“Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”  Acts 2:38

My husband likes to give and receive practical gifts. For instance, in January, he had snow tires put on our daughter’s car for her birthday. I don’t remember this being on my daughter’s “wish list” for her birthday, but she obviously needed them for winter weather.

He is a very active person who tends to misplace things like keys and his cell phone, so I thought I’d surprise him with a gift that would help him find lost stuff … these amazing little disks that attach to items and will beep when activated.

My husband can continue to search for his keys and phone on his own, or use the gift he received. In the same way, you and I can continue trying to “do it all” in our own wisdom and strength, or ask the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us.

The choice is up to us.

Sometimes it is hard to figure out what someone else actually needs, but God knows how to give amazing gifts to his children! New believers need God’s help to find their way forward, especially in the face of persecution, so he gives them the Holy Spirit.

Unfortunately, sometimes even God’s greatest gifts go unused because in order to fully benefit from them, we need to admit we need help. We can all humbly use the amazing gift of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives, relying on him moment by moment.

The choice is up to you.

Holy Spirit, I do need you. Please help me confess my sin and pride each day, acknowledge my inability to live the Christian life in the way that I should, and trust you to work in and through my life in such a way that God is glorified for the gift that he has given us. Amen.

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

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

FURTHER READING

Bible Studies and More

Going Deeper with God

Making a Difference

The post The Gift We All Need appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to adorn themselves… if you do what is right and do not give way to fear.” 1 Peter 3:5a ,6

I have always been a fearful person. I have even experienced panic attacks.

What does it mean to “give way to fear?” I believe that it is a progression of thoughts that we buy into, little by little, to the point of being paralyzed emotionally.

What is the “right thing to do” in response to fear? I think that for the Christian, we have a choice, as indicated in this verse. Fear does not have to overwhelm us if we put on a submissive spirit, placing our hope in God.

It is choosing to “dress” ourselves with humility, acknowledging our vulnerability, but it is also God’s love for us and power to protect us. When I am fearful, I tell myself this truth: God is with me and I can trust Him to keep me safe.

Sarah, Abraham’s wife, sometimes felt unsafe, but she “did not give way to fear”. She put her hope in God, submitting herself to him to keep her safe. She was already a beautiful woman, but she “wore” submission to God like fine jewelry or a lovely scarf.

There is an inner beauty and peace that radiates from all those whose hope is in God, whether they are men or women. Submit yourself to God, and put on humility.

Father God, thank you that I am safe in your care and that I do not have to give way to fear. Remind me how much you love me and how powerful you are whenever fear threatens to overwhelm me. Amen.

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Steadfast in a Fearful World

When We Are Fearful

9 Verses for Fighting Fear

The post When Fear Takes Over appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” Isaiah 30:18

Do you ever feel like just running away? In the whimsical children’s book, Alexander and the Horrible, Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Day by Judith Viorst and Ray Cruz, Alexander wants to run away to Australia. My husband and I sometimes say to each other, “Let’s run away to Australia”, but we know that it is not the solution to our problems.

Israel was having a “bad day”. Their enemies were threatening them, and they were fearful. Rather than being willing to wait for God to act on their behalf, they wanted to take off. They were turning to their swift horses to save them, not to their sovereign Lord. He tries to reassure them in verse 15, “In repentance and rest is your salvation; in quietness and trust is your strength”.

Repentance, Rest, Quiet, Trust. There is something about these words that appeals to me. They are contrary to human nature, but calming when I am stressed or fearful. In order to repent, rest, be quiet and trust, I need to be willing to submit myself to God and His will, whatever it holds for me.

This is really hard, but there is a reward when I do wait for God. Through waiting, I experience His grace, compassion and justice. Are these things worth waiting for? I think so!

Do you need to repent of any sin so you can deliberately choose to rest in who God is right now, trusting quietly in His will?

Sovereign Lord, help me to wait for you to act in the challenges that I face in life today. I choose not to run away, but I need your grace, compassion and justice in a big way today. Amen.

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

He Bears and He Gives – A Devotional by Bill Bright

Keep Waiting–God is at Work

Waiting – A Devotional by Terry Stead

The post Waiting on God appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his mercies never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22-23

In 2017, there were two divorces in our family. We had been aware of the difficulties these two couples faced, but never dreamed both marriages would fail within the same year. The rest of our family tried to help these two couples, but it put a tremendous emotional strain on all of us as we dealt with the hurt, frustration, and anger that marriage break-ups often bring.

I have to confess that I will always look back on 2017 as the year our family became a broken one. But I also have to believe that because of our great God’s awesome faithfulness, our family is, and will continue to be, blessed by God — even in its brokenness.

When Jeremiah wrote Lamentations, he was surrounded by grief (3:32,51) due to circumstances that the Lord had allowed to enter his life. He cried out to God in his affliction and bitterness of soul, but chose to daily place his hope in God’s great love and compassion.

Like Jeremiah, I am choosing to “wait quietly” (Lamentations 3:26) for God to bring a season of healing to our family. I will never understand why he allowed us to have such a devastating year that still continues to spark grief in my heart, but I keep claiming those mercies that are “new every morning”, because I really need them!

How about you? Will you also wait quietly for him to work in your circumstances?

Faithful God, when I am discouraged, help me to lift up my eyes to look beyond my present grief to the gift of hope that you give all of us, on a daily basis, and to choose to trust your loving and faithful nature rather than despair. Amen.

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Romans 8:28

My husband, Mike, and I were invited to Nepal to speak about marriage in a couple of churches there. Emails flew back and forth, discussing dates, locations, logistics, and goals for the trip. Flights were booked, suitcases packed, and speaker notes assembled.

I also made it a point of keeping myself healthy in the weeks leading up to our departure. I was excited, anticipating that every detail had been covered, knowing that I had done everything I could to prepare for this trip of a lifetime!

What I didn’t know was that before I got on the plane, I had contracted a virus of some sort, and during the flight, my knees and ankles would start to swell to the point that movement was difficult. This condition continued throughout my time in Nepal, and although I checked in at an international clinic, there was nothing that could be done except take maximum doses of ibuprofen while the virus ran its course.

This is not the first time I have had to ponder the truths of this verse, that “all things work together for good.” In my logical mind, it seemed like God would want me to be healthy in order to do his work. It was very humbling for me to go through this, but the amazing thing was that God used me even in my weakened state!

What do you know for certain in your journey of life? You can plan and prepare as much as possible but remember that, no matter what, it is all in God’s hands.

Father, help me to trust you with the difficulties I face today, and to believe that your goodness is at work, even when it does not feel good to me. Amen.

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

The post What We Do Know? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“But be kind, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you!”  Ephesians 4:32

Do you know the secret to a lasting marriage? Kindness! It is a choice that we all make on a daily basis, but it is like giving water to a thirsty soul, knowing how thirsty we have also been in the past.

When my husband and I meet with engaged couples, we include this verse in our discussions with them. In their starry-eyed love, they cannot imagine ever being anything but kind and forgiving with each other, but as years go by, unkind words are spoken and unkind deeds are done because even people who love each other are selfish at their core and will lash out in self-defence when threatened.

We all have tender hearts as children, but over the years they often they get walled up in self-protection once we start to feel the unkindness of others. Getting back to a tender heart takes time; it means allowing God to break down walls and then choosing to be vulnerable again. Jesus kept his tender heart throughout: he wept at the death of Lazarus, he agonized over the city of Jerusalem, and he forgave those who crucified him as well as the disciples who ran away in fear.

Do you have a tender heart? Are you still moved by what moves the heart of God, an unconditional love that keeps pursuing the broken-hearted and desires to heal wounds? Choosing to be kind and forgiving to people who do not deserve it is the ultimate example Christ has set for us!

Father, How often I have been on the receiving end of your kind and tender heart towards me. How can I not extend kindness and forgiveness to others? Please show me how to have a tender heart once more that is willing to be vulnerable like Christ was even on the cross. Amen!

Is there someone to whom you can extend kindness and forgiveness today? Allow God to break down any walls surrounding your heart so that you can reach out with tenderness to others who need to be loved, even if you think they do not deserve

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Creating Affection, Warmth and Encouragement
• I Love You. It’s a Gift! – Marriage Tip by Mike Woodard

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

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“Jesus looked at them and said,

“With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:27

This statement from Jesus follows a question asked by his disciples, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus had challenged a rich man to sell all of his worldly possessions and become a disciple, but the young man went away, sorry that he could not do as Jesus asked.

In our rich culture, there are a lot of young (and old!) men and women who do not want to give up everything to follow Jesus. Persuading them to be Christians often seems impossible. Jesus acknowledged that it is hard for those who are rich to enter the Kingdom of God; in fact he said that it was easier for a camel to go through the “eye of a needle” than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.

When in Israel, our tour group was able to see what the “eye of the needle” is (a small opening in the city gate where camels can be tied up) and to think about how difficult it would be for a camel to squeeze through one! With human eyes, it does look impossible!

Perhaps you are struggling with your own “impossibility” today. There is a chorus that comes to mind (perhaps like me you learned it as a child):

Got any rivers you think are uncrossable? Got any mountains, you can’t tunnel through? God specialises in things thought impossible And he can do what no other power can do! — Oscar C. Eliason

Father God, help me to see what seems impossible to my human eyes in a new light today. I give you my mountain, my uncrossable river, my loved one who turns away from Jesus again and again, knowing that you do the impossible every day because that is who you are!

Allow God to carry you. Rest in him, trusting him to work in ways that surprise you!

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

•  Lost Without You
•  When I say… “I am a Christian” – by Carol Wimmer

The post Impossibilities appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about all things and as that anointing is real, not counterfeit — just as it has taught you, remain in him.” 1 John 2:27

It’s hard to know what is true anymore!

John talks a lot about truth in this epistle, because it was also hard to know what was true back in his time… It seems that nothing has changed that much, after all.

What is all of this about anointing (mentioned 3 times in this verse)? Traditionally, we know that a person was anointed for a special purpose — to be a king or to enter into ministry, for example. Who did the anointing (a high priest, or another dignitary) was very important. In verse 20, John identifies the Source of our anointing as the Holy One, which refers to Christ, but also to the partnership work of the Holy Spirit. When we accept Christ’s work of atonement for our sins, the Holy Spirit anoints us, not with oil, but with supernatural power to live the Christian life!

This anointing does 2 things for us: it remains in us (we cannot lose it), and it teaches us everything we need to know. We need to do 2 things: remain in Christ and believe in this anointing that it is real and not a lie (counterfeit).

I was drawn to this passage because it used the word “counterfeit”. I wondered why anyone would have questioned the authenticity of the Holy Spirit’s anointing. Perhaps it was due to the same ridicule that the disciples encountered in Acts when they spoke in tongues and were accused of being drunk (Acts 2:13)?

Do you doubt that you have received this anointing of the Holy Spirit? That it is perhaps a lie? That you cannot understand the truths of Scripture? You are not alone. John was writing to others who weren’t sure that they were really anointed by God for life and ministry, and this doubt kept them from moving ahead in faith. Our culture still questions all things spiritual, including the truth of what Christ has done for you on the cross, but you need to stand firm in what you know to be true and keep believing, no matter what!

Father, please help me to take hold of what is true in a world that has so much that is false and counterfeit, and to know that your Spirit’s work in me is real, not counterfeit, and I can take everything that you have deposited in me to the bank!

Choose to focus on what is true today.

Refuse to buy into doubt and to listen to the ridicule of our culture when it comes to what God has done in your life!

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Truth– By Katherine Kehler

•  The True Foundation

•  Which Word is Trueby Mark Buchanan

The post How to Recognize the Counterfeit appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.
Freely you have received; freely give.”  Matthew 10:8

Giving is not easy for me!

And giving freely of myself is even more difficult. (Others may not hear my inner voice that often warns me that people are going to take my giving for granted, and that I am going to end up emotionally drained if I am not careful to conserve my energies, but it does exist!)

Jesus’ disciples were commissioned to do some challenging work! The list is a little overwhelming for me, I have to admit. Although I may have helped someone to recover from illness, I have never raised the dead or cleansed someone with leprosy, let alone driven out a demon. So how does this Scripture apply to me?

I believe that this verse exhorts me to freely give, based on what I have freely received. There is a reservoir of power available to me and to anyone who is a disciple of Jesus. It is encouraging for me to see that Jesus gave the power the disciples needed earlier in this chapter:

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness (Matthew 10:1).

So why would there ever be a deficit in what I am able to freely give to others?

I have realized that what keeps me from giving freely and blocks the reservoir of power that God has made available to me is my own self-centeredness and sense of self-preservation. I confess it. God has shown me this through bringing 2 Japanese teenage boys into our home, who recently came home sick from school with fever and sore throats (sound familiar?). Out came the hand sanitizer and social distancing, with the fear that I was going to get sick, too!

Okay, so I will never be a doctor or nurse in this life, but that will never justify my being stingy with all that I have been given, or holding back in the Kingdom ministry that God has given me in the lives of these 2 boys, who, before coming to Canada, had never heard the gospel, or even the facts about the life of Jesus!

Father, I confess my selfishness and concern for self-preservation. Please forgive me, and fill me with true empathy again, that allows me to once again hug the hurting and offer healing to the sick (even to touch them, or be in the same physical space).

Think about how you have been blessed and empowered for ministry. How can you freely give to others in the way that God has freely given you all that you need for his Kingdom work?

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Extending Grace to Others

•  Harsh Judgments Can Kill One’s Spirit

•  Random Acts of Kindness

•  Salvation Explained

The post Giving Freely to Others appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.”  Mark 1:35

Jesus needed to get away from all distractions to prepare for another day of serving others’ needs. Maybe Jesus had a lot on his mind that he needed to talk to the Father about. Whatever his reason, he had a limited time to do so. In fact, the following verses tell us that his disciples came looking for him, and said, “Everyone is looking for you!” (verse 37).

As I sit here in my chair by the window of my home, I am alone. But I can hear my son playing a video game downstairs, and since I have sat down, my phone has buzzed several times to let me know that I have messages. These things distract me as I try to listen to God’s Spirit. If I had a lot on my mind that I wanted to talk with God about, I would have to go somewhere more “solitary” than this!

A day of ministry lies before each one of us. It may not be healing or casting out demons or preaching. It may be wiping little noses, washing dishes, fixing meals, caring for an elderly parent, or serving people in some other way, but just as Jesus knew his purpose for being on this earth, we also have work to do. And just as Jesus did, it may be necessary to find a solitary place to pray before the busy day begins, and “the whole world” comes looking for us!

Father, thank you for sweet times of solitude and prayer that help us prepare for a day of serving others! Help us to bring you all of our worship and concerns, as we head into whatever you have called us to do today. Amen.

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  In the Stillness

•  The Day I Fell in Love

•  Salvation Explained

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The post A Solitary Place appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

“Burnout” used to be a phrase that I feared. I kept hearing about others in Christian ministry who were “burning out” because they took on too much. I kept wondering how this could happen, and there still are times when there are a lot of demands in my life of ministering to others that cause me to be concerned whether I will thrive or even survive!

There are 4 “alls” in this verse and 1 “every” that promise everything that I could possibly need to avoid burnout:

God is able to make all grace abound to you: God wants to give me more grace, if I will just let him. What does that look like? The first step is accepting the fact that I don’t have what it takes to get the job done myself. I need God’s grace every day of my life!

So that: the reason that he is giving me his abundant grace is that he wants me to do something with it.

In all things: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians. 4:13) When God calls me to do something, no matter how difficult, I can do it as long as I rely on his strength and not just my own.

At all times: the offer for more grace is always there! Like filling up my car with gas, I just need to stop long enough to be refueled by his Spirit! Often this happens in the morning, as I wait on God before I start my day.

Having all that you need: If I have everything that I need, I won’t burn out. I might get tired, even exhausted, but all I have to do is to go back to Jesus for more grace!

You will abound in every good work: God gives me grace so that I can do good things for others in his name (not so I can just kick back and live the “good life” for myself). God has a good work for me to do that is specific to his call and gifting.

Father God, thank you that you keep on giving, and never run out of grace! Please fill me up today, so that I can do all that you have called me to do, in your name. I give you all of the burdens that I am carrying in exchange for your abundant grace! Amen.

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Burn Out Refill

•  When We Feel Burned Out

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Burnout appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”  Galatians 5:1

Since I first became a believer, the tension between the freedom that Christ came to give me, and the weight of fulfilling the law has been a real struggle for me.

Each day, I actually have a choice between 2 yokes to wear. Christ spoke of another yoke in Matthew 11:28-29: “Come unto me, all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

How do you know which yoke you are wearing? It is so easy to “be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” For me, it is when I am feeling weighed down by expectations or a sense of obligations: God’s, other’s, or my own. It is when I believe the lie that I have to “measure up.”

As I have once again revisited this choice of freedom or bondage, certain truths seem to “set me free” (John 8:32).

1. When you know who you are (God’s beloved child, loved unconditionally) there is a freedom that comes with that identity.

2  When you are clear in what Christ has done for you (redeemed and forgiven) there is a freedom to move ahead with clarity and assurance, freed from the slavery of meeting real or imagined expectations

Father God, I acknowledge that I don’t feel “set free” today. What is keeping me from experiencing the freedom that you want to give me? Please help me to consciously choose your yoke over the yoke of slavery. Amen.

Do you believe that you are free?

If not, bring this promise before God today, and ask him to show you why you are not experiencing the “life set free.” Perhaps something has enslaved you without your realizing it. Perhaps you have started believing a lie, like the Galatians did.

By Karen Woodard
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Open My Eyes

•  Have you Checked Your Compass Lately?

•  Salvation Explained

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