The dilemma was:  “I know the Bible says I’m forgiven.  But my conscience says I’m not!”

If this question hits home… If you haven’t accepted God’s forgiveness, you’re doomed to live in fear.  And no pill or pep talk can set you at ease.  Am I right?  You may deaden the fear, but you can’t remove it.  Only God’s grace can do that!

Have you accepted the forgiveness of Christ?  If not, do it!  The Bible says “if we confess our sins, God is faithful–not just to forgive us, but He cleanses us from all unrighteousness! 1 John 1:9?

Make it your simple prayer:  Dear Father, I need forgiveness.  I admit I’ve turned away from you.  Forgive me, please.  I place my soul in Your hands and I trust in your grace.  Through Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Now!  Live forgiven!

by Max Lucado
used by permission
From: Max on Life

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

FURTHER READING

• Forgiveness Frees
• Don’t Leave Feeling Unforgiven
• Forgiveness of Sin

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“He was fully convinced that God is able to do whatever he promises.” Romans 4:21 NLT

Pray and Go. Sometimes in life we have to move forward knowing that all things will work out the way it is supposed to. We don’t always know the beginning, the end, and the middle. No, God only gives us a glimpse of what is to come and beckons us to move out and take the next step. This was the case with Abraham. When God spoke to him to leave his country and go to a place that he would show him, Abraham did not know where he was going but he trusted that God would do what He promised.

Many of us would have prayed and begged for God to show us the place then we will go; not Abraham. He believed and it was counted unto Him as righteousness. What about you? Can you lay aside your fears and doubts and trust a God that you don’t see, don’t always understand? Can you lay aside your anxious thoughts and move forward in faith that God will indeed come through for you? Let the faith and the courage that Abraham exhibited encourage your heart today to follow hard after God even when you don’t know what to expect.

In this walk of faith, we don’t always have concrete evidence of what is next but what we can take comfort in is that we serve a God that is a man of His Word. He never changes. He never lies. He never reneges on His promises. He is faithful to deliver on His end. Faith is not always being able to see the road ahead but trusting in the God that does.

Father, we want so much to know that You have our best interest at hearts but sometimes it is scary to trust You. We are a people that live by what we see and not what we believe. Help us to trust that You will not let us fall. Remind us of your faithfulness in our lives. Teach us to take one moment at a time trusting and believing in Your promises. In Jesus name, Amen

Dig Deeper: Has God ever failed you in the past? Make a list of His track record in your life.

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• God is Faithful
• Risk Believing in God
• Grounded in Truth

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“Although I am less than the least of all God’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, 9) and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things.”  Ephesians 3:8-9

Our God has riches beyond the count of arithmetic, the measurement of reason, the dream of imagination, or the eloquence of words. They are unsearchable! You may look, and study, and weigh, but Jesus is a greater Savior than you imagine Him to be even on your best day!

Our Lord is more ready to forgive your sin than you are able to transgress.

Our Master is more willing to supply your wants than you are to confess them.

Our Master has riches of happiness to give you now. He can make you to lie down in green pastures, and lead you beside still waters. There is no music like His music. He is the Shepherd and you are the sheep when you lie down at His feet. There is no love like His, and neither Earth nor Heaven can match it. To know Christ and to be found in Him, oh what a life, what a joy! This is everything that is good and wonderful in life.

Never tolerate low thoughts of our Lord Jesus. If you do, you will end up only crowning Him with a silver crown when He deserves the finest gold.

Our Lord does not treat His servants ungraciously; He gives to them as a king gives to a king. He gives them two heavens: A heaven below where we may serve Him, and a heaven above where we may delight in Him forever. His unsearchable riches will be best known in eternity. He will give you on the way to heaven all you need. Your place of defense will be the ammunition of rocks, and your bread and water will be provided; but it is there, THERE in His presence, where you will hear the song of His people that triumph, the shout of the feast, and shall have a face-to-face view of the glorious and beloved One.

The unsearchable riches of Christ! This is the tune for the musicians of Earth, and the song for the harpers of Heaven. Lord, teach us more and more of Jesus, and we will tell the good news to others.

Question: How has God revealed the riches of Christ in your life lately?

Originally written by Charles H. Spurgeon.  Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer, 2008

FURTHER READING

• Depth and Riches
• In Wisdom You Made Them All
• The Riches of God’s Grace

The post The Unsearchable Riches of Christ appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“He laughs at fear, afraid of nothing; he does not shy away from the sword.” Job 39:22

It seems that a man was driving his pick-up along the highway and not being mindful of the speed limit was substantially exceeding it, when deputy sheriff was parked in the bushes stealthy observing the meter on his radar gun. Clocking the speed of the pick-up, he turned on his lights and siren in hot pursuit.

He asked the driver for the usual documents and the driver, apologizing for not watching his speed, handed the deputy what he wanted along with his concealed weapons permit. Seeing that, the deputy asked if the man was carrying a gun.

“Why yes,” was the response. “I have a 9mm semi-automatic in my ankle holster, a .40 cal one on my belt holster and a .45 cal loaded with copper jacketed hollow points in the glove box and I have a twelve gauge shotgun and a 30.06 rifle behind the seat, and under the front seat is an ammo box with enough re-loads for all.”

The trooper responded by asking, “What in the world are you afraid of,” to which the man answered, “Absolutely nothing.”

He had taken the necessary training to be licensed to carry and use those weapons and was equipped to face any unfriendly situation.

Humorous as it sounds, there is a ring of truth to this story. The man was physically and mentally prepared to meet the dangers of life. But, how many of us are spiritually armed in the same manner?

Think of it. How many people are trained to use the power of the Bible as we slay the dragons of the world?

Hebrews tells us “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12).

God has given us an amazing weapon to use against the enemy. It’s our responsibility to make sure we are using it. When you pick up a Bible what you’re holding in your hand is a weapon. And many of us don’t even know how to use it properly. The most effective way Satan has found to derail a believer is to get him or her to believe that God didn’t really say what He really said.

How do we combat against this deception? By allowing the living, active Word of God pierce through the lies. Jesus did it and calls on us to do it. So pack your spiritual weapon, know how and don’t be afraid to use it in the dangerous situations of life. No matter how you might otherwise be armed, the Bible is always your strongest weapon against the forces of evil.

by John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

FURTHER READING

What are You Afraid of?

Nothing to Fear

Fear

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“…And rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:2

God, You are glorious! Because of who You are, I have hope in what You have promised to do—my future truly is as bright as the light upon Your face that reflects it, as sure as the words upon Your lips that proclaim it, as powerful as the strength of Your right hand that performs it.

I am confident there are desirable things ahead because You are good; there are perfect things ahead because You are without fault; there are abundant things ahead because You are generous; there are undefiled things ahead because You are holy; there are amazing things ahead because You are wondrous, there are huge things ahead because Your heart is so big.

I live in hope and I am happy in hope. I hope in what is true, in what is best, in what is everlasting. My hope is anchored in what a loving, caring God can be to His child.

You bring a hope to my heart that will not be dashed upon the rocks of broken covenants, unintended assurances, or misguided intentions. My hope is secure in the character of Your faithfulness. It will not be disappointed, but will see its final reward.

‘Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.’ Romans 5:1-5 NKJV

By Roy Lessin
Used by Permission

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

FURTHER READING

Inject Hope

How to Rejoice While the World Falls Apart

From Despair to Hope

The post Rejoice in Hope appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Psalm 8

“O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth, Who have set Your glory above the heavens!
Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, Because of Your enemies, That You may silence the enemy and the avenger.
When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him?

(5)For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor.

You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet,  All sheep and oxen— Even the beasts of the field,
The birds of the air, And the fish of the sea That pass through the paths of the seas.
O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!

Let’s look at some common causes of where Insecurity can come from:

Rejection. When we grow up thinking no one really likes us, we turn into chronically reluctant adults who lack confidence.

Tragedy. Traumatic circumstances like a broken home, the death of a loved one, or abusive relationships can open the door for insecurity.

Poor body image. Whether it’s body shape, hair loss, or disability, physical appearance can lead people to see themselves in a negative light. The resulting shame and self-consciousness can permeate interactions with others.

Comparison. People sometimes become preoccupied with those who seem smarter, wealthier, nicer-looking, more successful, and so on. This makes individuals feel overshadowed and creates doubt in their own ability to achieve.

Failure. Because we pour time and resources into our work, families, and life goals, a setback in any of these areas can crush our spirit.

If this sounds familiar, examine your heart carefully. Ask yourself,

In what area of life might I have deep insecurity?

Remember, today’s psalm says God has crowned us “with glory and majesty!” (Psalm 8:5). That’s who we really are.

By Dr. Charles Stanley
Used by Permission

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

FURTHER READING

Practicing the Presence of God
To Whom are You Listening?
God is Thinking about You

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The post The Causes of Insecurity appeared first on Thoughts About God.

Please consider Luke 11:1: “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Martin Luther was an important and busy guy. The previous sentence may be a gross understatement, considering that Luther is often credited with starting the Protestant Reformation. Even if he wasn’t the originator, he was certainly the most prolific and fiery of its early supporters. Despite his hectic work schedule, copious writing, preaching, teaching, and other plentiful tasks, he still diligently made time to pray. He is quoted as saying

“I have so much to do (today) that I should spend the first three hours in prayer.”

Jesus too was an important and busy guy. (That sentence is clearly an even larger understatement than the one about Martin Luther!) As Savior of the world, Jesus spent His days traveling, teaching, arguing with religious leaders, healing sickness, driving out demons, and proclaiming the salvation available to the world through Himself as God’s one and only Son. (Among other things!) Yet “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). Mark gives us an example: “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35).

The question for us is: If Martin Luther and Jesus Himself made time to pray, how can we possibly say we’re too busy?

Jesus begins his teaching on prayer during the Sermon on the Mount by saying “WHEN you pray”, not “IF you pray” (Matthew 6:5). It’s tough sometimes, because prayer doesn’t come naturally for everyone. Speak honestly to God: praise, frustrations, triumphs, fears, and deepest longings. After all, God already knows you better than you know yourself… there’s nothing to hide!

Remember that prayer doesn’t have to be long or complicated. It doesn’t need to be “holy sounding” either. You know what I mean, those prayers with all the right-sounding words that somehow end up sounding hollow. Use the Lord’s Prayer (Matthew 6:9-13 or Luke 11:2-6) as a guide, but not as a formula. Don’t just pray it rigidly, try to pray spontaneously, from the heart.

Just never use the excuse that you’re “too busy.” If Martin Luther and Jesus had time for prayer, you do too!

Question: Have you prayed yet today? If not, could you spend some time with God now?

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

How to Pray

What to Include in Prayer

How to pray with confidence

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“And just as we have borne the likeness of the earthly man, so shall we bear the likeness of the man from heaven.”  1 Corinthians 15:49

Anger, bitterness, profanity. One or all three of these indiscretions have been a part of my life for the past several months. Just when I think one has succumbed to being tamed, another emerges and internal forces once again collide.

Believing my own dreams had been dismantled, I allowed myself to take on a posture of indignation. I never wanted to enter into that place but I couldn’t seem to connect with anything that made sense of my disappointment outside of the anger, bitterness, and cursing. However, the more I determined to pray against the unsavoury onslaught, the more I could feel a ray of hope break through my pain. A hope showing perfection meeting with the imperfect — Jesus showing up in the folds of this broken individual.

Today’s verse contains one of the greatest promises I could ever hope to receive. That no matter how many times I falter in being Christ-like, the ultimate victory in the form of perfection will someday be mine. That welcome relief gives me renewed strength to keep fighting against the internal forces that try to thwart me.

In life, hurt, heartbreak, and discouragement seem to outweigh our ability to cope with the subsequent fallout that comes. Things we hoped would be no longer exist and our once calm disposition begins to unravel. As followers of Jesus, we have this powerful verse which gives us the increased fervour to soldier on through our humanity. May we keep our gaze fixed on things of heaven when the going gets tough.

Perfect Jesus, I know I’m not perfect but that I will be when I’m with you in heaven. Thank you for this promise to hold on to. That no matter how many times I mess up here on earth, it doesn’t define how things will be in eternity. I’m very grateful for that. In the meantime, please help me to be as Christ-like as possible until I see you face to face. It’s in your name I pray. Amen.

By Melissa Talbot
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Chains of Perfectionism

Messy Scribble

Living Unmasked

The post Imperfect Perfection appeared first on Thoughts About God.

The Word of God commands us be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power (Ephesians 6:10-18). We daily stand firm against the devil’s schemes by putting on our spiritual armor. It is as important to dress spiritually each day as it is to dress physically. So declare daily that you are obeying God’s command to stand in all the armor available to intercessory soldiers in the battles we face.

Father, our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. They are fallen angles cast down from heaven by the command of the true and living God. They are subject to Jesus Christ, the Son of God. We are in Him and stand in His already-assured victory. Therefore, we put on our full armor in You so that when the fiery darts come, we may be able to stand our ground.

We stand firm because we have taken up these weapons:

We buckle the belt of truth around our waist. Truth is the Person of Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life.

We put on the breastplate of righteousness. The Person and sinless sacrifice of the Lord Jesus is our Righteousness.

We put on our feet the sandals of the preparation of the gospel of peace. The Person of the Lord Jesus is our peace.

We take the shield of faith which extinguishes all the flaming arrows of the evil one. The Person of the Lord Jesus Christ is the Author and Finisher of our faith. He is all the faith we need.

We take the helmet of salvation. My Lord Jesus Christ Himself alone is our salvation. His mind guards our minds.

We take the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. The Word is the Person of Jesus Christ who came in the flesh and defeated the works of the enemy. His Word never returns to Him void.

We clothe ourselves in all of Jesus and pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.

“No weapon formed against us will prevail, and we will refute every tongue that accuses us. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and this is their vindication from Me,” declares the Lord (Isaiah 54:17).

The One who was born of God keeps us safe, and the evil one cannot harm us (1 John 5:18).

In the name of Jesus, amen.

By Sylvia Gunter
used by permission

From: For The Father:  p. 15, ©1995
www.thefathersbusiness.com

FURTHER READING

The post Praying On The Armor appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery”.  Galatians 5:1

Thought

We have been set free! We are delivered from law, sin, and death. We have been set free to serve God and share in his grace eternally. So how will we use that freedom?

Prayer

God of freedom and grace, please give me your Spirit of wisdom to understand more fully all the ways that you have blessed me. Please help me use those blessings to share your grace with my family and friends. May I never take for granted your gifts or abuse my freedoms won at such great cost. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission
From: Phil’s daily devotionals on http://www.verseoftheday.com.

FURTHER READING

• Celebrate Freedom
• Freedom from the Prison
• A Prayer of Freedom

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The post Stand Firm appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“May the God of Hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Hope in God comes from more than a belief that He exists. The Bible calls hope in God “an anchor for the soul”. It is something deep that secures you through the storms of life with confident expectation in His strength.

1. H – Hope for Help
God invites you to come to Him and boldly ask for help. The need is different for all of us. God waits to help, if only you ask.

2. O – Hope to Overcome
Friends of ours tell a story of their marriage, brought to a crisis by alcohol abuse. When they finally invited God into their circumstances, by His strength, they overcame great obstacles. Today they have an intact family that gives God a place in their home. God gives hope and help to overcome. Rather than living life as a victim, God can help you overcome the obstacles you face.

3. P – Hope for Power
Sometimes in life we find ourselves facing things that feel too big to handle. It might be a relationship struggle, a job task, finances, grief over a loss. Seeing our weakness as the very entry point of God’s strength gives access to His power!

4. E – Hope for Eternity
When we put our faith and hope in God, it not only gives us help, strength and power today, it also gives us hope for life after death. It is a confident expectation of the ultimate “tomorrow’.

The God of Hope is only one prayer away.

Dear God, I have gone my own way and have put my hope in so many things that have disappointed me. Forgive me and come into my life today. Show me how to live in confident expectation of how You can impact my life, my character and my circumstances. I place my hope in You right now and ask You to make Yourself known to me where I walk. I thank you. Amen.

Thought: Do you need hope for tomorrow?

by Gail Rodgers
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

• Learn more about knowing Jesus
• Hope for a Hopeless World
• Hope Stronger Than HurT
• Hope for Your Future
• Our Hope in Him
• The God of Hope

The post Hope for a Bright Tomorrow appeared first on Thoughts About God.

‘You of little faith, why are you so afraid?’” Matthew 8:26

It was St. Patrick’s Day weekend and I was halfway through my second triathlon. Fifty-mile-per-hour winds whipped across North Texas in winter’s final appearance of the season. Throughout the cycling portion of the event, there were times when the best I could do was brace myself against a wind gust that threatened to blow me to the curb. My clothes, still damp from the swim, made the temperatures feel even colder.

As I began the second loop of the course, the wind picked up even more. I gripped my handlebars tighter. I thought about pulling over into the fast food joint on the next block and calling it a day. But I pushed on and kept going.

Through clenched teeth I started to pray, “Lord, you are God of the wind. You calmed the Sea of Galilee in the storm. Have mercy on me and stop this wind!”

And just as I had articulated the last word of that prayer, the wind blew harder. “Not funny, Lord!” I said.

I can look back and smile on that experience now. I believe God showed me something important in that moment. “I’m not going to take it easy on you, Debbie,” He said. “An easy life makes a weak person. Just trust me. I’ll get you through and make you stronger.”

In my battle with depression and anxiety, He has done just that. He has strengthened my mind and my faith. So don’t despise the storm. Let Him make you stronger through it.

Lord, I like things that are easy. But I also know that it’s during difficult experiences when I have the chance to get better, stronger, and closer to the person You want me to be. Help me not to avoid or despise the storms in life, but to hold on to You and learn the things You want to teach me. Amen.

Whether you are in a storm, coming out of a storm, or going into one, consider that part of the purpose may be to make you stronger and to prepare you for something in the future. Stop and thank God for the lessons from the storms.

By Debbie West
Used by Permission

Further Reading

•  How to be fill with the Holy Spirit
•  Elma’s Story – Nothing Left To Give in my Marriage
•  Salvation Explained

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The post Lessons from the Wind appeared first on Thoughts About God.