“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”  Mark 11:24

Do you ever pray for things without believing God will actually answer your prayer?

You may be thinking, “That’s an odd question. Why pray if I don’t believe?”

Oftentimes, we pray for God to work in situations that seem impossible from a physical standpoint, and the more we pray without seeing an answer, the more discouraged we may get. But discouragement has no place in prayer. If we have no faith that God will answer our prayers, then how can we receive the answer we so desire?

According to the Bible, our answer is received when we have faith that God will perform a work in our lives because his Word states that he answers any request that is according to his will (1 John 5:14-15). Belief is what moves our prayers, and unbelief is what hinders them. We should never doubt that God will answer, and instead rest on his promises to us when we pray in faith.

Does it seem like your loved one will never be saved? The more you pray for him or her, the deeper in sin he or she goes? Does it seem that God will not restore your marriage that is in desperate need of mending? Don’t be discouraged or despairing. Don’t stop praying. Instead, strengthen yourself with the promise that God will answer us when we believe he will work in these seemingly impossible circumstances. God parted the Red Sea for the Israelites. He saved men like Paul who had hardened hearts. He opened the wombs of barren women. He can do anything. It may not be an immediate response to our cries, but God will answer.

Dear Lord, give me the ability to believe that you will act and help my unbelief. Forgive me for doubting that you will work in my life and that of others.

Invite the Spirit to show you if there is anything that is causing you to doubt God. Remind yourself of God’s ability to do the unbelievable. Take some time to read passages where God intervened when the world would have doubted that it was possible: 1 Samuel 1-2, 2 Kings 5, and Genesis 37-41. Be encouraged.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

How to Pray Articles

How to be sure God Listens to your Prayers

What Should Be Included in Prayer?

The post Praying in Faith appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And they said to her, ‘No, we will return with you to your people.’” Ruth 1:10

Imagine never leaving your hometown. The only people you know are the ones who live there. It’s your whole life and contains all of your memories. You can’t imagine ever moving.

Now imagine unforeseeable circumstances render you unable to stay. You’re now moving to a completely foreign city filled with new people. Technology isn’t available to communicate with anyone you know. That’s exactly what Ruth did, not because she was forced to, but because she loved her mother-in-law and God more than her home.

The Christian life is full of dying to self for our God. Ruth is a prime example of that. Instead of doing her own thing, Ruth decided to care for her mother-in-law and bear the burden of loneliness and of widowhood, even if it lasted until her own demise. She chose to step out of her comfort zone, trusting that God would provide.

The happy ending to this sacrifice is that God honored her for her ability to let go and give him control. God gave her a spouse who would ease her financial woes, as well as a child, and he allowed Ruth to be an ancestor to the great king David.

Has there been a time in your life where you didn’t want to do what God commanded you to do? What if the best is yet to come, just like Ruth’s journey? Don’t settle for the familiar. Take up your cross and follow God’s leading. No matter what comes, you won’t regret it.

Dear Lord, please give me the ability to make sacrifices for your glory knowing that you will always do what’s best for me and guide me through all obstacles. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

The post Not My Will but Yours appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“By faith Abel offered to God a more acceptable sacrifice than Cain, through which he was commended as righteous, God commending him by accepting his gifts. And through his faith, though he died, he still speaks.”  Hebrews 11:4

In Hebrew, Abel, or Habal, means vapour or vanity, in the sense that it is of little substance and brief. Therefore, based upon the context of the passage in Genesis, scholars assume Abel died young, before he and his brother, Cain, both married and had children.

We tend to think of the death of someone young more mournfully than others. And in reading the story of Cain and Abel, we see Abel’s death at Cain’s jealous hands as a life unfairly cut off. Abel seemed to have so much potential!

Even though Abel apparently died young, we are reminded in Hebrews that outward appearances don’t always dictate the circumstances. His righteous lifestyle echoed throughout the ages and is still discussed today. His humble and reverent attitude serves as a reminder to us that no life, no matter how short, is vapour in God’s eyes when we are walking with him.

God has the ability to take the tragedy of a short-lived life like Abel’s and turn it into a household story, an eternal way to glorify God. Abel is our reminder that what others see on the outside isn’t necessarily what God sees. Serving God all of our days, no matter how short or long they are, is eternally impactful, and to God, such a life is never wasted.

Think about your life, no matter how short or long it’s been so far. Have your actions glorified God? If not, now is the time to walk closer to his ways so, like Abel, you can glorify him.

Dear Lord, please give me the ability to glorify you to the best of my ability. Show me the ways I can serve you better and guide me in spreading your name to the nations. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

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

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• New Knees
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The post What God Sees appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.”  Luke 6:35

We have all been around that one person who verbally attacks us with their words or berates us for no reason. Perhaps you work with someone like that or even live with someone like that. Maybe the cruel words are subtly spoken after church as you mingle with others you would consider to be friends. Malicious people will always be with us. Instead of worrying how to best avoid them or thinking of ways to reciprocate their unkind actions, we are to respond in a loving manner, as Christ would.

But why do we need to make this a habit, despite the fact that these individuals don’t deserve our mercy? Jesus mentions that God treats ungrateful and evil people with kindness. Loving one’s enemy is tough, but Jesus gives us practical ways to do so. He tells us to be good to them, and to respond with calmness towards them. Then pray for them. It doesn’t matter if we don’t feel like it. The more we pray for that individual, the more our initial feelings of bitterness or anger will disappear.

And who are these people exactly? They are just like you and me — people who were once categorized as ungrateful and evil until God washed our sins away. We used to be hostile to God, but he changed us. And if he can change us, he can change them. We must always keep that thought at the forefront of our minds.

Dear Lord, please give me a soft and tender heart towards those who are against me. Give me the strength to care for them as you do. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Loving as God Loves

People Need Loving

Living, Listening, Loving and Laughing

Follow Us On:  Facebook  • Twitter  •  Instagram  • Pinterest

The post A Loving Habit appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”  Philippians 1:6

When I first began track in high school, I remember how daunting running seemed. I hoped to compete in sprints. I felt that was much easier than running longer distances, because I ran out of breath each time I attempted it.

To my shock, the coach told me she wanted me to compete in the longer distances, hoping I’d say yes to running the 2400-meter. She’d observed me long enough to recognize that I had endurance, something many others on my team did not. I couldn’t believe her though because I was sure I wouldn’t be able to run a mile. Although I initially disbelieved my coach’s faith in my abilities, I found out that I was able to run a mile without quitting. She was right!

The Christian life is a lot like that as well. We worry that the journey to where we need to be will become long and difficult. It feels like we won’t make it. It’s easier just to give in and not push ourselves. But God has given us all the gift of endurance through His Spirit that indwells us — something we often forget we have so we end up not using it.

Since God has graciously granted us endurance, we do have the ability to complete our race on earth. We may struggle to get there, but we shouldn’t ever quit. As Paul states later in his letter to the church in Philippi, we have the strength to continue on in Christ: “I can do all this through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).

Dear Father in Heaven, we have everything we need in Christ. It’s up to us to use it! Help us to believe that what you are calling us to do is achievable, and that you will give us the endurance to accomplish it as long as we trust in you. Train us up Lord in your ways. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• He Who Began a Good Work – by Phil Ware
• God is at Work in Us – by Max Lucado

  “Under Construction” – a Devotional by Mike Woodard

  The Spirit Filled Christian Life Explained

you can also find Ashlea’s devotionals on:
https://thelife.com/devotionals

The post God-Given Ability appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And they say, ‘The LORD does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive….’ He who planted the ear, does he not hear? He who formed the eye, does he not see? … For the LORD will not forsake his people; he will not abandon his heritage.” Psalm 94:7, 9, 14

Are you praying for the salvation of a loved one? That new job you so desperately want?  A spouse? Children? Do you feel as if your prayers go unanswered, seemingly to fall on deaf ears — possibly for years on end?

The psalmist noticed this was a common feeling among his people. Many of those around him truly believed God paid no attention to their oppressive situation. They were obviously in distress, but God wasn’t intervening to fix their circumstances. It seemed like He was oblivious to their pain and suffering.

The psalmist reminded them of a basic truth: how could the Creator forget what He created? God wasn’t blind to their pain or their situation. God did hear. He would save them, in time. Further in Psalm 94 he pointed out to the Israelites all the times God had personally delivered him out of dire situations. The psalmist’s testimony revealed that since God was able to save him from painful circumstances, the Lord would surely deliver His people from unjust situations.

This is a reminder for us too.

God may not deliver you from your situation in the way that you want, but He certainly hears your pleas. He will give you the strength to either endure your current situation, find joy in an unexpectedly different outcome, or eventually grant your desired outcome. Rest in God’s promise that He hears and saves!

Lord God, help me to believe that you truly do hear and care. Give me the hope that you will act in the best timing possible, and faith in knowing that, in the meantime, you will walk with me through this pain. Amen.

Thought — Is there perhaps an alternative to your desired outcome that could surprise you into realizing it’s better than your wildest dreams? Go to God to ask for guidance, pleading for contentment in the waiting.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Growing Pains –  by John Fischer

Run To Jesus –  by Roy Lessin

The post Does God See the Pain I’m Facing? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you.”  John 14:16-17

Living in this world can be difficult. The stressors of life and the unexpected turn of events can be hard to handle at times. And if we’re being honest, it sometimes feels as if no one cares for us or has our back. Those friends and family members we relied upon so heavily are suddenly gone when things turn sour. And if we do have family or friends we can rely on, that won’t always be the case. So where should we turn to first?

Fortunately, as disciples of Christ, we have someone to run to all the time. No matter what the circumstances may be, we have access to God through the Holy Spirit. And God has promised to be with us by sending the Holy Spirit to live within us at all times — the good and the bad. We are never abandoned by God. Though outward circumstances might give us that impression, God has designed it so that we don’t have to fall for that lie.

When we seek out the Lord through prayer, the Holy Spirit intervenes on our behalf. He intercedes for us even when we don’t know what to say.

God is a better source of comfort to turn to than any friends or family members. He will never let us down, and that is seen through the promise to give us with the Holy Spirit while we are here on earth apart from him. And isn’t it wonderful knowing that we are never, nor will we ever be, alone?

Dear Lord, please help me to turn to you first in all circumstances. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit so that we are not alone. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Never Alone – by Kathy Cheek

Never Alone – A Devotional by Phil Ware

You Are Never Alone – A Devotional by Julie Lairsey

Never Alone – A Devotional by Bill Bright

Never Alone – Devotional by Max Lucado

The post We’re Never Alone appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Then he said to them all:

‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.‘  Luke 9:23

If you are like me, the day you were saved is embedded in your mind. You probably remember every detail vividly. Do you remember your expectations of Christianity? I clearly remember mine. I was under the assumption that surrender simply meant relinquishing control of the sin in my life and learning to live a new life that turned away from those sins. I had no clue that it would entail giving up a dream I had long held.

This passage reminds us that we deny more than sinful ways. We deny the things we want to do in life versus what God wants us to do in life. Many of the desires we have are intertwined with sin, and yet we don’t seem to recognize it. That was my situation. Advancing within my career had been my utmost priority before salvation. I spent many extra hours of work to achieve success. But once I was saved, I had conflicting feelings about my life choices.

My new self lives to serve God, not my old ambitions. My motives behind my advancement were wrong — something I hadn’t noticed as an unbeliever — and I suddenly realized I had made my career an idol. It was then I knew that God wanted me to relinquish my dream and pursue him instead. Surrendering my dream was difficult, but it was what God wanted from me since it would help me be free from the rule of sin and lead me to grow closer to him.

Perhaps you’re at a crossroads too. Surrender is a daily process. We must follow what God says, no matter what we want. It’s for our good to give God our best. And doesn’t such a good God deserve our all?

Dear Lord, grant us the ability to know and do your will. Do not let sin control us, but let us be controlled by you. Amen.

By Ashlea Massey
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Practicing the Presence of God

Stepping Into a Personal Revival

We Plan – God Directs

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

The post Continuous Surrender appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise.” Hebrews 11:9

Do you ever stop to think about your sin? Maybe you feel overwhelmed, tired of the daily struggle against sin. Perhaps you wonder why God continues to guide you, to love you, to keep you in the faith. If anyone had reason to wonder that, it would have been Jacob.

Jacob wasn’t the most righteous man on earth. He definitely wasn’t mentioned as righteous like Job was. He wasn’t taken up to heaven like Enoch. Jacob deceived his father to get what he wanted. He had children with four women. His family was a mess as well. In fact, Jacob didn’t have a spiritual awakening until later in his life.

Jacob was a train wreck, and yet what do we see in Hebrews? He’s in the hall of faith. He received the same promise Abraham and Isaac received: part temporal and part eternal. Jacob received the promise his descendants would be a great nation and the eternal gift they would be children of God.

God doesn’t give up on His children, even when they fall short. Just look at Jacob. God continued to guide him, bless him, and even allowed Jacob to die with all of his children near him, including his long lost son, Joseph. We need not constantly worry about all of our shortcomings and how we miss the mark. Instead, we should focus on becoming righteous, with the help of the Holy Spirit, by having faith that God will continue to carry us, come what may.

Dear Lord, thank you for saving us despite our inadequacy and failures. Please give me the grace to fight sin in light of your love. Amen.

Read Hebrews 11

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

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

The post There’s Hope for Us Too appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16

When you think of “freedom,” what do you think of? Emancipation from slavery? Getting out of jail? Leaving work? Moving out of the house? Freedom is associated with all of those thoughts and more.

Today, many tend to associate freedom to mean “free to do as I please.” This concept applies to all of the categories mentioned above. A slave becomes free from his master’s commands. An ex-con can now do things without being guarded all the time. An employee is now free to relax outside of work. A young adult can abide by his or her own wishes instead of his or her parents’ wishes.

The Bible mentions the word “free” or “freedom” many times throughout the New Testament. But the Bible associates freedom with something else entirely.

Being free in Christ means a different kind of freedom. It is the freedom from being enslaved to sin.

Nonbelievers don’t have the means to be freed from their habitual sins apart from Christ. They hopelessly continue to fight and struggle without any resolution.

We have been redeemed! We are freed from the vicious sin cycle that ensnares nonbelievers. Although we may struggle in this life, our struggle is not in vain. We have eternal freedom.

We don’t have to worry about sin entangling us to the point where we cannot be delivered. We don’t have to live in hopelessness. Yes, we will still sin, but sin doesn’t have us beat. We can conquer whatever sin comes our way through Christ.

Dear Lord, please give me the ability to conquer sin in my life. Give me the strength that I need, which will give me the hope of victory. Amen.

Think about an area in life that may be enslaving you. Have a problem with lying incessantly? Negative attitude? Harsh words? Whatever it may be, honestly ask Christ to help you defeat these sins so you can be free.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• How to be Really Free – by Helen Lescheid

• Live Free – by Kristi Huseby

• How Do You Get Free and Remain Free? – by Mary Pinckney

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The post Something Else Entirely appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:58

The Bible talks about fear and conquering it. But sometimes, I think we believe we have to have conquered our fears before going out and doing what God has called us to do. That’s an untrue assumption.

Elisabeth Elliot once said,

“Sometimes when we are called to obey, the fear does not subside and we are expected to move against the fear. One must choose to do it afraid.”

Fear is something we should tackle and conquer as the Bible clearly points out, but if we use fear as our excuse for not obeying God, then we’re going about things the wrong way. Sometimes we don’t quite have fear conquered, yet we still need to take a leap of faith, trust God, and push forward in whatever it is that God has commanded us to do.

Maybe you were asked to speak somewhere, share your faith, lead a Bible study, or use your talents in a public setting. Maybe you accepted the opportunity, believing God wanted you to accept, but you still haven’t conquered your fear. This is the perfect time to remember not to let fear get the best of you. Fear shouldn’t keep you from leading that Bible study or honoring God through your gifts. Sometimes you just have to move on in faith and do what God wants you to, even in the midst of fear.

Your reward will be greater confidence and joy and seeing God use you to bless others. Fear will have less of a hold on you because you chose to walk in faith.

Dear Lord, as I obey your will, please give me courage to do what you want me to do. Take away the fear as I walk out your plans for me. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
used be permission

From: https://www.gospelmag.com/authors/ashlea-massie

FURTHER READING

• How did Jesus Pray?

•  Attributes of God

•  Learn more about knowing Jesus

The post Continuing in Fear appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail.”   Isaiah 58:11

Have you ever been in a season of spiritual dissatisfaction? Maybe you’ve been stuck in a ritual of reading the Word and praying on a daily basis but not experiencing peace and joy. Isaiah addresses one reason “spiritual” habits may still leave us feeling bone dry.

He gives us the key to unlocking true satisfaction. He tells the Israelites to pray and fast, like a good child of God would do. This seems similar to what Christians try to practice, but the one mistake the Israelites made held them back from receiving fulfillment in God ? their hypocrisy. The Israelites did all of these things without really meaning any of it. It became a ritual, and not only that, they decided to rebel against God’s commands and cover up their wickedness by performing these good deeds.

Isaiah reminded them that God wanted their whole-hearted worship. The Israelites’ actions were repetitive with no real effort put into them. Their worship was just tradition. And that led them into sin instead of helping to keep them from it.

This concept directly applies to us today. God doesn’t just want a part of us ? He wants all of us! Half-hearted service will not meet our spiritual needs. The beauty of giving our entire efforts to God brings Isaiah’s words to life in our lives. It’s a true promise. When we make the effort to read, pray, and spend each available minute dwelling on God, we can experience not only what is told in Isaiah 58:11, but also the joy that can only come from intimately knowing God.

Dear Lord, please give me the abundance of joy and satisfaction that can only come through you as I seek you on a daily basis. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Hope for a Hopeless World –  by Terry Stead

•  HOPE – by Gail Rodgers

•   A Poem of Hope – By Helena Fehr

The post Hope for the Bone Dry appeared first on Thoughts About God.