“My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.” Proverbs 4:20

We are bombarded with so many distractions every day. It takes a conscious effort on our part to remain focused and do the things in life that are truly needed.

Think of the story of Martha receiving Jesus into her home. Her sister Mary sat at the feet of Jesus, paying attention to Him and taking in every word. But Martha was busy in the kitchen, preparing everything so it was perfect for her guests. Naturally, she became frustrated with her sister, who wasn’t doing anything to help out:

“[Martha] came to [Jesus] and asked, ‘Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!’

‘Martha, Martha,’ the Lord answered, ‘you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed — or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:38).

Like Martha, we tend to be worried and distracted, giving attention to the challenges around us instead of the Word of God. But the only thing that’s needed is to be like Mary, to sit at the feet of Jesus, soaking in His presence and His Word.

Are you giving attention to the Word? Are you hearing from Him? Or have you allowed the distractions of the world keep you from listening to Jesus? Instead of fixating on life’s challenges, meditate on the Word so that you can hear from Him.

Lord, give me the wisdom to deal with the distractions in my life that are keeping me from attending to Your Word. Amen.

By Folasade Oladapo
used by permission

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FURTHER READING

Spiritual Distractions

How Distractions May Lead Us to a Slow Fade

When Silence is More Than Being Quiet

The post Only One Thing is Needed appeared first on Thoughts About God.

I will war for you when you are weak
and can’t go on.
Giving to you renewed strength.

I will war for you when people
are slandering you, with words
and assassinating your character
I will war for you, that you will
not get stuck in the mud.

I will war for you maintaining your integrity
for you were born to win, to soar above
the storms of life.
Yes I will carry your pain, humiliation
and all of your shame.
I will war so that you will live above sin.

I will war for you to continue to display
My love, embracing each hurting soul
whose path you cross, in spite
of the false accusers.

I will war for you, fighting your battles
giving to you the victories, and ushering
you into My presence where you will find
joy beyond measure.

I will war for you, you are my Choice Vessel
whom I have chosen, to display my love
to a hurting world filled with pain.
I will war for you, I love you so much
that I sacrificed My only Son Jesus Christ
to die in your place
so that you can live daily abundantly
free from the ravages of sin.

Always remember Jehovah Gibbor will arise
to war for you, through Jesus Christ
your Intercessor, your High Priest.
The Lamb who died for you.

Signed: Your Abba Father who loves you
unconditionally!!

by Margaret Mullings
Used with permission

Do you need the supernatural strength that only God can give?

If you are a believer in Jesus Christ, God has given you His Holy Spirit to help you live life according to His perfect plan. Why not pray this simple prayer and by faith invite Him to fill you with His Spirit:

Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have sinned against You by directing my own life. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I pray this in the name of Jesus. As an expression of my faith, I thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit. Amen

Further Reading

•  Life Can Bring Joy out of Sorrow by Norma Becker
•  Fully Surrender to the Lord
•  Salvation Explained

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Prayer from Psalm 46:10-11

BE—God, I say “yes” to You. I choose to allow Your way to shape me and Your will to direct me in what is best. I surrender instead of resist, I yield instead of fight, I believe instead of doubt.

STILL—Father, may Your rest abide and Your peace abound within me. Quiet all anxiety that troubles my thoughts and unsettles my emotions. I bring my soul under the control of the Holy Spirit; I stand steady upon the unmovable foundations of Your kingdom; I receive the sufficiency of Your grace and the encouragement of Your promises as you calm my soul.

AND KNOW— Lord, thank you that Your word is sure, unchanging, and indisputable. Your word is true. I am certain. You have saved me from guessing, wondering, wishing, or pretending. I know! I believe!

I AM GOD— You are who You say You are. You do what You say You do. There is no other! You are the highest, the greatest, the best. You have no weakness, no lack, and no equal. You are my God, and my Heavenly Father. I find comfort in Your nearness, security in Your voice, courage in Your strength, hope in Your promises. You are enough. More than enough! You are with me. You are my refuge. I am safe in Your care.

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge.”  Psalms 46:10-11 NKJV

By Roy Lessin
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Be Still, My Daughter by Sylvia Gunter
• Be Still by Max Lucado
• Impatient Heart, Be Still

The post Pray This appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Before every major new thing He did, God gave this word to His people: “Consecrate yourself, purify yourself, repent.”  Study for yourself and see how many times God said, “Consecrate yourself, and tomorrow I will (or you will)...”  Over and over, God showed new revelation of Himself and new unfolding of His glory to those who prepared the way by purification:

• Before leaving Egypt: Exodus 12:15, Luke 12:1, 1 Corinthians 5:6-8
• Before God met Moses in holy glory on the mountain: Exodus 19:10
• Before crossing the Jordan: Joshua 3:5
• Before God revealed sin in the camp: Joshua 7:13
• Before God’s new king was anointed to bear the lineage of Jesus: 1 Samuel 16:5
• Before bringing the ark of the presence of the Lord to the place God prepared for it: 1 Chronicles 15:12
• Before Hezekiah’s revival: 2 Chronicles 29:5
• Before God pours out His Spirit: Joel 1:14, 2:15
• Before the entrance of Jesus onto the scene, John preached m”Repent to prepare the way of the Lord“: Matthew 3:2
• Before Jesus went to the cross, He sanctified Himself: John 17:19

The priests consecrated themselves before the dedication of the temple, and God showed up in such glory that the priests could not minister (2 Chronicles 5:11-14).  Oh dear ones, read Solomon’s prayer in one of the most majestic passages in the Bible in
2 Chronicles 6 and 7.  Let its praise, and prayers, and promise, and pleas for mercy, and repentance, and answers, and forgiveness thrill you, as you long for fire to fall and the glory of God to come, as in 2 Chronicles 7:1.

Will you pray this prayer for radical consecration?

“Jesus, make me holy. Work in me Your redemption from all iniquity (wickedness) and purify (sanctify and cleanse) me for Yourself for Your own possession, zealous for good deeds, doing what is good and right (Titus 2:14). Cleanse me and free me of lawlessness, so that I will be eager to please you.“

by Sylvia Gunter
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• The Gift of Repentance
• Small Sins; Dangerous Effects
• An Act of Devotion

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Read: John 14:27-31

“My peace I give to you” (John 14:27).

Jesus spoke these amazing words just hours before His crucifixion. His peace isn’t dependent upon external circumstances, but rather, it transcends them. Although He gives His peace to every believer as a gift, our experience of it is related to our faith in the following truths:

• God is in control of everything. Without this assurance, the world is a scary place.
• He loves me and will see me through every circumstance, no matter how difficult or painful it may be.
• To have Christ’s peace, I must surrender my life to Him. When I hold onto my ways and plans, I’ll experience turmoil.
• I have a limited perspective and understanding of my circumstances and God’s purposes for allowing them. His goals for me are greater than my immediate comfort.
• The Lord promises to work all things out for my good. He is continually working to transform my character into Christ’s image.
• I must live in sync with God, walking in the Spirit and promptly confessing and repenting of sin.
• Scripture is my foundation for peace. It increases my trust in the Lord’s goodness, assures me that He keeps His promises, and reminds me of His sovereignty over every situation.

Sadly, many Christians live their whole lives without consistently experiencing this incomprehensible peace. Perhaps faith and submission are the most challenging issues. But only as we surrender control of our lives to Christ and trust in His plans for us will we discover tranquil rest for our souls.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
used by Permission
www.intouch.org

FURTHER READING

• Continuous Surrender
• Are You Afraid to Fully Surrender to God?
• Fully Surrender to the Lord

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“A person finds joy in giving an apt reply — and how good is a timely word!”  Proverbs 15:23

We all have moments in life that have been really significant. They have shaped our thoughts and perspective. They are important moments!

When I was 12, I spent the day with a family friend. This friend had become like a second mom to me. We were engaged in a variety of household odd jobs when she paused and said, “Mike, you are a good boy.” My first thought was, “Really?”

I had experienced few affirming words up to that point. This honored friend’s words echoed in my heart that day and somehow imprinted on my identity, and then lingered as a poignant moment in my memory for decades. Years later, I told this cherished lady how important her words had been in my search for identity. Joy shone in her face at the knowledge that her simple words had impacted me so deeply.

In God’s economy there is the principle of reaping and sowing. As we are intentional to bless and encourage, we will be blessed and encouraged. Paul states this in strong language,

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

He continues with the admonition,

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

What words are you saying to someone else that will imprint on their memory and shape their identity? The seeds of your words can reap joy, today and later on.

Dear Father, help me to be an encouragement. You know every deep thought and need of those I will intersect with today and this week. May your Spirit give me simple and timely words or motivate me to acts of kindness to bless others. Amen.

By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission  https://www.familylifecanada.com/

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“But this one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” Philippians 3:13, 14

A photo in today’s sports section of our newspaper depicted the above verse in a dramatic way. Five men in a 100-meter sprint  were pressing toward the goal with all their strength. They all wanted to win the race. Their heads bent forward, their faces reflecting their determination, and every muscle in their body taunt.

That photo also illustrates the Apostle Paul’s life purpose — pressing on to win the race.

After putting the newspaper down I pondered these verses, wondering what they mean for us. The Life Application Bible offered the following explanation:

“Our Goal as believers: We train ourselves to run the race of life. So we keep our eyes on Christ — the goal — and don’t get sidetracked or slowed down. When we do this, we will win a reward in Christ’s kingdom.”

“Living the Christian life demands all of our energy. We can forget the past and strain for the goal because we know Christ promises eternity with him at the race’s end.”

“The Christian life is a fight against evil forces from without and temptations from within. If we stay true to God through it all, he promises an end, a rest, and a crown”.

“As we must repeat exercises to tone our bodies, so we must steadily repeat spiritual exercises to be spiritually fit. When we do this, we will be better Christians, living in accordance with God’s will. Such a life will attract others to Christ and pay dividends in this present life and the next.”

What are these spiritual exercises?  Six form the acronym GROWTH.

Go to God in prayer daily (John 15:7).
Read God’s Word daily (Acts 17:11).
Obey God moment by moment (John 14:21).
Witness for Christ by your life and words (Matthew 4:19).
Trust God for every detail of your life (1Peter 5:7).
Holy Spirit — Allow Him to control and empower your daily life and witness (Galatians 16,17; Acts 1:8).

I challenge you to make these spiritual exercises a daily workout. Press on to win the heavenly goal.

Father, so often we focus more on exercising our physical body than exercising our spiritual life. Thank You for Your promise that You will help us do it (Philippians 2:13). Help us become spiritually fit. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• The Race Before Us – by William S. Stoddard

• Run with Patience – by Vonette Bright

• Running the Race –  by Max Lucado

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“Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.”   Colossians 3:17

Thoughts on today’s verse

Everything! All! No matter what we say, no matter what we do, it is to be offered as a gift of thanks to God with Jesus’ name, power, and honor attached! This makes all of life our worship and thanksgiving to God. There’s no such thing as going to worship; if we live, if we talk, if we act it’s worship. So how has your worship been lately?

Prayer:

Almighty and Most Holy God, I want all of my life to be lived out to your glory, a living testament of thanks to you for the grace you have given me in Jesus. While I do not always do this as well as I would like, I lovingly offer you my words, my actions, my heart and my mind to bring you glory by doing your will. Please, use your Spirit to remove the areas of self-deception from my life so that weakness and hypocrisy will not rob my discipleship of its intended worship of your majesty. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
used by permission.
You can also follow Phil’s daily devotionals on https://www.verseoftheday.com

FURTHER READING

•  I Testify that God is…. – by Wendy Patrick
•  Down the Road
•  Salvation Explained

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Able is the Greek word dunatos, related to dunamis, meaning ability, abundance, capability, mighty works, miraculous power, prevailing strength.

“God is able” means God has the mighty power to do a miraculous work out of His abundance and strength.

Romans 16:25 says God is able to establish you. Listen to the richness of the verse when read with its full definition “God has mighty power to do a miraculous work out of His abundance and strength to establish you.”

Bring your inability to the ability of God.

As you read these verses drink in the bigness of God as you replace “able” with “has the mighty power to do a miraculous work out of His abundance and strength.”

God is …

Able to give much more.   2 Chronicles 25:9
Able to deliver from fire.   Daniel 3:17
Able to raise up children of Abraham from stones.   Mathew 3:9
Able to give sight to the blind.  Mathew 9:28-29
Able to destroy in hell.   Mathew 10:28, James 4:12
Able to perform what He promised.   Romans 4:21
Able to graft in the Gentiles.   Romans 11:23
Able to make you stand.   Romans 14:4
Able to establish you.   Romans 16:25
Able to make a way through temptation.  1 Corinthians 10:13
Able to make all grace abound to you.   2 Corinthians 9:8
Able to do exceedingly beyond all your asking.   Ephesians 3:20
Able to subdue everything under His control.   Philippines 3:21
Able to keep all we have committed to Him.   2 Timothy 1:12
Able to help the tempted.   Hebrews 2:18
Able to save from death.   Hebrews 5:7
Able to save completely, to the utmost.   Hebrews7:25
Able to raise men from the dead.   Hebrews 11:19
Able to keep you from falling and to present you before His presence without fault and with great joy.   Jude 24

To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.   Jude 25

Be blessed in the name of God who is able.

By Sylvia Gunter
Used by permission
from: Prayer Essentials For Living In His Presence, Vol 1, page 74 © 2000 Sylvia Gunter

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Further Reading

•  How to Pray

•  Keeping Yourself in God’s Love – even during painful times in your life

•  Salvation Explained

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The post God is Able appeared first on Thoughts About God.

My first unwanted encounter with anxiety evolved from a series of unexpected, unfortunate, and unsolicited life events.

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 4:6-7

Imagine an intimidating affliction that inflicts your body with weakness, invades your mind with helplessness, ingrains your emotions with hopelessness, and infects your soul with faithlessness.

My first unwanted encounter with anxiety evolved from a series of unexpected, unfortunate, and unsolicited life events. Anxiety’s shadowy specter ceaselessly challenges my physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual demeanor.

Regrettably, in many Christian circles, social stigma and wrong theology imply that flawed faith produces personal anxiety struggles. However, Scripture reveals that Jesus’ divinity did not disqualify His humanity from experiencing overwhelming anxiety. Though He felt it, he did prevent anxiety from exploiting His vulnerable heart and mind by confronting it with persevering prayer and taking every thought captive. He overcame by obediently trusting His Father’s Word, will, and perfect peace. Today’s verse reiterates Jesus’ strategy – confronting anxiety with prayer – soliciting God’s will and seeking God’s peace for a vulnerable heart and mind.

Do you experience anxiety? In today’s turbulent world, anxiety is a common and constant companion for many people – an unavoidable effect of living this side of heaven. It attempts to exploit personal vulnerabilities, oppress self-esteem, and mire conviction. It is no respecter of persons. Flawless faith or mental disciplines do not banish its company. Its stalking presence constantly compels vulnerable lives to despair, but as believers, we can persevere and triumph through truth and trust – knowing that Jesus relates with and knows our struggle. Despite its persistent presence, He enables us to persevere through anxiety’s sordid shadows – shielding our hearts and minds with His perfect peace.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for a Savior who can relate with my ongoing struggles. Protect my heart and mind from anxiety’s effects. Create in me an attitude of thanksgiving and praise. Help me realize that despite my anxious struggles, You are sovereign over every circumstance in my life. Help me to take every though captive by daily affirming the truth of Your Word. Amen.

Thought: Consider using one (or more) of the following strategies for coping with anxiety:

1) Read and pray through Jesus’ wilderness temptation, Gethsemane and Calvary experiences.
2) Confront anxiety with prayer and thanksgiving.
3) Take every thought captive daily by memorizing key Scripture verses that address anxiety and fear.
4) Encourage someone struggling with anxiety by sharing your insights and strategy.

By Allan Mitchell
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING:

Dealing with Despair

Overwhelmed by Negative Feelings?

Fear, Faith and Migraines by Dr. Muriel Larson

Up from Depression  – Barbara Epp shares her journey with depression and the misconception that Christians shouldn’t get depressed.

Hope for the Hopeless

Good News for You

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The post Living with Shadows appeared first on Thoughts About God.

The time to invest your time, talent and treasure for Christ and His kingdom is now.

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.” Matthew 19:29 (NKJV)

I can tell you on the authority of God’s Word and from personal experience and observation that this promise is true. From my own commitment – made many years ago – and after having spoken with hundreds of Christian leaders and humble servants of God around the world, and observed thousands who I have counselled, I do not know of anyone whom God is using in any significant way who would say that this spiritual law has not been true in his life.

The time to invest your time, talent and treasure for Christ and His kingdom is now. The powerful tide of secular humanism, atheism, materialism, and other anti-God forces us threatening to engulf the world. From the human perspective, on the basis of what I see and hear, I could be very pessimistic about the future freedom of mankind.

On the contrary, I am very optimistic, not on the basis of what I see and hear, but on the basis of what I believe God is saying to my heart and of what I am observing that He is doing throughout the world. I am constantly reminded and assured, “Greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world” 1 John 4:4 (KJV). Satan and his demonic forces were defeated 2,000 years ago.

Do you want a safe formula for success? Then recognize and practice the following:

First – remember that everything entrusted to our care actually belongs to God. We are His stewards here on earth.

Second – God does not want us to hoard His blessings.

Third – “As you sow, you reap.”

Fourth –  invest generously – above the tithe in time, talent and treasure.

Fifth – invest supernaturally – by faith.

Bible Reading: Matthew 25:35-40

Recognizing myself as God’s steward, I will prayerfully seek to learn what He would have me to do to maximize my life for His glory through the investment of my time, talent and treasure.

By Dr. Bill Bright
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•   Did I Hear You Correctly Lord? – My dreams were too small for God

•   Searching for a Higher Purpose – Betty Lau shares her story

•  Salvation Explained

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“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”   Psalm 139:23-24

Thought

God does know us. We cannot pretend we are something we are not with him. He knows us – inside and out, through and through. This should liberate us to share a remarkable degree of intimacy with him, but most of us run from such a close relationship with our Father. If our desire, however, is to become more like him, the only way to be transformed is by inviting him in to look at our hearts, our motivations, and our desires.

Prayer

O God, I know you are the one who “searches hearts and minds.” Yet because of the grace you demonstrated in Jesus, I am confident that you love me. My heart is sorry for the sin I have committed, but I am really trying to serve you in honor and purity. Please fill me with your Spirit to enable me to become more like Christ. In the name of your holy Son I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
used by permission

Phil Ware from https://www.heartlight.org

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