Is there a difference?

I think “being smart” often relies on our own cognitive abilities.

“He sure is smart.”

“That was a smart solution you came up with.”

“What a smart thing to do!”

We tap into our own knowledge, be it through reading, studying or experiences.

When we are being wise, we rely on someone or something other than our own storehouse of knowledge to inform us, knowing our own limitations. That takes humility but also discernment.

The Apostle James wrote: “But 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.” James 3:17

The more we embrace the wonder of God, the more we realize how inadequate we are without His guidance in our lives. Smartness relies on what you already have stored in your brain. Wisdom constantly seeks to learn, embrace and use knowledge from an outside source. For the believer, that source is our Lord.

It is good to be smart, whether from the street or from books. But how much better to gain wisdom from the One who created the universe and expressed complete love on the cross!

Lord of all wisdom, increase our desire to know You, to emulate You and to turn to You when we just do not understand. 

Thought: What situation or problem today is beyond your ability to figure out? Bring it before God in prayer. Ask for His wisdom.

By Julie Cosgrove
Used by Permission

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The post Being Smart or Being Wise appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And [Jesus] did not permit him but said to him, ‘Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marvelled.”  Mark 5:19-20

The place held a lot of bad memories for him. Leaving town to start a new life somewhere else would be so much easier than staying. Everyone in the area knew about him, had seen him naked. The people had shackled him with chains and watched how, in a crazed frenzy, he’d wrenched himself free and broken his bonds in pieces. He had made his home among the tombs because only the dead could tolerate him. How many people had he hurt when the voices controlled him? No wonder people feared and avoided him.

So, after Jesus had healed him, the man previously possessed by a legion of evil spirits (Mark 5:1-20), begged Jesus to let him go with him. But Jesus said no.

You see, the miracle terrified the local people. They begged Jesus to leave. So, Jesus told the restored man to stay. Jesus instructed him to go and tell his story — how God had healed him — to everyone who knew him. He wanted the man to explain his transformed life and tell how God had mercy on him.

The man obeyed Jesus. He freely shared his shameful past, God’s great mercy, and Jesus’ incredible healing power. Everyone who heard his story marvelled.

God wants to use your story too, no matter how much pain it involves. Tell how the Almighty God freed you from your bad behavior, the anger that controlled you, or your feelings of inadequacy.

Go — by God’s power — and live differently among the people who know you.

Thank you, Lord God, for having mercy on me and saving me. May your Holy Spirit make me bold in telling everyone what you have done for me. Amen.

By Suzanne Benner
Used by Permission

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“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved” Mark 16:16

The pastor asked the inhabitants of the island how someone could be saved.

An old man replied, “We will be saved if we repent, and forsake our sins, and turn to God.”

“Yes,” said a middle-aged female, “and with a true heart too.”

“I agree,” answered a third, “and with prayer.” And, added a fourth, “It must be the prayer from the heart.”

“And we must be diligent too,” said a fifth, “and keep the commandments.”

After each had contributed to the discussion, they felt that a decent creed had been compiled. They all turned and waited for the pastor’s approval. But instead, they had aroused deep pity in his heart.

The worldly mind always tries to map out a way we can do works and become great, but the Lord’s way is just the opposite. Believing and being baptized aren’t deeds to be gloried in. They are so simple that boasting is impossible, and God deserves all the praise for the free grace He has given.

To believe is simply to trust, to depend, to rely on Christ Jesus. To be baptized is to submit to the ordinance which our Lord fulfilled at Jordan, to which the earliest believers submitted at Pentecost, and to which the jailer obeyed the night of his conversion. The outward sign of baptism does not save, but it encompasses our death, burial, and resurrection with Jesus, and, like the Lord’s Supper, shouldn’t be neglected.

It may be that you are unsaved. What is the reason? Do you think Jesus’ singular path of salvation is unclear? But how can that be when God has given us His own word and His assurance of its clarity? Do you think it is too easy? Why, then, do you not accept and embrace it? Its ease leaves those who choose to neglect it without excuse.

If you are not a believer, then remember there is only one door, and if you will not enter by it you will perish in your sins. But if you do believe in Jesus, then my dear friend, dismiss your fears, for you will surely be saved.

Question: Do we sometimes put too much confidence in our own good works? How can we begin to focus more on God?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon,
Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2009.
used by permission

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Who’s Rights vs. What’s Right

In this country we are consumed with rights. Depending on who you listen to, an unborn child should have a “right” to live, or a woman should have a “right” to an abortion. In the media you will hear people who passionately believe they are right to fight for their rights, destroying others in the process. They speak in angry words against those who don’t agree with them. To be on the right side of moral issues with an angry spirit is also a sin.

Unfortunately, this attitude is also found in our churches, our families, and our own hearts. It is easy to get caught up in who’s right instead of what’s right. When we focus on who’s right, our motivation is proving my point, justifying my opinion, proving someone wrong, correcting someone, being vindicated. Do any of these motivations honor God? In a word, no.

When we focus on what’s right, we can graciously stand for truth and do so with the heart of the Father. God wants all men to be reconciled (Matthew 5:23-26, 18:15-17). So whether it is a political issue or that argument you had with your spouse, God calls us to surrender our “rights” and to pursue what is right, which is reconciliation. God will give us opportunities to choose what’s right versus who’s right, as He continues to mold us to be more like Himself.

Why choose what’s right?

For Jesus’ sake: Because I love Jesus and want to obey his prayer for unity in John 17, I will do everything He commands to be reconciled with those He loves. I choose to pursue oneness with all for whom He died. If the cross unites us, let nothing else separate us. John 3:16, 14:15, 21, 23-24; 15:9-14, 17:21-23.

For the Father’s sake: Because I love my Father and do not want to grieve His heart of love for His children, I will do everything I can to be in harmony with all His children. Relationship in His family and love for His children is more important to God than my position on anything not essential to salvation. Our heavenly Father is best able to correct His own children. 1 John 5:1-3, Matthew 5:9, 2 Corinthians 5:18-21.

For the Spirit’s sake: I do not want to hinder the Holy Spirit by any sinful attitude of anger, unforgiveness, or disunity. Ephesians 4:29-32, Isaiah 66:1-2, 32:15a, 17-18; 1 John 4:11-12.

For my sake: Because I want the grace and peace of God to reign in my life, I choose not to harbor bitterness or judgment. An unresolved offense hinders my worship and fellowship with God. I choose to let this situation be God’s instrument to train me in grace and righteousness. Hebrews 12:14- 15, Matthew 5:23-24, 5:7, 7:1-2; James 2:13, Romans 14:1, 10-13; 15:1.

For the sake of the church: Because I want the church to be a positive reflection of Jesus, I bring my opinions to the cross. I choose unbroken fellowship in His church because disunity dishonors the name of Jesus and brings reproach on the witness of the church to a lost world. John 17:21- 23, Ephesians 4:1-6, Galatians 2:20.

For the glory of God: Is anything worth forfeiting the glory of God in my life and in His church? No obedience is too costly, too humbling, or too hard, because I want His glory, power, presence, and blessing more than my personal agenda. Romans 15:5-7, John 17:24-26.

Pray that the Holy Spirit will show you the Father’s heart. Obey Him, no matter the cost. May Jesus be glorified as you seek to be reconciled with all your brothers and sisters in Christ.

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission

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I watched the sunset tonight.

You know what thought never crossed my mind?

That it wouldn’t rise again in the morning.

I’m not going to wake up tomorrow and find the sky as black as it is now.

The sun will rise again.

It always does.

The Psalmist once said: “My soul waits for the Lord more than they that watch for the morning—yes, more than they that watch for the morning.” (Psalm 130:6)

His soul waited on his God more than those who were sure that the morning would come.

We have no doubt the sun will rise tomorrow.

We can wait in expectation on the Lord even more than that.
We can be even more assured that our God will come through for us.
We can hope in Him that much.

The sun will rise again tomorrow.

I can say that with full assurance. Because it always does.

Our God will come through for us.

I can say that with even more assurance.

Because our God is more faithful than even the times and the seasons coming and going.

His ways are not as predictable as the sun rising and setting.

But His faithfulness is.

“His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning.
Great is Your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22,23)

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

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“When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality.”  Romans 12:13 NLT

I used to feel like a prisoner locked inside my own world not knowing how to escape. Have you been here? Have you noticed that it is hard to talk to others around you about you? I consider myself a very private person. It was always hard for me to open up and share with others how I was really doing.

Over the years I have seen so many people betrayed because they shared intimate details about their lives with others they felt could be trusted. I knew at that point I didn’t want to be in that place having to suffer the embarrassment and the pain they experienced. Out of my own need God birthed a desire in me to become a safe place for others to heal.

We all need someone. We all need an outlet. We were never meant to be an island isolated from everyone else. It was never God’s plan for man to be alone. It is so freeing to be able to know that we have people in our corner that are genuinely concerned about us and our well-being. If you find yourself where I once was, ask God to lead you to the person you can be open with. Someone that has His heart for you. It may be a trusted friend, counselor, or pastor. Once you begin getting the help you need, will you also consider becoming a safe place for others to lean?

Lord, I often find myself drifting back into isolation out of fear of being hurt again. I ask that you lead me to the safe place of healing that is available for me. I ask that you teach me who to trust with my innermost thoughts. I pray that even as You heal me that I too will become a safe place for others to heal.

Thought:  Make a list of people you know that you consider a safe place. Then pray and ask God to lead you to who maybe the best for you to open your heart to. As you begin to sort through all of this, journaling is another form of unloading our hearts.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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The post We All Need Somebody appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.”  1 Thessalonians 5:14

There are hurting people everywhere, but at times we just don’t know what to say or do to ease their pain. Here are six practical ways to bear someone else’s burden.

1. Be there. At times the best “method” of helping is simply to be present. During our darkest hours, we don’t need someone who tries in vain to fix everything; we just need a friend.

2. Listen. Don’t attempt to give answers or tell people what to do next. Injured souls frequently want simply a listening ear so they can express what’s on their mind.

3. Share. Never parade yourself as someone who has all the answers. Instead, allow your own pain and failures to help others.

4. Pray. There is power in speaking people’s names before the Lord. When they hear someone talk to Jesus on their behalf, healing often starts taking place.

5. Give. Sometimes helping others involves more than a handshake or warm hug. Maybe they need something financial or material. One of the best measures of sincerity is how much we’re willing to give to others.

6. Substitute. You may know an individual who bears the burden of caring for someone else. If you step in and take his or her place for a while, you are emulating your Savior–He, too, was a substitute.

Because we were unable to do it ourselves, Jesus bore all of our sin and sorrow, even unto death. As a result, we can live happily and eternally in communion with our Father. If Christ did that for us, how can we ever say, “I’m too busy to bear someone else’s burden“?

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission
https://www.intouch.org/

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“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”  Ephesians 2:10

Do you yearn to live a life of significance? During a season of vocational and spiritual discontent, I silently prayed, “Surely there’s more to life than this…” A relentless restlessness resonated in my soul. Initially, I ignored my uneasiness, because I was comfortable with life as usual, but internally, I felt unfulfilled and empty. So I started asking God to help me discover a dynamic and thriving faith.

By divine design, God has integrated an insatiable desire for significance into our spiritual DNA. Often, we try to fulfill this yearning by prioritizing fame, fortune, or other temporal treasures and pleasures, which may appear to satiate us temporarily. However, the aching emptiness persists and reverberates in our souls.

Paul reminds us that God created us anew to live a life of selfless significance – a life of good works that God prepared in advance – a life that fully and faithfully shares and reflects Him. Paul, Luke, and others practiced occupations while prioritizing sharing the gospel in word and deed.

Are you seeking soul significance? I rediscovered soul significance while serving on a community outreach team. God challenged me to transcend cultural and occupational obligations and expectations and to faithfully share Him with the community. Whether you are a preacher, physician, poet, or plumber, God has redeemed you to experience a thriving and dynamic faith journey – a journey that reflects eternal significance and influence.

It is only when we fully realize our value and potential in Him and surrender to His direction and influence that the aching restlessness subsides and we begin to live with abiding joy and satisfaction.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for creating me anew in Christ Jesus. Help me to reevaluate my priorities and to discover and embrace the good works you have planned for me. Open opportunities for me to reflect my faith with those in my community. Enable me to experience a thriving and dynamic faith through selfless service. Amen.

By Allan Mitchell
Used by permission

Allan also writes for https://www.thelife.com/dailydevotions

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“(The Lord) satisfies your desires with good things…” Psalm 103:4

Cooking in the Western world has changed dramatically. My mother would rise early Sunday mornings to begin preparations for the dinner that would await us after church. Browning the meat to cook slowly in the oven, peeling potatoes that would quickly come to a boil upon our return.

I yet take pleasure from experimenting with new recipes—how will taste buds be titillated with the addition of curry? Will a pinch of saffron give rice an entirely new face?

In addition to this somewhat adventurous aspect of cooking, I enjoy the cooking equipment I own. Although it took a long time for my conversion to microwave benefits, I now regularly use this scientific advancement. When the day has been long and the schedule crowded, I am thankful that I can quickly heat up a bit of sauce to pour over pasta. The vitamins remain and hungry people are satisfied.

On the opposite end of the spectrum is the crockpot. This is an appliance that slowly—very slowly and safely—cooks foods. Before heading out to the day’s responsibilities, I can place meat and vegetables or soup ingredients into the crockpot, set the timer for six hours, and return to a complete and healthy meal.

Microwaves are great utensils for satisfying an immediate need. They are generally small and easy to clean. Crockpots, on the other hand, are somewhat hefty and even awkward. Cooking in them necessitates planning. But coming home at the end of a long day, weary from battles with commerce or classrooms, inhaling the aroma of deliciously prepared food can lift the spirits.

In today’s microwave world, we often expect Christian growth to happen similarly, but spiritual formation just doesn’t happen on a three-minutes-a-day schedule. Tuning out the world, sitting quietly to hear God, absorbing words and thoughts from scripture may not take the crockpot six hours, but it will take as much extended time as we can possibly give. Re-heated leftovers are sufficient occasionally, but only the food—both physical and spiritual—that has been carefully planned, seasoned with attention and cooked through and through satisfies completely.

by Marilyn Ehle
used by permission

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Hear the Word of God in Genesis 1:1,3-4. “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.”

Hear the sound of God’s voice that continually speaks his creative power in you and to you. Listen to James 1:17. “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” Be blessed in the light of your Father’s face. Be blessed in his good gifts of mercy and peace. Be blessed in his unchanging intention toward you. Look and see him gazing at you in rapt attention. Receive his download from the light of his eyes. Receive long gazes from the light of his countenance. Let your Abba transcend your wounds–spiritual, emotional, and physical– and any scar tissue which has formed there. His grace and blessing are in the light of his face toward you (Psalm 67:1).

Join the psalmist’s request in Psalm 31:16. “Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.” Receive the unfailing love of your Father in the light of his eyes. You are your Father’s precious one. You are his, you belong to his family of light. He turned you from darkness into his kingdom of light for a place in his inheritance in light (Colossians 1:12-13; Acts 26:18). He is your Lord, and you are who you are because you are in him. You have value, worth, belonging, and abundant acceptance. He cherishes your company. You are blessed to see his name Jehovah-Nissi, Banner of the Lord, over you as a canopy of love. You are blessed to see that he makes beauty for ashes out of the darkest things, as he moves on the face of the turmoil of your life and speaks light in you.

Listen to Psalm 36:9. “In your light we see light.” Receive the light of his heart toward you. The light of his face shines on you. Receive it because you are in Christ, in his cross, his resurrection, and his ascension to the right hand of the Father, and you are seated in him there. Rest there at his strong right hand and feel his strength as his light rises in you and consumes all darkness. Claim that light, and Christ in you, the hope of glory, will shine. Receive his light that lights your way. Receive the light of his flame of correction, burning away the chaff. Receive his purifying light with joy. Receive his light that warms all coldness.

God lifts you up and holds you, everything you love, everybody you love, and your future. He is holding you near in his arms of love. He has invested gifts of love in you all along. God will stir up all the gifts and graces he has placed in you for the right season. He will redeem every blessing with your name on it.

Receive his blessing in continuous moments of stewardship of life in the light of his face.

“The Lord bless you and kee you; The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace”  (Numbers 6:24-26).

Be blessed in the name of One who said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3).

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission

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Embrace it. Accept it. Don’t resist it. Change is not only a part of life; change is a necessary part of God’s strategy. To use us to change the world, he alters our assignments. Gideon: from farmer to general; Mary: from peasant girl to the mother of Christ; Paul: from local rabbi to world evangelist. God transitioned Joseph from a baby brother to an Egyptian prince. He changed David from a shepherd to a king. Peter wanted to fish the Sea of Galilee. God called him to lead the first church. God makes reassignments.

But, someone might ask, what about the tragic changes God permits? Some seasons make no sense – do such moments serve a purpose?

They do if we see them from an eternal perspective. What makes no sense in this life will make perfect sense in the next. I have proof: you in the womb.

I know you don’t remember this prenatal season, so let me remind you what happened during it. Every gestation day equipped you for your earthly life. Your bones solidified, your eyes developed, the umbilical cord transported nutrients into your growing frame – for what reason? So you might remain enwombed? Quite the contrary. Womb time equipped you for earth time, suited you up for your postpartum existence.

Some prenatal features went unused before birth. You grew a nose but didn’t breathe. Eyes developed, but could you see? Your tongue, toenails, and crop of hair served no function in your mother’s belly. But aren’t you glad you have them now?

Certain chapters in this life seem so unnecessary, like nostrils on the pre-born. Suffering. Loneliness. Disease. Holocausts. Martyrdom. Monsoons. If we assume this world exists just for happiness, these atrocities disqualify it from doing so. But what if this earth is the womb? Might these challenges, severe as they may be, serve to prepare us, equip us for the world to come? As Paul wrote, “These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing.”  2 Corinthians 4:17 (CEV).

By Max Lucado
From:  Fearless
Used by permission

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

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When life falls apart, what do you do?

All of us face hard circumstances—and some of these are very painful situations that last a long time. Unless we have a purposeful focus, joy can fade and hope may seem unattainable.

King David experienced extreme hardships, including the grief of losing both a child and a best friend. He also endured Saul’s attempts to kill him and, later on, a rebellion led by his own son. But even in hard times, David found hope and peace in God.

Why was David able to trust in the Lord? Because he knew how to meditate. That is, he focused his mind and spirit on God’s character, ways, and will in order to know the Lord better and obey Him.

What do you think about during the day? Do you set aside time to dwell solely on Jesus? Remind yourself periodically to bring your attention back to the Creator—one way to do this is to read several psalms and notice how the author refocuses on almighty God.

By continually focusing on God, David found peace in the midst of turmoil. We would be wise to follow his example. During times of difficulty, set your eyes on the Father and meditate on His Word.

Psalm 145:1-21

I will ^]extol You, my God, O King; And I will bless Your name forever and ever. ² Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. ³ Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised;
And His greatness is ^]unsearchable.

⁴ One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts. ^{5 ]}I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And^]on Your wondrous works. ⁶ Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness. ⁷ They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness. ⁸ The Lord is gracious and full of compassion,
Slow to anger and great in mercy. ⁹ The Lord is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works. ¹⁰ All Your works shall praise You, O Lord, And Your saints shall bless You. ¹¹ They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power, ¹² To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom. ¹³ Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all ^]generations.

¹⁴ The Lord upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down. ¹⁵ The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season. ¹⁶ You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.

¹⁷ The Lord is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works. ¹⁸ The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth. ¹⁹ He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them. ²⁰ The Lord preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy. ²¹ My mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord,  And all flesh shall bless His holy name
Forever and ever.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission

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