“My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you.  I, whom you have redeemed.”  Psalm 71:23 (NIV)

At a high school commencement, one graduate said, “I barely finished. If I’d blown it, my parents would’ve killed me!”

Another student, adopted from an Asian-Pacific country, had a very different perspective.  She said, “I want to express my deepest appreciation to my American parents for loving me.  I want to do everything I can to show them how much I love them and to make them proud of me!”

What a difference in their two perspectives!

So friend, how about your motivation?  Do you serve your Heavenly Father out of fear that He would punish you?  Or is it because you appreciate His great love and what He’s done for you? The Bible says, “My lips will shout for joy when I sing praise to you.  I, whom you have redeemed.”

Thank Jesus for what He has done for you!

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

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The post What is Your Motivation? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.” 1 John 5:14

As a young man, Mike used to think that if he just kept praying, God would give him exactly what he wanted.  But he learned how self-centered that attitude is… not God-centered.

Friend, prayer is not an equation of – you pray and God acts. The bible says: “that if we ask (God) anything… according to His will… He hears us.”
Mike says that when he prays now, God’s plan will be done and in God’s timing…and it will be in Mike’s best interest.

So whether your prayer is for a loved one to come to Christ or a new job, go to God with that prayer.  Then look for God’s answer of yes, no, wait, or a totally unexpected solution!

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

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“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” Revelations 3:20

You might be someone who can quote verses from the Bible.  You may even know that “Jesus died to save us from our sins..” But can you recall making a decision to invite Jesus into your heart?

That was Jennifer’s problem. She was a minister’s granddaughter living in a Christian home. So, she considered herself to be a Christian.  But a trip with her church’s high school youth group challenged her ‘faith’.  She learned being reared in a Christian home or related to a minister did not automatically take away her sin.  Jennifer needed to make the decision to choose God’s offer.  And so she did.  One starry night, author Jennifer Thomas invited Jesus to come into her heart.

Friend, are you sure Jesus Christ is in your life?  If not, make sure by inviting Him in right now.

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

If you would like to experience the reality of God’s presence in your life and have a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ, you can say this prayer:

Lord Jesus, I need You. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of the throne of my life. Make the kind of person You want me to be.

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The post It’s Not Automatic – Salvation appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Stephanie’s dream was to be an author, but family obligations took priority.  When she was forty, however, the urge to write hit again.  She wondered if it was from God.

Friend, you might be wondering about your dream.  Is it God’s best for your life?

Well, at first Stephanie’s prayers were filled with doubt. Then she heard Charles Stanley speak about prayer and fasting.  So she abstained from eating while the family was away.  It left her with more time for God.  As she prayed and released her dream to God, His Word spoke to her heart.  Her dream was confirmed.  Writing was God’s will for her!

Jesus then took Stephanie Reed with her God-given ability to write and used her for His glory.

And, dear one, God can do the same for you.  Give Him your dream today!

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

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“But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”  Psalm 31:14

Megan’s eyes no longer sparkled with the joy her mother remembered.  Dark circles traced her eyes.  She became dangerously thin.  Bobbi worried about her daughter.

Just months before, Megan left home to live with a group of friends.  She began withdrawing from her family and former classmates.  When Bobbi was denied access to her daughter, it raised the final red flag.

Bobbie was tempted to do something drastic, but she knew that wouldn’t solve her problem.  Well, it took years of prayer, patient understanding, pastoral counseling, and Godly love.  But Bobbi finally saw her daughter return to the Jesus she loved as a child.

Dear friend, bringing a loved one to Christ may take time.  Remember, the results aren’t up to you, they’re up to God.  Leave them in His capable hands and allow Him to guide you.

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

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But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” Luke 18:16

Sherry and Jimmie met at a hard rock Black Sabbath concert.
Both were serious substance abusers.
Sherry became pregnant and a few months later, they got married.  But it was awful!
A divorce ended years of abuse.
Strangely enough, God drew them back together.  He had a plan for this family!
What did God use?
Little three-year-old Jason told the pastor, “I want Jesus to bring my daddy home.”

Months later, the couple asked the pastor to marry them.
He agreed if Jimmie would receive Jesus into his life as Sherry had done previously.
So Jimmie said yes.
Now he says,
“Jesus invaded our world that night.  We got up from there and were completely different.”

Now Sherry and blues artist Jimmie Bratcher are sharing Christ’s life-changing story with others.

Friend, your experience might be less dramatic, but God WILL change your life!

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

~~~~~~~

If you don’t know God and his forgiveness and would like to start living a life where he is at your centre, you can start that journey today with a prayer:

Prayer

Lord Jesus, I want to trust you from now on. Thank You for dying on the cross for my sins. I open the door of my life and receive You as my Savior and Lord. Thank You for forgiving my sins and giving me eternal life. Take control of my life. Make me be the person You want me to be. Thank you for enabling me to trust you in these uncertain times. Amen.

~ ~ ~ ~

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The post Completely Different appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words cause quarrels.”
Proverbs 15:1

Carol was a defiant woman.  Pride was her armor.  And anger was her companion.  She was a political activist.  She actually enjoyed wielding her fury.

People cowered under Carol’s verbal attacks. Except for Linda.

Carol hated her sincere smile and how she seemed unfrazzled by harsh words.  Carol confronted Linda and insulted her faith as a test.  Linda’s response was,  ”Jesus loves you, Carol.” and walked away.

Carol was shocked.  Inwardly she felt ugly and hateful.  That night, she broke down in tears.  She kept repeating Linda’s words, “Jesus loves you, Carol.”

Carol apologized to Linda the next day.  And asked about Jesus.

The One who could free her from anger and hatred.

Carol found release through her new faith in Christ.

Dear one, Jesus Christ can give you a new life today!

by Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Get a better understanding of what it means to be a believer of Jesus:
https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

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The post Sincere Smile appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Most of us have dreamed of remodeling our home… that perfect place to entertain.

Well Becky found out it was much easier to dream than to do!  She purchased a rundown farmhouse with the idea of renovating it into her dream home.  But she learned some valuable lessons:
First, count on spending a small fortune.
Then, make sure you figure out how to heat the living room… before inviting your Bible study group over.
And… hire a professional to fix the plumbing.
But the most important lesson is that sometimes renovation is an inside job… your home and your life.

The Bible says, “Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think.” (Romans 12:2)  Friend, begin your personal renovation project by giving your heart to Jesus.  He will remodel and renew you from the inside out!

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

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Dr. Christopher Spencer is a dentist who fills more than cavities, he helps to fill the “God-shaped vacuum” in the lives of his patients.

It all began on a short-term medical mission in 1987. Dr. Spencer began to pray for his patients in a remote area. Then he realized, I should pray for my patients at home.

So now he does. And it’s revolutionized his practice and the people he sees.  Dr. Spencer has had the opportunity to lead people into a relationship with Jesus Christ. Imagine going in to have your teeth cleaned, but finding the One who washes away your sins for all eternity. https://thoughtsaboutgod.com/four-laws

Dear friend, God has planted you in a unique place where only you can have an impact.  Start today by praying for those around you.  It’ll revolutionize your world

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

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“God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful..” 1 Corinthians 1:9

Eighteen-year-old Mary was devastated when her parents announced they were getting a divorce.  She observed the challenges her mother faced in finding a job.  Yet during the hurtful devastation of the divorce, Mary’s mom never wavered in her faith in God.  She said to her girls, “No matter what bad thing happens to you in life -“God is ALWAYS GOOD!”

Mary Alessi says, “As a child, I knew that Jesus loved me. I’ve never doubted that because my mom knew the secret to leading your children to Jesus – it’s living what you believe. She often said, – the bottom line is – if you live out your faith, your children will model what they see.”

My dear mom, your children are watching. Let them see you model your faith through even the difficult circumstances.  Let them know–God IS always good!

Mary Alessi, co-author of When Women Worship, https://www.maryalessi.com  Mary Alessi’s talents range from Mother, Pastor’s Wife, Worship Leader, Songwriter, Teacher and Musician.

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

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“He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart.” Psalm 15:2

Singer Bethany Dillon believes that college students value honesty when you’re telling them about Jesus. She said, “If Christ is shared in an honest, no frills, very passionate way, I think [the message] is heard.”

When Deanna heard that, she was puzzled.  All her life she had never let out what she really felt inside. So, her faith on campus seemed all too surreal to her classmates. Most of them thought she came from a loving home. But that wasn’t true.

Dear friend, honesty speaks far louder than the content of your words.  When Deanna decided to admit her emotional scars, the work God had done in her life seemed genuine. Christ’s love, comfort and joy were evident now as Deanna spoke honestly.

Maybe it’s time you shared how Christ has totally changed your life, honestly!   I think the difficulty in sharing with college-aged people is that it’s such a transitional season of life, SO much learning is going on– figuring out who you really are– taking hold of independence for the first time… I just think there are a lot of walls that go up because of it. However, I also feel like people in college really value HONESTY… whatever’s  REAL, you know? And if Christ is shared in a brutally honest, no frills, very passionate way, I think it’s heard.  I think one of the most precious things about His presence in my life is the permission to be HONEST… whether that’s weeping on my floor for hours without saying a word, or dancing around like a fool and not thinking twice about it. For that to be a safe place full of understanding, that’s been such a healing thing.

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

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“Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”  James 5:16

Hiro’s father had been diagnosed with terminal cancer.  Hiro was a new Christian and even more grieved because his dad didn’t believe in Jesus Christ just as he did.

So Hiro’s college friends joined him in praying for his dad and family.  They prayed consistently the entire semester.  But there was no change.

Hiro believed God would answer his prayers.  He took some time away from college to be with his family.  But his friends continued to pray.  Not long after he left, he called a friend to say, “Great news!  God has answered our prayers!  My dad and Mom have both come to faith in Christ!”

Dear one, the Bible says, “The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” So pray!  Don’t stop praying!  And believe!  God does hear your prayers.

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

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The post Family Prayers appeared first on Thoughts About God.