“. . . I am gentle and humble . . .” Matthew 11:29

One of the first devotionals in J. I. Packer’s Knowing God Through the Year uses the above verse.

“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.”

My eyes stopped when I read, “gentle and humble.” I began to consider what I read.

Here is the Creator of all things — the God Almighty, the God who knows everything and is all wise, the One who is holy, the Ruler Supreme — telling us that He is gentle and humble, and that we will find rest for our souls if we come to Him.

You would think He would say, “Hey you, don’t you know how important I am? I don’t have time for you, I am too busy.” But He didn’t. He said, “Come to Me.” Wow!

The greatest leader, and He is gentle and humble. How many people do you know who invite you to come to them? How many leaders do you know, who, after they have become powerful, display gentleness and humility?

And then we must ask ourselves the question, “Am I gentle and humble?” Do people feel peaceful in my company?

A gentle spirit  is something we cannot produce in ourselves.  But the Holy Spirit produces “love, joy, peace, kindness, gentleness” and much more.   Why not ask the Holy Spirit to be in control of your life from now on and He will change your to be the person you want to be.

Here is a prayer for you:

“Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. 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 now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit.”

If you prayed this prayer we would love to hear from you . If you would like to know God deeper we can connect you with an email mentor and/or send you some great links.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

God is my Delight

What a Friend we have in Jesus

Father God’s Intimate Love Letter to You

The post Gentle and Humble appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Commitment and obedience are
often thought to be synonymous.
And yet our actions have them
appear to be more antonymous.
Others would have us think that
they were more cryptonymous.
And yes there are those who would
have them be far more anonymous.
They keep our actions and us all
from becoming pseudonymous.
“Committed obedience” is required
to have them become retronymous,
and when applied to all we do or say,
they then become more eponymous.
And with a little suffixation used,
“nymous” applied becomes acronymous.

Now You Must Obviously Unequivocally Smile!

As I was meditating on the Word this morning, I sensed a real conviction about commitment to obedience. Committed obedience creates a desire for deeper application in our service to the Lord. Rather than offering only “lip service,” I desire to live out active service for the Lord.

My prayer for us this week

Heavenly Father, we commit ourselves to carefully following You and the commands You give us, knowing that as we do, You set us high above all the nations on earth, and You will bless us as we obey You, our Lord and our God. In Jesus’ name, amen. (Deuteronomy 28:1-2)

For those who were wondering

• Metonymous – rhetoric in which a concept is not called by its own name.
• Synonymous – similar or the same.
• Antonymous – opposite.
• Cryptonymous – a code name.
• Pseudonymous – using a fictitious name.
• Retronymous – a modifier; here, obedience becomes stronger when committed.
• Eponymous – one for whom something is named.
• Acronymous – formed from the initial letters.

Have a great week.

By Alec Niemi
used by permission

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FURTHER READING

Water from God’s Reservoir

Alert and Committed

Heart Fully Committed to Him

The post Metonymous appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Read Psalm 145:1-6

The first few verses of this beautiful psalm of praise by David show us 3 practical ways in which we can honor our Lord daily. Following these 3 steps will strengthen and enhance our walk with Jesus. They are:

Praise Him every day

“Every day I will praise you and extol your name for ever and ever” (vs 2)

There is so much to praise God for and we should be lifting our praise to Him every day. Let us start our day with praise and end it with praise! Let us praise Him as we walk the streets, as we sit at our desk and as we travel. Praise is contagious and soon others will follow your example.

Illustration – I remember a Christian leader saying that as he was traveling in the bus one day and enjoying the beautiful scenery around him, he couldn’t help humming the powerful hymn ‘How Great Thou Art’. The person seated next to him soon turned and said, ‘Feels so true doesn’t it’? A short while later, a few others in the bus started humming the great hymn! That’s the power of praise!

Have you praised God today? Read the rest of the Psalm (21 verses in all) and list down the many reasons David praised God ‘EVERY DAY’.

“My mouth will speak in praise of the Lord” (vs 21)

Meditate on His works

“I will meditate on your wonderful works” (vs 5b)

The works of God are revealed in His powerful Word. We also see them in creation, in our own lives and in the lives of others. Let us meditate on His Word and His works. Meditating on His Word and His works lifts our faith whenever a new challenge comes our way.

A preacher once mentioned that meditating on God’s Word can be compared to a cow ‘chewing the cud’. As the cow receives help with its digestion when it chews the cud, so we too can receive all the strength contained in God’s Word as we spend a few minutes or more, meditating on it. It is interesting to note that The Collins English Dictionary describes the term ‘chewing the cud’ as follows – ‘to reflect or think over something’.

“Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” (Psalm 119:97)

Proclaim His Great Deeds

“.. I will proclaim your great deeds” (vs 6b)

What has God done for you recently? How did He bring you to salvation? Have you been telling others about His blessings to you? Have you been sharing them with your children? I rejoice in the fact that my 2 sons aged 12 and 10, love to hear my stories about God’s interventions in my life and ministry. In fact, they often ask for repeats!

“One generation will commend your works to another; they will tell of your mighty acts” (vs 4).

Why should we proclaim God’s great deeds? We need to do it “so that all men may know of your (God’s) mighty acts” (vs 12).

Last week, at our midweek service, I was praying at the altar with a young man over a burden he was carrying in a very personal area of his life. As I shared my own testimony in that particular area of life and how God came through for me, his eyes lit up and he shouted, ‘Yes, I now believe God can do it for me too”!

There is power in proclaiming ‘His great deeds’, more so, when we tell people about His mighty ‘saving grace’ in our lives! They just might want what you have!

Prayer: Lord help me to honor you every day by praising you, meditating on your works and by proclaiming your great deeds. Amen.

By Palitha Jayasooriya
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• Who is On the Lord’s Side – by Deborah Yemi-Oladayo
• Called to Praise – by Laura Rath
• Salvation Explained

The post 3 Ways to Honor God Daily appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Then Elijah said to Ahab, ”
Go get something to eat and drink, for I hear a mighty rainstorm coming!
” So Ahab went to eat and drink. But Elijah climbed to the top of Mount Carmel and bowed low to the ground and prayed with his face between his knees. Then he said to his servant, ”
Go and look out toward the sea
“. The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, ”
I didn’t see anything
“. Seven times Elijah told him to go and look. Finally the seventh time, his servant told him, ”
I saw a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand rising from the sea
.

1 Kings 18:41-44
(NLT)

Look Again

I want to encourage those that are on the verge of giving up and throwing in the towel. Lately it seems as though nothing has changed. You have prayed fervently. Asking, seeking, and knocking, but no response. Don’t give up yet, God says look again.

Elijah prayed fervently for rain after a 3 year drought. He sent his servant to look for rain as he prayed. He saw nothing. Elijah said look again. The servant returned seven times, awaiting the expected rain. On the seventh time he reported seeing a cloud the shape of a man’s hand.

I say to you today, look again. If you don’t see anything immediately, keep looking; just as the servant did. Keep asking. Keep seeking. Keep knocking. Do not allow what you see in the natural to overrule what the Lord is doing behind the scenes.

The Lord will reward your persistence. If you do not faint, you shall see the manifestation of the Lord. Remain steadfast and unmovable. Do not stagger at the Lord’s promises. He is at work on your behalf, even now. Look again; your breakthrough is on the horizon!

Prayer

Father I lift up those that have been struggling in their relationships, health, finances, and life in general. I ask that you will infuse them with inner strength. Father, they have been holding on so long for things to change. I ask that you begin to show them a glimpse of your goodness. Lord continue to strengthen and develop them during this process. Increase their faith. May your grace and peace rest upon them as you wrap them in your loving arms. We graciously await your response Lord. In Jesus name Amen.

Related Reading

Never Give Up by Helen Lescheid

Never Give Up by Roy Lessin

Never Give Up by John Grant

The post Look Again appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love and fit into his plan.”  Romans 8:28

Our son and his family were coming from Northern Alberta to spend a week with us. Four of those days the whole family (all 17 of us) were going to vacation at a resort at Whistler Mountain for a family time. We were looking forward to the activities together: cousins playing together, hiking, bike riding and shopping. Mostly we were looking forward to the time together at the end of the day spent eating and talking.

It was a time of celebration. A new grandson, one grandchild turned 18, one couple was celebrating their 25th anniversary and Marvin and I were celebrating our 65th birthdays.

But the day after our son and his family arrived, Sarah, their four-year-old daughter, fell while getting off the trampoline and broke her arm. So the first day of their vacation was spent at the hospital. After that, her activities were very limited but the older cousins did a very good job at thinking of ways to entertain her.

The same day, I was hit with a bad case of vertigo. Because of the extreme dizziness I was flat in bed for eight hours while the rest of the family was running around helping. My daughter had to help me walk to the bed and my husband had to hang on to me when I went to the bathroom.

But I could pray and praise. So I did. I prayed all afternoon and listened to praise music. I had a wonderful time with the Lord. I was just where God wanted me. By evening the medication began to work and I was able to walk in a straight line again.

Some days just don’t turn out the way we plan. God interrupts! And then we have a choice: to accept what He brings our way and be thankful or worry and grouch our way through life and make everyone miserable. Praising is much more satisfactory!

Lord, help us to accept the things we cannot change. Give us the strength to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  Today with the Lord 
•  A Poem of Hope …”I feel the arms of God around me”

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

The post Some Days Are Like That appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“The LORD hates what evil people do, but he loves those who do what is right.” Proverbs 15:9 (NCV)

Perhaps the wound is old. A parent abused you. A teacher slighted you. A mate betrayed you…. And you are angry.

Or perhaps the wound is fresh. The friend who owes you money just drove by in a new car. The boss who hired you with promises of promotions has forgotten how to pronounce your name…. And you are hurt.

Part of you is broken, and the other part is bitter. Part of you wants to cry, and part of you wants to fight…. There is a fire burning in your heart. It’s the fire of anger….

And you are left with a decision.

“Do I put the fire out or heat it up? Do I get over it or get even? Do I release it or resent it? Do I let my hurts heal, or do I let hurt turn into hate?“….

Unfaithfulness is wrong. Revenge is bad. But the worst part of all is that, without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.

By Max Lucado
From: The Applause of Heaven
Used by permission

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

FURTHER READING

Brokenness as a Good Thing

From Brokenness to Holiness

Brokenness and Glory

The post A Broken Heart? appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Read: Psalm 62:1-8

“What am I going to do?” How many times have we all uttered this cry of despair? Sometimes the storms of life come without letup; they seem endless, successively crashing against us until we feel as though we can’t take any more. In those times of desperation, Psalm 62 offers three valuable lessons.

First, we must wait. It’s understandable that we want answers and relief immediately, but the Lord acts in His own perfect time, and He’s never late. Therefore, we must wait for Him to guide us to the next step—even when that means resisting our natural desire to react quickly and take control of circumstances.

Second, we must wait in silence. When we quiet our mind and tongue, we give God an opportunity to speak His words of hope and trust to our heart. Instead of letting anxiety and worry occupy our thoughts, we must focus on God’s promises from Scripture. Then He will give us patience, trust, courage, and the assurance that He cares and is in control.

Third, we must keep in mind the motivation for this waiting—God’s intervention. Our focus is to be on the Lord, not on our troubles, ourselves, or other people. We must learn to filter out whatever is pulling our attention away from trust in almighty God, who is working according to His will and timing.

When the storms of life batter you, make sure that your feet are planted on the solid rock of Jesus Christ. Do not despair, asking, What am I going to do? Rather, ask, What is God doing? And be assured—He is doing something.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

God’s Peace in the Storms of Life

The Storm Walker

Storm Survival

The post Standing in the Storm appeared first on Thoughts About God.

In Matthew 6, Jesus talks about how the Father cares for the birds of the air, and how much more He will care for us.

I watched through the windows of a friend’s house as several sparrows fluttered back and forth from the ground to lawn furniture on her veranda. They were chirping loudly. Then I saw why. Her dogs were crouched down, watching them.

One little bird flew toward the whirring ceiling fan instead of joining the others in their frantic dance. I held my breath, knowing there was no time to bang on the window and divert the little thing from flying headlong into danger. I watched with my teeth tucked into my lower lip, and yeah, I said a prayer.

But the bird was savvy. It knew how to fly above the turbulence caused by the blades and land securely on top — safe from harm of the fan and from the dogs below. Then I noticed a small tangle of grass and twigs. It was building its nest there!  Smart  critter.

God’s lesson: In Matthew 6, Jesus talks about how the Father cares for the birds of the air, and how much more He will care for us.

We can fret on the ground about things that are beyond our control, hopping around like chirping sparrows. We can sense the danger and feel helpless to do anything about it. It can overwhelm us with worry so much that our judgment is clouded. We may even just freeze, close our eyes, and pray we’ll come out unscathed as our knees crumble and our teeth chatter.

Or we can soar above the turbulence in life and nest safely in our Father’s love. We can ask Him to give us the way to lift ourselves above it all as we follow His voice and trust that He will either lead us out of the peril or armor us with the smarts to get through it by His mercy.

In I Samuel 17, David slung a stone and whacked Goliath smack dab in the one place that would fell him. He used his expertise in scaring off wild animals from his flocks, a talent God had developed in him for such a time as this. Just as God taught that little bird to judge the wind currents so he then could navigate the whooshes of the ceiling fan.

God is preparing you and me for His purpose. He knows what is going to happen and has our best interests at heart. He will provide the equipment we need to face any challenge or show us a route to safety.

So, before you think your life is going to hit the fan, seek the Father to give you both the strength in your wings and the knowledge you need to lift you above it all. He is faithful to do so — if you look to Him and not your situation.

By Julie Cosgrove
Used by Permission

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FURTHER READING

God’s Purpose 

My Life Has Purpose

We Plan – God Directs

The post Don’t Hit the Fan appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“The Christian life is a battle,” our pastor reminded us. “Don’t let anyone tell you differently.”

Some days that battle is fierce. Some days growing like wheat among tares is stifling. The world constantly tries to press us into its mold. To enjoy its pleasures. To take our eyes off the invisible God. To give in and stop running the race.

And I keep forgetting the important truths of Scripture—truths that should be ready in my hand like a sword in the midst of a raging battle.

1.       This world is not my home.

“Our citizenship is in heaven, from which we eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 3:20)

2.       The Maker of heaven and earth loved me before He made heaven and earth.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love.” (Jeremiah 31:3)

3.       Christ died for me, so my slate is clean.

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” (Psalm 103:12)

4.       Christ rose again, assuring me eternal life.

“Because I live, you will live also.” (John 14:19)

5.       I might see Him today.

“Looking for the blessed hope and the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ.” (Titus 2:13)

“Take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand. . .Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth.” (Ephesians 6:14)

By Bethany Hayes
Used by Permission

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FURTHER READING

The Battle Within

A Forever Home

Living Loved

The post Five Important Truths I Keep Forgetting appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything” Philippians 4:6.

God offers you and me the possibility of a worry-free life.  Jesus said,

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life!  Of course not”  (Matthew 6:27).

Worry is irrelevant.  You don’t add one day to your life or one bit of life to your day by worrying.

Worry is also irreverent; it’s distrusting God…an “unconscious blasphemy.”  The Apostle Paul urges us to “be anxious for nothing.”  How?  Our part includes prayer and gratitude.  Instead of looking forward in fear, look upward in faith and backward in appreciation of past victories. God’s part is peace and protection.  God enjoys perfect peace because he enjoys perfect power.  And he offers his peace to you to guard your heart.  Do your part and God will do his.

By Max Lucado
From: Come Thirsty
Used by permission

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

Further Reading

• The Worry-Free God – Devotional by Debbie West

• Victory over Worry –  by Palitha Jayasooriya

• Why Worry Yourself Sick?

The post You Don’t Have to Worry appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. – Matthew 26:40

Have you ever stretched out on your sofa watching the big game or a favorite movie and you suddenly fall asleep and miss knowing how it ends? Oh, the frustration. You missed the best part.

Peter, James and John had that experience when they fell asleep. It was in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had told his disciples to stay and pray, while He went to the Garden to pray.

He asked these three to accompany Him. As He went to pray, He gave them one assignment… “stay here awake and pray.” They fell asleep.

On the precipice of the greatest moment in history, they fell asleep. They missed the moment. More importantly they missed an opportunity for discipleship.

When asked by Jesus to do something, have you ever fallen asleep? I know I have. He calls, I snooze. But the real question is have you learned and grown from such an experience and have you gone on to a greater level of discipleship?

The good news about these three disciples falling asleep while Jesus went to pray is that God used this event as a teachable moment for them. They grew up after this event. It motivated them to go into deeper discipleship.

You and I fall asleep, too when we should have stayed awake. Let’s learn from the disciples’ mistakes and determine to go deeper as we follow the Master.

Consider how you have gone to sleep on Jesus and determine how you can learn, grow and follow Him more closely.

Pray: Lord, I know I have let you down and you have lovingly lifted me up. May I continue to grow and serve you more closely. Expand my territory. Make me a better disciple and fix my eyes on you.

By John Grant
Used by Permission

John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

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FURTHER READING

Be Recharged

The Power to Endure

Now I Lay Me Down

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“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15

Our sense of peace can be dislodged and replaced by turmoil and confusion before we even realize it.  God’s Word puts it simply. In order to have God’s peace in our hearts we must make the choice to let His peace rule there.

As soon as you recognize irritation or turmoil taking over in your spirit, stop! Almost without fail you will find the peace of God gets pushed aside when anything that has “self” as its source surges forward.

•    Self-defence in a relationship results in turmoil.

•    Self-pity puts you on the slippery slope of discouragement.

•    Self-seeking in business, or even ministry, allows a shallowness to creep in that pushes peace aside.

•    Self-energy: seeking to live the Christian life in our own strength, leads to defeat.

As long as self is the focus in our thoughts and actions, there is little room for God to do His work in us and His peace cannot rule in our hearts. When we choose to let Him be the focus of all we do, drawing on His energy, His help, His wisdom, His patience, His purposes, then His peace will rule in our hearts.

Today, pay attention to what is going on in your spirit. If peace is eluding you, take a look inside and see where self-focus has taken over. Let God’s peace rule in your heart by bringing everything in your day under the umbrella of His care. It is the best way to live in peace!

Father God, today I ask You to forgive me for the places in my heart where I have allowed Your peace to be pushed aside by my own self issues. Right now I place everything I have and am and ever hope to be under the umbrella of Your care and attention. I choose to let Your peace rule in my heart today. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.

Thought: Choose to pay close attention today to what is going on in your spirit.

By Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

Further Reading

• My Lord, My Companion

• A Prayer for Conflict Resolution

•  Salvation Explained

The post When Peace Eludes You appeared first on Thoughts About God.