be true don’t always line up.

I might feel weak, but I know God is strong.

When I feel defeated, I know God is never defeated.

“He never grows weak or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless.” Isaiah 40:28b-29 NLT

I’m stronger than I feel because God’s strength never runs out.

How I feel depends on what I can see and what I know, but God knows what I don’t. He’s not surprised by events or taken off guard. He knows what’s coming next. He sees it all.

I’m stronger than I feel because God is in control. Every day. All the time. Which means I don’t have to have it all figured out. And what a relief that is because no matter how hard I try, I just can’t.

But God can. He is in the details. No matter how big or small, God knows every bit of His plans.

When I don’t see any possible way, God knows the way.

What looks impossible to me is never impossible for God.

He weaves all the details of life together in ways we can’t imagine or understand. But in ways that astound us and leave us in awe.

I don’t have to have everything figured out before I take the next step because God does have it figured out. He knows where He’s leading me. I just have to follow.

I’m stronger than I feel because God is stronger than I could ever be. And I don’t have to figure it all out because He already has it figured out. Down to the very last detail.

His plan. His way. And His peace that passes all understanding.

“The Lord gives his people strength.
The Lord blesses them with peace.”
Psalms 29:11 NLT

By Laura Rath
used by Permission

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The problem is not that God hasn’t spoken but that we haven’t listened.

Imagine your reaction if I were to take a telephone book, open it up, and proclaim, I have found a list of everyone who’s on welfare! Or what if I said, Here is a list of college graduates! Or, This book will tell us who has a red car. You’d probably say, “Now wait a minute, that’s not the purpose of that book. You’re holding a telephone book. Its purpose is simply to reveal the name and number of residents of a city during a certain time frame.”

Only by understanding its purpose can I accurately use the telephone book. Only by understanding its purpose can I accurately use the Bible!

The purpose of the Bible is simply to proclaim God’s plan to save his children. It asserts that man is lost and needs to be saved. And it communicates the message that Jesus is the God in the flesh sent to save his children.

Though the Bible was written over sixteen centuries by at least forty authors, it has one central theme – salvation through faith in Christ. Begun by Moses in the lonely desert of Arabia and finished by John on the lonely Isle of Patmos, it is held together by a strong thread: God’s passion and God’s plan to save his children.

What a vital truth! Understanding the purpose of the Bible is like setting the compass in the right direction. Calibrate it correctly and you’ll journey safely. But fail to set it, and who knows where you’ll end up.

What do you Want?

By Max Lucado
From: Let the Journey Begin: God’s Road map for New Beginnings
Used by permission.

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

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