Anger. It’s a peculiar yet predictable emotion. It begins as a drop of water. An irritant. A frustration. Nothing big, just an aggravation. Someone gets your parking place.

Someone pulls in front of you on the freeway. A waitress is slow and you are in a hurry. The toast burns. Drops of water. Drip. Drip. Drip. Drip.

Yet, get enough of these seemingly innocent drops of anger and before long you’ve got a bucket full of rage. Walking revenge.

Blind bitterness. Unharnessed hatred. We trust no one and bare our teeth at anyone who gets near. We become walking time bombs that, given just the right tension and fear, could explode.

Yet, what do we do? We can’t deny that our anger exists. How do we harness it? A good option is found in Luke 23:34. Here, Jesus speaks about the mob that killed him. ‘Father forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.’

Look carefully. It’s as if Jesus considered this bloodthirsty, death-hungry crowd not as murderers, but as victims. It’s as if he saw in their faces not hatred but confusion. It’s as if he regarded them not as a militant mob but, as he put it, as ‘sheep without a shepherd. They don’t know what they are doing.

And when you think about it, they didn’t. They hadn’t the faintest idea what they were doing. They were a stir-crazy mob, mad at something they couldn’t see so they took it out on, of all people, God. But they didn’t know what they were doing.

And for the most part, neither do we. We are still, as much as we hate to admit it, shepherdless sheep. All we know is that we were born out of one eternity and are frighteningly close to another. We play tag with the fuzzy realities of death and pain. We can’t answer our own questions about love and hurt. We can’t solve the riddle of aging. We don’t know how to heal our own bodies or get along with our own mates. We can’t keep ourselves out of war. We can’t even keep ourselves fed.

Paul spoke for humanity when he confessed,

“I do not know what I am doing.” (Romans 7:15, author’s paraphrase.)

Now, I know that doesn’t justify anything. That doesn’t justify hit-and-run drivers or kiddie-porn peddlers or heroin dealers. But it does help explain why they do the miserable things they do.

My point is this: Uncontrolled anger won’t better our world, but sympathetic understanding will. Once we see the world and ourselves for what we are, we can help. Once we understand ourselves we begin to operate not from a posture of anger but of compassion and concern. We look at the world not with bitter frowns but with extended hands. We realize that the lights are out and a lot of people are stumbling in the darkness. So we light candles.

by Max Lucado
used by permission

From: No Wonder They Call Him the Savior
© W Publishing Group, 1986, 2004

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about-max

FURTHER READING

Anger Management

Watch Your Anger – Psalm 37:8

The Danger of Anger

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“Do not despise…small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.” Zechariah 4:10 NLT

Against a towering giant, a brook pebble seems futile. But God used it to topple Goliath. Compared to the tithes of the wealthy, a widow’s coins seem puny. But Jesus used them to inspire us…

* Moses had a staff.
* David had a sling.
* Samson had a jawbone.
* Rahab had a string.
* Mary had some ointment.
* Aaron had a rod.
* Dorcas had a needle.

All were used by God.

What do you have?  Much more than you might think.  God inhabits the tiny seed. He empowers the tiny deed. Never discount the smallness of your deeds.

by Max Lucado
used by permission
From: Everyday Blessings

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/info/view/about_max_lucado/

FURTHER READING

God does Big Things with Small Deeds

Foot Stool

Offer What You Have and Watch

The post A Tiny Seed, A Tiny Deed appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“The LORD hates those who tell lies but is pleased with those who keep their promises.”  Proverbs 12:22 (NCV)

Our Master has a strict honor code. From Genesis to Revelation, the theme is the same: God loves the truth and hates deceit. In 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 Paul lists the type of people who will not inherit the kingdom of God. The covey he portrays is a ragged assortment of those who sin sexually, worship idols, take part in adultery, sell their bodies, get drunk, rob people, and–there it is–lie about others.

Such rigor may surprise you. You mean my fibbing and flattering stir the same heavenly anger as adultery and aggravated assault? Apparently so….

Why the hard line? Why the tough stance?  For one reason: dishonesty is absolutely contrary to the character of God.

by Max Lucado
Used by permission

From: Just Like Jesus
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1998)

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about-max/

Further Reading

•  Truth Be Told – by Melissa Talbot

• Truth– A Devotional by Katherine Kehler

•  Salvation Explained

Follow Us On:  Facebook  • ‘X’ Twitter  •  Instagram  • Pinterest

The post God Loves the Truth appeared first on Thoughts About God.

For the last twenty years, I’ve wanted a dog. A big dog. But there were always problems. The apartment was too small. The budget was too tight. The girls were too young. But most of all, Denalyn was unenthusiastic. Her logic? She’d already married one slobbering, shedding beast, why put up with a second? So we compromised and got a small dog.

I like Salty, but small dogs aren’t really dogs. They don’t bark; they yelp. They don’t eat; they nibble. They don’t lick you; they sniff you. I like Salty, but I wanted a real dog. A man’s-best-friend type of dog. A fat-pawed, big-eating, slurp-you-on-the-face type of dog you could saddle or wrestle or both.

I was alone in my passion until Sara was born. She loves dogs. And the two of us were able to sway the household vote. Denalyn gave in, and Sara and I began the search. We discovered a woman in South Carolina who breeds golden retrievers in a Christian environment. From birth the dogs are surrounded by inspirational music and prayers. (No, I don’t know if they tithe with dog biscuits.) When the trainer told me that she had read my books, I got on board. A woman with such good taste is bound to be a good breeder, right?

So we ordered a pup. We mailed the check, selected the name Molly, and cleared a corner for her dog pillow. The dog hadn’t even been born, and she was named, claimed, and given a place in the house.

Can’t the same be said about you? Long before your first whimper, your Master claimed you, named you, and hung a reserved sign on your room. You and Molly have more in common than odor and eating habits. (Just teasing.)

You’re both being groomed for a trip. We prefer the terms maturation and sanctification to weaning and training, but it’s all the same. You’re being prepared for your Master’s house. You don’t know the departure date or flight number, but you can bet your puppy chow that you’ll be seeing your Owner someday. Isn’t this the concluding promise of David?

“And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (Psalm 23:6 NKJV).

Where will you live forever? In the house of the Lord. If his house is your ‘forever house,’ what does that make this earthly house? You got it! Short-term housing. This is not our home. Our homeland is in heaven. (Philippians 3:20).

We, like Molly, are being prepared for another house.

Don’t quench, but rather, stir this longing for heaven.

God’s home is a forever home. “And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” (Psalm 23:6 NKJV).

by Max Lucado
used by permission

From: Traveling Light
(Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2006) Max Lucado
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
https://maxlucado.com/about-max/

FURTHER READING

What is Following You?

Our Sure God

Spiritual Growth Articles

The post A Forever Home appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:2 (NCV)

For many people, life is, well, life is a jungle. Not a jungle of trees and beasts. Our jungles are comprised of the thicker thickets of failing health, broken hearts, and empty wallets.  We don’t hear the screeching of birds or the roaring of lions, but we do hear the complaints of neighbors and the demands of bosses.

Whether you are a lamb lost on a craggy ledge or a city slicker alone in a deep jungle, everything changes when your rescuer appears.

Your loneliness diminishes because you have fellowship. Your despair decreases because you have vision. Your confusion begins to lift because you have direction.

You haven’t left the jungle. The trees still eclipse the sky, and the thorns still cut the skin.  It hasn’t changed, but you have. You have changed because you have hope. And you have hope because you have met someone who can lead you out.

by Max Lucado
used by permission

From: Traveling Light
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2000)

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/about/

FURTHER READING

Help for Prevailing Problems

Been There Done That

Where Does My Help Come From?

Follow Us On:  Facebook  • ‘X’ Twitter  •  Instagram  • Pinterest

The post It’s a Jungle Out There! appeared first on Thoughts About God.

The first miracle of Jesus was at a wedding—no small event.  For several days, there was gift-giving, speech making, food-eating, and wine-drinking.   Hospitality was a sacred duty  The absence of wine was a social embarrassment.  Mary asks her son to help, and he tells her that his “time has not yet come.” But he changed his plan to meet the needs of his friends.

This miracle tells us that what matters to you matters to God. You are his child.  So go ahead. Tell God what hurts.  He won’t turn you away or think it’s silly.  Hebrews 4:15-16 says,

“For our high priest is able to understand our weaknesses…Let us, then, feel very sure that we can come before God’s throne where there is grace.”

Does God care about the little things in our lives?  You better believe it.

By Max Lucado
used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:    
https://maxlucado.com/about-max/

From: He Still Moves Stones

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

FURTHER READING

Attributes of God

God is Thinking about You

Father God’s Intimate Love Letter to You

The post What Matters to You Matters to God appeared first on Thoughts About God.

““For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Much has been said about Jesus’ “gift of the Cross.” But what of the other gifts? What of the nails, the crown of thorns?  The garments taken by the soldiers?  Have you taken time to open these gifts?

He didn’t have to give us these gifts, you know. The only required act for our salvation was the shedding of blood, yet He did much more.  So much more.

Search the scene of the Cross—and what do you find? A wine-soaked sponge.  A sign.  Two crosses beside Christ. Divine gifts intended to stir that moment, that split second when your face will brighten, your eyes will widen, and God will hear you whisper, “You did this for me?” Dare we think such thoughts?

Let’s unwrap these gifts of grace– as if for the first time. Pause and listen.  Perhaps you will hear Him whisper, “I did it just for you!”

By Max Lucado
Used by permission
From: He Chose the Nails

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://maxlucado.com/about/

FURTHER READING

• Eternal Love

• Fully Surrender to the Lord

•  Salvation Explained

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The post Unwrapping the Gifts of the Cross appeared first on Thoughts About God.

John didn’t know on that Friday what you and I now know. He didn’t know that Friday’s tragedy would be Sunday’s triumph. John would later confess that he “did not yet understand from the Scriptures that Jesus must rise from the dead. John 20:9

That’s why what he did on Saturday is so important.

We don’t know anything about this day; we have no passage to read, no knowledge to share. All we know is this: When  Sunday came, John was still present. When Mary Magdalene came looking for him, she found him.

Jesus was dead. The Master’s body was lifeless. John’s friend and future were buried. But John had not left. Why? Was he waiting for the resurrection? No. As far as he knew, the lips were forever silent and the hands forever still. He wasn’t expecting a Sunday surprise. Then why was he here?

You’d think he would have left. Who was to say that the men who crucified Christ wouldn’t come after him? The crowds were pleased with one crucifixion; the religious leaders might have called for more. Why didn’t John get out of town?

Perhaps the answer was pragmatic; perhaps he was taking care of Jesus’ mother. Or perhaps he didn’t have anywhere else to go. Could be he didn’t have any money or energy or direction – or all of the above.

Or maybe he lingered because he loved Jesus.

To others, Jesus was a miracle worker. To others, Jesus was a master teacher. To others, Jesus was the hope of Israel. But to John, he was all of these and more. To John, Jesus was a friend.

You don’t abandon a friend, not even when that friend is dead. John stayed close to Jesus.

He had a habit of doing this. He was close to Jesus in the upper room. He was close to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was at the foot of the cross at the crucifixion, and he was a quick walk from the tomb at the burial.

Did he understand Jesus? No.

Was he glad Jesus did what he did? No.

But did he leave Jesus? No.

What about you? When you’re in John’s position, what do you do? When it’s Saturday in your life, how do you react? When you are somewhere between yesterday’s tragedy and tomorrow’s triumph, what do you do? Do you leave God’ – or do you linger near him?

John chose to linger. And because he lingered on Saturday, he was around on Sunday to see the miracle.

By Max Lucado
From: He Chose the Nails
To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://maxlucado.com/about/

photo credit: Christopher Brown. Creative Commons license.

FURTHER READING

• The Easter Story – the story of Christ’s death and resurrection
• Who’s Got the Body?   A short, documented examination of evidences for Jesus’ resurrection.  By Rusty Wright
• Jesus has Forgiven you, but Have you forgiven Yourself ?

Easter Poems:

• When I say… “I am a Christian”
• The Light of the World

The post On Saturday appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Then the soldiers bowed before Jesus and made fun of him, saying, ‘Hail, King of the Jews’.  They spat on Jesus.” (Matthew 27:29-30)

The soldiers’ assignment was simple: Take the Nazarene to the hill and kill him. But they had another idea. They wanted to have some fun first. Strong, rested, armed soldiers encircled an exhausted, nearly dead, Galilean carpenter and beat up on him. The scourging was commanded. The crucifixion was ordered. But who would draw pleasure out of spitting on a half-dead man?

Spitting isn’t intended to hurt the body, it can’t. Spitting is intended to degrade the soul, and it does. What were the soldiers doing? Were they not elevating themselves at the expense of another? They felt big by making Christ look small.

Ever done that? Maybe you’ve never spit on anyone, but have you gossiped? Slandered? Have you ever raised your hand in anger or rolled your eyes in arrogance? Have you ever blasted your high beams in someone’s rearview mirror? Ever made someone feel bad so you would feel good?

That’s what the soldiers did to Jesus. When you and I do the same, we do it to Jesus too. “I assure you, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me” (Matthew 25:40 NLT). How we treat others is how we treat Jesus.

“Oh, Max, I don’t like to hear that” you protest. Believe me, I don’t like to say it. But we must face the fact that there is something beastly within each and every one of us.

Something beastly that makes us do things that surprise even us. Haven’t you surprised yourself? Haven’t you reflected on an act and wondered, ‘What got into me?’

The Bible has a three-letter answer for that question: S-I-N.

Allow the spit of the soldiers to symbolize the filth in our hearts. And then observe what Jesus does with our filth. He carries it to the cross.

Through the prophet he said, “I did not hide my face from mocking and spitting”  Isaiah 50:6 NIV). Mingled with his blood and sweat was the essence of our sin.

God could have deemed otherwise. In God’s plan, Jesus was offered wine for his throat, so why not a towel for his face? Simon carried the cross of Jesus, but he didn’t mop the cheek of Jesus. Angels were a prayer away. Couldn’t they have taken the spittle away?

They could have, but Jesus never commanded them to. For some reason, the One who chose the nails also chose the saliva. Along with the spear and the sponge of man, he bore the spit of man.

by Max Lucado
Used by permission
From: He Choose the Nails
Copyright [W Publishing 1998, 2001] Max Lucado

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/about/

FURTHER READING

The Easter Story – the story of Christ’s death and resurrection

Jesus’ Resurrection: Fact or Fiction?

Who’s Got the Body?   A short, documented examination of evidences for Jesus’ resurrection.  By Rusty Wright

Why Do Christians Celebrate Easter by Dr. James L. Wilson

At the Foot of the Cross – Powerful Poem

The post He Bore It All appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself…encourage you and strengthen you in every good thing you do and say.” 2 Thessalonians 2:16 (NCV)

Are you still in love with Jesus? Before you remember anything, remember him. If you forget anything, don’t forget him.

Oh, but how quickly we forget. So much happens through the years. So many changes within. So many alterations without. And, somewhere, back there, we leave him. We don’t turn away from him…we just don’t take him with us. Assignments come. Promotions come. Budgets are made. Kids are born, and the Christ…the Christ is forgotten.

Has it been a while since you stared at the heavens in speechless amazement? Has it been a while since you realized God’s divinity and your carnality?

If it has, then you need to know something. He is still there. He hasn’t left.

by Max Lucado
used by permission
From: Six Hours One Friday
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2003)

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/about/

FURTHER READING

The Cross by Max Lucado

In Prison sentenced to Death – by Mike Woodard

I Want to Know Him! Christ and his Resurrection Power

The Tomb

The post Don’t Forget appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Be strong in the Lord and in his great power.  Ephesians 6:10 (NCV)

I stand a few feet from a mirror and see the face of a man who failed, … who failed his Maker. Again. I promised I wouldn’t, but I did. I was quiet when I should have been bold. I took a seat when I should have taken a stand.

If this were the first time, it would be different. But it isn’t. How many times can one fall and expect to be caught?…

Your eyes look in the mirror and see a sinner, a failure, a promise-breaker. But by faith you look in the mirror and see a robed prodigal bearing the ring of grace on your finger and the kiss of your Father on your face….

Your eyes see your faults. Your faith sees your Savior.

Your eyes see your guilt. Your faith sees his blood.

by Max Lucado
Used by permission

From: When God Whispers Your Name
Copyright (Word Publishing, 1994)

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/about/

FURTHER READING

14 Verses for when it Feels Like God is Silent

If You Want Peace, Prepare For

Spiritual Growth Articles

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The post Faith Sees the Savior appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Each person is given something to do that shows who God is.”  1 Corinthians 12:7 MSG

Da Vinci painted one Mona Lisa. Beethoven composed one Fifth Symphony. And God made one version of you. He custom designed you for a one-of-a-kind assignment. Mine like a gold digger the unique-to-you nuggets from your life.

When I was six years old, my father built us a house. Architectural Digest didn’t notice, but my mom sure did. Dad constructed it, board by board, every day after work. My youth didn’t deter him from giving me a job. He tied an empty nail apron around my waist, placed a magnet in my hands, and sent me on daily patrols around the building site, carrying my magnet only inches off the ground.

One look at my tools and you could guess my job. Stray-nail collector.

One look at yours and the same can be said. Brick by brick, life by life, God is creating a kingdom, a ‘spiritual house’ (1 Peter 2:5 CEV). He entrusted you with a key task in the project. Examine your tools and discover them. Your ability unveils your destiny. “If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 4:11). When God gives an assignment, he also gives the skill. Study your skills, then, to reveal your assignment.

Look at you. Your uncanny ease with numbers. Your quenchless curiosity about chemistry. Others stare at blueprints and yawn; you read them and drool. “I was made to do this,” you say.

Heed that inner music. No one else hears it the way you do.

What about you? Our Maker gives assignments to people, “to each according to each one’s unique ability” (Matthew 25:15). As he calls, he equips. Look back over your life. What have you consistently done well? What have you loved to do? Stand at the intersection of your affections and successes and find your uniqueness.

You have one. A divine spark.  An uncommon call to an uncommon life. “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others” (1 Corinthians. 12:7 CEV). So much for the excuse “I don’t have anything to offer.” Did the apostle Paul say, “The Spirit has given some of us“  Or, “The Spirit has given a few of us.” No. “The Spirit has given each of us a special way of serving others”  Enough of this self-deprecating ‘I can’t do anything.’

And enough of its arrogant opposite: “I have to do everything.” No, you don’t! You’re not God’s solution to society, but a solution in society. Imitate Paul, who said, “Our goal is to stay within the boundaries of God’s plan for us” (2 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). Clarify your contribution.

Don’t worry about skills you don’t have. Don’t covet strengths others do have. Just extract your uniqueness. “Kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you.” (2 Timothy. 1:6 NASB).

By Max Lucado
From: Cure for the Common Life:
used by permission

To learn more about Max Lucado visit his website at:
http://www.maxlucado.com/about/

FURTHER READING

What is in Your Hands

Hand Picked

Called

The post An Uncommon Call to an Uncommon Life appeared first on Thoughts About God.