Seek Not Man’s Approval

Compared to eternity
our lives are like vapour
naked we come into this world
Naked we will go.
Forget taking your Rolex watch
when it’s time for you to go.

Many foolish and harmful desires
have plunged
many into ruins and destruction.

Let not the cares and worries
and man’s approval,
concerns for things of the world
bring choking bondage hard to let go;
but only can disappoint
Seek not man’s approval or glory.
What glory can come from man?
or even from relatives and friends
because they are only fleeting
and temporary
hollow and empty
that can vanish…
if you want to avoid painful disappointments,
it’s up to you.
A strong tendency to esteem highly
those most popular,
being so consumed by all
that is passing away
than seeking that which last and endure.
Like an oak tree,
don’t over extend your branches
or during a storm, find yourself
toppling over.
Why not seek after the real glory
the true, eternal, pure glory from above
that’s from everlasting to everlasting
like the angels glory you see
but even more glorious
where your treasure is, there your heart is
What is great gain?
Godliness with contentment
How?
Develop a secret relationship
with your Creator
Making you positive in your thinking
Put yourself in a place
where you can touch eternity
If you have faith
as small as a mustard seed
you can move mountains.
This smallest seed when in God’s hand
has such power
even to bind the strongest demon
Knowledge and good behavior
are not good enough
If you lean on your own understanding
You will go astray
It’s God’s truth in your heart!
the love of truth
will keep you strong.

By Joshua Lim
Used by Permission

More Great Poems

More than a Father

When I say… “I am a Christian” – by Carol Wimmer

I am Thanking You right NOW

The Powerful Reality by Ruth Calkin

The post Seek Not Man’s Approval can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall” Proverbs 16:18

Pride… is the root of almost every sin.

Why is pride so destructive?

– Pride blinds us to who we really are.

– Pride tells us we’re better than we really are; so there’s no need to repent or to change.

Do you pray, “God, I thank You that I am not like other men.” – or “God, have mercy on me, a sinner”

– Pride cuts us off from God, and also from others.

– Pride puts us above others, which makes us look down on others,
and cuts us off from them as a result; and we feel we don’t need God.

“What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8)

By Joshua Lim
Used by permission

FURTHER READING

• The Prison of Pride
• The Lie that Leads to Pride
• Help Me See Your Words as Life

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The post The Enemy Within can be found at Thoughts about God.

“In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

“..singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, the Father.” (Ephesians 5:20)

“..singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. and whatever you do in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:16-17)

“at midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God…
suddenly there was a great earthquake..” (Acts 16:25-26)

In the end times, ingratitude will characterize many people. People in general will become more wicked and less grateful.

“For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy.” (2 Timothy 3:1-2)

“although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” (Romans 1:21)

People will complain about their circumstances, hoping for some “lucky break” to help him. With a big ego, he thanks himself for who he is, thinking that everything comes from his own efforts. The thankless person despises the idea of grace.

It is sad to see Christians who always seem to be stressed out, dissatisfied, depressed, and unhappy about their circumstances. Are we giving thanks to God every day for His grace?

“God is able to make all grace abound to you, that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed.” (2 Corinthians 9:8)

As Vonette Bright said, “When we express thanksgiving and gratitude to God, peace flooded our hearts, and He provided the solution.  Always be thankful…especially in crisis. God can turn your tragedy to triumph, discord to harmony, and defeat to victory.”

In the Old Testament (Leviticus 3:1-17; 7:11-36), thank offerings and peace offerings were to remind God’s people of their need to be thankful to God.
They would bring a sheaf of grain and some oil and wine as thank offerings.
These were symbols of the Lord’s provision, a reminder to thank Him
for His grace and mercy in supplying all they have.

by Joshua Chin Hong Lim
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Thanking Abundantly

Study on Thanksgiving

Don’t Complain

A Thought about Gratitude

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The post Be Thankful in All Circumstances can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.”  Psalm 100:4

Prayer of Thanksgiving

Help me Lord, not to fall into temptation but always stay firm in Your teachings and Your Word.

Help me to be a “promise focused” person, not allowing emotions or fear to overwhelm me, nor allowing circumstances to pull me down, but always to think positive, with joy and thanksgiving and to count my blessings one by one.

Even in the times of great difficulties, I continue to give You praise and believe in You and Your many promises to me.

I look to the skies and count the stars which go beyond my human understanding and focus on Your promises.

The meek shall inherit the earth.
What I am today is by the riches of Your grace.
Your mercy and grace are new every morning.
Help me Lord, not to take them for granted.
Give me a thankful and grateful heart. In Jesus’ name.

by Joshua Chin Hong Lim
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Thanksgiving Day Sample Prayers

• Count Your Blessings

•  Salvation Explained

The post Prayer of Thanksgiving can be found at Thoughts about God.

You may think that you are tried more than other people are.

If you knew the value of it, you would praise God for the trials that come your way.

It is in the trials that you are purified; it is through the fiery furnace of affliction that God gets you in the place where He can use you.

The person who has no trials and no difficulties is the person whom God dare not allow Satan to touch because he could not stand temptation.

Before God puts you through the furnace of afflictions, He knows you will go through it, and not one single temptation comes to any person more than he is able to bear; and with the temptation, God is always there to help you through.

Abraham was tempted and God helped him through to victory.
God wants to make us like Jesus.

As we look back over our spiritual journey we see that there has been a good deal of our own way, and that the end of our way was the beginning of God’s way.

We cannot enter into the deep things of God until we are free from our own ideas and ways.

How mercifully God preserves us from calamity.

Hebrews 4:16

“Let us therefore, come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.“

There’s no way I can withstand the allure of temptation on my own. My feelings neutralize my resistance. My flesh craves gratification. It’s a war, fought on the battlefield of my soul…my mind, will and emotions.
I win only as my spirit works in partnership with the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 26:41

“Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Used by Permission
By Joshua Chin Hong Lim

Further Reading

• Dealing Wisely with Temptation –  by Charles Stanley

• Steps to Truth –  by Christa Hardin

• The Trap – by John Grant

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The post God’s Help during Temptation can be found at Thoughts about God.

While I know that prayer is wonderful, and that prayer not only changes things but also changes you;
while I know that the man of prayer can go right in, and take the blessing from God;
yet I tell you that if we grasp the truth that we have before us,
we shall find that faith is the greatest inheritance of all.

In your hour of need, you must look up towards God in faith;
that’s where you can find strength, because you can depend on Him,
for He cannot fail you.

Psalm 121: 1-2
“My eyes look to the hills, and where does my help comes from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of the heavens and the earth”

By Joshua Lim
Used by Permission

The post Faith Pleases God can be found at Thoughts about God.

‘Trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path.” Proverbs 3:5 & 6

Stay strong in the Lord in His words and His promises.
Hold onto Him, cling onto His every Word
What you sow is what you reap. God’s love is eternal; there’s no boundary
to God’s plan for you
God wants the best for your life
All He cares is your well-being
so tap into the spiritual realms and feel His love for you
His love for you is so strong and solid
appreciate life, and everything that God has given you
even the rain and sunshine and the air you breathe.
Do things according to His will for your life
and see your life bloom

By Joshua Chin Hong Lim
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• The Trust Factor
• Can We Believe the Bible?

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

The post Stay Strong in the Lord can be found at Thoughts about God.

“But those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not be faint.” Isaiah 40:31

God renews the strength of those who are weary and exhausted, and who look to Him.

If we rely on God and exercise our faith, God can make us into people who are resilient.

There will come times when we’re too weak to run, walk or even crawl. But the Spirit of God can give us wings of faith to help us fly. Yes, you can fly, because the Spirit will carry and sustain you. The Spirit has become the wind beneath your wings.

Yes, we’re running the race in order to win the prize. We’re running the marathon race; yet we’re to remain calm. We’re moving and doing; yet we’re to be still and know that He’s Lord. We’re to stay still in the presence of God.

We’re running with speed; yet our breathing remains calm, our focus steady. If we’re running the marathon, we cannot afford to get too excited, because the anxiety will cut off the wind. So we’ve to be calm, steady our course, get rid of our fears, dwell not on the past or worry about the future.

And we lift up our heads, look ahead at Jesus and run with endurance. And we’ll find the wind of God’s breath beneath our wings, and we’ll soar like an eagle beyond our expectations. We’re to run with endurance, in a calm and steadfast way.

We relax in the midst of stress, as we run. It is by faith. Faith gives power under control, so we can relax in the midst of all the stressful situations in life.

If we’re to see victory, then our strength must be harnessed, our vision must be focused, and our stride be steady.

By Joshua Chin Hong Lim
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   Waiting on God – How Do We Wait? A  Bible Study by Sylvia Gunter

•  Hope in the Wait – A Devotional by Laura Rath

•  Salvation Explained

The post Wait on the Lord can be found at Thoughts about God.

Everybody deserves a second chance.

Hatred in your heart will only bring death.
Be slow to anger and judgment, or judgment shall come upon you.

Always care for one another. Love others as you would love yourselves.
Have a caring and loving heart, just like Jesus and reach out to others.
Be compassionate towards others. Don’t judge a person by their looks.
Go and preach the Gospel in His wisdom, because you must be wise in everything you do. Be on fire for Christ.

Don’t take things for granted; be united, and don’t be easily offended, but always give and take with one another. And have love in your own family, and also in the church.

In your hour of need, always run to the Lord for help; cry out to Him; have faith in Him.
The Lord has given everyone the gift to hear His voice. He will speak to you if you’re willing to hear.

Hear the Lord’s voice and He will guide you.

Have faith and believe His words. Don’t be proud and think that you’re full of knowledge.
Obey His words and commandments and keep the Sabbath holy. Don’t be a Sunday Christian, but take notice of people around you in your church, and in other nations.

Many people are suffering. Count your blessings. The road to heaven is narrow; so you have to lean on God and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you in whatever you do.
Learn more about the power of the Holy Spirit

By Joshua Lim
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Forgiveness – Yourself and  Others

•  The Power of Forgiveness | by Dr. Henry Brandt

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Second Chance can be found at Thoughts about God.

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted” Matthew 5:4

I’m all alone in this world. I don’t know what I am doing. I always make bad decisions. .People say I’m ugly. My face is long and my nose is big. So is my butt. I never finish school.. I can’t afford cute clothes. . I had an abortion. I don’t deserve to live. My kids deserve better. Nobody loves me. My parents kicked me out. My dad is on drugs. My mom is a drug addict. I’m an alcoholic. I used to sell my body. Some people call me a slut.

I have a lot of tattoos. I am a single parent. All my friends are fakes. If I really listened to everything people told me I’d already be dead. But I chose a new life. I decided to take my old life and kill it. I choose to be an optimist and know that God has a plan for me. Most people are selfish and self-absorbed, so why should their opinion matter. I choose to surround myself with people who like me for me. Even if it is only one or two people. one true friend is worth more than many who surround themselves around my beauty, my talent, my self-worth just to be in my entourage. I’m glad God showed me the way. I’m thankful for second chances. I choose to accept myself and to give second chances to the people around me. I will accept the positive and shield the negative. For I know I have a purpose and my talents will not be wasted. Amen, never give up on yourself or your dreams, things change, people change physically and emotionally. Money does not rule the world.

Life would be meaningless without God in our lives,
because He is our strength and our hope.
Sometimes we don’t know why we are even alive,
but know this. Your every breath on this earth serves a purpose.
It’s not by mistake you find yourself here on this planet.
It’s not by chance that Jesus was born over 20oo years ago.
The Creator loves His creations.
All He wants is you.
It pleases Him when all of His children come back to Him.
Let the joy of the Lord fills you,
so that you can be a blessing to others.
Things may not make sense now
now you don’t understand how things in life work,
but God knows everything, what’s best.
Just trust in Him.
God’s plans are unlike man’s plans.
We don’t think like God thinks
and His ways are far better than our ways.
We tend to go astray and turn to the world for help,
when God is there all the time
with His hands wide open to help you.
Go back to the place
where you are loved most…His embrace.
Just tell Him how much you need Him
and He’ll accept you and fill you with His love.

It is difficult to believe in things that seem so unreal and impossible. But that is what faith is, believing in the presence of doubt. So, take this step of faith, tell God that you are hopeless and helpless without Him, tell God how afraid you are, how angry and frustrated you are with life, how worried you are about the future, practically just how tired you are with life. Just close your eyes and start pouring out to God until you feel the weight on your shoulder is lighter. Let the tears, all the hurts and pain pour out from your heart. It is between you and God, no one else. There’s no pretense, no hiding, no holding back. Be transparent in front of Jesus, lay all your junk and burden at His feet, for it is not for us to carry all these burden in life. It had never meant to be ours to bear.

Imagine it empty, where Jesus was once hung. Just think about His sacrifice and love for you. All Jesus ever cared about was you. Nothing else mattered to Him but you. He loves you so much that His heart aches whenever He sees yours ache.

Jesus loves us dearly. We are the world to Him.

Don’t you think He would have a great future for us? Don’t you think He would provide us with our every need?

All our bondage have been broken when Jesus took our place at the cross. It is us today who bound ourselves to chains when the key to these chains were all this while in our hands. Let’s make Jesus’ death worthwhile. Go back to basics, go back to your first love, go back to the roots to why you call yourself a Christian today. Going back to basics is always the best move to make when you are lost. Go back to your Abba Father.

By Joshua Lim
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  God is Thinking about You

•  God Demonstrates His Love like this…

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Scars can be found at Thoughts about God.