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

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

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

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

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

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

by Alec Niemi
Used by Permission

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A neighbor died suddenly of a heart attack. I had just met him a short time ago and had never met his wife. Although I have to admit I was a bit hesitant, I went over right after it happened to offer any assistance I could, despite not knowing anything about them. Still, it seemed like the proper thing to do. As it turned out, there was little I could do, but the wife was grateful that I had made the effort. Later I was asked if I would take part in the memorial service.

If we only focus on our own needs we can miss the opportunities to bless someone else. When we focus on the needs of others, even though sometimes there is very little we can offer or do, it still bears fruit.

My prayer for you this week:

“I pray that: you love His law, meditating on it all day long because His commands make you wiser than your enemies, for they are ever with you; you have more insight than all your teachers, because you meditate on His statutes; you have more understanding than the elders, for you obey His precepts; you are keeping your feet from every evil path so that you might obey His word; you have not departed from His laws, for He Himself has taught you. How sweet are His words to your taste, sweeter than honey to your mouth! And that you gain understanding from His precepts and therefore hating every wrong path. Amen.”
Psalm 119:97-104

By Alec Niemi
used by permission

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Commitment and obedience are
often thought to be synonymous.
And yet our actions have them
appear to be more antonymous.
Others would have us think that
they were more cryptonymous.
And yes there are those who would
have them be far more anonymous.
They keep our actions and us all
from becoming pseudonymous.
“Committed obedience” is required
to have them become retronymous,
and when applied to all we do or say,
they then become more eponymous.
And with a little suffixation used,
“nymous” applied becomes acronymous.

Now You Must Obviously Unequivocally Smile!

As I was meditating on the Word this morning, I sensed a real conviction about commitment to obedience. Committed obedience creates a desire for deeper application in our service to the Lord. Rather than offering only “lip service,” I desire to live out active service for the Lord.

My prayer for us this week

Heavenly Father, we commit ourselves to carefully following You and the commands You give us, knowing that as we do, You set us high above all the nations on earth, and You will bless us as we obey You, our Lord and our God. In Jesus’ name, amen. (Deuteronomy 28:1-2)

For those who were wondering

• Metonymous – rhetoric in which a concept is not called by its own name.
• Synonymous – similar or the same.
• Antonymous – opposite.
• Cryptonymous – a code name.
• Pseudonymous – using a fictitious name.
• Retronymous – a modifier; here, obedience becomes stronger when committed.
• Eponymous – one for whom something is named.
• Acronymous – formed from the initial letters.

Have a great week.

By Alec Niemi
used by permission

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“David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.”  1 Chronicles 28:20

I’m trusting that the weight of the tasks before you this week are not too burdensome. I have been encouraged by David’s charge to Solomon and it is my prayer that you are too.

Jeremiah reminds us,

“...This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope. The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I have hope in Him.” Lamentations 3:21-24

And the Psalmist says,

“…put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.”  Psalm 130:7

Remember:

“We can do everything through him who gives us strength.” Philippians 4:13

My prayer for us this week

“Thank-you our Creator God for giving us the courage and stamina to accomplish the tasks you set before us each day. We put our hope in you, giving thanks for your unfailing love. In Jesus name amen.”

by Alec Niemi
Used by Permission

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Struggles: Yes we all go through them. Sometimes we know why and probably most often we don’t. James tells us to…

‘Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,’ James 1:2.

James tells us to consider it all joy when we go through them. But it can be a real struggle.

James continues on in verse three...

‘because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.’

Does that means so the at we can struggle better? Verse four gives us the answer.

‘Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.‘

This gives reason for the struggles, that we might grow from the experience. And then in verse twelve we get the results.

‘Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.’

Be blessed my friend!

“Heavenly Father, whatever happens, we are committed to conducting ourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. We will stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose us. We do this as a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that we will be saved—and that by you our God. For it has been granted to us on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him… In Jesus name amen.”

Philippians 1:27-30

By Alec Niemi
Used by Permission

Philippians 1:27-30 (NIV)

Life Worthy of the Gospel

²⁷ Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit,^[a] striving together as one for the faith of the gospel ²⁸ without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. ²⁹ For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him, ³⁰ since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.

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I hear from different people as to how they have been ‘turned off’ by something some Christian has done. Or they say that so-and-so is such a hypocrite. My usual first response is that if we allow a hypocrite between us and God then the hypocrite must be closer to God than we are. However the biblical model is that we need to be more others centered, trying to be the model of Christ rather than a stumbling block.

My prayer for you this week:

“I pray that whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, you do it all for the glory of God, not causing anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God. Amen.” 1 Corinthians 10:31, 32

by Alec Niemi
used by permission

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Years ago I fell and broke my ankles. For days after it happened I had no feeling in the bottom of my left foot and sharp stabbing pain in my toes when muscles cramped up. The pain would only be released by someone taking my toes and bending them up and down. I had casts on both legs and couldn’t reach down far enough to bend the toes myself so I was always grabbing someone to bend them and release the pain. One day while I had a visit from a friend my foot started cramping again so I had him bend my toes because the pain was driving me crazy.  Later, before he left, while he was praying for me my foot started cramping up again. I didn’t want to interrupt the prayer so I just gritted my teeth and waited.

And then I felt a hand on my foot. A warm and soothing sensation went through my whole foot. I thought that my friend had noticed my anguish and had gone down to the foot of the bed to bend my toes. It felt good. I could feel the warmth of the hand and the stabbing pain went away. After his ‘amen‘ I opened my eyes and was about to thank him for bending my toes when I noticed that he was still up by the head of the bed. Looking down to see who was holding my toes I was astonished to see that there was no one there. The warmth remained and the cramping never happened again. I am grateful that he was there to pray.

Later that day when the doctor drew his pen up the bottom of my foot I jumped because it tickled. I was improving…  I now had feeling in the bottom of my foot.

My prayer for you this week

“I pray that you are being blessed because you are following the example set for you by your ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and washing the feet of others. Amen.” John 13:13-17

Have a great week!

By Alec Niemi
used by permission

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Monday Morning Miracle

A Room Full of Angels – by Ev Baerg

A Bright Light came over me and healed me  by Mary DeWitt

The post A Warm and Soothing Sensation appeared first on Thoughts About God.

My wife and I had the joy of having a friend from Kenya visit us. He is an executive with a full time career. He is also working with executives trying to reach them for Christ. Besides his full time career and his ministry to executives he is also pastoring a church he started this last year in the slums. As he shared his vision for reaching people with the gospel we were so impressed with how humble a man he has become, focusing on people not position. We were blessed.

My prayer for you this week:

“I pray that your heart is not proud, and your eyes are not haughty; that you do not concern yourself with great matters or things too wonderful for you. But rather that you have stilled and quieted your soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is your soul within you and you are putting your hope in the LORD both now and forevermore. Amen.” Psalm 131:1

By Alec Niemi
used by permission

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Years ago there was a very rough character living in our community. When he drank he would get into fights. Everyone avoided him because he even looked mean. Others challenged me by saying that he was the worst in the community and if anyone needed God it was him. I spent a lot of Saturday mornings going over to his house, making coffee and getting him out of bed. He would come downstairs cursing me. When he lit a cigarette he would intentionally blow smoke in my face.

He even asked me one time why I kept coming around when he intentionally did things to try and irritate me. I said, “I don’t have to like you, I just have to love you.”

In time we became friends and one day he did turn his life over to the Lord. And on that day he said to me, “Alec, I have been watching you for over a year now and you live up to your words, you loved me even though you didn’t like me.”

I’m sure we all have these “rough” characters in our lives. We don’t have to like them; we just have to love them.

My prayer for you this week:

“I pray Lord that you would give us above all, love for each other, because love covers over a multitude of sins. That you would help us offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Help us use whatever gift you have given us to serve others, faithfully administering your grace in its various forms. And if we speak, help us to do it as one speaking your very words. When we serve, provide us with your strength, so that in all things you may be praised through Jesus Christ. To you be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:8-11

By Alec Niemi
used by permission

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It was old and rusty and the interior was wrecked but I saw the potential. I wanted to use it as a project for what I called ‘putts and pray’, where I could find time to be by myself, do something with my hands and have time to talk with the Lord.

I sanded and painted and tinkered and upholstered and it started to come together. But I was struggling with trying to find parts. I went on the Internet and found that there were groups of people out there with the same type of car. Car clubs, chat rooms full of enthusiasts, people who I spent hours with talking about my car. And I found myself more busy talking with these like minded people than I did with my ‘putts and prayer’. I had lost my focus. I had really wanted to spend more time praying. But by talking with these other enthusiasts I became more enthralled with the car.

And finally it was finished!! I was now the proud owner of a shiny, black, fully restored Jaguar Vandenplaus. A classic. What a beauty. Me, Alec, full of pride and self confidence. I had done it! Wow!

But somehow some of the joy was gone. I had switched my priorities. There was nothing wrong with owning the Jaguar but I had let it own me.

I drove it a couple of times and then sold it.

My prayer for you this week:

“I pray that you are watching out for those people and/or things that can cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Amen.”  Romans 16:17

By Alec Niemi
used by permission

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The post Wavering Focus appeared first on Thoughts About God.

This week I sat with a couple who were struggling with many issues in their lives and marriage. It would have been so easy to judge them and tell them all the things they were doing wrong. But the thing they needed to hear the most was about God’s love and that He had already administered true justice through his son Jesus. After sharing with them the simple truth of salvation they both prayed together asking Jesus into their lives. Later that same day I took them a Bible. The husband greeted me at the door with a big smile and informed me that they remembered the song, “Yes Jesus loves me,” from their early childhood days and were now singing it to their children.

My prayer for you this week:

“I pray that God grants you the ability to administer true justice; showing mercy and compassion to others, not oppressing the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor and in your heart not thinking evil of others. Amen.” Zechariah 7:9,10

By Alec Niemi
used by permission

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“God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 1 Peter 5:5b

Humble people seem to be blessed with pervasively portioned patience, peace, perseverance and unpretentiousness.

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6

Humble people are also alert, affecting, attentive, affectionate, affable and not anxious.

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” 1 Peter 5: 8-9

Humble people are strong, solid, steadfast, sincere, serving and unswerving.

“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10-11

My prayer for us

Heavenly Father, please help us to not be anxious about anything. In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, we present our requests to you. We know that your peace, which transcends all understanding, will guard our hearts and our minds in Christ Jesus. Amen. Philippians 4:6-7

By Alec Niemi
Used by Permission

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• He Honors the Humble
• Gentle and Humble  by Phil Ware
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