Do you find yourself withholding love or rewards from people because you don’t like them?

“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” Luke 5:44-45

In a recent television show, two mothers were comparing their parenting styles with their sons. The first, a cold, calculating psychiatrist said she raised her son in a ‘rewards-based manner,’ giving him praise only if he earned it.  The second said she ‘just loved her son unconditionally.’  The first son turned out to doubt his gifts, and he wondered if his accomplishments as a scientist amounted to anything; the latter son thought himself a wonderful person.

The episode reminded me of Jesus’ call to not only love, but to love unconditionally, to shine care and kindness on people we like and dislike, those who love us back and those who treat us unfairly or cruelly.  The same passage in Luke goes on to say “If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others?  Do not even pagans do that?”  By contrast, God lets everyone enjoy the warmth of his sun, that life-giving, life-enabling source of energy and joy. It may not seem fair, but that’s how God works.

Do you find yourself withholding love or rewards from people because you don’t like them? Ever wonder what it might mean to shine your kindness on people who are your enemies?

Dear God, I can learn so much from Jesus’ teaching that you warm the backs of evil people and good folks alike. Help me love everyone too, even my enemies. Amen.

Make a list of your top three enemies. Do one thing today toward one of them that shows kindness.

By Dr. Bill Strom
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• The Power of Forgiveness | by Dr. Henry Brandt

• Harsh Judgments Can Kill One’s Spirit

•  Salvation Explained

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The post The Sun Shines appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother … When Jesus saw [her] there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, ‘Woman, here is your son,’ and to the disciple, ‘Here is your mother.’ From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.” John 19:25-27

The scriptures share little about Mary’s relationship with Jesus, but in the book of John we learn that in Jesus’ darkest hour Mary stood faithfully beside him. Mary may have anticipated Jesus’ horrible death, for the righteous man Simeon had told her, “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too” (Luke 2:34-35).

According to Simeon, Mary had fair warning. A mother’s heart carries burdened love for her children; how much more for Mary as she knew that Jesus would grow up to stir up the religious leaders of the day? Yet she remained faithful, even to Jesus’ difficult end.

Have you ever considered the price of parenthood? How much do parents “give up” in hours, convenience, energy, income, heartache, and opportunity? If we stacked it all up against the “returns” of our children, the comparison might be laughable.

But consider Jesus’ loving gesture, at the cross. In his most desperate state, he looks at Mary and entrusts her care to John, his beloved disciple. He returns Mary’s “giving up” with caring devotion.

Sometimes we miss the connection between investing in people and their subtle responses of appreciation. Are you “giving up” your life with the hope to be repaid, or are you willing to let that go?

Dear God, thank you for family, friends, and colleagues you have placed around me. Help me pour into them things that matter, and may I hold, with open hands, my expectations for payback. May I know your grace in showing loyalty and love. Amen.

By Dr. Bill Strom
Used by permission

FURTHER READING

Surprised by the Blessings – My Autistic Son Changed My Life

The Rewards of Having Children

Celebrating our Mothers – are we honouring the special people in our lives?

Sample Mother’s Day Prayers

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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. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:22-23, 25-26

Before the verses you see above, the writer says he is quite sure God is punishing him for something! He says God has turned against him, waits like a lion to pounce, has bent his bow ready to shoot, and has cracked his teeth with gravel! (Books like Lamentations convince me God knows how to relate with real people with real problems!)

I have felt the same at times, and when I do, it’s easy to blame God for my ills. Perhaps God is using hardship to shape me, but maybe I just want an easy scapegoat for problems I created myself.

The bigger point here is the writer’s resolve: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

When you pray, do you rant and shake your fist at God? Or do you sit quietly, assured of his faithful renewal even amidst turmoil?

God, I admit that it’s so easy to think that You cause my grief. If I have displeased You, show me where, and help me choose otherwise. In the meantime, God, help me to rest in Your faithfulness and compassion which is new every morning. Amen.

Ask God to renew your hope and to be your strength amidst your challenges.  Share with someone else how God is faithful despite your challenges.

By Bill Strom
Used by Permission

Bill also writes for www.thelife.com/dailydevotions

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

The post We Are Not Consumed appeared first on Thoughts About 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. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Lamentations 3:22-23, 25-26

Before the verses you see above, the writer says he is quite sure God is punishing him for something! He says God has turned against him, waits like a lion to pounce, has bent his bow ready to shoot, and has cracked his teeth with gravel! (Books like Lamentations convince me God knows how to relate with real people with real problems!)

I have felt the same at times, and when I do, it’s easy to blame God for my ills. Perhaps God is using hardship to shape me, but maybe I just want an easy scapegoat for problems I created myself.

The bigger point here is the writer’s resolve: “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”

When you pray, do you rant and shake your fist at God? Or do you sit quietly, assured of his faithful renewal even amidst turmoil?

God, I admit that it’s so easy to think that You cause my grief. If I have displeased You, show me where, and help me choose otherwise. In the meantime, God, help me to rest in Your faithfulness and compassion which is new every morning. Amen.

Ask God to renew your hope and to be your strength amidst your challenges.  Share with someone else how God is faithful despite your challenges.

By Bill Strom
Used by Permission

Bill also writes for www.thelife.com/dailydevotions

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

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“…the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus.’” Luke 1:30-31 (Read the whole chapter)

Have you ever known a woman who is pregnant and whose baby is due around Christmas? Along with general anxiety regarding the delivery and health of her child, I wonder about other feelings and thoughts she may have. Will she rue that his or her birthday falls so close to Christmas? Will birthday celebrations get lost or muted amidst the hubbub of late December? Will the child feel cheated for not receiving gifts during another month of the year?

These matters only matter because of the holiday. What about the first Christmas? Have you ever wondered how Mary felt? Her anticipation must have been unique.

Mary learned of her pregnancy from the angel Gabriel. I wonder what Mary thought Jesus’ birth would bring. Did she expect hosts of angels trumpeting the news? Mary likely prepared her home for the delivery, expecting to have Jesus there. Did she anticipate a painful, awkward donkey ride to her in-laws’ town of origin? Could she ever have anticipated delivery in a barn? I wonder if she pondered how her God-child would look, act, live. Would he be like most kids? Could she ever predict he would be cherished and spurned, followed and chased, worshiped and demonized? Even with the Spirit of the Lord upon her, could she know that Jesus’ birth, while humble and simple, would be celebrated by millions upon millions for millennia? Could she have known that he would die a brutal death for her and our salvation?

We see these truths through history, and look forward to celebrating them. Yet like Mary we may not be able to predict all Christmas might bring, for we do not celebrate rituals, but the Christ-child, and when He is center to the party, angels may appear.

Dear God, thank you for the model of Mary who not knowing all that was to come still entered into your plan to save the world. May my anticipation for Christmas this year be enlarged by her example. Amen.

Thought: Ask people near you what they anticipate from God this Christmas. Ask them what they think was going through Mary’s head as delivery day approached.

What are your expectations for Christmas this year?

By Dr. Bill Strom
Used by permission

Further Reading

Christmas Poems

The Shepherd King by Kate Tompkins

Christmas in Heaven

The Streets of Bethlehem by Katy Kauffman

This Little Babe?

Bethlehem Song

The Innkeeper

Annunciation Day

The Angel Gabriel

The Wise men

The Praying Hands of Grandmother

I Testify that God is…. – by Wendy Patrick

A Morning Prayer by Malcolm Boyd

Seek – to seek God

The post I Wonder About Mary appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, thought here are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.” Habakkuk 3:17-18

Mary experienced joy despite her world turned being flipped upside down. In Luke’s gospel, we learn that Mary lived at home, single and engaged, when angel Gabriel appeared to announce that God had plans for her. She would conceive and bear a boy and name Him Jesus. Such good news, but also terrifying for Mary!  Could Mary have known the challenges her glorious role would require?

Virgin and pregnant! How could this be? Worried if Joseph would believe her “Gabriel story.” The pain of childbirth, in a barn, on a trip. Raising Jesus knowing he was special. Losing Jesus at the Passover Feast; finding Him in the temple doing is Father’s business. The uncertainty of watching Jesus’ public ministry, a prophet not welcomed in His hometown. Standing at the cross at His crucifixion;  Jesus entrusting her to John.  Gathering with the apostles after the resurrection in the upper room.

What was God up to?

Mary’s initial response to Gabriel’s announcement was disbelief, and then a quiet resolve: “I am the handmaid of the Lord. Let it be done unto me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). Later, she visited Elizabeth and learned afresh of Jesus’ unique status in the universe. She responded, “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant” (Luke1:46-47).

How might we find joy amidst this busy season or when pressures abound? Might we learn from Mary who submitted herself to God, aware that He had her best interests at heart?

Dearest Lord, no matter what pressures I face, be it the busyness of the season or just life in general, help me greet it with joy knowing that you have a plan and a purpose for it and will see me through whatever is to come. Amen.

By Dr. Bill Strom
Used by Permission

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

The post Joy in the Midst appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“…I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:11b-13

Where I live October is a transition month. By October summer is all put away. The lawnmower sits idle in the shed, and deck chairs lean against the back of the house. Annual flowers once in full bloom now rot in compost piles, the wooden window boxes from which they came are empty, dusty, and gray. The garden hose is safely away where winter frost cannot freeze remaining water to bulge and crack its lining. Where I live October marks the time when maples once afire with reds and oranges begin looking skeleton, their stick bones arching into grey skies. Mornings turn cold, and you are happy to see the sun for half a day and rarely full-on warm. Geese cruise south in misshapen V’s, and somewhere up river salmon die by the millions after spawning. October is when we lessen outdoor activities and start trying to keep warm and dry. The morning mist and low clouds can get to you. In October the change from fun and sun to glum highlights the difference between happiness and joy of spirit. I have heard that the difference between the two is their source. Happiness derives from external things like merry-go-rounds, ice cream, and walks on the beach, while joy comes from an inner contentment from being known and loved.

Do you know that God loves you? That he yearns for you to invite him more deeply into your life? That he hopes to be your strength and contentment when seasons change?

Help me Lord to rest in your provision, that you know and love and care for me deeply. Help me open my life to you so I may know your joy more fully. Amen.

TODAY:  Thank God that despite the change of seasons His love for you is everlasting

By Dr. Bill Strom
Used by Permission
Read Contentment by Richard Swen

Further Reading

• Secret of Contentment – by Phil Ware

• Contentment – by Idelette McVicker

• Peace and Contentment – A Poem to God by Margaret Mullings

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The post Contentment in October appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.” Psalm 91:4

“Of course I can trust, but only trustworthy people.”

The young man cupped his hands and stared into them. When he was five years old his father abandoned the family, and his mother, a sex trade worker, began “training” her son for the same occupation. She kept him from befriending kids on the block, yet welcomed adult visitors to their home. They wanted only one thing from the boy.

Now, as a young adult, he struggles mightily to trust anyone, and how can one blame him? The mother who should have nurtured him took advantage of him; the father who could have protected him didn’t care. No wonder he thinks everyone has evil intentions.

Our own situation may be less grave, yet we have all experienced broken trust. It shows up when people fail to live up to normal expectations. Parents don’t always protect, friends don’t always keep promises, and employers don’t always treat staff fairly. As we journey through life, people let us down, and it hurts.

Convincing ourselves that God is trustworthy is difficult under these situations because God may appear like that parent or friend or boss that abused their role. The Psalmist provides helpful pictures of God to remind us that He can be trusted. Like an eagle with its young under wing, like a shield for a soldier, or a tall wall for a city — He faithfully protects us from many of life’s problems. And for the struggles that remain, He walks alongside as a friend.

How do you see God? Have people jaded your belief in His trustworthiness? Are you able to see that He remains a faithful protector who can help you trust again?

Dear God, people have let me down and it’s hard to trust them. Thank You for your faithfulness in walking with me, supporting me, and shielding me. Help me trust again. Amen.

By Dr. Bill Strom
used by permission

FURTHER READING

• He Will Cover You
• God Our Shield
• His Wings Shelter You

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The post When Trusting God is Hard for the Abused appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them.” Luke 6:29

It’s the playoffs, and during them hockey players hold to the unspoken rule that giving hard hits is fine, but one ought to avoid outright fights. This agreement makes for fast-skating, hard-hitting hockey without the tough-man antics of dropping the gloves for a mid-ice brawl. Most would say it makes better hockey.

I know it might be a stretch, but what if we banned fighting in hockey during the regular season? Would we get better hockey? Probably so. Or what if we dropped fighting from politics and international relations and neighborhood issues. Or bring it closer to home. What if we quit fighting at our workplace and home space, in our relating to colleagues, friends, and family?

Jesus said as much. In Luke he says if someone picks a fight with us, we shouldn’t retaliate. “Turn the other cheek” the saying goes, and even more. “If he takes your coat, give him your shirt too.”

In The Upside Down Kingdom, Donald Kraybill writes, ”A blow on the right cheek had special significance in Jewish culture. It symbolized ultimate contempt. Its punishment was a fine equivalent to a year’s wages. In other words, Jesus forbids his disciples to retaliate even in the face of the most abusive insult.” (p. 196)

I am all for “fighting the good fight” if it means living the faith to the fullest, but I am not going to take that phrase literally. By turning the other cheek I hope to squelch violence and help the offender realize their wrong.

God, it’s so easy to fight back in conflict situations. Help me see that you called us to love everyone, even our enemies. May I seek peaceful ways to reconcile differences, and in doing so fight faithfully for what is right and good. Amen.

Take Action: The next time you are in a conflict situation, look for ways to defuse the situation through apology, listening, or walking away

By Bill Strom
used be permission

FURTHER READING

• Responding to Accusations
• Leading in a Storm
• Stronghold of the Godly; Humility – by Francis Frangipane

Homepage for the  Devotionals

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What are your expectations this Christmas? Can you let some go in order to make room for God’s holy one?

“Nehemiah said, ‘Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.’” Nehemiah 8:10

When I was twelve years old, Christmas let me down. I still believed that the holiday was about receiving, and that year my small pile of gifts didn’t stack up to expectations. I recall getting mopey and going to my room to lament. When my sister found me she asked what was wrong, and I put it simply, “I didn’t get cool stuff this year.”

As an adult it’s easy to fall into the same trap. I may not expect “cool stuff” for gifts, but I have great expectations nonetheless. I hope that my sons will be home on Christmas Eve and day, that we will cook a Butterball, and play games as a family. This year may be different as our grown sons make commitments to new friends far away who wish for their Christmas Day attention. Christmas traditions will change.

When Nehemiah had the book of Moses read to the people of Israel after years of being forgotten, the people began to grieve. Some had never heard the requirements of God’s law. But Nehemiah put it in perspective: You’ve heard the Word! This is a Holi-Day. Celebrate! Make awesome food for yourselves and give some of it away!

We sometimes say Christmas is a Holy Day, but personally I forget that too often amidst the tinsel, TV, toys and boys. I forget that genuine joy comes from celebrating Emmanuel, the Word putting on flesh so we could see, touch, and know Him.

Dear God, help me find peace and joy in my relationship with you, and thank you for sending Jesus to redeem us from our low expectations. Amen.

What are your expectations this Christmas? Can you let some go in order to make room for God’s holy one?

By Dr. Bill Strom
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  The Christmas Story – the story of Jesus Birth

•  Marvelous Love – A Story of a Mother’s Love

•  Salvation Explained

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The post The Joy of the Lord is My Christmas appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.”  1 Corinthian 7: 23

The story is told of a young boy taken with model ship building and the sailing of his boats on the lake outside of town. After saving up quite a large sum from mowing lawns and walking dogs, he purchased a replica of the Bluenose, the famed Nova Scotian racing schooner. After months of cutting, gluing and painting, he completed the project and began sailing it for his own pleasure and those who stopped to watch.

One day turned especially windy and his remote control radio malfunctioned, and despite every effort to turn the small ship, he watched his Bluenose float far off shore. It was lost.

Several weeks later he was overjoyed to see in the window of a hobby store his boat, for sale. He spoke with the owner, explaining that this was his boat. The businessman understood, but held his ground: “If you want it back, you’ll have to buy it. Twenty bucks.”

The youngster’s love and pain led him to toil again, and before long, he had enough. Upon buying the boat, he walked from the store and said, “Once I created you, and you were mine. Now I have bought you, so you are doubly mine.”

Somewhere after God created people, we got lost. Whether by our choices, or circumstances beyond our control, we drifted from God. How good that he longed for our return, however damaged we became. How wonderful that he paid a price in Jesus’ sacrifice to show his love and make us doubly his.

God, I have to admit that I’ve drifted. Sometimes it has been just from coasting and not caring about relating with you. Other times I have made bad choices that have put space between us. Thank you for wanting me back, and paying the price to buy me back. Thank you for your sacrificial love to own me again. Amen.

Thought: If you feel like you are drifting, ask someone you trust how you can enjoy God’s colossal love again, or for the first time.
https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

By Bill Strom
used be permission

The post Created, Lost, and Bought appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“… and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”  1 John 2:16

I struggle with pride.

It began in middle school when I realized I could do several things quite well. I was one of the better wrestlers, runners, and trumpet players. In university I earned grades that were better than most. As I continued to pursue education I became one of few from my high school peers who earned a master degree. When I earned a doctorate I represented a tiny minority.

Pride is contextual though. Among my professor colleagues at my university I feel average in accomplishments and brain power. Many co-workers publish more, teach better, and administer with superior grace and wisdom. But among my other friends away from campus I have to check myself against thinking I know more or am wiser or smarter.

An acquaintance today reminded me that Satan loves doling out beautiful lies such as, “You really are amazing,” “Your ideas are no doubt better!”, and “Aren’t these people lucky to have you as their friend?”  It is easy to cave to these succulent morsels that feed my ego!

And then John pulls the plug on my smugness:

the pride of life is not from God but is of this broken world.

I realize that being talented or smart or gifted is not wrong. In fact, being the best at something is good, even excellent. However striving to be number one can lead to idolatry (for it puts our status above love of God), or once on top we can gloat over people below.

Does pride get the best of you? How might you give your gifts and accomplishments to God?

Dear God, thank you for creating me wonderfully. Help me see my skills as from you, and to not buy in to self-promotion. Help me see me how you see me. Amen.

Take Action

Drop the ‘I‘ today. In your interactions, focus on the person you’re talking to. Ask them what they think or feel, instead of jumping to share your opinions.

By Dr. Bill Strom
used by permission

FURTHER READING

?  The Lie that Leads to Pride

?  The Prison of Pride

?  Going Deeper with God

?  Making a Difference

The post I-Dolatry appeared first on Thoughts About God.