You have been given a promise and a gift by Jesus. YOU have been given this gift.  It’s the gift of peace. Do you want more peace in your heart?

The peace Jesus gives is unlike anything the world calls peace. It is peace IN the turmoil of day-to-day living. It is a peace that steadies you and a calm that encases you even with life is not calm around you.

“Peace I leave with You, My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” John 14:27

Jesus told His followers that after He returned to Heaven God the Father would send them the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, who would teach them all things and remind them of everything Jesus had said.

Jesus knew that His followers would need a Helper, an Encourager and a Comforter to keep them sharp in their faith and to fill them with this peace. He knew that they, and eventually us, you and I, would need to be reminded of the things Jesus taught and of the peace that He has for us.

He gives us one instruction as He promises this peace. He tells us,

“Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

“Do not let ….” Here again it sounds like we have a choice to make … and we do. We can choose to ask the Holy Spirit to fill us with this peace and we can choose to remember all Jesus taught us about living in His strength.  We choose. Faith and fear cannot occupy the same space nor can peace and turmoil occupy the same place in our hearts.

A number of years ago a dear friend of mine received some challenging news about her health. She ran to the Lord and asked the Holy Spirit to fill her with peace. Daily she traded in the fear that came to rob her and daily she received the peace that the world could not understand. Her doctor even told her she was in denial. Yet she wasn’t. She was simply living in the promise of peace that has been given to each of us as Jesus’ followers. And the world cannot grasp this kind of peace.

Today if peace is short in your heart and mind remember that it has been given to you by Jesus. His Holy Spirit is there to remind you and to teach you how to live in that peace. Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with it.

When fear comes to nibble at your heart or rush through your door to trouble you – stop and remember that you can make a choice ….

“Do not let your heart be troubled and do not be afraid.”

Though the trouble may remain the peace of Jesus and the help of the Holy Spirit pouring peace over your heart, will carry you through.

Prayer: Father God, Today I need the help of the Holy Spirit in allowing Your peace to fill my heart and soul and mind. May I not live in turmoil but choose to trade in my fear and my troubled heart for Your amazing peace and strength. It’s a gift I receive from You by the power of Your Holy Spirit. In the strong name of Jesus I pray, amen.

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

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In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says,

“Come to me, all you who are weary and I will give you rest.”

You’ve been there. You’re turned your back on the noise and sought his voice. You’ve stepped away from the masses and followed the Master as he led you up the winding path to the summit. His summit. Clean air. Clear view. Crisp breeze. The roar of the marketplace is down there, and the perspective of the peak is up here. Gently he invited you to sit on the rock and look out with him at the ancient peaks that will never erode.

Just remember, he says, you’ll go nowhere tomorrow that I haven’t already been. Truth will still triumph. Death will still die. The victory is still yours. And delight is one decision away — seize it! Joy begins by breathing deep up there before you go crazy down here!

By Max Lucado
Used by permission

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

From: The Applause of Heaven

FURTHER READING

Fullness of Joy

What God Already Gave – JOY

Count it All Joy

Feature Photo credit: Michael Knapek https://www.flickr.com/photos/50390668@N04
Some Rights Reserved  https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

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“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”  Philippians 3:13-14 NLT

Do you struggle with regret?  

If yes, then you are not alone.

Throughout my life, often because of action or inaction, decision, or indecision — both trivial and crucial, I have experienced regret.

Regret is a common human emotion or feeling with variable intensity. Nobody is exempt from experiencing regret at some point in life. However, when we allow regret to illegitimately consume us, it births and breeds unwarranted shame and guilt and inescapably paralyzes our faith walk. Inevitably, we waste our sorrow on past outcomes — we often cannot change.

Scripture conveys many instances of human regret. Paul reflected on his former self, Saul, and how he zealously prosecuted, ravaged, and condemned many Jesus followers. Although we cannot know Paul’s inner thoughts, we can imagine the turmoil of personal regret. In Philippians, Paul implored his readers to keep a healthy perspective. Paul, undeterred by his own sordid past and maybe not allowing regret to consume him, resolved to persevere through by focusing on God’s call, glory, and prize.

Regretting sin is healthy, but, as Christ-followers, we cannot allow life regret to paralyze our faith walk. We need to allow our regrets to be our tutor, so we learn from life’s mistakes. Then we can confess our sins and be reconciled. Like Paul, we can embrace regret as an opportunity to reassess our perspective.

Do you dwell on your past regrets? Don’t waste your sorrows dwelling on the past – especially past outcomes you often have no power to change.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your unending grace. Protect me from my own understanding and limited perspective. Help me to tell the difference between sin and common life mistakes. Help me not dwell in the past by living life through a rear-view mirror, but helping me to focus on life’s road ahead by seeing and living life from a kingdom perspective, embracing your call and pressing on. Amen.

By Alan Mitchell
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• God’s Plan – A Study on God’s Destiny for Me?
• How to Spend a Day With the Lord
• Hearing God’s Voice – a Study by Charles Stanley

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

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“One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 3:13-14

Grief is more than losing a loved one. We grieve the loss of anything that was important to us, including a home, a career, or our health. In the space of a few months, I lost my mother, then my music career, my home of 24 years, and what was left of my health. I had to move from a small town where I knew everyone to a large city where no one knew me or cared that I could no longer play the flute and piccolo in a symphony because I didn’t have the breath or the stamina. Nor would they know the places I held in my heart so fondly, or meet the loving parents I was privileged to live close to for so long.

During the dark months that followed these devastating losses, God patiently taught me not to look back. My previous life was gone forever. Now I look forward, toward the end of my journey and what awaits there, where my focus should have been all along. Nothing we do or have in this life lasts forever; only our soul is eternal.

If we keep that one truth in mind, it will keep us from looking back with regret. That way we can eagerly press forward toward the finish line.

Don’t let grief stagnate you. The best is yet to come. Believe it.

Lord, forgive me for looking back with longing at the past instead of keeping my eyes on the finish line. Give me the strength and discipline to persevere in my walk with you, until my very last step. Amen.

By Katy Huth Jones
Used by Permission

RELATED READING

Are You Done Yet, Lord?

Death and Humility

When Death Becomes Birth

Oh Death, Where is Your Sting?

Heavens “Whoever” Policy

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“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  1 Thessalonians 5:18

Trust in the Lord’s Providence!

Our daughter alerted us a few weeks in advance whenever she needed us to watch her pups. Since we did not hear from her, my wife and I booked a room for the long 4th of July weekend.

On the night before our out-of-town trip, we received a phone call. “Dad, I need a favor,” said my daughter. “Can you watch the pups over the weekend?” She described the emergency at her house; we cancelled our long-weekend plans.

A blessing in disguise, as the old saying goes, when we received the phone call from her that evening. As it turned out, the news reported the following morning that a brush fire had erupted at the resort we planned to visit. Deaths reported. Authorities ordered visitors to turn back. Those who drove up a day earlier became stranded because of the many road closures.

We enjoyed our time with the pups over the 4th of July weekend. And we were certainly grateful that God stepped in and juggled our weekend plans.

In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul calls us to offer grateful thanks to our heavenly Father in all things, for he knows this is the will of God concerning each of us. In other words, trust the Lord’s providence. The unforeseen changes to our plans often reveal the work of the Lord. He works this way sometimes.

With trust and faith, we will come to praise him for putting up those barriers. He sees what we cannot see—the threatening tinder fires ahead. God closes roads for justified reasons and will never reopen them a moment too soon.

Lord, help me to trust in your providence when unforeseen circumstances force me to change plans. And give me the strength to resist the temptation to push headlong when you signal roads closed ahead. Amen.

God often disrupts our plans and, sometimes, he allows us to see why. Have you recently given thanks to the Lord for the unexpected?

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Why Worry Yourself Sick? – by Muriel Larson

•  Beauty out of Brokenness

•  Salvation Explained

The post Thankful for the Unexpected appeared first on Thoughts About God.

This question has been asked of me:

“It breaks my heart to see patients who pray every day for miracles, and still they suffer. What do I tell them?”

The last years of my dad’s life were scarred by A.L.S., amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. It took him from a healthy mechanic to a bed-ridden paralytic. He lost his voice and his muscles. But he never lost his faith. It wasn’t so much what he said, but more what he didn’t say. Never outwardly angry or bitter, Jack Lucado suffered with dignity.

After my dad’s funeral, a man told me it was because of my dad’s example that he became a Jesus follower. I’ve wondered, did God orchestrate my father’s illness for that very reason? Knowing the value God places on one soul—I wouldn’t be surprised. And imaging the splendor of heaven, I know my dad is not complaining!

“Pure gold put in the fire comes out of it proved pure; genuine faith put through this suffering comes out proved genuine.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

by Max Lucado
From: Max on Life
used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website.

FURTHER READING

Frank’s Story  – he also had ALS

Choosing to be Bitter or Better – Following her husband’s diagnosis with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, June Krause and her husband had a choice as to how they were going to face it.

Am I Ready for Heaven?

When Death Becomes Birth

Are You Done Yet, Lord?

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“Love one another as I have loved you” John 13:34

The Greek word used for love (agape) denotes an unselfish affection.  The final phrase is the essential one: “as I have loved you.” Have you let God love you?  Please don’t hurry past the question.

We don’t love people because people are lovable.  People can be cranky, stubborn, selfish, and cruel.  We love people for this reason: we have come to experience and believe the love that God has for us.  We are beneficiaries of an unexpected, undeserved, yet undeniable gift— the love of God.

It is only by receiving our Father’s agape love that we can discover an agape love for others.  Be loved, and then love.  Just as hurt people hurt people, loved people love people.  So let God love you!

This is how happiness happens.

By Max Lucado
Used by Permission

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

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To SEEK God, or to search for God means to research Him
in order to know Him.

~ Though He is invisible, He is Omnipresent.
~ Though we are limited, He is Omniscient.
~ Though we are weak, He is Omnipotent.
~ We are fickle, He is Immutable.
~ We are angry, He is Love.
~ We are confused, He is Order.
~ We are hurting, He is Peace.

And He promised if we SEEK Him, we shall surely find Him.

by Joyce Carr Stedelbauer
used by permission

MORE POEMS FROM JOYCE

The Innkeeper

Tomb – Easter Poem

The Wisemen

Annunciation Day

The Angel Gabriel

Bethlehem Song

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“When the turn came for Esther (the girl Mordecai had adopted, the daughter of his uncle Abihail) to go the king, she asked for nothing other than what Hegai, the king’s eunuch who was in charge of the harem, suggested. And Esther won the favor of everyone who saw her.” Esther 2:15

One of Esther’s characteristics stands out to me — humility. The above verse reflects the posture of her character. Esther was willing to take and heed her cousin Mordecai’s advice. She assumed that those in authority, and those given charge over her, had wisdom to share. Esther accepted the beauty treatments and the invitation extended to go to the king but she didn’t strive to manipulate the situation so that she would be above the rest and be chosen first.

Esther asked for nothing — nothing special, nothing she felt entitled to, no demands — just a humble acceptance of what the king’s eunuch suggested. Though Esther had obvious outward beauty, there was something beautiful and winsome about the posture of her heart. She won the favor of everyone around her, including the king.

Esther had no idea that what she would be called to do in a crisis would change the trajectory of a nation. Her beauty was stunning but the posture of her own heart and her internal character was possibly why she was chosen by God to save her people.

What can we learn from Esther’s posture? We live in a world of entitlement, demand, striving, and competition to be the best and get ahead — sometimes at the expense of others. As we age, our physical posture needs adjustment. Life happens and the posture of our hearts can also get out of alignment. Ponder Esther’s posture of humility.

Father God, thank you that you are able to adjust the posture of our hearts. We come before you in humility. We open our hearts before you and ask that you would deliver us from any sense of entitlement, striving, or trying to make things happen. We want to humbly trust you. May the posture of our hearts before you and others be pleasing to you. Have your way in our hearts. In Jesus’ name, amen.

By Donna Mitchell
Used by Permission

RELATED READING

How Christ Modeled Humility

Humility with Faith Equals Breakthrough

Humility Toward Each Other

The post A Humble Posture appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“But thanks be to God! For through what Christ has done, He has triumphed over us so that now wherever we go He uses us to tell others about the Lord and to spread the Gospel like a sweet perfume” 2 Corinthians 2:14

We can certainly learn a lesson from the apostle Paul. He frequently begins a chapter or a verse with a note of praise. To say that he had a thankful spirit would be understating the case. That perhaps is the key to victory in every area of our lives, to begin with thanksgiving.

It is God who leads us to triumph over principalities and powers. And in leading us to triumph, He is then able to use us to tell others of His love and forgiveness through the Lord Jesus. As we rest in His victory and in His command, with its promise of “Lo, I am with you always,” we spread the gospel like a sweet perfume.

In your own home and in your own neighborhood, perhaps, are those who need the sweet perfume of the gospel, that heavenly aroma that comes first from God, then through us as His servants, and finally in the message itself: the good news of sins forgiven and a heavenly home assured.

Around the world, literally, I personally have seen multitudes of men and women, old and young, become new creatures in Christ. The aroma indeed is one of sweet perfume, for tangled lives have become untangled to the glory of God, and joy abounds in hearts and lives where only sadness and despair had been known.

Bible Reading: 2 Corinthians 2:14-17

“Dear Lord, help me to bear a heavenly aroma as I share the sweet perfume of the gospel with others.”

by Dr. Bill Bright
Used by Permission

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RELATED READING

Perfume to God

What’s that Smell?

The Fragrance

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“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

If you find your heart is longing for a fresh basket of God’s mercies to be delivered to you this morning, there is one place to go: back to His word!

I know it sounds trite to say, “read the Bible.” However, God’s word is life to your soul. Ask Jesus to speak to you through His word. Let His Holy Spirit fill your heart with what the Father knows you need to hear. Today, why not soak in this wonderful treasure from the word of God?

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

A Prayer for You Today

Dear Father in Heaven, thank you that Your word gives the comfort, guidance and instruction that I need. Bless me today as I seek Your refreshing.
Thank you for the timeless truths of this scripture verse. Some days it feels like life would consume me if I did not look for Your daily mercies!

Lord, right now I focus on Your compassion, on Your mercy. The Hebrew definition calls this Your “loving-kindness.” May it reach into my heart and wash over me with Your love. May it fall on me today like a blanket. Lord, it is my nature to lose sight of all You are in the midst of confusion and trouble. Highlight Your loving-kindness to me today in a way that will bless and encourage and revive me afresh.

Lord, You are faithful in all of life. Surprise me with Your faithful mercy dropping like rain around me all day long. May I not be consumed or eaten up by the challenges of this day, but find rest for my soul in the depths of Your compassion for me.
Thank you that You alone are our merciful God who brings a fresh basket of loving-kindness to my heart every morning. May I watch for it, enjoy it, and share it. I pray this in the strong name of Jesus, Amen.

Questions: Have you been seeking God’s refreshing by spending regular time with Him in His word? What blessings are you receiving as you turn to Him each day?

by Gail Rodgers
used by permission

RELATED READING

What We Believe, We Attract

God Loves Me the Same on Good Days and Bad Days

More than Faithful

The post New Every Morning appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“If you can?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for him who believes”  Mark 9:23

A certain man had a demoniac son, who was afflicted with a dumb spirit. The father, having seen the futility of the endeavors of the disciples to heal his child, had little or no faith in Christ, and therefore, when he was asked to bring his son to Him, he said to Jesus, “If You can do anything, have compassion on us, and help us.” Now there was an “if” in the question, but the poor trembling father had put the “if” in the wrong place: Jesus Christ, therefore, without commanding him to retract the “if”, kindly puts it in its legitimate position. “No, verily,” He seemed to say, “there should be no “if'” about My power, nor concerning My willingness, the ‘if’’ lies somewhere else. “If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.” The man’s trust was strengthened, he offered a humble prayer for an increase of faith, and instantly Jesus spoke the word, and the devil was cast out, with an injunction never to return.

There is a lesson here which we need to learn. We, like this man, often see that there is an “if” somewhere, but we are perpetually blundering by putting it in the wrong place. “If” Jesus can help me–“if” He can give me grace to overcome temptation–“if” He can give me pardon–“if” He can make me successful? No, “if” you can believe, He both can and will. You have misplaced your “if“. “If” you can confidently trust, even as all things are possible to Christ, so shall all things be possible to you.

Faith stands in God’s power, and is robed in God’s majesty; it wears the royal apparel, and rides on the King’s horse, for it is the grace which the King delights to honor. Girding itself with the glorious might of the all-working Spirit, it becomes, in the omnipotence of God, mighty to do, to dare, and to suffer. All things, without limit, are possible to him that believes. My soul, can you believe your Lord tonight?

Question: Do you believe God can do all things? Where have you placed your “if” in regards to God’s ability to make you successful or forgive your sins?

by Charles H. Spurgeon
updated to modern English 2008

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Anything Is Possible

When You’re Waiting for the Impossible

God’s Strength God’s Plan

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