“. . . 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

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“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”  Psalm 32:7

Thought

Out of the attacks of evil come the victories of God and the victory chants of God’s people. Let’s find our strength and protection in our holy God! Let’s make God our hiding place, our source of security, and our hope in times of trouble.

Prayer

Father, thank you for the confidence I have in your power and your might to deliver me from every attack of the evil one. You are worthy of all glory, honor, power, and praise. In the name of your Son and my Lord, Jesus Christ, I thank you for deliverance and praise you for you might. Amen.

By Phil Ware
Used by Permission

From: Phil’s daily devotionals on https://www.verseoftheday.com

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“The wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.”  James 3:17-18

Thoughts on Today’s verse

Now I know why righteousness is so hard to find: there aren’t many sowers! Heavenly wisdom is full of sacrificial earthly action. That’s a powerful reminder to me that wisdom is not what you know but what you sow!

Prayer:

Holy and Wise Father, thank you for demonstrating purity, peace making, consideration, submissiveness, mercy, good fruit, impartiality, and sincerity in Jesus. I ask for the power and the courage to demonstrate those qualities this week as I seek to live more like him. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

by Phil Ware
Used by Permission

From: https://www.verseoftheday.com

The post Heavenly Wisdom appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man whom You discipline and instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law, that You may give him power to keep himself calm in the days of adversity.” Psalm 94:12-13 (AMP)

As I take a look at our key scripture, I am reminded of God’s love for us.

We are truly fortunate to have a Father that disciplines and instructs us. It is our job to be teachable and make sure we are paying attention.

This verse also stresses that the Lord gives us power to keep ourselves calm in the days of adversity. I believe it is a direct result of what we learn from the wisdom God gives in His Word. It is good to know that our God is strategic. Everything He does has purpose.  Nothing that we encounter surprises Him. He uses the hardships of our journey to mold us into a vessel that is pleasing to Him.

When you are faced with difficult issues take time to consult the Word of God. It is through His word that we find the ammunition that is needed to keep us firmly planted as the pressures of life mount. My prayer for you today is that you will begin to desire the sincere milk of the Word. Allow it to strengthen you in your everyday walk. Be teachable as the Lord to trains and instructs you in the way that you should go. It will be well with you.

Father your word teaches us that we can trust you in our daily lives. I pray that we will take the time needed to learn the lessons that you are teaching us. I pray that we will be students of your word, desiring your word as our necessary food. Amen.

How do you handle life’s difficult issues?

By Mary Pinckney
Used by Permission

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“ . . . for he has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Hebrews 13:5b

Abandonment is a common issue in this world. Maybe you have experienced it yourself.

Your spouse may have decided to leave you when life became tough, but God says he will stick with you no matter how hard it gets. Your family members may have been pushed to the limit and have had enough of you, but God doesn’t feel that way about his children.

Regardless of whether you feel abandoned or not, take time to develop your relationship with the Lord. When you take baby steps toward relying on him as your source of comfort, you will find that the comfort provided by people pales in comparison.

Even for those who have ever experienced abandonment, developing your relationship with God will help you be well equipped if the time comes. You won’t act as disappointed and hurt as one who has not known the unending love of God.

His love is unconditional and the deepest love you will ever experience. You can’t compare it to the love that your family members, spouse, or anyone else has given you. In fact, it exceeds any human love you’ve ever experienced.

God reminds us that he will always be with us both in good times and bad times. We may try his patience with our sinful selves on a daily basis, but he is patient and faithful, continuing to care for us anyway.

Why not take comfort in this promise of God to never leave you or forsake you? Love others and let them love you, but love God first and embrace his eternal love as your joy.

Dear Lord, please give me the ability to rely on you as my sole source of joy and comfort. Thank you for not abandoning me. Amen.

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

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The post Always With Us 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

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The post Standing in the Storm 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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“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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“To you O Lord, I lift up my soul, in you I trust, O my God…Remember, O Lord, your great mercy and love…according to your love remember me.”
Psalm 25:1,6-7

What a wonderful plea!  David knew God so well he could come before Him, trusting that God would keep His promise and provide mercy because He loved David so very much. Guess what? So can we.

The soul is the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit when we commit our lives to Christ. David lifts his soul up to God, offering God his most inner thoughts, his hands and feet, and his devotion. Why? Because he entrusts himself to God. He knows that if he puts God in control, God will protect him, teach him and guide him. He says so later in the Psalm. “May integrity and uprightness protect me because my hope is in you” (25:21).

If we have confessed our wrongdoings and asked for forgiveness before we  retire each night, then each morning our souls start off as an empty glass. What will fill it? Will we let God’s loving mercy and grace overflow it or will we fill it with the things of this world? Will we pour in anger, mistrust, hurt? What if, like a thirsty child, we rose up on tiptoes and handed God our glass to fill throughout the day? He’d pour out the frustrations and pain and refill it with His love and peace. God never forgets us. We need to remember, like David, to lift our souls and trust in our Lord who loves us dearly. After all, didn’t He lift Himself up out onto the cross out of love for us?

Dearest Lord, I pray that I may surrender a little more each day to Your use, and trust more and more in Your mercy and love — that I can lift up my glass for You to fill with Your presence. And, I pray that I can lift myself up as well to You every morning: forgiven, cleansed, and ready to be used. Amen.

By Julie Cosgrove
Used by permission

Do you know the goodness of God? Have you surrendered your will and soul to his life altering power? Today you can start that relationship and journey with HIm. It starts with a simple prayer that expresses to HIm that you believe that Jesus is who He said he is – the Son of God.

This is a sample 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 me the kind of person You want me to be.”

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• How to choose a local church
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The post Lift Up Your Soul appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“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.

Even Though

Take His hand, even though it means letting go of what you are holding on to.

Please His heart, even though it may not please others.

Wait for His time, even though your desire is to get it done now.

Obey His Word, even though you hear something different that is popular.

Follow His path, even though you see a valley ahead.

Trust His wisdom, even though you want to do it differently.

Give Him praise, even though you are going through something unpleasant.

Be at rest, even though you have every reason to worry or fear.

“Many plans are in a man’s heart, But the counsel of the LORD will stand.” Proverbs 19:21 (NASB)

By Roy Lessin
https://roy.dayspring.com/

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“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” — Matthew 9:36

Jesus the Compassionate Shepherd

Jesus the compassionate Shepherd sees us when we are overwhelmed, helpless, or unable to recover on our own. He does not abandon us in weakness. He comes near, lifts us up, and helps us stand again.

The speaker entered the room dressed as a sheep. After the laughter settled, she explained the relationship between a shepherd and his flock.

She described how sheep can sometimes fall and roll onto their backs. When this happens, they may be unable to right themselves. Unless the shepherd notices, lifts them, turns them over, and places them back on their feet, they can remain trapped and eventually die.

The image was humorous at first, but the lesson was serious.

Jesus the Compassionate Shepherd Sees Us

Perhaps you have seen commercials in which an elderly person presses an emergency call button and says, “Help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up.” A calm and compassionate voice responds by assuring the person that help is on the way.

Because I live alone, I have sometimes feared falling and being unable to call anyone for help. The speaker’s message reminded me that God sees me even when no one else does.

He is always watching over me. His care is not limited to physical danger. He also sees when I fall emotionally, spiritually, or mentally.

Jesus the compassionate Shepherd notices every place where we feel frightened, discouraged, confused, burdened, or unable to move forward.

The Compassionate Shepherd Restores the Helpless

In Matthew 9, Jesus looked at the crowds and saw people who were harassed and helpless. They were like sheep without anyone to guide, protect, or care for them.

Jesus did not respond with frustration or disgust. He did not throw up his hands and walk away because they had wandered or fallen.

He had compassion on them.

Jesus wanted to lift them, turn them back toward God, and place them on steady ground. His compassion was not passive sympathy. It moved him to teach, heal, guide, protect, and ultimately give his life for them.

He continues to show that same compassion today.

Jesus Helps Us Get Back on Our Feet

There are moments when we cannot fix ourselves, no matter how hard we try. Like a fallen sheep, we may struggle repeatedly without finding the strength or direction to stand again.

We may fall through grief, fear, disappointment, sin, loneliness, illness, exhaustion, or circumstances beyond our control.

In those moments, we should not assume that we must recover entirely through our own strength.

We were created to depend on our Shepherd.

Call out to Jesus. Tell him honestly where you have fallen and where you feel helpless. Ask him to guide you toward the help, wisdom, support, or correction you need.

Jesus the compassionate Shepherd will not shame you for needing help. He will meet you with mercy. He may lift you immediately, restore you gradually, or carry you until you are strong enough to walk again.

Trusting Jesus the Compassionate Shepherd

Trusting Jesus does not mean we will never experience weakness or fear. It means we do not face those experiences alone.

Our Shepherd knows where we are, understands what we need, and remains close when we cannot see the way forward.

When you feel as though you have fallen and cannot get up, remember that you are not invisible. Jesus sees you, has compassion on you, and is able to restore you.

A Prayer to Jesus the Compassionate Shepherd

Lord, thank you for being my Shepherd and for having compassion on me. When I fall, help me remember that I do not have to struggle alone. Replace my fear with trust and remind me that you are always near. Lift me, guide me, and carry me until I am strong enough to stand again. Amen.

Thought: Identify one area where you feel unable to move forward on your own. Bring it honestly to Jesus and ask your compassionate Shepherd to provide the help, direction, and strength you need.

By Julie Cosgrove
Used by Permission

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