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

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“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/

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“But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”  Psalm 31:14

Megan’s eyes no longer sparkled with the joy her mother remembered.  Dark circles traced her eyes.  She became dangerously thin.  Bobbi worried about her daughter.

Just months before, Megan left home to live with a group of friends.  She began withdrawing from her family and former classmates.  When Bobbi was denied access to her daughter, it raised the final red flag.

Bobbie was tempted to do something drastic, but she knew that wouldn’t solve her problem.  Well, it took years of prayer, patient understanding, pastoral counseling, and Godly love.  But Bobbi finally saw her daughter return to the Jesus she loved as a child.

Dear friend, bringing a loved one to Christ may take time.  Remember, the results aren’t up to you, they’re up to God.  Leave them in His capable hands and allow Him to guide you.

By Vonette Bright
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Prayer: The Hedge of Protection

Children and Parents

How to Make a Difference in Someone’s Day

The post Warning Signs appeared first on Thoughts About God.

“You are good and what you do is good” Psalm 119:68

God will never run out of goodness. Everything He made (and makes) is good.

“God saw everything that he had made, and, behold, it was very good” (Genesis 1:31).

His creation is filled with His goodness. He made colors so we could enjoy them. He made flowers, mountains, sunrises, sunsets, and a loved one’s smile because He is good. He gave us eyes to see His beautiful creation.

He gave us ears to hear — the birds singing, children laughing, and choirs singing.

“The earth is full of the goodness of God” (Psalm 33:5).

He has given us the ability to taste and enjoy food — fruit, vegetables, meat, bread, and much more.

“The tender mercies of the Lord are over all His works” (Psalm 145:9).

Today, as you reflect on the goodness of God to you, think about this verse,

“Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men” (Psalm 107:8)!

Often we take God’s goodness for granted. Like children, we think we are entitled to all of His blessings.

Take time today and thank Him for His goodness to you!

Father, thank You for being totally good, that there is no shadow of evil in You! Your goodness is everywhere. Help us become aware of Your goodness and be amazed. Amen.

By Katherine Kehler
Used by Permission

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Further Reading

•  How to Fall in Love with Jesus 

•  Why Know the Father’s Heart 

•  Salvation Explained

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

“There are three things that endure – faith, hope and love – and the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:13

Today is wholly devoted to the praise of love. The first three verses of 1 Corinthians 13 speak of the absolute necessity of love as the chief thing in our religion.

“If I could speak in any language in heaven or on earth. . . if I had the gift of prophesy . . . if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak to a mountain and make it move . . . if I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body . . . but if I didn’t love others” then, three times repeated, “I would only be making meaningless noise like a loud gong or a clanging cymbal . . . what good would I be? . . . I would be of no value whatsoever.”  If I have not love, I am of no value.

There are fifteen things said about love, but one sentence sums up its whole nature: “It does not demand its own way” (verse 5). And again: ‘Love will last forever” (verse 8). Prophesies, unknown languages, and knowledge shall vanish away.  Even faith and hope shall be changed into sight.  But love lasts forever.

“Love does not demand its own way.” Think and pray about this.

“Love will last forever” Consider all that means.

“The greatest of these is love.” Let this love rule in your life.

God is love. ‘God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them: 1 John 4:16

Let your heart be filled with love so that, by God’s almighty power, you may be a witness to the transforming power of love.  Then you will be a blessing to all around you.

By Andrew Murray
Used by Permission
From: ‘Teach Me to Pray‘, published by Barbour Publishing, Inc.

Further Reading

• Keep Yourselves in God’s Love

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

•  Salvation Explained

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Beloved child of God, listen to your Father’s heart and his ways for you in Galatians 5:22-23,25.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.”

Listen with your spirit to Romans 5:5

“God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.“

Be blessed to know how dearly God loves you, because he has given you his Spirit to fill your heart with his love. You were created of your Father’s love. You are the evidence of God’s love deposited in you in lavish measure in making you just the way you are. Know deep within that your Father who is love speaks his love to you. He enjoys you and finds pleasure in who you are. You are not an “it.” You are you, the real you in your essence, your inner being, your spirit.

Deep inside, be blessed with larger-than-the-universe love, the faithful love of your infinite Father for you. Be blessed to know that you are shielded in his love that always seeks your highest good, no matter what you do. Be blessed with God’s kind of self-giving love that gives freely without asking anything in return. Be blessed with knowing deeply that you are accepted and affirmed in him. His love for you was forever settled on the cross. Be blessed with being completely persuaded that nothing can separate you from his love. He loves you with a mighty love that has no end. Marvel at the goodness of his holy love without measure. His love extends its covering over a multitude of sins. He perfectly loves you, and you need have no fear before him.

Be blessed to love others as the fruit of God’s love living in you. You love others because he first loved you and lives in you to love through you. Be blessed with the love of Christ that compels you. Be blessed with 1 Corinthians 13 unfailing love filling you through and through. Be blessed as you let that love flow through you to your family and everyone around you.

Be blessed to love by character and by choice, not by emotion. Love must give, whatever the cost. Be blessed with increasing and overflowing love for others (1 Thessalonians 3:12). God who is love lives in you to will and to do it.

Be blessed to display the fruit of the love of God that the Holy Spirit produces in you, your grace-inspired response from his love (Galatians 5:22).

by Sylvia Gunter
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Impossible Love Made Possible

How to Make a Difference in Someone’s Day

The Fruit of Love

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“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3 (NIV)

A few years ago, my sister-in-law gave me a stone plaque with a paraphrase of Psalm 127:3 which reads, “Children are a blessing from the Lord”. I noticed, however, that some days raising children didn’t necessarily seem like a blessing. That’s when I began to question my understanding of “blessing”.

Children are a gift from God meant to benefit us. How often, in my very human, narrow way of looking at life, I have wanted “blessing” that look like gifts under the Christmas tree; gifts that come with no requirement for growth and expansion.

Instead, I am learning that God’s perspective on blessing is so much greater than ours. His blessings sometimes nudge me to dig deep, expand, grow and deny self. I am learning the way of sacrifice and of caring for the needs of others. I am learning the way of love, patience and of seeking wisdom. Ultimately, God’s blessings help shape me into a follower of Jesus.

And that’s truly a blessing.

Reflect:
How is God currently stretching me with His blessings?

Prayer:
Dear Lord, You pour out Your blessings in so many ways. Please transform my thinking to see Your blessings for what they truly are, tools to transform me into a follower of Jesus.

by Idelette McVicker
used by permission

FURTHER READING

Blessings from the Lord

Don’t Miss God’s Blessings

Blessing Of Your Belovedness

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“About eight days after Jesus said this, he took Peter, John and James with him and went up onto a mountain to pray.”
Luke 9:28

As we lifted off the runway and made a turn to the South over Puget Sound, I could see it in the hazy distance. As we got closer, it got bigger and more visibly clear. Suddenly we were there and as we flew around the peak of Mt. Rainer, so close that it seemed we could almost touch it. I reached for my camera.

There’s just something spiritual and spectacular about being on a mountaintop. Have you ever thought about how many significant Biblical events occurred on a mountain top? Moses got the Ten Commandments on Mt. Sinai and later saw the Promised Land from Mt. Moab. Jesus was gloriously transfigured on the Mt. of Transfiguration.

We see God’s handiwork all around us, but perhaps in a greater way in His spectacular creation of the mighty mountain peaks around the world. But mountains are also a symbol of challenge, as they remind us that the best view is always from the top.  In our spiritual growth, we should never stop halfway up, as the real reward is at the peak. We gain our real strength, both spiritual and physical, when we press to reach the pinnacle.

Caleb is one of my Biblical heroes. When God was dividing up the land among the Israelites, the people were asking for the lush valleys and grassy plains, but Caleb asked for a mountain, for it was there that their enemies had been chased and built their fortresses. That did not intimidate Caleb, as he wanted a challenge. He trusted not in his own strength, but in God’s presence. He wanted to see God at work and choose a place where he would have to trust in God. He refused to allow the difficulty to stop him from enjoying all that God had promised him.

If you always choose the easy way, asking for peaceful valleys, you will never see God’s full power displayed to enable you to take a mountain. Seek out the mountains, and you will witness God doing things through your life that can be explained only by His mighty presence.

by John Grant
used by permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney

FURTHER READING

The Mountain Top and the Valley

Mountaintops

A Moving Mountain

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“You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: ‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.’” Matthew 13:7-9

How would you describe your worship experience? In today’s modern church context, many believers describe worship as a contemporary musical liturgy that precedes the traditional Sunday sermon. For many congregants, including me, modern and traditional worship songs captivate and arouse our souls — evoking an emotional euphoria that manifests as a physical and verbal expression of exultation. This experience is common, but is authentic worship more than just our emotional response to creative compositions that glorify God?

In Matthew 15, Jesus reminds us that true worship is more than just lip service. He reprimands the Pharisees and teachers of the law, calling them hypocrites because their pretentious posturing prioritized tradition over the non-negotiable truth of God’s word. To emphasize their error, Jesus quotes Isaiah 29:13 — clearly and unapologetically exposing their hypocrisy. Jesus’ observation reiterates that authentic worship transcends emotional expression and the superficial veneer of outward worship. Sincere worship is a matter of a heart obedient to God’s will and word — reflecting submission, sacrifice, and service.

Are you just going through the motions when you worship the Lord? Are you honoring God with your lips and not your heart? Worship without obedience is vanity. Worship is for God’s pleasure. Let us humbly and reverently come before Him and embrace the true heart of worship.

Dear Heavenly Father, Lord I don’t want to go through the motions when I come before you in worship. May my faith walk, inwardly and outwardly, reflect a sincere heart obedient to your will and word. May I always offer you sweet worship that honors and glorifies your name. Amen.

By Allan Mitchell
Used by Permission

FURTHER READING

Pure and Unadulterated Worship

Who or What Do You Worship?

Some Thoughts on Worship

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“The name of the Lord is a strong tower. The righteous run into it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

In Hebrew and Greek, each personal name communicated something indispensable for distinguishing that person’s character and personality. Names were so important that when the person’s character changed, the person’s name changed, like Jacob to Israel, Simon to Peter, Saul to Paul. Their new name corresponded to their new nature and the purposes of God in their life.

The many names of God present some aspect of His inexhaustible, awesome glory. God made a big deal of making His name known to Israel, and Jesus said that making the Father’s name known was one of His continuing functions, so that we will love Him more and receive His abiding presence (John 17:26). Knowing the names of God causes us to know the riches we have in Him, and we rejoice His heart when we know Him.

God intends for us to see Him through His names. There are 37 names and 120 ways and attributes of God in Revelation. Can you find the 61 names or titles and 300 attributes of God in Psalms?  How about the 64 names and titles of God and 150 attributes in Isaiah?  Knowing the names of God leads me to know the riches we have in Him. What we call God says a lot about our relationship with Him. As we pray, do we call Him Lord? Abba-Father? King?

For every need and circumstance you are facing there is a name of God to meet that need. Focus your attention on the overcoming God of the universe, rather than on your problem or need. Worship God in any way that is meaningful to you, as His Spirit leads you. Make it your ambition to glorify God and enjoy Him in his many names. The King of kings wants you to personally know Him in all His fullness.  Think of it!  You are privileged to walk with the Lord of hosts. Think of it! The Living Water invites you to drink deeply of Him. The Bread of Life invites you to feast upon His Word.

by Sylvia Gunter
used by permission

FURTHER READING

The Names of God

The Names of Christ

Names of Jesus

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“Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you the most joyful news ever announced, and it is for everyone!  The Savior — yes, the Messiah, the Lord, has been born tonight in Bethlehem” Luke 2: 10 -11

We are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th and I have been wondering what I should give Him for His birthday this year. What would He like?

The Wise Men brought tangible gifts — gold, frankincense and myrrh. But we can’t give material gifts to Him, so I have to think of something else, something He would value.

What can I give Him?

LOVE? I know He would appreciate more love from me.

OBEDIENCE? The Bible tells us that we show our love to Him by our obedience.

THANKFULNESS? To many times I take His blessings for granted.  Family, health, nature, home, lots of food, forgiveness of sins. Yes, I need to thank Him (and others) more often.

PRAISE? He really appreciates our praise. Not just on Sunday morning, or during quiet times, but many times–all the day long.

TELL OTHERS ABOUT HIM? Yes, because after all, He promised us His power to be His witnesses.

GIVE TO THE POOR? He wants us to remember and help those less fortunate than we are.  OK, Lord, direct me to the poor that you want me to help.

Thanks for the Bible, Lord! It tells us what You appreciate. Now which one of these gifts will I make my focus this year?

What are YOU going to give Jesus for His birthday?

Lord Jesus, we really want to please you on your birthday celebration this year.  What can we give you? Would you please let us know what would please you the most?  Thank you.  We love you. Amen.

by Katherine Kehler
used by permission

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