“And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her.”  Luke 8:43

I often fall into the trap of thinking I can handle most things the world tosses at me, proudly believing I am more capable than, in reality, I am at times.

Then came the pandemic, business closures, stay-at-home orders, and social unrest in neighbourhoods we call home.

We now have a daily reminder about our limited capacity to deal with the outbreak and flare-ups in our communities and cities. Many things lie outside our skill set to undertake on our own. We might be the best doctor, the best office manager, the best Mom or Dad. But at some point, our skills will eventually fail us no matter how hard we try to shoo away the mess we find ourselves in at the moment.

God reminds us through the storms and trials in our lives that we cannot fix everything to our liking.

In Luke 8, we hear about the haemorrhaging woman. She went to doctors for 12 years, but only Jesus could stop the bleeding — a reminder that some things are reserved for the Lord alone to resolve.

Through our trials, Jesus brings us to the truth of our limitations. Even daily challenges in our lives reveal this reality. Without them, our imperfect power remains hidden, shrouded in pride. And we stay dependent on ourselves and not on the Savior and Redeemer.

Turn to the Lord in prayer during these uncertain times. God has the divine power to turn things around when we cannot. He understands what is best for us.

Lord, may I never forget you are our fixer when things get out of control in our lives. We do not and should not feel we need to go it alone. And no matter what skills you have given us, we must never forget our dependence on you. Amen.

Remember that the God of the universe lives within you by his Spirit and wants you to rely on his strength to obey him, whatever the task.

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Fear, Faith and Migraines
• Fear or Love?
• Why Worry Yourself Sick?

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

The post Limited appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”  Ephesians 4:32

Getting back to the daily grind was a challenge after a long weekend. I am usually tired and not in a great mood. But I made a point of being nice throughout the day. I welcomed people back, fetched coffee, and thanked those who held the elevator door open for me. And when I arrived home after my tough first day back, I even tried to radiate niceness when I greeted my wife, the kids, and Jasper, the dog.

However, God wants us to be more than just a nice person. He wants us to be kind and compassionate. There is a difference.

Without kindness and a sense of compassion, God knows we can become cold toward our brothers and sisters’ cries for help. Numbness invades our hearts, making it hard to hear and care for our hurting neighbors, and even difficult for us to notice the loving voice of God.

To save lost souls adrift from our Savior, we need to be more than just another nice Christian, more than a voice of passing pleasantries. We need to be more like Jesus Christ, who revealed his love of neighbor through acts of kindness and compassion. He reached out to the ill and disabled, he offered mercy and forgiveness, and he comforted those who mourned and grieved.

Our Father in heaven wants us to be images of his Son — because there is no limit to the kindness Jesus has shown each of us. How then can we put an arbitrary limit on kindness when it comes to others?

Lord, help me to develop the patience I need to be kinder. Even with all the frustrations and irritations surrounding us nowadays, I know with a heart open to your abundance of grace, we can all be more compassionate and kind to each other. Amen.

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Extending Grace to Others

Love is Patient and Kind – a story of a man on a bus

Be Patient

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

The post Just Being Nice appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”  Luke 6:38

Lately, I’ve been thinking more about the security of my family.

During uncertain times, my need for extra security rises. I store up more worldly goods and spend more time trying to figure out ways to protect my loved ones. I wonder if I am doing enough to keep them healthy and safe — and whether my plans will bear fruit for my children in the future.

However, true disciples of Christ recognize that attempting to create security on our own has its limitations. For the highest security comes from God through the loving care we provide to his people, our neighbors. As the old saying goes, “The more we give, the more we receive.” There is more of God’s reassuring grace in our lives when we choose to sacrifice for others as Christ indeed sacrificed for us.

In Luke 6, we are reminded that, based on our generosity to God and those in need, Christ promises to help us by pouring out a good measure into our laps. Performing good deeds for our neighbors is part and parcel to our discipleship. And to the extent we fulfill this call, God will generously provide us with the spiritual abundance and the divine safety net we seek.

It is the way Jesus lived as he journeyed from one community to another, caring for the sick, feeding the poor, and comforting lost souls. So it should be with our lives as disciples—where we are inspired to serve others by the depth of God’s care and love for us.

Lord, I am grateful for your outpouring of reassuring grace during those times when I feel most vulnerable. As disciples, give us the grace to fulfill our roles that we freely provide your people with the support they need in times of uncertainty and vulnerability. Amen.

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Heart Fully Committed to Him
• Checking your Spiritual Compass
• Are YOU Ready?

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

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The post Our Safety Net appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross.” Ezekiel 47:5

Trying something we have never done before can terrify us,

whether it is our first bike ride without training wheels, our first drive on the highway with Mom, or our first speech in front of a room of strangers.

After I learned how to swim, it took me a while before I gathered up the courage to take my first plunge into the deep end of the pool. I was sure I would flail around and then sink like a rock.

God’s purpose often puts us into deep waters.

He calls us to move from the safety of the kiddie end of the pool and head toward the deep end. If we choose to paddle only in waist-deep water, we miss the chance to witness his grace and power at work.

His best work is revealed in the deep recesses of life.

It is God’s way to get us ready for the next chapter in our walk with his Son, Jesus Christ. God does not put us in deep waters simply to see us go down but to deepen our faith and grow our trust.

Do we trust that God will not let us drown?

Believing in his protection and care for each and every one of us, we can have the power to swim through the choppy waters of life. When we do, we’ll emerge on the other side with a new-found strength — a new perspective and a new spiritual lesson on how to stay afloat when we find ourselves in the depths of life’s struggles.

Father, I often ignore your nudges to try something new and unexpected. Please give me the courage to embrace the circumstances you place me in. Do not let fear prevent me from taking a step forward. Amen.

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• How to Pray Articles
• Bible Studies and more
• Going Deeper with God

Devotionals Homepage

The post Thrown in the Deep End appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:11

My son invited a friend over for dinner a while back. I could see why he considered him a good friend. He was friendly, polite, and considerate. I learned something about his struggles and hardships. Our son pointed out he was talented and full of potential.

But I noticed a hint of negativity as I talked to him more. He grumbled about his school, his work, and even his friendships. I tried to inject some hope and encouragement into the conversation, but he didn’t feel like listening.

God doesn’t want us listening to the voice of doom that often bounces around in our heads and says things like, “I just don’t have the talent, education, or drive to make it.” In 1 Thessalonians, Apostle Paul tells us to build each other up.

Jesus is our example of how to boost others up and offer hope. He certainly wants us to exhibit these traits in our lives. He’s always ready to give us a dose of encouragement, offer us a new beginning, and tell us he remembers our sins no more and gives us all the resources we need to obey him each day.

As followers of Christ, we should make every effort to build confidence in others and serve as a source of encouragement by reminding them of who they are in Christ. We all need reassurance and for someone to pick us up. Let us work to prevent the echoes of doom from blocking out the gentle voices of those who care, and especially our Lord’s reassuring voice of hope and possibilities.

Lord, I am grateful for your outpouring of grace and loving encouragement. Let us be a sign of this gift we have received from you that we offer those around us the hope and support they need in times of disappointment and despair. Amen.

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

19 Ways to Encourage Others

Four Ways to Pray for Friends and Family

I Like to be Encouraged

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

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The post Voice of Doom appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.” James 3:10

I hated myself for using such cruel words. I certainly said the wrong things. I told God how much I regretted causing my friend in high school so much pain and embarrassment.

As I look back, it is hard to imagine those words came out of my mouth on that regrettable day.

We hear in James 3 that the tongue has the power to bless and curse. But more importantly, our tongues reveal what is deep and hidden in our hearts. The unfiltered words, the very ones we do not edit before they come flying out, are the most revealing.

How many times have we put our feet in our mouths?

God wants us to make a conscious effort to control our words.

But it will require us to dig deeper to find the root cause. What we say shows the condition of our hearts. Was it jealousy, greed, criticism, judgment, or something else in our hearts?

Mastering our tongues starts with the desire to change. And it also requires that we weed out sin in our lives that often originates from our attachment to the secular world, a world focused on power, prestige, and possessions instead of God.

God wants us to grow in grace, love, generosity, and encouragement. He wants our words to reveal a heart filled with these things from our loving Savior.

As we know God’s love for us more profoundly, our hearts start to resemble the heart of Jesus more and more, and the less and less we will put our feet in our mouths.

Lord, you know how much I need your wisdom to hold my tongue. Help me harness the words I choose to use, letting my words always reveal your kindness and goodness, even when I find myself in a tense situation. Amen.

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   Why is What I say So Important?

•  What is Your Measuring Stick?

•  Who is My Behaviour Affecting?

The post The Condition of Our Hearts appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”  John 14:26

It was time for my annual self-evaluation. The past year was busier than usual, but busyness does not always translate into more successes. First, I identified the achievements that pushed me closer toward my goals. The accomplishments certainly boosted my confidence.

The second phase involved looking at areas I needed to improve, which often included eating better, getting more exercise, and reducing stress. It also meant confronting the areas I’d failed. Sadly, I discovered a few mistakes that set me back.

But God does not want us so obsessed with health goals and crushed by failure that we overlook his grace and mercy. We need to listen more to the Spirit of God, seeking his guidance, strength, and comfort — especially when tempted to shove through life’s trials without the help of the Holy Spirit.

When we first accepted Christ, the Holy Spirit entered our hearts and made himself accessible. But for the Spirit to help us, we must activate him through faith and trust. If we are not alert or discount the Holy Spirit’s value, we quash his effectiveness to assist us.

Tapping into the power of the Spirit will help us cope with the struggles in our lives. Through the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, we experience the power of God’s love. It’s the glue that binds us to his truth, goodness, and righteousness — which are just the qualities we need to achieve a better outcome on our next self-evaluation.

Father, thank you for sending your Spirit, who guides me in all things and reminds me of your boundless love. I still forget to trust your Spirit at times, so please keep me from barging ahead without first seeking your Holy Spirit. Amen.

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

How to get access to the ‘Holy Spirit’

Spiritual Oxygen,  are you getting enough?

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

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“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.”  Hebrews 10:23

I had dinner out with my wife the other day, and the subject of hope came up. We agreed that many people are experiencing hopelessness during these unprecedented times.

As Christians, we know how easy it is to lose hope when we lose sight of Christ.

In Hebrews 10, the writer reminds us to live our faith rooted in hope. There is never a reason we cannot put our trust in our Savior, persevering even when things seem bleak. That is our duty as believers in Christ; he will never fail us.

Hope in Jesus is never in vain. When it looks impossible that help will arrive in time, we can count on him to save us. He is ready to send in a cavalry of faithful believers or provide another surprising way to rescue us.

And we should never be downcast (Psalm 43:5). God is waiting for us to bring all our worries and doubts to him in faith. He has a plan for our lives if we do not waver, remembering to cling to him when things get rocky along the journey.

Yes, we might feel like giving up sometimes because we do not know what to expect anymore. But our Savior’s love and compassion should inspire us to continue. God is always with us, and his promises endure forever. We can lean on his Word with complete confidence.

There is no other way to learn the power of hope than to place our complete trust in him when confronted with seemingly insurmountable challenges, holding tight until the last hour, persevering, and trusting a blessing is coming our way.

So keep hope alive, and do not be afraid (Mark 5:36), trusting he will lead us out of the darkness into his light, leading us through a new door of new opportunities.

Lord, you know how easily I can lose hope during trials. Help me trust in and through you so that I regain the hope I need to persevere, believing you will send help my way at the right time. Amen.

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  How to Pray

•  Hope for the Hopeless

•  A Poem of Hope

The post Your Hope in Him is Never in Vain appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”  Jeremiah 29:11

Everyone filed to the hall after church service for coffee and donuts. My daughter’s friend wandered over and greeted me with a slight frown.

I learned he prays daily, helps those in need, and tithes every Sunday. But he could not see how his efforts led to anything good in his life. He struggled to find steady employment and was weighed with financial worries. We talked about God’s desire to provide good things for him and how God’s plan does not always align with what we want.

As my daughter’s friend grabbed a donut and prepared to head home, I left him with one last thought: “Often, those who seem to have everything going for them were once the depressed and discouraged, the unemployed and financially broke, and the lonely and homeless.”

Not everything will be easy for a believer. Hardships will come. There cannot be the joy of glory without times of suffering.

Yes, we can expect to face suffering in our faith journey. As followers of Christ, there is comfort in the words of Jeremiah to the Babylonian exiles. And it is not in the promise to immediately rescue us from suffering but rather the recognition that he has a plan for our lives regardless of our current situation. God can work through it to benefit us, giving us hope and a future.

He promises the pain and hardships will serve their purpose and contribute to an overall good in his plan for our lives. God wants his faithful people to stay hopeful. For those who wait on the Lord, never forget that the goodness and beauty we seek is just beyond the circumstances we find ourselves in.

Remember, he has great things in store for each of us and wants his followers to stick by him, trusting God.

Our Lord is full of love and hope. So stay close even when he leads you down a hard road.

Lord, please help us see things differently, giving us hope even when circumstances are difficult or confusing at the moment, in our lives. Amen.

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  A Bible Study on Waiting on God

•  Hearing God’s Voice 

•  Salvation Explained

The post God is Working Through Our Circumstances appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.” Jeremiah 29:12

I overlooked something important.

Everything in my life was going well at the time. The kids liked their school and friends. I enjoyed my career, and with a recent promotion came more income. Besides, the drive back from work barely took 10 minutes, which gave me more time to spend with the family.

After dinner, I stretched out on my favorite lounge chair and made plans for the weekend. I scribbled down a list of things to do and discovered something missing from not only my list but from my everyday life.

With a life filled with our kids’ school activities, soccer games, and nine holes of golf on the weekends, I gave little attention to prayer. I overlooked God’s importance and failed to recognize God’s care and blessings in our lives.

We read in Jeremiah 29 that God expects us to call on him; he is always ready to listen. Without time in prayer, we can lose touch with him and cease to experience his power in our lives over time.

As Christians, prayer is central to our faith. It strengthens our relationship with him and deepens our trust. Prayer helps us understand his will. And it opens our hearts to witness his loving actions in our lives and enables us to make sense of his divine plan when the plan seems unclear.

God wants us to make prayer a treasured activity. It is the perfect defense against indifference towards the One who provides all good things.

We are his children, and he waits to hear from us daily. Our faith deepens as we spend time with our Savior. Let us make sure to keep in touch.

Lord, never let us lose touch with you. Remind us that no matter what circumstances we find ourselves in, you are only a prayer away—eager to listen and help. Amen.

Remember that the Lord is ready to listen. Share what is on your mind with him, whether it is good or bad. Ask the Holy Spirit for guidance, to lead you to surrender and repentance.

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   How to Pray

•  Prayer is Talking to God

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Keep in Touch with Him appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“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

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

“If you, LORD, kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand? But with you there is forgiveness, so that we can, with reverence, serve you.”  Psalm 130:3-4

Who does not make mistakes?

Early in my career as a new hire, my supervisor required all the trainees to follow a strict set of standards.

During the review of our work, he jagged his finger at our errors and highlighted them with his red marking pen. Even with nothing said, I still heard a snarl amid the strokes of his red pen.

It seemed he documented our mistakes in his logbook for posterity. The blunder log—as we employees called it—added to the pressure we already carried. Preventing any slip- ups was more critical to our supervisor than our growth and success.

Our supervisor had no clue that his constant badgering about every little thing annoyed the team and everyone around him. He hurt morale and caused so much tension and disruption.

“… And God stepped in,” as the saying goes. A new department opened up. I got a notice to pack my bags and get ready to move. My new supervisor never tallied the mistakes in a logbook. It was as different as night and day. He encouraged the team when things did not go as planned.

My new supervisor had a profound impact on me over the years. I modeled myself after him in some ways to guide and hopefully inspire my children, friends, and colleagues. He led with compassion and understanding, putting mistakes aside and giving us another opportunity to do better.

God does not tally our blunders in his logbook or entangle us in shame. He encourages us, offers a new beginning, and promises to remember our sins no more, always taking an interest in the vocation he calls us to fulfill.

We can thank our Savior for not keeping a logbook of our mistakes and for the safe place in him that allows us to grow from our mistakes without fear.

Lord, you know my blunders—every single one of them. Thank you for putting them aside and giving me another opportunity to do better. I am grateful for your grace and encouragement. Amen.

Let us look for opportunities to bless those around us by not keeping a log of their mistakes and encouraging them instead.

By Doug Lim
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   God Is…

•  More than a Father

•  Salvation Explained

The post Safe Place to Grow appeared first on Thoughts About God.