thoughts by Vonette Bright Archives - Thoughts About God

An Inside Job (SMILE)

Thoughts_About_God — Tue, 12 May 2026 07:03:19 +0000

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

FURTHER READING

How to invite God into your life and live for him

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Filling More Than Cavities

Thoughts_About_God — Mon, 11 May 2026 07:06:43 +0000

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

God Is Always Good

Thoughts_About_God — Sun, 10 May 2026 07:03:02 +0000

“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, http://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

Honestly

Thoughts_About_God — Sat, 02 May 2026 07:06:49 +0000

“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

FURTHER READING

Ideas to share Christ’s love

Extending Grace to Others

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

The post Honestly appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Family Prayers

admin — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 07:06:07 +0000

“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

FURTHER READING

Hold On a Little While Longer

How to Pray Articles

The Power of a Mother’s Promise

The post Family Prayers appeared first on Thoughts About God.

An Adventure

Thoughts_About_God — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 07:03:50 +0000

Sometimes people are led to believe that once you become a Christian, everything is magical.
Suzie Eller says, “It’s not magical, it’s an adventure!”
When she prayed to receive Christ into her life, she still had to return to the same abusive home.
The difference, she admits, is what began to take place within her.
Oh, Suzie’s adventure brought dark times like cancer.
And her son was severely injured when hit by a drunk driver.
But God was faithful to her even in the rough stuff.

The Apostle Paul wrote, Ephesians 3:16-17

‘I pray that from God’s glorious, unlimited resources
He will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.
And that your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.‘

Dear friend, God is the vine. He is your source, your strength, your direction, and your hope.

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

FURTHER READING

The Branch and the Vine

Be Enlarged by the Love of God

How Great is our God

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Pierced for Our Rebellion

Devotionals — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 07:03:00 +0000

“But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” Isaiah 53:5 (NIV)

The Bible says, referring to Christ’s death on the cross: Jesus “was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins.”

When Barb Boswell suffered through breast cancer, she felt pierced too.
After her painful ordeal, God reminded her that Christ was pierced on her behalf.
It was Good Friday, the day we remember the crucifixion of Jesus.

Oh dear one, God used both piercings for His glory.

Through faith we know Christ rose again. His suffering was for you, to make a way to God.
For Barb, cancer was a life-changing experience, which God has used.
She now reaches out to other cancer survivors with the story of God’s love and grace.

Take a few minutes to read Isaiah 53.

It will put all your sufferings, all your “piercings” into perspective.

Every Time I Turn Around, I Catch a Glimpse of God! By Barb Boswell http://www.barbboswell.com/

By Vonette Bright
Used by Permission

Isaiah 53 New International Version (NIV)

53 Who has believed our message
    and to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?
²He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
    and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
    nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.
³He was despised and rejected by mankind,
    a man of suffering, and familiar with pain.
Like one from whom people hide their faces
    he was despised, and we held him in low esteem.

⁴Surely he took up our pain
    and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
    stricken by him, and afflicted.
⁵But he was pierced for our transgressions,
    he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
    and by his wounds we are healed.
⁶We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
    each of us has turned to our own way;
and the Lord has laid on him
    the iniquity of us all.

⁷He was oppressed and afflicted,
    yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
    and as a sheep before its shearers is silent,
    so he did not open his mouth.
⁸By oppression^a]">[a] and judgment he was taken away.
    Yet who of his generation protested?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
    for the transgression of my people he was punished.^b]">[b]
⁹He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
    and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
    nor was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
    and though the Lord makes^c]">[c] his life an offering for sin,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
    and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand.
¹¹After he has suffered,
    he will see the light of life^d]">[d] and be satisfied^e]">[e];
by his knowledge^f]">[f] my righteous servant will justify many,
    and he will bear their iniquities.
¹²Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,^g]">[g]
    and he will divide the spoils with the strong,^h]">[h]
because he poured out his life unto death,
    and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
    and made intercession for the transgressors.

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

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Dully Funks

Devotionals — Tue, 10 Mar 2026 07:03:35 +0000

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” James 1:2-3

Author Debora Coty calls them “dully-funks.”

They’re those joyless moments. Like when you’re knee-deep in laundry do-overs.

Or the baby’s screaming while your other child makes nail polish pictures on the bedspread.

Or when the phone rings, dinner is boiling over, and the dog needs to go outside NOW.

Well Debora felt like she was living in a black hole that consumed her Jesus-joy.

It was an overwhelming funk of spiritual dullness.

Then she finally turned to God in prayer.

Debora says,
“Through diaper-by-diaper communication with my living Creator As He breathed His spirit and joy into me, I rediscovered my Papa God’s divinely-orchestrated levity of love all around me.”

Friend, don’t be overwhelmed by circumstances.

Talk to God and let Him fill your life with HIS joy.

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Dry Bones Praying

Dry Towels and Thirsty Souls

Hope for the Bone Dry

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Notches

Thoughts_About_God — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 08:03:59 +0000

“Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11

When Charlene met someone, she immediately thought, ‘This person needs Jesus.’
It’s a great thought, but sometimes comes with the wrong motive.

Take, for instance, Charlene’s friend, Lisa. They shared a common interest and enjoyed each other’s company. But Lisa was beginning to feel uncomfortable in their friendship. Charlene told Lisa about Jesus, yes. But Lisa felt that if she became a Christian, Charlene would score another brownie point and move on. Lisa finally admitted how she felt. Charlene had never realized how she’d come across. She apologized to Lisa and asked God’s forgiveness, too.

Friend, be careful of your motive in reaching out to others about Jesus. A soul saved is not a brownie point, but someone for whom Christ died.

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

Angel Food Cake

Thoughts_About_God — Mon, 23 Feb 2026 08:06:31 +0000

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

God has an amazing knack for turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. Leah walked into the grocery store and saw Kris. Two years before, Leah had begun to build a friendship with this young cashier. Leah had wrapped Max Lucado’s John 3:16 book and gave it to her as she checked out.

Since then, many joined Leah in praying for Kris. But the cashier’s hours had been cut due to the tough economy, so Leah hadn’t seen her for awhile. This time, Kris had great news! She had committed her life to Christ. And soon she’ll lead a home group to reach others. Kris is passing on the book she was given so someone else can read about God’s love. Joyfully, Leah bought an angel food cake from the bakery to celebrate Kris’ coming to Christ.

Friend, share God’s love with everyone you meet.

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Getting Close to People

Caring Enough to Tell Others about Christ

Conversation Starters to transition to Spiritual things

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Home Battle Front

Thoughts_About_God — Fri, 30 Jan 2026 08:06:59 +0000

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.” John 3:16-17

Carrie and Don were constantly fighting. Eventually, Don could handle it no more. He left Carrie for a younger woman. She was left to rear her teenage son alone. To make matters worse, the boy ran away. Carrie’s whole life had fallen apart and she wondered what she had done wrong. Friend, there’s a spiritual battle being waged over your home too. It is very real and the stakes are very high. Carrie realized that – so she prayed. She applied Godly patience and love when she spoke to her son and husband. She knew it would take time and pastoral counseling to finally see victory. And she has! Years later, her son now serves in ministry.

Friend, pray daily for your family. Seek God’s guidance in His Word. God will be with you in this battle and He, through you, will win!

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

Read the book: In My Father’s Home by Tracy Hughes

FURTHER READING

Bloom… Where You are Planted

10 Things to Pray for Friends and Family

Daily Prayers – prayer for protection, prayer for friends, prayer for the home; and more.

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Weighed Down

Thoughts_About_God — Wed, 07 Jan 2026 08:06:31 +0000

Jan had Googled ‘Christian Spa‘ and found a weight-loss group with a Christ-centered focus. As part of the program, the group studied the Bible, prayed, and memorized scripture. Finally, Jan had a great circle of Christian sisters to support her. And her life was visibly changed. She lost 100 pounds!

Friend, you too may be spiritually and physically weighed down. Ask yourself this: Is Christ the focus and center of my life? Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.”

You can’t achieve balance spiritually, emotionally, mentally, or physically until you’ve placed yourself completely under God’s control.
Remember, the Bible also says to give God first place in your life, then all your ‘everyday human concerns’ will be met.

by Vonette Bright
used by permission

FURTHER READING

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